Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: A Heartfelt Backstory
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[You've received a lot of love from viewers over the past 35 days. Could you share your thoughts?]
[Uh.... First off, I'm just really happy to be able to share my voice with so many people after such a long time. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.]
[Aww, no need to thank us. We're the ones who should be grateful to hear such a song.]
Kang Ji-woo on the screen bowed toward the excited panelists and continued calmly.
[Actually, the song I sang today, 'Fairy Tale of My Life,' is a precious one that sparked my dream of becoming a singer.]
[Oh, really?]
[Yes. Whenever I was struggling, this song gave me so much comfort. That's why I wanted to sing my songs to many people and give them strength too.]
[I see. No wonder it felt especially touching today.]
[If the people who listened to my song on this wonderful program, Silver Screen's King of Singers, gained even a little strength, I'd be incredibly happy. Thank you for all your support.]
The broadcast, which was nearing its end, wrapped up, and a study guide CF started playing. Gyeon Seong-ha quickly turned off the TV.
Kang Ji-woo gave him an appreciative glance and then looked at me.
"I think that explains it somewhat, but to be more detailed... My family was going through tough times when I was young."
Kang Ji-woo's face was relaxed as he spoke of the past. That made it easy to listen without feeling burdened.
"Even so, it's not a painful memory anymore. Thanks to the meals my parents made and the few songs I listened to on my secondhand MP3 until it broke."
I quietly listened to Kang Ji-woo.
Now that I thought about it, his voice—whether singing or speaking—had a warm sincerity that made me think he'd be perfect as a radio DJ.
"That's when I learned that delicious food and good music make people happy. I think it was around elementary school. I wanted to make more people happy, and that became my dream."
He seemed mature beyond his years due to his circumstances.
"But then I realized that no matter how fast or much I cook, there's a limit to how many people I can feed. That's when I thought I should become a singer. Music is something people can access relatively easily, even without money."
Unlike me, who wanted to become an idol purely for personal desire and fun, his reason was so upright and admirable that I couldn't find words to say.
I was also at a loss because he said it without any embarrassment.
No, how could he say something so personal in broad daylight with five people around?
I could never do that in my right mind.
Kang Ji-woo was weird, but it was also weird that the other three didn't find the situation strange. Everything was weird.
"Did I overshare for a first meeting? Feel free to forget it."
"No, it's fine."
Maybe my awkwardness showed on my face, as Kang Ji-woo smiled faintly.
"Come to think of it, we haven't even introduced ourselves properly."
Talking like this without even exchanging names was legendary.
"But we did eat together. That's way more important than self-intros you can do anytime."
"You're right."
Kang Ji-woo nodded solemnly and suddenly said,
"I'm Kang Ji-woo, 21 years old."
"...Pardon?"
No wonder he spoke so freely. With that face? 21?
Ban Yo-han looked young enough to stand with high schoolers without seeming out of place, but Kang Ji-woo's youthful vibe was different.
He had a fresh, boyish innocence that would probably get him carded at a bar even ten years from now... that kind of baby face.
Looking closer, he had a kind-hearted look anyone could see.
The type who seemed like they'd live righteously even without anyone watching, with an upright character that shone through. The kind adults would love.
His features were soft overall, but his eyes were resolute, so he didn't seem weak.
Like Gyeon Seong-ha, he had the kind of face that would suit acting later on.
'Is this company's trainee selection really just based on looks? Seo Moon-gyeol and Kang Ji-woo have skills too...'
Looking at everyone gathered in the living room, the thought came naturally.
Kang Ji-woo, having already said plenty, seemed to think no further intro was needed and just looked at me silently.
"I'm On Raon, 18. Somehow ended up imposing on you all. Thanks for taking me in. Otherwise, I'd really be wandering in the rain without an umbrella and crashing at a sauna tonight."
Ban Yo-han, sprawled lazily on the sofa and popping the last strawberry into his mouth, chimed in.
"You two are so hard to watch. Can't you just talk casually?"
"What does it matter if it's hard for you?"
Kang Ji-woo looked exasperated. So did I.
"He's always been a bit weird, hyung."
"You get it, huh? I don't know what sin I committed in a past life, but we've known each other since we were kids, and every time he acts like this, it pisses me off. Anyway, Raon, talk casually."
"Got it, hyung."
"...You two click so well it annoys me."
As expected, the fastest way to bond—though not the most desirable—was trash-talking based on reasonable grounds. Front-talking, in this case?
Kang Ji-woo poked Gyeon Seong-ha, who was sitting sullenly a bit away.
"Seong-ha, you introduce yourself too."
"...Gyeon Seong-ha, 19."
Gyeon Seong-ha started speaking but then stared at my face intently.
That was the issue. He must know I graduated high school without me saying it, so maybe from the same school.
"I did graduate high school, but since even Moon-gyeol hyung, who graduated with me, calls me hyung, we can just chalk it up to me being an early birthday kid or whatever."
