Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 343

The scene of Ji Dong-hwa and Ryu Iden playing rock-paper-scissors, and the subsequent punishment, was uploaded, leaving Roomnuts [Blossem’s fandom name] feeling dizzy.

The self-produced content had become so popular that even fans of other groups were watching it frequently, a march of madness blessed by the algorithm.

In a studio at a certain university, a man at his personal computer, supposedly working, subtly presented a card with a very calm and intellectual tone. Only his face was in close-up, without any background music.

A face suited to the tone, lips slowly parting.

‘This is scissors.’

And then, a bizarre sound followed. It wasn’t the kind of editing you’d expect for rock-paper-scissors, nor was it the atmosphere you’d associate with it, but it was definitely rock-paper-scissors.

“…This hyung [older brother/male friend, term of endearment].”

Sometimes, I wonder if he’s crazy.

When I go to fan signing events, Dong-hwa hyung is the most composed, listens attentively, and gives advice as if my worries are his own. So why does he become the strangest whenever he appears on X-Tube or other broadcasts?

He was fiddling with a tablet pen, watching the video on the side. While contemplating what to draw, the members finally appeared, walking through the market in high fashion. I had seen it in photos, but with the added editing, it felt like witnessing the epitome of pure madness.

Especially Chae Ha-min.

Wearing an outfit that would be embarrassing even if it were designed for men, he exuded a captivating aura as if he were a supermodel.

Even the English phrase obsessively printed on the clothes, ‘Men are the new trend.’ Making a dress for men and putting that phrase on it… But it suits him, which is even more absurd.

Even as a man, I found it more admirable than grotesque. Originally, it would have been ridiculous, but his confidence and the figure he showed made me think, ‘Hmm, cool.’

“…Should I draw this scene?”

Beautiful things must be drawn and preserved. He picked up the pen and started sketching roughly on the tablet.

And when the video ended, the next one that automatically played was titled ‘Dualogue MV [music video].’

Oh, it’s from the official account, and it was just released ten minutes ago. There weren’t any plans for a new song release.

He was a little surprised even before hearing the music. Aurally, it was just everyday noise.

Small footsteps, faint breathing. And visually, the two were just facing each other without any movement.

‘Did I have a prejudice against music videos?’

What is this performance art? It feels like there was an actual performance like this before, is this an homage?

As if to force you to focus entirely on the two, there was only white wallpaper, no props. Only Ji Dong-hwa in a suit and Lee Hyun-jae in a straitjacket were sitting on two chairs.

There was no coercion to look at them, but my gaze was drawn to them involuntarily.

In the elegant yet shabby video, it felt strange to see the person who had been walking through the market in a bizarre outfit dressed up like that.

‘It’s difficult, really. They seem like crazy people, but when they do their main job, they’re always like this…….’

How can their image change so drastically from moment to moment?

There were a total of three cuts: a full scene, and close-up scenes of the two faces. It was monotonous. Moreover, the close-up scenes of the two only appeared occasionally, and most of the time it was just the more monotonous full view.

This kind of silence usually creates a heavy and dark atmosphere. Even if the violin and piano start playing, the remnants remain.

However, the eyes looking at each other within it were cold and hot. It was as if they hated the person in front of them, and also loved them.

‘…Bittersweet.’

It was even more plausible when accompanied by the lyrics.

The lyrics sounded like a conversation between a father and son, reminding me of the conversation I had with my father when I first declared that I would study art.

Because they cared for each other, they wanted to convey their intentions, but their values were so different that arguing was a daily occurrence.

He moved the mouse to check the composer and lyricist list in the details. The list was too simple, filled with only two words: ‘Dong-hwa’ and ‘Hyun-jae.’

It was truly a monologue. They didn’t understand each other’s words, but because they respected each other, the conversation continued endlessly.

‘If you think about it…….’

It seems like it could be anything, not just parent-child. Even friends could have this kind of thing.

The video flowed by, seemingly boring yet not boring. I began to observe the subtly moving hands and the trembling of the head in detail.

And then, in the latter half of the video, the biggest change came suddenly. It was hard to grasp what it was at first, as it was shining under the light.

Tears suddenly flowed, yet the mouth was wearing a faint smile, making it truly pitiful.

I think I knew. The tears that welled up when every word the other person said felt painful and sharp, but you confirmed the deep affection behind it.

Seeing that, Ji Dong-hwa’s pupils, which seemed like they would never melt, trembled.

As if he was desperately holding back the hand he wanted to reach out, as if he was trapped in the thought that he could never persuade them if he treated them warmly now.

He made a strange groan, ‘Ugh,’ and slammed his head on the desk.

So cool, every time I realize how amazing the people I’m stanning [supporting/obsessing over] are. After all, these hyungs are the coolest when they’re doing their main job.

‘Which beat should I 맞춰야…….’ (T/N: 맞춰야 can mean 맞춰야, adapt, or 맞춰야, be right)

On stage, off stage, how can I handle this huge difference? More precisely, how can I handle each member’s personality, which is hard to believe is from one person?

“It’s difficult, really.”

Stanning is hard. Just when I think I understand what kind of character they are, they sometimes burst out with unexpected appearances.

Stanning is really hard. Because I have to draw Lee Hyun-jae crying, and Ji Dong-hwa’s pupils shaking for a moment when he sees it. I even have an assignment due tomorrow.

