Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 210

“…A junkyard, you say?”

My brief reply was met with a moment of silence in the venue.

“Um, I need to elaborate! Dong-hwa didn’t go crazy and wander around a junkyard. I went to an art museum, and there was a piece that resembled a junkyard, so that’s what I meant!”

Ryu Iden added an explanation to the host, who looked flustered. For the record, we decided to answer like this before Ryu Iden came up, to add a bit of humor since it could be boring.

But that doesn’t mean I felt any shame. It’s true, I wrote the song after seeing a junkyard.

“Ah, I see. You wrote the song after seeing a piece of art. I was listening to the song backstage and was really surprised because it was so good.”

You’re laying it on a bit thick. It’s almost embarrassing.

“Thank you.”

The host, who was clearly amused by my simple but definitely shy reaction, skillfully changed the subject.

“I can’t help but ask what you were thinking when you worked on this title. Dong-hwa, what were you thinking when you worked on this song?”

“The piece was a junkyard with memories buried in it. Seeing that, I wrote a song about how even good and happy memories might have to be *jeongni* [organized/sorted] someday.”

The host nodded and smiled. Judging by his response, ‘It reminded me of my college romance,’ he seemed to have accurately grasped the intention of the song.

“The new full-length album, ‘in Somnia,’ has a total of twelve songs, and Dong-hwa participated in composing and arranging eight of them. I heard you’re called ‘Blossom’s official worker’ online? I was curious about how much work you actually do. Are you all curious too?”

The audience shouted, ‘Yes!’ At that, the members all whispered to each other with serious expressions.

“Is it okay to talk about this?”

“He already has a strong image of just working, even now.”

“…I think it’ll be okay.”

Why are you worrying about my image in the venue? I don’t even know if working hard is a bad image in the first place.

“Oh, the members are seriously discussing it… Is it a bit too much, perhaps?”

“First of all, it’s certain that Dong-hwa violated labor laws on his own. Working over 40 hours a week.”

“Even if Dong-hwa sued Dong-hwa, he’d have nothing to say…”

I have a lot to say, Hyun-jae. How can you sue yourself?

“Let’s reveal it for the first time. How many hours a day do you work on average?”

Um, I don’t really know because the average number of hours varies.

“I’m usually in the studio unless I have other schedules.”

As soon as I answered briefly, the members’ testimonies poured out.

“I don’t know the statistics for work hours, but I know the statistics for break times. Except for meal times, you can assume he doesn’t rest all day.”

“I’m Dong-hwa’s roommate, and it’s hard to see Dong-hwa’s face in the morning. He’s always in the studio. Before I can even ask him to hang out, I come to my senses and he’s gone.”

“He even has a blanket and pillow in the studio, but I’ve never seen him use them.”

“If I worked like Dong-hwa *hyung* [older brother/male friend], I would’ve released two mixtapes.”

You’re talking like you have a grudge. It’s like you’re all complaining about my wrongdoings, so I couldn’t help but laugh.

The fans already knew, but they seemed to be shocked by the specific work episodes that were pouring out, and some even let out a small scream. Then, one fan must have felt overly sorry.

“Get some sleep! You’ll die!”

The volume was so loud that Chae Ha-min, who was excitedly talking, was startled and looked around in all directions. It was a pretty big venue, but all I could say was amazing.

After a moment of silence, there was an outburst of laughter and cheers. The fans seemed to have formed a consensus.

“Wow, Dong-hwa, you should reduce your workload for the sake of your fans.”

“Um, I’m sorry.”

“It’s rare to see Dong-hwa flustered like this today. Don’t the other members try to stop Dong-hwa?”

Ryu Iden and Chae Ha-min jumped up and down at the host’s words.

“We tell him every time, but he doesn’t listen. One day, Ha-min and I decided it was Dong-hwa’s day to rest and guarded the door to prevent him from leaving, but he somehow escaped.”

Ah, that time, Chae Ha-min used mushroom dishes, and Ryu Iden asked Team Leader Jang Hae-jin to divert attention so I could go to work.

“Oh, we can’t help but hear this story.”

Anyway, I don’t know how the title song story turned into my work hearing.

* * *

Image is quite important. The human brain has the characteristic that once an image is imprinted, it doesn’t disappear. For example, the connection between ‘Ryu Iden – puppy’ doesn’t disappear easily once it’s made.

The crazy image formed in Ji Dong-hwa’s Mental Class and the image of a human who only knows work, which has been built up over a long time, will continue to stick and follow me like mud.

It’s not a false accusation, but it’s a shame because it’s a different image from the truth. It’s not that I only know work, but what looks like work to the members is just a break for me.

The same goes for Ji Dong-hwa’s Mental Class. The number of views is so high that it can’t be just our fans, so it’s clear that even Muggles (a general term for people who don’t stan celebrities) are watching.

To them, I’ll be remembered as a crazy professor.

“The successful college professor is an overworking laborer in this world? Pfft, there are really strange things on the internet.”

