Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 73

73.

In the studio, I set up my phone and launched the W app.

“…Hello, Luminaries. It’s been a while.”

Actually, it hasn’t been that long since I greet you frequently through the official SNS account, but it feels right since it’s been a while since you’ve seen me in a video.

“I’m greeting you from my studio today, so it might feel a bit unfamiliar.”

―Dong-hwaㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅜㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I missed youㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

―What’s with the studio ㅋㅌㅌㅋㅋㅌㅌㅋ Even the studio is so Ji Dong-hwa-like…

―The way he talks is a bit much…

―But what is Monthly Ji Dong-hwa?

I quickly scan through the comments and answer the question.

“Monthly Ji Dong-hwa was planned because you all liked the song I wrote for Eden *hyung* [older brother or male friend] last time. I’m going to make a song to give to Luminus with the other members.”

―Dong-hwa… the hoodie suits you so well, seriously… immortalize it…

―Who are you writing a song for this time???

―His composer image is crazy

It was said that around August, we, as strong candidates for the Rookie Award, would receive unwanted attention, but it’s more intense than expected.

If Chae Ha-min knew I was thinking, ‘It’s a relief that the first W app during the break is me,’ he would make a fuss, so I should cancel that thought.

“This time, I’m going to try writing a song for our main vocalist.”

I said, sitting in front of the keyboard.

“So, before I gift the song, I want to hear your opinions. What kind of song do you think would suit Hyun-jae?”

―Something cute! Something cute! Something cute!

―A cute concept!

―Sing a children’s song, Hyun-jae! And belt out a high note!

…I really don’t know what to make of Luminaries’ tastes.

“…These are really unexpected opinions, so could you change them, please?”

I put my hand on the keyboard and give a troubled smile. All I prepared were ballads or songs with a youthful image.

―No way, Dong-hwa, go back

―No, we won’t change it

―ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅌㅋㅋㅋ Ha, I’ve lived long enough to see Ji Dong-hwa flustered, my life is complete

―Ah, Ji Dong-hwa being flustered is so thrilling

…They’ve become even more incomprehensible.

I reluctantly put my hand on the keyboard. Improvised arrangements have a big problem: the quality decreases… oh well.

“Then, what would be good, a children’s song? The only one I know is ‘Three Bears.’”

I move my hands.

I weave an accompaniment into the main melody of ‘Three Bears.’ I need to suppress the exciting atmosphere and bring out a warm and gentle vibe. Just like the home where a friendly ‘family’ gathers is usually like.

I play the song, thinking about the holidays I spent with Mok-hwa.

And when the song ends, I smile and look at the camera.

“…How is the song?”

―Ah… it’s good… but this isn’t what we wanted…

―It feels like the *택배* [delivery] came to the wrong place, but it’s an item I like, Dong-hwa…

―Ji Dong-hwa is naturally doing Ji Dong-hwa things

“I like it, but it’s a bit lacking to give to Hyun-jae… Do you have anything else?”

And the chat window starts filling up again with the names of countless children’s songs.

…No, um, Luminaries, this isn’t the direction I wanted…….

―Baby Shark.

The resolute comment that suddenly catches my eye.

“…I don’t know what ‘Baby Shark’ is, so I’ll do a quick search.”

And then I hear the bizarre electronic sound and the childish voice unique to children’s songs, and then the lyrics that I don’t know what they mean.

I chuckle softly while analyzing the song.

“…This would be fun if I changed it like this.”

I mix the minor key’s gloomy atmosphere with some sound effects to create an atmosphere where it wouldn’t be strange if someone died soon.

In an instant, the cheerful song is transformed into a song about a baby shark calling its whole family to hunt together to target prey.

―Even if it’s Baby Shark, it was still Shark ㅋㅌㅋㅋㅋㅋ

―Ah, this is so funny, Ji Dong-hwa ㅋㅌㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

―Ah, this is a bit creepy ㅋㅌㅌㅋㅋㅋㅌㅌㅋ

―Is this the same bouncy song I know? ㅋㅋㅌㅌㅋㅋㅋㅌㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅌ

In the end, my W app became not for preparing a song to gift to Lee Hyun-jae, but just a broadcast where if you request a children’s song, I change it differently.

“…But how did Monthly Ji Dong-hwa become like this.”

As I was doing it, I found it fun, so I accepted requests, and three-quarters of the scheduled time had already passed.

―Give up, Dong-hwa, you’ve come too far ㅋㅌㅋㅋㅋㅋ

―No ㅋㅌㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅌㅋㅋㅌㅋㅋㅋ It’s too late to realize it now ㅋㅌㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅌㅌ

―No, Hyun-jae will cry if he sees this ㅋㅌㅋ

…It might be fun to just change the concept to arranging songs.

But then the studio door opens. I thought it would be the members since I told them about the W app, but was that my mistake?

“Our composer! How have you been!”

…Jun-sung?

The moment I paused and looked at Jun-sung, the chat window filled up with similar reactions.

―Why is *hyung* [older brother or male friend] coming out from there…?

―The special guest is too fancy…?

…Um, wait, the company staff should be blocking access from outside, right?

“Oh, what is it? Are you filming a V-log, junior? I came to talk about working together for a moment…….”

I reflexively jumped up from my seat and covered Jun-sung’s mouth with my hand.

“…I’m doing a W app, *sunbaenim* [senior].”

Then, Jun-sung professionally hid his flustered expression behind a smile in an instant and said with a smile.

“Hello, Luminaries! I’m Jun-sung, Dong-hwa’s closest singer! I didn’t know he was doing a W app and I was rude. I’m sorry!”

Then, he greeted me in a friendly and gentlemanly manner and went outside.

