When I arrived back at the waiting room after parting ways with Kim Jin-woo, Yoo Chan-hee was glued to Joo Dan-woo's side, deep in conversation.
"Hyung, how do you usually handle it when you make a mistake? On stage, I mean."
"I'm not exactly the type who's strong against mistakes either, so it's hard to give a good answer. Well, as you know... during the <Dear Doll> level re-evaluations, I completely froze in the middle of the camera test."
"...Right, you did. But you haven't made a single mistake since then. I don't think I've ever seen you tremble on stage."
"No, I used to get really nervous. Back when I was at Seeds Label, I ruined every camera evaluation. But if there's a secret... I think I just started thinking a bit differently... since <Dear Doll>."
"You? That's really unexpected. What kind of mind-control method did you have?"
Even though he had calmed his trauma, it seemed Chan-hee was still frustrated and disappointed about his mistake on stage, seeking to share experiences with his fellow rapper-line member, Dan-woo.
'I told him to handle it on his own, and he's actually doing it.'
Since sharing experiences and trading opinions within the same position is a great way to grow, I gave them a brief look and sat down on the sofa.
"I just got back from the snack bar. Anyone want a sandwich?"
"Me!"
"Ah, thanks."
"Thanks, I'll enjoy it. But where are Aiden hyung and Ji-hyuk hyung?"
"Oh, Ji-hyuk hyung went to see someone he knows for a bit. Said there was something he wanted to ask. Here, hyung, you eat too."
Cheon Se-rim, who had entered right behind me, began handing out items from the pile in his arms to the members one by one. In the middle of it, Se-rim suddenly thrust an ionic drink toward me, and I took it reflexively.
"Thanks."
"Drink up. You were exerting a lot of energy earlier."
"...?"
I paused while twisting the cap of the drink. When I turned my head, Cheon Se-rim was looking at me with a meaningful glint in his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips.
'...This guy.'
The meaning behind that smile was clear.
"......You saw?"
"I saw."
"And heard?"
"The gist of it?"
I had clearly checked to make sure no one was around, so I remained silent, wondering when he could have heard us. Interpreting my silence in his own way, Cheon Se-rim nonchalantly sipped the orange juice in his hand and continued.
"Don't worry, there was no one but me around. But hyung, you're really something. Were you that worried about Chan-hee?"
"...I don't know what you're talking about."
"It's an open area, even if no one was there. Normally, I didn't think you'd go that far, but you were pretty aggressive. Fortunately, I was the only one who heard it."
"Where the hell were you hiding?"
"You know the area where they keep the broadcasting equipment? I was coming back from the snack bar and saw you, so I was going to hide and surprise you, but then you suddenly started a conversation with 'that person.' Thanks to that, I couldn't even show myself. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me?"
Cheon Se-rim feigned crying, sobbing exaggeratedly. Despite the drama, I let out a small sigh of relief as he kept his mention of Kim Jin-woo vague just in case Chan-hee might react.
"As long as it was just you, it's fine."
Even though I told Kim Jin-woo to go ahead and spread rumors, it would be troublesome if it actually happened. I had checked the surroundings several times, but I never expected someone to be hiding there in advance.
Se-rim waved my concerns away dismissively.
"Really, don't worry about that. But wow, I was surprised."
"By what?"
"I didn't know you were so good at drawing aggro."
"......."
Is he insulting me?
When I just stared at him with a subtle expression, Se-rim chuckled and added:
"Ah, I mean, I knew you were good at throwing straight fastballs? But I didn't know you could be this proactive. This is a real compliment! It means it was reassuring. Honestly, I was so glad to see you show that much aggression."
"What, am I a dog?"
"Why would you say something so hurtful? I told you, it's a compliment."
I asked out of sheer disbelief that he was using terms like 'aggression' for a person, but Cheon Se-rim placed a hand over his heart with an exaggerated air of innocence and continued.
"You're usually the type who just lets whatever aggro is pulled around you slide. Even though we're close now...."
Se-rim trailed off, casting a glance toward Chan-hee, who was still deep in conversation with Dan-woo, and Kang Hyun-jin, who was looking at his phone as if monitoring something.
"...Well, at least Dan-woo hyung, Aiden hyung, and I know how much of a hellish time you had back then?"
".........."
I understood then what Cheon Se-rim was getting at.
'This guy... he was worried I'd act like a pushover again.'
Cheon Se-rim had been worried that I might not respond properly to provocations. Just as he said, he probably expected me to hear insults and just come back saying, "It is what it is."
