translation by mourningmoor
The entrance of Gocheok Dome, where the PMA (Pumpkin Music Awards) was being held, was bustling.
The red carpet event for PMA was about to begin.
In early December, despite the cold weather, the MC, with her shoulders exposed, smiled brightly as she began the event.
Flashlights went off everywhere, and the sound of shutters clicking filled the air.
Artists and presenters, whose names were on today's lineup, were making their way through the crowd of reporters and fans.
The first to arrive was Kim Hyunsoo, a movie actor and today's main MC.
Dressed in a black suit with a black bowtie, Kim Hyunsoo showcased a visual that naturally elicited gasps of admiration, embodying the quintessential awards show look.
Following Kim Hyunsoo, black vans began arriving one after another.
Juhee waited anxiously, counting down the moments until her idols arrived.
Finally, a familiar van came into view.
“They’re here. Get ready.”
Yoojung, standing slightly apart, signaled with her eyes.
As L.I.T's home master , she was determined to capture gem-like photos today, bringing her viewfinder to her eye.
The doors of the black van opened, and L.I.T, dressed in sleek black awards show attire, stepped out.
Yoon Siu was the first to step onto the red carpet.
Screams erupted from all directions, and the sound of shutters clicking grew louder.
“Kyaaa, Siu oppa!”
“Hanjoon!”
Following Siu, Hanjoon, Roa, Jaewon, and finally Ichan stepped out.
It was Kang Ichan's first appearance in front of cameras since the accident.
He looked slightly thinner.
“Kang Ichan!”
“Oppa, are you okay?”
“Kang Ichan, how’s your shoulder?”
Juhee, who was supposed to only look through the viewfinder, couldn’t help but lift her head for a moment.
“Huh. Crazy.”
Kang Ichan truly had to be seen in person. While he shone in photos, his real-life presence was indescribably radiant.
Today, L.I.T was dressed in classic awards show attire.
Clean-lined black suits, narrow bowties, neatly combed hair. And Ichan’s hair color… had returned to black.
“As expected, Black Ichan. So cool.”
There was something indescribable about Ichan. His gaze, expression, walk, gestures, smile, tone—everything set him apart from other idols.
It might sound strange, but he exuded a sense of sophistication and dignity.
In any case, it was hard to believe he was only a 7-month-old idol. That was also part of why he was so loved.
Soon, L.I.T stood in front of the photo wall, waving at the cameras.
Amid the fans' cheers and the sound of shutters, the MC asked a few questions.
She asked Roa about his feelings on opening the show and whether they expected to win the Rookie Award.
“We’ll gratefully accept it if we’re given the award.”
Hanjoon’s response was met with a slightly amusing comment from the MC.
“You know, right? You’re overwhelmingly in first place in the voting? I voted for you too.”
The MC, showing a bit of pride, carefully revealed her fan heart and laughed. Then, she turned her gaze to Ichan, who was standing at the end.
“Ichan, most of the people gathered here are curious about your shoulder. Are you okay?”
At that, Ichan, who had been wearing his default expression, gave a slight smile.
“Very… okay.”
His short response elicited another round of screams from the fans.
Filaments truly seemed to have the energy of a hundred people.
Ichan turned his gaze to the fans, waved, and then patted his shoulder before giving a thumbs-up.
The MC smiled brightly.
“Filaments, your King Leader is doing just fine. Everyone, rest assured and go wild today.”
Ha, that MC is definitely a Filament. I’ll bet my camera on it.
Juhee felt a strong sense of camaraderie with the MC as she clicked her shutter.
“That was L.I.T at the photo wall.”
Amid the dazzling camera flashes and the fans' cheers, L.I.T disappeared into the awards ceremony venue.
Yoojung approached.
“Did you get good shots?”
“Yeah, insane. The kids. They’re so radiant, it’s blinding.”
Excitement was evident in Yoojung’s voice.
“I told you. It’s like the lighting goes crazy only for our kids. They’re on a whole different level from other artists. How are they so radiant?”
Though she said it jokingly, it wasn’t a lie.
Idols who shine no matter where they are—that’s L.I.T.
* * *
Once inside the venue, we headed straight to the waiting room.
The waiting room was already prepared by Gyuhyung and Hyerim, who had arrived earlier.
Stage outfits, shoes, snacks, drinks…
“Roa. Hurry and change.”
Roa, who was in charge of the opening, started bustling around.
Our performance was third, and we were set to perform three songs. Of course, one of them, <Promise>, had been pre-recorded two days ago.
“Gather around.”
Gyuhyung brought out the stage map and explained the movements.
“First, our seats are here. Next to Dinaple. Stay there until the second team starts, then come back here. Change outfits and move to the backstage.”
But none of the members were really listening.
The kids were too excited, their minds already wandering.
“Seeing is believing.”
Jaewon raised his hand.
“I’ll take the camera and go explore.”
