It was late spring.
When Seo Hoyun wrapped up his renewal contract with a bag of dried mangoes in hand...
[Revolution! Revolution! There’s nothing but revolution!]
[Put that bastard Gyeongjo on the guillotine!]
—The Noeul fans, knowing nothing, were still engulfed in madness.
It wasn’t even anxiety about the renewal possibly falling through.
The Dawn not doing idol activities anymore—did that make any sense?
Their affection for the group named “Saebyeok” was so plainly visible that everyone knew the five of them would somehow continue together.
But there was one thing that weighed heavily on the fans’ hearts.
[You damn Deopaeseong bastard, treat The Dawn well.]
It was the agency problem.
They had blocked live performances, restricted promotions... From Black Call to Hi-Five, it was as if sabotaging idols had become some grand tradition, constantly getting in their way.
So when the news article about their re-signing dropped, the fans’ reactions looked like this:
<The Dawn, all five members together... opening a new ‘Saebyeok’>
[So beautiful.]
<The Dawn, all five members re-sign with ‘Daepaseong’... opening a new ‘Saebyeok’>
[What the actual fuck.]
......Even with good news, they couldn’t bring themselves to be happy.
But that uneasy feeling in the fans’ hearts was dispelled sooner than expected.
[Again, revolution! Revolution! Revolu—huh?]
Because the official account began to move.
[...Huh?]
Calling it a “hard-drive purge,” several times a day they released unseen behind-the-scenes clips from old self-produced content, backstage photos from Shining Star Season 1, scenes from Bring Me the Camera, the rural healing special, and even screenshots of The Dawn’s group chat—
Everything began to be released one after another.
[W-what... what’s going on? Why is WH doing this?]
[Th-this flavor... this tastes like Daepaseong.]
[They’ve gone insane, but I’m bowing in gratitude anyway.]
So the fans devoured every bit of it—the members’ baby-faced photos and posts—like starving people.
[Holy shit, the Woochansa chat is killing me.
Hoyun-hyung: (photo)
Hoyun-hyung: Found Jung Dajun.
But the photo’s just an ugly elephant statue on the street.
└LOLOLOLOLOLOL ohmy god haha
└ha, so dad-like LOLOLOL our fathers do this too lolol
└What the hell does Seo Hoyun think Jung Dajun is LOLOLOL]
That “hard-drive purge” gradually crossed the past and reached the present.
When Seo Hoyun’s new photos were revealed, the emotional impact peaked.
[Holy shit.]
They’d said he was filming an action movie—and there he was, sitting among complex filming equipment in a suit, the setting sun behind him, faintly smiling while pointing toward the twilight.
[He’s a prince, for real.]
[An insanely handsome man has appeared..]
[Are you an actor or an idol—
You’re an idol!!!!!!!]
But the idol they loved wouldn’t be coming back just yet.
No matter how many photos or videos they released, until official activities resumed, everything would stay sealed away.
[When is my no-brakes idol coming back?]
[If they re-signed, that probably means self-content will be restricted..]
[In that case, the answer is obviously protest..]
And just as they were about to raise the guillotine again—
【THE DAWN’s live has started!】
The live broadcast began.
As fans rushed in with flying eyebrows, a familiar melody filled the dimly lit room bathed in soft light.
【Nights dreams dawns are coming
This is the night where we are defined】
It was Define.
And gradually, their vision adjusted.
This wasn’t the WH office or the dorm they were used to seeing.
Somehow, the interior screamed of Kang Ichae’s taste.
Just as they were about to ask where this was, Sung Jiwon appeared on stage, wearing a casual office look with neatly combed hair.
“...Shall we start?”
The moment he smiled shyly, everyone was struck speechless.
[Ah.. beautiful.]
[His face attack is insane.]
[He even got his makeup done.]
[Why are our babies pushing themselves so hard.]
Before anyone could recover their words, Sung Jiwon cleared his throat and pressed a remote; with a buzzing sound, a screen began descending from the wall.
“Mm, without further ado... shall we begin the updates presentation?”
[Excuse me, what?]
“This announcement is to share what each member has been up to. Everyone brings photos, speaks for one minute, and the rest can ask as many questions as they like.”
[No seriously what is this.]
“Today Ichae was supposed to come, but his flight was delayed. Still, he’ll upload a video message later, so please look forward to it!”
Capturing everyone’s gaze with his face alone, Sung Jiwon touched his flushed cheek and moved to the next slide.
“I’ll start first. I’ve gotten into taking photos lately... I’ve been learning a lot from Ichae!”
[He’s so cute~ haha]
The screen showed Kang Ichae playing the ukulele and singing, and everyone smiled warmly.
