The Villainous Member Has Returned! Episode 100
After the survival show ends, where do the eliminated trainees go?
This sparked the curiosity of many, but it was a topic to which the answer was, to some extent, already known.[Seong Wonhyeop @ONEhyoep_TT (Photo)(Photo)
Dear Star Shooters, and to the fans who have sent me so much love. Hello? This is Seong Wonhyeop. This will probably be the last post on the account created by the
With today's
After agonizing over it for a long time, I judged that this choice is the best one for me right now.
Thinking about the new environment that has suddenly approached me, who has only ever lived as a trainee until now, I am scared and wonder if I can do well, but....
Whenever, at whatever moment, I will be able to gain strength thinking of all of you whom I met on stage.
I will not give up on my dream of being a singer.
Because I am someone who is happiest when singing and dancing.
And because all of you who cheered me on are there.
Until the day comes when I can repay that love, I will do my best right where I am.
Then until the day we meet again, please be healthy, and I hope you spend every day filled with love.
Though he couldn't say for sure when he'd appear on a broadcast again, he was returning while holding onto hope.
Since
"Kim Juan, don't you have anything to say about a contract?"
"...What the hell, Kim Chunyong. Don't act like we're close, you crazy bastard."
"Yeah, we're not close. Happy? So answer the damn question, man."
"...I'm going back to Queens. My uncle's there, so why the hell would I stay at AG? I don't want to see your face either, damn it."
"If that's the case, you congratulated me when I got 6th place."
"Crazy, what's wrong with your head? So you wanted me to slap your back in front of the cameras asking what debut?"
"Well, if it were the old you, you totally would've had more than enough of that in you."
"...Hmph, buzz off. You're getting in the way of my packing, seriously."
There were some exceptions, but that was the case for most.
"My flight's at 8 tomorrow evening. Guess I'll be preparing in earnest for AG's Global Chinese Team now."
"...I see. It's a bit of a shame that this is the last time."
"Last time? We're going to be in the same company after debut anyway. I might be able to come to Korea sometimes too."
"Well, if not, our team might go perform in China. I don't know if it'll work out given the current atmosphere these days... but you know what I mean?"
"Yeah. If I happen to meet that bastard Liu Wei there... I'll break his nose with my fist."
"Ha, haha... Please do my share too, within the bounds of what's treatable."
"Of course."
Most of the trainees from overseas were returning to their home countries.
The same was true for Ryota, one of my multinational roommates.
"For now, I don't know what I'll do! I'll rest and think about what comes next. Huhu. I've gotten close with Tsubasa too, so we've decided to go on a trip to Hokkaido together."
"...Sounds fun, Ryota."
"Right. It's really been a long time since I'm going back to Japan, so I'm worried if I can still speak Japanese well!"
Since Ryota had cried so much and his emotions had fluctuated wildly throughout the survival show... I had worried a lot.
Yet making my worries seem meaningless, Ryota was incomparably composed.
"Really, I'm so excited. Having gone through a survival show once, I feel like I can do anything!"
No, his eyes were sparkling with an expression that said he was rather looking forward to it.
Though I couldn't very well say something like 'You'll debut as an idol in Japan too, so rest up and have fun' to that face.
I just, as always.
"Yeah, man. Seeing you learn how to cheat at card games from Logan... you'll do anything well."
"Chunyong aniki, I finally understand. Why Logan yelled that it's not cheating. Even though I know it's definitely praise, it doesn't make me very happy!"
It was enough to just pat-pat Ryota's thin but now sturdy shoulders.
Anyway.
Most of the eliminated survival show trainees were preparing for such a next day, but....
"But what about Gaoyan? I haven't even said goodbye yet."
"Huh? Chunyong aniki didn't get to say goodbye to Gaoyan? Oh my, I saw him leaving earlier! We shared a tearful hug!"
"...What?"
It was strange that the guy who had formed a secret alliance with me and gone through all sorts of things together had disappeared without a word.
"Hm, farewells are for those who leave. Since Gaoyan is not leaving, Gaoyan does not say farewell. Of course this is what would happen, Chunyong hyung!"...
So that's what this was?
Seeing Gaoyan shrug his shoulders with a proud, imposing demeanor, I couldn't help but let my jaw drop.
This guy had rushed out signing the contract so frantically because he was surprised the company was keeping him, you see.
It was news that would make Logan, who had missed being in the front row for this because he was having conversations regarding guardian consent, pound the ground in regret.
"Of course. Missing a talent like Gaoyan is no different from smearing mud on an unpolished gem. This contract was only natural."
Originally, Gaoyan was supposed to stay in Korea for about 3 months before catching the eye of some digital creator agency and making a splendid name for himself as an influencer with 15 million followers.
