Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 101

101.

“What, Dong-hwa?”

After cycling through stages of shock, composure, and anxiety, Chae Ha-min managed to squeeze out the question with difficulty.

“I think I have a bad cold.”

“Huh, ah, what to do.”

Chae Ha-min tries to jump up from his seat but slips on his blanket and dives onto the bed.

‘Crazy bastard.’ Even if my body isn’t in perfect condition, I can still think rationally, so I didn’t swear out loud, but I could in my mind. Seeing this, the dichotomy of soul and body mentioned in religion and many past ideologies might be somewhat correct. Of course, if materialists were to hear this…

“Dong-hwa! You’re thinking strange things again!”

I stopped thinking at Chae Ha-min’s words and tried my best to get up from my seat, but my body didn’t seem to move as I wanted.

Seeing that, Chae Ha-min ‘carefully’ got up from his seat again and took out his phone.

‘……I’m sure I’ll be able to reach one of the team leaders no matter what.’

I feel sorry for the team leader who might be working at 7 o’clock.

* * *

Kang Seung-won, the management team leader, hadn’t had any major problems recently thanks to Blossence not causing any trouble, but today he heard that Ji Dong-hwa, who was like a solid pillar, had collapsed.

He made several phone calls and collected all the information about Ji Dong-hwa recently, and as a result, he was able to come to one conclusion.

Ji Dong-hwa didn’t even rest during the time he was forced to rest.

He even secretly asked Chae Ha-min or Ryu Iden to monitor him to see if he was resting, but how could he cleverly avoid all surveillance and work?

At 10 a.m., Ji Dong-hwa was seen sleeping while getting an IV drip in the emergency room.

Kang Seung-won carefully approached Ryu Iden, who was sitting next to him, and asked.

“Iden, did the doctor say it was overwork?”

“…Ha, he said that his immunity was weakened due to fatigue, and the change of seasons overlapped, so he caught a cold. No matter how I think about it, I think the only answer is confinement now.”

The Ji Dong-hwa surveillance team, which had been in operation since he collapsed last time, did not do its job properly. Whenever he seemed to be working a little too much, they would go to him from time to time to make him rest and sleep, but even so.

Ryu Iden looked down at Ji Dong-hwa, who was sleeping, and thought to himself.

‘Is he… really smart?’

He clearly kept Chae Ha-min’s words not to worry ‘alone’, and frequently called the members to listen to the arranged songs and exchange opinions. He also called Seok-jun to arrange the songs together and received help from the A&R [Artists and Repertoire] team appropriately.

In addition, he clearly promised ‘not to overdo it to the point of collapsing while working’, so he only caught a cold while working ‘just before overdoing it,’ but he ‘didn’t overdo it.’

A situation where there were no problems with his body without breaking any promises. Very, very annoying.

‘A moron who only knows how to work…?’

Why is he working so hard? Why is he constantly working on songs while worrying about the next album even while arranging this stage? He must have been aware that he was tired enough to be in this state, so why didn’t he stop?

The heads of all the members, including Ryu Iden, began to get a little complicated.

…However, today is the day of the awards ceremony, and the day when the results of the first practice are announced, so they couldn’t just be upset. Because there is a stage rehearsal scheduled.

* * *

At 10 a.m., I finished all the IV drips and felt better.

‘……I’m crazy.’

I did something that I wouldn’t be able to say even if the members tied me to a cross and set me on fire.

Clearly, it’s my fault.

I got into the car to go to the awards ceremony and thought about why this happened.

‘……I thought I was tired a few times, but I was definitely bearable.’

The atmosphere in the car is heavy. Fortunately, the members’ eyes on me contain ‘worry’ rather than ‘blame’.

‘I was more careful because of the last time I collapsed……’

Of course, unlike last time, there was an unavoidable reason due to the special nature of the change of seasons, but the fact that I collapsed remains the same. I can’t even take care of my own body and cause trouble to the members, and negative thoughts keep popping up.

“…Dong-hwa, are you feeling okay?”

Chae Ha-min, who was sitting next to me, asked carefully. I only felt more sorry for his voice.

“…Yeah, I’m much better now.”

Ryu Iden, who was in the passenger seat, reclines the chair all the way back.

“No, seriously. You better know that we’re going to confine you after the awards ceremony. We’ll take away your laptop so you can’t work and just put books in your room.”

It’s a joke, but I should be grateful for the mercy of giving me books.

“I’m not kidding.”

And Ryu Iden pulls the chair back up. This time, Kang Seung-won, the team leader who was driving, opened his mouth.

“It’s our responsibility that we couldn’t manage your condition. However, from now on, Dong-hwa, please take care of your body.”

My head drooped automatically. Then I vaguely realized why I had overworked my body even after going through all those things.

Even though I’m trying to worry and solve problems with the members, I might have been more afraid of losing this group, the current members.

Just like I lost my parents, whom I respected, just like I sent away my beloved younger brother, I hope that our group will not fail and disband.

‘……But in the end, I became a moron who couldn’t even manage his condition at the most important moment. I wouldn’t be able to say anything even if I was told to go die.’

I raised my head slightly and looked at Chae Ha-min. He was carefully glancing at me out of the corner of his eye, worrying about me.

Maybe everyone is like that.

They see me as more than just a colleague, as an existence connected by some emotional bond, and they’re worried about me.

Therefore, I can’t disappoint them anymore.

In fact, my body is still a little heavy, but at least until the awards ceremony is over today, I won’t collapse. Because my reason won’t allow it.

* * *

After finishing the rehearsal with small movements to save as much energy as possible, I changed into a suit-style outfit.