From my perspective, his reaction was a bit absurd. I didn't think I had ever been that easy of a target.
As if answering my thoughts, Se-rim said:
"Hyung, you're openly soft. Look at you even now—you forgot all the crap you went through during <Dear Doll> and went out of your way to find the person who made your 'younger brother' cry just to land a blow on him."
"......."
"The same person who just watched silently no matter what fight was picked during <Dear Doll>. So how can I not find it fascinating?"
Se-rim took a gulp of his drink. I couldn't help but wonder for a moment what kind of image he had of me.
'Come to think of it... he found it fascinating back then too, when I said I disliked Baek Yi-hyun.'
As if he thought I didn't have anyone I disliked in the world, or that I was a believer that "everyone has their reasons."
Of course, I know that during <Dear Doll>, I often chose to leave things alone rather than fight back. But there was a reason for that back then.
I let out a soft sigh and glanced at Yoo Chan-hee. He was still engrossed in his talk with Dan-woo, seemingly paying no attention to us.
Feeling relieved, I spoke up.
"I had nothing back then."
"...?"
"Nothing to lose, and nothing to gain."
Se-rim tilted his head, unable to quite grasp my meaning.
"You? Nothing to lose?"
"Nothing."
I replied to his skeptical tone. The definition of "something to lose" was likely quite different for him and for me.
When <Dear Doll> started, I received attention as a KRM Entertainment trainee and began the survival show in a much more advantageous position than others. Based on that alone, Se-rim likely thought I had a lot to lose.
'But it didn't matter back then.'
Back then, it really was as good as having nothing. My goal at the time was to quit this industry forever.
I didn't want screen time, and I didn't want relationships with the trainees. I had only one goal.
'I wanted to avoid evil editing and get eliminated as quickly as possible.'
If that was the case, trying to improve relations with Kang Hyun-jin, Yoo Chan-hee, or Hwang Young-oh would have only brought me worse results. Conflict creates a narrative.
'And... whether it was a benefit or a poison, I didn't need it then.'
At the time, every trainee wanted to be on camera as much as possible. Exposure meant recognition, and recognition meant votes. But my goal wasn't survival.
I did feel that if I didn't restrain those three, they would become obstacles during the evaluations. Eventually, I had to step in because of that. But in the beginning, I just thought, 'Let it be.' I figured if they blocked my path, I'd just let it stay blocked.
I didn't want to gain anything from a narrative, so I judged that staying still was the most efficient route.
"I wasn't holding onto anything, either."
"......."
Besides, back then, I really didn't have anything.
My silence wasn't a choice so much as it was a necessity. I was in a position where I had to endure discomfort no matter what happened.
"But it's different now, so I did what I could. I told you, I'd do whatever I can."
"......."
"...Above all, it's something I have to do now."
The Won Yu-ha of today is different from the one back then. Now I have a lot to lose, and it isn't just mine alone.
'These seven have no choice but to keep going together.'
And as long as we are tied together as a group, I can no longer give things up so easily. There are things you can only obtain if you protect what you currently have. And now, I finally have a few things in my hands.
'As our promotions continue, I'll be holding even more.'
That's why everyone is so obsessed with becoming famous. As you gain more power, the provocations decrease and your options for dealing with them increase. To gain that power, I had to protect what needs to be protected from here on out.
"So don't worry. I have no intention of playing leader half-heartedly."
Even if it wasn't a title I originally wanted, as long as I held the position of leader and belonged to the group OneDear, I intended to protect what I could. If that was my job, it didn't matter what I used or what efforts I exerted.
"Oh."
Se-rim went quiet for a moment after hearing my answer, then made a sudden noise.
"Hmm. As a member, that is a very, very admirable answer from a leader......"
He tapped my shoulder.
"But hyung, don't overdo it."
"What?"
"Sometimes you... how should I put it."
Se-rim fell silent as if contemplating. Then, he looked at me and spoke quietly.
"Sometimes it seems like you wear yourself down without a second thought."
"...Me?"
"Yes. To be precise, it's like you think of stepping forward as too... obvious. Even though you're so nonchalant about your own affairs."
"......."
"Protecting the members and looking out for us is great. That's why we picked you as leader. But hyung, you're the leader, but you're a member too."
I didn't quite understand those words at first. I couldn't get a clear sense of what he was saying.
"Well, if you don't understand..."
In contrast to me, Se-rim's expression turned complex as he looked around. After scanning the members—excluding Do Ji-hyuk and Aiden Lee who were currently absent—he spoke.
