Chapter 154
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 154
“Is this what it means to become an adult?”
“What are you even talking about?”
Wait, is it true they’re actually close…?
Rumors of their friendship had been rampant ever since they appeared on a variety show together, but most industry insiders assumed their relationship was strictly business.
After all, this was Ju Woo-seong they were talking about.
Look at that aura. He really is a celebrity’s celebrity…
Rumor had it that even within Black Call, Ju Woo-seong was awkward with everyone except the vocal, Chae Jeong-woo. So, one could only imagine how he treated other industry professionals.
If Seo Ho-yun had known what they were thinking, he would have snorted in derision, but Woo-seong was also famous for being a homebody who never left his house except for work, preferring the company of his cat.
“Oh! Woo-seong sunbae, hello.”
“Hey~ Ji-won, hi.”
However, the Ju Woo-seong the assistant director was seeing now was completely different from the rumors.
He even remembered the names of the other members of The Dawn. Seong Ji-won, seemingly used to this, greeted Ju Woo-seong with a slight smile and no sign of fluster.
The staff members witnessing the scene whispered among themselves.
“Is Ju Woo-seong filming a mentor segment today?”
“No…? Why is he here?”
“…Is his agency Daepasung?”
“What kind of nonsense is that?!”
Even if he was currently between promotions and had a free schedule, was it really okay for a top-tier idol to just hang out at another agency like this?
Actually, was there a lapse in schedule coordination? They had announced they would be filming practice today.
“What’s going on…?”
Then why did he come to see The Dawn?
Shouldn’t he be going to High Five? Is he afraid he’ll get flak for visiting his direct juniors on their filming day? But he’ll get flak for coming to see The Dawn, too, won’t he?
Though they couldn’t say it out loud, a flurry of questions erupted among the staff.
The only person present who was purely happy about Ju Woo-seong’s appearance was the writer in charge, who had once been a die-hard fan of Black Call.
“He’s so radiant, it’s like I’m getting LASIK just by looking at him…”
“…….”
Meanwhile, Ju Woo-seong sat down on the sofa with a nonchalant expression, looking as comfortable as if Daepasung’s practice room were his own living room. He took a sip of the electrolyte drink Kim Seong-hyeon brought him and gave a soft smile.
“Shall we get started then?”
Ooh!
On the surface, being an idol looked glamorous, but word was it required not just innate talent, but also grueling practice and effort!
The assistant director was thrilled to be able to witness it firsthand.
How professional will they be?
Squeak, skree!
The sound of sneakers dragging across the floor signaled the start of practice. The assistant director watched The Dawn with sparkling eyes, but that didn't last long.
“Ah! Why isn’t this working?!”
The assistant director stared blankly at the practice room.
“I am doing it.”
“You call that doing it? Do it cute but sexy, and make it look cool at the same time, for God’s sake!!”
“I am being cute, sexy, and cool.”
“Look in the mirror.”
“…….”
The start certainly wasn't bad.
Even when Ju Woo-seong was checking The Dawn members one by one and meticulously correcting their postures, it was fine, even if he was a bit nitpicky.
But when it was Seo Ho-yun’s turn, it was as if everything before had just been a warm-up; he started tearing into him.
“Sigh……”
Seo Ho-yun’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, as if he were only holding back because the cameras were rolling.
“Sigh? Sigh? A sigh? You’re sighing right now? I’m the one who should be sighing. Why can’t you do this?”
“Am I not even allowed to breathe how I want?”
“Nope.”
Whether he had already cleared it with Kim Hee-yeong PD or not, Ju Woo-seong had completely abandoned his filter. Every time he smirked and threw a jab, Seo Ho-yun would glance at the camera and clench his fists instead of snapping back.
“Sunbae-nim, please give me advice that even a klutz can understand, okay?”
“…You just have to do it.”
“…….”
…Is he here to help, or just to mess with him?
Ju Woo-seong was in his element, tearing Seo Ho-yun to shreds with relentless energy.
Even the maknae, Jeong Da-jun, got caught in the crossfire and was worked to the bone.
“Da-jun, get it together…”
“Ye-yes… sir……”
His soul had already left his body.
“Ho-yun, if you weren’t born with it, you have to make up for it with effort.”
When Seo Ho-yun remained silent under the barrage of facts, his eyebrows merely twitching, Ju Woo-seong finally stood up, swept his hair back, and took a stance.
“Watch.”
Counting the beat out loud—one, two, three—he effortlessly executed the sequence Seo Ho-yun had been struggling with: the wave, the hip thrust, and the wink. He even threw in a finger kiss at the end for good measure.
