Second Try Idol

After my performance ended, the lights dimmed. Although it was dark on the stage, I still greeted the fans and then caught my breath as I moved backstage. I could hear the staff quietly moving around and changing all the props on stage. And then…

“Good job," Goh Yoo-Joon whispered as he passed by me. I realized it was his turn, so I tensed up again. Yes, next was Goh Yoo-Joon's stage.

“Great job, Hyun-Woo!"

“Well done!”

“Thank you!" I greeted the staff and band members who worked with me and then shifted my gaze to the monitor.

Joo-Han stood by my side and patted my back as I looked at the screen with a serious expression. He said, “That was very impressive, Hyun-Woo."

“Hmm? Ah."

“Are you going to watch Yoo-Joon's performance before leaving?"

“Yes. I think I will feel relieved after watching it."

It was my first time watching him live on the stage. Goh Yoo-Joon's performance was especially nerve-wracking for me, as it was his first solo song, and I had written the lyrics for it. I had heard the song numerous times during practice and rehearsals, and I felt confident. I knew Goh Yoo-Joon would do it justice, but I felt I needed to watch until the end to be completely reassured.

I turned on my phone to record a video so Goh Yoo-Joon could review his performance later.

“Yoo-Joon’s song will start soon," said Joo-Han. From the end of my performance to the start of Goh Yoo-Joon's, the cheers were incessant. Soon, the dim lights gathered on the stage, and Goh Yoo-Joon started to move as soon as he received the cue through his in-ear microphone.

Sigh-.

The sigh had become Goh Yoo-Joon's trademark since Pick We Up, where he was known as the Sigh Boy. It was something I tried incorporating as part of Goh Yoo-Joon's identity, and he pulled it off so well. Moreover, the black leather couch and his unbuttoned shirt added a more sexy vibe to his performance.

Goh Yoo-Joon flicked one of his feet up and placed it over his thigh, with a cool expression and lowered eyelids.

“He looks like a grumpy boss, haha. But, wow. He is really good-looking," Joo-Han chuckled.

I nodded in agreement. “I've known it since Pick We Up, but he becomes a completely different person on stage. All the playfulness disappears."

Anyway, it was a perfect start. Excellent.

The red petals burn,

The smoke drifts to the lips,

Enveloping you

Tripping over the imperfect lighting,

Slowly getting closer♪

The stylist, who was fixing Joo-Han’s hair, asked, “I can't believe Hyun-Woo wrote this no matter how many times I listen to it. How in the world can a kid write such sexy lyrics?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. “I just wrote it according to Yoo-Joon’s image."

Of course, I couldn't have written it with the usual image of him in mind, so I watched the sighing part of Pick We Up over and over... I even went as far as to consult the annoying Kim Jin-Wook. But as a result, the lyrics fitting so well with Goh Yoo-Joon's onstage image came out. It was so fortunate.

I will be anything

Whisper sweetly,

For the cold burning moment

I will smile and speak kindly♪

With minimal choreography, the song allowed the audience to focus on Goh Yoo-Joon's unique, enticing voice. And just in case it got boring, we prepared to perform a hat choreography while he sat there.

If you like it,

I will always be a fun person,

But

I’m not actually that pleasant♪

“Perfect. He is doing well. Yeah, that's it." I bit my lip to stop a proud smile from forming as this reminded me of my time as a trainer. Just like that, the debut of Goh Yoo-Joon's first solo song—a collaboration created with much thought by Joo-Han and me—was perfectly completed.

Ah, memories of countless worries and hardships flashed by. I was definitely moved. As I was waiting for Goh Yoo-Joon to come backstage, I felt a tingling sensation in my nose.

“Joo-Han, you are next."

“Ah, yep."

“Yoo-Joon, great job."

“Goh Yoo-Joon, you’ve worked hard."

Tada! Dadada dam dam~!!!

Hey! Everyone, here I come! It's trot time! ♪

Joo-Han rushed out just as Goh Yoo-Joon was coming in. The catchy ad-libs, the sing-song, and even the lighting were all so dramatic. Joo-Han had just swiped away all my emotional feelings.

“Hahaha! Great job!"

Unaware of my empty feelings, Goh Yoo-Joon simply laughed at Joo-Han's humor beside me. “Suh Hyun-Woo, isn't it funny? What's with that expression?"

“No, it's nothing. Anyway, hey, you did well."

“Were you watching from here? Oh, what a good boy."

“I recorded your performance on my phone. Watch it later."

“Eh."

Jin-Sung let out a scream and dashed onto the stage with a microphone. “Wow, I can't contain my excitement!!!"

