A Blank Slate Regression for the Idol That Lost His Original Mindset - Chapter 177

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Regression Manual for an Idol Who Lost Their Original Intentions Chapter 177

 

 

 

 

 

“Yongcheol hyung has become too popular.”

 

I was resting my chin on my arm that was placed on my thigh, watching the rerun of DTB Season 3 Episode 6, when my back started aching so I leaned comfortably against the sofa backrest and grumbled to myself.

 

Yongcheol hyung was smoothly establishing himself as this season’s DTB MVP just like before my regression. His individual followers had increased incomparably to before DTB. He was practically a semi-celebrity.

 

I think my advice to cut his hair neatly played a big part in his follower count jumping much higher than before my regression.

 

To be honest, that messy mop-like hair was eating away about 60% of Yongcheol hyung’s looks. As expected, for men it’s all about the hair.

 

The interview showing the psychological warfare before the battle was playing on the TV screen.

 

 

 

[D.I: Compared to Flodic? Well, I think I’m better.]

 

[Flodic: He said he’s better? Wow, Yongcheol has really grown up.]

 

 

 

That scene was edited to be about measuring skills, but I heard directly from the person himself that what Yongcheol hyung actually said was about looks.

 

Since Yongcheol hyung avoids speaking directly about opponents’ skills out of consideration and respect, it seems Wnet made a dull move too.

 

If we’re comparing looks with Flodic, Yongcheol hyung would win by a landslide, but Flodic’s reaction would probably be the same even if he knew it was about looks – I bet Seo Yehyeon’s… damn, there’s nothing left to bet. Then I’ll bet Kim Dobin’s rap skills.

 

That hyung constantly complained about getting evil edits, but if the real victims of Wnet’s evil editing heard that, they’d punch him immediately.

 

That level isn’t quite devil’s editing, more like devil’s lackey editing?

 

I blinked my dry eyes a couple times while watching Yongcheol hyung’s stage.

 

It was because I’d been pulling all-nighters for several days – memorizing lyrics, reviewing legendary DTB stages from the past while doing image training.

 

To be honest, I also couldn’t fall asleep. My chronic insomnia had flared up again.

 

Whenever I get excessive stress, I can’t sleep. But I couldn’t take sleeping pills to fall asleep either.

 

I didn’t like taking them much before anyway, but after I took sleeping pills and not only vomited but also saw hallucinations, it became such a trauma that I couldn’t even put them near my mouth.

 

When Seo Yehyeon was my roommate, I at least tried to fall asleep listening to his peaceful breathing, but my current roommate Kim Dobin was often awake until dawn.

 

I can’t sleep because of insomnia, but I don’t know why Kim Dobin has no sleep either – he’s on his phone until dawn.

 

So just for eye protection, our room has been keeping the lights on until dawn these days.

 

I was covering my mouth and yawning when I felt someone plop down next to me.

 

Since only the youngest line and I were interested in DTB in Rev, I figured it was Ryu Jaehee or Kim Dobin, so I waved my hand while keeping my eyes fixed on the TV screen.

 

“Bring me some vitamins and water.”

 

A moment later, I was about to mindlessly take the water glass and vitamins handed to me when I paused.

 

“Juni, it was you?”

 

Instead of answering my question, Gyeon Hajun chuckled and sat back down next to me. I swallowed the vitamins with water and said awkwardly.

 

“You should have said something.”

 

“It’s fine. Bringing vitamins and water isn’t a difficult task.”

 

“If I knew it was you, I wouldn’t have asked you to run this errand. Anyway, thanks.”

 

I downed the remaining water in one shot and put the cup down. In that state, we sat side by side without exchanging a single word, just watching the stage until Yongcheol hyung’s performance ended.

 

There’s no way Gyeon Hajun suddenly became interested in DTB overnight, so why is he watching this with me…?

 

With this sudden question in mind, and since the stage had ended, I quickly turned my head, and Gyeon Hajun, who had similarly turned to look at me, asked.

