Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 240

#240.

“We should re-record the chorus after today’s session.”

The members nodded at producer Lee Jung-yeop’s explanation about today’s recording.

The title track recording was already finished, and they were in the recording stage for the B-side tracks.

“And Do-jae, about your solo song…….”

Producer Lee Jung-yeop continued to explain separately to Do-jae.

Do-jae focused even more since it was about his solo song, which was to be recorded in a few days.

This album was scheduled to include not only Do-jae’s solo song but also solo songs from all the members.

All the members were anticipating and nervous about how their solo songs would be evaluated, as much as the title track.

Excluding repackage albums or digital singles, this was MOST’s fourth official album.

It was also their first album after winning the Grand Prize.

Since it was a time when fans’ expectations were high in many ways, the members felt burdened.

They wanted to show that they were making new music without settling down.

At the same time, they also wanted to show that MOST’s spirit had not changed despite any popularity or fame.

That’s why the members poured out many ideas for the album during the preparation process.

Including the members’ solo songs was one of those ideas.

It was obvious that the album would become more diverse if songs that highlighted each member’s personality and musical taste were included.

In addition, it was a good time to showcase the individual skills of the members, which had been built up step by step since their debut and had now fully matured, to the world.

“Ji-hyun has been cast.”

“Yes? Really?”

“Seriously…. You seem to be destined for success no matter what you do. Her departure schedule to Germany was slightly delayed, so she can participate. You’re lucky.”

Do-jae looked touched by Director Lee Jung-yeop’s explanation.

Gi-jun and Gyu-sung, who were listening from the side, also looked at Do-jae as if to congratulate him.

Do-jae had chosen a ballad he wrote and composed as his solo song, and a cello performance was planned for the interlude.

Hoping against hope, he had proposed a collaboration to his favorite cellist through the company, and she had shown a positive response.

Cellist Jung Ji-hyun was Korea’s top cellist and was recognized worldwide.

It was hard to believe that she would participate as a performer.

In fact, Do-jae had a lot of concerns while making the offer, wondering if he was making a rude request to her.

However, Jung Ji-hyun said that she liked MOST’s music and had been enjoying the recent drama, and was rather happy about it.

As a classical performer, she was a young musician who was always thinking about ways to reach out to the public.

That’s why she readily accepted Do-jae’s offer.

She thought it would be an opportunity to promote her name and the charm of cello performance to more people.

It almost seemed impossible due to scheduling issues, but as Director Lee Jung-yeop said, he was lucky.

“That’s great. I’m glad she can participate.”

“I know, right? The performance recording will be done in a separate professional recording studio. We need to coordinate the time with you…….”

After a brief conversation with Director Lee Jung-yeop like that.

The members began recording the B-side track, “Bloom.”

Recording started in order, beginning with Gyu-sung.

The expressions of the members, who had been laughing and chatting casually, changed to serious.

The eyes of Director Lee Jung-yeop and Gi-jun, who were sitting in front of the equipment, also became sharp.

***

It was April, after the late cold snap, and they were looking forward to cherry blossom viewing.

Even if they just opened the window, the spring breeze stimulated the tip of their noses, but the members were sweating without even feeling the breeze coming into the practice room.

“Wait! Gyu-sung’s hands aren’t matching right now. It seems like the gap with Do-jae is too narrow?”

Gyu-sung looked in the mirror and nodded at Heung-min’s sharp observation.

Tomorrow was the day of MOST’s comeback stage.

They had participated in Justin Junior’s album in the interim and released the OST [Original Soundtrack] song for , but it had been almost eight months since their last official album release.

They wanted to prepare thoroughly, as it was their first album after winning the Grand Prize, and the members were busy with individual activities.

Not only Do-jae but also Woo-cheol was active in a weekend drama.

He was playing the role of a part-time worker at the cafe in front of the male lead’s company, and he was expanding his fan base extensively, beyond those in their 40s and 50s to those in their 60s and 70s.

He had already become a hot topic for sharing an anecdote on an ON TV live broadcast about a grandmother fan who gave him some greens she was selling on her way to the dorm.

Gyu-sung participated in Baek So-ra’s album following and was fully recognized as one of Korea’s top vocalists.

Gi-jun composed Joo Yu-ri’s digital single title in addition to appearing in (and naturally took first place), showcasing his innate talent as a composer.

It felt like the day when the ‘exaggerated nicknames’ given by fans such as Gi-Pyeong [Gi-jun + Composer], Gi-Chart [referring to his chart-topping success], and Gi-toven [Gi-jun + Beethoven] would be known to the public was not far off.

Louis was studying fashion, and Heung-min collaborated with Yangmal Trainer’s dance team and participated more fully in the choreography for this album’s title song.

That’s why Heung-min’s eyes were sharper when watching the members’ choreography.

“One, two! Ah, that’s right.”

Of course, all the members were above average in skill.

They understood everything with just a hint.

They had been sweating without being lazy to make that happen…….

If they didn’t make any mistakes tomorrow, there would be no problem.

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

Squeak- Squeak-

The dance team had all left, and only the members were left in the practice room.

Only the sound of heart-pounding beats and sneakers hitting the floor continued to echo.

The members did their best as it was the last practice for tomorrow’s stage.

Until the ending like that.

Heung-min clapped and encouraged the members.

“Good job, good job. The choreography is perfect at this point!”

