Chapter 77

77

"Hello, this is DJ Yoo Jiya. Today's guest is someone who has also been on the program with me before."

Near the end of this activity, I appeared on a radio program.

Although I didn’t have a close relationship with Yoo Jiya, the familiarity made the other members more relaxed and immersed in the broadcast.

"Today's guest is the rising idol group, The Dunn!"

"Hello! We are The Dunn, the rising morning star!"

The visible radio... indeed had many advantages. It allowed fans to see a more intimate and relaxed side of us, and it could also generate videos that fans call 'training clips,' and even live verification.

[Oh my, I've been waiting for this all day]

[Wow, Seohyun, your clothes are so bright today]

[I love wearing cardigans]

[What, are you giving up on black clothes now??]

'No... I still like them....'

But there was nothing I could do.

The members also knew that fans wanted us to wear different colors, not just black, so they had repeatedly told the costume manager that I shouldn't wear black today... and in the end, I ended up wearing something brighter.

I don’t really understand why this is a good thing...

'Well... if they like it...'

Yoo Jiya smiled contentedly as the chat window filled up faster than usual. The radio program proceeded smoothly under her skilled lead.

"Right! And I heard you have a song prepared. Can we hear a snippet?"

It’s a matter of etiquette to come prepared with something to do when appearing on the radio, so we had thoroughly practiced.

[You can't find love here but you can put your love in]

[?????? Is this a dream?]

[I'm hearing 'Put Love' from Seung Jiwan...?]

[😭😭😭😭😭Jiwan, I love you 😭]

The song Seung Jiwan sang was by a foreign female artist. Despite the sweet voice and soft beat, the lyrics were rich with various nuances, which also sparked a lot of discussion.

When Seung Jiwan sang it with great expression, the chat window was filled with groans of pleasure.

"Thank you."

Seung Jiwan, who had fully immersed himself in the song, blushed and smiled shyly as soon as it ended.

Jung Dajun, who was sitting next to him, adjusted his headphones and gave a thumbs up.

I sang a well-chosen song and turned my head, meeting Yoo Jiya's gaze.

'...?'

For a moment, I felt a strange vibe, but Yoo Jiya quickly moved on to the next line, smoothly transitioning.

Perhaps it was due to her years of experience as an actor and radio host, but even the fans didn’t notice anything.

[Seohyun, your song choices are amazing. How did you think of a male idol singing this??

└Male idols singing a Disney medley, I’m going crazy └And their personalities are so dirty └└Dirty princesses are the best]

[Oh, Dajun, you’re doing well these days]

After that, various stories and segments continued, and we successfully ended the radio program. As if waiting for the camera to turn off, Yoo Jiya approached me.

"Mr. Seohyun."

"Yes."

"It's really nice to see you getting along well with the members."

"Thanks to your consideration, we are getting along well."

"Oh my?"

Even for empty, meaningless compliments, Yoo Jiya smiled. She then looked at me meaningfully, which was unsettling. She has years of experience in the entertainment industry, not just as a group member but as a solo artist.

'...She’s dropping some hints.'

"Is there something you want to say?"

"Ah."

With many things to hide, I tried to laugh it off. But Yoo Jiya didn’t seem to buy it. She smiled awkwardly.

"Um, not yet."

"Huh?"

"It's nothing. Be careful on your way home with the members."

She threw out a cryptic remark and disappeared to talk to the staff. I looked at her direction uneasily, and Kim Seonghyun gestured to me.

"Let's go quickly."

"...Okay."

It was strange. As we walked to the van, everyone seemed tired and shuffled along.

"It's the last schedule. I'm going to rest now."

"Huh? Rest?"

'Rest?' I repeated, and Seung Jiwan tilted his head in confusion.

This was even scary for me.

"We need to practice."

"..."

"Are you not planning to release the next album?"

Do you want to be a singer?

Everyone shivered. Kang Iche was almost begging Seung Jiwan.

"Bro, please... stop... We've only been able to sleep for two hours lately."

"It's a way of saying we should be grateful and work harder. Sure."

"Why are you all becoming like Seohyun?"

"Hey, what do you mean by that?"

I wrapped my arm around Kang Iche's neck and playfully argued as we headed to the van. Honestly, I didn’t realize that the moment I would understand Yoo Jiya’s words would come so suddenly.

After all the members got in the car and before the engine was started, the manager handed me something from the passenger seat.

"Seohyun, read this once."

"Huh?"

I took it and looked down.

'...Wow, what is this?'

A script, something everyone who has worked in broadcasting has seen. The title, 'Please Camera,' seemed to be a sequel to the recently popular 'Please Soda.'

The manager smiled and said, "It's a script by the very popular writer Kim Sookhee."

"So?"

"Wow, the writer of 'Please Soda'?!"

Jung Dajun suddenly appeared, excited, and reached out for the script. I pushed his forehead away and glared at the manager. The manager, who was watching us through the rearview mirror, flinched.

"Seohyun, you know."

The manager was trying to persuade me, looking for any way to do so.

"Your talent is too precious to waste."

"What talent?"

"...Your face?"

After a long pause, the answer was 'face,' with a question mark.

'What nonsense.'

