Chapter 325
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 325
When I refused to leave the management team’s office, insisting I’d stay until she gave her permission, Jeong Seon-ui raised the white flag much sooner than expected—likely because she wanted me out of her sight as quickly as possible.
Well, having observed The Dawn’s skills over the past few months, she probably judged that it wasn't a bad proposition. It was a new challenge worth taking, even with a bit of risk.
[The Dawn’s handheld mic game is insane;;;;]
During the first week of their comeback, The Dawn used handheld microphones for every single music show. For WH Entertainment, this was a highly unusual decision.
[LOL, hey Seo Ho-yun, why do you keep changing the lyrics on music shows?]
[Who is he even targeting with this?
Is it a diss toward Jeong Da-jun, or is he coming for the live-vocal purists?
└ No one even thinks it’s a mistake lol
└└ As if our Bunny would ever mess up his lyrics lol. The kid is a genius.]
The reaction to my intentional lyric swaps wasn't bad either.
[The Dawn’s vocal volume is booming, their projection is crazy.
└ Did you see the rehearsal?? Haa... fuck, they could just get away with being handsome... but they’re actually talented too... I’m tearing up.
└└ Lmao, look at that tone... It’s so cute how they’re bouncing around all excited after hearing the fans cheer.]
[I thought they wouldn't be able to sing much since they promised to eat ice cream as a first-place pledge... How are they still this good? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Guys, congrats so much on the win! ㅠㅠㅠ I’m so proud of how you stay true to your roots and work hard until the end ♡♡]
[The Dawn is getting bashed everywhere lately... but how can you not love a boy group that swallows the CD whole from the first note to the last?]
[The live is better than the recording???? I’m shook.]
The encore performances were also well-received.
[Oh my god, my boys are going on that notorious radio show. Fuck ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ WH always avoided this place because they make everyone sing live... The Dawn is the real deal ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[The real-time harmonies are insane... They don't even look tired after singing for an hour straight.]
[All you bastards talking about post-processing, come out right now~~~~!!!!]
While talented idols appeared occasionally, The Dawn even guest-starred on a radio show that WH Entertainment had strictly forbidden its artists from attending.
All of this happened within just one week of the comeback.
"—Well, the negative public sentiment comparing them to the trainees has completely vanished. There are some comments wondering if there’s a power struggle going on... but the prevailing opinion is that it’s great to see a group work this hard even after reaching a certain level of success."
"What about the talent controversy?"
"It’s died down. If anything, it’s turned into a positive for the public. Doing everything live seems to have really paid off. Short clips have been going viral on social media, too. We have a live performance of the title track's arrangement scheduled in a few days, so that should drive the final nail in the coffin."
Lee Ji-hyeon kept her finger on the tablet, scrolling through the screen as she pushed up her glasses.
Not only had they comfortably secured the number one spot, but album sales were skyrocketing exponentially with every release. Despite suffering through overtime for the past few days, every employee on The Dawn’s dedicated team was beaming.
"Ha... honestly, I feel full just looking at Seo Ho-yun’s face... never mind."
"You’re probably full because of the bonus, not me."
"Ugh, you caught me."
I watched blankly as Lee Ji-hyeon slapped her own cheeks to regain her composure. I was used to this; my subordinates back in my PD days used to do the same thing.
"Ahem, anyway. They say a true star drives both the haters and the fans crazy... Now that we’ve cleared one hurdle, rumors of a feud are popping up."
"A feud? Between who?"
I asked while leaning back in my chair, checking a text. It was from Seong Ji-won, asking to head back to the dorm together.
"Between Kang Yi-chae and Seo Ho-yun."
I stopped typing my reply and looked up.
"People will say anything, won't they? Where else would you find a group as close-knit as The Dawn?!"
I hit send and silently listened to Lee Ji-hyeon’s grumbling.
Did it show, or did they just get lucky?
To be honest, it was true that I had been avoiding being alone with Kang Yi-chae. However, I had never let it show in front of the cameras and had been careful in many ways.
As I was retracing my steps to see where the problem might have started, I heard Lee Ji-hyeon’s voice tremble slightly.
"......Wait, what? Why are you avoiding eye contact? Don't tell me..."
"......"
"...No. Whether you actually fought or not isn't the important part. I don't even need to know the details."
Lee Ji-hyeon set the tablet down, her expression uncharacteristically sharp.
