Chapter 220
Chapter 220
To be honest, I didn't have any grand intentions behind taking the GED Exam.
I just figured that as I went through life, having at least a high school diploma wouldn't hurt, just in case.
‘Even after using my brain like that on variety shows, the people who dig at me for being a middle school dropout aren't going to shut up just because I passed the GED.’
So, just like renewing my TOEIC score when the time came, I didn't give it much thought. I just flipped through a book of past exam questions and called it a day.
I had graduated from university and even prepared for the civil service exam; there was no way I’d fail the GED.
And just as I expected, my scores on the practice tests were well within the passing range.
“I just need to go and come back quietly.”
That was the conclusion I reached as I closed the graded workbook.
Our promotions ended yesterday, and while we weren't at the stage of getting a full vacation yet, the schedule was relaxed enough that official activities only cropped up every other day.
Even so, we’d have to start preparing for the next album after about two weeks of rest, but that meant there was no problem with me taking the GED the day after tomorrow.
I crossed my arms.
‘Let’s not make a fuss.’
Nothing good would come from the news of my GED exam leaking to the public.
From unnecessary public sympathy to the worst-case scenario of stalkers showing up and causing a nuisance at the testing site—it would only increase the number of variables.
Monitoring was already restricted as it was; it would just be a hassle.
‘No need to tell the other guys, either.’
Since it’s a rare day off, I should let them enjoy themselves.
[You damn K-POP bands!]
“Wahaha!”
Right outside the door, I could hear Cha Yu-jin roaring with laughter.
It sounded like he was binge-watching K-NOW starting from episode 4. Thanks to him, I got some very effective practice taking mock exams in a noisy environment.
However, I wasn't quite sure why Cha Yu-jin was laughing so hard.
‘The atmosphere started to shift from episode 4.’
Unlike the beginning, which felt like ‘Pranking hopeless attention-seekers with a K-POP Hell Camp,’ from episode 4 onwards, they started highlighting the participants' backstories and subtly building empathy.
[After my parents passed away, I haven't really felt like other people ‘cared’ about me.]
[I really need the prize money. It’s for my family.]
And in line with that atmosphere, the editing of the participants' attitudes naturally changed as well.
Unlike before, where they suffered through the camp and fell like extra villains under the K-POP onslaught, they were now shown feeling a genuine sense of accomplishment as they completed their performances one by one.
[I don't think I've ever pushed myself 100% like this in my life.]
[They’re the real deal. Factory-style training? They can eat shit! This effort is real, and they train just like professional athletes do!]
On top of that, they were building a rapport with the K-POP mentors.
For instance, they even used ‘Park Moon-dae’s’ family history, weaving it into a participant’s story.
Ah, it seems a scene mentioning me is passing by right now, judging by the sound from outside.
[After my parents died, I lived like trash doing f*cking drugs, but my mentor went on an audition and won.]
[That really means a lot to me.]
It was just a scene where I gave him tips on how to find the camera during a performance, but they sure did a good job stitching it together with the interview.
Perhaps because audiences overseas don't find it cliché yet, the emotional, tear-jerker code seems to be working quite well. It’ll probably keep gaining more traction.
‘The cast will get a share of the spotlight too… so I’ll let it slide.’
Come to think of it, I’d already heard the news that Season 2 was confirmed.
‘I just hope it brings in a lot of new fans for the next album.’
I opened my bedroom door and walked out with a look of indifference. Cha Yu-jin immediately turned his head, his eyes sparkling as he shouted.
“Hyung! Hyung, you are amazing! You are a wonderful person!”
“Uh, thanks.”
He looked ready to shout ‘love yourself’ at any moment. He really is American.
I went to the kitchen, poured some water, and asked, “Did everyone go out?”
“I don't know! I just woke up!”
It was 2:00 PM, yet he said it so proudly.
Well, considering we lived on three or four hours of sleep during promotions, I couldn't really treat him like a lazy bum for sleeping twelve hours for a few days.
“Hyung, let’s play a game!”
“In a bit.”
“Let’s do it now!”
“You were watching something. You should finish that first.”
“Aha.”
I managed to deflect him for one round. There was a fifty-fifty chance he’d forget about the game by the time he finished the show.
I leaned against the dining table and slowly sipped my water. A moment later, Bae Se-jin slunk out of the room next door.
“Hyung, did you sleep the whole time too? Me too!”
