Chapter 26
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 26
“Today’s winner is… Today! Congratulations!”
I clapped mechanically. The MC, Ju Woo-seong, handed over the trophy with a beaming smile. The members of Today spared us a fleeting glance, but I acted like I didn't notice.
“Thank you so much!”
“We really didn't expect this.”
Whether Today won or not, I couldn't care less. I was too busy looking at our fans, who were hilariously ignoring everything else just to wave at us. I wondered who they took after; they really had a total "I don't give a damn" attitude.
I bowed politely and was about to head backstage to clock out when Today’s Yoo Hyuk shot a lingering look my way. His face was twisted in an overt sneer.
It was a look that said, ‘You guys can’t get stuff like this, can you?’
I was used to that kind of contempt and was going to let it slide, but surprisingly, Kim Seong-hyeon took the bait. As Seong-hyeon’s expression flared with anger, Seong Ji-won quickly grabbed him and led him down.
“Seong-hyeon.”
“…….”
“Let’s just endure it.”
Seong-hyeon looked at Ji-won, let out a sigh, and turned his head away.
Right. That was the correct move.
No matter how petty or dirty it felt, we couldn't show it as long as the cameras were rolling.
“Today! Today!”
As the cheers of Today’s fans echoed, an idol passing by grumbled.
“Why do people even like guys like that? Their personalities are trash….”
“They act all nice when the cameras are on, so the fans probably don't know.”
“I feel bad for their fans. The rumors about them are seriously nasty….”
I happened to look up and lock eyes with them. Realizing they’d been caught gossiping, the idols quickly shut their mouths and hurried away.
What was that group’s name again? I etched their words into my mind. With an expression that suggested I hadn't heard a thing, I bowed to those around me and climbed into our cramped van.
“Good job, guys. Let’s head to the dorm.”
“Yes.”
The atmosphere was strangely subdued.
I sent a brief text to the CEO regarding what I’d heard from Ju Woo-seong and put my phone down.
What should I do? I quietly organized my thoughts while putting in my earphones to listen to our song.
‘A pre-selected candidate….’
I kept agonizing over how to set up this board. Even after we arrived at the dorm, the manager hovered around awkwardly before finally leaving. Only then did Kang Yi-chae call out to me.
“Hyung.”
“…….”
“Ho-yun hyung!”
“Huh?”
I had been sitting blankly at the dining table, tapping the surface with my index finger, when I looked at Yi-chae in confusion. For some reason, all the members' eyes were fixed on me.
“What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean, what’s wrong?”
“Are you that disappointed we didn't get first place? Or did someone pick a fight with you?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“If not, why is your expression so terrifying? There’s a freezing wind blowing off you right now. Is this the Arctic?”
Was I really like that? No, I wasn't particularly angry….
It seemed that when I focused, I tended to ignore everyone else, leading to this.
“It’s nothing like that. I just had something to think about for a second.”
“Really?”
“Did Senior Ju Woo-seong say something to you?”
Why was he bringing him up now?
When I narrowed my eyes at Kim Seong-hyeon’s question, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
“I guess not. Thank god. We thought Senior Ju Woo-seong called you over to scold you.”
“Why? If he’d given me crap, were you going to go over and scold him back?”
“…It’s scary, but should I try?”
Surprisingly, a sharp answer came back from Seong Ji-won. I dismissed it as a joke and moved on.
“Then why are you like this? Even the manager was walking on eggshells around you just now.”
“The manager’s problem is that he’s too soft-hearted.”
“Have you ever considered that you’re just too intense?”
“I haven't…?”
I considered myself someone with a fairly fragile mentality. Regardless of what my face looked like, everyone recoiled in disgust.
“Is he being serious?”
“It’s scary if it’s acting, but it’s scarier if he’s serious.”
Kim Seong-hyeon flicked the foreheads of Jeong Da-jun and Kang Yi-chae, who were whispering right in front of me. Then, he turned his gaze back to me.
“So, what is it? Did something happen?”
“Well, about that….”
A while ago, I had strictly given the members three warnings.
I didn't expect the last one—the part about ‘trusting me’—to be put to use so soon.
“They say we won't get first place even if we go on that competition show.”
“What? Who said that?”
“It’s because a pre-selected candidate has already been decided.”
“What?!”
Jeong Da-jun jumped up from the table in shock.
“Ha! These people are so petty…!”
“So we’re just supposed to be background props?”
“How do you even know that? Wait, who is it exactly?”
“Yeah.”
I tapped the table again.
“Today.”
A chilling silence fell over the room. Every member’s face hardened. Soon, they were all spitting out curses.
“Those bastards are doing everything they can because they don't have the talent.”
Kang Yi-chae muttered coldly.
“I always thought they were excessively lucky compared to their skills. I just thought their recognition went up because they were pushed into variety shows, but….”
“I didn't know they’d be handed a win so blatantly.”
Kim Seong-hyeon’s face contorted. Perhaps because he’d been shaken by Yoo Hyuk earlier, he looked even more annoyed. While everyone was groaning, Jeong Da-jun asked.
