Raising a Neglected Singer-Songwriter - Chapter 28



Only Krnovel

28. Inauguration Ceremony

“The long-awaited SSR grade is about to be released!”

When you touch the capsule, a rainbow of bright lights explodes and a winning fanfare rings out.

Parara baampapam-

What soon appeared was a ticket emitting rainbow colors.

[You have acquired the SSR grade item [Neglected Activity Ticket].]

“what···?!”

I was so shocked I was speechless.

After reading the description, I swallowed another gasp.

[When used, one random idle activity is added to the list.]

“This is crazy!!!”

You can add idle activities···!

In other words, this meant that you could aim for new stats, skill unlocks, and level up.

Indeed, it is an incredible product that is worthy of having overcome the extremely evil odds of 1%.

Without further ado, I used my opening ticket right away.

Then this time, instead of tearing in half like a free trial ticket, it just melted away like cotton candy dissolving in water.

Immediately after that, the idle activity window automatically appeared before my eyes.

[Choose an idle activity.]

Practice singing

Playing other

Studying Mars

Playing the piano

[New!] Cycling

The gaze naturally moves to the bottom of the list.

The newly added new activities are flashing and showing off their presence.

But, doesn’t it seem somewhat different from the neglected activities so far?

“If it’s a cycle, a bicycle? Suddenly?”

Cha Seong-jun’s head tilts.

It’s not easy to find a correlation between cycling and singer-songwriters.

Of course, it is not as if it was not expected to some extent.

It probably has something to do with physical strength.

“Let’s check it out right away.”

Just before starting recording, I had recovered some of my stamina by eating, which was a resting activity.

[Start cycling.]

When you select an activity, the screen changes and an avatar appears riding a bicycle.

He is pedaling hard, wearing a cycle helmet on his head and tight cycling clothes over his body.

There are also scenes of drinking water in between.

“This dot is cute too. Especially the background.”

The movement of the cycle forward is expressed through the movement of the background. As the avatar’s legs rise and fall, the dogwoods on the roadside sway in the wind, and the river water gently ripples beneath the arched bridge in the distance.

With this kind of background, it would be fun to ride a bike.

“So, Avatar, go around for your brother. Bring back some new stats and skills when you come back.”

The results won’t be out until after midnight.

I returned home while waiting.

After I finished showering and was rolling around for a bit, the system message rang.

[All idle activities have ended.]

“Ah… It’s a dud… ”

This is something I learned while playing around with the game, but you only get the reward if the activity termination notification says “Check rewards.” If not, you get nothing.

“Well, I didn’t really expect to get it all at once.”

It took me at least 3 times to get the composition stat from studying Martian science.

This time there will probably be a limit or other special conditions attached.

“Anyway, the neglected activities aren’t going anywhere, so let’s do it step by step.”

The long day has ended.

*

*

*

A few days later, on Friday.

MXM Entertainment’s official YouTube channel is going crazy.

Because of the two cover songs uploaded last Wednesday and today at noon.

[Dawn (Covered by D.Voice)]

A sentimental and lyrical song full of dawn emotions, just like the song title, that will bring tears to the listener’s eyes.

[Fireworks (Covered by D.Voice)]

The song with an exciting and cheerful festival feel, which said that when I see you, a fireworks festival goes off in my heart, was the main culprit of the commotion.

After a spoiler-like comment was posted the other day saying that Devoe’s covers would be uploaded three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Fans who had been waiting rushed to the cover video as soon as it was released, and after 3 minutes, they each screamed in happiness in the comments section.

– This cover is also awesome! Real God Devoice.

N This is my favorite song at dawnㅜㅠ I wonㅠㅠ

n I am a full-time housewife of two children. Every day, I struggle with the war-like task of raising children, but I happened to hear a song and it comforted me a lot. Please continue to sing good songs. You’re the best.

N I cried a lot at night while listening to this hyung’s song. I was 18 years old. It was the first time I cried as a man since I was born.

Nah, I was shockedㅋㅋㅋ But I admit. I cried even more because it was a man’s voice.

– The festival is so exciting! It’s even more exciting because it’s Friday!

ㄴ I decided to sing you as my after-work song todayㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

n After listening to this song, the corn in my house turned into popcorn.

N This is so boring. I need to go back and study drip.

ㄴ I also listened to music before the test and got so excited that I couldn’t calm down, so I threw down my test paper and ran out.

n Your grades will go up after listening to this song.

This cover also received a lot of praise for being a perfect fit.

– This is a vocal trainer who was passing by. This person is really crazy. Usually, cover singers follow the original song in terms of vocals or emotions, or all songs are similar, but this person has different emotions in 26, Love Potion, Dawn, and Fireworks. Even if you listen to his singing style, it is subtly different. He is a true chameleon.

n If each song has a different sensibility and singing style, isn’t that lacking individuality? After all, famous singers have their own unique characteristics.

n Anyone who dares to question Devois will be expelled.