It’s all because of that human and the rest of the production crew. I don’t know why, but I want to hit the PD [Producer/Director], who has become close to me, at least once. Should I act crazy when the contract ends?

“Anyway, our program’s success is all thanks to Dong-hwa! The broadcasting station is watching you closely these days! You’re a real blue chip! No matter which community you go to, there’s always a story about Dong-hwa. I guess a genius is a genius!”

“…There will be no contract extension.”

“I’m disappointed.”

“I’m looking forward to the day I’m freed.”

Since the number of views has been good since the second episode was uploaded, they’ve been appealing for an additional contract these days, but no way. No way.

“It’s okay. If we keep going like this, I think I can discuss it well with the agency staff and end the story. I’ll show you that the world of adults is dirty!”

I’m actually a few years older than you, teacher.

“Anyway, today, as I mentioned last week, we have a secret guest.”

“Yes, I heard. I’m planning to run away when our team leader comes out.”

I don’t have the confidence to endure three white flags if I film a mental class facing that human.

“It’s a relief that we can proceed with filming. The concept is a tea time with a fellow professor.”
You act all elegant and noble. The essence is a survival drama full of nonsense.

“…Is it starting?”

“Yes. Did you bring your white flag?”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a moment before opening them. Seeing the signal that camera filming had started, I put on a smile.

“Hello, everyone, it’s another good day to study.”

This damn job.

* * *

A cafe with a picturesque forest spread out like a folding screen. It would have been better if I hadn’t come here for work. I took a sip of a strange drink mixed with green tea and mint. What does this taste like? It was edible, but I couldn’t objectively say it was a delicious drink.

But I had no choice but to put on a face that said, ‘This cup is healing my soul,’ because I had already declared that I would order it in the Shardena style [pretentious/over-the-top].

“Professor, what brings you here today?”

“I’m going to have a meeting with my fellow professor.”

“What’s their major?”

How would I know?

“He’s majoring in analyzing the consumption psychology of Gangwon-do residents. Recently, he’s been researching whether or not the Snob effect is occurring.”

The writer, who seemed familiar with it, searched next to me and laughed after confirming that it was an actual effect. I deliberately threw a curveball because I was used to him muttering about things that didn’t exist in the first place. One cup of coffee, profit.

“Is he a *hyung* [older brother/male friend] you personally respect?”

Um?

“…Yes.”

When my eyes sharpened and the PD smiled subtly, I was about to take out the white flag but stopped. I’m curious about how that human is going to screw me over today. The fact that he specifically said ‘respected *hyung*’ means that someone who I would never respect is coming?

Wait. Specifically, *hyung*. My brain starts working like crazy, using ketones and glucose as fuel. Among all the possibilities, I look for an existence that would require him to set a trap with the word *hyung*.

When countless possibilities disappeared and only one name remained in my head, I immediately raised the white flag.

No, I was about to raise it.

“Oh, he’s coming over there.”

A body wearing a suit like me. A neat hairstyle and eyes that are better than mine, wearing round glasses for fashion. And even the clear eyes beyond the glasses, full of pure goodwill towards me. Everything was too familiar and welcome, so I felt sad.

“Hello, little brother?”

…Mok-hwa, you’re still handsome.

Late, but I properly raised the white flag. I covered my eyes with one hand and let out a deep sigh. Today, I’m Mok-hwa’s little brother… Seriously, I hate it.

“What, *hyung*, I thought you’d expect it.”

“I realized it 3 seconds before you came out.”

The PD burst out laughing as if he was going to die from excitement.

“As expected, Dong-hwa! I knew you’d notice as soon as I asked the question.”

“…PD-nim.”

“When I planned this, I thought I was going to die, cough, heh, heh.”

Ignoring the PD, who was about to collapse, I turned my gaze to Mok-hwa.

“You said you didn’t have any schedules today when I called you yesterday.”

“But you’re a popular group these days, there’s no way you wouldn’t.”

“I was wondering, but I didn’t have the concept that you might be lying in my head.”

“Ah, so my major is Gangwon-do consumer psychology?”

“…Yes.”

How embarrassing. I covered my face with both hands because I couldn’t bring myself to look Mok-hwa in the face.

“Ah, I really wanted to come here as a guest. I wanted to see my *hyung’s* most embarrassing *moseup* [appearance/state] in person. I’m already excited.”

“Those humans will embarrass you too.”

“*Hyung*, don’t you know me? I don’t have any shame.”

“That’s right! And Mok-hwa isn’t going to be embarrassed in the first place! Today’s concept is, what if a respectable *hyung* becomes a younger brother!”

Shut up, PD-nim. Can’t you hear the sound of the probability of acting crazy when the contract ends increasing in real time?

Mok-hwa naturally sat down at the table and smiled as he looked at the drink I was drinking.

“Is this Shardena style?”

“It’s white flag time, right now.”

“Ah, sorry. It’s so good, a program where it’s legal to tease *hyung*.”

Ah, this damn job.