Chapter 131
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 131
While Seo Ho-yun was busy nagging Min Ji-heon during their special performance rehearsals and pushing himself to the limit for other year-end stages, December 25th arrived in the blink of an eye.
Christmas!
Even though memories of it actually snowing on Christmas were faint at best, the streets were filled with carols singing about "white snow falling."
[Ah, I’m seriously not looking forward to Christmas at all.
└ Don’t say that when your profile picture is covered in Christmas decorations.
└└ You caught me.]
[Why do Christmas carols make my heart flutter so much?]
[Christmas Fact: You listen to carols non-stop from the beginning of November.
But on the actual day, there’s nothing to do.]
[It’s fine because the anticipation leading up to it is what matters lol]
And for the Black Call fandom, that day was even more special.
This was because Black Call’s agency, WH, had released a special Christmas album for the group.
[White Christmas
You, laughing happily in front of me
The carols echoing in the distance
I want to remember all of this forever]
One of Black Call’s trademarks was their dance-pop base paired with intense choreography, but for this special Christmas album, they showcased their skills with rich, diverse harmonies. Thanks to that, the response was incredibly positive.
Then again, it was a Black Call Christmas album; there was no way it wouldn't be a hit.
[Legendary.
collapses
Legendary...........]
[I didn't expect it to drop so suddenly ㅠㅠㅠ Our top-tier kings are at it again. Earn lots of money, boys!!]
[The word "decline" simply doesn't exist for Black Call....]
Fitting for the holiday, the album inclusions featured photos of all the Black Call members holding various props in front of a Christmas tree.
[Is the market price for Ju-seong’s photocard a luxury apartment now?]
Among them, the photocard of Ju Woo-seong—wearing a red knit sweater, holding up sparkling Christmas lights with a mischievous grin—was undeniably legendary.
Its market price pierced through the ceiling and continued to soar.
[Save me.]
[Does this photocard actually exist? It’s not a mirage, right? Then why won’t it come out for me?]
[Ah, I wish he’d keep the brown hair forever.
Black hair is legendary too, though.
No, but seriously, brown hair forever.]
Ju Woo-seong’s popularity, when he actually put his mind to promotions, was like a runaway train.
Perhaps the agency was determined to rake in as much as possible while Black Call was active like this, because the album even included unit cards—designed to look like they were taken with a real Polaroid camera—featuring the members in pairs.
[Ha........
Auntie is going to break her savings account.]
[No, even if I want to solve this with money, there are no listings lolololol. Is this for real???]
While Ju Woo-seong was working that hard, what was Seo Ho-yun doing?
Having finished practice, he was scheduled to do a B-Live with his members. He was currently at the company office, leaning back in his chair and staring at a text message from Ju Woo-seong.
[Bastard: Do you like it? :)]
[Bastard: A Christmas present~]
This guy….
The Dawn couldn't even be compared to Black Call yet, so the fact that he went out of his way to contact me was clearly just to piss me off.
[Me: Just enlist already.]
[Bastard: lolololololololololololol]
[Bastard: Still got a long way to go~]
“I’m sure this punk has forgotten by now.”
“Forgotten what?”
That he’s being blackmailed….
I was making a mental note to laugh my head off when Ju Woo-seong finally enlisted, when Kang Yi-chae, who was loitering nearby, tilted his head.
“But why is Black Call promoting so much lately?”
Like I care.
Feeling drained, I slumped over the desk and shifted my gaze to the music show the other members were focused on.
Layered harmonies, appropriately nostalgic lyrics fitting for the season, a lavishly decorated stage, tasteful styling, and insane talent that tied it all together.
They were practically screaming "big agency" as they absolutely dominated even with a surprise special album.
I’m jealous, dammit.
However, I couldn't bring myself to nag Daepasung this time.
Over the past year, we had produced three title tracks after the competition songs, while juggling self-produced content, a drama, variety shows, and year-end stages at a breakneck pace. Even I thought it would be too hardcore to scold them for not thinking of a Christmas album.
Honestly, if I’d had a bit more time, I would have nagged the CEO for the funds one way or another.
“Let’s do it next year, next year….”
“Hyung?! Why?”
Jeong Da-jun, who had finally looked away from the music show, asked while munching on a cold hot bar he’d bought from the convenience store a while ago.
Now that the CSAT was over and he could finally breathe, life had returned to his face.
Since I couldn't exactly curse out Black Call in front of him and Kim Seong-hyeon, I decided to change the subject.
“…Is it good?”
“Yup!”
Right, at least you look happy, so that’s a relief….
“Ah! We haven't decorated the Christmas tree yet!!”
Looking soft in his white knit sweater, Jeong Da-jun jumped up and ran over to the Christmas tree. While Kim Seong-hyeon and Kang Yi-chae joined in, getting distracted by decorating the tree, Seong Ji-won sat down at the electronic piano, and I turned on the camera.
