The scene rewound, the figures moving backward as if someone pressed rewind on a tape. Then Daepaseong’s shabby, worn-down building appeared on the screen. 【The day of The Dawn has begun.】 Passing down a hallway lined with posters of Min Jiheon and other actors alongside The Dawn, the camera entered a meeting room. Inside, Daepaseong staff sat with haggard faces. 【9:30 a.m., meeting.】 【Preparations for the new comeback are in full swing.】 Flipping quickly through documents at the head of the table, Seo Hoyun smiled brightly. Whenever he smiled like that, the results were never good. The entire planning team pressed their lips shut. “You’ve... worked very hard on this, haven’t you?” Because of the documentary filming, with cameras following, Seo Hoyun spoke more gently than usual. But everyone present knew exactly what he meant— That this was all they had prepared? Still, because he delivered the remark in a flat, passing tone, the Noeul watching wouldn’t notice. [Holy shit, Seo Hoyun looks so sexy when he’s working] Instead, they were stunned by the way the meeting unfolded. From the overall concept to makeup, outfits, hairstyles, even the stage setup—every detail was being discussed in multiple versions. And everything was grounded in data: public polls, fan reactions, current idol trends, The Dawn’s strengths, and which elements to highlight. [Wow, they literally decide everything, from the concept down to the hair references] [And they don’t even rely on gut feelingㅠ My ex-bias group’s boomer CEO who couldn’t read the times should’ve seen this] When staff offered opinions, Seo Hoyun added a few indifferent remarks, and everyone scrambled to jot them down. [Bring out everyone who said it wasn’t self-production] [My baby speaks so logicallyㅠㅠ so cute...] [That face is killing me—completely looks like an office worker who doesn’t want to do this but has no choice because the boss is too right. I never thought I’d pity Daepaseong employees...] Even if the video spread widely, it wouldn’t change the minds of every hater, but at least it could serve as evidence against them. [The planning team’s faces are so real... just blankly scribbling like, “Yes... of course... we’ll do it...” They’ve grown so used to Seo Hoyun hahahaha] On screen, Hoyun directed the situation with practiced ease, and the staff’s expressions looked utterly genuine. [Having a boss like Seo Hoyun would be amazingㅠ Easy to work with... competent... Like, cold in work but actually kind in person... That’s the vibe. I know, I know, it’s basically fanfiction-tier fantasy, but he seems so nice with fans too... ...Or maybe not? Am I wrong?] “Anyone else want to argue?” └ Sunghyun is lying dead here!! └└LOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL I’m crying, this is too funny HAHAHAHAHAHA [LOOLLL Newer fans seriously think HoGyung is some soft mochi...] Fan reactions split in two camps: Those who thought “Of course, that’s Seo Hoyun,” and those who insisted he was not only smart but also kindhearted. The latter were mostly new Noeul drawn in by Christmas Again? or the latest album. They wanted to emphasize the very qualities that made them fall for him and spread them to others. To them, Hoyun was clearly friendly and consistently sweet to fans—so they couldn’t understand why older fans pushed the image of him being sharp-tongued and fond of teasing people. He was kind to his members, and the staff who worked with him always had good stories, too. [I think the older fans misread his character. Seo Hoyun is really gentle, kind, and soft-hearted.] [LOOOL Right? But that always happens in K-pop... Compared to the others, they needed someone to give a “spicy” character, so it stuckㅠ Except for Kang Ichae, the rest are sweethearts. Especially Jiwon, he probably suffers the mostㅠ_ㅠ] [Jung Dajun is obviously the maknae on top hahaha. Sunghyun is always cool and reliable!!] Of course, the veteran Noeul only shook their heads at such comments. [Gentle... kind... yeah... sure] [LOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL They’re desperately trying to protect his image, it’s hilarious] [Hoyun is kind... Jiwon too... but still... Even with rose-colored glasses, come on...] The older fans didn’t really care, knowing the rose-tinted illusions wouldn’t last. [How can you not see the chaos when he’s literally just breathing] [HAHAHAHAHAHA True. Ichae might look like the scary one, but they don’t realize the hidden landmine named Sung Jiwon...] [And meanwhile, it’s hilarious no one talks about Kim Sunghyun getting screwed over. That guy takes a loss just by breathing. └HAHAHAHAHA God, I’m dyingㅠㅠㅠㅠ └└Especially when it comes to Seo Hoyun... a.k.a. the Aggro King] Right then, as if perfectly timed to the fan chatter, Kim Sunghyun’s voice came through. 