Chapter 157
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 157
The day of the first episode of Shining Star Season 2.
[Let’s get 1st place, The Dawn! 1st place! 1st place!]
[Guys, I was like, "Do we really have to go this far?" but I’ve already gathered every phone in my vicinity. Let the games begin.]
The Noeuls were already in full battle mode, heart and soul.
Expectations were skyrocketing, especially with the frequent reviews claiming that The Dawn had absolutely devoured the stage during the second competition.
Shining Star Season 2.
Finally, after an endless stream of commercials, the Shining Star Season 2 logo appeared, followed by a recap of Season 1.
—We find people who shine, no matter what.
Every fan bristled at that caption.
[Did you really "find" them? Fuck, here we go again with the bullshit.]
[Is the production team sane?]
[But I can’t hate on Hee-yeong unnie. I fell in love after seeing her at the press conference. I want to be toxicly and messily involved with her.
└Are you sane? You’re becoming a Kim Hee-yeong solo stan? Her nickname is "The Local Psycho."
└└That’s exactly what drives me crazy.
└└Fine, be happy...]
The High Five fans, in particular, were fed up.
[This is so annoying. Why do our boys even have to be on this show?]
[It’s just the broadcasting station power-tripping lol. Fuckers. What is the agency doing not blocking this?]
Essential for a happy social media life: the block button.
Fandoms had already muted most "landmine" words. Even if they saw something irritating, they usually just looked the other way to avoid unnecessary drama.
[Wait, Ju Woo-seong is appearing??]
[Han Chae-ri?!!]
[Holy shit, and Ha Seo-yeon too?!?!! Omg, I love this. How did they know I love Seo-yeon unnie?]
With a rising next-generation actress as the MC and mentors so famous that it was joked that only 1% of the population didn't know them, even the general public began to take interest.
Amidst these various expectations, Shining Star Season 2 began.
—Shining Star Season 2, starts now!
The opening and the early segments focused heavily on The Dawn, the winners of Season 1 who were returning for Season 2.
The footage focused on the tight-knit teamwork that had set Season 1 ablaze, accompanied by a heart-wrenching piano melody.
—The Dawn was actually on the verge of disbanding. Our results weren't good. We all thought, "It can't be helped," or "We should just be grateful for this much."
—I just trusted the hyungs and followed them!
—I just did it because it was fun. Life with the members is fun, and I love the fans.
—I feel like... I owe a debt to those who believed in me that I can never repay, no matter what I do.
—Of course, we have to do well.
[Uwaaaaah, don't suddenly hit the crying button, fuck, I'm actually crying.]
[Ha, memories of last year are flashing by... T_T It was so hard back then, but I was so proud...]
The final broadcast of Season 1, which gave birth to "Kismet"—a song many still lamented for ending without proper promotions—was a topic of both pride and heartache among Noeuls.
Especially for Kim Seong-hyeon’s individual fans.
[I’m a Seong-Peu until I die.]
[I’ll love God-Seong-hyeon until the grave.]
However, the broadcast itself wasn't entirely solemn.
To boost ratings, the beginning had to be impactful.
And Kim Hee-yeong, a veteran PD, knew this all too well.
She intentionally placed a scene with a completely different vibe immediately after the emotional, tear-jerking segment to further pique interest.
—They were so moving...
"Uwaaaaah!"
"Hey, don't pull me!!"
It started with Jeong Da-jun’s scream.
Everyone watching was baffled to see them performing a mission in a "haunted broadcasting station" in the dead of winter, not even during the summer.
[?????]
[No, wait, lololol. Is this how they’re starting the meeting? lolololol]
While it was pitiful to see them shrieking and trembling in fear, the fans loved seeing this different side of their idols.
Just as everyone was getting sucked into the show, seeing a side of them they might never see again, The Dawn appeared in earnest.
"Then Ho-yun hyung and Ji-won hyung should go!! Those two didn't even blink! Even Yi-chae hyung was shivering!"
[lolololololololololololololololololol]
[Jeong Da-jun (Freshly an adult): The type to sell out his members without a second thought.]
The Noeuls burst into laughter at the part where Jeong Da-jun immediately pointed out his hyungs.
※ The production team in no way encouraged discord.
※ This is a misunderstanding.
The screen time wasn't very long, but the impact was massive.
Even the fans who had been fuming before the broadcast now had wide smiles on their faces.
