Chapter 221
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 221
When the pre-release video was clicked, a banner unfurled and confetti scattered the moment The Dawn entered the studio.
【I ♡ THE DAWN】
Lately, Seo Ho-yun had rarely shown his face in live broadcasts, only appearing occasionally in self-produced content. On top of that, his already fair skin had been looking so pale that rumors were circulating among fans asking if he was sick.
However, the moment the camera caught Seo Ho-yun, everyone was too busy marveling at him to worry.
"Hello, I'm Ho-yun from The Dawn."
Due to a few days of poor condition, a sensitive and sharp aura emanated from him unfiltered. Yet, every time his eyes met the camera, Seo Ho-yun would crinkle them and give a soft, melting smile.
[He looks so pure and innocent;;]
[The Noeuls are frantically gathering all the crumbs we missed during the off-season.]
[Seong-hyeon looks a bit sharp today.
He must have been victimized by Ho-yun.
└ Yeah, yeah... that’s the only possibility.
└└ LOLOLOLOLOLOL]
The pre-release video featured a discussion about "Seo Ho-yun Syndrome" and The Dawn's public recognition.
The Noeuls, who had been watching with proud smiles, were suddenly struck with shock by the following scene.
[Title: Omg, the Jelly Revolution pre-release is freaking hilarious.
The MC read a comment:
'Honestly, it's a relief Seo Ho-yun debuted late.
If he'd debuted earlier, there would've been a million 'Kim Yeo-ju' fanfics about him on KakaoStory.'
Seo Ho-yun: (??? Has no idea) Huh? What's that?
I mean, how can you say that to an MZ-generation idol? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL]
"Kim Yeo-ju" was the legendary name of the female protagonist in internet novels that every male celebrity from the early 2000s had been associated with at least once.
【However, the production team did not yet know.】
【That there is a reason why The Dawn is called the 'Rising Weirdos'....】
【Check out the chaotic party in the full video uploading this evening!】
The pre-release alone pushed the Noeuls' expectations to the MAX.
[LOL... I'll have to watch this while eating dinner tonight.]
[But doesn't it feel like The Dawn has calmed down a bit lately?? They used to be totally uncontrollable.
Ho-yun is like a quiet little black baby bunny these days.
└ Go watch FNL first.
└└ Sorry... I just tried to 'moe-fy' him like I breathe.]
And that evening.
Everyone was on standby even before the video was uploaded.
When The Dawn appeared on screen, they looked like nothing more than five tall, handsome men as long as they kept their mouths shut.
However, as the MC began reading cringey internet praise comments, a subtle madness that could no longer be hidden began to seep out.
"No, but seriously, Seo Ho-yun-ssi, your visuals and everything... you're the perfect fit for an internet novel male lead! Could you perhaps show us a bit of that vibe??"
"Ah, if that's what you want, shall we give it a try?"
Seo Ho-yun never backed down when given an opportunity.
Though he had a vague idea of what it was, he had never seen it in detail. After listening to a brief explanation, he stood up from his seat.
"Sigh..."
Seo Ho-yun pulled his chair forward and perched his hip on it. Immediately, motorcycle CG was overlaid onto the chair.
Even on a poorly rendered bike, Seo Ho-yun, gazing into the distance with melancholy eyes, looked strangely picturesque.
It was supposed to be funny.
【This man... why is he actually cool?】
He was cool.
Even the captions seemed flustered.
[Is he crazy? What's with the motorcycle CG?]
[LOLOLOLOL. But it's so fascinating how he pulls off that low-budget CG so perfectly.]
The lines that followed were entirely ad-libbed.
Jeong Da-jun clasped his hands together and asked with sparkling eyes.
"Hyung! Ho-yun hyung! Did you buy that bike after winning that 17-on-1 brain battle?!"
"Don't even look at it."
Lowering his gaze slightly, Seo Ho-yun gently stroked the chair.
"My trusty steed."
