Chapter 181

The reality show aired up to its third episode, and the response began to heat up gradually.

[Title: Hey, have you guys watched "The Dawn" reality show?

Why didn't anyone tell me these guys are so entertaining?

I feel betrayed right now.

Didn't you know I love this B-grade sentiment??

└ Were you living in a cave? The members of The Dawn have been famous for their craziness since way back then...

└└ No, seriously, I got so absorbed in the main group's activities...]

Until now, despite presenting incredibly entertaining self-produced content, The Dawn's visibility was limited to fandom platforms on YouTube or subscription-based services. However, this time it was a reality show broadcast nationwide on free-to-air television. Moreover, it was scheduled on tvK before popular programs, prompting even general viewers to tune in and continue watching after stumbling upon it.

If it had been mundane content like visiting hotspots or traveling, people might have just passed by. But since the show featured well-groomed guys engaging in genuine banter and not holding back, once you started watching, it was hard not to get hooked.

Even posts like these started popping up on fashion, beauty, and general hobby cafes, not just idol cafes:

[Title: The reality show on tvK at 5:30 p.m. is so much fun

Are these the same guys who were ranked first on Shining Star??

I wasn't interested in Shining Star, but...

I was watching TV with my daughter and happened to see it, and we kept laughing~ haha

I jokingly told my daughter to bring home such handsome young men as her husband, and she jokingly replied, "Where are these guys?"~~^^

└ It had a vibe similar to old Saturday variety shows and was fun^^ I remember being surprised to hear that it's the same guy who had a lot of issues when his parents passed away.

└└ Really~~? I didn't get that feeling.. He seemed spirited and affectionate^^ I want to keep watchingㅎㅎ]

[Title: Watching the reality show with Seo Hoyun, and I'm surprised

Seo Hoyun is so different from the image I had in mind that it's confusing...

I've watched Shas before, and I thought he was a neat and gentle guy who speaks softly

I thought he was a hardworking guy...

But... to my surprise, the members are so...

Did they just bring in Kabu Jeong Hun PD???

└ The way they act reminds me of my senior in the military, and it's making me cringe.

└└ Wasn't Jeong Hun PD in Life Theatre?ㄷㄷ]

Fans of The Dawn were roaming around looking for entertaining reviews.

[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋWow, this is so hilarious. People are starting to realize who Seo Hoyun really is...]

[Yeah, Hoyun... well... he... treats our Noeul well... but... his original personality...

└ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋYeah, even he knows by now that his personality has been revealed, but it's so funny how he's still pretending so firmlyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅠㅠ]

Even though Seo Hoyun's mind was racing, he already knew that his true personality had been exposed to everyone.

Nevertheless, he always responded with kind words to the fans.

Sometimes, during fan signing events, Noeul would ask Seo Hoyun why he acts that way. He would be left speechless and embarrassed, but when a photo was taken, it would become a hot topic on various online communities.

[There's a reason why Sung Jiwon is called the angel of fan signings... But he's actually a devil, haha]

[Is it like false advertising.. haha]

The planning team, who had been observing the situation, were beginning to smile as the reactions unfolded according to plan.

So far, a character who had been pitied turned out to be a guy who actually enjoys teasing people with his sharp personality, and everyone was gradually realizing this.

[Anyway, feeling relieved.. It seems like the image transition went well.]

[Yeah, if it airs a few more times on terrestrial TV, it should be fine??]

When the public opinion started forming around "Seo Hoyun is crazier than we thought," they needed to firmly secure their position.

"It's highly possible."

With Seo Hoyun's casual suggestion, Lee Jihyeon, who was brainstorming like crazy, came up with a wild plan. As soon as it was completed, they pitched it to tvK, and it was immediately approved.

"This should do it."

It wasn't just about the heist; it was a stage where he could show that he's a crazy guy.

With the largest investment in The Dawn's entertainment history, including self-produced content, the door to the final planned project, which was also the longest, had opened.

"Wow, it's starting."

Bam! Bam! Bam!

