Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 34

#34.

‘There’s no way those trashy guys could get first place.’

Yoo Myung-woo focused on his phone screen, thinking.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

They were the least of his concerns among the countless rookie groups that debuted in the same year.

Big Boyz’ momentum wasn’t bad, but Kingdom Entertainment was just a small fry in the idol scene anyway.

But suddenly, they came out with an album that clearly showed they had money to burn, as if they’d gotten funding from somewhere.

Lee Jung-yeop’s song was decent enough, but even the song that the member produced was (though he hated to admit it) excellent.

If they really got first place in just two weeks, they’d definitely be called rookies who could threaten The Origin.

‘With no other big teams around right now… the one and only rookie sensation should have been us.’

If MOST did better than expected, it was obvious how much pressure and comparison he’d face from the company and outside.

‘Why does it have to be Kang Do-jae… that cocky bastard’s team?’

He’d been annoyed ever since Do-jae defied him and suddenly left the debut group.

Thanks to that, he had to let Song Hwan go, who he could have moved around as he pleased.

No, actually, Yoo Myung-woo had been annoyed with Kang Do-jae for a long time.

‘Having nothing, just believing in their own bodies… those bastards who think everything is possible if they work hard. Makes me want to puke.’

Yoo Myung-woo, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, hated poor people who only had grit.

‘As if they can climb up.’

Gritting his teeth, Yoo Myung-woo thought,

He should have nipped it in the bud from the start.

‘I won’t make the same mistake twice.’

Yoo Myung-woo opened his messenger and searched for his uncle’s contact.

***

It was the broadcast day for .

MOST members arrived at the broadcasting station with bright faces.

“The waiting room is this way.”

Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol led the members to the waiting room.

A paper with the group’s name was attached to the door of the waiting room.

“Wow, awesome.”

“Are we using it alone?”

During the past week of music shows, MOST had shared a waiting room with other rookie singers.

But as soon as they became a candidate for first place, their treatment changed immediately.

The MOST members shouted loudly as they rushed into the waiting room.

“Wow! This is so great!”

“It’s nice, isn’t it? That we’re using it alone.”

Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol calmed down the excited members.

“You only get to use it alone when you’re a candidate; otherwise, you might have to share with other teams according to seniority again.”

“Ah…. Okay.”

Woo-cheol jokingly said he wished they could be a first-place candidate all the time.

“It would be nice if we actually got first place like Do-jae said…….”

Kyu-sung said in a small voice, putting his bag down on the sofa.

He was the quiet type, but his ambition and passion were second to none.

Heung-min nodded lightly at Kyu-sung’s words.

“It would be nice. But if we expect too much, we’ll be disappointed…. I don’t think we’re at the level to get first place yet.”

The music charts were good, but it still felt too fast.

He couldn’t really feel that they had fans yet.

Ki-joon, who had been listening to the two, said,

“Whether we’re a candidate or not, we’re performing on stage today. Let’s focus on the stage.”

Do-jae quickly replied, “Yes.”

The other members also answered that they would.

Their voices were mixed with excitement, anticipation, and anxiety.

***

“The stylists must have put a lot of effort into us today.”

It was time to check the costumes for the last time before going on stage for the live broadcast.

Woo-cheol, who was being playful and looking in the mirror, said to the stylists.

“Thanks for noticing?”

“You guys are first place candidates today! We put in extra effort.”

The stylists replied playfully.

“So we have to get first place!”

“Just don’t put too much pressure on us!”

“Are you even feeling the pressure? You’re still being all playful. Just don’t tear the costumes since they’re a bit tight today.”

“No way! The stylists made them sturdy, right?”

It was definitely a perfect fit.

Woo-cheol looked in the mirror again.

Today’s costume was a school uniform consisting of a white shirt and black top and bottom.

There were accents on the pockets, but overall, it was neat and highlighted his face.

“It feels like my already handsome face is standing out even more…….”

Woo-cheol, who was muttering proudly, turned to the side and shook his head.

He was no match for Do-jae, who was standing right next to him.

“Hyung [older brother or male friend]…. You look good in everything, but the school uniform is really…. What should I say.”

“Perfect! Doesn’t it suit him perfectly, hyung?”

Lui quickly chimed in, seeing Woo-cheol admiring Do-jae.

“That’s right. Perfect! Seriously…. Hyung is the visual of our team. I can’t even compare.”

“Hey, no one’s comparing you and Do-jae. Do-jae is on another level.”

Woo-cheol frowned slightly at Heung-min’s blunt words.

He was confident in refuting everything Heung-min said, but this was undeniable.

Do-jae smiled as if he was used to the members’ compliments and loosened his wrists and ankles.

‘His face has definitely gotten better than before.’

Whether it was ‘Kang Do-jae’ of Korea or ‘Lee Do-jae’ of the Korean Empire, there was an inescapable shadow on one side of his face.

It was a shadow that could no longer be found in Do-jae.

Do-jae did image training of the choreography while warming up.

Among the two title songs, the one nominated for first place today was .

In fact, the music charts were slightly higher for .

However, reflected internet votes more than music charts, and as a result, was nominated for first place.

This was because MOST fans had pushed this week.

In other words, if fans pushed , could also be a first-place candidate.

It was proof that the MOST fandom was growing enough to become a first-place candidate if they voted together.

