Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 141

#141.

Talking to Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol about Do-jae’s time at New Entertainment as a trainee had happened quite a while ago.

‘It was after he passed the audition, entered the dorm, and came to see me separately…’

When he mentioned that the dorm’s hygiene wasn’t great, Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol replied that he would increase the frequency of visits from the dorm’s cleaning staff.

Anyway, the staff visits had increased, and it was within the supportable range, so there was no need to hesitate.

‘Well, I thought he was a bit different back then.’

Actually, during his time as a manager, it was the first time he’d received a request to resolve a ‘hygiene’ issue.

It was common for dorms to become chaotic when busy trainees lived together in a small space, but most people adapted and lived with it.

There were cases where they complained that the dorm was too small, but that was usually after their debut.

Before his debut, no trainee had ever come directly to Kim Seok-cheol about dorm issues.

While it was natural to assert one’s rights, Kim Seok-cheol momentarily wondered if Do-jae was from a wealthy family due to his confident attitude, as if he lacked nothing.

This was a prejudice he developed partly because of Do-jae’s handsome appearance and somewhat unusual aura.

Kim Seok-cheol quickly dismissed that prejudice after hearing Do-jae’s story and couldn’t help but look at Do-jae with surprised eyes.

“I believe you’re aware that I was previously a trainee at New Entertainment.”

“Yes. I saw it in your introduction.”

“The reason I left that place is…”

“I don’t know that.”

He roughly knew because he had looked into it separately.

He didn’t think the reason for giving up a large agency like New Entertainment and coming to Kingdom would be a good one.

When he looked into it, he heard that he didn’t get along well with the other trainees.

Perhaps because of the image that they would be on a smooth path once they debuted, or because there were so many trainees.

There were often rumors of factions among the trainees at New Entertainment.

He was guessing it was something like that, but Kim Seok-cheol didn’t pretend to know.

It was a natural background check on a trainee as an employee who would entrust the future to Do-jae, but Do-jae himself might feel unpleasant.

“Then I think you should know.”

“What’s the reason…?”

In a calm tone, Do-jae revealed that he had been severely bullied by the debut group members at New Entertainment, and that the staff and other trainees had also condoned the bullying.

That was why he left New Entertainment despite being selected for the debut group.

“To that extent…”

Kim Seok-cheol was speechless in shock.

This was because the level of bullying Do-jae described was quite high and malicious.

It was hard to believe.

“I’m worried that I might cause trouble.”

“But you’re the victim.”

“Even so. Sometimes the world can be harsh on the victim.”

“…”

At the time, Do-jae had an air of someone who had mastered the world, unlike someone who had just become an adult.

That’s still the case, though…

“Anyway, I’m telling you in advance in case it harms the team later.”

Kim Seok-cheol nodded at Do-jae’s words, as there was nothing wrong with them.

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Yes. Please.”

That day, Kim Seok-cheol considered various scenarios in his own way.

It seemed to be preparation for a day like today.

And then a message arrived from Do-jae.

[The author of the currently controversial post seems to be Song Hwan, one of the perpetrators. The victim in the post is me. I am…]

Kim Seok-cheol paused for a moment, checking the following messages.

-Aren’t there ㄱㄷㅈ and ㄹㅇ in ㅁㅅㅌ who are doing well among the trainees of New Entertainment now?

-Then it seems like ㄱㄷㅈ in terms of timing?

-Kang Do-jae??? No way???

-Most likely Kang Do-jae is the victim, wow.

-No way, that’s BS [bullshit] ㄴㄴ

-This is quite famous among the New trainees. There’s a reason why Kang Do-jae left after going all the way to the debut group

-Indeed. I wondered why New didn’t pick such a talent like Kang Do-jae. ㄷㄷ

-If this is real, it’s crazy;;; The victim is an active idol;;;

-I don’t believe it. I don’t think Kang Do-jae would be bullied by anyone.

-Is there anyone who deserves to be bullied separately?

-You’re grabbing the collar of someone who’s doing well. Instead of speculating about the victim, beat up the perpetrator

As Do-jae’s real name was mentioned, the comments were increasing rapidly.

Kim Seok-cheol quietly called Team Leader Jeong Hee-yeong, who was frozen while looking at her phone.

“Team Leader Jeong.”

“Yes, yes. This can’t be true, right? It’s too absurd…”

“Let’s talk for a moment after the meeting.”

Team Leader Jeong Hee-yeong nodded with uneasy eyes, as if she had a premonition.

***

At that time.

The members were in the middle of recording 〈Jo Jeong-yeol’s Music Talk〉.

“Now, let’s introduce the next guest. Before we talk, we’ll watch their performance.”

The broadcast time was late on the weekend, but the recording was on a weekday afternoon in a public broadcast format.

The audience was selected by lottery from applications submitted in the week the performers were announced.

Therefore, today’s audience included not only MOST fans but also music lovers who came to enjoy ‘ear candy,’ and couples who came for a date.

This was why they were bound to be evaluated more critically than other music shows.

“I saw them briefly during the rehearsal. You might have an even happier time than you think today. Not just your ears, but your eyes too.”

“Ooh!”

Before the introduction, the audience’s expectations rose at Jo Jeong-yeol’s praise.

