Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: This Life is Space Star
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“Wow, he’s handsome.”
“What agency did you say they’re from?”
No fancy techniques, just solid singing.
Unlike Wang Ji-ho, who had exuded a fresh charm just moments ago, this one gave off a somehow seasoned and relaxed vibe.
I’m right here
Come to me, come to me
Why won’t you come?
At least say something to me
If the first part was meant to grab attention, the second part was for conveying emotion.
Plus, with hardly any high notes, it was perfect for Seon Wooju, whose skills hadn’t fully peaked yet.
The emotions built gradually as the song swelled.
I can’t even wait anymore
But you have no intention of coming
As it hit the highlight, Seon Wooju quickly stepped to the side.
Finally, the main vocalist took the stage.
Seo Ri-hyuk grabbed the mic and moved to center stage.
My love, where are you?
I’ve wandered these years searching for you
Let’s at least hold hands
His skill level was on another plane from the others who’d sung before.
Everyone listening was awestruck.
The vocals captured both the pathos and the trendy feel perfectly.
And while the main vocalist sang, the other members backed him up solidly like dancers.
Five people, but their performance filled the stage completely.
Meanwhile, Jang Sowon let out an exclamation.
“Wow, who arranged this?”
“Why?”
“Oppa, don’t you hear it? The song’s tone is shifting right now.”
Yoon Chan-hyeok, who’d been listening closely, soon widened his eyes.
It had clearly started as a trot tune, but before he knew it, the tone had changed.
The vibe was shifting toward mainstream pop.
Was that why?
Even as the main vocalist belted the trot chorus, the distinct trot flavor had noticeably faded.
The gradual change made it feel perfectly natural.
Symbolizing that shift, as the first verse ended, the rest of the members retreated to the back, and the rapper stepped forward.
A heavy rap delivered in a deep, low voice.
The one who stayed with me in hard times
I was always sorry
Couldn’t buy you a single thing
That’s what my heart regretted
I wanted to show you a proud side of me
Even if it’s not a big gift
This version of me on stage
I hope it stays in your heart
Thanks to his precise pronunciation, Kim Jung-hyun’s rap came through crystal clear.
Words for his parents.
Every parent in the audience broke into warm smiles.
Gratitude to those who stood by them.
That was the theme chosen by Lemon Entertainment’s five trainees.
Thanks to the parents and siblings who came to watch their stage—that was what they wanted to express.
This song you love
prepare for you
So, Let me tell you something
The one thing we want to say
A brief tempo slowdown.
Kim Jung-hyun wrapped up his rap with a bright smile.
Thank you, and I love you
The song kicked back in.
It wasn’t the trot from the first verse anymore, but people were so immersed they didn’t even notice.
“Hey? Isn’t that my song?”
Jang Sowon’s eyes went wide.
It was her debut single, With You, in a dance version.
As soon as the rap ended, the five members surged forward and started dancing.
At the center was none other than Kim Bi-ju.
Boyish looks contrasted with high-difficulty choreography.
The impact of that gap drew gasps from the audience.
Thanks and thank you
Folding up these grateful feelings
Into a letter
So open your heart
Unlike the first verse, the 20- and 30-somethings reacted to this one.
The upbeat rhythm in the backing track created a fun, exciting atmosphere.
The second verse flowed just as masterfully as the first.
Then, as the chorus wrapped and it transitioned to the third verse via the bridge.
The gentle backing track began to build.
Like slow-rolling waves, their synchronized finger movements continued in perfect formation.
Even non-dancers could tell how much effort they’d poured into perfecting that one move.
And then.
Just as the backing track crested and was about to explode.
Seon Wooju, dancing at the edge, moved slowly against the flow.
But picking up speed.
His accelerating legs moved fluidly down to the floor.
Sliding gracefully, Seon Wooju’s body glided like a dolphin slicing through water, slipping low before rising to the center.
Silent gasps erupted from all around.
* * *
The most nerve-wracking move was over, and relief washed over me.
We nailed it.
Tension eased.
I’d been stamping my feet in worry about messing up, but we pulled it off flawlessly.
It felt like ten-year-old indigestion finally clearing.
The others felt the same.
They’d trusted me, but deep down, they’d been anxious about my slip-ups.
Team New Black’s vibe shifted.
Everyone was finally relaxed now.
Their softened expressions and smoother dance lines proved it.
This was fun.
There are stages like that midway through.
Ones that exceed rehearsals.
Pushing past 100 percent to 120 percent, leaving you sorry when the song ends.
It wasn’t just me—everyone regretted it ending.
I could tell without words.
They were pouring everything into the remaining time.
And in my heart, something began to change too.
We’d practiced nearly a month, but an invisible wall had lingered between me and the members.
This stage finally tore it down.
Or more precisely, everyone’s walls crumbled.
A shared love for music and dance.
United in that, we unleashed the final part.
Thanks and thank you
Folding up these grateful feelings
Into a letter
So open your heart
As Seo Ri-hyuk—no, Ri-hyuk—sang the chorus, I danced my heart out.
Like it was the last time.
As if we’d never stand on stage again.
Even the slightest movements synced perfectly, down to our fingertips, until we finally closed out the performance.
Panting atop the stage, we stood there.
“…….”
Two seconds of silence, then applause erupted.
