Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Is the Writer Omnipotent?
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“Europe?!”
Mother’s eyes widened as she asked back.
“Yes. Your birthday’s coming up soon, Mother. How about you and Father take a week-long trip together?”
“I’d love that, but can your father really take time off? Who’d watch the store if he’s gone for a whole week?”
“I will. I’ve already talked it over with him.”
“Really?”
“Well, it’s a gift from our son. No reason to turn that down.”
“What about your store?”
“I told you, Tae-seong’s covering for me for a week. Why overthink it? It’s just like all those trips where we’d sing our hearts out. When your son’s offering to step in, we should just pack up and go.”
“Still…”
“Don’t worry too much. I checked my schedule, and it lines up perfectly, so I can handle the store no problem.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, so go have the time of your lives.”
“Should we…?”
A smile spread across Mother’s face.
Of course she’d be thrilled.
But her concern for her son’s work outweighed her excitement.
Knowing that, Tae-seong reassured her two, three times.
Only then did Mother let go of her guilt and beam with a bright smile.
“So, where in Europe are you thinking?”
“Since it’s for you and Father, I figured a package tour would be better than free travel. I’ve picked out a few highly rated ones.”
Tae-seong pulled out his smartphone and showed them the travel agencies and packages he’d saved.
“Each one has its own highlights—this one focuses on natural sightseeing spots.”
“Oh…”
“Hmm.”
The two soon leaned in, listening intently to Tae-seong’s explanations.
* * *
The next day.
Tae-seong drove toward his destination.
‘Glad Mother’s happy about it.’
She’d been a bit hesitant at first, weighed down by guilt.
But as time passed, she grew more enthusiastic than anyone.
Getting older didn’t mean desires for travel or new experiences vanished.
Becoming parents, raising kids, and making ends meet built self-restraint—they put their children first.
They worried about the future and lived frugally for what-ifs.
That suppressed their own wants, making them pretend disinterest from the start.
Kids grew up oblivious to their parents’ hearts, only understanding when they became parents themselves.
Tae-seong had been the same.
Not anymore.
Having lived many lives, he understood his parents’ feelings and their lives—so he prepared this small gift.
‘Hope they like the second gift too.’
The trip was a material present.
But Tae-seong wanted to give something more special.
Today’s meeting was for that special gift.
He parked in a Gangnam building and entered the café.
Inside, a familiar face greeted him.
“Shin PD, sorry I’m late.”
“Oh, Writer! You’re here. No, no—I just arrived myself. Anyway, let’s introduce you. This is Lee Ji-yeon, the writer who’ll be supporting you this time.”
“I’m Lee Ji-yeon. Nice to meet you.”
Lee Ji-yeon, the writer.
She was Mask Singer’s main writer, arguably the most crucial figure alongside Shin PD.
Her face showed faint fatigue, but she exuded the vibe of a stylish city woman.
Her fashion was on par with any celebrity, elevating her looks even further.
“I’m Jeong Tae-seong.”
“Lee Ji-yeon will assist you from here on out with song selection, stage prep, mask design, and more. Oh, do you have a manager…?”
“No. Just contact me directly.”
“Got it. So, shall we talk about the competition today?”
“Yes.”
The discussion on Mask Singer kicked off in earnest.
“First stage, the production team prepares the song. Can’t tell you your opponent, but since it’s a duet, we tailor it to both singers’ abilities.”
“That’s why we need to hear your voice first—let us know a convenient time, and we’ll schedule it.”
After some thought, Tae-seong replied to Lee Ji-yeon.
“I can clear my schedule in three days.”
“Then we’ll do an initial test at the studio in three days, and line up the duet after.”
“Sounds good.”
The meeting made his Mask Singer appearance feel real.
They covered a few more details, exchanged contacts, and Tae-seong left the café.
Alone now, Shin PD turned to Lee Ji-yeon.
“What do you think?”
“Good image. Decent recognition too. Even if he drops in round one, he’ll generate buzz.”
“Right? For the duet, who should we pair him with? Another amateur?”
“We’ll see his skills, but probably better with a pro. Match him against someone strong to pull him up safely—that’s the safest bet.”
“Yeah, makes sense.”
Neither expected Tae-seong to advance to round two.
He wasn’t a singer or even a celebrity.
Regular folks on stage often faltered under pressure, making mistakes.
Unlikely to show their true potential.
They figured Tae-seong would be no different.
* * *
Appearing on Mask Singer didn’t change Tae-seong’s routine.
Every morning, he headed to the office for novel writing, webtoon work, and afternoons on Otherworld Chef season 2 scripts.
One change, though.
After work, he went not to his officetel, but home.
“How about this one? Museums and tourist spots. Great reviews, and the meals and lodging are solid too.”