Sometimes there are analyses or questions about Devoice’s vocals.

– What, you said you cover songs 3 times a week? Is it possible to record in two days at this quality?

ㄴ I guess you’ll record everything in advance and then release it slowly.

N No no. This is recorded the day before. It’s a completely live schedule.

Huh? Looking at this person’s ID, it seems like he’s an internal employee who spoils 3 times a week?

N Wow. You’re releasing a cover song in two days? What kind of cover song factory are you?

N Ah, I want to lock the factory manager up and make him just sing. Instead of one song every two days, make him produce two songs a day. In return, I’ll give him plenty of dumplings.

Or, there was a reaction that it was a machine due to the cover song production cycle being too short.

Anyway, since the fan base had grown considerably over the four cover songs, the number of views skyrocketed at a faster rate than last time.

The synergy effect also led to a steady increase in the number of views for previous songs.

in result,

The number of subscribers exceeded 450,000.

The cover song views were 2.3 million for ’26’, 1.5 million for ‘Love Potion’, 900,000 for ‘Dawn’, and 400,000 for ‘Fireworks’, respectively.

It couldn’t be anything other than a crazy growth rate.

Another thing to note was that the number of subscribers in the English-speaking world increased significantly.

In proportion to this, English comments also poured in, some of which were

– Is he the guy mentioned on MRS? (Is that the guy he mentioned on the midnight radio show?)

– The one chosen by King George (The one chosen by King George)

He was just rambling on and on about something completely incomprehensible.

Judging from the above, it seems that these are probably subscribers who came in through some other route, rather than being Yuna’s global fans.

However, Cha Seong-jun was a subscriber and had no time to worry about views, comments, etc.

Because of the tight schedule of juggling work and recording.

Because I was busy learning the melody and lyrics of the next song.

And one more thing.

[This is a reminder text from the Flexnet ‘Who’s the King’ team. As previously informed, the recording will start at 9 AM tomorrow, so don’t be late······]

This is because the audition preparations that were fast approaching were also added to the equation.

Because I had to perform a vocal song, I needed additional guitar accompaniment and singing practice.

Thanks to that, time passed by twice as hectic as usual······

Finally, Saturday morning dawned.

“Is this the audition room…?”

In front of JBS Studio located in Ilsan.

Cha Seong-jun, holding a guitar, looks around.

Since the company is in Sangam, the broadcasting station wasn’t particularly new to me, but since it was my first time visiting for an audition, it felt unfamiliar.

“When I watched it on TV, it looked like there were participants lined up and it was bustling, but it wasn’t like that in reality.”

There are only a few people hanging around, wearing free-spirited attire like himself, holding a guitar or boldly proclaiming, “I’m a musician.”

There was a notice to come wearing clothes that best express yourself, so I guess this outfit reflected that.

On the other hand, his own appearance is extremely ordinary compared to theirs.

Beige slacks and black long-sleeved T-shirt.

It’s a typical semi-casual look.

‘Well, I had no idea what to wear!’

So I opened my closet and picked out the cleanest clothes.

I also wore a pair of horn-rimmed glasses without a prescription.

To cover the face a little.

I guess it’s because the company is on my mind.

‘Anyway, everyone will find out once the broadcast starts······.’

Still, rather than revealing my face openly, I decided to try to hide it as much as possible by wearing glasses.

Anyway, I followed the line of what I assumed were the participants and entered the studio.

As you pass through the entrance, you will see staff waiting at desks lined up on both sides of the first floor lobby to greet the participants who arrived earlier.

At this time, a staff member who had no passengers raised his hand and called me, and as I approached, he checked my personal information by comparing my ID with the name on my application.

“Mr. Cha Seong-jun… Is this you?”

As you nod, the staff member calls a senior staff member and asks you to wait a moment.

Then the two people whispered something quietly.

Then suddenly-

“Oh, this person?”

An incomprehensible reaction leaked out from the mouth of the senior staff member whose eyes had widened.

The senior hurriedly coughed, perhaps because he had said it without realizing it.

“Ahem. Anyway, I’ll give you good directions.”

After that, he awkwardly patted his junior on the shoulder and left.

On the other hand, the junior staff member who received instructions from his senior resumed responding with a smile twice as bright as before.

“Thank you for waiting.”

After verifying your identity, you will be given a bracelet to prove your participation.

Additionally, they gave us a sticker with the number ’49’ on it. When we asked what it was for, they said we would know naturally when the recording started.

Then, we went to the recording studio under the guidance of the staff.

I walked around, looking forward to seeing how magnificent the set would be, but what I arrived at was not the main set, but a waiting room.

