Chapter 48
Chapter 48
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: This Life is Space Star 48
-----------------------------------------------------------------
When the photos were uploaded to Lemon Entertainment's official SNS, we were all in the practice room, catching our breath.
Practice had just ended, and it was break time.
The maknae, who had been resting his head on my thigh, suddenly shot up.
“Hyungs! Look at this, it just went up!”
“Really? Let me see.”
Like meerkats, all five of us gathered around the smartphone.
The screen Ji-ho had pulled up showed our photos from Lemon Entertainment's official SNS account.
Gasps of admiration followed with each swipe.
“Wow, they don't look like us—they look like other people.”
Just as the maknae said, we really looked like different people.
The ones in the photos weren't us; they were young men from another world.
Ji-ho smiling brightly with a red headband.
Ri-hyuk with paint on his face, posing coolly in front of a canvas painted with the sea.
Bi-ju holding a yellow flower and gazing at it lovingly.
Jung-hyun lying back leisurely, taking a bite of a green apple.
The concept shots captured each member's color perfectly, making me think that if I were an idol fan, I'd immediately want to know who they were.
“The photos are really pretty. Should I send them to Mom later, and Dad, and my sisters too? This is the first life shot I've taken that looks this good in years.”
“Wang Ji-ho, how do I look? Good?”
“You look amazing? Gotta admit it.”
“Yeah?”
“You look like a total pirarucu right now, but in the photo, you look like a cool pretty boy. Love it.”
The cheerful maknae line's atmosphere turned chaotic when Ri-hyuk searched up pirarucu.
“I look good. You?”
“Not bad. Honestly, I was more worried about how the kids would turn out. The shooting set was super tense that day.”
“We all got chewed out big time.”
The hyung line smiled calmly, relieved.
“Huh? The last ones are Woojoo hyung's and the group shot together!”
“What, why are there so many photos?”
“They're up!”
My concept shot and the group shot had just been uploaded.
And...
As embarrassing as it is to say it myself, my individual shot was truly the best.
“Wow...”
The dongsaengs gaped at the photo.
In the screen, I was sitting on a box with purple fireworks bursting out, smiling.
A fresh smile.
Just looking at it felt refreshing, and for some reason, I felt proud.
I went through hell practicing that.
From magazine editorials to the expressions bikini models made.
The preparation had definitely paid off.
“I thought it was killer on set, but this is insane.”
“It's weirdly addictive to keep looking at it.”
“Right? How does he even make that expression?”
Ri-hyuk tried mimicking it, twisting his facial muscles strangely, then let out an awkward laugh.
Feeling embarrassed, I changed the subject.
“How's the reaction to our photos?”
“Just likes for now? Our fans probably don't know yet. It's only been up a little while.”
The likes from fans were only around ten so far.
“I wonder what'll happen when it spreads online. They'll go nuts over Woojoo hyung's photo, right?”
“Yeah. I'm looking forward to it.”
“Honestly, even we think it's pretty good...”
As the dongsaengs chimed in, I felt anticipation too.
Even I thought the photo looked great.
What would people say in the comments?
* * *
After Lemon and DNS uploaded their concept shots, the photos spread starting from idol communities.
-[Image Heavy] June Debut Boy Group Concept Shots Collection
The post listed concept shots from New Black, Street Boys, and two other groups in a row.
-Lemon kids going for a fresh concept?
-Both nailed the vibe.
-Who's the brown-haired one?? So pretty
-Filter on max or what.. Saw New Black on music show and they didn't look like that
-Not bad?
-You can only tell in person lol Profile pics don't count
-Visually, they all stand out. Lemon being an actor agency? Definitely picked unique kids
-When do these guys debut?
-Hey, why only talk about New Black? Street Boys must be sad
-You're the mean one hitting them like that
-Street Boys kids look intense with the concept.. Big eyes and all, feels like you'd have to pay to like them
-Fans already swarming Performance first
Similar posts popped up, but most were full of praise for Lemon's concept shots.
A clear win for New Black.
It was only natural.
New Black's refreshing concept was more approachable than Street Boys' intense hip-hop warrior vibe, and the top-notch photographer's work drew more eyes.
