Chapter 271
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 271
The figures on screen begin to move in reverse, the scenes rewinding.
Then, the old, shabby building of Daepasung Entertainment appears.
【The Dawn’s day has begun.】
The camera passes through a hallway lined with posters of The Dawn and other agency actors, including Min Ji-heon, and enters a meeting room. Inside, the Daepasung staff sit with haggard expressions.
【9:30 AM. Meeting.】
【Preparations for the new comeback are in full swing.】
Flip, flip, flip.
“Wow...”
Seo Ho-yun, who had been rapidly flipping through the materials, flashed a bright smile. Whenever he made that face, the results were never good.
The entire planning team kept their mouths shut tight.
“You all... worked very hard on this, didn't you?”
Because a camera was following him for the documentary, Seo Ho-yun spoke more gently than usual. However, everyone in the room knew exactly what he meant.
He was asking if this pathetic state was really the best they could do.
But since he spoke in a flat, passing tone, the Noeuls watching didn't catch the subtext.
[Omg, Seo Ho-yun working is so sexy]
They were too busy being amazed by the meeting unfolding before them.
From the overall concept to makeup, outfits, hairstyles, and even stage design—discussions continued through multiple versions.
And every single point was explained based on thorough data: public opinion polls, fan reactions, current idol trends, and The Dawn’s strengths and areas to emphasize.
[Whoa, they really decide everything one by one, from the concept to the hair drafts]
[And it’s not just based on 'vibes' either T_T My former bias's CEO, whose sense of style died years ago, should have seen this]
When Seo Ho-yun occasionally added a few indifferent remarks after hearing a staff member's opinion, the footage clearly showed everyone in the meeting scribbling notes frantically.
[Everyone who said they aren't self-produced, come out and face me]
[My baby speaks so eloquently too ㅠㅠㅠ So cute...]
[His 'corporate slave' face is hilarious. He looks like he absolutely hates being there, but since everything he says is so right, he has to work hard... I never thought the day would come where I’d feel sorry for Daepasung employees...]
Of course, even if this video spread far and wide, it wouldn't change the minds of those determined to hate him, but it would serve as solid evidence to counter them.
[Look at the planning team’s faces... they look like they’ve lost their souls while nodding and writing down 'Yes... of course... we must...' ㅋㅋㅋㅋ They’re so used to Seo Ho-yun...]
In the video, Seo Ho-yun led the situation with practiced ease, and the planning team’s expressions looked incredibly sincere.
[I wish I had a boss like Seo Ho-yun ㅠ It’d be comfortable... he’s good at his job...]
[He seems like the type of boss who’s sharp at work but actually kind in real life...]
[I mean, I know that sounds like a total fantasy, but seeing how he treats his fans, he seems really nice...]
[...Wait, is he? Is he not?]
Bang!
[Anyone else want to argue?]
[└ Seong-hyeon is dead over here!!]
[└└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah, I’m dying ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[ㅋㅋㅋ Ah, the new fans who joined recently really think Ho-yungie is some kind of soft little rice cake....]
Meanwhile, fan reactions were split down the middle.
One side said, "That’s our Seo Ho-yun," while the other side insisted he was "smart and even kind."
The latter group mostly consisted of Noeuls who had recently joined through 'Christmas Again?' or this current album.
They wanted to highlight the reasons they became fans and appeal to others. They couldn't understand why the veteran Noeuls painted Seo Ho-yun as someone with a strong, intimidating aura who liked to tease people, when he was clearly kind and always sweet to fans.
He even treated his members well, and there were endless heartwarming stories from staff members who worked with him.
[I think the old Noeuls have his character interpretation wrong. Seo Ho-yun is actually really kind, sweet, and gentle.]
[ㅋㅋㅋ Right? But K-pop is always like that.... I think they push that image because they want him to stand out compared to the other members ㅠ Everyone except Kang Yi-chae is so gentle and kind. Especially Ji-won, I feel like he probably gets taken advantage of a lot ㅠ_ㅠ]
[Jeong Da-jun is definitely the 'maknae on top' ㅋㅋㅋ Seong-hyeon is always cool and reliable!!]
Of course, the "old-timers" in the former group could only shake their heads as they read those posts.
[Gentle....]
[Kind.....]
[Su... sure.]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah, it’s so funny seeing them desperately trying to protect his image]
[Ho-yun is sweet... and Ji-won is kind... but still.... No matter how thick my rose-colored glasses are, this is a bit much...]
The veteran Noeuls didn't mind much, knowing the rose-colored glasses wouldn't last long anyway.
[Can’t they see he has a naturally intimidating aura just by breathing?]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Holy shit, facts ㅠ Kang Yi-chae looks tough on the outside, sure.... but they don't know the hidden boss, Seong Ji-won...]
