Chapter 15
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 15
[Title: Just your average Korean male idol catching a robber.
Crazy, crazy, crazy.
I just saw The Dawn catching a robber.
*I’ll just write this in casual slang.
To explain the situation, I’m only a light idol fan, so I only know the top-tier groups. Like Black Call?
But my friend suddenly went crazy and started stanning this rookie group called The Dawn.
Who are they? Well... their first-week sales were... 100 copies...
(I’ll leave it at that......)
So I was looking at her with pity, but then that post with Seo Ho-yun and Ju Woo-seong went up on Starstagram, right? My friend’s fangirling was reaching its peak….
But today, I!!!
Saw The Dawn at a convenience store!!
I didn’t recognize them at first; I just saw five handsome guys hanging out together. They all look way better in person;;
I was filming a video on my phone, thinking this was the perfect chance to show my friend, and I talked to Seo Ho-yun.
Seo Ho-yun... seeing him up close, he’s seriously handsome. No lie, I actually forgot what I was going to say for a second because of his face. He has those sharp, fox-like features, so I was a bit intimidated, but when he smiles, he looks totally enchanting... (a.k.a. the popular guy at school who suddenly says hi to you out of nowhere style).
The rest of the members were all handsome too, and I want to talk about them, but that’s not the point today, so I’ll skip it for now.
Below is the transcript of our conversation.
Me: Seong Ji-won, why are you so handsome? You’re so tall.
Seong Ji-won: Oh, thank you! haha.
Kang Yi-chae: How old are you, Noona?
We were just chatting like that. I was happy just talking to handsome guys for the first time in a while.
But then, something big happened.
Seo Ho-yun: (Suddenly stops talking and looks outside)
Me: (What’s wrong?;; Did I do something wrong?)
Seo Ho-yun: (Nudges Kim Seong-hyeon) Hey.
Kim Seong-hyeon: What?
Kim Seong-hyeon: (Looks outside and his face stiffens)
Then suddenly, the two of them bolted out like crazy.
Me and the remaining members were just standing there confused, and then I saw some crazy bastard outside hit an old lady, grab her bag, and start running;;;; Seo Ho-yun and Kim Seong-hyeon saw it happen.
Seong Ji-won: One moment, please.
Jeong Da-jun: Wait for me!
Kang Yi-chae: I’ll call the police.
They all ran out the moment they saw it;; I was just staring blankly, but their "line distribution" was perfect; the two who went out first used their insane physicality to catch the thief and even took away the knife he pulled out. (Watch the video for details.)
The two who followed were holding the fallen grandmother and asking if she was okay… and Kang Yi-chae was already on the phone with the police.
Me: Oh my god... what’s happening...
Kang Yi-chae: (On the phone with the police) Yes, this is the convenience store in front of the Sarang Building in XX-dong. We caught a thief….
Me: Are they really okay? What do I do;;
Kang Yi-chae: (Glances at me) Yes, please hurry.
I’ve never seen anything like this;; Plus, there was a knife, so I was genuinely worried that they or the grandmother might have been hurt...
So I was standing there fidgeting, and then Kang Yi-chae hung up and spoke to me.
Kang Yi-chae: Noona, it’s okay.
Me: Huh? Oh;;
Kang Yi-chae: We’ll take care of things here. You must have been shocked, so you should head home first.
Me: (Flustered, I just said okay)
Kang Yi-chae: Ah... right. Sorry we couldn’t wait for your friend. Let’s definitely meet next time.
Kang Yi-chae was younger than me, but the way he handled the situation and comforted me in an instant was so cool...
Everything I wrote is in the video I’m posting below. For more details, watch the full video. I’m not lying, they’re all seriously insane;;
My friend is crying and throwing a fit, asking why I was the one to hit the jackpot and not her...
Sorry, but as of today, I’m stanning The Dawn.
Currently ordering their album.
└ I came here to curse you out for writing fanfiction, but holy sh*t, looking at the video, it’s real.
└ This is insane;;;; How did they catch him? What’s with that black-haired guy’s physique? And how did Seo Ho-yun block that knife?
└└ He’s seriously a prophet...
└ This needs to be boosted. Who cares if they’re nugus or whatever, this is seriously crazy.
└ In the middle of all this, what’s with that guy named Seong Ji-won not taking his eyes off the grandmother? ㅠ So sweet.
└ Why are the kids eating cup ramen??? ㅠㅠㅠ
└└ Because their agency is broke...
└└ Who’s the one stacking five triangles of kimbap and pouring them into the cup ramen? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ So cute.
└└ That’s Jeong Da-jun!! He’s the maknae and sub-dancer. Currently recruiting auntie fans nationwide.
└└ Auntie, stop simping and go home.]
[Title: The reason I called you today is for this.
Stanning The Dawn starting today. Peace.
└ Their character is top-tier, I admit.
└└ Don’t try to sell me on their personality.
└ Honestly, I don’t know what the fuss is about; their faces are just okay and their songs aren’t that great either..