【According to our maknae Jung Dajun, The Dawn has its own food chain.】 Suppressing a sigh, Seo Hoyun stood up from his seat. “Alright, please reorganize the materials and share them again before evening.” “...By this evening?” “Yes. Thank you, everyone. And please try not to work overtime if you can.” Though he said it like he cared for them, the workload was questionable even if they did stay late. “...Did he seriously just dump that on us?” The staff stared blankly at the empty seat Hoyun had vacated, as if they’d been hit by a storm. “Ah! Everyone, you’re here~.” Just then, with a warm voice, Sung Jiwon appeared through the cracked door. “Have some of this at least.” A ghost had just left, and now an angel entered. “I bought this with Hoyun!” “Ji... Jiwon-ssi...!!” Even though he’d said he prepared it with Seo Hoyun, the staff only cried out Jiwon’s name in gratitude, clutching their faces in awe. Smiling gently, Sung Jiwon set the snacks on the table and sat right where Hoyun had been moments ago. Instantly, the meeting shifted into friendly conversation about what had just been discussed. “Ah... Hoyun told you that? Hmm, then how about mixing in the ‘dawn’ concept? Thinking back, the strongest fan response always came when the song carried our group’s identity.” [Our Jiwon, how does he speak so beautifully?!] [HAHAHAHAHA Our angel, I’m losing itㅠㅠ He’s so calm and organized, really ties things together well. Must be all those years of training.] Unlike Hoyun’s sharp style, Jiwon suggested directions gently, and the staff eagerly scribbled down notes again. Get full chapters from 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝·𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚·𝔫𝔢𝔱 After sharing a few more ideas, Jiwon stood with his bright smile. “I know you have a lot left before comeback, but please keep fighting a little longer!” “Yes!! You too, Jiwon-ssi!” 【But even Sung Jiwon, who seems so kind... has another side.】 【11:10 a.m., practice room.】 Humming a cheerful tune, Jiwon entered the practice room. The screen noted “1 hour later.” Then the camera cut back to Jiwon’s face, which still looked relaxed and happy. But sprawled out on the floor beneath him was Jung Dajun, arms and legs stretched out. 【Sung Jiwon is a practice machine.】 [Fuck, the fact his voice sounds just as gentle as before makes it even scarier] [LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I’m dying here HAHAHAHAHA] “Dajun-ah, why are you lying there? Get up.” “P-please... save me...” 【He only smiled—yet never helped him up.】 In the end, Jung Dajun had to drag his trembling body upright on his own, only to plunge back into hellish practice. “Haa... one... two...” [He looks like he’s literally dying right now] Our Dajun, are you really that tired? That’s tough... but this part seems off, so why don’t we try it one more time? Ah! You messed up again. Let’s go again~. Though Jiwon’s words sounded like sympathetic comfort, practice showed no signs of ending. [Dajun’s classmate said this is the kid who could run ten laps around the school track and still bounce like a puppy—what the hell did they put him through HAHAHAHAHAHAHA └Dajun must have dog DNA in his genes or something] [This is terrifying... really terrifying...] After several more songs, Dajun collapsed flat on the floor, whining that he couldn’t go on anymore. Jiwon only smiled softly. “Dajun-ah, you said you wanted to work harder.” “I did say that, but if I work any harder right now, I might actually die...” Tears welled in the corners of his eyes as he stared at the camera. It was, in truth, his desperate plea to the documentary director for help. But Sung Jiwon stepped forward, blocking the camera’s view as if to cut off any rescue. His voice was sweet, gentle. Dajun’s anxious gaze turned toward him. “People don’t die that easily.” [LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I’m laughing so hard I’m drooling LOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL] [LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO] [This is legendary LOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL] While