Chapter 177
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 177
[Title: Review after 1.5 years of casual stanning The Dawn]
Lol, man, I never thought I’d be writing a post like this.
Anyway, since it seems like there’s a ton of new fans joining after Shining Star, I figured I’d write a review of my time casual stanning them.
I’ve been a casual fan for a year and a half, so I don’t even know if I can still call it "casual stanning"... anyway, read this warning before you continue!!
*These guys are surrounded by a craaaazy amount of scandals...
I’m just putting that out there first.
Lately, it seems like people are promoting them by saying The Dawn is wholesome or that their self-produced content is fun... and that’s not a lie. They actually seem like pretty good guys.
The fans also seem to have a lot of experience from other fandoms; they’re overflowing with madness but generally know where to draw the line.
But there is so much controversy surrounding them.
If you can’t handle that and don’t want to deal with the emotional stress, it’s better to just hit the backspace and leave now.
*There are mentions/comparisons to other idols (Black Call, Today, etc.). If that makes you uncomfortable, leave.
If you’re okay with that, keep scrolling.
The members themselves work really hard, but since their first album flopped so hard and they debuted at a relatively older age, they treat their fans incredibly well.
To be honest, it felt like business at first, but over the past year and a half, you can see they’ve actually become quite close.
The future of K-pop vocals, following in the footsteps of Black Call’s Chae Jeong-woo.
He was a long-term trainee at D.go and was supposedly the center for the now-ruined Today... well, you can see his face for yourself, and he’s a great dancer too.
His vocals are just... damn. He was already a cheat code, but if you compare him to a year ago, his growth rate is insane. He’s the undisputed top of his year.
Personality?? There’s a saying going around that if Seong Ji-won’s kindness is a lie, then we should stop believing in humanity altogether.
At first, I was like, "Lol, okay, the hype is real," and brushed it off, but seriously, if this guy is faking it, it would be better to just wipe out half the Earth. He’s that kind. It’s a different vibe from just being "stupidly nice."
(But then again, that might only apply to the members and staff... I’m not sure. Seong Ji-won isn’t really the type to go out much.)
He wasn’t like this at first; his mental state was a bit soft, but I guess he got influenced because these days he has a super strong aura and is the top dog of The Dawn.
The definitive Muggle’s Pick #1 from Shining Star.
Among K-pop otakus, I bet a lot of people joined the fandom after seeing his Kill the Lights fancam, but they probably got confused after seeing his personality on the radio or B App because he’s so soft.
Looking at his face, you’d think he’d be a loner who doesn’t care about anyone else, but he’s actually quite gentle and sensitive. It doesn’t seem fake.
Maybe it’s because he’s been through a lot, but when there’s a scandal, he just stays quiet, but if something good happens or something happens to the members, he cries. That’s why his nickname is Water Dumpling Leader.
I heard he has a lot of younger siblings... he gets pushed around by the other members. He gets teased constantly in their self-produced content lol. Honestly, it’s cute how easily he’s fooled and how bad he is at acting lol.
If Seong Ji-won follows Chae Jeong-woo, then Kim Seong-hyeon is in the Ju Woo-seong line... Seong-hyeon is more of the power-type, but saying this will probably make the Black Call fandom lose their minds again, haha~
Forget everything else, he’s just too cute!!!!!!!!!!
Did you catch that he’s my pick? Damn.
The typical youngest child who grew up without wanting for anything... he’s expressive and honest.
He has talent in dancing, but his other skills are honestly just average...
...is what I would say to anyone who hasn't seen the Shining Star unit competition!!!!!!
https://www.Neotube.com/watch?v=THe-DAwN_sHiNIn?GSTar2_JdJ
This kid is the real deal.
I’m not taking any counterarguments. Even if you bring me a Seo Ho-yun Half-and-Half photocard, I won’t listen. Jeong Da-jun is the real deal.
Honestly, I’m excited lol. I think youth is a weapon, and for Jeong Da-jun to have this career at this age... I’m so looking forward to what he’ll do next.
The other four dote on him quite a bit, especially Seo Ho-yun, who treats him like a brother ten years younger lol.
Ah, I have so much to say about Jeong Da-jun, but for now, he’s definitely the variety show role...
