Chapter 275
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 275
The day of The Dawn’s concert at the Gymnastics Stadium, which was being broadcast simultaneously across the world via the internet, had finally arrived.
“Whoa, no way! Isn't that Ju Woo-seong?!”
“Oh my god, it really is! He’s so damn handsome!”
Ju Woo-seong, who had entered the invitation-only section right on time, was currently feeling extremely awkward.
Damn it, maybe I shouldn't have come.
He had received a ticket from Seo Ho-yun and casually asked his group members if they wanted to go. They had all stared at him with wide eyes before breaking into fits of coughing as if they’d choked on their own spit.
Then came the barrage of comments: Did you eat something wrong? Is your head okay? Do we need to take you to a hospital? It felt like they were mocking him, so he’d turned to leave the practice room, only for the members to scramble after him.
“Wait, wait! Woo-seong! We were just joking, obviously!”
“Let’s go together! Together!”
“Ugh, get lost.”
The members, who had spent plenty of time teasing him, tried to grab his pant legs at the last minute to join, but Ju Woo-seong coldly abandoned them and came alone.
Truthfully, he hadn't really intended to come, but he’d been a bit bothered lately because Seo Ho-yun hadn't asked him for help with practice at all.
Well, there are other reasons too, but…
However, as time passed, he started to regret not bringing Chae Jeong-woo at the very least.
Just then, camera flashes went off in the section below. It seemed people had recognized him despite the hat pulled low over his head.
Ju Woo-seong pointlessly adjusted the brim of his cap, pulling it down even further to hide his face.
He shifted only his eyes to scan his surroundings.
This was definitely the invitation section, yet he couldn't see a single other celebrity besides himself.
“…….”
It was mostly people who looked like the members' families.
He’d heard that The Dawn had been keeping to themselves lately…
“…You guys really don't have any friends, do you?”
It was a comment Seo Ho-yun would have found humiliating if he’d heard it, but Ju Woo-seong felt a pang of self-loathing even as the words left his mouth.
It felt like he was seeing his own reflection through The Dawn.
“…Should I just leave?”
The thought of his photo circulating with a title like ‘Ju Woo-seong spotted alone at The Dawn’s concert during his off-season’ was horrifying.
Let’s get out of here.
“Oh, Ju Woo-seong!”
As he stood up to leave, a familiar voice called out from behind him.
He turned to see Im Hyeon-su and Yoo Ji-ah standing there with slightly surprised expressions.
“Kid, it’s been a long time.”
“Whoa, Noona! Thank you so, so, so much for coming.”
“…Huh? …Oh, right.”
“Hello, Woo-seong,” Yoo Ji-ah greeted him.
Ju Woo-seong bowed his head in response, feeling a wave of relief.
At least I won't be the only one standing out like a sore thumb!
Since Yoo Ji-ah had come with Im Hyeon-su, the attention and gossip wouldn't be focused solely on him.
As he offered a smile to hide his embarrassment, Yoo Ji-ah’s lips curled up slightly.
“You’re still as shy as ever, Woo-seong.”
“……Give me a break.”
As expected of someone who had been in the industry since she was young, Yoo Ji-ah was quick-witted; he could tell she’d read his mind.
“I’m glad you’re still close with The Dawn.”
“Not really……”
“You’re acting like a younger cousin trying way too hard to be chic. Since you’re here, you should have some fun before you go.”
Clicking her tongue, Im Hyeon-su gave Ju Woo-seong a pat on the back and leaned her arms against the railing.
While they briefly exchanged pleasantries, the lights dimmed, and a grand beat began to thrum through the venue.
It was the intro signaling the start of the concert.
“Oh, it’s starting.”
Thump, thump, thump.
“Ooh~.”
Im Hyeon-su whistled in approval as the rhythm slowly built up the excitement.
Simultaneously, the VCR screen glowed with a blue light.
Kyaaaaah!
Kang Yi-chae’s face appeared on the screen. As his lips curled into a confident smirk, the screen suddenly went dark.
Then, a scene of a crossroad with fading lights appeared, followed by shots of The Dawn members walking leisurely through it.
Jeong Da-jun, his cheeks bathed in the colorful glow of neon signs; Seong Ji-won, illuminated by the relentless flash of bright lights.
Thump, thump, thump.
Seo Ho-yun, walking through a gray street.
As he brushed his hand over his mouth, smoke leaked through the gap in his lips, soon turning blue.
The moment Kim Seong-hyeon’s hand emerged through the spreading blue smoke, looking as if it were about to touch the camera lens—
“Oh……”
The wall where the VCR was playing split open, and The Dawn appeared.
Waaaaaaaah!
“Wow.”
Standing at the front amidst the pouring cheers, Seo Ho-yun stood out even more than expected.
【Can you save me?
Whisper your faith to me】
If even Woo-seong felt this way, he could only imagine how much more Ho-yun must stand out to others.
