Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 291

As the W app live broadcast commenced, question marks flooded the screen even before the greetings began.

The comment section was a sea of ‘?’s.

At the center of the spectacle was Ryu Iden, sporting a wooden sign around his neck that declared, ‘I have betrayed Dong-hwa hyung’s trust. Luminaries, please pelt me with (figurative) stones!’

The other members were seated comfortably on the sofa, while Ryu Iden sat alone on the floor, head bowed in mock shame. It was as if the group was about to deliver a solemn verdict.

Once a sufficient number of viewers had joined, Lee Hyun-jae playfully kicked off the proceedings.

“Is that a new necklace, hyung?”

“…Yeah.”

“It suits you. It’s like it was custom-made for a traitor like you. I bet it’ll be all the rage in this year’s F/W [Fall/Winter] season. Maybe betrayal will become trendy thanks to you. Your positive influence is truly something, hyung!”

A torrent of irony flowed forth like a pristine stream. Lee Hyun-jae, a true wordsmith.

“…That’s right.”

The first rule: respond to all criticism with unwavering positivity.

Ryu Iden nodded, then, remembering his duty, waved with forced cheerfulness and greeted the audience. “This traitor welcomes you all! It’s been a while since our group dub-app [W app] live broadcast, right?”

The second rule: when referring to himself, he must use the term ‘traitor.’ However, this rule is suspended during live broadcasts related to concert announcements.

“Iden hyung, I… I never thought you were capable of this. How could you…?”

“This traitor is filled with immense regret, Ha-min. I… I truly…”

Uh-huh, rules.

I poked him in the back with my finger when no one was looking.

“This traitor! Truly! Is reflecting!”

Ryu Iden made a crying face and bowed his head deeply.

—Iden… betrayed… Dong-hwa…? What kind of joke is this…?

Amidst the rapidly scrolling comments, one in particular caught my eye.

Exactly my thoughts. How did I end up in this situation? I smiled wryly.

“Everyone, the traitor will now explain what happened.”

The third rule: all explanations must come directly from him. However, for those who joined late, repeat the explanation once more in twenty minutes.

“Dong-hwa hyung filmed something, and it turned into a competition.”

Avoiding spoilers as much as possible, the winter and tree filming evolved into a competitive challenge.

It’s a shame the viewers don’t know it was actually a scene of harmony, not rivalry.

“But I, this traitor, while pretending to help Dong-hwa hyung with the preparations, leaked information to the other side. I discussed what preparations were being made and what games would be advantageous.”

—Major spoiler.

—It wouldn’t be a group broadcast without spoilers.

“Actually, only the competition scenes were filmed, not the preparation process. So, this traitor apologizes in advance. Please, throw stones at me…”

Ryu Iden, resigned to his fate, finished speaking and produced a basket filled with soft, child-safe balls.

The fourth rule: hit the other members with the balls, excluding the face, with enough force to be playfully annoying.

“We were just helping Dong-hwa hyung.”

Lee Hyun-jae was the first to grab a ball and toss it lightly at Ryu Iden’s arm.

His face was full of mischief; he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

“Me too.”

Next, Chae Ha-min threw a ball with a shocked expression. His eyes conveyed a strong sense of reproach, questioning how Ryu Iden could betray Dong-hwa.

The biggest consequence of Ryu Iden’s actions was that he had slightly damaged the trust of Chae Ha-min, who usually held him in high regard.

That’s why I explained my betrayal to Chae Ha-min in great detail.

“Me too!”

Seok-joon didn’t seem to put much thought into it. It felt like he was just doing it because his hyung told him to. As expected, Seok-joon is the kindest soul.

“I… I believed in hyung until the end. I thought everything hyung said was true, like…”

Instead of a ball, I picked up a brick-shaped cushion and lightly tapped Ryu Iden’s forearm once.

Violence is only permitted for me, the victim. Not that I’m violent, but Ryu Iden specifically asked me to hit him.

“…I was bad. This traitor is a bad dog!”

The fifth rule: it is also permissible to call oneself a dog. However, at least once, declare, ‘The traitor is a bad dog.’

“Everyone, I planned all of this myself.”

The last rule: reveal that he volunteered for all of this. Even if it’s a lie, it creates a favorable impression.

“Dong-hwa suffered quite a bit because of this traitor.”

—Wow lololololol what is this lololololol

—I’ve lived long enough to see the day Dong-hwa suffers because of the leader

—lololololololololol I’m curious about Dong-hwa’s thoughts!

“My thoughts?”

“Dong-hwa! Tell them everything! You were so sad this morning!”

I see. I’m learning something from Chae Ha-min that I wasn’t even aware of.

I think I was more excited than sad, but Chae Ha-min must have perceived my sadness.

“I always thought hyung would be on my side.”

“The traitor is sorry…”

“We often confide in each other. When I’m having a hard time, he’s the first to ask and worry with me.”

“…”

“But, I feel like I’ve been bitten by a dog I trusted.”

I spoke briefly and nodded. To ensure this is perceived as a lighthearted farce, I need to exaggerate my disappointment.

So, with a look mixed with resentment and betrayal, I let out a self-deprecating laugh, implying that I’m laughing because my situation is pathetic.

—Let’s burn him.

—Iden, I can’t defend you…

—I want to stand up for you somehow… my favorite is just a traitor from today…

—(Throws a stone.)

The reaction is intense.

If you filter out the comments from foreigners and those trying to stir up trouble, it resembles a medieval execution scene.

What to do, Iden. It’s working better than expected.

I looked at Ryu Iden with that thought, but Ryu Iden was sitting on the floor, so he couldn’t see me.

“Haha, ah, everyone, you absolutely have to watch the content. It’s even funnier knowing Iden hyung is a traitor!”

