Chapter 212. My Stage
“Hyung, I’m sorry. I got too excited earlier….”
As soon as Hajin stepped off the stage, he hurriedly apologized to Siwoo.
It was a melody he occasionally changed and sang unconsciously when he got excited, and in his heightened state, he ended up overdoing it on stage. Luckily, Siwoo played along, otherwise, it could have been a situation that led to unnecessary remarks.
That’s why he grabbed Siwoo and apologized even before changing out of his clothes. However, Siwoo, who was the one supposed to accept the apology, simply wore a refreshed expression and drew a question mark on his face.
“What for?”
“Huh? Oh, about changing the melody at the end earlier….”
“Oh, that?”
Taking out his in-ear monitors and loosening the corset that was pressing tightly on him, Jung Siwoo laughed lightly as if it was nothing.
“It’s fine. I had fun too.”
Then, as if to say ‘good job,’ he lightly tapped Hajin on the chest with his fist before walking off.
Hajin, who momentarily forgot he needed to change clothes quickly, held his heart with one hand where Siwoo had tapped him and covered his mouth with the other.
“Shin…?”
[System Notification: If this isn’t Moe, it’s a disease…]
[System Notification: The system shakes its head, saying there’s no cure for this.]
You don’t even have a tongue!
When Hajin snapped back at Thirteen, who was teasing him, Thirteen cried out, claiming it was an insult to a Time Manager.
Ignoring him, Hajin stuck out his tongue briefly before turning off the system notifications and spinning around.
Suddenly, someone grabbed his shoulder.
“…Huh?”
“Kang Hajin, are you crazy!? Why aren’t you coming already!!?”
“Oh my, our little frog is pissed.”
It was Seo Taehyun, who had already changed into his lower garments and even put on his monocle, despite how little time had passed since the performance ended. The moist demeanor from earlier had quickly been discarded, and Taehyun, now rearmed with the mindset of a “professional idol obsessed with success,” grabbed Hajin’s arm and began to drag him away.
As Hajin was being dragged along helplessly, he turned his head to look at the stage through the backstage stairs.
During the VCR segment, various staff members were going up and down the stage, setting up for the next performance, and the LED screens that had been created for Kairos’s stage were being switched out for another team.
“What are you doing? What are you looking at?”
“…Nothing, let’s go.”
The “My Stage” that they had worked so hard to prepare had disappeared in less than a minute.
Having experienced many stages through various routes in his previous life, Hajin didn’t feel particularly disappointed or upset.
He only had a small wish that it could have been a bit longer.
[System Notification: …Did you enjoy it that much?]
Thirteen, who had somehow turned off the notification block and crept back up, asked coyly. Hajin answered while quickly overtaking Taehyun, who was leading the way to the waiting room.
‘Of course, what are you asking for?’
The long-buried desire for “My Stage” was slowly beginning to surface.
* * *
“Good job, everyone—!”
With the first-place award going to a senior idol group in their second year, who were reportedly gaining quite a response overseas, the first music show recording for Kairos had ended.
Although Kairos’s debut performance wasn’t bad, it wasn’t enough to win first place on a music show just four days after releasing their song.
After finishing the ending, Ji Suho clapped and cheered for the members who came down from the stage.
“Next time, let’s be the last ones to come down.”
Understanding that this meant they should return from the encore stage after winning first place, the members nodded without feeling discouraged, focusing instead on savoring the sweet fruit of their first debut stage.
Even though they would have to prepare for the next music show in just a few hours….
“Guys, you must be tired, but don’t change your clothes yet. We need to go greet our PD.”
The world had changed a lot, and it was said that the culture of standing in the hallway until the main PD came out of the control room had mostly disappeared. But….
Honestly, from the perspective of rookie idols who couldn’t afford to lose any opportunity, they couldn’t pass up the chance to make a good impression on someone as important as the main PD of a broadcasting station. Especially if that person was in charge of a job where one of their members would be regularly attending.
“Hello, PD-nim. Thank you for your hard work today. I brought the kids to greet you.”
“Oh! Ah, Manager-nim. No, no. You’re the Director now, aren’t you? Ah, I don’t know why I keep getting confused.”
It seemed there were many other teams waiting to greet the PD, as it took quite a while after the music show ended for Kairos to finally meet the main PD of **A Countdown**.
