Chapter 421
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 421
It was the first time his stomach had been in such knots since their debut showcase.
“Seong-hyeon, here’s your pass.”
His throat felt exceptionally parched today.
Kim Seong-hyeon tried his best to hide his burning anxiety as he took the broadcasting station pass from Seong Ji-won. As they walked down the hallway, his tension spiked every time someone with an employee ID hanging around their neck passed them by.
Exhaling a small sigh, Seong-hyeon recalled the day he had met with Seo Ho-yun a few days ago.
“A favor?”
“Yeah.”
After sending Jeong Da-jun and Seong Ji-won to the practice room ahead of them, Seo Ho-yun had claimed he had a request. Then, out of nowhere, he had brought up the name of a program.
“Kim Seong-hyeon, you know we got a request for a pre-meeting for Song Camp, right?”
Song Camp.
It was a show where various composers and artists appeared to create new songs within a set amount of time.
The proposal had come from a show that was already in its second season and boasted considerable popularity, so it was impossible not to know about it.
When the pilot first aired, most people had predicted it would fail quickly, thinking it was just another survival variety show.
However, as if mocking those judgments, Song Camp’s viewership ratings had soared higher every day.
“…Yeah. But why bring that up all of a sudden?”
“I have something to take care of that day, so I think I’ll be a bit late.”
Seo Ho-yun met his eyes.
“The PD of Song Camp might leave the meeting before I arrive.”
He blinked once, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.
“So, I need you to stop him.”
“…What?”
“Make sure the PD stays put until I get there safely. I need you to hold onto him, no matter what.”
Seong-hyeon was flustered by the blunt request, but Ho-yun added another comment nonchalantly, as if he took Seong-hyeon’s acceptance for granted.
“Kim Seong-hyeon, you’ll help me out, right?”
Whether you have to cling to his pant legs or beg on your knees.
His eyes, curved in amusement, seemed to convey that exact message.
How on earth am I supposed to do that?
The words rose to the tip of his tongue, but Seong-hyeon suppressed them.
It was because he, too, was vaguely aware. He knew the company was trying to push The Dawn into the shadows.
Under these circumstances, this was an opportunity a member had struggled to bring in. As the leader, it was a matter he should cling to even without being asked.
Even if it meant literally grabbing someone’s pant legs.
Taking a deep breath to steady his resolve, Kim Seong-hyeon followed the road manager into the meeting room.
“Ah, you’re here. Nice to meet you. I’m Jeong Jun-hwan, the main PD of Song Camp.”
“Ah, hello!”
A man with a genial impression rose from his chair and introduced himself as PD Jeong Jun-hwan. The head writer and the assistant director followed with their greetings. Seong-hyeon shook hands after the road manager and sat down across from PD Jeong.
“Now that I look, a few members of The Dawn are missing.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Seo Ho-yun will be a little late due to a personal schedule.”
“Oh, really? What about Kang Yi-chae?”
When Seong-hyeon hesitated for a moment, the road manager stepped in to answer for him.
“Unfortunately, Kang Yi-chae is unable to attend today due to a previously scheduled commitment. We would appreciate your understanding.”
“Hmm, I see…”
PD Jeong tilted his head slightly, then let out a strange smile.
“That’s quite a shame.”
Seong-hyeon felt a chill from that expression.
The pre-meeting seemed to be sailing smoothly from the start, and PD Jeong’s tone remained consistently kind, but for some reason, a prickle of unease nagged at the back of his neck.
Gauging the time it would take for Seo Ho-yun to arrive, Seong-hyeon spoke as calmly as possible.
“I’ve watched every single past episode, so it’s truly an honor to be involved in the pre-meeting for Song Camp Season 3 as a participant.”
“Haha, thank you for saying that. Then you must be familiar with the format?”
At PD Jeong’s gesture, the assistant director gathered the planning documents scattered on the table and distributed them to Seong-hyeon, Seong Ji-won, Jeong Da-jun, and the road manager.
“Well, I’m sure you know our methods well. Not much has changed from before. Once the cast members are gathered and teams are formed, they create a demo-level song within a set time according to the given mission. Ah, if The Dawn signs the contract, you’ll likely be assigned to the same team.”
PD Jeong spent a long time thoroughly explaining the program’s intent, structure, and overall editing direction. He also provided detailed answers to the flurry of questions from the members and the road manager.
“…So, PD-nim, when will our casting be confirmed?”
“Hmm.”
PD Jeong, who had been taking notes throughout the meeting, suddenly stopped his pen and stroked his chin.
“Before that, there’s one thing I’d like to check.”
“Yes?”
“I was called in by the Bureau Chief today, and I heard a strange rumor there.”
In that instant, the warning Seo Ho-yun had added at the end of their conversation flashed through Seong-hyeon's mind.
“Ah… by the way, it might be better to be a bit careful with PD Jeong Jun-hwan.”
“I heard that your member, Kang Yi-chae, went to the US and hasn’t been in touch much. And that WH Entertainment is preparing a new group.”
