episode_0016

Despite the intense gaze of the trainees outside the screen, Ha Ye-rin on screen was being criticized by Han Si-woo.

The fact that the training period was only one month was a shock.

[They say Ha Ye-rin only trained for a month…]

[Han Si-woo: Among the trainees behind me, none have trained for less than a year. Some have trained for over 10 years.]

[Ha Ye-rin (Brotherhood Entertainment): …Yes.]

[Han Si-woo: But to think you only trained for a month and appeared on stage… Did you have confidence in your skills, or…]

[A breathless silence.]

[Seong Si-woo: Did you think being an idol was easy?]

“What the hell is this bastard saying right now-!!”

As soon as those words were spoken, the trainees’ anger towards Han Si-woo reached its peak.

“Damn, maybe the trainee just had a short training period, but he’s getting all the attention, damn it-!”

“Hey, damn it. Did Han Si-woo serve in the military? …Exemption? Damn bastard, the pepper will be damn small, you son of a bitch.”

The trainees wanted to keep watching Ha Ye-rin for a long time. So they didn’t like it when Han Si-woo cornered Ha Ye-rin.

But thankfully…

[Ha Ye-rin (Brotherhood Entertainment): Over the past month, I have experienced firsthand how difficult it is to be an idol. Of course…, I am not confident in my skills right now. I need to work harder and grow.]

[Ha Ye-rin (Brotherhood Entertainment): I trained for only a month and struggled. Everyone else here has endured this grueling training for at least several years. I will never underestimate the idol industry where such people gather…]

There was no room to criticize Ha Ye-rin’s response.

She showed respect for idol trainees and highlighted her own shortcomings.

And…

[Han Si-woo: Then why do you want to become an idol?]

[Ha Ye-rin (Brotherhood Entertainment): …Because of my parents.]

[Han Si-woo: …Yes?]

[Ha Ye-rin (Brotherhood Entertainment): Because of my parents…, I have to become an idol…. I must….]

“…Oh, my.”

“What kind of story must she have…?”

When Ha Ye-rin talked about her parents, it evoked sympathy and sighs.

The beautiful girl with a poignant voice and eyes talking about her parents left a lump in the throat.

Then came the additional edited version.

It was Ha Ye-rin’s pre-interview content.

[Ha Ye-rin (Brotherhood Entertainment): We have a little debt at home…. So….]

“Wow, are you trying to pay off your parents’ debt?”

“She’s a filial daughter, a filial daughter. She’s not only pretty but also filial….”

“Yes. Since the era of the filial daughter of the tofu house, she seems to be the prettiest filial daughter.”

The trainees, who already received all kinds of favors and attention from the trainees because of her appearance, now also received sympathetic looks.

They truly united in supporting Ha Ye-rin.

Even if Ha Ye-rin sang off-key, forgot the lyrics, or danced poorly, they would continue to support her.

Since she had only trained as an idol for just one month, they didn’t have high expectations for her performance anyway.

[Ha Ye-rin (Brotherhood Entertainment): Then…, I will show you my stage from now on.]

But when Ha Ye-rin’s stage began…

-Well, it won’t be that easy, in the world I have been allowed to exist in~

“Huh…?”

“This…!”

As a familiar song played, the trainees were once again moved.

“Wow, isn’t this Zidimon? I loved this when I was young.”

“Yeah. Did she also watch Zidimon?”

For men in their 20s and 30s, Zidimon was an unforgettable memory. The trainees sang along with the song and watched Ha Ye-rin’s stage.

They were pleasantly surprised by how well she sang, making their ears happy.

Actually, when it comes to vocal skills, I was better than Seo Yujin, who was on stage, but I had long forgotten about that.

– oh my love~~

Finishing the stage like that.

“Wow, she killed it.”

“Wow~ She practiced for a month! She sings well too, right?”

Even though it was almost time for the night audition to end, they cheered and chattered about Ha Yerin’s stage.

