Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 75

75.

Stepping into the lodge, I took a seat. According to Ryu Iden and Lee Hyunjae, the person filming us this time is quite experienced in dramas. It seems ‘MomoG’ values this project to some extent, judging by the investment.

…But wouldn’t it be better to use professional actors then?

“Hyung-nim, what are you doing?”

Seokjoon, who will be playing Hegel with a relaxed personality, sat next to me on the sofa, smiling. If things had gone as originally planned, it would have been hard to see him smiling like that. Of course, as a result, we gained a good hyung [older brother/male friend] named Yoon Sungho.

So, our members need to be good hyungs or dongsengs [younger brother/male friend].

“Our Joon, what’s up?”

Damn it. After saying it, I realized it was impossible. How can Yoon Sungho call him ‘Our Joon’ so affectionately? Can a human even reach that level of intimacy?

I took a deep breath and tried to say it once, but I realized it was beyond my capabilities.

Of course, Seokjoon too.

“Hyung-nim! You’ve been living in the studio lately, so I knew this would happen! Are you as confused as last time?”

He started overreacting to my unexpected words. I don’t know how long he’s going to keep bringing up the incident where I collapsed in the studio. It wasn’t that big of a deal. …If the members knew about this, they would make a fuss, so delete that thought. I need to organize my thoughts so I don’t make slip-ups.

The small commotion caused by Seokjoon rippled through the set, drawing everyone’s attention.

“It’s nothing, be quiet.”

I raised my hand and covered Seokjoon’s mouth. This is why people should stick to what they’re good at.

Kim Soyoung, the PD [Production Director] from ‘MomoG,’ approached us. Kim Soyoung looked at me and quietly asked,

“Are you not feeling well?”

I took my hand off Seokjoon’s mouth and replied,

“No, PD-nim. I’m feeling fine.”

“If you feel unwell, please let me know. I need to tell the director too.”

Kim Soyoung said with a smile.

“Oh, by the way, I enjoyed the self-produced content. It was fun.”

We’ve filmed so much self-produced content that I don’t know what she’s referring to.

“Ah! Did you see Donghwa hyung-nim’s Monthly Ji Donghwa?”

W App isn’t self-produced content, Joon. Even if you don’t know much about this industry, you should know that much.

“Yes, that! I really enjoyed it. I watched it with my daughter at home.”

…What did I just hear? Kim Soyoung, seeing my bewildered expression, laughed.

“You didn’t know I was married, did you?”

That’s not the problem. The fact that a mother and daughter were watching my personal broadcast together is too embarrassing, PD-nim.

“I saw that your arrangement skills are amazing. I’d even like to commission a song for our show later.”

That’s something the agency decides, so I couldn’t say anything and just smiled.

“Anyway, we’ve prepared the script diligently, so let’s do our best.”

Kim Soyoung left, and I looked at Seokjoon sitting next to me.

* * *

Filming preparations proceeded smoothly. During the final script reading, Ryu Iden and Lee Hyunjae, who had diligently trained in acting for nearly 10 years as trainees, delivered decent performances.

Chae Hamin, who was talented in entertaining from the start, also handled it well, and Seokjoon did it without any problems because the character was similar to his personality.

…So, I’m the problem.

The situation in the script we’re reading now is that everyone’s relationship with the victim, Joo Hana, is gradually revealed, and this time, I’m suspected of being the murderer.

The situation itself isn’t difficult. But the problem is the personality of the character I’m playing.

The character I’m playing, Nietzsche, is a sensitive musician, or rather, just a rude person who doesn’t know etiquette. So, it’s like this.

“Nietzsche… is that you?”

Locke, played by Chae Hamin, cautiously opens his mouth.

“What did you say to Joo Hana?”

“Ha, I can’t talk to camels like you.”

I retort with an annoyed expression to Chae Hamin, who is speaking politely.

“Yes, you guys were the kind of people who lived as others told you when problems arose. No different from camels. Even now that you’ve become lions.”

Tapping the electric guitar in my hand, I look at Chae Hamin and smile. As a side note, I don’t even know how to play the guitar.

“…Are you still a camel yourself?”

…For reference, the camel is a figurative expression from ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra.’

“…Nietzsche, why don’t you know that what you see and what is real can be different?”

I smirk, raise one corner of my mouth, tap the guitar once, lean back in my chair, and look at Chae Hamin.

“That’s a slave-like thought. Why don’t you go out and die?”

…To casually utter such rude words, it’s awkward and difficult to act.

Will the footage turn out well after editing?

* * *

# ‘MomoG’, ‘There Will Be No Secrets Under Truth’ Early Edit

A door opens in a mountain lodge, and Lee Hyunjae (Descartes) walks in. After shaking off the snow on his shoulders, the attire a scientist wears in a laboratory is revealed.

And the subtitles that follow.

[Descartes (Scientist)

―A human who doubts everything in the world.

―Possesses a fervent belief in mathematics and science.

―”Art? Such imperfect empirical knowledge.”]

