Chapter 425
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 425
Jeong Da-jun raised his drumsticks high into the air.
“And… here we go!”
He tossed a stick into the air, snatched it back with a flourish, and slammed down on the snare drum.
[Is this live????]
[asdfghjkl;;;;; A band live????!~!!#@@]
[LOL an idol group doing a raw band live the second they show upㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Watching the scene with a satisfied smile, Seong Ji-won lowered his head toward the microphone and began to sing.
【…—Just meeting your eyes makes me tremble so much
That I end up stuttering like a fool】
The lyrics to "Superhero"—a B-side from the same album as their Japanese title track, "Our Brilliant Dawn"—flowed out in his sweet, melodic voice.
[Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!]
[Everyone, get in here! The whole group is singing Superhero!]
[Wow, Seong Ji-won’s vocals are seriously god-tier....]
【Even though my hands are shaking, I want to keep holding yours
Even if we aren't meant to be in this moment】
Kim Seong-hyeon and Kang Yi-chae tapped their feet to the rhythm while strumming their electric guitars.
[I seriously want to marry Kim Seong-hyeon
The kind of man who’d take care of my whole life
└ If you told him to come home while he was practicing with his hobby band, he’d probably head straight back immediately.
└└ Ah, seriously, stop it. I’m drooling.]
[Yi-chae-ya ( ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )
Yi-chae-ya (;´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)
Yi-chae-ya ༼;´༎ຶ ༎ຶ`༽~~~~!!!
└ Holy crap, I’m scared. The crying is getting more violent.
└ It’s practically a bloodbath of tears at this pointㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Scanning the members while steadily plucking his bass, Seo Ho-yun let a faint smirk play on his lips.
【The dreams we drew behind the stage
Your colors that dyed my monochrome world
Are melting into the sunset, lighting up my world】
[The kids look like they’re doing well.]
[How long has it been since we saw a full-group live from The Dawn? It’s been a while, so I’m just glad they look healthy.]
[I keep forgetting to take screenshots... I had so many things I wanted to ask about Yi-chae’s collab and everything, but just seeing them makes me feel content. Is this what love is?]
[Guys, have you been well? We really missed you...]
As the music faded out, leaving a lingering resonance, the fans expected the members to start communicating with them. But in that split second—
“Alright, next one!”
“Let’s goooo!”
Zing—! With the roar of Kang Yi-chae’s electric guitar, they transitioned immediately into a new song.
[Wait, let us have a sentimental moment first!]
It was "Garage" by NerdyFreak, the track Kang Yi-chae had participated in and featured on.
The jam session didn't stop there. They blazed through several more songs for over an hour until they reached their first fan song, "Will you go to Prom with me?"
“Hey, Kang Yi-chae. You were a bit fast just now.”
“I know. I was trying to keep up with Jeong Da-jun. I’ll slow it down from now on.”
Just as it seemed they were finally putting their instruments down, a post-performance review began before they even had a chance to catch their breath. It was mostly just Seo Ho-yun relentlessly critiquing Kang Yi-chae, though.
[Seeing Ho-yun talk to Yi-chae like that... the way they talk overall feels more mature now.]
[Ah, idols with years of experience... it’s beautiful...]
[Right? They’ve matured.
First off, just look at Da-jun on the screen.
└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Holy crap, they’re treating him like a puppy.
└ Is this a pet cam? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ He looks so restless, like he doesn't know what to do with himself.
└ Hey, come on, let’s keep the sentimental vibe going ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Apparently still unsatisfied, The Dawn tried to sync up their playing again, but it eventually devolved back into bickering between Seo Ho-yun and Kang Yi-chae.
“…Hey! You said you’d go slow! Why are your fingers getting faster again?!”
“Sorry! I just listened to it, and I think it sounds cooler fast!!”
[I take back what I said about The Dawn being mature.
└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ That was a fast 180 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Our Dawnies... haven't changed a bit.
└ Kim Seong-hyeon isn't even pretending to stop them. He’s already given up.]
[The Dawn... they really are a family. (Though... not exactly a heartwarming one...)]
After watching Kang Yi-chae and Seo Ho-yun bicker for a moment, Kim Seong-hyeon calmly approached the camera and greeted the fans.
“Noeul, have you been well? Ah… just ignore those two in the back.”
[We can’t ignore them, Leader-nim.]
[I think the band is about to disband.]
[This fire is very exciting to watch.]
Seong Ji-won followed him, draping an arm over Seong-hyeon’s shoulder with a bright grin.
“It’s okay. This happens all the time.”
