Chapter 269
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 269
“PD Kim Hee-yeong! Could you come over here for a second?”
“Coming~.”
PD Kim Hee-yeong had just returned to work after finishing her vacation.
After Shining Star Season 2, she had been assigned to several different programs, but she felt a sense of self-loathing, feeling like she was just running a seasonal business with kids more than ten years younger than her.
Ugh, I really don't want to work.
At the time, lethargy had consumed her entire body, and she felt that if she didn't take a break, she would eventually become unable to work at all.
So, she had submitted her vacation request without much expectation, but to her surprise, she was granted two weeks off, allowing her to travel abroad.
Of course, due to professional habit, she had kept an eye on entertainment trends even during her trip.
“PD-nim. The Dawn is the final act.”
“Right, confirmed.”
Today, she was simply filling in for a music broadcast as a temporary substitute before being assigned to a new program following her vacation.
As always, the staff were moving busily.
“Let’s check the camera work one more time.”
“I think we should turn up the mic volume a bit more.”
However, strangely enough, the atmosphere felt sharply on edge just before The Dawn’s turn.
“Wow, why is it so intense in here?”
“PD-nim, you didn't see the rehearsal earlier, did you? The Dawn’s stage was absolutely legendary. A ton of fans showed up today… I feel like if the camera misses an angle by mistake, we’re going to get torn to shreds.”
A tension similar to when they prepared for a Black Call comeback stage hung over the set.
For Kim Hee-yeong, who had worked with The Dawn back when they were nobodies, the feeling was quite new.
Wow. They really have grown a lot.
She had been surprised by the sales figures of their double-title single album last winter, but the sales for this full-length album were truly staggering.
“Then again, this song is shockingly good. There’s been so much talk about it even on our end!”
The assistant director continued to chatter beside Kim Hee-yeong as they watched the Noeuls—famous even among other idol fans for their fierce intensity—take their seats for the recording with a powerful aura.
“It really looks like they’re going to hit it big.”
“Of course. Apparently, they’re getting flooded with love calls from variety shows. PD Shin mentioned it briefly the other day. Especially for Seo Ho-yun!”
“Well, him…”
Even if he just stayed still without showing his personality, he had the looks and charm to naturally attract people. And if he actually put his mind to it, he was skilled enough in speech and conduct to enchant anyone.
“…He has a high understanding of programs, so he matches the atmosphere and flow well without crossing the line. Plus, he always brings the buzz. Of course PDs would love him.”
She swallowed her internal thoughts and responded with a neutral reaction.
In fact, looking back at the variety shows Seo Ho-yun appeared in last year, it was exactly as she thought. Especially on The Complete Singer, there hadn't been a single cast member who generated as much buzz as Seo Ho-yun since it aired.
However, hearing Kim Hee-yeong’s words, the AD glanced around and spoke in a low voice.
“But… it seems Seo Ho-yun isn't always as accommodating or as kind as he appears. There’s a rumor going around lately.”
“Hmm?”
“The Dawn recently recorded a famous talk show for their comeback promotion. You know, the one hosted by Yang Cheol-ui.”
“Ah…”
Kim Hee-yeong’s brow furrowed instantly.
“That guy…”
Yang Cheol-ui was famous in the industry for his reckless remarks. He often threw malicious questions at idols, and his reputation was so poor that he had even built up a bit of a "disliked" public image.
I know he’s caused quite a few incidents, yet the work never stops coming for him. He’s close with our Bureau Chief, too. Shit. Right, I guess that’s how he makes a living.
Even though this kind of thing wasn't uncommon in this business, a bitter smile escaped her.
“The filming was going well, but then he suddenly brought up Seo Ho-yun’s younger brother, which hadn't been discussed beforehand. He was saying things like, ‘Why did you hide such a handsome brother?’ and ‘You never revealed you had a brother in the first place, is there some secret?’”
“Ugh, that crazy bastard, seriously!”
