The Malicious Member is Back! - Chapter 231



Only Noblemtl

The Malicious Member Returns! Episode 231

* * *

Kim Chun-yong’s confusion and determination were things that could not be spoken of lightly.

Where would you tell someone that you’ve come back from the future and are currently struggling to clean up the front yard trash your future self has piled up?

There, in a reality that changes in real time, unlike the past you experienced, there are new and unexpected problems.

It was natural that my bones would hurt.

Of course, Kim Chun-yong often talks about these worries to X, the only person he can talk to, but all he hears in return is… .

– X: No, I know you have a lot of thoughts and it’s hard for you, right?

– X: That’s why I’m trying to solve this problem together as a partner as much as possible, right?

– X: Give skills regularly! Give rewards regularly!

– X: But you know

– X: Well, first of all, what? Let’s start with settling karma, okay?

– X: Let’s focus on what we have to do first -3-

– X: If I don’t get the Rookie of the Year award this time, it’s all a bust

– X: Focus on not going back to the police station behind bars.

– X: Stop stirring things up by saying you’re looking for ‘other guys’ before I even tell you what to do! Just do what’s in the contract!

– X: If you get caught doing that, you and I will both get kicked out of our company, so I can’t come to my senses ㅡㅡ

There are only indifferent sentences that naturally lead to the response, ‘This app bastard can’t even read people’s minds.’

“Um, Chun-yong. Just lower your head a little.”

“yes.”

“That’s right. Oh my, I don’t know if I should say this, but you really are quiet, despite your appearance… You’re different from Siwoo!”

“Haha… Thank you, sis.”

Thanks to this, despite his appearance, his actions and personality are becoming more cautious and his thoughts are becoming more extensive.

“Then let’s go now. We have to start fitting right away when we get there, so please rest for a bit now.”

“… … .”

“… Mr. Chun-Yong?”

“Oh, yes! Yes. Haha, the snacks at this shop are so delicious. As I was eating them… .”

“Brother Yongyong. What you’re holding right now isn’t a cookie, it’s a sugar stick. Are you trying to eat sugar?”

“uh….”

At the same time, when I’m feeling relaxed or thinking too much, I find myself making mistakes without even realizing it.

The end of the year is a season of anxiety, and it is a well-known fact in the entertainment industry that idols, who have to live the busiest times of the year, have many worries, but Kim Chun-yong’s situation was a bit different.

I’m working hard and never making mistakes at important moments, but somehow…

“Chun-yong, do you want to go for a bit? It’ll take about 30 minutes to get there.”

“Ah, yes. But I’m worried that my makeup will smudge….”

“Oh, Chun-yong used to fall asleep wherever he laid his head. But these days, he doesn’t sleep well even in the van.”

“Oh, that’s what I’m saying. Of course, I’m glad that Yongyong hyung is on the list of people I can prank!”

“Be quiet, Inma.”

I don’t feel it myself, but I guess you could say the atmosphere is tense.

Yoo Ho-bin briefly glanced at Kim Chun-yong, who looked a little more tired today, through the rearview mirror, then checked the changed signal and gently stepped on the accelerator pedal.

‘Is it because there are so many big stages these days? But somehow it feels different.’

At the same time, he did not forget to prove his sharpness.

‘It’s always been like that, but these days, especially, Chun-yong has been thinking a lot. … It’s not because he’s nervous, but I think there might be some other issue.’

As expected from Yoo Ho-bin, who constantly hears things like [T.O.J’s manager seems to be really good at his job], [T.O.J’s 7th member revealed? He’s actually the manager…] on all kinds of SNS and communities, his judgment was quite good at getting to the point even though he didn’t know the essence.

‘Is it because of the issue of appearing on the survival show back then? He didn’t really want to do it, but the image of him doing it was strong. He said he would do it, so I didn’t look for anything else to match his words…’

It is the manager’s duty to look into the condition and status of the idol in charge and suggest a solution.

Yoo Ho-bin has always tried to be faithful to that duty, and it was no different during the year-end stage season when he had to put in extra effort in idol care.

“…hmm.”

Yoo Ho-bin tapped the steering wheel with his fingers and briefly glanced at his cell phone placed on the passenger seat.

On stage, in thought, in practice.

Unlike Kim Chun-yong, who was very busy, Yoo Ho-bin, who was only focusing on Tiozae care, had one thing he remembered properly and did on time.

