Musician with Firm Resolve (2)

Pre-interview questions from the other side of the computer screen flashed before my eyes.

Each question was sharp and relentless. It was clear the The Spotlight writers had burned the midnight oil brainstorming them.

"The real reason, huh..." I propped my chin on my hand and stared at the monitor.

The real reason was simple. Trauma from being tosagu-paeng in my previous life—tossed aside after serving my purpose—made me terrified of being cast out again in this one, so I ran away.

But I couldn't exactly say on TV, "Because I was a musician who died in my past life."

That should do it. I hit the final period, then the send button.

The transmission complete popup appeared, and out of habit, I pulled up the Mellon charts.

Three days straight already. The ranking I'd thought would fizzle out was holding #1 like concrete. The user count gap with #2 was only growing.

"This is seriously wild."

The fact that my voice was conquering speakers and earbuds across Korea still felt unreal.

The comments section was already a warzone. People were screaming for me to show my face, wondering if I was pulling some mysterious aura strategy. The hospital director's daughter rumor spread by Kim Taesung, plus cafe part-timer sightings, had poured gasoline on the fire—public thirst for me was hitting critical levels.

Finally, recording day arrived. I wrestled with the mirror from early morning.

Mom dropped her hospital work to rush into my room, spreading luxury clothes across the bed.

"Jiyeong-ah, how about this? It's your first TV appearance—you can't look intimidated."

"Mom, I'm not intimidated. And this is a talk show, not an awards ceremony."

In the end, I compromised on her recommendation: a crisp yet sleek white silk blouse paired with black slacks.

Before heading out, I grabbed the guitar case in the corner.

"I'm off."

"Okay, my girl! Fighting!"

With Mom's enthusiastic send-off, I climbed into the limo taxi.

On the way to Yeouido, every cafe window blasted my "On the Road". It seemed to leak from open car windows at stoplights, from students' earbuds on the street.

This is really... happening.

A tickle stirred in my chest. This scorching attention I'd craved but never grasped in my past life now lay before me like a natural gift.

The moment we pulled up to the MBS Broadcasting Station building, my breath caught.

"Look over there! That's Han Jiyeong, right?!"

"Whoa, she's gorgeous! A model?"

Reporters and fans swarming the entrance spotted me and rushed like a swarm of bees. Shutter sounds exploded like fireworks, flashes blinding me.

If station security hadn't rushed out to clear a path, I might not have even reached the lobby.

Finally in the elevator, the security guy next to me glanced over and muttered in awe.

"Whoa... she's way better in person than the articles."

I pretended not to hear, staring straight ahead. My heart raced a bit, but my face stayed the calmest, most aloof in the world.

Ding. We reached the studio floor, and waiting PD Choi Pilseung and staff barreled out barefoot-style.

"You're here, Jiyeong-ssi! No, Jiyeong-nim!"

Choi PD beamed, reaching for my hand but pulling back under my icy vibe.

"Thank you so much for coming. This is your exclusive waiting room—anything you need, just say the word!"

The door had a huge sign: [Guest: Han Jiyeong-nim].

I sank into the sofa, and makeup artists and stylists swarmed to check me over.

"Your skin's so flawless, no makeup needed?"

"Whoa, those lashes are insane. Extensions?"

Amid the praise, I stared at my reflection.

First time with full glam like this. Damn, I'm pretty.

Maybe even above Velvet Night's Ria. As I indulged in that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠delusion—

A voice from outside: "Han Jiyeong-ssi, mic check and rehearsal in 10!"

I rose slowly. My grip tightened on the guitar case.

"Let's go."

I strode toward the studio without hesitation.

This gathering spot for top girl group Velvet Night's fans was a total funeral atmosphere. Their title track Good Night—backed by billions in capital and all-out fandom assault—had been overtaken by some no-name's five-year-old song.

At first, everyone mocked it as hype. A lucky YouTube Short explosion, one-hit wonder.

But as user counts kept climbing instead of dropping, envy turned to malicious backlash.

Still, posts admitting the truth started slipping in.

The gallery exploded into chaos.

Trolls piled in on the confusion.

"What the hell is this crap?"

In the practice room corner, Ria slammed her smartphone down irritably.

"Ha... so ridiculous."

She panted roughly, sweeping back sweat-dampened bangs.

This new track Good Night was do-or-die for her. To solidify her center spot and claim top-tier status, Luminus had poured in billions.

Yet some no-name ex-singer civilian was flipping the table.

"Unnie, saw the article? That Han Jiyeong's recording The Spotlight today."

Member Mina ventured cautiously from the side.

That touched Ria's sore spot.

"I know. I already know."

That slot was originally hers. They'd coordinated with PD Choi Pilseung months ago for promo.

Then the station unilaterally notified: Sorry, Ria-ssi. This week's Han Jiyeong special. Push to next week.

"Push" my ass—it meant demoted priority.

Korea's hottest variety show ditching a top girl group idol for a washed-up singer from five years ago shredded Ria's pride.

Han Jiyeong...

"Just one year older than me, right?" Ria muttered low.

Twenty. Just blooming as an idol, yet her "older sis" by one year.

"Gonna crash TV too, huh..."

Ria snatched her phone again. The screen showed Han Jiyeong's back in the The Spotlight waiting room.

Fans swayed, charts pushed, now TV stolen. Every idol glory nibbled away by this one woman.

"Just wait. Live clips drop, they'll all be disappointed."

Ria denied reality, glaring at her mirror self. Live acapella's different. No matter the vibe, singers live by skill. No way a five-year hiatus hack matches a pro idol's stage presence.

But the unease blooming in her chest wouldn't settle.

Moments later, a new keyword hit SNS realtime trends.

Ria's eyes shook clicking it.

Han Jiyeong, guitar in hand, mid-song—perfect protagonist form, jealousy a luxury.

"...Beautiful."

Ria murmured unwittingly.