Chapter 55
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 55
[Title: (Pre-release) ‘Let’s Get Close’ Ju Woo-seong and Seo Ho-yun’s Chaotic Phone Mission Tiki-Taka ʕ•ﻌ•ʔ
Ju Woo-seong: A… A phone mission with anyone except my members??? (Pupils shaking)
Woo-seong claims he has no friends outside of his group…. After a moment of agonizing, he finally makes a call!
Ju Woo-seong: I don’t think he’ll pick up...
???: (Ring, ring) Hello. This is Seo Ho-yun.
It was Seo Ho-yun from The Dawn!!
The keyword to hear is “Insanely Handsome”!
Ju Woo-seong: Right, right. It’s not like I particularly want to hear you say you, uh, re! spect me….
And it’s not like I want to hear you say I’m handsome either… you know??
Being pathetic starting from 2 AM!
Seo Ho-yun: You shouldn't ask others about your own appearance. Live your life with more autonomy.
Ju Woo-seong: ???
Strangely logical!
Seo Ho-yun: Ah… I’m not very confident with quizzes….
(1 minute later)
Seo Ho-yun: Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, Incheon, Gwangju, Ulsan.
Production Team: …????
(Who exactly is this Seo Ho-yun?)
Production Team: What is Ju Woo-seong’s favorite food?
(Clips from past variety shows flash by, showing him as a Kimchi Fried Rice fanatic.)
Ju Woo-seong: I love Kimchi Fried Rice so much ♡
Ju Woo-seong: (Shrugs) (Satisfied) He’ll obviously get this right, right? Haha.
Seo Ho-yun: (Silence)
Ju Woo-seong: …?
(Seo Ho-yun hesitates….)
Seo Ho-yun: Do, uh, do I really need to know that….
Ju Woo-seong: ??!
BUZZ!!!
Seo Ho-yun: ……If you have nothing else to say, shall we hang up?
Ju Woo-seong: Yeah, let’s hang up the phone and our relationship while we’re at it.
A swift cutting of ties!
Ju Woo-seong: It’s my fault for calling this (-Bleep-) Seo Ho-yun, (-Bleep-)…….
(Ju Woo-seong’s profanity has been censored.)
(Our program complies with broadcasting censorship standards. ^^)
Ju Woo-seong: Who is Seo Ho-yun? Who suggested calling him in the first place??
(It was you, Ju Woo-seong….
We hope you two reconcile soon.)
└ LMAO I’m literally dying right now f*ck ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ (Likes: 4911)
└└ Ju Woo-seong: He’ll obviously get this right, right? Haha.
Seo Ho-yun: (Confused)
This amazingly awkward business relationship!
└└ LMAO Ah, Ho-gyong is so cute ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└└ They must be really close lol. I’m glad Jyu-seong finally made a friend,,
└ But wait, how did Seo Ho-yun get all the general knowledge questions right?? Is it a script?
└└ This show is famous for not having a script.
└└ If it’s real, that’s insane. Also, knowing the debut date based on music shows means he’s a legit Ju Woo-seong fan.
└└ Isn’t he basically a K-pop veteran at this point….
└ No, but if he’s a fan, how does he not know about the Kimchi Fried Rice? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Even my mom knows he’s a fanatic because he eats it on every variety show he goes on ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ Seo Ho-yun is actually a scary person….
└└ Ever since he called out Today on Shining Star… he’s been giving off vibes….
└└ Can’t you read the room? When did I ever bash him?
└└ (This comment has been reported.)]
As expected, appearing on variety shows gets a good reaction. Maybe it’s because Ju Woo-seong has seniority and high public recognition, but the response is quite decent.
However….
[What the… why is Seo Ho-yun doing variety solo? Don’t they know you have to push the group hard during the early stages of being a nugu-turned-rookie? Is the agency not managing them??]
[Seo Ho-yun is probably just struggling to get famous on his own. I’ve seen a million guys like him among K-pop idols.]
[Ugh ㅠ It’s nauseating to see him clinging to Jyu-seong ㅠ Stop the clout-chasing~ (Vomiting emoji)]
How are the hate comments exactly what I expected?
I scrolled through the hate comments and pondered for a moment. Being cursed at like this was a daily occurrence back when I was a PD, so I was fine.
‘Solo schedules….’
It’s true that if you go on variety shows alone for solo schedules, you’ll get flak for it even if people pretend otherwise. The fact that Ju Woo-seong ‘called first’ seems to be mitigating it a bit, but still….
“Hyung, what’s up with these view counts?”
It would be problematic if the other members started resenting solo schedules too.
‘Nothing good comes from the teamwork falling apart.’