“That guy is ambitious and his skills aren't bad… but he’s secretly got a nasty personality.”
“Well, despite that, I tried very hard to convince them that I could pull off some amazing scenes—.”
“—He keeps trying to feel people out.”
“—But I can’t just take on risks blindly, can I? So, I think there are a few points we need to clear up.”
Perhaps because he had been forewarned by Seo Ho-yun, Seong-hyeon was able to accept the situation more calmly than expected. He chewed over PD Jeong’s words and waited for what would follow.
“First of all, is it certain that Kang Yi-chae will be joining?”
PD Jeong narrowed his eyes into a smile and looked sharply at the members. As if he had anticipated this question, the road manager responded quickly.
“Regarding that, we need internal confirmation, so we’ll get back to you later—.”
“PD-nim.”
At that moment, Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been quiet the whole time, cut off the road manager and interjected. PD Jeong’s sharp gaze shifted to him. Seong-hyeon met it head-on without flinching.
“…First, regarding the new group, that is an area being handled discreetly within the company, so it’s difficult for us to discuss it.”
“Ah, I see.”
PD Jeong gave a lukewarm response, as if it wasn't the answer he wanted.
Swallowing hard, Seong-hyeon spoke again.
“However, I can speak with certainty about our member, Kang Yi-chae.”
A few months ago, Seong-hyeon was the one who had personally seen Kang Yi-chae off at the airport.
When Seong-hyeon had offered a stoic farewell while hiding his complicated feelings, Kang Yi-chae, who had only been wearing a faint smile, pulled a palm-sized external hard drive from his bag and handed it over.
“Since we’ve stayed up all night together for years toward a single goal, I dare to pride myself on knowing Kang Yi-chae well.”
For a few days, Seong-hyeon had left it alone, afraid of what might be inside.
When he finally gathered the courage to check, the hard drive was filled to the brim with music of various beats.
“He might seem like a bit of a self-centered kid on the outside, but he has always prioritized the fans, the stage, and The Dawn above all else. That hasn't changed now, either.”
Kim Seong-hyeon could never forget the emotions he felt in front of the dim blue light leaking from the monitor that day. And he was certain.
“Kang Yi-chae will definitely come back.”
There was no way a guy who made songs so full of affection for The Dawn would ever leave.
“So, I wanted to tell you… that you don’t need to worry about him not being able to join Song Camp.”
Realizing that everyone in the meeting room was staring at him, he finished his sentence with his voice trailing off into a mumble.
Even though he had appealed with all his heart, it seemed insufficient to move PD Jeong. The PD remained silent, tapping his pen against the table, but stood up abruptly when his phone vibrated.
“……Oh, hold on a moment.”
Muttering that it was a business call he had to take as soon as he glanced at the screen, PD Jeong escaped the meeting room before anyone could stop him. The assistant director and the head writer, sensing the situation, followed him out as if they were fleeing.
Damn it!
For a split second, the thought crossed his mind that it might be another artist the PD was weighing against The Dawn. Seong-hyeon stood up in a hurry and banged his knee against the table leg. But he didn't have time to feel the pain.
He rushed out into the hallway, but PD Jeong was already nowhere to be seen.
Seong-hyeon scratched his head vigorously and groaned, leaning his forehead against the wall.
“Ugh……”
How could things go so wrong?
He was wondering how he could possibly face Seo Ho-yun now when he looked up gloomily to see Seong Ji-won and Jeong Da-jun watching him with proud expressions.
“Seong-hyeon hyung……!”
“…What, what is it?”
He spoke sharply out of embarrassment, but Jeong Da-jun didn't seem to mind at all as he clung to him with watery eyes.
“Hyung, you’re literally a legend…”
“Yeah. I was actually a little jealous of Yi-chae just now.”
“…….”
“Seong-hyeon, I’ll work harder so I can hear things like that one day too!”
Watching Jeong Da-jun shout at the top of his lungs that he would never leave The Dawn, Seong-hyeon let out a sigh.
If Kang Yi-chae had actually heard what he said, he wouldn't have been moved; he would have been too busy teasing him.
“Alright, alright! I’m buying drinks for the hero of The Dawn!”
When the response was flatter than usual, Jeong Da-jun pulled a crumpled five-thousand-won bill from his pocket and walked toward a nearby vending machine, seemingly trying to change the mood. However, the tactless bill slot repeatedly spat the money back out.
“It’s fine, don’t bother…”
“Wait a second! I’ll go get some change from the manager!!”
Jeong Da-jun dashed away.
Lowering the hand he had raised to stop him, Seong-hyeon exhaled a short breath again. He tried to shake off his negative thoughts, but worst-case scenarios continued to float around him.
When was Seo Ho-yun, who said he’d be late, going to arrive?
What on earth was Kang Yi-chae doing?
Had the agency really abandoned them?
The moment he let out another deep breath, a mechanical whirring sound rang out. It was the sound of the vending machine swallowing a bill.
Seong Ji-won tilted his head slightly toward him and asked brightly.
“Seong-hyeon, what do you want to drink?”