“Hyung, why are you so calm?! Aren't you angry?”
“Yeah. I’m not particularly angry.”
“Hyung, are you a pushover?!”
“……?”
Who was calling who a pushover right now?
As I looked at him in disbelief, Jeong Da-jun flinched and backed away.
Actually, there was a reason I wasn't particularly angry. Sensing this, Seong Ji-won asked me.
“You’ve got something, don't you?”
“I do.”
A brilliant scenario was currently forming in my head, even as the members were losing it. Seong Ji-won laughed hollowly.
“What is it? You haven't given up, have you? You’re not about to say it’s okay if we don't get first, are you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then what’s the plan?”
Well, I’d finished thinking. I had weighed several factors and understood the gravity of their value. I spoke with conviction.
“We have to take first place.”
“…….”
A silence even deeper than when I’d mentioned Today being the pre-selected candidate settled over the living room.
“Hyung, did you not hear what you just said? No, you’re the one who told us, so what on earth are you talking about now?”
“Ho-yun, something like this involves the agencies, so it’s difficult. It’s not something we can overcome just with talent. Things like this happen all the time in the entertainment industry.”
I know. I know that. Because of things like that, my programs had been pushed back more than once or twice. There were even times when another PD snatched away a project I’d spent a year working on. Back then, I’d downed at least five bottles of cheap soju.
But maybe it’s because I’ve been pushed back so many times.
“We can take first place.”
I happen to know that world quite well.
At my words, the members' faces turned pale again. I guess my image was officially cemented here.
A madman. That wasn't so bad.
“But there’s a condition.”
“What is it?”
“Remember what I told you last time? I gave you three warnings.”
Kang Yi-chae’s eyes flashed. Everyone had a look of ‘No way, surely not.’
“Surely you’re not trying to talk about dating here. You mean the part about trusting you?”
“Yeah. No matter what happens, you must trust me. Even if I commit a crime, trust me. Even if I look at the sun and call it the moon, believe me.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“I’m not.”
“…….”
“A lot of things are going to happen from now on. When they do, no matter what I do, you have to trust me. Don't believe what others say.”
It was the kind of statement that should have invited comments like, ‘What nonsense is he talking?’ or ‘Did he eat something wrong?’
Yet, the reason no one spoke up easily was because of my track record so far.
To make us successful, I would boldly play any bad hand.
It might make their skin crawl, but still.
Kim Seong-hyeon asked cautiously.
“What’s the reason you’re saying that?”
“…….”
“It’s because you have something in mind, isn't it?”
His attitude was markedly different from when he’d first told me to leave before I ruined the atmosphere. I slowly looked around at the members.
“I don't care about the means or the methods.”
They were guys I’d once thought were completely hopeless. But look at them now; they’d become quite workable. Star quality is something you can create, after all.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to make us blow up.”
“…….”
“You might lose all respect for me then…. But even if you do, you still have to trust me.”
I spoke honestly. If I didn't have the members' trust now, all the premises of the plans I’d conceived would crumble. I calmly waited for the result.
I had, of course, anticipated a situation where they’d just laugh it off as nonsense.
Just then, Jeong Da-jun suddenly stood up, rummaged through Seong Ji-won’s suitcase, and pulled out a packet of red ginseng extract to drink.
“…What are you doing?”
“I suddenly feel a bit drained…. It’s hard to deal with Ho-yun hyung when he acts like a crazy person. I’m just not going to think about it.”
“Hey, me too. Me too.”
Kang Yi-chae chuckled. When I raised an eyebrow, Seong Ji-won spoke up carefully.
“Ho-yun, I don't know about the others, but I’ve trusted you for quite a while now. I already knew you had a bad personality….”
“He’s right, hyung. There have already been plenty of times I’ve lost respect for you. Especially at the beginning when you brought up our parents, I really wondered what kind of person you were.”
“Honestly… Seo Ho-yun’s personality is truly trash.”
…These punks?
As the comments continued, Kang Yi-chae added his own.
“Let’s see how it goes. Honestly, I find working with you fun, hyung. Things go in directions I never would have expected.”
Kang Yi-chae never actually said he trusted me. But this was enough. The rest was something we could fill in slowly over time. Yi-chae gave a smirk.
“Let’s do it. Let’s trust Ho-yun hyung, kick out the pre-selected candidate, and take first place.”
It was decided.
* * *
Time flew by, and soon it was time for planning.
Even after hearing that a pre-selected candidate had been decided, the CEO just laughed heartily and told us to ‘be satisfied with second place.’ Even our mild-mannered manager seemed to grit his teeth in anger at those thoughtless words, but I remained calm.
Why?
“There! Your position is wrong right now!”
“Aaaagh, hyung, this is only off by centimeters!”
“Fix it again!”
Because Seong Ji-won’s switch had been flipped again.
Following along with Seong Ji-won was so damn exhausting that I didn't even have the energy to think about the irritating words from the CEO or Yoo Hyuk.