[Is it for real that Kim Seong-hyeon is doing an aegyo mission in front of a ghost while tearing up...
└He’s going to get seriously burned one day...
└└What do you mean?
└└Burned by my love.
└Ah, lolololololololololololololol]
Then, a shot of the remaining members of The Dawn monitoring Kim Seong-hyeon and Jeong Da-jun appeared.
The Dawn Sub-Vocal Seo Ho-yun: lol
The Dawn Main Vocal Seong Ji-won: ^^ (Sipping tea)
The Dawn Main Rapper Kang Yi-chae: Wahahahaha T_T (Collapses from laughing too hard)
They were enjoying snacks and cake while wearing star-shaped sunglasses provided by the production team.
[Ah, seriously, these guys are so annoying I could die.]
[If I were the dancers (Seong-hyeon/Da-jun), I’d leave the team immediately. I’d consult with the company and release an official statement.]
After barely completing the mission and crawling back, Seo Ho-yun didn't offer a single word of comfort to Kim Seong-hyeon and Jeong Da-jun; he just snatched the note away.
[Whoa.]
[I think it’s a song.]
In an instant, posts flooded Twitter.
[Wait, was it a choice? Was there a close-up just now??]
["Shabby Confession" and "Say You Love Me."
└Lol, did you seriously capture it in that split second? Thanks, thanks.]
[Ah, when I saw this in the teaser, it was "Say You Love Me."]
[Wait, there were two?? But why didn't they pick "Shabby Confession"??]
While everyone was confused, Verci performed their mission next.
Verci Main Vocal Serang: "Wow! I love 'Shabby Confession' so much!"
When they picked "Shabby Confession," the Noeuls' reaction turned cold.
[Ah... I guess they picked first.]
[Doesn't look like they played a game for the song selection; looks like they just gave it up.]
[Ah.........]
Since Verci had more seniority than The Dawn, rumors started that the junior group had yielded for the sake of the broadcast.
[Ah, lol.]
[Lol, fuck.]
[Isn't picking "Shabby Confession" a bit much?? It’s composed by Kang Yi-chae, sung by Seong Ji-won, and even features Seo Ho-yun’s drama appearance lol. The song is literally drenched in The Dawn lol.]
[Lol, they must have really wanted it.]
In reality, that wasn't the case at all.
[I mean, looking at how the broadcast was cut, it’s obviously no big deal, but they’re talking so much shit; if you think about it, didn't we just get the leftovers?]
Since the full details of the song selection weren't shown, Verci fans were also feeling aggrieved in their own way.
However, since Verci was the one who ultimately sang "Shabby Confession," those opinions were drowned out before they could gain traction.
[Whoa, the face-to-face ceremony is starting!]
After each group finished their song selection, the face-to-face ceremony stages were shown.
Perhaps thinking it was important to set the mood with exciting music first, the dance units were shown preparing with nervous expressions.
"Let's do well... us."
"Yes!! Uwaaaaah!!"
"Tissue! Tissue!!"
In between, Kim Seong-hyeon and Jeong Da-jun were seen unable to stay still, stretching or gulping down water repeatedly.
Eventually, seeing Jeong Da-jun spill water on himself, Kim Seong-hyeon quickly brought a tissue and wiped his chin.
[Look at Jeong Da-jun spilling water all over his chin because he’s nervous lolololol. Seong-hyeon’s eyes are shaking as he immediately brings a tissue. Ah, so cute lololol.]
[lolololol. Is this parenting or being teammates... lolololol]
Because the narrative was front-loaded in the beginning, the dance unit's screen time felt like it lasted about three seconds.
Even so, the Noeuls felt warm inside.
[Whatever, we’re 1st place overall anyway~]
[Title: But Seong-hyeon’s dancing is so good it boosts my pride.
I’m usually the type who thinks idols just need to be handsome.
It’s okay if their skills are lacking.
If they’re handsome, it’s only embarrassing when they’re on stage.
The rest can be managed somehow...
But this guy is a celebrity even when he’s covered by a mask and a hat.
his dance lines are just pure perfection.
Why does he dance so smoothly and with such ease...
└Wasn't Seong-hyeon originally in a dance crew? I heard he was pretty famous. There are videos.
└└Why didn't I know this? Please give me a link.
