Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: After First Album Activities End, Second Album Prep Begins (4)
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"Whenever I practice with Eun-young, she has these offhand comments or behaviors, you know? You must've felt it too while practicing with us, Jae."
"For example?"
"Like when someone messes up in singing, she points it out in this kinda snide way while teaching them. 'That's weird, you should just do it like this...' Stuff like that."
Han Tae-hee perfectly mimicked the tone of what Go Eun-young had said.
I nodded.
"Eun-young just seems genuinely baffled because it comes so naturally to her, but not to others. But the person hearing it gets annoyed."
"Yeah, that makes sense. Su-rim hyung seemed bothered by it too. So this has been going on since before debut?"
"Yeah. Su-rim especially got stung by it from way back. You seemed a bit put off too, Jae. Or maybe you don't remember."
"Oh."
It seemed the real Ha Jae, who had trained with him, had also felt a bit uncomfortable with Go Eun-young's way of talking.
But... our group's vocal line has four members.
"What about you, hyung?"
"Me? Well, I'm not exactly talented at singing. But I'm ten times better at acting than her, right? And I'm handsome. That settles it."
Ah, sure.
As Han Tae-hee smiled with crinkled eyes, I found myself giving him a blank stare without realizing it.
Even under the streetlight, his bespectacled face looked ridiculously handsome, so I had nothing to say.
More importantly... it sounded like everyone without Han Tae-hee's level of confidence had been provoked by Go Eun-young since trainee days.
But there was one thing I didn't get.
"What I don't quite understand is..."
I unwrapped a lollipop and handed it to Han Tae-hee while organizing my thoughts. Then I asked.
"Anyway, Eun-young is the dongsaeng, right? From what you're saying, this has been happening since trainee days, so has Su-rim hyung just been putting up with it all this time?"
"Pretty much."
"Why?"
Park Su-rim was the nice-guy type, sure, but he also had a firm side where he could say no outright if needed.
If this had been going on, and it stressed him out, you'd think he'd point it out at least once.
Han Tae-hee sucked on the lollipop and answered.
"It's simple—Eun-young's a genius. She's young, but her singing is insane, her dancing's no slouch, visuals? Top-notch. And she already had a name for herself. So unless something crazy happened, she was a lock for debut lineup. And here we are, active with her."
"True."
"So no one could call her out on it. She's debut-bound for sure. Pointing it out would just risk bad blood with her. Plus, her tips are helpful sometimes."
"Oh..."
"Anyway, everyone just let it slide nicely. Su-rim too. And honestly, aside from that snide bit, does Eun-young do anything majorly wrong? Or is she so nasty you can't deal with her? Minus those moments, she's sweet, cute even."
"Yeah."
"And she's young, so we spoil her a bit. She should've been in school, hanging with friends, but she got sidelined by schedules and stuck to trainee life..."
Hearing Han Tae-hee's explanation made the whole situation crystal clear.
I'd seen it a few times back in TL.
One guy who was basically guaranteed debut: Pyo Hee-beom.
He was so skilled, and his family's backing was solid.
Even company staff treated him like a debuted Sunbae.
And he did debut as S-T's rapper.
Looks like Go Eun-young was UJ's version of Pyo Hee-beom.
'In the end, it's something Park Su-rim has to overcome himself.'
From the story, calling out Go Eun-young wouldn't fix it.
It's not just her problem—it's tied to Park Su-rim's inner struggles too.
He'd get that complicated look watching Teddy dance sometimes, not just Eun-young.
'Still, a bit worrying...'
I thought as I opened the door to another mart.
Then Han Tae-hee spoke as if reading my mind.
"Don't worry too much. It'll be fine. If things heat up, we step in."
"So that's why you jumped in earlier."
"Yeah. Breaking it up like that calms Su-rim down. He adores Eun-young anyway. Just gets triggered sometimes. And..."
Han Tae-hee's serious voice emerged softly amid the sound of descending stairs.
"You know this, Jae. Su-rim's the real deal—a pure hard worker."
"..."
I nodded silently.
Park Su-rim isn't a genius. That's why he practiced harder, longer, more than anyone.
He showed up to the practice room even on rest days.
After ten years of that, he'd become a member solid in vocals, dance, rap—no major weaknesses.
But compared to Eun-young's natural vocal talent or Teddy's pro dance training, calling him outstanding would be a stretch.
'That's why average talent hurts.'
Just look at Mozart and Salieri.
Comparing yourself to geniuses chips away at your self-esteem.
'I get the feeling a little...'
Entering the mart, I nodded, lost in thought.
Han Tae-hee grabbed a basket and continued.
