Chapter 411
"I am happy to share meaningful news here today."
Lee Sejin's presentation at the awards ceremony was flawless. Even people who were talking about age and seniority became quiet once the awards ceremony got underway.
In addition, the group he belonged to also won an award and produced a good image.
"The Performance Award goes to… GY-ROP!"
-Ohhhhh ㅋㅋ
-Lee Sejin, is he crazy walking out of the MC's seat? He's so cool.
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋ It's cute how the kids join in and say hello.
Lee Sejin grinned as he joined the surrounding members on the podium.
When he made eye contact with his 'hyungs', they quickly smiled. It was a sincere response that clearly showed that they were paying close attention.
'Yes, they're doing well.'
It was worth it.
This was because as soon as Lee Sejin regained his reality TeStar self, he showed the members a true taste of reality.
First of all, the day he dyed his hair and returned home.
-Wow~ What are you doing?
-Lee Sejin, he'll do whatever he fucking wants, oh~
Finally, Lee Sejin grinned and spoke to the guys who were giggling at him, or at least had their noses stuck in their smartphones without even reacting.
-Hmm… Are you laughing right now?
-… ?!
-But the answer is correct. Wow, I'm going to do whatever you want, just like you said!
Then, he went to the company and informed them that he had dyed his hair.
This was exactly what he proposed as a trade to a company that was frightened by unexpected situations and was torn between artist care and corporal punishment.
-Huh? Everyone was acting so comfortable, so I thought it would be okay. I had to report everything you did~
The members' deviant behavior.
From love tricks to secret accounts and lines for networking for clubs.
Originally, GY-ROP's Lee Sejin would have detonated a bomb while trying to resolve all the matters himself.
-No… !
-Here, do you see the conversation history?
No matter how good their grades were, they had only been active for 3 years. Of course, the company was shocked and took action to resolve the issue.
Cell phones were inspected, surveillance was strengthened on every move, emergency bells were ringing, and the tight management system that was used just before debut kicked the members' butts again!
And of course, the members were furious at Lee Sejin.
It was basic to tacitly tolerate and keep quiet within the team, so daring to come out like this was an unacceptable act of betrayal.
How dare he, when he was the youngest member of the group?
-Did you lose your mind?
-Hey.
However, Lee Sejin grinned without blinking.
-Are you threatening me right now? Oh, I'll have to post on social media that I'm leaving the group because I can't stand the threats and bullying from my hyungs!
-… ?!
And then he really turned on his social media account and started writing without hesitation.
He was even selecting and attaching emotional photos and quoting depressing poems such as 'The Lonely Stranger'.
It was scary at that point.
-Are you crazy, you bastard?
-I don't know~ I guess I am!
It was even scarier because the person who was originally the youngest and most active in society suddenly changed his mind and became a psychotic bastard who couldn't communicate.
He was Insane.
-Wait, wait a minute.
-Ah, please… No, hey.
It took less than a day for the members, overwhelmed by the unpredictable situation, to declare surrender.
-Wow~ You were at the club! Well, you dance in the practice room and also in the club, that's it, right? I'll post a proof photo on social media that I'm practicing really hard at hyung's club then!
-Ah, I understand. Wait.
'Oh.'
The solution was to cause a fuss. It was a low-dimensional method that Lee Sejin, who had adapted well to society all his life and spent his life without causing problems as much as possible, felt for the first time in his life.
'This is it.'
Lee Sejin was almost tempted for a moment by the thrill of doing something with no future, but he soon smiled and shrugged.
'It's cool, but it's not my style.'
So, he ended up doing it the way he was good at.
After that, over the next 15 days, he worked on it whenever he was alone with the members.
-Hyung.
-Uh… I just need to go to the bathroom for a moment.
-Yes, yes. Actually, you're not that strange of a person. I am like this because I am so disappointed in the other members.
And specifically, he gave examples of derailment that never applied to the member in question, as if lamenting them.
-Honestly, dating multiple people at the same time… If a mistake is made, the blow will be too great. Does that make sense?
-… Yeah, that guy crossed a line.
-Yes. I don't want to disappoint anyone, so let's do our best. We need to maintain popularity.
-… … Ah, yes, yes.
They were in their early 20s, hadn't been trainees for long, and had just debuted, so it wasn't a hard task to make good guys change their attitude.
'He's a scary crazy guy, but we get along pretty well. I'm a close friend.' Everyone was made to have this illusion.
After that, it was all smooth sailing.
It was a balanced situation in which each side monitored the other and tried to win Lee Sejin's favor.
"Thank you. We will continue to work hard!"