The PD appeared holding a tablet PC and a cup of mixed coffee in both hands. He was a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor, the kind that Hajin had often seen during his previous work.
The PD, who smiled warmly as he shook hands with Ji Suho, turned his gaze to the members. When Ji Suho signaled with his eyes, the members bowed their heads in unison.
“Hello, we are Kairos! Please take care of us!”
“Oh, look at those voices. You can tell they’re rookies, all disciplined and sharp. Your stage and MCing were good today. Well done~”
“Thank you!”
When they responded confidently, the PD, who had been chuckling, gave a thumbs-up as he looked at Taehyun and Hajin, who had been today’s MCs.
“Ah, especially our MCs. The writers really liked how naturally you handled things. Wow, Taehyun, you’re still as good as ever, huh? You used to do this stuff diligently back in your **Boys’ World** days, too.”
“Ah… Thank you, PD-nim. I’ll keep working hard.”
Taehyun bowed his head with an excited expression at the PD’s praise. Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed like the PD had been part of the production team during **Boys’ World**, and since their relationship wasn’t bad, Taehyun seemed pleased.
“Yeah. Let’s do well together from now on. …I’m glad you finally debuted.”
Even though the age gap seemed wide enough to be a father-son relationship, there was no discomfort in calling himself “hyung” in this industry, where everyone was either a hyung or a senior.
But what was more unsettling was the slight pause that passed across the PD’s face.
‘…What was that just now?’
It seemed like more than just the feeling of seeing a trainee he used to support during **Boys’ World** finally debuting….
However, the moment of emotion had passed too quickly to figure out, so Hajin stopped pondering it. It was time to break his habit of trying to see too much.
“Oh, and! Our Red Cape Jini!”
“Oh dear….”
Hajin let out a sigh without realizing it when the PD called him by his MC nickname, unable to remember his actual name. Although the sound was small enough that the PD didn’t hear it, the surrounding members had to bite their lips to hold back their laughter.
“I’m Kang Hajin of Kairos, PD-nim.”
“Yes, yes. I know. Ah, you were amazing today!”
“Hahaha… I did my best.”
“So, about that, do you want to continue for a few more weeks? As a special MC.”
“…Pardon?”
Hajin lifted his head in confusion at the sudden job offer. The PD cheerfully explained, patting Hajin on the shoulder.
“Well, you see~ We got a call recently that the original two MCs might need to adjust their schedules. But seeing how well you and Hyuni worked together today, it looked great. The chief writer suggested we give you a shot. Hahaha!”
After producing a cringeworthy moment with rookie passion, the door for regular cringeworthy moments had opened.
While Hajin was unsure whether to be happy about this employment or terrified at the thought of what heinous concept they’d make him do next, Ji Suho naturally stepped in to wrap up the conversation.
“We’d be grateful if you could give us the opportunity, PD-nim. Just let me know the details, and we’ll work out the schedule.”
“Ah, okay, okay. Our assistant director will contact you. Well, I’ll be off then~”
“Yes. Goodbye, PD-nim!”
“Take care!”
“All right~”
After patting Hajin’s shoulder one more time, the PD disappeared down the hallway. As the PD’s figure vanished out of sight, Taehyun quietly approached, grabbed Hajin’s shoulder, and grinned.
“What’s the matter, Jini? You’re going to have to spend a few more weeks with Hyuni~?”
“……Ribbit….”
“I should ask the writer to make the script as cringey as possible. Get a taste of it, Kang Hajin.”
“Ribbit ribbit….”
Should he like this? Or not?
Hajin pressed his forehead, unable to decide whether to cry or laugh.
* * *
With no time to enjoy the new job, the busy schedule continued.
The very next day, the members were scheduled for another music show at a nearby broadcasting station, most of them half-asleep and barely able to keep their eyes open. Due to a scheduling conflict
, today’s pre-recording was set at an early hour.
Wearing the fantasy version of their outfit, which was today’s pre-recording attire, Hajin lay down on a mat placed on the waiting room floor. Then, he nudged Eunchan, who was already half-asleep next to him, in the side with his elbow.
“Hey. Is your hyung doing that again today?”
“…Huh?”
“I’m asking if your hyung is sending a snack truck again today.”
