Chapter 51
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 51
“Waaaaah!”
“The Dawn! The Dawn!”
“Seong-hyeon!!”
“Seo Ho-yun—!!”
Thunderous cheers erupted from outside.
It seemed they were playing the VCR before The Dawn’s performance. I could hear Seong Ji-won’s voice from his interview.
[The Dawn was actually on the verge of disbanding. Our results weren't great. Everyone was thinking, ‘There’s nothing we can do,’ or ‘We should just be grateful for this much.’]
Next was Jeong Da-jun.
[I just trusted the hyungs and followed them! Do you call this being a self-made success? Oh, a cottage industry? Well, anyway. Yi-chae hyung composed, Seong-hyeon hyung made the choreography, and Ji-won hyung took charge of the vocals. And Ho-yun hyung led us!]
[Huh? Da-jun said he just trusted us and followed along? Haha, that kid. How was I? I just did it because it was fun. Life with the members is fun, and I love the fans.]
Following Kang Yi-chae, Kim Seong-hyeon’s interview played. After a long moment of contemplation and silence, Kim Seong-hyeon offered a faint smile.
[To those who believed in me… I feel like I’ve incurred a debt that I can never repay, no matter what I do.]
The editing was good.
“Waaaaah!!”
“Moving out!”
A staff member shouted at the top of their lungs.
I nodded and stepped up to the wall blocking the stage. Once the VCR ended, the wall would split open.
“The Dawn!”
The roar of the crowd was becoming so loud that the audio from the VCR was barely audible in patches. Standing beside me, the members looked slightly nervous, yet their faces were flushed with excitement.
The final VCR segment was mine.
[Seo Ho-yun, tell us your resolution for the final stage.]
It was Kim Hee-yeong’s voice.
The sound of my laughter echoed out.
[Obviously,]
My voice resonated through the hall.
[I have to do well.]
Kim Seong-hyeon turned to look at me. He mouthed the words.
‘Let’s do well.’
It was exactly what Seong Ji-won had said to me once before, so I let out a thin smile.
Of course.
After all the preparation we’d done.
The stage opened. As we walked forward from the dark backstage, brilliant lights flooded my vision.
Once my eyes adjusted to the dizzyingly bright lights, an unbelievable sight unfolded before me.
“Waaaaah!”
Countless fans filled the audience, waving The Dawn’s slogans.
“Seo Ho-yun! Seo Ho-yun!”
Cheers poured in. The fans went wild just at the sight of our faces.
The effect of a 6 percent viewership rating was immense. Even I began to feel a surge of emotion.
Simultaneously, the intro ended, and the beat of the first song Kang Yi-chae had ever composed rang out.
The song was titled Kismet.
It meant a fate beyond human control.
‘They say intense friction is required from the start for a star to be born.’
We substituted The Dawn for the star and framed the hardships we’d faced so far as the process of being born.
‘What does that mean?’
‘It means the suffering we went through was inevitable.’
Because, in the end, we were destined to become stars.
[No, sir. There is nothing here.]
It began with the sound of an astronaut communicating through radio static.
[Only little clouds of dust.]
Pop! The sound cut off, and a jimmy jib camera swung toward us.
The five of us, lying in different directions, looked like a star. Within that formation, Seong Ji-won lifted his upper body and reached out a hand.
[In the vast universe, I met the miracle that is you
Enchanted by you, I reach out
I am so small]
Behind Seong Ji-won, a massive nebula spread across the screen. Seong Ji-won wore a gentle smile.
[But you told me,
That I can be a star]
At that moment, everyone snapped to their feet.
The song shifted to a fast tempo. Unlike the lingering, sentimental feel of the previous performance, this was a cheerful, funky rhythm.
Kim Seong-hyeon walked to the front.
[Lift your head, open your eyes in the dust]
As he was caught on camera, the fans’ screams grew even louder.
“Kyaaaaah!”
“Kim Seong-hyeon! Kim Seong-hyeon!”
It was the appearance of Kim Seong-hyeon, the hero and greatest beneficiary of the recent "devil’s editing."
The reaction was truly overwhelming.
