I'M A GENIUS IDOL BUT MY PASSIVE IS SUNFISH: Chapter 59

 TL by Miru

I'm a Genius Idol but My Passive is Sunfish: Episode 59

* * *

 

===========================

Today's K-Con lineup is truly a K-pop festival (A.I.M, Boy's Reign, Glassy, Incert, Rose Day, DASE, BB9...)

===========================

 

- A.I.M, Boy's Reign, Glassy, and Rose Day all showing up? That's crazy! The top idols are all here.

- The third floor is going to be a sea of blood again with A.I.M’s red wave♥

- When was AIM active? They’re already has-beens, and with Siyun heading to the military, it’s pretty much the end for them ㅋㅋ Boy's Reign is the new trend.

└ Yeah, keep dreaming~ They've been active since March, dominated with a repackage in May, and they’ve eaten up the competition again this time ^^ No matter how much you rage, they've been the top award-winning group for six straight years.

 

Incheon Munhak Stadium.

Today, this venue was set to host DASE along with 23 other idol groups and 40,000 fans.

Namkyung received DASE’s rehearsal schedule from the concert organizers the previous day. Their main performance was decently scheduled in the middle of the event, but due to early rehearsals, DASE had to leave their dorm at dawn.

 

"It's our first time at an event like this outside of music shows, right?"

 

Yuyeon spoke with excitement.

 

"The lineup is seriously no joke. I still can’t believe our name is included."

 

Yuyeon was browsing through articles about K-Con on his phone. The comment section below was bustling with fans cheering on their idols.

 

- To all the Markdoongie attending K-Con! Let's turn Incheon into a sea of blood today!! Sing loudly for those who couldn’t make it! We've got to save our kids today!!!

 

'Markdoongie' was a nickname A.I.M's fans used for themselves. The official fan club name was Mark, which meant 'target,' fittingly pairing with the group's name which suggests aiming and targeting.

Yuyeon, suddenly lifting his head, called out to Namkyung.

 

"Hyung."

"Yeah? What is it?"

 

Namkyung, who was organizing the schedule from the passenger seat, turned around.

 

“Aren’t we going to have a fan club?”

 

Since their debut, DASE had been so busy that they hardly had time to think about anything else. However, it seemed that a desire for an official fan club had emerged after a recent U App session.

 

"Oh, that?"

 

Namkyung's knowing demeanour caused the other members, who were pretending not to pay attention, to all turn and look at him simultaneously. Finding the note he had made on his phone, he felt the unspoken pressure the moment he looked up.

 

"What's with these intense stares, you guys..."

 

It would have been a big problem if he had said he didn't know anything.

 

"What did the company say?"

 

Even Baekya, who had been sleeping soundly as soon as he got into the car, widened his eyes in anticipation.

 

"I was going to talk about it once we've arrived... but maybe it's better to just say it now?"

"Absolutely!"

 

Chung, unable to wait, rapidly pounded his palm on his knee.

 

"They said it was supposed to be announced with this comeback, but the schedule got pushed back a bit."

 

Even being a major agency doesn’t mean things always run smoothly every day of the year, especially with A.I.M. about to face a hiatus due to military service.

Despite receiving some attention, it seemed the company had decided to prioritize A.I.M, a group with a well-established fanbase, over the newly debuted DASE. Essentially, DASE was lower in priority.

 

'Well, there are still many groups without fan clubs, so it’s fine.'

 

The members nodded in understanding.

 

"The name has been suggested. This is the name proposed by the company."

 

Night(나이트).

 

DASE was pronounced similarly to 'Day'. Although different in meaning, the company suggested 'Night' as a fitting counterpart since the pun of their group name was also used in their group slogan.

 

"Day and Night?" Chung repeated in his smooth English pronunciation.

"Hearing it like that, it sounds quite sophisticated, doesn’t it?"

 

Yulmu nodded, commenting on how the familiar word would be easy to remember.

 

"You can discuss freely. The company has said they will consider your opinions on this."

 

This would be the name that would accompany DASE forever. Namkyung emphasized that if anyone was uncomfortable with it, they were open to other suggestions.

 

"I’ll talk to the company for you."

 

The reaction, however, wasn't bad.

 

"I think 'Night' sounds good. What about you guys?"

 

Minsung naturally led the discussion.

 

"I think it’s good."

"Me too."

 

Following Baekya's approval, Jihan also voiced his agreement. Chung, Yulmu, and Yuyeon were no different.

 

"So, we're going with 'Night'?"

 

With that, the official fan club name for DASE was decided. Although it would still take some time before announcing it to the fans, the members were already excited about what nickname would be best.

 

"Why can’t we just announce it now? What if I die of anticipation by tomorrow?"

 

Yuyeon, eager to finalize their decision, prompted the group to inform the company immediately. One member's urgency triggered the rest to encourage Namkyung to make a quick phone call.

Meanwhile, the vehicle carrying DASE arrived at the stadium.

 

"It looks like the other teams will be a bit late."

