Chapter 18
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 18
“Hahaha! This is fun, so fun!”
Director Jeong didn’t give me a straight answer; he just cackled and walked away. I felt a bit slighted, but I let it slide.
The individual member teasers and jacket photos were finished by noon, and the music video shoot proceeded smoothly.
I wasn't lying when I said we must have performed the choreography at least twenty times. It was especially grueling because ten of those takes involved dancing in water that had been flooded onto the set.
I wondered why they’d poured the water—if there was some deep, special interpretation behind it—so I asked. Director Jeong gave me a bright smile and a thumbs-up as he explained.
“Since it’s hard to add CG to a low-budget shoot, having you guys suffer in the water makes it look prettier!”
“Aha!”
As a broke unknown idol, I kept my mouth shut and continued to match formations with the members.
[Dance +1]
[Dance +2]
[Dance +2]
[Dance +1]
Why is the system being so generous today?
[‘Real-world experience is the best!’
Dancing in a live setting adds tension, so experience points are doubled!]
How kind of it to explain.
Ever since I experienced that status effect, my distrust of the system window had only grown.
“Let’s take a break and go again!”
“Yes, sir!”
Jeong Da-jun scurried out of the set and tucked himself into a corner. He began wrapping heat packs around his ankles, which were flushed red from dancing in the cold water.
…This would look great for a sympathy edit.
“Kang Yi-chae.”
“Yep!”
I signaled to Kang Yi-chae, and he immediately pointed the camera toward Jeong Da-jun.
“Da-jun, are you cold?”
“Gasp! No, I’m fine!”
Jeong Da-jun jumped to his feet, looking pitifully startled as he tried to act like he wasn't cold at all. Seong Ji-won handed him the blanket he had been using.
“Use this. They said there’s still some time before the next shoot.”
“I’m really okay!”
Watching Jeong Da-jun force a spirited response made me feel uneasy.
For nearly two weeks, he hadn't eaten or slept properly, and now he was here doing manual labor. Even the survival programs I used to produce didn't run the contestants this ragged. Especially since Jeong Da-jun was the maknae, he occasionally reminded me of Seo Ho-jin…
No, what am I saying?
Why am I getting attached?
While Kang Yi-chae turned the camera toward Seong Ji-won for a brief interview, Jeong Da-jun asked me a question.
“Are you okay, Ho-yun Hyung?”
“Why?”
“It’s only been a few hours since you got back from the emergency room. Aren't you going to collapse again?”
Ah, I wondered what he was on about. My status effect had been cleared anyway, so I was fine.
Without thinking, I patted Jeong Da-jun on the head.
“Worry about yourself, Da-jun.”
“…What’s this? Is this a drama?”
Jeong Da-jun grumbled and stepped out of the corner. Kang Yi-chae had already moved on to Kim Seong-hyeon, who was monitoring the footage with Director Jeong.
Jeong Da-jun watched them intently before speaking.
“Still, it’s really moving. The fact that we can film like this again…”
“Save that for when the camera is rolling.”
“I’m only saying it because it’s you, Hyung. It’s too embarrassing to say otherwise.”
Actually, it would probably earn him a lot of sympathy votes. I considered giving him advice, but I decided against it; leaning too hard into a "pity" narrative could be risky for a brand-new rookie.
Jeong Da-jun let out a small sigh.
“I really wanted to give up every single day, but ever since you came back, Hyung, it feels like everything is finally working out.”
“Is that so?”
We’d have to see the results first. Of course, I had already laid all the groundwork I could.
Chart manipulation weighed on my conscience (believe it or not), and the risk of getting caught later was too high, so I’d stuck to the best legitimate moves I could make. The rest was up to the public.
“I actually got caught up with a predatory agency once in the past.”
“Really?”
“I’m just so grateful for our current agency…”
Our current agency isn't exactly great either… If you were an actor, maybe, but for an idol, they aren't even on the map.
As I stared at him in silence, Jeong Da-jun shivered.
“Yeah. If I had actually signed with that agency, I don't know what would have happened. Ugh, I get goosebumps just thinking about it. If it weren't for the person who stopped me back then…”
“Someone stopped you?”
“Yes. A few years ago, someone told me to wake up and asked why I would ever join a place like that. They were a broadcasting station official… strangely, I can't remember their name or face very well.”
…Huh?
As Jeong Da-jun spoke, he suddenly clapped his hands.
“Come to think of it, they had a similar vibe to you, Ho-yun Hyung. Very similar. The way they talked, the atmosphere…”
…Wait, what?
A sense of dissonance washed over me. My head throbbed for a moment. Just as I was about to grab Jeong Da-jun and interrogate him, Kim Seong-hyeon called out to us.
“Let’s start filming again!”
“Okay, coming!”
“……”
“I talked too much about useless stuff. Let’s go work hard again, Hyung!”
“Uh… yeah.”
I rolled my eyes and followed him. Since Jeong Da-jun was already running off, I had no choice but to follow.
Surely… surely not. No, there’s no way. I shook my head and looked toward the set.
Now was the time to focus.
The shoot ended, and before a few days had even passed, the teaser was rushed out.