Jeong Da-jun poked his head out from the side and nodded vigorously in agreement.
“It feels a bit awkward since it’s been a while since we did a live, but I’m just happy we’re all together.”
“Me too.”
“Me too, seriously!”
The three of them chatted nonchalantly as if the two in the background didn't even exist.
[Wow... the members are just saying what they want while a violent battle is happening behind them.
└ Just how used to this are they? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Meanwhile, Seo Ho-yun, having ended the argument by shoving Kang Yi-chae’s head down, approached the others to join the conversation.
“Hello, Noeul.”
Even Kang Yi-chae, who was pouting while fixing his hair, quickly squeezed in beside him at the sound of his voice.
[Ho-yun-ah, Ho-yun-ah, it’s been so long! Have you eaten??]
[Oh my, my baby’s face is pure bliss.]
[He looks a little gaunt ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
“Haha, yes. I’ve eaten.”
Seo Ho-yun’s eyes, which had been moving rapidly as if determined not to miss a single comment, suddenly stopped.
[Guys, I’m your manager. When was our next comeback again??]
Ho-yun spoke slowly after a moment.
“—When is the next comeback?”
When he read aloud a question he would normally have dodged, a heavy silence fell, and the members' eyes all darted toward him.
“Hmm….”
Ho-yun paused as if organizing his thoughts, then his eyes crinkled into a soft smile.
“Well, I don't know anything yet.”
[As if.]
“Right! It’s still too early~.”
Jeong Da-jun quickly chimed in with a sly response to back him up. Just as it seemed they would move past it, Seo Ho-yun suddenly started humming.
[???]
“Ah—, ah-ah, I’m run—ning to you now—.”
Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been chugging water like a man whose throat was parched with tension, suddenly choked and spat it all out. Even though his chin and clothes were soaked, he didn't even think to wipe himself off; he was too busy rushing to cover Seo Ho-yun’s mouth.
[Hey, Seo Ho-yun’s whole head is covered ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[He’s practically gripping his entire skull ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
The youngest member tried his best to change the subject while Kim Seong-hyeon’s eyes darted around, waiting for the situation to calm down.
A moment later, seeing Ho-yun staying still, Seong-hyeon cautiously removed his hand—only for the song to continue immediately.
“—ning to you—….”
“Hey!!”
Seong-hyeon barked, covering Ho-yun’s mouth with his palm again. He failed to realize that his reaction was making things look even more suspicious.
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ He’s spoiling it ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Ah... the 'No Brakes' man is back.]
[I don't think it’s the title track; maybe a B-side??? Good job, Ho-yun! Keep it up, keep it up!]
Just then, Seong Ji-won scratched his cheek and stood up.
“Ho-yun-ah, are you okay?”
He accompanied the words with a wavy dance move.
“If you’re sick, should we go home?”
Seeing Seong Ji-won perform a smooth turn and gesture toward Ho-yun, Kim Seong-hyeon’s face filled with a sense of utter betrayal.
[LOL ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ You block one, and another one starts.]
[Is that a spoiler for the new choreography?? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Ji-won-ah, you weren't this kind of person… ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ Even I’m finding Seong Ji-won’s ambition for gags hard to handle.. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Kang Yi-chae, who had been silently observing the atmosphere, suddenly stood up with a serious expression.
“Really! What is everyone doing?!”
“Huh?”
“You’re all being so unprofessional.”
Looking down at the members with a fierce glare, Yi-chae ran a hand roughly through his hair. Then, he suddenly grabbed his electric guitar and struck the strings hard.
Vreeee—.
“—You have to include the accompaniment!”
“Aha!”
[Seong Ji-won saying 'Aha,' my god.]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
At this point, even Jeong Da-jun gave up and started running wild with the other members.
[Title: Jeong Da-jun joins the spoiler train
Da-jun: (Doing b-boying toprock) Hyung! It’s been a while! What! Do you want! To eat?!
Yi-chae: (Responding with waacking) As long as. It’s not. Something Da-jun cooked.
└ Usually, the older members would mediate by now, but the problem is they’ve all lost it too (except Kim Seong-hyeon).]
As the situation spiraled, Seo Ho-yun—the one who had started the whole mess—simply sat there with a perfectly innocent expression.
Kim Seong-hyeon’s face was turning red and blue in real-time.
[Seong-hyeon-ah... this is partly your fault.
If you had just let it go, we would’ve thought Seo Ho-yun was just humming some random song on the fly.
└ Ah, Noeuls are so cold-hearted.
