Extra 2: Debut Anniversary Side Story
Translator: RaidenTL
Extra 2: Debut Anniversary Side Story
[D-1!!]
Arriving at the practice room alone in the early hours of the morning, Kang Yi-chae couldn’t suppress a smile as he looked at the large calendar hanging on one wall.
[Debut Showcase!]
July 11th.
The date was circled so many times the numbers were barely visible, and a large red star sticker had been slapped over it. It was the day of the debut showcase for the Daepasung trainees who had been given the name ‘The Dawn’—and it was also his birthday.
However, he had never been one to make a fuss over his birthday, and he hadn't mentioned it to the other trainees he saw every single day.
Everyone was simply buzzing with excitement that tomorrow was finally their debut.
That flashy display on the calendar was undoubtedly the work of Jeong Da-jun, the youngest of the group.
‘Cute kid.’
It wasn’t that he had particularly wanted to be an idol.
He used to get scouted on the street quite often, and one day, when life felt exceptionally dull, the offer that came his way happened to be from Daepasung.
The agency was tucked away in a back alley and lacked any real structure, but he quite liked the people he practiced with. They were talented enough, and they were kind—always yielding and looking out for one another. Yet, they weren't total pushovers either.
When he first set foot in Daepasung, Kang Yi-chae never imagined he would work this hard.
And yet,
“Haa, whew…”
He had become so accustomed to it that finding himself in the practice room at dawn because he couldn't sleep no longer felt strange.
Constantly watching people right beside him pour their souls into their dreams had made him… want to do well, too.
[…I'm not sane, I know
But I want to ask you
Can you really be with me?]
After running through the choreography for their debut track, ‘Glow,’ from start to finish, he went to restart the music but stopped.
‘I’m not feeling it.’
He flopped down onto the floor beneath the calendar and picked up his phone. He wasn't having much fun alone and considered pestering the others to hurry up and get there.
But the moment he saw the unpleasant messages filling his inbox, his mood soured instantly.
“…….”
He scrolled past them with vacant eyes until he found a message thread with his mother.
His mother had always been a bright and positive person. A week before his birthday, she would start pestering him about what would be fun to do or what would make a lasting memory. Kang Yi-chae would pretend to be annoyed while secretly enjoying it, eventually giving in and doing whatever she wanted.
But that wouldn't happen anymore.
“…I want to get a text.”
Because she had passed away.
Feeling a tightness in his chest, Kang Yi-chae practiced a bit longer before heading outside.
He walked aimlessly, wondering if he should clear his head at a PC bang for the first time in a while, when he ran into the CEO in the company lobby.
“Hey, Kang Yi-chae. A moment.”
He tried to pass with a simple nod, but the CEO called him to a halt.
“Tomorrow is the debut, but don’t be too nervous…”
It seemed the CEO wanted to use this chance encounter to offer a few perfunctory words since it was the day before the debut.
Yi-chae tried to let the useless advice slide, but today, every single word grated on his nerves.
“—Anyway, since we threw you in at the last minute because that other kid said he was sick, just do a decent job. Don't make any big mistakes. I don't have high expectations anyway.”
His brow furrowed.
‘Is that something you say to someone right before their debut?’
He knew that Daepasung was only putting this together to follow the idol craze sweeping the industry.
However, he couldn't tolerate a man who had never even bothered to watch them practice speaking that way to kids who were dancing and singing their hearts out, counting down the days to their debut while cutting back on sleep.
‘How unpleasant.’
Yi-chae watched the CEO’s retreating back with a cold gaze before exiting the lobby.
He even felt a flicker of resentment toward the member who had dropped out claiming to be sick.
‘The others are working so hard….’
His motivation evaporated.
‘Well, he’s not wrong. It’s more likely than not that we’ll end up as nobodies.’
He wasn't oblivious.
The song itself wasn't bad, but the concept was lukewarm, the agency’s push was weak, and they didn't have much buzz.
At this rate, they were bound to flicker out before they could even shine.
‘Whatever. If we disband, I’ll just say it was fun while it lasted and call it quits.’
He had started this on an impulse anyway, and he never intended to do it for long. Why would he feel attached to something he’d done on a whim?
Yet, strangely, his chest felt even more stifled than before. Thumping his chest with his fist, Yi-chae shook his head and headed for the PC bang.
He naturally launched a game and began moving his mouse and keyboard.
[FIRST BLOOD!]
[DOUBLE KILL!]
His hands moved out of habit, but his mind was a whirlwind of complicated thoughts.
[TRIPLE KILL!]
The thought that the time and sweat of those he had prepared with would amount to nothing.
