Chapter 44
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 44
“This is insane…. Why is the editing suddenly like this?”
A fan of The Dawn turned pale as she watched the latest broadcast.
[It’s true that they’re bad.]
[(Seong-hyeon’s face hardening as he watches Today’s performance…)]
[Yes… good work.]
[(What Seong-hyeon said after watching Today’s performance.)]
[I… honestly don’t know.]
She had turned on the broadcast to see the handsome members of The Dawn, but the more she watched, the more her blood boiled.
Devil’s editing.
She had prepared herself, knowing tvK was notorious for it. But even so… it seemed they were determined to burn Kim Seong-hyeon at the stake in this third episode.
“He’s wearing different clothes there!”
This was way, way too much.
“They’re just stitching random words together!”
It was practically a Frankenstein’s monster of sentences. However, the editing was so subtle and seamless that anyone who wasn't a hardcore fan would easily fall for it.
The broadcast was intentionally edited to make him look malicious toward Today, and Kim Seong-hyeon was being bashed so hard he could probably live forever on the "hate-longevity" alone.
[Look at this junior’s personality lolololol]
[Wow, Kim Seong-hyeon ㅋㅋㅋㅋ his school bully personality is showing ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Isn’t this a bit much? He doesn’t even know his place and he’s acting out. Is he just putting his stupidity on display for the whole country?]
[Why hasn’t he left the show yet lolol. Just looking at Kim Seong-hyeon’s face makes me annoyed.]
“The stupid ones are you guys….”
She blocked them all and slowly began writing a post on social media. Today was the day of the decisive battle.
The Shining Star 2nd Competition.
From what she heard, it was a cover song swap.
Please, please let it not be Today.
If it were anyone else, they might be able to dodge the controversy somehow. But if they picked a Today song and made even the slightest mistake, Kim Seong-hyeon wouldn't just be crushed—he’d be pulverized into dust and scattered to the wind.
‘Good luck, guys.’
[Aaaah, I finally got in ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
The fan, who had finally won a seat for the performance, started to pull out her slogan but tucked it back in, feeling the eyes on her. Still, since her social media was a private account, she spoke freely about the recent events.
[There are only two staff members today, but there are so many security guards lol. Is this for real? Did the production team bring them in because they’re afraid of a fandom war? If you’re that worried, then don’t stir up the psychos in the first place, you bastards.]
Public opinion within the fandom was already divided after Kim Seong-hyeon’s school violence allegations broke. But she didn't waver.
To be honest, she’d had her doubts, but as a core fan who had been there since The Dawn’s very first song, she wanted to believe in Kim Seong-hyeon. After all, it was Kim Seong-hyeon who, after performing on a rainy day, had bowed repeatedly to the fans out of worry they might catch a cold, and eventually went and bought canned coffee for everyone.
‘They say you can’t trust anyone….’
But remembering that day, she wanted to believe in him until a proper explanation was released. She felt conflicted, but the person who posted the allegations wasn't the victim themselves, and the details were vague.
‘The company needs to respond faster! Small agencies are seriously the worst.’
Daepasung Entertainment was still silent. While the fans' resentment grew, the agency didn't communicate at all; instead, they mindlessly kept posting promotional content for Shining Star on social media.
That made the Today fans even scarier. She glanced around nervously as she entered the venue.
[@anajungbyeongwa Did you get in?? How’s the atmosphere?]
[└ It’s freaking brutal ㅠ so scary..]
[└ What if the boys lose their confidence ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ my babies ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
[└ I’m gonna cheer my heart out for them ㅠ]
Right, she hadn't come all this way to lose. Already, Today fans were shooting murderous glares at anyone who looked like a fan of The Dawn.
Hey, our boys didn't do anything wrong! She wanted to scream it, but she kept her mouth shut out of fear….
In the third episode that aired recently, every time Today appeared, the editors cut to Kim Seong-hyeon’s sour expression, scenes where he seemingly ignored them, or clips of him looking down on them.
If you looked closely, you could see his clothes were different in every shot, meaning the production team had jumped straight into devil’s editing the moment the controversy broke. The Today fans looked ready to boo the moment The Dawn stepped on stage.
