[There’s an idol group that suddenly drops a Christmas album teaser just two weeks before release?!] [It’s been so longㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ!!!! No news at all since their last crash, and now you’re telling me a Christmas season song? I’m going to throw all my money at you.] Most Noeul fans were thrilled by the sudden news of a new song. [I’m honestly so grateful for the season song... but when’s the full album?!] [If it’s a single, it’s not like the first-week sales will be massive... we should’ve just pooled our energy for a full albumㅠㅠ] [They call it a single, but look at them dropping four new tracks.] [What does “single” even mean in K-pop anymore...] Still, for fans who had been waiting desperately for a full album, there was some mild disappointment. [Kkyaak, highlight medley’s up!!!!!] Of course, the moment the teaser images, tracklist, and even the highlight medley dropped, they rushed over to check, as if they’d never been disappointed in the first place. [Okay, what was I even saying~~! I’m so full, really!!] [OMG guys, this time the highlight medley has video clips!!] [Ha~ wow!! They’re showing off like a top-tier group!!! └ LOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLL “Top-tier” is killing me hahahahahaha] Unlike their last album, which only had jacket photos overlaid with melody, this time they had actually filmed highlight medley videos on the music video set. The first title track: “23:59 (As You Wish)” Darkness settled over the tall, densely packed trees, revealing a two-story house blanketed in snow. It glowed warmly, decked out in Christmas decorations. [Wow, look at the MV colors, so freaking pretty;;;] [What is this set... did Daepaseong suddenly start making bank? The whispers... I smell money...] 【The brilliant light with you This warm touch with our cheeks pressed together】 Sung Jiwon’s clear yet powerful voice rang out. Because it’s too embarrassing to say I love you】 An ImpalX classic car rolled smoothly to a stop in front of the house. Kim Sunghyun stepped out from the driver’s seat, carrying a neatly ribbon-wrapped gift box. He was wearing an American police uniform styled like a bomber jacket. Leaning slightly against the car, Sunghyun looked a bit nervous. [????????? This is a season song, so why the police uniform?] [I’ll just take it anyway] Then, as if he had decided something, he strode purposefully across the yard and pressed the doorbell without hesitation. Warm orange light spilled from the crack as the door opened, as if someone had been waiting. Merry Merry Christmas】 And with that, the highlight medley for “23:59” ended — a winter ballad brimming with the carol-like warmth of a classic Christmas season song. [How much is Kang Ichae going to evolve? Even stripped of all filters, the song is just so good;;;; I’m tired of calling him a genius.] [Ichae, I really love you ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ That unshakable belief that your comeback songs will always be good... this one goes beyond that — it’s the best yet.] Then came the highlight melody for the second title track, “Christmas Again?” The sound of carols drifting in】 In a dim back alley lit by scattered, colorful lights, Kang Ichae flicked a lighter in a leather jacket. Chik— the flame flared as the sound of wet footsteps grew louder. White snow brushing the back of my hand】 When Ichae looked up, Seo Hoyun was standing there. Approaching the bluish-red glow, Hoyun leaned in with a blank expression and blew out the flame with a soft puff. 【Special Single – Christmas Again? Text splashed across the blackened screen. “Christmas Again?” was a dark pop electronic track. [Shit... my heart is... working again for the first time in forever...] [We all know Daepaseong’s a freak. Even if we say it’s just hot and sexy, you know every bit of it has some symbolic meaning, right? ...But I don’t care, I’m just rewatching Hoyun’s clip on loop.] [The second title teaser is so good but also terrifying... feels like we’re about to get stabbed in the back.] [I thought I’d just enjoy it lightly since it’s a season song, but the execution is so sharp it’s scary...] It was a kind of experiment. Now that their recognition had clearly risen, this was a small test to capture the public’s ear and climb even higher. [The Dawn – ‘23:59 (As You Wish)’ MV] A few days later, the “23:59” music video was released first. The black screen gradually brightened, revealing Kim Sunghyun gripping the wheel of an ImpXra classic. On the car radio, a boys’ choir sang a clear, beautiful carol to the sound of an organ. Glory of Christmas is finally here... Arriving at the same two-story house from the highlight medley, Sunghyun turned down the radio volume. Resting his head briefly against the steering wheel, he let out a small sigh. Then, straightening up, he checked his watch. The time read 9:00. 【Maybe next year, I’ll be able to say it Merry Merry Christmas】 He took the gift box from the glove compartment and got out of the car. Striding to the front door, he pressed the bell impatiently. 【The brilliant light with you This warm touch with our cheeks pressed together】 Jung Dajun, in a soft red knit sweater, beamed as he greeted Sunghyun. Next came Sung Jiwon, running through the falling snow with a paper bag in his arms. 【Because it’s too embarrassing to say I love you】 Shaking the snow from his hair as he stepped inside, Jiwon was welcomed by Sunghyun and Dajun, who were decorating the Christmas tree in the living room. Merry Merry Christmas】 Holding a wrapped gift and giving it a shake, Dajun opened the largest box — and Kang Ichae jumped out. As Dajun recoiled in shock, Ichae leaned an arm on the box’s edge with a sly grin. 【If it’s for you, I’ll run to you in any form Just tell me what you want No effort is ever wasted】 The scene shifted — with every snap of Ichae’s fingers, the members’ outfits changed: police uniform, doctor’s coat, firefighter’s suit, office suit... all fan-pleasers, before returning to their cozy knitwear. 【Maybe next year, I’ll be able to say it Merry Merry Christmas】 Then the shot changed again: Seo Hoyun and Sung Jiwon stood at an upstairs window, mugs steaming in their hands, watching snow drift like blossoms in the dark night sky. 