Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 42

#42.

That time when I said I wanted to be a singer.

Come to think of it, Kim Naegwan had said something similar to Do-jae, and Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol had said something similar to Heung-min.

‘Bringing personal matters into the team isn’t ideal… but I actually think this is a good opportunity.’

‘Your Highness, this could be a good opportunity. His Majesty will see you in a new light.’

This was said before the eve of the 124th anniversary celebration of the Korean Empire’s proclamation.

The Crown Prince had entrusted Do-jae with the list and recruitment of artists to invite to the performance, and Kim Naegwan hoped that by helping the Crown Prince, Do-jae would become close to the Emperor again.

He wanted to prove that his dream of becoming a singer could also benefit the Imperial Family.

But how did it turn out?

Even with the Crown Prince saying he received help from Do-jae, the Emperor simply rebuked him, telling him not to entertain useless thoughts.

“Everyone has memorized the script, right? First, we’ll do a camera test in front of this… and we’ll only take the lines here. We’ll move and film the dancing video.”

Do-jae, quickly dismissing his *japnyum* [雜念, idle thoughts], focused on the *hyeonjang PD’s* [現場 PD, on-site producer’s] words.

Heung-min nodded at the PD’s words, but continued to glance at his father.

He was conscious of him.

Do-jae knew that feeling better than anyone.

As they scattered according to the route, Do-jae gently took hold of Heung-min’s shoulder.

“Hyung [older brother/male friend].”

“Uh… uh, why?”

“Do well today.”

He hoped that Heung-min’s father would understand how happy and joyful this moment of fulfilling his dream was.

‘Well… unlike His Majesty the Emperor, Hyung’s father seems ready to accept it.’

The reason why *Gyejang* [계장, section chief] Lee recommended a group that debuted less than two days ago as *hongbo* [홍보, promotional] video models was obvious.

‘Even though he opposed it, he must be proud of his debuted son… and wanted to help.’

Heung-min, who had been momentarily dazed, soon nodded with a determined expression.

“Do-jae-ssi [Mr. Do-jae]! Please stand in front of that!”

Do-jae stood in front of the Hongsal Gate of Changneung according to the PD’s words.

Do-jae was the first to start filming.

This was because his *balseong* [發聲, vocalization] was the most stable and he was least likely to make an NG [no good, a take that needs to be redone], based on practice in the *sukso* [宿舍, dormitory/lodging].

“Ment cue!”

“Hello, this is MOST Kang Do-jae. From now on, I will……”

***

The filming at Seooreung went smoothly.

Gyu-seong, who wasn’t confident in his lines, struggled a bit with *japneun ton* [tone capturing], and Heung-min made a couple of NGs because he was too conscious of his father, but it wasn’t a big problem.

The *chwalyoung gwan gyeja* [撮影關係者, filming staff] praised the members, saying that the video would turn out well because the members did better than expected.

After moving the location to Haengjusanseong [Haengju Mountain Fortress].

Assistant Manager Kim Ji-hye also came to the members and *gamtanhaetda* [感嘆했다, was impressed] until her mouth was dry.

“Do-jae-ssi! You’re even more handsome in person. Is it because of the background? You really look like a king. Should I call you Your Majesty?”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“There was a reason why you guys are *heunghaneun* [興하는, becoming popular], there was a reason. Please don’t forget to sign for me later! All the other members too!”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Yes!”

In the smooth atmosphere, only Heung-min secretly sighed.

“Hoo…….”

He was disappointed with the previous filming.

Woo-cheol slyly asked Heung-min.

“Hyung. Have you talked to your father?”

“…No.”

“Hey, still…. Isn’t this the first time you’ve seen him since you went home last *Seol* [설, Lunar New Year]? Wow. It’s almost been a year. Both Hyung and Hyung’s father are awesome.”

“Last time, he told me to quit being a singer if I couldn’t *debut*, so I couldn’t even eat a spoonful of *tteokguk* [떡국, rice cake soup] and left home.”

“…Well, now you’ve *debuted*! Your father recommended us as *hongbo* video models… Doesn’t that mean your father is ready to get along with you now?”

At Woo-cheol’s probing words, Heung-min closed his mouth tightly and answered.

“Then he would say something.”

Woo-cheol shrugged as if there was nothing he could do.

He had watched from the side how much Heung-min had suffered both physically and mentally because of his father’s opposition.

“The camera setup is all done! Thank you for waiting outside in the cold.”

At Assistant Manager Kim Ji-hye’s words, the members took off their *oehtu* [외투, overcoats] one by one.

The stylists checked the *uisang* [衣装, outfits] for the last time.

The main part of this *hongbo* video introducing Goyang City was the MOST members performing against the backdrop of Haengjusanseong.

The members formed a *daehyeong* [隊形, formation] in front of the *jeongja* [亭子, pavilion] overlooking the Han River.