When I collapsed in a corner, Kang Yi-chae flopped down beside me.
“In my opinion, Ji-won hyung is insane.”
“Yeah, he’s definitely possessed by something. I think he’s been possessed by the ghost of a trainee who died in a practice room.”
“He wasn't like this for the past year…. It’s true what they say about him being a famous practice bug.”
It was while everyone was huddled together, gossiping about Seong Ji-won. Even Kim Seong-hyeon joined in.
“Was Seong Ji-won famous?”
“Yeah, you didn't know? Hyung was originally a major rookie and part of a debut team, so he had some recognition. Most of the handful of fans we had were there because of Ji-won hyung.”
“Is that the place Today is at?”
“Yeah. The agency called D.go.”
Kim Seong-hyeon answered flatly.
“Apparently, the gatekeeping was really bad there. He just got unlucky and slipped out of the debut team.”
“Aha.”
“He used to practice half-heartedly like a dead man, but after you joined, hyung, his eyes changed. You didn't just fan the flames; you poured a whole tank of gasoline on them.”
Kang Yi-chae said after emptying a bottle of water.
Was that why Seong Ji-won was so wary of Today’s Yoo Hyuk?
No, why did he get dropped in the first place?
As I’ve said repeatedly, Seong Ji-won was the most talented and well-balanced member of The Dawn.
“It’s a good thing I got rejected.”
Kang Yi-chae flinched at Seong Ji-won’s retort. He must have heard everything we were saying. He trudged over and fanned himself.
“I didn't want to debut with the Today members anyway.”
“Even though they’re number one now? You’re not jealous?”
“I’d rather be jealous here than suffocate to death there.”
Seong Ji-won said with uncharacteristic bluntness. Something must have really happened; I’ll have to coax it out of him later.
“Ji-won hyung!”
“Huh? Yeah?”
I thought Jeong Da-jun had passed out, but he suddenly sat up and asked.
“Are you saying loyalty is more important than popularity?”
“Huh? Is that how it sounds?”
“Make sure to put that in your autobiography later.”
“Do idols usually write autobiographies?”
Seong Ji-won looked flustered as he got caught up in Jeong Da-jun’s nonsense.
In the meantime, my phone buzzed. When I checked it, Kang Yi-chae’s head snapped up.
“Hyung, is it the composer?”
“No.”
“Tsk, what a shame.”
Kang Yi-chae smacked his lips. He’d been acting strange lately. He usually acted like a detached observer, but he’d get all worked up whenever Im Hyeon-su was mentioned.
“You don't possibly…….”
“Huh?”
“……No, never mind.”
Surely…. Surely he didn't have a crush on Im Hyeon-su?
When I gave him a sidelong glance, Kang Yi-chae let out a dry laugh.
“Hyung. What kind of disgusting thoughts are you having?”
“Ah, sorry.”
“I didn't take you for that kind of person, but your thoughts are really narrow-minded….”
“I said I was sorry.”
Kang Yi-chae launched into a long lecture about how ‘the composer is someone in a different realm and is almost like a deity.’ I roughly plugged my ears and checked the text.
[Ju Woo-seong: Hey]
It was Ju Woo-seong.
[Ju Woo-seong: I checked on what you mentioned last time. I even know what the first mission is lol]
[Ju Woo-seong: Curious, right? Huh? If you say Senior Ju Woo-seong is the best, you respect him, and you’re grateful, I’ll tell you.]
“Ooh.”
I carefully typed out a reply.
[Me: Best]
Best.
[Me: Respect]
Respect.
[Me: Thanks]
Thanks.
[Ju Woo-seong: I seriously^^]
[Ju Woo-seong: Sometimes I wonder if I’m a sucker for being so nice to you even when I get treated like this^^]
It’s not a question of if you’re a sucker; you are a sucker.
Despite his grumbling, Ju Woo-seong told me. I slowly reviewed the mission details he’d written out.
I was getting a lot of help from Ju Woo-seong lately.
[Ju Woo-seong: And I checked the PD, too.]
[Me: Who is it?]
[Ju Woo-seong: It seems like a lot of PDs were swapped out as D.go started interfering in earnest… I think this person is the final PD.]
I knew most of the PDs at that station. I imagined the names flashing through my mind. If it was someone who would take on a competition program like this, it wouldn't deviate much from my expectations.
I was looking at the text casually when my heart suddenly dropped.
[Ju Woo-seong: They say it’s PD Kim Hee-yeong.]
“…….”
“Hyung?”
I was momentarily speechless. Beside me, Kang Yi-chae, who was still listing Im Hyeon-su’s great qualities, tilted his head.
“Hyung, what’s wrong?”
“Ha…….”
I pressed down on my eyes. Then, I sprawled out on the floor.
“Yi-chae.”
“……What is it?”
“Life isn't easy.”
Kim Hee-yeong. Cool, smart, and famous as the ‘resident psycho’ of the cable station.
“It’s just not easy…….”
My ex-girlfriend.