Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: The Desire to Reveal
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Hadas had wrapped up their official activities in Korea and moved on to Japan, but their new song, Indomitable, was still firmly holding the number one spot across all music platforms.
That naturally drew the world's attention to Hadas.
K-POP's status had steadily risen since the 2010s, establishing itself as one of the top music markets globally. For a rookie group to surpass globally successful K-POP idols and claim the top spot was an inevitable outcome.
In that context, Hadas had no choice but to enter the Melboard chart, which targeted audiences worldwide.
[HADAS Enters Melboard Hot 100!]
[Hadas Breaks into Melboard HOT 100's Top 30.]
[The Monster Rookie Who Conquered Korea—Will It Work Overseas Too?]
Articles about Hadas flooded the news daily. Amid them, Hadas steadily appeared on Japanese broadcasts to boost their recognition, even making inroads into Melboard Japan.
At that point, they topped the HOT BUZZ SONG on Melboard Japan—the most authoritative music chart in Japan—becoming the most talked-about song online. They also hit number 10 on Streaming Songs, the cumulative streaming rankings from Japan's major services.
Then, they boldly entered at number 8 on the main Japan HOT 100, which aggregated all Japanese charts, sparking an explosion of the recognition they'd built.
Teens sensitive to the Korean Wave took notice, piquing the curiosity of twenties who started listening. Even those in their thirties and older, having seen it on TV, gave the song a spin.
By the end of June, Hadas claimed the number one spot on Japan Hot 100, solidifying their monster rookie status in Japan too.
This led Japanese media to keep talking about Hadas.
[Overwhelming Talent in Song and Dance: Hadas.]
[Who Is the Genius Producer Ellis Who Trained Them?]
[The Growing Gap: Is J-POP's Success in Following K-POP?]
[The Level of Korea's Idol Market, as Seen Through Hadas.]
[Works Not Just in Melboard Japan, But Worldwide: Hadas' Success Story.]
[Overwhelming Visuals, Dance, Vocals. But the Real Focus Is the Songs.]
[Interviews with Locals: Over 80% Say the Songs Are So Good They Can't Stop Listening.]
[The Century's Genius Even Himari Acknowledges. Who Is Yuin?]
And it all eventually led back to Yuin.
The genius composer and producer shrouded in mystery, whose identity no one knew.
Once interest sparked, Japan's media—afflicted with advanced voyeurism—dug relentlessly into the shadows.
Journalists from every outlet dove into detective work, scouring JOP in Japan and even heading to Korea to uncover Yuin's identity.
But so far, not a single person had learned even a scrap about who Yuin was.
That said, those who wanted to keep Yuin's identity hidden grew alarmed.
The most sensitive reaction came from Jihoon, haunted by the trauma of losing his wife and son.
At this point, the uncle and aunt who had illegally taken Yeonwoo without parental rights were imprisoned for kidnapping and abusing a minor.
It hadn't made massive headlines, but the case of a third party without custody rights abusing a child had become a hot topic in legal circles, drawing widespread attention.
The court had handed down a hefty 20-year sentence, meaning Yeonwoo wouldn't cross paths with them until well after adulthood. Yet the trauma overrode reason, filling Jihoon with fear that someone else might kidnap Yeonwoo drawn by his fame.
As Yeonwoo's father and legal guardian, Jihoon was doing everything to hide his identity. Everyone respected his wishes and made efforts accordingly, but on the other hand, some were trying to persuade him.
Nanase, unable to abandon the image of a child genius, cautiously approached Jihoon to convince him.
"[It might actually be safer to go public with the masses and hire bodyguards for protection.]"
Her opinion, delivered in person, seemed reasonable at first glance.
"[I want Yeonwoo to live a normal life until he's an adult. The world's attention could be too heavy for a young child to bear.]"
But Jihoon's counterargument was just as valid.
The public today was cold yet fervently hot and ruthless.
There was a phrase going around: "getting scoped."
If they didn't like you, they'd lurk in silence, waiting. The moment even a tiny flaw appeared, they'd pull the trigger. People like that were everywhere.
It didn't matter if you were a child.
Those doing the scoping were mostly inhuman types hiding behind anonymity, masked and hating the whole world.
Jihoon believed Yeonwoo couldn't handle that.
It was only natural.
Yeonwoo was still a child who knew nothing of the world.
"[And above all, I respect Yeonwoo's opinion. He's been avoiding exposure due to trauma as deep as mine. If you at JOP want to keep working with Yeonwoo long-term, I'd appreciate it if you didn't come to me like this without hearing his side first, no matter that I'm his guardian.]"