That said, I could understand the manager’s intentions.

If a project I appeared in became a hit and the members gained public recognition, it would naturally benefit the group in the long run.

However, we were still rookies. I was almost an outsider who joined in the middle, and it hadn’t even been a year since our debut.

'...It’s too early.'

Even if the album activity is over, is it wise to start a hasty solo activity that could divide the fanbase?

"There’s a character called Jeong Hoon here. The CEO thinks this role is perfect for you. He wants you to read it!"

"I said no…."

"Bro! Wow! At least read it, it’s by Kim Sookhee!!"

Jung Dajun, who had been watching the situation, leaned in again, excited. Kim Seonghyun, who was more considerate, covered his mouth and dragged him away, giving me a nod.

Take it slow, he was saying. Thanks, man.

"Read the script once. It’s a waste not to."

"Hmm…."

"If you do well, you might really get the role."

"Do I just read the script?"

"Of course!"

Reading a script isn’t a difficult task. I just needed to stall a bit.

I hummed as I watched the manager nervously tap the steering wheel.

"Then, can you do me a favor?"

"Huh, what is it?"

"Can you set up a meeting with the planning team?"

"Huh?"

The manager’s puzzled gaze met mine through the rearview mirror.

"I have a project I want to work on."

"…But your next album is coming up soon. Where will you find the time?"

Of course, album activities are the core and highlight of an idol’s career. But it’s not like idols end there.

'No gaps are better.'

If an idol is very active, they can come back up to three times a year. That means once every four months.

Including preparation, four months go by quickly, but the time fans see us is only one month of activity.

"We need to make time."

Apart from the fans waiting for us, it’s really important to keep providing content and dropping hints.

The reason Lee Jihyun had a breakdown was related to communication issues.

'You need to add the motor when the water is rising.'

"Can you set it up for tomorrow?"

"Um… sure, of course! I’ll talk to them first."

"Thank you."

I could already imagine the planning team grumbling, 'Seohyun is causing trouble again.' But 'I’ll pay you, guys!'

If I can pull off something amazing as a bonus, what’s the problem? Financial therapy will quickly calm my anger.

Having said my piece, I waved the script.

"Then I’ll read it."

The manager quickly nodded, afraid I might change my mind. I stroked my chin, looking at the manager, who has been very cooperative lately. A new road manager is joining, and the planning team is being led by Lee Jihyun, who is doing a great job. I heard they are even creating a dedicated A&R team to rival major companies.

'People need to shine periodically.'

I smiled contentedly. The last time I used Jung Dajun’s contract as leverage to push the company, and every time I complained, the company started to shape up, which was satisfying.

And one more thing.

I glanced at the manager.

"Um, are you married?"

"Yes! My beloved and respected wife and Grace Logi."

"Grace Logi?"

"It’s the name of my Shih Tzu."

"..."

At least he had better naming skills than Joo Sung, who named his cat 'Nya.'

"But Seohyun, why are you asking?"

"Ha ha, just curious."

Anyway, it was good.

For the tasks I will ask for in the future, a married person with a wife and (a dog named Grace Logi) is more suitable than an unmarried person with no one to answer to.

I smiled and turned my gaze to the window.

When we arrived at the dorm, I flopped onto the sofa to relax, but Jung Dajun kept hovering around.

"...Hey, Seohyun."

"Read it."

"Yay! What an honor!"

Jung Dajun grabbed the script and rushed to his room. With Seung Jiwan’s insistence, we decided to handle our individual tasks and then go to the practice room together, so the other members quickly dispersed to their rooms.

I stayed in the now quiet living room and whispered to myself.

"Hey."

[Want stats?]

"If you understand, nod."

Do I really need to say 'stats' to the air at my age?

[Seohyun is really, really, really rude and always does as he pleases.

Singing: A, Dancing: B+, Variety: A-, Acting: B-, ???: ???

Charisma: B+]

'Variety has improved a bit...'

This activity itself was a good result. Compared to the growth of others, it was a notable achievement.

Dancing can be left alone for now, and the remaining question mark hasn’t appeared yet. I have no intention of improving my acting.

'Should I take a shower first?'

"Ugh!"

I decided to take a shower to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling, even though I would have to shower again after the practice room. As I lifted my head, Jung Dajun was staring at me from close by.

"...Bro."

"Whoa, you scared me."

By the time he had finished reading, Jung Dajun was kneeling in front of me, holding the script reverently.

"Why, why are you like this? Move away."

"No, this is Jeong Hoon. Jeong Hoon…."

What...

Who is Jeong Hoon?

I ignored the alarm in my head and tried to go take a shower, but Jung Dajun grabbed my pants.

"Jeong Hoon! Oh, it’s a perfect fit!!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Bro, listen. I read it halfway, and I swear to heaven, the person in this script is exactly like you. The personality, the way of speaking, it’s just you."

"Go away."

"Ah! So similar! Look at this? I got goosebumps on my arm!!"

Jung Dajun lifted his arm to show me, but I pushed it away.

"Please act! This is a waste of talent!!"

'What...'

I have no intention of acting.

However, the next words made me flinch.

"Jeong Hoon is a director! Please!!"

What?