[Everyone warns me
To be born, I must jump into the storm]
Kim Seong-hyeon’s image on the large screen looked quite cool, even to me.
Every drop of sweat he had shed was ultimately for this stage.
[It’s okay, I’ve already decided, I want to meet you
I don’t mind burning up
I know things gonna be alright]
Kim Seong-hyeon waved his hand broadly and bowed his head. Kang Yi-chae popped out from beside him, rapping with a mischievous grin.
[You see, the nebula gathers
Jump into the storm, endure the gravity
A collision like this is nothing
This is the path to you anyway
Birth of a star]
As we shifted formations, Seong Ji-won adjusted his in-ear monitor and began the chorus. I added doubling ad-libs to match him.
[Brilliant light explodes
Don’t miss it
This is it (Well, I told you)
The moment a star is born]
The reaction was good. Simultaneously, Jeong Da-jun ran to the center while the other four scattered to the sides.
“Da-jun-ah!!”
[I’m running to you
I want to tell you proudly
That because of you, I became a star]
The audience below the stage swayed beautifully. Fans were cheering and waving their slogans.
As Jeong Da-jun gestured as if turning the camera toward me, the focus snapped onto my face.
A blue light illuminated me brightly.
I squinted for a moment because it was so dazzling, but I thought to myself…
That this light was like the future of these soft-hearted, foolish guys.
[Don’t be flustered, you only have to do one thing]
These were words for the fans who had believed in The Dawn until the end, through all the ups and downs.
[Take my hand and follow me
You showed me the way]
The smallest repayment we could offer.
I found myself wanting to show them more, so that one day it could become an even greater repayment.
The swaying slogans surged like waves. My heart pumped fiercely as if it were about to explode.
[Now I will become the lamp and show you]
A smile crept onto my face. Another scene I would never forget was added to my life. As I became Seo Ho-yun the idol, unfamiliar emotions and experiences were piling up one by one.
As we returned to the full-group formation, colorful fireworks exploded.
[I will dance all night to please you
Until the star’s heart grows cold
I will sing all day only for you (only for you)]
Sweat trickled down. There was no time to wipe it away or rest. I swept my hair back and stayed focused until the very end.
[It’s okay, I’ve already decided]
As we all sang together, the camera followed Seong Ji-won. When Seong Ji-won, walking with long strides, playfully drew a star with his hand, cheers naturally erupted.
[I don’t mind burning until the end]
The song was racing toward its conclusion.
The sound of radio static returned.
[Wait, there is something going on.]
We held our heads high, looking forward, and stretched out both arms. Our palms, spread out in unison, faced the fans who were undulating like a tide.
And finally, our protagonist, Kim Seong-hyeon.
Kim Seong-hyeon looked straight ahead with a steady gaze.
[Because you told me,]
Kim Seong-hyeon smiled brilliantly.
[That I can be a star.]
* * *
“Great job, everyone!”
“Thank you! Good work!”
To be honest, I don’t remember much after that. As I tried to head to the waiting room after finishing the stage, everyone kept coming up to talk to me.
“This is definitely going to hit peak ratings! The highest for the program!”
“Sunbae-nim! You were so cool.”
“We’ll take one post-stage interview! It’s going on Nutube!”
I felt like I was in the middle of a chaotic street market. I was busy greeting people and responding, and just as I was about to catch my breath, the time for the announcement arrived.
As we headed back to the stage, bright lights pointed our way. A beaming Yoo Ji-ah announced the rankings in order.
“4th place! Refined.”
The members of Refined walked out with smiles, as if they had expected it. They weren't bad, but they were bound to be buried among such formidable performances.
“3rd place, Nightmare!”
Nightmare’s Lee Han-seong let out a scream of surprise. Laughter broke out. He made a huge fuss as if he were perfectly satisfied with 3rd place, bowing repeatedly before eventually shedding tears during his acceptance speech.
I had a feeling Nightmare would climb even higher in the future. Yoo Ji-ah gave a bright smile.
“Now, only 1st and 2nd place remain, right? Mars and The Dawn—who will win the ticket to Shining Star Season 2!”
