Chapter 411
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 411
“Huff, huff…”
As I descended backstage and leaned over to catch my breath, Kim Seong-hyeon’s voice reached my ears.
“……Well done.”
I didn't even have the strength to lift my head, so I just gave a vague nod. Jeong Da-jun reached out and grabbed the hands of the members around him, one by one.
“Hyungs, did I ever tell you?”
“Tell us what?”
“I really, really love you guys.”
“Pfft, hahaha!”
Everyone had been riding the high from the stage, but the youngest’s pure confession of love made them let out airy chuckles.
“Let’s head back.”
Once everyone seemed to have calmed down to some extent, Kim Seong-hyeon began to lead the way.
Outside, the MC was continuing their script for the upcoming awards.
【Approximately 20,000 songs were released over the past year. It was a year that saw a wide range of genres and a diverse array of tracks.】
As we moved through the narrow backstage corridors, I habitually greeted the staff we encountered. They, in turn, showered us with admiration and praise.
【Among them, which song was loved the most?】
The closer we got to the door leading back to the floor, the louder the cheers became. Even though our stage had ended a while ago, the roar remained consistently thunderous.
The staff member guarding the entrance looked slightly surprised, eyes widening for a moment before quickly ushering us through.
“The winner for the Digital Category will be announced soon! Please move to the waiting area now!”
Following the guidance, we stepped out just as the presenter for the Digital Daesang was taking the stage.
We returned to our seats as discreetly as possible to avoid interfering with the filming. Several rookie groups cheered and clapped so hard their palms must have been stinging.
Despite having a fair amount of experience under their belts, the members still looked awkward in these situations.
Just as they sat down, offering sheepish smiles and nods of gratitude—
【Korea Music Awards
Digital Daesang】
The VCRs for the six teams who won the Digital Bonsang played one after another. Among the nominees were rookies only in their first year of debut.
“And now, I will announce the winner.”
The presenter opened the envelope, took a quick peek inside, and called out the name of the guest of honor.
The person who seized the Digital Daesang was Jang Seong-yun, a solo ballad singer who had released ‘Flower Rain’ last spring and dominated the top of various music charts for months without budging.
“Ah, I am truly, truly happy to receive this award….”
She cradled the trophy gently, expressing her gratitude to those she held dear.
The Album Category awards followed immediately.
【Korea Music Awards
Album Daesang】
A grand orchestral piece swelled through the air, and the chairman of the broadcasting station airing the Korea Music Awards appeared alongside South Korea’s top actor.
“Hello, I’m Min Ji-heon.”
For some reason, Min Ji-heon looked a bit thinner than when I had last seen him.
“Thank you sincerely for inviting me—….”
Min Ji-heon engaged in a brief, dry chat with the chairman about the theme ‘Before the Moon Wanes,’ then wrapped up with a faint smile, asking the audience to continue showing interest in Korean dramas.
Following that, cheers erupted every time a Daesang nominee appeared on the screen.
“With so many people waiting, we can’t delay any longer. Now then, Mr. Min Ji-heon, would you please announce which album received the most love?”
As the chairman lowered his microphone, Min Ji-heon pulled a small envelope from the inside of his jacket.
“Then, I shall announce the winner of the Daesang.”
Tension-building BGM filled the venue.
After checking the card, Min Ji-heon’s expression stiffened for a split second before he forced a smile back onto his face.
“Korea Music Awards….”
It was a mere flash of a moment, but having known Min Ji-heon for quite some time, there was no way I could miss it.
“…Album Daesang.”
The fact that he was quite shaken.
‘…Ah, fuck.’
“High Five, congratulations.”
In other words, it meant I was screwed.
* * *
【New, New, New, New Thrill】
Amidst screams that felt like they would tear my eardrums, High Five’s title track for this album, ‘New Thrill,’ began to play.
The High Five members themselves seemed to have completely unexpected the win; they stood up with bewildered faces, their movements hesitant.
【A spark flying in the middle of the circuit
Thrilling and precarious
A racing just for the two of us
Make me cry out a little more】
Congratulations from other groups followed, and only after the announcement to come up to the stage did they realize it was reality. They belatedly embraced each other and cheered.
Kang Yeon-hu, the only one maintaining his composure, looked after his members—who had begun to burst into tears—and quickly headed toward the stage.
“Hello, we are High Five.”
Stepping a pace ahead of his sobbing members, Kang Yeon-hu took the standing mic and offered a bright smile.
“We are dazed to receive such a huge award, and it hasn't quite sunk in yet. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the WH CEO and Vice President who have been a great help since our debut, and to the dedicated staff and managers who are always running around and working hard for High Five.”
After speaking that far, Kang Yeon-hu took a small breath as if choosing his words, then opened his mouth again.
“…And to our Ha-i-ri, who have been with us for the past four years. I don’t know how to fully convey our current feelings. However, I can state this one thing with absolute certainty.”
While Kang Yeon-hu’s acceptance speech continued, I remained conscious of the cameras, keeping my gaze fixed forward with a smile plastered on my face.
“We are able to stand here because you all exist. We will return with an even better version of ourselves. This has been High Five! Thank you!”
The melody of ‘New Thrill’ played along with a pre-prepared VCR of High Five. With the MCs’ final remarks thanking the artists who provided great music throughout the year, the Korea Music Awards came to an end.
Managing my expression as best as I could, I waved heartily to the fans—the Noeul—along with the members before heading backstage.
“Great job, everyone!”
“Good work~.”
Everyone likely had a lot on their minds, but since there were still many ears around, we walked in silence.
“Oh, th-that!”
As we passed through the corridor toward the waiting room, a crowd had gathered on one side, buzzing with noise.