But then—
“This one’s a photo I took while Sunghyun was practicing.”
The next picture showed Kim Sunghyun wiping sweat with his T-shirt—rolled-up sleeves, forearms exposed, and even a glimpse of abs.
[Thank you so fucking much.]
[They’ve come from the hell known as Daepaseong,
the ones insane with the desire for success,
who’ve already succeeded yet still crave more.]
[These update presentations are amazing.]
“Uh? Hahaha....”
Momentarily flustered, Sung Jiwon blinked wide, then calmly went on as if nothing happened.
“Ah, this one’s a practice shot.”
The photo showed four members collapsed on the floor while he alone made a bright V sign.
“They all look happy, right?”
You could believe it was a crime scene.
Then Jung Dajun eagerly raised his hand and waved.
“This is Jung Dajun from The Dawn!!”
“Yes, Mr. Jung Dajun. Go ahead.”
Like a press conference, Jung Dajun jumped up, clutching his water bottle like a microphone, and shouted:
“Mr. Sung Jiwon! Rumor has it that your practice sessions keep getting longer, and sometimes you don’t let us go home!”
[This is starting to look less like an update session and more like a press briefing.]
“The Dawn is dying on the practice room floor, yet why! won’t! you! listen?!”
[Or maybe a parliamentary hearing.]
But no matter how cheeky Jung Dajun’s questions were, Sung Jiwon only blinked his round eyes innocently and replied in a sweet voice that carried pure malice:
“...Wasn’t that just whining?”
“......!”
“......!”
“Ah, humor...? Is it humor?”
[Look at The Dawn getting restless lmao]
[Even Seo Hoyun is restless LOOOOL]
[Too scary, Jiwon-kun..]
[scary..]
“Mm, actually I’m being lenient right now—.”
“That was a perfect presentation! Please step down! Step ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) down, sir!”
Before Sung Jiwon could go berserk, Jung Dajun rushed up and stopped him.
The main vocal tilted his head, still not understanding, and quietly stepped off the stage.
Trembling in fear, Jung Dajun took a deep breath to calm himself before stepping up.
“M-maknae starting now.”
Then he brushed back his perfectly styled blond hair with flair.
The rainbow screen flashed: “♡The Dawn’s Most Handsome (gasp—it’s official!) Jung Dajun!!♡”
“Recently, I’ve moved out on my own!”
[Huh?]
But it didn’t make sense.
Judging from the countless eyewitness accounts online, they always seemed to be living together.
[Well... I guess it could happen.]
[Moving out this early feels a bit fast... kind of sad.]
While the Noeul fans murmured bittersweetly, Jung Dajun moved to the next slide.
Animated flowers bloomed across the screen, revealing the title:
“♡The Dawn’s New Dorm—(read: Ichae’s House)♡”
“—To Ichae-hyung’s house.”
[?]
As a time-lapse showed an empty room transforming into their new space, everyone whispered, realizing this was Kang Ichae’s home.
But since the older members already knew, they reacted indifferently.
“I live there too. Maybe try presenting something we don’t already know?”
“Boring.”
[Comment section exploding with sarcasm.
Wait—so everyone moved into Kang Ichae’s house??]
[The reason the fans didn’t notice any change is because nothing looked different.]
[The following conversation was absurd as well.]
Dajun: I moved.
Hoyun: Where to?
Dajun: To Ichae-hyung’s house!!
Hoyun: Alone?
Dajun: No, four of us!!
Hoyun: Then what’s changed?
└Seo Hoyun sharply pointed it out, but Jung Dajun shamelessly yelled, “Nothing!! Is that a problem??”
“Fine! Then let’s move on to something else.”
But the youngest, whose body seemed to be made of iron, ignored the older members’ grumbling and clicked to the next slide.
“I’ve been enjoying reading books lately. Especially psychology books.”
That was unexpected, and everyone stirred.
“—And I’ve realized something. It’s really important not to become negative toward one another!”
“Haha.”
“For example, let’s take Seo Hoyun here. Even if hyung pisses us off, we should have a ‘heart of understanding.’”
Jung Dajun said it with a pitying tone.
“Right... It’s not that hyung is actually bad, the world is bad.”
“.......”
Shashak—
Seo Hoyun’s face appeared, looking as if he were thinking, ‘He’s really trying to screw with me, huh.’ But Jung Dajun stepped down looking proud, as though he’d done something noble.
Kim Sunghyun, who had been smiling as if to say, “Our maknae’s growing up well,” slowly stepped up and began flipping through his slides.
“Hmm... I was wondering what to do, but anyway, I recently appeared on a variety show...”
“Wheeeew~! Nation’s son-in-law~~.”
“Wow~!”
“.......”
