<Popular Male Idol Update – Frozen Fish Eyes Ending?!>
A distorted machine voice came from a YouTube video.
<...—The Dawn’s center of controversy has always been Seo Hoyun.
Despite not even three years since debut, how he manages to stir up so many problems is almost impressive.
Even though there have always been rumors about his personality, Seo Hoyun has consistently ignored them.
His fans shamelessly defended him each time, insisting, ‘He’s always kind to fans,’ pointing to the messages he frequently posts on PopPop as proof.>
Photos from articles and SNS reactions followed.
<But recently, Seo Hoyun has not shown up on PopPop for over two weeks, even up to the time of this video’s production. The other members of The Dawn have remained silent as well.>
<The group photos posted on the official SNS account were all taken in the past.>
<Rumors say he’s sick, but is that really it? Or is it just because he sees fans as ATM machines?
This time, I’m very curious how fans will excuse him.>
The comment °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° section below was filled with sarcasm aimed at Seo Hoyun.
[Where are the people who always bragged about Seo Hoyun’s perfect PopPop attendanceㅠ Your oppa’s been silent for ten days already]
[They used to scream that Seo Hoyun was a dutiful son because he always attended PopPop, except during that Shas2 family scandal (lolol).
└Now you only get one message a month, and that’s just to avoid refunds.
└└Then they cry, “He’s sick, don’t attack someone who’s sick...”
└└Wow, making money is so fucking easy!]
Fans of The Dawn were sick of these cyber leeches twisting minor details into exaggerated clickbait.
[These ridiculous smear videos never stop...
Fuckers even analyze outfits in selfies and group photos to figure out if they’re recent. That’s creepy as hell]
[Exactly... when the hell will those assholes who upload that crap go to jail?]
[The rest of the members quietly keep up their schedules, so I don’t know for sure...T_T... but I feel like something’s really up with Hoyun... I’m so worried...]
[Recently there’ve been sightings near hospitals, is that true??]
[Why’s nobody talking about Kang Ichae? He hasn’t been on in forever either
└He never did full attendance anyway, and his fans never screamed “dutiful son” over it
└└Fuck’s sake, so attending PopPop is a crime now?]
Of course, it wasn’t only criticism.
Most were genuinely worried something had happened.
[Hoyun, have a wonderful day today!!]
[Hoyun~ the weather’s so nice hehe I’m suppressing my murderous intent toward my boss and heading to work!! Wish me luck!!]
[He’s not sick, right...? If he is, I’ll pull my pants down in front of WH]
[My baby~!!! Eat something yummy today, don’t forget your sweet frappuccino~~]
Just as Noeul tried to hide their concern while waiting desperately for Seo Hoyun—
[Hoyun: Hi]
[Hoyun: What are you doing?]
A PopPop notification popped up on their phones.
[Hoyun!!!! I missed you so much]
[What’s the bunny doing!!!]
As if he knew exactly what they wanted to ask, just as they were about to say “Were you sick?” a photo of him eating appeared. Just as they were about to say “I missed you,” a video popped up.
[Thank you, thank you world]
Seeing him bright, smiling, and looking healthy, fans felt relieved. Soon, small talk flowed through PopPop.
[What’s with you messaging in broad daylight?? Usually it’s early morning or late at night]
Seo Hoyun’s reply:
[Hoyun: Why am I messaging at this time today?]
[Hoyun: The weather’s nice... that’s all]
[Hoyun: I just wanted to see what Noeul were up to]
Fans burst out laughing at Seo Hoyun’s rare clumsy side.
[LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO]
[Hoyun, this is PopPop... not a text chat...]
[LOOOOLLL I can’t, that’s hilarious LMAOOOOOO]
[Somebody please teach Seo Hoyun how to use PopPop properly]
Teasing messages for Seo Hoyun flooded endlessly.
.
.
.
“Damn.”
I should’ve read it once more before sending.
I rubbed my forehead awkwardly. After sighing over the correction message I sent, the manager glanced at me through the rearview mirror and spoke.
“Anyway, it’s good the result turned out well, Hoyun.”
“Yeah, I guess. But medical checkups waste so much time....”
When I opened my eyes, more than ten days had already passed in this timeline.
The company, saying health came first, booked every test possible at the hospital and made me do nothing but rest. They were more insistent than even the members.
Doctor’s diagnoses, Ji Hyun’s reports, manager’s schedules, and after discharge, album meetings waiting right away.
Days vanished in an instant. Only now did I finally have the chance to check PopPop.
As I skimmed through the mountain of playful fan messages, the phone screen went black, switching to an incoming call. Min Jiheon.
“What.”
[...]
“I’m busy.”
Last time, when I called, he just said he was busy and would call me back later, then hung up immediately.
[The weather’s nice today... I just wanted to call.]
Hearing that soft-toned bullshit made my skin crawl. I hung up at once.
“This guy’s seriously insane, isn’t he?”
As I rubbed my goosebumped arms, Min Jiheon’s name appeared again. I didn’t feel like it, but I had something to say too, so I reluctantly answered.
[Hey, why hang up so fast? That’s hurtful.]
“You’re a stalker?”
[I’m your biggest fan.]
Fuck off.
This world’s Min Jiheon was easygoing yet shameless.