Of course, the biggest reason was something else.
-Brown hair is totally my type.. What's his name?
-Brown hair everywhere?
“You should know who it is from the context, right? The one with brown hair is a guy.”
-The brown hair
-Why the definite article lol
Comments asking for his name first.
-The kid has this subtle vibe.. Keeps drawing my eyes
-Yeah, maybe the expression? Eyes keep going there
-Wow.. Look at that expression. Doesn't feel like a rookie at all? Has some mileage
-If he's this good in photos, stage should be worth watching
Praise for the expression too.
But sharp eyes were everywhere.
-Something familiar about him though
-Kept looking cuz it's intriguing, think I know what it is
-?
-Feels like that meme. This one.
(Poolside model smiling while walking gif)
-Oh? That's it
What, why so similar
-Totally different though
-Mouth shape is similar
-Similar vibe. Like seeing it in summer cools you down? Good concept
-Freshest idol concept shot I've seen
After that gif, gotta call him noona now. Keeps overlapping
-Would've wrecked ajusshi hearts if he was in a girl group
-Agree, Why so pure and fresh
-Male-only sites already have posts
As the comments said, the rookie male idol member's concept shot had invaded male-dominated communities too.
[Seon Myung-ju's son debuting, visuals are insane
-Top visual possible?
-Totally
-Nationwide top.. Never seen anyone like that irl
-Small city top at best. Metro level iffy
Debate started on what percentile his looks were, then quickly shifted.
-Ugh.. Hate to say it but that expression is nice
-Hyungs, if he smiles like that asking for your number, you giving?
-Have to
-What are you guys saying;;;
-Here we hate it but irl might waver
Comments wild
-Expression doing that. If it was a girl's pictorial, it'd break hearts
-Not guy hearts?
LOL
Debate on whether you'd give your number to a guy like that filled the comments to the brim, pushing the post to best.
The reason was Seon Wooju's expression.
The smile packed with freshness was crafted to appeal regardless of gender from the start, so its effect crossed boundaries.
Even guys felt oddly drawn to it.
An unexpected side effect for the person involved.
* * *
Eulwangni Beach.
Out for the music video outdoor shoot, I was suffering unexpected agony.
“Eot! Someone's up on the sand there.”
“Whoa, he's getting sucked in.”
“Yo, isn't that the magnetic man Seon Wooju?”
“Huh? He's running. Catch him!”
As I bolted, the dongsaengs with mini cams chased like hyenas on the hunt.
“Kids! Don't run, be careful—you'll get hurt!”
Even the staff yelling that had laughter in their voices.
They'd teased me the moment they saw me earlier.
Driving me crazy.
No, the hot reaction to the concept shot was good.
But why did it blow up in guy communities? And it didn't stop there—it reverse-imported back to idol communities, making it huge.
‘Rookie male idol blowing up in male-only sites.jpg’ style.
You know what happens after that.
Everyone at the company teases me. Managers cackle. Dongsaengs went insane.
Soufflé teasing was better.
When New Black got mispronounced as Soufflé, that was nothing compared to now.
We're closer now, so twice the torment.
“Gotcha!”
Finally caught by the hyped-up trio.
“You little demons.”
“Whoa. Woojoo hyung, we go to family church.”
“Uh...”
“But I don't go~”
I held back the urge to flick the cackling maknae's forehead.
Holding back for the MV, really.
More like because of the handy cam in their hands.
The hot concept shot reactions led to a company reality project filming our daily life.
“Whoa, Woojoo hyung's sulking again.”
“Not sulking.”
“Long time since Soufflé face. Fans, you see this? This is our eldest hyung when he's mad. Ah, why's Ri-hyuk hyung like that? That hyung's face is always bad, euaaa!”
Ji-ho, grabbed by Ri-hyuk's collar, dropped the camera, but Jung-hyun snatched it mid-air.
Then filmed me laughing.
“What, you teasing too?”
“Nah. I prefer watching.”
As I smirked, Jung-hyun asked.
“Concept shot reactions better than expected—how's it feel?”
“Uh, very grateful. Never thought it'd be an issue like that, but thanks. Well. Gender doesn't matter when you like idols, right...”
“Hyung, you look like you're crying.”