I gave a casual response to Kang Yi-chae, who was speaking brightly.
“I know, right? The reaction is good for a pre-release.”
“I think I’ll be working on songs a bit more… Are you doing a variety show with Ju Woo-seong sunbae-nim today, hyung?”
“Yeah. What about the others?”
“Da-jun said he’s practicing with Ji-won hyung.”
Kang Yi-chae rattled off the members’ schedules. I guess I won’t be able to check the reactions of the rest of the team then. As I nodded, Kang Yi-chae chuckled and showed me something.
“Look at this.”
“What is it?”
“A photo of Seong-hyeon hyung from today.”
Kang Yi-chae showed me a photo of Kim Seong-hyeon in a police uniform.
[Police Agency Promotional Ambassador Kim Seong-hyeon]
Due to the previous incident, he had become an important icon for the eradication of school violence. Kim Seong-hyeon had repeatedly refused with an awkward expression, but he finally surrendered after Seong Ji-won’s long persuasion that he could exert a positive influence on many people.
“I should post this in the group chat too.”
[Kang Yi-chae: (Photo)]
[Kang Yi-chae: (Photo)]
[Kang Yi-chae: Daaaamn~~!! You look cool, big bro.]
[Jeong Da-jun: He’s glowing, literally glowing. Is this the legendary ‘God Seong-hyeon’?]
[Kang Yi-chae: Eh? Is this… ‘me’?]
[Kim Seong-hyeon: ....................]
[Kim Seong-hyeon: Stop it.]
[Seong Ji-won: Oh, that’s today! Good luck!!]
I let out a small sigh as I watched the group chat messages pile up relentlessly.
‘I have to maintain this state.’
The members of The Dawn were all genuinely good people.
Compared to Today, who completely flopped and are now going in and out of police investigations or running off to the military…. No, compared to those bastards, anyone would look like an angel.
Anyway, perhaps because they knew how much they had suffered together, the bond between the members was strong.
“…….”
If anything were to break this teamwork, it would come from the inside, not the outside. If so, what kind of trouble could arise internally?
At this point, there was only one answer.
Individual settlements.
‘Honestly, it’s a crucial issue.’
Right now, only my contract had been renewed with favorable terms. The other members likely didn’t know about this.
What if they found out only my contract was different? They wouldn’t sue the company, would they?
No, at the very least, team discord is a hundred percent guarantee. Such a disaster must be prevented in advance.
‘I’ll have to revise the overall contracts at some point.’
But lately, the CEO was nowhere to be found. When I asked the manager, I heard he was busy running around for Daepasung’s top actor Min Ji-heon’s location shoot in China.
‘He’s really making me want to whip him into shape.’
I thought the best timing would be when we hit number one with this comeback song. I’d need to have at least some leverage to negotiate.
“Hyung.”
There was no point in telling them now that only mine had been changed….
“Hyung!”
“Uh, yeah?”
“What are you thinking about so hard? You didn’t even hear me.”
“Ah, sorry. What did you say?”
“You’re weird sometimes, hyung.”
Kang Yi-chae clicked his tongue.
“I asked when you’re coming back later.”
“I expect to be back by dawn.”
Kang Yi-chae narrowed his eyes and looked at me. From what I’d seen so far, his intuition wasn’t just fast; it was Usain Bolt level.
I subtly avoided his gaze and threw out a question.
“Kang Yi-chae, what are you going to do once you get your settlement?”
“Huh? So suddenly?”
It was sudden, but—.
I couldn't exactly ask, ‘I changed my contract alone, are you going to be really pissed off because of that?’ so I asked a question related to the settlement instead.
“I don’t know? There’s nothing I particularly want right now. I have most game consoles, and I just upgraded my computer to the highest specs not long ago.”
“Game consoles….”
Come to think of it, he had desperately stopped Kim Seong-hyeon from throwing them all away last time. He only managed to save his consoles after being forced to promise Seong-hyeon that he wouldn't play for more than five hours a day.
What do… kids usually like? I tried to recall the tastes of celebrities in their twenties I’d seen during my PD days.
“Hmm, don’t you want a watch or a car? Guys your age usually like those things.”
“What are you even…. No, before that.”
“……?”
“You’re talking like you’re not my age, hyung.”
Scary kid. Cold sweat ran down my back.
“You know, the kind of things you want to buy when you get money.”
“Wellll….”
Kang Yi-chae trailed off and just shrugged.
“I’m not particularly interested in money.”
“……?!”
‘No way.’
Did such a species actually exist in South Korea?
As a petty South Korean citizen who was a capitalist to the bone, I was in shock. I’m the type who looks at my bank balance to feel happy when times are tough…?