‘Your PopPop tone is so different I checked multiple times,’ ‘Guess acting is your everyday life, that’s why you’re so good at it,’ blah blah. Just as I was about to hang up again, he suddenly brought up the point.
[Don’t be upset I couldn’t visit you. I was overseas, and it was just too hectic~.]
I checked that the manager was focused on driving, then lowered my voice.
“Do you remember the person who was with me when I collapsed?”
[Yeah.]
A half-hearted answer came through the speaker.
“Do you know where they went?”
[Well, not sure... honestly, I was out of it too... I dropped you off at the hospital and when I went back, they were gone. Felt like I saw a ghost...]
I wasn’t sure if Min Jiheon really knew nothing, but there was no way to confirm now.
Should I dig myself?
As I tapped my phone lightly, trying to organize my thoughts, I heard his laugh.
[Don’t. Seriously.]
“...What.”
[Whatever it is. As someone with a bit of experience, I’ll give you advice: just treat it like stepping in shit and ignore it. Otherwise you’ll ruin yourself before you even realize it.]
“My family’s already been ruined long ago.”
[Ah... sorry. Anyway, you’re not in pain, right? My little brother worries about you so much he can’t eat—well, not really, but he’s super concerned. For reference, Jiheon can’t sleep because of you~.]
The topic turned suddenly.
This bastard would ditch me in a heartbeat if something happened, yet he had such a long tongue.
“Fine. Tell your brother thanks for worrying about me.”
[Huh?]
Because Noeul had always been my fans, wherever I was.
Before Min Jiheon could reply, I ended the call. The van was already pulling into the company parking lot.
‘At this rate, I won’t find Jeong Cheongyeon.’
I’d still keep searching, but I had a bad feeling I wouldn’t see her again.
Sighing, I stepped out of the stopped vehicle.
Schedules piled up, comeback just weeks away—busy was an understatement. I’d only come by the company now because Kang Ichae said he finished revising the track.
‘How’s that guy doing now?’
Leaving the manager heading to the management team, I walked toward Kang Ichae’s studio. Staff I passed greeted me warmly.
“Oh, Hoyun! Long time no see. Heard you caught a cold?”
“Yeah. They say even dogs don’t catch summer colds.”
Smiling, I bantered back—
“Urk!”
A strong blow hit my side.
“Gah!”
“Hyung!!!”
Our maknae, the elephant.
“Why didn’t you answer your phone!! Damn!”
Pouncing on me, Jung Dajun fired words like bullets.
“Hyung, what did the hospital say?! Are you okay now? Did you eat?!”
“Yeah.”
“Thank god!! Oh, and! I was gonna film a Reel today—!”
Seeing me buried under his flood of chatter, staff quietly slipped away. Waving them off, I walked alongside Dajun.
Ding!
[Jung Dajun is ㅎㅎ....]
[Incredibly talkative....]
My point exactly.
The system, silent since I returned to Nugu Idol Tycoon, popped up just to comment. When I called endlessly about Kang Ichae, it didn’t even show.
Anyway, noisy as he was, I found Dajun admirable. I’d heard the members, including the maknae, handled every schedule perfectly during my absence.
As he kept rambling, I silently watched him. His mouth suddenly snapped shut.
“...What?”
“What?”
“Your eyes feel...”
“Too affectionate for you?”
“Like dipping chili peppers in honey, makes me queasy—ack!!”
He rubbed his head after I flicked it, then whispered while glancing around.
“But Hoyun hyung... when are you and Ichae hyung gonna make up?”
I’d wondered when this topic would come up.
Brushing my long bangs aside, I answered.
“Why? Did Kang Ichae say something?”
“No, but...”
I pinched his nose and grinned.
“Our elephant, don’t waste time worrying.”
“...Can’t you at least call me puppy? That’s cute. Elephant’s just mean.”
He swatted my hand, whining about being called an elephant, then added—
“It’s just, Ichae hyung’s weird lately. Joking around like usual, then...”
“Then?”
“Suddenly, he stops laughing and just stares blankly into space.”
That would be creepy.
“Feels like a daily horror experience for me now.”
At his studio door, Dajun turned to me.
“Anyway! Please, somehow, fix this soon! You know Ichae hyung’s scary by nature.”
“You even know words like ‘by nature,’ huh?”
“...I’ll really get mad?!”
“Fine, fine. Let’s go in.”
I planned to brush off whatever happened and smooth things over.
Picking my ear, I pushed the maknae forward.
Dajun took a deep breath, grabbed the knob, and flung the door open.
“Hyungs, we’re he—.”
“Feels like I just got LASIK....”
First thing I saw: Kang Ichae at the piano, singing.
“Maybe it’s because I’ve seen the light~.”
“Please shut up... before I start cursing....”
“Along with your washboard abs~~.”
“AH!!!”
It was the new song Lim Hyunsu had just composed. Despite the sweet melody, the increasingly bizarre lyrics made Sung Jiwon and Kim Sunghyun grimace and cover their ears.
Following Dajun in, Ichae grinned as he locked eyes with me.
“Look who’s walking toward me, the shameless bastard himself.”
“......”
“Tell me your nameee~.”
His singing grew louder. Clicking my tongue, I lifted my hand to my ear—then Ichae smacked his forehead cutely.
“Ho-wooh... ah, oops, wrong.”
“......”
“Woohoowooh~!”
This bastard, seriously...
