Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 37

#37.

***

“You had this photo?”

Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol asked, surprised, after checking Rui’s phone.

It was a photo Do-jae remembered only after hearing that the Candies’ agency had suggested taking a photo together.

Rui, barely awake, blinked, clueless.

“I think this photo might clear things up….”

Do-jae cautiously broached the subject.

It had only been three hours since the controversy erupted after the broadcast.

In just three hours, the article comments and various community posts were exploding, but it was still manageable to set things right.

Once the matter was resolved, those who browsed the internet wouldn’t even know there had been a controversy.

Just as Woo-cheol had said, ‘If you had looked at the internet an hour later, you wouldn’t have known.’

“What do you think?”

Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol silently examined the photo more closely.

The photo was taken in Candies’ waiting room, with the Candies members and Rui together.

Today, as usual, the members and Jung Gil-joo visited senior artists in their waiting rooms before the live broadcast to greet them.

Since they were nominated for first place alongside MOST, who were much junior to them, Jung Gil-joo, as their manager, cautiously knocked on the Candies’ waiting room door, worried about potential issues.

However, Candies welcomed MOST in an even more amicable atmosphere.

They were the first to offer congratulations on their first-place nomination.

When Jung Gil-joo mentioned that Rui was a longtime fan, the Candies members giggled and expressed their gratitude.

“I’m a fan of the drama , and you sang the OST [original soundtrack].”

“You’ve been a fan since then?! That’s way back.”

“Yes!”

“Wow, that’s amazing. But is it okay to be a fan? We’re competing for first place today.”

“We’ll work hard! Even if you win first place, I’m so happy too.”

“Haha. Really? The other members look stiff!”

“Ah, no! Seniors!”

Rui once again displayed his unbelievable sociability.

He asked the Candies members for their autographs.

At that moment, Gi-jun’s face stiffened, but the Candies members seemed even more delighted.

“Ahaha! You’re the youngest member? Still a minor?”

“Yes! Rui is 19 years old!”

“Wow. Stage name? Real name?”

“Real name! A native Korean!”

“Such a pretty name.”

Saying that, the members signed Rui’s name on a large piece of paper that Rui had somehow brought, and they took a photo with Rui holding it.

***

“Hyung [older brother or male friend]…. I’m not going to get scolded, am I?”

Seeing the serious atmosphere for some reason, Rui cautiously asked Do-jae.

On their first music show day, Rui had been told off by Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol for being too excited when he said he wanted to get Candies’ autographs.

Since he even took a photo, he thought he might get scolded this time.

“It’s not like that.”

It wasn’t a matter of scolding but rather material to quell the controversy with Candies.

Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol looked up and asked.

“…Everyone holding up their index fingers, does that mean let’s get first place together, or something?”

In the photo, Candies and Rui were all holding up their index fingers.

Rui quickly replied.

“No! It means we are one….”

“We are one?”

“It’s a gesture the main characters make in Rui’s favorite drama. Right?”

“Oh, hyung! How did you know? You don’t even watch it. You’re the best, Do-jae hyung.”

“You always talk about it.”

“Did I?”

“Yeah.”

Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol, who had been listening to their conversation, looked a bit dumbfounded.

Even if it didn’t mean first place, it didn’t matter.

“Anyway, I think this photo will be enough. Rui, can you send me the photo too?”

Rui, belatedly realizing why the photo was needed, quickly nodded.

***

[MOST Rui, Cute Candies Fan Certification!]

[Candies Attitude Controversy? No Way… Showing Off Friendship with MOST]

[Predicted Before Broadcast, Evidence of Candies’ MOST First Place Prediction]

[Candies Fighting Certain Haters for a Long Time… Sorry to MOST]

[Candies, Unnecessary Controversy… Upset by Malicious Captures]

[Candies, Supporting MOST “Happy to be Nominated Together”]

[Angel Candies “Expected MOST to Win First Place… Rather Happy”]

[Rookie Acknowledged by Candies, What Kind of Group is MOST?]

“Wow…. The world has changed since I woke up.”

The members, who had returned to the dorm and even showered, clicked their tongues as they looked at the newly uploaded articles.

“Anyway, I’m glad things worked out. It could have been unpleasantly lingering.”

“Right.”

Woo-cheol nodded at Heung-min’s words.

If they weren’t going to respond, they wouldn’t respond at all.

So that this matter would never be brought up again.

But if they were going to respond, they would do it as quickly as possible.

That was Do-jae’s thought.

Fortunately, Team Leader Jung Hee-young seemed to think the same way.

As soon as the photo was delivered, Planning Team 2 moved quickly.

First, Rui nonchalantly wrote a post on Tweety [Twitter-like platform].

@[Rui] This is Rui^^v I’m so so happy about winning first place, totally happy! I feel like I’m flying. Thank you to all the fans & Candies seniors who supported our first place!

It hadn’t been long since the controversy arose, so it was possible to act like he didn’t know.

Also, if there had only been a comment, there could have been issues.

But there was a photo with it.

Rui’s outfit in the photo was from the rehearsal before the live broadcast.

It meant that the photo wasn’t taken hastily to pretend to be friendly after the controversy arose.

In addition, the signed paper that Rui was holding also contributed to ending the controversy.

Someone zoomed in and uploaded the signed paper, and Candies’ P.S. comments were clearly visible.