“Jin-Sung... Joo-Han hyung..." Yoon-Chan watched the two with a complex expression on his face. On stage, those two were partying, while Yoo-Joon and I were cooling off backstage. Only Yoon-Chan was somewhat oblivious and just found everything funny.

Meanwhile, the Rings were cheering passionately and loving even the silly side of us.

‘Ah! What a sight Chronos is!‘

As I blankly watched the performance, a stage staff approached and handed me a microphone, saying, “After Joo-Han's stage, you will start “Parade."

Ah, right. We still had more performances to do. After the individual stages, we were to perform “Parade” and “Blue Room Party” in the same costumes.

“What are we going to do about the vibe?"

Could we really lift the mood more than this? Despite my worries, we finished the two songs with a surprisingly good atmosphere, or rather, an extension of the excitement.

***

There was no official division into parts one and two for the inauguration event, but we tentatively decided on part one being up to “Blue Room Party” during rehearsal breaks. After completing the first part, we changed costumes and took a breather while watching the broadcast of our debate VTR. It made me realize how unserious we had been.

It was a lengthy clip, but all I remembered were the scenes of Joo-Han's arbitrary hosting, Goh Yoo-Joon's toilet scene, and Jin-Sung's bulk-up ban. It was clear that everyone was out of their minds while filming, except for Yoon-Chan—the only normal one.

We watched half of it from the waiting room and half from backstage, and the chaotic yet well-received fan reactions were evident to us. Or perhaps, it was well-received because of the chaos. Then came the much-anticipated announcement of the sub-leader, which caused a buzz among the Rings. It must have been confusing for them.

‘What if they don't like it…?’

I tried to suppress my unbearable worries as we headed onto the stage for the VTR reveal.

“Yes! Another piece of information has been revealed."

“Oh my Chronos! What is this? I'm curious, what is this?" Announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan emerged from the opposite side and spoke teasingly. “It seems the Rings are quite surprised by the sudden news of a sub-leader. Leader Joo-Han, what's this about?"

“Yes, well... As you all watched, Chronos now has a sub-leader. You might wonder why we need a sub-leader with only five members, but I've hit my limit a few times while preparing for comebacks and fan meetings."

I then added. “Now, Joo-Han is also in charge of music production, and our company tends to consider member opinions a lot in planning performances and content, so Joo-Han had a lot of pressure on him."

“That's right. So we decided to have a sub-leader who could assist me."

The Rings quickly accepted Joo-Han's serious words, and they even seemed sympathetic, considering how tough it must have been for Joo-Han.

Jeong Gyu-Chan said, “Yes, our Joo-Han… While he’s a perfect leader who leads the members, the role of a leader can be very heavy and lonely."

“Yes, that's right."

“We hope that Chronos can enjoy their schedules a bit more comfortably with the sub-leader in position. Now, it's time for the announcement."

“Indeed!" Joo-Han let out a tense sigh with a grin. After that, the Rings looked at us with curious eyes; they seemed to be guessing it was either me or Goh Yoo-Joon.

“Let the sub-leader reveal themselves." Joo-Han playfully passed the announcement responsibility. “Alright! The sub-leader of Chronos is…!”

Jeong Gyu-Chan emphasized again. “The sub-leader is…! Drumroll, please!"

While the atmosphere builded up, I pretended to be oblivious and glanced at Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han before standing up abruptly. “The sub-leader is me! I will do my best to assist the leader and other members!"

“Aaaahhhhh!!!"

“Woooaahhhhh!!!" The response was unexpectedly overwhelming. I was surprised but also embarrassed and happy, so I bashfully lowered my head.

“Yes, yes! Rings, I understand your enthusiasm, but please calm down a bit!" Jeong Gyu-Chan managed to calm the still-excited crowd. “Now, now! Shall we ask? Why did Hyun-Woo become the sub-leader?"

“Hyun-Woo has been a reliable friend to me for the longest time. Of course, all our members are reliable, but considering various factors, we decided on him."

“Excellent. Hyun-Woo, could you share a few words about becoming the sub-leader?"

I nodded and took the microphone. “Yes. Well, it was quite a surprise and initially shocking, but I will do my best to ensure Chronos moves in a better direction. Please keep an eye on us."

Jeong Gyu-Chan nodded. “Yes, Rings. The sub-leader of Chronos has been decided. Please continue to support Chronos as they ponder how the group can develop and grow. Now, shall we move on to the next part?"

Jeong Gyu-Chan smoothly transitioned from the sub-leader discussion and showed the sign for the next session. “Up next! You've been waiting for this. It is a time when the fans' wishes are granted, whatever they may be!"

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