Chapter 395
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 395
After finishing their schedule in Jeju, The Dawn returned to Seoul and was swept up in a whirlwind of preparations for the WH Entertainment concert scheduled for January 1st. Naturally, their regular schedule continued as usual. Time flew by as they frantically juggled everything.
Before they knew it, it was mid-December—the day of the pre-recording for the WH Entertainment concert, which was to be held without an audience.
"Oh, so we can film it as many times as we want?"
"Since there’s no audience, they said it’s possible as long as we don't fall too far behind the schedule."
The Dawn’s waiting room was as boisterous as ever.
As the most junior artists under WH Entertainment, The Dawn had already finished their group recording and returned to the waiting room to chatter away. Only Seo Ho-yun and Kim Seong-hyeon, who still had a special collaboration stage left, moved to change their outfits.
Seo Ho-yun donned tight slacks with slits at the knees and a cropped black jacket over his bare skin that barely reached his chest. As he wrapped the long front panels around his torso and tied them like a sash, Jeong Da-jun made a fuss about him looking cold and began covering him with heat packs.
"Ho-yun hyung, you can't die yet!!"
"Don't talk to me. I need to save my energy..."
"Wow, the collaboration is coming up soon. Don't worry, you'll do great because you practiced so hard! Everyone, fighting~!"
Following Seong Ji-won’s affectionate encouragement, cheers and support from Jeong Da-jun and Kang Yi-chae followed.
However, none of that really reached Kim Seong-hyeon, who was already dressed and sitting on the sofa.
Wearing a flowing black shirt ornately decorated with crystals and slacks draped in jewel chains, Kim Seong-hyeon shook his leg nervously. The faint, busy clinking of the jewelry seemed to echo his anxiety.
The members nearby all guessed how he was feeling, so they didn't say anything out loud and simply watched over him carefully.
But in truth, Kim Seong-hyeon wasn't trembling because he had to perform with a senior he deeply respected.
‘What did Ju Woo-seong sunbae mean by those words...?’
Ever since the day Ju Woo-seong had given him advice, Kim Seong-hyeon had been constantly agonizing over its hidden meaning. For some reason, he couldn't just let it go.
"Seo Ho-yun-ssi, Kim Seong-hyeon-ssi, please come out to stand by."
A staff member’s voice was heard along with a knock.
Receiving another round of energy from Seong Ji-won, Kang Yi-chae, and Jeong Da-jun, they walked down the hallway and onto the stage. There, they saw Ju Woo-seong standing under the bright lights.
"Hello, sunbae-nim."
He was wearing a white organza blouse with elegant ruffles at the neck and sleeves, woven with silver thread, and white slacks with a single grey line running down the side. His outfit gave off a similar vibe to Seo Ho-yun and Kim Seong-hyeon’s, as if they were perfectly coordinated.
"Oh, you're here?"
Even though his senior seemed to be telling them various helpful things, Kim Seong-hyeon couldn't focus at all. As he stood a step back just listening to the conversation, Ju Woo-seong smirked and threw an arm around Seo Ho-yun’s shoulder.
"Our Ho-yun worked so hard. Let's have fun today, okay? Just have fun~."
"......What are you doing?"
Seo Ho-yun shuddered slightly as he shook off Ju Woo-seong’s arm. Even so, Ju Woo-seong seemed to be in a good mood, grinning as he playfully bumped into Kim Seong-hyeon.
"Kim Seong-hyeon, you too. It’s fine, so just do whatever you want."
"I hope you experience and endure a very long, scary, dark, and deep slump. Just like I did."
For a moment, the words Ju Woo-seong had said to him recently flashed through Kim Seong-hyeon’s mind.
"We're starting the shoot soon. Please take your positions."
The staff's instructions came through the in-ears, and soon, the red light on the camera flickered on.
【Flash, Flash, Flash….】
The title of the song for the special collaboration was 'Wit.'
It was a treasured, unreleased track that WH Entertainment had kept hidden away.
【Flash, Flash, Flash….】
Following the beat that pulsed quietly like a heartbeat, a pure white light flickered on and off three times, as if illuminating the darkness. Simultaneously, a silhouette revealing a sharp profile appeared and disappeared within the camera angle.
【Flash.】
Flash! The lights brightened the surroundings, revealing the figure’s face.
The moment Ju Woo-seong languidly opened his eyes and lifted his chin, a grand and flashy beat filled the space.
