Chapter 320
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 320
“Woo-ho?”
Jeong Da-jun’s head tilted slightly to the right.
“What’s a ‘woo-ho-woo-ho’?”
“Bangbang-i, have a candy.”
I unwrapped a candy from the bowl always kept on the coffee table and tossed it into the maknae’s mouth. Even as he munched on it, I could feel his puzzled gaze lingering on me.
Kang Yi-chae, still looking grumpy as if dissatisfied with something, carelessly tossed aside the microphone he was holding. He then clung to Seong Ji-won, whining piteously.
“Ji-won hyung, open this for me. I’ve been sick for ten days, so I don’t have the strength to pop the tab…”
“Oh, really?”
“Heeing, I feel like my wrist is going to snap!”
“Haha.”
Seong Ji-won looked down at the sturdy wrist of the whining Kang Yi-chae, who was holding out a drink. He gave a gentle smile and subtly pulled away. It was a firm refusal to indulge him.
Immediately, Kang Yi-chae turned his head and switched targets to Kim Seong-hyeon, who was sitting on his other side.
“Seong-hyeon hyung, Yi-chae is so frail…”
“I’ll open it, so just shut up.”
“Okaay~.”
Despite his look of utter disgust, Kim Seong-hyeon dutifully popped the can open.
Good grief, Kim Seong-hyeon.
That was the problem.
The main reason Kim Seong-hyeon had recently become the primary target of Kang Yi-chae’s pestering among The Dawn members was that he was the only one who actually put up with it.
As if venting his own stress, Kang Yi-chae relentlessly poked, prodded, and harassed Kim Seong-hyeon.
When the bullying resumed, Kim Seong-hyeon sent me a silent signal for help, but I ignored it. As I moved toward the corner to get as far away from them as possible, Seong Ji-won patted the empty spot on the sofa next to him.
“Ho-yun, you’re here? Were the test results okay?”
“They said I’m perfectly fine. We’re talking about the B-sides today?”
Jeong Da-jun chimed in, rolling the candy around in his mouth.
“The preparations for the B-sides are all finished.”
Kim Seong-hyeon, who was using a finger to push away Kang Yi-chae’s forehead as he tried to cling to him, added, “While you were at the hospital for your check-up, we had a meeting with the company. Kang Yi-chae apparently brought in some revised feedback. That’s the only reason I’m putting up with this behavior.”
“Aing~.”
Only then did Kang Yi-chae finally back off with a playful pout and bring over his laptop.
“Then, I’ll give it a play~.”
As his long fingers pressed the spacebar, a melody that felt both familiar and strange began to flow.
It had been nearly a year since I’d heard it.
【 This is a bit hard
Keeping the distance between you and me
Managing my expression as if nothing’s wrong
Can we stop for a bit? 】
Since there wasn't enough time to re-record everything given the schedule, it seemed he had only tweaked the beat and the progression.
“It’s good.”
Even though the changes were subtle, it sounded completely different. I nodded along to the beat, and Kang Yi-chae moved on to the next track.
【 When the sun blinds your eyes
Take a breath of the dawn
And run to the beat of your heart 】
“The beat sounds so expensive and high-end. Are you crazy? Hyung, are you insane?! Are you possessed by Mozart?!”
“Mozart in my body…”
Jeong Da-jun shivered, rubbing the goosebumps on his arms. Kang Yi-chae continued playing the songs.
“This one is a new track.”
【 Inside the cracked time 】
He had already finished the lyrics, and the song was perfectly recorded as a guide in his own voice. It was light enough for summer, yet a strange, gloomy dampness permeated the beat.
【 Without weighing or measuring
I just wish you’d tell me honestly 】
“……Whoa.”
The candy fell right out of Jeong Da-jun’s slack-jawed mouth.
Holy…
I was just as shocked as he was.
The lyrics were an unmistakable snipe directed at me.
While everyone else was lost in shock and admiration, only Kang Yi-chae wore a faint, knowing smirk.
When the music ended, Seong Ji-won was the first to clap.
“When did you… think of this? You shouldn’t have had time to work on it.”
“Hmm, over the last ten days?”
“…For ten days?”
The fox-like bastard turned his gaze toward me. Then, he narrowed his eyes into a thin, sly crescent.
“I had plenty of time, after all.”
So you’re going to make it obvious like this, huh?
