Chapter 333
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 333
The fact that Ju Woo-seong and Seo Ho-yun were close was already common knowledge among their respective fandoms. However, the problem for the fans was why the two were being sent abroad together when they belonged to different groups.
[Wait, what is even happening right now?]
The fact that it was officially reported in the news meant, in other words, that this was a formal schedule being carried out by WH Entertainment.
Before Noeul and Bloy could even properly grasp how the situation was unfolding, eyewitness accounts began to pour in.
[I saw Ju Woo-seong and Seo Ho-yun at Incheon Airport the day before yesterday!!]
[Title: Omg, I saw Ju Woo-seong and Seo Ho-yun at Honolulu Airport
Are they really bare-faced? They’re so freaking handsome.
Ju_Woo-seong_Seo_Ho-yun_Hawaii_Airport_Shot.jpg
└ Sasaeng behavior, smh lol. Going all the way to Hawaii.
└└ What sasaeng behavior? I live here. What am I supposed to do if Ju Woo-seong walks past me? ㅗ I usually only stan girl groups anyway.]
[Title: Ju Woo-seong and Seo Ho-yun just came to a surf shop
I’m a Korean student studying in Hawaii, and Ju Woo-seong and Seo Ho-yun came to the surf shop where I work part-time.
They were wearing straw hats and looked totally relaxed, just enjoying themselves.
I saw staff with them, so I think they’re filming something?
└ Wait, for real?
└ Omg, does Ho-yun like surfing? That’s unexpected.
└└ No, Ju Woo-seong was doing it and Seo Ho-yun was just watching.]
Even people with absolutely no interest in idols knew who Black Call’s Ju Woo-seong was. Seo Ho-yun also had a decent level of public recognition thanks to his frequent appearances on variety shows.
The reactions that started trickling in quickly grew into a massive blaze, taking over various social media platforms and online communities.
[What’s going on... those two are really popular.]
Naturally, people began to pay attention to why they had headed to Hawaii in the first place.
[But why would they go to Hawaii together??]
[Are they filming a travel show or something? But if they were, shouldn't they be paired with their own members? Why with another group... lololol...]
[Could it be a commercial shoot?]
[Do you think Black Call would be crazy enough to film with another idol?
└ Why not? lol. Just looking at the buzz right now, that combo’s public recognition isn't bad at all.
└└ True. They’re one of the most well-known best friends in the industry. lol.
└└ Huh? Since when?
└└ https://www.nutube.com/watch?v=KStar1net_wor&k
Here lol.]
The link posted in the comments was a short Nutube clip from a show that ranked celebrities based on various topics like education or wealth.
The relevant episode was about celebrity friendships.
【…And 2nd place is—!! None other than Ju Woo-seong and Seo Ho-yun!
Ju Woo-seong of Black Call and Seo Ho-yun of The Dawn have been close since they were neighborhood brothers. They went on to become senior and junior in the same industry, and even now, sightings of them at various Korean restaurants continue to surface, proving their consistent friendship!
We hope that friendship never changes and lasts for a long, long time~!】
In the middle, a panelist’s comment was added: “I heard they’re mostly spotted at kimchi fried rice and gukbap places. It seems their friendship is as hearty and genuine as the soup they eat.”
[What does kimchi fried rice and gukbap have to do with a friendship being genuine...]
However, no one actually knew exactly when Seo Ho-yun and Ju Woo-seong became close, how they met, or why they were still on such good terms.
[But there’s seriously so little info. They said Ju-seong and Ho-yunie were neighborhood friends, so was it kindergarten? Elementary school? Middle school? High school? Shouldn't they tell us every single second of it?
└ That’s 100% a lie.
└└ Why?
└└ They’ve never lived in the same area. lol. Plus, when they did that content reading TreeWiki on Yoo Ji-ah’s Yoo-ja-yoo-ja, Seo Ho-yun couldn't come up with a single anecdote about being neighborhood friends with Ju-seong.]
Seo Ho-yun, who usually spat out answers to any question about Ju Woo-seong in 0.1 seconds like an automated machine, would only keep his mouth shut and smile whenever his childhood was mentioned. This led some to become even more suspicious.
[Well... as long as Woo-seong is happy, I’m okay with it.]
[It’s not like they met at a club or were hanging out with girls. It’s fine. They look so wholesome when they hang out.]
[He seems to be on good terms with his members lately too... and Seo Ho-yun himself seems to carry himself well, so it’s not that bad... lol... It’s just a bit weird since he’s from another group...]
As a result, while the Bloys were left stranded amidst scattered information, unable to figure out why they went to Hawaii or why Ju Woo-seong was so close to Seo Ho-yun—
【WH Workshop Reveal! - Ju Woo-seong & Seo Ho-yun ‘Eye Color’ Cover Stage】
A video was uploaded to WH Entertainment’s official Nutube channel.