【White snowflakes drifting down Your warm gaze on me】 Hoyun turned his head toward Jiwon and gave him a cautious smile. Because it’s too embarrassing to say I love you】 Back in the living room, Sunghyun opened the gift box for the members. Inside were five identical rings, engraved with their debut date: July 11. Ichae’s eyes wavered at the sight. 【It’s a little early, but】 Smiling shyly, Sunghyun glanced over the members... and scooped a huge chunk of cake into Hoyun’s face. Hoyun, looking exasperated, squinted one eye and licked the cream from the corner of his mouth — then picked up cake in both hands. 【Merry Merry Christmas】 The members scattered, but soon tangled together in playful scuffling. At that moment, Ichae and Hoyun’s eyes met. 【Merry Merry Christmas】 Hoyun gave a faint smile. The camera slowly pulled back, passing Christmas ornaments, the living room, the unique pairs of shoes lined up at the entryway, before the front door closed. 【The Dawn – 23:59 (As You Wish)】 A steady, repeating melody — sophisticated and addictive. Year-end sentiment, warm and beautiful color palette. Wherever you looked, the music video was flawless, and the view count shot up quickly. I think I’m in love with them.] The Noeul fans were utterly swept up in emotion. [An idol who says they’ll be your Santa no matter what... the best.] [I was too distracted by Kim Sunghyun in the police uniform, but when the rings came out I screamed. Were those matching group rings???] [Not just a prop, it’s literally their debut date... this is huge. The Dawnies really got matching group rings... The leader giving group rings to the members on Christmas... I’m just going to pass out.] I’m crying right now after watching this. └You’re joking, right? └└(photo) Proof with tissues... └└LOOOOOOOOOOLLLL Ahㅠㅠㅠ LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I’m crying from laughing so hard.] [LOLOL But hey, from the look on Seo Hoyun’s face when the cake hit him, doesn’t it seem like Sunghyun didn’t warn him at all? LOLOLOL] [HAHAHAHAHA Ah~~ members finally releasing all that pent-up resentment they’ve been holding~~~] Whether it was the effect of solidifying “The Dawn”’s name through all those variety show appearances or not, not only “23:59” but the entire released album spread quickly and began climbing various music charts. [Wow, this song is freaking amazing;;] [The rest of the tracks were by overseas composers, but both title tracks were still by Kang Ichae hahahahaha certified genius.] [Kang Ichae really soared during Rising Rookies, but now he’s flying a jet here LOOOOLLLLLL This is crazy, the song is so good!!!!!!] Just when they were starting to get a solid response from the public, the Noeul fans—streaming ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) the songs furiously—noticed something odd. It was the lyrics of “Christmas Again?”, the other title track paired with “23:59,” that seemed strange. [Hold on, I’m confused as hell] As fans began murmuring and speculating, the next day the music video for “Christmas Again?” was released. And when the Noeul fans played it, they couldn’t help but be shocked. Right from the start, the same two-story house from “23:59” was engulfed in roaring flames. The screen went dark, and instead of the burning house, the camera panned over a room plastered with various movie posters and The Dawn’s Polaroids. A tuft of Kang Ichae’s red hair poked out from under a blanket. Awoken by a blaring alarm, Kang Ichae rubbed his eyes and grabbed his phone. Seeing “December 24” on the screen, he let out a hollow laugh. Static crackled, and a dark, sticky pop-electronic melody seeped from the radio by his bed. Sitting up, Ichae rubbed his face with both hands. 【December 24, FXCK, it’s back again】 Murmuring the words, he jumped to his feet and stomped down the stairs. At the same time, a fierce rap began. 【A Christmas I’ve long stopped counting I can’t do this anymore】 Frantically flipping through the newspaper on the dining table and turning on the living room TV, Ichae suddenly hurled a cup at the window in frustration. 【Laughing to myself like I’ve lost it You wouldn’t understand, so understand Memories of a forgotten day】 The loud noise jolted Jung Dajun awake. When he hurried downstairs, Ichae had already wrecked most of the furniture. Is this hallucination or prank?】 The scene shifted to Kim Sunghyun, leaning against a car hood and fidgeting with empty hands before dashing into the house in alarm. Snapshots flashed like still photos of Sunghyun and Ichae fighting, until Ichae bolted out of the house. Rummaging through a shed, he found a gas canister and began pouring it all over the house. The sound of carols drifting in White snow brushing the back of my hand】 Dropping the canister to the ground, Ichae flicked his lighter. Can you hold my hand?】 Sunghyun, a step too late, ran up to stop him, while Dajun backed away in fear. A long, dark shadow stretched behind them. 【I can’t bring myself to end it The scene jumped again — now Sung Jiwon was in a Christmas-lit city street, blowing on his reddened fingertips. Snow fell endlessly from the sky. The sound of carols drifting in White snow brushing the back of my hand】 He spotted Seo Hoyun standing on the riverbank under a bridge and waved. Hoyun smiled in return, but his gaze was fixed on the clock tower in the square. 【Will we ever—.】 ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝕟𝕖𝕥 Now in a dark alley, Kang Ichae leaned against a wall, looking exhausted. From an old record store across the street — still open late — the carol from “23:59” played softly. Glory of Christmas is finally here... Over the music, slow, slushy footsteps approached. In contrast to the trampled, dirty snow, the camera caught pristine, polished black shoes. “Yes, Merry Christmas, have a happy holiday, Feliz Navidad.” Still spinning the lighter’s wheel without lifting his head, Ichae mumbled like a madman and chuckled. Then, a familiar voice spoke. That low, familiar tone — it was Seo Hoyun. “You should say things like that next year.” ...At that, Ichae’s mouth froze, and the lighter’s flame shot up. Hoyun slowly lowered his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips— —and with a soft puff, the flame went out.