Chapter 168 : Check (2)
Chapter 168: Check (2)
Although the articles that had been pouring out quieted down due to Reporter Lee Hyojin’s self-destruction, we couldn’t completely avoid the murmuring that went on behind our backs.
Even if public opinion was divided, in this narrow industry, there was a general atmosphere that believed the rumors to be true.
On top of that, with rumors going around that Taewoon Group had disowned Kang Siwoo like an unwanted child, it seemed some people were treating him even more lightly.
Whisper, whisper—
I heard voices clearly conscious of Kang Siwoo.
“Guess it must be true.”
“Hey, he can hear you. Keep it down. He looks scary.”
I subtly turned my head to gauge Kang Siwoo’s reaction.
It would’ve been understandable for him to be upset.
But Kang Siwoo merely bit down on his lower lip without any particular reaction.
Instead, he calmly checked the rehearsal situation.
“We’re supposed to monitor from over there, right?”
“Y-yeah. I think so.”
While Jin Sehyun responded and diverted the topic, I scanned the ones who had just spouted nonsense.
They openly disrespected him to his face, so I thought they must be something special—turns out, not really.
It was Lee Changhyun from Darkwall.
I’d seen him a few times on variety shows.
Since our active periods never overlapped with Stardust, we hadn’t had any direct clashes, but there are always people in this industry who look down on rookies and act competitive….
He probably wasn’t doing it for any particular reason.
Though not yet well-known domestically, they were a group gaining popularity overseas.
In fact, it was more accurate to say that Lee Changhyun’s variety show presence was higher than the group’s itself.
He was doing well on variety shows with a jokester image.
Turns out that wasn’t just a concept—it was his actual personality.
His cocky gaze swept up and down Kang Siwoo.
“What’s so scary about him? Is he gonna throw a punch or what?”
“Sehyun, when’s our rehearsal time again?”
“Look at him ignoring us even though he can hear.”
“…….”
That crossed the line.
Perhaps noticing our stares, Lee Changhyun gave a sneering smile.
“Oh, I wasn’t talking to you.”
Yeah, right.
It was a comment that made me scoff, but we could’ve let it slide at that point.
However.
His next words were a direct provocation.
“What, hit a nerve?”
Kang Siwoo’s brow twitched slightly.
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Should we respond or not?
One thing was certain—getting involved with someone like that wouldn’t be wise.
I subtly stepped in front of Kang Siwoo, blocking his view.
“Let it go.”
“…Yeah, let’s.”
It was at that exact moment.
In the rehearsal hall, where the tension felt like a thread about to snap—
A sharp voice cut through the air.
“Just because it’s open doesn’t mean it’s a mouth, and just because you spit it out doesn’t make it speech.”
“……!”
That one sentence instantly froze the room.
I, too, turned my head in surprise.
Of course, it wasn’t one of our members who said it.
Stardust didn’t have any members that combative.
Then who on earth—
And for what reason…?
“…What did you say?”
My eyes finally landed on a person standing not too far away in a corner.
It was Han Gabin from BK.
His unusually cold face stared directly at Lee Changhyun.
“Were you talking to me?”
Lee Changhyun asked again, dumbfounded.
The mood turned tense so quickly that my throat felt parched.
Kang Siwoo also turned his head with a confused expression, as if he wanted to ask the same question.
I didn’t understand it either.
What business did someone with no ties to Kang Siwoo have getting involved here?
I could only imagine how bewildered his teammate Taekyung must be.
Taekyung ran over in shock to Han Gabin.
“Hey, are you crazy? What’s wrong with you all of a sudden?”
“Just sounded ridiculous, that’s all.”
Han Gabin tousled his styled hair and gave a crooked grin.
“Crossing the line by dragging family into it.”
“…….”
Lee Changhyun, who had been standing with his mouth agape, finally replied coldly.
He laughed awkwardly, clearly unable to fully grasp the situation.
“Are you sick or something?”
But Han Gabin didn’t back down.
“I wasn’t talking to you. Why? Hit a nerve?”
“Hey… What the hell is wrong with you…”
Taekyung looked like he was about to cry, not knowing how to handle the sudden chaos.
“If you’re going to talk trash using rumors, maybe start by cleaning up your own image. You’re not exactly squeaky clean, are you?”
“What?”
“Heard you were hitting on girls left and right, and now female idols won’t go near you. So you’re picking on rookies instead.”
Wow.
“If I were you, I’d be too ashamed to show my face~.”
That landed hard.
Lee Changhyun’s face flushed so red it looked ready to burst.
And.
Another casualty.
From what I could tell, Taekyung from BK looked about ready to faint.
He had a fiery temper, sure—but I’d never seen him go this far.
He really… caused a scene.
“Hey, get him out of here.”
In the end, Han Gabin’s rampage ended only when his teammates dragged him out.
Lee Changhyun was fuming, gritting his teeth…
Excuse me.
Staring at us won’t solve anything.
After much trouble, we finished the rehearsal and returned to our original waiting room.
Everyone looked exhausted, probably because of the commotion downstairs.
