"Today's Gayo Daejeon winner is… IU, Good Day."
When Lee Hyori announced the name, shock rippled through everyone.
No way, this isn't right!
Even Lee Jin-woo wondered if he'd forgotten to pay for fan support.
"How?"
But he quickly pieced it together.
Shinhwa was under SM's thumb; their past betrayal still lingered.
Lee Soo-man wasn't exactly forgiving.
Girls' Generation… too successful, stirring discontent?
He wasn't sure, but something was at play.
Still, legends like Baek Ji-young and Lee Hyori were below.
Even if veterans didn't need awards to prove themselves, hotshots like BIGBANG and Wonder Girls—BIGBANG, the trending boy group—were in the mix.
To later eyes, it was a god-tier clash.
How did it fall to her, a tiny solo female idol?
Was SBS betting big on underdog idols, snubbing powerhouse groups?
Thoughts raced, but his hands moved fast.
"Ji-eun, Ji-eun, your turn."
Nudging her elbow, he whispered, "Don't panic. Picture it like a school award, or see the crowd as bunnies…"
Tense to the bone, Lee Ji-eun nearly burst out laughing.
Laughing now would end her career.
"Stand up quick, thank the seniors."
At his cue, she scrambled up, bowing to the audience and seniors around her.
Taking a deep breath, she walked to the stage, dreamlike, heart pounding.
"Congrats, IU. What's the special meaning behind IU?"
Thanks to their earlier chat and his promise to introduce the composer, MC Lee Hyori tossed her a lifeline, steering focus to her.
It eased her nerves.
"Ne, IU means…" Pointing to herself, then the crowd, "I'm I, fans are U, linking us… IU."
"Wow, so fresh!" Lee Hyori marveled. "Our IU's so clever."
IU beamed. "Actually, our President named me. He's a great guy."
"Oh~ I know, right there." Lee Hyori pointed, the camera panning.
Lee Jin-woo uncrossed his legs, stood, nodded with a smile, and waved.
"So young, so handsome!"
"Handsome? Maybe just a tad more than me."
Lee Hyori's goofy co-MC had her cracking up, the crowd gasping with laughter.
Everyone buzzed about his background.
A young, hot president oppa—rarer than a protected species.
But Jin-woo sat back down after his wave.
Girls in the back, missing a clear shot or photo, sighed.
Seeing he wasn't engaging, the camera cut back to the stage.
"Ne, I most want to thank the President. Kamsahamnida, President-ssi."
IU's attitude sparked Lee Hyori's playful side.
On stage, she was dazzling; off-stage, a wild card.
Noticing her sly grin, Jin-woo braced for trouble.
Sure enough, Lee Hyori asked, "Heard Good Day was made by President Lee."
Clueless IU, no seasoned pro, just a pure bunny.
"Ne, the President made it for my debut."
"Wow… so talented, and so handsome. President, ever thought of debuting? Join my company."
"Ah!" Lee Hwi-jae yelped, "A step late, but my heart's true."
Their stage banter, like a comedy duo, had the crowd in stitches.
You'd think they were comedians.
Thankfully, an earpiece prompt halted their improv.
Introducing IU again, amid decent applause, she claimed her first-ever first place.
Jin-woo kept smiling, eyes on the stage.
In truth, he was tallying his gains.
[Ding, First Shot Fired task complete. Reward calculation finished.]
[Reward issued: Cheongdam-dong H Tower.]
What? A whole building as a reward?
"Cheers."
Lee Hyori raised her glass, beaming. "Our IU will be the best female solo."
After two meetings, she adored this junior.
The kid was too cute—wish she were her sister.
"Unnie, I'll work hard, won't let you down." IU mustered courage.
She vowed to become the top female solo.
"That's it, show some fire! No one can stop you, daebak!"
"Daebak!" IU raised her fist, shouting like a fighter.
"You two, mind the other guests' feelings."
