[DO YUDA’S POV]
Dear Mother, your son who has grown up so well and is now able to earn his keep, a strong and healthy Korean youth, the ruler of the MZ gen, Do Yuda, sends his greetings.
“…Yuda-ya, what are you doing so early in the morning?”
While I was clutching a sheet of stationery and racking my brain early in the morning, Kiryang-hyung, with his messy bedhead like a bird’s nest, paused mid-yawn to ask me a question. In response, I confidently flashed a V sign and answered him.
“I’m writing a letter. Because I’m a filial son.”
“Ah, that must be what the
Show Me Your Parents
‘ production team requested for their NeoTube channel’s behind-the-scenes video … The deadline is almost here, so you better hurry and finish writing it.”
“Yep, I haven’t held a pen in so long I think my head is going to explode.”
“Didn’t you also go to school for the first time in a long time yesterday? If you attended classes, then a pen … Oh.”
I said I was going to school, but I didn’t say I was going to study, hyung.
As I made a blank expression in response to Kiryang-hyung’s question, I heard a sigh filled with regret, and he nodded his head before shutting his mouth.
Why are you looking at me like that?
I pretended not to notice Kiryang-hyung’s pitying gaze and hummed a tune as I went back to writing my letter.
“Hmm, hmm! Dadada.”
Ah, please record your reaction while you read the letter. I need to submit it for the program I’m currently on.
I’m not writing this letter just because the production team told me to. You know I love you, right?
“Why is Yuda in such a good mood today?”
“He ate a chocolate bar this morning. It’s a secret from Leada. He will be scolded for the increase in fat, carbs, blood sugar.”
“….Seeing as you’re trying to hide it, I guess you must have eaten it together.”
“I don’t like people who are quick-witted like you, hyung.”
“I’m sorry…….”
For my dear mother, who must be worrying about me every second of every day, I’m going to share my recent updates. Our proud Pantheion has finally successfully completed its first activity period.
We won first place several times, and I’m sure you were watching, Mom.
Honestly, whenever we’re on a variety show, the ratings go through the roof, and we often dominate the real-time trending keywords. I think we really are the trend right now. Hahaha. I’ll act humble in public, so please only you, Mom, read this and don’t show it on camera. Got it? Just film Mom’s face and pretend to be really impressed.
“Well, at least now that the promotions are over, I can eat with peace of mind.”
“Yu-chan also put his mind at peace during the promotion. His mind is resting in peace too.”
The fool looked at me and shook his head. He wasn’t wrong, but feeling kind of defeated, I blurted out, “I don’t gain weight, so it’s okay!”—a fact that everyone already knew.
To be honest, I really thought the Mythology Concept was a bit too much. But Seungbeom-hyung is riding the bus so well, and we’re enjoying the honey. Mom’s teachings: 1. Get along well with good people, 2. Be observant of your surroundings, 3. If you stay quiet, you can go as far as the middle
1
. I’m probably where I am today thanks to following all three of those things well. I’m deeply moved.
“Hyung, isn’t what you just wrote all thanks to Seungbeom-hyung?”
Danbi, who had been closely watching the sentences I wrote, gave me a skeptical look and started picking it apart. I’d already been feeling a twinge of conscience while writing those words, so when he hit the nail on the head, I couldn’t suppress a startled shout.
“Reading someone else’s letter without permission is a big no-no!”
It was like the person who farted was getting angry.
2
“Alright, alright.”
“Don’t try to appease me! I’m your hyung?”
And then I continued the letter.
The contract period for the project group is too short, so it’s really disappointing how quickly time is passing. It feels like time is flying by as each day goes by. Ah, haha, I just sounded a bit mature just now, haha.
As a manly man, it’s a bit awkward and embarrassing to say this, but I really like this group.
I know you’re probably wondering why I’m so attached to them, considering we have only known each other for a short time, but … it’s been a year since we met, so I think it’s okay to say this. I mean, I couldn’t even go to school properly while I was being the rotten water of SU Entertainment, so these are the first people I’ve ever gotten this close to.
“Yuda-ya, did you tell your mother that we were thankful for the side dishes she sent last time?”
“No?”
