Chapter 140
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 140
【Beep- Beep!】
Not only the people inside the hall where The Dawn’s Japanese debut showcase was being held, but also the domestic Noeul watching the live broadcast, stared at the darkened stage with pounding hearts.
【Beep- Beep!】
As an upbeat rhythm filled with a touch of freshness and excitement began to flow, pastel lights turned on.
A large sofa was positioned slightly back from the center of the stage, and on it, Kim Seong-hyeon lay with his eyes closed.
[Whoa, the stylists are insane]
A white knit sweater with a dark navy line along its V-neck, or a loose basketball jersey worn over a white short-sleeved shirt.
Shorts that came to just above the knee or wide-leg jeans with a long, dangling belt.
And high-top white socks with sneakers!!
[Aaaack, how did they know this is my weakness?]
Everyone tore their hair out over the outfits, which were overflowing with refreshing, boyish charm.
[White tee + basketball jersey is always a winning combo..]
[Suddenly I’m pissed they went to Japan.....
I’m so fucking pissed they went to Japan wearing high-top white socks......]
While the Noeul were filled with this unexpected anger (?), the alarm blared once more.
【Beep- Bzzzzzz!】
At that moment, Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been lying on the sofa, sat up and rubbed his eyes.
【Yes, time to wake up】
The lyrics were tailored to the anime’s plot—a coming-of-age story about a protagonist running toward his dream of becoming a successful idol in Korea, a narrative that blended anxiety about succeeding in a foreign land with the determination and excitement of facing a new challenge.
【Lately, I can’t sleep, I keep waking up
My heart is pounding, my lips are dry
Can we really do this?】
[Kim Seong-hyeon’s low voice is so fucking good]
[His expressions have gotten so much better lately too ㅠㅠ You have it all, Seong-hyeon..]
For Kim Seong-hyeon, practicing his facial expressions under Seo Ho-yun’s sarcasm-laced guidance had been harder than memorizing the Japanese lyrics. Fortunately, he managed to deliver a pretty decent performance on the actual stage.
【But we keep telling each other
(Of course, what are you talking about?)
Let’s paint this canvas however we want】
When Kang Yi-chae appeared from behind the sofa, winking and meeting Kim Seong-hyeon’s gaze, Seong-hyeon stood up with a smile.
Next, Jeong Da-jun also popped out from behind the sofa, leaped over the backrest, and plopped down to sing his part.
【New Colors!
My heart keeps pounding
This tension and excitement I’m feeling for the first time】
[Ah, the lyrics are so, so good.... ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Does new challenge = new colors? Fuck..]
[I can’t believe the members wrote this and had it translated ㅠ I love your sensibilities..]
【Backstage, you tell me
That in this moment, we will make our dream come true!】
At that, Kang Yi-chae, a playful look on his face, leaned an arm on the back of the sofa and poked Jeong Da-jun with his other hand, laughing.
【Could you stay by my side instead?
—I swallow those words and say instead
I also believe we will!】
With the refreshing beat, Seong Ji-won and Seo Ho-yun entered from either side and joined the choreography.
[The real angels have appeared
Of course, one of them has a peculiar personality (lol)]
Fans now referred to not just Seo Ho-yun but also Seong Ji-won as the ‘real angels.’ Though their personalities were polar opposites, their appearances were of a similar type, at least when they were smiling, making them look harmonious together.
Wrinkling the tip of his nose where his beauty mark sat, Seong Ji-won took a step forward with a cheeky expression and tilted his fingers to the right, like the hands of a clock.
【Let’s draw the future together
I’m telling you, I’ve changed since I met you?】
Beside him, Seo Ho-yun sat on the sofa, propped his chin on his hand, and let his eyes curve into crescents.
【Today, tomorrow, and the day after
We’ll be together】
Then he shot up from his seat and joined the members who were stepping brightly in the back.
From then on, it was an intense choreography with intricate, rapid-fire beats.
When Kim Seong-hyeon grabbed his own chin with his large hand and tilted his head from side to side, the members ceaselessly changed their formations in time with his small movement.
[Wow, they really dance like they’re about to break their bodies every single time;;]
[They always dance like it’s their last stage.. I love you..ㅠ]
Their movements fell into perfectly synchronized choreography, without a single misstep.
【My heart keeps pounding
I want to tell you
I wish this moment would last forever!】
But that was when the problem occurred.