[Seo Ho-yun, do you want to die? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL]
[Ho-yun-ah,
I like idols who work hard,
but I didn't mean for you to live your life this hard.]
But that wasn't the end.
"Baby, get on."
"..."
Seo Ho-yun's gaze was fixed pointedly on Kim Seong-hyeon, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
【Seo Ho-yun's Eternal Kim Yeo-ju = Kim Seong-hyeon】
A mischievous smirk played at the corners of his mouth.
Kim Seong-hyeon walked out with a face of total resignation.
"Wait, HAHAHA! Seong-hyeon-ssi, why are you coming out now?"
"Huh? ...Well."
When the MC asked while bursting into laughter, Kim Seong-hyeon tilted his head with a puzzled expression.
"Because the 'baby' he's talking about is me..."
"...!"
"...Wait? That sounds really weird, doesn't it?"
[LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. Hey! T_T LOL]
[I mean, he only said 'baby,' so why does Kim Seong-hyeon come out voluntarily? You madman! T_T T_T T_T]
[I'm literally collapsing from laughter right now. The way the other members' heads immediately whip toward Seong-hyeon the moment he says 'baby.' LOL]
Not only the members and the MC, but even the staff had to attempt a "try not to laugh" challenge.
The more Kim Seong-hyeon made excuses like, "No, I don't think of myself as a baby either!" or "It's just that Seo Ho-yun keeps calling me baby—", the more chaotic it became.
[Seong-hyeon-ah,
Why do you have the eyes of a cow being led to a slaughterhouse?]
[LOLOLOLOL T_T Damn, looking at those eyes makes me feel guilty. T_T LOLOLOLOL]
[And the members are so calm watching this mess. It's so natural for them.]
Eventually, with a face as red as a tomato, Seong-hyeon hung his head and awkwardly pretended to sit behind Seo Ho-yun. Ho-yun curled his lip into a smirk.
"Hold on tight to my waist. You'll fall off."
"..."
[LMAO LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL]
Once again, the MC and the production crew exploded! The members snickered as they watched the house burn.
[Seo Ho-yun...
He'd be so good at the 'Why can't you say this is my man!' line from Lovers in Paris.
└ He already did it.
└└ ??????? What??
└└ Kang Yi-chae's testimony on Pop-Pop.
He said Kim Seong-hyeon hated it so much.
└└ LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. I'm so proud of our Water Dumpling Leader for not crying. LOL.
└└ I'd bet my photocard that he soaked his pillow once because of Seo Ho-yun.]
While reactions were exploding on SNS in real-time, the clip of Seo Ho-yun saying "My trusty steed" was inserted as they moved on to the next topic.
"We received a report about Seo Ho-yun-ssi. We heard you play so many pranks on the members? People are saying you're 'guilty' of stealing hearts!"
"Just why..."
Kim Seong-hyeon muttered in a serious tone.
"I really don't understand which of his actions are supposed to be selling points."
"Why? Isn't what Ho-yun does cool?"
"What??"
"Why??"
When Seong Ji-won immediately countered and defended Seo Ho-yun, the other members all made faces of pure disgust.
Then, a caption appeared at the bottom.
【Encountering True 'Madness'】
[LOL. A real fanatic has appeared. Damn. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL]
Only Seo Ho-yun remained relaxed.
"No, Seong Ji-won, do you seriously think that??"
"Ji-won hyung, are you actually being blackmailed?"
【And so, The Dawn suddenly began bickering....】
【The Dawn's Special Trait: If left alone, they fight once every minute.】
Watching this, the MC cut in at the perfect time.
"Alright! Then let's hand down a proper verdict, shall we??"
"...A verdict?"
[?? LOL]
[What verdict?]
Suddenly the screen changed, and dun-dun-dun-dun, dun-dun-dun-dun! The suspenseful BGM from the Japanese game Ace Attorney played, and a title with typography you'd only see on a 1980s theater poster appeared.
【THE DAWN TRIAL!】
At the same time, a crudely improvised courtroom set flashed by.