“My babies…….”
She waited for the stage to begin, blinking back tears. After spending a long time sharing goods and chatting with the few other Dawn fans, Yoo Ji-ah appeared.
“Hello, everyone! I’m Yoo Ji-ah.”
“Unnie, you’re so preeeetty!!”
Yoo Ji-ah smiled. Her popularity as the Nation’s Little Sister was undeniable.
The fan watched the Nightmare and Refined stages, but her mind was elsewhere.
They said this competition was a song swap, but surely, no way.
That sliver of hope was shattered into pieces when Yoo Ji-ah called out The Dawn with a bright smile.
“Then, shall we call them out? Covering Today’s ‘Make Love’! The Dawn, please come up!”
“Kyaaaaah!”
‘Son of a…!!’
She screamed louder than anyone, but cold sweat was pouring down her back.
Why! Of all things! With the tension between The Dawn and Today at its peak, why did they have to arrange a Today song?!
‘Did the production team push for this?’
As a fan of The Dawn, she felt it was unfair, but the atmosphere in the venue was coldest among the Today fans.
“Today? The Dawn is covering a Today song?”
“Wow~, where’s their conscience?”
“What are they even trying to do?”
Amidst the murmurs, The Dawn climbed onto the stage and bowed.
Kim Seong-hyeon’s expression was stoic.
White tops, grey pants. Just as she was about to feel disappointed by the relatively plain stage outfits, Seong Ji-won took the microphone to greet the crowd, which was unusual.
“Hello! We are The Dawn.”
‘Right, his face is all the justification I need….’
“Woooooah! Boys!”
She screamed as hard as she could. The cheers were noticeably thinner than during the 1st Competition, and boos leaked through the gaps. Right now, The Dawn was more disliked than ever.
The bullying rumors, the sniping at Today, and the devil’s editing.
Even those who weren't Today fans looked on with prejudice. However, the members of The Dawn stood firm, as if they were unaware of the talk.
‘Guys, you look handsome today….’
It was fine. Visuals were character…. She teared up as she gazed at their increasingly radiant faces.
Seong Ji-won also handled the short interview that followed.
“Yes, shall we hear how you feel today?”
“Today, we are covering our seniors Today’s ‘Make Love.’ We are lacking, but we prepared hard. Please look kindly upon us.”
“Shameless!”
“…….”
At that moment, a boo erupted from the audience.
Seong Ji-won faltered for a second but calmly passed the mic. His face had stiffened slightly; he had definitely heard it.
‘No, our babies didn't do anything wrong!’
“The Dawn, I love youuuuu!”
This was the "Lion’s Roar" of a seasoned fan. She pulled the sound from deep within her gut, screaming as loud as her love for The Dawn.
The people around her flinched in surprise, but Kang Yi-chae gave a refreshing smile.
‘My babies, you should only have days full of smiles…!!’
The fan felt wronged. It was frustrating that they were being condemned for things they hadn't even done.
Just as she was about to get choked up, Seo Ho-yun turned his head toward her section.
‘……Is he looking here?’
He waved lightly.
As if telling her not to worry.
‘Ho-yun….’
While she watched with a stinging nose, the bright stage lights dimmed, and The Dawn took their starting positions.
The audience was still buzzing, but as the intro to "Make Love" began, they fell silent as if by magic.
“Holy….”
The distinct melody of traditional instruments flowed out.
‘It’s an Eastern concept……!’
Yes! If you’re an idol, you have to do an Eastern concept at least once!!
"Make Love" was a lighthearted love song, so she wasn't sure how they would bridge the concepts, but the new attempt itself was good. She was trying to calm her heart, thinking that at least it wouldn't be so similar that they’d be compared directly to Today.
Thump.
On the dark stage, a light flickered on. The other members were nowhere to be seen; only Seong Ji-won walked out slowly. Over his earlier outfit, he now wore a lavish, fluttering blue durumagi.
‘So that’s why the clothes underneath were plain…!!’
It was a brilliant surprise that also prevented spoilers. Even if the stage was a disaster, she felt she could go home happy just having seen Seong Ji-won in a durumagi, and she shook her slogan like mad.