You haven’t seen it either, Hyun-jae. I appreciate the promotion, though.

“When is it coming out, Dong-hwa?”

“Well, the company said it will be released within a month.”

I think it will be released before the photoshoot with Mok-hwa.

We chatted naturally and gradually cleared the center space so Ryu Iden could sit down.

Ryu Iden, who was undergoing a public shaming, got up and sat on the sofa.

—Insolent, Iden!

—A sinner! Sitting among the judges! Since when has Korea been like this!

“…This traitor, although a sinner, must proceed, everyone!”

Ryu Iden feigned sobs. It’s best to cut it off before it gets too serious.

“I will officially apologize in this place, Dong-hwa.”

“I won’t accept it.”

“It’s different from the script, hyung!”

Chae Ha-min, who was sitting to my left, threw another ball at Ryu Iden.

“You have to keep going until he accepts it, hyung. How could you betray Dong-hwa when he trusts you!”

“That’s right. I should underline it for life; it’s a shame the law doesn’t allow it.”

Then it would be all over social media, Hyun-jae. I don’t want that.

Seok-joon was simply smiling and reading the comments, not adding anything else.

At this point, Ryu Iden’s spirit was half-broken.

He opened his mouth and muttered, ‘I am a traitor, I am a traitor,’ leaning his head on the sofa and pretending to faint.

This is more entertaining than I anticipated. I wouldn’t mind being betrayed one more time.

Ryu Iden’s commotion eventually subsided, and the comment section returned to normal.

However, Ryu Iden’s soul hadn’t fully recovered, so I occasionally heard him muttering, ‘This traitor is a bad dog…’ but I paid it no mind.

“Everyone, big news.”

“Dugudugudugu [onomatopoeia for drumroll].”

“This traitor and four good humans…”

Why is the group name like that? It’s the worst group name I’ve ever heard. Even if they had named it that thirty years ago, it would have contributed to the spread of public opinion criticizing popular culture.

“Will have a concert!”

We all burst into applause.

Ryu Iden briefly turned the sign around his neck, revealing the words ‘Concert Name: B.P.’

“Actually, we’re just starting to prepare, so we don’t know the exact schedule, but the concert name has been confirmed.”

“B.P.”

“But, Dong-hwa, what does B.P. stand for?”

“I don’t know either.”

“Even Ji Dong-hwa doesn’t know what B.P. is. Luminaries, can you guess it?”

Looking at Ryu Iden, who was speaking with such practiced enthusiasm, I felt like teasing him. Few people have as good a sense of comedic timing as Ryu Iden.

“Maybe it’s ‘Traitors Shall Perish,’ isn’t it?”

“…Uh, wasn’t that over?”

“Hyung, it’s the labeling effect. You should be prepared to hear that for the rest of your life.”

Ryu Iden collapsed and writhed. He seemed to be in genuine pain, muttering only, ‘I’m sorry.’

While everyone was laughing, Chae Ha-min took over the conversation.

“Anyway! A B.P. meaning guessing event will be held!”

“Surprisingly, we don’t even know the answer. This traitor only thought of obvious things like a Blossence Party.”

Surely, it wouldn’t be that. Even if the concert name isn’t important and the content is the key, it would be awkward to promote it with such a generic name.

It was my turn. W app live broadcasts are generally free-flowing, but when there are announcements like this, there’s usually a bit of a script.

“Actually, we came up with it on the spur of the moment, so the gifts are a bit basic. The gift is…”

“Right, our unreleased photo cards. We took and chose them ourselves.”

Amidst the cheers, one Luminary’s comment caught my eye.

—Dong-hwa… did… another member choose for you…?

That anxious tone. They don’t trust my photography skills.

Of course, I know I’m not the best at knowing what looks good on my face, so I can’t really argue.

“Yes, the traitor chose for me, everyone. He’s a hyung I trust and respect that much. It’s too much, really.”

“Please! Stop! I’m sorry! It’s my fault, Dong-hwa, it’s me!”

Deep repentance stems from great frustration. Ryu Iden looked at me with tearful eyes and wrung his hands together.

As expected, that guy is most handsome when he’s being ganged up on by the other members.

* * *

After the announcement, we talked for a long time and ended up going over the scheduled time.

It’s been a while since we did a group W app live broadcast after our activities, so we shared all the stories we hadn’t had a chance to tell each other.

Still, I regret that I couldn’t share all the small things I remembered and the big things the other members remembered.

“Ugh, Ha-min, it’s over!”

Ryu Iden, relieved that it was finally over, threw off the sign and collapsed onto Chae Ha-min’s lap, but Chae Ha-min pushed him away, saying, ‘Hyung, I don’t associate with traitors! I’m sorry!’ and he collapsed onto Lee Hyun-jae.

“…Why did I do that.”

Lee Hyun-jae gently patted Ryu Iden’s shoulder.

“Because you’re stupid.”

The words were, to put it mildly, unkind.

“Hearing those words from you makes me sad because they feel so true, Hyun-jae.”

“Hyung, the fact that you didn’t realize it would turn out like this is just…”

“That’s right. I… must have been crazy. Why did I mess with the most toxic person in our group…”

“I figured you’d do something like this eventually. If Dong-hwa hyung had made up his mind, he would have made it even worse.”

Listening to the conversation quietly, I said a word to Ryu Iden.

“You worked hard today, hyung.”

“I’m really sorry, I won’t betray you again. I didn’t even think of this as betrayal in the first place; my thinking was too short-sighted. I apologize; please forgive me just this once. I love you, Dong-hwa hyung. There won’t be anything like this next time…”

If someone overheard him muttering like that with a blank look, they would genuinely think I had done something terrible.

“It was fun.”

Quite a bit.