Then he took Siu and left the waiting room.
Roa, who had changed into his outfit, took the calming pill Hyerim handed him and headed to the stage with the staff.
Gyuhyung, who had been passionately explaining, clicked his tongue and smiled awkwardly.
Hanjoon patted Gyuhyung’s shoulder and turned to me.
“Leader. Do you have change?”
I nodded and followed Hanjoon out of the waiting room.
When Hanjoon asked, “Do you have change?” it wasn’t just about wanting to buy cocoa from the vending machine. It also meant he had something to talk about privately.
We walked to the end of the hallway, where the vending machine was, and Hanjoon held out his hand.
He was gesturing for me to give him change.
I lightly slapped the back of his hand.
“I don’t have change. Just talk.”
“Then why did you say you did?”
“I called you because I have something to say. Just say what you need to say.”
Hanjoon clicked his tongue and frowned.
“Do you have something going on with Kim Wooyoung? I mean, are you two in some serious trouble?”
“…?”
Why is Kim Wooyoung being brought up all of a sudden?
And what do you mean by “serious trouble”? What kind of conversation is this, jumping around without context?
“Your accident. Did Kim Wooyoung do it?”
My brow furrowed involuntarily.
Hanjoon isn’t the type to make baseless assumptions.
No matter how bad our relationship with MuteSeven is, he’s not the type to make up unfounded rumors.
“Who said that?”
Hanjoon glanced around and lowered his voice.
“Actually, there’s been some talk among the artists who were at the Showbox stage that day. About the accident……”
Hanjoon paused for a moment.
That accident is remembered as a horrific tragedy by all the L.I.T members.
Even though I was the one who got hurt, I was the calmest. Roa, Jaewon, even Siu and Hanjoon were traumatized.
“Last night, it blew up on a community forum.”
“Community?”
“Yeah. It’s a members-only community, but they’re saying Kim Wooyoung orchestrated the lighting accident, and that you and Kim Wooyoung have always had bad blood…”
It’s true that we’ve never gotten along, but Kim Wooyoung didn’t orchestrate the lighting accident. So why is the story going in that direction?
“There’s also a video.”
“A video? What video?”
“I haven’t seen it yet.”
What kind of video could there be of me and Kim Wooyoung?
At most, it’s just us bumping shoulders as we pass by. Could it be something Jung Yoobin set up?
“But it’s spreading to general communities in no time.”
“Who did you hear this from?”
“DAS 17’s Jiho.”
DAS 17, the group led by Woogi from “Loots”.
If something like this happened, “Loots” would’ve been in an uproar. Why are they so quiet?
“He’s not the type to talk nonsense. He’s my friend.”
“I know.”
I felt strangely uneasy.
Does Kim Wooyoung know about this too? I need to meet him.
“Hanjoon. I’m going to meet Kim Wooyoung for a bit.”
“I’ll go with you. I want to ask that bastard if he really did it.”
* * *
Juhee and Yoojung, who had entered Gocheok Dome, checked their belongings before heading into the venue.
“Did you bring extra batteries?”
“Of course.”
“Let’s put the rest in the storage locker.”
“Okay.”
After taking out only the essentials, including the camera, they locked their bags in the storage locker.
They vowed to capture great photos and then went their separate ways.
Everyone gathered here today had been lucky enough to secure PMA tickets.
Juhee, a famous YouTuber, had gone to great lengths to get PMA tickets, even hiring twelve part-time workers to help.
Of course, some people, like Yoojung, had it easier. Thanks to her older brother, an executive at Pumpkin Music’s parent company.
The only person who had it easier than Yoojung was Mina, the idol editor for Weekly MusicQ.
“Lucky people.”
Thinking of Mina and Yoojung, who were sitting in the press and floor seats respectively, Juhee hurried along.
“Even if it’s just the stairs, it’s important that I’m here.”
Today, L.I.T was set to perform three songs.
Of course, one of them, <Promise>, had already been pre-recorded two days ago.
It was the day after Pumpkin Music announced L.I.T’s participation.
The <Promise> performance, which they had lined up early in the morning at Gocheok Dome to see, was truly legendary.
On the way home, she kept repeating, “This is insane,” “They killed it,” and she wasn’t the only one showing these symptoms.
She saw several people on the subway who were clearly suffering from L.I.T fever. It had been an incredibly satisfying day.
And today, I plan to watch L.I.T.'s performance.
Seeing L.I.T. at the PMA? Just imagining it gives me chills.
Then, a message came from Yoojung.
Yoojung: Juhee, did you see the post on the fan cafe?
Juhee: What post?
Yoojung: They’re saying Ichan’s accident was orchestrated by Kim Wooyoung. There’s even a video of Kim Wooyoung chasing Ichan and threatening him.
What are you talking about? Are they saying that horrible accident wasn’t an accident but intentional? And that MuteSeven’s Kim Wooyoung was behind it?