Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 82

82.

The MV [Music Video] shoot for ‘Connecting the Universe’ is in full swing.

To be honest, at first, I wondered what kind of universe an idol group would connect, but Ryu Iden’s explanation cleared that up in its own way.

“It’s like providing the fans with one more thing to enjoy. The fans watch us doing role-playing, and they even get to interpret that role-playing themselves!”

…I see. Frankly, when I saw Mokhwa reading books and role-playing with toys when she was young, it didn’t seem that fun, but I could accept it because the fans’ tastes are always profound and deeply meaningful. In the first place, I wouldn’t be able to understand everything even if I studied my whole life.

Anyway, the company didn’t explain to our members in detail what the universe was about. That’s why Lee Hyun-jae and I are now engrossed in reading and analyzing a paper note similar to a bonus that will be included in the album. This is basically extra tutoring.

# Ji Dong-hwa, Soteria, but Incomplete

In the back alley of the sea, Ji Dong-hwa opened his eyes.

(Omitted)

The snake crawling out of the rock crevice opens its mouth as if to bite the sea that has become the sky.

Perhaps the snake seemed to bite the sky, but in the end, was it longing for love?

Eventually, Ji Dong-hwa closes his eyes, relieved that what he is seeing is the back alley of the sea.

In the back alley of the sea, Ji Dong-hwa opened his eyes.

A short piece of writing that seems to have crammed in unnecessary symbols and deliberately twisted the timeline. It is said to be a story fragment that will be included in this album.

Not only our photos but also these short stories will be included in the album to induce fans’ enjoyable interpretation time.

“Hyung [Older brother/Male friend], what does this mean?”

“…There’s not enough information. It’s unnecessarily unkind. Personally, if a book I bought was in this format, I would have cursed it for being unnecessarily difficult.”

A difficult format is only valuable when it creates meaning, but literary theory doesn’t seem to work in the idol world. In other words, if this were a novel, it would be right to apologize to the tree.

“That’s right. What did the tree do wrong?”

Of course, this is not a novel, but one method of new marketing.

While talking about the unkindness of the planning team, Seok-jun walks over, having finished filming. He looked pathetic, trembling.

“…What’s wrong, Jun?”

“The snake, the snake… on my head… shoulder…”

I’m really sorry, but with that size, you can endure quite a bit even if you get bitten by a viper.

“Dong-hwa hyung-nim [term of respect]! Hyun-jae! I’m scared! Save me!”

“…Iden hyung [term of respect] was next to you.”

“Iden hyung-nim [term of respect]! Is just as useless! I need a prince to save me when I’m caught by a snake! Someone to save someone as delicate as me!”

…The level of Wizney brain contamination is serious. How can you be so confidently crazy? It’s one of the questions I want to know the answer to.

“…Hyun-jae.”

I call his name while observing Seok-jun grabbing my knee and making a fuss.

“Hyung [Older brother/Male friend], you know I can’t handle Jun hyung [term of respect] either.”

Lee Hyun-jae, the most calm in our team, has given up.

“…Jun.”

“Hyung-nim [term of respect]! Have you finally decided to save me!”

“Ha-min isn’t afraid of snakes, and he’s not mean enough to ignore others.”

I just confirmed that Chae Ha-min is on his way after finishing his personal scene shooting, so I’m sorry, but I can’t help it. I’m too cold to this delicate child. It would be meaningless to explain rationally why he is not afraid of snakes.

“That’s just like a prince.”

The moment he heard those words, Seok-jun nodded and ran away, shouting, ‘Ha-min hyung-nim [term of respect]!’

* * *

I was still on a pile of stones with three black snakes on my body. Because I was wearing a white jacket without anything inside and my skin was fair, the black snakes were more clearly visible.

“Wow… Dong-hwa hyung [term of respect], isn’t he scared? How can he maintain that expression?”

Ryu Iden mutters while watching from outside the set, and somehow it resonates greatly.

“I thought the concept suited Ha-min hyung [term of respect] well… Dong-hwa hyung [term of respect] is amazing too. I guess the cruel monarch isn’t going anywhere.”

All of you, shut up. I wish you would be quiet.

I ignore them and tilt my head to the right according to the instructions, looking at the crude stone bracelet on my right hand. Unfortunately, I don’t know what it implies either.

I sigh once and wait for the snake to climb onto my neck. Without showing the slightly creepy sensation on my face, I close my eyes.

“…Okay, cut! Very good!”

With this, one scene, my face pressed down by the snake, is complete. The costume, I don’t like it.

“Wow, bare body jacket looks great, Dong-hwa!”

Shut up, rabbit. I wonder why my clothes are always like this.

Maybe the stylist will say it’s the fans’ taste. I don’t want to object to the expert’s opinion, but this… is too embarrassing.

“Hey, it’s no different from a fine sweater.”

Ryu Iden points out as if giving a sharp criticism, but there are many differences. A jacket is a piece of a suit, and it is too embarrassing to attach it directly to bare skin, ignoring all the formalities, etiquette, and systems.

“That’s all because of the fans’ reaction that your neckline is pretty, right?”

Lee Hyun-jae, a resident of SNS, says, holding back a laugh. It’s a devilish expression. According to Lee Hyun-jae, the neckline is, yes… ha, given this kind of costume because it looks good.

I had no choice but to sigh. Damn idol, everything is good, but what can I do about the costume?

