Chapter 48
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 48
[Title: A quick summary of why Kim Seong-hyeon absolutely loathes Today
Analyzed this while lurking on the Shining Star Gallery.
I’ve summarized only the facts, excluding some of the more controversial rumors.
[Today ignoring Seong Ji-won]
[Seong Ji-won trying to smile, but looking uncomfortable]
[This part goes by fast, but you can hear Today swearing at Seong Ji-won]
[Kim Seong-hyeon’s face hardening next to him]
It’s obvious Today is giving Seong Ji-won a hard time. This is probably just the tip of the iceberg. I bet this is the decisive reason Kim Seong-hyeon loathes Today.
Conclusion: Today’s personalities are trash, and Kim Seong-hyeon finds them repulsive.
Anyone who sees this and claims Kim Seong-hyeon is a school bully is just an anti who can’t read context.
└ Why is this so long?
└└ He even gave you a conclusion, you prick. Are you even literate enough to take the CSAT?
└ Upvoted for the effort.
└ "Facts" my ass lol. It’s so obvious you’re a Kim Seong-hyeon fan ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Go to The Dawn Gallery instead of here.
└└ Isn't this person actually an anti for overhyping Kim Seong-hyeon this much? Or maybe a Today fan playing 4D chess?
└ But I think they have a point... I felt it while watching the show too. It’s not like Today throwing shade is anything new, lol, but they’re especially bad toward The Dawn.
└└ Nice pun lol. Today’s daily shade.
└ Bring actual evidence of Today’s bad personalities before talking.
└└ Their faces.
└ If this turns out to be true, I’m coming back here on a pilgrimage lol.]
I checked the community post and nodded. Ever since the viewership ratings hit nearly 6 percent, all eyes have naturally been on Shining Star.
Talk about Kim Seong-hyeon is starting to resurface, the summary is neat—everything is perfect.
[Please.]
I sent the text to Kim Jae-yeon and couldn't suppress the smirk spreading across my face.
"The time has come."
"The time has come indeed!"
Jeong Da-jun chirped from beside me, snatching the words right out of my mouth. I glanced at him.
"Finally! We get to sync up on stage!"
"That’s not exactly what I meant... but sure."
I patted Jeong Da-jun on the head. This kid is so untainted and pure that... with his chubby cheeks, he really does look like a little puppy.
"That look in your eyes just now was weird."
"Why?"
"It was like you were looking at a small animal..."
"Spot on."
"Ah, hyung!"
He’s surprisingly sharp at times like this. Ignoring Jeong Da-jun’s protests, I glanced up at the stage.
The final competition was to be broadcast live. We had come to the station for a special rehearsal to ensure no accidents occurred.
"We have the dry rehearsal today, then the camera rehearsal, and only then the live broadcast. We still have plenty of chances to prepare, but we must! Absolutely! Perfect the blocking today."
"Ji-won hyung is at it again..."
"What was that, Yi-chae?"
"I said you look so handsome today, hyung! The best!"
Kang Yi-chae quickly gave a thumbs-up. Seong Ji-won gave him a look that said he knew exactly what was going on, but he let it slide.
The final competition.
"We’re finally reaching the end."
The other members' rehearsals began. The order was determined by drawing lots, and we were scheduled right before Today.
The members seemed a bit disappointed by the order, but I didn't think it was bad at all.
After all...
"Hey!"
Before I could even finish my thought, the vocal from Mars approached us.
"Hey."
"You're looking pretty sharp today."
"Thanks."
The Mars vocal had a better personality than I expected. He walked over with a grin and gave Seong Ji-won a casual greeting. For some reason, he seemed to have developed a sense of camaraderie with me.
Likely, the fact that I’d targeted Today played a significant role in raising his affinity toward me.
"Are you guys well-prepared?"
"Not bad. What about you?"
"Haha, we’ve let go of our greed a bit."
"...?"
"Ah~ I guess that’s the luxury of being number one. Today is late again."
The Mars vocal sighed deeply. He seemed to be testing the waters. When I remained silent to gauge his intentions, he shrugged.
"I guess you guys don't know yet."
