Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 262

I Didn’t Plan to Become an Idol – Episode 262 (230/343)

Ji Dong-hwa’s usual image is something like ‘that weird kid,’ ‘smart but weird,’ ‘seems cold but is warm but weird,’ ‘sincere about labor but weird.’

If you remove the common ‘weirdness,’ what remains is generally ‘mature.’

Since adults are an incomplete form of children, he seemed impure, insincere, and always full of complex thoughts.

Within the group, he was in the *hyung* line [older male members that younger members show respect to], and actually, Ryu Iden picked him as the ‘member he relies on during activities’—as an aside, Ji Dong-hwa hesitated between Chae Hamin and Ryu Iden, ultimately mouthing Ryu Iden as the answer.

That Ji Dong-hwa was currently smiling contentedly on the broadcast.

A pure-looking smile was unfamiliar to anyone who wasn’t an old room nut [a long-time fan who knows the group intimately].

‘Working on something together,’ ‘not worrying about the broadcast at all,’ ‘everyone defends him no matter what he does,’ etc., countless factors were making Ji Dong-hwa comfortable, allowing him to forget his burdens for a while.

A man who had been bound by responsibility his entire life never knew he could forget it even for a moment, and that the sight of it could be so pleasing.

At least, that’s how Gi Jisaeng saw it.

“Hyeonjae.”

“Kking?”

Stroking the robot’s head, the mechanical texture is felt in the hand.

Evidence that it’s not alive, the realization that it’s only functionally similar becomes palpable.

“That’s, a bit enviable.”

While enduring the urge to vomit at the sight of his own smiling face, his eyes, endlessly watching that figure, had regained numerous emotions.

It took so long to forget, but only a few years on Earth time to regain them.

He was even feeling envy, something he might only feel once or twice in his entire life.

Ji Dong-hwa on the screen would have rarely envied anyone, so here’s another difference added.

Gi Jisaeng closed his eyes and lay down. The four robots climbed on top of Gi Jisaeng and interfered, but this time he couldn’t possibly play with them.

“…Um, lonely.”

To change his mood, he had no choice but to meet his superior again today and commit some terrorism [cause trouble].

Gi Jisaeng closed his eyes and entered meditation. The Siun Hall had been rebuilt, but it wasn’t stable yet, so he could help out.

‘Destroying and building. Deconstructionism.’

What a dog-like joke [a self-deprecating joke].

* * *

[Troubleshooting Office ‘That Guy,’ Releases Solo Track]

(Link to Ji Dong-hwa’s self-made subtitle video)

(Link to Ji Dong-hwa’s self-edited behind-the-scenes video of the song production)

I’m posting a promotional message. Please give our baby’s song a lot of love for the comeback in a few days.

Comments:

—Ji Dong-hwa saying he sees you instead of himself when he looks in the mirror… Why can’t I see you when I look in the mirror, Dong-hwa… Why do I only face the ugly mug of a grinning human… So sad… Won’t you come into my mirror today…

—Is he someone who can’t help but work? LOLOLOLOL Every time I see him, he’s working LOLOLOLOL

└Ji Dong-hwa would be smiling brightly at the Troubleshooting Office…

—Wow, it’s chilling how I forgot what I was listening to and just spaced out when the members’ voices switched in.

[Review of Dong-hwa’s solo track ‘Self-Portrait (自話像)’]

Looking at the song itself, it’s a story of someone who lived without self-esteem, regaining it after meeting good people.

Of course, we should see it as Dong-hwa’s story, right? I thought Dong-hwa had great self-esteem, but I guess not.

And all the instruments in the song are replaced with the members’ voices –> The fact that he filled a ‘song about himself’ with the members’ voices shows how much affection he has for the group, it’s beyond comprehension.

Comments:

—So cute

—Not instruments?!!!

└(Video Link) If you watch this, you can feel the handcraftsmanship of artisan Ji Dong-hwa.

“Here, *hyung*, look at this post.”

As I nonchalantly read through it all, Lee Hyunjae let out a sigh of relief.

“Your ears are still turning red. I thought you had forgotten shame.”