Anyone who talks smack about Jeong Da-jun, come out... let’s throw hands.
Surprisingly, he has the cleanest record in The Dawn.
Lol, this surprised me too... As soon as I saw his flashy first impression, I thought, "Okay, he’s a popular member, but he’s definitely going to have an issue with drinking, smoking, or girls," but guess what?? Nothing.
Even Seong Ji-won has controversy because of his former agency... but Kang Yi-chae has none. He’s just squeaky clean...
Kang Yi-chae... first of all, he has zero idol friends he hangs out with. There are absolutely no sightings of him.
On the rare occasion he’s seen, he’s always with the members... He hangs out with Jeong Da-jun a lot.
(If I had to pick a scandal? Maybe his delusional solo stans badmouthing the other members... saying the others are just hitching a ride on Kang Yi-chae’s producing skills.)
Contrary to his looks, he’s a young man who literally does nothing but compose and write lyrics... He’s legendary at roasting the members and has a great sense of humor, but he’s like a madman when he raps.
I thought he was just a natural genius, but seeing him always in the recording studio during Shining Star Season 2 or on B App, it seems like he’s secretly a hard worker too...
The definitive Muggle’s Pick #2.
Honestly, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I published this post just to talk about Seo Ho-yun.
What is there to say?
He’s a truly fascinating character... This guy is the pinnacle of K-pop "venom" these days.
He’s good at singing and acting, definitely above average. But his dancing is...
Well, honestly, he’s improved a lot, but objectively speaking, it’s just okay. Yet, strangely, no matter what he does, he always hits the mark; maybe people are just enchanted by his unique confidence and aura...
Even fans of other groups acknowledge his visuals as a pure-hearted beauty... I thought he was just getting by on his face, but all the Noeuls know his strong personality is what really reels you in...
At first, fans were worried that Seo Ho-yun would burn out and drop out if he kept running like that lol. But after a year, we’ve reached the level of "Lol, who are we even worrying about?" with his steel mental.
The peak of that intensity was that legendary Second Chance Japan fancam.
https://www.Neotube.com/watch!v=THe-DAwN_JP_SEoHOwhOw!
And the legendary Shining Star Season 2 Final Stardust fancam......
https://tv.never.com/v/ShiNiN?GstAr2_thEDawN
My jaw literally dropped while watching this on TV.
That performance, combined with the situation and narrative at the time, was like he was possessed... His eyes were gleaming, and it still gives me chills...
At first, there were so many people bashing him, saying it was obvious his bond with the members was just for business, but I guess things have gotten better lately?
He never shows when he’s having a hard time and treats the Noeuls incredibly well. He doesn’t seem like the type to gain strength from fans, but he tries so hard to give something back;; it’s strange.
Seeing him stir up trouble with Ju Woo-seong, I thought he was the type to be super social, but so far, Ju Woo-seong is the only one from another group he’s close with... (Well, Ju Woo-seong is also famous for drawing lines.)
Having no friends is a virtue for an idol, so thanks for that.
I’ll talk about Shining Star stuff below.
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I ended up writing a lot, but anyway, please give The Dawn lots of love.
The influx of fans from Shining Star was insane, but aside from the scandals surrounding them, they’re a pretty decent idol group lol. (First of all, I like that they don’t really have friends besides the members^^)
End of the review from a Noeul who’s been casual stanning for a year and a half.
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I deleted the part about Shining Star Season 2* because it seemed like too sensitive of a topic after looking back.
The comment section is a mess lol.]
Seeing this, some Noeuls began sharing the link.
However, there were naturally fans who expressed their discomfort.
Conflicting reactions flew back and forth, but one thing was undeniable.
The Dawn had made it!
Until now, they were known through word of mouth as a new holy land for K-pop veterans or a playground for hardcore stans, but after Shining Star Season 2 ended, The Dawn received full-blown public support.
During The Dawn’s hiatus, the Noeuls were in a stir.
It was because there was a lot of chatter among the fans, not only about the various events during Shining Star Season 2 but also due to the massive influx of new fans.
In particular, because of Seo Ho-yun’s final issue, The Dawn’s fans often suffered heartache, only to feel proud again when they saw the number of Noeuls rapidly increasing every day. Sometimes, their hope for the world was shattered.