What are the hyungs doing during this break? I hope they rest without straining their health, even if it’s a weird broadcast, and come out soon.

And a woman who had been half-rotting in the graduate student lab and came to the faculty office with a friend was watching.

‘……Oh my god, a gold hand [someone with exceptional talent], at our school.’

I want to talk to him, but what should I do? She carefully grabbed her friend’s sleeve.

“…Are you close with that person, by any chance?”

“Ah? In-ho?”

Then, her friend, who quickly grasped the situation, frowned.

“I thought you quit stanning, because you’re busy.”

“Shut up, I only gave up on the front lines.”

Look at that video. Could you give up on a man like that? He even promised to read my graduation thesis and leave a review.

“Ah, please, quickly, comeback, or even a weird broadcast is fine, please.”

She muttered quietly.

* * *

“You can curse at the X-Tube planning, X-bal [a Korean curse word], X-ral [another Korean curse word]. Of course, the three of you can’t, right? Because you’re idols.”

A flamboyant dress, and a choice of words that doesn’t suit it.

“I can do whatever I want.”

A sophisticated and elegant tea set. A woman in a suit poured tea for us. If you work as a low-level staff member at a broadcasting station, you really have to do all sorts of things.

‘Nesquik’s Elegant Tea Time,’ the program title is bizarre from the start.

It evokes the image of chocolate milk, yet we’re filming the time to brew and drink these high-end tea leaves.

Moreover, the background is a well-maintained garden, and the host is someone who is dressed flamboyantly in a dress, swearing, and not sitting properly, so it seems like a well-chosen name.

“It’s been a while. Welcome to my garden.”

“Wow! It’s been a while!”

“Ah, our Wizney [Blossem’s fandom name] comrade again! Who is wearing this dress!”

“Cinderella, worn after marriage in the 1998 film!”

Seok-joon stood up from his seat, clenching both fists tightly.

“That’s right! How beautiful!”

And Nesquik-ssi [honorific title] walked out of her seat as if showing off and turned around once.

I’m used to it. This look. The day I realized what happens when two 덕후s [die-hard fans/nerds] get together.

“…It’s been a while.”

“Me too!”

Chae Ha-min and I also stood up politely and bowed. However, Nesquik-ssi shook her head as if she didn’t like such formalities.

“Nodding is comfortable.”

And as soon as she finished speaking, Seok-joon asked eagerly.

“Did you make this too, did you make this yourself!”

“Wow, of course. I can’t entrust anything I wear to anyone! What if there’s a 고증 [historical accuracy] error! No matter how much money I make! Never!”

“Still, still one of my role models!”

Role model my ass, Jun. How many times have I sewn your clothes because you can’t even sew a button?

“Ha, we haven’t even filmed the opening yet.”

Nesquik-ssi arranged her dress and offered us chairs, telling us to sit down. Then, she sat down with a thud, undoing the arrangement of her dress.

How can she be so unchanged? It felt like the flow of time was being denied.

“Anyway, welcome to my garden! Today, we have people who are on a crazy popularity streak! Blossem’s three members, Dong-hwa, Ha-min, and Jun-ssi will enjoy tea with me!”

Then, she clapped elegantly without making a sound. The subtly adjusted intonation was also very antique.

“But crazy, you guys toured, right? How did it feel? I feel like I’m going to be torn apart. If a tour is decided, I think I’ll lose my mind and faint for about three or four days from that day. Saying, ‘X-ral, is this real? Do I deserve this?’”

I heard it was an elegant tea time, clearly.

So this is what ‘elegance’ is.

“Wow, I was so doubtful that I was dreaming that I asked Dong-hwa to hit me with a brick.”

Shut up, Ha-min. How dare you expose my uncivilized side in this elegant place. I’m giving up on trying to translate it into broadcast-friendly words to somehow fix it.

“Oh my, with a brick? I’ve hit someone with a wine bottle before, but is a brick okay?”

You don’t become elegant just by putting your fingertips on your lips, Nesquik-nim [honorific title]. I know that’s a joke, but what beat should I 맞춰야 [match]?

“Dong-hwa is kind! He hits very gently.”

I don’t hit, you crazy bastard. I’ve only hit someone other than Ryu Iden once.

“Ah, is it like getting hit gently by a gun, so it hurts less?”

No. It’s realistically impossible to control a gun, but…….

“That’s right!”

No, it’s different, damn it.

“These amazing people, I was actually worried when I asked for a meeting. The level is a bit different, is it okay for a 년 [a derogatory term for woman] like me to call them?”

“Nesquik sunbaenim [senior/respected colleague] has a lot of fans too. I know everything.”

“That stiff tone is still the same, really!”

I haven’t been able to keep up with it, but I know that she received 러브콜s [love calls/offers] from various places after coming out on a survival show and finishing as the runner-up. Strangely, the last news was that she had set up her own agency.

“Well, and that’s right. I reconciled with my father and am sitting on a 돈방석 [money seat/fortune].”

Is it okay to say that? It looks like it’s for off-air no matter how I look at it.

“Oh my.”

Another elegant gesture.

“I guess I’m relaxed because I’m seeing a familiar face after a long time.”

Then, after slapping her own cheek loudly.

“Please edit it out, I’m really sorry.”

Even bowing 90 degrees from her seat is formal.