Chapter 160. Final (4)
The online reactions to the new song A could be summed up in one line.
– Ah, tlqkf;
Seo Taehyun not only succeeded in his dark transformation, but he also perfectly recreated the ‘the small one in the middle is the final boss’ gimmick, just like in that sports festival.
The intense stage, which was typical of Miro, precisely hit the mark with the picky public’s taste. Mentions of A Team’s trainees skyrocketed, which soon translated into votes.
– What about B Team? From the preview, it seemed totally like a mischievous brat of the neighborhood type.
– Haru and Jaeyoung’s vibe aside, the sassy concept of Jung Siwoo, Lee Yugeon, and Kang Hajin? This is precious; in more ways than one…
– Argh, but B should have gone first! No matter how you think about it…
Fans who supported trainees in B Team furiously typed away, frustrated that their favorites were in B Team.
As this happened, A Team’s fans doubled down to ensure the mentions of their team didn’t decrease. In response, B Team’s fans quadrupled their efforts, creating a miraculous viral storm.
And amidst everyone being consumed by their own interests, the final stage kept moving forward.
**<The rain that poured down heavily one day… has stopped.>**
**<There’s no one in the practice room?>**
While the stage set was being changed, B Team’s pre-recorded VCR was played.
The content of this VCR was about ‘the trainees’ day off.’
In the video, it appeared as if everyone received a day off on the same day, but in reality, it was impossible for the filming team to split into five groups. Due to budget issues, the trainees each filmed their VCRs on different days, and if a trainee couldn’t fit the filming into their schedule, previous footage was used instead.
**<Trainee Kang Hajin: Ah. The one who looks just like me.>**
The clip of Hajin and his younger brother, Hawon, which was filmed before the second round, was an example of this.
It was fortunate that Hajin’s hairstyle hadn’t changed much from the first round until just before the final. Although the pleasant spring day in the video had suddenly turned into a scorching summer day, no one felt any sense of inconsistency.
In the VCR, Hajin was waiting for someone, wearing a loose black short-sleeved T-shirt and a bucket hat with a small ring, pressed low over his head. The khaki training pants and white sneakers he wore were familiar to Destis, as Hajin often wore them in the practice room.
– Is that green his Horcrux? Our Hajin, the man of one outfit?
– No matter how I see it, it looks like he had to press on the bucket hat because they suddenly told him he had to film after practice.
– Hul, but those pants are really nice. Does anyone know where they’re from?
└ Look at this.
└ Look at what…
└ ? I said it’s off-brand. He got it from the underground market with no brand name.
└ s**t, this is hilarious. I know this meme. Lolololol
└ I never thought I’d see it recreated in front of my eyes.
While Destis were amused by Hajin’s outfit, in the VCR, Hajin smiled brightly and greeted someone who hesitantly approached him.
The camera naturally tilted up from Hawon’s feet to his face.
Unlike Hajin’s casual style, Hawon was dressed in straight-fit jeans and a neatly sized white short-sleeved shirt layered with a thin knit vest. As soon as his appearance was revealed, the comments exploded again.
– Oh my, young master.
– The meeting-in-law I wasn’t prepared for (not).
– What? A composed Kang Hajin exists?
– Uh, they don’t look alike at all.
└ 22. If they didn’t say he was his brother, I wouldn’t know.
└ 333.
– If you see them separately, you wouldn’t know, but if you put them together, you’d know they’re brothers.
And as if they had anticipated the divided opinions of the viewers, an interview with Hajin, set against the background of a quiet café, was inserted.
**<Trainee Kang Hajin: Um… I hear we look alike often. But I also hear a lot that people didn’t know we were brothers.>**
**<Trainee Kang Hajin: Our personalities are totally opposite, so maybe it’s because our vibes are different?>**
It was explained that while Hajin inherited their mother’s brisk demeanor and smile, Hawon resembled their father so much that their father’s childhood photos were often mistaken for Hawon’s.
During this explanation, past photos of the two were inserted as data screens. The family photo that was briefly revealed included their mother, who was smiling broadly with large round eyes, and their father, whose sharp eyes and sturdy physique were even more imposing than Hajin and Hawon.
– No way, was this really a meeting-in-law?
– Mother, nice to meet you. I’m the second daughter-in-law.
└ Then I’ll take the eldest son from the Kang family.
└ Chur-k? (Did I fall?)
– No, but standing next to his dad and brother, Hajin looks like a Retriever, lol.
– Shocking. We thought Kang Hajin was a loyal Doberman, but he’s actually revealed to be a Retriever mix…
– But, didn’t Hajin say his dad was cute and like a friend?…
– Omg, how are the parents like the Northern Duke male lead and the sunny female lead?
Destis were intrigued by Hajin’s family, which was revealed for the first time.
It seemed that Hajin and Hawon, like their different clothing styles, had completely opposite personalities and vibes.
If Hajin was the outgoing, sociable student council president type, Hawon was the vice president type who quietly did his part without being late.
With a face that was a bit colder than Hajin’s, a calm and composed way of speaking, and a tired expression that indicated he was already drained from just being outside, it was clear that he was a perfect capital “I.”
**<Trainee Kang Hajin: Hey, aren’t you too tired?>**
**<Kang Hawon: It’s because I went out this morning.>**
**<Trainee Kang Hajin: Went out? Where did you go?>**
**<Kang Hawon: To the market. I bought knife-cut noodles and sugar.>**
**<Trainee Kang Hajin: …? There’s a market right in front of your house.>**
**<Kang Hawon: But it’s still outside the house. (Firmly)>**
**<Trainee Kang Hajin: But aren’t you happy to be out having fun with me after so long?>**
**<Kang Hawon: I’m happy. I’m just out of energy. (Firmly, again)>**
**<Trainee Kang Hajin: (Dejected)>**
– Now I understand why Kang Hajin always says he’s a capital “F.”
