“Sunbaenim, congratulations!” Amid the flood of congratulatory greetings, I just kept smiling brightly as I walked. The members were beside me, chattering excitedly while holding the trophy. “Are we going for meat today?!” Although the members had felt fairly confident while preparing for this comeback, that didn’t mean they hadn’t been nervous. Now that the stage had ended safely and we’d even received good results, they were bubbling over with excitement. As usual, while greeting other idols and handing out our album, I skimmed over their stat windows. B, C, and occasionally an A. No group had stats as stable and overall as high as The Dawn. Even Jung Dajun—often mentioned as the weakest in our team—ranked higher than most when compared directly. Especially since the maknae’s Variety stat was a unique A+. “Hyungs~, how about we play ladder game today and whoever gets picked has to pay?” “Dajun-ah, you’re twenty-one now. Time you start experiencing the harshness of the world.” “Oh! So today it’s Jung Dajun’s turn to pay?” “What, even Sunghyun hyung?!” Times , they really all looked like fools. I casually pretended not to notice and looked away. How much had I gritted my teeth to prepare this album? I went ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) in and out of Kang Ichae’s studio countless times, wore down the threshold of the planning team’s office. We pulled out a killer choreography, and I meticulously analyzed both major and minor trends to pick just the right balance for our concept. Of course, with just this one song, we couldn’t become national idols like Black Call, but at the very least, I thought we could lay a stepping stone. Because of it, rumors were already swirling about us entering the 1st tier in our third year. ‘That kind of controversy itself is good news.’ If we were truly nothing, no one would bother keeping us in check. Sung Jiwon tapped my shoulder with an excited face. “Should we skip practice today?” “Just because! It’d be nice to have a day sometimes.” “Seo Hoyun, Sung Jiwon. Then want to go to the place we went last time?” When our team’s practice machine himself said to take the day off, there was no reason not to. I ignored Kim Sunghyun, who was seriously searching for a good Hanwoo restaurant on his phone, and slung an arm around the maknae’s shoulder. ‘Heavy.’ ‘Hyung keeps pressing on my shoulder, that’s why I’m the shortest in the group.’ He whined, but didn’t shake me off. These days, we were so intensely focused on every stage that after each one, my stamina dropped sharply. Jung Dajun knew that, so while grumbling, he didn’t actually push me away. ‘Too bad Joo Woosung isn’t here.’ I felt a faint pang of disappointment at not having someone to show off against, stretching my stiff neck when— Ah, here comes my dark past. Striding across the hallway with no sign of her small frame, Kim Heeyoung was coming straight toward me. Well-known enough that idols greeted her first, she returned their greetings smoothly, but her eyes never left me. When she got close, the members bowed politely, then left us alone to talk. Kim Heeyoung smiled sweetly at me and immediately asked, “What have you been doing?” “What on earth did you do to improve this much?” She was trying to act casual, but I could see she was a little excited. Her eyes swept over me quickly. “Your face is still smooth as ever. Huh? Even this hair color suits you so well?” “Hahaha. You say that, but there’s not really much. Anyway, is that all you wanted to tell me?” “Still as sharp as ever.” Looking a little awkward, she brushed back her longer bangs and suggested we talk somewhere quiet. I followed her out toward the edge of the broadcasting station. Before long, the crowds faded, and we reached a deserted spot. “...There’s been a lot of talk lately, you know that? And rumor has it Daepaseong might get acquired soon.” “Already spread that far?” “Of course. Actually, I might have the news faster than most...” “Even LV is interested.” Home of Yoo Jia—who had gone from national little sister to queen of romantic comedy—and White Cherry, a company hailed as one of the best when it came to girl groups. Their reputation had always been solid, and with White Cherry’s rising recognition in the U.S., they’d been growing explosively. On top of that, LV was known for being ridiculously well-capitalized. “Well, you know. Their boy groups have been flopping, so they’re troubled.” Of course, that was only one of several possible scenarios. I’d already heard of multiple companies being floated as potential buyers of Daepaseong, though LV was new. I stored the information in my head and asked her, “Don’t you have anything else?” “I just got back from vacation. That’s all I’ve heard...” She trailed off, sounding uncharacteristically unsure. “Pretty weak news for a PD-nim.” I teased half-jokingly. She gave a short laugh, though it was mixed with exasperation. That familiar expression made me chuckle, too. “...By the way, are you doing okay lately?” The sudden question left me silent. I wasn’t sure what she was asking about—there were too many possible answers. Because of our height difference, when she tilted her head down a little, I couldn’t fully see her face. “Well. The more recognition you get, the more issues pop up.” She didn’t specify, but I understood what she meant. Lately The Dawn had been bashed hard online. How long are they going to milk that self-produced concept? Don’t hide AR under your live stages. Where are the real skill idols? ‘Seriously, too damn kind.’ Instead of answering, I just shrugged. She seemed to get the message, sighing softly before brushing her bangs aside again. “Well, if you need more info, just come on my program once. I’ll dig up whatever you want.” “Even if it’s not information, if PD Kim Heeyoung asks me to appear, I’ll go anywhere.” “You always talk so smooth.” But she didn’t look annoyed. Saying she’d be counting on me, she walked off first. I slowly headed toward the parking lot where our van was waiting. ‘There’s nothing as useful as controversy, Heeyoung.’ Especially for The Dawn right now—it was practically a blessing. I already had countermeasures ready for any problems that might arise. As I sorted my thoughts and pressed the elevator button down to the underground lot— That familiar alarm sounded. Through The Dawn’s ongoing documentary filming, draw out the public’s favorable response! Success: Receive 10,000 Points Failure: Significant drop in recognition] [See? I did well, right?] And just like that, another quest arrived. From the very first comeback week, The Dawn took first place on three music shows, setting the community ablaze. [Title: Do they give out 1st place to just anyone these days? Sorry... I just wanted to bait some attention. Fuck... This is The Dawn. I’m so proud I could lose my mind... Not long ago, barely anyone knew about The Dawn. Even when I promoted them like crazy—saying they were handsome, hardworking, funny—no one cared. Daepaseong was totally useless... But in spite of that, the kids crawled all the way here on their own. Of course, thank you to God Jihyun,, └God Jihyun,, truly a goddess,, └└LOLOLOLOLOLOL Ever since Second Chance, she’s been with them, it’s so touchingㅠ That Daepaseong interview proved she was a real stanㅠㅠ └Feels like she’s releasing her frustrations as a fan through The Dawn hahahahahahaha └└True, agreed hahahaha] By now, even Daepaseong’s internal incompetence—who was in charge of what—was being exposed online. Praise for Lee Jihyun was also surfacing. [Honestly, if they hadn’t worked this hard, they never would’ve made itㅠㅠ They literally dragged Daepaseong by the collar.] [Their ability stats are just insane hahahaha. It’s been ages since they passed the average, this stage was literally a work of art... └They said the members themselves thought up every detailㅠㅠ Hair, choreography, concept, everything... The Dawn had spent quite a long time preparing their full album, with YouTube sponsoring production for a documentary. It was a marketing strategy aimed at younger audiences, a style now popular with OTT platforms. One of the staff on set had been so touched by The Dawn’s passion that they slipped a preview clip to social media. From start to finish, every detail of the album had been checked and discussed by The Dawn. Fans—the Noeul—were overflowing with pride. But of course, backlash poured in too. [They’re great, but their self-production bragging is so over the top ㅠㅠ I’m embarrassed for them..] [Exactly hahaha. Do you really think they contributed that much? The company picks polished products and lets them “pretend” to make choices, then takes all the credit. Well, still, at least they’re obedient and not causing trouble, so I guess they deserve praise. But the Noeul hyping it up every time is embarrassingㅠ] [Not self-production, more like self-fabrication haha Kang Ichae’s genius branding is way overdone... And always streaming lives from the studio? Kinda sus haha] Seeing people who never once truly looked at The Dawn twisting partial info into negativity left the fans dumbfounded. [Talking like that about Kang Ichae..? That’s even weirder... Our darling fox... he just doesn’t have many friends, that’s why he’s always in the studio... Wait, damn, that’s actually true. Why does saying it out loud make me sound like an anti? I quit. └LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO It’s literally just the facts... └└Our fox is kind, he doesn’t bite...] The fans hammered their keyboards with endless streams of hahahahahaha but didn’t forget to report every malicious post. [Title: The Dawn is hilarious They seriously just live in their own world. It’s not like they’re on bad terms with other groups, but they’re not that interested either. └The only outsiders they’re somewhat close with are... Seo Hoyun – Joo Woosung... and sometimes Kang Yeonhoo... but that one’s more like business partners. └LOLOLOLOL Exactly. Even Kim Sunghyun and Sung Jiwon don’t socialize much. That sunny bouncing Dajun too... └└Surprisingly true. Didn’t Dajun get along with Mars or Nightmare during Shas? └└He said group-to-group interactions were too fun to even think about it. └└LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo Ah, our bouncy babyㅠㅠㅠㅠ] While the Noeul were chatting away, eagerly waiting for the documentary, the official Dawn YouTube channel dropped a notification. Clicking in haste, they saw the title: ‘ep1. From Dawn To Dawn: Coloring the World in Dawn.’ Fans’ hearts raced as they pressed play. 【Our rising dawn. Yesterday that must be let go without regret. Today that must always shine anew.】 For origınal chapters go to 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝕟𝕖𝕥 Kim Sunghyun’s calm narration flowed. 【And tomorrow, which will always be with the members.】 The final scenes of The Dawn’s first concert. Noeul chanting “The Dawn,” the members bowing, drenched in sweat, smiling radiantly. 【There are many hard days, but how could we give up this joy?】 Simple, ordinary words that nonetheless pierced emotions. Fans were already sobbing. [They look so beautifulㅠㅠ Ugh my heart...] The scene shifted to Daepaseong’s practice room, cutting in short solo interviews. 【I always had to work hard. Opportunities don’t just come to you.】 【I thought I had to be perfect in everything.】 【Because we want to give back more than we’ve received from our fans.】 Fans clutched their chests, groaning in pain from emotion— But suddenly, the screen went black. Excited shrieks and the friction sound of something sliding fast. When the video returned, Jung Dajun and Kang Ichae were riding a makeshift sled fashioned from a cardboard box down a snowy hill. Holding the box in front, Dajun raised one hand to flash a V toward the camera—only to wobble. The box hit a rock and flipped, sending both him and Ichae rolling in the snow. Snow piled on a tree branch fell onto their heads with a thud. [Sudden sledding? Where’d my tears go?] [Dajun in that fur hat looks exactly like a puppy] A low voice chimed in. The camera panned— The older members were watching. Seo Hoyun sipped cocoa and smirked. [The Dawn shooting a sitcom again?] And just like that, the fans’ tears dried up.