Chapter 410
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 410
“Coming through! Make way, please!”
The hallway lined with waiting rooms for the Korea Music Awards was even more chaotic and bustling than I had expected. Staff members were running around incessantly, alongside stylists, makeup artists, and managers for each performing idol group.
Even in the midst of the rush, stylists and makeup artists I recognized, and even a few idols, offered words of encouragement as they passed by.
“The Dawn, good luck today!”
No one mentioned it directly, but the underlying meaning was clear—they were already ‘congratulating’ us on the assumption that we would win the Daesang.
This was likely due to a score prediction chart for the KMA’s Digital and Physical Daesangs, posted by an international fan, which had recently set the online communities ablaze.
The Dawn was sitting proudly at number one on that chart. High Five was in second.
I had expected a neck-and-neck standoff with almost no gap, but even though it was just a projection, there was a surprising difference between us.
‘As long as we don’t slip up on the judges’ scores.’
While judges’ scores were always a factor in award ceremonies, they accounted for a whopping 40% at the Korea Music Awards.
The members looked a bit tense, but our manager, though keeping his mouth shut, couldn't hide his beaming smile.
“We’ll be starting rehearsals soon! Please get ready!”
As the staff member’s announcement echoed through the waiting room, I began mentally retracing our choreography. That was when Kang Yi-chae, wearing a gray hoodie with a black cap pulled low over his eyes, slunk toward me.
“Ho-yun Hyung.”
He plopped down on the sofa right next to me. After a moment of silence, he took off his hat and ruffled his hair. One of his legs was shaking uncontrollably—a rare sign of agitation for him.
“…What is it?”
I frowned slightly at his suspicious behavior and asked what he wanted. Yi-chae glanced up at me, then lowered his eyes again, muttering under his breath.
“……Uh, well…”
“Well, what?”
“…I was just wondering how you were feeling. You’re always getting sick before we go on stage, Hyung.”
Ironically, the one asking the question looked more like a patient. Yi-chae’s skin was sallow, and deep dark circles had settled under his eyes.
‘What’s wrong with him now?’
He definitely didn't look normal.
A flash of wariness struck me, but seeing the other members fidgeting, I wondered if I was overthinking it just because it was Yi-chae.
In fact, Kim Seong-hyeon had been incessantly tapping his foot since morning, and Jeong Da-jun was pacing around the waiting room in circles.
“…Jeong Da-jun, stay still.”
“Ack, sorry! But I’m just so nervous… Oh, did you hear that Min Ji-heon Sunbae is coming as the presenter for the Physical Album Daesang today?!”
“Yeah, I heard.”
Since we had arrived at the Korea Music Awards—the most likely place for The Dawn to clinch a Daesang among the big three domestic ceremonies—the pressure and the atmosphere seemed to be closing in on them. The members, especially the leader and the maknae, seemed to be feeling a mix of anticipation, excitement, suffocating tension, and anxiety.
Seong Ji-won took the hand of the incessantly chattering Jeong Da-jun, pulled him down to the sofa, and quietly began to soothe him.
I looked away from them and scanned Kang Yi-chae.
‘I guess he’s the same.’
His thin lips were curved into their usual arc, but his pupils were trembling slightly.
Even for a guy who always claimed that his own amusement was what mattered most as long as he was with the members, he seemed anxious now that the moment was right in front of him.
Given how hard we had worked, it was only natural to be greedy for the award.
“…Hey.”
I flicked my index finger against Yi-chae’s vibrating thigh. Startled, he stiffened as if he hadn't even realized he was doing it.
“Don’t shake.”
“…….”
“At least don’t do it in front of other people.”
Showing your emotions so openly in this industry was no different from showing your hand and declaring that it was okay for others to look down on you.
I gave Yi-chae the advice I intended to give Kim Seong-hyeon, Seong Ji-won, and Jeong Da-jun later.
Yi-chae’s gaze followed me as I stood up leisurely and cracked my neck from side to side.
“And I’m feeling great.”
Because maybe, just maybe, we might achieve one of the things we’ve wanted so badly today.
