Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 229

#229.

Was he about to confess his love for the fans, though it felt a bit out of the blue? That’s what Kyusung, standing next to him, was thinking.

“I thought about it when we debuted, but I felt it again today. Maybe today… for this day, this moment, I might have crossed the universe…. That’s what I feel.”

Perhaps no one here truly understood Dojae’s words.

But he wanted to convey it.

His sincere feelings.

Dojae continued, feeling his heart pounding in his chest.

“From such a distant and far-off place to here. I feel like I’ve been led by an unknown destiny to be with you all, my fans, and my members.”

That coming here was such a long journey, so arduous and difficult…….

That’s how people understood Dojae’s words.

Of course, that interpretation wasn’t wrong.

Becoming a singer.

And letting so many people hear his songs and be loved was only possible for Dojae after crossing the universe and dimensions.

“Choosing to sing. Becoming a member of MOST. I don’t think I’ve ever regretted it, not even for a moment.”

Dojae said in a calm voice.

His expression and tone were calm, but his words resonated deeply.

The members looked at Dojae with proud and touched eyes at his words that he had never regretted being a member.

Of course, the members also cherished the time they spent with Dojae.

“We will work harder so that those who support and love us will have no regrets! Really…. Thank you so much.”

“Kang Dojae!”

“Dojae-yah, you’re the best!”

“Kang Dojae, I love you!”

“I love you too.”

Dojae, who murmured in a low voice, looked straight ahead and blinked slowly.

His long eyelashes fluttered like butterflies.

The fanlights lit by the fans filled his dark eyes, which were as endless as the universe.

***

“Huh?”

Dojae looked around, surprised by the changed surroundings.

He was sure he was on stage, looking at the fans with emotion…….

The place where Dojae was currently standing was in a landscape that was both unfamiliar and familiar.

The Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace, which he had visited from time to time until he became an adult.

Changdeokgung Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces in the Empire [referring to the Korean Empire], was built to preserve the original terrain.

Even within that palace, the Secret Garden was a wonderful place loved by many kings of Joseon [Korean dynasty from 1392 to 1897] and emperors of the Korean Empire.

Dojae, who enjoyed beautiful things and was willing to contemplate, also liked the Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace.

Especially after his dream of becoming a singer, which he couldn’t properly pursue due to the Emperor’s anger, was thwarted.

He spent a lot of time in this Secret Garden to soothe his frustrated heart.

He stood in the pavilion, watching the ripples on the pond whenever the wind blew, and watching the birds flying above the trees, gaining comfort in his heart.

He knew that the expression of Eunuch Kim, who was standing behind him, darkened as the time Dojae spent in the Secret Garden grew longer, so he turned back before sunset.

‘It’s such a familiar place… but it feels unfamiliar. It’s been a long time.’

Dojae thought with a languid feeling, perhaps because of the particularly bright sunlight.

Then he raised his head and looked up at the pavilion he often visited.

“……!”

There was ‘another’ Dojae wearing familiar casual clothes.

‘Kang Dojae!’

Dojae looked at ‘Kang Dojae’ in surprise.

No, maybe he should say that he is ‘Lee Dojae’ now, and he is ‘Kang Dojae’.

Behind him was Kim Seokcheol Team Leader, no, Eunuch Kim, who was also familiar.

However, instead of stepping back as usual, he was standing next to Prince Dojae, talking to him.

The conversation wasn’t clear, but one thing was certain: they were smiling.

‘They’re happy.’

That was clear.

At that time, ‘Kang Dojae’ on the pavilion turned his head towards Dojae.

It seemed like their eyes met for a moment.

And somewhere, a faint verse of IU’s flowed out.

— Should I tell you, when the fifth season comes, what we’ll do

Turn over all the dark pages —

The serene scenery of the Secret Garden and the cheerful song seemed like they could never coexist, yet they blended together strangely.

The singing grew louder and louder, and the leaves on the branches swayed as if dancing to the song.

—Life goes beautiful, beautiful

you, like butterfly, butterfly

“How…….”

Dojae looked at himself in surprise.

But he couldn’t confirm his appearance.

As the growing song gradually turned into a buzzing voice in his ear…….

“Huff!”

Dojae opened his eyes wide.

The members, who were scattered around the practice room or lying down with Dojae, turned to look at Dojae at the sound of Dojae’s “Huff.”

was playing in the practice room.

Louis, who was drinking water, leaned his face in front of Dojae and asked.

“Hyung! Hyung! Did you fall asleep just now?”

Louis filled Dojae’s vision.

Dojae, who hadn’t fully regained his senses, blankly looked at Louis.

“Wow, Dojae hyung must have been really tired too.”

“Of course he’s tired! Gijun hyung, can’t we rest for 5 more minutes?”

Woocheol and Heungmin’s voices hit Dojae’s ears loudly.

Only then did Dojae realize that he had dozed off during practice break and had a dream.

‘This is all a dream…. Where did the dream start?!’

Dojae jumped up from his seat.

If standing in the Secret Garden was a dream…….

“Our award!”

