Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Immortal Songs (1)
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‘Pretty high up there, huh?’
I tapped my smartphone. No matter when I checked, the damn thing was spot on. Kang Minje’s eyes shook. This guy knew my stats better than anyone.
“Uh, uh?”
The guy suddenly grabbed my arm and yanked me along.
“Hurry up and get in the booth.”
Impatient, aren’t we? I quietly stepped into the booth and put on the headset. Kang Minje rushed to his chair and fiddled with the sound equipment.
Kang Minje’s voice came through the headset.
- Say something.
I nodded. Music started playing soon after.
“If there were no you in this world~ I’d close my eyes~”
The soft phrase flowed out. Five minutes ago, I would’ve given up on that range without a second thought.
As the phrase ended, Kang Minje wiped his dry face.
“Whoa, that startled me. Let’s redo the part assignments. Hajin, you cool with that?”
Yoo Hajin made a circle with his thumb and index finger, giving an OK sign.
‘Yeah, must’ve been tough forcing those high notes.’
He didn’t say it, but Yoo Hajin looked worn out, all ragged. Maybe that’s why—his gaze toward me sparkled with excitement.
‘Less like anger at losing parts, more like joy that a savior showed up.’
I smiled and nodded.
‘Well, gotta sing it.’
The range boosted by the cheat took some getting used to at first.
‘Recording’s fine, but live might be tricky.’
Singing and dancing at the same time required breath control training. Luckily, Immortal Songs wasn’t a full live stage.
‘Let’s give it a shot.’
Kang Minje’s voice came through the headset again.
“Redoing the parts.”
I cleared my throat. Was it because my range had expanded? That day’s recording wrapped up pretty quickly, all things considered.
***
Immortal Songs filming day. The broadcast was an hour long, but what you saw wasn’t all there was to it. As always, waiting time dragged on for over two hours. The manager, spotting me doing ab workouts, said,
“Let’s go say hi.”
I jumped up from my seat.
‘Annoying, but gotta do it.’
As rookies, we had greetings to make everywhere. Staff aside, we had to bow to the other performers too.
‘Wonder if it gets easier with seniority.’
The manager led our freshly debuted group down the hallway. Reaching the destination, he knocked lightly. I quietly read the name on the door.
‘Kim Dongseop.’
The MC who’d been hosting Immortal Songs for five years now. Past his prime, but still booked solid.
‘Someone I’ve only seen on TV.’
Of course, he’d had his ups and downs. A hiatus midway due to cancer treatment.
‘Pretty sure he’s in remission now?’
That’s what I’d heard.
The door opened, and Kim Dongseop was sitting in a chair.
“Oh, hello! Friends Entertainment here. These are our kids performing today.”
Yoo Hajin spoke brightly.
“One, two, three. Ecstasy to you! Hello, we are Zenith.”
We matched the chant, bowing our heads neatly before lifting them. Kim Dongseop, used to it, smiled and said,
“Ah, I know you guys. You’re blowing up these days.”
Kim Dongseop looked at me.
“This friend’s doing okay now?”
I smiled brightly and replied.
“Yes. Luckily, the injury didn’t spread.”
“Must’ve been rough for a rookie.”
Eh. Maybe because I’d gained so much from it, but if this buzz meant getting hurt again, I didn’t care if it was my back or somewhere else.
‘Only possible with the cheat, though.’
Kim Dongseop stood and extended his hand. We shook naturally.
‘Huh. He looks pale.’
I’d heard he was healthy? Bad condition maybe?
Even under makeup, dark circles shadowed his eyes.
Whether he knew my thoughts or not, Kim Dongseop gave the standard greeting.
“Looking forward to your stage today.”
“Thank you. We’ll do our best.”
Twenty years in broadcasting made a difference. Textbook-level courtesy in every intro and greeting.
We were just about to leave when the door burst open without a knock.
The guys I’d grown used to lately piled in.
‘Been a while.’
Hershey, minus the one who caused the scandal.
They spotted me and glared daggers. I smiled nonchalantly.
‘Same as ever.’
Even with one member on hiatus, no sign of reflection. You lot.
‘The agency did send an apology, though.’
A half-assed FAX apology. The chief director hadn’t reacted much, but I could see him grinding his teeth.
The Hershey guys shoved past us and bellowed their chant.
“Everyone, Hershey, Hershey! Alright, we’re here. Hello, we are Hershey!”
Ugh, ears ringing.
Kim Dongseop looked bewildered, forcing an awkward smile.
‘He probably doesn’t know about their screw-up.’
Still a hot topic. Not headline news, but it popped up on TV plenty.
“Ah, right. Hershey, huh.”
The redhead from Hershey said,
“Long time no see! Rest well back then?”
“That time you were resting! Thought you were done for!”
“I really thought you were a goner, hyung!”
What the hell?
‘So rudely clueless.’
Their manager’s face went ashen.
“Coming back from that! Like a phoenix!”
I quietly watched the MC. Kim Dongseop kept smiling.
‘Twenty years in, this stuff’s routine?’
Even post-prime, he wasn’t someone to take that from Hershey nobodies.
“Hyung! Saw your Insta! Yerin! Pfft, looks don’t matter. Personality’s key!”
“You’ve grown up, time to marry her off? With your illness, better hurry. Gotta recoup those wedding gifts quick. Grab anyone and tie the knot!”
“Yeah. Gotta hold hands at the banquet hall.”
Their idiocy escalated horrifically.
“Hahaha.”
Kim Dongseop still smiled. Fed up, I spoke up.
“We’ll head out now.”
Eyes turned to me. I smiled and bowed.
“See you at filming later.”
Kim Dongseop looked at me and said,
“Sure. Thanks for coming to greet me, but I’ve got some business to handle. Catch you all later.”
