translation by mourningmoor
The day after Hong Kong K-KON, South Korea's real-time trends were buzzing with Ga Yuna's scandal.
Fans had started a full-blown investigation into the male idols who attended K-KON, and about five male idols were being speculated as Ga Yuna's "that guy."
Naturally, the fan clubs of those five idols were in chaos, and the communities of hardcore fans were burning hot like a frying pan.
"Only we're at peace."
As Juhee said, the Filaments, who had already cleared their name, were enjoying a peaceful day.
"It's all thanks to our boys."
From Ichan to the other members, they actively stepped forward to clarify the situation, worried about their fans. They even brought solid evidence to shut down any room for doubt and put an end to the controversy.
The wise judgment and quick response of these second-year idols had even other fandoms buzzing.
This is it. This is how it should be. This is true fan love.
Wow, I'm turning on the lightbulb today. Bye, Downey. You've been a mess, and let's never meet again.
Lol ㅋㅋㅋ but L.I.T knows who it is, right? And they're not saying anything? For the fans' right to know, they should spill it.
└No, it's weirder to speak up. Our boys are smart enough not to do that.
└Hey, was it you who posted that question on the L.I.T Universe asking who Ga Yuna's lover is? Go ask your oppa. Ask him if he's dating Ga Yuna.
Guys, stop fighting and just watch the K-KON L.I.T video. (Link) The fancam is killing me ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└Ah, the fancam is out? I'm running to watch it right now.
└Thank you, lightbulb.
Juhee, who was reading the community posts, also clicked the link.
"Wow, the fancam is really up?"
She had been devastated after failing to get tickets and missing the boys' performance, but someone had kindly uploaded this blessed fancam.
Clicking the link, Juhee scrolled through the account owner's NewTube videos and furrowed her brows.
"Let's see, they're from the U.S... Huh? They're a T.I.ONE fan? There's even an ARCHE video."
Juhee, who had a less-than-fond memory of T.I.ONE's fandom due to their tendency to belittle L.I.T, clicked her tongue.
"Is this... did they edit our boys weirdly?"
The video, uploaded this afternoon, had already surpassed 15,000 views. But the comments were surprisingly positive.
"The title's good too. 'Change.'"
Rubbing her palms together, Juhee stretched her neck.
"Shall I prepare my holy heart to receive this performance?"
Steeling herself, Juhee clicked the link.
The dark stage lit up as the lift rose, the light gradually brightening.
"Ah, what are the boys wearing? White uniforms with black leather belts? And body chains?"
It was insane. The corset-style belts mixed with harnesses, paired with body chains, created an incredibly sexy stage outfit.
"Blade really knows what they're doing. The stylist did a great job."
Juhee, who had been marveling, held her breath.
Because the majestic prelude of the song had begun.
Following the humming part.
Roa, standing at the center, walked forward with sexy steps.
"Hmm. Even the way he walks and turns his head is art."
As the humming ended, the stage lit up with dazzling lights and backgrounds. And the dazzling performance began.
"Ah, this is insane. Are the boys' knees okay?"
The choreography was legendary.
The live vocals while moving without a single break were chillingly perfect. Even the turn they did while leaning sideways during the jump was mesmerizing.
"What is this, Kang Ichan?"
Juhee couldn't take her eyes off Ichan, as if she was about to be sucked into the screen.
When executing the intense choreography, his sharp eyes without double eyelids exuded charisma. But when he hit the wave, he slightly lowered his eyelids and smiled coldly.
Moving from one side of the stage to the other without a single misstep, it felt like even his breathing was part of the choreography.
"Oh my, oh my. Why is he so cool?"
It felt like he had leveled up again.
His dancing had become more fluid, and you could feel his passion burning on stage. Plus, his eye contact with the camera and facial expressions were top-notch, leaving her speechless.
"Ah, what is this? This part is pure art."
During the choreography, when he stretched his left arm to the side and moved his shoulder, Ichan's expression. What is this lazy yet sexy gaze?
In the end, Juhee couldn't finish watching and replayed that part.
The shoulders swaying to the beat, the collarbone peeking through the slightly open uniform, the firm body visible through the stage outfit, and that chic smile.
"He knows he's good-looking, doesn't he?"
His confident gaze and relaxed movements blended perfectly with the flawless choreography and vocals, creating synergy.
A text came in saying the album she pre-ordered had started shipping, so she was definitely going to this fan signing event.
"Just wait, Kang Ichan. This mad Juhee will come to receive your handsome face again. Hooooo."
After watching it six times in a row, Juhee's eyes widened at the new video the account owner had just uploaded.
"Huh? Kang Ichan’s fancam?"
Oh my God. Did they use two cameras?
Juhee immediately subscribed to the account and clicked the video.
The high-quality video clearly captured Kang Ichan from the performance she had just marveled at.
"This is insane. This person knows what they're doing."
No matter how many views this video would get, she thought it would be enough to make NewTube buzz.