“Nah. Salt in my eyes or something.”
Jung-hyun diligently filmed me walking wistfully against the sea.
As I strolled leisurely to wave sounds.
The beach was still bustling with equipment setup.
Bi-ju under the parasol spotted us and waved.
“Kids, our guest is here!”
“Guest?”
“Na-yoon noona must be here.”
“Ah, the Kakao cameo?”
“...Cameo. Jung-hyun hyung, cameo.”
MVs often use cameos.
For press lines later.
“Long time no see, everyone.”
From behind Bi-ju emerged petite girl group member Daisy.
Snow-white skin, big eyes.
Like a cute block of tofu waving.
We greeted warmly the one who made time for our fireworks MV.
“Hello.”
“Noona, long time!”
The kids exchanged cheerful greetings.
Routine stuff.
Chatting amiably, Daisy suddenly remembered something.
“Right, I brought sushi for you oppa-deul to eat later.”
The genuine welcome made the other side look awkward.
Sushi was serious business.
* * *
Morning shoot wrapped successfully.
Insane choreography practice paid off—down to fingertips and toes. Director kept praising.
At this rate, done before dinner.
“Thank you for your hard work!”
After 90-degree bows to all staff, we settled at the parasol table.
Daisy, done with her cameo, joined too.
“Wow, noona spent big. Staff and us make over 60 people.”
“Right? I'm kinda rich.”
Haha, she laughed goofily, same as ever.
Just like January when I helped with her luggage.
Only clothes changed for the season.
Chatting noisily with the kids, Daisy looked my way.
“But hard to see you too, oppa. Thought we'd bump into each other since studios are close, but went to ask about composing blocks a bunch—always gone.”
“Really? Leave a note next time.”
“Not that curious.”
Shrugging, she lit up remembering something.
“Oh, speaking of composing—Fireworks? Like it? A&R team always talks about it.”
The dongsaengs answered.
“Expectations high, noona. Woojoo hyung made a really good song. We did lyrics too.”
“Not thrilled to admit, but song's solid. Fits our color perfect.”
“Me and Woojoo hyung slaved over it.”
“Feels like our song every listen.”
The creator sat quiet while kids hyped.
First time knowing they were that proud of my song.
“Wow. Must be really good.”
Curious-faced Daisy said.
“Anyway, on music shows lately, that's all I hear. Other group kids come asking. 'Your junior group's new song coming—how is it?'”
“...What?”
What now.
“This industry's rumors fly fast. Everyone's interested cuz competing DNS this time.”
“Really? About us?”
“Nah, not you—this oppa.”
We laughed at sulky Ji-ho.
“They're amazed title's self-composed. Wondering if it's good, like Something again. Even I'm curious.”
“Other groups saying that?”
“Yeah. Pretend not, but super interested. Yesterday greeting Teen Spirit waiting room—they pried subtly.”
She said annoyed.
“Keep asking about your junior group's song. Obvious motive. If it hits, butter them up early.”
“...”
“Everyone calculates like that. Composing—one hit's luck, two means skill. Suck up to rookies early, maybe snag a good song later.”
Scary industry sometimes.
Kids not even high school grads yet, antennae up on who's rising, potential.
Creepy even.
“Watch boys and girls approaching. Foxes everywhere.”
“It's fine.”
Ji-ho reassured.
“Woojoo hyung doesn't like girls anyway.”
“Driving me nuts. Hey, what does that make me.”
“Truly magnetic man.”
“Woojoo hyung, guys liking you isn't bad.”
Instead of helping, dongsaengs cackled and joined teasing me.
Daisy laughed like couldn't stop them.
“You guys are really annoying.”
“Right?”
“Yeah, so don't give those idiots solo tracks later—work with me or my unnies.”
“Suddenly tempted.”
Instant reactions to the sly pitch.
“Don't tempt our hyung, noona.”
“Yeah. How good we are to you.”
“Say it quick, hyung.”
I didn't answer.
Seeing their uneasy eyes despite denial, I smiled quietly.
“What, no answer?”
Seeing all-day teasers anxious was hilarious.
Refreshing.
Picked up sushi, smiled.
Meal tasted sweet.