With background music, the screen showed five men in partial slow motion, adjusting their black sunglasses, unbuttoning their jackets, or walking slowly up the stairs with jackets hanging over their shoulders.

"Wow~~~~~"

"This is insane, is it a heist movie concept??"

"Jeez, Kim Seonghyun, the master of disguise.

"Yes, call me Kang Ichae."

└ What kind of casting is this?

└└ That's my desire, sorry."

The fans of The Dawn, who were already many manias, went crazy over this concept. Even ordinary people watched with interest, as it was based on a famous movie, thinking, "Oh, it looks interesting."

Shuffling cards, chewing gum, turning the dial of a safe, sweeping their hair back in a deadly manner, or resting their chin on a board where the entire plan was laid out.

Each scene appeared in cross-cutting.

[The Dawn's Five]

The profile of each member appeared on the screen one by one, with "WANTED" stamped on them, and then they shattered and disappeared.

Soon, the dark screen slowly brightened, and in one studio, The Dawn was seated around a round table, and machine sounds could be heard simultaneously with the echo.

"Welcome to the rising dawn."

"The Dawn, who successfully raided the casino. However, due to betrayal from one member, both the jewels and gold bars disappeared."

"The situation where the location of the jewels and gold bars, and even the safe's password, are unknown."

"All you need to know is three things. The location of the jewels and gold bars, the password to the safe containing the jewels, and the mission code you need to say to get the password. Only the betrayer knows the password."

"Once you figure out who the betrayer is, just go to the payphone and make the call, right?"

"Okay~."

The members of The Dawn murmured as they listened to all the rules.

"Isn't it Seo Hoyoon?"

Amidst the chaos, the total prize money was announced.

[If the person who finds the jewels or the betrayer wins, the betrayer will receive a total prize of 5 million won.]

"Wow."

"Hey, where does the money come from.."

"It's probably from tvK..."

Once the brief explanation was over and the situation was understood, the members of The Dawn got up from their seats, restraining each other.

"Let's divide first."

"How about dividing into solo roommates and roommates?"

"Sounds good. We can figure out the betrayer in the end anyway."

They quickly and calmly divided into teams, faster than expected, without much fuss. They already knew their roles without having to say anything to each other.

"Indeed, The Dawn is the best in group projects."

"Surprisingly, they're not fighting and acting mature."

The camera followed the solo roommates first.

Bang.

As soon as Kim Seonghyun closed the door after getting into the car, he said as if there was no need to measure separately.

"It's Seo Hoyun."

"Excuse me."

"No need to say more..."

"Silence is golden."

Kang Ichae chuckled as if it were obvious, and next to him, Jung Dajun nodded vigorously.

[Betrayal deduction!

Kang Ichae, Kim Seonghyun, Jung Dajun ▷ Seo Hoyun]

Then, the screen naturally shifted to the roommates, and we saw Seong Jiwon and Seo Hoyun peacefully eating hot dogs on the street.

"It's probably Kang Ichae."

"Ahaha, or wouldn't it be more suspicious?"

[Betrayal deduction 2!

Seong Jiwon, Seo Hoyun ▷ Kang Ichae]

[The Dawn:

Generally, there's a lack of trust among themselves.]

[How has this group not disbanded yet?

The solo roommates finally discovered small message cards after thoroughly searching the studio they were in.

"Portray the role assigned in a scene from the specified movie."

The legendary scene.

Having found the jewels but realizing that the Special Forces were approaching the building, they pondered how to escape. Coincidentally, a pipe burst in the building, and taking advantage of the chaos, they pretended to be victims and made their escape.

"Wow!!!"

"Kyah~! Do you have abs~?"

Except for Kim Seonghyun, who was designated with the concept of being "skilled in acting," the younger members were already excited at the thought of teasing their elder.

"Really? Me?"

Kim Seonghyun, momentarily burying his face in his hands, let out a deep sigh.

Then, as if determined, he took off his jacket. Ignoring the excited screams from the younger members, he headed to the designated location.