veteran fans cackled at Jiwon’s comment, newer Noeul were shocked. [Uh... I heard he was a practice machine, but I thought it was cute...] [Wow;; never heard Jiwon talk like that before. Did something happen between them?] Seeing these tweets, the older Noeul quickly shared links. It was, after all, the perfect moment to strip away their rose-colored glasses. [Sung Jiwon is definitely an old-sayer character. “Compilation of Jiwon’s gentle but brutal remarks (feat. Did you cry? Then let’s get back to work).”] [LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL Yes... little chick fans, it’s time you knew...] As the new fans paused the documentary to watch those videos in shock— 【At that moment, the leader arrives.】 “Hey, we need to start the interview—what the?! Dajun!” [The way he runs over crying “Hyungㅠㅠㅠ” is so adorable...] [He looks like a kid who got scolded at piano lessons and runs to his mom to whine hahaha] In a single second, Kim Sunghyun grasped the whole situation, pulled Dajun behind his back, and said with a nervous sweat, “Sung Jiwon, we need to go film the group interview now.” 【The true figure of a leader, swiftly wrapping up the situation.】 [Look at Jiwon smacking his lips—terrifying as fuck HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA] [That’s the face of a predator losing its prey hahahahaha Sunghyun just saved Dajun’s lifeㅠ hahahahahaha] There was a reason he was The Dawn’s leader. People often thought Sung Jiwon was the one who handled internal order, but in truth, it was Kim Sunghyun. Right now, he was more like Dajun’s lifeline. “...By the way, where’s Kang Ichae? He’s supposed to be here.” “Ah. Hoyun went to get him.” 【Meanwhile, the rapper and producer is diligently working in the studio.】 “I don’t wanna work~.” In simple training clothes, Kang Ichae sat with his feet propped on the desk, whistling while tearing pages from his notebook and folding them into airplanes. [LOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL Get to work, you brat LMAOOOO] One of the planes glided and landed at the staff’s feet. When they opened it, words were scrawled inside. [LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL oh my god HAHAHAHAHAHAHA] [Get to work, you bastard hahahahahaha] By the time the thirty-first plane left Ichae’s hands, the studio door unlocked and Seo Hoyun walked in. Hoyun snatched the plane out of the air. At once, Ichae lowered his legs from the desk and shot to his feet. “Whoa, hyung~! I wrote that one as a letter for you!” The ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) lie was blatant. Hoyun didn’t even bother opening it—he simply crushed it in his fist. 【This is the food chain.】 [LOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL No mercy] Ichae tried resisting, saying he didn’t get the point yet, but when Hoyun tore up the rest of his planes, he shut his mouth and followed obediently. 【Seo Hoyun handles the planning team and Kang Ichae. Sung Jiwon handles Jung Dajun. Kim Sunghyun restrains Sung Jiwon. Their hierarchy is a tangle of complex relationships.】 Later, when the members tried to film a touching group interview, the bickering and chaos wouldn’t stop, forcing the director to halt the shoot. He decided none of it was usable anyway. 【Can this idol group really be okay?】 [Are they actually asking if they’ll even make it to re-signing haha] [LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Oh my god I can’t breathe hahahaha Their fights are legendaryㅠㅠ] The thirty-minute video closed with Kim Sunghyun’s narration, promising Episode 2 the following week. [Still... it was more healing than expected. Cute, really. Just leaving them alone is entertaining since their personalities are so strong.] [They work hard too... and our Hoyun is truly kind and sweetㅜㅜ an angel♡] It wasn’t the format fans had expected from a documentary, but since they were already used to The Dawn’s self-produced content, they didn’t mind. In fact, those who thought a serious documentary didn’t suit them were relieved to see it unfold in their usual chaotic way. [Whoa.. Noeul’s rose-colored glasses are legendary... Hoyun is seriously...] Most fans just laughed, seeing that some still hadn’t shed their “kind Seo Hoyun” filter. They figured time would sort it out. [That bastard’s actually insane...] And soon enough, Episode 2, From Dawn To Dawn: Coloring the World in Dawn, would prove that Seo Hoyun truly was a madman.