Chapter 190
Lee ShinHye, a singer-wannabe was heading home late after her lesson at the applied music academy .
Munching on a piece of bread, she opened up Tune on her phone in search of videos of decent singers .
However, one of the t.i.tles in the ‘music’ category garnered her attention .
‘What’s this? This is how we play around?’
The views were strangely high as well .
Out of curiosity, she clicked on the video without thinking much about it .
The video began with the drummer hitting the high hat . Soon, many people appeared in the video .
‘Eh!?’
But somehow, the people in the video were people she knew .
Eddios, Eunha, Kim JaeHoon, and even White Moonlight . They were rather famous singers .
Their practice video enraptured her ears immediately .
– A certain someone — wants to be consoled – even more —
Christie An sang the main part while Kim JiMin and Lee HyunAh put harmony in . Moreover, the electric guitar added to the crispness of the music, creating a pleasing sound, and the people that weren’t holding mics were dancing…
A man and a woman, who looked like they were more business-related than music also entered her eyes . They seemed to be enjoying the music .
‘Wow…’
Lee ShinHye exclaimed .
The video was quite long, but not once was she bored .
The song changed, and the woman being referred to as ‘director’ moved to the synthesizer, while the president and composer, KangYoon, put on the guitar .
The singers jumped around with the mic in their hands while some danced and some jerked their bodies according to the rhythm .
On the last song, a trot song, a trainee even came out and joined in .
All the people within the practice room were being unified in the name of music .
– Isn’t this all acting?
– Hey, I think it’s even more difficult to act like that . Were you duped all your life?
– Kim JiMin and Kim JaeHoon are singing together while Jung MinAh is dancing, is that place a music safari?
– This is nice to see . I hope to see more of this in the future .
The reactions in the comments were explosive as well .
Lee ShinHye usually didn’t comment on videos, but she added a comment today .
– I want to go to World .
***
Kim JaeHoon’s song ‘Boy’, maintained first place for one week and continued to be high in the rankings in the following weeks as well .
This was much more meaningful since this all took place without him appearing even once on TV programs .
“3rd in Heaven Charts, 5th in MD Music Charts, 4th in Nets dot com . Mr . JaeHoon’s alb.u.m is doing well considering that it’s been over two weeks since his alb.u.m came out . He’s practically the man of autumn . ”
Lee HyunJi reported KangYoon of the stats with a satisfied smile .
KangYoon also replied with a smile as well .
“The man of autumn . A nice name . It’s also a bit cheesy as well . ”
“What, are you calling me cheesy?”
“Hahaha, maybe?”
KangYoon shrugged his shoulders jokingly and flipped over to the next page .
“So it’s the concert now . Director, is the subcontract going well?”
Lee HyunJi nodded his head .
“Yes . It’s all going well . After all, the item we have is good . This is Kim JaeHoon’s solo concert after many years so it’s no wonder that many people are wanting to join us . But, are you not planning to get any investment?”
“Since this is not a nation-wide tour, we will not need that much money . Let’s keep it to ourselves this time, and expand the scale if the reactions are good . At that point in time, I’m pretty sure people will flock to us for investments . ”
Lee HyunJi understood what KangYoon was saying and nodded her head .
“I guess the results of this event will be important then . Okay . But wouldn’t it be okay to go nationwide since it’s Mr . JaeHoon we’re talking about?”
Kim JaeHoon’s skill, fandom, and audience-calling power .
In Lee HyunJi’s view, all of those three factors were enough for a country-wide concert tour .
However, KangYoon had a different idea in mind .
“Wouldn’t it look better if we hold the concert because the people want it and not us?”
“The people want it?” Oh . ”
Lee HyunJi seemed to have seen through what KangYoon meant and exclaimed in a small voice .