After several takes, subtitles appeared.

[After an hour of shooting, we barely made it.]

Shooting up from below as the water burst from the pipe, the scene showed Kim Seonghyun wiping away the water from his eyes, revealing his toned biceps, defined collarbones between his black tank top, and sharp jawline along his neck.

The sight left everyone gaping in awe.

Kim Seonghyun's gaze, as he brushed away the water from his hair, was intense.

"Spectacular..."

But when he spoke,

"I was so scared. I thought I was going to die."

Amidst the brain-melting scene, everyone watching couldn't help but be captivated.

As Kim Seonghyun was being fussed over by Seo Hoyun, even he remained silent, his facial expressions convincing enough to fool the viewers.

"I. am. moved."

However,

"Shower scenes are terrifying. I really thought I was going to die."

As Kim Seonghyun descended the stairs in his bathrobe and delivered his lines, the mood suddenly shifted.

"I'll escort you."

"Thank. You."

As Jung Dajun, disguised as a member of the Special Forces, reached out his arm toward Kim Seonghyun with a smile, Kim Seonghyun staggered and leaned against Jung Dajun's chest.

Though their heights didn't match and Kim Seonghyun had to bend his waist and lower his head, his expression remained solemn.

[Kim Seonghyun Mission Success!]

[Obtain a clue for identifying the betrayer.]

The production team, perhaps deeming it overacting, added a supplementary explanation along with the success subtitle.

[※We expect the ratings to rise, so the production team unanimously decided to pass it.]

"Man, I feel like my heart's about to burst."

"Because of laughter?"

"You know... I'm not that naive..."

"I just asked..."

The atmosphere was lightened by their banter.

In the midst of a scene that was both cool and funny, where it seemed like they could squeeze the juice of laughter and enjoy it for a lifetime, non-fan viewers watched Kim Seonghyun's awkward acting and flushed ears with satisfaction, feeling impressed by his sincere effort.

Finally completing the mission, Kim Seonghyun wiped his head with a towel and read the hint handed to him by the staff.

"'As it was to me someday, it's only once for me.'"

"Oh! See, it's Hyung, right!"

It was Seo Hoyun's part in "Kill the Lights."

While fans, like other members of The Dawn, also expected it to be either Seo Hoyun or Kang Iche, without any twist in the result, there was a slight disappointment.

"Ah, seriously? Is this for real? Poor guy."

"LOL But image-wise, Seo Hoyun is the most suitable..."

As Kim Seonghyun searched through the papers for any further information, Jung Dajun and Kang Iche exchanged meaningful glances.

=Okay?

As Kim Seonghyun felt something suspicious and raised his head,

"Hyung, sorry!"

"Sorry!! It didn't divide evenly between the three of us!!"

"...What?"

Before he could even extend his arm, the younger members rushed in and ran out of the studio.

"Hey, hey!!!"

Trying to chase after them, Kim Seonghyun, still stiff with wet hair and clothes, was eventually dragged away by the stylists.

In the end, as his profile appeared, a 'fail' stamp was pressed on top of it.

[First betrayal!

Kang Ichae and Jung Dajun betrayed Kim Seonghyun.]

"LOL Hey, guys, this is teamwork, you know LOL"

"They were blinded by money..."

[Meanwhile, Seo Hoyun and Sung Jiwon's team....]

On the sunny terrace of a café.

Seo Hoyun, dipping a chunk of honey bread into whipped cream, stuffed it into his mouth. Sung Jiwon, sitting across, lowered his sunglasses under his nose and sucked on his iced Americano through a straw.

Their phones buzzed incessantly with notifications and calls, but they ignored them all, enjoying their leisurely moment.

"Hey."

"Sung Jiwon, is it tasty?"

"Yeah, it's good."

"Good to hear."

"Why are you guys filming We Got Married?"

It was such a peaceful scene.

* * *

1) Derived from the term "heist," which means 'robbery, theft,' heist refers to a subgenre of gangster/crime movies where criminals plan and execute thefts with complex plots. ≒caper movie