【I don't know the meaning of 'moderation'
Flash of Wit, a sense you'll find hard to understand】
From then on, it was Ju Woo-seong’s time alone.
Even the smallest gesture was sublimated into a significant piece of art when he performed it. Kim Seong-hyeon was busy enough just trying to keep his balance so as not to be swept away by Ju Woo-seong’s presence.
【I feel a thrill when I press them down】
In this moment, Kim Seong-hyeon was truly being pressed down by him.
【It took a long time to get up here
Don't even think about challenging me fearlessly
You can’t follow my path】
Sometimes, Seo Ho-yun treated Ju Woo-seong like he was insignificant. Because of that, even though Seong-hyeon said he respected him, he realized he had somehow become desensitized to the figure that was 'Ju Woo-seong.'
But standing side-by-side, he finally understood.
‘This is insane.’
On stage, the man was an omnipotent being.
"You have to understand. There's such a thing as 'feel.' For example, it doesn't end with just extending your arm; it's about how you handle your fingertips—..."
【If you still follow me anyway
Then play with me until the very end】
"...When you lift your head, where should your gaze be? It's not just a simple motion, but a fluid movement. Not just exhaling breath, but a continuous flow of life."
Ju Woo-seong’s voice echoed in his mind again.
‘...Is that even possible?’
Would he ever be able to do that?
These were things Kim Seong-hyeon also knew instinctively. However, controlling his entire body, his muscles, and his cells as he imagined was not as easy as Ju Woo-seong’s casual explanation made it sound.
Just then, Seo Ho-yun, who passed by him to take center stage, lifted his handheld mic with a relaxed smile on his lips.
【No need to tell me I'm crazy
I've always been this way (Are you sure?)】
The vivid live vocals spread clearly across the pre-recording site.
【Keep your balance, no matter what anyone says
I always go straight】
‘...Seo Ho-yun is good.’
After practicing through the night, Seo Ho-yun showcased choreography with perfectly controlled intensity, choosing the exact moments to catch the camera's eye.
‘I can't do it like that.’
Kim Seong-hyeon knew his own strengths and weaknesses clearly.
He often got lost in the excitement and danced based on instinct; if he tried to follow Seo Ho-yun’s method, his steps would tangle in an instant.
【If you want to attract me
You need to make a big move】
...But then, what about me?
‘I can't calculate, and I can't just enjoy it...’
Being tall with long limbs, Kim Seong-hyeon had to constantly study how to avoid looking like he was flailing.
He had tried to imitate and copy others, then struggled to break free from that. He thought he finally had something of his own, that he had caught up to the others. But if he was still lagging behind, running in place... if the road ahead was still so long—...
"Gain some depth."
...Isn't that a bit frustrating?
【Get up this way!】
Kim Seong-hyeon rushed forward fiercely, kicked off the ground, and spun to stand in the middle of the stage.
He probably couldn't become like Ju Woo-seong, or even like Seo Ho-yun.
【I feel a thrill when I press them down】
Then he had to find it within what he already possessed.
A way to become their equal.
So that he wouldn't regret it later.
Was it the persistence gained through effort, his sense of responsibility, or his expressiveness?
No.
Something more fundamental, something he was born with—.
【You can—.】
—It was power.
He swung a fist, veins bulging.
【—be my witness!】
The power to carry this stage to the very end.
【I don't know complex words
Flash of Wit, an action only I can do】
He danced, putting strength into every single movement to match the heavy melody.
【Get up this way
It’s my flash of wit】
As Ju Woo-seong stepped forward again, their eyes met. Ju Woo-seong’s eyes curved into wide crescents, as if he was thoroughly enjoying this moment.
【I told you, I want to act simple in front of you】
Then, taking a step back, he stood side-by-side with Seo Ho-yun. Originally, Ju Woo-seong was supposed to be positioned in front of him.
【If you're attracted, just say you like it
Stop being so sarcastic】
"......!"
For a split second, Seo Ho-yun’s expression crumbled before returning to normal.
But Ju Woo-seong didn't seem to care at all, grinning as he pulled Seo Ho-yun’s arm.
【Do you understand now?】
And then they performed the choreography.
The dance, which was originally choreographed as a solo, transformed into something even more spectacular as it shifted into a pair dance.