There are chairs spaced out at regular intervals in a wide space, and each chair has a number written on it.

It feels just right, just sit on the chair that matches the number sticker you just received.

In fact, the participants who arrived first were already sitting like that.

In the meantime, there were no numbers from 1 to 25.

“Before we start recording, I’d like to give you a brief introduction. Please note that only half of the 49 participants participated in today’s filming.”

The remaining half of the first number was already filmed yesterday, Friday.

It was a decision made to prevent the participants’ condition from deteriorating due to the recording becoming too long when filming the 49-person stage in one day.

“I’m number 49···.”

After wandering around, I found a seat and sat down.

After putting down the guitar, I looked around and noticed cameras installed in all directions.

‘How many cameras are there anyway?’

I didn’t count them in detail, but there were probably about 10 of them.

I can tell it’s already recording because the red light is blinking.

Meanwhile, in one corner of the waiting room, some participants were being interviewed.

The wall is set up with a white wall for interviews, lights, and chairs.

Oh, so that’s how the interview scenes on TV are filmed.

“Is participant number 49 here?”

As I was watching in amazement, the camera director who was filming the interview called me over.

I went to the chair and sat down at the urging to come quickly, and the interview began right away.

“Please introduce yourself briefly.”

“How did you come to apply?”

“Please give us a word of determination.”

Who would have thought I’d be interviewed as soon as I entered the room…

Since I didn’t expect it at all, I just blurted out whatever came to mind.

After finishing the interview in about two minutes, I returned to my seat.

“Whew, this is crazy.”

Just a moment to catch my breath.

Pot-

The large screen installed at the front of the waiting room turned on and someone appeared.

He is a handsome man with silver-dyed hair.

“Huh? It’s Park Hye-shin!!!”

He shouted after finding out who the participants were.

Park Hye-shin.

This is the ‘Park’ of ‘Silla Park Choi’, who is called one of the four heavenly kings of vocals.

It was a face that was rarely seen on broadcasts other than at concerts or musical stages.

At best, they were barely able to invite him as a guest on music talk shows like ‘Lucky Letter’ and ‘Drawing Book’?

But there was no one who was surprised when he suddenly appeared on the recording studio screen.

I don’t know if you know that kind of reaction or not

“Who will be the king of the new era! Hello. I am Park Hye-shin, the MC of Flexnet’s ‘Who’s the King’.”

Park Hye-shin opened her mouth with a smile on her face.

That’s right.

He was the super special MC that MXM Entertainment had recruited after much deliberation.

In particular, CEO Choi Ma-heon, who staked his life on the program, mobilized all kinds of connections and persuasion.

The goal is to make a program with Park Hye-shin as the MC and draw not only female viewers but also male viewers in front of the TV.

And the super special MC announced the start of today’s recording with a program explanation.

“We sincerely welcome everyone who applied for ‘Who’s the King’.

‘Who’s the King’, which selects the best singer-songwriter, received applications from 50,000 global applicants through an open recruitment held over the past month.

And the 49 contestants here today have earned the right to be the ‘King’ after beating the fierce competition of 1000:1 odds. The ‘King’ of the next generation of singer-songwriters.”

Park Hye-shin continued speaking, emphasizing her point.

“This is a survival game where only your skills matter. Therefore, everything including your name, age, nationality, and career history will be left out, and from now on, you will be called by the title of Candidate No.

The sticker number you receive upon entering is your number from now on. This number is not based on your ability, but on the order of acceptance on the application form. In other words, the earlier the number, the earlier the application order, and the later the number, the later the application order.

Now, candidates, please attach your number to your boat and take your seat.”

It was obvious that he had recited a memorized script, but his sweet voice more than made up for the awkwardness.

The participants who had been listening carefully each checked their number and put a sticker on their stomach.

Cha Seong-jun also checked the number.

Number 49, the last number among all the participants.

It looks like he was lucky enough to catch the last train.

Of course, I applied just before the deadline.

Anyway, looking at the situation, it seems like this is the opening.

Then suddenly I realized that the scene I was staring at on the screen just a moment ago was also being filmed.

‘Oh, you’re not making an idiotic face, are you…?’

If your reaction is excessive or unusual, it is obvious that the chances of it being broadcast will increase.

That was a time when I promised myself that I would take better care of my facial expressions from now on, as it was burdensome in many ways.

Doo doo doo doo doo-

Suddenly, a magnificent BGM started to flow and the screen within the screen changed.

You can see the main set covered in thick white dry ice.

At the very top, a crown-shaped symbol appeared, rising above the clouds.

And then a majestic voice began to resonate low.

“Then, candidates, we will now hold the ‘inauguration ceremony’ to begin the fierce battle for the throne.”

The preliminary evaluation has begun.

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