NOVEL NEXT Chapter 83
A few days had passed since the third competition.
The internet was overflowing with spoilers.
[Cheer3 Third Round Review.txt]
[Cheer3 Theme Evaluation Review (Team Organization, Competition Song Summary)]
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[Post-Competition Review (Ramblings + Long Post?)-Cheer3 Category]
It was highly likely that most of the audience members were heavy fans, and given that the number of attendees at the third round far surpassed that of the first and second rounds, it was only natural.
And the team that received the best response was, of course, the girl crush concept team [Stand Out]. They took first place in the team voting and won a reward.
However, if we were to pick the trainee with the most mentions, it would definitely be Do-hee Lee, who took first place in personal voting.
-Do-hee’s concept was just perfect ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Saying ‘subtly’ fit her like a glove. She looked amazing. Her dancing and singing were both on point.
-When the stage began, Do-hee stood center, and chaos erupted around her ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ. Do-hee’s visuals were truly a jackpot.
-Do-hee had an amazing reaction from the crowd; she was beautiful and her vocal tone improved a lot, so she nailed both singing and dancing. Just casually, I envied her for being so tall and having such a small head…
-She wore a yellow dress with a big white ribbon in her hair, and it was the most special and pretty outfit. I was shocked when I saw her in person; her long limbs made her dance lines beautiful, and her facial expressions were exceptional.
-Do-hee was the center, and before it started, she was glancing down, and she looked incredibly beautiful, with perfect proportions. Truly a heavenly idol.
Do-hee’s Home Mama was happily reading such comments while editing photos she took during the theme evaluation a few days ago.
A smile naturally appeared at the thought of making big money after a long time.
From the reviews, it seemed that the data for the popular members she photographed was skyrocketing.
“Hmm~ Gong Chae-rin also did well. She’ll sell well.”
Well, after all, once the tribute was given, not much would be left anyway.
That was always how entertainment money circulated back to the stars.
‘No, maybe this time I might actually profit?’
With all the buzz, she began to wonder if she might be able to upgrade her camera, ignited by hope, she dove fervently into editing.
Losing track of time, she finally finished editing, and with the extra time she had left, she started surfing the internet for news.
And following her algorithm, a real-time trend popped up.
#DoHeeSubwayAd
Real-time mentions were flooding in.
-Jackpot, Seo-yoon’s subway ad came out, LOL!!!
-Do-hee’s subway ad is out, OMG ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
-Woah, Do-hee, Seo-yoon, Na-eun, and Bomi spotted at Konkuk University Station! They’re getting noticed, LOL!!!
‘What? Did Do-hee already go to see it…!?’
She hurriedly clicked on an SNS post that came up following her algorithm, from an account claiming to be a fan of Do-hee.
The account I’m pretending to be.
– I went to stick some post-its and ended up seeing the babies…ㅠㅠㅠ Thank you. Let’s have the babies debut!!!
(Group photo)
(Do-hee’s selfie)
(Do-hee’s selfie 2)
(Video)
└ Oh no, I was just at Konkuk University Station…ㅠㅠ Seeing this makes me go berserk.
└ Did Do-hee come out in just jeans and a white t-shirt again? Hahaha. But she’s still so pretty… Pure Boss.
└ OMG, they all came together! Debut now, my favorites!!
└ Do-hee is stunning and adorable…ㅠㅠㅠ
└ Haha, Do-hee’s selfie is so cute! She’s a charm master!
└ The proportions are insane!
└ I love these three so much! I wish they could debut together!ㅠㅠ
└ Wow, Do-hee’s body is something else! Look at that aura! Hahaha.
She was staring at the photos as if enchanted, then snapped back to reality and played the video.
In the video, a woman who seemed to be the manager was taking photos.
[What do I do? She’s too pretty.]
[Do-hee, strike another pose!]
[Hey guys!!! Look over here!]
Do-hee, hesitating at the fans’ calls, was changing poses while being captured in photos.
“Crazy, so cute…”
The only change from her previous casual fashion was that she swapped out a plain tee for a logo tee, but still, she was too pretty to resist.
The video ended with Do-hee’s flushed face moving to an advertisement board featuring Kim Na-eun beside her.
“Ah… I wanted to go too…! I tried to get there early and wait!!!”
When the subway ads from the fans’ support pop up, it’s a given that all the Jodol3 participants come to take selfies.
So, it was expected that Do-hee would show up.
Just not when.
Working to indulge in fandom is the goal.
But the sad part is that while earning money, I can’t even indulge in my fandom.
*
I was sprawled out on the floor near the entrance, throwing a fit.
“I don’t want to gooo.”
Mom was bombarding me with nagging.
“Are you not getting up? Are you a baby? Even Do-ah manages well. As your older sister, at least set an example! Hurry up!”
Turning my head to look at Do-ah, she was staring at me with a disappointed expression, as if I was ridiculous.
“Lee Do-ah, don’t look at your sister like that!”
