Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 129

“First of all, we’ve received an offer from 〈1 vs. 99〉…”

“〈1 vs. 99〉? Isn’t that a very serious quiz show?”

Jung Gil-joo nodded at Woo-cheol’s question.

〈1 vs. 99〉 wasn’t a quiz program where not knowing things was fun, or one that focused on entertainment. It was a program where ordinary people appeared en masse to solve current affairs and general knowledge questions in a serious atmosphere.

They were inviting celebrities for a bit of fun, and since the level of the questions was quite high, not getting them right wasn’t a big deal, but…

If you were eliminated from the first round, where the questions were relatively easy, your ignorance was likely to be exposed.

It was bound to be a bit *b 부담스러워* [burdensome/uncomfortable] for members who were trying to manage their image.

“Wouldn’t it be right for Do-jae to go on this one?”

At Jung Gil-joo’s words, the members all nodded without any objection.

There was no way Do-jae would reveal his ‘ignorance.’

Sometimes the members were *깜짝깜짝 놀라다* [very surprised] because Do-jae’s level of knowledge was *상당하다* [considerable/significant].

“Of course. *대박* [Awesome/Jackpot]. Do-jae *hyung* [older brother/male senior] might even survive to the end. This is a complete opportunity.”

Woo-cheol made a fuss, seemingly thrilled just by imagining it, but Do-jae shook his head.

In the 대한제국 [Korean Empire], he might have been confident that he was *통달하다* [well-versed/mastered] in all fields.

But this wasn’t the case here.

All he had was the knowledge that the original ‘Kang Do-jae’ possessed (honestly, it didn’t seem like he studied much), and what Do-jae had studied separately to adapt well to 대한민국 [Republic of Korea/South Korea].

‘I’ve never seen the show, but… it won’t be easy. I’ll have to analyze past questions before appearing if I don’t want to be *망신을 당하다* [humiliated/embarrassed].’

It was then that Do-jae thought so.

“But one more person has to go on 〈1 vs. 99〉…”

“I can’t do it.”

Before Jung Gil-joo could finish his sentence, Gyu-sung quickly expressed his refusal to appear.

It was an incredible reaction speed, unlike Gyu-sung, who was usually cautious.

He wasn’t confident in quizzes, and if he was eliminated without getting a single question right, it wouldn’t end with Gyu-sung’s embarrassment alone.

Gyu-sung’s parents would definitely spread the word around the neighborhood to watch the show.

“I don’t think I can do it either. I went to school in the Philippines, so my Korean studies are a *초금 떨어지거든요* [little lacking].”

Louis quickly took Gyu-sung’s words, not wanting to be outdone.

It was a ridiculous excuse, but that wasn’t the point.

“Me too.”

“Me too.”

Woo-cheol and Heung-min also hurriedly joined the sudden *눈치* [nunchi – reading the room/social cues] game.

“……”

In an instant, everyone’s eyes were on Ki-joon, who couldn’t say anything.

“I…”

Ki-joon, who was about to say something, quickly accepted the situation and sighed.

From the perspective of managing the team’s overall image, he seemed better than his younger brothers, who had *쌓은 담* [built a wall] with studying because they were devoted to their trainee life.

Ki-joon had also *쌓은 담* [built a wall] like the Great Wall of China with studying, but he had lived a year or two longer, so he could probably get one more question right.

‘I need to be eliminated as quietly as possible.’

Ki-joon set that goal and *확정 지었다* [confirmed/decided on] his appearance on 〈1 vs. 99〉.

“Okay. Good thinking. It’s better to go on that show than other entertainment programs anyway.”

The company had been considering Ki-joon from the start.

Ki-joon didn’t have time to go on other active entertainment programs, and it didn’t seem to suit his personality.

However, they weren’t planning on having only the members who went on entertainment shows go on, like other groups.

They were members with *무궁무진한* [limitless/infinite] possibilities.

Considering each member’s *성향* [tendencies/inclinations], they were planning to expose as many members as possible to various broadcasts for the time being.

You never knew when or how someone would get a reaction from the public.

“So, we know that Ki-joon and Do-jae are going on 〈1 vs. 99〉, and we’ve also received an offer from 〈Introduce My Dog〉? This is probably for a dog…”

“Me, please!”

Unlike when it came to 〈1 vs. 99〉, Louis raised his hand *번쩍* [quickly/abruptly] before Jung Gil-joo could finish speaking.

