Chapter 108
[Weers 1st Full Album Title Track 'Better' Surprise Pre-release]
[As Expected of the Reliable Weers, Sweeps 1st Place on Various Music Sites Upon Pre-release]
[Title Track 'Better' MV Surpasses 100 Million Views in 10 Days, Even Hotter Response Overseas]
[Written and Composed by Eugene Kim Once Again. Will It Work on Billboard Too?]
[Weers Leader Sunwoo Rin, Resolute Look Ahead of Sortie. "Everyone Will Be Surprised."]
[Weers Comeback! Holds Global Simultaneous Live Broadcast Showcase]
[Second Title Track 'Challenger' Veiled in Secrecy Revealed for the First Time at Showcase. Park Hanhwi: "A Song That Expresses Weers' Identity"]
[Weers Tops Oricon Album Chart Immediately Upon Comeback, Japanese Media Praises "Weers Is Already Asia's Best Group"]
[Invincible Weers! Achieves Triple Crown on Music Shows Just One Week After Comeback. Kang Ajin: "All Glory to WISH, We Will Become a Weers That Repays Your Love."]
[Weers' 1st Full Album Enters 'Billboard 200' at 19th. Updates Own Career High]
[James Blake: "The Overall Completeness of This Album Is Exceptionally High. It Won't Be Long Before the World Focuses on Weers."]
[Leaping Beyond the Asian Market, Now to the US, Weers Departs Today...]
***
Having finished their comeback promotions in Korea over the past week, Weers now signaled the start of their full-fledged US activities.
And right now, we were heading to Incheon Airport for our flight to the US.
The atmosphere inside the car was unusually calm today.
Even Sim Seongha and Woo Jungwoo, who usually never kept their mouths shut for a second and turned the car into a bustling marketplace, were strangely silent today.
'Are they all still a bit nervous?'
It wasn't our first time going to the US, but compared to last time when we just went for album preparation, this time was the start of a full-scale US advancement to promote Weers.
It was inevitable that everyone's mindset and actions would change slightly from before.
"Hmm... at this rate..."
"Three weeks' worth? No, it could last over a month..."
At that moment, I suddenly heard Woo Jungwoo and Sim Seongha whispering behind me.
Feeling weird, I looked back and saw them clearing their throats with noticeably awkward expressions, averting their gazes, before facing each other, nodding, and blurting out lines that seemed rehearsed.
"Uh oh? A new article just popped up... The ranking of the most handsome men in the world? Jungwoo hyung, did you see this?"
"No. This is my first time hearing about it? Don't tell me... one of our members got selected?"
It felt chilly.
Cold sweat ran down my back.
And.
-A message has arrived.
[Weers' Sunwoo Rin. Selected as the Most Handsome Man in the World, Truly the 'World's Number One Handsome Man Sunwoo Rin']
A bomb was delivered to the Weers group chat.
"Ke...keugh..."
"Rin hyung, 1st most handsome man in the world. Congratulations...!"
"Truly the world's most handsome man! Hehe."
'This... I can't avoid it.'
Of all places, we were in a car, not the dorm or waiting room, so there was nowhere to take shelter.
I hurriedly rummaged through my phone gallery looking for material I could use as a counterattack, but.
"Hey. You've already used that aegyo video too many times, hyung!"
"If you keep doing that, I'll immediately bring up the cosmetic commercial video we shot this time too."
"His skin is no joke, right? I just changed my skin product..."
"W-wait! I lost..."
At Woo Jungwoo's words mimicking the cosmetic commercial I recently shot, I had no choice but to hang my head and declare defeat.
"Please say a word as the world's most handsome man, Rin hyung."
"Hyung, could you not look back? The light shining from your face is too dazzling!"
"Advancing into the US will be a piece of cake with this, right? We have the world's most handsome man on our team. Isn't that right?"
"Of course. Billboard number 1 isn't far away. Just wait, Weers, possessing the world's most handsome man, is coming! Hahahaha!!"
After my declaration of defeat, it was now time for the suffocating leader teasing.
Having lost the battle, I had no choice but to watch with my own two eyes as Woo Jungwoo and Sim Seongha went wild,
'Still, it's a relief that everyone seems to have relaxed their tension.'
Although my mental energy was completely drained, feeling the car's atmosphere become harmonious again thanks to my sacrifice, I smiled secretly.
Of course, I would repay this humiliation one day...
"Alright kids, we're almost there, so let's slowly get ready to get off."
"Okay!"
At the manager hyung's words, I looked out the window and the airport began to appear in the distance.