Although they didn’t have much *mudae* [舞台, stage] experience itself, it was their first *mudae* outdoors, especially in a *sanseong* [山城, mountain fortress].

It was mostly quiet on weekday mornings, but a few citizens who came out for a *sanchaek* [散策, stroll] *jinagatda* [ 지나갔다, passed by] while *giutgeorimyeo* [기웃거리며, peeking] towards the camera.

“I never thought I’d be dancing in a place like this.”

Gyu-seong mumbled as if he was *eolttolttolhada* [얼떨떨하다, dazed], looking around the *neoldeurakgo hwinghan* [넓다랗고 휑한, wide and empty] surroundings.

“Yeah.”

Do-jae also never thought he would be performing in a place he only visited during *hwangsil* [皇室, imperial family] events.

However, he could dance anywhere as long as his feet touched the ground.

MOST was ready for that through numerous practices.

“You don’t have to *lipsingkeu* [lipsync]. Just do the *anmu* [按舞, choreography]!”

“Yes!”

Gi-jun answered immediately to the PD’s words.

Soon, the song flowed from the speaker.

The members started the *anmu*, looking at the camera in front.

***

After a while.

One side of the quiet Haengjusanseong became *sikkeulsikkeulhage bokjakgeoryeotda* [시끌시끌하게 복작거렸다, noisy and bustling].

“Wow. What is this.”

“That’s exciting!”

“Those young friends dance *gikkal nane* [기깔나네, stylishly/impressively]?”

“Who are they? Singers?”

The *haengin* [行人, passersby] who were *jinadeon* [지나던, passing by] stopped at the *gyeongkwaehan noraessori* [輕快한 노랫소리, cheerful song] that was heard.

“Why do they dance so well?”

“They’re famous singers! MOST, MOST!”

“What, *morago* [뭐라고, what did you say]?”

Among them were those who recognized MOST.

“Oh my, Arin’s dad! I know them! MOST!!! That’s right, that’s right! *Daebak* [대박, awesome/jackpot]…. Why are they here.”

“What. Are those the *aidol nomdeul* [아이돌 놈들, idol guys] you like?”

“The ones I like are different, but. Honey, hold Arin for a second. I’m going to go closer and see. I have to take a picture!”

Whether the rumor started to spread from somewhere, by the time they finished filming in front of the *jeongja* and started *ollaseot* [올라섰, climbing] on the *jeongja* in earnest, even MOST’s *paendeul* [팬들, fans] had come.

“꺄아 [Kyaa]! Oh my god. I totally *gye taetda* [계 탔다, hit the jackpot]. I can’t believe the kids came to the *dongne* [동네, neighborhood].”

“Wow. I’m so glad today is a *gonggangnal* [공강날, free day/day off from classes].”

“Did your *imomnim* [이모님, aunt (mother’s sister) / respectful term for middle-aged women] tell you? I should send her a *gipeutikon* [기프티콘, gift certificate] later.”

“Yeah. My *imo* goes *jajeongeo tareo* [자전거 타러, bike riding] here. I should put air in her *jajeongeo bakkwirado* [자전거 바퀴라도, bicycle tires]…. 꺄 [Kyaa]! I just made eye contact with 루이 [Louis].”

“No way. I’m the one who made eye contact with him.”

The *haengin* who gathered to see the exciting song and *heunggyeoun chum* [흥겨운 춤, cheerful dance] numbered in the dozens, and with the *paendeul* gathered in groups of three or five, the empty *siya* [視野, view/sight] soon resembled a *gongyeonjang* [公演場, performance venue].

Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol and Jeong Gil-ju, along with the *chwalyoung seutaepeu* [撮影 스태프, filming staff], *jeongbihaetda* [整備했다, organized] security to prevent the *haengin* from crossing the line.

The MOST members were *danghwanghaetjiman* [唐慌했지만, flustered] at the changed atmosphere from a little while ago, but they *ohiryeo badeudeuryeotda* [오히려 받아들였다, rather accepted] the situation *geungjeongjeogeuro* [긍정적으로, positively].

“I felt like I was filming a *myujikbideo* [뮤직비디오, music video] earlier… but this feels like I’m performing.”

Gi-jun mumbled while getting *sujeong hwajang* [修正 화장, touch-up makeup].

“It feels more *ikssaiting* [exciting] because there are people watching, right?”

루이’s words were right.

It was definitely more fun to dance when there were people watching.

“Okay! Cue again!”

The PD *oechyeotda* [외쳤다, shouted] in a slightly *dageuphan moksori* [다급한 목소리, urgent voice], worried that more people would gather.

The members *olla dasigeum jaseseul gada듬eotda* [올라 다시금 자세를 가다듬었다, went up and regained their posture] on the *jeongja*.

―Open your eyes and see this world.