In the end, this year, without being hit by a rush of fan abandonment, they moved with a lot of spirit and won the award.
'Ah~ we worked properly.'
Lee Sejin looked back on his past activities and felt refreshed. He then checked the faces of his members.
'Really… Where did these guys debut?'
There was a time when he thought he couldn't debut because he lacked the positioning and charm as an idol compared to those guys.
Now that he looked at them, he wondered if he misunderstood it because he was young…
'If you debuted after beating me, do it right.'
He thought it was a well-deserved award and hoped that they would continue to work hard.
'I'm going back anyway!'
He concluded reassuringly. Of course, on the way there… he never thought he would back up something like this.
'Hoo.'
Keun Sejin became a little dizzy thinking about what would happen later, but he still had a smile on his face and returned to the MC seat after giving his speech.
"Thank you!"
"Congratulations, Sejin~"
The other two hosts applauded. Lee Sejin bowed his head sadly and showed a happy expression.
"Now that I think about it, the next presenter is someone Sejin knows well."
"Ah."
It was coming out slowly.
Keun Sejin pretended not to know and smiled curiously.
"Wow, who is it? Can we meet now?"
"Sure."
"This award is the Rookie of the Year Award."
The electronic signboard behind him opened, and someone he knew walked out.
"This is Lee Sejin, the actor of
It was Bae Sejin who would present the awards alone.
Anyone who saw the well-dressed man would know that he was an actor right away.
But Keun Sejin knew that if that person wore idol styling, he would look like an idol again.
"Hello. As a listener who enjoys listening to KPOP, I am very excited and honored to be standing here."
The obvious awards ceremony script continued. However, the vocalization was good and sounded natural due to the nature of the job.
"At some point, I think KPOP became a hobby and daily life that I felt very close to."
And he even glanced back at the host table and said something like this.
"I think it's even more so because there are some idols with the same name as me."
Keun Sejin smiled and nodded. Laughter and applause erupted from the audience.
As expected, he was really good at acting with a script. Even if that wasn't the case… He was also a hard-working person.
'Hmm.'
Keun Sejin admitted it. Bae Sejin was not a person who had no passion for work or was insincere.
The problem was that it didn't suit him, but whatever.
'That's it… If he keeps doing it, he might get better, right?'
Rarely, Keun Sejin would give a lenient evaluation of an interpersonal relationship that had already been ruined.
Maybe being in GY-ROP affected him more than he thought.
"I will now announce the winner."
And the winner of the Rookie Award, whom Bae Sejin called out with a faint smile, was Wishze.
-I can't escape from being a fan!
-Congratulations Lee Sejin ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
And even though it wasn't noticeable due to his acting skills, he also knew how things would proceed.
'…'
Bae Sejin watched with a strange feeling as Wishze said thank you.
And Keun Sejin guessed what the person with the same name was thinking. He said the same thing.
'… It reminds me of the old days.'
Of course, he was talking about when TeStar won, not when GY-ROP won.
He looked away and smiled.
'I want to go back quickly.'
Since there were only talented people in that group, the stage was so good.
He didn't want to feel like his place was becoming unclear again.
[Should I turn the timer and go to the past?]
As he watched Wishze's performance right after winning the Rookie of the Year award, he endured a strange feeling, not knowing whether it was anticipation or anxiety.
And after some time had passed…
After commercials and several performances, the announcer standing next to him read the long-awaited cue card.
• * *
[This award is the Song of the Year Award.]
"Whoa."
This was almost the end of the second section. I sat down in the singer's seat and checked my surroundings.
From TeStar to the VTIC guys.
Fortunately, there was no one with obvious worry on their face.
[Hyung, I'm so nervous.]
You… First of all, no one can see your face, so you can be as nervous as you want.
Anyway, the grand prize was finally called.
Perhaps because they wanted to give it to the singer with the more inferior name, the Song of the Year Award was given out first.
'It's obvious.'
It was Wishze.
[The person helping with the awards is…]
And then the award presenter opened the door and entered…
Wasn't that Seon Ahyeon?
[This is Kim Nanjoo, director of the Korea Music Record Foundation, and ballet dancer Seon Ahyeon.]
What?
As I watched the guy in the suit walk in, I suddenly realized that I had already heard the guy talk in passing.
-I heard that I was invited to an awards ceremony… Maybe I can see you all, I'm not sure… !
No, I thought it was ToneA. Usually, it was what T1 guys did to try to boost the name value of the awards ceremony by inviting names from other arts fields.
So, naturally, I passed it on and said, 'I'll see you then.'
'… This is actually better.'
Because you'd never know what unexpected situation might happen.