I saw Kangwon-hyung, who was doing the dishes while wearing a small white apron that seemed about to burst, raise an eyebrow at my reply, which I had blurted out without thinking. After making a slightly dumbfounded expression, I remembered Kangwon-hyung’s request and hurriedly started writing on the letter.
“I’ll do it now.”
Mom, Kangwon-hyung said the
Gejang
3
was delicious.
He asked me to tell you last time, but I forgot.
“Thank you. Want to go for a walk after you finish writing that?”
“Wow, yes yes yes yes.”
Kangwon-hyung is as sweet as ever. He always takes me for walks, dances really well, and to be honest, he could probably beat up all the members, except for Nicholas-hyung, with just his thumb, but he always lets us win. If it weren’t for him, our group probably would’ve fallen apart in a day. I want to marry someone like him.
Immediately enticed by the irresistible temptation of a walk, I hurriedly moved my pen. Then, the tall fool, who had been carefully examining the letter, crumpled his body and leaned his head against my shoulder as he spoke.
“Yu-chan, are you in a hurry? Your handwriting is ugly. Even foreigners know it’s ugly.”
“Shhh.”
I put my index finger in front of my lips in a stern manner and immediately wrote down the story about that fool on the paper.
Mom, you remember seeing Zen recently, right? He’s the one I brought home last time, my best friend.
Don’t forget, Mom, that your son is a little smarter. I’m smart because I take after Mom.
Seungbeom-hyung said we’re two peas in a pod, but that’s slander.
The last is important. The last.
As I picked up a highlighter I hadn’t used in a year and started to underline the words, Lee Danbi clapped his hands together.
“Everyone, let’s get ready for breakfast. Yuda-hyung, since you’re busy, you can continue writing.”
“If you’re a child, act like a child. Lee Danbi.”
“No. Please cooperate to create a horizontal workplace atmosphere.”
My hips twitched as I wanted to join the other members, but I managed to hold myself back and started writing down the members’ recent news in the order they appeared before me. Mom probably already knew all about them, but I figured I should write them down anyway. I definitely didn’t do it to increase the length of the letter.
Danbi’s still a bit stiff, but he’s softened up a bit lately after playing with us. To me, he honestly looks more comfortable the way he is now. He used to seem so burdensome before.
“…Guys, we need to clean up the mess quickly. Otherwise, Seungbeom will….”
Kiryang-hyung is still a little timid. But if I think about how wild he became when he accidentally drank the bokbunja wine
4
Mom left behind last time, it doesn’t seem like that’s his true nature, right? Mom said when a person is drunk, they show their true self. But it seems like this hyung can’t go to his parents’ house for Chuseok
5
. Can I take him with me? Please send me the reply by message.
“I won’t die. After all, when Seungbeom-hyung gets angry, I can hide behind Kangwon-hyung and I’ll be safe.”
“….I, I will do my best.”
Bam!
With a face full of tension, Kangwon-hyung adorably clenched his fierce fist, and in that moment, the door that had been firmly closed until now opened, and two blond handsome men slowly walked out.
“Wow.”
‘How can the people of that room look so radiant even in the morning?’
It was a sight that seemed like it was worth paying for. After expressing my admiration, I first greeted Nicholas-hyung, who was dragging Seungbeom-hyung by the wrist.
“Ah, Nicholas-hyung! Good morning.”
“…….”
Okay. Sometimes, the best response was no response.
It could have been a silent response, implying that he was in a bad mood because he didn’t sleep well.
…Please say that’s the case, huhu.
“Hyung, focus and write the letter quickly. It’s getting late.”
“Yees, Danbi-hyung.”
Nicholas-hyung is quiet. He doesn’t answer me much either. He’s like that with everyone, so I don’t take it personally. It’s just how it is. Now that I think about it, he’s the first person I’ve seen actually wear a bathrobe at home. Are all rich people like that? Honestly, I still haven’t gotten used to the fact that Camila Lee’s son, whom I always saw in Hollywood news, lives in the next room, but I’ll manage to get through it.
Seungbeom-hyung, who was dragged out by Nicholas-hyung, was still half-asleep and rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. Then, with his eyes barely open, he patted my head with his palm. When I quickly lifted my head and smiled brightly at him, the hand that was on my head moved down to my chin, gently tapping my face before falling away.
