Chapter 50
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 50
“Seo Ho-yun.”
I arrived at the PD’s editing suite, a place I’d visited a few times before. For once, Kim Hee-yeong looked decent. No, she was actually more radiant than ever. I approached her as she waved with a broad smile.
“You were looking for me, PD-nim?”
“Yes, yes. Have a seat. Sorry for calling you to such a humble, cramped, godforsaken place when you must be in the middle of practice.”
“No, it’s fine. Would you like this, PD-nim?”
I held out the Americano I’d bought in advance. Kim Hee-yeong looked at it with a slightly troubled expression. She hated weak, watery Americanos more than anything. I quickly added, “It’s a triple shot.”
“…Now you’re starting to scare me. Are you a shaman or something?”
“Haha.”
A triple-shot Americano—exactly Kim Hee-yeong’s taste.
“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”
After handing it over, I took a sip of my caramel frappuccino. Kim Hee-yeong gave me a strange look.
“What is it?”
“Just based on your looks, I thought you’d drink espresso.”
“I actually like sweet things.”
“…I see.”
As I sat there, I saw PD Kim Hee-yeong in the middle of editing the VCR for the final episode. She could have easily left this to a subordinate, but this was where her personality shone through.
“Ugh, seriously. I’m dying trying to edit Today out of the footage.”
“At least you get to keep the program going.”
“I suppose. Today’s agency can’t even spare a thought for us right now. And since Shining Star is doing so well, it doesn’t matter if they throw a fit or come crawling back with bags of cash—it’s not happening. The Bureau Chief would just laugh in their faces.”
Kim Hee-yeong shook her head, looking disillusioned.
I’d met the tvK Bureau Chief a few times myself. To put it nicely, he was pragmatic; to put it bluntly, he was a money-grubbing bastard.
“It worked out for the best. I cursed them out plenty, but I didn’t expect them to crash and burn so spectacularly. I heard a paparazzi got a hold of them.”
“Yes…”
Even though I was the one who did it. I didn’t feel like correcting her, so I stayed silent. It wasn’t something Kim Hee-yeong needed to know anyway.
Kim Hee-yeong kept her eyes fixed on the screen, her expression indifferent as she clicked her mouse.
“Well, enough small talk. To get to the point… there’s something I’m curious about.”
“Yes, what is it?”
She asked casually, still not looking back at me.
“Was it you?”
Wow.
“Was what me?”
“Don’t play dumb. Did you leak the stuff on Today, Ho-yun?”
I stared at Kim Hee-yeong. Her expression was calm, but she seemed a bit tense.
Is she recording this?
It was possible. If this conversation leaked, I wouldn’t survive easily either.
After blinking once, I simply answered.
“Yes.”
I didn’t search for a recorder, nor did I ignore the question.
“I did it.”
Because it was Kim Hee-yeong.
It wasn’t that I trusted the goodwill she had toward me. It was just that… she was that kind of person. Someone very different from me, someone who couldn’t stand injustice.
She thought of herself as someone worn down by the storms of life, but in my eyes, she remained unchanged.
If it was Kim Hee-yeong, it was fine.
“Ha, haha…”
Kim Hee-yeong let out an incredulous laugh. Only then did she take her eyes off the screen, sighing as she rubbed her face with both hands.
I kept sipping my frappuccino until she gathered her thoughts. The sweet flavor spread through my mouth.
“…PD-nim, how did you know?”
I could guess, but I wanted to see if there was anything I’d missed. As I asked for confirmation, Kim Hee-yeong fumbled around for her cigarettes.
“You seemed too relaxed from the start, so it felt strange. I wondered if you were some silver-spoon kid with something to fall back on.”
“I wish that were the case.”
“Haha… seriously.”
If anything, I came from a dirt-poor background.
“When I told you the winner was pre-selected, it was weird how you said I didn’t need to feel sorry. But the most decisive thing was that request.”
“……”
“The Devil’s Editing.”
I had asked Kim Hee-yeong for Devil’s Editing on Kim Seong-hyeon. Specifically, only when Today was on screen.
“At first, I thought you were just trying to maintain a rivalry to get some crumbs of attention. And to clear yourself of the ‘PD’s Pick’ stigma. I owed you one, so I did it. But… given the current situation, the puzzle pieces suddenly clicked into place.”
Hearing it like that, it was clear. Kim Hee-yeong couldn’t help but notice.
