Chapter 19 |
“Huhuhuhung! Eugh, eugh! huhuhuhuhuhung …. hehehuhuhung!”
[Overture’s main dancer, Frick, makes another controversial remark on broadcast. Will he apologize this time?]
[Overture’s Frick makes personal attacks on a Survive IDOL trainee]
“I’m going to quit everything …. tens of thousands of followers, what’s the point of it all! Every time he causes trouble, my followers drop! Where is everyone going, leaving me alone … huhuhu!”
Kim Hayeon, a woman in her 20s who was now in tears, had been a die-hard fan of Frick, a member of Overture. Her fan journey that began six years ago with a fateful encounter with Frick shortly after his debut had somehow continued up to now, as he became a mid-tier idol.
“I cared for you so much, how could you do this … huhuheuk!”
It had already been five years since she started running a fansite, worried that her child might feel disheartened due to the ridiculously fewer fancams and high-quality photos compared to the top-tier idols. The legendary fancams she had taken played a significant role in making Frick, who was somewhat lacking in recognition, become more popular.
Having discovered an unexpected talent, she even pursued a photography-related major in college, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she devoted the prime years of her life to Frick.
“He’s still bashed …. go f**k yourselves, you crazy bastards! This is all the broadcasting station’s manipulation!”
But once the broadcast started, it was nothing but hellish days that followed.
— Ugh, Frick is so annoying, I can’t stand watching him. Someone please kick him off the show, lol. He doesn’t even match the level of the other trainers, yet all he does is make personal attacks on the kids
— Is this real, a celebrity getting destroyed by a trainee’s verbal skills? Han Seungbeom is so strong already lol how can Frick have been on TV for 6 years and still act so careless? I knew he’d ruin himself with his mouth haha.
— The MC, top actor Yang Hajun is watching, but then he just straight-up belittles the actor in front of him. His attitude is insane.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that!”
She had been avoiding watching it in real time because it was too scary, but when her acquaintances started freaking out, saying Frick was getting a lot of hate, she hurriedly searched for the video clip … and holy, it was a disaster.
[“But from what I see, since you have a good-looking face, you must have thought ‘Im going to debut no matter what’. I think you came here with that kind of mindset. Do you think being an idol is that easy?”]
He already had a tendency to speak a bit recklessly, so there were often times when she would feel anxious every time he opened his mouth. But she never imagined he would speak the same way in front of the camera as he did in front of his fans.
[“You should be an actor or a model. What are you doing here?”]
“Why did you do that … seriously, why did you do that?”
Every time Frick was caught on camera, her heart would sink. For a moment, she was just thankful that the trainee, who was talking to Frick, didn’t get hurt and cry, but……
[“I understand that it’s not a profession that can be taken lightly, as I am aware of the efforts that the seniors who are currently active in those field have put in.”]
At the trainee’s calm and composed response, she immediately realized.
‘We’re doomed.’
The trainee maintained proper respect toward his senior, but immediately lowered the credibility of Frick’s evaluation, and even provoked the fans of the actors and models to hold him accountable. It was a perfect 100 response.
‘Your face is really handsome, don’t you want to be an actor? Isn’t this the kind of thing everyone says without thinking? If he hadn’t pointed it out like that, it would’ve just passed. How can a trainee be so good at playing politics!’
Maybe it was because of the bond formed over six years, but even though she knew Frick was in the wrong, it wasn’t easy to admit it. She kept resenting the trainee who retorted to each and every one of his every slip-up.
“….He has a handsome face.”
She started to think that with that level of beauty, she would hardly need to do any retouching even if high-quality photos were taken.
“Ack, occupational disease!”
Even though it had been a long time since she last opened a photo editing program, her years of experience as a fansite master couldn’t be stopped. She was naturally estimating the edits that would be needed.
‘I have to see for myself exactly what kind of person he is. If I just get a chance, I’ll turn the tables on him.’
She swallowed her saliva and decided to watch the show she had been putting off.
It’s definitely not an excuse to see his face.
.
.
.
When she came to her senses, she had watched all the episodes of Survive IDOL and replayed the preview of the latest episode 50 times.
‘……He’s an invasive species. I like handsome men. I only just realized that.’
