Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 134

#134.

“If we knew Candies would appear in girl groups, Rui should have gone on ‘Woogangso’ [a hypothetical variety show]? Hehe.”

“What······.”

After finishing the 〈Music Town〉 broadcast.

The staff and MOST members had a light dinner at a nearby restaurant.

The members, who had forgotten their hunger in the joy of consecutive wins, hurriedly ate their meals.

As dinner wrapped up, Jung Gilju explained the 〈Passion Man〉 schedule, which was just a few hours away.

“Wow. Rui wasn’t going to be on ‘Woogangso’.”

Woochul said with a smile, and Rui briefly looked gloomy before shaking her head.

Rui had already finished recording 〈Introducing My Dog〉 yesterday.

“It’s okay. I still learned a lot from the trainer yesterday. The puppies were cute too······.”

“Rui, are you crying? You’re not crying, are you?”

“I’m ok! I’ll see Candies sunbaenims [senior artists] on music shows soon.”

“Ah, they said they’re making a comeback this time. So they’re appearing on 〈Passion Man〉 together.”

“Who else is coming out?”

Heungmin, who was scheduled to appear today, asked with great interest.

“The REGINA members and… For the men, Yoon Junghoon, who is co-hosting with Rui, and Yoo Myeongwoo from The Origin, and you guys. I think that’s the lineup.”

“Yoo Myeongwoo?”

Heungmin immediately frowned.

As Yoo Myeongwoo’s manager had hoped, the MOST members had long stopped caring about The Origin, who had briefly been mentioned as rivals.

Even when they saw Yoo Myeongwoo come out with a solo album today, they didn’t think anything of it.

‘He’s working harder than when he was in the group because he’s alone. Yoo Myeongwoo’s individual fandom is bigger and stronger than I thought.’

That’s all they realized.

Even when they ran into each other on the ending stage, waiting for the 1st place announcement, giving the acceptance speech, and receiving congratulations from fellow singers….

They were so busy putting on an encore stage with the fans that they didn’t even remember if Yoo Myeongwoo was there.

However, seeing each other in passing on a music show was inevitably different from meeting on a variety show.

Because they had to play games, laugh, and chat….

The members’ gazes unknowingly turned towards Dojae.

Dojae had the same calm expression as always.

“I guess he’s coming out because he made a comeback this time.”

“Yeah.”

Jung Gilju replied in a displeased voice.

Jung Gilju wasn’t happy that Yoo Myeongwoo, who was from New Enter, was getting on a flagship program that MOST was only getting to appear on after gaining this much popularity.

Since Dojae didn’t show any reaction, Gijun also changed the subject to something else.

“You guys must be tired since you have to go straight to filming.”

He said, looking at Heungmin and Dojae, and the two of them reacted as if it was nothing, saying, “What…”

It was true that they were suffering and tired because of the music show schedule since dawn.

However, the excitement of winning first place and appearing on 〈Passion Man〉 made them forget their fatigue.

“Well… It’s not like we’re the only ones who are tired.”

“Still. It would have been better if it was another day. 〈Passion Man〉 is a program where you run and use your strength.”

Rui said in response to Heungmin’s words.

Of course, it would have been better to be in top condition to be more active.

Jung Gilju also said with regret.

“I know. Everyone has a lot of schedules, so it seems like it was especially difficult to adjust this time.”

The members nodded at Jung Gilju’s words.

Jung Gilju, who checked the time, got up to leave.

“I think we should go now.”

Heungmin and Dojae were scheduled to go to the 〈Passion Man〉 filming location with Jung Gilju, and the remaining members were scheduled to return to the dorm with the new manager.

“Do your best, you two.”

“Hyungs [older brothers/male friends], fighting!!!”

“Do well and make sure we appear as a group later!”

With the support of the members, Heungmin and Dojae got into the car driven by Jung Gilju.

***

‘Filming a variety show with Yoo Myeongwoo….’

On the way to the filming location in Paju.

While Heungmin was asleep to recharge his energy.

Dojae was lost in thought, looking at the fast-moving cars.

At first, it seems like he wanted to do well, at least better than The Origin, for ‘Kang Dojae’.

After that, he wanted Yoo Myeongwoo’s downfall even more because he resented that such an arrogant villain was being loved by someone.

However, after the commotion caused by Hwang Juho’s incident.

Dojae no longer cared about The Origin.

It was proven that they were insignificant enough to not care about, and even if the other members, who were still bystanders and perpetrators of bullying and violence, were still alive, he knew that their downfall was not far off.

‘Just looking at how they can’t do group activities because they’re watching out for him and released Yoo Myeongwoo’s solo album….’

It didn’t feel like they wanted to grow the group in the long term.

‘The Origin isn’t doing as well as they thought, so they must be preparing for the next group.’

If New Enter, one of the top 3 agencies, isn’t that stupid.

That’s what Dojae thought.

If they were thinking about the group, they shouldn’t be releasing Yoo Myeongwoo’s solo album right now, but trying to improve the group’s image in any way possible.

Doing individual activities when the group’s image or fandom isn’t organized can seem good for raising the awareness of the group and Yoo Myeongwoo individually.

However, it only makes Yoo Myeongwoo’s fandom bigger and creates an imbalance within the fandom, which rather hinders the growth of The Origin’s fandom.

It was different from the fandom naturally growing within the fandom.

