Chapter 444
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 444
Noeul was first taken aback when she actually won the audience lottery for the final round of the Song Camp, something she’d entered without much hope. She was taken aback a second time when she arrived at the venue and realized they weren't even checking IDs. Swept along by the crowd, jostled and pushed, she eventually found herself standing around the tenth row.
She couldn't shake the feeling that she had used up a lifetime's worth of luck right here. Even if that were the case, she decided she had no regrets as she adjusted her rain-soaked poncho.
【…3, 2, 1—!】
【Voting is now closed—!】
【The die is cast! Now, we reveal the owners of each song!】
She had focused only on the brief moments when The Dawn appeared on the VCR, skipping over the long-winded backstories of the other contestants. She had agonized over which song to pick until the very last second, finally choosing "In May" just as the voting ended.
Now, she was gnawing on her fingernails, immediate regret washing over her. "In May" didn't have a single line of rap; it was a lyrical rock ballad thick with 1980s nostalgia—a complete departure from Kang Yi-chae’s previous style.
It had certainly pulled at her heartstrings, but that wasn't going to put food on the table….
Dammit… why is my taste so bad?
This stupid blind voting.
The performances began, starting with Kang U-rin’s "Paper Doll," and the audience responded with fervent cheers. When K.voka took the stage to perform "Street Punk," the crowd went into a near-frenzy, screaming "That’s Hip-Hop!"
As the show entered its final half and the only remaining stages were the alternative rock track "Skit" and the rock ballad "In May," her anxiety spiked.
Haa, I hope I chose right.
She tried to suppress her uneasy thoughts and stared straight ahead.
"—Hey, you crazy bastard. 'In May' is definitely Baek Ji-jun’s!"
A rude voice drifted over from a short distance away, belonging to some tactless jerk.
"Kang Yi-chae’s sense is trash."
A surge of irritation flared within her. She turned her head, glaring toward the source of the noise. A person who looked like the speaker's friend tried to stop him in surprise, but the man didn't care at all.
"Who else could you compare to for a heart-wrenching rock ballad like this? If Baek Ji-jun didn't compose 'In May,' I’ll sear my palm in boiling soy sauce."
Click.
The moment he made that declaration, the curtain rose and every light in the venue cut out.
Thump, thump, thump.
As the confused murmuring of the crowd grew louder, the sound of drums echoed through the darkness.
It was the intro to the song she had listened to on repeat like a madwoman for the past week.
"Aaaaaaaah!!!"
"'In May'!!!!"
Overwhelmed by a sudden surge of anxiety, excitement, and confusion, she stood there awkwardly, unable to react.
"Everyone, are you ready~?"
A heartbreakingly familiar voice greeted her.
As a roar of cheers erupted in answer, a sound like a motorcycle engine—the roar of an electric guitar—tore through the air.
Zzzzzzt—!
Simultaneously, every light flashed on.
【THE DAWN】
On the VCR screen positioned behind the temporary set, an inverted triangle logo appeared in a grand display of special effects.
"Dawn has arrived~!!!"
At Kang Yi-chae’s greeting, which was closer to a shout, people raised their hands and nodded their heads to the beat. Noeul glanced toward the person at a 68-degree diagonal from her—the only one standing there in a daze, unable to join in—and muttered.
"I think someone’s going to have to sear their palm…."
Of course, her words were immediately buried under the thunderous cheering.
【That May—】
Seo Ho-yun was caught on the digital billboard as he brought the microphone close to his lips.
【That May, even on the days I struggled in love
Even when the cruel wind choked my breath
I told myself it would be forgotten as time passed】
Under the brilliant orange lights, Seo Ho-yun lifted his long, shadow-casting eyelashes and met the camera's gaze. Gasps echoed from all corners of the venue.
【That May, even on the days I struggled for hope
Even when those cold words choked my breath
I tried to believe it would be forgotten as time passed】
As Kim Seong-hyeon’s heavy bass notes blended harmoniously behind the raw, powerful vocals, several people began to sing along.
【The second hand of the clock slowly turns and approaches
The tremors I tried so hard to forget come back to me】
Harmonies that hadn't existed in the guide sample were layered one by one.
【My heart, which I had buried in the sand
Swallows hope once more and rises—】
Just as they were about to hit the climax of "In May," the chorus—
Boom, boom, boom.
All the members of The Dawn pulled away from their mics and focused on the instrumental break. Over the racing drums, the electric guitar, bass, and piano intertwined seamlessly, forming a beautiful melody.
The voices of the people singing along to fill the empty lyrics grew louder and louder. Then—
Boom, boom, boom.
As if that were the signal, Seo Ho-yun plucked a heavy bass string and gestured toward the audience.
—…Among the people who let go of love so easily
Strangely, I found it so difficult—
A massive sing-along erupted as if they had rehearsed it.
—No matter where you are, the reason I can find you—
Even as she sang along, Noeul felt goosebumps rise from a thrill and emotion she couldn't quite put into words.
—Is it the same as saying I love you?—
A shielded jib camera cut through the rain and approached Kang Yi-chae.