“Got it?”
“I’ve got it!! Sunbae-nim!!”
“I don’t… I don’t get it….”
The person who was supposed to be watching had a completely unimpressed expression, while Kim Seong-hyeon, standing nearby, looked like he was about to be moved to tears.
Ju Woo-seong plopped back down on the sofa, crossed his legs, and looked at Seo Ho-yun with a smirk.
“What are you doing? Move.”
“…….”
Without a word, Seo Ho-yun let out a deep sigh and trudged to his feet. Using Ju Woo-seong’s nagging as background music, he began practicing, breaking the movements down into 0.1-second increments.
“Wait a second, we’ll change the tape before we do the individual interviews!”
“Ah, yes!”
By the time Ju Woo-seong’s critiques and Seo Ho-yun’s sighs had repeated about three more times, Kim Hee-yeong PD decided they had enough practice footage and ordered the crew to prepare for interviews.
Despite their exhaustion, the members of The Dawn bowed to the staff and continued practicing.
“That’s incredible, seriously.”
I guess that’s what it takes to be an idol.
Only after they were told the individual interviews were starting did The Dawn finally stop moving.
“We’ll start with Jeong Da-jun first! We have plenty of filming time left, so take your time getting ready!”
“Yes, sir!”
Everyone did a quick check of their clothes, faces, and hair.
Except for Jeong Da-jun, who stepped in front of the camera first, the rest of the members retreated to the camera’s blind spots to wait. Among them, Seo Ho-yun and Seong Ji-won were looking at something on a phone.
“I’ve lost my appetite, I feel like I’m going to collapse, and I want to throw up, but I’m fine! It’s manageable!”
“…Ah, ahaha?”
He’s so cheerful. It’s nice.
Perhaps because he was the maknae, Jeong Da-jun’s interview was energetic from start to finish.
“Next, Seong Ji-won!”
At the staff’s call, Seong Ji-won, who had been whispering with Seo Ho-yun, stood up and swapped places with Jeong Da-jun.
A moment later, Seo Ho-yun was seen playfully squishing and poking the cheeks of the hyperactive Jeong Da-jun as he bounded out of the frame, before quietly slipping out of the practice room.
“Ji-won, you’re famous for being a practice bug, aren’t you?”
“Ahaha, my practice is still lacking. I’ll probably have to do more even after filming ends.”
While Seong Ji-won’s interview was in full swing, a delicious aroma began to fill the practice room.
The assistant director wasn't the only one who noticed; other staff members were twitching their noses as well. They had been filming since the morning and had been pushing through without a single meal.
Looking around for the source of the smell, the assistant director’s eyes landed on Seo Ho-yun, who was standing near the door with plastic bags full of food in both hands.
“Oh?”
Once the staff noticed him, Seo Ho-yun, who had been staying out of the way to avoid being a distraction, spoke up cautiously.
“Sorry for interrupting the shoot. Um, I heard some of you haven't eaten yet.”
“……?”
“Please have this, if you’d like.”
“What? Oh, you didn't have to go this far….”
Seo Ho-yun’s smile was lost amidst the cheers of the staff.
What?! How is he so thoughtful?
The members of The Dawn took the bags from Seo Ho-yun and personally handed out high-end lunchboxes and drinks to each staff member, bowing politely.
“Whoa~, thank you!!”
“Please enjoy.”
“Wow, incredible. These lunchboxes are really high-end.”
“Okay, the team filming the individual interviews can eat later, and the rest of you can eat now. Okay?”
As Kim Hee-yeong PD quickly managed the unexpected situation, everyone nodded, unable to take their eyes off the lunchboxes.
Next was Kim Seong-hyeon’s interview.
After some small talk, the common question being asked of all the members was posed.
“How do you feel about the upcoming 1st Competition?”
“Ah, yes.”
Kim Seong-hyeon pondered for a moment.
“Our debut title track didn't receive much love. Because of that, we had a long hiatus, and we were very anxious about the future.”
Kim Seong-hyeon’s eyes, looking directly into the camera, were as upright as his character.
Man, he really is a beneficiary of Shining Star Season 1.
“We’re receiving more love than we deserve right now, but in the process, I had to reflect on myself countless times and dwell on many things.”
His words and his face were both being captured beautifully on camera.
Just as the assistant director was thinking this would be a great scene, the atmosphere was shattered.
“But I want to work even harder to—”
“Hey!! That’s not how you do it!!”
