Chapter 618
Chapter 618
There had always been a massive TV in the living room of TeSTAR’s dorm.
In their first dorm, it had been a standard model provided by the agency just to fill the space, but the current one was a model the members had carefully chosen and purchased themselves after much deliberation. They all used it religiously.
It was all thanks to the experience they had gained over the past few years.
—Let’s watch that.
—Okay~
TeSTAR often gathered in the living room to monitor their broadcasts together or just to lounge around and chat during their breaks. There was something uniquely intimate and special about those moments.
And today, in TeSTAR’s sun-drenched living room, the TV was on once again.
[...]
However, the members of TeSTAR were currently out for their schedules and were not in the room. Even if their faces were flickering across the screen.
[TeSTAR: Hello, we are TeSTAR!]
[From magical boys to phantom thieves, hoteliers, and secret agents. A concept-driven idol group recognized by global media for their artistic experimentalism.]
[The undisputed powerhouses of K-Pop, the Grand Prize winners have arrived!]
The agency-wide variety show initiated by T-Holic was airing.
Cheerful faces sitting comfortably on the grass and playful captions flashed across the screen. Despite the tension of the past few weeks during their overlapping comebacks, the TeSTAR on screen looked happy and excited to meet VTIC, just as one would expect from a variety show.
Seon A-hyun looked adorable in his excitement, pulling out small caramels he had brought and holding them out to the camera with a fluttering heart.
[TeSTAR Park Moon-dae: A-hyun says this is his first time on an MT.]
[T-Holic Ha Tae-jun: Oh, just A-hyun?]
[TeSTAR Park Moon-dae: (Quickly) Actually, it’s that hyung’s first time too.]
[TeSTAR Bae Se-jin: !!]
Startled by being pointed out, a mountain of bulk-sized facial cleansers spilled out of Bae Se-jin’s black "comfort bag."
[T-Holic Martin: Pwahahaha!]
[MT Beginners’ Hub ~TeSTAR~]
Under T-Holic’s relentless teasing, Bae Se-jin finally shouted back.
[TeSTAR Bae Se-jin: It’s Park Moon-dae’s first time too!]
[TeSTAR Park Moon-dae: !!]
[TeSTAR Bae Se-jin: He went around asking the writers if he needed to pack a lunch box!]
The screen showed Park Moon-dae trying to run away, only to be caught and forced into an interview about his first impressions of the MT.
-A chain reaction of snitching lololol
-LOLOLOLOL
-TeSTAR’s unexpected selling point: They have no friends except each other.
-Gosh, Park Moon-dae is so cute.
-Is this a college orientation? Lmao.
Finally, VTIC appeared as the last group to be introduced. Even they had tense BGM playing right before their entrance to build the atmosphere, but…
[VTIC Chae-yul: Wow, look at the sky! Ju-dan, look at the sky over there!]
[VTIC Shin-o: An MT has to be on a day like this!]
[These people’s MT experience: 0]
As soon as they appeared, they made an impression on the viewers by looking bright-eyed and full of anticipation for the trip.
-Aaaaack lolololol
Regardless of whether fans were fighting over stats outside, the real-time viewers were simply laughing and enjoying themselves. Looking back later might bring different thoughts, but for now, the atmosphere was purely fun and lighthearted.
It was thanks to the production crew’s meticulous editing and subtitling, ensuring that no fandom’s feelings were hurt. The idols on screen appeared hardworking and sincere, yet humble and grounded, never crossing the line or acting too sly.
-I’m reminded once again how many talented idols our country has...
-Watching this just makes me feel good ㅠㅠ It’s just... something.
-They’ve been active for quite a few years now, but they still feel so passionate and fresh.
The TV continued to play. The program flowed on. The reactions on the laptop screen and the captions on the TV intersected.
[Suddenly in the middle of a debate]
[T-Holic Martin: Come on, if you care about the environment, online news is obviously better than paper newspapers.]
[VTIC Ju-dan: Hmm, that’s a common prejudice. The illusion that digital data is eco-friendly.]
[T-Holic Martin: ??]
The person in the video poured out explanations, saying things like, "Streaming online news videos has a high carbon footprint. In comparison, newspapers are economical because they can be reused as scrap paper."
[T-Holic Yoon: Oh? Then does that mean watching our MT broadcast on the internet is bad for the environment?]
-The 'awkward silence' incoming lolol
[VTIC Ju-dan: Yes. That’s right.]
[T-Holic Yoon: Oh.]
[T-Holic Yoon: (Flustered) (Eyes shaking)]
-?!?!?
[VTIC Cheong-ryeo: Ju-dan. It’s okay not to win at things like this.]
