Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 106

#106.

Three years as a trainee.

Two years since debut.

It wasn’t just Hwang Ju-ho who had suffered.

The company had also invested time and money.

The company planned to first release an apology to appease the fans, then allow a period of self-reflection to clean up his image.

If another problem arose after that, they would have to cut him off, but it was worth watching a little longer.

In fact, these kinds of controversies were countless.

A member of HOH had also gone through hardship due to school violence rumors (most of which were true) at the beginning of their debut, but once they gained popularity, the talk died down.

Even if someone left a comment on the internet, the fans were busy stepping up to cover up the controversy.

Hwang Ju-ho didn’t have enough popularity yet, so there were few fans to defend him, but you never knew what might happen later.

Bang. Yoo Myung-woo barged into Director Jung Young-hoon’s office and asked irritably,

“Why should I apologize?”

Director Jung Young-hoon, who had just finished a phone call, frowned.

“If anyone should apologize, it’s Hwang Ju-ho. Why should I step up?”

“Just sit down there for now.”

Yoo Myung-woo frowned and sat in the seat Director Jung Young-hoon pointed to.

Director Jung Young-hoon clicked his tongue and said,

“He, of course, has to post an apology and take time for self-reflection. It’s your team’s issue. You’re the leader. Anyway, you have to do whatever it takes to calm things down.”

“Haa…. This is driving me crazy.”

“There’s always some crazy bastard who flips the table even when you set a feast. You’re the same. You didn’t manage him properly. What were you doing?”

“Uncle.”

“Yes. I’m your uncle. So do it right. Are you going to smear your uncle’s face like this as a nephew?!”

Yoo Myung-woo’s face flushed red, but he took a deep breath and barely suppressed his anger.

“Just kick that bastard out. Can’t we do that? It would be easier. I wouldn’t have to bow my head.”

“If we kick him out right away, that would tarnish the company’s image. It would look like we’re not taking any responsibility. It could only fuel rumors of discord within your team.”

Director Jung Young-hoon, with a scowl, continued,

“Do as the company tells you. Just get through the year-end schedule with him out of the picture.”

“…….”

“I’m the one who’s going crazy. All the broadcasts scheduled for early next year are canceled! I’m too embarrassed to show my face to the broadcasting station. I pushed you in with such effort.”

“Ha….”

Yoo Myung-woo ruffled his well-styled hair.

He was so frustrated that curses came out involuntarily.

“Nothing’s working out. Shit…….”

Director Jung Young-hoon, looking at Yoo Myung-woo with pity, sighed and said soothingly,

“Just lie low for a bit.”

“Then, doesn’t that mean group activities are off the table for a while? If the broadcast in early next year is canceled…….”

MOST had won three awards at the N TV FESTA.

Not only did they win a group award one level higher than The Origin, but they also won ‘OST of the Year’ and ‘Music Video of the Year’.

SVS shared the same ‘Bonsang’ [main prize] award, but it was proven that The Origin was lagging behind MOST.

He was frustrated because his own team was about to be overturned when they should have been chasing after them and turning the tables.

He couldn’t let things stay like this.

“Think of this crisis as an opportunity.”

“Yes?”

Yoo Myung-woo looked at Director Jung Young-hoon as if he was talking nonsense.

Even if he was his uncle, he couldn’t stand it.

Director Jung Young-hoon explained to his impatient nephew.

“I can’t let you sink just because the team is sinking. You have to rise, at least. That’s how the team survives too.”

“Don’t tell me…….”

Originally, the team should have been put on track first, but in this situation, it wasn’t bad for Yoo Myung-woo to engage in solo activities.

“So just bear with it, that’s what I’m saying. There’s always a way.”

Only then did Yoo Myung-woo nod, seemingly relieved.

“I understand. I’ll trust only you, Uncle.”

“Get out now.”

That evening.

Hwang Ju-ho posted a handwritten apology on the fan cafe.

He wrote that he had lost his goal after his debut and had fallen into temptation, disappointing his fans.

He had been living as a trainee since he was a child, unaware of the ways of the world, and he understood how much his mistakes had hurt his fans.

He had never committed any illegal acts, but he would refrain from activities for a while to reflect and strive to stand before his fans in a better light.

He also included a promise to repay them with good music.

The latter part was criticized as being a ‘universal apology,’ but some fans decided to watch and see if he would change.

Many fans still wanted him to leave, saying they had already lost their affection, but it was the company’s decision.

The fans who would leave left, and only those who would stay remained.

To minimize the number of ‘leaving fans,’ Yoo Myung-woo also wrote a post on the fan cafe.

He wrote that he was greatly at fault for not paying more attention to the members as a leader.

It was a great scratch on Yoo Myung-woo’s pride to bow his head on ON TV Live, appearing haggard, but he had no choice.

He had to bow down to prevent even a small number of fans from leaving.

The public opinion that Hwang Ju-ho didn’t have much popularity and that the other members were suffering because of him gradually spread.

Rumors of discord within the team also subsided.

That’s how the various controversies surrounding The Origin seemed to be resolved at the end of the year.

***

At that moment.

MOST was waiting in the MVS Drama Awards waiting room for the awards ceremony to begin.

The members couldn’t help but know about The Origin’s situation since Twitter and various social media were so noisy.

However, no one mentioned it separately.

It wasn’t a good thing, and they didn’t feel the need to care.

‘A nobleman’s revenge is never too late, even after 10 years.’

Do-jae thought for a moment.

The saying meant to wait for the right time, but The Origin was already on a downward spiral even if they did nothing.

