Chapter 47
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Fewer Cheers
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Pida Entertainment's executive director's office was packed not just with the staff from Team 2, who were stepping in for Team Leader Kim Han-soo—hospitalized alongside Do-jun—but with several others as well.
From the moment they entered, the low pressure emanating from Executive Director Go Moo-seo had everyone sitting on pins and needles.
"Haah... I swear, there's not a single day I get a break."
They'd barely managed to squash the rumors spread by GH, thinking things might finally ease up, only for a traffic accident to hit on the way to the audition.
Just thinking about it made his head throb.
"So? Lee Do-jun and Han-soo are both okay?"
"That's what the hospital says."
"At least that's something... Damn it, to call this a relief."
The car had flipped completely. The bus had burned to a crisp, and there were quite a few injuries, according to the news.
He could still vividly recall his jaw dropping at the sight of the accident scene photos.
"That crazy bastard Kim Han-soo..."
Reporting it as just an accident?
If he'd known it was this bad, he would've lost it and demanded they go straight to the hospital.
When he first heard Do-jun had saved people at the scene, he'd figured it was just lending a hand. But to think their lives had been in real danger.
Thank God they were unscathed, but the absurdity lingered.
'Auditions are important, sure, but that's for later.'
Post-accident symptoms could strike anytime, unpredictably. Han-soo knew that much—why the hell had he pulled this stunt?
That's when the Team 1 leader cautiously glanced at Go Moo-seo before speaking up.
"Team 2 Leader was out of it too. And it was such a rare opportunity they couldn't pass up, so they figured they had to at least try the audition..."
"Hey! Auditions come first? Huh?"
The man flinched at the shout and clamped his mouth shut, but it was too late.
"You gonna do the same? Screw artist protection and all that— is this your way of saying you'll handle things like this?"
"N-no, that's not what I meant..."
The flustered Team 1 leader waved his hands frantically. But Go Moo-seo's face was already beet red.
At that moment, the PR section chief sitting beside him jumped in to help. If things kept going like this, the meeting wouldn't even start—they'd just sit there squirming.
"Team 1 Leader was just trying to back up Team 2 Leader, that's all. Calm down first and take a look at this. The article comments and community reactions are blowing up—in a good way. You've probably seen already, but..."
"I haven't! You think I can focus on that crap right now?"
"You need to see it, Director. The buzz is insane. Eyewitness accounts match up, and the positive sentiment from last time is amplifying it."
The PR chief's measured words finally cooled Go Moo-seo's frayed nerves a bit.
"Want to check it out at least?"
"Check what? Now's not the time for—"
"Look here."
Even cutting him off, Go Moo-seo didn't react much, just cleared his throat awkwardly and glanced at the tablet the PR chief held out.
The article featured accident scene photos, victim interviews, and footage of Do-jun and Kim Han-soo rescuing people from the bus.
It looked like road CCTV footage—the faces weren't clear, but the clothes and builds confirmed it was them.
- ㅠㅠㅠㅠLook at them rush in without hesitationㅠㅠ Makes humanity feel alive again after so longㅠㅠㅠ
- No wonder Jae-yoon treasures him... Like leader, like brother!
- GH faked assault claims to kick out a guy like this... What the hell is wrong with you?
- Car was totally flipped and they came out fine? Thank Godㅠㅠㅠㅠ
- What about the other members? Not a word in the article—anyone know? ㅠㅠ
- It was individual schedules, thankfully!
The trolls who'd been sporadically leaving hate comments even after the assault rumors were cleared up were nowhere to be seen here.
As Go Moo-seo scrolled through the comments without looking away, the PR chief spoke up, voice brimming with excitement.
"Way better reaction, right? People don't rally around victims—they go wild for heroes."
"...Yeah, fair point."
"Oh, and the local precinct called. They want to give an award."
"Of course we accept that. Who wouldn't?"
"We've got a bunch of casting requests too—I'll forward them straight to Team 2."
"Good. Have Team 2 handle things without their leader for a bit. Test if the system's running smooth."
At Go Moo-seo's words, a Team 2 staffer who'd been sitting quietly raised a tentative hand.
"Um, Director. Team 2 Leader said it's fine for reports..."
"Ah! That's him talking! He needs at least a week off, doesn't he? Didn't you see the accident?"
Bam, bam, bam!
Each time his thick palm slammed the desk, the staffer's shoulders jerked.
But figuring he had to speak up, he replied in an even smaller voice.
"True, but the Vice President will ask why he's resting when he's perfectly fine."
Shadows crossed Go Moo-seo's face at that. It was a valid concern.
But only for a moment.
'Still, this won't fly.'
News of not just Lee Do-jun but Kim Han-soo too had already spread far and wide.
Plus, Han-soo had such a stellar image. Companies they knew were calling Pida to check on him.
Throwing a staffer back into the field like this? Their external rep would plummet.
