The Idol Who Returned from Hell Chapter 166

“Is it okay to go on variety shows back-to-back like this? Isn’t it tiring?”

“It’s fine. Brother, you know very well that if not now, there won’t be a chance to calm public opinion.”

“That’s true, but……”

The manager brother trailed off after hearing my words about wanting to appear on an additional variety show before CENTIX’s mini 2nd album activities officially wrapped up.

He seemed to be worrying about whether our stamina would be okay after continuously doing so much content without rest.

When I logically explained that there’s practically no way to break through Ma Si-hyeok’s current situation, he appeared to fall into deep thought.

Should I push a little more here?

“It’s not a physical or mentally demanding variety show, so it should be relatively much easier. And we’re only going as supporting roles – Cer will handle all the main parts.”

“I feel like I’m exploiting some innocent soul that doesn’t know anything.”

“He’s not that innocent.”

“Is, is that so.”

The variety show I expressed interest in appearing on to manager brother was 〈Dancing with Puppers〉, which is currently praised as a representative healing variety show.

Recently, the ratio of celebrities raising companion dogs or cats has noticeably increased. Among PDs who always crave fresh variety formats, this intimate relationship naturally came across as delicious material, and that program actually scored a considerable hit among enthusiasts.

Not just a simple owner-and-dog relationship, but an intimate partnership formed through long-term bonding.

Content showing celebrities and their companion dogs boasting their chemistry while traveling together and challenging various activities with professional trainers was optimized for providing gentle entertainment and healing.

‘It’s perfect for sharing sincere stories.’

〈Dancing with Puppers〉 is hosted by an MC with over 20 years of variety experience.

The MC, who’s outstanding at drawing out conversations, also runs a segment within the segment where they ask about the worries and concerns of celebrities who appeared with their companion dogs and provide counseling.

This should be quite useful for resolving the situation currently surrounding Ma Si-hyeok.

Manager brother pondered between recognition and stamina management for a while before eventually accepting my proposal.

“Since we need to finish activities properly, I’ll talk to the broadcasting station about doing it indoors rather than outdoor activities.”

“Thank you, brother.”

Having finished the conversation well, I returned to the dorm and immediately headed to the kitchen.

As I hummed a tune that came out naturally and opened a snack bag, Cerberus, who had been chewing dog treats in his sweet house, sensed something ominous and spoke slowly.

{Ma, Master. Why are you suddenly doing something you never do? Never giving me snacks at this time?}

‘There’s a reason for everything. Should I give you something other than dried duck?’

{Why are you like this, why are you like this! No, I feel like something bad will happen to me if I eat that! I don’t need to eat it!}

‘Have you only been getting fooled? Eat when I’m giving it to you.’

{Master, you have that unique expression you get when you’re about to scam someone!}

My hell hound who always loves being in the spotlight.

It’s time to properly earn your keep.

* * *

MILLENNIUM’s fan community was like a wave pool at a water park.

Usually it would just flow peacefully, but when someone threw bait, aggro would be completely drawn, creating such a spectacle.

—At times like this, you really feel that Rave is a company that can’t do their job… Even within the fandom there’s still all kinds of talk going around, but they’re not even putting out an official statement

└That’s what I’m saying…… Honestly, whether they announce some kind of official position, it would draw less aggro and weird trolls spreading rumors would disappear, but they’re just watching so this keeps continuing

└I was already pissed off and annoyed when my kid had false school violence rumors, but now I’m the most heated because of these bastards spreading all kinds of rumors with that injury

└Either say no if it’s not true, why are they leaving us to worry alone T_T

The MILLENNIUM who first witnessed Ma Si-hyeok’s wrist injury and wrote about it probably didn’t expect this level of ripple effect.

It didn’t take very long to reach public opinion that he might be a school violence victim from the initial speculation that he probably got hurt somewhere.

In that process, trolls who consistently appear whenever CENTIX-related incidents arise even wrote crossing-the-line posts, making stress levels explode.

—LOL. School violence victim cosplay what is that, isn’t it just that your weakling mental is like a cookie so you scraped your own wrist? LMAO. Just seemed like a mental case

—Common sense, who would commit school violence against a kid with such good build and height, stop making a fuss LOL. Maybe the school violence post from before was actually true and he self-harmed on purpose to refute it

—Always stammering and I don’t know if it’s a concept or what but acting slow on purpose was annoying to watch, but his mind was messed up too? LOL…. Just retire from the entertainment industry, you can’t last long with that mentality

There were many posts with such harsh content that they’d have nothing to say even if sued.

MILLENNIUM naturally wanted to catch all those posts and report or sue them, but trolls skilled in stirring up trouble executed hit-and-run deletions at lightning speed, making even IP blocking impossible.

The same pattern repeated like that.

MILLENNIUM, who chose not to mention the controversy surrounding Ma Si-hyeok, would roll CENTIX topics, then trolls would show up once in a while.

MILLENNIUM, who were mentally exhausted, desperately felt they needed some refreshing relief, either from the agency stepping up directly or the person himself making a direct statement.

[Guys, a preview clip dropped on NeoTube? Looks like they’re going on variety again]

〈Dancing with Puppers〉 preview says Si-hwan and Si-hyeok are appearing as next episode guests, bringing Cer

Cer was always cute during reality shows, now he’s advancing to Puppers Dance lmao

—That’s near the end of activities, isn’t it? They’re packing the schedule tight until the very end

—But is Si-hyeok okay to appear on variety…? I was worried seeing his eyes look a bit hollow in the recent self-content T_T

└This might be RE’s way of providing an answer? Broadcasting without any special announcement means they’ll say something there, right

└Puppers Dance has Senior Kyung-oh opening his counseling center, so Wolf-pup might talk about it

└That does make some sense

—If they’re going to talk about it on broadcast, it’s probably not that serious, right? Can we relax a little now?

