Chapter 190. The Trigger That Made Her Start Singing (1)

Lee ShinHye, a singer-wannabe was heading home late after her lesson at the applied music academy.
Munching on a piece of bread, she opened up Tune on her phone in search of videos of decent singers.
However, one of the titles in the ‘music’ category garnered her attention.

‘What’s this? This is how we play around?’

The views were strangely high as well.
Out of curiosity, she clicked on the video without thinking much about it.
The video began with the drummer hitting the high hat. Soon, many people appeared in the video.

‘Eh!?’

But somehow, the people in the video were people she knew.
Eddios, Eunha, Kim JaeHoon, and even White Moonlight. They were rather famous singers.
Their practice video enraptured her ears immediately.

– A certain someone — wants to be consoled – even more —

Christie An sang the main part while Kim JiMin and Lee HyunAh put harmony in. Moreover, the electric guitar added to the crispness of the music, creating a pleasing sound, and the people that weren’t holding mics were dancing…
A man and a woman, who looked like they were more business-related than music also entered her eyes. They seemed to be enjoying the music.

‘Wow…’

Lee ShinHye exclaimed.
The video was quite long, but not once was she bored.
The song changed, and the woman being referred to as ‘director’ moved to the synthesizer, while the president and composer, KangYoon, put on the guitar.
The singers jumped around with the mic in their hands while some danced and some jerked their bodies according to the rhythm.
On the last song, a trot song, a trainee even came out and joined in.
All the people within the practice room were being unified in the name of music.

– Isn’t this all acting?
– Hey, I think it’s even more difficult to act like that. Were you duped all your life?
– Kim JiMin and Kim JaeHoon are singing together while Jung MinAh is dancing, is that place a music safari?
– This is nice to see. I hope to see more of this in the future.

The reactions in the comments were explosive as well.
Lee ShinHye usually didn’t comment on videos, but she added a comment today.

– I want to go to World.

***

Kim JaeHoon’s song ‘Boy’, maintained first place for one week and continued to be high in the rankings in the following weeks as well.

This was much more meaningful since this all took place without him appearing even once on TV programs.

“3rd in Heaven Charts, 5th in MD Music Charts, 4th in Nets dot com. Mr. JaeHoon’s album is doing well considering that it’s been over two weeks since his album came out. He’s practically the man of autumn.”

Lee HyunJi reported KangYoon of the stats with a satisfied smile.
KangYoon also replied with a smile as well.

“The man of autumn. A nice name. It’s also a bit cheesy as well.”
“What, are you calling me cheesy?”
“Hahaha, maybe?”

KangYoon shrugged his shoulders jokingly and flipped over to the next page.

“So it’s the concert now. Director, is the subcontract going well?”

Lee HyunJi nodded his head.

“Yes. It’s all going well. After all, the item we have is good. This is Kim JaeHoon’s solo concert after many years so it’s no wonder that many people are wanting to join us. But, are you not planning to get any investment?”
“Since this is not a nation-wide tour, we will not need that much money. Let’s keep it to ourselves this time, and expand the scale if the reactions are good. At that point in time, I’m pretty sure people will flock to us for investments.”

Lee HyunJi understood what KangYoon was saying and nodded her head.

“I guess the results of this event will be important then. Okay. But wouldn’t it be okay to go nationwide since it’s Mr. JaeHoon we’re talking about?”

Kim JaeHoon’s skill, fandom, and audience-calling power.
In Lee HyunJi’s view, all of those three factors were enough for a country-wide concert tour.
However, KangYoon had a different idea in mind.

“Wouldn’t it look better if we hold the concert because the people want it and not us?”
“The people want it?” Oh.”

Lee HyunJi seemed to have seen through what KangYoon meant and exclaimed in a small voice.

“What charm would we have left if we showed everything from the get-go? We’ll reveal those charm points one by one and incite interest. People will want to see JaeHoon’s live stage, I’m sure of that. We’re not showing any video footage of ‘Boy’ this time, either, aren’t we? Those things combined will all have an effect during the concert.”
“Aah, I understand now.”

The two people continued to talk about Kim JaeHoon’s concert.
They had a lot of things to talk about such as the subcontractors, the location, etc.
Right now, it was October.
They had a lot of things to do in a short period of time, so they needed to get things done quickly.
The two talked for a long time before standing up.

“Mr. JungMin, is there a vacant vehicle today?”

KangYoon’s gaze headed towards Yoo JungMin, the new employee.
When he did, the guy abruptly stood up and replied nervously.

“…Y, yes! Th, there’s one!”

Hearing the new employee reply nervously, Jung HyeJin, and Lee HyunJi giggled. Yoo JungMin then reddened in embarrassment.
KangYoon shrugged his shoulders and got the keys from him.

“Thanks for your work. And also, you don’t need to be so nervous.”
“N, not at all, sir! You’re still the president…”
“Hahaha, then see you later, Mr. JungMin.”

KangYoon patted Yoo JungMin’s shoulders before leaving. He wanted the new recruit to get used to the company’s atmosphere as much as possible.
He headed towards the practice room.

“HyunAh.”
“President.”

When KangYoon entered, Lee HyunAh greeted him.
When he asked where the other members were, she replied that they had private lessons to teach and other events to attend.
KangYoon exclaimed after seeing Lee HyunAh’s outfit.
“Wow, a suit?”

Lee HyunAh usually wore more casual and contemporary clothes, but today she was wearing a semi-formal suit. KangYoon’s words seemed to have made her embarrassed as she looked away.

“…Uhm, does it not suit me?”
“Not at all. It’s fine. I always thought that you liked to wear short and strange clothes.”
“S, strange clothes!?”

