Fifth year as an idol group.
Unlike the early debut days when schedules revolved only around the group, this was a period when individual activities became vigorous. Members tried various things, finding fields where they could utilize their respective specialties.
For instance, Do Yeonjae had received good responses with a drama OST a few months ago, or there was the acting field that Kang Ihyun was just starting to venture into.
After the one-night trip ended, the manager brought the members to the company saying there were a few things to communicate. After a brief discussion about group activity schedules like major events and award ceremonies in the first half of the year, talk of individual activities came up.
The first was news that Kang Ihyun would be entering an OTT drama as a supporting role, officially challenging acting.
“A drama? Scripts are coming in for hyung? Wow, is this the power of image making?”
“Sian, do you want to get in trouble?”
While the members couldn’t hide their surprise, only Do Yeonjae was calm.
“Why are you surprised? I thought he’d do it eventually.”
“That’s true but… the thought of that hyung being an actor gives me goosebumps. Won’t he have to manage his image even more strictly now! We’re the only ones who know that hyung’s true nature….”
“Mm……”
“You should keep arguing. Why are you staying silent as if you agree?”
When Kang Ihyun grumbled, Do Yeonjae laughed lowly.
“Thinking about it, I thought it’s really against hyung’s personality. Spouting predetermined lines, directing scenes… that stuff doesn’t suit you.”
“Still, I have to try challenging it, what else can I do? The screen is calling for this body.”
The more surprising point was that Kang Ihyun had secretly gone for an audition without the members knowing.
“It’d be embarrassing if I failed. That’s why I kept it secret.”
“Then you prepared during the 7th album activities? Your determination is crazy….”
“Who’s the lead? Yang Junseo? Wow fuck, hyung. If you get close, introduce me too!”
While the members chattered excitedly here and there, Hayun, who’d been quiet, added a word.
“You’ll be busy now.”
Then Kang Ihyun immediately turned his head and grinned.
“Why, are you feeling hurt thinking you won’t see me often?”
“…What are you saying. Just do well without bad acting for no reason.”
“Of course, just trust this hyung.”
There was someone observing the two carefully—none other than Do Yeonjae. Do Yeonjae thought with worried eyes. Hayun-hyung is upset he won’t see him often…. Already the dorm floors are different, so after activities end there won’t be many chances to run into each other.
‘…Come to think of it, making the dorm floors different.’
Did he deliberately do that to avoid being caught by the members?
Currently, the lower floor of RAYEON’s dorm was shared by Hayun, Do Yeonjae, and Baek Sian, and the upper floor was shared by Kang Ihyun, Yeo Minsung, and the managers. Before moving to the current dorm, Hayun-hyung had come to him and suggested using the same floor.
He didn’t know at the time… but that was the reason. The ends of Do Yeonjae’s eyebrows wrinkled pitifully. He doesn’t need to be so mindful like that.
The manager’s voice suddenly entered Do Yeonjae’s ears as he was lost in thought.
“Next is Yeonjae.”
“…Me?”
Do Yeonjae’s head shot up. Because he hadn’t expected his name to be called at all regarding individual activities today.
“Yeah. A program casting request came in. The one you’re filming with NEOS’s Kwon Isoo…. Huh, is this the first you’re hearing? Kwon Isoo-ssi said he’d convey it himself and asked for your number.”
Ah, that’s how he found out the number. Do Yeonjae’s eyes rolled.
“He did contact me.”
Though at first he’d misunderstood him as a sasaeng and blocked him.
“But he didn’t talk about a program.”
Do Yeonjae recalled the content of his contact with Kwon Isoo yesterday.
After filming wrapped and it was time to sleep, he could finally check his phone, and there was another message from Kwon Isoo.
Ignoring me again?
Ah, I didn’t reply. It was so absurd that…. Do Yeonjae blinked slowly then typed.
I was filming
Sorry about the block I thought you were a sasaeng
This time too, the 1 disappeared immediately. Is he free these days?
Whatever just hurry up and unblock me
Got it
As soon as he entered contacts and unblocked him, the phone rang. Do Yeonjae almost dropped his phone for a moment. Why a call all of a sudden?
Minsung-hyung, his pension roommate, was probably still showering. After glancing at the door, he pressed the answer button.
“Hello?”
— You really unblocked me.
“……”
Then would I have fake-unblocked you…. Do Yeonjae lowered his gaze and fidgeted with his fingers. Because his mood became strangely off due to Kwon Isoo’s low voice transmitted through the call. As if they’d become ordinary friends or something.