At my answer, the corner of Yi-chae’s mouth twitched for a second.
“…But, Hyung—”
“The Dawn, rehearsal is starting!”
Whatever he was about to say was cut short as a staff member knocked and shouted through the open door.
I bowed my head to the staff member and then gave Yi-chae’s unstyled hair a rough rub.
“Let’s talk again when we get back.”
Without expressing agreement or disagreement, Yi-chae walked out of the waiting room first. I followed behind him, shouting at the other members to fix their expressions.
However, there wasn't a single moment of leisure to talk to Yi-chae after that. Even after finishing the rehearsal—where we had to adjust our movements to the massive stage—staff and managers were constantly looking for The Dawn.
While we were being pulled here and there, the sky turned black, and the curtain rose on the awards ceremony.
“Ugh, it’s so hectic…”
“Tell me about it!”
The members, wearing harnesses made of webbing straps over white turtlenecks or shirts with slightly different details, grumbled with flushed cheeks.
Once we stepped out, cameras would be glued to us to film reaction videos for Nutube. Other groups would be gathered all around us.
‘I guess the conversation will have to wait.’
As we passed through the backstage area and climbed up to the artist seating area on the left side of the stage, dozens of eyes fixed on us. As we walked to our assigned seats, the members of High Five, who were already seated next to us, stood up in a flurry to greet us. Behind them, I saw rookies with little experience frozen stiff, their eyes darting around.
Praying that the cameras weren't rolling yet, I bowed back.
At that moment, a spotlight hit the separate MC platform, and a man and a woman in a tuxedo and evening dress appeared.
The hosts were a famous actor and a ballad singer.
“Welcome to the Korea Music Awards, a ceremony boasting the highest authority and a long history in the Republic of Korea.”
The MCs’ smiles, as they emphasized ‘fair and objective awards,’ were projected onto the screen. Soon, the lights dimmed, and a VCR played, giving a brief explanation of the awards.
[Introduction to the Korea Music Awards]
The Daesangs at the Korea Music Awards were divided into Digital and Physical categories.
Based on the previous year, the system selected six Bonsang winners in each category by combining digital streaming data, physical album sales, and scores from a professional panel of judges. The Daesang was then awarded to the team with the highest overall score in each category.
Jeong Da-jun seemed even more nervous now, fidgeting with his fingers without saying a word.
Before the Bonsang announcements, there were several performances and the presentation of the New Star Award.
Even while clapping for the young groups who were purely joyful, my mind was constantly weighing our chances.
‘We’re the very last in the lineup.’
In award shows, being scheduled toward the end usually meant you were closer to the Daesang. Of course, we had been snubbed once before.
About two more hours passed like that.
“And now, for the Bonsang!”
Finally, the Bonsang segment began.
After the first four teams received their awards and performed, High Five was called. Seeing them head to the stage, we also had to move backstage to prepare.
Soon, the music began to blare. Even without seeing the reaction directly, I could easily predict it.
Waaaaaaaah—!!
The stylist hooking up my microphone flinched at the roar and looked up.
“Wow… listen to that sound…”
The stylist muttered softly, then quickly shut her mouth as if she had made a mistake. I gave her a bright smile to show it was okay and thanked her before walking toward the lift.
But then, someone grabbed my wrist and pulled back.
“Wait, wait.”
Kim Seong-hyeon held onto me and looked around at the members for a moment. He mumbled, his face turning slightly red.
“L-let’s… let’s do our chant before we go.”
After a brief silence, the tension seemed to break slightly. Jeong Da-jun was the first to raise both hands and approach Seong-hyeon.
“I love it! I’m totally in!!”
One by one, the members gathered in a circle and stacked their hands in the air. Kim Seong-hyeon, the last to place his hand on top, spoke slowly.
“……You’ve all worked so hard until now. Thank you for following me so well, even though I don’t think I’ve been a very reliable leader…”
“Ahaha, what’s with you, Seong-hyeon?”
“Wow, the leader is trying to be sentimental again!”
“Ahem… listen up. Stop teasing.”
Being like this reminded me of the chant we did before going on stage for our very first showcase after I joined The Dawn.
