Idol Again
Strict family environment and endless hell of studies. Amid all that, Joo Jinwoo never once let go of his dream of music.
He'd secretly been the vocalist for an indie band and saved up his pocket money on the sly to sign up for vocal lessons. Sure, the allowance scraped together by a minor wasn't much, so he could only afford a month or two of classes at best. But it didn't even take a full month for Joo Jinwoo to surpass his instructor's singing. He figured that academy's teacher must just be subpar, so he checked out other nearby ones—but the results were all the same.
That's when Joo Jinwoo finally realized that what he was truly good at wasn't studying, but music. So after his military service, he skipped reenrolling in school and jumped straight into Singer Star. The nationwide audition he'd only seen on TV, the stage he'd always longed for, was packed with geniuses that made the Hongdae indie scene he'd briefly dipped into look like child's play.
'Especially Seo Siyeon—she's a total monster.'
Among them, Seo Siyeon stood out as something utterly beyond common sense, a freak of nature. At first, it was shocking enough that an elementary school kid could sing like that. Back then, he'd probably been at the playground eating dirt... And when he heard she composed every song she performed herself, he couldn't believe his ears. While in the army, he'd tinkered with composition on a crappy base computer but quickly gave up, deciding it wasn't for non-majors like him.
Joo Jinwoo wasn't a narcissist, but he figured he had talent in both academics and music—and he was right. Yet even he couldn't touch composing, and here was an elementary schooler doing it, cranking out songs that could top charts in nearly every genre?
'Does this even make sense? Is she really a regressor?'
He'd guessed a bit of Seo Siyeon's true nature, but anyway. To him, she was just completely out of spec. He felt a bit unlucky that she'd ended up in his season, but what could he do? Still, he thought he had a solid shot at winning. That changed a bit after her last performance.
Seo Siyeon wasn't just making great songs anymore—she was delivering pro-level stages. She nailed the visuals, instinctively connected with the audience, and her vocals had skyrocketed into the top tier among contestants.
"Sure, she's got flaws. But... it's too early to give up."
Upsets happen everywhere. Right now, she looked like the frontrunner, but everyone knew the next stages and finals could flip everything.
"Let's go. No mistakes this time."
He had to win, claim his spot as a singer. Only then could he escape this suffocating house. With that firm resolve, Joo Jinwoo stepped toward the stage.
The first act of the semifinals was Joo Jinwoo. This time, he brought a song from the '80s that was still a generational karaoke staple. Of course, "karaoke national rule" didn't mean it was easy—the high notes demanded rock-solid basics, not insanely high but relentless chains of them. Not just one section, but verse-chorus-chorus with a calm intro exploding into non-stop tough highs through the back half. Plenty sang it at karaoke, but hardly any average guy could nail it properly.
I watched him from the waiting room TV with Blooming and Baek Yuyeon.
-If I could hold onto your fading figure—
-How great would that be?
The gentle intro gave way to the onslaught of highs.
"Whoa..."
"This one's really impressive..."
Baek Yuyeon shivered faintly at his flawless take on the notoriously tough track. She'd long shifted to enjoyment mode, knowing a top 3 comeback was impossible, so she'd picked a song she just loved.
Blooming stuck to their vocal-focused band strategy—no risky instrument switches now, just doubling down on what worked.
"Jinwoo oppa sure sings killer."
"And we have to beat that?"
"We can. Totally."
Yoo Seolha and Kim Seoli's chat drifted in as Joo Jinwoo's stage wrapped. The 3,000 Jangchung Arena crowd fell silent, then erupted in applause. Even if you weren't a fan, you had to salute that perfect performance. I gave a light clap too.
"Siyeon, time to prep!"
"Yup. Good luck, unnies. I'll wrap quick."
I headed for the stage.
After Joo Jinwoo's stage, the arena was wrapped in hush. The afterglow lingered, but chatter about what Seo Siyeon would do next buzzed everywhere—fervent debates, sharing hopes with friends, each waiting their way. As stage lights brightened, signaling the start, the crowd quieted into total silence, whispers aside.
That silence shattered with a single drum kick.
Center stage under the pin light, I stood head bowed. A crisp synth bell pierced the gym ceiling, sweeping away the ballad's heavy echo. My outfit: short jeans and a long white top to ankle—everyday vibe.
-Bam, bam-bba-bam! Tok!
With the upbeat SFX, I looked up. As the camera tight-shot my face, I bit my lip lightly and winked one eye, just like practice. Embarrassment's fleeting; this stage and my Singer Star feats are forever. A moment's endurance for eternity.
"Here we go."
Intro hit, and I shuffled forward lightly. The cringey choreo Seina and the instructors slaved over fused with Seo Siyeon's killer idol looks for insane synergy.
My squishy heart's like pink jelly!
Sweet and tok! Jelly Pop! One bite and tok! Jelly Pop!
Our eyes meet and it might burst—pop! pop!
Cat-paw fists to my cheeks. The move that'd later meme as "Siyeon-nyang" and corrupt my soul. But with endless black-history gif fodder from this stage, it was minor. Inside, I wanted to die, but my body bounced lighter than ever.
Highlight: Center stage, side turn, airborne hand-kiss. Core choreo—nom! bite gesture. Staring down the lens with a wink, the arena exploded in cheers.
The jumbotron me was peak solo idol: flawless live amid moves, breath steady, body hitting every beat just right. Unthinkable in my past life or early possession days, but Seo Siyeon's body adapted fast—now outshining most idols live.
Bridge: With dancers, sharp formation military-precision cute. No slacking—limbs stretched for clean lines. Overwhelming stage presence from a 9-year-old's energy, unbelievable.
Finale: Music cut, hands under chin in flower pose. Panting hard, eyes locked on camera till end.
'I wonder if those kids are doing okay...'
The group I produced for their debut with this song—my first. As I died, they'd hit year 6, seriously plotting a US takeover. If I hadn't croaked so pointlessly, maybe we'd have aimed for the top together... Vain thoughts flickered.
'Time to let go for real.'
As Seo Siyeon, and later producer, I'd build better results and memories with future idols. Like that, I sent off another ghost from my past life's memories.