The Villainous Member Has Returned! Episode 148
* * *
Our Tioje's second-week promotions began with a schedule even tighter than the first week.
“Yuchan hyung, Yuchan hyung! Wake up now. You need to get your hair and makeup done.”
“Urg, Hwaseong... hyung’s dying. No, what time is it now...?”
“You can’t say you’re dying! Yongyong hyung went to get his hair and makeup done first so you could sleep longer! Do you know it’s three o’clock right now?”
“Three in the afternoon? Wow, I slept a lot....”
“No, three in the morning. You’ve only slept for two hours, hyung. Still, you feel a bit refreshed after getting some sleep, right? Here, a fatigue recovery drink.”
“Chunyong. I don’t know whether to thank you for this, or be sad about it....”
“Haha... off you go, hyung. We’re busy today too. We have the live broadcast today and then another fan signing event, remember?”
“...”
It was today? I’m in trouble! I haven’t even finished reading all the letters I got at the last fan signing event!”
“You still haven’t read those? Ugh, Yuchan hyung really sleeps too much! Yongyong hyung and I finished them in three days!”
With the fan signing event, self-content filming, and overlapping variety show appearances to promote us, it was only natural—if anything, it was to be expected.
Though embarrassing incidents occasionally occurred in between, they were all manageable enough to resolve somehow.
“So, Logan ssi, you came from Liverpool, right? Wow, I heard that Liverpool accent is incredibly famous....”
“Haha! MC-nim, I’m sorry to suddenly say this, but my specialty is dancing to randomly played songs. May I show you once?”
“Huh? Chunyong ssi? ...”
Sigh, he’s someone who filmed with the Jindasol Crew. How could I refuse! Alright, music please!”
For example, a rude variety show MC once again trying to extract uneven screen time by bringing up members’ hometowns, just like before.
“Chunyong ssi, do you happen to know where Siu ssi went?”
“Ah, he probably went to get some water for a moment. Is there a reason you’re looking for him?”
“His older brother sent a coffee truck to the content filming set, so I wanted to convey my gratitude!”
“...”
I will deliver that message very precisely!”
At the content filming set, cutting off incidents that might damage the members’ mental health before they could happen.
“This, this is a gift! Why are you taking it! Is this the security guard’s? I brought this personally to give to Chunyong!”
“What in the world, how is a crowbar an idol fan signing event item! How did this not set off the metal detector earlier?”
“It’s plastic! And, don’t you know that a crowbar is tradition for a classic delinquent pretty boy? Chunyongaaah!”
“H-ha....”
Handling the gifts that began pouring in strange directions after properly establishing my image at the fan signing event.
“Chunyong. Did you see this? You ended up holding that fan’s gift and taking a picture with it in the end. The photo is going around like crazy on social media.”
“Ah, Jaeha hyung. If you say that, I’m a bit embarrassed!”
“No, it really suits you. Hmm, I don’t have the face for something like this. I’m really jealous....”
“What wouldn’t suit your face, hyung? If I were born with that face, I’d bow every day toward my parents to thank them.”
“Chunyong, you saying that makes me feel embarrassed instead....”
“Jaeha hyung, please. You need to look at your own face more objectively. And what you’re wearing right now really suits you too.”
“Really? ...”
Haha, thanks. You look good too. You know?”
And of course, the most important thing was the stage we would perform on.
Whether it was because Jaeha hyung had much to think about from what I’d said to him, he soon began carefully checking our live broadcast stage costumes for today in front of the mirror.
When I caught his attention with the gakuran I’d worn at the fan signing event, Director Mun Yunha, who oversaw all visual aspects of our promotions, said exactly one thing.
“Put it on stage.”
“...”
Huh? Director-nim, we’ve already made all our costume rental reservations.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m telling you because I know. You can do it. There’s no way my kids can’t handle something like that.”
“No, changing... costumes is one thing, but... um, yes. Should I just put everyone in black Japanese school uniforms...?”
“What are you talking about? Don’t you remember I set the main colors as pink, brown, and light green this time? Everyone go buy Japanese school uniforms right now and prepare to reform them. I’ll draft the designs.”
“Director-nim!!”
Well, when your superior says to do it, you have to do it.
Thanks to that, we Tioje members, including myself, ended up wearing Japanese school uniforms reformed to be brimming with Director Mun Yunha’s aesthetic, as a one-time event only for the Myumyude live broadcast, instead of our originally scheduled costumes.
“Chunyong ssi, the scar makeup comes off easily, so please be careful not to sweat before going on stage!”
“Ah, yes!”
And with the situation turning out like this, I recalled how the protagonists of that Japanese animation my sister used to enjoy watching wore uniforms like this.
“Why do they all have their hair like that? What kind of high schoolers have rainbow-colored hair? ...”
And why are they wearing their uniforms like that?”
“I’ll explain briefly. They’re striking a pose before going off to raise hell. That’s how it always is in these high school manga. And stop hovering in front of me and get lost, punk.”
“Ah, they said it’s computer time now! How long are you going to take!”
“Huh, can’t hear you. Get lost.”