Back then, it was hard to even guarantee tomorrow, a week from then, or a month later. But now, we were feeling the heat of a prestigious awards ceremony on our skin.
“Let’s do well this time, too.”
Seong-hyeon’s serious gaze met each of the members.
Then, he added one more heartfelt sentence.
“…I believe in you guys.”
And then, looking embarrassed, he pulled his hand down abruptly.
“Going up on the lift!!”
“Ah, yes, yes!”
The staff’s urgent call followed.
We quickly moved to our positions.
[It’s the Bonsang!]
In the darkness, I turned my gaze toward where Kang Yi-chae was standing.
[Best Album, The Dawn’s ‘Last Round’!]
The guy who would usually be busy teasing Kim Seong-hyeon or playing around with Jeong Da-jun had been silent the whole time.
Watching the light slowly leak in, I nudged Yi-chae’s arm.
When he looked my way, I mouthed the words, ‘Don’t shake.’
Whirrrrr.
As our vision gradually brightened, the cheers from outside grew louder.
I faced forward again, lifted my chin, and put on my best smile.
WAAAAAAAah!!!
The song that signaled the start of our performance was ‘Level S2.’
【The only color among the achromatic shades
Let’s keep it under Level S2】
My voice filled the venue.
Despite several checks, something must have gone wrong because loud noise kept ringing through my in-ears. I pulled them out and continued singing.
【Before I find meaning among the numbers
Let’s not call it love】
As the song reached its climax with Seong Ji-won’s deep, rich vocals, I stood at the center, covered my eyes with my hand, and thrust my hips to the beat.
‘Level S2’ was a song we had poured our hearts and souls into.
Through countless revisions and adjustments, even when everyone was exhausted and could have given up, not once did anyone say they couldn't do it.
【Before I fall for cliché words
Don’t ask, just come out and dance with me】
I had lost count of how many times we had returned to the dorm after sunrise because of extra practice.
【Like it’s our last time】
Just as a bead of sweat from the powerful choreography was about to drop from my chin to the floor,
【Like it’s our last time】
Sshhhhh….
The outro of ‘Level S2’ faded, and the sound of waves slowly spread along with a gentle melody.
Sshhhhh….
Screams erupted from the fans who already knew what song was coming next.
Then, Seong Ji-won, standing in the center, raised one hand. From that point, a brilliant effect rippled across the screen behind us, as if light were spreading from his hand.
It was a scattering light, enough to dye the entire surroundings pure white.
【Stars are embroidered on the night sea】
As we used the VCR to create a musical-like production, pure gasps of admiration escaped from the audience.
Just as the harmonies layered over each other to form a luxurious melody, the song’s title appeared on the screen.
[Stardust]
【I’ve fought through the darkness for this moment】
With a bright smile, Seong Ji-won stepped forward and sang the hopeful lyrics.
【I’ve put everything on the line,
So don’t be afraid and move forward】
The next song was ‘At Dawn,’ a track from the mini-album Nightfall, which had included the title track ‘Falling Down.’
【My heart, becoming clearer in the light
I hide it and smile, fearing it might be too much for you
(We are becoming Stardust)】
Under the pitch-black night sky, blue lightsticks swayed like waves.
We had designed the stage by mixing songs from various periods to express our gratitude to Noeul, who had loved us consistently.
We hoped that hearing the music would bring back all those fond memories.
【…My words, floating in the darkness】
As my voice, slightly raspy from so much practice, stretched out through the microphone, the fans’ sing-along returned like an answer.
【I hide them and go slowly, fearing they might be a burden to you
(Ah- Ah, toward the light)】
I looked up and etched that sight into my eyes.
Just like when we stood on the final stage of Shining Star Season 1 and sang ‘Stardust,’ white confetti was falling from the sky.
At the same time, flickering memories passed through my mind.
【My heart, becoming clearer in the light
(Ah- Ah, toward the light)】
We had overcome countless hardships, but at this point, I had to admit it.
【I hide it and smile, fearing it might be too much for you】
Every single day that had passed had been a pretty great day.