Lara's Shell-Shattering Busk
All I can do is sing like a fool, but the world is full of truly unbelievable things. Like how female hyenas have dicks, or how an innocent 18-year-old band girl gets tangled in underage drinking and smoking scandals. Or maybe the story of an orphan abandoned by their parents winning a worldwide concerto. After going through all sorts of events, I've become the type who doesn't get surprised by much anymore. But even I have a hard time believing certain facts.
"…."
Lara's father and her younger brother, two years her junior. I know it's incredibly rude to think this way, but I just can't bring myself to believe those people are biologically male. Of course, I'm fully aware it's rude, so I don't say it out loud or do anything to verify their gender. I'm Seonggwang, the rainbow man who respects diversity. Men can grow their hair long, and women can look feminine, right? So I decide not to question it and just play it cool.
He— not she— beams with a big smile and asks his daughter, "So, Lara, when are you gonna sing?"
"…I'll sing soon. Just need to get ready."
"Really? It's been ages since I heard you sing, Lara. You haven't even done a birthday song lately."
"Singing together as a family at this age feels kinda weird…."
"Is that so? But you belt it out in the bath with all the dramatics. What was it? Super Bowl halftime?"
"Dad! Come on!"
Lara snaps back at her dad for spilling her secrets, while her little brother looks at his sister with utter contempt. Super Bowl halftime, huh. What a pipe dream. With skills like that, she could at least sing a birthday song.
"…Hey, why are you laughing?"
"Can't a guy laugh? Your dad's hilarious."
"Ugh… whatever, fine."
Lara shakes her head and clears her throat. It's late at night, so she probably figures she can't keep her family waiting forever and starts prepping to sing. Her dad waits eagerly, while her brother clicks his tongue in annoyance.
After her third deep breath, she steps forward.
"Um… yeah, so I'm gonna sing now…."
Lara glances around nervously, laying the groundwork awkwardly. I pat her shoulder and say, "Lara, is that how you introduce yourself? Be bolder! Who are you? What are you gonna do!"
"It's just family… do I really need a full intro?"
"Sigh… this is practice for busking. You think you can half-ass it here and kill it live? You gonna do it like this on the street too?"
"No, but…."
"Then own it! Pretend there's a real crowd right in front of you!"
Unable to resist my prodding, Lara steels herself and tries introducing herself again.
"H-Hi everyone… I'm from Seoul Practical Music High School… gonna do some busking…."
"Bolder! You think that'll grab people?!"
"I-I'm Shin Lara, first-year at Seoul Practical Music High School…!"
"More! Louder! More energy! Make 'em feel like they'll die if they miss your busk!"
"I'm Shin Lara, first-year at Seoul Practical Music High School!!"
Lara screams it out, her face scrunched up like it's about to explode. Her dad gets into it and eggs her on, her brother smirks and films his sister's antics on his phone. But this isn't enough. Busking's a game of reading the crowd from the jump. You gotta seize control right away. Sure, the song's a ballad, and she'll probably skip the intro live and dive straight in, but so what? There's an audience here now, people to impress. She needs to swallow her pride and belt it out. For the crowd's sincerity. For her dreams. And for my amusement.
"No! That's not it! No soul yet! Harder!"
"…E-Enough already…!"
Lara tries desperately to stop me, but quitting here won't make her a superstar. She's destined for Super Bowl halftime, right? Then she better show it. I push her even more.
"Lara! Like you're on Super Bowl halftime!!"
"I said stoppp…!"
"I'm!! From Seoul Practical Music High School! Shin Lara—"
"STOP IT YOU FUCKERRR!!!"
Lara explodes in rage, landing a brutal low kick to my thigh. I crumple to the floor, howling in pain. She pants heavily above me, fuming, while her dad bursts into laughter.
"Ugh… ahaha! Uhuhuhu…!"
"Don't laugh… don't you dare laugh…."
Her brother covers his mouth, impressed by her fierce display.
"This is hilarious. Gotta rewatch this vid at home."
"Hey! Shin Uhyon!! Delete it now?!"