“Exactly! Even then, it seemed like Seo Ho-yun was playing it off smoothly, but then Yang Cheol-ui asked if there was some unspeakable circumstance…”
The AD, having reached that point, glanced around once more and leaned toward Kim Hee-yeong to whisper.
“…The moment he heard the question, Seo Ho-yun stopped smiling. The guy who had been grinning the whole time.”
“……Really?”
“And then, when he smiled again, he started spilling all sorts of off-the-record dirt on Yang Cheol-ui! Well, they say he didn't mention things directly but rather used roundabout sarcasm… but apparently, his skill was no joke. How on earth does Seo Ho-yun know things like that?”
Seo Ho-yun did?
While it was refreshing to hear that Yang Cheol-ui got a taste of his own medicine, it was an episode that didn't quite sound like Seo Ho-yun.
He was the type of person who would outwardly brush it off even if someone was talking nonsense. If anything, he was more likely to do something behind the scenes, like he did during Shining Star Season 1…
“…Was he pissed off?”
The AD replied to the self-muttering that had slipped out.
“Rather than that, wouldn't it be more like he was drawing a clear line? Telling him not to talk such pathetic nonsense. Apparently, Yang Cheol-ui was furious, but because Seo Ho-yun threw it out so lightly like a joke, he couldn't even find a reason to complain… so it ended with him unable to say anything. Anyway, because of that, Seo Ho-yun’s family has become a forbidden topic.”
“Hmm… Well, I bet the staff felt refreshed.”
“Tell me about it.”
Kim Hee-yeong let out a small laugh at the AD, who shrugged with a "serves him right" expression.
“Besides, it’s not like it’ll hurt Seo Ho-yun. This industry is a place where the popular ones hold the power. And I heard ‘that place’ might even acquire Daepasung soon…”
As their conversation reached that point, The Dawn stepped onto the stage.
The screams of the Noeuls filled the venue.
As the members waved, another roar of cheers erupted.
Wait…?
With light makeup that emphasized his natural features and hair styled with a wet look, Seo Ho-yun looked strangely decadent.
His outfit was relatively simple—a white silk shirt with a long piece of fabric draped around his neck—but as he moved, the lines of his body were revealed, making him look even more elegant.
However, there was another reason Kim Hee-yeong tilted her head in curiosity.
He looks like he’s in worse condition than usual. I wonder if he can perform well.
Something about Seo Ho-yun’s appearance was off.
Even though he was smiling when he made eye contact with the members or looked at the fans, he seemed to be in poor condition for a fleeting moment.
But that was only for a second.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
As the music began, the atmosphere shifted 180 degrees.
Seo Ho-yun stood at the dead center of the stage, his eyes covered by the hands of Kang Yi-chae and Jeong Da-jun, who stood on either side of him.
The camera zoomed in on Seo Ho-yun in time with the beat.
【Can you save me?】
With the start of the first line, Kang Yi-chae’s index and middle fingers parted, revealing one of Seo Ho-yun’s eyes.
“……!!”
An intense gaze that seemed ready to devour the camera pierced through, and as he leisurely tilted his head, the formation shifted rapidly.
Walking out through the path that opened up in front of him, Seo Ho-yun pulled the corners of his mouth into a charming smirk.
Kim Hee-yeong had to retract her thoughts from moments ago.
The sense of emptiness that had surrounded Seo Ho-yun was gone, replaced by a brilliant sparkle that commanded everyone’s attention.
【Whisper your faith to me
Just like you promised
La- La- ah】
It was as if he were burning himself to shine.
Then, Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been following the same choreography behind Seo Ho-yun, stepped forward, and they grabbed each other’s arms and spun.
【Can you hold me?
Embrace me passionately】
Taking his place at the center, Kim Seong-hyeon thrust his hips to the beat and slightly lifted his shirt before letting it fall.
“Kyaaaaaaaaah!!!”
It was only for a moment, but as his clear abs were revealed, the screams of the Noeuls echoed so loudly it felt like the set would collapse.
