Chapter 370
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 370
[Ugh, Seo Ho-yun, seriously... fuck...
Seong Ji-won’s face is insane...]
[Why do they suddenly get all melancholic and handsome the moment they go to Japan?
└ That’s the golden rule of idols...
They only become truly beautiful the moment they leave my side...
└└ They’re coming back in a few weeks, though...
└└ ‘Repatriation of National Treasures’]
It was the second day since The Dawn arrived in Japan.
【THE DAWN - Our Brilliant Dawn MV (Japanese ver.)】
As if sensing the fandom was about to lose its collective mind and spiral out of control, the Japanese music video for "Our Brilliant Dawn" was released at the perfect moment.
[Kaaaah! It’s here!!!!]
[Our Dawn! Our Dawn! Our Dawn! Our Dawn! Whisper your faith to me just like you promised, can you hold me, embrace me passionately!!!!!]
[The start of this year’s legendary triple crown... Our Dawn...]
[They actually filmed a new MV for the Japanese version? I thought they’d just reuse the old one lol]
[I really wanted to see 'Our Dawn' with black-haired Seo Ho-yun. Thank you... thank you... thank you...]
Back when The Dawn was promoting "Our Brilliant Dawn" in Korea, Seo Ho-yun had abandoned his signature black hair for a striking transformation: an ash-gray silver with faint purple tips. While that look had been legendary in its own right, the fans were beyond satisfied to see him back with blue-tinted black hair, creating another visual record for the ages.
[Ugh, I’m so full...]
[That was a feast.]
It was right around the time the fans—having watched, rewatched, analyzed, and practically lived in the "Our Brilliant Dawn" music video until they had the Japanese lyrics memorized—were starting to look for something new.
【[SPECIAL] THE DAWN - ‘Superhero’ Band Live Session】
[Oh, shit.]
Without any warning, a live session video for "Superhero," one of their B-side tracks, was uploaded to The Dawn’s official Nutube channel.
[What is this? Wait, what, what is this?!]
[Are they crazy?!!!!!!!!]
[A band session for a Japanese B-side?!?!?!]
The moment the play button was clicked, the screen showed a building rooftop set against a deep red sunset.
[Ah, that familiar sky... They must have filmed this in Seoul beforehand. I guess they didn't have time in Japan...!!]
[Wait, isn't that the WH rooftop?
└ LOL, how do you even recognize that? XDDDD
└└ My years as a WH stan are showing, oops.]
Jeong Da-jun, wearing a loose hoodie over light-colored jeans, twirled a drumstick once and struck the cymbals, signaling the start of the song.
[Ugh, I’m already drooling.]
[The vibes from the intro alone are insane, seriously.]
Next came the sound of the electric piano following the movement of Seong Ji-won’s fingers, then the melodies of Kim Seong-hyeon’s and Kang Yi-chae’s electric guitars rang out. Between them, Seo Ho-yun’s bass notes carved their way in.
【Just meeting your eyes makes me tremble
I end up stuttering like a fool】
Zing—. Kim Seong-hyeon, having plucked a long note on his electric guitar, grabbed the standing mic and opened the song with his low, hushed voice.
【Even though my hands are shaking, I want to keep holding yours
Even if we aren't meant to be in this moment
Can you promise again?
That we can make our dreams come true again】
The song, which started with a melancholic atmosphere, shifted 180 degrees into a bright, hopeful melody as it transitioned to Jeong Da-jun’s part.
【Because I can find you
Among the countless people at the crossroads
Because I can discover you!】
In the brief moment it felt like your eyes met with Jeong Da-jun’s as he passionately played the drums, the corners of his mouth curled up. He tossed the stick into the air, snatched it back, and pointed it toward the camera.
【Eyes LOCK ON!】
The synthesizer filled the song with a rich sound, following Seong Ji-won’s head as he bobbed to the beat.
Behind The Dawn, the setting sun scattered its traces across the sky as it dipped below the horizon.
Seeing Seong Ji-won with the red light reflecting on his cheeks, Seo Ho-yun let out a faint smile and began to sing.
【I want to be your superhero
I don’t mind wandering unknown paths to find you
I want to be your superhero
For you, the ordinary me
Becomes a hero who can do anything
I want to be a superhero】
As the chorus ended, Kang Yi-chae’s solo electric guitar performance followed.
Ziiiiiing—.
