Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Grill House Celebration
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A Korean BBQ restaurant in Seoul's Gangnam district.
It wasn't exactly high-end, but inside this traditional spot, a small celebration was underway.
"Cheers!"
At the shout from a woman with bright red-dyed hair grinning ear to ear, the guys around her raised their glasses.
The only odd thing was that while everyone else held soju glasses, one person lifted a cup of soda.
"To Hyunsu's album release!"
""Cheers!!""
After the lone woman's toast and the guys' hearty response, they broke off into small groups, chatting away.
"Man, at first I was like, 'When's this gonna end?' But it actually got done."
"Yeah, Hyunsu's one tough bastard."
"The guy's supposed to be a student, but he doesn't study!"
Naturally, the topic was Hyunsu, whose album had just dropped.
Everyone gathered here had helped with the album somehow, so the conversation inevitably flowed that way.
"This album's seriously good."
"Tell me about it. What if Hyunsu ends up more famous than us?"
Everyone here was in a band.
They were genuine band veterans supporting the super rookie who'd burst onto Korea's near-dead band scene, helping him out materially and morally.
So of course, they didn't hold back on praising his songs.
"Hearing the title track made me think, 'What was I doing at Hyunsu's age?'"
"I liked Wonderland. It's exactly the kind of song for someone that age."
They all had their own expertise in band music, so they grabbed meat and dove into lively debates about the tracks.
"But who the hell is that person anyway?"
And there was one figure who came up every time they talked about Hyunsu's album.
"Oh, the one who recorded Wonderland?"
"Yeah~"
They knew just how tough Wonderland was. That's why they'd been stumped when Hyunsu said he needed a featuring vocalist.
But then this complete unknown showed up out of nowhere and nailed it—what else could they do but be amazed?
"And they did it that well but didn't put their name on it?"
"Yeah, spill it, Hyunsu—who is it? Not someone I know."
Plus, in this small industry where everyone knew everyone at least by one degree, a total newbie popping up had them hooked.
"Oh, an acquaintance introduced me to someone from a vocal academy."
"Vocal academy? They're not debuting?"
"Nope."
"Really? Then this is their first track?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Damn, first song and it's Wonderland? That's one hell of a career starter."
"Ahaha... You're hyping it up too much."
"You know I don't get this excited usually. This one's legit good."
"Ugh, you're putting pressure on Hyunsu."
"Ahaha..."
As Hyunsu squirmed under the praise from these band heavyweights—each a big shot in their own right—Ayoung, who'd been sipping her drink nearby, jumped in.
"Oh, but that person is seriously pretty!"
"Who? The featuring vocalist?"
"Yeah, totally insane."
"Whoa... That good? Which celebrity do they look like?"
"It's not 'looks like'—they're legit celebrity-level. You'll see when they get here!"
Suhyun had naturally been invited too. She'd handled the recording and album cover, after all. Hyunsu had casually suggested she drop by if she had time, and she'd accepted without a second thought.
"Sweet, looking forward to it."
"But Hyunsu, didn't you invite the one who did the album cover?"
"Uh... I think they said they'd come."
"Album cover? Oh yeah, that was good too. Had real vibe."
"Right? Got recommended through an acquaintance too."
"You're just a kid, but how do you know so many people?"
"Ahaha... It just kinda happened."
"Lucky punk. Connections are a skill too."
In the middle of all this good vibe chatter, Ayoung turned to Kang Hyeok, who'd been hanging back and only asking Hyunsu questions.
"But why the sudden interest in the album cover artist?"
"Oh, just... last time it was all work, couldn't even talk to them."
"What? Pretty?"
"Don't even. If Hyunsu wasn't here, I'd have grabbed my guitar."
"Bullshit..."
"Better than you, that's for sure."
Kang Hyeok stared at Ayoung in disbelief.
She hypes up that person being pretty all the time, so why's she giving me shit?
"That person was really pretty."
"Whatever, I'll check 'em out when they get here."
"Do that. See who's prettier."
Hyunsu, overhearing, let out a quiet sigh.
"What? You just sighed at me, bro?"
"No, no. Here, have this."
"You little... At least you know respect."
They all laughed and joked around like that.
Ding-a-ling-
The bell rang as the BBQ door swung open.
No one noticed amid the chatter until the newcomer reached the table, drawing all eyes.
In a white short-sleeve tee and training shorts, hands stuffed in the pockets of her windbreaker jacket, the woman looked like a pro sports model despite the casual getup.
In that short walk, she'd snagged glances from other tables too. She sheepishly pulled her hands out and waved at Hyunsu's group staring at her.
"Um... Hi?"
Naturally, it was Suhyun, arriving a bit late.