 

“That schedule is tomorrow, right?”

 

“Yeah, recording at 4 PM or something.”

 

“If you want to manage your condition for tomorrow, wouldn’t it be better to sleep early just for today? I heard from Dobin earlier that you’ve been going to bed after 4 AM for several days.”

 

So that’s what he wanted to say? I rubbed my eyes and buried myself in the sofa backrest.

 

“I want to do that too, but I can’t fall asleep, Jun.”

 

“Why, because you’re nervous?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

As I was nodding, my eyes met with Gyeon Hajun who was staring at me intently.

 

“Why, why are you looking at me like that…?”

 

“No, it’s just fascinating that you’re nervous before a stage. You were the only one who wasn’t nervous before our debut stage.”

 

That’s because that debut stage wasn’t my first time. Was I nervous during my real first debut stage? I have a vague memory of being pissed off because everything from the song to the stage outfits was annoying.

 

“Well, maybe it’s because it’s not our stage but someone else’s stage.”

 

Even as I said it, I felt self-deprecating.

 

 

 

-Semifinal stage featuring with an idol rapper lol even if seasons pile up, this will be enshrined as legendary stupidity

 

-Maybe because Yongcheol was building popularity too smoothly and advancing to semifinals was boring, but this self-penalty is at an irreversible level, what to do

 

-There are tons of skilled rappers, so why bring out an idol? Are you that greedy for votes from fangirls who know jack shit about hip hop?

 

-When the music comes out, listening to the version with the featuring removed will be my last act of loyalty

 

 

 

I could ignore other hate comments by telling them to fuck off, but DTB-related hate comments particularly caught my eye.

 

I was afraid that I really would ruin Yongcheol hyung’s stage like those hate comments said, and that this stage would remain a lifelong regret for hyung in a different way than before my regression.

 

As I was rubbing my forehead with my eyes tightly shut, I heard Gyeon Hajun’s calm voice again.

 

“Still, isn’t this a stage you wanted to try at least once?”

 

At those words that seemed to hit the mark, I opened my eyes wide and reflexively looked at Gyeon Hajun.

 

“You’ve been watching DTB faithfully since Season 1.”

 

“Who said I watched it because I wanted to perform? I watched it because I like hip hop and the show is fun. Plus to see if any familiar faces appeared.”

 

Even to my own ears it sounded like an excuse, so as I was avoiding Gyeon Hajun’s gaze and playing dumb, Gyeon Hajun tapped my shoulder.

 

“Don’t I know you? It was all obvious from your expression while watching the show.”

 

Embarrassed that my inner thoughts were completely read, I was awkwardly running my hand over my face when Gyeon Hajun continued.

 

“Even though it’s just featuring, put down all the pressure and think of it as your stage, then go show everything you wanted to show. Originally, being on that kind of stage was your dream.”

 

At the heavy touch I felt on my shoulder, I chuckled and muttered.

 

“How are you still unchanged?”

 

Just like back in our trainee days when you threw me a signpost and gave me confidence about whether I could walk this path.

 

“Thanks, Jun.”

 

At my thanks delivered with a grin, Gyeon Hajun turned off the TV and made me stand up.

 

“Alright, go in and sleep quickly. If you really can’t fall asleep, I’ll switch rooms with you so you can sleep alone in my room.”

 

“It’s fine. I’ll just grab Kim Dobin and tell him to turn off his phone.”

 

I headed to my room, changing my nervousness about the stage into anticipation for the stage. Today, I felt like I might be able to get some sleep.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

“Can’t you just borrow stage outfits and wear them? Since you’re already getting criticized for being an idol, let’s clearly show off that idol charm, hyung!”

 

On the day of the DTB schedule after sleeping refreshingly for one night. The youngest line was noisily chattering next to me as I was carefully selecting clothes to wear.

 

“Right, wear a beret instead of a snapback too!”

 

“What nonsense about a beret. I’m not wearing a hat, man.”