"That's why I think he needs to overcome this on his own. We're in this industry long-term. It's Eun-young now, but how many assholes out there are more talented and obnoxious? You think this is the worst he'll face?"
"Tons."
"Right? So let's watch for now, Jae. It's a self-esteem issue at heart."
Self-esteem issue. I widened my eyes at Han Tae-hee's words.
Never dreamed he'd analyze it that deeply.
"Grab ice cream and go. Hot as hell."
He pointed to the freezer with a grin and walked off.
Following him, I thought:
'Not just a fox-faced guy.'
I'd always seen Han Tae-hee as handsome like a fox.
Turns out his smarts matched his looks.
He seemed carefree, but he read situations perfectly.
I was just amazed at how he saw through to the core.
'Why would a guy like this make that choice?'
Remembering his future—drugs and sugar daddy scandal tanking him—made my head spin.
A guy like this wouldn't go there. Something must've happened.
'No clue. No way to know now.'
Anyway, this made Go Eun-young the prime suspect for clashing big with Park Su-rim.
'Tough.'
Like Han Tae-hee said, Park Su-rim has to sort it himself.
Fixing Go Eun-young alone wouldn't cut it.
'Too late to do anything now timing-wise.'
But long-term, it's a huge teamwork minus. Change is needed.
'Guess I need to talk more with Park Su-rim usually. Watch Eun-young too.'
Sighing as I put ice cream in the basket with Han Tae-hee.
Human relations ain't easy.
* * *
A few days later, back at the dorm after grueling practice.
Lying in bed watching cat videos on L-Tube when the front door lock beeped.
Han Tae-hee, playing Monopoly with the members, greeted him.
"Kwang-myeong's back? Song done?"
"Nah, not yet. Can't get it out—driving me nuts."
"Sheesh. Take a break, man."
Among our seven members, including me, the busiest lately? Hands down Kim Kwang-myeong.
Training, solo practice, and composing non-stop...
He was already weak at dance, spending extra time there, yet his drive for music was insane.
'Stamina monster or passion beast?'
Total workaholic.
I finished my video, got up, and headed out.
Han Tae-hee, Park Su-rim, Lee Jae-oh, Go Eun-young, Teddy—gathered in the living room playing Monopoly.
Camcorder out, probably for Planet Log.
"Ugh! Landed on London!"
"Hehe. Welcome to England! Two hotels, so cough up 2.2 million won, Su-rim hyung."
"Whoa, bankruptcy looming. Hold on. Jae-oh, sell this... Taipei and Busan."
"That cover it? Sell Madrid too."
"Ah, if I sell that, what do I live on!"
"Su-rim hyung's done for?"
They were having a blast.
Watching them, I realized one was missing.
'Where's Kim Kwang-myeong?'
Peeked into the big room.
Through the door crack, there he was: headphones on, scribbling furiously in a notebook. I clicked my tongue in awe.
Not anyone could pull that off.
And he'd stopped by the studio after practice today?
Should be resting, but diving straight into work at the dorm...
'Guy's something else.'
His work ethic? Undeniable.
Makes me wanna step up too.
Even if I'm not the real Ha Jae, as a current member, I can do more.
Still... he's grinding so hard.
'Anything I can help with?'
Felt like slipping him something.
Not like extra rice cake for the hated one—no, extra for the hard worker.
Reminded me of a student from my education uni teaching practicum at an all-boys high school. The one I fussed over.
Eyes sparkling in class, studying even during breaks.
That kid overlapped with Kim Kwang-myeong right then.
So, what to do?
Spotting Teddy's half-eaten apple piece.
'Peel him an apple at least.'
Grabbed one from the fridge.
Peeled it meticulously like Lee Jae-oh would, sliced neatly onto a plate, and headed to Kim Kwang-myeong's room.
Everyone else was in the living room with Monopoly; he was alone.
Tapped his shoulder as he stared holes through the notebook atop his desk, headphones on.
"Kim Kwang-myeong."
"...Huh? What."
He flinched at my sudden call, shrugged, then took off his headphones.
Handed him the plate of apple I'd prepped.
"Eat this first."
"Ha Jae, what's up with you?"
"Hyung."
"Oh, right. Ha Jae hyung, what's up?"
"..."
Hyung fixes everything? Wanted to snap, but held back.
It was our deal: just call me hyung and overlook the rest.
"Anyway, thanks. Digging in."
He speared a piece with the fork, crunched it happily, and grinned.
Brat. Cute smile saves you.
Still, not doing his usual composing—just staring at the notebook. Curiosity won.
"But what're you doing? Staring at that notebook forever."
"Oh, this. Working on lyrics for our album track, but ideas just won't come."
I leaned down to look at his notebook.