I stopped Cha Eugene, who was trying to wave to Seon Ahyeon, and focused my gaze on the podium.
[Hello.]
Seon Ahyeon, who entered with an older woman, smiled and listened to her words, but only towards the end did he open his mouth.
I guess they handed over all the promotional and other comments.
The announcement of the winner.
[Lemon Music Awards, Song of the Year Award. The winner is…]
The guy smiled brightly when our eyes met.
[Congratulations. Wishze… !]
Wow!!
Cheers, screams, and congratulations filled the venue.
Each member exchanged a hug and a pat on the shoulder.
At first glance, it may seem like an expression of emotion, but it was actually more an expression of determination.
"Moondae hyung, let's go."
"okay."
Cha Eugene patted me on the back. I headed straight to the podium.
'We can't be late.'
When we went up to the stage, Seon Ahyeon smiled and handed us a bouquet of flowers.
I took it and handed the trophy to someone else.
I stood right in front of the microphone. And then I looked back at Cheongryeo.
"…"
Right after…
The guy nodded his head slightly.
It was a signal.
I immediately opened my mouth in front of a standing microphone.
"Hello, everyone."
I could feel other guys standing in formation right behind me.
A moment filled with tension.
"Let's get straight to the point."
Without even taking a deep breath, I opened my mouth as clearly as I could.
"We're retiring."
"…?!"
"Without coming back. Completely."
I continued speaking.
"We will exclude all entertainment industry activities and all opportunities to gain recognition or fame."
There was no rebuttal coming from behind my back.
Tacit consent of all.
For this purpose, VTIC was awakened. If we did this without them knowing anything, it would be totally shocking.
Uh huh? Huh?
However, underneath the stage, chaos and fear erupt.
"This is a declaration of retirement."
The audience was filled with screams and confusion. The production crew was busy running around in front of it or hastily giving notes to the stage and staff.
I looked down at it with an expressionless expression.
One person hurriedly found a sketchbook or something and scribbled while bending down.
-What are you doing?
But before the sentence was even completed…
The audience's seats.
The stage, the podium, the lights, the air, the heat.
Everything stopped.
-… …
And what filled my vision… was a hologram.
It was a status window.
[Ending]
[New Chapter Creation]
[Settling]
[cancellation]
[Ending]
[New Chapter Creation]
[Settling]
[cancellation]
… … .
The status window exploded again. Just like on the airplane!
'Okay.'
It was done!
Gritting my teeth, I saw an infinitely repeating pattern that was endlessly reproduced.
I remembered when I planned this.
-If you want to get out quickly, I think it would be better to try a different method.
Cheongryeo showed off one of his skills.
-There is an error reporting function.
And the meaning presupposed there was…
-Errors may occur.
Wouldn't it be necessary to create a function that reports something that doesn't exist?
From there, we made a plan.
We planned to create errors that would make progress completely impossible.
-Do you know exactly when the quest will be completed?
-Yes.
-Then give me a signal.
At the point of clearing the game, essential elements for progression were simultaneously removed.
'Activity invalidated.'
If we did it before clearing, the clearing would simply fail. And if we did it after clearing it, it didn't mean much. Because that would mean we already cleared it.
But if we did it at the same time…
'It's a contradiction.'
A collision.
-So, if there is an error in the algorithm…
-It'll be rejected.
Just an error.
A huge bug occurred.
[Error: Undefined.]
[※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※]
[※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※]
[Time remaining until program auto-stop: @#$!.]
I twisted my mouth as I watched the letters change on all the holograms.
It automatically stopped.
'The program crashed.'
As the GM, Cheongryeo also had no authority to recover in this situation.
'If that's the case, there's a chance that overload will occur like this and the game world will collapse and return to reality…'
I was prepared.
And really, my mind started to blur.
As if I was about to wake up, a vague sense of floating enveloped my brain…
That moment.
[------.]
Something hit my brain.
Very huge.
Oooooooo-!
"… !!"
I bit my tongue in excruciating shock. Instead of a floating feeling, there was a vibration.
The problem was… It was something that had meaning.
Power without words to express one's opinion.
The meaning…
-Is it a mistake?
And right after that, the stage was erased.
Like a graphic, the podium was erased and the stage structure disappeared.
Next are the production crew, audience, and audience seats.
Even the light from the light sticks.
Everything disappeared, leaving behind a world that was vague and abstract, with only a faint outline.
And the voice was heard again.
[You use this expression often.]
A voice that I had heard before somewhere.
It expressed itself with a sound that was akin to a sort of humming in a dream.
[System.]
[Why do you call me that?]
I clenched my fists.
It was the system.