Faced with Jihoon's polite yet firm stance, Nanase had no choice but to back off.
Just then, there was something Jihoon didn't know—hadn't even considered.
-Yuin's in Japan?
-Yuin a pro-Japan sellout? Or just Japan-addicted?
-Affiliated with JOP from the agency lol, definitely pro-Japan or Japanese
-Fucking Jap why'd they come to Korea strutting around ;;; just team up with JOP and GTFO
……Yeonwoo had already become a target for countless malicious commenters as Yuin.
Musically untouchable, the hate stemmed from working with Himari, joining JOP, and Hadas' Japan debut—branded as Japan-addicted or pro-Japan traitors, drowned in abuse.
Jihoon worried about Yeonwoo's mental state, but surprisingly, Yeonwoo was indifferent to the comments.
While studying music on YouTube, he'd seen countless hate comments on legendary figures who dominated the industry.
Broaden the scope of hate, and even Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach got it from someone.
Despite being young, seeing musical giants beyond reproach get trashed convinced Yeonwoo that hate comments meant nothing—mere illusions without substance.
Unless someone spat abuse or threats to his face, Yeonwoo wasn't swayed by such intangible noise.
And contrary to Jihoon's thoughts, Yeonwoo was undergoing a change of heart.
‘How long do I have to keep hiding who I am?’
Yeonwoo had started thinking that hiding his identity wasn't helping his music.
Deep into producing with Annosuke and Yuri, he needed to return to Korea for school attendance days anyway.
Otherwise, he'd have to attend school in Japan, but his tourist visa made that impossible.
Getting a work visa as a minor was tricky, and revealing his identity posed risks.
Plus, with no one knowing who he was, every collaboration required proving he was Yuin.
From Ellis to Himari, Shunki, Chae Hayeon, Yoo Jaeyuk, Yuri, and Annosuke—regardless of importance, the hassle of verifying himself every time was growing annoying.
For future collaborations with people he liked, he'd face endless verifications until adulthood.
Wouldn't it be better to reveal himself and work openly?
He was seriously considering it.
‘I want to quit school too.’
School, where he found no joy, was the same.
Hiding his identity and the constraints of school were equally irritating—he didn't want to go anymore.
He couldn't fathom why he had to go make friends and sit through classes.
He hadn't voiced it yet out of childish fear of scolding for hating school, and because Dad feared exposure.
But he couldn't hold back any longer.
Not just school.
"[We'll have to pause producing in Japan until we secure a safe house.]"
Shunki's bolt-from-the-blue remark had dropped.
"[Why?]"
"[Your identity could get exposed.]"
Pausing fun work with those two out of identity fears?!!!
Unacceptable.
It had nothing to do with promises like trying goroke nabey after a Korea trip—kimchi jjigae loaded with croquettes from the butcher—or piling Annosuke's hometown-shipped sea urchin over rice for uni don, or outdoor BBQ with Yuri's grandma-sent Okinawa black pork and beef.
Music!!
It interfered with making music!!
"Grandma, can't I just reveal who I am? And quit school too?"
Unable to endure, Yeonwoo cautiously asked his grandma.
Heo Ok froze at his words.
"Yeonwoo is still a child……."
"I've thought about this a lot before saying it. I want to do music now and when I grow up. I want to clear away all the obstacles and just focus on music."
Heo Ok was speechless at Yeonwoo's deadly serious face.
She couldn't speak.
Though still a child, Yeonwoo had the comprehension and depth to read adult books effortlessly.
He wasn't the type to whine impulsively.
But Heo Ok couldn't just say, Sure, do as you wish.
What right did she have?
Having abandoned her own child, she had no shame in dictating to her grandchild.
They seemed to have mended things now—chatting and getting along—but really, they were just burying old wounds and regrets for Yeonwoo's sake.
"Talk…… about this with your dad. This grandma doesn't feel qualified to say."
Yeonwoo couldn't press his grandma further after that.
"Then…… I'll talk to Dad in Korea."
"Yeah. And if he opposes, don't get too disappointed."
"I know. Dad has his position as a dad too."
Yeonwoo wasn't disappointed.
He pondered how to explain to Dad seriously—not childishly pleading—to gain understanding, permission for music activities.
Even then, he doubted it'd work.
Head spinning, Yeonwoo gazed at the fairies visible even now, thinking.
‘If only you could help at times like this.’
Whether he looked or not, the fairies frolicked obliviously, dancing and singing among themselves.
Today, for some reason, the fairies grated on Yeonwoo.