Even if Yoo Myeongwoo was the most popular, if the team’s situation is not good, and they push only one person like this, other fans will have no choice but to feel resentful towards the company.

He didn’t even feel the need to talk about the atmosphere inside the members, which he already knew.

‘The team is one.’

There was already a division due to Hwang Juho’s incident, but it was like fueling the division.

Even if individual fandoms become strong, they shouldn’t lose their identity as a team.

The synergy created when they are a team was important to both the singer and the fandom.

So even the 12 members of S CLASSS, who are actively engaged in individual activities, came on the show and actively promoted that they are a team.

‘Doing solo activities like this is… just a way for the company to fill the gap in the meantime.’

Unless Yoo Myeongwoo achieves a very big success.

‘I don’t know what will happen since it’s comeback week….’

If this continues, Yoo Myeongwoo will get a predictable, not too bad, not too good, ordinary report card.

Although the modern imperial palace did not directly interfere in politics, the purpose of learning in the imperial palace was to read the political situation in various parts of the world and to cope wisely to govern the country well.

Thanks to this, Dojae was now able to accurately read the flow of the entertainment industry here to some extent.

While Dojae was thinking for a while, the car quickly arrived at the filming location.

Jung Gilju parked and made eye contact with Dojae in the rearview mirror.

“Dojae. You weren’t sleeping? You must be tired.”

“I slept well yesterday, so I’m still energetic.”

“You’re young! Wake Heungmin up.”

“Yes.”

Dojae, who answered, woke up Heungmin, who was fast asleep next to him.

Heungmin, who woke up with a puffy face, looked at the mirror that reflected his face and shouted in surprise, “Ah!”

***

“How… I’m so swollen.”

“Right. What should I do? Nuna [term of endearment for an older sister or female friend]… I already have small eyes.”

“There’s still time, so before we fix your makeup, somehow…”

“Then I’ll go run for a bit. Just a moment!”

Heungmin, who had a conversation with the stylist, started running around the parking lot in a hurry.

Heungmin’s face was swollen because he had a deep sleep in the car for about an hour.

When I thought about it, it was the same as eating dinner and going to sleep right away.

However, even if he had worried about his face swelling in advance, it was hard to guarantee that he would have given up sleep.

Dojae, who had just changed his clothes in the van, smiled lightly as he watched Heungmin.

Running around in circles to sweat and reduce swelling before filming was a method that the members often used.

It was quite effective.

Dojae and Heungmin’s outfits were light hoodies and jeans.

Instead of simply covering the brands with colored tape, the stylists made stickers with the MOST logo on them and used them.

The clothes themselves were comfortable and gave off the feeling of a neat college student.

However, Dojae had silver hair and blue eyes.

Thanks to this, he felt like a boy who had just fallen to Earth from another world and was awkwardly pretending to be ordinary.

The ordinary clothes were alien, so his face was more prominent.

“Oh? Are you already filming?!”

At that time, a van arrived in the parking lot, and a middle-aged man got out of the van and asked, looking at Heungmin.

“Oh!!!”

Heungmin, who was running straight, stopped in surprise.

It was Han Minseok, the main MC of 〈Passion Man〉.

Han Minseok wasn’t just the main MC on 〈Passion Man〉.

He was arguably the best MC in Korea.

“Oh! Hello! I was just running alone!”

Heungmin greeted with a slightly stiff expression.

He didn’t tense up and laugh like a robot anymore, but seeing Han Minseok made him realize that he was filming 〈Passion Man〉, and he was nervous.

“Hello. Sunbaenim [senior in the industry]. I’m Kang Dojae from MOST.”

Following him, Dojae greeted politely.

Han Minseok, who was famous for his good personality, smiled and accepted the two’s greetings.

“Ah. You’re MOST members. I’m enjoying your songs these days. Make yourselves comfortable. I saw you running, so I thought you were already filming.”

Han Minseok said with a laugh, as if joking.

〈Passion Man〉 was a real variety show centered around chase battles.

“Ah. Thank you. I was running to get rid of the swelling….”

“Ah, I see! You’re handsome even without getting rid of the swelling, what for.”

“Oh, there’s no way… Thank you!”

Heungmin loosened his stiff face and replied with a smile.

Han Minseok laughed lightly at Heungmin’s answer and passed by the two.

“Then see you later.”

At Han Minseok’s words, Heungmin and Dojae quickly said, “See you later.”

As the main MC, he would have a lot of things to learn first.

“Wow… I saw Han Minseok sunbaenim!”

“It’s amazing.”

Even Dojae felt amazing.

He wasn’t a senior singer he admired, but he was an entertainer who was loved by the public.

“It’s different.”

Heungmin said, looking at his back.

Dojae agreed.

It was quite impressive that Han Minseok treated him comfortably first.

As it was a ‘Idol Rising Star’ special, most of today’s guests had only been in debut for 2 or 3 years.

They may be used to the stage now, but it was natural that they were not used to variety shows.

MOST, who had not experienced many public broadcasting variety shows before, was even more so.

Knowing this, Han Minseok must have deliberately joked and left.

He had a good personality, but this was Han Minseok’s professionalism.

If the guest is too awkward and nervous, the recording and broadcast content will inevitably be less interesting.

“Today’s recording… I’m looking forward to it?”

“Me too.”

The two exchanged glances, meaning ‘Let’s do well’ without saying a word.

It was the beginning of a filming where you never knew what would happen.