[Title: The Adults Around Me Asked About Song Camp...]
One peaceful day while watching TV—
“Hey XX, those guys called THE DAWN... were they always this popular? I’ve never seen them before.”
“Haha! Probably just a temporary boost from Song Camp’s popularity... They might be hot now, but they’ll be forgotten soon enough.”
I couldn’t stand it.
“They started with only 100 albums in their first week...”
“What?”
I muttered under my breath.
“In their first year, they entered the Top 100... In their second year, they won the Rookie Discovery Award...”
Hey, stop.
“They’ve won ten music show trophies—their best record so far.”
You know if I keep going, I won’t be able to stop!
“—Winners of <Shining Star Season 1>, <Season 2>, and <Song Camp>!!”
Dding!
The moment I shouted, my phone’s bird notification tone rang out.
As the adults swallowed hard, I calmly picked up my phone, checked the alert, and smiled leisurely.
“...Ah, looks like they’ve entered the Billboard charts in their fourth year.”
“What, Bill...board?”
“Well, I mean, it was kind of expected, wasn’t it...”
Even though I’d already gone too far.
“This... is THE DAWN.”
Seeing their dumbfounded faces sent a shiver of pleasure through me.
Ah...
Somehow, I just felt strangely refreshed.
No regrets (None).
Of course not—because I’m Noeul, the one who cheers for their Flight (飛行).
└Here goes Noeul again^^
└└What is this serenity of the comments section lololololololol
└└LMAO I clenched my teeth at work ffs
└The way they used Chinese characters in the main post had me wheezing lolololololol
└God, Dajun would love this post so much
└└I’m scared... so scared... what if my idol actually copies this...
[Title: It’s Clear THE DAWN Changed My Life]
I used to get shredded by my professor every time,
spend my days crying over failed lab experiments—
But after becoming NOEUL, a fan of THE DAWN who made it into Billboard Hot 100 in their fourth year,
I started trying to carry myself with dignity.
After slamming the lab wall once, wishing the place would collapse, I asked myself,
“Who am I?”
Then I smirked and replied,
“I’m Noeul—fan of Billboard artist THE DAWN.”
Somehow, just saying it made me feel better.
Guess that’s what they mean when they say a position makes the person.
I feel like I could even take on my professor now.
└What the hell is this again lolololololololol
└Why is this fandom like this ffs lololol
└Can’t you people just say congratulations like normal human beings?? TT_TT
└Hey student, take this down before Kang Ichae sees it, he’ll 200% copy it
[Guys, can’t we just say ‘Congrats on making Billboard, THE DAWN’?]
[I have literally never seen a normal post like ‘Congrats on Billboard #79!!’ on the timeline even once.]
[Now that you mention it lol this fandom is insane.]
After the news of their Billboard debut came right after their final victory on Song Camp, the fans basically threw a nationwide party.
[The same Noeuls who used to lazily report any attention seeker that wandered into the fandom...
Now celebrating with everything they’ve got—hilarious.
└How could they not lol
The Dawning guys actually became the next Black Call.
└└WH is probably throwing a massive party right now ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) lol it’s the golden age of boy groups.
└└Just look at their stock value... lol]
These days, there wasn’t a single corner of Korea untouched by THE DAWN’s presence.
From a major domestic car brand’s new electric vehicle ad,
to first-tier bank commercials, and even the country’s most-used telecom company CF—
they were everywhere.
Especially the car commercial—
because a famous actor’s scandal forced the brand to urgently replace the model,
THE DAWN was chosen.
Not only did they film the group version for TV, but also individual videos for YouTube.
Among them, Seo Hoyun’s version was by far the most popular.
【More comfort, more safety.】
In a dark, shadowy space, Seo Hoyun stood beside the car, leaning against it and smiling softly.
【Trust me.】
When the official YouTube channel uploaded the individual videos, the comment section exploded.
[He’s actually beautiful...
Congratulations on being born beautiful, Mr. Seo Hoyun.]
[We need to ask if they’re planning to air this on TV too, holy shit this is insane.]
[I liked the group ad because it was lively, but the individual ones really highlight each member’s unique charm and personality. I love it T_T]
[Looks like Seo Hoyun’s finally okay with riding cars these days~!!! Hehehe He used to look so anxious before T_T I really hope he never gets into another accident with his parents!!
└Reported, bye
└LMAO what an idiot... must have too much free time
└Guess someone hasn’t heard WH opened an artist report center lately lol]
Even before this, THE DAWN had built up an image as hardworking, sincere young idols,
but thanks to Song Camp, that image grew even stronger.
Soon, every brand that wanted a trustworthy, positive public figure began fighting over them.
People joked that it was “Three steps, one THE DAWN” — because you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing them.
[Honestly, it’s even more touching because they’re self-made idols.
Like seriously, these guys spent summers sweating it out in a practice room without air conditioning,
and when it rained, they’d scoop out the leaking water with bowls...
Kim Sunghyun would fan the others while catching raindrops in a cup...