└└ Right? Their debut song totally flopped ㅋㅋ This is just a flash in the pan.
└└ Hey, are you guys stanning other rookie idols? Are you already on guard? Are you scared?
└ Honestly, they’re all handsome;;; Especially Kang Yi-chae, he’s totally my type. He keeps saying "Noona, Noona" in the video, so I’m putting in my dentures and pretending I’m 99 years old.
└└ Are you crazy? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ What is this simping ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ For me, it’s Kim Seong-hyeon;;; He’s like a wolf? The physique he showed while catching the thief was insane.
└└ I’m a wolf too, I wish he’d catch me. ㅎ
└└ To the commenter above, I just called 112. Enjoy your prison tofu.
└└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Sh*t, that’s harsh. See you in jail ^^ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
* * *
“Unbelievable. It’s a total mess.”
Ju Woo-seong was currently in a very foul mood. Every article pouring out about The Dawn inevitably mentioned him.
It was because he had promoted them on Starstagram. The DMs flooding in asking who they were, and his manager nagging him about why he was suddenly advertising another idol group—it was all, all annoying.
But the most annoying thing of all was Seo Ho-yun, who had appeared out of nowhere like a comet.
Seo Ho-yun, Seo Ho-yun.
Just what was this guy?
[Crazy Bastard: Mr. Ju Woo-seong]
[Crazy Bastard: Come to the Daepasung office.]
It had been a week since he started being blackmailed. Ju Woo-seong wanted to ignore the message, but in the end, he was driving toward the office due to the persistent threats.
How did it come to this? If he told his manager, they would handle it, but to do that, he’d have to confess that his dating life had been discovered….
‘I don’t like this.’
Ju Woo-seong sighed deeply as he closed his car door and headed into Daepasung Entertainment.
He said he’d be waiting in the lobby. Seeing as no one stopped him from entering despite not being an employee, it really was a nugu agency.
But hadn’t they been all over the news lately?
Ju Woo-seong had promoted them himself on Starstagram, and recently, praise was overflowing because they had caught a robber.
They might get hate for rising so suddenly, but the promotion seemed to be working perfectly.
‘Where is this guy?’
Ju Woo-seong looked for Seo Ho-yun with an irritated expression. He spotted Seo Ho-yun curled up in the middle of a sofa in a corner of the lobby. Ju Woo-seong approached him with a deep scowl.
“Hey, am I a dog? You’re calling me around like one.”
“…….”
“Seo Ho-yun. Hey, Junior.”
Seo Ho-yun didn’t answer. Ju Woo-seong nudged him, and Seo Ho-yun, looking pale, lifted his head. Ju Woo-seong flinched.
“W-what? What’s wrong with you?”
“Ah, you’re here….”
Did I hurt him when I nudged him?
Ju Woo-seong looked Seo Ho-yun over, his conscience pricking him. No matter how he looked at it, the guy was deathly pale; he wasn’t in a state to be sitting here.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
“I’m fine.”
“No, you look sick.”
“I said I’m fine, Mr. Ju Woo-seong.”
I let out a long sigh and stood up. Ju Woo-seong was twitching his eyebrows strangely, looking more cowardly than I expected.
Yeah, damn it. I was sick.
Part of it was from working myself to the bone without sleep for days, but the biggest problem was this system window.
Ding!
[Seo Ho-yun, start the quest now!]
‘Piss off, you bastard.’
A quest had arrived, and because I ignored it, the omens of failure were already haunting me.
I stared silently at the quest description floating in front of me before turning my gaze away. Ju Woo-seong jumped slightly.
“Do you know why I called you?”
“Why?”
“We’re filming our music video tomorrow. I want you to check our dancing before then. You’re a pro, Mr. Ju Woo-seong, so you know your stuff.”
“You called me here just for that?”
Ju Woo-seong looked dumbfounded.
Well, Ju Woo-seong was famous for not looking after his juniors. He was the type to just let people do their own thing; he didn’t even manage the kids in his own agency, let alone his own members. He was too busy dating.
“Oh, oh, it’s Ju Woo-seong!”
I pulled my sluggish body together and led Ju Woo-seong toward the practice room. As soon as I opened the door, the manager, who was filming the members practicing near the entrance, jumped in surprise and bowed.
The members, who were dancing with their hair dyed in various colors, saw Ju Woo-seong and bowed at a perfect 100-degree angle like human protractors.
“Hello, Senior!”
“…Uh, yeah. Right.”
I could feel Ju Woo-seong glaring at me. Sorry, but don’t try to back out now.
This was a behind-the-scenes shoot for the comeback preparations. It happened suddenly because the planning team leader pushed for it and I agreed.
Ju Woo-seong looked at the members blankly for a moment, then put his arm around my shoulder. To anyone else, it would have looked like we were close.
“Hey, you didn’t say anything about filming.”
“Is this our first or second time seeing each other?”
“…It is our first or second time?”
Ah, right. He doesn’t know about the time I was a PD.
“I’m telling you to get used to my style. Just pretend to be close to me and pour out some tips, Mr. Ju Woo-seong.”