Seong Ji-won slowly touched the wisteria flowers set up on the stage and began a narration.
[Even if I were you, I would have been anxious.
For to you, I am but a stranger.]
‘This is insane… his voice is insane!!’
[But please know this.
No matter how many dozens of times it takes, no matter how many hundreds of times I return.
I will set everything right.]
The words felt significant, as if they were addressing the current situation.
Furthermore, the newly added intro seemed to connect with The Dawn’s first "Post-Apocalypse" setting.
It was as if Seong Ji-won was acting as a "regressor" on this stage as well.
‘Wait, are these guys….’
All the lights went out, and a spotlight followed the camera to Seo Ho-yun.
Seo Ho-yun, who had been sitting in his starting position, opened his closed eyes.
‘His face, holy shit!’
It was paradise. Forgetting the gravity of the situation for a moment, she stared blankly, entranced. Seo Ho-yun flicked his right hand, unfurling a fan. His eyes curved into thin crescents above the fan.
[A passing breeze
If I turn my head, our eyes meet]
He turned his head and met Seong Ji-won’s eyes. Then, he hid his expression behind the fan.
Jeong Da-jun walked out slowly from the side and asked:
[(I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere
Perhaps, where have you—)
No, that doesn't matter]
‘They attached their own album concept to someone else’s song?!’
The regressor and the Seo Ho-yun who recognized him.
The confrontational structure between them was clearly the concept of The Dawn’s previous single, "Second Chance."
By attaching this to what was originally a simple love song, they had transformed someone else’s track into a sequel for their own group’s narrative.
‘Crazy…!!’
As Seo Ho-yun snapped his fan shut and stepped forward, the sound of the wind echoed. Normally, this was where the upbeat English lyrics would start.
[There’s no need to care]
But The Dawn.
[Because the answer is me, anyway]
They had changed all the lyrics to Korean.
Kim Seong-hyeon pulled back a hanging cloth in the center and gave a slight smile before passing by without a word. The fan licked her lips regretfully as she watched him.
‘Right, for now, they have no choice but to sideline him….’
No matter how good a person he was, the controversy was too big right now. Even as she bit her lip, The Dawn’s stage continued, both lavish and poignant.
From where Kim Seong-hyeon had stood, Jeong Da-jun pulled back the cloth and raised his right hand as if looking at the clouds.
[When I look at you
I feel like I’m walking on those distant clouds]
Then, with a flourish of his durumagi, he vanished between the cloths. Behind him, Seo Ho-yun was caught by the camera as he snapped his fan shut.
[Let’s go back, you and I]
It was like a signal.
Boom, boom, boom!
The slow beat of the drums grew louder, accelerating the tempo. The gayageum rang out with a bouncy, fast rhythm, and the cloths hanging in the center fluttered violently in the wind.
Starting with Seo Ho-yun’s signal, something was changing on stage. And then.
“Kyaaaaah!”
Kim Seong-hyeon pulled down the cloth he was behind and threw it aside. He stood alone in the center, holding a long sword.
The fan’s eyes widened.
‘What?! They put Kim Seong-hyeon in the center?!’
She thought they would hide him in a corner because of the controversy! Instead, The Dawn stood Kim Seong-hyeon front and center, as if mocking those expectations. Kim Seong-hyeon didn't look at the camera for a moment; he stood at an angle and took a deep breath.
Seo Ho-yun watched him with sunken eyes, but the fans didn't notice. And then….
Doong!
The moment the gayageum rang out again, Kim Seong-hyeon glared into the camera with grim determination.
Swish!
The members on stage mimicked aiming bows at Kim Seong-hyeon. Simultaneously, as Kim Seong-hyeon grabbed a cloth and pulled, it snapped back as if struck by an arrow. A move that would have looked ridiculous if it were even 0.1 seconds off looked like a scene from a movie as it synced perfectly with the beat. Her jaw dropped.
‘What is this quality?’
But this stage was a solo tour de force for a Kim Seong-hyeon who had clearly sharpened his blade.
“Kyaaaaah!”
