Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: This Life is Space Star 62
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Tch, prickly.
After all I've done for him, he goes and snaps at me.
I shot a glare at my insolent little brother before adjusting my posture.
Now it was time for the live stage.
Since this was a visible radio show broadcasting every little move live, I smoothed out my expression to stay calm.
It'd be a problem if I nailed everything only to get hit with an attitude controversy at the end.
Plus, I was curious.
Wonder what song that duo would perform.
As the ads ended, the two idol singers took their places at the mics with serious expressions.
Han Jo started.
He's good.
It was a fast-paced rhythm, a rap that stuck right in your ears.
I'd heard he'd done crew activities underground, and you could really feel that vibe.
He's good.
Even with English lyrics, it hit the ears just right.
The song Street Boys had chosen, 'Silence,' was a sentimental hip-hop track themed around hope for tomorrow.
It was one I'd come across while studying composition back in the day—a song that built tension with quick whispering raps before the vocals exploded in the chorus.
Rap was key, but the chorus demanded an emotional release, making the vocals crucial.
After Han Jo finished his rap, Gi-won leaned close to the mic.
Oh...
Soon, a booming volume poured out from his small frame.
I was startled for a second.
It was nothing like the timid image he'd shown on all our previous broadcasts.
The chat lit up with the sweet voice.
Jang So-won sunbae, who had been resting her chin and enjoying the song, raised her eyebrows slightly then lowered them.
A faint smile, as if surprised.
Ri-hyeok and I were smiling nonstop as we listened.
No pretense—just genuine respect for a solid performance.
The nearly three-minute song ended in a flash.
"Thank you."
As we and the DJ clapped.
Street Boys bowed deeply at ninety degrees before leaving the radio booth.
Just before the door closed, I saw Gi-won bow his head toward Ri-hyeok.
Ri-hyeok nodded back.
Then he turned to me.
He looked at me with complicated eyes, like he was deep in thought, so I held up my index finger.
"...?"
Ri-hyeok tilted his head, and I mouthed the words.
'A case of water.'
Seeing his eyebrows crumple made me burst out laughing.
* * *
The follow-up New Black interview went incredibly smoothly.
With only the original Something members left, the vibe was relaxed, and Jang So-won sunbae and I had plenty to talk about as fellow composers.
One story would lead to another, endlessly, until the PD signaled us to wrap it up.
The DJ said regretfully.
"Aw, time to say goodbye. Too bad, right, listeners? We'd chat more if we could."
Comments poured in saying the DJ seemed the most bummed, making So-won sunbae laugh awkwardly.
"I guess I did a fan-girl broadcast again. They're my favorites, after all. And Woojoo here has so many stories. He's got real depth."
Army idol, college entrance exam day hero.
Once you started, there were plenty of hooks to grab people's interest.
But today's goal was strictly about composition, so I'd gotten her okay in advance.
"Guess we have to let them go? Now, introduce the song for our listeners? I heard it's a self-composed track. A world premiere here on Wonderful Night."
Self-composed, world premiere—the buzzwords stirred the chat.
I waved it off humbly at the reaction.
"Don't expect too much. It's got rough spots."
"Don't fall for it, everyone."
The DJ hyped it up.
"I snuck a peek at the sheet music Woojoo army brought. You can look forward to this one."
"Ah, sunbae."
"Go ahead and introduce it."
I smiled back at her playful grin.
"Sure. The song we're bringing you is called Night Sea."
"Night Sea. Why that title?"
"I've been raised in my grandma's arms since I was little. We lived in Gunsan, and our house was super close to the sea. At night, sitting in the yard, you'd smell the salty air, hear waves crashing somewhere."
Explaining with a smile, I noticed the other two staring at me with identical expressions—like mirror images.
What's with them.
Felt kinda weird.
"Anyway, I love getting some night air. You know that feeling? Cool breeze sweeping over you, mood lifts, everything feels like it'll work out. Same when I was a kid—I'd beg Grandma to open the door from the living room to the yard on nice spring or fall nights."
My whining got Madam Kim Deok-soon grumbling about opening doors late at night.
But she always did.
"When I couldn't sleep, we'd open it, and I'd lie on Grandma's lap. The night sky looked gorgeous. Moon bright, stars twinkling. Eyes closed, waves in my ears, Grandma's warmth. It was the best."
"......"
"Am I over-explaining? Your faces..."
"No. Keep going, don't mind us."
They were super distracting, though.
No, why stare like I'm some tragic boy hero.
"Yeah, anyway. It's a song inspired by those childhood memories. Hope you enjoy."
"You gotta say it."
Ri-hyeok nudged me.
"Grandma's listening, right?"
"Oh, is Woojoo army's grandma tuning in?"
"...Yeah, probably in her room with the radio on."
Truth was, I desperately wanted to speak to her.
But as rookies, I held back, not wanting accusations of personal use of airtime.
"Before the ads, a word for Grandma?"
"Um..."
The staff beyond the glass smiled at my squirming.
"Uh, our Madam Kim Deok-soon. Love her tons. Listen close to my song... And, uh... Fighting to all the grandmas out there. Raising grandkids is hard work."
Ended up with a word salad.
Blushing at the chat's 'lololol,' while Jang So-won sunbae trembled, holding back laughs.
"Alright, ads then back with New Black's Night Sea!"
Ha...
Totally tanked my image today. Ruined.