[Huh;;]
[Da-jun’s shoelace is untied]
【Will you laugh if I say this?】
Our Puppy, more excited than usual, was powerfully executing a move where he kicked his foot up to the beat when…
[Oh no, baby]
The shoes he was wearing that day happened to be sponsored sneakers that were half a size too big. Even though he had tied them tightly, the force from dragging, hitting, and kicking the floor was too much. One of them came clean off and went flying.
Whoosh—
The single shoe, having lost its direction, soared through the air and—
“……!”
—landed with a thwack!!! right on top of the head of Kim Seong-hyeon, who was moving to the back as part of the formation.
“……???”
Like a scene from a cartoon, the shoe, which had landed perfectly on the crown of his head, followed the movement of his dancing body before trickling down and rolling onto the floor.
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Kim Seong-hyeon didn’t stop moving, but his expression froze, his mouth slightly agape as he failed to comprehend the situation.
[Ahㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Even a light canvas sneaker would have hurt with the speed and gravity of its fall, but the instinct that the show couldn't stop, mixed with his sheer bewilderment, was written all over his face.
As Jeong Da-jun moved through the formation, his wildly shaking eyes were caught on camera as he checked Kim Seong-hyeon’s face.
[Ah!! Oh fuck, what do they do now???ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Jeong Da-jun, you heaven-sent comedic genius, I’m losing my mind]
[But the people laughing the hardest right now are all Seong-peus ahㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└Seong-peu: An unexpectedly lucky day ♡]
The other three—excluding Kim Seong-hyeon, who in a flash had become the idol who got hit by a shoe during a showcase, and Jeong Da-jun, who had become the idol who hit an idol with a shoe—either held their breath or bit the inside of their cheeks.
They were trying to suppress their real-life laughter.
【…Today, tomorrow, and the day after
We’ll be together】
Kang Yi-chae, whose funny bone was being mashed repeatedly, chewed on his lower lip every time the camera wasn't on him to keep from laughing.
[Hey, the members are doing a laughter suppression challenge, what do they do? Ah fuck, ah fuck, even I’m laughing my ass off, how are they holding it in?]
[Jing Yi-hyeonㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋAh, this is live and he’s experiencing an extreme job ahㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Hey, this is their Japanese debut showcase, what are they gonna do?
Hey
Hey, what are they gonna do?]
Everyone knew they couldn't stop, so they continued the performance with expressions that, to anyone who hadn't witnessed the scene from seconds before, looked as if nothing had happened.
Even Jeong Da-jun, dancing with one foot in a sock, managed a bright smile as he kept up his facial expressions.
【Ah, this is a bit troublesome
Go up on the stage from behind
When the curtain rises, you keep dancing
Watching you, I can’t stop laughing】
At the rap lyrics that unexpectedly fit the situation perfectly, Kang Yi-chae finally burst into the laughter he had been desperately holding back, causing Jeong Da-jun, who was diagonal to him, to grit his teeth.
[Look at Kang Yi-chae using the lyrics as an excuse to laugh now that they match the situation ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Smart bastard ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Kang Yi-chae, laughing to the end, moved to the side. Seo Ho-yun, who had taken center, let out a few chuckles as he danced, then exchanged glances with Kim Seong-hyeon and Seong Ji-won to his left and right.
[What was that?]
[Why are they looking at each other?]
【My heart keeps pounding
I want you to dye me with your colors】
As the Noeul keenly observed the moment and began to murmur, Seong Ji-won moved with the formation and, reaching the edge of the stage, neatly kicked the fallen shoe, sliding it toward Kim Seong-hyeon.
[Whoa]
[;;;;]
Seeing this, Kim Seong-hyeon modified the original choreography, spinning around and sitting down to fluidly pick up Jeong Da-jun’s shoe.
[Hoooooly]
【Will you laugh if I say this?】
He then passed the shoe back to Seo Ho-yun, who was conveniently beside him.
[Ah, fuck]
Instead of sitting on the sofa with Jeong Da-jun, Seo Ho-yun dropped to one knee on the floor and grabbed Jeong Da-jun’s ankle.
[Aaaaaaack!!!]
And he put the other shoe back on for him.
【I might have a bad personality (Yeah I know)
I’m always selfish】
[Gaaah
Aaaaaaack aaack!!!
Ah!!!!!]
[Seo Ho-yun, you magnificent bastard]
[Was laughing, suddenly not laughing
My hands have stopped typing]
The coordination between Seong Ji-won, Kim Seong-hyeon, and Seo Ho-yun was so natural that it made the accident of Jeong Da-jun’s flying shoe look like a planned performance.
