Chapter 62

62

[Pre-release / Legendary Black History Update for Male Idol]

"……."

I quietly turned off the video on my phone in the practice room. Then, a messenger notification popped up.

[Seo Hojin: Bro, bro, bro, bro]

What's up?

[Seo Hojin: I'm in a hurry]

[Me: ?]

[Seo Hojin: Did you see my first-year textbook? I need it for an assignment]

[Me: N]

[Seo Hojin: Ah... Singa... Singa... Singa...]

This guy definitely made this up on purpose. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth to hold back the anger rising to the top of my head.

The variety show that was broadcast nationwide instantly turned me into a 'Legendary Black History Idol.'

It was good that my image had a 180-degree turn from the intellectual one, but it wasn't good that the black history video on Nertube got a few million views.

[Is Seo Hoyun a Cuteness Machine or a Robot? (Likes 113)

└Is the Cuteness Machine a Robot or Seo Hoyun?

└Is the Robot Seo Hoyun or a Cuteness Machine?]

[They say the highest rating was when Seo Hoyun grabbed Kang Ijae by the collar (Likes 2144) └Hahaha Ahahaha Hahaha]

[Ho. Yu. Ni. Do. Hu. Hu (Likes 3155)

└Amazing Staccato └Hahaha Hahaha Hahaha Hahaha]

[He really looks like he's struggling. It's funnier that he can't do the cuteness... Even though it's hard, he still does it when asked... His image is so likable Hahaha └Honestly, when he said that if fans like it, it's all good... I screamed... Yeah... My face is burning, but... If I work hard, it's fine, right!!]

Ding!

[Is all the embarrassment mine?]

"It's mine, why would it be yours…."

I muttered quietly, rubbing my head. Kang Ijae, who had casually exposed my black history, was sitting there giggling. I hit him with a light punch out of frustration.

"Calm down. We have a fan meeting tomorrow anyway, so it's good."

"What's good about it?"

"Think of it as early practice for cuteness~."

Kang Ijae winked as if it wasn't his problem. A quest to push away the traitor appeared.

[Quest Received!]

[Create memories with fans at the fan meeting!

A surprise gift from the system for the sulking Seo Hoyun.

Success: 2,000 points awarded.

Failure: 'Really, you're a fish market idol' reputation spread on SNS]

It was a fan meeting that we held when we released our first album, even though we only had a small fan base until recently.

Fan meeting.

An opportunity to meet and talk to idols whom you usually only see through video media.

Even though the conversation is only a few minutes or a few seconds depending on the number of members, it's a ridiculous random draw event where you have to spend hundreds of thousands of won to win.

"What was it like last time?"

Kang Ijae, who had done something wrong to me, came over with a smile.

"Are you talking about the fan meeting during Glow? Like fan meeting cuts, that kind of thing?"

Jeong Dajun raised both hands and stood up.

"Me!"

"Ah, Mr. Dajun. One hand is enough."

"The company didn't tell me!"

The only part where Dajun did well was his cheerful smile, which contrasted with his terrible personality.

"Let's practice once."

Kang Ijae, looking excited, sat in front of me and covered his mouth with both hands.

"You're so handsome, Hoyun!"

"Stop the informal talk."

"Try to be a bit more cooperative. Again."

This wasn't going to end with a casual answer. As I raised my eyebrows, Jeong Dajun jumped in.

"I'll try. I had tuna rice roll today!"

"Really...?"

"……."

"…Well done?"

Everyone was silent. Even Kim Sung-hyun, who had been drinking water indifferently in the corner, looked at me in disbelief. Kang Ijae cleared his throat a few times and then asked brightly.

"Hoyun! When is the next comeback??"

"First, it depends on the song, right?"

"…What do we do about this?"

Everyone muttered, feeling uneasy. Although it was a joke earlier, the reaction was not good even though I answered sincerely and carefully. According to the members, it's not about TMI from a serious person but about appropriate responses and a good balance.

But, theoretically, I understand...

Feeling awkward, I turned my gaze, and Seong Jiwon suddenly stood up.

"Wait a moment."

He then caught an employee passing by the practice room.

"Ji-hyun, can you help Hoyun get his act together?"

"Me, me??"

Ji-hyun, an otaku who had just been caught off guard, scratched his cheek awkwardly after hearing the story.

"So, you want me to talk about the ideal fan meeting... But it's difficult. I've been out of the fandom for a while... I mostly follow 2D now..."

"It's okay. Just help Hoyun get his act together."

"Hmm... 'Really, you're a fish market idol' is a bit harsh. I understand."

And so, Ji-hyun's fan meeting review started suddenly. Starting from a fan meeting years ago, he slowly began his story and then suddenly sped up after 5 minutes.

"...But, thinking about it, I'm getting angry?"

"Really??"

"Really, why was it so hard for him to do that? Do you know what fans say at fan meetings? He said he wants to live a normal life now. If he wanted to live a god-like life, his bank account shouldn't have been normal!"

"……."

It's an emergency.