I locked eyes with the Mars vocal. He gave a somewhat hollow laugh, but his gaze held a sense of acknowledgment.
The long wait characteristic of live voting broadcasts—designed for commercials and ratings—followed, but everyone on stage already knew the result. Yoo Ji-ah slowly raised her microphone.
“With 7,220 points this time….”
It was an overwhelming score.
“With a total of 13,420 points…!”
Even before she finished, the fans had already done the math and were screaming. I smiled brightly.
“The Dawn!”
“Kyaaaaaah!”
“The Dawn takes 1st place!”
Bang!
Confetti cannons went off, and paper petals fluttered down.
A few paper petals stuck to the faces of the members, who wore dazed expressions as if they couldn't believe it was real, even though they had expected it.
‘They look like idiots.’
However, I couldn't guarantee that I looked any different from the rest of them.
“W-we….”
“Congratulations!”
“Congratulations!!”
Ding!
[Quest Success!
You have taken 1st place on ‘Shining Star.’
Congratulations!]
[All stats increased by 50.]
[Hidden Trait acquired.]
[Would you like to check the Hidden Trait?]
‘No, I should enjoy this for now.’
“Kyaaaaaah!”
The fans’ cheers continued endlessly. Tears streamed down the faces of the fans waving their slogans frantically below the stage. I wished they wouldn't cry, but still.
Even Yoo Ji-ah, swept up in the heat of the moment, continued excitedly.
“The Dawn has earned the opportunity to participate in Shining Star Season 2!!”
‘We did it.’
Just as I was about to turn to the members to dump the acceptance speech on Kim Seong-hyeon, someone slammed into me.
“Hyung-aaaaah!”
It was Jeong Da-jun.
“Hyung! We got 1st place!”
At the same time, Kang Yi-chae piled on. Seong Ji-won and Kim Seong-hyeon were the same. I felt like I was going to be crushed to death.
“1st place! We really got 1st place!”
“Ho-yun-ah!!”
I hadn't said a single word, but my hair was being ruffled, and my body was being pushed and squeezed from all sides. It was total chaos.
I finally managed to shake them off and spoke.
“I told you we would.”
“Hyung, you know I really believed in you, right?!”
“Good grief… fine. Kim Seong-hyeon, Mr. Leader. Hurry up and take the mic.”
“Ah, uh. Right. Okay.”
I calmed down Kim Seong-hyeon, who was uncharacteristically bouncing around and hugging me in his overwhelming emotion, and handed him the microphone I had received from Yoo Ji-ah.
“Uh, um…… I’m truly grateful to the fans who voted for us. This was really, really unexpected…….”
I watched Kim Seong-hyeon as he spoke earnestly.
The fans were still waving their hands through their tears. I found myself smiling again without realizing it.
“First, our company, whom I’m always grateful to, and our members who worked so hard. Seong Ji-won, Kang Yi-chae, Jeong Da-jun. And…… Seo Ho-yun.”
Kim Seong-hyeon hesitated, putting emphasis on every word.
“I’m really, really thankful to you.”
The way Kim Seong-hyeon tried to speak calmly despite his rambling. The way he tried not to cry for fear of making the fans sad, yet faced them with such honesty.
As someone once said—.
“I am truly happy to be able to stand here as The Dawn. …I will continue to work hard in the future.”
“Thank you!”
—He really looked like a hero.
* * *
“The final viewership rating for Shining Star was 7%!”
“Waaaaah!”
“When was the peak rating?!”
“The Dawn’s stage! No, wait, the 1st place announcement!”
“During the 1st place announcement! It was 7.6%!”
Kim Hee-yeong definitely didn't cry.
Kim Hee-yeong (as she always had been) wasn't interested in titles like "Star PD" or fame. She just looked incredibly pleased, perhaps feeling refreshed by the changed ending.
I knew that look; she was more relieved about getting rid of Today than she was about the program’s success. One hundred percent.
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi! You genius idol! Congratulations on 1st place!”
“Ayy, PD-nim. It’s all thanks to you.”
