The Malicious Member is Back! - Chapter 119
– Everything you think is right
But not everything that glitters is gold
As the second verse began, three more trainees joined the stage.
Unlike the previous trio, these three wore slightly more relaxed outfits and walked to the center of the stage with smiles on their faces.
– You see, I am
Crucial, maybe even Glitter
The most striking of them all was…
Kim Chunyong, moving his shoulders in time with the synth-pop beats, echoing the sharpness of Choi Gaon’s own vocals and signature choreography.
– Dance with me, Music, Stage
I’m sure if it’s this, it’ll be perfect
…. Kim Chunyong.
Choi Gaon was stunned, watching Kim Chunyong replicate the precise hand movements he himself had carefully crafted into the performance.
‘I knew he was good, but how did he nail down the choreography details this well?’
Perhaps it was because of his earlier conversation with Liu Wei, or maybe it was the recent string of troubles plaguing Chunyong that made this feel like the performance where everything might change.
Kim Chunyong’s rapid steps and fierce energy seemed to exceed his usual intensity.
The worry Choi Gaon had about his song being used as a tool to mock other trainees, or just to propel someone else’s debut, began to dissipate as a smile slowly spread across his face.
‘If it goes like this, the stage might actually turn out great…!’
And Choi Gaon wasn’t the only one to notice.
“W-wow…”
AG Corporation couldn’t even dare utter her earlier comment about how “it feels like Liu Wei is the star,” because her mouth had fallen open at the sight of Chunyong.
And—
“Oh, right! Nulbom! Ch-Chunyong!”
“I’m filming it…!”
Without needing any prompting, NBML’s hands and eyes were already locked on Kim Chunyong’s every move.
If Liu Wei had perfected the dance’s finer details through countless hours of practice, Kim Chunyong’s strength lay in his eight years of stage experience.
He knew how to mask his nausea from drinking, how to maintain a bright smile, where the cameras were, and how to adjust his stance when he wasn’t in the center.
– Peep-bo, one more time, One Two
Let’s keep playing Beer Pong together
As an experienced trainee, Kim Chunyong knew exactly how to make an impression on stage.
NBML was overjoyed watching Kim Chunyong dance alongside Ryota, giving a playful “V” above his head for some playful chemistry, and she silently cheered.
‘This is it, amazing!’
However, deep down, she couldn’t help but feel a tiny bit of regret.
Since the song was originally intended for Choi Gaon, it was primarily a solo performance.
– Poppin’ fireworks explode
We’re dancing underneath them
Special? No, even more than that
Crucial, Crucial
We’re the special Crucial Boy & Girl
Having all six of them performing together naturally left some room for disappointment.
‘I wish they had modified the choreography to include more partner work… but whatever, as long as Chunyong’s doing well!’
Just as NBML was trying to comfort herself with this thought—
“…Huh?”
During Choi Gaon’s flashy dance break, Chunyong, who should have been looking straight ahead, turned around.
– Poppin’ fireworks explode
We’re dancing underneath them
Special? No, even more than that
Crucial, Crucial
Kim Chunyong spun and stood back-to-back with Liu Wei.
Then, he reversed the choreography’s left-right direction, mirroring the moves.
“Huh, huh?”
“Wait, that’s not the original choreography, is it?”
Like a reflection in a mirror, the two executed the choreography flawlessly.
When they reached the word “Boy,” Chunyong pointed his thumb at Liu Wei behind him, and when they reached “Girl,” he smiled toward the audience.
– We’re the special Crucial Boy & Girl
Even Liu Wei, though a bit late, formed a heart with his fingers.
– I’m a special Crucial Boy
…The perfect pair choreography was complete.
Had the dance been awkward or if they had seemed embarrassed, the performance might have faltered.
But with the fluid movements of Kim Chunyong and Liu Wei, it all came together so naturally that the audience just thought, “Wow, these two must have practiced a lot,” especially with the teaser clips that had been shown beforehand.
‘This is crazy…! These dancers are the real deal! I’m going all in from today, this is insane!’
However, Nulbom, who was screaming internally, had no idea.
That pair choreography? It wasn’t planned in advance.
In fact, it would be more accurate to say that no one knew about it except for Kim Chunyong.
He had come up with the idea after recalling a stage accident during the encore performance of Crucial Boy at Choi Gaon’s concert.
“Wow, senior, you’re doing great….”
“Manager hyung, did you give Rex hyung beer again? Ugh, seriously!”
A pair dance, unplanned and performed perfectly by both sides.
Kim Chunyong caught his breath, which was still heavy from the intense dance, and met Liu Wei’s gaze beside him.
“……”
Though his face was flushed from the vigorous dance, it quickly became emotionless the moment the performance ended.
But his eyes were filled with irritation.
Seeing that face, Kim Chunyong grinned widely and mouthed the words, ‘Liu Wei.’
Do you really think everything will go your way?
“…That’s not going to happen.”
Not only the stage.
Everything that would happen afterward wouldn’t unfold according to Liu Wei’s wishes either.
[1st place: Kim Chunyong
2nd place: Liu Wei
3rd place: Tsubasa
…]
“And that was the ‘Crucial Boy’ stage from the Dance Position team!”
Wooooooo!!
Along with the roaring cheers following Choi Gaon’s enthusiastic close, it almost sounded like Liu Wei was grinding his teeth.
* * *
Even though Kim Chunyong had secured victory in the on-stage rivalry with Liu Wei, he barely had a moment to rest.
“Thank you for your hard work! I’ll head down first.”
“…Hyung, Chunyong hyung!”
It was because Logan, looking frantic, rushed over and grabbed Kim Chunyong, who was drenched in sweat.
“…Logan? Weren’t you just talking to someone? Don’t you need to head to rehearsal right now—”
“Yes, Chunyong hyung. Which is why I need you to help me.”
“What? Wait, you…”
“…I need you to help me. Please, Oh, god….”
And behind Logan, a graceful, middle-aged woman, who looked completely out of place in the bustling corridors of the broadcasting station, approached and spoke in a low voice.
“—Is he the ‘Chunyong hyung’ that Logan mentioned?”
…It was a question impossible to ignore.