Everyone was wearing suits, but my clothes were especially black, because my skin was so white, that’s how they decided.

After putting on my clothes, I took a deep breath and sat on the sofa. Now, in a little while, it’s time to get out of the car and pretend I just arrived. In this job, every expression is subject to evaluation, so I can’t pretend to be tired.

“I don’t know how hyung [older brother/male friend] can even move.”

Lee Hyun-jae makes a disgusted voice. Mentality is the solution to many problems.

“I know, right. Please! Take care of your body while you work!”

Chae Ha-min comes over with a worried expression and pretends to gently shake my shoulder and shouts softly.

I clearly tried to take care of my body this time, but I couldn’t, so I have nothing to say. I just bow my head.

“…Sorry.”

Chae Ha-min’s eyes widened when I apologized right away. Anyone can tell that I’m surprised right now. He seems embarrassed that he didn’t mean to do this.

“That, uh, but! It’s not that I want you to be sorry! Ah, it’s not like you wanted to be sick.”

Behind Chae Ha-min, who was restless, Ryu Iden approached, grabbed his shoulders with both hands, and pushed him back.

“Today’s work, after you get better, let’s all get together and talk about it.”

Then he stared at me blankly, tried to hit my head with the side of his hand, sighed, and lowered his hand.

“Ugh, your head is too good, so I can’t hit you.”

That’s not it, leader, it’s because it’s a set hairstyle, so you can’t touch it.

* * *

The beginning of winter, when weak snow falls softly.

This time, the MCs for the Peach Music Awards were planned to be Jun-seong, who succeeded with his solo activities, Liz of Reminia, and Lukachi, the leader of Blue Jack, for a total of three, but due to the aftermath of the small ball shot by the philosophy student, Liz was executed, so Jun-seong and Lukachi were the only MCs. Instead, guests will enter the female MC seat one part at a time.

Jun-seong and Lukachi, to others, they are rivals, but thanks to their relationship as leaders since their debut, they are said to be close friends.

The two were proceeding with the appearance of the performers and had a conversation using the commercial break.

“Seong-ah, is it your juniors’ turn next?”

Jun-seong nodded.

“I want to be friends with Dong-hwa and ask him to compose a song, but I don’t know if he’ll accept it.”

“Hey, no. Dong-hwa’s junior, huh? He works so hard. If he does more, he’ll die.”

Of course, Jun-seong himself had already received a song.

While they were having such a small conversation, a standby sign came in. Lukachi opened his mouth according to the camera director’s sign.

“Yes, another team will be joining us as soon as the commercial is over?”

“Huh? That car looks the same as our company car?”

“Could it be them?”

“The men of magic who want to change the last to the first?”

In response, the cheers of the Luminus [Blossence’s fan base], who had been waiting for this moment, rang out. A roar like a battle cry. The voices of warriors who have been waiting for the day to receive the Rookie of the Year award.

The car stops and the members get off and walk on the red carpet. There was an awkward movement that seemed a little nervous.

After Ryu Iden gets off one by one, Ji Dong-hwa gets off last, and the awards ceremony begins to freeze.

Between the falling snow, Ji Dong-hwa with white skin, black hair, and a formal suit. His eyes were slightly red in the cold air.

His expression was somewhere tired and languid, to the point of looking decadent.

It was because of the aftereffects of being sick and taking medicine, but the cold impression, the contrast between black and white, and the white snow scattered around it made it feel like countless narratives were condensed.

Jun-seong, who was supposed to be the MC, was also momentarily embarrassed and observed the changed atmosphere of Ji Dong-hwa.

Ji Dong-hwa walks with a blank expression. In fact, it’s just because he’s moving his body to the best of his ability. He just walked forward with a blank expression.

The red eyes from before, combined with the dry weather, caused a little tear to form. In that state, Ji Dong-hwa smiled slightly as he looked at the person calling him from the side.

The fan pressed the shutter of the cannon camera with the feeling of already having experienced a heartbreak with that look, that eye, that tear, and that smile. It was the moment when a photo of the century was born, which would not have existed if Ji Dong-hwa had not been sick.

“…Yes! Blossence has arrived. They are going to the photo zone?”

Jun-seong, who had stopped talking for a moment, continued his comments naturally.

It was when Ji Dong-hwa entered the photo zone.

With a thud! The set shook slightly, and Ji Dong-hwa’s gaze turned to the floor for a moment.

And then a snowflake landed on the tip of Ji Dong-hwa’s nose. Ji Dong-hwa looks forward again and flicks the snowflake away with the tip of his finger.

It was the moment when the most shared GIF of Ji Dong-hwa’s awards ceremony was born.

The decadent atmosphere created by the mix of Ji Dong-hwa’s snow-white skin and suit fit was something that maniacs couldn’t help but go crazy for.

After the photo time, they moved to the MCs’ side and a short interview was conducted.

Jun-seong asked the members one question at a time, but the next team was coming in later than expected, so an ad-lib sign was dropped.

Jun-seong just spat out any questions that came to mind. Of course, he chose Ji Dong-hwa out of Ji Dong-hwa and Ryu Iden, who are excellent at ad-libbing.

“Dong-hwa! Do you have any body parts that you are most confident in? As an idol, this is what I’m confident in! Body part!”

However, unfortunately, Ji Dong-hwa is currently a little drowsy due to the medicine. He is enduring with his mental strength, but it was difficult to interpret the intention of the question.

Ji Dong-hwa paused for a moment, took the microphone, and opened his mouth.

“At least, it’s my brain.”

“Yes?”

“I think my brain is, to some extent, something to be proud of.”

Finally, the nickname of a handsome man with even beautiful brain wrinkles was created.