 

It seemed traffic had already started to congest due to the weekend and the massive concert overlapping.

 

"There's still some time left. I'll go up after meeting them, you guys go ahead."

 

After parking, Deokjin checked his watch. Only DASE, Namkyung, and Deokjin had been pre-registered with the event organizers. The new manager stayed behind to obtain access badges for the rest of the staff at the venue.

Like ducklings, the members of DASE closely followed behind Namkyung's footsteps.

 

[K-Concert DASE]

 

"Is this the place?"

 

Above the closed door of the waiting room hung a nameplate with 'DASE' on it. Upon opening the door, a spacious area revealed itself.

 

"Is it supposed to be this empty?"

 

Chung looked around the room with a hint of disappointment.

Unlike the typical makeshift waiting rooms provided by broadcast stations, the space given by the stadium was more akin to an empty room than a proper waiting room. The only furnishings were a stack of plastic chairs and two folding tables tucked away in a corner.

 

"We'll set everything up once Deokjin arrives. You guys just rest for now."

 

At those words, Baekya quickly pulled out a chair for himself.

 

"Are you planning to sleep again?"

"Nope, just sitting."

 

Minsung helped Baekya with the chairs.

Shortly after, Namkyung excused himself to answer a call from Deokjin, prompting some of the more extroverted members, who were tired of staying still, to stealthily follow him out. The guys who left empty-handed returned with their hands full, accompanied by several staff members.

 

"Make way!"

//TN: He says this in an old-fashioned way, like in historical K-dramas when they shout at people to make way for the king.

 

Chung entered, pushing a rack with six sets of costumes hanging on it.

 

"You’ve been watching historical dramas recently?"

"Yeah, I've watched 'Jamong' on YouTube."

"You mean 'Jumong'..."

 

Yuyeon gave Chung a look that was a mix of bemusement and exasperation.

 

"Jamong or Jumong, what’s the difference?"

"It's completely different, you know?"

 

As the youngest members bickered, Yulmu walked in, effortlessly carrying two large mirrors.

 

"Where should I place these?"

"Just put them down on the floor. Thank you."

 

Yulmu, managing the mirrors as if he were a professional mover, placed them down skillfully. Baekya watched him, briefly lost in thought, before he approached Deokjin who had just walked in.

 

"I can help too."

"It's okay, that's everything."

 

Namkyung could have handled it alone, but with three extra members turning up, Deokjin found himself without anything to carry. Meanwhile, Namkyung, having received name tags from the stylist, started handing out pieces of white cloth.

 

"Guys, take one each."

 

Printed on the cloth were the group name and individual members' names. Wearing these was common except for well-known groups like A.I.M, Boy's Reign, and Rose Day.

 

"We're running out of time, so let's get ready. Deokjin, hand out the equipment."

 

Deokjin opened an aluminium case filled with six small boxes, each containing a member's in-ears.

 

"Baekya-nim?"

"Yes! Here."

 

Baekya, who had been tying something around his waist, hurriedly took his equipment. Deokjin called out names one by one, handing out the gear. Initially clueless about how to wear the in-ears and having looked to Namkyung like a fledgling, Baekya now managed quite well on his own, showing how he'd grown since their debut.

 

"Huh? My wire's gone."

 

Not all went smoothly, though. Minsung was awkwardly reaching behind himself.

 

"Hyung, it's on the floor."

"What? Who did this?"

 

Minsung's in-ear had ended up on the ground. He had casually draped it over his shoulder, attempting to thread the wire inside his clothes, but it had slipped through and fallen.

 

'Who else? You did it...'

 

Baekya quickly picked it up to prevent anyone from stepping on it.

 

"I'll fix it for you. Just stand still."

 

With everyone equipped, DASE was ready to go.

 

"Looks like it’s about time to head down..."

 

As Namkyung checked the time and was about to get up, a concert organizer appeared at the open door of the waiting room.

 

"Is DASE ready?"

 

Holding a rolled-up cue sheet, the man came to announce DASE's dress rehearsal.

 

* * *

 

- They're legendary even before the show starts. Looks like the kids got new hair colours again ㅠㅠ But Baekya has lost a lot of weight... (Jihan with straight brown hair photo preview.jpg)

- Sharing coordinates to paradise for free (DASE rehearsal video link)

- Just saw the latest preview of Baekya and I'm in tears. He looks like a terrified puppyㅠㅠㅠ But he's lost too much weight... Please eat a lot (Baekya listening to the staff photo preview.jpg)

 

Having finished their rehearsal early, DASE returned to their waiting room to begin the preparations for the stage in earnest.

 

"What are we wearing today?"

 

Baekya, while getting his makeup done, asked.

 

"I caught a glimpse and it looked like sailor uniforms?"

 

Sailor uniforms were something they had worn before on a music show.

 

'Thank goodness it's not sushi.'

 

He had thought he saw shorts and was initially concerned, but he was relieved to find out he was mistaken. Baekya quietly breathed a sigh of relief and checked his appearance in the mirror.