“What charm would we have left if we showed everything from the get-go? We’ll reveal those charm points one by one and incite interest . People will want to see JaeHoon’s live stage, I’m sure of that . We’re not showing any video footage of ‘Boy’ this time, either, aren’t we? Those things combined will all have an effect during the concert . ”
“Aah, I understand now . ”
The two people continued to talk about Kim JaeHoon’s concert .
They had a lot of things to talk about such as the subcontractors, the location, etc .
Right now, it was October .
They had a lot of things to do in a short period of time, so they needed to get things done quickly .
The two talked for a long time before standing up .
“Mr . JungMin, is there a vacant vehicle today?”
KangYoon’s gaze headed towards Yoo JungMin, the new employee .
When he did, the guy abruptly stood up and replied nervously .
“…Y, yes! Th, there’s one!”
Hearing the new employee reply nervously, Jung HyeJin, and Lee HyunJi giggled . Yoo JungMin then reddened in embarra.s.sment .
KangYoon shrugged his shoulders and got the keys from him .
“Thanks for your work . And also, you don’t need to be so nervous . ”
“N, not at all, sir! You’re still the president…”
“Hahaha, then see you later, Mr . JungMin . ”
KangYoon patted Yoo JungMin’s shoulders before leaving . He wanted the new recruit to get used to the company’s atmosphere as much as possible .
He headed towards the practice room .
“HyunAh . ”
“President . ”
When KangYoon entered, Lee HyunAh greeted him .
When he asked where the other members were, she replied that they had private lessons to teach and other events to attend .
KangYoon exclaimed after seeing Lee HyunAh’s outfit .
“Wow, a suit?”
Lee HyunAh usually wore more casual and contemporary clothes, but today she was wearing a semi-formal suit . KangYoon’s words seemed to have made her embarra.s.sed as she looked away .
“…Uhm, does it not suit me?”
“Not at all . It’s fine . I always thought that you liked to wear short and strange clothes . ”
“S, strange clothes!?”
Lee HyunAh’s eyes widened .
She was called the Hongdae Fashionista, but that got the ‘strange clothes’ treatment from KangYoon . She trembled .
Regardless, KangYoon grinned .
“It’s nice . You look more like a s...o...b..e now . ”
“…It feels rather strange . ”
Lee HyunAh felt rather peculiar since KangYoon’s words made her feel like she was rather old .
Today was the day Lee HyunAh would hold a talk at Hallyeo Arts University’s “Talk with your seniors” event .
Usually, a manager would accompany her…
“…I get to attend a university event thanks to you, huh . ”
“Heheh, I’m sorry . Actually, I was a little nervous…”
Lee HyunAh felt apologetic as she said those words .
“Actually, I think you came to me whenever you felt nervous . ”
“Yes, you’re right . You noticed?”
“…At least try to deny it . ”
KangYoon grumbled as he undid the handbrakes when the lights turned green .
It didn’t take that long to reach Hallyeo Arts University .
After parking, KangYoon and Lee HyunAh headed towards Professor Choi ChanYang’s office .
“Mr . KangYoon, HyunAh . Welcome I was waiting for the two of you . ”
Professor Choi ChanYang had his unique soft smile on as he greeted the two .
This ‘Talk with your seniors’ event meant a lot for him since it was one of his former students doing the talk .
“You have to visit the Chancellor later, right?”
“Yes . The time… is a little awkward . ”
As KangYoon had arrived a little earlier than requested, Professor Choi ChanYang spoke with a smile .
“Let me go with you after you rest a little . The Chancellor would love to see you . ”
“Okay then . ”
The three enjoyed some snacks as they conversed .
***
After Park SoYoung and Kim JiMin returned to Korea, HeeYoon also returned to her usual lifestyle .
‘The reactions are quite good . That’s good . ’
HeeYoon sighed in relief after seeing Kim JaeHoon’s new alb.u.m ‘Boy’ was ranked in 3rd in Heaven Charts, the biggest music chart .