Hmm. His dancing is still ambiguous, but he definitely has that fundamental talent for drawing people’s eyes as an idol.
In any industry, money was what mattered, and in this world, that translated directly into public attention.
People talked about dancing, singing, and skill, but the entertainment industry was a place where one could never truly shine without star quality.
In that sense, Seo Ho-yun was someone who possessed that talent.
【Our youth that will never return
Whatever I don't care
Come to me quickly before I bite】
“Wow, they’re going hard right from the start. And his live vocals aren't shaking at all.”
Yoo Ji-ah let out a small exclamation of awe.
As she muttered about how it reminded her of her trainee days and how good those times were, Ju Woo-seong chimed in.
“…Ji-ah, that’s a total ‘latte’ thing to say.”
“Pfft, lattes are delicious.”
Brushing off Woo-seong’s comment, Yoo Ji-ah couldn't take her eyes off The Dawn.
Specifically, she watched Seong Ji-won, who possessed exceptional vocal ability.
“Hmm, I’m a bit jealous. Seong Ji-won seems like a natural. He’s diligent, too.”
“Hey, Ji-ah, look who’s talking. You’re a total talent-monster yourself.”
“Ahaha, Hyeon-su, really. Well, if it weren't for the injury, I would’ve shamelessly agreed with you…”
There were many reasons why Yoo Ji-ah had transitioned to acting.
It happened to coincide with her contract renewal period, and at the time, it was a common career path to move into acting once a singing career had matured.
It was during that time that she had injured her knee joint.
The doctor’s diagnosis was that even with treatment, she might never be able to walk again if she continued to push herself. After months of agonizing, she had to give up the stage she loved so much.
Of course, all of this had been a trade secret between her and her agency.
【Spinning around you like I’m broken
How can I live without you?
I will never change】
Just then, Kang Yi-chae stepped forward, spitting out a rap that sounded like he was breathing life into his husky tone.
“Yeah! That’s my student! My student!!”
Ju Woo-seong quietly took a step away from Im Hyeon-su, who was waving her arms in excitement.
As soon as ‘Our Brilliant Dawn’ ended, The Dawn immediately followed up with ‘Connected,’ their collaboration with IRIX.
【Finally, the boring time is passing
I love watching you glow
Step into the ring just as I planned】
“Yeeaaaah!!! Our Yi-chae is a genius, holy shit!!!”
“Noona, please calm down…”
Realizing it was impossible to restrain Im Hyeon-su, Ju Woo-seong took another step back.
However, he could understand the excitement.
The Dawn’s synergy was incredibly good.
To give a live performance of this caliber only three years into their debut…
They had a strong image of having climbed up step by step, but in reality, it wasn't much different from having taken an express train forward.
…Yeah, it’s no wonder the agencies are getting greedy.
Ever since the rumors of Daepasung’s acquisition began circulating under the surface, various companies had been moving restlessly.
Just as he was wondering what would happen next—
【Don't hesitate, just move forward
I will never leave your side】
“……Huh?”
As Seo Ho-yun’s part began, Ju Woo-seong instinctively sensed that something was wrong.
His expression was the usual Seo Ho-yun, his dancing was decent enough, and the balance was fine—
【Ready to be connected?】
—And yet, something felt off.
As he watched Seo Ho-yun closely, he noticed the movements were smaller, as if Ho-yun were unconsciously trying not to use his right foot, or using the surrounding stage props to gloss over the steps.
An injury?
Ju Woo-seong’s brow furrowed slightly.
Im Hyeon-su and Yoo Ji-ah didn't seem to notice anything, as they continued to pour out praise.
“Oh, he’s good. Our klutz.”
“Seo Ho-yun has really improved a lot. He doesn't look at all like the person who danced so awkwardly to a Black Call song on my program.”
“…Noonas. Don't you think Seo Ho-yun looks a bit strange?”
When Ju Woo-seong asked them cautiously, Im Hyeon-su tilted her head.
“Doesn't it look like he’s in pain?”
“Him? Where?”
It was strange.
To say he was injured, he was still moving well.
Even Yoo Ji-ah, who was sensitive to injuries, only looked puzzled and didn't say much.
“Hmm? I’m not sure…”
“Doesn't it look like he hurt his leg?”
“Woo-seong. Aren't you being a bit overprotective?”
“What are you talking about?”
Ju Woo-seong shut his mouth in disgust at Im Hyeon-su’s comment. He still felt uneasy, but he didn't want to keep dragging it out when everyone else thought it was fine.
Even during the following performance of ‘Falling,’ Ju Woo-seong’s eyes remained fixed on Seo Ho-yun.
Even when the song ended and they did their opening ments, Seo Ho-yun simply waved with a perfectly normal face.
Was I being too sensitive?