"I had said I wanted to raise Gaoyan into a wonderful broadcaster. But that is absurd. Gaoyan is already a finished broadcaster, I tell you. Star Gaoyan. This is a predetermined path. Oh, fate."
Of course, he had received far more attention than before through this
Of all places, signing a digital creator contract with our company.
Beyond expectations, this was shocking news.
No, it's good.
Really good!
"Hmm, from now on I'll have to worry about what content Gaoyan will become famous for. Gaoyan doesn't really enjoy eating, so mukbang is out, and surely traveling to remote areas is...."
Can our company really handle that bold of a scale?
"Ha, haha...."
"Hm? Chunyong hyung. What is that hollow laugh? Could it be... you want to go to the Mayan Civilization with Gaoyan?! To go there, you must postpone debut schedules―."
"No, man! Forget it. Hurry up and go. Logan and I have schedules after this, so we need to go somewhere else right away."
"Hm, I shall understand. But before that...."
Swipe—"I look forward to working with you in the future as well, Chunyong hyung!"
Gaoyan, who had suddenly thrust out his hand, was smiling brightly indeed.
Even more so than before the live broadcast, when I had thought I was the last one and said thank you.
It was truly quite a wonderful face.
"...Me too, I look forward to working with you."
I lightly shrugged my shoulders and firmly grasped the guy's hand, shaking it up and down.
Since I owed Gaoyan a lot from the survival show, this time it was my turn to help Gaoyan.
"Then Gaoyan shall take his leave. Gaoyan has schedules too! Stars are always busy, y'know."
"Yeah. See you later."
Since I already knew what his main WeTube content would be, I'd slowly think about how to make it shine even more....
For now.
"Chunyong hyung! Wait, did Gaoyan sign a contract too? What on earth―."
"Uh, that's what happened. I'll tell you the details later. Logan, you."
Did you ask what I told you to ask earlier?
"―Oh."
I need to worry about my debut and my members first.
Though he could have been bewildered by the sudden change of topic, Logan made an expression as if he roughly understood and quickly got to the main point.
"I asked, and they said we can move into the dormitory today right away? I guess this is what they call swift and efficient. They said they'll send the password via message too."
"That's great. Then, shall we go now?"
I grabbed Logan's arm and quickly moved my feet.
"Wait, Chunyong hyung! We need to search where it is before going...."
Logan looked quite flustered, but for now I didn't have the energy to spare to worry about that.
Since returning, it was my first time going to the dormitory too, so I was quite looking forward to it.
"We don't need to look up where it is, man."
I lived there for a full 8 years.
How could I not know where our dorm is?
* * *
As expected, TOJ's dormitory was in the same place as in my memory.
Apartment 812 on the 8th floor of an apartment complex in a residential area not too far from the company.
"Chunyong hyung knew where it was in advance? So that's why you told me to come to the dormitory early. Brilliant. Amazing."
"Well... something like that."
If I had said I knew where it was and it had been somewhere else, it would have been embarrassing; should I call this fortunate?
Anyway.
While Logan called the hotel to ask if he could get his room luggage delivered by limousine service.
I gazed at the door of our familiar dormitory and soaked in memories for a moment.
Here, I had....
"Ah, please! Please! Rex hyung, I won't care if you wander around drinking outside, so come in and sleep! Why do you keep sleeping in front of the front door!"
"Ah, shit. Hwaseong-ah. Hyung's... starving...."
"What kind of idol is this? Wow, seriously. I'm exhausted, hyung...."
How much I had slept there.
"Pffft."
At the sudden rush of embarrassment, I covered my face with my hands and slowly crouched down.
Honestly, part of me didn't want to type in the password noisily while everyone was sleeping, and if I lay in bed I would feel even lonelier, so there was that too.
Anyway, embarrassing was embarrassing.
What was it like back then?
Hwaseong, who woke up early, usually found me, and the one who often took care of me next was indeed....
Ding—At that moment. As if he knew I was thinking about him.The elevator door stopped on the 8th floor and opened, and someone slowly walked this way.
"Hum, hmmm... Hm... H-huh? What."
This stride, this humming.
There was no way I couldn't know who it was.
"Yuchan hyung?"
I couldn't hide my bewilderment even as I uttered that name.
Why was hyung, who should be in Gangwon-do, already at the dorm?
"What, is that Chunyong?"
Yuchan hyung, whose eyes met mine, also seemed quite flustered, and the bags in both his hands shook greatly.
"You guys came early too?"
"Uh, yes. Don't tell me, hyung, you had already moved in?"