“Sigh… You look dumb, unnie.”
When Do-ah says that, it really hurts my feelings… boo-hoo.
But still, I can’t help not wanting to go.
“I don’t know, I don’t want to go.”
The break was given until the next filming.
I was planning to relax comfortably…
‘Why does summer vacation have to end right after this?’
“Are you trying to act like a kid again?”
“You always call me a baby to mom. Waaaah~”
How can I not feel at ease at home?
“Mom promised! Hurry and wake up!”
Of course, I did agree to take just two days off.
My body is not in great shape after practicing all night during the shoot.
“I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna~”
But I worked so hard—can’t I get a little more rest?
Taking a quick glance at the clock, I thought if I just drag this out for about 10 more minutes, I could use being late as an excuse.
“Sigh… I’ll drive you, get up.”
“I’m good.”
How long does it even take to walk?
“Then I’ll hold your hand and take you.”
“Ugh~ I don’t want that~”
“Do-hee!”
Mom, unable to take it anymore, grabbed my leg.
Thanks to her, I had to slide around on the dusty floor.
“Mom, there’s a lot of dust on the floor~ We need to clean up~”
Mom silently dragged me along despite my protests.
Looks like she isn’t in the mood to listen.
“Sigh…”
Reluctantly, I got up, shook myself off, and put on my backpack.
“I’m heading out, got it.”
Only then did Mom finally speak.
“Have a good day, my daughter~ Make sure to get along with your friends~”
Mom patted my behind.
“Sigh…”
This is a problem that could be solved with just taking the high school equivalency exam.
Dragging this out like this is exhausting.
I need to debut soon.
I don’t know how it’ll turn out, but if I debut with Hedgehog-3, it’ll be in a month.
I have to hold on until then…
On the way to school.
Kids were sneakily glancing over.
Whether it’s a lack of courage or they’re just being considerate, they only took pictures and didn’t come over.
“Oh…? This seems better than I thought.”
I was worried a lot, but this looks okay.
However, the moment I stepped into school…
“Oh, it’s Do-hee!!!!!!!!!!”
A friend screamed so loudly that my ears were ringing, and one by one, they started to swarm around me.
“Ah.”
At this rate, I wouldn’t be able to move an inch, so I sprinted towards the classroom.
After barely making it to the classroom, I opened the door with a sense of relief.
But as soon as I opened the classroom door, eyes were on me.
“It’s Do-hee!”
“Ah.”
I must have underestimated how it would be.
Back before summer vacation, when I last came to school, the stage for the title track was only revealed—meaning not even the first episode had aired yet.
But now, Hedgehog-3 had aired up to episode 8.
“Do-hee!!”
“Eeek!”
“Sign this for me!!!”
The hype and impact were on another level.
Kids came rushing in.
“Guys…?”
Please calm down…
“Calm down!”
It felt terrifying.
Of course, it wasn’t the kind of situation where talking would help.
And leaving the classroom wasn’t an option…
I looked outside the classroom.
Students were loitering outside like there was some kind of barrier.
Regardless of grade, they were buzzing outside, shoving their phones at each other.
‘This is why I didn’t want to come… ugh.’
I really hate Mom right now…
Left with no choice, I sat at my desk, enduring this torture.
“How did you get to school today? Was filming done? What did you film?”
“Who’s your team this time!? Get Sara Unni’s autograph for me!”
“Do-hee! I love Fatal so much! I’m a real fan now!”
“I voted for you! We all voted for you!”
“Crinkle crumble, Do-hee TV~”
“Can I take a picture with you!?”
Crazy words were flying around.
“I couldn’t say it before, but I liked you!!! I love you!”
“Hey, I liked you first!”
“Me too!”
Taking advantage of the chaos, kids were confessing their feelings.
What am I supposed to do, for heaven’s sake…
I feel dizzy…
The bell rang, and the teachers appeared.
“Go to your own classes! Time for lessons!”
“Sit back down, kids!”
After some efforts to calm them down, the atmosphere finally settled.
After the morning assembly,
“Do-hee, can you come to the staff room for a moment?”
This time, I went to the staff room to give autographs to the teachers and take pictures together.
I could definitely handle this much.
“I’ll vote for you! I’m watching you closely~”
“Do-hee, I’ll support you! Fighting!”
“Oh, Do-hee, thank you!”
You don’t have to speak in honorifics…
“Oh! Who is this? Isn’t this the pride of Suan Middle School, Do-hee Lee!?”
After taking pictures while listening to the principal’s late but warm welcome, I finally returned to my classroom.
The glares were back again.
‘Should I just leave early… or maybe drop out right now…’
Among them, So-hee was smiling at me.
Despite the noise around, I could clearly hear her laughter.
“Heh.”
A mocking sound.
I wanted to run over to So-hee and punish her for spreading my pictures right away, but…
“Tell us the story quickly!!!”
“Do-hee!!!”
…I miss my mom…