She had come to like Frick because of his pride in his skills and his straightforward personality, but seeing a kid who was not only insanely talented but also ridiculously good-looking felt like getting hit in the back of the head.
“Crazy … wasn’t that animal pajamas that showed up in the preview just now?”
Kim Hayeon grabbed her head and recalled Han Seungbeom, who had briefly appeared in the preview. Even though it was a tiny detail in the full shot, she could tell right away. The dull curves and soft fabric were definitely animal pajamas.
“No, in the close-up he was wearing a normal practice outfit, so why is he suddenly in animal pajamas in the full shot? Could that really be his outfit for the first mission?”
Hastily checking the broadcast station’s social media accounts, she saw that the application for the on-site evaluation audience for the first mission closed today. Without any hesitation, she clicked to apply.
‘….But I’m definitely not switching teams. I’m applying to show my support so the program where our Frick is appearing will be a hit.’
She had already been looking up Han Seungbeom on SNS and habitually refreshing the page, but she firmly believed that she wasn’t changing her favorite.
— Jay seems to care a lot about Han Seungbeom haha I can relate. If a trainee was so determined and worked so hard, and they’re so talented on top of that, I’d want to support them too ㅠㅠ
— It’s really really annoying to see a mere trainee acting so arrogant in front of the trainers. Honestly, the rumor that he’s got the SU Entertainment kids under control just shows that he enjoys acting like a ditactor. How dare a kid who hasn’t even served in the military tried to discipline others~ lolol
└ No need for your made-up theories. If he was just a mere trainee, he would’ve been pushed out by the more experienced kids and wouldn’t have even made it onto the show, right? Except for Frick, all the other trainers are falling head over heels for Han Seungbeom, so why are you making a fuss over something that has nothing to do with you? Are you a Frick fan? Did your head malfunction after getting knocked out by a baby?
└ Han Seungbeom fans’ fighting spirit is insane. You become like the one you love indeed.
“When I saw him, he was totally a baby, what kind of military discipline……”
Despite the Frick fandom getting attacked, strangely, she wasn’t as angry as before. On the contrary, when she saw the absurd hate comments directed at Han Seungbeom, she felt heartbroken and ended up liking the reply that defended him.
“Hah! No, no! I shouldn’t lose my mind. I am a Frick’s fan. I am a Frick’s fan.”
***
“Hello everyone, thank you for coming to participate in the on-site voting! I’m actor Yang Hajun, and I’ll be your MC for Survive IDOL.”
‘…..I really didn’t think I’d be chosen.’
She’d won the on-site evaluation she’d signed up for.
In fact, her mind still couldn’t believe that she had won, but her body had already arrived at the gym where the competition was being held.
“The competition happening from now is none other than! The first mission of Survive IDOL! The cover song group battle.”
“WAAAAH!”
At the comment of MC Yang Hajun, the live audience cheered and waved their banners. A quick look at the banners showed that Han Seungbeom had the most, followed by Lee Hwayoung. The third most was probably Do Yuda.
‘The rankings and the number of banners are almost the same……’
They said the recognition of individuals in a group could be seen from the number of banners at a concert. True to that saying, at the venue, the number of banners was almost in line with the strength of each fandom.
‘Compared to other seasons, the trainees of this season had such strong characters, it makes the fan bases formed really fast.’
“This mission is a competition to cover hit songs from currently active idol groups. Two groups will be assigned to each song, and the performances will take place in turn.”
A screen on the stage displayed the songs selected for the mission and the trainees assigned to each.
“The total votes for each member will be summed up, and the team with the higher total will win the competition. The winning team will be given the benefit of the number of on-site votes multiplied by 1,000.”
Since the on-site audiences were probably already well-versed in the format of Survive IDOL, it seemed like the script was just to fill in the formalities for the broadcast.
“The first stage to be revealed is the song ‘Forest Girl,’ which is very famous for its dreamy concept, performed by Group A and Group B!”
“WAAAAA!”
With applause, the trainees assigned to the Forest Girl song came up on stage.
“We have animal friends in Group B! Everyone, please introduce yourselves according to the animal you are in charge of!”
Yang Hajun, who had experience as an MC on music shows, made a lively comment. It seemed like an impromptu remark, as Han Seungbeom’s eyes widened even more, resembling two big marbles.