Because I was so shocked, Kang Yi-chae, who was casually picking his ear, almost looked noble for a moment.
“…Why? Are you planning to entrust your life to some religion?”
“Yeah. Just pray it’s not a cult.”
“Don’t suddenly call me and tell me to buy a heating mat.”
“Ahaha.”
Seeing him engage in trivial banter, it seemed he was just joking. Kang Yi-chae frowned slightly and tapped his phone with his index finger.
“It’s just…. I’ve seen people become endlessly hideous because of something like money… I’m sick of it.”
“…….”
‘I stepped on a landmine.’
Isn’t he talking about me?
Cold sweat broke out, and I missed the timing to respond. Kang Yi-chae also seemed to realize his slip and quickly changed the subject.
“I mean, well, that’s just how I feel.”
As if he had made a mistake, he lowered the corners of his eyebrows and smiled gently.
“Anyway, hyung, you’re going to be late. Get going.”
“……Right.”
Following Kang Yi-chae’s words, I was about to head out for my schedule when I suddenly turned back. Kang Yi-chae’s eyes, which were still fixed on me, widened.
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“…Should I buy you something you like on my way back?”
As if he understood the intention behind those words, Kang Yi-chae burst into laughter.
“What exactly are you going to buy? Do you even know what I like?”
“…Chicken?”
“…….”
Was I wrong?
“Hamburgers? Pizza? Or maybe Jajangmyeon?”
“If we had done a phone mission, you would’ve failed.”
I sheepishly conceded. I felt like everyone was expecting too much from me lately.
“I’ll just buy whatever.”
“Sure~.”
After brushing it off, I left the dorm and walked briskly, when a system window popped up in a corner of my vision!
Ding!
[Trying to make up for something you did wrong with food…. No wonder Kang Yi-chae dislikes you.]
“…What? People usually feel better once you give them something to eat.”
[As if….]
I rambled on with pathetic excuses.
However, in one corner of my mind, various thoughts were frantically intertwining.
‘I need to hit number one and negotiate as quickly as possible.’
Otherwise, this team is going to fall apart.
* * *
“Hello. I look forward to working with you.”
“Ah! Welcome, welcome.”
Perhaps because I was good at the general knowledge quiz, the offer that came in this time was for a newly created variety show with a school concept.
I tilted my head slightly upon seeing Choi PD, whose face was familiar from seeing him a few times.
“Seo Ho-yun, the school uniform suits you well! You look like a real student.”
The thought that Seo Ho-yun was truly shameless for wearing a school uniform at thirty-three crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. After all, celebrities will do whatever they’re told, whether it’s wearing a school uniform or a monkey suit, even in their fifties or sixties.
“I heard this is your first solo variety show.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“To think your first solo variety show is my program, it’s an honor! Haha!”
“The honor is mine, PD-nim. I really enjoyed your last mystery program as well.”
“Oh, you know about that too? That was so niche it flopped!”
Despite his innocent-looking face, Choi PD was famous for having a twisted personality and for creating very intriguing programs.
In other words, he wasn't the type to be satisfied with just a star looking like a student.
“I’m a bit nervous since it’s the first recording today, but I feel relieved that you and Woo-seong are the ones starting us off. Especially since Kim Hee-yeong praised you so much, Ho-yun.”
I smiled and quickly changed the subject.
“What about the other guests?”
“They’ll be arriving one by one!”
Seeing his somewhat ambiguous smile, it was clear this wasn't just a variety show where we’d wear school uniforms and chat happily. Usually, no matter how much of a reality show it is, there’s at least some prior discussion about the concept and how the filming will proceed, but this time there was no mention of it….
All I was told was information about the movement path and to act naturally.
After chatting with Choi PD for a while, I turned my head at a noisy sound.
“Oh, Ju Woo-seong!”
I thought it was loud, and as expected, it was Ju Woo-seong. He was brightly smiling and greeting the staff here and there, but when he saw me, he scowled.
“Ugh, Seo Ho-yun….”
“Hello.”
“Why do I have to be on a variety show with you? Why don’t people know the fact that you blackmailed me?”
“Why? Do you want them to know?”
“…You jerk.”
Leaving Ju Woo-seong, who had become quicker at grasping the situation, by my side, I looked at the school ahead. The set was incredibly realistic.
“You’re appearing on variety shows often lately.”
“It’s because the view counts are good. Something about the chemistry with a rebellious junior… They asked if I’d like to do variety shows with you for a while if the atmosphere is good after being a guest.”
“I’m a bit busy….”
“What about me? What about me, a member of Black Call?”