– There’s an overwhelming “T” in the household.
– You’re now witnessing the exact examples of a capital “E” and a capital “I.”
– ??? How is that an outing??? Are “I”s really like that?
└ Just putting on shoes on a weekend is already a big decision…ㅠ
└ If you stay outside for more than 5 minutes, it’s an outing.
The dynamic between these two opposite brothers was quite entertaining to watch.
Considering how mismatched they were, one might think they often fought or weren’t close, but surprisingly, they got along well when it came to eating and having fun, which was a key point.
The two then went into a café, ordered a variety of desserts that looked sweet at first glance, and spent a long time chatting idly. After watching the highlights of their lightly edited conversation, everyone quickly understood why these two, despite their differences, were so close.
– The two of them lolololol their humor aligns so well lolololol
– The younger brother goes along well and then suddenly speeds up or says something absurd, which is so funny, lolololololol.
– Ah, I now understand why Kang Hajin likes Joo Eunchan. He seems to like those who are quietly crazy.
**[Just now, the Kang brothers’ conversation lololol]**
**Jin:** (quietly looking out the window, suddenly) What if you had to choose between saving me or the PD from drowning? But if you save the PD instead of me, the PD will give you 30 million won. Who would you save?
The younger brother stayed silent for a moment, so I thought he was speechless.
**Won:** …Does calling 119 count as saving? (Seriously)
**Jin:** No, you have to save them directly for it to count.
**Won:** But I can’t swim. If I go in, there’ll just be three drowning people.
**Jin:** Are you dismissing 30 million won? For that amount of money, you should at least make an effort.
**Won:** That’s true, but the hospital bill might cost more… (Pondering)
Then they suddenly started debating what it means to save someone, lololololol.
* * *
– They look like they’re having so much fun; they’ll never be lonely.
– So, what was the conclusion of this? lololol?
└ The younger brother thought hard for a while and then chose the PD lololol
ol.
└ Ah, lololololol.
└ Kang Hajin was in shock, but then his brother looked at a distant mountain with a very bitter expression and said, ‘Art school costs a lot….’ And both of them became solemn lolololol.
After their time at the café, Hajin and Hawon continued to enjoy their day, visiting an arcade, a karaoke room, and a snack bar.
The day off ended with a heartwarming scene where Hajin used the money he had saved to buy new art supplies for Hawon. As Hajin handed over a bundle of expensive brushes and paints to his younger brother, they exchanged farewells, taking care of each other’s health as they parted at the subway station, showing a surprisingly affectionate side.
**- Ah… Should I look here?**
Finally, a short interview with Hawon was included.
Perhaps they filmed it during a brief break in shooting, as the background was a different angle of the same café they had visited earlier. Hawon, who had been smiling and joking while with Hajin, reverted to his shy, awkward self, calmly conducting the interview.
**<Kang Hawon: My brother is bright… and talks a lot. Unlike me, he really enjoys meeting people… Um, lately, he seems to have a lot on his mind and worries, but… still, I’m not lonely or uncomfortable because he’s around.>**
At the time Hajin filmed that VCR, he hadn’t yet broken free from all the chains that bound him.
Listening to Hawon’s interview through the in-ear monitor backstage, Hajin was a little surprised that his younger brother had noticed his struggles.
‘…Did that guy agree to film just for me? To help me?’
His brother, who didn’t even like being in the spotlight, had agreed to film a VCR for him…
It seemed Hajin himself was the reason.
‘He’s so kind….’
Hajin’s eyes, glittering with makeup, softened warmly as he smiled.
Today, his parents and Hawon were in the audience. Knowing his brother’s personality, Hawon might have run off somewhere, too embarrassed to watch himself on the VCR.
“Yes, B Team, please go up! Fighting!”
“PD-nim, fighting~”
With the PD’s signal, Hajin and his team went up on stage and took their places.
The large screen at the back of the stage was still showing the last part of Hawon’s interview.
‘Oh, Kang Hawon would never be able to do something like that.’
**<Kang Hawon: Uh, ah. I’m really not good at this.>**
Sure enough, at the sound of Hawon’s panicked voice, Hajin, who was positioning himself, couldn’t help but laugh. But then he pressed his lips together, and soon, he heard Hawon’s voice, filled with embarrassment, after a moment of distress.
**<Kang Hawon: Well… hyung. Um, I think you always do well. I’m sure you’ll do well this time too.>**
**<Kang Hawon: Um, there’s not much else to say…>**
Hawon hesitated for a moment before speaking clearly, conveying his sincerity.
**<Kang Hawon: I just… I just want hyung to be happy, no matter what.>**
At those words, Hajin felt like crying.
**<Kang Hawon: But, hyung… when things get tough, you always go to sing. Even after quitting as a trainee, that’s always been the case.>**
**<Kang Hawon: So… um, what I’m trying to say is…>**
**<Kang Hawon: You’ll do well. Because it’s what you love to do.>**
With those words, the VCR ended.
The pre-recorded footage of B Team’s preparation process had already been shown before the vacation VCR, and since Hajin’s VCR was the last one among B Team’s trainees, it was finally time to showcase the actual performance.
**<Team B-F: NALE>**
Officially, it was read as ‘Finale,’ but the composer, Seo Taeil, read it as ‘F*ck off Tomorrow (Nale).’ The title of B Team’s song appeared on the giant screen.
The concert hall was filled with cheers.
Flashing lights and stage lights.
Dozens of cameras moving quickly, racing against time to capture the promised camera work.
Realizing that all these scenes were not a dream but reality, Hajin slowly lifted his head.