Raising a Neglected Singer-Songwriter - Chapter 112



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Raising a Neglected Singer-Songwriter Episode 112

112. Me alone

Judging by the purple color of the sky, it is evening.

The location is under a green sign that reads ‘OLD ALE HOUSE’.

Next to him, leaning against the wall, a man was clearly visible handing him a gold business card.

The man’s identity could be confirmed from the title of the article in which the photo was published.

『Sungjun, a secret meeting with top US producer George Brown?!』

Their meeting in New York was covered in the news.

I even finished reading the entire article.

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American big-time producer George Brown left Washington and secretly headed to New York.

There he watched a man’s busking performances one after another, and secretly contacted him in an old pub and gave him his business card.

The man’s identity is Korea’s rising K-pop star, Sung Jun.

He is active on YouTube and SoundSky under the name ‘D.Voice’.

George Brown probably came to him to recruit him as a new artist for ‘New Era’… (continued)

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‘What the hell happened?’

Seongjun’s eyebrows furrow as he reads the article.

I have no idea when this photo was taken and when it even became an article.

While my head was spinning and loading, Oh Hae-soo opened his mouth.

“I’ve already had a few phone calls from someone named ‘George Brown.’”

At those words, I immediately checked my phone.

As you said, there were several missed calls.

Finally, a message arrived.

– Can I talk to you for a moment?

It was from George.

After moving with Oh Hae-soo, I called him.

Before the beep even sounded twice,

– The call finally got through.

A familiar voice answered.

“Sorry I’m late. I was just recording for a moment. I think it’s night in the US. Is it okay for you to talk?”

– Haha, that’s okay. You’re so sweet and considerate.

George laughed briefly, then changed his voice and got back to the main point.

– The reason I contacted you so urgently is… I think you can probably guess.

“Yes, I saw the article. Mr. Brown, do you know anything about this situation?”

When Sungjun asked, George clicked his tongue and answered, “Tsk.”

– I think we got a ‘cockroach’ from Washington.

Cockroach is industry slang for paparazzi.

They are called that because their pronunciation is similar, and because they follow stars and celebrities around and film their every move, like cockroaches that keep appearing no matter how many times you take them off.

George guessed that they had been keeping an eye on him since he had recently heard an interview where he had recruited Mark for his newly launched label and was looking to recruit additional new artists.

– After the article came out, I contacted him and asked for a correction. It is true that I gave him a business card, but I never made a separate offer to recruit him. I just asked him to have a casual conversation about music as musicians.

George added.

– Since you gave me a follow-up story, I’m sure there will be a related article soon. Don’t worry too much. I should have been more careful, and I’m sorry for causing trouble.

He explained the whole story and offered an apology.

Well, it’s not exactly his fault.

The bad thing is the paparazzi who took pictures of the two people and published an article without checking the facts.

“It’s okay. I’m sure Mr. Brown was quite surprised, too. Anyway, thank you for contacting me. It put my mind at ease.”

– Thank you for saying so. I’ll contact you again next time. Then, let’s talk about ‘music’ instead of this kind of trivial matter.

After ending the call with George like that.

Since break time was almost over, we hurried back to the set.

Then, the mentors greeted Seongjun with question marks on their faces.

I had a feeling something was off,

Hailey, who had been looking around, spoke carefully.

“Seongjun, someone just sent me an article······.”

Jiwoong asked directly, as if continuing the trail of slurred speech.

“Is it true, Sungjun hyung? Did you really get an offer to join New Era?”

Well then, that’s right. Judging from their expressions, it seems like everyone else had read the article just like me. As expected, rumors spread quickly in this industry.

But I wasn’t flustered.

Because it was something I expected when I first saw the article.

“No, that’s not true. I just said that we should be friends and talk about music sometimes.”

If even one person says something different, the confusion will increase.

George answered, kissing him as usual.

But there was still awe in the sparkling eyes of Ji-Woong and his mentors.

In any case, it meant that it was true that I had interacted with that top-tier producer in the US.

“But I think the program will be a hot topic because of the news that came out today. George Brown’s music friend is participating as a mentor. Did you know? Our fortune has skyrocketed because of the news. Now, let’s see.”

Jaymin thrust his cell phone into her hand.

As the saying goes, the stock price of ‘MXM Ent.’ is showing a bright upward curve.

For a moment, it felt like I could hear Choi Max-heon’s hearty laughter.

“Well, it’s good that it’s an issue, but I feel a bit bad that the focus is on me. After all, the main characters are kids. And there’ll be a correction article soon.”

Seongjun answered calmly once again.

Just then, the camera started rolling and Ye-seon Ha stepped in to clear up the chaotic atmosphere.

“Okay, next it’s time to see the [sexy] concept stage.”

Although the mentors seemed to have a lot more questions to ask, they remained true to their original duties as professionals.

He immediately changed his gaze and stared at the girls climbing up onto the stage.

Seongjun also focused his gaze and shouted ‘nice timing’ inwardly.

The four girls standing in a row in the center of the stage were showing off their gorgeous outfits.

To match the concept song of the [sexy] keyword, Sisters’ ‘I’m Alone’, she wore a burgundy shirt, black shorts, and high heels.

The makeup is also heavy.

The crimson eye shadow that languidly covered both eyes was a side that could not be found at all in the previous two concepts, [Innocence] and [Cutie].

“Wow, they all seem like different people.”

“I hope you’ll show us your best side on stage, just like you do now.”

“yes!”

The four girls answered with all their might to the encouragement of their mentors.

Then, as the four people bowed their heads and took their positions, the introduction of the accompaniment starting with a synthesizer and piano soon echoed throughout the set.

At that moment,

Flash-

Jin Ha-neul’s eyes, raised as he raised his head, suddenly changed.