It wasn’t just them who saw the stage in a positive light; the judges also praised it one by one.

[Hansiu: Your tone and pronunciation are good. The rhythm is also fine. It was a very enjoyable stage.]

[Lee Heesoo (vocal trainer): It’s still rough… like discovering a rough but beautiful gemstone, isn’t it?]

However… there was someone who dampened this warm atmosphere…

[Hansiu: …But let me say this. Ha Yerin trainee, this isn’t an idol song, right?]

[Nervous expression.]

[Ha Yerin (sibling planning): …Yes.]

[Hansiu: There were some movements in between, but it’s hard to see that as dancing, right?]

[Ha Yerin (sibling planning): …Yes.]

[Hansiu: Nowadays, dancing is as important as singing for idols. No, you could say that dancing is even more important these days.]

“Ah… why is he like that again.”

It was Hansiu after all.

But this time, the trainees couldn’t comfortably curse at Hansiu.

Because it was true that there was no dancing in Ha Yerin’s stage.

“Ah… what’s the big deal about not having dancing?”

“Well… but isn’t dancing necessary for idols?”

“True, if you don’t dance, you’re not an idol.”

“No, this is her first stage, she can do it next time.”

The audience in front of the TV was divided in half on whether they could accept Ha Yerin’s stage without dancing.

And then…

[Hansiu: Do you have a separate dance song prepared…?]

“…Oh, what’s this.”

“Are they giving her another chance?”

As a grand and tense background music played, Hansiu requested to see one more stage.

[Ha Yerin (sibling planning): …I have something prepared. I’ll do it.]

Ha Yerin said she would do it.

“…Is it going to be okay.”

The audience watched the broadcast with half-expectation and half-worry.

“….”

“….”

In this tense atmosphere, Ha Yerin spoke first.

[Ha Yerin (sibling planning): Um, can I change my outfit a bit before the stage?]

[Hansiu: Go ahead.]

The judges, as well as the audience watching the TV, didn’t think much of it.

But…

“…Oh, my.”

“Gasp.”

“What… what’s this…”

“Damn it, move, you jerk. Can’t see anything!!”

“S-Sorry…!”

Everyone was shocked and gasped as Ha Yerin suddenly took off her jacket. Some even reflexively moved closer to the TV and got hit on the back of the head.

[Hansiu: Ye-Yerin-!! Wh-what are you doing right now!]

[Ha Yerin (sibling planning): …Yes?]

[Hansiu: Y-You should change your clothes outside the stage.]

Even Hansiu, who seemed flustered, had a rare urgent expression as he spoke.

Ha Yerin looked at the flustered Hansiu and tilted her head.

[Ha Yerin (sibling planning): I’m wearing pants under the skirt.]

[Hansiu: Oh.]

[Sigh of relief.]

[Hansiu producer finally lowered his hand.]

[Seems like you were very embarrassed^^.]

As the subtitles said, Hansiu’s face was as red as a beet.

Seeing a rare sight from the perfectionist Hansiu, the audience laughed and teased him.

“Ah, hahaha. Look at that guy blushing.”

“In the end, Hansiu is also a man.”

“Did he fall for my future wife for no reason?”

“Why is she your wife? Want to die?”

Ha Yerin probably didn’t intend for it, but this mishap relieved the tense atmosphere.

And then…

“…Wow, but she’s really pretty. Like, really pretty.”

“…It looks like it’s going to be really amazing when you see it in person.”

With a costume change, Ha Ye-rin added a seductive atmosphere and overwhelmed the audience with just her appearance.

[Ha Ye-rin (Brother Planning): Then let’s start the stage.]

And so, Ha Ye-rin’s second stage began…

Tick tock.

“Huh? Is that song?”

“Isn’t that…?”

Once again, a familiar song. Especially when a dance song with a sexy performance stood out, the members of the platoon excitedly cheered with anticipation.

And…

“Wow, I’m excited.”

