translation by mourningmoor
L.I.T's official SNS uploaded photos one by one.
The first photo was uploaded by Jaewon.
The background was a restaurant, and Siu was smiling brightly in front of a steaming samgyetang (korean chicken soup). However, the hand placed on the table didn’t look ordinary.
Though it was neatly placed, the middle finger was sticking straight up from a green cast.
Below the photo, there was a short caption and hashtags from Jaewon.
<Filaments, these days we’re getting cursed at 24/7.>
#LIT_L.I.T #JJAN #YoonSiu_Update #TheGeniusOfCursing #NationalLevel_FingerGesture
The second photo was also of Siu.
This time, Roa uploaded the photo, which showed Siu taking a nap in the corner of the practice room.
His fingers were neatly placed on his stomach, but once again, the middle finger was sticking straight up.
<Siu hyungnim doesn’t skip practice even while injured. Filaments, don’t worry. We’ll bring you good news soon.>
#ROA #SiuHyungnim_GetWellSoon #FilamentsAreWorried
The last photo was uploaded by Ichan.
It seemed like they were in the middle of choreography practice, as the members, dressed comfortably, were discussing something with the choreographer.
A man with a round face was in the middle, with Siu and Hanjoon standing on either side, facing each other. Siu was extending his injured hand toward Hanjoon.
And he was wearing his signature soft, gentle smile.
But the funny thing was, the other two were looking at Siu’s fingertip with strange expressions.
<It’s not what you think, but Hanjoon hyung is still uncomfortable. And Ji Youngjun ssaem.>
#YoonSiu_GetThatCastOff #TodayIsTheDaySiuGetsHisCastOff
Filaments burst out laughing at Ichan’s caption.
And they were thrilled that Siu was finally getting his cast removed.
Husband. Finally getting the cast off ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ You’ve worked so hard.
Siu, whose wish was to wash his face with both hands. Now you can do it with both hands. Congratulations \(@^0^@)/
Noooㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ But the kids teasing Siu’s finger is so cuteㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
The photo when Aki came to apologizeㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ That was the funniest moment for meㅋㅋㅋㅋ He was smiling and taking a photo with Aki, but his hand was giving the finger.
└Exactly, that was the most satisfying moment. Aki’s expression was pricelessㅋㅋㅋ
└For real, I wasn’t laughing at anything else. That was itㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Did Aki come to apologize? Was there a photo?
└Aki took a photo to prove she apologized, but she must’ve felt bad because she deleted it two days later.
└But it’s been saved. Here’s the photo (photo), (photo), (photo)
└ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Thank you. Wow, what kind of personality does Aki have? Is that really the face of someone apologizing?
If there wasn’t decisive evidence, Aki wouldn’t have apologized until the end. Who would’ve thought the camera director would follow and capture all of thatㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└Siu was rolling around in painㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I really cried when I saw thatㅜㅜ
└Me too. Jaewon was likeㅠㅠㅠㅠ Hyung, it’s like thisㅠㅠㅠㅠ I choked up seeing him cry.
└DamnㅠㅠㅠHow shocked must they have been? It hadn’t been long since the lighting accidentㅠㅠㅠㅠ
Even after receiving such an apology, our kidsㅠㅠ They smiled like angels, saying thank you for apologizingㅠㅠㅠ My heart broke.
└They said they understood because they were shockedㅠㅠㅠㅠ They’re such saints, right?
I’ll make sure something like this never happens again. I’ll raise them to be untouchable by anyoneㅜㅜ
The consecutive accidents became a rallying point for Filaments.
Both accidents were intentional, and they happened because of jealousy toward L.I.T. The determination to protect the talented idols from external pressure grew stronger.
Moreover, their usually gentle demeanor strongly triggered protective instincts.
The protective instincts toward L.I.T weren’t limited to just Filaments. Even some well-known celebrities posted on SNS, criticizing Aki’s insincere apology and praising L.I.T’s saintly demeanor.
They even added that they had decided to become fans of L.I.T.
Especially MC Monna, who had a broken leg, became a hardcore fan of L.I.T and even created a separate fan account.
* * *
“It wasn’t all bad.”
PD Pyo, who was sipping cocoa, stared at me and said.
“You could say it was a blessing in disguise, right?”
I nodded at PD Pyo’s words.
A blessing in disguise—it means a bad thing turning into a good thing.
In the end, L.I.T became a hot topic, and the team’s status rose, so it’s a good thing. But no matter what, the fact that Siu got hurt doesn’t disappear.
“You must be happy. Trading Siu’s finger for popularity.”
I slowly put down the cocoa cup.
Then PD Pyo waved his hand.
“What are you saying? That’s not what I meant.”
Then he straightened his posture.
“I’m saying that even in a bad situation, there’s a bright side. Siu injured his finger, and the team’s morale dropped, but good things kept happening, so it’s comforting.”
It wasn’t wrong. It’s much better to have good things follow bad things than to have only bad things happen repeatedly.
It also had a positive effect on Hanjoon’s emotional stability, who is a superstitious believer.