“You little—! If it weren’t for those photos!”
Ju Woo-seong sighed deeply. Then he released his arm from my shoulder and sat down silently on the sofa in the practice room. I was satisfied; he listened remarkably well.
“Right, well… I look forward to working with you. As you know, Ho-yun and I are veeeery close. I’ve decided to intrude for a bit at our great Ho-yun’s request.”
“We look forward to your guidance!”
Seeing the members bow in unison every time Ju Woo-seong said something was a bit annoying.
Still, perhaps the desperate energy of a rookie group reached him, because Ju Woo-seong nodded and his gaze sharpened.
“Then, without further ado, shall we take a look?”
“Yes!”
At the members’ thunderous reply, the manager played the music as if he had been waiting for it.
We had practiced for four days straight even after the robbery incident. There wasn’t much time left, and we had no choice but to master the choreography.
Seong Ji-won, who was in charge of the first part, began the song.
【Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance
This sensation ringing in my head, in other words, I’m back
I clench my fists, I can never let this chance go】
Even though his nervousness was visible, Seong Ji-won continued the song with familiarity. In fact, it was more accurate to say that everyone was out of their minds because they had been staying up all night for a week.
Seong Ji-won tilted his head and moved forward. I, who had been sitting behind him, stood up, and the surrounding members crossed their arms to form a table shape in front of me.
【Ooh, Pick a card, a future seen more clearly
You’re anxious about the low odds, but there’s no need
It’s okay, because I will lead you】
“…….”
Ju Woo-seong watched me with a gaze much sharper than the one he gave the other members. But I wasn’t nervous.
I, too, was currently out of my mind due to the endless all-nighters and the system window’s penalty. As I sang the last line, Jeong Da-jun stood up while adding harmony.
【Come to me, Come to me,
Don’t be Afraid, come to me
I have my second chance】
It was a decent build-up. At that moment, Jeong Da-jun bent his waist, and Kim Seong-hyeon stepped onto him to begin his part. His live performance, which used to be shaky, had become solid after his pitch was corrected.
【I won’t let this sensation go】
After that, Kang Yi-chae rapped, and the song concluded with Seong Ji-won, Jeong Da-jun, and me adding harmonies.
Having poured out every ounce of effort from the bottom of our souls, we panted like mudskippers out of water.
Honestly... I felt like throwing up because of the status effect.
Damn system window. This murderous penalty.
“…….”
“Hah, hah….”
“Whew….”
Ju Woo-seong looked at us. He tapped his foot for a moment, then pointed at me.
“Ho-yun.”
“Yes.”
“Are you sick? Or are you just naturally a Ttukttak-i?”
“I’m naturally a Ttukttak-i.”
When I answered calmly while hiding my pain, Ju Woo-seong burst into laughter. Then he quickly forced his face back into a neutral expression.
Jeong Da-jun, who had been watching the mood from the side, quietly chimed in.
“Our Ttukttak-i Hyung has actually improved a lot.”
Is that a compliment?
I shot a look at Jeong Da-jun. This wasn’t a survival show, so growth wasn’t what mattered.
An idol is judged solely on a three-to-four-minute stage. So, no matter what kind of fuss you make during the growth process, the final result is what counts.
Ju Woo-seong stood up slowly.
“Overall, it wasn’t bad. But occasionally, there are parts in the individual sections where the choreography feels empty. Usually, you have to fill those gaps with gestures.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll show you how I do it.”
Whatever had gotten into him, Ju Woo-seong stood up and demonstrated the gestures. I thought he’d just do it half-heartedly and be done with it, but even with a slight pose, the difference in level was palpable.
‘Whoa….’
So Ju Woo-seong didn’t just make a living off his face. I watched him and worked hard at my clumsy dancing.
“No, no. That’s not it for that part. Look at me.”
“You’re a good dancer, but you’re too tense. You need to relax your shoulders here.”
“You seem to have some talent for 'killing parts,' so try to make the most of it. Imagine there’s a camera right there.”
Ju Woo-seong, who hadn’t held back on advice for the members down to the smallest detail, paused when it was my turn.
He made a face that clearly said, ‘How am I supposed to fix this Ttukttak-i?’ before offering detailed feedback.
“Seo Ho-yun, if you just dance during your individual part, it’s too obvious how bad you are. Instead, use your charm to bridge the skill gap with the other members. It’s a temporary fix, but it’s better than being a klutz like this.”
“Okay.”
“And about the singing—it’s good that you’re better than I expected, but you’re still lacking emotion.”
Emotion. That was something I’d heard from Im Hyeon-su as well. It was also a point the members had pointed out several times.
“Looking at the song, it seems like you’re in the position of someone who knows everything, but you’re singing too honestly, so it’s boring. Do it again.”
I sang my part again. Ju Woo-seong shook his head, clutching his chest as if frustrated.
“No, do it again.”
I sang it again.
“What is it? What exactly is the problem? Why can’t you sing with emotion?”
Ah, this naturally gifted jerk…….