Second Try Idol

Chapter 437: What Should We Do From Now On (1)

On the day Chronos was scheduled to film Chronos Playtime, I hadn’t yet asked the members what they remembered of those days. I planned to probe them after our schedules when things quieted down, but there was simply no time to chat before we got to the set. Joo-Han immediately buried himself in work as soon as he returned to his normal self.

The mood was too light for serious talks. Everyone was too excited about filming after a long break. They were playing around in school uniforms they hadn't worn in ages.

“These uniforms look great. Which school are they from?”

“Do they? But Jin-Sung, your shirt looks like it’s about to burst. Can you even lift your arms?”

“Ah! Not really, but what can you do! Anyway, these are nicer than our school uniforms.”

Of course, Goh Yoo-Joon was thrilled to wear a uniform again, while the members who were still students seemed less impressed. Even in uniform, Joo-Han looked more like a teacher than a student. He scowled at Jin-Sung making a fuss while scanning his cue cards.

“Keep it down, Goh Yoo-Joon. What’s with these skits, anyway?"

The sparks ended up flying toward Goh Yoo-Joon, not Jin-Sung. Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled, went over and patted Joo-Han on the shoulder as if to comfort him. “Don’t worry, hyung. You fit into these skits better than anyone else."

Whack! A resounding smack echoed from Goh Yoo-Joon’s back. That guy always knew how to earn himself a slap. But, setting my worries aside for the moment, I decided to focus on the work for today.

What was on the agenda? The content for the day started with the tales of Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon from our "Joy" days, involving a rivalry skit between Joo-Han High and Gori High. Each member's uniform differed in color and design. Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and I were in black, while Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung sported gray uniforms, each bearing different crests.

The black uniforms featured Joo-Han High with an embroidered image of Joo-Han, while the gray ones showcased Gori High with a ring[1] design.

I never imagined the cringe-worthy puns Goh Yoo-Joon started with Joo-Han High and Gori High would still be in use. But the Rings loved them, so we had to dive right in.

The shoot involved a mock rivalry between Joo-Han High and Gori High, with Joo-Han as the blood-winged son of the chairman and Goh Yoo-Joon as the top dog. Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung represented Gori High as the cold blade and silver-eyed respectively.

I was the so-called "extra member" who wasn't mentioned often, so I was considered for various roles like a teacher, hero, and so on, before ultimately being cast as the civilian friend of Joo-Han High’s Goh Yoo-Joon. Due to having no rank, I couldn't participate in the fights and ended up being put in charge of hosting. That was why the cue cards Joo-Han was reviewing had been originally meant for me.

“Let's start filming!"

The director's voice boomed over the set. The members ceased fooling around and took their places. The shoot kicked off with the students from Joo-Han High and Gori High swaggering in from either side to start their standoff.

Goh Yoo-Joon’s arm was heavily draped over my shoulder. “Let's go, buddy! Ah, you first, sir."

He then graciously gestured for Joo-Han to enter the set. Joo-Han walked onto the set with all the pomp as expected, followed by Goh Yoo-Joon and the Gori High duo making their entrance.

Yoon-Chan walked in with extreme focus but awkward steps since he was bad at acting in skits, just like me, while I was inevitably dragged in by Goh Yoo-Joon.

Ding ding!

The production team played the perfect pre-storm music to enhance the immersion. Naturally, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung took the lead in the skit.

“Long time, no see,” Goh Yoo-Joon taunted. I had to step back because it was getting too much to handle already.

Jin-Sung smirked back. “Yeah, it’s been a while, Joo-Han High’s big shot, Goh Yoo-Joon.”

“Ugh,” I muttered softly as I looked over at Joo-Han. Was he finding this as tough as I was?

Nope, it didn’t seem like it. Joo-Han was fully immersed in his role.

Jin-Sung glanced past Goh Yoo-Joon to Joo-Han and muttered, “So that’s the infamous Bloody Wing of Joo-Han High?”

“Yes,” Goh Yoo-Joon responded.

Jin-Sung snickered sarcastically again. “I expected more from the son of your school’s CEO, but it looks like there is nothing more to you than wealth.”

“You’re funny.” Joo-Han was fully into his role. He chuckled in disbelief and dramatically covered his eyes with one hand. “What? Nothing more than wealth?”

Goh Yoo-Joon was normally quite playful, but he now wore a stern, almost frightening expression. He glared at Jin-Sung. “You think that’s something you can say at Joo-Han High?”

Goh Yoo-Joon also glanced at Yoon-Chan, who was standing behind Jin-Sung. “And your buddy there, starting with his gait, doesn’t look anything like the top rank’s Cold Blade.”

“You are unaware, but our hyung isn’t called Cold Blade for nothing. Don’t rile him up. You won’t like him when he’s angry.”