[I told you. I was uneasy because only good things kept happening. Now that we’ve paid our dues, only good things will happen from now on.]
But then, if only good things keep happening, will he get uneasy again?
Thinking of Hanjoon, I let out a quiet sigh and stared at PD Pyo.
“Besides the two ads we signed, what other good news did you call me here for?”
You called me here saying there’s good news, but all you’ve been talking about is the community reactions, broadcast station reactions, fan reactions. Just reactions.
I’ve already finished a cup of cocoa.
Anyway, PD Pyo, you’re rambling.
“Just say it. I was in the middle of work.”
I glanced at my watch and pressed him, and PD Pyo, sensing the urgency, opened his mouth.
“Have you checked the ad storyboards?”
“Yes.”
“The work is going smoothly, so the single release in March should be no problem…”
Seeing him drag out his words, it seems like he’s about to ask for something troublesome.
“So, here’s the thing.”
PD Pyo, who finally opened his mouth, lowered the corners of his eyes apologetically.
“Should we go to the Idol Olympics?”
“Idol Olympics?”
Since becoming an idol, I’ve learned about most idol-related programs through media exposure. Rummaging through my mind, a variety show with a similar format came to mind, though not an exact match.
“The one where they gather idols and make them run? They also do archery and horseback riding?”
“No. That’s the one MBS does every holiday. We declined that because you said you wouldn’t go.”
Right. I said I wouldn’t go there.
Last time, there was no proper apology regarding the lighting accident, so I declined their offer.
No apology means no promise to prevent a recurrence.
As long as Jung Yoobin is involved there, it’s just dangerous for us.
“Then what’s this?”
“This is a new variety show SBN is making, and they’re planning to air it as a special for spring and fall. This time, it’s a New Year special…”
PD Pyo’s explanation went on and on.
Soccer, golf, baseball, tennis, racing,
They’re going to have a league match for each sport.
“Is that possible? What do we know about golf, tennis, and racing…”
“It’s a game.”
“Huh?”
“They’re doing it as a game. The PD there saw your N Live when you moved into the new dorm and assigned rooms, and that’s why they requested you.”
PD Pyo’s mouth twisted awkwardly.
“They said you’re serious about games.”
Serious about games? That was because rooms were at stake.
We have a digital single release coming up soon. What are you talking about?
“No. We have to start choreography practice soon. We’re busy.”
“Come on, Ichan.”
I clearly expressed my refusal, but PD Pyo isn’t backing down easily. He’s even whining with a creepy nasal tone.
“If we do this, it could open doors to Japan.”
“Japan?”
“Yeah. SBN is collaborating with Japan TV for this program, and it’ll air simultaneously in Korea and Japan.”
So?
“If Japan opens up, we can aim to be global artists like ARCHE.”
“Is ARCHE that global?”
The sudden mention of ARCHE’s name made me frown involuntarily.
“Well, there’s no boy group that can catch up to ARCHE right now.”
I’ll admit that. From objective indicators to extremely subjective ones, everyone is crazy about ARCHE.
“ARCHE started in Japan and slowly took over the world.”
The singers’ singer, the celebrities’ celebrity.
The status ARCHE enjoys is truly remarkable.
“They don’t even perform on trivial stages anymore. Their level has completely changed.”
Right. They’re amazing. They’re on a different level than us.
That’s why it’s annoying.
Especially because the demon king took over Yoo Noah, the highest-ranking member of ARCHE.
“Just breathing brings in money, so what’s there to lack?”
Damn, just breathing brings in money. That’s really enviable.
Now that I think about it, the house I saw in Yoo Noah’s dream. Wasn’t it really nice?
“PD-nim.”
“Yeah?”
“What’s the tallest building in Seoul? The one that looks like a demon tower…”
As I slowly recalled my memories, I pictured the strange building the demon king fell from in my mind. The sharp tower against the blackened sky with white lightning flashing. And Yoo Noah sleeping at the top.
I couldn’t help but feel a strange emotion.
“Demon tower?”
“Yes.”
“Demon tower… I don’t know what that is, but the tallest building… Wouldn’t it be Troifle in Ttukseom?”
Troifle? Right. I remember the building had a logo shaped like a T.
“It’s the tallest and most expensive residential-complex building in Korea right now… right? It’s big, luxurious, has amazing facilities, and can be seen from anywhere.”
PD Pyo, who had stood up, opened the blinds covering the window.
“You can see it from here too. You can see it from your dorm.”
Following PD Pyo’s finger, I moved my gaze and bit my lip, forgetting to breathe.
Damn. That’s it.
Looking at it like this, it looks even more like the demon tower.
When I first entered Parapara, the tower I saw from the trainee’s house. Yeah, it felt exactly like this.
“If you use the Japanese market as a stepping stone, a house like that would be a piece of cake?”
Using Japan as a sacrifice to expand into the world…
I couldn’t help but feel excited.
If we can catch up to ARCHE like that, it’d be the icing on the cake.
And if we can get the demon tower on top of that, even better.
“Alright. Let’s do it. Let’s use Japan as a sacrifice.”