Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 110

#110.

The venue was NFK Hall, located in Shibuya, Tokyo.

It was a hall owned by NFK, a major Japanese broadcasting company, capable of accommodating about 3,500 spectators.

It was much smaller in scale than the ‘arena’ or ‘dome’ venues commonly associated with Japanese concert halls.

However, it had its own significance considering it was the venue for Japan’s largest year-end awards ceremony.

Moreover, this performance was literally a ‘Korea-Japan cultural exchange,’ with the government and large corporations taking the lead in hosting and sponsoring it.

It was a performance that had been held in Osaka for several years, but as the Korean Wave [Hallyu, the increase of international interest in South Korea] swept through Japan once again like a storm, the scale was increased this year to perform in Tokyo.

Above all, it was scheduled to be broadcast on TV, albeit late at night.

It would have been great to just do the performance, but for MOST, it was a great opportunity to unexpectedly advance into TV.

The ripple effect of offline performances and TV broadcasts was bound to be different.

“Na, Nana… Naranmalssami!”

The members were in the waiting room after finishing their rehearsal.

There was about an hour left before the performance started.

Dojae faced the wall and warmed up his voice intently.

“Dojae…. You’re warming up your voice extra hard today.”

He didn’t forget to bite his lip tightly as Heungmin mumbled, looking at Dojae.

Hearing Dojae warming up his voice in Japan felt strangely new.

“Ahem.”

Dojae said, clearing his throat as if to get rid of something stuck in it.

“The sound system was amazing when I saw it during rehearsal.”

“Oh, right. I’ve heard a lot about the good sound system, but it really feels different.”

The sound of the MR [Music Recorded, a prerecorded instrumental track] echoing in the venue was exceptional.

Much more expensive speakers were used, and it seemed a lot of attention was paid to the design of the venue.

Thanks to that, the voice transmitted through the microphone felt clearer and more distinct.

“I think it’s better to pay more attention to the live performance.”

Heungmin and Gijun next to him nodded.

A good sound system could be a double-edged sword.

If you weren’t careful, your skills would be fully exposed, but if you did well, you could show all your skills.

“It’s going to be broadcast too.”

Gijun muttered as if to strengthen his resolve.

It was meaningful to show their faces on Japanese TV for the first time, but it was also significant to sing ‘Korean songs’.

MOST didn’t have any songs in Japanese, and since they were here thanks to the OST [Original Soundtrack] anyway, they could just sing as it was from [the show].

Of course, they were planning to perform as well.

At that time, a noisy sound was heard in the hallway.

It was the sound of Infinite Boys, who had finished their rehearsal after MOST, returning to the waiting room.

There were a total of 9 members in Infinite Boys.

They couldn’t help but be relatively louder than MOST every time they moved.

Louis opened the waiting room door and went out to greet Infinite Boys.

He had been too busy preparing for the rehearsal to properly greet them upon arrival.

“Hyungs!” [A Korean term used by males to address older male friends or brothers]

Louis had already become acquainted with all the members of Infinite Boys.

Infinite Boys greeted Louis happily in response to his greeting.

“Louis! I saw you rehearsing earlier. I didn’t hear you were coming here even at the awards ceremony.”

“It was a schedule that was suddenly added.”

The other members of MOST also got up and greeted the members of Infinite Boys.

The two groups were no longer awkward to greet each other, as they had met while going back and forth during music shows and year-end awards ceremonies.

It goes without saying that Louis, who became close to Youngjin, the youngest member of Infinite Boys, in the middle, quickly became close to the other members as well.

“I heard Kim Gong caused a commotion earlier. Our fans were taking pictures of you guys too.”

Louis and Woochul, who had been left behind, made embarrassed expressions at Youngjin’s words.

It was because they were reminded of the commotion that had stopped the escalator.

Youngjin was surprised while on the plane thanks to his fan who secretly followed him on Twitter and posted a picture of MOST.

He was relieved only after seeing the comment that they had taken pictures of MOST while waiting for them.

However, seeing MOST increasing their fans day by day these days, it seemed that several of their fans could ‘transfer’ to MOST at any time.

In particular, Infinite Boys was planning to focus more on Japanese activities this year.

It was a good time to feel insecure.

However, he also thought that it couldn’t be helped.

It was true that he was disappointed and would work hard, but that was the trend.

Infinite Boys had also grown by riding the trend at one time.

Also, even if they were to transfer, he had nothing to say if they were transferring to a singer like MOST.

It was less humiliating to be robbed of a lover by a better guy than a worse one.

The members of Infinite Boys also watched MOST’s stage several times at the awards ceremony and were mesmerized.

They were really good junior artists.

“I wonder if all of our Japanese fans will become MOST fans after today’s performance.”

Youngjin joked exaggeratedly.

He wasn’t giving them a look, but he sincerely thought that it could happen.

Louis and Woochul waved their hands.

“No way, Japan is completely Infinite Boys! We all know you guys are doing dome concerts this year! I know all.”

“That’s right. You even did an arena tour last year! This is our first performance.”

As the two said, Infinite Boys was popular in Korea, but even more popular in Japan.

First of all, Seonyul Entertainment, to which Infinite Boys belonged, was a company that was very good at localizing in Japan.

They released several albums with songs and stage styles that were aimed at Japanese fans, and the members of Infinite Boys had more than enough ability to pull it off, so they quickly gained popularity.

The 9 members’ outstanding showmanship also helped a lot.

Thanks to that, Infinite Boys was named as the next Korean Wave idol after HOH in Japan.

