Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Daily Life, and the Dormitory
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Two weeks after the year-end evaluation.
The golden holiday spent in Gunsan for three days was short-lived, and before I knew it, the new year had arrived, making me twenty-two.
2014.
The entertainment industry was buzzing right from the start of the year.
News of a dating scandal between a famous girl group member and a top actor dominated the headlines, while a nostalgia drama set in the '90s was topping TV ratings day after day.
And then there was the big event coming up.
What was that kingdom movie called again?
Ever since seeing the trailer on Mityube, Ji-ho had been nagging me nonstop: "Hyung! Hyung! We have to watch this for real!"
The animated film was about to hit theaters.
Should I book tickets?
I checked the screening times on my smartphone but closed the window when it prompted me to log in.
Eh, too much hassle.
Bijoo or Ri-hyuk can do it.
With that, I zipped my padding jacket all the way up.
A chilly wind whipped through the alleys of Shinsadong.
I hurried into the Lemon Entertainment building.
I was heading for the stairs to get to the practice room with the heater when I spotted an unfamiliar figure in front of the elevator.
A woman in a black mask and padding jacket.
She pressed the elevator button a few times, then spotted the note saying [Out of order, thank you for your understanding] and let out her frustration.
"Argh, this sucks!"
A voice that rang out loud and clear.
She's a singer, huh.
"Why does it have to break today of all days!"
She seemed annoyed at the thought of having to carry her luggage up the stairs.
A heavy-looking suitcase.
"Need a hand...?"
"Why today, of all days!"
Her shout made me step back quietly.
I'm the weakest link in this company.
As a regular guy, I just slipped by like I wasn't there.
"Excuse me."
My escape attempt failed.
"Excuse me?"
She pulled her black mask down below her chin, revealing porcelain skin.
Big eyes and a strikingly pretty face.
And a face I recognized.
It was one of the members from Scarlet, our company seniors.
"Sorry, but could you help with this?"
"Sure!"
I flashed a big smile and nodded.
"Of course I'll help."
The basics of office life: impress the seniors and get on their good side.
Besides, it was just one suitcase.
I'll knock it out quick, I thought, grabbing the handle.
"Careful, it's super heavy—"
"Don't worry. This is nothing... Hngh!"
I tried to lift the suitcase and nearly toppled over.
"Told you it was heavy."
"Didn't realize it was this much."
Even with 100 push-ups a day since discharge, my strength was giving out.
Felt like a sack of rice.
After a few tries, I finally hefted it up, and she climbed the stairs ahead, reaching out a hand.
"What's that?"
"I said help me move it."
"Yeah."
"I meant carry it together."
I was tempted to hand it off, but seeing her about 150 cm tall with slim limbs, I changed my mind.
Better if I do it alone.
"I'll handle it, sunbaenim. Just show me the way."
As I climbed slowly, she went up one step at a time like a game of rock-paper-scissors, then stared at my face intently.
"Haven't seen you around. You're the new trainee, right?"
"Yeah."
"I'm a senior singer."
She put on a stern face, exuding senior vibes, and I chuckled.
"You know who I am, obviously."
"Of course."
I even knew her name.
"You're Day-Z sunbaenim, right?"
"Right."
Day-Z from Scarlet smiled, satisfied.
"You're a great hoobae."
"Pleased to... Hnngh."
"Whoa, you okay?"
"I-I'm fine, sunbaenim."
"Doesn't look fine. You look like a grandpa about to keel over."
"......"
Rain started pattering in my heart.
"Whew."
Lemon Entertainment, second floor.
Past the recording studio where I took composition lessons from Executive Director Jo Kyu-hwan every week, deeper in was another workspace.
By the time we got there, sweat was pouring down my armpits and back like rain.
"Good job."
Day-Z handed me tissues, like she knew.
I watched as she poked at her eyes and opened the suitcase.
What the heck was in there?
It was packed tight with boxes of red ginseng.
No wonder it was so heavy.
Then another item made me do a double-take.
"You carry dumbbells around the workspace?"
"The chair's high, so I use them as a footrest. Like this."
The petite senior singer grunted as she lifted the dumbbells, placed them under the workspace chair, and tapped her feet on them while sitting.
"Perfect height, right?"
It felt like she was saying, "Ta-da, impressive?" but I was just stunned.
"Sunbaenim."
"Yeah?"
"Ever heard of a footrest? One of the greatest inventions of the 21st century."
"......"
"Sunbaenim?"
She wasn't listening at all.
Humming to herself, she stocked the workspace fridge with red ginseng drinks, then handed me several packs hugged to her chest.
"You worked hard. Eat plenty."
"Thanks."
I chugged the red ginseng juice right away.
Bitter and healthy-tasting.
Free is always best.
Looking around, I asked,
"This must be Scarlet sunbaenims' workspace."
"Yep."
Jealous.
Wonder if we'll get one someday.
"Who did the interior?"
"Who do you think?"
Her expectant question made me play along.
"You, sunbaenim?"
"Right. Pretty good, huh?"
Pink sofa with zebra cushions.
An interior designer would redo it for free.
"Anyway."
Day-Z closed the fridge door and asked,
"Heard you were collabing with Jang Sowon sunbaenim not long ago?"
"Yeah."
"Rumors were flying around the company."
"What rumors?"
"PR team staff were gossiping up a storm about how the new trainee nailed it. Said the team leader was grinning ear to ear about the free promo."
She looked curious.
"How's it going now?"
"Not sure. Heard negotiations with Hwayi Entertainment are ongoing."
Day-Z hummed thoughtfully.
"Well, hope it works out."
"Thanks."
With that, I said goodbye.
"Time for lessons. Gotta go."
"Wait."
She stopped me as I turned to leave.