The fact that there were no songs gaining sensational popularity and that their activities did not overlap with those of big groups also worked as luck.

“We’re going out to the stage!”

As soon as they finished checking, a staff member knocked on the waiting room door.

The members hurriedly left the waiting room.

As they came out of the waiting room and walked down the hallway, the members’ mouths gradually hardened.

Forgetting the pressure of being a first-place candidate and smiling with ease was only possible in the waiting room.

“If we do our stage and then Candies seniors’ stage, the announcement will be right after, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Haa…….”

“Ah. Candies seniors even cheered us on earlier…. too nervous.”

“They were so nice. Can’t we just have a joint first place?”

Throughout the waiting period, the members tried not to put too much meaning on today’s stage.

They talked to each other several times, saying that they should only focus on creating a complete stage like any other stage.

But inevitably, there was a longing for their first first place.

In fact, even Ki-joon felt that way.

Having debuted, it was natural to want to get first place as soon as possible.

Do-jae felt the same way.

‘Right now, today. We might get first place. No, I want to.’

The initial goal was simply to become a singer.

To sing on stage to his heart’s content.

He wanted to see someone happy and joyful with his song.

However, while preparing for his debut, Do-jae also developed a desire for first place.

He wanted to be recognized for the time he had spent with the members.

The first first place, the trophy he would get, would be a sufficient reward for the members’ efforts.

That everyone had worked hard….

That they had done well.

Behind the stage, busy moving the sets.

Do-jae clenched his fist and placed his hand on top of the members’ hands.

“As always, let’s make today’s stage even more regretless.”

That way, if they got first place, they would be twice as happy, and if they didn’t, it would be okay.

The members exchanged glances at Do-jae’s words.

Their eyes were sparkling but also showed a firm determination.

“Of course!”

“Let’s go!”

“Ugh! Let’s go!”

The members shouted, fighting vigorously, and went up on stage with the MCs’ introduction.

“Kyaaaa!”

“MOST!”

“MOST!!!”

A huge roar erupted with the members’ appearance.

“Ah.”

Do-jae and the members, who were preparing to take their positions and looking straight ahead, were momentarily stunned.

There were incomparably more fans than when they stood on the same stage just a week ago.

It was thanks to the broadcasting station greatly increasing the fan seats for MOST as they became a first-place candidate.

But there was no time to be moved.

Soon, the cheerful drum beat of reverberated through the venue.

The members’ bodies reacted first.

Raising their heads, the members simultaneously stretched out their arms greatly.

“Ah! MOST! MOST!”

“Wow. Awesome. The kids are so pretty today.”

“It’s the school uniform! I’m glad I voted for !”

“Since they’re nominated for first place, Ki-joon oppa [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend used by a female] seems to be in a good mood. Doesn’t he smile more than usual?”

“Yeah. Wow. He must have been planning this today! He’s dancing so hard!”

“He always dances hard.”

“No, today there’s no such thing as controlling the intensity?”

“Kyaaaa!”

The members’ dedication to dancing was felt even by the cheering fans.

By the highlight, it was at a level where they had no choice but to fall into a trance, forgetting to even make evaluations.

The temperature of the venue gradually rose.

The heat of the venue, which was heated up by them, made the members even more excited.

An indescribable passion emanated from each and every movement of the members.

―I’m different!

It was when the last verse ended.

Just as they were about to strike a pose, Lui, who was at the height of his excitement, jumped into the air.

“Oh!”

Woo-cheol, surprised, let out a sound without realizing it, but fortunately, it was a sound that only the members could hear.

As Lui, who had jumped up vigorously, did a somersault in the air, a deafening roar erupted in the venue.

“Waaaaa!”

Do-jae quickly grabbed Lui, who almost stumbled upon landing.

Lui turned to Do-jae and smiled brightly.

He wanted to say something about almost getting hurt.

But seeing Lui smiling so brightly, covered in sweat, he could only let out a hollow laugh.

“Thanks.”

In the end, Do-jae, who had been surprised, had no choice but to smile back at Lui.

It was the moment when another stage that would be remembered as a legend of MOST was born.

***

Following MOST, Candies showed a professional stage, and was coming to an end.

All the performers went on stage with the MCs [Masters of Ceremony].

As rookies, the MOST members, who had always stood in the corners or in the back, were now standing proudly right next to the MCs.

“Now, we only have the first place announcement left!”

“Will by MOST, the monster rookies who are growing at a scary pace just two weeks after their debut, take first place!”

“Will by Candies, who are fresh! Lively! And full of charm! Take first place for the third week in a row!”

“Wow, I really don’t know!”

“Me too! Then shall we check the results for today?! Today’s first place is…….”

The faces of the MOST and Candies members were captured side by side on the live broadcast VCR [Video Cassette Recorder] screen.

Both teams looked nervous.

Candies, who had already won first place several times, were relatively better, but the MOST members were not.

In particular, Kyu-sung was pale enough to show on the screen.

It was hard to believe that he was the member who had just performed powerfully on stage.

“Lord…….”

Heung-min suddenly looked for God, whom he didn’t even believe in.

Lui’s face was distorted, making it impossible to tell whether he was smiling or crying.

Instead of turning his eyes elsewhere, Do-jae stared straight at the camera lens.

“First place is……!”