I look at his retreating figure and think.

…Isn’t this a big deal? My participation in Jun-sung’s solo album was top secret.

I sit in front of the keyboard and look at the chat window that is rising quite quickly. Everyone accurately heard the words ‘working together’ in the midst of all the chaos, and questions and speculations were rising like wildfire.

I maintain a blank expression and try to defuse the situation.

“Um, I’ll tell you later, so I can’t tell you right now. I’m really sorry.”

I said with a smile, but it didn’t seem like it would calm down. Such spoiler-like remarks during a break are always a hot topic.

‘…Um, I’m screwed.’

* * *

“Wow! Our Dong-hwa’s W app was a mess!”

I went to the management team to report the incident and returned to the dorm. Ryu Eden and Lee Hyun-jae are sitting side by side on the sofa, smiling at me.

“Dong-hwa *hyung*, is my song gift the ‘Baby Shark’ thriller version?”

“It was the first time I was moved by ‘Three Bears.’”

They’re subtly making fun of the fact that my Monthly Ji Dong-hwa deviated from its essence.

“The best spoiler king, Ji Dong-hwa.”

“Still, isn’t it kind of a relief that Jun-sung *hyung’s* ‘Sorry’ itself wasn’t leaked?”

They also make fun of the spoiler caused by Jun-sung’s entry.

‘…What’s so fun about teasing me, who doesn’t have much of a reaction?’

I sit on the sofa and answer.

“…They said it’s not a big deal when I asked.”

Manager Kang Seung-won said that since it was information that would be revealed later anyway, it wouldn’t be bad to fuel the rumors in advance like this.

“…The staff happened to go to the bathroom at that time.”

Who would have known that Jun-sung would come in that short time when the staff member left his seat because it was 10 minutes before the scheduled end of the W app and he thought it would be okay to go to the bathroom for a while.

“Jun-sung *hyung*, this song was totally my style. I like crazy exciting songs more than calm songs?”

After letting only the members listen to Jun-sung’s ‘Sorry,’ Lee Hyun-jae always has this reaction.

I guess he unexpectedly likes songs with a mischievous image. I should keep that in mind when preparing gifts.

Seok-joon, who seemed to have been sleeping in the room, woke up to the noise in the living room, came out with a character doll in his arms.

I reasonably suspect that that doll is part of Seok-joon’s body.

“Oh― *hyungnim* [respected older brother]― you’re here―?”

…If you bow your head while saying that, it makes me feel like I’ve become the boss of some organization, Jun.

Early August, sweltering weather. The schedule has started again, but it’s not busy yet, so I’m leisurely enjoying the air conditioning and chatting with the members.

With the four members gathered together, one person’s absence is especially felt.

“…Come to think of it, where’s Ha-min?”

Ryu Eden smiles slyly. Lee Hyun-jae puts a subtle smile on his lips. Seok-joon is yawning, so he must still be half asleep.

“He’s probably feeling sorry to you and atoning in his room?”

…Um?

“You know that Ha-min is especially weak to pitiful or small and weak things, right?”

I nod. That’s why he was so nosy with me at first.

“Ha-min’s acquaintance *hyung* [older brother or male friend] asked him to temporarily protect an animal for a very short time.”

…Oh dear, did he bring Ryu Eden’s relative? I’ve never raised one, but if I explain the situation well, he wouldn’t be able to understand, so why atone again.

“A snake, sleeping in your room right now.”

…Right, I forgot that Chae Ha-min loves reptiles despite being a rabbit.

“…Dong-hwa.”

Then Chae Ha-min opens the door and peeks out. He must have asked Ryu Eden to speak first and kept listening.

He should have said it sooner, it was funny to think that Chae Ha-min was anxious behind the door.

“Sorry… it was a bit difficult to talk about it during the W app… I’ll send it back to my parents’ house tomorrow.”

“I’m okay, Ha-min.”

“…Originally, I shouldn’t have done this without consulting you.”

He’s talking too much. In the first place, I don’t particularly dislike snakes, so what’s the problem.

I get up from my seat to look at the face of the guy I’ll be sharing a room with, even if it’s just for a day.

Chae Ha-min follows me into the room with hurried steps.

And I go into the room and look into the terrarium placed on the electric cushion that I don’t know when Chae Ha-min bought on his desk.

‘…Oh my god.’

I am so shocked by the bizarre sight that my body stops for a moment.

The snake in the terrarium. It was biting its own tail.

‘…Ouroboros.’

I said it once, but there is a significant difference between knowing something as a concept and knowing it experientially.

Chae Ha-min adds, looking at me.

“That child, the previous owner took care of it very carelessly, so it must have been stressed. It was biting its own tail……. I felt so bad for it…….”

Chae Ha-min was making excuses next to me about why he brought the snake without consulting me, but I couldn’t hear it.

Because the knowledge about Ouroboros was already starting to burst out of my head.

Ouroboros, a symbol of infinite circulation and eternity, and constant change. Psychoanalyst Carl Jung also analyzed it as a symbol of primitive chaos.

I blankly stared at the shape of the snake and thought.

‘…Damn it, I have to work.’

I want to complete it before this feeling passes.

I immediately grabbed a mask.

“…Huh? Dong-hwa, where are you going?”

“Studio.”

Chae Ha-min heard my answer and started digging underground again unnecessarily. Digging underground is a rabbit’s instinct, but isn’t it too frequent?

I add a word to Ha-min as I go out.

“…Ha-min, thanks to you, I thought of what song to write.”

I gave him a word with the hidden meaning of stop digging underground and quickly went outside.

Because I was as inspired as when I ate Wiener Schnitzel.