Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: First Fan Signing Event (3)
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EverPlanet's very first fan signing event.
I'd done my homework beforehand, digging up stories from other idols' signing events.
So I figured I could handle just about any question that came my way.
But then...
"I'm thinking of starting a fan page for our Jae. Could you maybe suggest a homepage name...?"
"A homepage name?"
"Yeah. It'd mean so much more if it came from Jae himself."
People are unpredictable, after all.
For the first time, I faced a question I hadn't seen coming, and I couldn't hide my fluster.
Some fans who loved idols carried high-end cameras everywhere, snapping photos, editing them, and uploading to their own sites.
Those fans were usually called homma—short for homepage master.
This fan in front of me seemed to be one of them.
Truth be told, there was always a chance it could border on invading portrait rights.
But their photos helped boost the group's visibility, and they often rallied fans in positive ways, so agencies turned a blind eye as common practice.
Hey, if they took pretty pictures of me, I was all for it.
Now that candid street shots were circulating anyway, uploading schedule pics to a homepage—as long as they didn't cross lines—didn't seem like a big deal.
'But she wants me to name the homepage right now.'
Talk about awkward. I had zero talent for naming.
Still, I couldn't flat-out refuse.
I racked my brain. Something good. Tied to me, but clever...
"Hmm... what would be good?"
"Honestly, anything from you would be perfect."
Anything. That made it hardest.
As my overworked brain churned, a random thought popped out of my mouth.
The fan clapped and beamed.
"Wow! That's perfect! You've got great taste, Jae!"
"Glad you like it."
"I'll go with that. Thanks for naming it! Looking forward to more from you."
"Yes, thank you."
Phew. Looked like she really liked it.
I let out a silent sigh of relief as I handed over the signed album.
Right on cue, the staff behind us said, "Time to move on."
The fan looked so disappointed as she reached out her hand.
"Jae. Could I hold your hand one last time?"
"Of course. Here."
I clasped her hands firmly with both of mine, pouring in sincerity, and she descended the stage glowing with joy.
Watching her go, a thought crossed my mind.
'What does she like about Ha Jae to make him her ult?'
Should've asked. First fan to call me her ult... kinda bummed I missed it.
I'd been living as Ha Jae for months now, but I still had no clue how others saw me.
Oh well. Can't be helped. He was so different from the real me anyway.
Then the next fan, and the next.
One conversation ended, another began, endlessly chaining together.
Strangely, it didn't wear me out.
I could feel they were all here because they liked me—liked us.
'Everyone looks so happy. That's a relief.'
Seeing them genuinely enjoy this warmed my heart.
I gave it my all too.
"Jae, any favorite foods?"
"I don't picky-eat. If it tastes good, I devour it. Lately, Surim hyung's cooking has me upping my workouts..."
"Does Surim cook well?"
"Hyung's skills are no joke. I'll show you sometime if we get the chance."
I answered every question sincerely.
"Jae oppa, a gift for you!"
"Whoa, ring pops! I loved these as a kid. Thanks. Mind if I put one on now?"
"Go for it! Please do!"
"Too cute to eat."
I accepted gifts graciously.
"Jae oppa, could you do a three-line poem with your name?"
"Hit me with a prompt."
"Ha!"
"One and only."
"Hi!"
"This life."
"Jae!"
"Live it fun!"
I even did the acrostic poem.
One thing was a bit tricky, though.
Post-its.
With time per fan so limited, many prepped questions on sticky notes like multiple-choice quizzes.
I got a few too. One was particularly loaded.
[Who does Jae like best?
① Surim hyung
② Tae-hee hyung
③ J-O hyung
④ Teddy
⑤ Kwang-myeong
⑥ Eun-young]
Pick one for real, and drama would brew.
Hmm... best response?
I mulled it over and found a solid out.
"No good options here."
"Huh?"
"If none fit, I'll make my own."
I grinned at the fan and scribbled on the Post-it with my marker.
[Who does Jae like best?
① Surim hyung
② Tae-hee hyung
③ J-O hyung
④ Teddy
⑤ Kwang-myeong
⑥ Eun-young
∨⑦ YOU♥]
Her face turned tomato-red as she read it.
As she left the stage, Teddy—sitting beside me—nudged my side with his elbow and whispered slyly.
"Ooh, Jae. Smooth."
"Just sign, Teddy. Next one's coming. Hi there."
And so, we safely signed for all 100 fans.
Afterward, we cleared the signing table and performed our title track plus a b-side.
The fans went wild.
The noise drew passersby to stop and film us.
Performing in the middle of a shopping center felt a tad embarrassing, but good reactions meant all good.
[Successfully wrapped up your first fan signing. Charm +1]
EverPlanet's inaugural fan signing ended on a high note.
* * *
Back at the dorm after the event.
I grabbed my phone on the sofa while waiting my turn to shower.
'Gotta post on Flitter.'
Standard courtesy after a successful signing.
I tapped open the Blue Cat app and typed away.
Snapped a selfie and attached it to the fleet.