Not thunderous.
Honestly, it wasn’t some legendary stage.
But it was a good one.
If you had to pick the best from this year-end evaluation, it’d be us, no question.
But right now, the reaction didn’t matter.
We’d gained something else.
Having poured out everything from practice, we looked at each other and smiled.
Just felt good.
Couldn’t put it into words.
Relief?
Joy?
An overwhelming chest-bursting feeling. Like we could do anything, together.
Spotting Grandma in the midsection seats, I flashed a bright smile.
Grandma.
I’m right here.
* * *
“You did great! So great.”
Madam Kim Deok-soon, clapping with teary eyes, made Yoon Seok-hwan smile as he watched.
“How is it, Grandmother? Your grandson sings well, right?”
“Ahem.”
Snapping back as her grandson left the stage, she cleared her throat.
“Well, he’s not bad. Could handle a national singing contest or something.”
“You were loving it just now.”
“Of course I was! Wouldn’t you be, Manager-nim?”
“Yes, I’m thrilled too.”
Yoon Seok-hwan added.
“Didn’t expect them to pull it off this well.”
He’d worried about a repeat of the first-half evaluation mistakes, but they’d made those fears look foolish.
‘Good job, kids.’
He applauded sincerely.
* * *
Street Boys looked drained after our stage, like their energy got sucked out.
Mentally half-broken from the start.
-Hello...
-Hello! We are Street Boys!
Even their greeting was off-sync.
They’d rehearsed hard—no mistakes—but the stage felt flat.
Maybe they were hyper-aware of our crowd-pleasing performance.
Hip-hop and rock blends need confidence, but theirs felt lacking.
In the end, New Black from Lemon Entertainment naturally took first in the 2013 year-end evaluation.
* * *
“Executive Director! We got first!”
-Good job, kids.
Showing off the cheap trophy, Jo Kyu-hwan on video call grinned proudly.
The maknae, face flushed, yelled.
“Buy us meat! Meat!”
-Tell the CEO. He’ll treat you today.
He chuckled.
-Anyway, congrats, and great work today, kids.
Soon, the CEO arrived, in high spirits, laughing loudly and promising a team dinner.
Family reunion time too.
“Grandma!”
Spotting her, I ran over and hugged her tight.
“Let go, you rascal!”
“Just a bit longer. I missed your grandma scent so much.”
“Eegoo.”
Grumbling, she patted my back.
Grabbing her shoulders, I looked up with sparkling eyes.
“How was it? I did great, right?”
“Well. Y-yeah… you did.”
“What? Couldn’t hear.”
“Agh! You did great!”
Jeez, startled me.
We were all chatting with families, but our members stuck together.
Dunno why.
Just wanted to be together now, I guess.
Looking at each other felt good, lips twitching into smiles.
“Great work, everyone.”
“You too, hyung.”
Bi-ju smiled.
“Man, when we started with trot, I was so worried, but...”
“Godsend move.”
“Yeah, total godsend.”
“Great job, hyung.”
“Nah, you guys worked hard.”
We five were in a who-can-say-the-most-cringe contest when...
An unexpected third party jumped in.
“Hello.”
Seeing who wedged between us, we all froze.
A beauty with a coat draped over her shoulders.
Sharp eyes, but a charming smile—singer Jang Sowon, looking at us.
“Uh, hello! Sunbae-nim!”
“Hello.”
Exuding poise, she was the original artist of the song we’d covered.
Like Jesus showing up at a weekend church camp—we were stunned.
“Great stage. Fun arrangement.”
“Thank you!”
I bowed 90 degrees, and the others quickly followed like a wave.
“Aigoo, my ears. Just relax.”
“No, no.”
“Just came to say I enjoyed it. Felt right to thank you as the original artist.”
Jang Sowon smiled, scanning us.
Eyes like a predator eyeing prey.
“Anyway, who arranged it? Didn’t seem like company work—looked DIY.”
I raised my hand.
“I did.”
“Really? You did it yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Nice.”
She glanced around.
“Was gonna give you my number—who’s the leader?”
“Leader? We haven’t...”
Picked one yet, I started to say, but blinked.
The other four were nodding toward me.
Jang Sowon gave a knowing look.
“You’re the leader, huh? Figures.”
She scribbled her number on a Post-it and handed it over.
“Here. My contact.”
“Why us?”
“Prepping a collab single right now. Looking for a featured vocalist.”
“With us?”
We exchanged looks.
Was Jang Sowon seriously proposing a collab?
“Think it over. Talk to your company.”
“Y-yes.”
“I’ll wait.”
Waving a finger-gun call me, she smiled and turned away.
We bowed deeply to her retreating back.
“Jackpot.”
As she left, everyone crowded me.
Members stared at the number like it was a wedding ring, swallowing hard.
And others around were watching us.
“Hey, Seon Wooju!”
Someone grabbed my shoulder.
Seok-hwan hyung, face lit up, alternated glances between me and the departing Jang Sowon.
“You just—wait, another singer proposed a collab, right?”
“...Uh? Yeah.”
“You brilliant kid!”
Seok-hwan hyung seemed thrilled at the free promo, then suddenly hugged me.
“Ugh, get off!”
My frantic shove drew laughs from everyone around.
Nice-sounding laughs.