└ Look at Seong-hyeon’s pupils shaking ㅠㅠ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
“Hey, stop it and let’s just play the last song.”
Deciding that ending the live as quickly as possible was the only solution, Kim Seong-hyeon slung his guitar strap over his shoulder and jerked his chin.
The members, who had been playfully leaking spoilers, slowly returned to their positions at their leader’s command.
[Aww, they still listen to him.
Though the frequency is about the same as a cat going through puberty.
└ That’s serious.]
[I enjoy seeing Seong-hyeon get caught up in this.
└ You’re the meanest...]
“Noeul, phew… are you ready?”
In response to Kim Seong-hyeon’s question—his complexion looking significantly more haggard after just a few hours—the chat window was flooded with polite messages, a stark contrast to the chaos on private accounts.
[Kyaa, I’m so excited~~♡]
[How did you know I love emotional bands~~~ hehe]
[Noeul is ready~~!!!]
“Haha, good. The last song we’ll play for you is 'Colors'….”
Thump, ba-dum, thump—.
But at that moment, before Seong-hyeon could even finish his sentence, Seo Ho-yun let a bass chord slip.
Pluck, thump-thump—.
Bang! Rat-a-tat-tat, bang!
Kim Seong-hyeon also found himself reflexively gripping the strings of his electric guitar. Following suit, Kang Yi-chae and Jeong Da-jun, who had been whispering in the back, jumped into action. Finally, Seong Ji-won let out a burst of laughter and added a piano accompaniment, completing a completely unfamiliar intro.
With a smirk, Kang Yi-chae leaned forward slightly toward the microphone.
“I’m running to you now—”
Crash!
Clatter!
Kim Seong-hyeon practically threw off his electric guitar and sprinted toward the camera.
【The live broadcast has ended!】
The screen tilted downward for a moment before the feed cut out completely.
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Wow, our Dawnies are the same as ever ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Seong-hyeon is a fast runner ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ The suffering of a leader feat. 4 runaway locomotives.]
[The new song... ah, it’s a band concept. Thank you, I understood perfectly ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[The fact that even Kim Seong-hyeon played along is the funniest part.
└ I know, right... just how much did they practice for him to play it automatically.. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
About 30 minutes later, a long-winded apology from Kim Seong-hyeon was posted on The Dawn’s fan platform.
To summarize: ‘I’m sorry for ending the live so abruptly without saying goodbye, and I’ll make sure to show you "Colors" properly next time.’
However, the band performance was already the last thing on the Noeuls' minds.
[I don't think that was the title track; it sounded like a B-side, right??
└ Yeah, yeah, yeah.]
[Ha, I didn't have high expectations, but I’m so happy because it feels like the comeback is coming soon ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Idols who give spoilers before the official teasers are even out.]
[Their habits from the Daepasung days are coming out ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ These guys have a 'screw the big agency live guidelines' attitude.]
[It’s so funny how no one cares about Seong-hyeon’s apology.
└ Hey, you’re a Seong-Peu (Seong-hyeon stan) ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ The Seong-Peus have been the meanest since a while ago ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Starting from that live broadcast, as if to welcome Kang Yi-chae back, The Dawn released group photos and videos almost every hour.
[They’re giving us videos from the practice room, the soup restaurant, and the dorm. Ah... this is true happiness.
└ Who picked the soup restaurant?
└└ Who do you think?
└└ Holy crap ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[I’m so happy because Ji-won is posting so much ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ And Da-jun’s selfie game has been insane lately.]
[F*, is Kang Yi-chae crazy? ㅠㅠ I kept saving his arrival photos from Incheon Airport because he looked so handsome, but everything he’s posting lately is legendary ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
[Title: I asked Yi-chae on Pop-Pop why he’s in such a good mood ㅋㅋㅋ
He replied, ‘Because it’s good to be back!!’
└ Our Yang-a-chae is so, so cute...
└ He must have had a hard time alone in the US ㅠㅠㅠ
└ Kang Yi-chae sending a photo every 10 minutes.
It’s hard to organize my gallery (smirk).]
Just as a warm atmosphere was circulating among the Noeuls for the first time in a while, new news was delivered.
<The Dawn Confirmed to Participate in ‘Song Camp’ Season 3…>
It was an article announcing The Dawn’s appearance on Song Camp.
[Song Camp?? Soooong Camp? The variety show I’m thinking of?]
[Oh, awesome! Did you see the ratings for Song Camp last time? Just appearing on it builds public recognition.]
[What’s gotten into WH? They’re actually working.]