【Keep your balance, no matter what anyone says
I always go straight
Yes, Yes, Yes】
The rising notes slowed down, and the three of them stood in a line.
【It’s my flash of wit】
The performance ended with Ju Woo-seong blowing a kiss toward the camera.
Kim Seong-hyeon looked up at the lights, which seemed to shine even more brilliantly today.
*
‘Ah, that son of a bitch.’
"Good job, everyone~."
"Let's just do one monitoring session before we go."
Ju Woo-seong, this crazy bastard, suddenly changed the blocking.
Since it was a recording, they could just film it again, but at this rate, there was no telling how many times that jerk would repeat the same stunt.
If I wasn't careful, I’d end up with a title like 'The level of Seo Ho-yun dancing next to Ju Woo-seong, lol.'
"Woo-seong-ssi, the choreography was a bit different at the end? The angle ended up being a bit wide because of that."
"Oh, is it bad?"
"No, no, it was actually great. It looked even better on camera."
In my opinion, this was definitely revenge for the workshop.
My teeth ground together instinctively.
"Wow, you were flailing on stage, but you look decent on screen. Good effort, Seo Ho-yun."
"Huh? Isn't Seo Ho-yun-ssi a great dancer?"
Ju Woo-seong sneered while monitoring the footage. The staff member who heard him looked puzzled.
"......Are you being serious?"
"Of course...? Seo Ho-yun-ssi has such clean and sophisticated lines. It's extremely rare for a vocal to dance like this..."
My dance stat is an A, you bastard!
I wanted to agree loudly with the staff member's opinion, which was unlike me, but seeing Ju Woo-seong’s face—which clearly didn't agree—I just swallowed my words.
Just then, low exclamations erupted from beside me.
"Whoa, the power..."
"Seong-hyeon-ssi, your style is a bit different today?"
The segment where Kim Seong-hyeon took center stage was playing on the monitoring TV.
His powerful, sharp movements blended perfectly with the strong and intense vibe of this song.
I turned my head to Kim Seong-hyeon to offer a compliment.
"......Yes, I think it turned out okay too."
For some reason, the guy looked both empty and happy at the same time.
Ju Woo-seong, who was staring intently at Kim Seong-hyeon, curled his lips into a smile.
"Kim Seong-hyeon."
"...Ye-yes?"
"How was it? That stage just now was fun, wasn't it?"
Kim Seong-hyeon was dazed for a moment before he smiled so deeply his dimples showed.
"...It was great."
Ding!
[Kim Seong-hyeon seems to have realized something!]
What?
[Singing: B+
Dancing: ???
Variety: B+
Acting: D0
Charm: A+
???: ???
※ Accurate stat measurement is currently impossible as the form of his dance is changing.]
"What is this..."
"Pardon?"
"Ah, no."
It was a message I had never seen before in the system window.
‘...Did he really realize something from Ju Woo-seong’s trashy advice?’
I chewed over the words engraved on the shimmering blue window several times before brushing back my sweat-soaked hair.
‘...Well, whatever. Good is good.’
I still didn't understand it, but at least that bullshit seemed to have served as a trigger for Kim Seong-hyeon’s transformation.
"I think we can end the recording here. What do you want to do? We have plenty of time, though..."
After finishing The Dawn’s performance followed by the special collaboration, the tension finally bled out, and fatigue began to wash over me like a tide.
"Yes, that—."
"Klutz~!!"
Ju Woo-seong’s loud voice drowned out my answer.
Before I knew it, he had gone back up onto the stage and was waving his hand with a bright smile.
"Come here, quick~!!"
"......"
The staff looked back and forth between me and Ju Woo-seong with pleased expressions.
I had a bad feeling about this.
"Shall we do one more take for the pre-recording?"
"...Ha, haha. Woo-seong hyung is really ambitious about the stage."
"A true professional, a true professional."
In the end, I approached slowly with a miserable face. Ju Woo-seong leaned in and whispered softly.
"Hey, did you really think it would end with just one take?"
"......"
"Look forward to what I'll do next."
I knew it! He’s been in a good mood since Jeju!
‘You son of a bitch!’
Kim Seong-hyeon was just bouncing around, happy to be dancing again.
Sensing Ju Woo-seong’s impending whims all by myself, I went to the starting position and took my stance, my eyelashes trembling with rage.
"Excuse me. Are you always this petty, cheap, and annoying to other people too?"
"No way. Of course not."