Kim Sunghyun calmly moved to the next slide, but his ears were red.
“...And, I’ve been exercising and doing chores at home. There’ve been quite a few meetings lately too...”
“Best husband material~.”
“.......”
After a long silence, Kim Sunghyun showed his final slide, looking tired, as though he just wanted to end it quickly.
“...Any questions or comments?”
“I have one.”
Seo Hoyun, who’d been sitting indifferently the whole time, crossed his legs and raised his hand.
“In life, sometimes things get tough...”
Then he tilted his head lazily.
“When you feel like crying, come to me.”
[Holy shit Sunghyun’s soul just left his body.]
[Why would he go to you.]
[Seriously, why the hell would he go to you.]
Kim Sunghyun ignored him completely and stepped down. Meanwhile, Seo Hoyun, who seemed energized after sucking all the life out of his leader, smiled slyly and stepped onto the stage, pressing the remote control.
“My update is...”
Chrararan—
The screen filled with a beautiful sunset.
In front of it stood a man pretending to look pure, smiling shyly.
“...I’ve been thinking only of Noeul.”
It was pathetic.
Booing erupted immediately, but Seo Hoyun had expected that. He lowered his lashes as if sorrowful—then slightly raised the corner of his lips.
“...Noeul, thank you for existing.”
[Oh my..]
[Oh my..]
When words fail, use your face.
[Hey, you’re literally using your looks as a weapon right now.]
[Are you kidding me, man.]
While The Dawn members’ expressions were turning sour, only Sung Jiwon was clapping enthusiastically.
The Noeul fans murmured, wondering who this overzealous fan was, but Seo Hoyun simply smiled toward the camera once more and gracefully stepped down from the stage.
Later, a text arrived from Kang Ichae packed full of exaggerated cuteness:
‘Sorry my flight got delayed T_T Let’s do part 2 when I arrive♡’
[Ha... boys...]
When the live broadcast ended, the Noeul fans quietly wiped their eyes.
[Just seeing that you’re all living together at Ichae’s place shows how close you are..]
[Seriously, who lends their house to someone they’re not close to..]
[Holy shit LOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL]
That was right.
It was good to see them again, but even so, fans still hesitated—unsure if re-signing with Daepaseong had truly been the right choice.
[Guys lol I found something funny
New video from Daepaseong’s company workshop
└What?]
With the title:
“Seo Hoyun beats Joo Woosung for 1st place at workshop?!”
That legendary performance, which had been whispered about like a myth, had finally been revealed—and everyone was stunned.
[Oh my god.]
Because now they could understand how Joo Woosung had lost.
[Holy shit, so even Joo Woosung can lose to Seo Hoyun.]
[So this is our new company representative?]
[LMAOOOOOOOOO fuck T_T]
Thus, the shock at least managed to silence their unease for a while.
***
“Ah, what nice weather today.”
He cheerfully walked along while glancing at the heavy rain warning on his phone.
Finally, everything was starting to fall into place.
He had thrown off the miserable interference, firmly secured WH’s welfare, and Daepaseong was now running wild without restraint. WH still tread carefully around their new representative.
‘Everything’s perfect.’
Album prep was going smoothly, and he headed to the studio with light steps.
Then, in front of the door, he noticed a large silver suitcase sticking out and tilted his head.
‘That guy, huh.’
Sure enough, there he was—crouched beside it, fiddling with his headset.
Seeing him for the first time in a while, Hoyun greeted him casually.
“The song vending machine’s here, huh?”
He already knew if they met, the other would probably cling to him saying, “I missed you so much, boo-hoo-hoo,” so he was ready to keep his distance.
But Kang Ichae looked up—
“.......”
—and frowned silently.
“......Hm?”
Hoyun frowned at the unexpected expression. Kang Ichae glanced him up and down, then removed his headset and spoke.
“......Hyung.”
Then, pouting his lips, he said,
“My flight got delayed and it was soooo, soooo, sooo exhausting...”
“.......”
“Pamper meee.”
......Hmm.
Hoyun frowned slightly and looked him over.
Once, he would’ve brushed it off—‘Ah, typical, affectionate Kang Ichae’—but now—
‘This little bastard.’
They’d spent years working together, and counting childhood, they’d known each other for over a decade.
So he knew right away.
‘He’s testing me.’
For some reason.
But by now, Hoyun was used to handling that kind of thing.
“Hmph.”
When he didn’t react, Kang Ichae, as if expecting it, raised his voice.
“I just got here and you call me a vending machine, I’m seriously hu—”
“—Was it hard?”
Seeing the usually sly one’s lips tighten for a second, Hoyun smiled faintly and asked,
“Want hyung to pamper you?”