“Don’t thank me! Thank that face of yours, Seo Ho-yun-ssi!”
“…….”
“Ugh! PD-nim! You’re being such a nuisance!”
“Wahahaha! Did you see that, you punks! Serves them right, serves them right!”
Kim Hee-yeong laughed uproariously, perhaps a bit tipsy. I quietly pawned her off on a nearby staff member.
After cleanly abandoning Kim Hee-yeong and heading to The Dawn’s table, I was caught by another nuisance.
“Guys, I was wrong! I’m a sinner!”
“Why is everyone like this?”
This time it was the manager.
“Who gave the manager alcohol?”
“He said he’s calling a designated driver.”
“Just take the van and run off like last time! Even if you do it ten times, I won’t stop you!”
“What do we do about this?”
“Leave him be, he’s drunk.”
Seong Ji-won said, sipping his drink. I hoped someone would take care of the cleanup.
While replying to messages from Ju Woo-seong, Im Hyeon-su, and Seo Ho-jin, I heard the frenzied shouts of the staff.
“Reward! Reward vacation!”
“For now, just swipe the corporate card today!”
“Kyaaaaah! Let’s go all the way to a fourth round of drinks!”
I was appalled to see people wanting to go to a second, third, and fourth round because the ratings broke 7%.
“Jeong Da-jun is here, so let’s slip away quietly.”
“What about the manager?”
“Should we leave him? He looks like he’s having fun over there.”
“Yeah. He worked hard, he should enjoy himself today.”
Kang Yi-chae tapped Jeong Da-jun, who was still drinking cola, and signaled for us to leave.
Since Jeong Da-jun was still a minor, he was sipping cola and rubbing his half-closed eyes, but he seemed to be in a good mood.
He was naturally affectionate and kind, so he tended to make friends quickly, and through this competition, he seemed to have become particularly close with the Nightmare members.
“Da-jun-ah! Go on in!”
“You worked hard too, hyung!”
“The Dawn, great job!”
After saying our goodbyes and stepping out of the restaurant, the night air was cold. It snapped me awake.
“Should we take a taxi?”
“Let’s do that.”
I was heading toward the main road to catch a taxi without much thought when I locked eyes with Kim Seong-hyeon. Seeing him hesitate, I remembered what he’d said earlier.
He’d asked for some of my time.
“I’ll walk to clear my head from the alcohol. The dorm isn't far from here anyway.”
“Oh, me too.”
“Hyung, let’s walk together!”
Just as I spoke, Jeong Da-jun’s eyes snapped open. He’d been mumbling about being sleepy and wanting to go home, but suddenly he was acting like a total clinger.
‘How do I get rid of him?’
My dilemma didn't last long. The quick-witted Seong Ji-won and Kang Yi-chae smiled thinly and grabbed the maknae by the scruff of his neck.
“Good little children should go to bed early~.”
“Right, right?”
“What? Hyungs, why are you doing this?”
“Let’s go, hyung is tired~.”
They dragged Jeong Da-jun away and hopped into a taxi. Seong Ji-won poked his head out the window.
“See you later! Don’t be too late.”
“Okay—.”
“Good job today.”
“You too.”
“Really.”
Seong Ji-won smiled and closed the window, and the taxi quickly sped away. I was left on the empty road with Kim Seong-hyeon.
“Shall we go?”
“Yeah.”
As we walked in silence, I felt a bit of regret.
Having finished a massive stage just a few hours ago, there was that characteristic sense of emptiness, but….
“I-it’s cold.”
It was freezing.
“Just how sincere of a conversation are we planning to have to go through this trouble?”
“…Ugh, maybe we should have just taken a taxi to the dorm together?”
As the alcohol evaporated and I sobered up a bit, I felt a chill. Kim Seong-hyeon blew on his hands and looked around before spotting a pojangmacha. Our eyes met.
‘Let’s go in.’
‘Hurry, let’s go in.’
I gestured to Kim Seong-hyeon, and we quickly entered the street stall. Since it was the early hours of the morning, there weren't many people.
Even then, most were drunk, and the owner, who looked to be on the older side, didn't seem to recognize us, so it felt like we could talk comfortably.