—Ju Woo-seong’s Spartan training was starting up again in the background.
“…….”
“…….”
They seemed to be trying to keep it down, but their voices were being picked up perfectly by the audio.
Kim Seong-hyeon, exchanging glances with the assistant director conducting the interview, took a small breath and spoke again.
“…With those feelings in mind, we selected the song—”
“If you’re going to keep being such a klutz, you might as well just carry a hammer, huh?”
“—And so.”
“You want me to actually bring a hammer? Ttuk-ttak, ttuk-ttak?!”
“Yeah! You might as well just take it on stage with you!”
“…….”
“……."
Ju Woo-seong and Seo Ho-yun, who were working on the choreography formations in a corner of the practice room, were now openly bickering.
Watching them, Kim Seong-hyeon’s eyelashes fluttered, and his expression soon smoothed out into one of total resignation.
“Whew……”
“…W-well, we’ve got enough for the interview, so it’s fine. We’ll stop here.”
The assistant director, having inadvertently tasted the hardships of a leader, hurriedly called for the next member.
“Seo Ho-yun, your interview!”
Finally, the last runner, Seo Ho-yun, stepped into the frame.
“Ha……”
His sigh was thick with irritation. As Seo Ho-yun frowned and swept his hair back, even the camera director flinched slightly.
“Ah, sorry.”
But the moment he saw the assistant director, a smile graced Seo Ho-yun’s lips.
“It was a bit noisy, wasn't it?”
“Ah, no, not at all.”
“Did you get a chance to eat the lunchbox earlier?”
…Wait, he actually has a great personality?
The conversation turned out to be much friendlier than expected. Having lowered their guard before they knew it, the assistant director started chatting away.
It was only after they had confessed that their cousin was a fan of High Five that they snapped out of it and restarted the interview.
“Is there a reason you chose Lia Purple’s song?”
After a moment of thought, Seo Ho-yun gave a soft smile toward the camera.
“Because the song is good?”
It was a picture-perfect shot, but…
But…
Seeing Ju Woo-seong smirk beside him upon hearing Seo Ho-yun’s answer, the assistant director felt a bit exhausted.
For starters, please stop fighting with Ju Woo-seong…
At the same time, the thought that ‘Ju Woo-seong and Seo Ho-yun are the absolute best of friends’ was firmly etched into the assistant director’s mind.
*
“Great job, everyone!”
Even after the filming ended, we continued practicing.
Ju Woo-seong stayed until the early hours of the morning, meticulously checking everything from our formations to our expressions and gestures.
Tenacious bastard…
A few hours later, when everyone was collapsed on the floor, Ju Woo-seong, still looking somewhat dissatisfied, packed his sports bag.
“Hey, I’m taking a taxi home. Make sure you can do this by the time I come tomorrow.”
“K.”
“Look at this punk, losing his manners the second the cameras are off.”
Ju Woo-seong clicked his tongue and stood up.
“Oh, and.”
“…….”
“You guys are smart.”
I wanted to add a comment about how he was stating the obvious, but I didn't even have the strength for that, so I just looked up.
“To be honest, I was wondering why you chose a Lia Purple song, but now that I’ve seen it, I get it. This will work.”
Of course it will.
When I just gave a lazy wave instead of an answer, Ju Woo-seong chuckled and left the practice room.
“See you tomorrow, Seo Ho-yun.”
After that, the other members left to shower, and I sprawled out alone on the floor of the darkened practice room.
Ding!
[‘Because the so~ng is good?’]
“What.”
[Do you really think Seo Ho-yun would choose a song for a reason like that?]
Spot on.
Having regained a bit of strength after resting, I moved my arm to pull out my phone and play a video.
This stage might be a good opportunity for The Dawn, who have worked so hard, and perhaps for Lia Purple as well.
There’s no way I’d do something that doesn't benefit me.
Though the method was a bit trashy.
[I’m asking why you chose it!]
“If you’re curious, just wait, you brat.”
When I scolded the system window that was noisily ringing with notifications and nitpicking, it grew a bit quieter, though it continued to grumble.
[…But still.]
But that only lasted a moment.
The system window started pestering me again.
“What now.”
[Ju Woo-seong… I like him, but he’s not exactly a nice person. He basically seems indifferent to others.]
“And?”
As I focused more on my phone, barely glancing at the text, the system window shrank in size and floated up to block my view.
[Aren’t you curious? Why he’s staying until dawn to help you?]
“Is he a target for my main scenario?”
[…No?]
“Then that’s enough.”
[…….]