“You guys will be doing it soon too! That’s what I think! Don’t pretend to be humble and dream big!”

Woochul and Louis laughed at Youngjin’s words.

They could fully understand that he was saying it out of goodwill.

“Youngjin. You’re acting completely different since you have other junior siblings.”

“Don’t tell me you’re being a kkon……?” [short for kkondae, a Korean slang term for an older person who is condescending or preachy]

“Yeah, dae.”

Sungchan, the main vocalist of Infinite Boys, who was behind him, said.

Youngjin gritted his teeth, saying, “This hyung [older brother or male friend] is really.”

Originally, Youngjin was a bit blunt, but he liked to joke around when he got close to people, so he was more comfortable with younger siblings than older brothers.

However, he had to live as the youngest member within Infinite Boys, so there were many difficulties.

He couldn’t help but feel comfortable with Louis and Woochul, who were friendly and called him “hyung, hyung.”

“Ah. We’re going back to Korea tonight, what about you guys? Are we going to meet at the airport?”

“We’re staying at the hotel for one night.”

“Really? Then let’s see each other again later.”

Louis smiled and nodded.

Youngjin added as if he had remembered something as he was about to go to his waiting room.

“I’m saying this because it’s your first performance in Japan. Don’t be too embarrassed even if the atmosphere is too different from Korea! Especially since today’s performance might be a bit heavy.”

It was a good tip.

Louis and Woochul thanked him and waved their arms, watching Youngjin and Sungchan enter the Infinite Boys waiting room.

And someone else was watching that scene.

***

It was when Louis and Woochul, who had returned to their seats, were sitting side by side and getting their hair styled by the stylist.

“Louis, you…. Are you very close to the youngest member of Infinite Boys?”

“Yes?!”

Louis, who had been closing his eyes because he had approached too quietly, was surprised and asked back.

It was Gyuseong.

Louis only blinked his big eyes, not knowing the intention of the question.

Gyuseong already knew that he had become close to Youngjin, so it was new to ask.

“No…. You just seem closer than I thought…….”

“Ah. Yes. Is that… so?”

Louis tilted his head and answered.

Gyuseong hesitated and asked again.

“You’re very…. close…….”

“Ehehe!”

Woochul, who was listening to the conversation, burst into laughter.

The stylist, who was straightening Woochul’s hair with a curling iron, told him to stay still.

Woochul straightened his body and said to Gyuseong and Louis, who were looking at him.

“Ah. Gyuseong hyung [older brother or male friend]. Don’t put your competitive spirit into things like this.”

“No…. It’s not that…….”

In fact, it was accurate.

Gyuseong rolled his eyes in embarrassment.

“Louis, you’re quick-witted, why don’t you have this kind of sense! Hurry up and say that you’re closer to Gyuseong hyung [older brother or male friend] than Youngjin hyung [older brother or male friend]!”

Even at Woochul’s words, Louis still didn’t understand and had a blank expression.

The other members knew that Gyuseong liked and adored the youngest Louis quite a bit, but he himself didn’t know it well.

That’s because there were (including some exaggeration) 500 million trillion people, including fans, around Louis who adored him.

Even Gijun actually adored Louis, so from Louis’s point of view, Gyuseong’s quiet affection couldn’t reach him.

As Woochul continued to laugh, Louis, who belatedly understood, made an impressed expression and stood up abruptly, reaching out his arms to hug Gyuseong.

“No, hyung [older brother or male friend]! Of course, my hyung [older brother or male friend] and our members are the best for me! How can I compare them!”

Gyuseong took a step back and avoided Louis’s hug, asking seriously, “Really?”

Louis smiled brightly and answered clearly, “Of course, why not?!”

“Gyuseong hyung [older brother or male friend]…. is secretly cute.”

Gyuseong’s face turned red at Woochul’s words.

The stylists also laughed while looking at Gyuseong.

“Why are those guys so excited again.”

“I don’t know.”

Heungmin and Gijun, who had finished preparing and were waiting on one side, blankly looked at their noisy younger siblings before turning their heads.

Gijun was busy memorizing Japanese greetings.

He had prepared in advance, but he was still worried about making mistakes on stage.

“Dojae. This pronunciation. Is this how you do it?”

When Gijun asked for confirmation, Dojae listened to Gijun’s pronunciation and nodded.

“You don’t have to worry too much about the pronunciation. We’re foreigners anyway, and it’s a simple greeting, so everyone will just understand.”

“But I can’t look too insincere.”

“It’s enough as it is now.”

Gijun was finally relieved at Dojae’s words.

Even so, he continued to mutter the comments and checked the time.

There were a total of 5 teams representing Korea at today’s performance.

A famous Korean flutist, a performance team using drums, a children’s choir, and MOST and Infinite Boys.

The Japanese lineup was similar.

The only difference was that there were slightly older singers instead of idol singers.

Thanks to that, the audience was entirely fans of MOST and Infinite Boys, except for a few fans who had come to support the famous Japanese singer-songwriter.

The stage order was also at the very end.

“(MOST, please get ready!)”

A Japanese staff member knocked on the door and came in to say.

The interpreter stood up from his seat and informed the members that it was their turn.

The members hurried to the stage for their first performance in Japan.

***

At that time.

A young man arrived at Incheon Airport.

Two large suitcases and one carry-on suitcase.

He had a lot of luggage.

A middle-aged woman who had been waiting for him with bated breath in the arrival hall waved her hand as soon as she spotted the young man.

“Oh, my baby!”