“Seriously, this is crazy.” Joo-Han was usually the one to immerse himself well, but he murmured as if he was having a hard time keeping up.

“It seems like they’re really consumed by their roles.” I completely agree with Joo-Han’s sentiment. Could you believe that this conversation was going on without a script? It was all pure improvisation from Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung.

I wanted to just watch and feign ignorance if I could, but sadly, I had lines to deliver. I squeezed between the two, who looked ready to tackle each other any moment now, and forced a smile with my quivering lips. “Hey, hey, guys. Don’t fight...”

“Stay out of this. You’re not even ranked in a hierarchy.”

“Stay put. With your pathetic fighting skills, you are no match for him.”

“Haha...” I had to laugh even though both Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung called me pathetic. After all, I was just Goh Yoo-Joon’s useless friend. I still didn’t quite grasp the setup, but I continued with my lines anyway. “Wait, hold on. This area is managed by the CEO of Joo-Han High. If you’re going to fight, do that elsewhere...”

“Will you shut it? You have no power, and you suck at acting.”

“Hey, he’s my friend, okay? He might not act well, but you shouldn’t dismiss him.”

“Guys, seriously. Stop it.”

As they enjoyed bantering at my expense, the large TV on the set suddenly turned on, revealing a man in a suit and mask.

Joo-Han had been silent until now, but he whispered in surprise, “...Dad?”

Goh Yoo-Joon gasped and covered his mouth with both hands. “The... the CEO?”

“...The CEO?”

The man’s desk displayed a nameplate that read ‘CEO Lee Su-Hwan of Joo-Han High School.’

- How dare you engage in such petty squabbles on my territory.

The man on the screen spoke sternly. Of course, this man wasn’t the Su-Hwan we knew. He was a comedian acting as him.

Jin-Sung cracked a dad joke. “He is not the chairman... He is boss Lee.”[2]

It was such a cringe-worthy joke that I didn’t even want to respond, yet Joo-Han played along. “So, my last name is different from my father’s... Do I have a secret birth story?”

Absolutely ridiculous. Everyone seemed caught up in their roles. This “CEO” continued, oblivious to the conversation around him.

- Indeed, another typical squabble between our school and Gori High. This feud has been spanning a hundred years, and it's time to end this war.

Did I hear that right?

“...A hundred years?” I blurted out, unable to contain my laughter.

- Very well! I will allow you to fight on my territory this time. But no violence, as you might get hurt. I will decide the contents of the duel. Any objections?

At the CEO’s question, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung finally broke from their improvisation to recite their lines.

“We will obey the CEO’s command!”

“...Damn, can’t help it. The CEO is one of the Absolute Four Emperors I can’t handle, so I will do whatever he wants.”

Yoon-Chan, Joo-Han, and I could only grimace as we watched this melodrama unfold. The director nodded in satisfaction.

- Then, I will announce the first duel. It will be a twenty-lined word game[3]!

Announcing something like this with such solemnity was funny. It seemed like we had smoothly transitioned into the first game.

- On behalf of those unable to fight due to their lack of power in hierarchy, like Suh Hyun-Woo, will you explain the rules of this game?

I felt utterly embarrassed, but I replied in a deliberately cheery tone. “Oh, yes, sir.” I held the cue card and directed everyone to the center. “Let me explain the format of the game.”

The game was straightforward. Using the given twenty syllables, participants had to engage in a dialogue through an acrostic poem. Whether asking questions, responding, or arguing, it was all free-form as long as it adhered to the acrostic structure. Failure to do so or getting stuck meant losing the game.

“The first duel will naturally be between the subordinates. Please come forward, the boss of Joo-Han High Goh Yoo-Joon, and the Silver-Eyed Warrior of Gori High Lee Jin-Sung.”

I ushered them forward with a business-like tone.

1. Ring in Korean pronounced as “Go-Ri.” ☜

2. Editor’s note: I decided to leave a footnote instead of accidentally butchering the meaning of this dad joke by adapting it in English because it doesn’t translate very well, lol. So, the joke is played with the words 이사장 (Chairman) and 이 사장 (Mr. Lee, the boss). Jin-Sung’s basically making a cheesy pun by pretending he's confused, like, “Oh, it’s not the Chairman but the boss...?” It’s kind of like saying “Mr. Lee, the boss” instead of “Chairman Lee” because they sound so similar in Korean. Our translator thinks it’s a terrible joke (affectionately). ☜

3. "20행시" is a fun Korean wordplay where you take a phrase that has 20 syllables and use each syllable to start a new line of a poem. So, you end up with a 20-line poem where each line kicks off with one of the syllables from your original phrase. It's a popular game for laughs or to flex some creative muscles, often seen in Korean shows or classroom activities. ☜