“Want some fishcakes?”
“Tteokbokki too.”
“Then I’ll have sundae as well.”
“Soju too?”
“Deal.”
We reached a quick agreement, sat down, and ordered.
Soon, the soju came out first. I cracked it open and poured it into the glasses. I downed the drink in one go and spoke.
“Good job.”
“……Yeah. You too.”
Kim Seong-hyeon fidgeted before cautiously calling my name.
“……Ho-yun-ah.”
“What? That’s creepy.”
“No matter what I say, you…. Forget it.”
Goosebumps broke out on my arms. It wasn't Seong Ji-won, but Kim Seong-hyeon acting like this, so I just couldn't get used to it.
After failing to set the mood, Kim Seong-hyeon glared at me and let out a series of deep sighs.
“The thing is.”
Kim Seong-hyeon downed his soju. Then he said to me:
“I met Jeong-gyu yesterday and we talked.”
Ah, Kim Seong-hyeon’s friend.
He said he was rushing back to the country; I guess he really did come.
“…How did you get Jeong-gyu’s number? He said he’d cut ties with Korea entirely.”
“Ha……. You have no idea what hyung did….”
Thinking of that cringeworthy past again, I downed another shot of soju. Kim Seong-hyeon tilted his head.
“So, did the talk go well?”
“Yeah, well. It ended well. Thanks to you. We cleared up the misunderstanding, and he said thank you.”
Kim Seong-hyeon exhaled and poked at the freshly served tteokbokki with his chopsticks, acting hesitant.
‘He’s not drunk enough yet.’
“Want to drink?”
“Yeah.”
Then he needed to get drunker. That was the only way the conversation would flow easily.
I poured the soju generously. As I kept feeding him drinks in silence, Kim Seong-hyeon gradually became more talkative as the alcohol took hold.
“Actually, really, things were very hard back then. I thought a lot about whether I had really done something wrong…. And the activities I tried to start with a fresh mindset didn't go well either.”
“Uh-huh.”
“So I was… very impatient. That’s why I was so harsh to you at the very beginning.”
“Was that it?”
Was he harsh? I thought his reaction was only natural for someone in his position.
‘Because he’s too soft.’
Unaware that I was clicking my tongue, Kim Seong-hyeon wiped his eyes. The guy who had been more guarded than anyone at first had now broken down all his defenses and uttered a single sentence.
“I’m sorry for back then.”
“…….”
“And… thank you so much for looking out for me.”
I let out a brief sigh.
‘The word "hero"… it really does suit him.’
A person who knows how to let go of their pride is braver than anyone.
Lost for words, I chewed on a fishcake in silence, but I nearly spat it out at the sight that followed.
“I’m such a total bastard.”
Tears began to fall from Kim Seong-hyeon’s eyes.
“ I’m really, really sorry. You had to suffer because of me.”
“I-it’s okay.”
Crazy. How am I supposed to handle this?
I’m not the type to get flustered when someone cries, but seeing this guy, who had been stoic the whole time, act like this was extremely baffling. Standing before the human faucet, I just blurted out whatever came to mind.
“We’re doing great now anyway. That’s all that matters.”
“I, I ruined the whole atmosphere… and you guys got cursed at for no reason….”
“Forget it. Even if it wasn't for you, I would’ve had plenty of trials. Things go well and then bam, they fall apart. You get cursed at and fail, then suddenly everything starts working out. Right?”
“Is that so…?”
“You never know what’s going to happen, so you just do it. And you did well enough. Better than anyone. So stop crying. …Hey, why are you crying more?”
Ding!
[You’re just saying whatever because you’re flustered, aren't you?]
Shut up. I pulled out some tissues, tossed them to him, and hurriedly turned my head.
“Sajang-nim! Two more bottles of soju here!”
“Oh my, you young men going to be okay?”
“Yes, we’re fine!”
And then, we both got wasted.
Dammit. I was just trying to comfort him by clinking glasses and sipping along, but I ended up drunk too.
“Don’t I actually dance pretty well??”
