Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The Woes of a Rookie Idol (1)
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After wrapping up our debut stage and the pre-recording, we headed back to the waiting area.
I clutched my pounding heart and replayed the performance in my head.
No choreography mistakes in either the first or second take, the live vocals were pretty stable, and the second half went great too.
Nice. Not bad at all. No, for a debut stage, it was downright excellent.
Proof of that? The first condition in the quest window had switched to completed status.
And on top of that,
[You captivated the fans with your stage. Charm, Artistry +1]
I even scored some extra stat bonuses.
Satisfying. I let a grin creep across my face.
'Guess this means I'm officially an idol now, huh.'
The thought made my mood skyrocket, like I was floating on air.
It was my long-held dream coming true, after all. Even if it was a bit imperfect.
The other members were buzzing too, thrilled at having nailed their first stage in front of fans.
"You guys did great. Seriously great."
"You too, Jae-oh hyung. You were flying out there."
"Teddy, you punk. You pull it off like that in the real thing, so what was with earlier?"
"Uh, I dunno... Suddenly my body felt super light, and confidence just surged..."
Amid all that, Teddy tilted his head, looking genuinely puzzled about what had happened.
The effect is insane. I smiled contentedly at him.
Looked like the performance amplifier had hit him dead-on.
He was practically soaring on stage. The guy was already skilled, and with the buff? No contest.
I walked over and patted his shoulder.
"See, Teddy? Told you you'd kill it."
"Jae-oh! It really must've been that lucky fairy you gave me. I suddenly crushed it."
"Just nerves easing up, letting your real skills shine. You're always that good, Teddy."
"Oh, Jae-oh...!"
I'm seriously touched...! You saved me! Teddy shouted, pulling me into a tight hug.
Heavy, dude. I wanted to shove him off right then, but I held back.
Fine. Debut stage success—let him have his moment.
Stack up experiences like this, and he'll overcome that root issue in no time.
Not a bad start.
"Some fans even brought placards."
"Mine was there too! 'Teddy is my Teddy Bear.' I was so moved."
"Oh, I saw that. Adorable."
"Our Jae-oh could debut with that vibe now."
I saw it too.
Nearly went up to her after the stage and asked if I could have the placard.
Loved it that much.
"Worried you'd lean into it, Jae-oh. Someone called it lame before."
"...Why you looking at me? What. Got a problem?"
"Nah, just saying."
Kim Kwang-myeong, who'd commented on my Flitter post calling it lame, snapped irritably, like it hit too close.
Kid. But his rap was fire earlier, so I'll let it slide.
Then Park Su-rim tapped away on her phone.
"Should we post that pic from earlier?"
"Yeah, timing's perfect."
"But what to write... Guys, gather 'round."
"What's up, Su-rim hyung?"
"Gonna post on Flitter. Ideas for the caption?"
At Park Su-rim's request, we huddled up and brainstormed a good message.
A bit later, we compiled everyone's input into a short post and uploaded it to Flitter.
[EverPlanet @everplanet_official
Finally, the debut stage we've all been waiting for! Huge thanks to the fans who came out for the pre-recording this morning. We've got so much more we want to show you. Here's to the journey ahead with all of you—looking forward to your support. Love you♥ (photo)]
After my grammar check—perks of a national school grad—we posted. Likes and reposts poured in real-time. A few replies too.
[Julianna (K-pop fan) @julianna777
Aaaa Congraaaats guys!!! Hope EverPlanet's debut would be successful XD]
[태희얼굴갓 @Tae-hee_godface
Congrats on EverPlanet's debutㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Let's dominate the Korean music scene!!!]
[레드비언제컴백해 @dkckqlwo2gke
Huge congrats on EverPlanet's debut! Hope you become proud juniors who don't tarnish your Sunbaes' names ^^]
[최강에페진철 @Fencing_duk
Jae-oh, please make it big...ㅠㅠ EverPlanet fighting ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Hope it all works out...]
Not a ton, but seeing people cheering us on felt great.
Sure, a few traps mixed in, but that's tame.
Then the manager hyung showed up with mats and pillows.
"Kids, good work. You killed it."
"Thanks, hyung."
"Lie down if you're beat waiting. Or rest in the van if it's too much. Oh, but before that, guys."
We paused unrolling the mats and turned to him.
Manager hyung pointed outside.
"Hold off on crashing. Hit the dressing rooms first."
"Dressing rooms?"
"Your Sunbae idols. You'll run into them nonstop in this industry, so get faces memorized now. Everyone does it. Plenty of time—quick hellos."
Total military vibes. I smacked my lips at his nudge.
Knew broadcasting was strict on hierarchy, but didn't expect it among idols. First debut for me.
"...Do we have to, hyung? Kinda awkward."