Failed expression control since the army bits, and now acting like I got a thanks plaque from the National Grandma Association.
Feeling wrecked, I pulled out the guitar from its case.
"Seriously, stop laughing, both of you."
"Not laughing. Noona's just got a smiley face naturally."
"Sunbae."
At my call, Jang So-won grinned and looked away.
Like telling us to focus as she checked her script.
"You stop too, water thief."
"Ah, I'll buy some, so drop it. All talk, no generosity. Keep it up, and I'll call you Narrow Bean."
Debating water thief vs. narrow bean, I decided to quit here.
I was losing.
Joking to loosen up.
Checked the guitar tuning, strummed a test.
Okay. Good to go.
Instruments and players ready—now the partner.
"Ready?"
I looked at him worriedly.
He hated being babied, but I couldn't help it.
Prep time was short.
Lack of personal experience had Ri-hyeok struggling with the emotions.
Just as guilt crept in—making him suffer for my composing greed?
Ri-hyeok shook his head.
"Don't worry. About nailing the emotion?"
"Yeah."
"What good's worrying now? Stage is right here."
His usual snark, but his eyes flicked elsewhere.
Where Street Boys had sat.
He looked back at me.
"Well... that part's fine. I get the feel now. So..."
A faint smile.
"Trust me once. I'll do great."
Mimicking someone, he offered a fist; I wrapped my palm around it like paper on rock.
Good feeling about this.
* * *
Outside the booth.
The PD, engineer, and two writers watched the banter with smiles.
Sub-writer beamed, finding New Black members adorable.
"Cute kids, great vibe. Right?"
"Yeah."
Main writer tossed out regretfully.
"Knew they'd mesh so well, should've gone solo. So-won was pushing for it, singing her praises. Kids are sweet, confident she'd draw stuff out."
"What can you do? Already booked."
PD gave a wry smile.
Jang So-won had been nagging to book New Black since their album dropped.
But somehow DNS Media caught wind via higher-ups and requested as rivals.
"Worked out in the end."
Engineer muttered while tweaking console sounds.
"My daughter's an idol fan, says New Black and Street Boys been beefing since pre-debut."
"Really, sunbae?"
"Big drama, apparently. Promo wars, all buzzed. Explains today's high comments, fierce votes."
"Yeah. Deleted quick, but sharp comments lurking."
"Makes sense."
"But quieted down after that."
"When?"
Main writer asked like she didn't know.
"Forget? Street Boys maknae tense, Ri-hyeok hands water, says something soft. Calmed after."
"Oh yeah."
They all nodded.
Edgy comments vanished after Ri-hyeok gave Gi-won the bottle.
Then Jang So-won signaled from inside.
"They're set."
Engineer worked the console.
Monotonous piano leaked from speakers.
Sub-writer fretted.
"File's good, right?"
"Checked tons before air."
"Still..."
3:20 track—first 40 seconds looped plain piano.
Just soft keys.
'How they staging this?'
Heard vaguely, but details unknown—worrisome.
Music shows coordinated fully, but live corners like this were looser.
Some swapped songs on-site by condition.
Unknown stage ahead unnerved them.
Sub-writer clasped hands unconsciously, charmed by New Black's broadcast charm; engineer chuckled.
"So-young, fan already?"
Nodding vigorously.
"Gonna check the fan cafe later."
"Kid, cut the nonsense. Monitor live reactions."
"Yesss..."
But all eyed warmly the one gripping guitar, clearing throat inside.
Maybe the cake gift.
Or ample footage.
They just seemed like good kids—hoping for success.
As they watched.
"Oh."
Seon Wooju's fingers moved.
Gentle guitar.
Worried plain piano, but meshed perfectly.
Piano and guitar.
Just two sounds, yet rich.
Admiring solid play briefly, eyes widened.
"He's really humming."
Seo Ri-hyeok hummed eyes closed.
Soft, low hum.
Rising pitch soothed oddly.
Utterly natural.
Filling intro with hum—no awkwardness.
"Man, all talent going idol now. No wonder..."
Engineer shut up at focused faces.
Puzzled gaze into booth, soon joined.
Eyes kept drifting.
Song aside, Ri-hyeok sounded so gentle—different person.
Not icy blank, not flustered red.
Like someone else.
Smile fitting as he immersed in emotion.
Sub-writer checked monitor.
"Listeners loving it. Lots of 'unique' reactions."
"Grabs you. Intentional?"
Someone murmured curiously.
If Seon Wooju heard, he'd say accident.
From method for Ri-hyeok's emotion struggles.
Hard? Hum 30 seconds warmup.
It blended naturally more they did.
Mainly, song clocked 2:40—too short for air alone.
Unknown to them, just mysterious.
"Song starting?"
Hum ended, Ri-hyeok opened eyes.
Smiled ready at Seon Wooju.
Nod, fingers flew.
"Oh..."
Night Sea intro proper.
Warm, beautiful vibe fitting the title.
* * *
Meanwhile.
As Mok-dong HBS studio staff marveled, Night Sea waves spread far.
Nearest: apartment kid's MP3 solving problems.
Next: old radio in Anyang Stream-side mart.
Then: arriving Gangnam Station Line 2 train.
Farther: worn truck exiting Seoul outer loop.
Night Sea's calm melody scattered everywhere.
And one endpoint: a home with old radio on, waiting endlessly for grandson.