"Whatever it is, please resolve it promptly and amicably! You know how sensitive fans are about these things, right?"
"Yeah, yeah."
I gave a half-hearted answer and crossed my right leg.
It’s not something I can resolve just because I want to.
At this point, I wouldn't even be surprised if Kang Yi-chae threw a fit and tried to sabotage our promotions. He’d shown signs of that every time I got sick.
I didn't want to unnecessarily provoke the guy while he was quietly following the schedule and smiling for the fans.
Still, on the other hand, I figured he might cooperate with me unless he intended to ruin everything.
"I’ll try to make things look good during the self-produced content shoot tomorrow."
"I am begging you! Seriously! Please!"
I waved off Lee Ji-hyeon as she emphasized her point repeatedly and stood up from my chair.
"Yeah, yeah. I’ll be going now."
However, Lee Ji-hyeon suddenly blocked my path and fired off another question.
"Wait! Just one more thing! Since we’re on the subject, is it true that Kang Yi-chae is leaving the dorm?"
"...The dorm?"
"Oh... is it not? I thought it was just a blind item, but I’ve been hearing it not just online, but within the company too..."
"Kang Yi-chae is leaving the dorm?"
When I took a step closer and questioned her, Lee Ji-hyeon flinched and backed away.
"...You really didn't know?"
"......"
"Don't just stare at me like that, it’s scary!"
Her eyes darting around, Lee Ji-hyeon gathered her tablet and some documents and scurried toward the door.
"Anyway! I have another meeting! Good luck with the content shoot tomorrow!!"
I watched her flee before stepping out into the hallway myself.
"Ho-yun, hel— Wow, the weather is nice."
"Seo Ho— Cough, cough! I think I’m coming down with a cold. My throat is so scratchy."
I bit the inside of my cheek as I walked. Staff members who were about to greet me warmly trailed off and hurried past.
"Ho-yun!"
But Seong Ji-won approached me with his usual beaming face.
"Did something happen? Why do you look so grumpy?"
"Seong Ji-won. Have you heard anything about Kang Yi-chae leaving the dorm?"
"Huh? Uh..."
Uncharacteristically, Seong Ji-won looked flustered.
"Ah... that’s probably just a rumor. I only heard it in passing, but apparently, fans found out Yi-chae owns several properties, so they’re speculating that he might be moving out of the dorm."
"That’s going around?"
"Yeah. It’s probably just a rumor. ...Maybe."
Oh, really?
I narrowed my eyes at his uncertain answer. I decided it would be faster to check for myself and turned around, but he grabbed my arm.
"Ho-yun, wait! Seong-hyeon already went to check."
"Kim Seong-hyeon?"
"Yeah. I trust Seong-hyeon to tell us if it’s something we need to know. So let’s just calm down and wait for now."
The corners of Seong Ji-won’s smiling mouth dipped slightly for a moment.
"Though Seong-hyeon did look a bit terrified..."
"......"
I had plenty to say, but I held it in and let Seong Ji-won lead me away.
*
About an hour before Seo Ho-yun and Seong Ji-won met.
Kim Seong-hyeon was alone in Kang Yi-chae’s studio, pacing back and forth.
Why am I so nervous?
In truth, Kim Seong-hyeon had no intention of getting directly involved in something like feud rumors. He believed time would solve everything.
However, once the rumors about Kang Yi-chae leaving the dorm started circulating, he began to worry that something might actually be wrong.
Thus, Kim Seong-hyeon had decided to approach Kang Yi-chae first.
"But won't he hate it if I ask?"
"Why? Yi-chae will probably give you a straight answer."
"You think? I’m a bit scared of his reaction..."
When he had tentatively shared his thoughts with Seong Ji-won—the person he relied on most since their trainee days at Daepasung—Ji-won had given him a troubled smile.
"Well, I understand why you feel that way... but Seong-hyeon, let’s try not to act scared or anything in front of Yi-chae."
"......"
"You know Yi-chae is a rare, good guy. If you talk to him, he’ll listen seriously."
Kim Seong-hyeon was well aware of that.
It was just that understanding it and actually accepting it were two different matters.
He couldn't keep his body still from anxiety, and just as he was about to start tearing his hair out after pacing every corner of the room—
"Huh? Seong-hyeon Hyung, what are you doing here?"
Kang Yi-chae, who was walking into the studio, looked surprised to see him.