She was worried about what to do if Kim JaeHoon rejected her song, but things had turned out well . She did not know that she would be able to collaborate with Park SoYoung and even Kim JiMin on the song though .
She found out later that her brother had a hard time during the rearrangement and that Kim JaeHoon also had a hard time singing it, so it was good to see that the results were good .
‘I guess it was worth my time . ’
Listening to Kim JaeHoon’s voice through her headset, HeeYoon, feeling satisfied, smiled .
HeeYoon logged out of the Heaven Charts and was about to close the browser . However, an article on the portal site Sace had grabbed her attention .
-World Family? What is the intention behind revealing a practice video?
‘What’s this?’
Seeing the unfamiliar term ‘World Family’, HeeYoon clicked on the article .
The article had no real content . It basically said that there was a video on Tune where the members of World Entertainment all sang together and that it was gathering attention on social media .
The article just wrote that information with a provocative choice of words .
HeeYoon immediately went to Tune and found the video .
‘This is it . ’
When she clicked on it, the video started with a few beats from the high hat .
‘Oho . ’
The music from the video stimulated her curiosity .
‘Eh? This isn’t practicing . ’
HeeYoon tilted her head .
This video just looked like playing around . Everyone freely sang, freely danced, and freely played instruments . She felt rather envious .
Freedom .
That word seemed to summarize the video .
‘Looks like she’s the new trainee . ’
The new woman clearly seemed older than her .
She decorated the last stage with a savory trot song and the video finished with everyone fading out .
After the video finished, HeeYoon fell into contemplation .
‘…Wouldn’t it be good if everyone can sing together? Should I think about it?’
The video seemed to have stimulated HeeYoon and new inspiration started popping into her head .
***
KangYoon and Lee HyunAh visited the Chancellor of Hallyeo Arts University along with Professor Choi ChanYang .
The Chancellor judged that KangYoon was a rising star in the entertainment industry and made an effort to become closer to him while KangYoon also replied with courtesy .
After their meeting came the main event, ‘Talk with your senior’ .
KangYoon and Lee HyunAh were guided by the Chancellor’s secretary to a large hall where the students had gathered .
Many students were already seated .
‘O, oppa…’
Lee HyunAh, who sat down on her designated seat on the platform felt nervous while looking at the many people in the audience . She grabbed onto KangYoon’s arm in order to calm down .
KangYoon patted her back in an attempt to calm her down .
Soon, the formalities for the event was over and it came to Lee HyunAh’s turn to talk .
“The one I’ll be introducing this time is someone who…”
The main host was already introducing how Lee HyunAh had become a singer .
Listening to her own introduction, Lee HyunAh tightly grabbed KangYoon’s hands .
Seeing that, Professor Choi ChanYang spoke .
“Looks like HyunAh is very nervous . ”
“I think so too . HyunAh, just think of it as going on stage to sing . ”
KangYoon told her again, but Lee HyunAh didn’t calm down easily .
‘Sheesh, she was nervous on her first stage as well, so…’
She had flinched in the College Pop Festival as well and KangYoon had to wake her up .
KangYoon approached Lee HyunAh’s ears .
‘HyunAh . ’
‘Eeeh!?’
Lee HyunAh was startled by the breath on her ears and shivered . It was a prank in order to wake her up .
When she came to and shook her head several times, KangYoon spoke .
‘Get yourself together . It’s your turn to go on stage now . ’
‘Ah, yes… . ’
‘Just think of it as rapping on stage . Don’t be too nervous . ’
‘Th, that’s not up to me!’
Even her hands were shaking due to nervousness .
KangYoon patted her on the back .
‘I know you can do it . ’
‘Whoaaa?’
Then, KangYoon lightly pushed her forward . Then, Lee HyunAh was pushed onto the stage .
The main host had just finished introducing her as well .
“OOOOOOH!”
“Lee HyunAh! Lee HyunAh!”
While her juniors clapped for him, Lee HyunAh stood on the podium with an awkward smile .