And, that was something that would show its results today.

‘… Maybe this will help.’

If there was one thing that Kim Chun-yong sometimes forgot, it was that there were people who wanted to help him even if they didn’t know his situation.

‘I might run into 2ODC today. Let’s just check how Hyojae hyung is then. I might be wrong. Oh, and I also need to listen to what Siwoo and Yoochan hyung have to say…’

As for me, I was trying my best to use my not-so-good head to clear my karma, just like X said.

“… Hmm. Logan. Logan. Check the message I sent. Hurry up.”

“What? Mars, why are you sending me a message when you’re right next to me…?”

“Shh, shh. Just watch from now on. It’s going to be fun.”

Ah, things that are happening in places you don’t know about… .

“… Really? No, can we do this first? If Hobin finds out— Ugh!”

“Huh? What did you just say, Mr. Logan?”

“No! Haha, Logan too. What if Hobin asks for water while you’re driving? Drink mine, mine!”

“Cause, cackle, ah, Mars. Stop it! Makeup! Your makeup is coming off!”

There were times when it worked in a pretty good way.

* * *

The K-Pop Culture Awards, aka KPCA, is an end-of-year music awards ceremony hosted by Music Days.

When KPCA was first introduced to the world, people scoffed, saying, “Isn’t it just an awards ceremony created by a music broadcasting station?”

[Real-time KPCA camera status_jpg]

[⎿What the heck? This can’t even be called hydrocephalus.]

[Min Si-young looks like she’s 16. Amazing! KPCA made a solo singer into a big idol!]

[⎿If you can’t take a proper picture, then you should have taken it fixed; Min Si-young is standing and singing, but it almost looks like she’s dancing]

[I really don’t want to receive the KPCA trophy. Should I just display it at home?]

[⎿A moment of silence for M-XY, who has to keep four of those ugly KM trophies in his quarters…]

[⎿ Jang Si-won is a real pro. He received that award and still smiled brightly while giving his acceptance speech. He’s no joke.]

[What if the main award comes out before the rookie award? This is a real mess. LOL. Will this even be held next year?]

[⎿Please take down the post and come back with more improvements]

In fact, at first, its size and quality were shabby.

The camera wandering due to lack of experience, the messy order of the ceremony, and even the ugly trophies compared to other award ceremonies.

However, as the days passed, the status of KPCA rose further and further.

[KPCA, Differentiation from Other Year-End Music Awards Ceremonies? ‘Judging Process That the Public Can See’]

[‘These are all the judging criteria?’ Music Days, 2nd KPCA judging process revealed on YouTube channel]

Thanks to the fair awards, I feel like I’ve invested here what I should have invested elsewhere.

It was an inevitable custom to want to give at least one more award to the idol or singer who stood out on one’s own broadcasting station.

Oh, so that’s why you said you made our broadcasting station shine?

In the end, we’re the ones who give the prizes, right?

While maintaining that attitude.

However, Music Days was strangely unenthusiastic in this regard, and even attracted attention by giving awards to singers who did not participate in the awards ceremony.

[Lee Se-ryeong, who did not attend KPCA, received a certificate of appreciation from MD… ‘I will participate next year’]

[The reason for Lee Se-ryeong’s joining the Music Days program is the KPCA Grand Prize? Various aspects of the year-end awards ceremony]

We stick to fairness no matter what others think or judge.

That’s the role of the awards ceremony and the presenters, and we’ll stick to that.

So 10 years.

It took exactly 10 years for KPCA, once ridiculed as a shabby awards ceremony for a new music channel, to establish itself as a prestigious year-end awards ceremony.

And now, Tioje was attending the awards ceremony.

“Look here!”

“Siwoo, please stick closer to Yuchan! Yes! Everyone, just give me one heart!”

Unlike the Sound Stage The Final where T.O.J. had previously appeared, KPCA even had an ambitious red carpet photo shoot set up.

Although the colors are calm and appropriate for the year-end stage, the image of Tioje wearing the Boy Scout uniform shows off their concept of standing on the border between boys and young men.

“Mr. Chun-yong! Not a finger heart, but a cheek heart!”

“Haha, yep!”

In it, Kim Chun-yong felt the cold sweat running down the back of his neck and smiled until his mouth started to cramp.

It was the same for other members, but this KPCA position was special for Kim Chun-yong.