As the first part began, the members moved their bodies *dongsidabaljeogeuro* [동시다발적으로, simultaneously].

“꺄아 [Kyaa]!”

“Oh oh!!!”

*Hamseongi teojyeo nawatda* [함성이 터져 나왔다, cheers erupted] at the members’ body movements, which had a natural *seuwaeg* [스웩, swag] despite being *cheoljeohi gyesandoen umjigim* [徹底히 計算된 움직임, thoroughly calculated movements].

The good thing about not having to sing was that they could focus on the *chum* [춤, dance].

On top of that, with the *hoeung* [呼應, response/cheering] added, the members’ bodies were *neomchyeotda* [넘쳤다, overflowing] with energy.

“*Geocham! Sinnaneungguman!* [거참! 신나는구만!, Well, this is exciting!]”

An *harabeoji* [할아버지, grandfather/old man] wearing *deungsanbok* [등산복, hiking clothes] *oechyeotda* from one side of the *gwan gaek* [觀客, audience].

His shoulders were also *deulsseokgeorigo matge mare* [들썩거리고 맞게 말에, shaking in agreement].

“MOST!”

When one of MOST’s *paen seonchang* [팬 선창, fan chants], the *haengin eungwonhaetda* [行人 應援했다, passersby cheered] MOST to the *bakja* [拍子, beat] after that.

“MOST! MOST!”

“MOST! MOST!”

Under the *gwanghwarhage pyeolchyeojin pureun haneul arae* [廣闊하게 펼쳐진 푸른 하늘 아래, wide-open blue sky].

The faces calling their names came into view one by one.

It wasn’t properly equipped, and there weren’t many people, but for some reason, it was more *heungi natda* [흥이 났다, exciting].

―This is our dynamic world!

By the time they reached the *huryeomgu* [후렴구, chorus], *songolsongol ttami heulleonaeryeotda* [송골송골 땀이 흘러내렸다, beads of sweat flowed down] on the faces of the members who were *choeseoneul dahaneun* [最善을 다하는, doing their best].

Heung-min had already forgotten about the existence of his father, who was *jikyeobogo jasin eul* [지켜보고 자신을, watching him] on one side.

Only the *norae* and *hwanho* [歡呼, cheers] flowing into his ears *gojo sikyeotda* [高潮 시켰다, heightened] Heung-min.

Reaching his part, Heung-min *ttwieooreotda nopge* [뛰어올랐다 높게, jumped high].

It was an *anmu* where he *haipaibeu* [high five] with Gi-jun.

*Jjak* [Clap]―!

The *soriga matbudeotchineun sonbadak* [소리가 맞부딪치는 손바닥, sound of clapping hands] was *gyeongkwaehaetda* [輕快했다, cheerful].

Heung-min’s *eolgure useumi pieooreotda* [얼굴에 웃음이 피어올랐다, smile bloomed on his face] because the *kwaegami* [快感, pleasure] when the *habi ttak mateul* [합이 딱 맞을, harmony is perfect] in this part whenever he *matchwobol ttaemada anmu* [맞춰볼 때마다 안무, tried to match the choreography] was considerable.

*Gyejang* Lee’s *ipgaga umjilgeoryeotda*, [입가가 움찔거렸다, corner of his mouth twitched] who was *jikyeobodeon* [지켜보던, watching] Heung-min with his *paljjangeul kkigo* [팔짱을 끼고, arms crossed] in the *gajang guseokjin got* [가장 구석진 곳, most secluded place].

It was the *jangnam’s* [長男’s, eldest son’s] *hwanhan useum* [환한 웃음, bright smile] that he hadn’t *geun 3nyeongan bon jeok eomneun* [근 3年間 본 적 없는, seen in nearly 3 years].

The *jangnam*, who he naturally *yeogyeotdeon* [여겼던, thought] would become a *gongmuwon ieo jasin eul* [公務員 이어 자신을, civil servant following him], was *utgo badeumyeo hwanhoreul* [웃고 받으며 환호를, smiling and receiving cheers] to many people.

The *adeuri geoneun insaengeul* [아들이 거는 인생을, son betting his life] on an *bulhwaksilhan kkum* [不確實한 꿈, uncertain dream] was *hansimhago antakkaweotda dangsi* [寒心하고 안타까웠다 當時, pathetic and regrettable at the time].

*Manheun gamjeongi seuchyeotda* [많은 감정이 스쳤다, many emotions flashed] in his *gaseume* [가슴에, chest].

*Mianhamgwa huhoe, gyeolguk haenaen adeure daehan ppeudeutham* [미안함과 후회, 결국 해낸 아들에 대한 뿌듯함, Apologies and regrets, pride in his son who finally did it]…….

*Eoneusae geuneun kkadakgeorimyeo bareul* [어느새 그는 까딱거리며 발을, before he knew it, he was tapping his foot] to the *bakja*, and *yeonhohaetda* [연호했다, chanted] “MOST” with the *paendeulgwa gachi*, but only in *ip moyangil* [입 모양일, lip movements].

