Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: This Life is Space Star 5
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Lemon Entertainment’s producer had said it.
“We’ve found him, the final member.”
The moment he heard those words, our Yoon Seok-hwan reportedly felt chills run down his entire body.
Because the person Executive Director Jo Kyu-hwan had zeroed in on was someone whose contact info he even had on hand.
“I was totally shocked. Isn’t it amazing?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“Your reaction seems a bit lukewarm, though?”
I explained to Yoon Seok-hwan, who wondered why my face wasn’t brighter.
“You might feel differently since you know Executive Director Jo Kyu-hwan personally, but as a third party, it sounds a little off to me.”
“What does?”
“Honestly, it’s just... I could buy the fortune teller stuff matching so well, but suddenly spotting someone on TV and picking them out like that? Isn’t it weird?”
“It’s not unheard of. You know those casting stories for famous actors? Casting directors track people down to their high schools off a brief news interview appearance.”
“...I guess so.”
While we talked, the meat ran out before we knew it.
As the restaurant lady brought out soybean paste stew and rice bowls, I sank into my own thoughts for a moment.
As I opened the lid of the rice bowl, he spoke up.
“That’s the backstory. So, what’ll you do?”
“Huh?”
“The audition. You coming to watch or not?”
My hesitant reaction must have caught his eye, because Seok-hwan hyung reassured me.
“Just come casually and check it out. They know you took two years off from practice, so they’re not expecting any grand skills.”
“Oh, that’s not why I’m hesitating.”
The reason I hesitated was something else.
This ability from the concussion might only last for the day.
It could just as easily go ‘poof, trial period over’ a few days later, so I had to approach it carefully.
That’s why I smiled and replied.
“I’ll go.”
“Really? I’ll tell the company that for now.”
“But I have one condition.”
“Condition?”
I said it to him as he eagerly started typing a text.
“I need some time.”
“What’s going on?”
“There’s something I need to monitor for a few days. I’ll head over once it’s sorted.”
Curiosity flickered in Seok-hwan hyung’s eyes, but he seemed resolved not to pry further.
* * *
After the college entrance exam ended, I monitored things for two weeks.
Fortunately, nothing happened.
The ability that emerged that day had settled in like a familiar guest and showed no signs of vanishing easily. Once I had some confidence, I set the audition date.
Even so, practice time was short.
A lot had happened in those two weeks.
-Teen Who Saved Elderly Man in 70s Receives Police Commendation
-KG Group Donates 30 Million Won to ‘Gahyeon-dong Hero’
-HyperStudy Sponsors One Year of Free Online Classes for Heroic Exam-Taker
I stuck out my tongue at the articles on my smartphone screen.
Broadcasting is powerful.
Just one news appearance, and sponsorship offers poured in from everywhere.
The country’s top exam prep company gave free online class access, and KG Group sent 30 million won.
30 million won.
Seeing an amount rivaling an average salaryman’s annual pay hit my account made my jaw drop.
Weird ability aside, plus sponsorship money.
In a way, missing the exam turned out better.
I recalled the proud feeling when I wired the entire 30 million to Grandma.
She said it was fine but eventually took it, pretending to give in.
Our Madam Kim Deok-soon just isn’t honest.
Ding-dong.
I switched screens at the messenger notification.
KingGodKimDeoksoon [Exam,, did well]
KingGodKimDeoksoon [Humbly. No arrogance]
KingGodKimDeoksoon [Emoticon]
I chuckled at the ‘fighting’ emoticon of a headbanded figure clenching a fist.
I sent back a cute reply and pocketed my phone.
This was a back alley in Sinsa-dong.
Where Lemon Entertainment’s building was located.
Following the phone map, I glanced at my outfit in a building’s glass window midway.
Blue jeans, gray coat, and scarf.
Internet-recommended interview attire.
I smoothed my sprayed hair and flashed a smile.
First impressions: check.
All that was left was the real deal.
A bit further down the road, Lemon Entertainment’s building came into view.
An ordinary five-story structure.
Black sign with a lemon drawing and yellow letters spelling Lemon Entertainment.
As I was about to call Seok-hwan hyung before going in.
“Seon Wooju-ssi?”
A pleasant mid-low voice called out.
A man holding a takeout coffee.
Tall and sharp in his coat, model-worthy fit.
“Yes, that’s me, but... who might you be?”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jo Kyu-hwan. You heard through Manager Yoon, right?”
“Oh, yes. Hello.”
Manners first.
I bowed politely.
“I’m Seon Wooju. Please take care of me.”
“Take care of you? If anything, I should be saying that.”
Executive Director Jo Kyu-hwan smiled softly.
I’d imagined a moody artist holed up composing, given his genius songwriter rep, but nope—total opposite.
More like a slick company man.
Least fitting for a fortune teller vibe.
Handsome, sure, but his features oddly evoked a Tibetan fox.
He said.
“Must’ve been startling, huh? Calling you in for an audition out of the blue.”
“Yeah, a bit.”
“Honestly, it’s rare for me too. Spotting someone and thinking, ‘this is the one’ doesn’t happen often.”
“An honor.”
I added with a smile.
“But I’ll need the skills to live up to it.”
“No pressure at all. This spot’s about potential, not current skill.”
Smiling softly, Executive Director Jo Kyu-hwan added as if remembering something.
“Oh, right—forgot your gift.”
“A gift?”
“Felt like we’d run into each other, so I got you one too.”
He handed me the paper cup coffee.
