LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 264
Chapter 264
To sum up the reaction to On Raon’s unexpected live broadcast in one word:
It was intense.
Relevant keywords were trending on social media in real-time, and with each refresh on various online communities, numerous related posts flooded in.
The difference from 20 minutes ago was clear.
This time, instead of reactions to someone else’s reckless misdeeds, the pages were overwhelmingly dominated by reactions to something On Raon had done himself.
Now, the posts about the leaked medical report were almost completely overshadowed by the surprising Bi-App live broadcast.
The Aeri fans were in tears.
The more emotional ones shed hot tears from their eyes, and those who weren’t as sensitive cried with their fingers.
– ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– I remember the rumor about Pick Heart’s final episode where the kid cried a lot, and now my heart is pounding like crazy.
– On Raon, are you insane..? How could you do thisㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– dktlqkf….
– 5Rka fandom is funㅋㅋ I’m not cryingㅋㅋ (a picture of a foreigner crying a river of tears)
– How can you not love the most lovable On Raon in the world? #Love_You_Maknae_Whale
– I’m a senior in high school, and as I was crying in the kitchen with the lights off, my mom came out for water and was so shocked she asked if I was really having a hard timeㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ큐ㅠㅠㅠㅜㅠㅠㅠ
– I miss you. Come back soon.
Me too.
ㅠㅠㅜ
Goodbye. See you tomorrow.
ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
These guys’ lives are like a youth drama… I just love them so much.
– Watching On Raon’s MBTI live stream during the day feels like a dream..
– Wait, was the Bi-App live for 20 minutes? I thought it was 2 minutes. Sorry for the serious mood, but I didn’t notice time passing because I was staring at his face.
– I don’t want to say I want to kill and then die… I just want to peacefully look at Raon’s face and heal.
The 20-minute broadcast was so rough and unpolished that it was hard to believe the company had approved it, but the fans loved the raw, unfiltered sincerity.
Seeing such moments made them feel closer and more connected to their favorite idol.
As a rookie, Orca always presented a somewhat polished image, with every social media or Bi-App post and official cafe update checked and approved by the company. This early morning broadcast was especially precious and unique.
– He only said two words in 20 minutes, but this Bi-App will remain a legend for the next 100 years.
– Ah, I hope the video gets uploaded soonㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– How many topics did today’s Bi-App give us? On Raon’s love for his fans, the genuine relationships among the members, his kind “Goodbye, see you tomorrow” thinking of the fans until the end…
– It felt like experiencing the tender feelings of lovers who couldn’t be together in their past lives but reunited in modern times.
– Orca’s relationship is genuineㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I don’t worry about them struggling alone, and that brings some peace of mind.
– Bi-App review: As of today, all fifty million Koreans are part of Orca, with their bones, flesh, blood, and tears.
– Imagining what Raon felt starting the broadcast in this situation breaks my heartㅠㅠㅠㅠ Thanks to everyone who sent kind and warm messages in the chat.
– As a non-fan, I still teared up at the calm goodbye at the end.
– I was already interested, but now I really like him, On Raon.
– I usually can’t watch non-fan Bi-Apps for more than 5 minutes, but I could watch On Raon for 2 hours.
While even non-fans were moved and feeling complex emotions, there were inevitably those who criticized On Raon for seemingly doing nothing.
They meticulously picked apart how exhausted and troubled he looked during the short broadcast, recalling similar past instances, and pointing out how such imperfect moments were inappropriate for an idol who must always appear flawless.
However, compared to the flood of supportive posts, such absurd complaints were a minority and usually stayed below the surface.
When such trolls surfaced, the highly combative Aeri fans didn’t let them be.
“Sigh…”
Executive Director Ju Yeol-eum, who had been monitoring the reactions after hearing that On Raon had started a broadcast, took off her work glasses and placed them on her desk.
Having downed the remaining half of her energy drink like it was alcohol, her sharp gaze remained fixed on the monitor set to its minimum brightness.
– This might sound a bit off, but the slightly lonely look on On Raon’s face during today’s Bi-App won’t leave my mind..
If Raon had black hair today, I would have stormed into the company nonstop and been scorned by the members. Anyway, On Raon is guilty, and so am I for thinking like this. Let’s meet in prison and live happily ever after.
– Damn, On Raon is insane;;; He’s not responsible if I bash my head and die because of himㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
Those expressing extreme favor towards this impulsive act would support On Raon no matter what happened next.
There were some ignorant individuals who tried to dismiss this as just another passing controversy with comments like “Why does he have so many issues?” but this wasn’t just a fleeting story for the night.
On Raon would face numerous non-controversial issues in his career.
Sometimes the cause would be quite serious, and other times it would be something absurdly trivial.
That’s exactly what drives people crazy.
“It’s star power.”
A gleam of delight spread across Executive Director Ju Yeol-eum’s face.