└But their Daepaseong days had their own kind of charm too.
└└LMAO if you’d said that three years ago I’d think you were being sarcastic, but yeah, true now lol
└└WH really does go hard, huh...]
[My underground idols... sniff damn it... when did they...
I used to drink soju and cry over them every night...
I held back from writing cheesy fan posts because I didn’t want it to become a meme,
but damn, I’m so thankful and proud of you, Dawning boys T_T
└Your post actually smells like alcohol lolololololol
└└CHEERS!!! TO OUR IDOLS!!!
└└May our miracle reach them!!! Thank you for becoming our idols!!! Aaaahhh!!!!]
Meanwhile, rumors spread that Kim Sunghyun would appear as a part-time worker on a new reality show set in a guesthouse,
and Sung Jiwon would appear as a mentor on the upcoming girl idol survival program Starlight.
Good news kept exploding across THE DAWN’s fandom—
and then came the announcement of the movie Vile Trial’s release date.
[Whoa, they’re premiering Vile Trial in Q3.]
[Holy crap already?? Even if they wrapped filming in April, that’s fast...]
[I heard they poured insane amounts of money into it.
Early screenings got rave reviews.]
As Noeuls’ excitement reached its peak,
a new post appeared on YouTube titled:
<What if your favorite idol waited for you on the street? #Hoyun #THEDAWN (#MetMyBias)>
It was on the official Met My Bias channel—
and the tag was something no THE DAWN fan could ignore.
It opened with a scene of a worn-out office worker Noeul trudging home after doing overtime on a Saturday.
[Oh my god, you can actually hear her muttering to herself in the distance lololol]
[“F*ck, is this really human life” << they didn’t even edit that part out lololol]
On the sidewalk she was walking along,
a man crouched down petting a cat came into frame.
The cat rolled over, belly exposed, purring in delight.
The man smiled faintly as he watched.
Then he slowly looked up.
【Hi.】
He walked over to the office worker and greeted her.
【Heading home now?】
It was Seo Hoyun.
After moving to a cozy restaurant, Seo Hoyun smiled gently and told her to speak comfortably.
He listened attentively to her stories, empathized,
and ended with warm encouragement and a few wise words.
[Is that damn cat part of the setup too? This guy’s insane.]
└But honestly, Seo Hoyun’s always been popular with animals lol
└└The world itself is making him the main character of a romance novel.
[I can already picture Kim Sunghyun sighing like the earth’s collapsing when he sees this.]
【...By the way, Hoyun, you’re always so polite.
You speak formally to everyone, even on PopPop and live streams....】
[Yeah, I wondered about that too lol]
[This Noeul unnie is sharp.]
【Just because.
Since Noeuls like me so much, I want to be just as respectful and considerate toward them.】
The office worker Noeul nodded fiercely but looked faintly disappointed.
Sensing it, Seo Hoyun lowered his gaze, seeming hesitant.
[Ha, as if he would.]
[We get that you miss him, but Seo Hoyun’s stubborn as hell.]
[He’d never do it.]
Just as the silence began to stretch—
【...Noona, which do you like more?】
Polite Hoyun—or this one?
He whispered softly, met her eyes, and smiled.
【I’ll match you.】
[“F*ck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”]
[“F*ck, this is the ultimate loss of self-control.”]
[“This bastard’s ruthless.”]
[“You psycho.”]
[“Seo Hoyun, this guy... yeah, he deserves that Billboard spot, lol.”
└LMAO you psychos stop admitting it in places like this lolololololol T_T]
With a deep sigh, the office worker Noeul pressed her forehead, and Seo Hoyun chuckled softly, asking if she didn’t like him that much. Then, returning to his usual tone, he continued showing interest, asking question after question.
When did she start liking The Dawn, how she’d been lately, whether work had been hard on her, and naturally slipped in a few recent activity stories.
【I’d love to stay longer, but I have to go now.】
Uncharacteristically talkative, Seo Hoyun furrowed his brows slightly and rose to his feet, moving reluctantly.
[Is this really the same guy who only answers other members with consonants...?]
[Seriously... is this actually Seo Hoyun-kun?]
When the office worker Noeul returned the mic and bowed politely to the staff before leaving the restaurant, Seo Hoyun quietly stayed by her side the whole way.
He said he couldn’t take her all the way home but wanted to walk her to the main street at least.
【These days, I find myself wondering more and more.
What are the fans doing, are they eating well, did anything bad happen today...
I wouldn’t know unless I meet them in person.】
As he opened the taxi door for her, Seo Hoyun smiled faintly, looking at her.
【Thank you for liking me.】
He stayed still until the taxi shrank into a dot and disappeared from sight.
[Holy sh*t, she hit the jackpot............]
[This is unreal... I’m so jealous....]
[Why’s Seo Hoyun been so mellow lately??
Not fake at all—he just seems more relaxed.]
[True, true, true, it’s like he’s softened somehow... he’s kind to everyone now.]
[Though with the members, he’s... kind of stricter?
