Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: An Old Friend
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The cameras turned off, and the recording paused for a moment.
Following the staff's instructions, all the contestants rose from their seats.
“F-rank, please move first.”
Starting with the lowest rank, they began moving to the practice rooms.
Since I was in A-rank, I had to wait until the very end.
In the distance, I could see Wi Yeo-jun talking with the judges.
“Next, B-rank, let’s go.”
My turn was next, so I turned around.
Just then, someone tapped me on the shoulder.
Since I was sitting at the very end, I turned my head with a quizzical look.
It was Wi Yeo-jun.
“Seo Yoon-seul!”
He called my name cheerfully.
“It’s been a really long time.”
“Yeah, it has. Have you been well?”
“I think I’ve been doing alright. What about you?”
“I’ve been so-so. I saw the drama you were in. You’re a really good actor. I was honestly surprised.”
The conversation flowed naturally.
The atmosphere was quite different from when I had met others I used to train with.
Back then, it was so awkward and uncomfortable that I just wanted to get away, but talking with Wi Yeo-jun wasn't like that.
Though it was still a little awkward.
“Really? Thanks. I saw your debut stage, too. It was amazing.”
There was a brief pause.
We both darted our eyes around, searching for something to say.
In the end, it was Wi Yeo-jun who spoke first.
“I’m sorry for cutting off contact so suddenly back then. And for not being able to say anything even though I knew the whole situation. I’ve wanted to apologize for a long time.”
His apology felt sincere.
My mind went blank for a moment at the sudden apology.
During my time with the second generation of ‘GANGSTER-M’, I had no one left by my side.
An entertainer’s livelihood depends on their image. Sticking by my side while my public image was tanking could have cost them their jobs, so I didn't resent them for it.
I might have done the same if our situations were reversed.
But I had never received an apology from any of them.
They were all too busy trying to avoid my gaze and slip away.
‘If I had met Wi Yeo-jun during my time with the second generation… would he have apologized then, too?’
I couldn't be sure, but I decided to just believe that he would have.
Thinking that way would be better for my mental health.
‘I’ve been given a chance to live a different life, so I don’t want to be trapped in the past.’
“Thanks for the apology. It couldn't have been easy. And it’s not like I have anything to say for myself, either.”
A camera director who had been watching our conversation slowly approached.
“Do you two know each other?”
“Yes.”
Wi Yeo-jun answered the camera director’s question.
“How do you know each other?”
“I was originally an idol trainee. I trained at Stunning for a short time. Back then, we relied on each other a lot. But maybe because I lacked talent, I kept falling behind and gradually lost interest.”
“And then?”
The camera director was grinning from ear to ear as he listened to our story, likely thinking he’d stumbled upon some good material.
“I ran away without even realizing it. I just stopped showing up at the company without a word. They called me like crazy, but I ignored them all. The same went for Yoon-seul’s calls. I shouldn’t have done that, but I was young and scared. After I saw he debuted, I wanted to contact him, but I was too ashamed.”
Wi Yeo-jun said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
“And that’s how it’s been until now. To be honest, I was so surprised when I saw Seo Yoon-seul’s face in the waiting room. Maybe heaven gave me a chance to apologize.”
The camera director nodded.
“But just now, Yoon-seul, you said you didn't have anything to say for yourself. What did you mean by that?”
The camera director was acting as if he’d been possessed by a reporter for the sake of the show.
It was obvious he was already picturing in his head how to package our story beautifully for broadcast.
“When Wi Yeo-jun stopped coming to the company, all I did was call him a few times. I knew where he lived, but I never thought to go there. So now, I just think it was meant to be.”
Wi Yeo-jun lightly patted my shoulder.
“Yeo-jun, you’re a star who rose to fame through a survival show. How about a word of encouragement for your friend whom you’ve met after so long?”
“He’ll do great even without it. You saw his performance. He was famous even back at Stunning. Everyone said that the trainee named Seo Yoon-seul was a shoo-in for the debut team.”
I smiled bitterly to myself at Wi Yeo-jun’s words.
It was because of that talk that I had been so sure I’d make the debut team, only to be met with crushing disappointment.
Wi Yeo-jun had left the company before that, so he must have thought I left Stunning of my own will.
Otherwise, there was no reason for him to bring that up now.
I didn't want to ruin the pleasant atmosphere, so I said nothing.
“Finally, A-rank, please move.”
The timing was perfect.
“I should get going.”
I gave a brief wave and was about to leave when I saw Wi Yeo-jun hesitate, as if he wanted to say something.
“What is it? Something you want to say?”