“I know, right? This is totally…!”

Thud.

As Ha Ye-rin hesitated in her spot for the opening movements, everyone held their breath and fell silent.

Her long, white legs stood out from under her short pants.

Of course, it wasn’t a particularly revealing outfit, but just her sitting and stretching her legs was enough to shock the platoon members.

The next song.

– Spend this night with me.

– Hold my hand.

A husky voice that was the complete opposite of the energetic Zidimon Adventure song she sang before.

It felt like she was whispering right next to you.

But above all, the highlight was definitely the dance.

Swoosh.

It wasn’t flashy or energetic movements.

Slow and dreamy.

But…

Swoosh.

…it was delicate. And… subtle.

“……Ah.”

Corporal Wang Go Yoo Chang-seon was particularly absorbed as he savored each of Ha Ye-rin’s movements.

And then it happened.

Thud.

“…Huh?”

In an instant, his vision went dark, and when he came to his senses, he wasn’t in the military barracks anymore.

It was dark… and narrow… his own room.

Corporal Wang Go Yoo Chang-seon lay on his bed in civilian clothes, not the familiar military uniform.

Swoosh, thump.

And there was In-yeong approaching him.

Swoosh, swoosh.

She stretched out her arms and raised her hips while lying on the floor.

“It’s Ha Ye-rin….”

The girl who was just on TV moments ago was now approaching him in his room, crawling on all fours like a cat…

Swoosh.

With large, jewel-like eyes looking up at him…

“Ugh….”

Just that alone made Corporal Wang Go Yoo Chang-seon feel like his breath was being taken away, but that wasn’t the end.

– Not enough.

“…Yes, yes?”

– Not enough time.

– Will you stay with me?

Swoosh.

“Ah….”

Ha Ye-rin’s hand touched his ankle.

Her hand gradually moved up, her body climbing on top of his.

“Ah…, ah….”

Her hand reached his chest, her breath felt right in front of him.

It was like being shocked and thrilled as if being electrocuted.

– 24 hours is too….

– Not enough.

Her face came closer and closer.

It felt like being sucked into a drain like water.

But he didn’t mind at all.

Corporal Wang Go Yoo Chang-seon threw himself into this ecstatic sensation.

He simply watched in awe and gratitude as she took everything from him in that moment…

And then.

[Ha Ye-rin (Brother Planning): Ah…, that’s it.]

After Ha Ye-rin finished her stage, he finally regained his senses.

“……”

“……”

“……I’ll be right back, I need to use the restroom.”

Suddenly, except for one junior soldier going to the restroom, all the platoon members in front of the TV had blank expressions.

At that moment, Corporal Wang Go Yoo Chang-seon felt a pang of regret for the short stage time.

He wanted to see her a little more.

He wanted to admire her magnificent figure a little more…!

And soon, a way to see her more in his mind.

“…Hey, 7, 8, 9.”

“……”

“Why aren’t you answering, you bastards? 7, 8, 9.”

“Corporal Moon Yoo-chan!”

“…Corporal Heo Man!”

“Corporal…!”

As Corporal Wang Go Yoo Chang-seon called out loudly, the guards in the 7, 8, 9 platoon all raised their hands.

Corporal Yoo Chang-seon solemnly addressed them.

“As soon as I receive the phone tomorrow, all my subordinates will vote for her. If she doesn’t debut before I finish my service and fails, everyone’s in trouble, got it?”

“Yes? Oh, yes! Understood!”

It was the most reasonable order given by Corporal Yoo Chang-seon.

The other members of the platoon were already in agreement with Corporal Yoo Chang-seon, so they happily responded.

Everyone wanted to see her on stage more. Everyone wanted Ha Ye-rin to appear on TV not as a trainee, but as a full-fledged idol.

Even though they were not in the midst of war at that moment, they felt completely united as comrades.

This was the moment when the Ha Ye-rin fandom, which would one day cover the sky of South Korea, began to take its first steps.