Of course, he had no intention of taking revenge for ‘Kang Do-jae’s’ past.

He just wanted to become a better singer than them, than Yoo Myung-woo.

He hoped that they would be too busy dealing with their own problems to pay any more attention to the singers under Kingdom Entertainment…….

“Hyung [older brother/male friend]. Any word yet?!”

Louie, who was already warming up his voice and running around the waiting room like a puppy even though there was still plenty of time left, asked Do-jae once again.

Do-jae stopped thinking and checked his phone.

“Um. Not yet.”

“Agh…. I’m nervous. I just want to see them quickly!”

“Louie. You’re making me dizzy. Can’t you just sit still for a moment?”

Woo-cheol said to Louie, who was moving around.

If Woo-cheol was saying it, it meant he was moving around quite a bit.

“I’m too nervous!”

Louie replied to Woo-cheol in a cute tone.

Louie had been waiting for today’s special performance more than anyone else.

It was a chance to meet the actors from his favorite drama all at once.

And to perform in front of them…….

Today was the day that Louie, a longtime ‘drama 덕(deok; fan),’ would become a ‘성덕(seongdeok; successful fan).’ [a fan who has achieved their dreams related to their fandom]

Moreover, he was scheduled to meet Park Seung-ho separately in the waiting room.

“I got a message. They’ve arrived.”

At Do-jae’s words, Louie gasped.

The other members also subtly straightened their appearances in front of the mirror, looking somewhat nervous.

They had met famous actors when they won awards at music awards ceremonies.

But they were too busy receiving awards at that time.

This was the first time they were meeting famous actors in such a private setting.

Only Do-jae was immune, but Do-jae didn’t need immunity in the first place.

“He’s super handsome, right? I’m going to look like an squid next to him, right? Louie. If you’re going to ask to take a picture together again, take it alone. Count me out.”

Louie replied to Heung-min that he understood roughly.

His mind was already focused on meeting Park Seung-ho and Kang Ji-hyun, the female lead of .

The fact that had achieved popular success meant that Louie had also become a fan.

It wasn’t just because he sang the OST that he had affection for it.

It was really interesting, so the members also made sure to watch the live broadcast, and Louie reviewed the broadcast two or three times every day.

After a knock.

When Jung Gil-joo told them to come in, the door opened and Park Seung-ho appeared.

Kang Ji-hyun followed behind.

The members were silent for a moment.

Even though they were fellow celebrities, they felt so amazed to see the actors they had only seen in dramas.

“Oh. Hello. Nice to meet you.”

Park Seung-ho, the most experienced and seasoned, greeted them with a good-natured smile.

In fact, Park Seung-ho and Kang Ji-hyun also looked at the members with curiosity.

The singers on stage seemed to have something sparkling and not like everyday people.

“Hello, sunbaenim (senior).”

Do-jae greeted them politely.

He wasn’t sure what to call them, so he called them ‘sunbaenim’.

“Thank you so much for granting our request.”

Louie had wanted to get an autograph and take a picture at least once, so they had asked if they could meet separately in the waiting room, and Park Seung-ho readily agreed.

“No, it’s okay. I also asked Do-jae to take a picture as soon as I met him, and he agreed. And I wanted to meet all the members too.”

Park Seung-ho laughed heartily.

“I think our drama did well thanks to the song that MOST sang…….”

Even if it was just empty words, it was a pleasant thing to hear.

The expressions of the members, who had been awkward, gradually relaxed.

“I didn’t expect Kang Ji-hyun sunbaenim to come with you.”

Kang Ji-hyun, who was next to him, smiled shyly as if she was embarrassed.

She was only two years younger than Do-jae.

The title of sunbaenim felt somehow awkward.

Heung-min’s face flushed for some reason when he saw Kang Ji-hyun smiling.

In fact, even Gi-jun and Gyu-sung’s faces were faintly red.

Park Seung-ho was also handsome, but Kang Ji-hyun was too pretty.

She was already a rising star, but she had become a top star after became a huge hit.

These days, if you did an ideal type survey anywhere, Kang Ji-hyun’s name would be on the list of female actors, and it was understandable.

Park Seung-ho smiled subtly as if he knew the members would like it.

“If we’re going to do fan service, we should do it properly. I was going to bring the other actors too, but they’re arriving a little late.”

“Wow. Thank you. Thank you so much just for thinking of us!”

Louie greeted them abruptly.

Park Seung-ho looked at Louie and smiled as if he was cute.

“Louie-ssi? I heard that Louie-ssi is such a fan of our drama.”

“Yes, yes. I really liked you in too.”

“Really? I didn’t have a big role back then.”

“No. Don’t say that. It was a really important role. You were the light and salt. I’m so serious.”

Park Seung-ho laughed as if he was really happy at Louie’s words.

Kang Ji-hyun also quietly burst into laughter.

In a friendly atmosphere, the two actors quickly gave autographs to Louie and the members and took pictures together.

Heung-min, who had said he wouldn’t take a picture with Park Seung-ho, was already drawing a V next to Park Seung-ho.

“Can we post it on our social media?”

“Of course. You have a lot of followers, don’t you? It’ll be good for my promotion.”

At Park Seung-ho’s words, the members joked that it wasn’t that much.

“Then we’ll be going now. We’ll watch your performance later.”

It was when the two were about to leave after saying goodbye.

“Um. Sunbaenims, I’m sorry…….”

Do-jae stopped Park Seung-ho and Kang Ji-hyun.

He had something to ask them regarding the performance.