“A-Ah, no, I just… was reading a book.”
“Sure.”
Bae Se-jin’s face looked relaxed for once.
Ever since he became roommates with that guy Keun Se-jin, I’d seen him creeping out to the living room to sit in the corner quite often. I guess Keun Se-jin isn't in the room right now.
‘Now that I think about it, Seon A-hyun wasn't in the room either.’
Setting aside Keun Se-jin or Ryu Cheong-woo, even Kim Rae-bin and Seon A-hyun, who rarely go out, were gone. It really felt like the off-season.
“…Um.”
“Yes. Do you want some water?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah….”
I handed some water to Bae Se-jin as he walked into the kitchen.
Bae Se-jin stood there with a dazed expression, holding the cup, and then suddenly asked without even taking a sip.
“…Do you, have anything to say?”
“…? Not particularly.”
Surely he wasn't expecting an offer to switch rooms.
Sorry, but my kindness ends with the water.
“Um, okay.”
Bae Se-jin’s eyebrows seemed to twitch for some reason, but he didn't say anything else. He quietly drank his water and went back into his room.
‘What was that?’
He definitely had the nuance of someone who had something to say, but since the atmosphere didn't seem serious, I let it go.
‘If he’s anxious, he’ll speak up on his own.’
It’s the start of the off-season; I should get some rest too.
I shrugged and put the water cup away. Since I had nothing else to do, I planned to go over the practice questions one more time.
“Hyung! I finished watching!”
…And a short while later, I ended up playing a few rounds of games with Cha Yu-jin, who, as it turned out, had not forgotten about the game after finishing the show.
To be honest, I was bored since I had nothing else to do, so it was worth doing even if it was a bit of a hassle.
[How about playing Hover Knight? A friend said it was fun last time!]
“Do whatever you want.”
Looking back, I shouldn't have brushed it off so carelessly then.
Because two days later, on that morning, I received something I never could have imagined.
The morning of the GED Exam.
I had set my alarm to vibration only so that I would be the only one to wake up.
‘Everyone must be asleep.’
I quietly got out of bed, went to the bathroom, and washed my face.
But when I came out of the bathroom, I saw that the bed on the opposite side was empty.
‘……?’
Where did Seon A-hyun go?
‘Did he go to use the living room bathroom because I was using this one?’
Making the most plausible guess, I threw on my outdoor clothes and cautiously opened the bedroom door.
The first thing I noticed was… the smell. The savory scent of food.
And then, I heard a booming voice.
“Park Moon-dae is out!”
“…?!”
When I looked up, my housemates had filled the bright living room and kitchen.
‘What is this?’
Just as I was about to wonder if today was some kind of special occasion, Keun Se-jin approached me, clapping his hands.
“Ayy, Moon-dae Moon-dae~ I heard you’re taking an exam today!”
“……!!”
Keun Se-jin was grinning ear to ear. Looking around, the others were no different.
It meant that everyone knowing was a foregone conclusion.
“How did you find out?”
Keun Se-jin shook his head with an exaggeratedly pitiful look in his eyes.
“Moon-dae, let’s not forget that we live together… the screen of the smartphone you’re looking at… is plain as day to the person next to you.”
“…!!”
“I mean, really~ how could you not say a single word to the members about such a major event? Aren't you being a bit too cold??”
“It’s not like it’s the CSAT or anything, there was no need to say anything….”
“Sob, such hurtful words!”
“That’s right! We’re hurt!”
“…….”
These guys are pretending to be upset on purpose. Are they enjoying this?
The only rational explanation came from Ryu Cheong-woo.
“Everyone had time anyway, and since it’s a day we’re all at the dorm… we thought it would be nice to give you a surprise send-off. Haha.”
“…I see.”
This… was a bit unexpected. They really didn't have to.
“Considering your wish to take the exam quietly, we decided to refrain from seeing you off all the way to the testing site.”
That was an accurate judgment.
But that wasn't the end of it.
“S-So… we all made this together.”
Seon A-hyun, who was standing at the very back, quickly moved a ladle and soon set a bowl on the table.
Inside was… chicken porridge.
“…….”
“I wanted to make chicken soup! But everyone was against it!”
“I-It’s before an exam, so I thought something familiar would be better.”
“Chicken soup is delicious, though….”
The image of a charred chicken soup that looked like it had crawled out of hell automatically came to mind.
