Chapter 52
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 52
Chapter Title Subway Ad Mania
Idol Training Simulation trainees subway ad news spread far and wide across SNS.
National producers, eagerly awaiting content beyond the competition stages and main broadcast, felt a rush of adrenaline.
It wasnt just about their faves being promoted.
They could see their faves in casual clothes, right before their very eyes.
And possibly up close, facetoface!
Subway ads often prompted the featured stars to visit and show their gratitude.
Even back during Idol Produce 101, trainees had flocked to their own ad boards for a week straight, causing a huge stir.
Fans reminisced about those days as they packed their bags.
Even if it kills me from exhaustion, Im seeing Karis von Walden in person.
The woman currently stuffing her backpack was no different.
She hadnt caught a single glimpse of the trainees in person, having lost the click battles in both the first and second rounds.
Even so, no matter how endless the wait.
No matter how slim the odds, she planned to stake out Karis von Waldens subway ad.
Some might call it reckless, but her SNS showed plenty of others thinking the same.
The moment she arrived at Jamsil Station, where Kariss ad had gone up.
WWhat? Already this many people waiting?
Her jaw dropped.
Shed thought shed come early enough.
But already, a dozen or so fans had gathered in front of Kariss face, which filled one entire wall of Jamsil Station.
It only fueled her determination to burn even brighter.
She hadnt eaten breakfast, so hunger was starting to set in.
As she munched on the energy bars shed brought, she checked the tweets popping up on her timeline.
Around 1 p.m., a frenzy of quote tweets exploded.
Holy crap, Chae Eungyus at Gangnam Station.
By himself?
Seems like it. No sightings of the others.
The people waiting nearby had seen the same posts.
Fingers flew across screens.
Should we head to Gangnam now?
Who else is there besides Eungyu?
Yooncheols at one, and Minha and Hyeongbin at Yeoksam Station.
At the news of Chae Eungyu, a few bolted for Gangnam Station.
A confirmed sighting beat waiting endlessly for an uncertain visit.
But the woman didnt budge.
Chae Eungyus not my type. Im here for Karis, period.
She figured her standards for idols had gotten skyhigh.
Even decently handsome members barely stirred her anymore.
But ever since the Idol Training Simulation theme song dropped.
From that one second where Karis von Waldens face flashed by, her mind had been consumed by him.
If he doesnt show today, Ill just come back tomorrow.
She didnt mind the endless wait.
She just wanted to see Karis von Waldens face up close.
Her energy bars and snacks were running low.
The oncecool subway station grew stuffy with time.
As she sipped water and wiped sweat from her brow, even more people crowded around Kariss ad.
Whoa, so many people now?
This was prime time.
With fever time voting underway, Karis showing up in front of this crowd would be perfect.
Eyes kept drifting toward the stairs.
Finally, just before 4 p.m.
Two suspicious shadows slowly descended the stairs.
People around already had hands over mouths, phones out.
Hes here! Here, here, here, here!
The woman nearly screamed.
Her thighs tingled numb from hours of standing, but sheer bliss drowned out the pain.
Hello, hello. Oh, hold on! Hold on a sec!
Suspiciously handsome, suspiciously tall.
Masks and hats wouldnt help anyway, so both trainees came with faces bare.
Kang Siyoon approached her front row first.
Oh my god. Insanely hot.
As a Karis stan, she saw Kang Siyoon often.
Roommates in the same cell, theyd competed together in round one.
His tall frame and sharp features were solid, but on screen, they hadnt hit her hard.
In person? She wanted to smash every broadcast camera.
Hes a hundred times better than on screen.
That thought froze her brain.
If even Kang Siyoon, who hadnt moved her on TV, felt this way now.
Then what about Karis von Walden, whod given her infinite awe.
The dizzying thought flashed through her mind.
Then, from behind Kang Siyoon, a low baritone voice rang out.
Excuse us, please. Thank you.
Time seemed to slow.
Karis von Waldens blond hair peeked over Kang Siyoons shoulder.
