Idol of the Heavenly One - Chapter 25.1
About a year ago, Lee Soonbok, who had always felt left out among the trainees, would stay behind alone in the practice room at times when most of the others had already gone home.
Then one day, while he was practicing as usual, Baek Jae-heon, who had not shown his face all day, suddenly came in. Since Baek Jae-heon already seemed like a celebrity even among the trainees, Lee Soonbok was, to put it bluntly, intimidated. So he turned off the track he was practicing and sat quietly in the corner. That was when Baek Jae-heon came over and sat down near him.
Aren’t you lonely?
‘Wh-what?’
‘You’re always alone. All the time.’
‘Th-that’s true, but… I-I’m fine…’
‘You’re always saying you’re fine.’
‘…Huh?’
‘You always seem strong.’
He was bewildered by the words of Baek Jae-heon, someone he had never even spoken with before, but for some reason he also felt like he had gained a bit of courage. After all, Baek Jae-heon, the idol among the trainees, had just told him he was strong.
‘I think it’s admirable.’
‘M-me?’
‘Yeah. I’m weak and lonely, you see.’
‘…You are?’
‘Yes. I’m also a coward, so I’m always scared I might die.’
‘Wh-what…?’
‘That’s why people scare me.’
‘…….’
‘But still, I keep looking for people.’
He was afraid of people because he feared death, yet at the same time he still sought people out. Hearing that, I could begin to understand, just a little, why Baek Jae-heon said he would never have direct encounters with fans. Since they were strangers, of course it would be frightening to approach them. But still, fans are people who like us and cheer for us—so why would he be afraid?
And despite saying people frightened him, Baek Jae-heon had taught me without hesitation how to strengthen my core, had reached out first to Lee Soonbok, had looked after Go Hee-min from behind, and never seemed uncomfortable living with the members in the dorm.
Maybe it was only strangers that he feared? In any case, at least now I could understand why he said what he did. Even someone who seemed so perfect had a flaw.
But this isn’t an ordinary job. This is being an idol. It is a job where we will inevitably meet countless strangers. If he keeps acting the way he did today, it will definitely cause problems. We even have fan signings scheduled in the future…
What should I do with him, really.
***
[Fan Post] Music Together prerecording—super close fan account
Author | Harullara’s Light
The boys’ images are getting more defined now! I gathered opinions and put them here!
First of all, as you all know… the boys arrived at dawn and immediately started handing out hot packs!!! Asking if we were cold while giving them out, it was so touching ㅠㅠㅠㅠ In my 10 years of fangirling, I’ve never seen rookie idols from a big company do something this kindㅠㅠㅠㅠ
Joo I-rip ― emotes: deer / clown / favorite color blue
This is from a friend of mine! And more emotes got added ㅋㅋㅋ Clown might sound weird but it was just a way to express his “prince” vibe ㅋㅋㅋ The story is that when he was handing out hot packs, a fan said, “I-rip-ah~ my nose is so red from the cold it’s practically blue~” ㅋㅋㅋ Then the prince smiled kindly and said, “Oh? I like blue~ keep it that way!” Everyone burst out laughing, so he added, “Just kidding. Hurry and put a hot pack on your nose!” and even put it there himself… Crazy!!!!! (I died) Anyway, that’s why clown and blue heart got added ㅋㅋㅋ
Go Hee-min ― emotes: no longer fox ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
Another friend told me this! A few fans brought fox placards and showed them to Hee-min while making hearts, but Hee-min said, “Oh dear, that looks pretty sly.” ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Looks like Hee-min doesn’t like foxes ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Fans who prepared fox-themed stuff are panicking ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
ISUNE ― emotes: turtle / peach
I saw him next to Cheonmyeong, and he was literally peach incarnate ㅠㅠ His skin is pale, but since it was cold his cheeks and nose were all rosy, so cute ㅠㅠㅠㅠ And he knows he’s like a turtle, so he doesn’t talk much… Just kept repeating “Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you.” ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
Baek Jae-heon ― emote: wolf
A staff member I know let slip that he wasn’t feeling well ㅠㅠㅠㅠ That’s probably why he didn’t hand out hot packs and went inside instead ㅠㅠㅠㅠ They said he was under a blanket all day in the waiting room… Too bad I couldn’t see him up close… Please get well soon ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
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