[What the fuck is this?]
The link migrated to social media like flowing water and spread instantly. Driven by curiosity, the general public, along with Bloys and Noeuls, clicked the link and flocked to Nutube.
【Everywhere you go, people only look at your body, Hoo
I’m sorry, but I don’t remember your eye color】
The video looked like it had been filmed by a WH Entertainment staff member attending the workshop. Screams and cheers erupted from all sides, and the focus was shaking wildly.
[Ah, you crazy bastards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
[Fuck~~~~ fuck... fuck.. fuck~~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
[Oh, Lord...]
It wasn't even the full song; it was a short, one-minute clip cut in the middle. It was filmed mostly as a full-body shot, and hands would occasionally pop in and out, blocking the screen.
Despite that, the view count skyrocketed in an instant.
[Ah, Ju Woo-seong is soooooo freaking good at dancing, fuck lolololol]
[I zoomed in to see if Woo-seong was doing the backup dancer part, and look at him clenching his teeth. The veins are popping out in his jaw lolololol. Hey, how did you even get on stage like that? lolololol]
[I didn't really get why people called Seo Ho-yun a klutz lol, but standing next to Ju Woo-seong, he really is a klutz...]
[Ah, they have so much fun at their workshops, fuck lol.]
It was only natural, as people had seen them work together on variety shows occasionally, but this was the first time they had seen them synchronize their dancing.
[I’m here to pay my respects to that previous post. Yup.]
[Seo Ho-yun’s aura in the beginning and middle was absolutely insane, but when he gave that soft smile while looking at Ju Woo-seong at the end, I thought I was going to ascend...]
[Woo-seong-ah, Woo-seong-ah, Woo-seong-ah. You’re so cute I’m going crazy. You hate this kind of stuff so much, so why are you so good at it?]
[Ju Woo-seong said he’d fry his hand in soy sauce if he ever went out with Seo Ho-yun, and he actually did it. Hahaha. I’m going to go heat up the fire with a happy smile. Hahaha.]
[Ah, please, please, please, please. Since Ju Woo-seong’s workshop video is out this year, please release the stage from his 1st year too. ㅠㅠㅠㅠ I know you have it hidden in the WH hard drive. ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
Terms like ‘Ju Woo-seong Crazy Man’ and ‘1st Year Workshop’ appeared on Twitter’s real-time trends.
Perhaps that was why WH Entertainment, usually famous for not responding to fan reactions, took an unexpected step.
A few hours later, the title of the video was changed.
【WH Workshop Part 1 Reveal! - Ju Woo-seong & Seo Ho-yun ‘Eye Color’ Cover Stage】
The timing of the change, along with the title ‘Part 1,’ was exquisite.
The hearts of the Bloys swelled with the expectation that they might actually get to see that performance, which had only been passed down as a legendary rumor.
[WH has finally found their senses. They’re doing their job well. lol.]
[Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, next, next, next, next, next, next!!!!!]
[There’s no way Ju Woo-seong would have suggested doing a talent show first, so did Seo Ho-yun really ask him to do it?? How on earth???!!??!?!?? Crazy!!!!!!!! Fuck!!!!
└ I’m hitting the head of my past self from a week ago who said, ‘Seo Ho-yun is just... eh...’
Seo... he is our God....
└└ The Dawn... I’m rooting for you.
└└ He is our rabbit...
└└ The comment above is a Noeul, right? lol.
└└ What’s with this infiltration? lol.]
[Since it’s come to this, I hope they have a good trip, whatever they’re doing. ^^ It’s so, so nice to see young, handsome friends hanging out together.
└ The Bloys’ change of heart is insane. lolololol.
└ Woo-seong and Ho-yun, have a safe trip to Hawaii! ^^]
[WH, you crazy bastards!
But!
Ju-seong and Seo Ho-yun’s ‘Eye Color’ is so delicious.
However!
I wish they’d hang out with their own members.
But!
These guys are kind of charming.
But!
A trip with another idol is crossing the line.
However!
I’m looking forward to what they’ll do in Hawaii.
Nevertheless!
What about my other four Black Call babies...
What is actually going on in my heart...?]
There were still negative opinions, but fortunately, the interest of many had shifted to when WH Entertainment would upload the next video.
*
“We’ve received instructions to do additional filming.”
I tilted my straw hat toward the setting sun and looked up at Lee Ji-hyeon.
“Additional filming?”
Surprisingly, Ju Woo-seong acted as if he had expected it, calmly slurping his mango slushie.
“Yes. They said the projected demand is high, so they want us to film a bit more.”
But why?
There was no way each fandom would have liked it.
Since I had come to Hawaii almost by force, I had been reluctantly playing along, eating poke and walking along the beach with Ju Woo-seong. When he was fidgeting and building sandcastles to get enough footage, I really wanted to kick them over dozens of times.