[It’s hilarious how no one is talking about Kim Seong-hyeon being the one who gets taken advantage of. This guy loses out just by breathing.]
[└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah, this is too funny, dammit ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[└└ Especially to Seo Ho-yun... a.k.a. the King of Aggro.]
Just then, as if sensing the situation, Kim Seong-hyeon’s voice perfectly timed its entry.
【According to our youngest, Jeong Da-jun, there is a food chain within The Dawn.】
Seo Ho-yun was seen standing up from his chair, letting out a small sigh as if suppressing what he really wanted to say.
“Alright, then please organize the materials and share them again before this evening.”
“...This evening?”
“Yes. I’m counting on you. Try not to work overtime if possible.”
He spoke as if he were looking out for them, but the workload was so massive it was doubtful they could finish even if everyone worked through the night.
“...He’s giving us this now?”
The planning team staff stared blankly at the empty seat where Seo Ho-yun had just been, having swept through like a storm.
“Ah! Everyone, here you are~.”
Just then, Seong Ji-won appeared through the slightly ajar door with a gentle voice.
“Please have some of this while you work.”
It was the appearance of an angel right after a demon had left.
“I bought it with Ho-yun!”
“Seong... Seong Ji-won...!!”
Even though he clearly stated he’d prepared it with Seo Ho-yun, the staff only cried out Seong Ji-won’s name, covering their mouths with both hands in moved silence.
With a soft smile, Seong Ji-won set down the snacks and sat in the chair Seo Ho-yun had occupied moments ago. Naturally, the conversation turned toward what had happened during the meeting.
“Ah... so Ho-yun said that to you. Hmm, then how about mixing 'Dawn' into the concept? Thinking back to what the fans reacted to best, it was usually when the group’s identity was embedded in the song.”
“Oh...!”
[How can our Ji-won speak so beautifully too?!]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋ His soft-spoken angelic nature is driving me crazy.. ㅠㅠ He definitely has a different vibe from Seo Ho-yun. He’s really good at smoothing things over.. Is it because he was a trainee for so long?]
As he gently suggested a direction in a way that differed from Seo Ho-yun, the planning team staff were busy taking notes once again.
After sharing a few more thoughts, Seong Ji-won stood up with a bright smile.
“I know there’s still a lot to do before the comeback and it’s exhausting, but please hang in there just a bit more. Fighting!”
“Yes!! You too, Ji-won!”
【However, the kind-looking Seong Ji-won has another side to him.】
【11:10 PM. Practice Room.】
Seong Ji-won arrived at the practice room with a light expression, even humming to himself.
A caption reading '1 hour later' appeared below the footage of the practice room door, and then Seong Ji-won’s face was captured again.
His expression and mood hadn't changed much since he first arrived, but below him, Jeong Da-jun was sprawled out on the floor.
“Save me....”
【Seong Ji-won is a practice machine.】
[Holy shit, the fact that his voice is just as kind as before is terrifying]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah, I’m losing it too ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
“Da-jun, why are you lying there? You have to get up.”
“Sa-save me....”
“Haha.”
【He only laughs; he does not help him up.】
In the end, Jeong Da-jun barely managed to pull himself up and had to restart the practice from hell.
“Alright, one, two~!”
“One...... two.......”
[Da-jun looks like he’s dying right now]
Are you having a hard time, Da-jun? I see. But I think this part was a little off. Shall we try this song just one more time? Ah! You missed it again. One more time~.
Gentle comforts poured out as if he understood Jeong Da-jun’s feelings, but the practice showed no signs of stopping.
[I heard Jeong Da-jun is the type of kid who can run ten laps around a field and still be bouncing (according to his classmate). What on earth did he make him do to end up like that ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[└ Does Da-jun just have puppy DNA in his genes?]
[I’m actually scared... terrified....]
Finally, after several songs had passed, Seong Ji-won smiled softly at Jeong Da-jun, who had collapsed on the floor whining that he couldn't do it anymore.
“Da-jun, you said you wanted to work harder.”
“I did say I wanted to work harder, but if I do any more, I might actually die right now.......”
He looked at the camera quite piteously, with a single tear hanging from the corner of his eye. In reality, it was Jeong Da-jun’s own way of sending a distress signal to the documentary director.
However, Seong Ji-won stood in his line of sight, blocking the request at its source.
“Da-jun....”
He called Jeong Da-jun’s name in an extremely sweet tone.
Jeong Da-jun’s trembling gaze met Seong Ji-won’s.
“People don't die that easily.”
“.......”
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah shit ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I’m drooling because I’m laughing so hard ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[That’s cold ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
While the veteran fans of The Dawn were rolling over laughing at Seong Ji-won’s remark, the new Noeuls were bewildered.
