PRINCE FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION BECOMES AN IDOL

chapter 5

***

The realization struck him hard. Unlike Kang Dojae, whose dream had been tarnished by constant comparison and bullying during his trainee days, singing was still a shining dream for Dojae. He clenched and unclenched his hands, feeling the scars. The exhilaration of singing in front of an audience came flooding back.

If he could sing.

If he could become a singer.

This swapped life might not be so bad after all.

'Not that I know how to go back anyway... I hope Kang Dojae is doing okay by now.'

Considering their vastly different upbringings and memories, Dojae wished that Kang Dojae would at least find it less tough while their bodies were switched.

'At least he won't be looked down on for being poor. And there shouldn't be anyone bullying him.'

Just as Dojae was about to change out of his uncomfortable clothes, the door opened and his mother walked in.

"Oh? Son, you're home early." "Mom... You're back?"

Dojae looked at Kang Dojae's mother in surprise. She had a slight stoop and deep wrinkles around her eyes. Though she had the same face as the Empress of the Korean Empire, she was a completely different person.

Not all faces were the same across the two worlds, but some definitely overlapped.

"Have you had dinner?"

"Not yet. How about you, Mom?"

"What were you doing without eating dinner? Change your clothes and come out. I'll make some stew."

Feeling bewildered, Dojae nodded. After a somewhat natural dinner with Kang Dojae's mother, Min Hyekyung, Dojae went to his room and lay on the bare floor.

'The Korean Empire and the Republic of Korea are similar but definitely different. The circumstances of Kang Dojae and Lee Dojae are, of course, vastly different.

Debuting as a singer...

The future...

His mind was in turmoil, especially since tomorrow was the day New Entertainment would finalize the members for the group debuting next year.

He had to make a decision before even adjusting to his environment.

"Indeed. That's what I should do." But the answer came simpler than he thought.

***

'Sleeping on a thin blanket makes my back ache. Having prepared and left the house, Dojae patted his back. His mother had already left for work earlier than him. The house was empty.

Accustomed to palace life, he had never

used a bed, but the thick silk mattress

in the palace was better than most

regular mattresses. It was

incomparable to the thin fabric Kang

Dojae used. 'Changing the door lock and improving the sleeping arrangements will require some money.

While he thought that, he had already arrived at New Entertainment's building. The corridor leading to the practice room was more chaotic than usual. Sunghwan, Yoo Myeongwoo, and four others were already confirmed debut members, and two more were to be selected based on yesterday's evaluations. Trainees were whispering among themselves about who might make the debut, each secretly hoping to

be the lucky one.

Debuting in a group from New Entertainment, one of the top three agencies, was almost a guaranteed