translation by mourningmoor
The tracklist for Dinaple's full album has been revealed.
Prior to this, it had been leaked that two of the songs on Dinaple's new album were produced by L.I.T's Kang Ichan.
As soon as the tracklist was released, the Filaments were scrambling to find Ichan's songs, nearly going blind in the process.
Then, they discovered one of the tracks and let out a scream.
It was Ga Yuna's solo song.
They had thought Ichan only produced it, but it turned out he also featured on the track, which sent the fandom into a frenzy.
While waiting for Dinaple's new album, the first teaser for Jeong Haeseong's new variety show, <Hotel Ohana>, was released.
True to his reputation as a star writer, Jeong Haeseong himself appeared in the first scene of the teaser.
He was seen traveling around Hawaii with his best friend, PD Yeon Hojin, looking for the perfect location. Alongside them was actor Cha Juhyuk, a former model.
—Seriously, you made us work in the countryside back in Korea, and now you’re taking us overseas? To Hawaii, no less?
Cha Juhyuk stuck his tongue out at Jeong Haeseong and Yeon Hojin.
—What do you think, Teacher? It’s fun, right? Let’s try all sorts of things here. Cooking, selling coffee, hosting guests, busking…
As Jeong Haeseong spoke, the teaser cut to various scenes: Park Haeju cleaning rooms, Kim Hyunsoo welcoming guests, Jung Myungwon crying while peeling onions, Cha Juhyuk and Yoo Heechul bickering while cooking, and Yoo Noah and Kang Ichan playing guitars against the backdrop of a picturesque ocean.
—Doesn’t it sound amazing just imagining it?
—Amazing? Then why don’t you do it yourself, Teacher? Don’t make me do it.
At Cha Juhyuk’s whining, Jeong Haeseong and Yeon Hojin laughed wickedly.
—It’s fine, Teacher. Isn’t your daughter a fan of ARCHE? I’ll bring Yoo Noah as a part-timer, just like in Sigor Boutique Season 1. That’ll work, right?
—Tempting. But lately, my daughter’s been distracted.
—Huh?
—There’s this rookie idol group, Light? You know, the ones who shine? She’s started stanning them.
—L.I.T?
—Yeah, them.
Cha Juhyuk nodded.
—I’ll kidnap them and bring them here. Okay?
—Okay.
The first teaser had just spoiled Kang Ichan’s kidnapping.
It felt less like a teaser and more like a behind-the-scenes story.
But for fans of ARCHE and L.I.T, it was an insane bombshell.
The show was set to air in two weeks. It was announced on the <Hotel Ohana> website that behind-the-scenes content would be released every even-numbered day.
Usually, behind-the-scenes content is released after the show airs, but this time, they were releasing it beforehand.
It was unconventional, but it added a new layer of fun.
It was like the thrill of spotting the scenes from the behind-the-scenes footage in the actual broadcast.
The fan cafes were already buzzing.
And two weeks after the release of their digital single, L.I.T won first place on three music shows.
I knew they’d win first placeㅠㅠㅠㅠ This song is so easy to like. The dance isn’t hard to follow either.
└Right? Even my mom hums it while doing the dishesㅋㅋㅋ L.I.T is the best.
No wayㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ They haven’t even been around for a year, and their fanbase is already hugeㅋㅋㅋ
└ㅋㅋTrue. Did you see the NewTube videos? Elementary school kids are singing <Cotton Candy> instead of nursery rhymesㅋㅋㅋㅋ They’re dancing and singing it during music classㅋㅋㅋ I almost died laughing.
It wasn’t just the atmosphere in L.I.T’s fan cafes.
Similar vibes were spreading across idol fan communities.
Everyone was amazed by the meteoric rise of L.I.T, the rookie group that had appeared like a comet last spring.
When you break them down, they seem so unremarkable, but when you put them on stage, they’re like giants. They’re such mysterious kids.
└What do you mean unremarkableㅠㅠㅠㅠ Don’t say thatㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋI’m serious, though. One of their charms is their unremarkableness. They shine the brightest on stage.
I’m not an L.I.T fan, but they seem pretty good. Their music is nice, and they dance well. Overall, their vibe is really appealing. They’re still young, but once they grow up a bit, they’ll probably become a really sexy group.
└Exactly. Each member has such a distinct color.
└Especially their leader.
└Our leader’s name is Kang Ichan. Remember it. He’s going to be the best in this industry.
Of course, not all the comments were positive.
As the fandom grew and the group gained more attention, the number of haters also increased.
The lightbulbs are here again, trying to promote. They’re really pushing these kids who have nothing special. Ugh.
└Exactly. Let’s be honest, these kids got here through connections. From Pyo Chunhee to ARCHE to Lim Cheol. They’re riding on coattails, not their own talent.
They swept the Rookie Awards last year, beating out idols from big companies. What are you even talking about? If you’re jealous, go take a nap.