While the fandom was fluctuating wildly like that, The Dawn returned to their main job after a two-week vacation.
And so, the reality show filming began.
"Ah-ah—."
In front of numerous cameras, Jeong Da-jun was captured walking leisurely with a suitcase in one hand and an Americano in the other.
"So this is my new 'dorm'..."
It was a new place, not the dorm The Dawn had moved into a year ago.
Kang Yi-chae, who was already sitting on the terrace, played along with the line.
"Not bad for a house where a commoner lives, right?"
"Hmm, it’s better than I thought. It’s a shame there’s no fountain, though."
The staff members, used to the nonsense banter of the youngest members, just worked silently.
Then, like a drama protagonist, Seong Ji-won suddenly appeared on screen and pumped his fist.
"Aja aja, fighting!!"
"..."
"Ji-won, it’s a new beginning from now on!"
Kim Seong-hyeon, who was walking beside him with one hand in his pocket, looked at Seong Ji-won with an absurd expression.
"Seong Ji-won, what are you doing?"
"Seong-hyeon, do you want to play the protagonist’s friend? The comic relief."
"Sigh..."
Along with Kim Seong-hyeon’s sigh, the sound of a suitcase being dragged was heard.
Rattle.
Then, a hand was placed softly on Kim Seong-hyeon’s shoulder, pulling him back slightly.
"Baby."
Seo Ho-yun, who had his arm around Kim Seong-hyeon’s shoulder, rested his chin on it and smiled with a very bright face.
"Were you waiting for me?"
"..."
"........."
Since the protagonist had appeared after the chaebol, it was now time for the sub-couple to show up.
"Aaaaagh!!"
However, Kim Seong-hyeon, who had no way of knowing this flow, thrashed about in utter disgust. Of course, Seo Ho-yun, whose face was plated with steel, was perfectly fine.
Having gone to counseling a few times, slept well, and even contacted Seo Ho-jin in the morning, Seo Ho-yun was in better condition than ever.
"That’s intense..."
"Being called 'baby' by Ho-yun hyung vs. calling Seong-hyeon hyung 'baby'."
"The latter, obviously."
Jeong Da-jun and Kang Yi-chae, who were serious about being funny, looked at Seo Ho-yun with deeply offended faces, but Seo Ho-yun himself was busy greeting the staff.
'They did make some money.'
The layout of the house was significantly different from the previous dorm.
There were four rooms, and one of them had a terrace. The interior was much more luxurious than before.
"Wow, there’s a dartboard here?"
"The terrace! This is crazy!"
The darts were definitely for the broadcast, though.
Leaving the guys who were running around in excitement alone, he slipped toward the planning team.
He had already looked through the proposal and knew that a roommate selection was scheduled, and Seo Ho-yun wanted a single room if possible.
"The time has come..."
"It has."
Lee Ji-hyeon rubbed the bridge of her nose roughly.
This reality show filming was a huge opportunity for The Dawn—no, more accurately, for Seo Ho-yun and also for Lee Ji-hyeon.
Having escaped burnout and lethargy, Lee Ji-hyeon was full of ambition.
Having been promoted to assistant manager this time, she was biding her time to take over the Daepasung planning team within the next two years.
She couldn't stop here.
"Seo Ho-yun, this period is very important."
"Yes, I agree."
After revealing his family history on Shining Star Season 2, the image of "a pitiful but hardworking, desperate idol who lost his parents" inevitably stuck to Seo Ho-yun.
It was a benefit for now, but from a long-term perspective, it had no merit.
Even a small mistake would return as a massive backlash.
"You know what you need to do, right?"
"I’ve already had several meetings with the planning team."
An image change was necessary.
If things continued like this, his image would be solidified as "kind" or "quiet."
To overwrite it with a new impression, a powerful concept was needed.
"Do you know when you shine the brightest, Seo Ho-yun?"
Seo Ho-yun’s eyes gleamed sharply.
When he was being rude, when he was plotting something, when he was being sarcastic, when he was acting like a stone wall, or when he only looked after his own people.
Several things came to mind, but there was only one answer.
Seo Ho-yun tilted his head slightly and curled one corner of his mouth.
"When I’m grilling people?"
That was the correct answer.