Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols
SS Chapter 57: Homecoming (1)
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TL: FoodieMonster007
After spectacularly blowing up a broadcast, Park Joowoo made a brilliant return and became the epitome of 'hip'. Ailee didn't even need to close the channel's message board. Park Joowoo was getting thoroughly flamed across social media and news sites. There was no 'K-ending' with a half-hearted, reluctant apology posted for formality. Thankfully, the main response didn't defend the host.
≫ Is spArk's Joowoo usually this strong-willed?
I had the impression he was quiet, so this is the first time I've seen him go at someone like this.
└ I've been a spArk fan for 4 years and this is the first time I've seen it too… He's our number one softie…
└ I mean, it's a team that doesn't look like it has any softies based on their faces, but I think this is the first time I've seen this level of 'strong-willed' mode since SMG's Kang Kiyeon.
└ It's f-ing unsightly for them to invite him just to try and put him down. He had every right to be angry.
Besides this, the celebrity communities were full of talk about Park Joowoo. Park Joowoo was mentioned everywhere, regardless of the category.
≫ What has his agency been doing all this time with a talent who can do this much when he's not dancing?
If they want to rake in the money, the agency should just tie him down and make him sing.
└ What nonsense is this? Don't be a f-cking idiot. Park Joowoo is the textbook example of an idol who can sing this well even while dancing.
└ You're saying this after seeing Sprint's Park Joowoo? hahahahaha
└ His vocal style is a bit of a shame, though. He seems to use his voice differently than when he sings idol songs, and I prefer his current style.
≫ Every time an article comes out about him breaking a new record, I'm just like, 'This is possible??'
Park Joowoo's vocals are on another level.
└ When the news of the duet first came out, the reaction was 'Why RitRam????' but now everyone's saying RitRam has amazing foresight - It's not so much foresight, Park Joowoo was already a star in Korea…
└ Even though he was popular in Korea, there was a prejudice against him for being an idol. If he's getting praised for holding his own against a vocalist who seems to be in his prime, it's true he's been underrated until now.
≫ The 'Syndrome' phenomenon is on a crazy level.
What is it about a music video shot on a single set that makes me keep watching it? It seems I'm not the only one, since the views on review videos are also overwhelming.
└ How can you resist the combination of a damp retro background, vintage fashion, and a live band?
└ I saw a meme comparing clips from spArk's music videos and the 'Syndrome' music video, and it's understandable… He's like a different person…
≫ Speaker Park Joowoo…? He was the weakest among us.
From now on, 'Syndrome' Park Joowoo will be your opponent.
└ What are we supposed to do if the boss mob appears right away? TTTT
└ It's amazing how he started with Speaker and has come this far. When did so much time pass? TTTT
≫ I heard RitRam is considering a concert in Korea next year.
They said they want to perform in Joowoo's country too, so we have to keep the hype up until they sign the contract.
└ Rok Juwoo accomplishes what Mirae Card couldn't.
└ Don't be too hard on Mirae. From now on, it's Mirae's turn to step up.
≫ That guy who dissed his 'nerd fashion' got flamed from all sides, but the funny thing is that Park Joowoo himself is now being marketed with the 'real nerd fashion, hot body, romantic younger man' position. Ah, he was a good (f*cking) Mouth of Truth. He should have said the same thing in a nicer way.
└ The real appeal is how he pulls off genuinely eccentric clothes with that face and physique, but that clueless bast*rd
└ fr, even when asked 'Isn't it hard for you to act cute?', he says 'My fans made me a star, so what's a heart gesture?' A true man of this era.
└ 'Is a heart and a wink difficult? Does your pride get affected by something like that…?' « This line seems to have really gotten to him.
Park Joowoo was just an elite idol who received a gifted education from his f*cking difficult eldest hyung, yet, he had somehow transformed. He went from the band scene's new face who sang ridiculously well to a genuine rocker. Park Joowoo was not only an insane singer with a great physique, but he also had a personality that made people wild. He became the incarnation of rock without headbanging once. I saw countless overseas memes with thick, white text at the top and bottom.
Fortunately, while Park Joowoo's mentality adopted a hip-hop spirit, his fashion returned unchanged. I worried for about two days that he might pick up a strange fashion sense from being abroad, but my concern was needless. I still greatly praised Park Joowoo, who entered the country in a stylish airport look for the fans.
The expeditionary Chinchilla finished a bowl of sundubu procured by the humans and slept soundly. The next day, his face plump from a good night's sleep, he recounted the story of his long journey.
Park Joowoo handled his domestic schedules without a moment's rest. He returned to his radio DJ spot, which Jeong Seongbin had covered for him. Park Joowoo also appeared on a few variety shows by himself.
Meanwhile, we held an emergency meeting. We needed to find a day when our schedules aligned to hold the postponed album release party. We couldn't celebrate during comeback week, but spArk's passion was too great to skip it. Fortunately, we still had one last chance.
Me [I'll be the Chinchilla's butler. Who's going to give the apple tree?]
spArk's Eternal Will [I rebooked the same place.]
Me [The pension can be rebooked?]
[Should I ask about other places?]
spArk's Eternal Symbol [○]
Me [Good]
[Choi Jeho, go to bed early the day before.]