“I feel drained….”
“I don’t know… that was scary.”
Seo Ian and Seo Haim collapsed as soon as we arrived, resting their heads side by side against the wall.
At that moment, Ha Junseo, who had been keeping quiet for a while, cautiously spoke up.
“About Han Gabin…. I mean, I’m grateful, but why did he suddenly do that?”
I appreciated the intention to protect a junior who was unfairly targeted.
But Han Gabin’s actions had been rather extreme.
He wasn’t even on the same team, nor had he particularly looked out for us before, so there was no reason for him to step in like that.
If this was just because I blocked that egg for him, well—anyone would think I took a bullet for him or something.
Han Gabin might be an old-fashioned type, but he was never the emotional sort.
So why now, all of a sudden?
I pressed my temples as I fell into thought.
Right then.
My phone buzzed with perfect timing.
It was a text from Taekyung of BK.
– Gabin’s been feeling a bit under the weather the past few days… maybe that’s why he was sensitive
– Sorry for causing a scene
Ah.
No wonder he seemed off.
Though honestly, his reaction was a bit much for just being physically unwell….
I texted back that it was okay and put my phone away.
Because suddenly, another thought crossed my mind.
Wait a second.
I frowned and rubbed my face with my hands.
If I remembered correctly, BK had a lineup change around their 4th or 5th year.
It wasn’t because of some scandal like Stardust, but I think it was related to health issues.
BK’s member change….
Who was it again?
“Was it Han Gabin?”
2017 Seoul K-pop Awards.
The audience seats were packed with fans who had miraculously succeeded in getting tickets through intense competition.
“Wow, this is amazing.”
Dusty’s Jungwon looked around with excitement; it was her first time attending an event like this.
Stardust hadn’t held a solo concert under their name yet, and she had failed to get into every pre-recording.
And she didn’t have enough funds to attend fan signing events.
This time too, it would’ve been impossible if not for her Deokchin friend, the Ticketing God, who came with her.
“I’m going to soak up every glimpse of them….”
Especially our Seohan….
It was my dying wish to see him in person, and now I’m fulfilling it.
Dusty’s Jungwon was carefully watching the far end of the stage through her newly bought NaXKa telescope.
Just then—
“Oh, it’s Kang Siwoo!”
A fan seated up front shouted in a loud voice.
There was quite a distance between the audience and the stage, but since they were in one of the frontmost sections, it seemed they had a view backstage.
Even from here, Kang Siwoo visibly flinched.
Her Deokchin friend’s eyes sparkled.
“…Do you think he heard that?”
“Maybe.”
With that recent rumor incident, he must’ve been going through a lot emotionally.
Her Deokchin, whose bias was Siwoo, was intently checking his expression.
“Hey, does he look okay to you?”
“Yeah. Thank goodness.”
That damn tabloid scum.
Some Dusties apparently found his personal Stargram and went on a rampage.
I wasn’t a fan of extreme measures, but it looked like he deleted his account and disappeared for now.
With fans on high alert, we probably wouldn’t be seeing his name in entertainment news for a while.
“Siwoo, fightingggg!”
“Stardust just tore up the stageee!”
Even before the awards ceremony officially started, the voice of the person up front was loud enough to stand out despite the other fans shouting for their teams.
Whisper whisper—
Encouraged by that, another fan now shouted boldly.
“Do Seohan is so freaking handsomeeeee!”
This time, the reaction was much quicker than for Kang Siwoo.
Seohan picked up the mic hanging from his waist and covered his face with it.
Dusty’s Jungwon burst into laughter.
“Hey, he’s embarrassed.”
“Oh my god. He’s so freaking cute.”
Her Deokchin stomped her feet in place in a flustered frenzy.
That was understandable—Do Seohan was known for his ears turning bright red whenever he got embarrassed.
“Do Seohan! I want to be the bride walking down the aisle at your wedding!”
“What do you eat to be that handsomeeee! Share the secret with usss!”
Seriously….
Dusties really went all in when teasing Do Seohan.
“I swear, Do Seohan feels so much like my baby I’m about to lose it….”
That lasted only a moment.
As the actual ceremony began, the murmuring audience quickly quieted again.
“…….”
There were still a few fans who tried to shout out members’ names obliviously, but it looked like the sharp gazes from those around them shut that down quickly.
Dusty’s Jungwon lowered her voice and whispered to her Deokchin.
“Honestly, I’m looking forward to that.”
“To what?”
“The special stage at the awards.”
Since it was their first award show, they had apparently rearranged the performance for the occasion.
I remembered Cha Seongbin teasing during the last live that they were working hard on the stage.
But right now, there was something even more important than the arrangement.
Just as Jungwon nodded and replied, her Deokchin suddenly stood up.
“Hey, spoiler’s out.”
Huh?
@neru245_b
Saw the rehearsal
Their hair, makeup, outfit—crazy perfect
Mayday has a dance break arrangement
Do Seohan has a solo dance
Holy crap.
“Seohan does the opening dance break for Mayday.”
My heart felt like it was going to explode.