And Seungbeom-hyung, if you don’t know him, you must be a spy
6
. He’s the hottest thing these days.
My energy level instantly shot up at that touch, but before I could finish writing a string of compliments about Seungbeom-hyung, he suddenly scanned the living room and spoke in a murderous tone.
“…Who ate a chocolate bar this morning? I told you all not to eat it in the morning.”
“It’s Yu-chan.”
“Come here.”
The angelic smile of Han Seungbeom on TV is all an illusion, Mom.
Tiger. Ghost. Seungbeom-hyung seems to know exactly what we’ve done just by glancing around the room, just like you, Mom. There’s no way we can sneak anything past him.
“Nagi Zen, come here too.”
“Oops, I’ve been caught.”
.
.
.
Having been scolded so early in the morning, I returned to the table with my spirit completely crushed. I pouted and muttered to myself for a while, thinking back to the look on Seungbeom-hyung’s face when I looked up at him from my knees.
‘…His eyes were bloodshot.’
But, Mom. I think there’s something off with Seungbeom-hyung lately. Something must have happened to him, but he’s trying not to show it in front of us at all. I think he’s hiding something from us. Who are those people who keep contacting him all the time? He said he didn’t have any close friends at school. But recently, it seems like Lee Chise-sunbaenim keeps contacting him too…..
‘Last time, Nicholas-hyung and Seungbeom-hyung stayed up late in their room and kept whispering all night…….’
He seems tired these days, but he’s been busy going back and forth without resting. I’ve been feeling uneasy ever since the incident with Dalli. But Seungbeom-hyung really doesn’t tell us about anything that happens to him, so it makes me sad.
…Seungbeom-hyung will be okay, right?
Having written that much, I stared at the remaining space on the letter paper before shifting my gaze to Seungbeom-hyung and Nicholas-hyung, who were sitting at the table with their cheeks resting on their hands.
I scribbled down whatever came to mind.
That’s not the only thing that’s strange. Nicholas-hyung and Seungbeom-hyung have been acting strange lately.
The moment I wrote those words, Seungbeom-hyung placed some side dish on Nicholas-hyung’s spoon. Nicholas-hyung then quietly stared at Seungbeom-hyung without even frowning.
“…….”
“Don’t just refuse it because you’re not familiar with it. At least give it a try. It might actually suit your taste. You’re a big guy, so you should eat properly.”
When Seungbeom-hyung persuaded him like that, Nicholas-hyung obediently put the food on his spoon into his mouth and started chewing it with a grim expression. The members were staring at the sight with dumbfounded expressions, still amazed by the change that had been happening over the past few days.
‘Since when did you start acting like such a docile lamb, Nicholas Lee?’
It was because Nicholas-hyung, who should have already clicked his tongue, frowned, and stormed out, was being so well-behaved.
Seungbeom-hyung was the same.
He used to serve side dishes to the younger members, but now, somehow he was treating someone the same age, or even someone born earlier than him, like a child.
‘I’ve always felt that way about him, but it’s gotten much worse lately.’
It’s so shocking that someone like Nicholas-hyung, who is so self-willed and always does whatever he wants, is listening to someone else. I mean, he usually listened to Seungbeom-hyung a little bit, but it was never to this extent.
After finishing his meal, Nicholas-hyung got up and started preparing to leave. Although the promotion period was over, it seemed like he was heading out to prepare for the upcoming Idol Sports Championships.
“Are you going to horseback riding practice now?”
Then, Seungbeom-hyung, who was sitting crookedly in his chair, put down his spoon and asked.
“Yeah.”
“Have a safe trip.”
As Seungbeom-hyung saw him off, something he hadn’t done before, Nicholas-hyung’s lips gently curved upwards. Mesmerized by this unfamiliar sight, I wrote the final line of the letter in a daze.
And … lately, Nicholas-hyung has been smiling a lot.
“…Eung, I’ll be back soon.”
I feel like I’m seeing something I shouldn’t be seeing.
Mom, am I going to die now?
[END OF DO YUDA’S POV]
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Translator’s Corner:
If you stay quiet, you can go as far as the middle (가만히 있으면 중간은 간다
) is a korean proverb.