“If Today’s reputation tanked, you guys—who were being suppressed by them—were guaranteed to be re-evaluated. Combined with the rigging controversy and the sympathy vote, you’d practically have first place in the bag.”
“You’re exactly right.”
That was precisely my intention.
“How does a kid like you… even think of such things?”
“Do you think other people don’t think of them?”
“……”
“It’s not that they don’t think of it; it’s that they have a conscience, so they can’t do it.”
“…Then what about you?”
“I don’t have a conscience.”
Normally, I would have proceeded without even getting Kim Seong-hyeon’s permission. But I’d indulged in a tiny bit of a whim.
As I sucked on my caramel frappuccino with a brazen face, Kim Hee-yeong let out a hollow sigh.
“……Ho-yun. I’ll be honest with you.”
“Yes.”
“It’s a devilish talent.”
“Thank you.”
“Shouldn’t you have gone into politics instead of being an idol?”
“I gave it a lot of thought.”
Kim Hee-yeong toyed with her cigarette pack, scratched her head, and then went back to clicking her mouse with her lips pressed tight.
“……To be truly honest, I want you guys to take first place too. But even if you’re popular, there’s still one thing that hasn’t been resolved, right?”
“Pardon?”
“Kim Seong-hyeon’s bullying scandal. What are you going to do about that?”
I only shifted my gaze to meet hers.
“I’m really sorry to you guys. I feel like I owe you. But in this final episode, there isn’t much more I can do for you through editing.”
“……”
“To win, you need to get at least 5,000 points. The live voting will be the biggest factor. But with the bullying rumors, you won’t be able to get such an overwhelming score.”
“You must really be sorry, seeing how you’re worrying about us.”
“You little…!”
I let out a small smirk, and just then, a message notification chimed on my phone. It was Seong Ji-won.
[Ho-yun!! Ho-yun, where are you?]
I checked the message and my lips curled into a grin.
“PD-nim. It’s fine.”
“Huh?”
“Look.”
I showed the message to the frowning Kim Hee-yeong. Seong Ji-won’s message was displayed on the screen.
[The bullying victim’s testimony is up!!]
As if to prove the fairy-tale sentiment that living kindly eventually brings rewards.
* * *
[Title: Hello. I am the victim from Kim Seong-hyeon’s bullying controversy.
Hello.
I am the bullying victim mentioned in the controversy surrounding The Dawn’s Kim Seong-hyeon.
To start with the conclusion, that post is entirely false.
Seong-hyeon was my friend and is my savior, to whom I will be sorry for the rest of my life.
…]
The post, which started with a clear conclusion, laid out everything that had happened.
The bullying that had started out of nowhere was agonizing, and the teachers didn’t help even when told. It continued with how Kim Seong-hyeon had supported and helped the victim throughout the entire year.
[…I committed an irreversible act.
While I was being assaulted, Seong-hyeon called the police and ran over to help me.
However, the moment the police arrived, the bullies told me to point to Seong-hyeon as the perpetrator. They said if I didn’t, they would torment me for the rest of my school life—no, until the day I died.
At that time, I was so afraid of them, they seemed so powerful, that I lied and said Seong-hyeon was the perpetrator.
I am also attaching a recording from the time of the incident.…]
The crackling audio file included the sound of Kim Seong-hyeon running over to help.
[…Seong-hyeon dropped out after that incident, and I went abroad to study as if escaping. Even after years, the pain was so great that I cut off all contact with Korea. Because of that, I only found out about this incident late.
I found out that Seong-hyeon was an idol, and that those bullies were tormenting him again.
I say this once more: Seong-hyeon is absolutely not that kind of person.
Seong-hyeon is the savior who helped me.
(Omitted)
I am urgently flying back to Korea because I want to apologize to Seong-hyeon in person. I won’t be reachable for the next few hours, but I wanted to convey this much, even in a hurry.
Seong-hyeon, I want to use this opportunity to say I’m always sorry and thankful.
I didn’t have enough courage. Thank you for stepping up even though you must have been scared too. And I am truly sorry.]
Even though it was just sentences strung together, the trembling was palpable within them. The truth revealed by the victim, who spoke honestly despite their fear, ended with one more sentence.
[Actually, back then, you were my hero.]
The post on the community site spread in an instant. While there was no news from Today as they were being sent to the prosecution, this post acted as a fire starter that set the public ablaze.
[Title: The Dawn’s Kim Seong-hyeon didn’t bully anyone
(Link)
One-line summary: Kim Seong-hyeon wasn’t a bully; he was actually a victim.