"Hmm. There will be a lot of people, right?"
"Probably quite a lot of fans came too, right?"
When Kang Ajin spoke while looking out the window, Park Hanhwi next to him nodded and said.
"Everyone, let's stay sharp at the airport, don't cause any trouble."
"Okaay!"
"We don't cause trouble."
When I turned around and spoke just in case, Woo Jungwoo and Sim Seongha answered vigorously.
"Sihyun-ah."
"A-ah! Yes?"
I woke up Baek Sihyun, who was dozing off.
"Can you wake up Yujin next to you?"
"Yes. Yujin hyung."
When Baek Sihyun shook Eugene Kim's shoulder at my words, I saw Eugene Kim frowning tiredly as he came to his senses.
'No wonder he's tired. He's been constantly traveling back and forth between the US and Korea all this time...'
He was juggling the Masked Singer schedule in the US along with the comeback promotions in Korea.
It wasn't every week, but Eugene Kim's condition, who had been traveling between Korea and the US for filming, didn't look very good.
'He looks worse than I thought.'
Seeing Eugene Kim struggling more than usual made me feel a bit worried,
At that moment.
"Yujin hyung, didn't you see the group chat earlier?"
"Eh? What group chat?"
"It's about Rin hyung..."
I saw Sim Seongha trying to spread his dark claws once more, but.
"Kids, there are really a lot of reporters and fans at the airport right now, okay? Everyone take care of yourselves. Don't do anything sudden. Got it?"
As the manager said, in front of the airport where we finally arrived.
"Wow. There are so many people!"
"Did they all come to film us?"
"Probably... I guess so..."
That place familiar to anyone as the background of some celebrity's airport fashion photo at least once.
Right now, that place was a sea of people, as if all the entertainment reporters in the country had rushed over.
"When we left for the Asia tour last time, there weren't this many people..."
"That was an Asia tour, and now it's a US advancement."
"Is advancing into the US that big of a deal?"
"But what if we go like this, and it doesn't go well there... mmph!"
I quickly covered Sim Seongha's mouth before he could finish, then looked at the members and spoke vigorously.
"Everyone, when we get off, keep your shoulders straight, don't be intimidated, and walk confidently. Once we leave today, we won't be back in Korea for at least a few months. So we have to show our fans the proudest image possible. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Orders received!"
"Yes, General!"
When Kang Ajin answered with a sloppy salute at my words, the other members also threw in jokes one by one with smiles.
"Whether going forward or backward, it's Woo Jungwoo! Today, I'll leave a legendary airport fashion pic and head to the US."
With Woo Jungwoo's words, his shoulders pumped with strength, being the last.
Like that, when all the members finished preparing, we could finally open the car doors and step outside.
Click- Click-
"Please look over here once!"
"Just one word to the fans! Mr. Sunwoo Rin! Do you have any resolution regarding your US advancement!"
"Please give us just a brief moment for an interview!"
"Mr. Eugene Kim, do you have anything to say regarding the speculation that you are a contestant on Masked Singer..."
The camera flashes exploded to the point of paralyzing my vision in an instant, and the voices of reporters asking questions could be heard from all directions.
As soon as we got out of the car, the bodyguards standing next to the car surrounded us in an instant.
"Wow... I need to hide behind Rin hyung..."
"Me too..."
"Everyone, come this way!"
Starting with Woo Jungwoo, who until just a moment ago was saying he'd leave a legendary airport fashion photo, I saw the members scurrying and gathering behind me.
"Phew... alright, just stay quietly behind me."
With the ominous premonition that if we got caught by the reporters here, we wouldn't be able to board the plane on time, we walked slowly through the reporters toward the airport entrance under the protection of the bodyguards.
And the moment we finally entered the airport.
Waaaaaaaah-
"Wow..."
At the cheers ringing loudly inside the airport, we had no choice but to stop our footsteps for a moment.
Sunwoo Rin!!!-
Turning my head at the sound of my name being called, I saw the fans gathered on one side of the airport, along with the various slogans they were holding.
Even though it was a scenery I always saw after becoming an idol, I wondered if I just couldn't get used to this kind of support, as I felt my heart pounding.
Lost in thought for a moment at the sight of the fans filling one side of the airport, I came to my senses and walked little by little toward where the fans were to see the faces of the fans who came all the way to the airport.
"Rin, if you get too close..."
"It's okay, hyung."
Answering softly to the manager's dissuasion and moving my steps quickly, the distance quickly closed.
As I approached, the fans' eyes sparkled even more as they shouted to me,
-Rin!