“Here’s to working well together.”
“You too.”
“I’ll head in first, so take your time. We’ll come down to the basement practice room where we’re waiting.”
Striding off on those long legs like he was showing them off, Director Jo went ahead.
I took the coffee with an awkward smile.
Coffee was one of two drinks I couldn’t handle, along with booze.
Too much caffeine made my heart race like crazy.
But when I opened the lid, I blinked at the contents.
...Huh?
The rising steam carried a cocoa scent.
Hot cocoa.
My go-to drink.
Just a lucky guess, I thought, but Seok-hwan hyung’s fortune teller mention made it feel uncanny.
Like being bewitched by a fox spirit.
Eh, coincidence.
Gulping the cocoa, I found the basement practice room.
Only one door open, easy to spot.
While waiting for staff to come down, I looked around and let out a low whistle.
‘A dog in a private school for three years recites poetry.’ A quick scan gave me the gist.
Practice room.
Checking the setup here is key.
As the saying goes, one glance reveals ten—the room shows the company’s spending.
Everything here was top-tier latest gear.
This setup had to be top 1%.
Generous trainee support, apparently. Glad I came for the audition.
If the company folks like me too, perfect.
As I thought that, company staff started filing in.
One headed straight for me.
“Nice to meet you.”
Bald with glasses, middle-aged—the most likable face I’d seen.
Faint Busan dialect in his speech.
“I’m Lemon Entertainment CEO Park Gyu-ho. Must’ve been a trek getting here. From Gunsan, right?”
“Yes. Please take care of me.”
“Good. Let’s have a great time today.”
CEO Park smiled warmly and gestured to a seat.
Once seated, he introduced the panel one by one.
Executive Director Jo Kyu-hwan.
Manager Yoon Seok-hwan.
Rookie Development Team Leader.
Vocal Trainer.
Dance Trainer.
Their evaluating gazes tensed me up briefly, but I took a deep breath and relaxed.
“Shall we begin?”
First up: camera test.
Checking for so-called camera shine.
Even beauties look different on TV vs. real life.
This confirmed it.
Striking poses and expressions, old memories surfaced.
Elementary school days?
TJ audition round 3 camera test—how’d that go?
Probably like now...
“Wow, excellent.”
CEO Park said admiringly.
“Great in person and on camera. No surprise from TJ’s notoriously tough auditions.”
The panel nodded in agreement.
As expected, camera test: pass without question.
Their satisfied faces proved it.
The Rookie Development Team Leader especially savored it like I was prime beef.
Visuals plus my unique history, probably.
“Unique note: army sergeant full term discharge?”
“Yes, enlisted right after turning adult. Discharged just before the exam.”
“No service issues then?”
Everyone approved—no activity gaps from military.
I smiled and nodded along.
With trusted fortune teller Executive Director Jo Kyu-hwan’s casting, it felt like an inside track.
But no relaxing yet.
Things always went well up to here.
Other companies too.
Initial interest in my face or voice faded with dance.
That trauma dried my mouth.
This time’ll be fine.
I clenched my fist thinking that.
* * *
Short break.
Cameras reset, panel eyed the applicant expectantly.
Seon Wooju.
21 this year.
Unique: 6 years TJ Entertainment trainee, army sergeant full discharge.
And... handsome.
Words CEO Park Gyu-ho actually jotted down.
The type turning heads on the street, or getting free food/umbrella from staff on rainy days.
Timeless appeal over trendy.
Youthfully boyish too.
Made sense enduring 6 TJ years despite dance issues, but visuals begged why idol over modeling?
“Ready to hear your song?”
“Yes.”
“What’ll it be?”
“Jang Sowon’s Red Moon.”
Panel nodded.
Same thought: ‘Smart pick.’
Veteran 6-year trainee choice.
Auditions favor stable songs over belting choruses/high notes.
They see pros daily.
No shock from gimmicks.
‘Red Moon has range.’
Sugarfish ex-member Jang Sowon’s solo from the now-disbanded group.
No explosive chorus, but varied range/changes.
Perfect vocal check for auditions.
Female key was the snag, but...
Then.
Speaker linked to Seon Wooju’s phone played male-key arranged intro.
Prepped for audition, clearly.
‘Sensible.’
Seon Wooju parted lips calmly.
I hope you disappear soon
Don’t ask why
My hurt heart is already
Six feet under
At the first verse, CEO Park instinctively knew.
‘Talented.’
Objectively skilled.
Better than average trainee despite 2-year break.
Army karaoke duty?
‘Three months intense training, and he’ll hit peak.’
Breath/phonation perfect.
Solid basics in technique.
No frills a con—irrelevant for idols with <30s parts.
‘Eye contact, expressions stable. Charisma drawing gazes. Explains big agencies passing despite looks.’
Pride in finding discarded gem, mixed with unease.
TNT main vocal lock, reportedly.
Main vocals: idol world’s holy grail.
Actor-level looks, great voice, yet debut dropout? Dance must’ve been dire.
Manager Yoon’s pre-audition warning echoed.
-Don’t expect much on dance—for your mental health.
Song ending, freestyle dance next.
CEO Park glanced at Yoon Seok-hwan.
Eyes squeezed shut, bracing for disaster.
‘How bad is it...’
Viewer getting anxious.
CEO Park chugged water, awaiting the dance.
Soon, Director Jo queued his picked track.
Beatless electronic.
‘...Huh?’
As Seon Wooju started dancing, CEO Park could only gape in confusion.