The Malicious Member is Back! - Chapter 236



Only Noblemtl

The Malicious Member Returns! Episode 236

* * *

The atmosphere at the KPCA awards ceremony was heated.

“Yes! Mr. Ji-Wan. Please announce the award.”

“Okay. This year, the group that won the ‘International Artist Female Group Award’ is….”

Ending the year with the glory of a trophy gave the participants a special feeling, and watching the excitement of each moment also warmed people’s hearts.

“… Lily J! Congratulations!”

Even if it was a special award, not a main award, whose exact name was too long to remember, it was still the same.

“Thank you so much for giving me this award. Our fans! Without our fans, we would never have come this far.”

Lily J’s Billie proved this by going up on stage with her members and shedding tears after winning the ‘International Artist Female Group Award’.

“I think this award is meant to encourage me to work harder. I really want to work harder and push myself to my limits.”

Billy’s expression was determined as he cut his long, flowing hair, which he had maintained until now, straight short.

“This year’s activities have truly been a new year for me where I realized the love of my fans. I will become a Lily J’s Billy who works harder and harder. Fans, members, mom, dad. I always love you…”

As if he was determined not to be swayed by useless emotions any longer.

The person who had so much influence on her decision and change of heart was Billy, who had to do his best to control his expression every time he uttered a word.

“after….”

Jooyoung, who was sitting with her members wearing clothes that were a mix of formal attire and hanbok, and that had people on social media and communities crying out, “If you want to show sincerity in clothing, you have to do that much,” sighed anxiously and shook her legs.

‘It felt like you were glaring at me while giving your acceptance speech. Am I imagining it? No, you were really looking at me… .’

This is what they call karma.

‘Ha, after we broke up like that, you kept sniping at me without me knowing, so I already felt bad. And I couldn’t avoid seeing you at award ceremonies, really!’

This is the kind of mental pain that someone who has done something they couldn’t even handle and then had it dealt with by someone else deserves.

‘I didn’t know Billy could be that scary, I’m about to cry, ugh…’

In fact, Billy only stared at Sladix for less than three seconds, but Jooyoung acted as if that one glance lasted an eternity.

“… Ugh!”

Until someone sitting next to me for special treatment stamped my foot to bring me back to my senses.

“Cover your mouth, Jooyoung. We’re going to catch the camera. And wipe your tears quickly before they start to flow. I didn’t know I had to tell you this.”

“You, you’re going too far….”

“What’s wrong is that you’re acting worse than a rookie at this age.”

Joo-young quickly ran his eyes over his sleeve and frowned.

“I don’t want to check the camera.”

“Eeeek….”

Even though I had to change my expression back to a bright one after a short while, anyway.

Whether Joo-young showed off his various expressions or not, the man who delivered sharp and blunt remarks maintained a surprisingly calm and handsome expression.

Well, does that mean that you have to take the lead first to have a reason to talk to others?

Of course, that was just because he was born with a perfectionist nature.

“… Then, next, we will present the ‘International Artist Male Group Award.’ Actor Kwon Ji-wan will also be presenting the award.”

Min Si-young, who stood on the podium separately as the host, also cast a brief glance at him.

“…ah.”

At that moment, the man who was concentrating on the comment she was making, Sledix’s leader Jeong Yeon-woo, waved his hand lightly at her with a relaxed expression, and Min Si-young quickly turned away from the greeting.

I was looking at you, but I made it clear that I didn’t intend to have this kind of interaction.

The series of events were so neat and professional that if no one was watching, it would have seemed like a simple nod of the head.

“Hyung Yeonwoo, what’s wrong? Didn’t you just pick on senior Min Siyoung?”

“I guess so.”

“I guess so? Hyung… Are you a little out of it because you’re tired?”

“No way. I’m a little hungry. Should we all get together for a meal after we’re done?”

“Food? Bab? Hyung, you don’t eat with us often. Why are you acting a little strange today…?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Brother, you don’t really want to talk to me… .”

Despite Joo-young’s half-hearted reaction, Jeong-yeon-woo leaned back in his chair with a nice smile on his face.

His gaze was still fixed on Min Si-young’s dress, which quickly turned away from him.

“Oh, senior. It’s nice to see you again. It’s been a while. I heard you’re participating as the host of this KPCA, so I came to say hello.”

“… Hello, Yeonwoo.”

“Haha… This is the first time since the survival program, right?”

“Yes, yes. I need to check the script, so would you mind going to the waiting room first?”

“Hmm, a cute junior came, why don’t you give him some words of encouragement?”

“Has the meaning of cute changed a lot without me knowing?”

It’s not that I have any romantic feelings for her, but it’s funny how Min Si-young treats me like I’m invisible.

“… After the International Artist Group Award, the last event of the KPCA Part 1 will be the Male Group Rookie Award. Let’s meet the candidates first.”

It had been nearly six months since ended, but there was still a subtle tension flowing between Min Si-young and Jung Yeon-woo that only made Min Si-young uncomfortable.

That makes sense, because the person who caused the two to have a bit of a fight at the time was also attending this event as a nominee for the award.

[ToZ(Target of Zenón)- ‘Six-leaf Clover’]

That too, by being in the same group as the children she had cherished so much.

That was one of the reasons why Min Si-young treated Jeong Yeon-woo as if she were invisible, and at the same time, it made Jeong Yeon-woo feel very good.

“Jooyoung-ah.”

“Huh, huh?”

“Who do you think will win the male rookie award this year?”

Today will probably be the day when he decides whether his new toy of the year is just another toy or not.

“Male Rookie of the Year, well… probably because the physical sales of Wiz and T.O.Z are equally high. It’ll probably be one of the two.”

“If you had to choose between the two?”