After watching and rewatching Ichan's fancam, Juhee left a heartfelt review for the account owner along with a 'like.'
* * *
Early in the morning, I got a call from the CEO's office.
Probably to discuss Go Dajin, whom I brought back last night.
Go Dajin. That's the name of the tall, rat-like guy I met in Macau yesterday. He's 27 and has no roots in Korea.
After dealing with the paparazzi, I brought Go Dajin straight back to Korea.
And since he had no place to go, I brought him to the company.
Since he called himself a musician, I thought we could take him in as a trainee.
I had to get PD Pyo's permission, so I contacted him late at night, and PD Pyo, who had been drinking nearby, came to the company to interview him.
[Hmm, given his age, he can't be an idol. Can he sing?]
At PD Pyo's question, Go Dajin immediately shook his head.
[I can't sing, but I play the electric guitar a bit. I also write songs.]
[Songs?]
That's as far as I saw before heading back to the dorm.
PD Pyo's eyes lit up at the mention of songwriting, so it seems there was progress.
Whatever it is, as long as we give Go Dajin a job and tie him down, it's fine.
At 8 a.m., arriving at the company and calling the elevator, Hanjoon, who was heading to the training center in the basement, stopped.
"Hey, aren't you working out?"
Starting our album activities tomorrow, we had been working out intensely for the past two weeks. To handle the grueling schedule of two weeks of music shows, fan signings, and K-KON, we needed stamina.
Personally, to withstand the strong magical power, working out was essential.
So I had been using the training center more diligently than anyone.
Seeing me get on the elevator, not just Hanjoon but even Siu looked surprised.
"Ichan, where are you going?"
"CEO's call. I'll be down soon. Go ahead and work out."
Then I closed the elevator doors.
6th floor. As the elevator doors opened, Go Dajin was waiting.
"Ichan-nim. You're here for work."
Go Dajin, bowing deeply, looked much cleaner than yesterday.
"Did you shower?"
"Yes, the CEO opened the shower room for me."
"Good job."
As I approached the CEO's office, Go Dajin quickly ran ahead and opened the door.
"Please go in, Ichan-nim."
As I stepped into the CEO's office, I stopped and looked back at Go Dajin.
His eyes, filled with affection, sparkled as he looked at me.
The rat-like glint in his eyes even held a hint of excitement.
This is the look of a fanboy toward his idol.
"Go Dajin."
"Yes, Ichan-nim."
"Besides 'Ichan-nim,' isn't there another title?"
Go Dajin's expression went blank, as if he was thinking.
"Another title... Master...nim?"
"Never mind. Just call me that."
In that world, everyone called me 'Lord Jesquière’ or 'Grand Mage,' so the title isn't unfamiliar. But the problem is others' perceptions.
Look, even PD Pyo and Director Gong are making that face.
Closing the door and entering, PD Pyo and Director Gong, who had been drinking tea, widened their eyes and looked at me.
"I thought you picked up some homeless guy, but did you recruit a subordinate?"
At PD Pyo's question, I put on a nonchalant expression.
"Not a subordinate... more like a disciple. A disciple."
"Disciple?"
PD Pyo's gaze briefly turned to the door. He tilted his head, then nodded.
"Teach him well. He seems to have potential."
"Teaching isn't the important part. He needs a job."
"I'll give him a job. For now, as a trainee composer."
"What about housing? As you can see, he's homeless."
"He can stay at your old dorm. There are about three trainees living there, so he can share with them."
Well, that's better than the streets.
At least the Go Dajin issue is settled for now.
I'll keep him close and figure things out step by step.
By the way, PD Pyo isn't usually this generous, so I was surprised he approved so quickly.
It was a bit puzzling, but I soon found the answer.
PD Pyo, grinning from ear to ear, immediately brought up the album.
"About this album."
True to his straightforward nature, he looked very satisfied as he handed me a document.
"The response is great. If we do well, we might hit a million."
The document was what you'd call a report card.
When an album is released, we get a report card a few times. Pre-orders, first-week sales, mid-term sales, and season-end sales.
This is our third mini-album, and the response is the best, so the results were obvious.
"Pre-orders alone are 310,000. Two days after release, it's 390,000."
Compared to the last album, it's almost doubled.
It's all thanks to the fandom growing.
"I dare say, I'm hoping for 500,000 in first-week sales."
If we hit 500,000 in first-week sales, as PD Pyo said, we could aim for a million, or 1,000,000 copies. For a second-year idol, that's a pretty visible achievement. Generally speaking.
But our team has me.
And yet, only a million? I'm not satisfied.
"We're still far. We need to build more recognition and aim for double million."
"Yeah? Then it'll be easier."
Suddenly, PD Pyo's expression changed.
This guy, when his expression changes like this, he's about to ask for something weird.
"Why... are you like this?"
With a capitalist grin, PD Pyo smiled contentedly.
"Let's build more recognition while we're at it."
Sigh, this is predictable.
"What, are you going to make us do some weird variety show again?"
"Bingo."