Telling Hershey to scram, classy.
‘Elegant dismissal.’
We greeted and left. Heading to the waiting room, a strong grip seized my arm.
Knew who it was.
I smiled brightly.
“Something you need?”
“You happy screwing us over?”
Anyone hearing would think I’d ordered him to pour water in oil.
About to reply, Hershey got shoved back. I gave a wry smile.
‘Lee Seungjun.’
The tall, broad-shouldered guy loomed over Hershey.
Lee Seungjun said nothing. Just glared.
‘Guy’s got sharp eyes.’
Like a samurai from a historical drama. Hershey started to say something but backed off, intimidated by the size.
‘Kinda jealous.’
Maybe I should bulk up my shoulders too. Once height maxes out, pointless beef like this might halve.
Then the manager stepped between us.
“This is a problem. Huh?”
“Who the hell are you, old man!”
“I’m the manager! So what?”
The manager slowly rolled his shoulders.
“I used to wrestle a bit back in the day? Don’t wanna snap your spine, keep hands off our kids?”
Why the sudden dialect?
Hershey glared at me then bolted. I grabbed the manager’s shoulder.
“You really did sports?”
“Yeah! Judo. Damn. Fixed my dialect, but it slips when I’m pissed. Hey, Dowon, you good?”
Ah.
‘Honestly wondered why such a solid guy’s managing, but that explains it.’
I rolled my shoulders as I said,
“I’m fine.”
“You got jumped clueless before, but not anymore. Damn kids and their attitudes.”
I chuckled.
‘Yeah, not anymore.’
Time for payback. How to screw them over?
But first, greetings.
“Oh, Manager. Thanks for having my back. Seungjun too.”
They both just blinked at the thanks.
Why that reaction?
“Uh, yeah.”
“Hey, ambitious punk. Managers protect singers, duh.”
Right.
‘Don’t really need protecting, though...’
“Look at his face. Doesn’t need it.”
“Doesn’t rely on anyone.”
Lee Seungjun whispered in my ear.
“Feeling left out?”
“Enough to feel left out?”
The stoic grizzly bear nodded. Absurd, I was about to say something when—
Kang Minje suddenly spoke.
“Hershey’s on thin ice now. Contract ends this year, right?”
“Yeah. Explains the desperation. No tomorrow for them.”
Oh boy.
“Hershey’s gonna cause more trouble.”
I crossed my arms and walked slowly.
“Huh? Nah. This ain’t Our Idol, y’know?”
“They will. Don’t wanna go down alone.”
Lee Seungjun grabbed my arm.
“No more getting hurt. Stick together.”
“I’m good. Won’t get hurt this time.”
Extra injuries here wouldn’t help. Didn’t want the fragile image or the PR hit.
‘Depends on Hershey, though...’
Didn’t seem like they’d play smart.
‘So one-track minded? Why pick a fight in the hallway? Members around, manager too.’
Plus staff passing by.
“Image already in the toilet, so no fear?”
“Pfft! Toilet, huh.”
Ki Jaeyoon suddenly cackled. I shook my head. What’s with him?
‘Guess I should prepare anyway.’
What moves would boost popularity more?
“This shoot’s gonna be fun.”
I smiled, but Yoo Hajin sighed deeply. Why? Leader looked needlessly tired.
***
I watched the monitor from the singers’ waiting room. The studio, packed with six teams, felt hotter under the lights.
I rubbed my elbow. Felt the bandage.
‘Better visible than an IV mark.’
Showed I tried hiding it.
A precaution sketch for Hershey.
Still a ways till the waiting room MC’s questions. I eyed Hershey. My dear seniors glared blatantly.
Whew, scary.
To respond, I gave an awkward smile.
‘Felt it before, but cameras rolling? No fear of edits?’
“Next up, the rising rookie group, Zenith.”
Ah, our turn.
Yoo Hajin’s chant followed.
“Ecstasy to you! One, two, three! Hello! We are Zenith!”
A senior clapped. The waiting room MC said, eyeing us,
“Such a handsome group.”
A female staffer up front suddenly covered her mouth, squeaking.
‘That so?’
Well, minus Ki Jaeyoon, we were all lookers.
“Cha Dowon, you’re Yumi’s man, right?”
Crazy.
‘One MV and one stage, and I’m Yumi’s guy?’
Had that rumor even started?
I smiled brightly.
“Ah, honored.”
“When’d you last see Yumi?”
Damn.
‘Is this a competition show or an entertainment gossip program?’
I answered honestly.
“Haven’t seen her since the concert. As you know, she’s busy.”
“Really?”
Persistent. I smiled wider.
“Yes. Next time I see her...”
Camera five zoomed on me. Knew without looking.
But oh well.
‘Nothing much.’
I looked at the waiting room MC. Greeted her, but blanked on the name.
‘Right, she’s subbing.’
Regular MC had the flu.
Silence hung thick. Then slowly,
“I’d say thanks. It was a great experience.”
The MC’s face twisted. Bummed no juicy bait?
“Hahaha! Got it. Zenith’s a new group, right?”
Now the leader, Yoo Hajin, fielded.
“Yes. Debuted a month ago.”
“You’re dominating charts. Even bumped me off.”
Ah.
‘So that’s the grudge.’
Didn’t know she was a singer. But she’d lose to someone else anyway.
Off-script, I said,
“Out of countless songs, getting known by the public is huge luck.”
Without that insane rain at debut, top charts would’ve been a pipe dream.
“Right! It rained! Zenith should thank the rain. Would’ve been tough without it.”
Look at this guy?
‘Thinks our rise is all rain’s fault.’
Super annoying. What to do?
I mulled answers. Classics worked best.
“Someday, I want recognition for skill alone.”