└└Yeah.
https://www.Neotube.com/watch?v=ChumS1n?_ChuMWang
└└Ah lolol fuck, what is this fresh, soft face of Kim Seong-hyeon in this video? I burst out laughing because I wasn't prepared lolol.
└└lololol. He’s just a baby lolol.
└I think Ju Woo-seong is the #1 dancer among idols, but I’m more excited for Kim Seong-hyeon later on.
└└Lol?
└└Please just ignore the trolls. Seong-hyeon is a huge fan of Ju-seong. Just move along.]
Next was the vocal unit.
[^_^ Yeah, whatever~]
[Lol, yeah ^^]
[Ji-won, show them how it’s done.]
The Noeuls remained perfectly relaxed even during the scene where Verci rehearsed "Shabby Confession." Because the duo of Seo Ho-yun and Seong Ji-won was the ultimate vocal combination.
[Vocals.
True Angel vs. King of Personality.
└Ah, "King of Personality" is hilarious. Are you really a Gyo-Peu?
└It’s fine because that’s what makes him lovable.]
[Lol, The Dawn vocals were just good.
Their chemistry? That was... not bad either.
(Meme of a puppy leaning against a window crying)
└lololololololol. You sound way more moved than your words suggest lolol.]
[I think it was better that they didn't do "Shabby Confession"... The fans got to hear a new song too T_T]
It was all the result of Seo Ho-yun’s calculations working out perfectly.
Finally, as if to decorate the grand finale, High Five’s main vocal and leader appeared. They were seen backstage constantly checking lyrics and exchanging opinions on gestures.
"The expectations are a bit burdensome... but I want to do even better. For the fans."
Even after seeing Kang Yeon-hu’s sparkling face as he gave a shy smile while answering the staff's question, The Dawn's fans remained indifferent.
[If it’s burdensome, don't come on the show.
└lolol. Wow, this is only possible on a private account.
└└It’s possible on a public account too.
└└Truly a fan of Seo-Bakku (Seo Ho-yun + No-back).]
Because they were a group whose level was so mismatched that they felt out of place in Shining Star Season 2, other groups' fans—just as much as High Five fans were dissatisfied—didn't look upon them kindly, fearing their own idols would be overshadowed.
[Lol...]
[lololol. Crazy...]
However, once High Five’s song began, everyone had no choice but to stop their busy fingers on the keyboards.
[They’re good.]
Solid skills. Excellent sense. A flashy stage production despite the short preparation time.
[Is this for real...?? Is this why they’re so popular?]
[I’m pissed...]
This was why Seo Ho-yun had prayed for at least one member of High Five to have a personality flaw.
In the end, through Seo Ho-yun’s wit, The Dawn took 1st place, and the screen showed them bowing deeply to the audience and the groups on either side.
[Look at them bowing to their seniors T_T Oh, our babies are so polite... T_T]
The Noeuls, not wanting to miss this opportunity, worked hard to frame The Dawn as "polite" through several public accounts. Some had even already made GIFs and were quickly posting them on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the program aired a round of commercials before moving on to the next segment.
It was the rap unit, about which nothing had been released except for the fact that Kang Yi-chae had snatched 1st place.
[Ah, Yi-chae?? I’m excited.]
[Yi-chae probably did well.]
This was the natural reaction for Noeuls, who were well-acquainted with The Dawn’s self-produced content.
He was a guy so easygoing he’d probably become best friends with a monkey if dropped on a deserted island, and his genius had already been proven several times through The Dawn’s songs.
[...????]
"..."
Since the participating groups in Shining Star, excluding The Dawn, had at least six members, Kang Yi-chae was alone in the waiting room.
What actually surprised the Noeuls was...
[Holy shit.]
[Why is he so quiet?]
They had expected him to be slyly chatting with the staff even while alone, looking around and being relaxed.
[Uwaaaaah, it hurts my heart to see Kang Yi-chae sitting all alone.]
[He’s usually the mood maker who runs wild in crowded places... this is so awkward... T_T Hng, Yi-chae-ya T_T]
His face wasn't visible at all because he was busy scribbling something while sitting on the sofa.
The camera slowly zoomed in on him.
—What is Yi-chae holding...?
[???]
What was held in Kang Yi-chae’s fingertips was a piece of paper, its corners worn and crumpled, covered in rap lyrics.
"Ah..."
