Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Immortal Songs (2)
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Soon it would be, but anyway.
As soon as I gave the textbook answer, the waiting room MC's face twisted.
Pissed that I didn't take the bait, huh, you punk?
There were no more questions. Then another MC jumped right in.
“This competition song was arranged by a member, right?”
It was Yoo Hajin's turn to speak again.
“Yes. Most of our songs are arranged by Zenith's Minje.”
The camera turned to Kang Minje. Like the sly fox he was, Kang Minje smiled as if he might melt away.
“Oh, you're also the composer of Vita's 'I Am Me'?”
The waiting room buzzed for a moment.
'What, you didn't know?'
Well, it wasn't widely known yet.
'Before my regression, this guy's genius was pushed as the group's entire image.'
Ridiculously, that alone had kept them going.
The sly fox kept smiling as he said,
“Yes. I got lucky.”
“What? This group? Rookies, and not messing around! With a member who writes and composes themselves, and even an acting genius!”
Ah, damn it.
If fans call it that and now the MC says it on broadcast, what then? It wouldn't matter if I were a real acting genius, but I'm not.
'Well, maybe having one more genius is better for the group image.'
It did make them look incredibly classy. Plus, with Yoo Hajin and Lee Seungjun's visuals added in, it somehow seemed plausible.
“We're really looking forward to this competition. Zenith!”
“Thank you.”
The interview soon moved to the next team. I let out a small breath. I managed with appropriate reactions, but now it was Hush's turn.
“Hush, it's been a while.”
“Yes! Hello! It's Hush, back on Immortal Songs after a long time!”
Hush was one short, but still the same.
'Why did they cast those guys?'
No way.
A thought flashed through my mind.
'Broadcast station bastards...'
The 'Our Idols' incident had been somewhat of a hot topic. Most people in broadcasting would know, even if others didn't.
'Normally, they wouldn't schedule us together.'
Even if they did, we'd avoid it.
But this show was different?
'They deliberately cast Hush as a substitute for ratings.'
Broadcast station bastards, I knew they were sleazy, but these guys were something else.
'I'd watch too if I were a viewer.'
How fun would the rivalry be.
I quietly smiled.
'But it can't just benefit you guys.'
Whatever you take from us, I need to climb up that much too.
Regardless of my thoughts, the Hush interview continued.
“What's Hush's determination?”
“We really want to beat one team.”
Us?
All of Hush looked our way. Then camera five turned toward me again. Oh, gotta look good.
I deliberately smiled with a troubled expression.
The waiting room MC immediately shouted!
“The waiting room heat is intense!”
“So how about Zenith? What's Zenith's determination?”
Yoo Hajin couldn't answer easily. I spoke toward the camera.
“We just want to show the viewers a great stage. The competition result isn't important. There are so many amazing people here. Just being able to perform Senior Yang Isuk's song is a huge honor.”
That's what I said, but winning would be even better.
Whether it was the right answer, everyone's expressions softened except Hush's.
What to do. It felt like bonus points from the seniors?
The waiting room MC, who wanted drama, looked disappointed.
That was when the director finally called cut.
Yoo Hajin leaned in close and whispered.
“You did well.”
“What? By the way, they're asking stuff not even in the script.”
“Feels like they're trying to trap us, right?”
I chuckled. It definitely wasn't the Immortal Songs atmosphere I remembered.
'Something must've happened.'
It felt somehow hectic and chaotic.
“Well, we can't just storm out.”
Kang Minje looked at me. I whispered even softer.
“You don't turn down a fight that's come to you. Especially when it's obvious they'll crash and burn.”
Yoo Hajin sighed even deeper.
“I never thought debut would mean dealing with this stuff.”
Oh dear.
“Sorry for dragging you into this, hyung.”
“Well, now that we've experienced it, I get it. You have your reasons. And those reasons never harm us.”
You know it well. As expected of the leader.
“It's just...”
Yoo Hajin patted my shoulder.
“You surprise me so much sometimes I need some uhwang cheongsim pills. Warn me before you drop a bomb next time, maknae.”
The leader, not even a month into debut, had the face of an enlightened monk.
“I'll stock up in advance.”
Ah, I felt a bit sorry. Did I drag him into this unnecessarily?
'Well, if I'd left him alone back then, no guarantee, no Zenith leader position.'
Then isn't being Zenith's leader way better?
I chuckled and stood up. The stage was about to start.
***
“The third stage is Hush.”
Hush, with all different hair colors, stood up. They didn't forget to glare at me as they left the waiting room.
After about ten minutes, Hush appeared on the monitor.
'I felt it from their outfits, but they really went for cute.'
Even as sixth-year idols, they were still young.
'But what's that?'
Was it the weird expressions or the choreography?
'Looks like old men pathetically trying to be cute.'
I could tolerate a lot, but the white bear doll and winking cutely was hard to stomach.
'Even girl idols get mixed reactions for that, and Hush doing it?'
Now they were even shaking their hips.
'Ah, I don't want to live like that.'
It was a shocking concept. Afraid my eyes would rot if I kept watching, I looked around. The other singers watching the monitor had similar expressions to mine.