The first position that might allow him to achieve the second contract condition with X, which is to win the Rookie of the Year award.

A place where you might run into your past drinking buddies, Nate from 2OCD, and Lee Hyo-jae, who might be one of the ‘other guys’.

“Excuse me, Hobin hyung. While we’re waiting… can we go to another waiting room?”

“Yes? If it’s a different waiting room… What about other idols? Well, sometimes they wait in the van… Of course, it’s not a problem to go there. The waiting period will be long anyway.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“… Still, please stay in the waiting room when I speak. Uh, I have some preparations to make.”

“Hmm? Okay. Okay, I understand.”

Before standing on the red carpet, Kim Chun-yong had already received the answer from Yoo Ho-bin that he could go to the waiting room where other singers were.

‘Let’s just… check. Just check if Hyojae hyung has changed like you said or not.’

As it was a time when he had to be on edge with the members over the rookie award, Kim Chun-yong also had no intention of making any special gestures.

Well, what if you knew?

Before making any gesture, preparation was necessary.

A definite gesture to address the other person.

Kim Chun-yong, who has been busy with the recent troubles with Bang Yoo-chan and Jang Si-woo and preparations for the year-end stage, has not yet thought about that kind of response.

So, today will just be reconnaissance.

“after….”

Kim Chun-yong, who was finally able to sit on a chair in the waiting room after leaving the red carpet photo shoot site, quickly checked the other members’ conditions and chose the timing for himself to visit 2OCD’s waiting room.

“Um, Siwoo. You… do you want to eat this?”

“Yes, four? Oh, this. Medicine… .”

“Oh no, by chance! I brought some from the dorm. When I tried to eat it, it tasted too sweet. Oh, I have to watch my weight too. You eat it. You!”

“… Thank you, Yoochan hyung. I’ll… eat well.”

Now, Bang Yoo-chan and Jang Si-woo, who have finally shed their layers from each other, are having a short conversation, although it is a bit awkward.

“Well, the order is… It’s a bit late, so it’s burdensome. Everyone should drink lots of water and warm up their throats…”

As always, Son Jae-ha is checking the cue sheet and focusing on the members’ best condition and stage preparation.

Logan and Ji-hwa-seong, two same-age friends who seem to be getting closer these days…

“…hmm?”

Kim Chun-yong opened his eyes wide at the sight of two people slowly approaching him.

What the heck, those guys.

Why are you walking around with that strange grin on your face?

Why are you coming to me like that?

Before Kim Chun-yong could even organize his thoughts.

“Hey, Chun-yong hyung.”

“Hey. Yongyong hyung.”

Two people’s hands simultaneously went up to Kim Chun-yong’s shoulders.

The sight of the two tallest Tiojes surrounding one person was both quite threatening and funny.

“… Did you guys make this? Hey, it’s tacky. What are you doing?”

“Village… What? I don’t know what you’re talking about. But that’s not what’s important right now, Chun-yong hyung.”

“That’s right, that’s right. The important thing is something else. Phew, ah, just thinking about Yongyong hyung’s reaction makes me laugh!”

“Are you nervous and out of your mind ahead of the awards ceremony…?”

“No. I said no, well.”

Logan and Ji Hwa-seong, who had a brief moment of laughter among themselves with Kim Chun-yong in the middle, gave a brief high five… .

“…Let’s go!”

Before Kim Chun-yong could answer, he grabbed both of his arms and quickly ran out of the waiting room.

“What is it? What is it! Hey, guys. Don’t you have to explain…!”

Kim Chun-yong, who was caught up in the two people’s pace by accident, raised his voice urgently, but Logan and Ji Hwa-seong just giggled.

“You can’t just say Surprise, right?”

“Oh, that’s what I’m saying!”

Kim Chun-yong said that they were having a conversation of their own that no one could understand.

And, where they are running with Kim Chun-yong in tow… .

“Oh, you’re here. Hello. I’m Yoo Ho-bin, Chun-yong’s manager. This is my first time meeting you. It’s really nice to meet you.”

“Oh, hello! Thank you for your hard work. I am… Chun-yong’s older sister, Kim Bo-mi. This is our youngest…”

“Oh my god, this is really Tioje’s manager….”

“Kim Na-ri, please behave yourself!”

Also, something that Kim Chun-yong had forgotten was happening with gusto.