Watching Ji-hyun rant, I broke out in a cold sweat, and the members' gazes focused on me.

"…See? Let's do well."

"Yes…."

***

After the sudden emergency training (or brainwashing, as it's called) from the members, Seo Hoyun entered the fan signing event with some confidence. Everyone screamed when he took off his shadow cloak and wore a blue jacket that matched the new concept.

But for Seo Hoyun, it was an emergency from the start.

"Hoyun! Do you have a favorite animal? Like a rabbit?"

"……What?"

Confused by the sudden question, I blinked and answered. I didn't really care about favorite animals, but I felt I should choose one, so I tried to hide my lack of interest.

"I like... cats."

"…Think again. From over there."

"……Rabbits?"

"Exactly!!"

…Exactly?

Clutching his fist and looking happy, Seo Hoyun was very confused as he watched the setting sun. He then realized belatedly.

'Wait, could it be...'

And on SNS, a post appeared.

[Guys, Hoyun says he likes being called a rabbit. It's official. If you disagree, show me your Poka Jusho.]

[Where are the cat people?]

[Seo Hoyun is indeed a cold, handsome guy... But because people keep calling him a rabbit, he seems more like a rabbit. If you keep shouting that he's your husband, he'll eventually think, 'Oh, that guy was my husband.' └Oh, Seo Hoyun, the rabbit.]

It was propaganda and fabrication.

I've seen reactions like 'Seo Hoyun, the genius rabbit idol' before, but I've lived as a god-like person for 32 years. I never thought that I, a PD with a bad personality, would be called a rabbit. Shocked, I greeted the next fan.

"About liking sweets and liking SolX eyes at the same time..."

"That's right. How did you know?"

While signing the album and chatting, the fan hesitated for a moment before starting. It was a story Kim Sung-hyun had told the previous fan.

Apart from being cute, Seo Hoyun's taste was something Noeul couldn't stand. Closing her eyes tightly, Seo Hoyun seemed to realize something and slightly changed the subject.

"I don't really pick my drinks, so I just drink whatever is available. If I have to choose, I prefer sweets."

"…So, you like mint chocolate too?"

"I don't like it."

[Seo Hoyun says he doesn't really pick his drinks and can drink anything... But he prefers sweets. (The truth about SolX eyes) But he really hates mint chocolate... I can't understand your standards └Seems a bit picky and exciting └This is right]

[You always eat sweets ㅠGod-like...]

The next post-it note read:

[Raising a 5-year-old Jeong Dajun vs. Raising 5 Jeong Dajuns]

"Ah, this is a bit..."

"Bro!!"

"Ahahaha!!"

After honestly circling the 'vs', Jeong Dajun screamed, but the fan laughed and walked away.

[Seo Hoyun's Balance Game Results.

Raising a 5-year-old Jeong Dajun vs. (○) Raising 5 Jeong Dajuns = Seo Hoyun's happy memory vs. 7.1 billion happy people (○)

= An idol must be a god (○) vs. An idol must be hot (○)

= Seo Hoyun says an idol must be both]

[He must be pretty confident in his body, but his face is good enough without mentioning it]

Even after the balance game, the drama continued.

While struggling with the headband that kept falling as I bowed to sign, I responded sincerely to the fans' questions. Meanwhile, the members, especially Kang Ijae, were acting like fish in water.

[Ijae remembers me... My name, major, where I live, and what we talked about. He said we should see each other often. Dajun was also bouncing around happily. He's still the same...]

[I just showed a marriage registration paper to Kim Sung-hyun, and he signed it so calmly. I was the one who got flustered;; Thanks to my aunt?

└Wow, he has great patience └He really focused his mind]

[Seong Jiwon says he's happy... Thanks I hope you're happy forever, kid ]

[Ah, life is good these days. Shining Star is so spicy, but the kids' personalities are so soft and fluffy...]

While hurriedly trying to catch up with the drama from the fans, Kang Ijae was smiling and seeing off a fan who had just finished signing.

"Sis~, be careful on your way home~! End with a good mood after seeing Hoyun's cuteness!"

"Ahaha! I will!"

"……."

Seo Hoyun, who was next in line after Kang Ijae, had to force himself to do different kinds of cuteness each time because Kang Ijae kept feeding him lines...

Finally, after the fan signing event, the Noeuls, who were all glowing, left. Seo Hoyun, who was happy to meet the fans but also hit by a sudden low, sat in the corner of the van on the way back to the dorm and did a dry face wash.

***

"Good job~!"

"Where should I put the gift?"

"It would be nice if we had one more room. Right?"

Returning to the dorm with dark circles under my eyes and half my soul gone, I sucked down a bottle of ginseng juice from Seong Jiwon, as if it was a given. Kang Ijae, who didn't seem tired, laughed heartily.

"I was worried, but you did well~."

"……."

"Leave him alone, Seo Hoyun is out of it."

"Thanks……."

It seems the fan signing event ended without any major issues, except for my mental state. But when I got back, I was so exhausted that I couldn't even move my fingers and collapsed on the sofa.

Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun were trying to sneak into their rooms, probably to avoid any trouble. But Kang Ijae suddenly blocked my way.

"Bro, I'm going to the convenience store. What do you want me to get?"

"Ba... Ba."

"Don't answer so coldly. Can't you be at least half as nice to us as you are to the fans?"

"A sinner asking for too much."

"Ouch, you're a real troublemaker~!"

Kang Ijae made a silly sound and dragged Seong Jiwon and Jeong Dajun to buy ice cream. Since we had already monitored the event on the way back, there was no need to watch it again.

Looking at the community and tweet reactions, it didn't seem too bad. I was relieved that they were satisfied. I lay sprawled on the sofa, lost in thought.

'But no matter how I think about it... I don't understand.'

After waiting in line and spending money to buy dozens of albums and finally win the draw, buying gifts and trying to say nice things...

'Is it worth it to go to such lengths... to like me?'

The other members are doing well and growing, so that's understandable...

Lost in thought, my gaze naturally fell on the music show trophy in the living room.

"……."

The manager said he would take it to the company soon.

The response to the number one promise wasn't bad. Good song, first number one, decent streaming performance, and good variety show reactions.

Like a ship with the wind at its back, everything was going smoothly.

'All the conditions are met.'

Ding!

[What is our rabbit thinking? ㅎ. ㅎ]

[Being called a rabbit vs. being called a cat, choose one ㄱ]

"……."

This guy, I will definitely hit him one day...

I took a deep breath and turned to look at Kim Sung-hyun.

"But why aren't the others coming back?"

"Umm, I don't know?"

Kim Sung-hyun looked away awkwardly and stammered. As I sat up from the sofa and scratched my head, preparing to change my clothes, I thought:

I need to go to the company and discuss the settlement with the CEO...

"Seo, Seo Hoyun!"

"Ugh!"

From a distance, Kim Sung-hyun, who had been fiddling with his phone, suddenly ran over, threw a blanket over me, and rolled away. It was a heavy winter blanket that I had put out to wash.

"??"

"Are you tired? Let's make a rice roll?? It's warm and cozy!"

"What...?"

Why is he acting like this? I couldn't see anything with the blanket over my face. Kim Sung-hyun, preventing me from removing the blanket, raised his voice.

"It's very cold outside!!"

It's summer, you idiot.

"Come out."

Before I could get angry.

Feeling the chill in my voice, Kim Sung-hyun flinched. Normally (he wouldn't have done this in the first place), he would have apologized and come down, but he was stubborn despite being flustered.

Kim Sung-hyun, unable to see, was at a loss. Taking advantage of the slight slack in his grip, I pulled the blanket off and glared at him.

"Kim Sung-hyun. There must be a reason you suddenly mentioned a rice roll...?"

"……."

Narrowing my eyes and applying pressure, the talentless Kim Sung-hyun looked awkward and rolled his eyes.

This guy is definitely up to something.

"You did something wrong."

"……No, I didn't."

No, what isn't there? Acting like a puppy who just had an accident.

"Spill it, or I'll make you."

"No, I didn't. But... how about trying to talk to me like you do to the fans, nice and gentle and kind?"

"…What?"

Just as I was about to ask if he had eaten something wrong, I noticed his phone on the opposite side of the sofa.

It was suspiciously mounted on a tripod.

"……?"

Why is it there...

"Anyway, what do you mean by a rice roll...?"

Bang!

At that moment, the front door opened, and paper confetti exploded.

"Wow!! Congratulations on number one!! We successfully finished the Ocean Train music activities... you..."

"……!!"

Jeong Dajun, grinning, came in with a large cake. The '1' on it suggested it was a celebration of the number one.

Seo Hoyun and Kim Sung-hyun were standing awkwardly around the sofa, frozen in place. It was a suspicious scene.

The cold atmosphere, the two of them breathing heavily, the messy hair, and the stream of sweat on my forehead. It was clear something had happened.

"...Rice roll?"

Jeong Dajun, muttering, slowly widened his eyes.

"Did you two fight over rice?"

"Hello~, congratulations... Huh."

"Congratulations... Hmm?"

Seong Jiwon and Kang Ijae, who had just arrived, also stopped mid-sentence. Wearing silly hats and glasses, the other members who had come in with confetti looked frozen in place, misunderstanding the situation.

"Did you hit each other over rice?"

Why would they jump to that conclusion?

"We didn't... No, anyway."

I have a vague idea, but why am I... the target of the surprise? Why am I the one who seems least likely to enjoy the joke?

No, no, let's put that aside.

I rubbed my forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

"Was it recorded?"

If it was recorded, maybe I can still salvage it. It can be edited somehow... But everyone avoided my gaze.

"……Hmm..."

"B live..."

"…Live?"

Everyone nodded solemnly.

Targeted at me?

'It's over...'

The manager, who had just arrived, didn't understand the situation and came in with a happy expression, popping paper confetti.

"Surprise~!"

"……."

The paper confetti fluttered and comically stuck to the members' heads.

A cold silence filled the room.