【Our youth that will never come again
Whatever I don't care
Come to me before I bite】
Next, Jeong Da-jun kicked off the floor and performed three consecutive, disciplined turns.
【You promised on the day the shooting star fell】
He then raised his right hand and swept it down in a parabolic arc from the top left. That movement looked like a real shooting star falling, just like the lyrics.
The beat certainly wasn't pure, yet it felt pure.
Beside him, Seong Ji-won moved his hands like a ticking clock, then suddenly stopped. As if he had broken down.
【Our dawn that will never come again
I don't care even if the sky falls
Come to me before I get fickle】
Instead, he traced a circle with his arms, turned his body, then raised both hands as if in prayer and looked up.
【You promised on the day the Milky Way poured down】
And as he slumped down as if falling, Kang Yi-chae appeared, leaping over Seong Ji-won.
【Spinning around you like I’m broken
How can I live without you?
I will never change】
Kang Yi-chae circled his hand by his head and rapped, letting his voice trail off halfway.
As if representing his precarious emotions.
【Anyways, always love you
in perfect way】
As the song reached its climax, back dancers dressed in black entered the stage in formation.
While the movements constantly shifted in perfect order, The Dawn members, moving with constant motions amidst the expressionless back dancers, looked as if they were wandering aimlessly among real pedestrians.
Like people desperately seeking help in a world that is too busy and indifferent to care.
【Can you hold me?】
With the lyrics flowing from a close-up of Seo Ho-yun’s mouth, the dance break began.
“Whoa…”
Bang!
Stage effects exploded, followed by the chorus.
【Embrace me passionately
Just like you did before
La- La- ah】
Over Seo Ho-yun’s voice, Seong Ji-won’s harmony, an octave higher, layered on top.
【Can you save me?
Whisper your faith to me】
As the end of the song approached, the members stomped their feet in sync with Jeong Da-jun’s gesture of winding a music box backward.
【Just like you promised me】
They slowly returned to their initial formation.
【La- La- ah】
Once again, the members’ hands intertwined, covering each other’s eyes. For a moment, the scene looked like a frame from a masterpiece painting.
The moment the stage ended, explosive screams poured from the audience.
“Insane…”
Kim Hee-yeong had seen the music video for this song.
But she hadn't felt this kind of thrill then.
A concept that oscillated between decadence and innocence, a choreographic formation with a musical-like structure.
Elements that could have easily become a mess were instead harmonized so well that they made each other stand out.
“…This is crazy.”
At Kim Hee-yeong’s involuntary exclamation, the AD also praised The Dawn while rubbing her goosebumps.
“Isn't it so cool? Seriously, I almost became a fan myself!”
“…….”
“You might not tell just by looking, but I heard the choreography carries a meaning… There was a reason the camera director put so much effort into the camera movements, saying he was going to set a new legend this time!”
The Dawn that Kim Hee-yeong remembered and The Dawn of now were so different.
She had always thought they were talented kids, but she never expected them to change this much.
It was hard to believe this was a change that happened in just one year.
Kim Hee-yeong quickly pulled off her headset and took out her phone. The AD, who had been chattering excitedly beside her, asked in confusion.
“Huh? PD-nim, where are you going?!”
“To scout them!!”
“What??”
“I need to buy some time so I can talk to Seo Ho-yun for a bit after the first-place announcement!”
If they could make even her, who had been lethargic about everything lately, feel her heart race like this, there was no way this album from The Dawn wouldn't blow up.
“I’ll grab them by the ankles if I have to!”
Whether for The Dawn themselves or for idols in general.
They were surely going to write a new history.
That was what Kim Hee-yeong thought.
* * *
Ahead of the first-place announcement, I slightly curled the corners of my mouth.
I could tell because of the various gazes intertwined toward The Dawn.
“Congratulations! The Dawn!”
Our album this time is absolutely killer.
So, to brag proudly once more:
Ju Woo-seong, you bastard, look at this.
Aren't our kids just total geniuses?