“Oh, that’s difficult. Well… I talked to the kids earlier, and they talked a lot about Tioje.”

“Well, at least our members aren’t completely stupid.”

And, Jeong Yeon-woo had already come up with his own answer to that question.

“Huh? What did you say?”

“I’m glad you’re a member of our team.”

Jeong Yeon-woo, who answered Joo-young insincerely, averted her gaze and looked around the KPCA awards ceremony venue.

The waiting area, which was nice to look at but awkwardly decorated, was wide open with benches and no tables, so if you put your mind to it, you could quickly find what you wanted to see.

And then, Jeong Yeon-woo’s eyes turned towards the place where people were gathered together noisily.

“Long time…!”

“Practice, how is it…?”

In a place where voices could be heard occasionally, about a dozen men in their early twenties were huddled together, chatting about recent events without disturbing the awards ceremony.

“The start of this year’s KPCA is the survival boys who lit up Music Days! ‘Aiming’ by !”

All the trainees who appeared on opened the door to KPCA hosted by Music Days with the original song ‘Aiming’.

Although not everyone could gather due to their own circumstances, those who debuted through him were definitely able to keep their positions.

This is also what Jeong Yeon-woo has been paying the most attention to recently.

“… … .”

Kim Chun-yong, with his bright red hair as usual, is muttering something to Gao Yan and Ryota, who have come to his side for the first time in a while.

“This year’s ‘International Artist Male Group’ winner is… 2OCD! Congratulations!”

“… … .”

His expression was still the same, but when the name ‘2OCD’ was rang out and applause began, his face cracked subtly.

A very small, microscopic crack that would be hard to notice unless someone paid a lot of attention to it, like Jeong Yeon-woo.

“…oh.”

A strange smile appeared on Jeong Yeon-woo’s face.

Unlike the days of when you could hear the rolling of eyes, after his debut, Kim Chun-yong’s worldly wisdom and ability to understand situations shone brighter with each passing day.

Although Jeong Yeon-woo couldn’t know all the details, the fact was clear just from looking at the deal he made regarding Joo-young’s most recent love affair.

At first glance, it seemed similar to Jeong Yeon-woo, but it was more humane and a courageous move that was considerate of others.

A person who has grown that much reacts like that.

Jeong Yeon-woo’s gaze followed the direction Kim Chun-yong was looking.

“Hello. This is Nate from 2OCD! This isn’t my first time here… but I’m so honored and grateful to be here again? Um…”

There, Nate and Hyojae Lee of 2OCD were presenting their acceptance speeches in stammering, tearful voices.

“…hmm.”

Jeongyeonwoo’s feelings towards Nate were nothing special.

“Oh my, Jeong, Jeong Yeon-woo senior! Oh, hello. I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m from 2OCD…”

“Haha, I know, Nate. We’ve said hello before, right?”

“Yes, yes! Since our activities don’t overlap, we didn’t have much of a chance to say hello. If you don’t mind, I’ll buy you a bottle…”

“It’s okay. I’m the senior, so I should buy it.”

A junior who has moderate popularity but has a light personality, whom Jeong Yeon-woo previously encountered when going out for a drink.

Recently, Jung Yeon-woo has reduced the number of times he drinks, and there have been rumors that he has changed as a person.

“… … .”

Kim Chun-yong’s gaze at Nate was not particularly noticeable, but it was slightly shaking like a candle in the wind.

Even though Tioze and 2OCD didn’t have overlapping periods of activity, they received such passionate attention.

“…hmm.”

Jeong Yeon-woo nodded slightly and sat down in her seat as if she was receiving an award. She pretended to check the time and left a short message to someone on the smartwatch on her wrist.

[Jeong Yeon-woo: PD]

[Jung Yeon-woo: Please give me the list of the first guests on the program]

[Jeong Yeon-woo: Could you send it to me ^^]

I wasn’t particularly interested in Nate, but well.

“Yes, congratulations to 2OCD for their awards. Then, after watching the performances of the International Artist Award winners! We will now move on to presenting the Rookie of the Year award for Male Group.”

The next person to receive the award is the redhead, because Jeongyeonwoo has been putting a lot of effort into it recently.

[PD Joo: Why are you asking that question at an awards ceremony, Yeonwoo?]

[Jeong Yeon-woo: ^^]

[Chief PD: I sent you the file, so check it out after work. Check it out after work.]

A short vibration notifying the arrival of mail rang on Jeong Yeon-woo’s wrist, and Jeong Yeon-woo turned his head towards the stage with a graceful smile on his face once again.

The stage, which had become dark again, was holding its breath as it waited for the idols who had won the International Artist Award.

Even though some people were complaining, saying, “It’s not even the main prize, so what kind of award is that?”, there were still many idols who didn’t even receive that award.

The idol world is a place where you have to constantly prove and let others know that you are not dead.

So, no matter what you receive, the award is proof.

After the Rookie of the Year award, there is the Main Award, and after the Main Award, there is the Grand Prize.

Is this where the so-called Royal Route exists?

There was a certain sense of anticipation in Jeong Yeon-woo, who had dragged Sladix by the collar to follow that path.

The expectation that there might be someone out there who is similar to me, but different.

And, I wonder what kind of thoughts that person is looking up there with.

To verify that, I needed to have that person by my side.

“… … .”

In the darkened scene, Jeong Yeon-woo’s gaze turned to Kim Chun-yong once again.

Jeong Yeon-woo recalled the feelings he felt when he first saw Kim Chun-yong.

A trainee who was so anxious that it made you wonder, ‘Have you ever been an alcoholic?’

Now, a new idol who is about to win the Rookie of the Year award.

[International Artist Boy Group – 2OCD]

After this stage ends, Kim Chun-yong, who is having so much fun with Jeong Yeon-woo, will face his first proof.