[VTIC Ju-dan: ….]
[VTIC Ju-dan: Yes.]
[(Hyung, weren’t we VTIC, the ones who always win…?)]
-Ju-dan, holy shit lololol
-Was he always this kind of character?
-How did they hide this?
└ Surprisingly, they never hid it.
└ Our kid was always like this, the muggles just misunderstood him...
The comments were filled with laughter and pleasant conversation. Even the eyes monitoring the screen relaxed slightly. The reactions were comfortable.
“….”
However, the moment one specific person became the focus of the screen, that comfort turned brittle.
[He has arrived!]
[T-Holic Won-seok: No, the Green Team’s lineup is insane!]
[Spacer Lee Hak: Gasp, sunbaenim!]
Ryu Cheong-woo.
On screen, he looked as robust as ever. But the viewers could no longer cheer for him with a light heart. Because he was the member who had "halted activities for health reasons."
-Ah, Cheong-woo ㅠㅠ
-Seeing him like this, he does look a bit subdued...
-He’s so handsome.
-Man, his hair, makeup, and outfit are legendary. He must be so disappointed himself.
The atmosphere turned similar every time he had a moment to shine. It was the same whether Ryu Cheong-woo won a reflex mini-game or brilliantly defeated Park Moon-dae in hide-and-seek with a clever shift in perspective.
For a moment, the comment section would be flooded with admiration and comments like "As expected of a national athlete," but soon, they would return to interesting, worry-filled speculations.
-Did Ryu Cheong-woo give up on the Random Play Dance early because he was worried about dizziness?
└ Ah...
└ ㅠㅠ
└ He really worked hard...
└ It’s so tough when your body doesn’t feel like your own. It must have been hard to stay so calm. I understand.
└ Let’s get some rest, Cheong-woo.
He scrolled down.
-Cheong-woo never said he was struggling back then, so why are there so many speculative rumors here? Get a grip.
└ Is it a crime to worry?
└ If he’s at the point of halting activities, he’s clearly sick. I know fans are hurting, but let’s not be so sensitive.
└ Yeah, the official notice is out. Instead of getting mad at speculations, just support Ryu Cheong-woo.
He flipped to the next page.
-I wonder what Cheong-woo is doing right now.
-I hope our leader is eating well and staying healthy without any worries ㅠㅠ
-Will RCW return for the next album?
└ Mental health issues aren't solved just by 'trying hard.' Let’s not take it lightly. He can come back whenever he’s ready to do well.
└ That’s true ㅠㅠ
The focus shifted.
-Park Moon-dae vs. Lee Se-jin: A taste test of who sings Ryu Cheong-woo’s parts better.
-TeSTAR is so good that I barely feel the absence of a member. Nice.
-So Se-jin does the greeting intro now. Their strict seniority system lol.
-Guys, I like how professional TeSTAR is.
-The members are seriously so good on stage.
And then.
-Is TeSTAR promoting as six members starting this week?
-There’s no problem at all. Since it’s like this, I wish they’d re-book the music shows they canceled.
-TeSTAR fixed their dance break formation well.
-I miss Cheong-woo, but I’m holding it in ㅠㅠ
And.
-Today’s TeSTAR 3-vs-3 debate lol.
-Anyone want to see TeSTAR in suits at the red carpet event?
-What could be the reason for Ryu Cheong-woo’s dizziness?
-Since it’s a critical time for TeSTAR, everyone is gritting their teeth and working so hard that it’s actually creating a narrative.
Ryu Cheong-woo’s physical condition, guessing the diagnosis. Anxiety, interest, speculation, worry, enjoyment. TeSTAR’s activities, praise, expectations, admiration, the attitude of accepting everything as natural, the smooth progression.
-6-member activities are fine too.
-Ah, Ryu Cheong-woo wasn’t in the dance video. Did something happen?
-Why is Ryu Cheong-woo sick?
-How long are TeSTAR’s promotions this time? I think I just became a fan, I love them so much ㅠㅠ
-Are his symptoms similar to when he retired from the national team?
And.
“….”
-It’s wrong to force a sick person to work. Ryu Cheong-woo is young and rich, he can just rest lol.
That was when—
“Ryu Cheong-woo!”
It suddenly vanished from before his eyes.
Whoosh.
His vision cleared. A sharp, cool breeze brushed past his face.
[Wahaha!]
The bright sound of the TV reached his ears. Before he knew it, the program had ended, and a commercial was playing.
“….”
Ah.
Ryu Cheong-woo blinked. The glow of the flat screen he had been staring at until his eyes stung was gone, and a sense of depth returned to the empty space in his vision.
The dark front door in the distance was open. And…
“What are you doing?”