The fans, who somehow felt it might be MOST’s turn, couldn’t hide their excitement and shouted, “Kyaa!”

Jo Jeong-yeol and the audience burst into laughter because it was a high-pitched cheer that wasn’t often heard on 〈Jo Jeong-yeol’s Music Talk〉.

“It seems like some of you already know who it is. Then let’s introduce them quickly. They’re the hottest idol these days. It’s MOST!”

“Waah!”

“Kyaa!”

The fans in the audience cheered immediately.

Among the fans, there was also a mother and daughter fan who came to see MOST together.

“Oh my! Our sons!”

“No, why are they your sons! They’re our oppas [term of endearment used by younger women for older men]!”

“It’s the same thing.”

Some, who weren’t interested in idols and came to see an indie band performance, were bewildered.

“Who is it? Who is it that everyone is so excited about?”

“You don’t know MOST?”

“They were #1 on the music charts and… They were also on 〈Passion Man〉 recently!”

“I don’t know?”

“Watch some TV!”

However, most people knew MOST.

The members who appeared on stage took their places.

Soon, the intro of 〈Remember〉 began to play.

Then, even those who had asked their companions who MOST was, made a knowing expression, saying, “Ah!”

“I know this song.”

“Right. There’s no way you wouldn’t know it. It’s famous abroad these days because of the music video on MyTube [parody of YouTube]…”

The person who was explaining as if they were a fan of MOST couldn’t continue speaking.

The young man who was talking next to them was the same.

“He’s handsome…”

Do-jae’s face, standing in the center with two buttons of his white shirt undone, captivated the audience.

They were mesmerized by his face for a moment.

Woo-cheol, who had been standing behind him like a shadow, came forward and started the first part.

-The tension spreading into the air.

The members, who had been very nervous during the rehearsal about performing in front of their respected senior, Jo Jeong-yeol.

However, when they stood in front of the audience and fans, it didn’t matter where they were.

The members moved without error, just like their usual selves, and professionally set up the stage.

-I’ll catch your countless flowing voices

The sound was definitely good because it was a broadcast for performance.

Every breath of the members was captured.

They could see why it was called the graveyard of singers who couldn’t sing live.

However, for MOST, who were confident in their live performance, it was a playground where they could fully demonstrate their skills.

-Remember, all these messages!

When Louie jumped from the air, using Do-jae and Heung-min as supports

There was a gasp of surprise from the audience.

“Wow, while doing that kind of dance!”

“They’re good. I admit it…”

The audience had long been overwhelmed by MOST, and Jo Jeong-yeol, who was watching the stage from below, smiled, revealing his gums.

They were really talented singers that he hadn’t seen in a long time.

-Even in the ruins swept away by the storm, that day comes

-There is also a light that does not disappear

The vocals, as well as the rap members, were top-notch.

Moreover, they even wrote the songs themselves.

As a fellow singer-songwriter, it was amazing.

-Even in the overturned world, take my hand! Ah!

Someone involuntarily raised their hand and clapped at the cool high note that Do-jae pulled out.

From the tone to the vocalization and breathing. Everything was perfect.

Kwaang! With the sound effect, the members simultaneously stopped moving and looked up at the sky.

The chests of the members wearing shirts rose and fell.

The members, who had been breathing roughly beyond the turned-off microphone, were completely soaked.

They tried to adjust to some extent for the next stage, but they couldn’t help but lose strength.

“Waah!”

When the stage was over, cheers and applause poured out, and Jo Jeong-yeol hurriedly went up on stage.

The staff also cleaned up the stage and brought chairs to match the number of members.

It was for a short talk.

After a few questions were exchanged and the corner proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.

“Then, as we send off MOST, let’s listen to one more song.”

“Aaaah!”

“Wooh!”

Regret and cheers were mixed together.

Jo Jeong-yeol smiled and said.

“I’m so sorry too. Please come again next time.”

“We’ll come anytime if you call us.”

“It’s an honor!”

As Gi-jun and Heung-min answered in turn, Jo Jeong-yeol smiled.

“Then see you next time!”

“Yes!”

As the MOST members greeted with shining eyes, Jo Jeong-yeol went down the stage again.

The members raised their hands towards the audience and prepared for the next stage.

The second and last song they prepared was 〈Yours〉, the title of their first full album.

It was also the song that made MOST, who was a rookie, a ‘popular singer,’ and it was also a song that suited spring.

More than anything, it was a song that suited the characteristics of the program 〈Jo Jeong-yeol’s Music Talk〉.

A song that could maximize the reaction of the audience, which would have a variety of people, and also a song that could be performed live rather than performance-oriented.

That was why they chose the song after thinking about it.

-I can’t see anything

Sitting in a chair, Do-jae, holding a hand microphone, quietly started the first verse.

The audience, who seemed familiar with it, were momentarily puzzled by the changed 〈Yours〉, but soon listened to the familiar melody.

It was an acoustic version of 〈Yours〉 that Do-jae had newly arranged.

-I lose everything, groping for you, wandering the streets

Do-jae’s voice quietly echoed in the concert hall.

It was such a soft voice that they wanted to close their eyes and listen.

Woo-cheol, Louie, and Heung-min’s parts followed, and it was the chorus that everyone sang together.

-My everything is yours

At that time, the eyes of the audience, who had been absorbed in the song, widened.