Jung Gil-joo, who was about to say that it would be good to have a member who raised a dog at their *본가* [family home], *피식 웃으며* [smiled faintly] nodded.

“Okay. I was thinking of Louis too. Louis and Woo-cheol.”

“Phew! That’s great! I have to go and ask the trainer how to improve Oscar’s social skills.”

“Oscar… Is that your dog’s name?”

“넹!” [Yes (cute/informal)]

Louis replied in an excited voice.

The other members just thought that the names Louis and Oscar were *멋지다* [cool/stylish].

Only Jung Gil-joo, who was older, could recall the famous animation 〈The Rose of Versailles〉.

‘But the Louis there… It can’t be.’

Jung Gil-joo shook his head.

“Okay… Anyway. The 〈Passionate Man〉 schedule has also been *잡혔어* [set/confirmed].”

This time, all the members wore *얼떨떨한* [dazed/stunned] expressions.

〈Passionate Man〉 was a popular weekend entertainment program.

It was as popular as 〈Campfire〉, or rather, more popular than 〈Campfire〉 recently.

“Yes! It’s a rising star special! It seems like they’ve invited several actors and singers…”

“Oh……”

“It would be good to go out there and make a *눈도장* [make an impression].”

The members nodded.

“There are two people going here too… I don’t know the concept of the broadcast that day, but since Do-jae and Heung-min have already made a *눈도장* [made an impression] at 〈Ah-Che-Dae〉, I was wondering if those two should go.”

As he continued, Jung Gil-joo checked Heung-min’s side.

Previously, Woo-cheol had gone on 〈Campfire〉 instead of Heung-min because he thought he would be too nervous when 〈Campfire〉 was *섭외* [contacted/offered a spot].

“I’m fine with it.”

More time had passed than then, and he couldn’t just not appear on entertainment shows because he was nervous.

At Heung-min’s answer, Woo-cheol patted Heung-min’s shoulder as an ‘entertainment senior.’

“*Hyung* [older brother/male senior], you can do well too. You like this show.”

“That… Yeah. *쩝* [Tsk/Well].”

Heung-min reluctantly accepted Woo-cheol’s support, although he didn’t like Woo-cheol’s *으스대는 듯한* [boastful/condescending] attitude.

“And also…”

“Again?”

“There’s more?”

The members showed *의아한* [doubtful/questioning] reactions.

Even if it had ended with the news of the 〈Passionate Man〉 *섭외* [offer], it would have been surprising enough.

It was unfamiliar to the members.

They were members who had never appeared on a proper public broadcast entertainment show other than 〈Campfire〉, which they had appeared on by chance.

Even on cable broadcasts, they had only appeared on behind-the-scenes programs linked to music broadcasts and small corners in entertainment shows.

Until now, MOST’s activity schedule had mainly consisted of fixed music broadcasts, radio, and internet broadcasts.

“Are we… really getting popular?”

Heung-min murmured, looking *얼떨떨해* [dazed/stunned].

This time, Woo-cheol didn’t say that Heung-min was getting *스타병* [star disease/becoming arrogant].

Honestly, considering the results MOST had achieved so far, their *화제성* [buzz/topicality] on the internet, and their *팬덤* [fandom], it was true that they hadn’t had enough schedules until now.

“It might be true that we’re getting more popular…”

Gyu-sung replied cautiously.

There were several reasons why broadcasting stations suddenly started MOST *섭외* [casting/inviting].

The fact that New’s position was *흔들린* [shaken/wavering] was the biggest reason.

Starting with the Dio Origin Hwang Ju-ho controversy, New had been busy *수습하기* [handling/dealing with] the problems of its internal artists recently.

It was only natural that they didn’t have time to *신경을 쓰다* [pay attention/worry] about things like *견제* [checking/keeping in check] MOST.

In addition, MOST’s popularity was *확실히 증명됐다* [definitely proven].

MOST had been steadily growing since their debut album and had achieved consecutive successes.

They could no longer be called singers who would *잠시 반짝하고 사라질* [shine briefly and disappear].

There was no reason not to call MOST, who had *손에 꼽힐 만한* [countable on one hand/top-tier] popularity among the idol groups currently active.

There were also those among the officials who had *알게 모르게* [secretly/unbeknownst] become MOST fans, and the fact that Kingdom employees had *다진 유대 관계* [forged strong relationships] with broadcasting officials a little more actively was also a reason.

No matter how *지저분한* [dirty/shady] the place was, where *접대* [entertainment/hospitality] and *뒷돈* [back money/bribes] went back and forth, not everything could be done that way.