Real age-wise, I was younger than Kang Ji-woo, Seo Moon-gyeol, and Ban Yo-han, but I called them all hyung, so it wasn't a big deal.
"You two can be friends."
"Why would I be friends with him?"
Gyeon Seong-ha shot back, clearly displeased, then abruptly stood and disappeared into an inner room.
Kang Ji-woo followed Gyeon Seong-ha's retreating figure with a stern gaze and let out a small sigh.
"Seong-ha's not a bad guy, but he's been sensitive lately."
Are you his guardian?
"He's not really hating on you. Just treat him like a friend, and that'll be great."
He seemed to hate me though. Favorability dropped from 3 to 0 in seconds.
Still, since I was the uninvited guest, I managed my expression and nodded. Kang Ji-woo smiled, relieved.
"I heard you're staying here until the next camp. Yo-han, when's the next camp? End of April?"
"Yeah, a bit over a month."
"Can I really stay that long?"
"The president okayed it, so what's the issue."
Doing this much for someone you barely know? Lodging and food would cost a pretty penny.
Kang Ji-woo explained, seeing my puzzled look.
"Our president is... unusually nice, in a weird way. And I heard you helped Yo-han a lot there. Moon-gyeol's fine on his own, but what does this guy know?"
"I know plenty."
Kang Ji-woo ignored Ban Yo-han naturally and continued.
"Think of it as our president's noble wish to ask for your continued help. It's a tough world to survive alone."
If you put it that way...
There were still some lingering doubts, but I accepted it. It wasn't bad for me.
"This dorm was originally for seven people, so don't worry about imposing or anything. Stay comfortably."
Instead of prying further, I said I understood and thanked him again.
If not for Seed folks, I have no idea what my life would be like.
I might've ended up homeless, showing up to shoots looking like a beggar and getting kicked out...
Just thinking about it was miserable.
Pop! Kang Ji-woo's bubblegum burst with a small sound. Next to him, Ban Yo-han was sitting side by side, blowing his bubble a bit bigger.
Ban Yo-han had told Kang Ji-woo about the new guy On Raon's personal situation on the ride back in the car.
Kang Ji-woo peeled the gum from his lips and spoke.
"Honestly, I was pretty shocked."
He glanced at Ban Yo-han, who seemed more focused on blowing bubbles than listening, and added,
"That you actually brought him along."
Ban Yo-han deliberately popped his bubble. Then he replied.
"I don't say empty words."
He spat the gum onto a tissue and tossed it into the nearby trash can before continuing.
"I was the surprised one."
No wonder they were childhood friends. Kang Ji-woo easily grasped what Ban Yo-han meant without a long explanation.
Kang Ji-woo was more reserved around strangers than he seemed. At least, not the type to share his backstory with someone he just met, like today.
"It's a bit much to say that to a stranger, like you said."
Kang Ji-woo hesitated, then said,
"The kid seems kinda... pushover-ish?"
"..."
Seeing Ban Yo-han's expression that screamed, 'Since when do you talk like that?' Kang Ji-woo waved his hands and quickly explained.
"No! No! Not as an insult!"
"Not?"
"...It's hard to explain, just a vague feeling. Soft and loose, makes you let your guard down. Not sure if 'guard down' is the right term, but that's the vibe."
Ban Yo-han slowly nodded as if he got it. He'd felt something similar.
"And he eats well. Seeing kids who eat heartily reminds me of my siblings at home, makes me happy. Maybe 'cause I'm used to seeing skinny kids who starve."
Trainees obsessed over weight control; some agencies even used "Lost weight?" as a greeting. They starved, took pills, puked it all up.
Starving in front of good food.
Though he had a past shaken by a scammer, in the Kang family—a venerable hanjeongsik lineage with the motto 'Eat well when you can'—it was unthinkable.
When eldest son Kang Ji-woo said he wanted to be an idol, the first thing out of their mouths was, 'They can't even eat proper meals.'
Kang Ji-woo did manage his weight as a trainee.
But he had the blessed metabolism that didn't gain easily, and his cooking skills were top-notch, so among trainees, he ate pretty well.
Otherwise, his parents would've dragged him home by his skinny wrists long ago.
But he couldn't just eat well alone.
The habit of taking care of three younger siblings instead of busy parents stuck, so Kang Ji-woo always tried to feed younger trainees nutritious meals.
In Gyeon Seong-ha's case, living under the same roof, he'd complain about not interfering with weight management but often succumbed to the smell, taste, and visuals.
Gyeon Seong-ha ended up eating more than before and increased his workouts to compensate for dorm life with Kang Ji-woo.
"Feed him moderately. We've got a recording in a few days."
"Our Yo-han... turned full trainee in a month? What if you debut before me?"
"Debut? You're quitting."
His reaction to the silly joke was ice-cold.
"You know it. We can't debut."