I pretended not to hear him and turned to Kim Seong-hyeon.
“Kim Seong-hyeon, can we take this to the next meeting?”
“We absolutely have to.”
Kim Seong-hyeon, who was savoring the melody from the beginning again, spoke up.
“……This must be included in the album. The timeline is a bit tight, but I think we can manage if we record it quickly.”
“Right. Yi-chae made such a cool song; we have to push for it strongly.”
While discussing how to pitch it to the company with Seong Ji-won, Kim Seong-hyeon reached out and ruffled Kang Yi-chae’s hair.
“Good job, Kang Yi-chae.”
Kang Yi-chae’s eyes widened for a moment before he smoothed down his messy hair and gave a silly, beaming grin.
Just then,
“…I can’t take it.”
“Huh?”
Jeong Da-jun, who had been biting his lip and repeatedly hitting the spacebar to replay the track, suddenly stood up.
“I’m going to practice!! I can’t lose to Yang A-chae!”
He certainly had plenty of energy. His booming voice made my ears ring. At the word ‘practice,’ Seong Ji-won reflexively smiled.
“Da-jun, shall we go practice right now then?”
“Yes! I’m going to break the ‘Practice Machine’ today!!”
“What? Hahaha!”
The Practice Machine himself, Seong Ji-won, let out a rare loud laugh as he stood up to follow Jeong Da-jun. He then turned to me.
“Ho-yun, do you want to come along?”
“No, I have to head to the broadcasting station in a bit.”
“Ah, right. You said you were filming for that trainee survival program, right?”
I gave a brief nod.
Survival programs were still being churned out regularly. I had been scheduled to appear as a guest on this one months ago.
“I don’t want to go…”
“Huh? What’s gotten into our Ho-yun?”
I avoided Seong Ji-won’s puzzled look by unwrapping another candy and popping it into my mouth.
*
No, seriously. Is she the only PD in the world who handles survival programs?
“Oh my, look who it is~!”
I really didn't understand why we ran into each other so often.
Yeah, Hee-yeong. Hello.
When I bowed politely, Kim Hee-yeong waved it off, asking why I was being so formal all of a sudden.
“Thank you for coming to visit me in the hospital.”
“Are you feeling better? If it wasn't for Ju Woo-seong, I wouldn't have even known you were sick, seriously.”
“Haha, well, Woo-seong hyung is quite attentive about those things.”
Late that night on the day I woke up, Ju Woo-seong had come to the hospital and nagged me relentlessly. It was as if he had come specifically for that purpose.
Nevertheless, as the elder, I tried to be understanding with a heart as wide as the sea and be kind to him.
“It’s nice to see you two are still so close. Oh, come to think of it, Ju Woo-seong said you’ve been a bit strange lately. That you’re being too kind…”
That son of a bitch, Ju Woo-seong…
Just then, a staff member who had been looking for an opening to intervene spoke up cautiously.
“…Um, PD-nim, about this……”
“Ah, one moment.”
Even after that, Kim Hee-yeong was interrupted several times by questions from various staff members.
“Are you the Main PD for this?”
“No. It’s been a while since I’ve been the Main PD after Shining Star Season 2 ended.”
“Ah, really?”
“I’m sick of it. I keep wondering what I’m doing with these kids. I’m seriously considering transferring to the Culture Department. At least they follow the KCSC guidelines properly over there.”
Yeah, right.
She was someone who would be buried in the Entertainment Bureau even after she died.
Kim Hee-yeong prattled on about how someone she knew worked there and their work-life balance didn't seem too bad, and how she wanted to edit nature documentaries, before smacking her lips.
“Actually, I’m not much different. Sigh, I guess I just have to conform to reality.”
“Conform? Sunbae… you just had a showdown with the Bureau Chief last week.”
“……Why would you say that in front of the cast? How embarrassing.”
The staff member, who had muttered that in disbelief without thinking, quickly covered their mouth as if realizing their mistake. Kim Hee-yeong looked embarrassed and nudged the staff member’s back, telling them to get going.
I let out a small smirk at the sight.
“Did you know the trainees are covering a song by The Dawn for this mission? You guys are total superstars now~. It really brings back memories. Anyway, I’m sorry I can’t chat longer even though you came all this way as a guest. Let’s talk properly next time.”
“It’s fine, you should get back to work. See you later.”