I could hardly believe that it had evolved into this perfectly normal-looking chicken porridge through two rounds of trial and error.
“A-hyun worked hard on it… and Se-jin, I mean Bae Se-jin, did a lot. Among us, only Rae-bin and Se-jin really know how to cook.”
“It seemed to me that Bae Se-jin-hyung definitely had more expertise!”
“I-It wasn't that much.”
Bae Se-jin cleared his throat. Right. Both you and Kim Rae-bin are about the same.
‘They actually managed to make it.’
I stared at the chicken porridge, which looked quite decent and seemed to have had a lot of effort put into it, and found myself at a loss for words.
I was a bit… flustered, and also felt a bit sorry.
“Well, Moon-dae? Are you so grateful that you’re… speechless? I know, I know. Eat up~”
Excellent. My guilt vanished instantly.
“What did you do?”
“Ayy, we all went grocery shopping together~ If we ordered delivery, we’d get caught. Do you think the ingredients just fell from the sky?”
So that’s why everyone was suddenly gone yesterday. I’m impressed they managed to get it into the fridge without getting caught.
“See? Makes sense, right?”
I let out a sigh and eventually gave a wry smile.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“……!”
“Thank you, everyone.”
“Don't mention it.”
“Hurry up and eat!”
Anyway, I ended up sitting among those grinning idiots and eating chicken porridge.
“…Does it taste okay?”
“Yes. It’s delicious.”
I thought I was going to get indigestion.
However, since I didn't know what they’d say if I left any, I finished the whole bowl.
…I was grateful, too.
“Want another bowl?”
“I’m fine. Keun Se-jin, don't take pictures.”
“Huh? You don't want to share this important moment with Moon-dae’s fans? The members worked so hard to cook this~”
“…….”
Fine, do whatever you want.
It’s not like I’m announcing that I’m taking the GED right now; it should be fine to post later that Park Moon-dae was treated to breakfast.
“D-Do you want to take the leftovers as a packed lunch?”
“Um, sure. Thanks.”
Actually, I had prepared something simple for lunch yesterday… but I guess I can just eat that when I get back.
Carrying the thermos filled with chicken porridge, I left the dorm at the appropriate time, seen off by the others.
“Get a perfect score~!”
“Let’s eat something delicious for dinner!”
It was a strange feeling.
‘Even during the CSAT, I brought a lunch I packed myself.’
I never imagined I’d be eating something like this while taking the GED in someone else's body.
‘…Let’s just do well on the exam.’
It would be truly pathetic if I didn't pass after all this. It won't happen, but I should pay a bit more attention.
I put on a mask, pulled my ball cap down low, and set out.
The testing site wasn't far, and I was able to arrive easily and quietly by taxi.
And naturally, no one was interested in me. If I had asked the company for security personnel, I would have probably been criticized for interfering with the exam.
‘There are plenty of people dressed just like me.’
Since the age range was so diverse, my ordinary attire blended right in.
Thinking that it was a good thing I didn't let the news leak unnecessarily, I sat at the desk and took out a pen.
It had been a long time since I’d taken an exam.
Inside a GED testing site in Seoul.
Just as Park Moon-dae said, people of various ages were sitting at their respective desks.
However, there was one thing Park Moon-dae hadn't anticipated.
The fact that, by chance, there was someone there with such immense fan devotion that they could identify a certain idol just by looking at their frame.
‘P-Park Moon-dae??’
That’s right.
A test-taker who was putting their bag on the desk behind Park Moon-dae froze upon seeing the familiar back in front of them.
That bone structure, that hairline on the back of the neck.
The countless back views of Park Moon-dae from all the fancams they had searched for overlapped reflexively.
And an instinctual realization struck their brain!
‘Wait, it’s the off-season now… and Moon-dae dropped out of high school! So it’s possible he’d come to take the exam, right??’
Thoughts flooded in like a bombardment. Naturally, the test-taker’s rational self was also screaming that this was an absurd delusion.
“…….”
But a moment later, the test-taker, having emerged from the whirlpool of thoughts, struggled to think.
‘I have to be careful!’
The possibility was extremely slim, but if it was Park Moon-dae, it would be rude, and even if it wasn't, it would still be rude. In any case, they absolutely must not interfere with the exam!
With a firm resolve, the test-taker cautiously sat at their desk.
And so, a thrilling GED Exam began.