Well, apparently before going off to raise hell, they dress up in their uniforms, and along with their rainbow-colored hair, they strike a group shot with the whole gang, or something like that.
“Hah....”
My reflection in the mirror had a lot to explain, to put it mildly—though it felt a bit odd to say so myself.
A gakuran altered to fit just right on my shoulders, which were a bit broader than average, a harmonious blend of Boy Scout uniform colors and black.
Scar makeup drawn over a face that fans told me looked like it would “call you over to give you candy instead of extorting money.”
And my hair, which was newly dyed once a week under orders that “it would be troublesome if the color faded during active promotions,” was shining bright red as always.
How should I put it....
“Everyone from Tioje, please move out! Board the van!”
“Ah, yes!”
I really did look like I was going off to raise hell.
* * *
And now, back to the present.
“Ah, hello. I’m Son Jaeha. I really enjoyed your teaser and music video.”
“...”
I’m Han Danu. Here, the album. Please take care of us.”
“We’re the ones asking for your care. Ah, we have albums too. One moment.”
“Yes. Please take your time.”
“.......”
On our debut day, having run into Wiz, who had come to deliver albums while visiting the seniors’ waiting rooms, I maintained silence for the moment.
There was no reason to barge in and demand, “We have old ties, how could you sell me out for promotion?” to people who had nothing to do with the marketing team, and I needed to observe the situation for now anyway.
Though it felt a bit bustling when the same number of people as us entered a waiting room prepared for only six, it wasn’t difficult to grasp the lineup.
“Hi, I know you. Logan Lee. You’re from Liverpool, right?”
“Oh, are you a gyopo?”
“No. I’m Canadian. Nice to meet you, English-speaking friend. I’m Jaden. I’ve been to Liverpool. To watch soccer. Liverpool and Munich Champions League group stage match.”
“...”
You’re a Liverpool fan?”
“No, Munich. They have a Canadian player. He’s my favorite.”
“So... I think we can be friends.”
“I think so, too.”
The first thing that caught my eye was Wiz’s foreign member, Jaden, shaking hands and conversing with our team’s puppy, Logan.
Jaden was definitely someone who remained in my memory.
“Gao Yan, I can’t do this. These stairs are too dangerous.”
“No, Jaden. Believe in me. You can do it. Just as I very confidently walked past on top of those stairs!”
“No, I can’t. And you just lied. You didn’t walk past them, the stairs.”
“If you fuss over every little petty thing like that, you can’t become a true man. Jaden, don’t you want to become a man?”
“...”
You provoked me in a good way. Got it. If I die falling from here, register me in Guinness.”
“I really like you, Jaden!”
After Wiz properly established themselves, he had appeared in the content of Gao Yan, who was a personal influencer, and drew high view counts.
Since Gao Yan was undeniably a good guy, it was easy to guess that Jaden was probably an okay guy too.
“I’d like to bet on who hates Liverpool more.”
“Logan, do you like to bat? Do you like betting? I think I’ll win.”
“Sorry, Jaden. This is my game. I’ll slowly show you what kind of person I am.”
Whether thanks to Logan’s sociability or not, they had gotten close that quickly.
There was probably no need to worry.
So....
The ones I needed to keep an eye on were the other figures.
“Ah, sorry. This is taking some time. You should probably visit other waiting rooms too....”
“It’s fine.”
“Ah, Jaeha hyung. I’ll just go get the album from Hobin hyung! At this rate, it’ll take too long!”
“.......”
My Queens trainee classmate Han Danu standing expressionlessly in front of Jaeha hyung and Hwaseong, and Lee Seonho, who looked even more uncomfortable and was about to sit cross-legged.
“.......”
“Hawon hyung, are you okay?”
“Huh? Uh... well, yeah....”
“Oh, are you cold? Our kids said it was hot so we lowered the AC temperature! I’ll turn it up for you.”
“Ah, no. There’s no need to go that far...!”
Park Hawon, who was subtly watching my reaction and hovering around me before getting caught by Yuchan hyung, and Jo Eun, who was looking at such Park Hawon with concern.
And more than anything else....
“Ah, you’re Jang Siwon sunbae-nim’s younger brother, right? I saw you at the set when Jang Siwon sunbae-nim made a cameo in my parents’ drama! Do you remember? I was wearing a hanbok then.”
“Ah, um... yes. I... remember too.”
“You’ve grown so much. Ah, of course, I’ve grown too. ...”
Haha. Is your brother doing well? If I had thought of becoming an idol faster after seeing him back then....”
An Taei, who approached Siu in such a lively manner with who-knows-what thoughts....
Wait, who did he approach?
“—Uh, wait. Siu! Do you think you can go without water?”
“Ah... Chunyong... hyung.”
“Go out and drink some water for a bit. We should have time. Haha, I forgot to bring you some water.”
Sensing the siren blaring in my head in that instant, I quickly cut between the two and rescued Siu.
“I-I’ll go drink some water for a bit then. ...”
Thank you, Chunyong hyung....”
And as if that weren’t just my own thought, Siu wore an extremely relieved expression and soon left his seat, heading outside the waiting room.