As we drew closer, we saw the High Five members unable to even enter their own waiting room. They were flustered and awkward, patting and comforting someone.
“Oh, Hyung, d-don’t cry… Today is a good day.”
“Seriously! Hyung, stop it, it’s okay!”
Tear stains remained on Kim Chae-jun’s cheeks as he clutched the trophy in one hand, but he was no longer sobbing. It seemed his own tears had vanished upon seeing someone else weeping.
“Why do you keep crying, Yeon-hu Hyung?”
Surrounded by his worried younger members, Kang Yeon-hu kept his head down and gritted his teeth, trying not to show his emotions. However, droplets were already forming on his trembling chin, falling incessantly.
“…Man, you live long enough, you see everything. To think I’d see Yeon-hu Hyung cry. He was so calm during the speech earlier.”
“Yeon-hu Hyung really went through a lot of hardship, you know.”
“Well… I’ll give you that. I can’t even argue with it, really. Still, I wish Yeon-hu Hyung wouldn't cry….”
Since we had to pass this way to get back to our waiting room, we stood there awkwardly, waiting for the situation to be resolved. Finally sensing our presence, the High Five members looked slightly startled and gave us a polite nod.
Normally, The Dawn would have returned the gesture and moved on, but that was impossible now. Too many eyes were on us, and a rumor might start that we were ignoring them because a rival team won the award.
Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been unable to fully hide his disappointment until a moment ago, had now donned a relaxed expression and reached out to High Five first.
“Congratulations on the Daesang.”
“Ah, oh, yes…! Thank you! The Dawn was amazing too!”
Jeong Da-jun, who had been peeking out from behind his hyungs and reading the room, and Seong Ji-won, who had been looking at Kang Yeon-hu with pity, also offered their congratulations. Only Kang Yi-chae remained without much of a reaction.
Kang Yeon-hu, having wiped his cheeks with the back of his hand, parted his damp lips.
“……Good work today as well.”
Despite his composed response, I could feel the agitation in Kang Yeon-hu’s watery eyes as they met mine.
I almost said, half-jokingly, that it was a relief High Five wouldn't be hated now that they won the Daesang, but I stopped myself, fearing it would sound like sarcasm.
“Yeon-hu-ssi.”
Instead, I just smiled.
“Congratulations.”
Kang Yeon-hu lowered his gaze slightly before bowing his head once more.
I didn't want to drag out this encounter, so I immediately started walking.
After returning to the waiting room, changing quickly, and heading to the parking lot, the staff member who had been in charge of guiding The Dawn throughout the ceremony approached us discreetly.
“Um, there are still a lot of people outside. We’re controlling the crowd, but everyone is very excited, so it’s best to be careful.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
As we prepared to exit through the back door the staff member pointed out, the members crowded close to my sides.
“Let’s go home~.”
“Time to clock out~.”
Before I could tell them to back off, the door handle clicked. As if proving the warning we just heard was true, a chaotic noise surged toward us like a massive wave.
In the brief moment we were moving quickly toward the van under the protection of guards, a tremendous shout pierced through the cacophony.
“YAAAAAAAH!!!”
The guards stiffened and looked around to identify the source of the outburst. In the distance, someone held a slogan high with both hands, shaking it like crazy.
You are my rising dawn.
It was a Noeul.
“You punks!! Listen up!!”
Jeong Da-jun, who was walking wrapped around my side, widened his eyes.
“—You guys are MY Daesang winners!!!”
The staff quickly moved to restrain the fan, but they didn't back down at all, screaming at the top of their lungs that ‘In my heart, you guys would have swept the Gramophones and then some’ and ‘My babies are the best.’
The members had to clench their jaws so hard the veins popped in their necks. It was only after boarding the van that they burst into hearty laughter.
“Wow, that was incredible.”
“How can someone have such good vocal projection?”
Kim Seong-hyeon, who chuckled for a long time, and Seong Ji-won, who expressed his admiration, showed no signs of being upset. For having missed a precious opportunity, they might have felt regret, but they didn't seem to be in a bad mood.
Kim Seong-hyeon leaned toward Kang Yi-chae, who had remained silent the whole time, and spoke.
“Guys, honestly, this result is a shame and I have some lingering regrets… but I don’t think the effort we put in just disappears.”
He then added in a much smaller, mumbling voice.
“……I truly believe we did well.”
“Of course! There are days like this too!!”
Jeong Da-jun quickly chimed in, nodding his head vigorously.
“Right. It’s one step back to take two steps forward. Let’s work harder and get it next time, next year.”
Seong Ji-won, who had been brightly agreeing, seemed to ponder for a moment before tossing out a suggestion.
“…Should we get a late-night snack when we get back to the dorm?”
“Chicken? Chicken?!”
“Great! Let’s order everything delicious today!”
“Hell yeah!!”
Since he had been managing his diet for the consecutive award ceremonies—recently having to endure each meal being only about the size of two portions for an adult male—Jeong Da-jun excitedly rattled off which chicken they should order. It seemed he was intentionally acting more exaggerated to brighten the mood.
“Manager-nim, good work!”
“Yeah, get home safe!”
When we arrived at the dorm and the members piled out, I stayed in my seat and turned on my phone. When I entered the company chat app, there was one person showing as ‘online’ even at this hour.
I rested my hand on the back of the driver’s seat and asked the manager.
“Manager-nim, are you stopping by the office before going home?”
“Ah, um. I have some documents to pick up, so I think I have to.”
“Drop me off at the office too.”
Kang Yi-chae, who had been lingering near the vehicle, whipped around.
And the guy who hadn't uttered a single word since the award ceremony finally opened his mouth.
“You’re not coming with us?”