Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Regaining Skill
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I've been diligently hitting up the coin karaoke spots nearby for the past few days.
The reason was obvious: what happened at that event last time.
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I wasn't planning to become an idol or a singer, but I couldn't just let the one thing I used to brag about—my singing skills—slip away like that.
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'That said... I haven't exactly belted out songs seriously since this all happened.'
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To be fair, even without singing, I had plenty of other things keeping me busy, so I hadn't paid it much mind.
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Still, why not kill two birds with one stone? Pick up a new hobby and restore my skills at the same time.
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Anyway, one thing I'd realized after hitting the karaoke spots for a few days:
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'...It's just not clicking.'
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Matching pitch was proving tricky.
Even if I'd gotten somewhat used to this body, the finer details were still eluding me.
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Singing in particular felt... different from just adapting to the body overall.
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I could keep grinding at karaoke to get the hang of it, but I knew a faster, easier way.
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'Nothing beats proper lessons for this stuff.'
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I'd spotted a vocal practical music academy right near the yoga studio.
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Checked the reviews online, and apparently they had several famous instructors.
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'They've taught big-name singers... and a ton of idols too.'
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The profiles looked solid, so I contacted the academy right away.
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'Feels kinda rewarding seeing them hustle like this.'
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I had a daily routine now: yoga, singing practice.
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Not exactly productive stuff. Just hobbies, really.
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But I think that's the point—filling the day meaningfully, doing whatever I feel like.
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"Hello. I'm calling about signing up for the hobby class."
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Vocal academy hobby class.
Hobby classes draw all sorts of ages.
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Some come for short-term crash courses for school festivals or events.
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Others stick around steadily, practicing songs one by one purely for fun.
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But everyone there has the same goal: learn to sing for fun... and do it well.
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Unlike entrance exam or debut prep classes, they don't drill pro-level techniques or push students hard.
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It's all about keeping the interest alive.
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"Hyun-seong, we've got two new hobby class sign-ups today. Keep an eye on them, yeah?"
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"Got it."
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Hobby class instructors have a different vibe from the others.
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Freelancers, not active singers or agency vocal trainers.
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Not all, but at this academy, yeah.
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Take Lee Hyun-deok (stage name: Hyun-seong), who was set to meet a new student today.
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He'd quit being a full-time vocal trainer ages ago.
Most of the students he'd trained personally were famous enough that their names alone would make anyone go, "Ah!"
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He'd bounced between agencies, renowned everywhere... until his short peak fame ended in abrupt retirement.
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Plenty of reasons for quitting.
The biggest? His dream.
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'How long are you gonna keep this up?'
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He'd sung passionately, dreaming of being a singer, stumbled into vocal training for cash... and stuck with it.
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He sang decently, taught well.
Watching his students debut successfully day after day...
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'I'm done.'
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He quit, poured his savings into chasing that dream.
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Dropped multiple self-funded albums.
Splurged on promo and even vinyl pressings.
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Leveraged his industry connections to pitch to labels...
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'Skills are there... but you're kinda iffy for debut.'
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"Iffy" was the verdict. He faded from public memory.
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Years of struggle left nothing.
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'One guy, one girl... gotta split the slots.'
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But he had a fallback: his rep as a trainer.
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Pay wasn't what it used to be, though.
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Now, dream shelved to survive, he hustled to pack classes.
Gazed curiously at the new apps, relieved for the sign-ups.
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'Huh... one for 3-month short-term, the other 6 months?'
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Three-plus months wasn't common in hobby classes here.
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Not a major spot either—just a back-alley market vibe.
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Intrigued, he pored over the forms.
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Minutes later, one applicant showed at the practice room.
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'Agency scout?'
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He was stunned by her look.
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Long, lean build first off.
The kind that'd land center in an idol lineup for visuals and proportions.
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Solid fashion sense too. No makeup, but dolled up right? She'd hold her own against active idols.
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He sized her up against idols and singers he'd trained.
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"Um... I'm Choi Yeon-bi, here for the test today."
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"Ah, yes. This way."
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Lee Hyun-deok guided her in, startled by her voice.