Fans were rejoicing at the thought of a good opportunity to increase their general recognition, but that joy was short-lived.
〔Song Camp.
Those who wish to challenge Billboard composers, show off your skills.
A composition competition for the #1 spot begins among multi-talented idols, trot singers, rappers, and singer-songwriters!〕
[Oh f*, Song Camp suddenly became a survival show.]
[Those broadcasting station bastards are using Kang Yi-chae ㅋㅋㅋㅋ This is hilarious, those sons of bes (actually not funny).]
[Ah, I’m nervous.. Please tell me they won't keep doing split-screens of Kang Yi-chae in the editing. Those bastards ㅠㅠ It’s going to draw so much aggro.]
They couldn't help but be furious after seeing the planning intent. Of course, they kept their anger contained within the fandom.
Naturally, for those who had been skeptical of Kang Yi-chae’s skills despite his collaboration with NerdyFreak, it was simply exciting news.
[Title: Song Camp Lineup is Out
The Dawn
Baek Ji-jun
K.Voka
Ju Yeong-bi
Kang U-rin
LUMA
I thought this was a concert lineup lol hddd
└ Crazy, Luma-unnie is coming on.
└ Whoa, Kang U-rin!!!! Gasp, Ju Yeong-bi!!!
└ I’m most surprised by Baek Ji-jun.. The PD must have gone all out to cast him ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└└ Seriously.. the '3-second first love' is appearing on TV..
└└ 3-second first love?? What does that mean?
└└ Baek Ji-jun barely exposes himself to the public, so that nickname stuck after he was on screen for only 3 seconds once ㅋㅋ He became a minor sensation because he was so handsome.
└└ ??? Is this for real? Wait, when did Baek Ji-jun ever appear on a broadcast?? ㅋㅋㅋ
└└ https://www.neotube.com/watch?bAekJIJun3sEConD?S
Go look at Baek Ji-jun’s face.
└└ Honey♡
└└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ F*, falling in love so fast.]
It was no exaggeration to say that almost every popular drama OST in the last few years had passed through Baek Ji-jun’s hands.
With a lineup filled with singers who were all renowned for their composition skills, the show received an explosive response even before the teaser was released.
[This lineup is a scam ㅋㅋㅋ They could hold a concert.
└ QBS must have been sharpening their knives because a similar program came out on tvK ㅋㅋㅋ A survival show with these members ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└└ tvK: We’re gonna plagiarize you~
QBS: Try us ^^
└└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Well, QBS has always been a total bully.]
[They brought in a lot of famous singers this time. Until last season, they used to bring pairs of composers and singers to perform the songs..
└ Exactly. They must be desperate for ratings this time. The recognition of the cast is insane ㅋㅋㅋ
└└ Ah ㅋㅋㅋ I have to watch this.]
[K.Voka.. He is the god of hip-hop.. Please use this chance to crush the idols so they stop poking around the hip-hop scene.
└ Shut up ㅋ]
[Baek Ji-jun vs. Kang Yi-chae is going to be so fun, holy crap.]
[But honestly, Kang Yi-chae isn't on Baek Ji-jun’s level.. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ Kang Yi-chae entered the Billboard charts, though?
└└ The company did that for him ㅠㅠ F*, I can’t believe people in Korea are so naive.
└└ To be honest, didn't Kang Yi-chae just benefit from his fandom and NerdyFreak? If he was going to make it on his own merit, he would’ve entered Billboard with a song from The Dawn a long time ago.
└└ This is facts ㅋㅋㅋ
└ One-hit wonder Kang Yi-chae vs. Baek Ji-jun, who has produced dozens of god-tier ballad hits.]
[I also vote for Baek Ji-jun.
Baek Ji-jun has been active since he was quite young, so he’s released a lot of famous songs.. His recognition was already overwhelming since his college and grad school days. He doesn't sing much lately, but personally, I think he’s top-tier alongside Cheong-beom in terms of composition.]
[He swept the digital charts last year. Kang Yi-chae can never reach Baek Ji-jun’s level ㅋㅋㅋ
└ I wouldn't say that. Kang Yi-chae also swept the charts with The Dawn last year ㅋㅋㅋ You’re just dying to bash him.
└└ Can you really call it skill when they swept the charts by streaming with their fandom? ㅋ]
Song Camp, which burned brightly and even swallowed up interest in other programs airing at the same time, successfully made a strong impression on the public, whether positive or negative.
[Is it already a disaster? F* ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
After all, watching a fire and watching a fight are the most entertaining things in the world.