Lara lunges for his phone, he fights back, and the siblings tussle. Huh, so her brother's Shin Uhyon. Kinda ordinary name— I was half-hoping for something weird like Shin Dodo or Shin Rere, so I'm a bit disappointed. Their fight drags on until Dad steps in to break it up, exhausted from the emotional drain.
Afterward, Lara gets back to the point and sings three ballads in front of them.
"……."
"……."
Silence hangs over the family after the songs end.
"Uh, yeah… you sang well… real cool, Lara."
Her dad seems bad at lying, and her brother….
"Hey, Shin Lara. Send another ten grand."
"…I already sent twenty."
"If I'd known it was ballads, I wouldn't have come for twenty. Held back from charging thirty for three songs, so pay up."
"…."
Lara bites her lip and wires extra "viewer fees" to her brother, who'd come like an audience member. I watch the pitiful scene with sympathy, letting her pinch my arm without complaint.
Life has a way of making time fly by. Like how an orphan abandoned even by foster parents suddenly gets hailed as a genius pianist. Or a boy living in a fancy apartment ends up renting a cheap room in Jongno. Not that it's super fast, maybe. I just thought that seeing the girl in front of me looking so pressed for time.
Saturday at Gangnam Station Exit 9. It's always crowded, but around 5:30 PM, the swarm thickens. The busking zone is empty of spectators for now. In the middle, the girl trembles.
"D-Do I really have to do this? Can't we cancel even now?"
"Why cancel? You know how much effort I put into booking this? Busiest spot around."
"That's why I hate it more! First time, can't we start small…."
"It'll work out, but crowds make for better video visuals."
I ignore Lara's whining and finish setting up the mic. It's already muggy, and the mask and hat make it harder to breathe.
"Amp for backing track's ready… Lara, wanna test the mic?"
Lara, fidgeting beside me, grabs the stand mic and lets out a sound.
"Aaaa—"
Her clear voice draws brief glances from passersby. They look away and keep walking, but that's enough to spike Lara's nerves.
Can she really sing in front of people like this?
Everyone gets stage fright, sure, but I didn't expect her personality to crumble this hard. I'm half-thinking of grabbing some calming pills from a pharmacy when Lara yanks my sleeve desperately.
"What… what do I do now?"
"…."
Lara's eyes well up like she's about to cry, clinging to me like a kid. It tugs at my heart— I'd love to back her up on keys, but my identity can't leak. For this stage, she has to stand alone. I steel myself and grab her shoulders.
"Lara. No worries."
"How can I not… everyone's gonna stare at me."
Lara's got a massive misconception. I correct it.
"Lara."
"Y-Yeah…."
"You're not a celebrity, okay? Don't overthink it."
"…."
Her tense face relaxes at my words. Relieved, though she bristles a bit and asks, "What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what I said. People aren't interested in your singing. More precisely, not in your raw singing."
Busking always has one key trait: most folks aren't there specifically to watch her. They're just passing by, hear something good and stick around, or killing time till a meetup. They give attention to the performer who's brave enough to go for it, each with their own reasons. Performances thrive on audience connection, but busking's different. Nobody tunes into the song and the singer. So ignore the stares. Face the wall and connect.
"Lara, relax. Nobody cares who you are or wants to know. They're just glancing by chance."
"…."
"Same as singing in the bath. Just do you."
Might sound harsh to Lara right now, trying to muster courage. But it's the right shock. See? Tension's easing. She grips the mic, steels herself. I nod at her.
"Lara, show 'em. Nobody here's expecting anything from you anyway."
She looks a tad annoyed at my words, and I hop off stage quick. Now it's all hers. A space made just for her. Lara loosens her throat slowly, and I cue the backing track.
"Aaa—"
It's starting now. Lara's about to crack her shell. I watch from afar as she opens her mouth.
"Hello… this is Shin Lara. My skills are lacking, but I'll sing my heart out."
Short intro done, she glances my way.
"…C-Can I go?"
Instead of words, I let the track roll. She startles but calms, easing into the flow. As the intro fades…
Lara's first song begins.