The MC, dressed in a suit, was caught on screen with a stiff expression like a reporter, holding a microphone.
"I am Reporter Ma, currently standing in front of The Dawn Trial!"
【Is Seo Ho-yun truly a 'Guilty Man'?】
[??? LOL. Wait, what is this?]
[Is this for real?]
A B-movie aesthetic permeated the scene.
Seo Ho-yun stood in the defendant's seat, and the CG motorcycle was still following him around.
[They're actually being serious about this.]
【First Trial!
Defendant: Seo Ho-yun ♡
Defense Attorney: Seong Ji-won ♡
Prosecutor: Kang Yi-chae ♡
Witness: Kim Seong-hyeon ♡
Judge: Jeong Da-jun ♡】
[Adding hearts isn't going to erase this vibe....]
[It just adds more madness..]
The roles for the trial were displayed, and then Kang Yi-chae appeared with a sly smile.
Holding a bundle of papers in one hand and blowing a hand kiss with the other, Kang Yi-chae headed toward the prosecutor's desk as a caption appeared beneath him.
【The most handsome person in The Dawn has arrived.】
Then, an additional line was added.
【※ This is a caption Kang Yi-chae secretly requested by himself.】
[Kang Yi-chae is so petty.
└ LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. I'm literally sobbing. T_T T_T T_T]
"Whoa~!"
Jeong Da-jun, who was supposed to be the impartial judge, cheered.
Walking to his spot with a relaxed stride, Kang Yi-chae was wearing a prosecutor's robe provided by the crew that looked about 2% lacking.
"There is no need to beat around the bush with a long introduction."
He slammed the papers onto the desk and shouted loudly.
"Your Honor. I indict Seo Ho-yun on charges of being 'guilty'."
"Prosecutor, please explain the details of the indictment first."
"I indict the defendant, Seo Ho-yun-ssi, on the grounds that he causes irritation to others."
Kang Yi-chae walked forward and handed a blank sheet of paper to Jeong Da-jun.
"Your Honor, I submit the evidence here. The fact that he calls members 'baby' at the drop of a hat, the fact that he frequently steals the members' ice cream, and the fact that he doesn't react at all to the members' words unless there's something fun to tease them about."
"Hmm."
"Objection!"
Seong Ji-won jumped to his feet.
"Dear Judge. According to the Constitution, everyone's physical freedom must be guaranteed. Unless it violates the law, I believe the right to speak or not to speak also falls under this. I believe it is unfair to use a mere lack of reaction as evidence! I request that the third piece of evidence be removed."
"...I see. I don't really know what you're saying, but for now, I'll remove the third piece of evidence."
Jeong Da-jun stroked his chin and stared at the blank paper with a serious expression.
[Guys, your over-immersion is no joke. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL]
Because they had a habit of working hard at everything, The Dawn didn't know how to do things halfway.
"Your Honor."
Kang Yi-chae bit his lower lip once before speaking.
"Above all, the way he stares with a cold expression at 'no-jam' jokes is a heinous act that destroys the members' morale."
"I object."
Seo Ho-yun's defense attorney, Seong Ji-won, raised his hand high.
"First of all, while making a 'cold expression' might be a wrong action that hurts the members' feelings in the Republic of Korea where the freedom of citizens is guaranteed, it cannot be seen as an act deviant enough to be found guilty. Furthermore, this behavior manifests differently depending on the member. The defendant accepts my 'no-jam' jokes to some extent."
"Your Honor, do you see? That is a kind of biased behavior and an act of tyranny!"
Kang Yi-chae appealed with an aggrieved expression.
Jeong Da-jun hesitated for a moment, but when Kang Yi-chae's eyebrow twitched, he finally spoke up tentatively.
"B-but Ho-yun hyung laughs a bit when I talk..."
"...!"
At that, not only Kang Yi-chae but also Kim Seong-hyeon turned to look at Seo Ho-yun with faces of betrayal.
As if he had been waiting for this, Seo Ho-yun deliberately curled one side of his mouth.