As if mocking such feelings, the other’s voice was only cold.
— Did you. Save the number?
“Ah, not yet.”
— Fuck, what were you doing until now without doing it.
His expression slightly furrowed. You didn’t give me the chance.
— Anyway, I’ve confirmed it so that’s enough.
Click. The call ended.
“……”
Do Yeonjae, frozen in place, slowly lifted his phone and looked at the screen showing the ended call. What? And confirm what… Don’t tell me he called to confirm whether I unblocked him?
That was the end. Meaning that after that, no more calls or messages came. But now a program? At Do Yeonjae’s bewildered expression, the manager tilted his head and held out a tablet.
“Really? That’s strange…. Anyway, you’ll understand if you look at this.”
On the screen he held out, a ‘Program Proposal’ PDF file was open.
<My Favorite! Chemistry>
Introduction: A program that explores the chemistry of my favorites through music while examining the sincere humanity, distinct individuality, and passionate friendship hidden behind the glamorous front of K-POP idols who shake the entire world
Production Information: Planning Kim Hyunjin / PD Woo Jiyeon
“Wow. PD Woo Jiyeon? She’s super hot right now, making every YouTube show she launches blow up. They say if you do it with her, a million subscribers is just the basic guarantee.”
Baek Sian, who’d been looking at the screen together, let out an exclamation. Then the manager nodded and answered.
“Yeah yeah, she must have seen the challenge you two filmed. She said it’s an interesting combination, that she really wants to do it together.”
“The view count was huge though. It probably passed five million by now, maybe.”
“Does a casting request come in right away just because of that? Wow, Kwon Isoo’s popularity must really be insane.”
“Maybe they looked at it comprehensively? If we’re talking popularity, I think our Yeonjae isn’t far behind either….”
“…Hyung, I don’t think that’s it.”
Do Yeonjae scratched the back of his neck as if he’d heard something embarrassing, but actually, Hayun’s words weren’t far from the truth either.
Because ironically, if there was one weakness of NEOS, who won the grand prize just 8 months after debut, it was their fandom firepower.
That’s right. The four-member skilled group NEOS lacked the strong bond between members, which was a core element in gathering an idol core fandom.
Of course, looking at Kwon Isoo individually alone, there was nothing to say. He killed all the hot topic indicators, was first priority for advertisement castings, had various collaboration inquiries lined up, and there were overflowing numbers of agencies desperate to receive even one of his songs.
At the current point in time, when considering a male idol’s individual public appeal, it wasn’t easy to surpass Kwon Isoo. However, individual firepower didn’t necessarily lead to group fandom.
Originally, if only a specific member stands out too much, the group’s harmony is bound to break. From the moment individual fandoms become louder than group fans and frame other members as ‘riding the bus,’ dissonance begins.
Because the other members clearly also have fans.
Fuck @fuck9999
Fucking seriously Kwon-roaches’ tyranny is disgusting to death lol I’m sick and tired of it Kids talented enough to debut at a major agency have to be treated as nuisance bus members and get beaten up why? For the single reason of being associated with Kwon ^^ I also pray that the so-great Kwon leaves the group as soon as possible and goes solo 🙏
Bambam @bambam2
You bring court ladies who clearly would’ve taken the shitty nugu boy group route and make them win a grand prize in 8 months, and they’re fucking ungrateful
「Fuck @fuck9999
Fucking Kwon-roaches’ tyranny is disgusting to death……」
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Haeyao @haeaaao
Wow is your wording real? This is why you’re called tyrannical
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Bambam @bambam2
Receiving feedback and revising wording
Ungrateful fucking bastards lol
There was no way a fandom could properly form in such a chaotic atmosphere.
Just looking at Kwon Isoo’s self-centered personality—getting his own studio apartment and becoming independent with the reason that he could only work at home—you could roughly understand why group fandom wasn’t sticking.
This is why they say ‘NEOS’s popularity is public appeal’…… But does just anyone receive public appeal? I want to receive that too, please. Do Yeonjae with an indifferent face tapped the tablet screen and narrowed his eyes.
It certainly was a good proposal. The album activities had just ended recently, so the timing was appropriate too.
But the phrase about exploring chemistry through music caught his eye.
Riding the bus (버스 탄다) – Idiomatic phrase meaning benefiting from someone else’s success