[????]
“Hello.”
[?????????]
[Wh-what is this?]
[What’s up, Dawnies?]
The Noeuls, who had been leaving confused comments, flocked in an instant and began shedding metaphorical tears.
[A Christmas live?!!?]
[Is the band back? ㅠㅠㅠ Ah, actually it’s just Ji-won on the piano ㅠㅠㅠ]
[The white knits and headbands are so, so, so cute ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
I awkwardly adjusted a headband that looked like a ribbon before giving up out of embarrassment.
The members, now wearing hastily procured reindeer antlers, Christmas ornaments, or Santa hats, laughed as they returned to their designated spots.
After some brief small talk, everyone except Seong Ji-won picked up wired microphones that were intricately connected.
“It would be a shame to let the day pass just like this, so we wanted to let you hear a song.”
I couldn't read the content of the chat from this distance, but I could see it scrolling at an incredible speed.
That’s right.
Since we couldn't pour in capital to release a high-quality Christmas album like Black Call on such short notice, we decided to make up for it with a live performance instead.
The catalyst for all this was a single comment from Seong Ji-won. He had approached me the day before Christmas while I was fuming next to Jeong Da-jun, who was admiring Black Call’s carol.
“Should we do a live on Christmas too?”
“Of course we should.”
“Ah, no, not just that….”
Seong Ji-won gave an embarrassed smile.
“I was wondering if we could do a special Christmas carol live.”
“You’re a genius!”
I had immediately agreed in admiration.
Seeing how his mind worked so well in this regard, Seong Ji-won truly lived up to his background as a former trainee of a major agency.
We selected three or four carols that fans, both domestic and international, would likely enjoy. Despite the lack of time, we practiced them with our own harmonies.
Since our resident pianist, Seong Ji-won, already knew how to play several carols and Kang Yi-chae offered to cover the rest, we were able to proceed with the live without any issues.
—Ting—
Seong Ji-won pressed a chord and leaned slightly toward the microphone fixed to the piano.
[I’ve been excited since a few days ago
Normally, I would have let it pass without a thought
But I thought this year might be different]
His long, pale fingers moved over the keys.
Standing beside him, I placed a hand on Seong Ji-won’s shoulder and brought the microphone to my lips.
[It’s okay if it doesn't snow this year
It’s fine if I don’t receive a single gift
I’m just here, decorating the Christmas tree
Waiting for you]
The next part was taken by Jeong Da-jun and Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been fooling around with their headbands.
A few chuckles escaped the members as the two rushed in to avoid missing the beat.
[Please, Santa. I have been good this year
I’m praying with all my pride cast aside
Babe, I will be one and only for you
Because I really like you that much]
While listening to the members' voices and waiting for my next turn, Kang Yi-chae, who had been nodding his head to the rhythm of the carol, gave me a poke with a smirk and began his rap part.
[I’m intentionally lingering under the mistletoe
Wondering if you’ll come if the lights happen to go out
Wondering if you’ll give me a helpless smile
This fluttering feeling right now
Is it just me? Do you feel it too?
This can be my perfect Christmas]
Then, everyone’s voices blended together.
The harmonies we had practiced briefly but intensely the day before showed their true value.
An excited Jeong Da-jun livened up the atmosphere by lightly shaking the sleigh bells^1 he had asked the company to prepare.
[(Ah You, You, You
Christmas Present, Carol, Cake)
I want to hold your hand]
Seong Ji-won looked over at me with a faint smile. He seemed strangely nervous, so I smiled back as I sang my final main part.
[(Yes You, You, You
Christmas Light, Laughter, Warmth)
I want to be with you]
Following that, Seong Ji-won closed his eyes and hit a clean high note. His clear, pure voice became one with the song.
[It’s okay if it doesn't snow this year
It’s fine if I don’t receive a single gift
I’m just here, decorating the Christmas tree
Waiting for you]
After finishing the first carol, we sang a few more songs and even shared a cake provided by the company.
As I ate the Bûche de Noël cake, which was dusted with white powdered sugar like snow….
What’s up with him?
For some reason, it felt like Seong Ji-won was constantly hovering around me.
[lolololol Da-jun, don’t try to eat the cake you dropped lololol
└ 3-second rule!!! Kim Seong-hyeon is barely holding him back lolololololololol]
[Kang Yi-chae must be in a good mood.
He’s suddenly playing the piano. Ha...
└ This delinquent-looking guy is wearing a Christmas headband and playing a romantic piano piece......
It feels like a total delusion, but it’s actually happening.....]
“Want some?”
“Ah, yes.”
Even so, Seong Ji-won, who was strict about self-management, carefully curved his eyes into a smile to avoid being too obvious.