"Yeah, my studio apartment contract is ending soon anyway. So I came in a bit early. There should be other kids inside too? They said they'd drop off their luggage first."
I thought everyone would spend more time at their parents' homes, but this fast?...
During Arrows, everyone came in exactly on the day of the reality show filming!
If this is the case, don't I look really weird for not having come in yet?
"Everyone came really fast, seriously. Should I come in today too...."
"What? Haha!"
As I was bewildered by the situation differing from my memories, Yuchan hyung laughed loudly and continued in his usual cheerful voice.
"You can come slowly, what's the rush. Let's go in. We can at least eat together. Logan! Come quickly too. Finished your call?"
"Just now! Wow, to think everyone is already here. This is really delightful!?"
Familiar password, familiar door. And beyond that, familiar faces.
And so, somehow...
at a time much earlier than the originally scheduled move-in day that was set together with the reality show, all the members had gathered.
A large TV, and a sofa perfect for six people to each take a spot.
The six of us sitting in a circle below it, how should I put it.
"Chunyong came too, that was fast. Though I came early too."
"Uh, Jaeha hyung. Well... I haven't brought my luggage yet though. Um. It's similar."
"Mate. I have a quick question. Why are we all sitting on the floor?"
"......."
"......."
"Um, I suppose it wasn't a good question...."
Everyone was slightly awkward and slightly nervous.
"Guys, what are you nervous about? It's just like the
Yuchan hyung was a bit different, being used to this kind of situation, but the rest were mostly people who weren't.
“…
Hoo.”
No, more than that.
Watching the air that flowed through this space, I was able to catch on to something quickly.
Usually, in situations like this, the one who led the atmosphere was always Hwa-seong.
He liked doing that, and only then would he be satisfied.
But….
“…….”
He was sitting a slight distance away from Jaeha-hyung, touching the wound he’d gotten because of Liu Wei.
“…
Tch.”
It was a shame that I couldn’t spend more time with my family, but judging by the mood, I had no choice but to move into this dorm first thing tomorrow.
What Jaeha-hyung from my dream had said.
If I wanted to resolve the things I knew but had pretended not to know because of my own situation, I had to start moving quickly now, before the reality show filming began.
“Phew….”
My atonement express.
The starting point toward becoming the greatest idol in K-pop history seemed like it would be twice as treacherous as before.
The Malicious Member Has Returned! Part 1 Complete
- Bang YuchanAge: 22 (oldest)
Height: 179 cmBirthday and Zodiac Sign: October 26/ScorpioPlace of Birth: WonjuEducation: High school graduate
–College entrance (entered Hanguk University’s Department of Applied Music at the top of his class)
Blood Type: OFavorite Food/Disliked Food: Zero Coke/cup ramenFamily: parents
- Son JaehaAge: 21Height: 178 cmBirthday and Zodiac Sign: October 24/ScorpioPlace of Birth: JeonjuEducation: Middle school graduate (GED)
Blood Type: ABFavorite Food/Disliked Food: None/Jjamppong from Chinese restaurants (because he ate too much of it during his trainee days)
Family: Large family (grandmother, grandfather, parents, 3 younger siblings)
- Kim Chun-yongAge: 20 (27 before regression)
Height: 179 cm (but claims he’s 180 cm)
Birthday and Zodiac Sign: April 12 (cherry blossom season)/AriesPlace of Birth: Seoul (near Yeonsinnae)
Education: High school graduate (general humanities high school)
Blood Type: OFavorite Food/Disliked Food: Instant food (because he can eat it quickly)/cucumbers (because they taste fishy)
Family: parents, older sister (7-year age gap), younger sister (one year apart)
- Ji Hwa-seongAge: 19Height: 184 cmBirthday and Zodiac Sign: July 23 (Major Heat)/LeoPlace of Birth: DaeguEducation: Middle school graduate (GED)
Blood Type: BFavorite Food/Disliked Food: A properly laid-out Korean meal/foods that come in small portions (fine dining)
Family: parents
- Lee Ro-geonAge: 19Height: 180 cmBirthday and Zodiac Sign: June 18/GeminiPlace of Birth: Liverpool, EnglandEducation: Ran away during Sixth FormBlood Type: BFavorite Food/Disliked Food: Bean sprout gukbap (first tried it after coming to Korea)/raw fish, beef tartare, etc.Family: grandmother, grandfather, parents
- Jang Si-uAge: 17Height: 174 cmBirthday and Zodiac Sign: December 23/SagittariusPlace of Birth: Gangnam, SeoulEducation: Middle school graduate (GED)
Blood Type: OFavorite Food/Disliked Food: Yakgwa and sweet Korean confections/milkFamily: parents, older brother (15-year age gap)