Only then did Kang Yi-chae notice the camera and playfully crinkle his eyes. But he couldn't hide the fact that he had instinctively flinched.
Among fans, Kang Yi-chae was a "genius."
That was the image Daepasung pushed, but it was also how he appeared to the public.
The fact that he had uniquely little screen time in choreography practice videos, and the occasional articles saying he had whipped up a composition in just a few days, supported this.
So, seeing Kang Yi-chae’s "effort," which they had never seen anywhere before, Twitter was dyed with madness.
[KANG!!!!! YI!!!!!! CHAE!!!!!!! I!!!! FUCKING!!!! LOVE!!!! YOU!!!!]
[What’s with Kang Yi-chae? He’s practicing??? Honestly, I thought he’d be playing games in the waiting room.]
[Isn't this insane? I was just sitting here, why are you suddenly triggering me like this?]
An interview with a staff member who had found their prey followed immediately.
Q. You’re participating in the rap unit alone. How do you feel?
Kang Yi-chae, who had been listening intently to the staff, widened his eyes and shrugged.
"It’s a bit awkward. I’ve always been with the members."
The staff quickly threw the next question.
Q. The paper is packed with writing.
At those words, Kang Yi-chae lowered his eyes and stared blankly at the paper in his hand. Unaware that this sight was triggering the fans even more, he soon wore a sly smile.
"I want to show a good side to the fans."
[T_T_T_T_T_T_T_T_T_T_T_T]
[Yi-chae-yaaaaa T_T]
Then, the screen shifted to Kang Yi-chae waiting backstage with the previous group’s song as background music.
"...Hmm."
A side profile of Kang Yi-chae, checking the opponent's stage with a smileless expression, was shown.
[G... guys.
Sorry in this situation,
but can I stan "Chilly Handsome" Kang Yi-chae?
└Please, do (But I’m already eating it up too).
└Fuck, I don't want to say this at a time like this, but his side profile is seriously insane.]
[Wow, seriously, I didn't know because he’s always hanging around the Deonging-is, but is this what Kang Yi-chae is like when he’s alone???? Ah, what do I do about this ultimate "rebellious bad boy" look?]
If Kang Yi-chae had known fans were writing things like this on Twitter, he would have cackled and enjoyed it.
But for now, he was simply focusing on the performance ahead of him.
"Kang Yi-chae-ssi!"
"Yes."
Kang Yi-chae nodded at the staff's signal and pulled his hood over his cap.
Preparation was complete.
He quietly walked onto the stage and waited for the staff's introduction.
Soon the curtain fell, and he saw the audience cheering without even knowing who he was.
He slowly raised the microphone.
"Hello..."
Screeeech—
In an instant, the feedback from the microphone rang sharply in his ears.
The audience’s faces crumpled, and the Noeuls' hearts almost dropped, but...
"Whoa..."
Kang Yi-chae gave a calm eye-smile.
"Trying to intimidate me?"
But his voice didn't sound intimidated at all.
Scratching the back of his neck slightly, Kang Yi-chae raised his hand high.
With that as the signal...
【It's chasing time!】
The performance began.
From then on, it was simply Kang Yi-chae’s time.
As if the effort he put in wasn't in vain, he captivated the audience in an instant.
【Don't go low on me
The thrill pushed to the limit
If I’ve arrived, bow your head low】
Even without flashy stage effects or editing, it felt like a movie.
【You can't deny what you are feeling now】
The highlight of Episode 1 was the scene where the entire audience waved their hands in unison following Kang Yi-chae’s gestures.
[So this is what it was............ this is what it was........]
[Is he insane....................]
It was a stage that left not only Noeuls but also other fandoms and general viewers speechless. Eventually, "The Dawn Kang Yi-chae" trended in real-time on social media, woven together with The Dawn’s history from Shining Star Season 1 shown during the opening.
[Daaaamn, fuck, in the highlight section, "It's chasing"—"Yi-chae-ing"—he must have matched it to his name.]
[Incredible madman... So he made the audience sing along to the lyrics to make them call his name...]
[The audience probably doesn't even know;;; that they’re calling Kang Yi-chae’s name right now;;]
Seeing Kang Yi-chae singing with all his energy, the Noeuls' hearts swelled.
[This is an emergency......]
[Am I crying right now?]
[The fact that he was actually a hard worker, hidden behind his genius, is driving me crazy.......]