The thought that if they disbanded, he would truly have no one left by his side….
“……Wow.”
Yi-chae’s hands stopped.
[What is this guy doing?]
[F*ck, why did you stop all of a sudden??]
…Thinking about it made everything feel pointless.
It was all so damn boring.
Yi-chae ruffled his hair messily with both hands and leaned back in his chair, staring at the monitor.
‘What am I even doing right now?’
Everything just felt pathetic.
The game’s chat window was filled with all sorts of profanity.
‘What am I going to do by myself from now on….’
It was then.
Someone grabbed his shoulders roughly, and his PC bang chair was shoved back.
“Haa, haa…… There you are, whew….”
Startled, he pulled off his headset and looked up.
“Jeong Da-jun?”
He saw the face of Jeong Da-jun, the youngest trainee at Daepasung.
Panting as if he had been running, Da-jun fanned himself with his hand and flopped into the empty seat next to him.
“Wait, wow…. Let me catch my breath. Why is it so hot today?!”
It was July, so of course it was hot.
To make matters worse, the kid was wearing his winter school uniform in this weather.
Yi-chae bought a bottle of water and handed it to Da-jun, who looked like he was about to collapse. The boy drained half of it in an instant.
“Thanks….”
“Jeong Da-jun, why are you here?”
“No, why are you here, Hyung?! Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you?!”
Having regained some energy, Da-jun yelled.
“We were supposed to practice today! The other hyungs were worried, so I said I’d find you and came out. I’m the closest to you, after all. Do you know how many neighborhood PC bangs I searched to find you…?”
“Closest….”
Are we… are we close?
I mean, sure, we’ve eaten together, lived together, played some games, and even went sledding over the past few months, but….
“But look at this guy! The showcase is tomorrow, and he’s at a PC bang not answering his phone?!”
While a flustered Yi-chae stammered, the word ‘DEFEAT’ appeared on the computer monitor. Even more aggressive messages popped up in the chat window.
Da-jun grabbed Yi-chae’s arm firmly.
“Right!! Let’s go!!”
Da-jun forcibly hit the power button on the computer and dragged Yi-chae away.
After offering a cheerful goodbye to the PC bang owner sitting near the entrance, Da-jun finally let go of Yi-chae’s arm and took off his school jacket once they were outside.
“Da-jun, why are you wearing your uniform?”
“I came straight here after cutting class.”
“No, I mean, why are you even wearing the jacket?”
“Because today is the last day I can fulfill my duty as a diligent student.”
The fact that he had cut class already meant he was far from diligent, but more than that, Yi-chae didn't quite understand the phrase ‘duty as a student.’
When Yi-chae tilted his head slightly, Da-jun grinned widely.
“Because once I debut, I’m going to be super busy!!”
Yi-chae’s mouth clamped shut.
“Let’s go!”
He followed silently behind Da-jun.
When they returned to the practice room he had visited at dawn, the other two, Kim Seong-hyeon and Seong Ji-won, were already collapsed on the floor after a round of practice. The air conditioner, which broke down constantly, was acting up again, making the room feel like a sauna.
“Oh, Yi-chae’s here?!”
“Kang Yi-chae, hi.”
Despite that, their sweat-soaked, disheveled appearances seemed to sparkle.
“It’s sooooo hot outside, seriously. But it’s hot in here too….”
“Good job. Shall we all try to sync up?”
“Shall we?”
Even though he had disappeared without a word, there was no sign of them scolding him.
However, once practice began, Seong Ji-won was merciless.
“I’m so tired….”
“Aw, come on, Yi-chae, you’re doing great.”
As Yi-chae lay sprawled on the floor, sweat pouring off him, Ji-won turned the fan slightly toward him and smiled brightly.
“Doesn’t it feel good to sweat it all out?”
“…….”
Does it?
.
.
.
“The Dawn, heading up!”
July 11th, the day itself.
The showcase was held simultaneously with the album release, but he couldn't remember it clearly. All he knew was that it was incredibly hectic.
[In the early morning, I keep thinking of it alone
Can we be together?
or not?]
The time spent showing what they had prepared for so long was hollowly short. They had simply performed on stage for a small audience in a shabby venue, wearing poorly made costumes.
Yet, Kim Seong-hyeon, Seong Ji-won, and Jeong Da-jun were radiant, filled with hope that this was only the beginning.
“Hyung!”
While he was wiping his sweat with a towel in a corner of the backstage area to avoid them, Da-jun suddenly hugged him from behind. Then Kim Seong-hyeon and Seong Ji-won joined in, and they all jumped around, huddling together.
“Good job!!”
“I think it went better than during practice! Right?!”