Clear skin, sharp nose, broad shoulders emerged.
......Whoa.
She couldnt stifle that short gasp, hand still over her mouth.
Kang Siyoon had made her think better than screen.
Karis? Pure simplicity.
Unreal. Like a hologram summoned from the screen.
Perfection, in a word.
Like an AIcrafted human, every feature.
All the traits shed admired on screen purified her eyes.
Staring in awe, her gaze met his briefly.
Obsidiandark, solid eyes curved into halfmoons.
Thank you for waiting.
He greeted her.
Her ultimate fave, looking right at her, smiling with his eyes.
Dopamine skyrocketed.
Ah, haha. Standing here like this feels kinda weird.
Kang Siyoon and Karis took position right in front of the ad board.
Fans formed a semicircle around them.
Dozens of phone lenses locked on Kang Siyoon, who seemed tense.
He tried hiding it, playfully nudging Kariss side.
Hey, say something!
Im communicating with the fans right now. Im already reacting.
How? You havent said a word.
Im making eye contact with the cameras.
Kariss baritone carried an unfamiliar tone for modern ears.
Regal speech straight out of webtoons or novels.
Hearing it live was surreal, yet oddly intimate.
Hes exactly like on broadcast!
Karis haters claimed the speech and concept were fabricated for TV.
She believed it was all real.
Seeing the Karis von Walden shed cheered for, exactly as imagined, filled her with joy.
Meanwhile, Karis raised a hand, slowly panning his gaze like on a red carpet premiere.
Kang Siyoon laughed in disbelief beside him.
If you do it, I have to match.
You can copy me.
Really?
Yes.
For about a minute, the two trainees held up their right hands, slowly turning.
She had no clue what gag it was, but she captured their sparkling twoshot perfectly.
After greetings, Karis pulled something from his bag.
Plastic bags rustled cheerfully.
Despite the heat, you national producers waited for us. As thanks, we prepared small gifts. Nothing fancy, but I hope they recharge your energy a bit. Siyoon, the basket.
Got it. Here it is.
Even Kang Siyoon matched Kariss tone.
A round basket emerged from his bag.
Karis piled it high with chocolates and snacks.
Finally, he tucked in a small sign Take one, please! Thank you!, then flashed a smile.
We brought as much as we could, but with so many here, it might not be enough. Next time, more abundantly.
No, its fine!
This alone means the world.
Moved replies came from beside her.
Not stopping at the snack basket, the trainees pulled out more.
Letters here okay?
Kang Siyoon went to stick handwritten letters at eye level, but fans shook heads vigorously.
Too low, theyll get snatched!
Higher, Siyoon!
Oh, yeah, they might. Higher it is!
Both trainees were tall.
Arms stretched high, fingers nearly grazed the ads top.
Midstick, Karis turned back.
But too high, and fans cant read them, right?
Its fine!
We can see, Karis!
Staying up matters more!
I see. Understood.
After letters, they displayed photo booth strips.
Filming it all, the woman felt a swell of pride.
They prepared so thoroughly.
As foreigners, shed figured they wouldnt know these details.
But Karis read fans hearts perfectly.
What theyd love.
What would touch them.
Sharply enough to question his nationality.
Mustve researched hard.
It warmed her heart.
After letters and photos, free talk time began.
Guys, do that thing!
Which one?
A fans request lifted Kariss brows naturally.
His porcelain brow bones entranced.
The ranking announcement entrance! Sushiz!
Oh, yeah! Lets do it!
Theyd entered together at the first ranking reveal.
Their gag had killed back then.
Ready, S?
Of course, Si.
Thumbs up at each other, the trainees fought back laughs.
Fans burst into hysterics.
Man, sober its so embarrassing!
Were you drunk then, Siyoon?
Nerves blanked my brain at the reveal.
Their banter melted away her fatigue.
Her phone still recorded.
Ill edit and post clips at home!
She pitied those whod bailed early.
Missing this beautiful, aweinspiring face in person.
And that night, she had no idea how many retweets her footage would rack up.