Idol malicious member.
While it can also refer to a member whose departure would benefit the team more, the term "malicious member" has a broader meaning in the modern idol industry.
A member who constantly sticks around in the corner of the team, subtly upsets the fans, and causes trouble to the other hard-working members.
Reporters who are obsessed with views like to pop out articles about them, but it's difficult to get them to leave.
Literally malicious inventory, burden, malicious member.
That's me, Kim Chunyong.
My name, written with the characters for spring (春) and dragon (龍), signifies the spring dragon.
I liked this name, given to me by my late grandmother, and above all, I liked the pronunciation of Chunyong.
It rolls off the tongue well. Chunyong, how good is that?
But people didn't call me by my real name.
"Mr. Rex, Mr. Rex!"
The name my agency's CEO gave me, Rex. It's a childish, somewhat plain stage name, like "T-Rex" without the "T"
The name Chunyong was too old-fashioned for an idol, or something like that. It's cute, but I didn't understand why they chose such a bland stage name.
Since he's an old man, did the word "dragon" make him think of a dinosaur?
Anyway, they added "trash" to it.
That's what the public called me, "Trash-Rex".
"Mr. Rex, you need to come to your senses. You'll have to call a lawyer, or go through an inspection."
I slowly blinked and muttered to the police officer glaring at me.
"My… my name is Kim Chunyong…"
At the police station, they should use my real name, right?"
"Does that matter now? Ugh, this is driving me crazy…"
I turned my head away from the police officer who was roughly shaking his head.
Is it because of the terrible hangover?
Or was it because of the alcohol I poured into my mouth to forget it?
I don't know why, but I could clearly hear people chattering.
"Did you hear? The person inside is Rex from Arrows."
"What? That piece of trash?"
"Yeah, they said he was lying on the street when they made an emergency arrest? He said he only drank alcohol, but judging by his current condition… doesn't he seem weak?"
"Huh… I guess it's not a surprise. I heard the Chinese member of Arrows even ran back to China. Wouldn't the team really be torn at this point?"
"The other members look pitiful. At least that Chinese member was decent. What the hell is this trash?"
"He's called a malicious member because he's troublesome. Pfft, that's the first time I've heard that."
"Yeah, he's famous. The malicious member Rex! But… well, as far as I know, it wasn't like this from the beginning."
Suddenly, my heart started pounding anxiously.
It was always like this whenever I heard 'that story'.
"Rex, you know. With his family…"
Stop, stop.
"After receiving the Rookie of the year award, he went on a family trip…"
I told you to stop? Why won't you listen to me?
"They all died in a car accident, and he's the only one who survived."
BANG!
"Shut up!"
Only after I slammed the desk did the voices quiet down. The officer watching me looked stunned. I hadn't meant to startle him.
I hurriedly made an excuse.
"Oh, uhm, those- those people outside were… Talking about my family…"
"Ah…"
The officer's eyes were filled with pity. He sighed loudly enough for me to hear, drummed his fingers on the desk, and spoke.
"Look, Mr. Rex, there's no one outside right now."
Huh, I wonder if this is what it feels like to be caught in a downpour in the middle of winter.
My whole body trembled like an aspen leaf.
"No one… no one…? No, I heard voices just now…"
"No. The reason you remembered is because you were too drunk. If you had been taking any medication… it must be a hallucination related to that."
The police officer stood up and patted me on the shoulder.
"First, sober up a bit and call your lawyer. Then we can talk again."
And so, I was alone in the interrogation room.
My mind was not returning easily. That wasn't right.
I leaned back in my chair and began spinning around to regain my senses. Clear tears streamed down from my eyes.
- Do you regret it?
"Oh, shit… here we go again…"
I must still be drunk, to be hallucinating like this again. But since I'd already heard it, why not just answer?
I still swiveled around in my chair as I answered in a dumb voice.
"Of course I regret it."
- What do you regret?
"Well… there's too many…
I folded my fingers one by one and chewed over the things I regretted.
I got drunk and threw up on stage, and I got so angry that I stormed out during a variety show because of talks about my family.
I didn't even address the dating rumors that arose in a fit of anger. I was rude to my fans.
…and then not withdrawing from the group due to my greed.
I didn't refuse my manager's temptation to make drinking buddies since things were hard.
What else was there?
"...Ah."
I rubbed my face and folded my fingers again.
I'd suggested a trip to Cebu with my family who had never been abroad before.
…I almost forgot.
Forgetting the most horrible thing. It's a bit odd coming from a guy who can't live without alcohol, but alcohol is definitely bad for you. It makes you stupid.
The voice that laughed at my words asked again.
- Wow, that's a lot. So, which one do you regret the most?
"..."
I stopped spinning the chair. My vision spun, my tears seemed to be streaming down the air in slow motion.
Shit.
I forced my lips open and barely managed to spit out some words.
"...That I survived alone."
To my sobbing reply, the hallucination whispered softly.
- If you could take it all back, would you?
As soon as it finished speaking, a blue window appeared before my eyes.
"Now I'm even seeing things…"
Is my brain really melting because of the alcohol? Because I've been drinking too much?
Anyway, I strained my eyes to read the letters stuck on the window.
[Nice to meet you!
Headquarters, Star Sirius is very pleased to sign an idol contract with you.
The terms of your contract with us are as follows:
Star Sirius (and hereinafter referred to as "Party A") provides Kim Chunyong (hereinafter referred to as "Party B") with various conveniences necessary to become the best idol in K-pop history. By making the most out of the convenience provided by A, B becomes the best idol in K-pop history before enlistment. If Part B fails to perform the clause 2, A may legitimately return Party B to its original time zone.
If you agree to the terms and conditions, please click 'Next'. Next▷]
Is this a dream?
"What does this all mean?"
I stared blankly at the blue window, muttering.
Then, as if to urge me, something in my head spoke again.
- You can start over. Of course, you'll have to fulfill all the terms of the contract. What are you going to do?
…the things I did when I was a malicious member, my irreversible mistakes.
I could erase all of that and start over.
"Ha… ha ha…"
Why are you asking such a thing?
What should I do? What should I do?
I gritted my teeth and growled.
"Crazy… even selling my soul…!"
The voice in my head chuckled. It's creepy once, like a demon's, then ecstatic, like an angel's.
- Haha, I don't need your soul. Let's make a contract instead. Press 'Next'.
Even when I was not in my right mind, my mindset was the same as always.
If only I could start over again. If only I could turn everything back.
If only I could make my mistakes disappear.
I'll do anything, really.
I messed up a few times and just punched the 'Next' button.
The sound of someone clapping in joy rang loudly in my head.
- I knew it! Congratulations on signing the contract. Now, I'll give you a choice. When do you want to go back?
I wanted to respond, but no words came out.
My body had become stiff and I'd slept for 3 days straight. It was one of the side effects of drinking alcohol and taking panic disorder medication.
- Oh, you're about to faint? This is going to be difficult.
I tried to hold onto my fading consciousness, but my vision was already turning white, with flashes of red, blue, and yellow.
Thump-
All the strength drained from my body, and the hand I was trying to lift fell down.
I need to come to my senses. My senses…
The voice clicked its tongue.
- I' m doing you a special favor. This kind of thing isn't common, so be sure to thank me later.
After hearing that, I completely lost consciousness.