Hearing my answer, Kim Hee-yeong looked pleased, gave a light wave, and left.
As soon as she did, the trainees who had been stealing glances at me since I entered the set approached.
“Sunbae-nim, hello!”
“Hello!”
“Yes, nice to meet you.”
I moved along, responding to the endless stream of greetings like an automated reflex.
“Seo Ho-yun sunbae-nim, hello. I’m Han Yeong-jin!”
“Yes, good luck today.”
I tried to pass by, but a strong grip caught my arm.
“Ahhh, sunbae-nim. Just a moment.”
When I turned my head to look, the trainee named Han Yeong-jin flinched for a split second before quickly flashing a bright smile.
Look at this guy.
He reeked of being a handful.
“I always make sure to watch your performances. Ahaha, I’m so nervous I can’t speak properly…. Thank you for coming today!”
Every word and every action dripped with natural pretension.
I knew this type at a glance.
The type to smile to your face and stab you in the back.
Wondering what his angle was for acting so chummy, I crossed my arms and looked down at him.
“If it’s okay with you, sunbae-nim, could we talk for a bit—”
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi.”
At that moment, a familiar voice called out.
Turning around, I saw a man with a neat, clean-cut appearance standing there. He had a look on his face that suggested he wasn't quite sure how to treat me.
“It’s been a while.”
It was the arrival of today’s other "background" guest.
I equipped my business smile.
“Yeon-hu sunbae-nim, hello.”
Kang Yeon-hu let out a short sigh, walked over slowly, and gave a curt nod to Han Yeong-jin.
“I have something to say to Seo Ho-yun-ssi…”
“…Ah, yes!”
Despite the polite expression, the coldness in his voice made Han Yeong-jin take a step back.
Seeing that, Kang Yeon-hu gestured to me and started walking ahead. I matched his pace and asked, “So, what did you want to say?”
“Before that. Are you feeling okay?”
“It was just a cold.”
“They only call it a cold to keep it quiet; everyone who needs to know knows.”
Entering the waiting room assigned to the guests, Kang Yeon-hu sat on the sofa and let out a sigh.
“That trainee who was talking to you just now—I know him through some acquaintances. It’s best not to get too close to him.”
“Why?”
“He’s fake and calculating. He’s also reckless and has a very loose tongue.”
“Did you hear him badmouthing someone?”
“Yeah. You, for one.”
“What did he say?”
Kang Yeon-hu, who seemed uncomfortable even mentioning it, rubbed his chin and asked back, “Do you really have to hear it?”
“Yes.”
“…Just things like, how did The Dawn even get into WH, they’re just lucky, their rise to fame is too fast compared to their talent… stuff like that.”
“Sounds like you’re filtering it.”
As if he didn't want to mention it further, Kang Yeon-hu shrugged.
“So just don't get involved and caught up in weird rumors. The Dawn is doing well these days, after all.”
Knowing well that Kang Yeon-hu wasn't the type to make things up, I simply nodded instead of prying further.
As the room fell silent, Kang Yeon-hu stole glances at me before scratching the back of his head and speaking up again.
“I suppose this is all proof of your popularity. It means you’ve really made it, Seo Ho-yun-ssi.”
I was just staying quiet because I had nothing more to say, but Kang Yeon-hu seemed to think I was upset and was spiraling in an odd direction on his own.
“This industry gauges hierarchies based on awareness. It’s not necessarily a bad thing that juniors are paying attention and seniors are on guard. It’s all because they’re interested.”
“Are you on guard against me too, Yeon-hu sunbae-nim?”
“…….”
He blinked for a moment, then avoided my gaze and rubbed his cheek.
“…It would be a lie to say I’m not.”
I stared intently at Kang Yeon-hu.
He was quite sharp and quick-witted, but unfortunately, he was far too soft-hearted.
“To be honest, I am. But don't misunderstand. I have no intention of playing dirty behind your back…”
I let out a smirk as I listened to his flustered excuses.
I think I finally understood why Chae Jeong-woo doted on him so much.
“I get it. I get it. So Yeon-hu-ssi is just hungry for my attention.”
“…No, how did it turn into that?”
“You shouldn't make it so obvious.”
“When did I make it obvious?!”
“Ah, so you do want my attention?”
“Hey!!”
As I grinned at Kang Yeon-hu, who had jumped to his feet and shouted, his ears turned a deep shade of red as he realized he had been played.