The Kim Seong-hyeon fan next to her was shaking her slogan and crying.
As Kim Seong-hyeon swung his sword toward the flying cloths, they fluttered spectacularly. It really looked like he was parrying arrows with a blade.
‘A whole narrative in an instant….’
The fan couldn't close her mouth. Just as Kang Yi-chae fired the final arrow, Kim Seong-hyeon collapsed to his knees.
But the gaze caught by the camera was fierce.
‘…….’
The fan knew nothing of his personal circumstances, yet her heart strangely ached. It was as if his desperation and resolve were being transmitted through that gaze without a single word.
Seong Ji-won appeared in front of him and lowered a cloth; when it fell, both of them had vanished.
It was the exact "Second Chance" apocalypse setting.
While she was reeling, a shadow appeared above the stage, and Kang Yi-chae, wearing a wire, landed lightly on the floor. Like a Taoist master from an old movie.
He flicked his durumagi and smirked at the approaching camera.
Clash!
The jabara1) rang out, cutting the stage’s tempo at the perfect moment.
[On the line of our fragile fate
We walk a precarious tightrope]
They were new, historical-style lyrics!
“Kang Yi-chaaaaae!”
Who did this arrangement! Who made Kang Yi-chae look so cool!
The fan was on the verge of fainting.
Kang Yi-chae practically flew across the stage.
[I’ll mend the line that’s about to break
I’ll twist the threads again, as many times as it takes]
As Kang Yi-chae turned and strode toward the back, the rest of The Dawn members surrounded him, bowing their heads and unfurling their fans. Surrounded by white fans, Kang Yi-chae looked every bit the mystical master.
[The result is already decided, isn't it?]
‘I’m gonna lose it… I’m gonna lose it… These genius idols are making me lose it….’
Seong Ji-won spun out from behind Kang Yi-chae’s back.
[You will remember me!]
Seo Ho-yun and Seong Ji-won layered their vocals.
Unlike the original song, their voices soared cleanly over an octave higher.
Goosebumps broke out all over her body.
The high notes were much richer and more dramatic than the original.
With that, the gayageum abruptly stopped, and Jeong Da-jun and Kim Seong-hyeon rose again, gripping the cloths.
[There’s no need to regret
Because the answer is me, anyway]
Voices climbed higher and higher as if they knew no limit. Finally, the cloths spun around dizzily until the members stood in a single line, forming the shape of a tree.
Kim Seong-hyeon sang in front of them with a sorrowful face.
[When I look at you
I feel like I’m walking on those distant clouds]
With the trill of a poignant flute, the sound of a gentle breeze began to blow.
Seo Ho-yun moved across the stage with measured steps. Before she knew it, the fallen cloths on the floor were scattered about, looking just like clouds. Everyone slowly raised their fans to hide their faces and bowed.
A white spotlight followed Seo Ho-yun’s back persistently, as if entranced.
[I am not anxious.]
The fan looked at the stage, her heart swelling. Seo Ho-yun touched the tree that Seong Ji-won had been touching at the beginning and curled one corner of his mouth. As if speaking to the fans.
[Because I know you.
So….]
It was the part that connected to Seong Ji-won’s opening lines. Seo Ho-yun slowly plucked a flower and let it fall. The flower fluttered down onto the white cloth.
[Shall we start again, you and I?]
—Thump.
With that, the lights slowly faded.
A perfect Eastern-style arrangement that made you forget the original song.
Formations that filled the stage despite the small number of members.
A performance that seamlessly integrated The Dawn’s original concept.
Even setting all that aside….
‘They were overwhelmingly good.’
Her earlier hope of just getting a few good photos had long since vanished. Everyone sat in shocked silence for a moment before a thunderous roar of cheers erupted. Not just fans of The Dawn, but fans of Nightmare, Refined, and Mars were shaking their slogans and screaming.
Part of it might have been because they felt they were on the same side.
Still buzzing with excitement, the fan looked back.
“Ha…….”
The Today fans were deathly pale.
It felt like a refreshing splash of cold cider.
*
1) A traditional Korean percussion instrument similar to cymbals.