And if Han-soo developed any lingering effects? They'd lose a top employee for nothing.
"I'll handle the VP. Don't worry about it."
The Team 2 staffer finally nodded at Go Moo-seo's firm tone.
"Anyway, keep monitoring opinion and stoke the fire. Saving people from a burning bus? We can milk that forever..."
Go Moo-seo trailed off, suddenly cursing.
"Wait, thinking about it—this guy's a total lunatic. Why the hell did he go in there? Thinks he's a superhero or what?"
The staff exchanged glances as he fumed like a dragon spewing fire.
Best to stay quiet now.
After venting for a while, Go Moo-seo let out a long breath, slammed the desk again to refocus everyone.
"Whatever. Don't move sloppy and get accused of not caring for our artists. Take it slow, one step at a time. Just being safe is a win right now."
The PR chief nodded biggest.
Exactly—all safe was a miracle. Otherwise, headlines like 'Idol Industry's Recurring Accidents! When Will It End?' would've flooded in.
"Alright, now get out and work!"
As staff rose one by one at Go Moo-seo's shout—
Bzzz!
His phone on the desk lit up. Who the hell now? Go Moo-seo scowled at the screen.
"Huh?"
Then he shot up like a spring and answered.
- It's me.
"Yes! CEO!"
- Heard you had a big accident.
Even during the GH rumor explosion, the CEO had said little. And calling it a 'big accident'? Go Moo-seo tensed up.
"No, sir! It's all under control—actually turning positive..."
- Talk details face-to-face. Come to my office.
Click.
The line went dead.
❤
Kim Ha-woon glanced around the oddly empty van.
"Whoa, riding with just three of us for the first time, huh?"
"Obviously. You didn't know that?"
"Just saying!"
Park Tae-hoo teased playfully, and Ha-woon stuck out his tongue long. Then the bickering started again—you're so rude, bro!
The Team 2 staffer dispatched in Han-soo's place jumped at the commotion.
"H-hey? No fighting."
"Huh? We're not."
"R-really?"
This isn't fighting...?
The staffer, who'd tried to intervene, was the flustered one now at Ha-woon's calm reply. Tae-hoo nodded beside him, adding,
"Yeah. He's just saying weird stuff."
"What? You're the one saying weird stuff, hyung."
...Feels like fighting.
But Lee Jae-ha just closed his eyes in the back seat, totally unfazed.
Yeah, kids grow through squabbles. The staffer forced himself to ignore it and stare ahead.
Soon, the van pulled up to the venue. Their first schedule without Do-jun began.
A bit awkward, but the three got out and greeted the waiting fans.
"Oh? You're here again!"
Ha-woon spotted a familiar face amid the fans and waved happily.
Precisely because there were fewer than usual, it was easy to pick out.
"Eek! Of course! But is the leader okay?"
"Do-jun hyung? Yeah! He's at the hospital now—company told him to rest!"
"Really? So glad. Everyone was shocked reading the news."
"Haha, we were too. Suddenly the aud— Whoops."
Secret. Ha-woon quickly switched topics before fans got suspicious.
"Guess the last-minute event caught people off guard—not as many could make it. Right?"
"H-ha, yeah. Totally..."
The improvised line made the fan react a tad awkwardly for some reason. Come to think of it...
'No Do-jun hyung fans.'
Not weird without him here, but still. The drop in numbers was stark.
Nah, no way. Even if Do-jun hyung's the most popular, not this much?
Ha-woon shook his head vigorously to dismiss the thought.
Fans squealed at the puppy-like head shake. Camera clicks everywhere.
"Ah, just shook off another thought! Had to clear my head!"
Shaking to 'clear thoughts'.
Fans stomped and shrieked at the suffocating cuteness—then the staffer called urgently.
"Guys! Time to prep!"
"Gotta go rehearse! Thanks for coming!"
Rehearsal, standby, main show—all with Do-jun's spot empty.
They'd fretted over rushed formations, but mercifully, no mistakes. Stage cleared.
"Dancing as three felt so off."
Tae-hoo muttered climbing into the van for the next gig. Surprisingly, Jae-ha nodded.
"Yeah, stage felt huge."
"Right? Cheers seemed quieter too?"
No breather. Straight to the next venue, more B.O.Y fans waiting.
But Ha-woon sensed off vibes again.
'Hmm?'
Prior one was sudden, so fewer fans made sense. But this...?
Of course, grateful anyone came for them.
But the visible drop nagged inescapably.
Am I the only one feeling this?
Ha-woon eyed the others. They chatted brightly with fans, no hint of unease.
"Ha-woon! Love you!"
"Ah! Me too! Love you!"
Ha-woon beamed and waved back reflexively at the call.
Yeah, some days more fans, some less. Hyungs aren't fazed—I'm overthinking.
That day—at that moment—that's what Kim Ha-woon thought.