His reaction was a bit different than usual.
There was a hint of self-deprecation in his voice. After glancing around to make sure there were no microphones or staff nearby, he leaned in and whispered to me.
"Actually, Today is the pre-selected winner."
"Ah."
So that's what he meant.
Did you just find out?
I remained stoic, but the Mars vocal didn't seem to find it odd as he continued to grumble.
"Sigh... I was so dumbfounded when I heard that yesterday. Then what have we been doing all this time? I spent all of yesterday swearing my head off."
"I see."
"Well, still, the show's ratings are great. There are things to gain even if we don't take first place."
Well, that was true.
The Mars vocal was quick to accept reality.
"Let's just focus on taking what we can get."
Anyone would have felt the same.
"Why have you given up already?"
"Huh?"
It was then. Before the vocal could ask what I meant, the members of Today marched in with high energy.
"Hello~!"
"Good morning!"
They were busy doing things they never usually did, like greeting the staff.
"It's a beautiful day!"
They looked thrilled.
"Ahaha!"
Not a single thought behind those eyes.
I suppose they had every reason to be happy, considering they were sailing smoothly toward the final competition.
Clicking my tongue, I watched them walk around with their shoulders held high as if they owned the place, when my eyes met Yoo Hyuk's. With a cocky smirk, Yoo Hyuk sauntered over to me.
"Well, if it isn't our rebellious little junior?"
"Yes, Senior."
I replied flatly.
"I'm in an ex-tremely good mood today. I've been waiting so long to watch you guys fail miserably."
"Hey, hey. Stop picking on the kid. He looks like he’s about to cry if you even poke him."
Before I knew it, the entire group of Today had gathered around.
Their snickering and sarcasm were honestly quite boring.
"Is 'pathetic' your concept for today? I bet you couldn't even get stage outfits ready."
"Leave them alone. What would their agency even know?"
Once again, it was The Dawn vs. Today.
I wonder if the cameras are catching this. Even if it can't be broadcast, I’d love to have a copy of this scene for myself.
"The guy who usually has so much to say can't even utter a word today."
"Hmm..."
Ding!
[Did he not hear you call him 'Senior'? Is he deaf?]
I was the one who should be annoyed, but the system window was getting irritated on my behalf. As I stared at it blankly, Yoo Hyuk, misinterpreting my silence, grew even more excited.
"Has your spirit finally been broken? Did getting hit by eggs and coming in 5th place finally knock some sense into you? If you're so upset, you should've joined a major agency."
Woof woof... bark bark bark...
I was busy translating the bullshit in my head.
The members of The Dawn frowned as they watched the situation unfold. Seong Ji-won strode over and stood between Yoo Hyuk and me.
"What's going on?"
"Ah, look who it is. Our resident saint."
Yoo Hyuk smirked.
"Ji-won, I'm genuinely curious. How do you feel? You acted so high and dry, and now you've failed spectacularly."
"..."
"I told you this would happen. Why didn't you listen to me?"
Seong Ji-won didn't react to the words, but his usually gentle face was now incredibly cold. Undeterred, Yoo Hyuk continued to snicker. Instead, a furious Kim Seong-hyeon pulled Seong Ji-won by the arm.
"Don't listen to this garbage."
"Wow, look at you guys. So close. But Ji-won, can you really trust this guy? What if he hits you when things don't go his way?"
Seong Ji-won’s expression shifted instantly.
"Watch your mouth."
"Ji-won, you gave us so much shit, but what makes this guy any different? You're okay with a school bully? I really can't wrap my tiny head around your logic."
"Yoo Hyuk."
"Yeah? Go on, say it."
Yoo Hyuk raised a finger and poked Seong Ji-won’s forehead. Seong Ji-won’s face visibly stiffened.
Wait, but...
This bastard?
Why is he touching my member?
A sudden wave of irritation rippled through my calm mind.
"Hey."
I grabbed Kim Seong-hyeon and Seong Ji-won and pulled them back.
While the two of them stumbled back in surprise, I quickly pushed them behind me.
"W-wait?"
"Stay back."