[Uh.. I heard Seong Ji-won was a practice machine.. and I thought it was cute....]
[Whoa;; I’ve never heard Seong Ji-won talk like that. Did something happen between them?]
Seeing those Twitter posts, the old Noeuls began gathering links to share. They decided it was the perfect timing to strip away those rose-colored glasses.
[Seong Ji-won is truly naturally intimidating.]
[“Collection of Seong Ji-won saying mean things kindly (feat. Are you done crying? Now let’s get back to work)”]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Yeah... it’s time for the baby Noeuls to find out..]
While the new Noeuls paused the documentary to watch the linked videos in shock,
【At that moment, the leader appears.】
“Hey, we have to do the interview now— Gasp, Jeong Da-jun!”
“Hyung....”
[Look at him running to him crying 'Hyung' ㅠㅠ So cute....]
[He’s like an elementary schooler who got scolded at piano lessons and runs to his parents to whine...]
Kim Seong-hyeon, who grasped the entire situation in a single second, tucked Jeong Da-jun behind his back and spoke while breaking into a cold sweat.
“Seong Ji-won, they said they’re going to film the group interview now.”
【The true image of a leader quickly wrapping up the situation.】
“Oh, okay.”
[Look at Seong Ji-won smacking his lips. That’s terrifying as hell ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[The look of a predator who lost its prey. Ah ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Kim Seong-hyeon just saved Jeong Da-jun’s life ㅠ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
He wasn't the leader of The Dawn for nothing.
Usually, people thought Seong Ji-won was the one who smoothed things over, but in reality, the one in charge of traffic control within The Dawn was Kim Seong-hyeon.
Though right now, he was more like Jeong Da-jun’s lifeline.
“...But where’s Kang Yi-chae? We have to go now.”
“Ah. I think Ho-yun went to get him.”
【Meanwhile, the rapper and producer is focusing hard on his composing activities.】
The scene changes.
【1:05 PM. Studio.】
“I don’t wanna work~.”
[Hey]
Kang Yi-chae, dressed in simple training gear, had his feet up on the desk. He was whistling as he tore pages from his composition notebook to fold and fly paper airplanes.
[Hey, get to work]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Do some work ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
One paper airplane that flew a bit further landed at the feet of the filming staff. When they picked it up and unfolded it, there was writing on it.
I don’t wanna work~ ♥
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Work, you punk ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
As the 31st airplane left Kang Yi-chae’s hand to attempt flight, the studio door unlocked and Seo Ho-yun walked in.
As he snatched the paper airplane out of the air, Kang Yi-chae immediately took his legs off the desk and stood bolt upright.
“Whoa, Hyung~! I wrote a letter for you on that.”
Faced with such an obvious lie, Seo Ho-yun didn't even think about unfolding it; he simply crushed it in his hand.
“Get moving.”
He uttered just that one phrase.
【This is the food chain.】
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah, no mercy]
He tried to hold out, claiming he hadn't felt the 'vibe' yet, but when Seo Ho-yun began tearing up all the paper airplanes, he shut his mouth and quietly followed him out.
【Seo Ho-yun, who handles the planning team and Kang Yi-chae. Seong Ji-won, who handles Jeong Da-jun. Kim Seong-hyeon, who stops Seong Ji-won. Various interests are intricately intertwined.】
Following that, they tried to get some touching scenes by conducting a group interview with all the members of The Dawn, but the filming was halted because they kept bickering and acting restless.
The director judged that even if they filmed it, they wouldn't be able to use it.
【Will this idol group be okay?】
[Are you asking if contract renewal is possible?]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah, so funny ㅠ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ The kids fighting is legendary ㅠㅠ]
The thirty-minute video ended with Kim Seong-hyeon’s narration, announcing that they would return next week with Episode 2.
[Still, yeah... it’s surprisingly healing and cute ㅎㅎ The members have such strong personalities that they’re cute even if you just leave them alone]
[They seem to work hard too.. Our Ho-yun is so sweet and kind ㅜㅜ He’s an angel ♡]
It wasn't the type of documentary they expected, but the fans who were used to The Dawn’s self-produced content enjoyed it.
In fact, since they felt a serious documentary didn't quite match The Dawn, they felt relieved that it proceeded with its usual flow.
[ㄷㄷ Noeul rose-colored glasses are legendary... Hey.. Ho-yun is... Ho-yun is really...]
More than anything, most fans laughed as they saw that the 'Kind Seo Ho-yun' filter still hadn't fallen off for some Noeuls.
They figured time would solve the problem anyway.
[That guy is a total lunatic...]
And before long, through 'ep2. From Dawn to Dawn: Dyeing the World with Dawn,' the fact that Seo Ho-yun was a truly extraordinary character was revealed.