└LOL last week Jung Dajun literally slammed his head on the floor going “Hyung!!! You’ve arrived, sir!!!” as soon as Seo Hoyun walked in
└└At that point isn’t Jung Dajun just trolling Seo Hoyun LMAOOOO]
Just when everyone thought the <Met My Bias – Seo Hoyun Edition> episode had ended, Min Jiheon’s face suddenly popped up on screen.
[Why the hell is Oppa showing up here,,,?]
[LOL Min Jiheon was supposedly rejecting all acting offers lately—so does that mean Seo Hoyun’s worth guesting for him on a variety show now??]
[Their friendship’s insane... he must really care about his junior.]
As Min Jiheon came running toward them, Seo Hoyun’s expression instantly darkened.
【Oh, did you wait long...?】
[Cancel.
Forget it, Min Jiheon came just to mess around.]
【A skull mark appears above Seo Hoyun’s head...!】
[Still the same, our bunny.
He’s only soft with Noeul.]
[Look at Seo Hoyun’s face—
“What kind of Noeul will it be? Heart racing.”
-> “Ah, f*ck.”
└I’m losing it LOLLLL]
[Mr. S.H.Y., care to explain those date photos with Mr. M.J.H.?^^
You hit Billboard and now you think you own the world, huh? Keep going, soon you’ll conquer space too #TheDawn
└Delete that before you actually cause drama, for real. Seo Hoyun is seeing someone overseas... T_T
└└??????? With who???
└└I live abroad♡
└└Ffs I almost had a heart attack lololololololololol]
As Noeuls screamed and swooned over the ten-second teaser, news about The Dawn started flooding every major portal site.
〈The Dawn Heads to America... Min Jiheon Also Departs the Next Day, ‘WH Stars All Assembled’〉
〈Black Call to Appear at Music TV Awards (MTA)... Will They Win Song of the Year?〉
〈WH’s Stars Shine Worldwide—The Dawn Nominated for K-POP Category at U.S. ‘MTA’〉
***
‘Ah, my head.’
Arriving early in the morning at JFK Airport in New York, I went through a brief immigration check and let out a heavy breath.
Even after stepping out of the gate and facing the fans waiting outside, the headache wouldn’t fade.
‘Stress?’
The maknae walking a bit ahead seemed thrilled by the foreign sights and atmosphere,
but unfortunately, there was no time to explore—
we had to head straight to the Music TV Awards Live.
Except for Jung Dajun, the others were unusually quiet, probably tense about the massive award show.
But even knowing how composed he usually was, Kang Ichae’s silence bothered me.
“Please move this way!”
Without even stopping by the hotel, we arrived at the venue and immediately began several rounds of rehearsals.
Afterward, we changed into stage outfits inside the caravan trailer dressing room, prepared for interviews, and boarded the van again.
When the car stopped before the red carpet of Music TV Awards Live and the door opened, a barrage of flashes poured in.
Jung Dajun’s eyes, wide with awe at seeing so many famous artists bustling past, barely blinked.
After answering a few short interview requests, The Dawn finally made it to the waiting room.
Leaning back in the chair with my eyes closed, I felt sweat slowly trail down my spine.
“—For Best Song..., the nominees include Black Call sunbaenims....”
“......”
“If they come— they’ll probably greet you, huh....”
Even the sound itself...
“......Seo Hoyun?”
“Ah, yeah.”
The ringing in my ears grew worse with time.
‘The system said there was no penalty, but...’
The thing seemed completely unaware of what was happening.
Kim Sunghyun gave me a worried look, but I shrugged it off as nothing.
Then, after glancing around the waiting room, he asked,
“...Where’s Kang Ichae?”
“He said he was feeling suffocated, so he stepped out for a bit!”
The answer came from Jung Dajun.
Ever since arriving in the States, Kang Ichae had been visibly off.
After running into some people blatantly trying to cling onto NerdyFreak’s connections,
he’d stopped talking entirely, smiling that slick smile of his and keeping his mouth shut.
“Still, since we’re abroad, shouldn’t we stick together? He could get lost.”
“Nah, he’ll be fine. He used to live here, remember?”
Even small sounds started to grate on me.
Feeling worse by the minute, I slipped out of the waiting room and down the hall, intending to ask the system again about this situation.
‘Ah, this is f*cking unbearable.’
If it were just the ringing and headache, I could deal with it—
but I kept hearing voices.
As if someone were calling out to me...
“Ugh...”
Bzzzzzzzt—
A piercing whine filled my ears, followed by a stabbing pain that ripped through my skull.
Clenching my jaw and biting down hard, I braced myself against the wall, staring at the floor.
...—Hey!!
“—Hey.”
Just as the floor seemed to rush up toward me,
someone caught me by the arm.
When I slowly lifted my gaze,
pale blond hair hung down right in front of my eyes.
“You look like hell.”
Beyond it was a familiar face I hadn’t seen in quite a while—
Joo Woosung.
His neatly shaped brows twitched in disapproval as he tilted his head toward me.
“You sick or something?”