Sweeping away crude jokes and harsh comments with an overwhelming tide of extreme passion that couldn’t be explained by mere ‘liking,’
Ju Yeol-eum knew all too well that this wasn’t something that could be orchestrated through analysis and direction.
Having calculated the long-term impact On Raon would have on both his fandom and the public, she wanted to pat him on the back and praise him for a job well done, but she held back.
* * *
“Sigh…”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
After confirming that the live broadcast had ended well, I returned the broadcasting sub-phone to Gwak Sang-hyun and thanked him.
“I know it wasn’t a wise move to start a broadcast in this situation. Thank you for accommodating my unreasonable request.”
Gwak Sang-hyun, who had been watching the live broadcast with a mix of worry about doing nothing and anxiety about me making a bombshell statement, raised his favorability towards me at my words.
[If all celebrities were as considerate as you, the entertainment industry would be a much better place for the staff. Gwak Sang-hyun is touched by your warm-heartedness. Gwak Sang-hyun Favorability +3 Current Favorability +48]
“Don’t worry about it. There are others who start live streams and openly fight with fans, so you’re quite mild. Besides, if there’s any backlash, the company is there to take it for you.”
Sighing lightly, Gwak Sang-hyun continued speaking.
“There are no actions that are off-limits for me.”
“Even drinking or smoking?”
Even to my joking comment, Gwak Sang-hyun responded quite seriously.
“Things like drinking and smoking are considered taboos only for idols. For managers and office workers like us, they are survival tools.”
Of course, he wasn’t telling us to drink or smoke. Remembering his duty to manage us, Gwak Sang-hyun added awkwardly.
“As an entertainer, the important thing is how the public perceives your actions.”
“Really, is it okay…?”
Realizing how absurd it was to not say anything for 20 minutes, I asked. Gwak Sang-hyun answered with the usual response.
“It’ll be fine. Your care for the fans was evident to me, who was driving next to you. The fans aren’t so foolish as to not notice that. They probably liked you because of your face.”
“That’s right. I like the fans. And the fans like my face.”
Thinking I was joking, Gwak Sang-hyun laughed lightly.
“Isn’t that so? Those who know the importance of fans have long careers.”
Well then, I should have a long career too.
“And those who criticize you despite knowing you’re in a tough situation don’t deserve to be fans.”
While thinking about the obsessed fans who inevitably got taken to the police station, the car finally stopped in front of the company.
“We’re here. I’ll park the car, so you go in first.”
“Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”
As I opened the car door and stepped out, Ban Ga-eul was personally waiting at the entrance to the basement.
“Director. It’s cold, why…?”
I quickly tried to greet her, but Ban Ga-eul grabbed my hand and led me inside.
“Let’s get inside quickly.”
Her hand, which had been in her pocket, was warm.
As we entered the warm company building, Ban Ga-eul spoke.
“You worked hard today. I’ll tell you the details later, so for now, get some rest, even if it’s just for a bit.”
“The members…”
Honestly, I was quite worried about how to face the members after such an awkward conversation, but as soon as I saw them, I realized there was no need.
“The youngest is here?”
“You’re back?”
“Pffft!”
At the ridiculous sight of Kang Ji-woo and Gyun Seong-ha greeting me with tightly closed voices, covering their faces with one hand, I burst into laughter, forgetting everything else.
“Puhahahahaha!”
“Don’t laugh!”
When I forcibly pulled their hands away from their faces, it was clear they had been crying, as their faces were wrinkled up.
“Wow, you two will have a hard time getting rid of the swelling by tomorrow. Can you even sing with those hoarse voices?”
Gyun Seong-ha fumed at my sincere concern.
“How can you say that now?”
“Because it’s really funny. If you don’t understand what I’m saying, go look in the mirror.”
A staff member, watching us with a mixture of fondness and worry as we expressed our joy at seeing each other after some time apart, came over to advise us.
“Guys, I know you’re really close and affectionate, but you need to get some sleep for tomorrow. If you go to sleep now, you won’t even get three hours. And Raon, you look like you’re about to pass out any second.”
Startled by the last comment, Kang Ji-woo dragged me away.
“Let’s go! We’ve set up blankets in the practice room.”
As if to show how urgent the situation was, the blankets from the dorm were laid out on the floor of the practice room.
It was only then that Ban Yo-han, who had been absent the whole time, came out of the director’s office with an unreadable expression.
“You’re here.”
“I’m here.”
“Stop with the pointless talk and get some sleep.”
“……”
“Good night.”
Everyone must have been exhausted, as the sound of steady breathing filled the room as soon as they lay down.
I closed my eyes to sleep too.
And then.
“……!”
As soon as I closed my eyes, a doll with the appearance of a corpse leaned in close to my face, and the foul stench of the dead lingered strongly at the tip of my nose.
“……”
[Would you like to change the sleep setting to fatigue recovery mode?]
But I ignored all that.
[Y/N]
Let’s stand on the stage tomorrow as if nothing happened.
[Y]
Will that be okay?