Soundup’s Spectacular Live – And a New Ride for Namhun
The studio lights dimmed. The LED screen on the stage flickered to life, and Candy Pop’s silhouettes appeared.
PD took a deep breath and checked his cue sheet again before whispering instructions to the staff.
“Everything ready? No sound issues?”
“Yes, sir. Everything is fine.”
His nerves were still on edge, though.
*Idols on the show? Is this even going to work?*
He had seen the rehearsal stage, but honestly, it wasn’t as polished as Namhun had claimed. He had put in 100 percent effort, yet the performance still felt a little shaky.
He glanced at Gang Yunmo without much care. Gang Yunmo’s expression remained cold, arms crossed.
“Let’s begin!”
The Candy Pop stage kicked off with the staff’s signal.
As the members stepped onto the stage and launched into the first verse, PD unconsciously turned to the monitor.
Crystal-clear, steady vocals right from the start—no mistakes, no tension. A solid opening.
He studied the members’ faces on the screen. Unlike other idol groups with live-performance drama, their expressions were natural and their movements smooth, as if this were a practice room instead of a live broadcast stage.
When they reached the chorus, the melody and chorus swelled, filling the entire space.
PD felt sweat bead on his fingertips. This was worlds better than rehearsal.
“This… is going to go viral.”
He muttered without meaning to.
* * *
When Candy Pop first stepped onto the stage, the audience reaction was lukewarm.
‘Idols showing up for Soundup? They actually going to be good?’
But the moment the first verse began, the atmosphere shifted. The clear, powerful vocals filled the studio, and soft gasps rippled through the crowd.
“Whoa, is this really live?”
“Voice is insane.”
Midway through, the members seamlessly transitioned to their parts, and every note blended perfectly. One by one, mouths fell open in awe.
When the chorus hit, excited cheers erupted from all sides.
“This high note is insane!”
The song ended, but a moment of silence stretched.
Candy Pop’s faces shone with confident smiles as they finished their set.
* * *
– Idol group Candy Pop stunned the music fans with an unforgettable live performance on Gang Yunmo’s Soundup.
– Although the idea of idols appearing on a public-broadcast program sparked worry, Candy Pop’s flawless rendition of “PANG, PANG!” erased every doubt in an instant.
– After the stage, Gang Yunmo bowed his head and said, “I learned today that I held wrong prejudices about idols. I sincerely apologize.”
– Candy Pop’s performance immediately topped real-time search rankings on major portals and won over the entire public.
* * *
Star Frame reporter Song Mira called Namhun after reading the article.
“Thank you for writing such a positive piece, reporter.”
“It’s my honor. Thanks to the advance info you gave me, I secured the exclusive.”
“Hehe, really?”
“Yes. Namhun-ssi, I owe you. Next time, let me treat you to a proper meal.”
“Looking forward to it.”
After hanging up, Namhun smiled.
Gang Yunmo’s advice about networking with reporters had paid off exactly as planned.
The moment Soundup’s appearance was confirmed, he contacted Song Mira. The result was chaos.
The Soundup viewer forum, internet communities—everywhere was buzzing.
But Candy Pop had delivered on every promise.
The public opinion had completely flipped. Soundup’s nationwide reach had been unstoppable.
* * *
After Soundup’s success, Namhun headed to D-Sync’s office.
“You’re here?”
The staff’s lively expressions and quick footsteps had changed the atmosphere.
CEO Kim Changsu smiled brightly when he saw Namhun.
“Oh my! Namhun-ssi, you’re here? Wait, now it should be Teacher Namhun, right?”
Namhun waved off the exaggerated joke and laughed.
“Don’t, seriously.”
“Hahaha! If I could, I’d carry you around the company!”
Kim Changsu leaned back with a wide smile. The warmth in his eyes was genuine.
“I’m glad it worked out.”
“If it weren’t for you, we would have been in real trouble. The company would have been reeling for a while.”
Kim Changsu looked at him seriously.
“But… you’re starting debut prep, right?”
Namhun paused at the sudden question.
“Not yet. I’m following around at events to learn.”
“I see. Makes sense. You’re strong in the field.”
“Yeah. It’s like I have to learn by getting thrown into the deep end.”
“Anyway, when you debut, if you need help, let me know—I can pitch in.”
“Help? What kind of help?”
Namhun tilted his head.