The hazy eyes in the red eye shadow were so alluring and seductive that Sungjun couldn’t help but gasp.

Then, a vocal mixed with deep breath flowed out from her lips as she took on the lead vocal.

“Why can’t I forget memories?”

An introduction that immediately grabs attention

“Oh.”

A soft exclamation comes out from the mentor’s seat.

After that, the fascinating dancing and singing continued.

While Sungjun paid attention to the individual vocals of each girl and the overall synergy of the members, he focused on Jin Ha-neul.

And when it reached the chorus, the sexy concept really exploded.

“Why am I drinking alone?

I fell asleep alone.

“I cry and laugh alone.”

Four girls sing of loneliness, their feet tiptoeing across the stage floor.

Every single one of her fluttering movements and voices radiated a devilish coquetry that was impossible to take my eyes off.

one side,

‘Is it because I’m in a bad mood…?’

Seongjun, who was watching the stage, is overcome with a strange feeling.

All of Jin Ha-neul’s eyes were focused on one place while she was dancing and singing.

Right, towards himself.

It wasn’t a mistake.

Clearly, she was only looking at herself.

When our eyes meet, I see the corners of his lips slightly raised in a relaxed manner.

It was as if the sight was appealing to me, ‘That’s right. This song is being sung to you right now.’

Three hot minutes passed like that.

The mentors’ cheers erupted above the heads of the trainees who were catching their breath as they returned to their girlish appearances once again.

“I don’t usually say things like this because it feels too much, but… This stage was really crazy!! I was completely absorbed in it!!”

“This is true. When mentor Jaymin is really enjoying himself on stage, he starts giggling to himself. He was ‘giggling’ while watching this song.”

Starting with Jaymin and Jiwoong, rave reviews poured in one after another.

Girls holding each other’s hands and smiling with proud faces.

After the round of praise relay, the name of the ace trainee who caught the eye the most on this stage came up.

“They were all so perfect, but among them, there is one trainee I want to praise in particular.

Trainee Jin Ha-neul! I thought I was seeing a completely different person from trainee Jin Ha-neul. It’s true that up until now, the emphasis was on innocence, so it was a little boring.

However, she successfully transformed her image by perfectly performing this stage. Jin Ha-neul’s rediscovery!”

Hailey agreed with Likee’s words.

“I agree! I think it was a stage that fully showed off Jin Ha-neul’s other charms. She was the most outstanding in expressing the concept of ‘sexy’.

But from what I remember, Jin Ha-neul wasn’t originally that good at expressing herself. Is there any special secret to her practice that helped her grow in a short period of time?”

Jin Ha-neul hesitates for a moment to answer Hailey’s question.

And then,

Sneak-

She glanced at Seongjun and slowly opened her mouth.

“···I just ‘acted’ as the speaker of this song. A woman who longs for the attention of a man and seduces him.”

At her answer, the mentors turned their heads and looked at Sungjun.

“Huh? If it’s acting, wasn’t that the feedback that Mentor Sungjun gave you last time? Wow, Mentor Sungjun must be feeling good!”

“It’s all thanks to trainee Jin Ha-neul who understood and digested it perfectly. You worked hard. You were awesome.”

Jin Ha-neul smiled bashfully at Seong-jun’s raised thumb.

The long recording ended with the last concept song stage.

And the results of the mentor evaluation were announced at the end of the recording.

[2nd place. Jin Ha-neul]

Jin Ha-neul rose to second place in the overall rankings.

*

That evening.

dump-

Jin Ha-neul, who had just finished showering, threw herself onto the bed.

A bashful laugh suddenly escapes her lips as she hugs her beloved rabbit doll tightly.

“Hehehe. Do you like it that much, sis?”

“Huh? Huh? No, just.”

When his roommate, Haru Lee, asked with a snicker, he tried to control his expression, but the mouth hanging from his ear showed no sign of going down.

After finishing recording, this unprecedented phenomenon of giggling continued.

Well, it was the fruit of my efforts that I came in second place.

And above all else.

‘Mentor Sungjun said I was cool.’

The praise from the mentor he admired made the corners of Whale’s, or rather Jin Ha-neul’s, lips dance.

Looking back, she must have done something truly absurd.

You were staring at Sungjun like that during the whole stage!

‘Ugh.’

Just thinking about the continued eye contact with Sungjun makes my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

In reality, my heart was pounding even harder than that.

However, Jin Ha-neul was barely able to overcome his embarrassment by remembering the teachings of his special mentor, ‘Yuna’.

Last week, during the midterm evaluation of the concept song,

‘Um~ Oppa Seongjun, no, mentor Seongjun, told me to try ‘acting’ because I lack expressive skills? ‘

Yuna gave a hint after hearing feedback from Sungjun.

‘Honestly, it’s a difficult order… but fortunately, I can use a shortcut at least for the next song.

‘Alone’ is a song that seduces the opposite sex, right? I think the most important thing when seducing someone is ‘eye contact’ and ‘gaze’.

So, on stage, I think of the audience as just mentor Sungjun and sing while looking only at him. I think that will naturally create a good mood, right?’

And the advice from seasoned veteran singer Yuna was spot on.

As she said, the moment she saw Sungjun in the mentor seat, her body naturally reacted.

Without realizing it, I was gesturing and making voices to be recognized.

However, I don’t know if that’s why Sungjun was possessed in the end.

If anything, it would have been the opposite.

In any case, it was clear that we had taken a step forward through this stage.

‘In the next round too, for sure···.’

I have to put on a good show and meet that person’s expectations.

And then I’ll debut and ask you if you remember me.

Jin Ha-neul, holding a rabbit doll in her arms, quietly burned with enthusiasm.