Obviously, the members were aware that the snack truck yesterday was arranged by Eunchan’s hyung. When the idea was first conveyed through Eunchan, there was some reluctance, but eventually, they accepted it as a debut gift, thanks to Eunseok’s words and the company’s persuasion.
‘…The fact that half of us aren’t in a position to expect such things from our parents played a role, too.’
Even excluding Yugeon, who was a breadwinner with no parents, the fact that more than half of the members’ parents didn’t attend the final live broadcast said it all. Eventually, they decided that once they started making money, they would pool their funds to buy Eunseok a nice gift.
‘Come to think of it, how do Dan Haru’s parents exist in this scenario? Is it just a setting, or are they real people?’
While Hajin was lost in thought, glancing at Haru, who was dozing off with his head leaning against Doha on the opposite side, the drowsy Eunchan curled up closer to Hajin, mumbling as if sleep-talking.
“It’s cold….”
“…Just go back to sleep.”
Clicking his tongue, Hajin grabbed a blanket that was lying around and draped it over Eunchan.
Looking around the waiting room, it seemed that the other members were in a similar state, so Hajin directed his curiosity toward Manager Kwon Wook, who was sitting in a corner and checking his phone for work. Unable to resist his curiosity, Hajin also picked up his own phone and logged into Bluebird.
“Hyung. Do we have something like that today, too? Like fan service?”
“Ah, today? Yeah, we do.”
“We do? Did Eunseok hyung arrange it again?”
“No? Today, it’s not Eunchan’s hyung, but….”
While the manager paused for a moment to check something, Hajin’s Bluebird timeline rolled down the screen. Refreshing to update the latest news, the first mention that popped up was this.
**Kang Hadi @kang_HD**
…?
Hey guys, today Kairos is doing fan service
From Seo Taeil sunbae
What the heck is this?
(‘Mentor’s Treat!’ written on the fan service box)
Huh? Who?
“…Ah, today’s Taeil’s day. Taeil prepared something like snack boxes. He said it was a gift to celebrate your debut.”
Hajin, who had unconsciously shot up, listened to Kwon Wook’s words while slowly scrolling down his phone.
In the photos posted by fans, the fan service box contained small juice bottles, chicken gift certificates, mini perfumes from a brand Seo Taeil endorses, and handmade cookies.
Someone had quoted an idea with a caption that was even more eye-popping.
**Taellam @txllam**
Our captain…
Held back a bit, afraid the rookies might be overwhelmed…
(Photo of fan service received during Utopia’s comeback)
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This is holding back?
The fan service photos from Utopia that the fan posted were filled with various luxurious snacks and gifts. Hajin gaped at the pictures, which even included exchange coupons for Utopia’s advertised brand products.
‘How much money do these people make?’
Is this the life of a successful 13-year veteran professional idol?
Up until college, Kang Hajin had been so frugal that even bus fare and phone bills gave him anxiety. The spending habits here were beyond his comprehension. He was also surprised at Seo Taeil’s mindset, casually throwing out such a huge expenditure for his juniors’ debut.
…Apart from feeling grateful to him.
‘I want to make a lot of money and do something like this.’
Just as Hajin was having these thoughts, Manager Kwon Wook added one more thing.
“Oh. Tomorrow it’s Enderway’s turn.”
“…What?”
“The hyungs said they couldn’t be outdone, so…. Anyway, it’s a tradition. Miro’s tradition. …Though I’m not sure if you can call it a tradition with only three groups.”
“…….”
“They said the members wanted to take turns doing it, but the Director tried to stop them and had a hard time. Eventually, the company decided to do it once more. That one is on the CEO’s tab.”
Why are these wealthy seniors so competitive about giving fan service for their juniors’ debut stage…?
Slowly, Utopia, Enderway, and even Director Han Sewon were starting to seem like parents at an elementary school entrance ceremony, worried that their late-born youngest might feel out of place and thus handing out hamburgers to the class.
‘I need to live diligently.’
I need to live diligently and embody the life of being young, rich, tall, and handsome.
For that, Hajin was confident he could wear that ridiculous red cape 2,000 more times if necessary.
And,
“Hajin-ah, hi! Can you wear this just once and look over there!?”
That opportunity came faster than Hajin had expected.
…And in abundance.