The Evil Member Has Returned! Episode 50: Tripod Rental at the Counter
After attaching the printed notice to each practice room, Kim Jieun, the part-timer at Hanmaeum Private Practice Rooms, scurried back and settled into her seat at the counter.
*Whew, I almost missed it because I was procrastinating 'cause I didn't want to work.*
On her laptop, a show from the OTT service she subscribed to was currently streaming.
A few months ago.
An idol trainee who had blessed the bored Jieun's eyes, Kim Chunyong.
"I'll be on a survival show soon. It's called
Jieun hadn't forgotten the words he'd casually let slip, and together with her friend Minji, she had been watching the show religiously every week.
No. It was more than just watching.
After all, Kim Jieun was the very first fan of Doyam-approved, true-to-his-name returned evil member, Kim Chunyong.
- *"For the next main competition stage, I want to surprise all the audience members!"*
*Chunyongaaaaaangh!*
As she watched the bright-faced interview, she screamed internally, then took a few deep breaths and opened another internet window to log into social media.
It was because while Episode 4 of
As a relatively casual idol fan, this was Jieun's first proper fan activity.
*What on earth are you doing right now?! Can you even call yourself a fan after this?!*
It was Minji, who had yelled at Jieun when she was searching things like [Kim Chunyong], [Targeting Star Kim Chunyong], or [Trainee Kim Chunyong birthday] in the search bar, who had personally created Jieun's social media account for her.
"It's possible to not know things, do you want me to download a new app for you?"
Recalling all the nagging and humiliation she'd suffered at Minji's hands, Jieun rubbed her cheeks a few times, then cautiously entered the search bar of the app Minji had installed and began searching for an account with an @ symbol.
*So, the person Minji told me to follow is...*
[@NBML__0000 Always #Chunyong ♡]
"Found it!"
As she entered the account of 'Neulbommir', Kim Chunyong's famous fan and a "jjikdeok" (hardcore photo fan), a series of posts about today's third round audition spilled down her timeline.
[@NBML__0000
(Picture) (Picture)
Today #Chunyong on his way to Sangam♡ I delivered a letter and a gift too!]
[@NBML__0000
(Picture) (Picture)
#Chunyong's outfit today is a shirt and harness, squeal (heart eyes)]
[@NBML__0000
I'm going in for the audience recording soon so I'll be a bit quiet on posting ㅠㅠ I'll go and watch Chunyong well♡♡]
"Ah, what the heck. So pictures don't go up right away? This isn't even telling us anything about the recording..."
Completely unaware that audience members sign non-disclosure agreements, or that leaked stage photos on social media come from secret accounts of the jjikdeoks, Kim Jieun grumbled and scrolled down.
"Huh?"
Then, there was a post that caught her eye.
[@DOYUNAs2 Neulbom-nim, you went to the audience recording again today?! That's amazing ㅠㅠ]
[⎿Yes, I was lucky to win the spot haha I took a few pictures of son-gun on his way to work too!! It's a bit awkward to post here though…….]
[⎿Gasp I want to see them so, so, so much…… (tears) (tears)]
[⎿Solha-nim, please send me a DM!!]
It was a timeline conversation between Son Jaeha's famous fan and Neulbommir.
*What's this? Are they sharing in secret?*
Jieun's eyes started darting wildly.
Since Kim Chunyong was still just a trainee in a survival show, most of his photos were uploaded by famous jjikdeoks like Neulbommir, and even those were often taken down due to reports.
*But if they only keep it to themselves, that's not fair. I want to see them too!*
Jieun then undertook an action that Minji would have vehemently dissuaded her from, calling her crazy.
And that was.
[Yongyongguri: Hello hehe]
[Yongyongguri: I'm really, really, really enjoying the photos you post!]
[Yongyongguri: But if it's not too rude]
[Yongyongguri: Could I also... see some other pictures of Chunyong?]
Sending a DM to Neulbommir.
*If they say no, it's a no. If they say yes, it's jackpot. What's the big deal!*
Despite having posted that she'd entered the audience recording, Neulbommir read Jieun's DM immediately, making that statement meaningless.
Five minutes after the message 'Neulbommir-nim is sending a reply...' appeared.
[Neulbommir: Hello Yongyongguri-nim hehe]
[Neulbommir: Um, I only upload all my other
[Yongyongguri: Omg I want to see the secret account too]
[Yongyongguri: Can't I?]
[Neulbommir: Hehe;;]
[Neulbommir: I only accept my secret account for my friends and Chunyong's fans ㅜㅜ]
To a long-time social media fan, it was a clear and instant rejection.
*I'm a Chunyong fan too though? Is it because I don't post anything on social media?*
But Kim Jieun was undeterred.
Taking Neulbommir's reply to mean 'prove that you're a fan of Kim Chunyong,' Jieun pondered for a long time.
*They wouldn't see me as a fan just because I suddenly spam posts, would they? Then what on earth should I...*
Just then, Kim Jieun remembered the existence of something she always laminated and kept preciously tucked behind her tablet PC, and let out a sharp exclamation.
"Ah!"
[Yongyongguri: Hehe I'm also a Chunyong fan]
[Yongyongguri: In case you misunderstand ㅠㅠ I have something like this!]
[Yongyongguri: (Picture)]
"Will this do...?"
And as if answering Jieun's hopes.
[Neulbommir: ㅇ눔f no wait]
[Neulbommir: ??????]
After filling the DM window with messages full of typos and question marks, Neulbommir soon sent the reply Jieun had wanted.
[Neulbommir: @Bombangbom]
[Neulbommir: Please, please! Make sure to come with your account locked hehe;;]
[Yongyongguri: What's a lock?]