'Then how's the original singer, who's supposed to say nice things?'
The screen hadn't cut to them yet. I glanced at Kang Minje.
He was covering his mouth, looking pained.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Cute gone wrong always reeks of stale.”
Of course, theirs smelled way too rotten.
I shook my head, and Ki Jaeyoon whispered.
“Our scrapped stage wasn't that bad.”
Of course not. Ki Jaeyoon shuddered.
“Bear doll bag? What era relic is that?”
“Trends come back around. They just embraced the era too soon.”
Far in the future, it actually did come back.
Fortunately, the stage ended. The original singer's disappointed face filled the screen.
'Feels insulted, huh.'
I rested my chin and watched the monitor again. Hush's score popped up immediately.
Oh my.
Ridiculously low.
'They've become legends.'
Because they were that bad.
Before competing with us, they should've reviewed the concept.
They bounced off pathetically. The seasoned MC drew again, and our name lit up on the board.
'Perfect timing.'
I grinned and stood. Maybe because the opponent self-destructed, I felt great.
Yoo Hajin said in the hallway.
“Let's do well, us!”
I grinned back.
“We can't help but do well.”
Ki Jaeyoon asked.
“Why?”
“We've got a music genius and an acting genius. You dance well, and our company's financially solid. Ki Jaeyoon, do you really think our skills are lacking?”
Ki Jaeyoon shook his head immediately.
“Anyone not in top condition today?”
I made eye contact with each member. Fortunately, they all shook their heads.
“Then we can't help but do well, right?”
I just stated the truth, but everyone went quiet.
“Pfft!”
Yoo Hajin covered his mouth and laughed first. Then, strangely contagious, everyone turned away laughing.
Yoo Hajin grabbed my shoulder.
“Our maknae, you always surprise me.”
What? These reactions.
'No way they were all nervous?'
Is Immortal Songs that intimidating? Isn't it just a variety show? This is a problem.
'We have Billboard to conquer too.'
Yoo Hajin grinned.
“Like Dowon said. We can't help but do well...”
The stage came into view. The leader dusted off his clothes.
“Let's do well.”
Dizzying lights came down. I went to my rehearsal spot. Cheers erupted from the audience who'd been sitting forever.
A dizzying signal in my head.
'Stage.'
In that moment, the world faded away. As the music flowed, my body moved as practiced.
Kang Minje's clear voice came through the earpiece.
'The original was a ballad.'
Not acoustic guitar, but classical guitar. I didn't know the difference, but the kid was serious.
'But we're idols.'
This stage was completely disadvantageous for us. We were performance-oriented, not a vocal-heavy group.
'So we arrange in our own way.'
Soften the dance lines, flow the movements like water. Give grand harmony, use classical instruments freely.
Yoo Hajin's voice rang out.
-Wandering, I sing again.
Soon Lee Seungjun's heavy rap narrated.
-I love you.
Grand music exploded. We danced in formation, organizing positions. Since it was a static song, the choreo was endlessly busy.
I steadied my breath and started my part.
-If you weren't in this world, I'd close my eyes~
The audience's eyes showed surprise and thrill. I knew right then.
'Success.'
The gathering gazes felt good. The lights' brightness and breaths made my head spin with excitement.
Why are stages so short?
'I never want to leave.'
But regretfully, the song ended. We panted in the ending pose. Kang Minje finished his last part and caught his breath.
No applause from the audience. I looked away from the camera toward them, and only then faint claps from the corner.
'What?'
Then cheers erupted like they'd been waiting. I stood and looked at the audience. An elderly couple in their sixties smiled brightly.
'Real success?'
Cheers wouldn't stop. We bowed again. MC Kim Dongseop smiled at us.
“It was Zenith. Side note, but...”
Kim Dongseop looked at me.
“My daughter's favorite group these days. She used to say she'd marry her dad, but now she just stares at her smartphone.”
Laughter burst from the audience.
“Didn't know why, but seeing this stage, I get it. Brilliant. Zenith!”
Wow.
'Not the guy who says we're not that good.'
Well, praise always feels good. We bowed in thanks again.
Kim Dongseop transitioned smoothly.
“How did the legendary composer of this song see it?”
The composer who'd looked at Hush disappointedly wiped tears.
'Huh?'
So sensitive?
“I'm shocked. I had prejudices about idols, but truly shocked. At my age, rethinking music's sincerity.”
N-No need to go that far.
“Such a brilliant arrangement! Who arranged it?”
We all looked at Kang Minje. A staffer quickly handed him the mic. Kang Minje smiled.
“Me.”
The original lowered the mic, inhaling deeply. Audio was distant, but cameras captured it all.
“Wow! Truly, truly impressive. Our juniors are amazing.”
As the original's comments ended, applause rose again.
'We did well, but is it that moving?'
I recalled the 'program's purpose.'
'Ah, we're their distant juniors.'
Then generosity makes sense.
'With things like this, our job is set.'
I kept bowing.
'Act humble.'
If it looks like attitude toward this generation, even better.