└There’s no guarantee it’ll definitely turn out that way,,, I don’t know, I’m just waiting for this storm to pass somehow

└What if it becomes an even bigger cyclone

└Stop being negative

In a situation where public opinion hadn’t yet calmed down, news spread that Ma Si-hyeok would appear on a variety show.

MILLENNIUM was worried whether Ma Si-hyeok, who had seemed psychologically struggling, would really be okay.

Considering various circumstances, they started running happy circuits thinking that the agency probably wouldn’t have sent him to an official program like that unless things were somewhat sorted out.

At least unlike other variety shows, 〈Dancing with Puppers〉 is clearly a healing variety show.

And the announcement that he’d appear with Ryu Si-hwan, who gives off a strong sense of reliable support, was more welcome than ever.

—Ryu Si-hwan Sensei is saving us again this time, right?

└No lol, it’s not like Si-hwan is a cult leader, how does he provide salvation? If you ask that, it’s a luxury considering how many times Ryu Si-hwan has washed away stuck frustrations with amazing skills, you all remember, right? Just quietly shout Hwan-men

└This is like a curveball that drops at a 90-degree angle…

└LOL Hwan-men

└Honestly, situations have probably been sorted out internally, so they’re going on broadcast and stuff ㅇ.ㅇ And like Ryu did in ISL 2, I trust he’s taking good care of Wolf-pup’s mental care right now

—I like that they’re going on a variety show dedicated to Cer from the start. I wonder what the kids are going to do bringing Cer

└I haven’t watched CENTIX reality reruns yet, what is this Cer that people talked about?? Newbie help me

└(Photo) (Photo) Si-hwan’s companion dog’s name is Cer lol. He appeared often in reality shows and sometimes shows up on V Live too! The photo is Cer wearing a party hat during Si-hwan’s birthday V Live hehe

└What, he’s so cute?? Why am I seeing this now

└Eyes exist that haven’t watched any Centix reality, I’m more envious of you

Many posts went up saying that they definitely didn’t decide to appear on variety shows just randomly while the fandom was in an uproar.

MILLENNIUM expected CENTIX to put some kind of period to the current situation through 〈Dancing with Puppers〉 and supported CENTIX’s music show stages with not many broadcasts left.

Like that, CENTIX collected trophies that could be said were pre-engraved with their names, heading toward the end of their 2nd album activities.

The long-awaited day of 〈Dancing with Puppers〉 main broadcast arrived.

The scene welcoming MILLENNIUM, who saw the 15+ age rating text announcing the program’s start from their respective locations, was none other than a two-shot of Ryu Si-hwan and Cer.

[One law that works anywhere in the world]

[That is, all companion dogs resemble their owners!]

Along with cute font subtitles, the faces of Ryu Si-hwan and Cer lying languidly on the dorm sofa appeared.

Ryu Si-hwan, who usually doesn’t have much expression change, didn’t move a single eyebrow and stayed still even while watching TV.

Cer, lying in exactly the same position right in front of him, was also looking ahead with an expressionless face.

No matter how much laughing scenes came on TV, the sight of the owner and companion dog staying silent like stone statues while maintaining their positions burst into laughter from the start.

[You two aren’t sleeping with your eyes open, are you?]

—LMAO. No, Si-hwan is like that usually anyway, but why is Cer like that too LOL

—Aren’t all Yorkshire Terriers in the world normally super energetic, why does Cer have that expression like he’s lived through everything LOL

—Uh…… Uh uh…… Cer was definitely super energetic when I watched reality shows, isn’t he? Why is he watching TV with 70-year-old grandpa vibes now

└Maybe it’s because other members were there together then lol. When he’s alone with Si-hwan, he makes enlightened expressions following his owner’s personality

The energetic mischievous nature characteristic of Yorkshire Terriers was nowhere to be found as Cer lay with his belly exposed, showing an expression like he’d lived through everything.

And as if this was familiar, Ryu Si-hwan scratched his belly without blinking once.

Just when it seemed like this would become not variety but a lying-down broadcast.

[Brother, Cer! It’s time for us to go now.]

[Already time?]

Ma Si-hyeok, dressed in a coat, entered the living room and shook Ryu Si-hwan’s leg to wake him up.

His complexion, which had looked hollow recently, seemed noticeably better, giving fans primary relief.

When Ryu Si-hyeok, Ma Si-hyeok, and Cer got in the vehicle, it stopped in front of some building.

[Oh my, it’s been a while, Si-hyeok!]

[Please take good care of us today, teacher.]

[The star came along too! How cute.]

The two members entered a cooking class full of baking tools.

Ma Si-hyeok inhaled the familiar air and started rolling up his sleeves with a happy smile.

[Today’s mission! Something CENTIX’s Si-hyeok personally requested to do……]

[Making 20 servings of dog cake total! feat. Si-hwan]

[There’s a separate reason for making more besides what Cer will eat?]

Everyone was excited at the thought of finally seeing Ma Si-hyeok’s cooking skills that they’d only heard about.

There had been many reviews saying Ma Si-hyeok’s cookies were insanely delicious at CENTIX’s first fan signing event.

When they did group cooking in reality shows, Ma Si-hyeok was sealed off like a cheat key and could only give orders.

But apart from the news that Ma Si-hyeok would be cooking, another surprising thing appeared as subtitles.

[Going to a place with Korea’s top dog agility trainers to receive proper training for Cer!]

[Preparing a whopping 20 servings to give as gifts to the dogs they’ll meet there, CENTIX so sweet so sweet]