[Have a good day~ (Oh, does that mean we have to win first place? lol) We’ll support you! -Areum-]

[MOST, fighting for first place today too! -Miso-]

It was too obvious of a cheering message to think that they would be upset about MOST’s first place.

On time, Candies’ agency released an article about Candies watching MOST’s debut stage last week and praising them.

It was an article saying that they were a sufficiently talented and popular junior group, so there was no reason to be upset about handing over first place.

The members seemed relieved that things were quickly resolved.

Woo-cheol muttered, saying that he almost got indigestion from the ribs.

“It’s a relief that Rui took the photo, braving his embarrassment.”

“The brave one!”

“Gets the beauty? You sly dog…. I thought you were just a fan.”

“No! No! It’s a completely pure heart. The brave one wins, that’s what it was….”

“Yeah. Woo-cheol, aren’t you thinking of Rui like you too much?”

“Heung-min hyung. Are you discriminating against your younger brother?”

Woo-cheol, Rui, and Heung-min were noisy.

“I didn’t even think about uploading the photo…. I’m so glad Do-jae hyung thought of it.”

“Do-jae is a bit smart. Unlike you guys.”

“Wow. Discriminating against Do-jae hyung this time?”

While listening to the three of them bickering in the background, Do-jae monitored the community reactions with Gi-jun.

-What~ the photo is cute lol

-Did they draw 1 with their fingers to say let’s get 1st place together? Both are cute

-Such handsome and beautiful people, it’s like a family photo with the youngest member lol

-Candies are all over 23, but Rui is 19

-Candies and MOST are all likable

-The singers didn’t think anything, but only the fans were making a fuss?

-The fans didn’t think anything either, only the antis were making a fuss

-Candies antis are severe.. When I watched the captured video, it was completely malicious

-There seemed to be a lot of people who were jealous because MOST suddenly did well

-If you capture even a smiling face like that, it looks like they’re angry

-The reporters who were played by the captures from the beginning are at fault

-Aren’t they putting on a show to cover up the controversy?

-Only increasing the predictive power lol Did they know the controversy would arise and take pictures in the waiting room? lol

-Why would MOST cover up the controversy? It seems like they just uploaded it because they really liked it

-Rather, it seems like Candies expected MOST to win first place

-Makes sense ㅇㅇ The digital and voting scores are all so good

-Their momentum is really good

-Album sales are also increasing every day

-First of all, the song is good

-Candies are wrapping up their activities now, and these guys are on the rise

-MOST was so deserving of first place, those who said they weren’t qualified earlier should reflect

-There are so many people who don’t know anything

-I hope MOST becomes even more successful!!!

-Miso and Areum seem really nice

-There was a reason why they were so excited lol (Rui doing a somersault gif)

-Rui was a Candies fan, I like him even more ㅇㅇ

Like the articles that changed direction like the back of their hand, the flow of comments also changed immediately.

It was fortunate, but it also felt futile and ridiculous.

Gi-jun, who was looking at the reactions together, seemed to be thinking similarly.

“Today’s events…. Make me think a lot.”

The members, who had been giggling, turned to look at Gi-jun.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Well, the Candies seniors congratulated us with smiling faces from beginning to end…. But there’s such a fuss over just a brief frown.”

“…That’s true. If it wasn’t for the photo, it would have been brought up every time.”

Heung-min muttered bitterly.

It was what he had been thinking since he first saw the article at the rib restaurant.

“That’s just how the internet is. Actually, it wasn’t even a frown, it just looked like that expression came out when they were trying to avoid the confetti. If you watch the video.”

Woo-cheol muttered in a dark voice.

Similar thoughts came to the members’ minds.

That this kind of controversy could happen to them.

“Well, I don’t think you can prevent it by being careful…. But let’s be more careful about every action from now on.”

The members nodded at Gi-jun’s words.

“I guess we’re getting popular. There are quite a few people who are cursing at us.”

“Don’t look at the hate comments if you can help it, you idiot.”

Knowing Heung-min’s concern, Woo-cheol quickly replied, “Okay.”

There was another reason why the members had so many thoughts.

Because of the initial controversy, the views of MOST’s stage video and first place acceptance speech video doubled.

In terms of recognition, MOST was not comparable to Candies yet, so it was an unintended noise marketing [using controversy to gain attention].

Past midnight, the members went into their rooms one by one and fell into a deep sleep.

Excitement and anticipation, tension and emotion…….

Experiencing all sorts of emotions sequentially, the day was longer than other days.

***

A few days later.

MOST members visited the shop to prepare for their schedule.

Rui, Woo-cheol, and Gyu-seong were dyeing their faded hair, and the remaining members were getting their makeup done.

They had won first place on cable TV, but almost nothing had changed since then.

The daily routine of preparing for the stage and going on stage was repeated.

‘We’re nominated for first place on N TV’s music show the day after tomorrow.’

If they won first place there, they would have their second first place trophy.

‘We haven’t been nominated for first place on public broadcast yet…….’

Do-jae thought, closing his tired eyes and then opening them.

The hot hairdryer wind made him sleepy.

But when he thought about the schedule they were doing for the first time today, he woke up.

As they all repeated dozing off and waking up, the members’ eyes simultaneously widened.

Because a very familiar voice was coming from the radio playing in the store.