I deliberately stood in front of them and looked at Yoo Hyuk. I asked in a low, steady voice.
"Senior, are you a thug?"
"What?"
"Why are you touching someone who’s just standing there?"
Yoo Hyuk was caught off guard. My voice echoed through the quiet set. Everyone—from the staff to the other groups—turned their gaze toward us.
"Fuck, is that how you talk to a senior? Did you just swear at me?"
"This is how I've always talked. And you're the one who just swore, Senior."
"Wow, ha, this guy is unbelievable... Are you really not afraid of anything?"
"I am, but you're not one of them, Senior."
The guy standing next to Yoo Hyuk clenched his fists. I tried my best to look at them without wavering.
To be honest, I was getting pretty annoyed.
A nobody like him acting out and poking someone else's precious kid.
I'm the only one allowed to mess with these guys, not you.
It’s a total double standard, I know.
I crossed my arms and let out a long, deliberate sigh.
"Senior, I've been thinking. Why are you being so-o-o-o annoying to someone who’s minding their own business? And I've come to one conclusion."
I snapped my fingers.
"Because you're ugly."
"Whaaat?"
"You must be jealous because you're uglier than our guys."
Yoo Hyuk’s jaw dropped in disbelief, then his face flushed with rage as he lunged at me.
"You... you..."
"Me what?"
"..."
I must have hit a nerve regarding his insecurities. Yoo Hyuk, momentarily speechless, looked like he was about to lose it.
"...I don't know what kind of backup you think you have to be acting out like this."
"Acting out?"
"People like you will never hit number one, no matter how hard you try."
"Oh my, I'm so scared."
I let out a wide yawn.
Furious, Yoo Hyuk grabbed me by the collar.
"You... I'm going to make sure you fail. You guys won't be able to set foot anywhere in the entertainment industry ever again. I've marked you, you little shits."
I picked at my ear and chuckled.
"The threats are always the same, no matter where I go."
"You bastard... you think this is a joke?"
"No, I don't think it's a joke."
Back when I was a PD, I’d heard the threat of being blacklisted from the industry so often it was beyond cliché. But I always had a standard response for those moments.
"You know what? I've heard that at least ten times... and I'm still doing perfectly fine."
"You...!"
"But what about you?"
I pointed a finger directly at him.
"Will you be okay?"
Just as Yoo Hyuk frowned, confused by my meaning, Today’s manager came sprinting in, out of breath. His face was deathly pale.
"Hey!!"
"Ugh, what now..."
"Yoo Hyuk! All of you!"
Yoo Hyuk looked back. I was in the middle of mocking him, and the timing couldn't have been better.
"Hyung, come back later. I need to teach these punks a lesson today."
"Forget the lesson, you idiot! You guys are in big trouble!"
"What? What is it?"
I took in every single detail of the scene with satisfaction. The spit flying from Yoo Hyuk’s mouth, the deep scowls on the Today members' faces, and the trembling eyes of my own members.
I would never forget this delightful moment, no matter how much time passed.
It was finally the climax of the story.
At that moment, gasps erupted from the staff. Yoo Hyuk whipped his head toward the source of the noise, and his face turned white as he heard the words that followed.
"Today, involved in drugs...?"
"...!!"
Kang Yi-chae, who was standing next to a staff member, caught a glimpse of a screen and let out a smirk. Then, with his god-tier intuition, he pretended to be oblivious and read the news on the staff member's phone out loud.
"All members of the idol group 'Today' are reported to have been purchasing and using drugs through an acquaintance since 20XX."
"...!!"
Ah~
"What?"
And there they go~
I pressed a hand to my forehead and lowered my eyes as if I were truly devastated, but Kang Yi-chae’s voice didn't falter.
"Furthermore, CCTV footage from a club in Seoul obtained by reporters clearly shows Today member Yoo Hyuk assaulting a patron! Oops!"
Goodbye now~
"How... how did that..."
"Oh no~, what a shame."
I won't be seeing you off~
I hummed to myself as I looked at the pale, trembling Yoo Hyuk. His hands were shaking uncontrollably.