Oh dear. I wish you’d explain in a little more detail why that’s a relief.

According to Lee Hyunjae, Blossence’s official internet nomad and statistical analyst, the members’ relentless efforts to promote the album have resulted in a noticeable increase in firepower [online engagement].

Even when I was doing solo activities, Ryu Iden and the other members diligently showed their faces on various broadcasts to promote it.

I straightened my clothes. The stylists will take a final look anyway, but it’s always good to be prepared.

The comeback show is soon. Even though it’s a recording, a moderate sense of tension comes over me.

As I fastened the button on my wrist and pulled on my leather gloves, I noticed that Lee Hyunjae hadn’t properly fixed his disheveled clothes.

“Hyeonjae.”

“Yes?”

I pointed to the soft collar with my finger.

“There, it’s a bit folded.”

Lee Hyunjae immediately smiled and fidgeted with his clothes.

Last time he looked like a high school student, but this outfit makes him look like the youngest son of a mafia boss, no matter how you look at it.

He looks like he was raised preciously and wouldn’t hesitate to shoot people with a gun.

And when Lee Hyunjae finished tidying up his outfit, which looked like he had gone through a rebellious phase for a while.

“Blossence, everyone, standby!”

The FD [Floor Director] shouted as he ran over.

‘…Um, nervous.’

I clearly referenced a jazz bar when writing this song, but I don’t know how it ended up being associated with bizarre things like casinos or the mafia.

According to Ryu Iden, his physique and Chae Hamin’s body line also had an influence, but wouldn’t it be a decision that took my image into account?

That’s a boring joke.

* * *

Orange lights flow on the stage. Slow-tempo jazz plays in the background.

Ryu Iden and Chae Hamin play poker, while Seokjun and Lee Hyunjae play chess.

A place that mixes the coziness of a hideout with the decadent nature of noir.

Clack, clack, the sound of shoes echoes.

Ji Dong-hwa walks in expressionlessly wearing glasses. From the song to the members, everyone pauses and immediately gets up from their seats and gathers in the center of the stage.

Ji Dong-hwa stands in the center between the two rows facing each other. An atmosphere that clearly feels like an organization.

Ji Dong-hwa’s face, which has no expression but feels cynical, indifferently stares straight ahead.

The excitement from before has disappeared, and it feels like the boss is about to deal with one of the members.

It’s almost exciting. However, betraying expectations, Ji Dong-hwa puts on a kind smile—he did his best.

Then the sound of a piano shattered the silence.

It was cheerful and a bit frivolous, like it would play when the main characters rob a bank in a comedic movie.

Clack, clack, Ji Dong-hwa, who walked out making the sound of shoes, opened his mouth with a smile.

It’s all mine from now on

A dull drum, cheerful piano, a sound that is more cheerful than an elegant party and more formal than a low-quality banquet.

How much did Ji Dong-hwa try to find somewhere in between?

As the camera approached Ji Dong-hwa and captured him in a close-up, Chae Hamin, who was behind him, curiously poked the camera.

Then Ji Dong-hwa, with an expression that read, ‘Goodness, how unpleasant.’

손 떼, 내 거니까 (Get your hands off, it’s mine)

Chae Hamin was startled and stepped back, and Ji Dong-hwa took two steps back with satisfaction.

Then the formation was completed.

부러워 보여, 네가 이룬 세상 (Looks enviable, the world you’ve built)

바꿔 줄래, 네가 만든 드라마 (Will you change it, the drama you created)

Ji Dong-hwa’s face is still smiling, but there was greed in his eyes.

A hand suddenly popped out and grabbed Ji Dong-hwa’s shoulder, pulling him as if throwing him away.

Chae Hamin, who popped out, showed madness on his innocent face. He pulled his gloves tightly.

불공평해 (Unfair) 모두 네 거래 (All your deals)

제안할게 (That’s fair) 공평한 거래 (A fair deal)

The drum beat intensifies.

Seokjun staggered to the center, holding his head as if he was dizzy. He is a mafia underling who is drinking hard liquor and lamenting the world while smiling.