I stopped and turned slightly toward him, asking.
“Your number. Can I get your number?”
His tone was incredibly cautious.
It felt a little funny that the hottest actor right now was acting like this toward me.
At the same time, old memories came flooding back.
I wasn’t particularly sociable myself, but I was a little better than Wi Yeo-jun, so there were a few times I had to pass messages for him.
It had taken a very long time for us to become friends in the first place.
‘It’s amazing that a guy like this became so popular playing a cop.’
“I have to go now, so next time. I’ll give it to you next time.”
“Okay.”
With that, I said my final goodbye and walked away.
* * *
After changing into a white tracksuit with a massive letter ‘A’ emblazoned on the chest, I entered the practice room.
I saw a digital clock hanging on the practice room wall.
The strange thing was that it wasn't showing the current time, but was frozen at ‘3:00:00’.
“We will distribute one tablet per two people.”
Distributing one tablet for every two contestants, not one per person, was as good as a declaration that they intended to film the conflicts and subtle tensions among them.
“Haru, Kang Ju-hyeok.”
When the staff called their names, they went to get a tablet together.
“Seo Yoon-seul, Lee Ho-jun.”
“Yes.”
I discreetly turned my head to look at the person I would be sharing a tablet with.
He had tanned skin, a muscular build, and sharp eyes—a man with a masculine impression.
“Should we go over there?”
His voice was also a deep baritone that could be described as cavernous.
“Ah. Yes.”
We took the tablet and headed to an empty spot.
“I’m Lee Ho-jun, and I’m twenty-two.”
“I’m Seo Yoon-seul, and I’m twenty.”
The awkward self-introductions were over.
*Beep.*
An alarm, like one for a disaster alert text, blared.
I looked up and saw that the digital clock on the wall had started moving.
[2:59:23]
The countdown had begun.
“Should we get started right away?”
“Sounds good.”
There wasn't much time, so we couldn't waste a single second.
“I’d like to learn the song while practicing the choreography. What do you think?”
“I think that’s a good idea, too.”
We began practicing in earnest.
The room was filled only with the sound of the song and the thumping of feet, as if everyone was completely focused.
My breath started to grow heavy from the constant movement.
Beads of sweat formed on my forehead.
I glanced up at the digital clock.
[1:47:19]
Almost half the time had passed.
“Hey. Don’t you think it’s a bit much to hog the tablet all by yourself?”
“I told you I’d give it to you after I learn the song.”
“You can learn the song well enough by looking at the sheet music. Don’t tell me you can’t read music?”
Gradually, irritable voices began to rise from here and there.
The picture the production team wanted was unfolding exactly as planned.
“Can we try the first verse again?”
“Of course.”
In contrast, the two of us were at peace.
We took turns, sharing the tablet and matching our choreography.
He might have seemed very cold on the outside, but his personality was different.
I hadn't known him for long, but seeing him be considerate of a competitor while performing a time-limited mission on a survival show was telling.
—Fly farther away
During the slow turn, Lee Ho-jun kept losing his balance and stumbling.
If it were a fast spin, it would be easier to fool others’ eyes even if it was a bit clumsy, but the turn the choreographer created was very slow.
It was at the speed of a ballerina figurine spinning inside an old music box from my childhood.
‘It’s not easy to keep your balance without technique. Especially to perfect it in just three hours.’
“Excuse me…”
“Yes?”
As I carefully began, Lee Ho-jun tilted his head in response.
“To be honest, I’m a bit hesitant to say this, but for that turn. If doing it on your tiptoes is difficult, it might be more comfortable to plant the ball of your foot instead of just your toes. If you lift your heel a little higher while doing that, it won’t look too out of place from the audience’s perspective. It might look more stable than wobbling, so why don’t you give it a try?”
Lee Ho-jun swept his lips, seemingly organizing his thoughts for a moment.
“You’re right. Why didn’t I think of that? The time limit must have narrowed my thinking without me realizing it.”
I had known the solution from the start but was hesitant to bring it up because there are quite a few people who take it as an insult to their pride when you offer a solution to help.
Especially during my time with the second generation of ‘GANGSTER-M’, many members held a grudge against me, so it took great courage just to point out when something was wrong.
However, contrary to my worries, Lee Ho-jun accepted the feedback positively.
Following my advice, Lee Ho-jun planted the ball of his foot on the floor and slowly executed the turn. He was definitely more stable than before.
He grinned, a corner of his mouth lifting in satisfaction.
“Thank you. I feel like I’ve cleared a major hurdle thanks to you.”