Ju Woo-seong grumbled, but my default response to his words was to ignore them.
“By the way, when is your comeback?”
“A few weeks left. We still have some music video filming to do.”
“Really? Should I visit your practice room sometime?”
I suddenly stopped walking and looked at him. Ju Woo-seong was scratching his cheek, looking embarrassed by his own words. I asked him, feeling a bit exasperated.
“Living your life like that… how have you not been scammed yet?”
“Seriously, what are you even saying…. Cheong-beom noona asked me to, okay?”
“Hah.”
Im Hyeon-su, really…. It was a good thing for Ju Woo-seong and Im Hyeon-su that I was a relatively kind scammer.
“I’d appreciate the help, but…. It’s fine.”
You’re already helping enough as it is.
If it weren't for you, how could a rookie have appeared on a variety show like this? As we went back and put on our microphones, a familiar alarm music that you’d hear in a school rang out. Looking ahead, cameras with red lights on were following me and Ju Woo-seong. The filming had begun. Just then,
“Hey! You two over there!”
I turned around at the sudden voice.
A robust man in his 40s wearing a tracksuit, looking like a stereotypical ‘PE teacher,’ was shouting at us.
“What are you doing not going into your classroom!”
“Us?”
“Who else but you? Hey! Write your names on this paper before you go.”
Ju Woo-seong and I, who were dragged along, glanced at each other. When the paper was thrust forward, Ju Woo-seong habitually picked up the pen and scribbled. Glancing at the paper, it looked like this:
[Always be happy~ Ju Woo-seong]
“What are you doing?”
“Ah, oops. Out of habit, I signed it….”
I wondered if this was for variety show purposes, but seeing his truly blank face, Ju Woo-seong was serious. He had entrusted his entire ego to being an idol.
“What are you guys doing! Can’t you write properly? Even with your hair dyed like that….”
“I wrote mine properly.”
“…I see. Ju Woo-seong! Come here!”
“This spark is flying at me?”
Ju Woo-seong, who was pouting and glaring at me, quickly changed his expression and began his full-fledged acting when the man in his 40s crossed his arms and scolded him.
“Ayyy, Teacher~.”
The middle-aged man flinched at the sight of Ju Woo-seong, who was smiling and rubbing his hands together while acting pitiful. Since Ju Woo-seong was so popular, he seemed to fear the backlash from fans.
“Ahem! Ahem! I’m just! Doing my job diligently!”
“…….”
“I have! Absolutely no ill will toward this student! Ahem!”
“We’ll be going now.”
To save the poor actor, I quickly grabbed Ju Woo-seong and entered the designated classroom.
Slide.
“…….”
Silence.
It was quiet.
Cameras were pre-set everywhere, and actors who looked like students were sitting in rows, studying.
On the blackboard, the word [SELF-STUDY] was written in large letters.
…What am I supposed to do?
First, I stepped back out of the classroom and looked at the doorplate.
Grade 11, Class 1. Ah, we’re juniors in high school.
Only the sound of pens scratching against paper could be heard. Ju Woo-seong, with an embarrassed face, crept toward an empty seat and sat down. I also found an empty seat, sat down, and spoke to my desk mate.
“Excuse me…….”
“H-Heek!”
“……?”
“S-Seo Ho-yun!”
But as soon as I spoke to him, he stood up in horror, tripped over his chair, and fell backward onto his butt.
“W-What? Seo Ho-yun!”
“……??”
In my flustered state, just as I was about to ask if he was okay, my desk mate pointed a trembling finger at me and said,
“You, you’re back from that rebellious fight?”
“…….”
What?
“I heard you fought with the neighboring high school… To think you’d return so unscathed!”
What kind of novel nonsense is this?
I looked toward Ju Woo-seong, and he was also raising his eyebrows as if it were absurd.
“Hey!”
“Ju Woo-seong of the Four Heavenly Kings is here too!”
“Is this for real?!”
I’m the one who wants to ask if this is for real.
Starting with my desk mate’s words, the atmosphere of the class, which had been quiet until a moment ago, began to buzz as if the silence had been a lie.
Ju Woo-seong, a normal person (or rather, a ‘God-tier normal person’), seemed genuinely creeped out as he rubbed his arms.
“What is this…?”
It was then. A sudden strong wind blew, and the curtains fluttered. As the dancing curtains were pulled back, Yoo Ji-ah, who had been the MC for Shining Star, was suddenly sitting on the windowsill.
“Lucifer’s appearance in a school of Satans….1)”
“…….”
“How interesting.”
1) A line from episode 5 of the SBS drama The Heirs (2013.10.09. ~ 2013.12.12.).