* * *

About two weeks left until the comeback. Difficult tasks such as MV [Music Video] shooting and concept photo shooting are already over, and the time has come when all we can do is practice.

And Lee Hyun-jae explained that my composing skills, which had been subtly mentioned in the community since Jun-sung’s album work, were reignited when the news of this comeback was announced.

I don’t know why people are so interested in other people’s skills, but I can understand it because I have been interested in the intellectual abilities of philosophers.

However… I don’t know if my composing skills are as interesting as the intellect of a philosopher.

“Wow… this person is saying terrible things. It would be nice if he could swear a little more elegantly, right?”

“…That’s right. The diversity of swearing is gradually decreasing in modern times.”

Lee Hyun-jae is studying the rhetoric contained in swearing with me after knowing that I am completely immune to that kind of thing. It can be a good educational material.

“I read all the papers hyung [term of respect] gave me yesterday, and it seems to fit perfectly when I applied it.”

“…Be careful not to get too caught up in theory. Reality sometimes looks distorted too.”

That’s why no one approaches when Lee Hyun-jae and I are having academic conversations in the practice room. Last time, Chae Ha-min approached once, and while listening to a summary of what Lee Hyun-jae had learned, he claimed to be mentally confused.

“Where else in the world is there a group like this, Ha-min?”

Ryu Iden takes a breath, drinks water, and then asks Chae Ha-min. Chae Ha-min shakes his head after defining that Lee Hyun-jae is becoming ‘Ji Dong-hwa-ized’.

“I don’t think there should be another one… hyung [term of respect].”

Unfortunately, those guys are abnormal. Falling into intellect is close to human instinct.

…Hmm, that’s a shame. Because Ki-saeng received a disciplinary action (presumably), the taunts that used to come in from time to time have disappeared.

If it had been there.

Ding―!

[I told you it was your instinct!]

…I would have said that and caused annoyance. I’m so sorry, and I’m even more sorry because there’s no way to repay you.

For a moment, I couldn’t concentrate on the conversation with Lee Hyun-jae and became dazed.

“…Dong-hwa hyung [term of respect]?”

Lee Hyun-jae, who was analyzing creative insults and slanderous comments, pauses and looks at me.

He must be feeling responsible, thinking, ‘No matter how much of a hyung [term of respect] he is, reading swear words all the time…’ and that his thoughts were short.

“…I’m sorry.”

I shook my head. First of all, I have to comfort him no matter what.

“I’ve heard more of those swear words in the past, so it’s okay.”

In fact, I’ve never heard of it. I was bullied by the trainees, but I don’t even know if I was exposed to verbal abuse. But lies are sweet, so there are times when they are needed.

And the atmosphere becomes solemn for a moment. Everyone quietly shuts their mouths.

…Hmm, I guess comforting people doesn’t suit me.

I got up from my seat as if nothing had happened and played the song. Rather than being depressed about this, it would be better to practice and satisfy the Luminus fans.

* * *

After practice, Ryu Iden and I gathered in the studio for a meeting.

Apart from the debut, there is a very important thing left. That is Lee Ji-hyun and her gang getting involved with drugs. The plan is largely divided into Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, and Plan D, but since Ki-saeng is not there, Plan D is 폐기 [discarded].

Ryu Iden and I compared several plans and chose the one that seemed to cause the least damage.

“But… are you okay?”

What exactly. Ryu Iden, who received my gaze, starts to explain slowly.

“This… is a very dangerous thing, right?”

“Is it because it’s about touching the underworld people?”

Ryu Iden nods.

Well, it’s definitely not something an idol should do. But if this level of work is dangerous, there is nothing you can do while living. Furthermore, the plan we have set is the safest route considering the timing of ‘just before the comeback’.

“…Hyung [Older brother/Male friend], did you read the plan properly?”

Ryu Iden smiles bitterly at the question and answers.

“I did read it……”

His voice is dripping with worry. Still, seeing that he is trying to help me, I guess I am a blessed human being.

“I’m a little worried about whether it will work out like this……”

First of all, it is encouraging that he read it. It must have been quite difficult to read all 200 pages of the plan. The plan is meticulously divided according to the classification of the behavioral patterns of the characters participating in this incident and the possible combinations between those patterns.

“If it goes according to plan, there will be no problem.”

We can just sit back and watch everything get resolved.

That’s why the plan is so detailed. All the characters will move according to their free will, but by limiting and providing some information in between, they will move towards a predetermined ending.

They think they are freely thinking and acting accordingly, but in the end, everything is happening under an already decided future, which can be said to be a contradiction.

“So this plan is taken from Leibniz’s philosophy.”

“Leibniz.”

He is one of the people who understood the logic but had difficulty accepting it when he first encountered the idea in a book.

“…Where else in the world is there a group like this? It’s good to have it, but I don’t think it should exist, that’s right.”

Ryu Iden sighs deeply and mutters as if he has a lot of thoughts. I quite like this ideal group form where each other helps each other solve problems.

The plan will begin the day Lee Ji-hyun takes the members away the next day.

“Then first of all……”

Ryu Iden scans the plan and takes out his phone.

“Ha… I have to call my sister.”

The beginning of the plan will be Ryu Iden’s sister.

“Are you not on good terms with your sister?”

“…I guess you don’t know because you and Mokhwa are on good terms, but it’s hard for a sister and younger brother to be on good terms.”

I nodded at that and started writing a text message to Yoon Sung-ho in advance.