Watching the members of Today fall into a panic, the memories of all the hardships I’d endured flashed before my eyes.
As I watched the scene with satisfaction, my eyes met the Mars vocal's. Amidst the chaos, I must have looked far too calm.
Could it be?
Yup, you guessed it.
I gave him a bright smile and a wink. I didn't say it out loud, though.
Of course, I knew everything.
Knew it?
I had planned everything from the very beginning.
The long saga of the Shining Star incident began like this:
First, the information Ju Woo-seong gave me.
—I heard the winner has already been pre-selected.
—Really?
Second, getting a hint from the Mars vocal.
—Those Today guys are famous for playing dirty.
—Oho, is that so?
Third, squeezing information out of Kim Jae-yeon.
—I found it! I found the photos of Today doing drugs!
—Haha, really?
I had waited a very long time for this refreshing moment of revenge.
The conclusion?
If a winner has already been pre-selected...
You just have to get rid of the pre-selected winner.
Trash belongs in the trash can!
I looked away from Today and toward Kim Seong-hyeon. He looked bewildered, clearly not expecting Today to be such utter trash.
"Drugs? Assault?"
Yoo Hyuk was trembling, his face ashen. As everyone around them scrambled to check the search portals, they found the news feed packed with articles about Today.
"Hyung, there must be a mistake, right? The agency can still cover this up, right?"
"I don't know. I'm... I'm trying my best, but it's spread too far."
"Where did it come from? Which bastard leaked it!"
Thanks to the great paparazzi, Kim Jae-yeon.
Seeing Yoo Hyuk have a mental breakdown was incredibly cathartic. It felt like downing a cold bottle of cider.
In his frantic state, Yoo Hyuk’s eyes met mine. I gave him the kindest smile I could muster.
"What are you going to do, Senior?"
"..."
"Do you think you'll even be able to set foot in this industry anymore?"
"Fuck!"
In that instant, Yoo Hyuk completely snapped. I guess he had some sort of intuition after all.
His body shook as if he were having a seizure, and he yanked my collar even harder, shaking me violently.
"You knew, didn't you? You were so strangely confident because you knew about this!"
"What are you talking about, Senior?"
"You... you, Seo Ho-yun, you bastard. Don't tell me..."
Yoo Hyuk trembled violently.
"Did you do this?"
"Hmm?"
Yes!
While screaming 'Yes!' in my head, I simply tilted my head as if I were confused. I brushed off Yoo Hyuk’s trembling hands from my collar and straightened my clothes.
"I'm not sure... Senior. I'm just a fragile person who cries if someone even pokes me. How could I ever do something like that?"
"You... you...!"
"Ouch, that hurts."
I rubbed my neck, pretending to be in pain while letting a smirk play on my lips, which drove Yoo Hyuk completely over the edge.
"Seo Ho-yun, you son of a bitch!"
Despite all the eyes on us in the set, he raised his fist to strike my face. I braced myself, closing my eyes.
Well, whatever.
One more scandal wouldn't hurt. I could take one punch for the cause, I thought.
"Hyung!"
In an instant, Jeong Da-jun pushed me aside, grabbed Yoo Hyuk’s arm, and flipped him over his shoulder.
"Aaaagh!"
He literally slammed him onto the floor.
"..."
The noisy set fell into a dead silence. Even I, who had been grinning just a moment ago, was stunned.
It wasn't Kim Seong-hyeon, Kang Yi-chae, or Seong Ji-won.
It was the maknae, Jeong Da-jun.
"O-our..."
Jeong Da-jun clenched his fists, his voice trembling. Finally, with his cheeks flushed red and his eyes brimming with tears, he screamed at Yoo Hyuk.
"Don't you dare touch my hyungs!!"
At that moment, I suspect we were all thinking the same thing.
He’s not scary at all...
...A puppy?
How cute.
...He’s a total doggo.
The image of a gentle puppy bristling its tail and growling flashed through my mind.
Regardless, I tilted my head and looked down at Yoo Hyuk, who was pinned to the floor, completely K.O.'d.
"Haha."
It was the beginning of a very rough road for the drug-using idols.