“Of course, it’s the stage tomorrow.”

Heung-min glared at Gi-jun with a deflated face at Gi-jun’s words, but not in a hateful way.

“Let’s take a 5-minute break and do a live practice one last time before going in.”

However, Heung-min’s expression brightened at Gi-jun’s words, ‘Let’s do it just one more time.’

The members also answered in a loud voice, thinking that they could rest if they endured just one last time.

And Louis lay down on the practice room floor to make the most of the 5-minute break.

“Haa…….”

Louis took a deep breath, picking up and hugging one of the With MOST dolls that had been placed side by side in front of the practice room mirror like the members’ alter egos.

Next to him, Woo-cheol, Gyu-sung, Heung-min, Do-jae, and Gi-jun each took their places and lay down.

Lying down with their heads together in a circle, it felt like they were filming a scene from a youth movie.

The members caught their breath, looking at the white ceiling.

“Ha…. Can we do well tomorrow?”

“What is it? That unconfident comment doesn’t sound like Kim Louis at all?!”

“I’m nervous too!”

Woo-cheol looked at the nervous Louis as if he were cute.

Thanks to the drastically short haircut, Louis’s delicate features were clearly revealed.

“Just do what you’ve been doing. Just like always.”

“Oh…. Park Woo-cheol.”

Heung-min was pleased with Woo-cheol, who was cheering for Louis.

Do-jae smiled slightly at the members’ always the same appearance.

‘We’ll do well tomorrow.’

Even if they make a mistake, it’ll be okay.

They’re ready to show a good performance enough to make up for one mistake.

It wasn’t arrogance, but it was a part they could be confident in because they had prepared so hard.

“I’m more worried about the music chart rankings…….”

The members fell silent for a moment at Gyu-sung’s cautious words.

It was because they all agreed.

In the past, they were worried about whether they could get first place.

But now, they were worried about not getting first place.

Because the previous results were so good.

If the music chart rankings of the ambitiously released album were below expectations…. It was clear that not only the members but also the fans would be disappointed.

There would also be those who would say that they were on the decline now.

Of course, they didn’t usually pay attention to such words, but they were worried that those words would hurt the fans.

‘It’s always difficult to bear the weight of the crown.’

Do-jae knew well because he was next to the one wearing the crown.

“We can only do our best in what we can do, and leave the rest to fate.”

The members nodded at Do-jae’s words.

However, their expressions did not easily improve.

Things that were not visible when going up.

Things that they didn’t see because they just wanted to go up.

When they stood on top, they could see everything.

There were quite a few scary things.

It was clear that all the members were feeling such fears while preparing for this album.

Being scared and afraid meant that they wanted to continue to be in their current position that much.

Singing together, dancing, and receiving love from fans…. They wanted those things to continue.

“How many more years can we do this?”

The members swallowed hard again at Heung-min’s quietly spoken question.

This promotional activity was only scheduled for 2 weeks.

After that, a tight tour schedule was set.

And then they would release the next album again.

In a way, they could have been tired of the routine like a hamster wheel, but the members were not.

It was really too early to settle down as a team.

And there were so many things they wanted to achieve as individuals.

And the members knew well that time was limited and that time ‘flows’.

No one knew how long this time could continue.

“It would be nice if we could sing and dance together for the rest of our lives.”

The members began to think a little more about the future of the team MOST, which was largely influenced by their individual activities.

The picture of them working alone, not as a team, someday was easily imagined.

But being together like this was still the happiest.

“Of course, you can do that.”

Do-jae said in a calm tone.

However, the strong belief conveyed in it was something that all the members could feel.

Do-jae didn’t make empty promises.

He wasn’t looking at the situation optimistically without reason either.

Even if they work separately, they can still gather like this…….

If they were members, they could really do it as much as they could until the end.

If their current feelings don’t change.

“That’s right.”

Gi-jun also answered briefly but without hesitation.

A small smile was drawn on the faces of the younger members, including Heung-min.

“Ah! Hyung [older brother/male friend], are you getting old too? Why are you so emotional?”

Slap, Woo-cheol hit Heung-min’s back, who was lying down.

Heung-min made an exaggerated groan.

Gi-jun grabbed Heung-min’s hand and pulled him up.

“Break time is over. Get up quickly, there’s no time.”

“That’s right! We have to go see the last episode!”

Today was also the last broadcast day of .

***

ended with a viewership rating of 18.7%.

It was a viewership rating that did not reach 20%, but in this day and age, 18.7% was a huge success.

It was even more so considering that it was Do-jae’s first leading role.

Do-jae’s acting career was just beginning.

There was one more thing to celebrate.

MOST’s full album, released on music sites an hour ago.

All the songs from the album were lined up on the music charts.

The title song was number 1, and the B-side tracks were 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, and 16.

The reaction to the members’ solo songs was very hot.

It was also why fans were more enthusiastic about streaming than usual.

And at that time.

The members were holding hands under the stage for the first time in a long time.

It was to get on the comeback show stage that would start soon.

Feeling a pleasant excitement, Do-jae slowly closed and opened his eyes.

The members checked each other’s eyes and shouted.

“We can do it!”

“We’ll make it!”

“MOST!!!”

“Kyaaaaaaaa!!!!”

“Aaaaaaack!”

The members ran out vigorously into the shouts calling them and onto the darkened stage.

***