In the end, there were times when *진심이 통하는 법* [sincerity gets through/honesty prevails].

In this regard, the efforts of team leader Kim Seok-cheol and the management team, including Jung Gil-joo, were significant.

The *호감* [goodwill/favorable impression] that they felt for the two people, who were always *깍듯하고 젠틀한* [courteous and gentle], led to *호감* [goodwill/favorable impression] for the artist.

“What is it this time?”

Louis *재촉했다* [urged/pressed] Jung Gil-joo, looking curious.

Jung Gil-joo laughed and replied.

“This is a group schedule… 〈Jo Jung-yeol’s Music Talk〉!”

“Ooh!”

Exclamations burst from the members’ mouths.

〈Jo Jung-yeol’s Music Talk〉 was a late-night broadcast hosted by famous singer-songwriter Jo Jung-yeol.

Unlike other music broadcasts that only featured idols or major singers, it was a program that featured singers and instrumentalists of various genres, so it had a considerable *매니아층* [fanbase/cult following].

The audience and viewership were as diverse as the performers, and because all stages were performed live, it had a strong image that only ‘*실력파*’ [skilled/talented] singers could appear.

Because of this, the members *반짝이며* [sparkling/twinkling] their eyes and *감탄사를 내뱉었다* [exclaimed/uttered exclamations], saying, “Wow……”

“〈Jo Jung-yeol’s Music Talk〉, I feel like we’re really *인정받은* [recognized/acknowledged].”

“I know.”

Ki-joon nodded in agreement with Heung-min’s words.

Although the image of ‘*엄선된* [carefully selected/handpicked] performers’ was less than it used to be, 〈Jo Jung-yeol’s Music Talk〉 was a dream stage when the members started to *꿈을 키우기* [nurture their dreams] as singers.

That’s because an idol going there meant that they had been *인정 받았다는 뜻* [recognized/acknowledged] everything, skills and popularity.

Of course, the image was blurred because there were sometimes those who appeared based on popularity alone.

In such cases, they would *괜히* [uselessly/in vain] appear and have their *부족한* [lacking/deficient] skills exposed, which would be a real *망신* [disgrace/humiliation].

Of course, in this regard, there was no reason for the MOST members to worry.

Ki-joon asked Jung Gil-joo.

“When is the recording? The stage atmosphere is different from other music shows… We need to prepare separately. We also need to choose a song.”

“The recording is next week. I’ll let you know the stage time as soon as it’s confirmed. You’ll probably be talking to Team Leader Jung about that part.”

“Yes.”

Ki-joon, who answered, made eye contact with the members.

At the same time, the members *예감했다* [sensed/anticipated] that another practice time *범벅된* [covered/soaked] with sweat and tears was waiting for the 〈Jo Jung-yeol’s Music Talk〉 stage.

However, the other members also wanted to do well on stage.

***

Excited by the news of the consecutive broadcast schedules, the members arrived in front of the university where they would be performing today.

The members, who had stopped by the shop, were *화려하게 꾸민* [glamorously dressed/made up] unlike in the practice room earlier.

“Ah… Who brought artificial tears?”

At Heung-min’s call, Gyu-sung took out artificial tears from his bag and handed them over.

His eyes were often dry these days because he was wearing colored lenses.

“*Hyung* [older brother/male senior]. Take a *눈물 셀카* [tearful selfie].”

“Ah… Should I?”

At Woo-cheol’s words, Heung-min took out his cell phone.

“Oh, it really looks like you’re crying?”

Louis said, *신나선* [excitedly/gleefully].

Ki-joon *잠시 한숨을 삼겼다* [sighed inwardly] at the *시끌벅적한* [noisy/boisterous] three.

The place where they would be performing today was an outdoor stage at a university in Seoul.

It was an event to celebrate *입학* [admission/enrollment], and since the members had performed on the *축제* [festival] stage last year, they were *익숙하게* [familiar/accustomed] preparing inside the van.

Through the thickly tinted van, fans who had come through the back of the stage could be seen *서성이는* [lingering/milling around].

It couldn’t be helped that the security was *허술할 수밖에* [bound to be lax/weak] than other performances.

“흐음……”

It was when Do-jae was about to turn his head away from the window, hoping that there would be no *별다른* [particular/special] safety accidents.

투둑.

One drop, two drops.

Raindrops began to *두드리기* [tap/beat against] the window.