"You'll never make it if you're awkward about this, Eun-young. No whining—go."
"Hng."
"Aegyo won't work."
Go Eun-young's charm fell flat.
Park Su-rim shrugged helplessly.
"No choice. Quick greetings and done."
"Yeah. Rip the band-aid off."
So we started hitting the basement dressing rooms one by one.
First up: Boy group Hotspot's room.
Knock, enter. Heads on sofas turned our way in unison.
"Hello! We're the newly debuted EverPlanet! Just stopping by to say hi to Hotspot sunbaenims. Looking forward to working with you!"
"Please take care of us!"
Park Su-rim led strong; we all bowed.
I put my all into it. No harm in good manners.
But their response?
"Got it. See yourselves out. Tired."
"...Yes, understood. Rest well, sunbaenims."
Cold indifference, like it was routine.
...We said hi, you know? Felt like asking.
I grimaced leaving. Others looked sour too.
Park Su-rim's face was priceless—usually beaming, now rigid as he stared down the hall.
Pride stung bad, probably.
"...Next room?"
"Yeah, Su-rim hyung."
"Su-rim hyung, greeting king. Best."
We pepped him up and moved on.
We toured them all.
Some welcomed warmly, others brushed off like the first.
Varied reactions. I vowed then.
'I'll treat junior greetings right when it's my turn.'
Tired or not, basic human decency.
Their chill was mortifying.
Wonder how rookies in worse spots survive. Must suck.
Finally, last room: A familiar group.
'Oceans. Schedules overlapping.'
Oceans. Powerhouse girl group from top-tier LPY agency. Just a year in, but their releases topped charts guaranteed.
Destined for nonstop success.
Fan loyalty rivaled boy groups; solo concert soon, massive scale.
Daesangs later, probably.
But irrelevant. Because Oceans...
'Did Kwang-myeong meet her here first?'
Kim Kwang-myeong's scandal years later—his girlfriend was in this group.
Remembering made my head throb.
Any way to stop it here?
I eyed the guys, especially Kwang-myeong, with unease.
"Can we get autographs?"
"They got time? Super busy."
"Hi first, then see."
Huh. Kwang-myeong's reaction was off.
Everyone hyped for Oceans; he just nodded calmly.
Reason hit soon.
"Hey, Kim Kwang-myeong! You actually debuted?"
"Yeah. Long time, Charina."
"......?"
Kwang-myeong entered naturally, greeting the pink-haired girl, Cherry.
She approached and smacked his back—smack!
Question marks on all our faces as they chatted casually.
"No way, watched you debut. Never thought I'd see it."
"What, shorty? You did it—why not me?"
"Thought you'd go rapper for sure."
"...Yeah, that happened."
"How's your auntie?"
"Fine, obviously. Your mom?"
"Mine's good too. She says visit sometime."
"Rina, you know him?"
Oceans members, curious at their old-friend vibe, asked her.
She nodded brightly.
"Yeah, unnie. This is Kwang-myeong, my friend. Remember that diss rap battle vid I showed? That's him. B-light!"
"Oh! Knew he looked familiar. Hi, I'm Summer. Congrats on debut."
Didn't fully get it, but Kwang-myeong's Cherry connection let us greet Oceans warmly.
Autographs, cheers—we headed back.
En route, members roasted Kwang-myeong like sausages on a pan.
"Yo, Kwang-myeong. What gives? How you know Cherry-nim?"
"Kwang-myeong! Friends with Cherry-nim? How?!"
"So surprised."
"Kwang-myeong hyung. Kinda disappointed in you."
Kwang-myeong sighed deeply.
"Knew you'd do this—why I didn't say earlier."
"But seriously, how close? Not casual."
Park Su-rim asked curiously; Kwang-myeong scratched his head sheepishly.
"Well... our moms are tight. Known each other since I was 3. Same school till middle. So we're close."
"But why hide it, hyung?"
"Knew it'd be like this."
"Thought you were secretly dating Cherry-nim. Felt betrayed."
"Bull. Better shave my head and join a temple than date her. Like family. Don't remember, but probably bathed together as kids."
Weird. Says that, yet they dated?
I stared at Kwang-myeong, confused.
'Didn't they break up quick?'
If memory served, split in under a year.
Didn't know back then, so shrugged it off. Now knowing? Odd.
Childhood friends to lovers usually means marriage, right?
'Rumor? But no dating, no admission.'
What? More I thought, more baffling.
I scratched my head, watching Kwang-myeong flop onto the mat and yawn.
Our eyes met.
"What're you staring at, Ha Jae."
Sigh. No clue.
Not figuring it out now anyway.
Leave it to time.
I flicked his forehead lightly for the sass and sank into the chair beside, closing my eyes.
Time to recharge... Exhausted...