[Neulbommir: Ah I mean making your account private hehe You can do it by going into your personal settings]
[Neulbommir: But, I'm sorry]
[Neulbommir: Where on earth did you get that??]
* * *
"Neulbom-nim, what's wrong? Your expression looks peculiar."
Having become friends after sitting next to each other during the first audience recording, Neulbommir and AG Mulsanhoesa chattered quietly while the cameras were being prepared.
It was thanks to AG Mulsanhoesa that Neulbommir was able to take a few pictures of Son Jaeha on his way to work today.
"Oh, it's nothing. Some unknown account sent me a DM saying they want to join my secret account..."
"Oh my, just ignore it. If you let people like that in, you'll end up with the secret account info being spread around and suffer..."
"Suddenly, they sent a signed photo of Chunyong. I checked the handwriting and it was definitely Chunyong's."
"...
Accept them."
"I did. But anyway, I have no idea where they got that! I should ask them right now, or..."
"Filming will resume!"
At the shout of the filming staff, Neulbommir, who had been baffled, instantly stiffened her expression and picked up the camera she had secretly smuggled in.
"Mulsanhoesa-nim, please cover me a bit."
"Sure. I'll cover you."
"Thank you. I'll send you the file of Jaeha's pictures I took earlier via email."
Exchanging resolute glances, the two focused on their respective roles.
The third round, the position competition performances, were in full swing.
The previous stage was the vocal position stage, the so-called 'Vocalz', featuring AG Mulsanhoesa's favorite, Son Jaeha.
Their acoustic cover of Serenia's 'MUSICA' could be summed up very simply.
The potential of AG's Ace, and Bang Yuchan's hard carry.
- Music, Musica
When I see you dancing
When I see you singing
A night of living notes
No, maybe it's a daydream
Freed from the shackles of his teammates' interference, Son Jaeha was able to comfortably show all of his skills today, and social media reactions like *[AG Ace? Isn't he overrated aside from his face lol?]* were directly refuted.
- A blue butterfly is a dream
The place I'm standing now is UNREAL
Once again Music, Musica
A night of living notes
No, definitely a daydream
*"Heo-eok..."*
[ㅆㅂ He can sing as well as he looks... ]
With words like that.
And was it only his face and singing?
"Jaeha, Jaeha-yaa..."
"Mulsanhoesa-nim, shh. Shhh...!"
Even his star quality was on display, as he recognized AG Mulsanhoesa, who was tucked in the very back row with her fist in her mouth and tears streaming down, and sent a wink her way.
*No, first Chunyong, now Son Jaeha, isn't winking on stage a foul or something?!*
It was a stage that even startled Neulbommir, who was trying to restrain AG Mulsanhoesa.
Without being overshadowed by that Son Jaeha, the one who perfectly showed his own vocals was Jang Siwoo, another AG purebred. And then.
- Beyond that is reality
Where we are standing now is REAL
Now Music, Musica, Musica
With the sunset and the crescent moon
The unending dream's end is Musica!
It was Bang Yuchan, shining as the top admission student of Korea University's music school.
"The original singer, even I don't think I could sing it like that..."
Even Serenia's Chu Siyun, appearing as today's special mentor, was surprised by the vocals, so no further words were necessary.
"I'm honored to be able to sing such a good song!"
Moreover, thanks to the social skills he'd gained from having attended university, his excellent back-and-forth with the mentors without being intimidated further boosted Bang Yuchan's rank.
Therefore.
[1st Place Son Jaeha
2nd Place Bang Yuchan
3rd Place Jang Siwoo
…….]
That result was only natural.
There was no way the team coming on after such an amazing performance wouldn't feel pressured, but Neulbommir wasn't particularly worried.
"Hello, I'm Kim Chunyong!"
Because the trainee she liked the most was a person who didn't get fazed by such things.
"The dance position team's stage is Choi Gaon's debut song, 'Crucial Boy!' Wow, it brings back special feelings!"
"We're also really nervous to be performing with a song by our great senior, Gaon sunbae-nim, haha!"
*Chunyong! It's noona, noona is here!*
Recording Kim Chunyong's naturally volleying ment, Neulbommir fervently evaded the security's gaze.
Wearing a white shirt, a harness, and leather gloves, with his bangs swept back, Kim Chunyong was radiating all the best points of his looks.
*Crazy, and what's more, next to him is...!*
"We can't not mention the chemistry between Trainee Liu Wei and Trainee Kim Chunyong. I've heard things! Wow, they're still sitting next to each other, aren't they?"
"Haha, chemistry between Liu Wei and me... I'm close with all the dance position trainees, no! I'm close with all the trainees."
*No, Chunyong! The combination of a cold, handsome guy and a wild, handsome guy is f***ing precious!*
Regardless of what Neulbommir was thinking, Kim Chunyong briefly made eye contact with Liu Wei, then slowly opened his mouth again.
"Honestly, a lot of things happened while preparing for this stage."
"Wow, the words 'a lot of things' from Trainee Kim Chunyong? I thought you were always relaxed!"
At Choi Gaon's exaggerated reaction, Kim Chunyong covered his mouth and laughed, hoho. Liu Wei, standing next to him, just silently stared at him without a word.
Kim Chunyong and Liu Wei's gazes.
"……."
Met again.
Neulbommir, not knowing what thoughts were behind their eye contact, frantically pressed the shutter. No, in truth, no one else besides Liu Wei and Kim Chunyong could know their thoughts.
*It won't go the way you want.*
And just before the dance position stage began like that.
"Logan."
"God... Mom, Dad."
Others were also present in Sangam.