She pulled out her wallet from her padding and handed me something.
"What's this?"
"Hard work pay. Buy snacks for the kids."
Two Shin Saimdangs.
All my fatigue melted away.
"Oh, no need..."
"At least stop smiling like that. Take it before I change my mind."
"Thank you, sunbaenim. We'll have a nice meal with it."
"What sunbaenim."
Next came the casual call.
"Call me noona next time."
"Pardon?"
"Call me noona, casually."
"I could if you want, but..."
She tilted her head at my words.
"What? Aren't you in high school?"
"I'm twenty-two."
She went silent, blinking.
"...For real?"
"Yeah."
"Wow, you look so young. Good job, see you next time."
I smiled quietly as she awkwardly brushed it off. I bowed and left.
As the door closed, I faintly heard something like "Embarrassing!"
I pulled out my smartphone, searched "Day-Z," and her profile popped up.
-Day-Z (Kim Na-yoon)
-Singer
-Birth: 1996.03.27
-Group: SCARLET
-Agency: Lemon Entertainment
Three years younger than me.
What's this warm feeling?
Back in high school, it wasn't like this, but now in my twenties, just hearing "young" makes me happy.
Gotta tell the dongsaengs.
* * *
Lunchtime.
After morning practice, we were at our favorite spot nearby.
A black pork butcher restaurant.
Cheap and delicious—our go-to lunch spot.
We ordered the usual pork belly set and chatted about my morning adventure.
"So what'd she say?"
"When I said I'm twenty-two, her pupils shook for a second."
The members burst out laughing.
Stuck in the practice room all day, we cracked up at the smallest things.
Bijoo added,
"I get Na-yoon. I thought the same when I first met hyung. Figured you were younger."
"Me too. Thought you were in high school."
"Yeah. If you hadn't said your age, we'd have messed up too."
"Hmm."
What's this satisfying feeling?
"I mean, I do look young, right?"
"Nah, not that much."
Jung-hyun chuckled.
"Hyung, the more I look, the more that old vibe comes out."
"Right."
"Hyung's got that thing—always going 'Aigo~' rubbing his back at every chance."
Laughter like spread among the kids.
Maybe 'cause we're close now.
They drop truth bombs without hesitation.
I stared at the duck hotpot bubbling on the gas burner.
A special treat bought with that 50,000 won someone tossed my way this morning.
Jung-hyun, savoring the aroma, said,
"But Na-yoon must make bank. Whipped out 50k without blinking."
"Of course. Honestly, 100k wouldn't faze her."
Ouch.
"Scarlet's top-tier right now. Give 'em another year or two, she'll buy the building next door cash."
"That much?"
Ri-hyuk nodded at my question.
"Other groups have higher revenue, but our company's settlements are solid."
"Oh."
"Woojoo hyung, you didn't know that when you joined?"
The maknae explained.
Among mid-sized agencies, Lemon Entertainment was one of the few matching the big four in artist welfare.
Oh.
News to me.
Showing net posts about other agencies' settlements, the maknae suddenly switched topics like he'd remembered something.
"Right. Hyungs, you know that thing? A post about us popped up recently."
"What?"
"Hang on."
"Really? Really?" We all crowded around Ji-ho.
"Street Boys' reality debut aired yesterday. Got some reactions, and we're in 'em."
[Knet, anyone see the new reality?]
Na-deok usually start via reality
Turned on TV, Street Boys? Their reality was on
Was boring, about to turn off, but that year-end eval scene was hilarious lol
Lemon Ent kids actually seemed better
[37 comments]
-I usually don't get into idols via reality/variety
-Reality was meh.. Only ep1, but not hooked
┖Honestly, which debut reality is fun? It's the fresh vibe
-Brown hair guy in the pic, name? Urgent!
┖Why urgent lololol
┖Debutless trainees, what're you gonna do with it
┖How would we know profiles of non-debuted kids
-Popped up briefly but killed it.. Eyes went to them instead
-Aren't they just agency staff? Not just pretty faces?
┖Ugh, smells like thirsty fujoshi
A fight broke out mid-thread, so 70% of the 40 comments were arguments.
"What?"
Ri-hyuk frowned.
"Our reaction? That's all?"
"Strictly, it's Woojoo hyung reaction, so ours too."
"Yeah, Ri-hyuk."
Bijoo smiled.
"Honestly, just being mentioned feels good."
Members scrolled for their own mentions.
Then it got quiet.
They clicked a link, played a video, and all stared at me.
"Why?"
"Woojoo hyung."
Admiration in their eyes.
"You skipped Suneung to save a grandpa?"
Their looks screamed total misunderstanding.
* * *
"Whoa!"
Break time.
I came back from getting water, and Ji-ho yelled.
"It's the righteous man! Righteous man!"
That sparked a barrage of jokes.
You guys are hooked on this.
They teased me relentlessly, enjoying my embarrassment at the cringey title.
Mid-bantering during break, our manager Yoon Seok-hwan opened the door.
"What, no practice?"
He always shows up during breaks.
Like grandma nagging during exams, he geared up to scold, so I beat him to it.
"What brings you here?"
"Oh, right."
Seok-hwan hyung nodded.
"Came to tell you guys something. Three pieces of good news—which first?"
"The best one."
"Just wrapped revenue split negotiations with Hwayi Ent. Contract signed, so collab with Jang Sowon and you guys starts ASAP."
Schedule locked in at last.
"Other news?"
"Second, dorm contract done. Move in this weekend. Adjust schedules and come ASAP—the sooner, the better."
Dorm too.
We exchanged glances, mouthing "jackpot." Expecting the last bombshell, we were thrown by his words.
"Last, group name finalized. New Black, the one you came up with."
......Hold up.
The name from my plain tee logo?