Dojae shouted like a scream in a hoarse voice.

He was confused and so surprised that he wondered if the N TV FESTA was also a dream.

Kyusung and Gijun, who were on one side, looked at Dojae with puzzled faces.

Heungmin smiled pleasantly and said.

“Dojae, did you receive an award even in your dream?!”

Dojae checked the digital clock on the practice room wall.

December 11th. 3:37 PM.

“Haa…….”

Dojae stroked his surprised chest.

Receiving the ‘Best Artist of the Year’ award was not a dream.

It was just yesterday.

“Were you surprised because you thought it was a dream?!”

Dojae nodded slightly at Louis’ question.

The members burst into laughter at Dojae’s unexpected appearance.

Heungmin rolled around on the practice room floor and muttered.

“I really don’t know if it’s a dream or reality…. I still can’t believe it.”

“Aren’t we all dreaming?”

Kyusung also agreed with Heungmin and asked.

The MOST members were still struggling in the joy of winning the grand prize even after a day had passed.

In fact, it was natural that the afterglow hadn’t faded…….

Yesterday, after Dojae finished his acceptance speech.

Gijun hurriedly conveyed his gratitude to the executives and staff, starting with the CEO of Kingdom Entertainment.

And the six members gathered together and hugged each other.

The members’ backs, with their heads together and their hands tightly clasped, were deeply imprinted in the fans’ minds.

It was also an impressive scene that was used as the main photo in articles announcing MOST’s award.

Of course, as many congratulatory comments as there were, there were also countless malicious comments asking why MOST won the grand prize…….

It was certain that MOST enjoyed the greatest popularity this year.

However, as long as the group HOH was still strong, they couldn’t be called ‘unique’ in the idol world.

That’s why voices of envy and jealousy inevitably followed.

It wasn’t for nothing that they said that to become a king, you have to bear the weight of the crown.

Rather than being swayed by such words, the members decided to enjoy this moment and be ‘happy’ as Louis said.

It was a moment of joy that they couldn’t fully enjoy unless it was now.

After the awards ceremony, the members had a company dinner with the staff amidst the pouring congratulations.

Even after that, the members only rested for half a day in the morning and then came back to the practice room.

The first reason was that they were busy preparing for the next awards ceremony stage, regardless of whether they won an award or not.

And there was also the reason that even if they took a day off, they wouldn’t be able to rest properly because of their excited hearts.

And that expectation was right on the mark.

Every time they took a break from practice, the members would talk about receiving the award at yesterday’s awards ceremony and make dazed eyes.

Of course, they cried so much during yesterday’s acceptance speech (it’s no secret that everyone’s eyes were red as they recalled the old days even near the end of the dinner).

Dojae didn’t cry on stage either, but on the way back to the dorm, he somehow shed a tear at Kim Seokcheol Team Leader’s words of appreciation for his hard work.

So it was better to practice.

In fact, after receiving the award, they also wanted to show an even better performance.

“Okay, it’s time.”

Gijun said, getting up from his seat.

Woocheol grumbled, “Practicing even on a day like this,” but he got up the fastest and stood in front of the mirror.

Woocheol was scheduled to perform a short musical-style stage in the intro at the next stage, the SVS Awards Ceremony.

He was clearly quite excited about having his first solo time on the awards ceremony stage.

“Let’s go! Let’s go!”

Woocheol shouted with a fighting spirit, imitating the words that fans often use.

After that, Dojae smiled and took his place.

‘That just now wasn’t a simple dream.’

Several years ago, at the moment when the new year began, he had seen ‘Kang Dojae’ of the Korean Empire while unconscious.

‘I thought that would be the first and last time…….’

The difference between the last time Dojae unilaterally saw ‘Kang Dojae’ and this time was that this time, Kang Dojae seemed to have seen Dojae too.

Dojae recalled Kang Dojae’s face as he smiled with the palace people.

He had become a completely different person from Kang Dojae, who thought he wanted to die when he first faced him in the mirror.

‘He looked quite happy.’

Dojae felt his heart becoming more at ease.

At the moment when Dojae was experiencing extreme joy… ‘Kang Dojae’ beyond the dimension was also rejoicing there.

‘I don’t know what kind of fate has changed our lives…….’

A conviction that this was in place was emerging.

Before he knew it, the song that Gijun played was flowing out.

Dojae looked at himself in the mirror and moved his body familiarly.

***

MOST also received the grand prize at the SVS [Seoul Broadcasting System Awards].

SVS was the only broadcasting station where MOST failed to receive the Rookie Award, losing to The Origin.

To receive the grand prize in such a place…….

It might not be a very surprising result to the public, but it was truly an upset to those who knew the situation even a little.

However, MOST’s popularity was now an unstoppable trend.

It was something that had to be acknowledged regardless of the relationship between the broadcasting station and the agency.

Amidst the commotion here and there over MOST’s two consecutive grand prizes…….

There was also a sudden commotion in a small shop in Insadong [a district in Seoul known for traditional crafts and tea houses], which was so idle that it was on the verge of going out of business.