[I checked the navigation, and it's a long drive.]
spArk's Eternal Leader [Cheonghyeon and I will load the luggage!]
spArk's Eternal Soul [Confirmation complete~]
[It'd be great if one more person could come!]
spArk's Eternal Will [I'll go.]
spArk's Eternal Soul [OK~]
The plan was already perfectly laid out, so it proceeded quickly. We had also told the managers in advance that we would handle Park Joowoo's pickup.
On the day of the event, we were too busy to spare a moment. I couldn't help with preparations because I was filming a variety show that morning, so the other guys moved busily in my place. When I returned from work, everyone was waiting at the dorm, dressed and ready to go.
"Is all the luggage loaded? Can we just go now?"
"Yeah. Choi Jeho rented a nice car!" Lee Cheonghyeon rattled off compliments. Choi Jeho was the designated driver for this event. The guy said long-distance driving was fine, mentioning he'd even driven to Gwangju before. I said I'd get my license next time to take turns driving, but all I got was a 'don't be a f-cking idiot'. It's not like I said I'd get a scooter license. That damn bas–d. In any case, I thanked him since he'd prevented a group train travel situation.
"Then let's get going!"
On a bright afternoon, all of spArk mobilized to pick up the unsuspecting, hard-at-work Park Joowoo.
"Thank you for coming on the show!"
The cameras turned off after the MC's closing remarks. This interview was Park Joowoo's last recording for the day.
After saying his goodbyes to the host, director, and staff, Park Joowoo headed toward Pyeong Daeyeon, who stood in a corner of the studio.
"Pyeong Daeyeon…!"
Park Joowoo checked with his manager about any problematic remarks. He also confirmed the promotional track that would play at the end. His steps were light as he walked to the waiting room.
"My schedule's clear until tomorrow morning, right? Are the members resting too…?"
As Park Joowoo chatted with Pyeong Daeyeon, he arrived at the waiting room. He opened the door and saw a familiar face waiting for him.
"Joowoo!"
"Seongbin…?"
Jeong Seongbin, who should have been at the dorm, greeted Park Joowoo. Park Joowoo's eyes widened.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to get you."
"Me…?"
Unlike the surprised Park Joowoo, Pyeong Daeyeon just smiled gently. The manager patted both of their shoulders. Jeong Seongbin led Park Joowoo to the parking lot. The passenger-side window of a large, unfamiliar van rolled down, and Kim Iwol poked his head out.
"Joowoo, you worked hard!"
"You're here too, Kim Iwol…?"
It wasn't just Kim Iwol and Jeong Seongbin. All the members were waiting for Park Joowoo in the car!
"Isn't it cramped? I'll put my bag in the back!"
"Park Joowoo, recline your seat if you get carsick."
In the back, the younger members tried to secure a comfortable space for him…
…while in the front, the older members discussed where to seat Park Joowoo comfortably. The kind Kim Iwol asked Park Joowoo one more time where he wanted to sit before the car departed. They said the drive would be about three hours, so Park Joowoo replied that he understood and his current seat was fine.
He glimpsed the location set on the navigation. The destination was Taean.
"Are we going to catch seafood again…?" he discreetly asked Jeong Seongbin.
Jeong Seongbin just laughed.
Not long after they entered the highway tollgate, the youngest members in the back row fell fast asleep.
"Jeong Seongbin, are the kids asleep? It's quiet back there."
"Yes. They must be tired from working until morning."
They were busy preparing for Kang Kiyeon's solo album. He knew how much work had to be done from seeing Jeong Seongbin's solo. Kang Kiyeon was diligent, and Lee Cheonghyeon had a personality where he treated his friend's work as his own, so both of them were surely doing their best. Park Joowoo turned around and draped a blanket over the younger members.
Kim Iwol suggested they get some shut-eye too, telling them to nap if they were tired. Park Joowoo, dragged along to an unknown destination, didn't feel sleepy at all.
Still, Seongbin will only rest if I sleep, right…?
So his friend could rest, Park Joowoo decided to at least pretend to sleep. About three minutes after he closed his eyes and leaned his head against the headrest, he heard even breathing from the seat next to him.
"We should stop at a rest area on the way, right?" "Lee Cheonghyeon said he was hungry, so we should probably stop once." "I'm really sorry. I should be taking over the wheel at some point." "I heard Kang Kiyeon is thinking about getting his license after his solo promotions are over." "Why is he getting distracted when he should be focusing on his own album? So, did you tell Kang Kiyeon 'don't be a f-cking idiot' too?" "I told him if he's going to get one, get a Class 1 license." "Is this member discrimination for real? I'm going to make this public." They conversed quietly in pleasant voices, but the content was on the level of an elementary school fight.
"If I had told him 'don't be a f-cking idiot,' you would've made a fuss about me cursing at a younger member. Am I wrong?" "Of course. The youngest are only twenty-three, how could you." "They're already that old?" "No matter how old they get, they won't be as old as you."
The eldest members had these kinds of arguments at the dorm every day. In the past, he might not have known what to do, but now he was used to it. Both he and Jeong Seongbin would hand the older members drinks, thinking, 'Same as always~'. Then, the youngest members, who had been playing in their room, would pop out with an interesting story to tell. That was their daily life.
It's peaceful…
For Park Joowoo, nothing brought a greater sense of stability than this everyday atmosphere. Inside the smoothly running car, Park Joowoo, who had worked hard all day, slowly drifted off to sleep.