공평무사, 무사히, 둘 사이, Change, Fair? How dare, 어딜 감히, 내 거지 (Impartial, safely, between us, Change, Fair? How dare, how dare you, mine)

처음부터, 그래, 그래, 네 집안, 네 기만, 네 일상, 네 인성, 전부 내 거지 (From the beginning, yes, yes, your family, your deception, your daily life, your personality, all mine)

He folded his fingers one by one, counting the number of everything that should have been his.

And when he realized there were countless things and was startled, someone behind him kicked Seokjun diagonally.

Lee Hyunjae, completely rotten [with malice]. It was the expression he briefly made when Ji Dong-hwa jokingly said he was going to drop out.

When Seokjun disappeared, the backup dancers also hurriedly ran away, and Lee Hyunjae stood alone on the stage.

불쌍한 나란 인간 (Poor human being that I am)

Chae Hamin came to the back and shrugged his shoulders, covering his face with exaggerated gestures. It’s a crying act that can only be seen in comedies.

질투 어린 삶에 출연자는 나 하나뿐 (I’m the only one in a life full of jealousy)

Seokjun and Ji Dong-hwa came out from both sides of the stage and also made comedic crying gestures, but the three of them shrugged their shoulders in a way that was strangely in time with the beat, making them look excited.

불쌍한 너란 인간 (Poor human being that you are)

Lee Hyunjae’s face, which had been rotten, was filled with sarcasm.

It was the kind of sneer that the youngest son, who had been pushed out of the line of succession, would make as he shot the eldest son in the back.

In response, the three members behind him spread their hands wide, which had been covering their faces, and showed off bright smiles. Even making flower poses, gleefully betraying the assumption that they were crying.

Tuk, Ryu Iden pushed the members away and deliberately scratched his throat to mix in a metallic sound.

공평하게, It’s all mine (We’re fair, fair) (Fairly, It’s all mine (We’re fair, fair))

The previous piano sound rang out, and Ryu Iden danced alone to the rhythm. His thick-lined body looked strong and powerful even when he twisted his waist once.

손 떼, 내 거니까 (From now on) (Get your hands off, it’s mine (From now on))

The members who were watching Ryu Iden’s dance participated in the group dance. Wearing suits, with eyes soaked in greed, to the cheerful piano sound.

A fierce group dance, as if they wanted more even though they had obtained everything they had longed for and wanted throughout their lives.

That crazy tension was maintained until the second verse, and in the bridge part, the piano created a slow and dull noir. Everyone except Ji Dong-hwa, who had a cynical expression as if he had expressed noir as a human, turned their backs.

How the hell do you feel, falling

밑바닥에 있을 땐 웃어야지, 나처럼 (When you’re at the bottom, you have to smile, like me)

Singing in a sweet tone, Ji Dong-hwa took off his glasses, put them in the front pocket of his jacket, and smiled. It was a sweet smile, like he would make while burying the boss of the opposing organization in the ground.

공평하게, It’s all mine (We’re fair, fair) (Fairly, It’s all mine (We’re fair, fair))

The last piano sound that burst out.

* * *

Ha, damn it.

I caught my breath roughly and sat down on the ground without dignity. If there hadn’t been an instruction to maintain the ending scene, where everyone was standing expressionlessly, for 10 seconds, I would have collapsed immediately.

I thoroughly kept my promise not to write a song with intense choreography after ‘Heung’.

The other members were in no different situation, and they were half-collapsed thanks to the choreography they danced intensely in suits.

Except for Ryu Iden.

As soon as the stage was over, Ryu Iden ran to the PD [Production Director], listened to various things, and came back smiling brightly.

He’s not human, that guy.

“Guys, should I get you some water?”

“…I’ll go down and eat.”

Since the filming is over, we can rest for a bit and then go down.

However, the heart full of thoughts of rest was half-shattered the moment I faced Ryu Iden’s face. Why do you look so troubled, Iden?

“We have to film one more time.”

Ryu Iden declared cruelly in the center of the stage where everyone had collapsed.