‘Come to think of it, when I watched the first episode, he didn’t seem to be the type who can do aegyo1.’
A kid wearing a red instructor’s cap, always glaring with a fierce look in his eyes, was going to show aegyo? This was something she couldn’t miss. Kim Hayeon clenched her fists tightly and waited for Han Seungbeom’s turn.
“I am the hopping bunny, Danbi!”
“I’m the woof woof puppy, Jiwon!”
“I’m the chirp chirp chick, Hojun!”
“I am ssssh ssshh snake, Zen.”
“I’m the rawr rawr lion, Sangjoong!”
While the members smoothly finished their introductions with cute poses, Han Seungbeom, who had been fidgeting nervously alone, suddenly stood up with his fist raised high boldly, as if he had made up his mind.
“I-I am me-meow cat, Seungbeom!”
Perhaps due to a lump in the throat, his voice cracked uncertainly.
“…….”
“…….”
Han Seungbeom quietly covered his bright red face with his big, paw-like hands
“Cover him. Cover our leader.”
“Let’s hide him.”
“Ugh, so embarrassing. So embarrassing. Let’s protect him.”
As the other members surrounded and hugged Han Seungbeomm, the on-site audience clapped and burst into laughter.
“It’s okay! You’re cute!”
“Aaah, our poor cat has turned bright red. It’s pitiful, but it’s cute.” Yang Hajun commented playfully.
“Hyung, your face looks like it’s about to burst? Do you have a fever?”
“I don’t.”
“SEUNGBEOM-AH!”
Inside the relatively quiet gymnasium, where they were trying to hear the children’s conversation, a loud fan’s shout echoed. It was a fan holding a placard that read ‘[HAN SEUNGBEOM’S BEAUTY COULD RUIN THE COUNTRY]’.
“Beautifuuuuul! I love youuuuuuu! I would even sacrifice the country for youuu!”
The on-site audience burst into laughter at the loud voice that sounded like a megaphone.
“….…Thank you.”
When Han Seungbeom bowed his head in gratitude, the fluffy cat ears filled with cotton flopped forward. The audience started screaming like a flock of crows when they saw that.
Han Seungbeom paused for a moment, dumbfounded by the screams, then, as if deep in thought, he rested his chin on his hand. Shortly after, he tilted his head to the side, as if he finally understood.
Following Han Seungbeom’s behavior, the fluffy cat’s ears naturally flopped to the side.
“AAAAAAAH! SO CUTE!”
Seeing that unbelievably cute appearance, she couldn’t resist to scream, and as she did, her eyes met Han Seungbeom’s.
Then, he waved his cat paw gently.
“Me? Me? Me! Me? Me! Me?”
When she asked if he was greeting her like a parrot, Han Seungbeom nodded and pointed his finger at the banner Kim Hayeon was holding. She looked down at her arm and saw the banner she had hastily made yesterday.
[SEUNGBEOM-AH, WAVE AT ME!]
Kim Hayeon sucked in a breath as she realized that the bright, blossoming beautifully like a flower, smile was directed entirely at her. She seemed to hear something about the stage introduction, and the introduction of Forest Group A followed, but it didn’t register in her mind.
“Now, the reactions from the on-site audience are very enthusiastic. The trainees will now move to prepare for the stage.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you.”
Even as the trainees moved back to the backstage after their greeting, she remained frozen like a stone, as if she had forgotten how to breathe
Her friend who had come with her grabbed her arm and shook her.
“You, are you okay?”
“….Yeah.”
“Your face is so red. Are you sick?”
“No, I’m okay. I’ll just go to the restroom for a minute.”
After running into the restroom, Kim Hayeon took out her phone, took a deep breath, and tapped on the keyboard.
“Haaa, haaa …. huuu.”
And then, she posted a notice on her Frick’s fansite account.
[Rest.]
Love always comes when you least expect it.
It hit her like a hurricane.
You can support this translation through Buy Me a Coffee!
Translator’s Corner:
- Aegyo is, in simple way, acting cute. It’s usually used to refer cute or endearing behavior, often involving facial expressions, gestures, or a high-pitched voice (like pouting, making cute faces, or speaking in a babyish voice). ↩︎