In Ju Woo-seong’s eyes, Seo Ho-yun was often foolishly stubborn. He acted like someone detached from the world, yet he ran forward like a madman obsessed with The Dawn.
The Seo Ho-yun of now didn't seem much different from the one who had practically kidnapped him for practice help, claiming they had a music video shoot the next day, only to collapse and be rushed to the hospital.
“Hello, Noeuls. I’m Ho-yun.”
As Seo Ho-yun’s voice echoed through the stadium, the fans’ cheers soared.
When Seo Ho-yun’s bright smile appeared on the digital billboard as if in response, the screams erupted once more.
You hypocritical bastard……
“The light from the lightsticks looks so beautiful from up here. I can see the smiling faces of our Noeuls even better. Thank you so much for coming today.”
Hearing that, Ju Woo-seong and Im Hyeon-su grimaced at the same time.
“Wow, that gave me goosebumps.”
“Woo-seong. Why is that bastard talking like that?!”
“That’s what I’m saying! Why is he like that?! I’m glad I didn't eat dinner before coming!”
“Wh-why are you two so worked up?”
Yoo Ji-ah, who had no way of knowing the deep, messy history between Ju Woo-seong, Im Hyeon-su, and Seo Ho-yun, was flustered by their reactions.
After enduring Ju Woo-seong and Im Hyeon-su getting more agitated with every word, Yoo Ji-ah eventually moved to an empty seat, using the excuse that she wanted to enjoy the concert from a spot with a better view of the stage.
“Wow, look at that bastard doing a dance break.”
“Ugh. That guy is unusually tenacious.”
The performance resumed, followed by a cover of Lia Purple’s ‘Easy Tempo’—which would be talked about by Noeuls as a legendary stage for years to come—and the performance of their fan song, ‘Orbit.’
Despite being a ‘klutz,’ Seo Ho-yun was now often standing in the center even during dance breaks.
“…Woo-seong. It’s not really my place to say this, but.”
“What is it? Don't beat around the bush.”
“Geez, so prickly.”
Im Hyeon-su had a fairly serious expression for someone who had started the conversation so lightly.
“Why do you care about Seo Ho-yun so much?”
“Even coming from you, Noona, that’s a bit much. Why would I care about him?!”
“Why are you getting all worked up again?”
Ju Woo-seong ran a hand roughly through his hair.
“…He’s just… a bit on my mind, that’s all.”
When Im Hyeon-su asked why he acted that way, or if Ho-yun had some incredible hidden talent for dance, Ju Woo-seong couldn't answer for a moment. He stared at Seo Ho-yun, who was laughing and hugging his members, and finally spoke.
“It’s the same for me as it is for you, Noona…”
That confidence in success, that detachment that remained unshaken by anything. That boldness that never wavered even when faced with an opaque and dark reality.
All the things he himself had wanted to possess.
“Yeah, you really are hopeless…”
“……I know that all too well.”
Ju Woo-seong shut his mouth, having no intention of continuing the pathetic conversation.
Just then, a fan’s placard was caught in a close-up on the screen.
<My Little Baby Kitty Seo Ho-yun>
“Wow, the Noeuls’ placards are cute,” Im Hyeon-su remarked.
But as soon as she said it, the placard was flipped over.
<But why aren't you crying?>
“…….”
“…….”
The fans here were scary…
After that, the two enjoyed the concert without much further conversation.
As the show reached its climax and The Dawn performed ‘Stardust,’ Ju Woo-seong was finally able to confirm that his uneasy gut feeling was the truth.
【As the embers fill my heart
I will risk it all
I staked everything from the start】
“Oh….”
The choreography that involved a kick had been changed to him sitting on a chair, and every time he used his right leg, his foot barely left the floor.
Ah, I knew it.
It hadn't been noticeable at all at the start of the concert, but perhaps the hours-long performance was becoming a burden; whenever the formation moved him toward the back of the stage, Seo Ho-yun’s expression was grim.
It might have been because he was in the invitation section and had a better view, but some fans were likely starting to notice as well.
It was just that he looked perfectly fine whenever it was his part or when he came to the front, leaving them in doubt.
But if he’s able to carry on with the concert, does that mean it’s not at its worst?
No matter how lax Daepasung’s management might be, surely they wouldn't put him on stage if it meant worsening a leg injury.
【We aren't lost
We are moving forward】
However, Woo-seong could see the tension in Seo Ho-yun’s jaw.
Of course, when he ran back to the center, that characteristic, confident smile was draped across his lips.
“…Wow.”
It was just like that smile he’d worn when he stood on the final stage of Shining Star Season 2 and fooled everyone, even after the news of his parents’ accident had spread to the world.
Ju Woo-seong felt goosebumps break out all over his body.
【All the way to the end】
“……He’s a real madman.”
Ju Woo-seong was certain.
That guy wasn't standing up there in his right mind.