“와아 [Waa]―!”

In the *ieojineun hamseong*, MOST *machyeotda* [마쳤다, finished] the *hongbo yeongsang chwalyoungeul*, [홍보 영상 촬영을, promotional video shooting] *jageun gongyeoneul* [작은 공연을, small performance] on Haengjusanseong Deokyangjeong *wieeseoui* [위에서의, above].

***

Whether it was true that the *iljeong* [日程, schedule] was *geuphada* [急하다, urgent], the *hongbo yeongsang* that MOST *jjigeun* [찍은, filmed] was *wanseongdoeeotda* [完成되었다, completed] in less than *boreumdo* [보름도, half a month].

They had to *sojin* [消盡, exhaust] the *yesaneul junbidoen* [豫算을 準備된, prepared budget] before *han haega jinagi*, and show *seonggwareul* [成果를, results].

There were a total of 8 videos.

There were 7 short videos with the members’ *menteu* [멘트, comments] introducing cultural heritage, and 1 3-minute video with *si hongbo jamak neoeun* [市 홍보 자막 넣은, city promotional subtitles] on top of the *gongyeon yeongsang* [公演 映像, performance video] from Haengjusanseong.

“Oh. I was wondering how it would turn out… but it’s better than I thought? It’s like a *myubi* [뮤비, music video].”

“You must have been short on time, but you edited it well.”

“Look at the *paran geot haneul* [파란 것 하늘, blue sky]. It feels different seeing us dancing outdoors.”

“The *nal* was *johtgin johasseotji* [날 was 좋긴 좋았지, the day was good] even though it was a bit cold that day.”

“The *danpung* [丹楓, autumn foliage] and the Han River in the back! Looking at it like this, we’re *meosissgo*, and the *yujeokji* [遺跡地, historic sites] are all *meositta*!”

Gyu-seong *jungoeolgeoryeotda aswiptdaneun deut*, [중얼거렸다 아쉽다는 듯, mumbled regretfully] “I wish I had enjoyed the *danpung* a bit more at this time. I was too busy filming…….”

MOST *debuthae* in early October, and *eoneusae* a month had *hulleok heulleo* and November was *jinago*.

It was now the *hwalddong makbajji* [活動 막바지, end of activities].

In the meantime, MOST had won 1st place five times on cable broadcasting stations.

They *aswipge meomulleotda* [아쉽게 머물렀다, regrettably stayed] in 3rd place on *gongjungpa*, but they *chogwa dalseonghan saemieotda* [超過 達成한 셈이었다, exceeded the initial goal].

“…My father said it turned out well and he liked it.”

Heung-min, who came to *galaipeugo uisangeul dwineujege*, [갈아입고 의상을 뒤늦게, changed his clothes late] *deot butyeotda hanmadi* [덧붙였다 한마디, added a word].

Heung-min *dasi yeonrageul jubatattda* [다시 연락을 주고받았다, contacted again] with his father after the *chwalyoung*.

His father *bonaeon* [보내온, sent] a message of *eungwoneul* [應援을, support] saying that he was *mianhaetgo geugan* [미안했고 그간, sorry for everything] and would do well in the future to Heung-min *doraganeun* [돌아가는, returning].

[너도 네 친구들도 잘하던데. [You and your friends did well too.]]

[모질게 굴어서 미안했다. 다치지 말고 몸 생각하며 일해. [I’m sorry for being so harsh. Don’t get hurt and take care of yourself.]]

It wasn’t that his *maeumi wanjeonhi pullin*, but they were *bujajigan eojjeol su eomneun* [부자지간 어쩔 수 없는, father and son, it can’t be helped].

Heung-min *badeudeuryeotda* [받아들였다, accepted] the *sagwaeui mesijireul* [謝過의 메시지를, apology message] that his father *bonae* [보내, sent].

“I’m glad, Hyung.”

Heung-min *geulkjeogeotda dwitmareul deut meosseukhan* [긁적였다 뒷머리를 듯 머쓱한, scratched the back of his head awkwardly] at Do-jae’s *mare*.

It seemed that he *gyesok maeume namneun moyangieotda* [계속 마음에 남는 모양이었다, it seemed to remain in his mind] that he had *malhaetdeon an hagetdago chwalyoungeul ttaemune abeoji* [말했던 안 하겠다고 촬영을 때문에 아버지, said he wouldn’t film because of his father].

***

And *myeochil hu* [며칠 후, a few days later].

The *hweuisil* [會議室, conference room] of SVS *eumakbangsong* [音樂放送, music broadcast] <최고의 가요 [The Best Song]> was *hwipsseyeo in gyeongak* [휩싸여 in 驚愕, wrapped in shock].