After showcasing his dazzling fingerwork, Kang Yi-chae tossed his electric guitar aside and snatched the microphone from Seo Ho-yun.
【Don't tell me my effort wasn't enough
Or that the timing was just bad】
Kang Yi-chae flashed a playful expression at Seo Ho-yun, who was staring at him in disbelief, and continued his rap while making a finger heart.
【Don't say those words that hurt just to hear
It’s better not to utter uncertain words
I can overcome this condition, this situation, everything
I want to be your superhero】
Kim Seong-hyeon burst into a pleasant laugh at the sight of the two.
【It’s too early to say a refreshing goodbye】
Seong Ji-won’s clear, refreshing voice soared high above the bright piano notes.
【I want to be your superhero
I don’t mind wandering unknown paths to find you
I want to be your superhero
For you, the ordinary me
Becomes a hero who can do anything
I want to be a superhero】
The moment Seo Ho-yun’s slightly rough yet clean mid-to-low tones followed, creating a harmonious chord—
【The dream we drew behind the stage】
The camera transitioned, circling around The Dawn in the center.
This time, Kim Seong-hyeon’s electric guitar took the lead, driving the performance.
【Your colors that dyed the colorless me】
The drumsticks, sparkling in the sunset, rose and fell. Simultaneously, Jeong Da-jun’s head thrashed to the rhythm.
Seong Ji-won’s hands moved rapidly across the keys, and Kang Yi-chae, who had slung his electric guitar back over his shoulder, quickly pressed down on the chords.
【Melting into the sunset, lighting up my world】
A bead of sweat hanging from the tip of Seo Ho-yun’s chin fell onto his fiercely vibrating bass. Finally, Kim Seong-hyeon’s pick struck the guitar strings with a powerful downstroke.
【You know what I will say….】
For a split second, it was as if all sound had vanished from the world. Kim Seong-hyeon’s lips curled up, deep dimples carving into his cheeks.
【I will be your superhero!】
.
.
.
"It hurts."
As soon as we set foot in Japan, we had to jump straight into live practice for "Superhero." And only after finishing the live broadcast filming at 7:00 AM this morning was I finally given a bit of time to rest.
Seong Ji-won and Kang Yi-chae, who seemed to be hitting it off over their instruments, were still making noise in another room, and Jeong Da-jun had stepped out for a moment to go to the convenience store.
I lay back on the sofa and examined my hands, which were covered in blisters that had popped and swollen red. Perhaps because it had been a while since I’d picked up the bass, there were even spots where blood had welled up.
"Hey, Seo Ho-yun, is your hand still bad?"
Kim Seong-hyeon poked his head through the cracked door and asked, tossing a towel. I didn't answer and just caught the towel.
"Want me to find some bandages? But will that be enough? Want to go to the hospital?"
"Don't be dramatic. This is nothing."
The idea to perform the B-side as a live band had also been Lee Ji-hyeon’s suggestion.
She argued that since we had tried the American high school band concept, we should also try to portray a band that captured the essence of Japanese youth.
As a result, the members of The Dawn, who hadn't touched instruments in quite a while, were forced to practice relentlessly within a tight one-week deadline.
It probably wasn't that difficult for Kang Yi-chae, who knew how to handle most instruments, or Seong Ji-won, who was as skilled as a professional on the piano.
<K-pop idols entering the archipelago like this>
<Is this live performance even possible at 7 AM?>
<Look at the calluses on Kim Seong-hyeon’s hands in the close-up, you can tell how much he practiced T_T>
Regardless, seeing the positive reactions made the hardship feel worth it.
[Wow, I don't know much about the instruments, but the live vocals absolutely slay lol. Look at the panels' faces changing, they clearly weren't expecting this.]
[Is this a song you can even sing at 7 in the morning?... They're idols, but they must have practiced like crazy.]
[The red-haired guy here is insane... He’s so good at the electric guitar;;;]
[I’m just someone who plays electric guitar as a hobby passing by.
I’ll just keep passing by.]
After checking the Nutube comments and moving over to social media, I found it was filled with nothing but praise there as well.
[I thought Jeong Da-jun was just pretending to play drums two years ago, but look at him now... T_T]
[Kang Yi-chae is soooooo good at the electric guitar... You can tell the others are still a bit inexperienced, but Kang Yi-chae and Seong Ji-won are on another level... Insane, they killed it.]
[Suddenly I’m so jealous of the Japanese sunset... Fuck... Give us a Japanese-vibe band live in Korea too...]