It was a move made in response to the comeback song leak.
* * *
“Ugh, I want to destroy this company…”
An office worker, who had quit being a K-pop fan two years ago due to various personality controversies, arrived home exhausted.
She had cleared out her official fan accounts, but she’d kept her private account because of the friends she’d made over the years. As she lay on her bed, scrolling through her timeline and re-jjak-ing (retweeting) cute cat videos, she suddenly saw her feed being flooded with ‘???’.
“What’s this?”
The person flooding the feed was an acquaintance who casually liked Ju Woo-seong and, like her, only kept a private account. Thinking it was nothing, she was about to scroll past when she saw a video had been re-jjak-ed.
It was a music video for The Dawn, an unknown idol group she had once lightly mocked for having a tacky name.
I heard they were doing some serious noise marketing…
Of course, they were also famous as the "righteous idols" who caught a thief and helped an old lady. However, they first caught her eye through Ju Woo-seong’s Starstagram, and they had been appearing consistently in online communities ever since the comeback song leak.
Well, they are handsome.
When her friend had sobbed over the member teasers a few days ago, she had brushed it off. After all, South Korea was overflowing with idols.
Seriously, did a third of the Korean population consist of idols?
Having been burned by the personality controversy of an idol she had stanned years ago, her perception of K-pop was no longer positive. Of course, she still listened to the music occasionally…
[I’m literally crying, this is the taste of Mara-flavored K-pop… That’s right, The Dawn, they are the new future.]
[Posting the streaming guide for The Dawn.]
[It’s been so long since I’ve seen an MV with a story like this, I’m getting attached ㅠㅠ Apocalypse SF theme + Uniforms + Techwear + a Cheong-beom song? That means you just shut up and listen, right??? You just shove it into your ears, right?]
[Guys, I’m in a hurry, what’s the name of the one with brown hair???? He’s so pure???? He just hit my heart so hard.]
[I’m for the black hair;;;;; Who is the black-haired one??? This K-pop grandma is in a rush.]
[Love starts with… ‘Who the hell is this guy?’]
But the timeline was so full of praise that her curiosity was piqued. These people were all K-pop veterans; they wouldn't care about just any idol.
Furthermore, ‘Cheong-beom’ was the nickname for the composer Blue Tiger.
Oh… I love all of Cheong-beom’s songs.
She clicked the Nutube link. Five minutes wouldn't hurt. She usually just skipped through the beginning of videos before turning them off anyway.
She opened the comment section to check the members' names and memorized them based on the timestamps. There were five of them, so it was easy to keep track.
Let’s see.
Crackle— A noise like an old video tape playing echoed out.
Three silhouettes appeared against a black background.
Crackle…
A man named Seong Ji-won, with brown hair and a dark uniform, held a gun and aimed it at two men in techwear collapsed on the floor. The two on the floor seemed to be Kim Seong-hyeon and Jeong Da-jun.
Seong Ji-won’s lips trembled.
—I’m sorry.
The muzzle seemed to point toward Kim Seong-hyeon for a moment, but then he pulled it back and aimed it at his own head. Just as Kim Seong-hyeon’s eyes widened—
Bang!
The screen was engulfed in black.
“What?”
Did he commit suicide?
She unconsciously covered her mouth, unable to take her eyes off the screen.
After a few seconds, the black screen slowly brightened.
Thump, thump.
The sound of a drum echoed, followed by Blue Tiger’s signature beat. Goosebumps broke out over her skin.
As expected of Cheong-beom Noona…!
The song was much better than those produced with massive corporate capital.
At the same time, under a light so white it made her eyes sting, Seong Ji-won slowly opened his eyes, glared at the camera, and began to sing.
【Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance
This sensation ringing in my head, in other words, I’m back】
“Crazy, is it regression?”
As a K-pop fan and a web novel addict, she recognized the setting immediately. In the first scene, Seong Ji-won had committed suicide and reset his life.
Seong Ji-won stumbled to his feet and glared into the mirror of a dilapidated bathroom.
【I clench my fists, I can never let this chance go】
The song is actually good?
No… this is a flavor worth savoring.
While she was seriously evaluating the song, a scene of the group performing choreography in a dark space was spliced in.
The camera seemed to zoom in on a person named Kang Yi-chae, and as he made a motion as if turning the camera with his hand, the scene transitioned.
【Ooh, Pick a card, a future that’s becoming clearer】
It was Seo Ho-yun. He sat in a chair, leisurely tapping his foot as he skillfully shuffled cards. He then picked five cards from the face-down deck.
As he flipped them one by one, they revealed a Spade, a Queen, an Ace, and a Joker. Even when the Joker appeared, Seo Ho-yun remained calm.
【You’re anxious about the low odds, but there’s no need for that】
Seo Ho-yun, dressed in a uniform, checked the final card alone and smirked. He tucked the card into his coat and, maintaining eye contact with the camera, walked sideways as he sang languidly.
【It’s okay, because I will lead you】
“What… what is this…”
Dark navy hair that was almost black, a look that suggested he was up to something—it was perfectly her type.
“What the… No, not yet. Not yet.”