└ Is this for real?
└└ Go watch the video.]
[Title: Kim Seong-hyeon is light
Did you hear the recording? Wow… how did Kim Seong-hyeon endure this…
If it were me, I would’ve lost it and called them out the moment the scandal broke.
└ The bullies really have no conscience.
└└ Even Satan would be like, “Uh, that’s a bit much.”
└ Kim Seong-hyeon must have been gathering evidence since then.]
[AH!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEONG-HYEON-AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
[The video is real… My heart hurts so much I can’t watch it to the end. My head hurts from crying so much…]
[Seong-hyeon-ah, I’ll love you till I die ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Our Seong-hyeon-ah ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
[Seong-hyeon-ah ㅠㅠ I’m so sorry, truly so sorry. I should have protected you more. How hard must it have been for you…]
[Daepasung, you bastards, why why why why aren’t you working? Post a statement and sue them already!!!!]
[Sue all the malicious commenters, damn it!!!]
Not long after that outcry, entertainment reporters, sensing a massive scoop, began churning out articles as if they’d been waiting for this moment.
[The Dawn’s Seong-hyeon Bullying Controversy: He Was Actually a Victim]
[Kim Seong-hyeon’s Bullying Victim Says, ‘Kim Seong-hyeon is a Hero’]
[The Truth Revealed! Excessive Cyberbullying Inflicted on a Hero]
The reports were plastered with every sensational keyword imaginable.
As if they couldn’t wait any longer—exactly two hours later, to be precise—Daepasung Entertainment finally posted Kim Seong-hyeon’s statement.
[Hello, this is Kim Seong-hyeon of The Dawn.]
The statement, which began stoically, remained calm until the end.
[First, I apologize for causing a stir with unpleasant news for the past few weeks. I was very cautious about speaking on the matter, which is why I am late in addressing it.
Two weeks ago, rumors began to circulate that ‘The Dawn’s Kim Seong-hyeon committed school violence.’ To state it clearly, the bullying incident involving me that is circulating on the internet is not true.
I have never used violence against anyone, nor have I used words to that effect. It is true that I dropped out of high school, but this was not a recommendation due to bullying; it was my own will to begin my life as a singer. Please refrain from spreading false information.
I will take legal action without leniency against all malicious comments that cross the line, including those who spread false information.
Furthermore, please refrain from excessive invasion of privacy, such as making reckless assumptions about the school violence victim.
Lastly, I would like to say a few words to those currently experiencing school violence.
None of it is your fault.
It may be presumptuous, but I speak with courage, thinking of my own painful mistake. At that time, I thought I was alone and spent long nights by myself. But in truth, people are always around, waiting for you. I hope you will hold onto that helping hand tightly.
I will return with a better side of myself in the future.
Sincerely, Kim Seong-hyeon]
Seo Ho-yun had tried to give him some subtle advice, but Kim Seong-hyeon had refused. The official statement posted by the agency was written entirely by Kim Seong-hyeon himself from start to finish.
His sincerely written statement spread rapidly across the internet.
[Title: Where is Kim Seong-hyeon?
I can’t see anything but light.
└ God-Seong-hyeon… He is light… Pure light….]
[Title: Anyone who bashes God-Seong-hyeon will be shot
Cease fire!!! He’s an ally!!!
└ God-Seong-hyeon… God-Seong-hyeon….]
[He’s such a righteous young man, almost foolishly so, unlike kids these days. This is how politicians should be.
└ Why politics all of a sudden; old man, go home and wash your feet and go to sleep.]
[Guys
I’m going to die peacefully now, caught in Kim Seong-hyeon’s dimples. Bye.
└ Saved as a PDF. Bye.
└└ Lmao ㅠㅠㅠ Seong-hyeon-ah, I love you to death.]
It was a total explosion in popularity.
At the same time, Kim Seong-hyeon’s 2nd Competition fancam and The Dawn’s guerrilla concert video began to trend again. The comments were filled with nothing but praise for Kim Seong-hyeon.
[└ Kim Seong-hyeon is seriously so cool. He’s doing this through gritted teeth. (Likes: 10,339)]
[└ This was when Kim Seong-hyeon was getting the most hate.
Because of the bullying rumors and the (disastrous) minus voting for Today, the Today fans’ gatekeeping was no joke. I was at the competition, and those ~great~ Today fans^^ did a silent boycott.
But everyone was seriously shocked during the performance. Because Kim Seong-hyeon was too good. (Likes: 3,953)]
[└ Seong Ji-won’s lines at the beginning seem to have predicted this whole situation…
‘I would have been anxious too, if I were you.