…Ah, could it be?
I had one suspicion.
Wow.
If that was the case, the timing was perfect.
The fans' reactions were great, and everyone seemed satisfied.
[lol Ho-yun looks like he’s in a good mood today??]
[ㅠ What is this, he’s so cute]
It was finally time to put an end to this long wait.
“It’s Christmas, after all~.”
As I stood up, signaling that it was time to wrap things up, the members caught on instantly and began their closing remarks.
“Merry Christmas!”
“Merry, merry Christmas~!”
Everyone laughed and waved their hands.
As I went to turn off the camera, comments continued to flood in.
[Merry Christmas!]
[Have a great Christmas!
。˚★˚
˚ *★★ 。˚
。★★★ 。˚
Happy Christmas]
[You have to be happy!!]
“Is that a Christmas tree?”
I smirked at the sight of all the beautiful words piling up like fallen snow.
“Have a happy one.”
.
.
.
“All I want for Christmas~~.”
“Is~ youuuu~.”
Even though the B-Live had ended a while ago, Kang Yi-chae showed no intention of turning off the carols. Instead, he and Jeong Da-jun were having a blast imitating scenes from the Christmas staple movie, Love Actually.
“The maknae will play the drums!!”
“The rapper will pick you according to the lyrics!”
“Gah, my heart’s fluttering!!”
They didn't seem content with just one verse, as they started asking who would play the role of Hugh Grant, the British Prime Minister who gets caught kissing behind a curtain.
I didn't pay them any mind as I kept an eye on Seong Ji-won while busily moving strawberries from the top of the cake into my mouth with a fork.
“Oh!!”
Just then, Jeong Da-jun, who had been pretending to play the drums behind me, suddenly scrambled to his feet.
“Emergency! It’s snowing outside!!”
“What?!? Really?!”
“Is it a White Christmas?”
Does it being snow change anything?
As a former office worker who felt that snow was only pretty when it was falling and quickly turned into "white trash" that just made driving difficult, I indifferently licked the ganache off my fork. However, not only the maknaes but even Seong Ji-won and Kim Seong-hyeon stood up and started grabbing their coats and scarves.
“…Where are you guys going?”
“…Ahaha, outside?”
“Me too.”
…Do you like snow that much?
Jeong Da-jun was the first to go clattering out.
“Last one there buys ice cream!”
“Ice cream in winter? Deal!”
“Jeong Da-jun, hey! Put your scarf on!”
“Yessir!!”
“Don’t just say yes and leave!!”
Kim Seong-hyeon called out, but Jeong Da-jun had already bolted.
It’s just going to be cold; maybe they’ll come to their senses once their joints start aching… I was having such "old man" thoughts before I decided to change my mindset.
Right, let’s try to think like an idol for once.
I stood up while watching Kang Yi-chae and Seong Ji-won hurry out after Jeong Da-jun. But as expected, the cold made me hesitate. Kim Seong-hyeon tapped me on the shoulder.
“Let’s go.”
“…Sigh.”
“We have to have a snowball fight.”
“We’re not 3, we’re 23.”
And I’m 33.
“Anyway.”
Kim Seong-hyeon awkwardly looked away as if he knew, yet he still made sure to grab the scarf for Jeong Da-jun before heading out.
I guess he’s pretty excited too….
I figured I’d take a photo to post on the fan cafe and also hear what Seong Ji-won had to say.
When I finally trudged outside with my hands shoved in my puffer jacket, white breath puffed out into the chilly night sky.
“Hyung, snowball fight, go!”
“Scrape together as much as you can!”
“Gah, my hands are so cold!!”
In my early twenties… did I get excited about snow?
No, I think I was busy cursing while shoveling snow in the military.
Honestly, I can’t even remember clearly anymore.
Hardly any snow had accumulated on the ground, but the cars parked sporadically along the street were covered with a thin layer of white.
Deciding that a snowball fight was out of the question, the maknaes started scraping together what they could to make a tiny snowman. Watching Kim Seong-hyeon crouch down beside them to help was both hilarious and absurd.
“Look at them, they’re so happy….”
“Ahaha.”
Seong Ji-won, who seemed to have something on his mind, kept his gaze fixed on the sky where snow was fluttering down.
I waited quietly.
“…Ho-yun.”
I had been watching the other members with my hands deep in my pockets, but at that call, I turned my head and intentionally softened my expression to look as kind as possible.
“Yeah, what is it?”
Good, tell me.
I’m ready.
“You know.”
Just as I was thinking that my grain-sized patience had finally paid off, Seong Ji-won looked at me and asked in a calm voice.
“Did you talk to Senior Yun Hee-eon?”
*
1) A percussion instrument that produces a jingling sound, also known as jingle bells.