【If it’s you, I’m fine with losing】
Seo Ho-yun grinned, patted the top of Jeong Da-jun’s head, and stood up.
They seamlessly returned to the group choreography.
【The only color of yours among the monochrome】
Seo Ho-yun and Seong Ji-won switched places at the center, and Seong Ji-won stepped forward.
【I wish this moment would last forever
Is it okay if I stay by your side?
(The only one shining in my world is you)】
And as he made a knocking gesture, Kim Seong-hyeon pretended to open a door, deliberately rubbing the spot on his head where the shoe had hit him.
【—I swallow those words and say instead
Let’s draw tomorrow together
I’m telling you, I’ve changed for you?】
The members, having diligently performed their duties to the best of their ability today, smiled brightly at the camera.
【My Colors!】
.
.
.
“Waaah, hyung, I’m so, so, so sorry!!”
“It was a good experience, maknae….”
“No, but how did it hit you so perfectly??”
The Japanese debut showcase was captured in its entirety on camera and preserved as a video.
Thanks to that, perhaps, The Dawn’s showcase stage became a bit of a hot topic in Japan.
It was even uploaded to a Japanese video site where comments scroll across the screen. The scene where Jeong Da-jun’s shoe flew off was completely plastered with the Japanese emoticon for laughter.
[wwwwwwwwwwwwwww]
[dangerousdangerousdangerous]
[Dying of laughter wwwww]
Not only that, but it also climbed onto Japan’s Nutube trending videos list.
It was an unconventional move for a rookie group that had just debuted. A major factor was that even people with no interest in idols watched it, treating it as a funny video.
[Everyone’s laughing, but I’m genuinely impressed. The Koreans’ ability to handle situations is amazing.]
[Seong-hyeon’s expression of disbelief (lol) I can totally tell Ji-won can’t hold in his laughter]
[Da-jun’s panic is cute]
[I stopped laughing at the part where Ho-yun-chan put his shoe on. Is this kid an angel?]
[Hey, the redhead is just laughing the whole time wwwwww]
The Korean Noeul were also grinning from ear to ear.
The clips circulating with titles like ‘A typical K-pop group’s Japanese debut showcase’ and ‘The Deonging-i-deul’s ability to handle on-stage accidents’ brought joy to everyone.
“Da-jun, they’re talking about you here~.”
“Aaaack!! Stop! Stop shoving it in my face!!”
Everyone, that is, except Jeong Da-jun.
Every time the memory resurfaced, he would get so embarrassed and ashamed that his face would turn red all the way to the tips of his ears, and he would cling to Kim Seong-hyeon, apologizing.
“Argh, seriously…!! If you guys hadn't helped me back then, what would I have done??”
“You were at a loss for words, right?”
“Honestly, I think I received a year’s worth of touching moments from Ho-yun-hyung.”
If it hadn’t been a showcase stage, his hyungs’ best act of goodwill would have been to toss the shoe at him with a dismissive, “Here.” But Jeong Da-jun, looking moved, just nodded his head vigorously.
Beside them, Seong Ji-won smiled faintly.
“I’m just glad it wasn’t a serious accident.”
“Hul, hyung….”
“Thanks for providing some big entertainment right from the start of the new year~.”
“The rapper who just laughed should keep quiet….”
Jeong Da-jun growled at Kang Yi-chae, who was making the ridiculous claim that he, on the other hand, had captivated the audience with his killer performance.
In any case, everyone breathed a sigh of relief that they had finished the stage. Only Seo Ho-yun sat on a sofa a little ways away, silently looking at his phone.
The other members glanced at him and whispered among themselves.
“…But, it’s happening at midnight tonight, right?”
Kim Seong-hyeon asked.
“Of course. We even rented a separate hotel room for it.”
“With your own money?”
“Ruthless….”
Kang Yi-chae grinned and put in his earphones.
“…But you know. Do you really think Seo Ho-yun will fall for it?”
This was the Seo Ho-yun.
Could Seo Ho-yun, who was three times quicker on the uptake and sharper than anyone else, really not know about the hidden camera prank?
“Ahaha. What are you talking about, hyung?”
“……”
“Getting cold feet?”
Unlike Kim Seong-hyeon, Kang Yi-chae didn’t seem the least bit worried about the aftermath and just snickered.
Licking his lower lip, Kang Yi-chae’s eyes shone fiercely, like a predator that had spotted its prey.
“I’m confident.”
He was confident he would capture the greatest hidden camera prank in history for Seo Ho-yun’s birthday on January 30th.
That bastard Kang Yi-chae was more serious about this than anyone.