“…Hmm, I need to record the coordinates here. I came here after seeing a letter sent by some crazy guy, but even the weather is suspicious.”

Lee Hyunjae (Descartes) muttered to himself and looked at the letter. And then, a narration with a bland voice follows.

―Greetings, I am sending this letter to someone who doubts everything. I am Truth, the person inviting you to my lodge. I have the immutable facts you seek in the world.

“What… kind of crazy guy is this?”

Lee Hyunjae (Descartes) sat on the sofa and put down his luggage first.

And then, people come in one by one. Each person is highlighted and edited.

For example, when Ryu Iden (Kant) comes in…….

Saying, “Ah, you’re already here. Long time no see, Descartes. Are you the person called Truth?”

[Kant (Professor)

―A human clock.

―Gains pleasure from following self-imposed rules.

―A human who analyzes everything he sees.]

The same subtitles came up.

Thus, all five people gathered. A heavy silence settles over the long-awaited meeting.

Ji Donghwa (Nietzsche) quietly opens his mouth. The piercings in his ear dangle.

“So, where is this Truth guy? I didn’t come all the way here to see you guys after a long time.”

“…Um― I―, ahem, let―ter, ahem.”

Ji Donghwa (Nietzsche) glares sharply at Seokjoon (Hegel), who clears his throat and speaks.

“Shut up. You haven’t changed. You’re so slow that a snail and a turtle doing a three-legged race would be faster. You look like you’re already halfway in the coffin, why don’t you just go in early?”

“That’s harsh, Nietzsche. What kind of rudeness is that after meeting for the first time in a while?”

“Don’t you remember that this guy was a quack who babbled about human reason being revealed in art, politician-nim? Well, what would you know anyway?”

Ji Donghwa (Nietzsche) rudely replies to Chae Hamin (Locke), who points out his rudeness.

As the short conversation passes, the TV installed in the living room of the lodge turns on, and a human wearing a pure white mask, with no holes for eyes or nose, appears.

“Welcome, everyone. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those of you who have come all the way here.”

The voice with voice modulation creates a dangerous atmosphere.

“I am Truth, the one who sent you the invitations. Nice to meet you.”

He quietly utters a word.

“This lodge is built on unstable ground, and people often go missing easily when the snow piles up thickly, so please stay here for the time being.”

“…What is this masked crazy guy saying? Does he think I came here to see a Greek tragedy? I came because Wagner was supposed to play music here.”

Lee Hyunjae (Descartes) scoffed at Ji Donghwa (Nietzsche)’s annoyed tone.

“What are you talking about? Mr. Truth called me here to tell me about immutable propositions.”

A question briefly goes back and forth about whether he can’t even read properly now. But, then, everyone realizes that the human called Truth sent different letters to each invitee.

Ryu Iden gets up from his seat.

“Is it a lie? He lured everyone with sweet words, gathered us together, and what is he planning to do?”

Despite such threats, he continues to speak as if he doesn’t care.

“You were all close to Joo Hana in the past, and you saw his death in an environment similar to this.”

And a heavy silence settles.

“It was suspicious as a suicide, but for some reason, the case was closed.”

The TV screen flickers once. Soon after, a news screen passes by.

―…The case of Joo Hana has finally been closed as a suicide. The police have stated that all investigations have already been completed, and all five people who were previously suspected are now considered innocent. Accordingly…….

And after the screen goes dark, a new screen appears. A middle-aged woman leaves a word with tearful eyes.

―…Suicide, yes, let’s say it could be suicide. But… but was it really of his own free will? I don’t know. Our child is not such a weak person!

And again, the screen flickers.

The human wearing a bizarre mask reappears.

“I ask. Please reveal the truth. Who made Joo Hana commit suicide, or who disguised their murder as suicide, please tell me everything.”

And again, a long silence follows.

Ryu Iden (Kant) looks at his wristwatch as he stands up and walks out.

“Ha, my schedule is messed up. Enough with the nonsense. I’ll be on my way.”

And everyone else gets up from their seats and follows Ryu Iden. Ji Donghwa (Nietzsche) spits out a rather harsh curse.

But, the moment Ryu Iden (Kant) puts his hand on the door.

“…It won’t open?”

A panicked voice echoes.

Following that, a sound echoes from the TV.

“…I am late in telling you. Until the truth is revealed, I swear on my name that no one can leave this lodge.”

At that moment, the sound of something closing with a bang echoes.

“…And exactly one week, if you fail to reveal the truth within that time…….”

This time, strange mechanical sounds echo from all over the house. In response, the TV screen switches and changes to a countdown written in white letters on a black background. The timer, which was written as 168:00:00, soon changed to 167:59:59.

“…Everyone will collapse along with the lodge.”

After that, his dangerous voice momentarily changes to a voice that gives off an impression of regret.

“I hope, I swear on my name, that no one dies.”

And against that voice, the faces of the five members who turned their heads back with the tightly closed door in front of them are frozen.

“…Ha, you son of a b(bleep).”

Only the curse uttered by Ji Donghwa (Nietzsche) calmly subsided.