“Of course! You’re decent for your level! You’ve improved a lot, a lot.”
“As much as Ju Woo-seong?”
“Don’t cross the line.”
“Wait, what the hell. You’re not drunk, are you?”
The moment I mentioned Ju Woo-seong, Kim Seong-hyeon’s face went dead serious.
Ayy, chet.
Just as I thought the atmosphere was reaching its peak, Kim Seong-hyeon’s head suddenly dropped. He slammed his forehead onto the table and mumbled that he could keep going, but by then, I was also out of my mind with alcohol up to my throat.
“Want more fishcakes?”
“I’m full….”
“Hey, eat, eat. You have to eat something warm. You’re not in your right mind because you’re drunk.”
“That goes for you too, Seo Ho-yun.”
“Haha, is that so?”
As I laughed lightly, Kim Seong-hyeon shifted.
“……It’s strange.”
“What is.”
“You’re too similar to that hyung…….”
Still without lifting his head from the table, Kim Seong-hyeon suddenly began to mumble.
“When I look at you…… strangely, I think of him sometimes.”
It was probably just more drunken nonsense.
I was holding a fishcake skewer in each hand, alternating bites while debating whether or not to crack open another bottle of soju.
Regardless of whether I was listening, Kim Seong-hyeon continued his story.
"A long time ago... after I dropped out... I was heading home, exhausted, and I stopped by a street stall."
"Yeah."
"I was standing there, trying to decide what to order, when I suddenly started crying. My life just felt so pathetic."
"..."
"But this older guy standing next to me—a total stranger—suddenly handed over five thousand won without saying a word and bought me some fishcakes. He even scooped out some broth for me."
Ding!
[Partial 'Memory' unlocked.]
I froze. A memory that had felt like static suddenly flickered into sharp focus.
—Boss, more broth over here, please.
—...
I nearly dropped the half-eaten fishcake in my hand.
A memory of a freezing day flashed through my mind.
I remembered someone—their face a blur—wearing a high school uniform and sobbing uncontrollably.
"That guy stayed by my side until I stopped crying. So, I just stood there, sobbing while I forced those fishcakes down..."
"..."
"He paid and was about to leave. I grabbed him right away, just to say thank you or something."
I remembered what that tearful high schooler had said.
—Thank you.
"But he just looked at me for a second without saying anything, and then he said..."
Goosebumps broke out over my skin.
I looked at Kim Seong-hyeon’s face. His features slowly began to align with that blurry image from my past.
[Partial 'Memory' unlocked.]
—Hang in there.
"Hang in there."
"..."
"It was such a simple thing to say, but those words saved me back then. They gave me the strength to keep going. I was able to make it this far, and I learned to believe in myself a little more. I’m happy. I really am... but am I just stupid?"
I set my skewer down on the table.
"I can’t really remember his face..."
With those final words, Kim Seong-hyeon lost consciousness.
Seeing him face-down and motionless, it looked like he had fallen fast asleep.
Ding!
[You have gained Kim Seong-hyeon's 'Complete Trust'.]
[Notoriety Points decrease.]
[You have heard Kim Seong-hyeon's entire past. Privacy lock has been lifted.]
Without a word, I cracked open a fresh bottle of soju. I downed it in one go.
I grimaced as the hot, stinging liquid burned its way down my throat, then stared silently at the sleeping Kim Seong-hyeon. A status window hovered above his head.
[Kim Seong-hyeon, The Dawn’s Leader & Main Dancer]
"Seong-hyeon."
I rested my hand on my forehead, taking a moment to organize my thoughts. No matter how much I turned it over in my head, I kept reaching the same conclusion.
"...I think that guy was me."
A hollow laugh escaped my lips.
Ding!
[Note: Having received help from the player 'Seo Ho-yun' in the past, he was able to continue his life as an idol. Once again, through 'Seo Ho-yun's' strength, 'Kim Seong-hyeon' has stood back up, gaining the power to overcome his painful past and move forward.]
[Main Scenario 15% complete!]
[Proceeding to the next Main Chapter.]
I finally get it.
I finally understand why I was possessed into this damn game.