Lee HyunAh’s eyes widened.
She was called the Hongdae Fashionista, but that got the ‘strange clothes’ treatment from KangYoon. She trembled.
Regardless, KangYoon grinned.

“It’s nice. You look more like a seonbae now.”
“…It feels rather strange.”

Lee HyunAh felt rather peculiar since KangYoon’s words made her feel like she was rather old.
Today was the day Lee HyunAh would hold a talk at Hallyeo Arts University’s “Talk with your seniors” event.
Usually, a manager would accompany her…

“…I get to attend a university event thanks to you, huh.”
“Heheh, I’m sorry. Actually, I was a little nervous…”

Lee HyunAh felt apologetic as she said those words.

“Actually, I think you came to me whenever you felt nervous.”
“Yes, you’re right. You noticed?”
“…At least try to deny it.”

KangYoon grumbled as he undid the handbrakes when the lights turned green.
It didn’t take that long to reach Hallyeo Arts University.
After parking, KangYoon and Lee HyunAh headed towards Professor Choi ChanYang’s office.

“Mr. KangYoon, HyunAh. Welcome I was waiting for the two of you.”

Professor Choi ChanYang had his unique soft smile on as he greeted the two.
This ‘Talk with your seniors’ event meant a lot for him since it was one of his former students doing the talk.

“You have to visit the Chancellor later, right?”
“Yes. The time… is a little awkward.”

As KangYoon had arrived a little earlier than requested, Professor Choi ChanYang spoke with a smile.

“Let me go with you after you rest a little. The Chancellor would love to see you.”
“Okay then.”

The three enjoyed some snacks as they conversed.

***

After Park SoYoung and Kim JiMin returned to Korea, HeeYoon also returned to her usual lifestyle.

‘The reactions are quite good. That’s good.’

HeeYoon sighed in relief after seeing Kim JaeHoon’s new album ‘Boy’ was ranked in 3rd in Heaven Charts, the biggest music chart.
She was worried about what to do if Kim JaeHoon rejected her song, but things had turned out well. She did not know that she would be able to collaborate with Park SoYoung and even Kim JiMin on the song though.
She found out later that her brother had a hard time during the rearrangement and that Kim JaeHoon also had a hard time singing it, so it was good to see that the results were good.

‘I guess it was worth my time.’

Listening to Kim JaeHoon’s voice through her headset, HeeYoon, feeling satisfied, smiled.
HeeYoon logged out of the Heaven Charts and was about to close the browser. However, an article on the portal site Sace had grabbed her attention.

-World Family? What is the intention behind revealing a practice video?
‘What’s this?’

Seeing the unfamiliar term ‘World Family’, HeeYoon clicked on the article.
The article had no real content. It basically said that there was a video on Tune where the members of World Entertainment all sang together and that it was gathering attention on social media.
The article just wrote that information with a provocative choice of words.
HeeYoon immediately went to Tune and found the video.

‘This is it.’

When she clicked on it, the video started with a few beats from the high hat.

‘Oho.’

The music from the video stimulated her curiosity.

‘Eh? This isn’t practicing.’

HeeYoon tilted her head.
This video just looked like playing around. Everyone freely sang, freely danced, and freely played instruments. She felt rather envious.
Freedom.
That word seemed to summarize the video.

‘Looks like she’s the new trainee.’

The new woman clearly seemed older than her.
She decorated the last stage with a savory trot song and the video finished with everyone fading out.
After the video finished, HeeYoon fell into contemplation.

‘…Wouldn’t it be good if everyone can sing together? Should I think about it?’

The video seemed to have stimulated HeeYoon and new inspiration started popping into her head.

***

KangYoon and Lee HyunAh visited the Chancellor of Hallyeo Arts University along with Professor Choi ChanYang.
The Chancellor judged that KangYoon was a rising star in the entertainment industry and made an effort to become closer to him while KangYoon also replied with courtesy.
After their meeting came the main event, ‘Talk with your senior’.
KangYoon and Lee HyunAh were guided by the Chancellor’s secretary to a large hall where the students had gathered.
Many students were already seated.

‘O, oppa…’

Lee HyunAh, who sat down on her designated seat on the platform felt nervous while looking at the many people in the audience. She grabbed onto KangYoon’s arm in order to calm down.
KangYoon patted her back in an attempt to calm her down.
Soon, the formalities for the event was over and it came to Lee HyunAh’s turn to talk.

“The one I’ll be introducing this time is someone who…”

The main host was already introducing how Lee HyunAh had become a singer.
Listening to her own introduction, Lee HyunAh tightly grabbed KangYoon’s hands.
Seeing that, Professor Choi ChanYang spoke.

“Looks like HyunAh is very nervous.”
“I think so too. HyunAh, just think of it as going on stage to sing.”

KangYoon told her again, but Lee HyunAh didn’t calm down easily.

‘Sheesh, she was nervous on her first stage as well, so…’

She had flinched in the College Pop Festival as well and KangYoon had to wake her up.
KangYoon approached Lee HyunAh’s ears.

‘HyunAh.’
‘Eeeh!?’

Lee HyunAh was startled by the breath on her ears and shivered. It was a prank in order to wake her up.
When she came to and shook her head several times, KangYoon spoke.

‘Get yourself together. It’s your turn to go on stage now.’
‘Ah, yes….’
‘Just think of it as rapping on stage. Don’t be too nervous.’
‘Th, that’s not up to me!’

Even her hands were shaking due to nervousness.
KangYoon patted her on the back.

‘I know you can do it.’
‘Whoaaa?’

Then, KangYoon lightly pushed her forward. Then, Lee HyunAh was pushed onto the stage.
The main host had just finished introducing her as well.

“OOOOOOH!”
“Lee HyunAh! Lee HyunAh!”

While her juniors clapped for him, Lee HyunAh stood on the podium with an awkward smile.