And so, the highest number of votes was recorded above Kang Yi-chae’s head.
"Ahaha..."
After the identity reveal and the ranking announcement, Kang Yi-chae pulled off his hoodie, seemingly hot.
In his short-sleeved shirt with heavy sweat stains, his damp, faded grapefruit-colored hair stuck to his forehead, yet he shone brilliantly.
Instead of a speech, he blew hand kisses to the audience, responding to the cheers.
"Thanks, Bye!"
Then, with a bright smile, he leaned down and gave continuous high-fives to the audience in the stands as he left the stage.
[So damn cool, crazy.]
[If it were me, when 1st place appeared on the screen, I would have given a long-winded speech like that "I got into Harvard? Thank you" meme, but this guy just walks off smiling.]
[I’m seriously going crazy.
If you like Kang Yi-chae’s style, you just end up completely obsessed with him.]
[Kang Yi-chae’s star power is seriously insane, fuck....]
Because of Kang Yi-chae’s boundless star power, all sorts of communities burned without rest for several days.
.
.
.
"...Is Yi-chae hyung really a genius?"
Meanwhile, The Dawn, who were watching the broadcast together at the dorm, looked at Kang Yi-chae with emotion.
Jeong Da-jun, in particular, wasn't just sniffing; he had pulled out a tissue and was blowing his nose loudly.
"When did my baby grow up like this??"
"...Da-jun, your range is really wide. Are you accepting me as your 'baby' too?"
The person in question, Kang Yi-chae, probably hadn't thought much of it and certainly hadn't been nervous, but the members were quite moved.
Except for me, of course.
"Jeong Da-jun, I know your tear ducts are exploding, but that’s enough. Stop."
"Uwaaaaah..."
"...Good grief."
Kang Yi-chae, who was used to bragging but found it awkward to be coddled by the members, seemed burdened by their sparkling, impressed gazes.
"Sigh..."
After trying to comfort Jeong Da-jun a few times, he quickly gave up and let out a sigh.
"Fine, I'll be honest. Sometimes I get sick of myself too... I guess I’m afraid of my own talent?"
"...Yeah."
The look in Kim Seong-hyeon’s eyes, which had been like a proud father looking at his successful son, returned to normal.
"Ah~!! Kang Yi-chae, how did you write such lyrics?"
Finding the members' fed-up looks amusing, he began to praise himself even more excitedly.
"Yi-chae-ing~!"
"Can someone please shut that guy up?"
"I give up on Da-jun."
"Ah, I’m going first too!"
Even Seong Ji-won quickly abandoned Kang Yi-chae, and the members coldly left the living room.
I, who had been lying on the sofa with drained energy, also got up to return to my room when Kang Yi-chae scratched his head.
"They’re not playing along."
"Stop trying so hard. Everyone knows you’re a genius."
"Hmm?"
"What? Why?"
"Uh... I’m not quite at that level."
I tilted my head at his unexpectedly firm words.
"I’m just... reasonably talented? The real genius is Composer Cheong-beom."
"...What, do you really think that?"
"Yeah."
What?
Was Kang Yi-chae a humble-bragger?
I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Then what about the compositions of other ordinary people?"
"Trash."
"..."
"...Ahaha, just kidding. I just think our tastes are different."
Hah...
'Are you really kidding...?'
Kang Yi-chae was a guy with fairly accurate self-objectification.
So, rather than having low confidence, it was just...
'Hmm.'
His standards were incredibly high.
Which made it even more impossible to deny that Kang Yi-chae was a genius.
'Should I give him some encouragement?'
I slunk over to Kang Yi-chae and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Yi-chae, you really are a genius. A genius who also puts in the effort."
"..."
"Honestly, I feel reassured because you’re here."
I flashed a grave, dashing smile—the kind a dependable older brother would give—at Yi-chae, who was just blinking back at me.
Take the bait, Yi-chae.
I knew that just like Im Hyeon-su, he had a secret weakness for flattery.
But Yi-chae, who had been joking around just seconds ago, rolled his eyes and let out a long, pointed sigh.
“...Hyung.”
“Yeees?”
He looked at me with a gaze full of pity.
“Seriously, you need to fix that habit of yours...”
“...”
“And what was with that line? Does that cheesy stuff actually work on Woo-seong hyung or Cheong-beom?”
“...”
Yeah...
It works like a fucking charm, you little brat.