How comfortable that gait looked was something that need not be said twice.
“Hoo....”
I let out a deep sigh of relief and tried my best to look at An Taei, who had nearly caused an incident, as though nothing was wrong.
Our team’s cat was so sensitive—how dare he drop such a huge bomb right before a live broadcast.
However, An Taei, perhaps simply happy to have a new conversation partner, began speaking to me with excitement.
“Wow, hello, Chunyong sunbae-nim. I’m An Taei. Ah, I should say An Taei of Wiz, right?”
“...”
Ah, yes. Hello, Taei ssi. I’m pleased to meet you like this.”
“Wow, you talk just like a full-fledged adult, ...”
By any chance, do you know we’re the same age? You can speak comfortably!”
“Haha... if you speak comfortably first, I’ll do the same.”
“Okay, Chunyong-ah. Thanks. Then I’ll speak comfortably.”
An Taei’s porcelain-like neat and delicate features curved pleasantly.
How did I feel seeing that? Well, I wasn’t feeling very good.
Because unlike the other Wiz members who I already knew or could predict what kind of guys they were, this guy....
Really, I had no idea what he was thinking.
“We decided on the name Taei. Tae as in ‘star,’ and i as in ‘joy.’ We wanted him to become a shining star and bring joy to people…”
“Ah, you mean like how the two of you have made such great contributions to the Korean film industry?”
“Yes. Our son will probably become like us too, won’t he? Of course, we want to let him do whatever he wants… but I do think he’ll probably dream of becoming an actor.” An Taei, the only son of actors An Myeonguk and Baek Yeonghyeon, who were called “the love of the century in Korean cinema.”
From the moment he was born and throughout his childhood, he had drawn the attention of the entire film industry with a handsome face that took after his parents perfectly.
Even though all he did was follow his parents around to their filming locations, and he had never filmed a single project himself.
And when An Taei turned nineteen.
He vanished completely. As if he had gone missing or something.
He dropped out of the school he’d been attending, and stopped showing up entirely at his parents’ filming sites, which he had followed them to even after becoming a student.
“Mr. An Myeonguk. We haven’t heard anything about your son lately, so could you please say just a word…”
“…
I’ll pass on that question.”
With his parents consistently keeping silent as well, people tried to move on, assuming, “I guess all the attention he’d received until now must have been too much pressure.”
There were always plenty of new stars appearing, and the eyes fixed on the couple of the century, who were no longer as young and beautiful as they had once been, had clearly dwindled.
But now, that guy who had suddenly disappeared like that was debuting as an idol.
“Chunyong, I saw you dancing with Jin Dasol’s crew too. It was seriously amazing.”
“Haha… Thanks. I guess you saw that too…”
“Yeah, of course I did. Maybe like a hundred times? I watch WeTube a lot, seriously. When I’m resting, that’s pretty much all I do.”
“…
I’m similar. I play mobile games and watch WeTube…”
“Wow, mobile games! I’ve always been interested in those too. What do you play? Can you tell me?”
I calmly answered the flood of questions pouring out of him, doing my best to figure out what this bastard’s intention was in approaching me like this.
Yeonu hyung was also someone I could never quite get a read on, but this was a different kind of case.
If Yeonu hyung acted while already knowing everything and trying to give me hints, then this guy was really…
“An idle combat game? Oh… so it’s still called a game even if you just leave your phone alone? I didn’t know.”
…
It was like he had no thoughts in his head at all.
“Ah, I’m so sorry I’m late! I went down to the van, but then we got a request to repark…”
“It’s all right. Please hand them over.”
“I’m truly sorry for keeping you waiting, Wiz.”
Hobin hyung, who had belatedly gone to get our albums to give to the Wiz members, returned, and the moment finally came for this crowded dressing room to quiet down again.
I had been worried something might happen, but somehow, it seemed like things were going to work out.
“…
Everyone, please do your best on your debut stage today, and I really hope you get great results!”
And so, just as I was about to say our final goodbyes to the Wiz members together with our own members, with a bit of relief mixed in—
“Ah, wait. Sorry to interrupt while you’re saying goodbye, but Chunyong. Can I ask just one last thing?”
An Taei, who had downloaded all the games I’d told him about earlier—the ones I used to play before I came back—spoke to me with an innocent face.
Well, with a face that was strangely innocent.
“Hey, An Taei. You…”
As if he had sensed something, Han Danu, who had maintained a blank expression until now, moved toward him, but…
“You know, I heard you were originally supposed to debut with our team. Did you leave because you fought with the guys? Did you fight with them?”
Being much better built, he wasn’t pushed back at all, and he casually dropped a bomb into the dressing room.
So, to borrow Hwaseong’s very angry way of putting it…
A fucking huge bomb.
“…
Hic.”
Having gone out to drink water had been completely pointless; Siu, who witnessed this scene firsthand, covered his mouth with a small hiccup.
“Haa…”
Faced with this situation that had exploded despite all my efforts to act shamelessly, I quietly pressed a hand to my forehead and let out a deep sigh.
…
Yeah.
There was no avoiding a full-blown confrontation.