 

I quickly pulled out a black Su*reme short-sleeve tee and a white sports jersey with three black stripes from the closet and threw them on the bed. This brand sponsors the show, so it should be fine.

 

“Should I show my forehead or cover it?”

 

After picking out all my clothes, I stood in front of the mirror with a serious face, repeatedly sweeping my bangs up over my forehead and then covering it again.

 

Ryu Jaehee, who was watching from the side with an equally serious expression, offered advice.

 

“Showing your forehead makes you look more intimidating, but covering it makes you look more handsome.”

 

“Then I should show it. To overwhelm them from the start.”

 

As soon as I heard that, I swept my bangs up, but Ryu Jaehee immediately pressed them down to cover my forehead.

 

“Go looking like an idol.”

 

“Damn, even if I went with a shaved head, I’d still be the most handsome one there.”

 

After stopping by the shop to finish hair and makeup, I arrived at Wnet Studio where DTB filming takes place. There was already a long line of people waiting for the pre-recording audience.

 

Seeing that line, I realized anew the popularity of DTB Season 3.

 

Jiwon hyung, who had been leisurely walking around the waiting room hallway with his hands in his pockets, spotted me and raised his hand in greeting.

 

“Hey, Yoon Eden. Didn’t you dress down too much for an idol?”

 

“Right, maybe I should have worn a school uniform.”

 

I playfully shot back. I gave a light high-five to Jiwon hyung’s extended hand as he said he was looking forward to today’s stage, then entered the waiting room.

 

“Where are you going, for a stroll in the neighborhood park?”

 

Looking over my short-sleeve and jersey combination, Yongcheol hyung asked with a sour expression.

 

“I dressed down because I was worried that if I got too dressed up, you’d get overshadowed, Hyung.”

 

“Thanks so much.”

 

While Yongcheol Hyung and I were exchanging trivial banter, a staff member called for us.

 

“BQ9 rehearsal time!”

 

We waited backstage for our turn and watched BQ9’s rehearsal performance.

 

“Wow, he really is good.”

 

I took a sip of bottled water and let out an admiring comment.

 

“I told you. He’s fucking good. I was so nervous we might face off in the semis.”

 

“You’ll face each other anyway if both you and BQ Nine make it to the finals.”

 

“At least there’s a week’s grace period.”

 

“Anyone listening would think you’ve already secured your spot in the finals.”

 

I giggled and poked Yongcheol Hyung’s side, and he responded with a confident smile.

 

“With you featuring, of course we’ll advance to the finals with this performance.”

 

Before my regression, BQ9 was the winner. Yongcheol Hyung was the runner-up. But ironically, Yongcheol Hyung became more famous afterward.

 

So if Yongcheol Hyung wins this time, wouldn’t BQ9 become more famous instead? Though currently, our Yongcheol Hyung is winning by a landslide in follower count.

 

“D.I rehearsal time!”

 

As we headed to the stage at the staff’s call, we briefly encountered BQ9 walking back backstage. When I frowned at his dismissive glance that swept over me, BQ9 looked away and passed by.

 

“Wow, he’s throwing shade with just his eyes.”

 

“That’s why you need to tear it up on stage.”

 

Yongcheol Hyung patted my back consolingly.

 

First, I got on stage and checked the positioning. With its underground club-like structure, the stage and audience seats were quite close.

 

“It’s the latter half of the song, so your entrance needs to have major impact! With the determination to shatter this song’s mannerisms!”

 

Wonbaek, the team producer Hyung had chosen, emphasized this while vigorously patting my back.

 

He was the person who most fervently opposed it when Yongcheol Hyung first said he’d feature me, but his fervent opposition flipped to fervent support as we progressed through the song production.

 

“This will definitely have more impact than just walking out from backstage.”

 

Wonbaek gave me a thumbs up at my response. We roughly synchronized on stage and finished the rehearsal.

 

“DROP THE BEAT Season 3 SEMI FINAL! Starting now!”

 

And finally, the actual performance began.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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