He visited home to plan the trip with his parents.
Mother grew happier by the day, and Father joined in enthusiastically.
Thanks to that, Tae-seong enjoyed planning their getaway.
Before he knew it, three days had passed.
This time, the meeting was at a studio, not a café.
“Writer, how’ve you been?”
Lee Ji-yeon greeted him more warmly than their first meeting. Tae-seong bowed back.
“Yes. You too?”
“Of course. But calling us both ‘Writer’ feels awkward. Mind if I call you President Jeong?”
“Call me whatever’s comfortable.”
“Got it—President Jeong from now on. Today, we’ll do a quick test in a broadcast studio, then head straight to the mask design meeting.”
“Yes.”
After the brief, Tae-seong followed her into the studio building.
‘Mask Singer’s security is tight—they’re even doing tests at an external studio, not the station.’
It wasn’t in Gangnam either.
A spot on Gyeonggi’s outskirts, facilities nothing special.
“This is one of our spots for preliminary tests. Duet songs get the full formal test elsewhere.”
‘She’s sharp.’
He nodded at her reading his thoughts.
Inside, a booth came into view.
No other staff around.
“For security, I’ll handle the equipment myself. Not the best at it, so bear with me.”
Sharp as ever.
“Shall we start?”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t a real recording anyway.
Just a skill check.
Tae-seong relaxed and prepared.
“Any song preference? Something popular’s best—we can gauge your skill right away.”
“Then, Family Photo by Kim Jin-ho, please.”
“Family Photo? Sure, I’ll set that up.”
Family Photo by Kim Jin-ho.
A song brimming with tender feelings for parents—Tae-seong planned it for round two.
‘Assuming I pass round one, of course.’
He was confident but not arrogant.
Life was unpredictable.
Sure, he’d once rocked the world with his singing, but that was ages ago.
‘For Mother…’
Above all, this competition wasn’t about showcasing his talent.
It was all for singing this song on her birthday.
-Ready?
“Yes.”
-Here comes the backing track. 3, 2, 1.
With Lee Ji-yeon’s cue, the accompaniment flowed through his headset.
Eyes closed, immersed, Tae-seong opened his mouth as the song began.
“The years of your busy youth…”
His smooth low notes filled the booth.
Just past the intro, but Lee Ji-yeon could tell his skill was no joke.
‘He’s got it.’
She’d worked on Mask Singer, meeting all sorts.
Even non-singers—celebrities, experts from other fields.
The gap with pros showed in the lows and intro.
Pros nailed highs and lows with stability.
Especially intros and lows—they poured their emotions there best.
That’s where singers and non-singers diverged sharply.
Yet Tae-seong’s lows drew her right into the song.
‘Trained singer?’
Traces of professional training.
‘Pair him with that guy—would be fun.’
Production had a tentative bracket ready.
Tae-seong’s opponent was set: a current singer, top contender for King of Mask this round.
Production fully expected a title change.
If Tae-seong bombed, they’d swap him out.
Too easy an opponent risked a weak duet showing.
‘This level’s plenty.’
But hearing him, those worries flew away.
This could be a fun matchup.
“To bloom me into a flower-!”
Then the climax hit.
Tae-seong’s voice exploded.
From steady, textbook control, it seized and shook the heart.
‘What… what is this?’
A dramatic shift—like a different person.
Each lyric hit, her pupils trembled.
Her heart pounded; her mind filled with thoughts of her parents.
‘Dad…’
Ten years ago.
Her father who passed.
A sudden accident.
Driving home from work, he collided head-on with a drowsy truck driver and died on the spot.
Those memories surged, tears welling in her eyes.
Tae-seong’s song poured through her ears—she wept endlessly.
* * *
“Ahem… sorry about today.”
“No, it’s fine. Feeling better now?”
“Yes…”
Lee Ji-yeon bowed, her face flushed red.
In her hands, the ion drink and wet wipes Tae-seong had bought.
“Um… could we push the mask meeting to tomorrow, if that’s okay with you?”
“Yes, no problem. Let’s wrap here today.”
“Thank you…”
She bowed, grateful for his consideration.
“Um… President Jeong.”
“Yes.”
“Have you ever trained professionally in singing?”
“A bit, when I was young.”
“Ah… that explains it…”
Training made his skill less shocking.
Not fully, though.
His voice was album-ready.
“Let me drive you to the station.”
“Huh? Oh, no need. Bus from here’s quick.”
“It’s on my way. I’ll get the car.”
Tae-seong headed to the parking lot without waiting.
Lee Ji-yeon stood alone, speechless.
“Your office is in Bucheon…”
Opposite direction, she knew.
But his kindness touched her.
‘Round one—I thought he’d lose easily…’
Maybe an upset wasn’t impossible.
She wondered what would happen.