Did I just get hit by the 'stan' truck?
No, I didn't. Not yet.
Even as she struggled with her confusion, the music video marched on.
Seo Ho-yun and Seong Ji-won wore navy uniforms, while Jeong Da-jun, Kim Seong-hyeon, and Kang Yi-chae wore techwear. Seeing the contrast, it seemed they had gone with a Government Army vs. Revolutionary Army concept.
【Come to me, Come to me,
Don’t be Afraid, come to me
I have my second chance】
Jeong Da-jun, who had been collapsed with Kim Seong-hyeon in the first scene, squinted at the dazzling white light. Then, the group choreography was cross-edited in.
Techwear plus a Cheong-beom Noona beat? That’s cheating.
As Jeong Da-jun and Seong Ji-won grabbed each other's arms, Kim Seong-hyeon appeared from beneath them and sang.
【I’m telling you once more, this is our beginning】
Simultaneously, Kim Seong-hyeon was shown as the leader of the revolutionaries, running somewhere with an assault rifle.
【I will come back every time
You’re afraid of this strange déjà vu
No, there’s no need to worry
Because I will lead you】
Then, as Jeong Da-jun bent over, Kang Yi-chae stepped on his back and appeared by doing a mid-air flip. It was practically an acrobatic feat.
【Rise up with your target, I have confidence
I won’t lose this cold sensation】
During the "cold sensation" line, Kang Yi-chae grabbed a sniper rifle. Jeong Da-jun appeared in the crosshairs.
Wait, weren't they on the same team? Why is he shooting him?
Before she could solve the mystery, Kang Yi-chae winked with a mischievous face, making her forget what she had been thinking.
He’s so handsome…
【Even when I close my eyes, I see your face
I ain’t gonna miss this time】
With a clack, Kang Yi-chae pulled one arm back as if firing a gun, and the choreography transitioned back to Seong Ji-won and Seo Ho-yun singing.
【I’m telling you once more, this is our beginning
I will come back every time】
While brilliant high notes and solid harmonies supported the track, the music video approached its climax.
In a place where rain was falling, Seong Ji-won approached the collapsed Jeong Da-jun. Kim Seong-hyeon glared at Seong Ji-won resentfully. Seong Ji-won trembled with fear.
【You’re afraid of this strange déjà vu】
“Wait, this…”
This was the exact same as the beginning.
At that moment, the high notes soared, and Seong Ji-won pulled the trigger against his own head, just like in the first scene.
—Bang!
The gunshot rang out again. However, what fell was Seong Ji-won’s gun.
In the distance, Kang Yi-chae, dressed in techwear, contacted someone via radio. Seong Ji-won tried to pick up the gun while still on the ground, but someone kicked it away.
【No, there’s no need to wander
Because I will find the way】
And then, a slow close-up.
The expressionless face of Seo Ho-yun, wearing the same uniform as Seong Ji-won, was revealed. Seong Ji-won’s eyes shook.
【This time, in this life for sure
I will save you (Save you)】
He didn't die at the beginning!
Goosebumps ran down her arms.
After showing all the members of The Dawn in a state of disarray, the screen transitioned to the group dance. The sight of the water splashing in sync with the razor-sharp choreography was nothing short of fantastic.
【Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance】
As the final chorus rang out, it returned to the shot of Seo Ho-yun’s cards.
The final card Seo Ho-yun had checked was revealed, overlapping with Seong Ji-won.
The King of Hearts.
【Give you, Give you, Give you Second Chance】
Seo Ho-yun gave a slight smirk. Simultaneously, the drum beats thundered like a racing heart.
The music video slowly faded to black, and the title appeared.
【The Dawn - Second Chance】
“……”
She had no idea where her resolve to only watch for one minute had gone.
She calmed her racing heart and, with trembling hands, logged into social media.
[The Dawn… what is this???]
[What did I just watch????]
[F*ck, someone explain why Seo Ho-yun didn't kill Seong Ji-won]
[Was Seong Ji-won betrayed?]
[Did I just get stan-attracted?]
[Did I just fall for Seo Ho-yun?? What’s up with this handsome guy who looks so cold? No, I’m… I’m still okay, I haven't fallen yet]
[No, I think I have…]
[First of all, fellow users, please give me an explanation of the plot (begging)
└ Hahaha, oh man ㅠㅠ You’ve finally been… Dawn-ified. (Link to explanation)]
An otaku is always hit the hardest when they are in the denial phase of joining a fandom.
While she searched for promotional articles about The Dawn while still in denial, a related article popped up below.
[Mango Chart reorganization begins… Real-time chart to account for 70%, no longer based on 24-hour cumulative scores]
It was an article that had nothing to do with her yet, but Seo Ho-yun, who was still practicing in the studio as dawn approached, thought differently.
[Mango 100 will combine 24-hour cumulative scores and real-time charts in a 3:7 ratio. During late-night hours, 24-hour cumulative scores will be 100% reflected…]
Lying in a corner of the dark practice room, Seo Ho-yun read through the article, let out a smirk, and put his phone down.
The music streaming site had been reorganized.
“Just as I heard.”
In other words, the real game was about to begin.