***
Didn't they say it was casual?
She'd figured it'd just be some other band members, but nope—not even close.
"...Hi?"
"Whoa, a beauty's here. Sit right here."
"Hey, cut the cheesy lines. Suhyun, sit here."
That guy looks familiar from TV...
"Wait, aren't you...?"
"Whoa, you recognize me?"
"No way, for real?"
Forget TV—even karaoke charts had his name plastered all over the top ranks.
"Man, a young lady knows me~ Guess I ain't dead yet."
"Bro, that makes you sound old."
"You punk, shut it."
"And that person next to you...?"
"Oh, you know me too?"
The guy beside him popped up on TV now and then too...
Everyone else looked familiar from somewhere.
"Whoa... First time seeing celebrities up close."
She blurted it out, but Ayoung snorted a laugh, grabbed her arm, and pulled her along.
"You're the most celebrity-looking one here—what're you saying? Just sit."
Forced to sit beside Ayoung, she faced a barrage of questions from the band folks.
"Why'd you use a stage name like 'part-timer'?"
"Huh? Oh, just a one-time thing..."
"Sigh... Should've used your real name. Builds your cred."
"They'll handle it. Why talk like some boomer uncle?"
"Hey, you! I'm still active!"
Is that really the guy?
The one who'd busked abroad, filling us with national pride... Here, he was just a regular dad.
"Now that you're here, drink up."
And the moment she sat, a shot glass slid her way.
"Alright, let's get this party started for real."
That's how the booze session with the band crew kicked off.
About an hour later.
She gulped down water from the glass beside her to fend off the burning flush creeping up her face.
Ahh... I'm drunk!
Why are these people such heavy drinkers?
"You okay? Your face is all red."
"Yeah, uh... Ahaha..."
She nodded weakly at Ayoung's question from beside her.
Okay my ass! The room's spinning.
"Heh... Weaker than I thought. You had this tough image."
"Really?"
What was her limit again?
More like, first time drinking in ages—she'd blown the pacing.
"Anyway, we're heading to round two, so how 'bout some fresh air to sober up."
"Round two?"
"We always hit karaoke second. Look at these guys—think you could handle it without?"
She followed Ayoung's gaze around the table.
Everyone was flushed and laughing from the booze, but they were all seasoned band singers.
Even drunk, karaoke with them would be an ear feast. They had the chops.
"Sigh... Tempting, but I'll head home."
But right now, her heart was set on home.
Maybe the booze, or blending into girl Suhyun, but being around these extroverts was draining her energy despite the fun.
"Huh? Why?"
"Got stuff to do at home..."
"Then at least do a group pic before you go!"
"A photo?"
"Yeah, rare group hang—gotta snap one."
Ayoung started rounding everyone up.
"Alright, photo time!"
"Whoa, already?"
"Time to wrap and hit round two."
Seemed like group pics were routine here; they all stood and clustered like it was nothing.
"Us old-timers need SNS fodder too—like 'dinner with the juniors~' or whatever."
"Hey, don't be rude. It's a bonus~"
They gathered with today's star Hyunsu in the center.
Suhyun, held by Ayoung, ended up naturally beside her.
"Boss~ Mind taking our pic?"
"Was wondering when today."
The owner seemed used to their gatherings, taking Ayoung's phone like a pro photographer.
"Haha, this guy's getting pro-level."
"Yeah, first time it was all shaky."
They casually critiqued the BBQ owner's photography pose.
Her laughter threshold dropped a few levels from the booze, so hearing that just kept cracking her up.
"Why you laughing so much?"
"Ahaha... Just funny."
"Keep that expression—it's good."
"Alright, say cheese!"
She snapped the pic beside Ayoung with a slightly sloppy grin.
"Now heading out?"
"Yeah, sure am."
"Oh right. Cool if I post the pic? I can blur with emojis."
"Ahaha... Nah, it's fine."
"Really? Lotsa people will see it though."
No name, just one group shot—what's the big deal.
And...
"It's not like I need hiding, right?"
She propped her chin with a V-sign, crumpling Ayoung's face.
"Whoa... That just pissed me off big time."
"Ahaha! You said I'm pretty."
"That's why it pisses me off more."
"I hear that a lot."
Mostly from Hyejeong.
Old thought, but was Hyejeong her biggest victim of self-flattery?
"Anyway! Heading home now?"
"Yeah, just saying bye."
"Cool. They like polite kids—do it proper."
Ayoung patted her back a couple times.
...Ow, hope it's not loaded with feeling.
"So what's this 'home stuff' this late?"
"Home? Uh... Main gig?"
A bit dizzy, but booze had her energy up.
Didn't think she got hyper...
Drunk stream might not be half bad.