[I want to coolly say, 'They captured the vibe well...~^^' but damn it, I can't.]
[Give us back our Dawn.
Come back to Korea right now.]
I turned off my phone and tossed the towel onto the floor. I kicked Kim Seong-hyeon, who was rummaging through a suitcase despite me saying I was fine, and asked, "Hey, have you talked to Jeong Da-jun lately?"
"Jeong Da-jun? What, because of Mr. Jeong Won-ha?"
This is why talking to quick-witted guys is easy.
I quirked an eyebrow, and Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been peeking at me, tilted his head slightly.
"I don't know, he hasn't said much to me."
"Hmm..."
"Oh, one thing that was a bit weird... After that whole issue, I heard Da-jun got a warning from the manager too, so I went to check if he was okay."
"Yeah."
"But he was fine. I mean, not that being fine is weird. But he was muttering to himself... something about how he’s starting to be afraid of himself now..."
What kind of 'Dark Flame Dragon in my right hand' chuunibyou nonsense was that?
No matter how I looked at it, something was suspicious.
Even if he had toughened up and grown, his core was still Jeong Da-jun. If he had been scolded by the manager, it would be normal for him to run to the members and whine for hours about how he had held back and stayed still, only to be treated unfairly.
He’s definitely hiding something.
I was contemplating how to handle it, thinking it wouldn't be a major problem even if I left it alone, when—
"I'm back!"
Jeong Da-jun’s energetic voice rang out.
I craned my neck to look outside and saw him walking in with his arms full of bags stuffed with snacks.
"Ho-yun hyung, do you want some of this? I tried a bit on the way back, and it’s so sweet it almost stings your tongue! It’s totally your kind of flavor!"
He dumped the bags on the table, pulled out a small box, and suddenly thrust it toward me. When I just stared at it, he made a motion as if he were going to swallow it whole without even unwrapping it, saying he’d eat it himself if I didn't hurry.
I sat up straight and called out to him. "Maknae."
I patted the seat next to me, and Jeong Da-jun stopped talking.
Suddenly, Kim Seong-hyeon started coughing loudly while signaling to Da-jun with his eyes.
"Ahem, ahem! Jeong Da-jun! Didn't you say you had to call your parents?"
"Ah, ah! Yes! That... that’s right! I did!"
Nice try.
"It’s still way too early for lunch. Call them later."
"..."
"..."
"So, what did you say was delicious?"
I intentionally put on an even more gentle smile. Jeong Da-jun looked at Kim Seong-hyeon with a desperate 'save me' expression, but Seong-hyeon just shook his head as if it were already too late.
Observing every detail, I took the box from Da-jun’s hand.
"Our maknae bought food just for his hyung. I’m truly touched."
I opened it to find pudding inside. Using the tiny spoon that came with it, I scooped up a large portion and held it up in the air.
"Bangbang-i, you said you were going to go 'ahhh,' didn't you?"
I presented it to his mouth, but Jeong Da-jun didn't budge.
I let my smile drop and hardened my face into a cold expression.
"You're not doing it?"
"...A-Ahhh!!"
Despite trembling, he eventually opened his mouth and took the food. After feeding him a few more times, I shoved the spoon into his mouth and stood up.
"...There’s still time before the next schedule, right? I’m going to go rest."
"Y-yeah, go ahead. Right, go."
Kim Seong-hyeon, his face pale, hurriedly pushed my back as if afraid the sparks might fly toward him. As I walked away slowly, I heard their hushed whispering.
"Is the inside of your cheek okay? Da-jun, did you do something wrong to Seo Ho-yun? Why is he being so cranky? He was practically stabbing you with that spoon..."
"Uuuugh, it hurts here..."
I left them behind and entered an empty room.
I think I’ve got the gist of it now.
Poking at Jeong Da-jun confirmed it.
Based on my experience, he was the type who should have been recoiling and asking what my ulterior motive was if I treated him well. For him to be acting this submissive—like a puppy that had made a mess of the house and was now rolling its eyes and watching my every move—meant he had 100% done something wrong.
It takes two to tango, which meant Jeong Won-ha wasn't the only one who had provoked the situation.
Whatever. It’s fine, I can understand that, but...
I just didn't know why he was lying about it.
I flopped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling, letting out a chuckle as I thought of the anxious Jeong Da-jun.
"So you've grown up a bit, huh?"
Fine, let’s see how far you take this.