Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Himari's Sunlight
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The news of the world's Himari returning after a long silence with her ninth album was making waves across Japan, splashed across every major media outlet.
Japan had an astonishing number of die-hard fans in every field, and jazz was no exception.
But beyond that, her popularity wasn't limited to hardcore jazz enthusiasts.
Her album shot straight into the Melboard Japan Hot 100, Hot Buzz Song chart—which tracks the buzziest tracks online—and Streaming Song Top 100 right upon release.
More than anything, these new tracks diverged from her previous sorrowful jazz by evoking a warm atmosphere, earning high praise for their mass appeal and polish.
The real standout here was Yuin.
Uesugi Himari typically composed only jazz pieces. She occasionally penned pop-friendly tracks for other singers, but the reverse? Never.
Wasn't this the woman who always insisted her own albums had to embody her distinct philosophy?
And yet, she took songs from this Yuin? The mighty Himari? Even co-composed the title track? The world's Himari?
That was the situation.
Her die-hard fans had no choice but to give the album a listen, if only out of curiosity about her choice.
And once they did, the tracks were just too good.
Especially the title track, MAMA—a complex swirl of emotions that felt sad yet happy, happy yet wistful.
To some, it evoked a longed-for loved one; to others, someone close yet distant; to still others, a figure of love and reverence. A song embodying "mom" itself.
-Who the hell is Yuin?
-Himari thought enough of them to take their tracks?
At this point, people couldn't help but turn their attention to Yuin.
The composer who had even Himari on board—a Korean composer, no less.
-Saw they're a superstar composer in Korea?
-Famous for topping the charts with a rookie idol.
-Did the same for that band Invincible, and even old-school Korean prince Kim Beomsin.
-Rookie making nothing but #1s? Impressive.
-Not all #1s, but every track cracked Korea's Top 10. Pretty damn impressive.
-They're a genius, for real.
-All original progressions, ignoring every standard chord structure...
Once Japan took notice of Yuin and started digging, an unexpected beneficiary reaped the rewards.
"What? Japan keeps reaching out?"
"Asking if we have plans to break in there?"
It was BSK Entertainment, home to Hadass. Kim Beomsin was baffled by the sudden love calls from Japan.
Of course, going to Japan was a classic path for idols to make bank.
Succeed in Korea, hit Japan and Southeast Asia, build buzz on Melboard—if it pops off enough—then aim for America. That was the idol money-making playbook.
But for a girl group that had debuted less than half a year ago? Jumping to Japan was a stretch.
And yet, opportunity knocked.
Hadass hadn't even entered the market there, but thanks to Yuin, they'd cracked the upper ranks of Melboard Japan's Hot Buzz Song chart—which tallies buzz via hashtags, awareness, and popularity online. No wonder Japanese distributors and agencies were circling.
"This calls for a Japan push!"
BSK wasn't about to let a golden chance slip.
"Start light—maybe a TV spot first."
Still, they'd play it cautious, test the waters.
While Hadass stumbled into a Japan debut shot like this...
Yeonwoo finally got his hands on Himari's album after the wait.
"Grandma! Himari Auntie's album's here!"
He ripped open the package and rushed it straight to her.
"Ah, Himari's new album is out."
Heo Ok gazed fondly at the album Yeonwoo handed her.
Every track list credit featured Himari alongside his grandson's alias, Yuin—written in Korean, hanja, and English.
Heo Ok traced the name gently with her finger.
"Shall we give it a listen?"
"Yes!"
At Yeonwoo's eager nod, Heo Ok rose and slotted the CD into the player.
The first track flowed out, and Yeonwoo's ears perked up.
"It's Ramen!!"
The very first song he'd composed under Himari's guidance: Ramen.
Heo Ok checked the track list.
The original Ramen title had become "Flowing Stream."
With Himari's tweaks, Flowing Stream felt clearer and sprightlier than Ramen.
The slurping pull of noodles now evoked a babbling brook—and Yeonwoo figured it worked.
So, what about udon?
Next up: an udon remix.
Titled "Waves of the Rainy Sea."
Himari had masterfully reworked the thick udon-slurp into elegant swells.
Sushi followed as "Admiration," eel as "Spring Vitality"—all retitled and rearranged.
"Himari Auntie's amazing."
"Yeah, she's got real talent for composing. Even this old lady's impressed."