"Too bad you guys aren't naturally funny?"
"Ah! That! That...!"
"Ha, Da-jun is pretty funny..."
When Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been called as the primary victim and witness, showed signs of slight agreement, Seo Ho-yun dug into that opening.
"Seong-hyeon-ah, have I ever failed to take care of you?"
"That's a line you wouldn't say if there weren't problems in the relationship."
Jeong Da-jun, the expert in Drama Studies, pointed out the exact spot. Seo Ho-yun naturally ignored him.
"I take care of you, I practice dancing with you regularly, I even eat meals with you."
"Let's get the facts straight. That's me taking care of you. You're the one who said we should practice the basics. And I only eat with you because you throw a fit if you don't eat."
"See? The leader taking care of me."
As Kim Seong-hyeon stared with a furrowed brow, Seo Ho-yun leaned back in his chair and added nonchalantly.
"Even if he grumbles, doesn't he keep hanging out with me because he likes it deep down? Same with our promotions."
"...! Wha-what..."
"Isn't that how everyone actually feels?"
Crossing his arms, Seo Ho-yun gave a cheeky smile.
"Do you all want my attention that badly?"
[I take back what I said about Kang Yi-chae being petty.
Seo Ho-yun is legendary petty.]
[LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL]
At the ungrateful remarks from the 'klutz,' Kim Seong-hyeon clutched the back of his neck in rising anger.
Even though he had looked at Seo Ho-yun—who was more of a klutz than a hammer no matter how much he taught him—and pulled up every ounce of patience from his past life, thinking it was his duty as a leader to take care of him...
"Your Honor, look at that wicked tongue! We must not allow any more victims to be created!"
"I don't think I need to hear any more!"
All the members except Seo Ho-yun and Seong Ji-won stood up in indignation.
The only people enjoying themselves were the MC and the production crew, who were laughing hysterically, thinking they had struck gold.
"With his recent statement, Seo Ho-yun-ssi has essentially confessed to the charges! I hereby sentence him to be 'guilty' on the charge of causing irritation to others!"
Jeong Da-jun slammed the gavel three times! Bang, bang, bang! and handed down the sentence.
Afterward, the trial for "Is Seong Ji-won really strong-willed?" followed.
Everyone in the roles of witness, prosecutor, and lawyer gave testimonies that Seong Ji-won was stronger-willed than expected. However, since the judge was Seo Ho-yun, the conclusion was reached that "He is indeed sensible, but he's a soft little rice cake."
"Ahaha, as expected of our fair and wise Judge Seo. Thank you."
"Please, go back to your seat comfortably."
Then, Jeong Da-jun asked with a serious expression.
"By any chance... is it possible to indict the judge too?"
[Da-jun-ah... give up.
Seo Ho-yun's favoritism is insane.]
[This is why looks are important....]
Everyone made a fuss, saying the verdict made no sense, but Seong Ji-won, who had officially become Seo Ho-yun's "soft little rice cake," showed a relaxed smile.
[Let's find out how to be favored by Seo Ho-yun:
Be reborn as Seong Ji-won.
Let's stop looking.
└ Is the difficulty level 'Hell'..?]
[Seong Ji-won just knows everything now and is enjoying it...]
After that, agendas like "Is Jeong Da-jun really a trendsetter?" and "Did Kang Yi-chae sell his tongue to the devil?" were also conducted.
And from beginning to end, Kim Seong-hyeon was the victim.
【The Deonging-is, full of consideration for each other even today ^^】
It was a comment that even a Noeul wearing thick rose-tinted glasses would scoff at.
【※ This caption was written at the request of Seong Ji-won-ssi.】
Only then did The Dawn's fans realize the source of this madness.
[The legendary madness...
It was Seong Ji-won...]
In the end, Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been stuck between the petty ones and teased mercilessly, was genuinely sulking by the end of the filming. He ground his teeth, inwardly wishing that Seo Ho-yun would go on some other variety show and suffer a crushing defeat.