Eye contact sparked giggles. "Mianhae, jeosonghamnida!"
They hugged, heads down, chuckling.
"Congrats again, IU, on your idol career's first win… Aigoo, so happy!"
Wiping beer foam with the back of her hand, Lee Hyori grew serious. "But IU's in for tough times ahead."
"Ne?" IU blinked, confused.
Jin-woo eyed Hyori, calm. "The company will protect her."
Today was IU's lucky day—and the start of her trials.
A rookie idol snagging SBS's year-end first place?
Watch out!
Soon, all sorts of snakes and demons would crawl out.
Online chatter wouldn't spare her.
The world's worst evil always came from peers.
"Aish, our President's so cool, a real man!"
"Then, Hyori-ssi, join us. The company'll take care of you too."
Seeing his teasing smirk, she laughed. "President, I'm a wild woman, hard to tame."
"Oh?" He grinned. "Challenges are fun. A smooth life's boring."
"Rich folks talk with such confidence." She sighed, standing. "Sorry, I'll step out."
As Hyori left, Jin-woo felt a sudden urge.
"IU, oppa's hitting the bathroom. Eat up."
"Oh." IU blinked, innocent as a lamb.
Once the curtain dropped, she sneakily glanced around, biting her lip, reaching for the opposite side.
Soju, soju, just one sip.
The curtain lifted.
"No sneaking drinks." Her arm shot back, feet pressed together, grabbing her toes. "Ne~"
Dropping the curtain, he headed to the bathroom, amused.
This quirky girl, what's she scheming?
"Aish, it's gone."
At the wash area, Lee Hyori shook something, annoyed.
"Hyori-ssi, what's up?" He approached, spotting her small bottle.
"Oh, hand cream. Ran out."
Flustered, she explained, "Dancing long-term… without care after washing, wrinkles pile up, and skin…"
He pulled out a clear vial. "Use mine. Massage oil, amazing for hydration balance."
"Oh~ Really?" She looked stunned. A guy carrying essential oil?
Men were getting into skincare, huh!
"Go ahead, no need to be shy." Placing it on the counter, he hit the men's room.
When he returned, she was gone.
Back at the booth, they were clinking glasses.
Hyori returned the vial. "This stuff's great, but no brand? I wanna buy it!"
Pocketing the "miraculous whitening oil," he said, "Oh, it's custom-made for my skin. Lots of salons offer this now."
"Really?"
"Yup, test your skin, add targeted ingredients, make your own product."
"Oh~ Got it." Propping her chin, she eyed him, intrigued.
Her not-so-fair face glowed with a tempting reddish-purple, chin tilted, eyes slanting with flirty hints.
Right now, Hyori's heart burned like fire.
Every inch of her skin sizzled, torching her reason.
To her, the man opposite was poisonously fatal.
A slight touch during a toast sent her heart soaring, electric tingles numbing her.
"Ah~" Sighing through her drink, she exhaled the heat.
Keep this up, she'd lose it.
"Yah, you, get out here."
Hyori snapped, standing, pulling him out.
"What's this?" He laughed, signaling a spooked IU to stay put.
Leaving the booth, they headed outside.
"Where's your car? Take me."
Her dazed eyes couldn't see far.
Supporting her swaying frame, he chuckled. "Over there. What's the plan?"
"You'll see." At the Rover, she ordered like a boss, "Keys. Leave 'em, you're off."
Driver Kim stood stiff, awaiting orders.
Jin-woo nodded. "Go. Ji-eun's at the shop. Take her to the dorm. Thanks."
Kim bowed silently, handed over the keys, and left.
Bang~
The door slammed. Seconds later, thick white fog coated the windows.
Thud, thud.
A delicate hand pressed against the rear side windows.
Palms curled, fingers arched, nails scraping the glass with a harsh screech.
The 2-ton steel beast, shadowed by the wall, twisted abstractly.
Like a jammed frequency, it rocked wildly.
(End of Chapter)