But Kang Yi-chae, his pale cheeks and firm jaw splattered with raindrops and a faint smile on his face, only looked out at the audience as their chorus grew louder.
—The gray clouds disappearing faintly in the distance—
Kang Yi-chae looked up at the sky for a moment, then faced forward again and carefully opened his mouth.
【…Waiting for the day the hot sun that shines warmly on me】
Unlike when he rapped, a voice that was still husky but far more refined flowed out.
【Will stay by my side for a long time—!】
As if in sync with Kang Yi-chae, the audience's singing quieted, and the instruments gradually faded out.
Soon, only the piano accompaniment remained.
【—In that May】
Seong Ji-won’s brown hair fluttered in the misty, wind-blown rain.
【…Even on the days I struggled in love
Even when the cruel wind choked my breath】
Seong Ji-won gently pressed the keys as if whispering and sang the final lyric.
【I’ll just hold you tight…】
* * *
The result?
Well, is there even a need to explain?
The moment first place was announced and colorful paper confetti exploded into the air, and the cheers pierced through my in-ears, the System appeared with its own fanfare to announce the quest's completion.
Kim Seong-hyeon, his face crumpled as if he were about to cry, held the trophy aloft in one hand. Seong Ji-won and Jeong Da-jun rushed Kang Yi-chae, ruffling his hair and patting his back.
Checking the scores, "In May" had been slightly ahead in the blind voting. It seemed the melody and lyrical verses, which resonated with all generations, played a huge role in achieving this result.
"The Dawn! Congratulations!!! Please give us your acceptance speech!!"
The MC, Lee Jeong-ung, held the microphone out to Kang Yi-chae, who had composed the song.
"Kyah… I feel freaking great!!!"
"……."
"Good, good!!"
I knew he’d say that.
They were probably hoping for a touching scene, but Kang Yi-chae just gave a thumbs-up with a look of immense relief.
A flustered Lee Jeong-ung quickly turned his attention to Kim Seong-hyeon to shift the mood. Right on cue, the camera zoomed in on Kim Seong-hyeon, who had turned into a soggy dumpling from crying so much.
"…The reason we’ve been able to keep doing music until now is all thanks to Noeul… and I’m just so proud of our members—."
While Kim Seong-hyeon rambled through his speech, clutching the suddenly offered microphone, the other members didn't help him at all. Instead, they just draped their arms around their leader or clung to him, laughing joyfully.
The other contestants clapped and offered their congratulations. Baek Ji-jun also smiled brightly and cheered for us.
With Lee Jeong-ung’s final words closing the program, the fixed ending song of the Song Camp filled the venue.
【Ah, we’ve been waiting for today
There were many worries, and tears were shed
But we knew it would end like this eventually】
We followed the song, walking across the stage to find our fans one by one and wave to them.
Meanwhile, my head was filled only with thoughts of what came next.
Not bad.
Though things had been a bit shaky at points during the broadcast, joining Song Camp was a wise choice. By now, almost everyone in South Korea knew the Song Camp contestants, barring those who truly didn't watch TV or use OTT platforms.
We still couldn't compare to the world stars Black Call—which still makes my stomach hurt like hell—but through this appearance, The Dawn had firmly solidified their title as a 1st-tier group, a fact no one could deny.
It took a long time.
It roughly aligned with the vow I’d made to myself to reach the final stage within four years at the most.
Of course, fuck, since I’d basically made a promise that wasn't quite a promise, the road of suffering ahead was clear to see….
…But what can you do?
I was watching Kang Yi-chae, who was laughing happily while facing Seong Ji-won a little ahead of me, when a heavy impact hit me from behind.
"Hyung~~!"
A hyper-excited Jeong Da-jun had tackled me. I stumbled under the weight of our youngest, who now weighed as much as a full-grown man, and tried to regain my balance. But then Kang Yi-chae joined in, forcing me to stagger again. If Kim Seong-hyeon hadn't been there to habitually support my back, I probably would have face-planted right there on the stage. Seong Ji-won, who had come over and was giggling softly, pulled me gently and whispered.
"Ho-yun, look over there."
Where Seong Ji-won’s fingertip pointed, a wave of blue lights representing The Dawn was rippling.
【Like a movie that gets better the more you watch it
Like the protagonists smiling brightly at the end】
"It’s pretty… right?"
He has no idea how I'm feeling.
As he said that, Seong Ji-won smiled even more beautifully than the lights.
【Do you feel the love now?】
I turned my head and scanned the flushed, joyful faces of my members.
【Oh, baby, do you feel the love now?】
It was clear that everyone felt they had seen a perfect ending.
"Thank you! This has been the rising dawn, The Dawn!"
After finishing the final filming for Song Camp and spending a wild night at the dorm clutching the trophy, every member except me was out cold the next day.
However, after hearing some unexpected news last week, I waited for a little more time to pass, not yet fully satisfied.
.
.
.
A week passed, and it was early Tuesday morning.
[#TheDawn’s “Gravity” debuts at No.79 on this week’s #Hot100.]
A post announcing The Dawn’s debut on the Hot 100 chart appeared on Billboard’s official social media account.
See?
[It’s their first career entry on the chart.]
Isn't it a bit too early to talk about the ending?