Yeonwoo had to admit it—no, he had no choice.
By his standards, Himari was the only one right now who could craft tracks worthy of a passing grade.
Spring Vitality—that old eel track—faded out, and the next one began.
Yeonwoo's ears perked again.
That song.
The one he and Himari made together, dedicated solely to Heo Ok.
Heo Ok listened in silence, channeling her grandmotherly warmth and her mother-mentor strictness.
Yeonwoo was just as rapt.
All the others featured Himari solo, but this one included his piano too.
In a way, you could call it Yeonwoo's debut album.
"Wonderful."
"It's for you, Grandma. Like it?"
"Yes. I love it. So much."
Heo Ok's face lit up as she slowly read the liner notes inside the case.
[Track no.5 MAMA
This piece is a tribute from two disciples to my mentor, my second mother, and the great jazz pianist Jade.]
"Two disciples..."
Himari and Yeonwoo had both learned piano from her—it was true.
Sure, she'd only taught the basics, but to receive a gem like this in her later years as a musician? What more could she want?
'I've been blessed with disciples far beyond my worth.'
Heo Ok thought as she looked at Yeonwoo.
"How is it, Grandma? Good, right?"
"Yes, wonderful. And thank you—for making something like this."
"Hehe."
Yeonwoo grinned bashfully at her words.
Heo Ok pulled him into a tight hug.
* * *
"Do I really have to do this?"
Lee Si-eun, who'd auditioned for High Teen Rock'n'Roll not long ago, had landed the lead role of Ye-eun by unanimous judge vote.
Having only done supporting parts in three projects so far—still flying under the radar—the casting news blew up.
Part of the buzz was her obscurity making the lead spot a shocker, but it exploded even more because one of the people she edged out was Han Sang-hee, the hottest rising star right now.
"Listen, Si-eun. You beat out Han Sang-hee for this, and now you're saying no? This is your big break."
"Han Sang-hee... Just hearing the name makes me wanna puke."
Her manager eyed her. She looked pale as a ghost, like she might actually hurl.
"You okay? Not choking or anything?"
"I'd have to eat first to choke..."
Lee Si-eun flopped over dramatically. The manager inwardly tsked.
With her petite, cute looks, the agency was pushing her hard as an actress.
Affiliated with a massive firm spanning actors and idols, she'd entered as a trainee but got pivoted to acting after they clocked her visuals.
But she had a deep issue even the company didn't know about.
She hated standing out—with a passion.
They'd tried grooming her as main vocal thanks to her voice, but she'd dodged the spotlight tooth and nail. Switch to acting? Even bit parts in web dramas—she'd somehow avoid any lead billing.
Why be in the industry at all?
Truth was, she didn't know.
She only realized too late that starring roles triggered not just pressure, but outright terror.
But quitting now? Impossible. The agency's investment was astronomical from her view.
Her plan: grind supporting roles, pay back what they spent, then retire.
That's why she'd auditioned for drums in High Teen Rock'n'Roll.
Quietly banging away in the back—easy.
But who knew?
The company had secretly entered her for the lead too, behind her and the manager's backs.
She found out late, but figured no final interview meant she was safe.
Who could've predicted drum auditions would snag her the Ye-eun role?
Just imagining lines and songs in front of a zillion cameras made her want to hurl.
And then the headlines hit big: She'd beaten Han Sang-hee.
Now she was trapped.
"Ah... I'm losing it."
"How about seeing a psychiatrist before shooting starts?"
"That'd leak rumors, right? Bad for the company."
"Bad? It's not like therapy's taboo anymore. Tons of discreet clinics for celebs."
"But... it'd cost a fortune. Company's dime."
"You think the agency's some loan shark?"
Lee Si-eun averted her eyes, saying nothing.
The manager sighed, checking her smartphone.
Work never stopped, so constant phone checks were routine.
"Huh? Kakao from PD Park Sung-guk?"
"What? Backing out of the casting?"
"Nah. Yuin, the composer? Says he finished three OSTs—wanna hear?"
"Wait... tracks are done already?"
She'd pinned her hopes on Avalon's trilogy flop tanking the project. Finished OSTs crushed that.
"Play it."
Oblivious to her despair, the manager hit play.
The accompaniment soon filled her ears.
"Hm...?"
She'd tuned out anything music-related, but this intro hooked her unwittingly.