For to you, I am but a stranger.
But please know this.
No matter how many dozens of times it takes, no matter how many hundreds of times I must return.
I will set everything right.’
In the end, Kim Seong-hyeon set everything right…
Goosebumps… How far ahead did The Dawn see? (Likes: 532)]
[Seo Ho-yun’s lines too…
‘I am not anxious. For I know you.
So, shall we begin again?’
Because he trusts the members and the fans, he moves forward without anxiety… It feels like he’s saying that, so it’s so good and makes me cry..
└└ Tears ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
It was a massive, massive hit.
And so, all the baits Seo Ho-yun had thrown while working his ass off merged into a single argument.
[The live broadcast is tomorrow.
If you’re a human being, let’s vote for The Dawn.]
* * *
“Wait, where’s Seong-hyeon hyung?”
“I’m right here?”
“Huh? I can’t see you, hyung.”
Kang Yi-chae tilted his head. Jeong Da-jun muttered seriously beside him.
“Eh, there’s nothing but light here.”
“Pure light…”
“Hyung! Are you there? If you are, can you answer?”
“You guys… cut it out…”
“Wuhahaha!”
Kang Yi-chae laughed as he wandered around. He was doing it on purpose because Kim Seong-hyeon looked awkward.
Seong Ji-won, who was practicing while wetting his throat, chuckled at the sight.
“Guys. Stop teasing Seong-hyeon.”
“Seong Ji-won, tell them to stop.”
Kim Seong-hyeon looked at Seong Ji-won with an indignant expression, but Seong Ji-won just smiled gently.
“You shouldn’t tease a hero.”
“Hey!”
“Heeeroooo~!”
Kim Seong-hyeon clutched his head in agony. I clicked my tongue and turned my attention back to my phone.
Still, Kim Seong-hyeon’s face looked much better, which put me at ease.
“Kim Seong-hyeon, you are my hero~!”
“God-Seong-hyeon! God-Seong-hyeon!”
Between practicing, praying for Today’s downfall, and resolving Kim Seong-hyeon’s bullying scandal, even three bodies wouldn’t have been enough.
I was stretching, cracking my neck, when Kim Seong-hyeon crept up to me.
“Hey, Seo Ho-yun.”
“Yeah?”
“…Do you have time later?”
Ah.
Kim Seong-hyeon was looking at me, hesitating.
It must be because I was the one who called Hwang Jeong-gyu.
‘Thank you’ was written in giant letters all over Kim Seong-hyeon’s face.
He’s so different from the first day.
Recalling the face of the Kim Seong-hyeon who used to hate me, I grinned.
“Nope, I don’t.”
“……!”
“Just kidding, I do.”
Kim Seong-hyeon nodded vigorously. Actually, Kim Seong-hyeon was the most obedient among the members.
I turned my head and was mentally mapping out the stage movements when a staff member threw the door open.
“The Dawn, you’re going on the live stage in five minutes! Please get ready!”
“Yes!”
We scrambled to our feet and headed toward the stage.
In the meantime, I glanced at Seong Ji-won. I was worried he might be shaking again.
Hyung, I don’t have any more points to buy Cheongsimhwan.
I don’t have any more aegyo to spare, either.
I was just thinking that to myself when my eyes met Seong Ji-won’s. He answered quickly.
“I’m fine. I’m not nervous.”
“…You’re quick on the uptake.”
I’d only looked at him once.
They weren’t like this at first, but I don’t know why the members have suddenly become as sharp as ghosts.
“Even if it was short, we practiced dozens of times. The dry rehearsal was fine, and the camera rehearsal was fine too.”
“You did well.”
“I have to do even better on the live stage.”
“Are you really Seong Ji-won?”
“Of course.”
Seong Ji-won glanced at Kim Seong-hyeon, who was still looking embarrassed, and smiled slightly.
“I think it’ll be okay now.”
After Seong Ji-won walked away, I muttered softly.
“…System Window.”
[Yes!]
“Can’t you check things like Seong Ji-won’s mental stats?”
[The System Window is not omnipotent.]
“Right, I know very well how incompetent you are.”
When I joked with a smirk, the System Window popped up a bunch of windows as if protesting, but I ignored them all. As we stepped behind the stage, the gazes of the staff and members of other groups pricked at us.
I greeted every single one of them without exception and finished a final in-ear check.
“Let’s go up.”