-You have to come back safely!
-Don't get hurt!
-I'll always be rooting for you!
Making eye contact with each fan whose eyes held a mix of worry and encouragement.
"Let's all greet them together!"
I saw the members who had followed me and were now standing by my side.
I nodded and counted.
"Two, three!"
"Hello. We are Weers!"
After finishing the group greeting.
"WISH! We love you!"
"We'll do well and come back!"
"Thank you so much for your support!"
Perhaps because our departure was right around the corner, the members greeted the fans more vigorously than usual.
Leaving only a short greeting like that. The time to part with the fans now approached.
"Hyung, don't you have anything you want to say?"
At Eugene Kim's words looking at me, I wondered if there was a cool farewell greeting, but.
"I will come back safely."
Only such simple words came to mind.
'And um...'
"Kids, let's go now! We'll be late at this rate."
"Goodbye everyone!"
"Take care!"
Eventually, pushed by the manager hyung's earnest words, we finished our final greetings.
The words that came to mind only as we walked away again.
"Definitely becoming the best... much more than now."
"Yes...?"
"It's nothing."
I should probably save these words until I return.
I looked back at the now small figures of the fans and resolved once more in my heart.
'I will become a more shining person.'
***
There was no immediate special change just because we came to the US.
Even today, the schedule only consisted of a simple interview and filming a self-produced content video for the fans.
Seeing it like this, compared to the murderous schedule we had in Korea, it rather looked laid-back.
Of course, it won't be like this in the future either.
So we need to rest well even on days like today, but...
Knock knock-
"Rin hyung. Can I come in?"
"Yes! Just a moment!"
At Baek Sihyun's voice from outside, Sim Seongha answered faster than me, ran to the door, and opened it.
"I bought food!"
"You were all already here."
As Baek Sihyun, followed by Park Hanhwi, came into the room carrying bags in both hands.
"Waaaah! Food!"
"Hyung, what did you buy? Is there anything to drink too?"
"Wait. I bought various types here, but..."
"I'll eat this!"
"Wait, put it down first!"
All six members except Eugene Kim gathered in one room.
Yeah, it's good that we gathered, but...
"Why my room of all places?"
"That's because only Rin hyung uses a room alone."
"I suggested we gather here. I did well, right? Hehe."
They readily yielded the single room to me, but was this what they planned from the start?
Falling for the members' scheme, I had no choice but to quietly watch my cozy single room turn into our living room.
Because the reason everyone gathered here right now was.
"But when does it start? Is it still far away?"
"It's about time to start soon."
"Wow, why am I more nervous?"
"I'm nervous too."
"I wonder if Yujin hyung's condition is okay today."
"It would have been nice if he rested even one more day..."
To watch the final episode of Masked Singer, which would be broadcast live today, together.
'Phew...'
Once today's broadcast ends... how will things change tomorrow.
I recalled the image of Eugene Kim, who waved and said goodbye to me with a calm expression before leaving.
'He'll do well.'
Eugene Kim's shoulders, which I thought would be heavy with burden, looked lighter than I expected.
"Wait, Ajin, why are you staying alone in the corner?"
"Actually... whenever I watch a live broadcast, the person I'm rooting for always loses. So I'm a bit scared to watch it directly, I'm just going to sneakily check if Yujin hyung is doing well..."
"What?"
"Hey Kang Ajin! Cover your eyes right now! No, I'll cover them for you, come here!"
"We should probably cover his ears too."
"No, that's a bit..."
"Aaaaah! Rin hyung! Save me...!"
While I was lost in thought, for some reason, I saw Kang Ajin, whose eyes and ears were tightly wrapped in a towel, trembling while surrounded by the other members.
"Wait, what are you guys doing? Is Ajin okay?"
"No... I'm not okay at all... sob..."
"Why are his eyes covered?"
When I tried to approach Kang Ajin, Sim Seongha blocked my way.
"You can't! If you undo this seal!"
"Seal? Do you mean the towel?"
"Rin hyung...!"
"Hyung! Don't take it off no matter what!"
As I was confused by Kang Ajin pitifully calling my name and the members desperately trying to stop me.
"Uh oh? It's starting!"
"Really?"
[Hello everyone! The grand finale of 'The Masked Singer', which was fiercer than ever, unfolds today.]
The MC's opening remark ended.
And a man wearing a black cat mask walked out slowly onto the stage along with the other two contestants.
"Mmph! I wanna shee too..."
Along with Kang Ajin's pitiful muffled voice now that even his mouth was covered.