Flustered but guiding her, his mind raced with theories.
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'Agency sending her to train vocals? But the app said individual signup, not company. Just a hobby then?'
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Even celebs unrelated to music took lessons sometimes.
To grab headlines.
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Someone expected to bomb singing aces it.
Or actors with zero music cred nail tough songs with killer vocals for that twist charm.
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(Sure, some flop for laughs, but stars avoid that image.)
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'Or... an actress? Prepping a singer role?'
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Another hunch.
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Actors method-prepping roles by training with pros? Common as dirt.
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He'd seen singer-role actors hit academies plenty.
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But personal sign-ups like this? Rare.
Especially nine months' worth.
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'No clue...'
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If all guesses wrong, just a regular dying to learn?
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"Um... do I go inside here?"
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'Could be a total normie.'
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Lee Hyun-deok scratched his chin at Choi Yeon-bi's awkward stance, nodding.
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"No, stand by the piano. Not really a test... just checking your range and pitch accuracy."
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"Okay."
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Whatever she was, it didn't matter to him.
Regular or industry.
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But if she was connected, impressing her couldn't hurt.
Especially a prospect like this.
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"Match this piano note with a long 'ahhh~'."
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'Even friendlier than the reviews said.'
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Wrapped the test and Q&A, headed out.
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Test was basic: piano tones to match, quick vocalizing lesson.
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Feeling pitches I'd nailed effortlessly as a guy come out awkward? Glad I came.
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'Not... nostalgic, is it?'
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Anyway.
He called me out on the pitch issues.
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'Pitch is shaky. Rhythm's fine, but overall unstable. Don't sing much? Though your breathing's solid...'
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Wild how he pinpointed problems after seconds.
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Not just me—seemed to impress him too.
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'Can't exactly spill the truth.'
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No way was I saying, "I've sung tons, but as a guy, so it's weird now." Brushed it off vaguely.
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Q&A was simple: signup goals, fave songs to master.
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Mentioned ones I loved; asked why, said they were my top picks.
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She asked if I wanted male-song direction; said yes.
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'Your range is high, so not ideal for guy songs honestly. But you've got clear goals, and most are high-note heavy, so won't feel off. Just might struggle with dramatic flair—keep that in mind...'
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Concrete advice got me pumped—feels pro.
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Never properly learned singing; barely knew hobbyists who did.
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'Tuition's steep, though.'
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Academies are for learning weaknesses.
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But here, they're for exams, certs, jobs.
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Say "vocal academy," and folks assume, "Practical music entrance prep?"
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Tell 'em it's a hobby? They'd think money pit.
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'I'd have thought the same.'
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Student-me would've.
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Maybe that's why this feels freer now—back then, I'd call it waste.
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Invest guilt-free in wants.
Quit if bored.
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Rich bum life.
That's me.
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Suddenly recalled that department store guy asking my job.
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'Next time, just say unemployed for real.'
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Chuckled to myself heading home, detoured to karaoke again.
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Fresh breathing and vocal tips—time to apply 'em.
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Instructor said booth practice helps plenty—no reason not to.
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Like a sparrow to rice cake alley, slipped in, belted faves.
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Relaxed mindset helped; songs came out... but not satisfying.
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'Keep singing, it'll improve.'
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Vocal cords strengthen with use.
So, belt away.
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How long was I in there?
Twenty songs solo, maybe.
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"Haa..."
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Can't anymore.
Throat's scratchy.
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'Used to happen back then too.'
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Nostalgic vibes hit.
Different now: no curfew.
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Still gotta head home eventually.
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'Just build a home karaoke room?'
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Hm...
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Having a setup at home for practice? Way better.
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'But apartment—no go.'
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Commonsense: karaoke machines in apartments? Nope.
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Even soundproof booths vibrate the whole building.
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'Time to move?'
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Just moved, already?
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Nah.
For home theater and all later, snag a new place sooner?
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Mulled it over.
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Conclusion: Moving again for karaoke? Insane. Think slow.
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Will scout nice houses ahead.
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'Fancy ones look hassle central.'
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Looks like busy days ahead.