Seong Ji-won, who had been stiff with nerves, had returned to his usual self after successfully finishing the stage.
“Let’s keep working hard and not lose our focus!”
“Yes! I’m totally ready to work hard!”
Watching them chatter excitedly, Yi-chae felt a flicker of happiness as well.
“We don’t have any more schedules today, so let’s all go have dinner! Yi-chae, you’re coming too, right?”
“Uh, I…….”
“Hmm? Yi-chae Hyung, do you have something today?”
Words he hadn't felt the need to say until now hovered at the tip of his tongue.
“I…….”
the members’ eyes fixed on him.
“…It’s my birthday today…….”
Yi-chae finally let it out.
I mean, so what?
“—Haha, I pestered the CEO to make my birthday the debut date, and it actually happened.”
Feeling awkward, he tried to play it off as a joke by adding lies he hadn't actually told, but Kim Seong-hyeon suddenly threw an arm around his shoulder.
“What’s with you? Why are you only saying that now?”
“……Huh?”
Yi-chae’s wavering gaze met Seong-hyeon’s steady eyes.
“Whoa!! Hyung, I’m shocked! Disappointed! I had no idea!”
Da-jun’s loud voice rang in his ears.
“Yi-chae, why didn't you tell us? We didn't know. Let’s go celebrate right now!”
Ji-won’s kind words reached his heart.
“Ah, wait. Weren't you supposed to celebrate your birthday with your family today?”
“…No, I don’t have plans.”
“Ooh, great! Then let’s go right now!!”
And just like that, he was dragged to a restaurant while stammering in confusion.
Even though the members were out by themselves without a manager, no one recognized them.
“Hyung! The birthday person isn't allowed to grill the meat!!”
“Right, right. Seong-hyeon, you grill it.”
“Is it my turn?”
Though he grumbled, Kim Seong-hyeon grilled the meat with care. And he placed the most perfectly browned, delicious pieces on Yi-chae’s plate.
“Kang Yi-chae, eat up.”
Yi-chae put the meat in his mouth out of obligation and looked around.
Jeong Da-jun, slightly flushed and chattering non-stop.
Seong Ji-won, smiling even more brightly than usual.
Kim Seong-hyeon, blunt as ever but looking more relaxed.
The heat of the stage hadn't left them yet, and their faces were filled with a clumsy excitement and anticipation.
He didn't know why, but…….
“Yi-chae, happy birthday.”
……Kang Yi-chae quite liked these moments.
Hearing them say cheesy things like how he and The Dawn were destined to be together since the debut date and his birthday were the same, he purposely wore a mischievous grin.
“…Shall we celebrate the debut day with this birthday hottie?”
“Yeah~!!”
They continued to chatter for a long time after that.
Saying that only good things lay ahead.
Talking about an undecided future and a success with no guarantee.
Perhaps with the people who would stay by his side for a long time.
The next day, a sentence had been added under July 11th on the practice room calendar.
[Yi-chae Hyung’s Birthday!!]
* * *
Beep, beep-beep.
“I’m gonna die, f*ck……. Just kill me, please.”
Seo PD, 32, whose overtime was a certainty today, returned home for the first time in three days after being trapped in the broadcasting station. He was only able to return because he had run out of the extra clothes he had brought.
When he pressed the passcode and opened the door, a delicious aroma wafted through the familiar scent of his home.
“Hyung, you’re back?”
“Yeah, hi.”
His younger brother poked his head out from the kitchen. He was holding a rice paddle.
“Since you’re here, have some food before you go.”
“Forget it. I have to leave soon.”
“Aw, come on. Who’s going to say anything if you’re gone for thirty minutes?”
Seo Ho-yun wanted to argue that he was too busy, but he couldn't ignore the meal his brother, ten years his junior, had prepared.
In the end, he went into the bathroom, took a quick shower, changed his clothes, and sat at the dining table.
There was freshly cooked white rice with steam rising from it, egg soup that looked like fluffy forsythia flowers, and spicy stir-fried pork that smelled delicious.
“Why are you so busy lately? I can barely see your face.”
“One of the boy group members we cast as a guest got into trouble, so I’m busy editing him out.”
“Ah…….”
Receiving a sympathetic look from his brother, Seo Ho-yun took a spoonful of egg soup, his face darkening at the vibration of his phone.
The words ‘Fuck-Bureau Chief-Fuck’ appeared on the screen. He turned off the phone entirely, put down his spoon, and let out a deep sigh.
“A kind, obedient, good-looking, and talented boy group member who would just pop up in front of me….”
Having said that much, Seo Ho-yun buried his face in his hands.
“…There’s no way such a thing exists. Fuck.”