[Hey everyone, Jae here. Huge thanks to all the fans who joined our historic first fan signing today. Had a blast! See you next time. (Hand heart pic)]
Then I dove into some web surfing.
Mostly searching our group. Checking fan reactions helped plan future activities and behavior.
What to search? Plain old "Ha Jae"?
I typed "Ha Jae" and hit enter.
Top result: Converse "Ha Jae" restock posts.
'Didn't see that coming.'
Tried "Lee Jae" next.
Up popped a Joseon-era official.
'Visibility still near zero, huh.'
Expected. You can't fill up on the first sip.
Still wanted to check signing reactions.
On a whim, I searched "EverPlanet."
Jackpot—something promising.
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[Anon] Newbie boy group fan sign review
Scored tix to hot concept-master rookies EverPlanet's signing.
Close to home, been Eun-young fan forever, so went casually to see her.
Fuuuuck, full-on otaku meltdown... how are they THIS charming?
Anyway, review time.
1. Surim
Leader, puppy-dog cute face.
Acts like total people-lover pup ㅠㅠ So obvious he adores fans.
In those 2 signing mins, he got my home dog's name outta me.
Few more secs and it'd be my mom's too, whew...
2. Tae-hee
Just handsome. INSANELY handsome. Staring at his face = nirvana.
He knows it too, duh... impossible not to with that face.
Asked where I'm from, if I'll come again.
Thought: even if I'm on the moon, I'd go for him... legit fox spirit ㅠ
3. J-O
One word: pecs.
Not usually into guys' chests, but him... damn.
Couldn't peel eyes off during signing, total self-reflection moment.
Oh, voice = deep cave. Yangki-man vibes, 500kg bench triple.
4. Lee Jae
Watched him as vocal mem with Eun-young.
But IRL? Fairy boy sat there. Agency, pls apologize for that harsh eyeliner on this face.
Soft face, soft voice, gently thanks me while holding my hand.
Felt weirdly enchanted... like a stray cat bewitching you?
Cat lover, checks out. Kin recognize kin.
5. Teddy
Name's Teddy but tiger vibes, not bear.
As tiger-descended folk, can't not love tigers.
UK-Korean mix, Korean still rough ㅠㅠ
But that's charm... said hasn't seen Gyeongbokgung, dying to go. Adorable.
6. B-light
Hilarious af. Shouldn't say it but teasing him was peak fun.
First thing: "Nice to see you, Hamtol-lookalike." Sulked "23rd time today."
Pre-debut hip-hop buzz makes sense now.
Pouty huge eyes = killer.
7. Eun-young
Everyone knows Noleul's Go Eun-young???
Personal fave ㅠㅠ That cute kid grew into a man... ㅠㅠ
First thing, greeted and asked how I've been. Crazy busy practicing.
Told him Noleul stan forever, he was so grateful—said that era was tough, seeing fans like me lifts him. Bittersweet happy vibes.
Asked for fave song cover on L-Tube, said he'll def try ㅠㅠ
Eun-young = love... world's best main vocal ㅠ
Short review ends here.
Kids are solid. Superpower drama sets entry barrier, but
Pls trust me once and stan... they're gorgeous ㅠㅠ Rookies reverse-gifting from signing 1... (handwritten letter pics)
Debut stan and dive in proud~~
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Comments (22)
- Kinda eyeing these guys. That Tae-hee? Handsome.
└ Han Tae-hee IRL even more ㄹㅇ jaw-dropper
└ Curious. Next signing? Cutoff?
└ Low pop yet, not too many buys? Can't spill deets sorry ㅠㅠ
- Omg I went today too!! Went for Eun-young, ulted Lee Jae. Voice so unique n chill, my type...
└ Fr Ha Jaegot presence. Cat upper-face demand vocal mem... speaks so gently too
└ ㄹㅇ still debut super early, no merch sucks. YJ work!!
└ All solid so YJ does job they'll blow up!! Hope circuit go
- Gyeongzel rude af why stan? ㅋㅋ;;
└ Posting hate here ruder ㅗㅗㅗㅗㅗ
└ Clown leaving hate on fan post...
└ Gtfo don't stir
- Handwritten letters so thoughtful. Agency drills fan service huh
└ Rookie grind def, but cute n charming come thru
- Redbee juniors? Songs good, O Woong-jae picks winners
└ ㅇ songs n stages kill!! M-dance insane check this (M-box debut link)
└ O gonna watch thx
- Wtf Kim Kwang-myeong there? Idol debut????
└ ㅇㅇ know now?
└ ㅇㅇ... busy weeks no net;; suits idols well happy for him...
An anonymous board for free celeb chatter had someone post our signing review.
I scratched my head, waves of gratitude and embarrassment hitting after reading comments top to bottom.
So thankful they liked us enough to write this up, but felt almost too much love—like I didn't deserve it.
'Ha Jae's quiet, gentle vibe lands well, looks like.'
Data collection done, I set my phone down.
Just then, J-O hyung emerged from the bathroom.
"Jae, your turn."
"Got it, hyung."
I showered quick and stepped out, towel-drying my wet hair as I entered the living room—and froze in shock.