└Beating idols from big companies? They only won because MuteSeven self-destructed. Honestly, Mute was way better. If their leader hadn’t self-sabotaged…
└If you don’t know, just shut up. That “amazing” Mute title track? Ichan composed it. What’s with these people who get triggered every time L.I.T is mentioned? Are Muse fans still around?
It wasn’t serious trolling.
Just the usual comments you’d expect.
But one of the trolls struck a nerve with the Filaments.
I’m a KBC employee. Kang Ichan appeared on a KBC special program recently. He was so arrogant, talking back to seniors and acting cocky even to the trainees. Kang Ichan is so annoying.
└Gotcha. Just because you’re anonymous doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want. Words have consequences.
└Wow. The show’s airing soon. If an employee is spilling like this, it must be serious. I’m looking forward to it, Kang Ichan.
You can tell just from the PMA fancams. He’s cold to Kim Jeongsoo but bows to Yoo Noah. Total two-faced behavior.
Ichan’s image has always been cold and aloof. That’s why fans call him the Arctic Cat.
It’s a nickname that came from his icy demeanor and his extreme reluctance to mingle with others. But does that mean Ichan doesn’t interact with people at all?
Absolutely not.
On NewTube, even though he seems cold to the members, he takes care of them from start to finish, which led to the creation of the term “Momchan.”
It was the same on <Eternal Legend>.
While he was cold and composed with Kim Jeongsoo, the leader of Möbius, he also showed meticulous care and consideration, which everyone found charming. Even Kim Jeongsoo himself felt the same way. That’s why they even called him an honorary member of the Filaments.
It was the same at PMA.
It’s not like Ichan was particularly warm to Yoo Noah either.
He just maintained an appropriate level of respect for a senior.
Looks like our Ichan is really making waves. All these trolls are coming out of the woodwork.
└Making waves? Keep dreaming, you broken lightbulb.
└Sure. I’ll keep dreaming, and you keep coping. Trashing Ichan won’t make your oppa succeed.
└Lightbulb, let’s just ignore them. They’re just jealous haters. Ignoring them is the best response.
Ignoring them is the best response.
The Filaments clenched their teeth and held back their anger.
They decided to wait and see how things played out after KBC’s special program aired.
Two days after L.I.T won first place with their new song, KBC’s special program aired.
* * *
The program began with footage of the global K-Pop phenomenon.
From a blue-eyed girl who became interested in Korea because of K-Pop to a dark-skinned boy who was learning Korean to understand the soul of K-Pop.
The dramatic opening explained the sensation K-Pop was causing worldwide. Then, the studio came into view.
The futuristic studio, which looked like the interior of a spaceship, lit up as KBC’s star announcer delivered the opening remarks.
—For its anniversary special, KBC is presenting a series of discussions on “Korea’s Cultural Renaissance.” Today’s topic is “Idols,” who stand at the center of the Hallyu wave. Let’s introduce our eight panelists.
One by one, the names of the panelists were called out by KBC’s star voice actor, accompanied by their profiles on the screen.
When the eighth panelist, Aki, was announced, the live chat for the program exploded.
Most of the people in the live chat were fans of the idols appearing on the show. To them, Aki was like a flea in a thatched-roof house.
A flea that keeps popping up no matter how many times you try to catch it.
To get rid of it, you’d have to burn down the whole house, but that’s not an option.
Didn’t Aki go on hiatus after the L.I.T incident? Why is she back?
The hiatus was way too short. Is this the power of being under Maon, a subsidiary of a big corporation?
Ugh, what kind of nonsense is she going to spout this time? Please, I don’t want to see her face.
She wasn’t in the teaser, so the producers must know. The moment Aki appears, she’s going to get roasted.
Today’s live chat is going to be wild. I’m going to make some popcorn.
Aki’s performance was exactly as expected.
She blatantly broke the rules of the program.
First, only the eight panelists were supposed to participate in the discussion.
The idols were only there to vote on the two opposing opinions presented during the discussion.
But Aki dragged the idols into the discussion.
Her first victim was a second-year female idol.
Aki disparaged idol training programs as mass-producing idols, calling them “factory idols.” She then brought the second-year female idol into the conversation, and she struggled to respond, breaking into a cold sweat.
—This is the harm of factory idols. They can’t think for themselves.
Wow, Aki is insane. Is she really doing this on air?
What do we doㅠㅠㅠ Miss.Dal’s Rena unnie is going to cry.
Anniㅠㅠㅠㅠ The panelists are all seasoned seniors, national assembly members, and professors. How can a second-year idol feel comfortable speaking in that kind of setting? And with Aki attacking her like that?
What’s the MC doing? They’re not protecting the idols at all.
Of course, not everyone was sympathetic.
Aki spitting facts.
Yeah, Aki might be rude, but she’s spitting straight facts.
This is why idols need to study more. No wonder people say idols are just pebbles on the street.
Eventually, a war of words broke out between Miss.Dal’s fandom and the trolls.
Then, it happened.
After making another second-year male idol his victim, Aki dragged in L.I.T’s Kang Ichan, a first-year idol.