“For the album prep, when you get a commission from our agency, we can get bulk discounts. Good designers can be found cheaply, or we can outsource internally at a discount.”
Kim Changsu replied seriously.
“You think I’d take advantage of you like this? No way. This is the least I can do.”
Namhun nodded awkwardly.
“If you say it like that, I don’t know what else to say.”
“Exactly. Good thinking.”
Suddenly, Kim Changsu added, “Oh, right. The real gift is separate. I’ll tell you later.”
“Gift?”
“Yes. You’ll find out soon. Let’s go eat with Candy Pop. They’ve been dying to see your face.”
* * *
After Soundup, Candy Pop became busier than ever, taking on a string of schedules.
Kim Changsu’s quiet request was clear: if similar opportunities arose, he would help.
A week passed in a blur.
“You had to come after me. It’s a shame.”
Seong Yujin’s voice carried disappointment. The couple had planned to attend the couple’s housewarming, but Soundup prep forced them to skip.
“Even my surprise guest was really disappointed.”
She never revealed who it was.
“You’ll find out later.”
Monday arrived.
Namhun headed back to the circular studio for more practice.
Inside the building, a familiar face waited, sitting opposite the circular arrangement.
“You’re here? Sit down.”
Circular waved him over.
“Sign here.”
“Sign? What is this?”
The stranger smiled.
“Vehicle contract.”
“Vehicle contract?”
“Changsu said it’s a gift. It’s a Carnival Hybrid—no gasoline worries. Full option, so just sign and you’re good.”
“I see. President Kim will handle the rest.”
The man was from a leasing company Kim Changsu had business with.
Kim Changsu had heard about the car purchase and, in return for this opportunity, used his network to gift it outright.
“Just fill out the contract and we’ll deliver the car immediately.”
After practice, a white Carnival Hybrid sat waiting in front of the building.
Namhun hesitated for a long moment before driving home in the new car instead of his ten-year-old Ecus.
“…Technology has really advanced.”
On paper, the Ecus was still superior, but ten years was a long time.
Carrying the kids or handling schedules was far more convenient now.
Of course, he had no intention of selling his beloved Ecus.
“I need to make time to go somewhere with the kids.”
Riding the new car gave him a completely fresh feeling.
* * *
The ones truly starting over were not Namhun, but the three new artists at Onjeong Entertainment.
“Hey. Jeong Jaemin’s kids are debuting soon.”
“Oh, really? Songs finished already?”
“Yeah. Almost done. Recording’s wrapped. Follow them around and soak up the industry. Se-ryeon is the rare case of the composer pouring money into her. The others are starting from absolute zero.”
Namhun nodded. Who else would trot singers be debut-ready but Se-ryeon?
No one else had the funds to invest. Trot was different for male and female singers.
“Got it.”
“Especially Bang-gun. He’s full of tricks to teach you. Guy never took a break in ten years.”
* * *
Onjeong Entertainment’s first floor in Cheongdam-dong.
Inside Hanmaru restaurant, Jeong Jaemin and the three new artists sat together.
“Hey, you’re here.”
Jeong Jaemin waved.
“Everyone rested well?”
They had already visited the salon; their hair and makeup were flawless.
“First event, so everyone looked perfect. Unrecognizable.”
“Really? Do I look okay?”
“Yes. The light is blinding. I should have brought sunglasses.”
“Eek!”
Woo Yeonjeong laughed heartily at Namhun’s teasing.
Jeong Jaemin offered chopsticks.
“Stop with the nonsense and eat your breakfast. Today’s going to be tough.”
“Understood. But you didn’t hire a manager? I heard you’re driving yourself.”
“It’s the beginning. I have to protect what matters. I’ll get one soon. My father is looking into it. I don’t know the trot side well, so I’m looking for a reliable manager-level person.”
Although Jeong Jaemin knew the entertainment world, trot was another planet entirely.
“That’s smart.”
“Yeah. Anyway, switch shifts sometimes. Today we have to cover almost the entire country, so doing it alone would be too much.”
Namhun’s role today was the three singers’ full-time road manager.
Switching with Jeong Jaemin, driving them around Honam, Gyeongsang, and Gangwon, then returning to Seoul.
He wouldn’t perform on stage, but for three singers each doing three shows, it was the perfect chance to use his illusion ability while gaining indirect experience.