"Just remember that there are more people watching over you than you think."
"......."
"We have to make this last a long time. Don't let yourself get worn out first."
"Ughhhhh......"
The fansite master let out a groan that was somewhere between a moan of pain and a sigh of awe while working on photo edits.
'He's reaching his peak every day, how is this possible......'
While editing, she couldn't help but marvel at Won Yu-ha's visuals, which seemed to be getting better and better.
Recently, the fansite master had been busier than ever following the start of OneDear's first promotion period. Between commuting to music shows, fan signings, and appearances on variety shows and radio for promotion, OneDear—despite being rookies—was seeing its value skyrocket, leading to a breakneck schedule.
As someone who had wanted Won Yu-ha's debut more than anyone, her desire to capture him on camera naturally meant she was out of the house more often.
'Ah, there's still so much I haven't watched... when am I going to see the Ho-Ho Corp highlights and Survival Kitchen...?'
On top of that, there were constant stage fancams and competitive edited clips from every broadcasting station.
'And why are they all so funny?'
The amount of legendary scenes was staggering. The broadcasting stations, having tasted the sweetness of high view counts, were continuously fueling the fans by re-editing and re-re-editing the footage.
It's a given that videos of your favorite idol are fun to watch no matter how many times you see them. But it wasn't just the "affection filter"; there were genuinely hilarious variety moments being produced.
The public reaction was incredibly positive.
- LOL seriously, is Won Yu-ha insane? Hahaha I've never seen an idol take a Department Head position in 'Ho-Ho Corp' before T_T
- Do Ji-hyuk.... You really get that "experienced hire" vibe who's seen it all... He clearly started as an intern with me, but he's not a pushover at all and doesn't lose to his seniors—but he's so good at office politics that he gets promoted super fast. Even if he wasn't an idol, he would've succeeded at whatever he did.
- Am I the only one who thinks Hyun-jin and Yu-ha's stiff robot acting is legendary? T_T There's no soul in it hahahaha. And then seeing Kang Hyun-jin suddenly do an impromptu poppin' robot dance at the end, I died laughing. Excuse me! T_T You were told to act, not dance!
- Min-woo is no more! There is only a dancer now! Please remember OneDear's Kang Hyun-jin!
Following the iconic scenes from Ho-Ho Corp, which was known for being a tough show for idols, there was the chaotic childcare diary created by Joo Dan-woo (who had a cold mask but a warm heart) and Cheon Se-rim (who was an expert at coaxing people).
[Hi, hyung is—]
[Waaaaah!]
[(Frozen)]
[Our Hoon-i~! Want to play with hyung? Oh, were you scared? Was that hyung scary~? Should hyung go 'Tsk-tsk' at him?]
[Sniff... yeah.]
[Huh? Uh......? (Hesitates then waves hand reflexively) T-Tsk-tsk!]
[...(Glances then hurriedly falls over) A-Ahhh!]
[Hahaha!]
Then there was the web variety show where Yoo Chan-hee and Aiden Lee, who never lose in terms of sudden bursts of energy, burned with intense competitiveness over their specialty: music.
[Hyung! If you're not sure, just start chopping!]
[Chop? Hmm, OK.]
[(Members horrified at Aiden Lee turning Spicy Stir-fried Pork into minced meat)]
[(Won Yu-ha dumping a whole jar of minced garlic in just three spoonfuls)]
[(Joo Dan-woo nonchalantly slicing thirteen Cheongyang peppers and putting them in soybean paste stew)]
[Why... are you boiling chicken breast?]
[Haha. (Do Ji-hyuk making a protein shake without answering)]
Even in Survival Kitchen, which was supposed to be about healing and small cute moments, they showcased an unexpected "born funny" side.
'Honestly, they're the best.'
The flood of activities was successfully satisfying the fans' needs to see new sides of OneDear while attracting new fans who hadn't even watched <Dear Doll>. Among all those factors, the one that satisfied both old and new fans was:
'Honestly, I think I saw so much of the kids' characters and chemistry this time.'
The chemistry created by the interaction of individual personalities. During <Dear Doll>, of course, there were narratives and characters. Relationships like the "Roomies" were established to some extent.
However, now that the seven survivors out of a hundred had gathered into one group, the fans couldn't help but be curious.
'I was really curious how they got close during <Dear Doll>. Especially Yu-ha, Chan-hee, and Hyun-jin.'
The curiosity was whether these seven could forget <Dear Doll> and become "truly" close to one another.