Seong-hyeon had been agonizing over how to start the conversation, but he had no talent for beating around the bush.
"Kang Yi-chae."
"Yeah?"
So, he decided to throw a direct hit.
"Are you leaving the dorm?"
The sound of rustling plastic stopped.
"No?"
Kang Yi-chae, who had been sitting on the sofa picking out a candy, looked up.
"Who told you that?"
"No, it’s just... there are rumors."
"I have no intention of leaving."
Kang Yi-chae raised one eyebrow and popped a candy into his mouth. Seeing the sharp-looking guy suddenly turn serious made Kim Seong-hyeon feel unnecessarily tense.
"Did this come up with the feud rumors?"
He was spot on.
Look at those instincts...
Since he wasn't good at lying either, Kim Seong-hyeon countered with a question.
"...Did something happen between you and Seo Ho-yun?"
"Nothing."
As if.
Not after he’d been radiating such a hostile aura.
"Well... you seem to be in a bad mood whenever you’re with Seo Ho-yun, so I was worried. ...I think the fans can feel it, too."
"Ah..."
Kang Yi-chae, who had been listening quietly despite his fierce expression, ran a hand through his hair and let out a deep sigh.
"I get it. I’ll be careful not to let it show to the fans."
"......"
"And I’m staying in the dorm, so don't worry."
"...Okay."
"Are we done? I’d like to get back to work."
It was the classic treatment for an uninvited guest.
This isn't how this was supposed to go.
Kang Yi-chae calmly turned away and opened his laptop. Seong-hyeon felt like if he left now, he’d only leave behind a misunderstanding.
"No, no. Kang Yi-chae."
"What now?"
"I’m sorry. I think I said it wrong. I didn't come here to scold you. I actually..."
Looking at the expressionless guy was even more nerve-wracking than looking at him when he was scowling.
"......Listen carefully. I..."
Kim Seong-hyeon took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut.
"...I want The Dawn to be your home and your sanctuary!!!"
He finally blurted out what he had been keeping in his heart.
Kim Seong-hyeon knew.
If the other members heard this, they would burst out laughing or tease him relentlessly.
Kang Yi-chae would probably be no different.
But the words themselves were sincere.
"...A sanctuary?"
A stunned Kang Yi-chae asked back.
"No, wait! I mean, I got the order wrong!"
Kim Seong-hyeon rubbed his face with both hands and hurriedly followed up.
"L-laugh after you hear me out. You’ve seemed uncomfortable lately, so I’ve been thinking a lot. You never call your family, no matter what happens. You don't even go home on days off or holidays. So... I wondered if maybe you found it awkward to go home. Ah, damn it, I’m rambling."
"......"
"Anyway, what I want to say is that I hope The Dawn can play that role for you, even just a little. Calling each other family when we’re just strangers might sound like a business line or something childish, but..."
This was what he absolutely wanted to convey to Kang Yi-chae today.
"I want this place... being by our side, to be a place you can always come back to and feel at ease."
He didn't regret saying it, but he felt embarrassed, forcing the words out with a face that was red all the way to his neck.
He felt like he had failed miserably.
Now Kang Yi-chae is going to laugh.
What would he say?
Since Yi-chae had been teasing him a lot lately, he could easily imagine the scene that would follow.
He’d say something like, 'A sanctuary? Then am I a sheep and you’re the shepherd?' or 'Our leader is a quote machine! You should publish a book.'
Seong-hyeon braced himself, determined not to be surprised by whatever came out of Yi-chae's mouth.
But strangely, there was no reaction.
"......"
Kang Yi-chae, who had been sitting in silence with his head bowed, fiddled with his ear before finally mumbling a long time later.
"...Okay."
"......"
"Thanks, Hyung."
While Kim Seong-hyeon just blinked, a hesitant Kang Yi-chae slipped out of the studio.
For some reason, he looked a little happy as he walked away.
Kim Seong-hyeon stared at the quietly closed door. Seong Ji-won’s words echoed in his head.
"He really did listen seriously..."
*
That night.
Meanwhile, Seo Ho-yun was unable to sleep.
Kang Yi-chae, yeah. Hyung is sorry.
As dawn approached after a sleepless night, he made up his mind.
During tomorrow’s self-produced content shoot, he would employ the "Kang Yi-chae is always right, yes, yes" strategy, using every bit of sweet talk in his arsenal to thoroughly appease the guy.