Imagine your teacher or your boss asks you a question. If you give a very ignorant answer, you may end up wishing you had given no answer at all. In this idiom, 중간 (‘the middle’) refers to an average person. I think it kinda refers to you know, in school setting, if you don’t know something and not answering, you will get 0, but if you answered and got it wrong, you will get minus points. So, the one who didn’t answer can rank in the middle, meanwhile the one who answered wrong will rank behind.
It’s a nagging proverb with the meaning like, “
Always be careful with your words, actions, and thoughts
“, “
If you don’t know, just stay quiet
“, “
If you haven’t done it/have no experience/are irrelevant, don’t say anything at all
”
The proverb is equivalent to the Danish proverb ‘
Fools are like other folks as long as they are silent
‘
↩︎
I already explained it at chapter 147, but I’ll copy paste it here in case you forgot.
The one who farted is getting angry (방귀 뀐 놈이 성낸다)
is an proverb, literally, it means that you fart and then get angry at others instead. The actual meaning is that
the person who did something wrong, rather than reflecting, gets angry instead
. ↩︎
Marinated crab. ↩︎
Bokbunja-ju
(복분자주), also called
bokbunja wine
, is a Korean fruit wine made from wild and/or cultivated black raspberry.
They mistook it for plum last time since the drink color is similiar. ↩︎
Chuseok
(
추석
, lit. ’autumn evening’), is a major mid-autumn harvest festival and a three-day holiday in South Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunisolar calendar on the full moon (September or October). Like many other harvest festivals around the world, it is held around the autumn equinox, i.e. at the very end of summer or in early autumn.
Chuseok is the biggest traditional holiday in South Korea. Everyone given holiday for 3 days (day before Chuseok, the Chuseok day, day after Chuseok). Idols went on holiday. People who’s in military service given holiday, etc. It’s also around this time when many idols/magazines would release a content wearing Hanbok to celebrate it. Traditionally, Koreans return to their ancestral hometowns to celebrate with their families, so it’s one of the biggest traffic jams of the year as people often take to the road to reach the provinces outside of Seoul.
Since Chuseok is approaching soon, and Kiryang can’t go to his parents’ home because you know how his parents are, Yuda asked his mom if it’s okay if he brings Kiryang to their home for Chuseok. ↩︎
모르면 간첩이죠
. So, there’s this joke in Korea that when you don’t know something obvious, like a common knowledge or a famous thing/celebrity, you will get asked “Are you a spy?”. 간첩 directly translated to
spy
, but in this saying, it refers to a
north Korean spy
.
Well, you know the relationship between two country has their own wikipedia page. And South Korea has a law itself that says they’re not recognizing North Korea as a separate state, meanwhile after the reunification plan in 2021 fell apart. North Korea blatantly declared South Korea as enemy country. And North Korea has a criminal law than ban South Korean content. So, if their citizen listened to K-POP or watch kdrama, they will get heavily punished (if they got caught). Idk if it’s just part of South Korea propaganda, but they reported that NK publicly executed someone in 2024 just for listening to K-POP, but anyway.
The point is, it’s an expression for when something is so popular everyone in South Korea knew about it, so it’s really strange if you don’t. Basically, Han Seungbeom is like, Jang Wonyoung, NewJeans, Karina, Cha Eunwoo-level. (it’s really funny when I think about it, the last IT BOY in K-POP is like, Kang Daniel and Park Jihoon. There’s still no new male idol after that who reached that level of popularity. Well, maybe Wonbin from RIIZE soon? He has the potential, but a lot of things happened to that group. And his agency is not like Starship or Fantagio who will allow a member shine individually.). Oh, I think that boy Sung Hanbin from ZB1 also has the potential if he makes the right move after the group disbanded. ↩︎
Ouch I’m dying (Day 3)
Aaaand this sweet chapter concluded this arc. You guys WILL LOVE the next arc !!!
Also omg why everyone is being so optimistic about HSB in the last chapter comment section asdfghjkl it’s funny how now you guys also having the same trust in MC …. guys don’t let the Muses brainwash you, he’s a human…. T_T
And I’m enjoying the arguments in my notification well … as long as it’s not baseless comments, I don’t mind reading something negative actually. I like reading other people’s thoughts, that’s why I’m a huge reader … but anyway, I hope you guys have fun with each other