Lee Ji-hyeon, having read my expression, began to explain on her own.
“First of all, the public perceives the relationship between Mr. Ju Woo-seong and Mr. Seo Ho-yun very positively. Even though you’ve appeared together rarely, your chemistry was great on the variety shows you did together.”
“…And?”
“Yes. That’s it. A broadcast PD I know even said he regretted not being the one to plan a travel show for the two of you.”
“What about the fans?”
“It’s my first time seeing a case like this, so it’s a bit fascinating, but the relationship between the fans isn't bad at the moment. Maybe it’s because we uploaded the WH workshop video like I mentioned before, but they seemed a bit uneasy at first, but it doesn't look like a big problem. As you know, what’s important for fans is a constant supply of topics to talk about… I’m a bit worried about the High Five side, though…….”
Lee Ji-hyeon trailed off and shrugged as she looked at Ju Woo-seong and me.
“Anyway, you’re okay with additional filming, right?”
Whether he was displeased that his embarrassing moment from the workshop had been revealed to the world, Ju Woo-seong nodded with a frown. I shifted my gaze from him to Lee Ji-hyeon and spoke.
“Isn't there a schedule for The Dawn’s Hawaii self-produced content right after this? I think we need to check the schedule.”
“Ah, I’ll check with the manager! I believe there’s a day or two of leeway, so it should be fine.”
Only after adding a few more reminders did Lee Ji-hyeon leave.
“WH is doomed, truly doomed. To think they’d eventually release even the workshop video.”
“I heard that 1st-year video will probably be released too.”
“Never! Not until I’m dead and buried!”
“…….”
I kindly picked up some sand and sprinkled it toward his eyes. It was going to be released anyway.
Ju Woo-seong jumped up and poured out curses as he brushed off the sand.
This guy, he’s so sensitive…
I adjusted my straw hat and stood up. Since today’s filming was over anyway, I thought we needed some time apart.
“I’m going back to the hotel first. Get some rest.”
“What are you talking about? We should have a drink today.”
“Do it by yourself.”
“ I don’t want to do it alone.”
“Then go with the staff.”
“I’m shy around strangers.”
Ever since we came to Hawaii—no, to be precise, ever since the workshop ended—he had been unusually sharp and clingy. I stood with one leg slightly bent and crossed my arms.
“Why are you being so clingy?”
“What?”
“You know persistent men aren't popular, right? Let’s keep it professional.”
Ju Woo-seong’s lips immediately curled up.
“Bullshit.”
Taking a step forward, Ju Woo-seong pointed a finger at my chest and shot back.
“Hey, you only act all nice and close and kind in front of the camera, don’t you?”
He took another step closer.
“And honestly, I only went to the workshop because of you.”
Don’t make me laugh.
You probably went because you wanted to create a dark history for me.
However, I didn't voice my thoughts.
He began to pour out his pent-up frustrations.
“You even changed the parts however you wanted! And somehow, I ended up in Hawaii, a place I never intended to visit in my life, filming a vlog?!”
“Ah, I said I was sorry.”
When I roughly apologized and patted his shoulder, he gave me an indignant look and coldly brushed my hand away.
“You’re too fake! Usually, you speak informally to me, but only when other people are around or the camera is rolling do you act all ‘Senior, Senior,’ ‘Hyung, Hyung’! Acting all sweet! The viewers are totally going to be fooled! How is anyone supposed to feel touched or find our vlog fun like this?!”
Did people really need to feel touched or find our vlog fun?
But once again, following the advice Ju Woo-seong himself had given me not long ago, I stayed still for now.
Right, his legendary dark history was already revealed, and another even worse one was about to be, so of course he’d be sensitive about everything.
Just as I was stretching my patience thin like a piece of taffy and listening to his nonsense—
“…Seo Ho-yun, you really don’t know anything about broadcasting!”
The greatest absurdity of the century flew out of Ju Woo-seong’s mouth.
“……What did you say…?”
“…….”
“…I don’t know anything about broadcasting?”
I’m Seo Ho-yun, though…?
When I fixed my gaze on him through the silence, Ju Woo-seong flinched.
“…Why? What? Why?! What now?!!”
“…….”
“Even when I called you a klutz, you cursed but didn't make those eyes. Suddenly, what… You look like you’re about to draw a sword with your eyes right now.”
Ju Woo-seong’s mouth moved tentatively as he gauged my reaction.
“……Did I just make a slip of the tongue?”
You did. A huge one.
“No.”
I deliberately answered a beat late.
“I just thought that you might feel that way, Hyung.”
Sensing something ominous in my sweet voice, Ju Woo-seong’s body stiffened.
“…Why are you talking like that?”
“Pardon? Like what?”
And then, I let a bright smile grace my lips.
“I’ve always been like this, Woo-seong Hyung.”
If he wanted it that badly, I’d have to show him.
What real broadcasting is.