Beside him, a member with a hardened expression was holding his laptop, having snatched it away.
Park Moon-dae.
“Why are you looking at this stuff?”
“….”
His cousin. The member who had appeared out of nowhere.
Park Moon-dae’s eyes were fast and sharp as he checked the internet pages and posts on the laptop. His expression softened slightly once he realized there were no malicious insults or rumors.
‘Most of it is just worry or concern.’
Ryu Cheong-woo already had a good image, and since he was sick, this was the normal reaction unless one went looking for the absolute bottom of the barrel.
Still, Park Moon-dae had to say it.
“…Didn’t you hear them tell you not to search your name on the internet during your counseling?”
“….”
“I asked if you heard them.”
“…They told me not to look at malicious comments.”
A hollow, sunken voice answered.
“But they said it’s okay to occasionally look at fans’ support or concern if I need reassurance.”
“….”
Presumably, it was meant for him to gain strength by seeing how many people supported him. But in Park Moon-dae’s eyes, this wasn’t that kind of situation.
‘This guy looked like he was losing his mind.’
Like he was sinking into a swamp.
Why else would Park Moon-dae, upon entering the foyer and sensing something wrong, have rushed over to slap the laptop away?
Park Moon-dae suppressed a sigh. It was a good thing he had stopped by just in case.
“I just dropped by to check on something I needed to pick up, but let’s talk for a bit.”
“….”
“In my opinion, now isn’t the time for you to be worrying about public opinion. There’s no need to. First, just clear your mind and rest…”
“I don’t want to rest.”
“…!”
The answer burst out. It was a sharp, instantaneous reaction.
‘Ah.’
Ryu Cheong-woo sat on the sofa without moving, his hands clasped together and his head bowed low. It seemed like a word that had come out instinctively from his subconscious, caught off guard while he was alone.
‘….’
Park Moon-dae’s expression darkened.
‘Actually, this is an opportunity.’
He closed the laptop, set it on the floor, and quietly sat on the sofa. Then, he asked calmly.
“Then should we promote?”
“I can’t.”
“There’s nothing you can’t do. We can just say you’ll try to balance activities little by little starting now and return…”
“Hyung.”
Ryu Cheong-woo covered his eyes with one hand.
“How can I work as a professional when I can’t even perform on stage?”
“….”
“If I say I’ll do it, can I? No. You told me to rest, too.”
Park Moon-dae reflexively calculated an answer. It was what he was good at. Shaping public opinion.
“That’s something we can ask for understanding on.”
“….”
“I can make it so people understand even if you falter a bit on stage…”
“I hate that!”
“….”
“…No, I’m sorry.”
Ryu Cheong-woo immediately lowered his raised voice and regained as much composure as possible.
“I shouldn’t have gotten angry. I don’t think I’m in control of myself right now.”
“No. It’s actually better this way.”
Park Moon-dae adjusted his posture on the sofa and lowered his gaze.
“I thought I had no idea what you were thinking, but I feel like I’m finally hearing it.”
“….”
“So, you hate the idea of showing a version of yourself that can’t perform properly because of your professional pride… is that it?”
Was it a matter of pride as a singer?
However, Ryu Cheong-woo remained silent for a long time.
‘…There’s more to it.’
Park Moon-dae waited silently for an answer. And the response he was waiting for burst out belatedly.
“They told me not to.”
“Who?”
“Everyone is telling me not to.”
Ryu Cheong-woo clenched and unclenched his hands.
“They’re telling me to rest.”
“….”
He was quick to identify people who held animosity toward him, but he had never lived his life giving those people much weight.
But…
—Cheong-woo, I heard your shoulder isn't good either, so that singer career... Ah. Our son is going to rest now, right? Yes! Mom and Dad are totally fine with that! What a relief, what a relief...
—In my view, Cheong-woo, if you keep doing archery, your arm will only get worse. It’s better to look for a new path now. I’ll look into it too...
You can’t do it anymore, so let’s stop.
I’m worried you’ll keep giving your heart to something you can no longer do, and suffer mentally and physically for nothing.
Every time he was thwarted by unexpected circumstances, he always heard those words. From the people he had given his affection to, the people he cherished, the people he thought were on his side.
…And this time, it was no different.
“I shouldn’t make them... worry and fret like that.”
“….”
“So I have to listen...”
In a voice that sounded crushed, Ryu Cheong-woo spoke. As if reciting it to himself.
“I’m sorry.”
“….”
“I’m sorry.”
Ryu Cheong-woo slowly shook his head.
There seemed to be no right answer in all those conversations, but Park Moon-dae thought:
‘I can’t leave him like this.’
He had to do something.