A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 224

With his schedule packed, Do-hyun barely had time to go home.

In fact, it would be more accurate to say he was unable to go home at all.

He spent most of his time at the studio and in the practice room.

And then, he had to spend time in the music show waiting room to prepare for the broadcast.

While waiting, he arranged ‘reverse fan support’ gifts for the fans who waited for him, even in the cold, delivering them through the staff.

The gifts varied, including his favorite perfumes, fountain pens, books filled with handwritten phrases, and unique Polaroid photos each day. Naturally, these items were often resold at inflated prices. The starting price was several hundred thousand won [approximately $300-$800 USD], and they sometimes traded for millions of won [thousands of USD].

To combat these transactions, The Dreamer Label tried to crack down, but even that didn’t completely work. They couldn’t stop the under-the-table deals.

To distribute gifts fairly and allow more fans to attend public broadcasts, they introduced a lottery system where each person could only participate once, but it was largely ineffective.

“Next time, I’ll have to try a different approach. I honestly didn’t expect fans to participate and then resell the items like that,” Do-hyun said to his manager, who was driving him to a fan signing event.

If he had to choose one regret from this promotional period, it was this.

Not being able to show his fans more diverse forms of appreciation.

“Still, the fans appreciate your efforts. Honestly, no singer puts as much thought into reverse fan support as you do. A different handwritten letter every day… and you wrote them all yourself, each with unique content. It was a lot of work just writing on those postcards.”

The number of attendees per public broadcast was limited to 500. Do-hyun even wrote personalized letters on postcards for each fan. The Polaroid included with the postcard was taken on the spot, making it a one-of-a-kind photo.

“I really hope the fans know how I feel. I hope they know that I haven’t changed. There aren’t many opportunities to express my feelings… if they could understand through gestures like this… that would be great.”

“Everyone knows. I’ve seen the reactions on social media, and they already understand. What are you worried about?”

It wasn’t that Do-hyun hadn’t checked the online reactions. However, he was bothered by the fans who expressed their disappointment. With so many fans, he felt limited in what he could do for them.

“Is there anything else we can do for them at the concert?”

“Hmm… what could we do… nothing immediately comes to mind.”

Do-hyun racked his brain, but nothing seemed quite right.

To repay them with great songs and performances.

He felt that was the best he could offer.

The setlist was finalized, and he was eagerly awaiting the chance to connect with fans on stage, practicing diligently in the practice room.

“Humm… Humm… I don’t know what to do. I want to show them something amazing….”

“The stage production is all set. We’re starting with a drone show… and even the Bluetooth central control for the cheering sticks is ready. What more could you want? You’re not planning on giving out gifts to everyone entering the venue again, are you? You’ll bankrupt us.”

“Hey, it’s not that bad. The fans are paying several times that amount to see the show. I don’t think I’ll be ruined by spending a little extra.”

At Do-hyun’s words, the manager chuckled.

“That’s true. If a global top star could be ruined by doing something nice for the fans, they wouldn’t be a top star. Besides, you haven’t wasted money on frivolous things. You’ve donated where needed and saved where you could, living like a penny-pincher.”

“I haven’t spent money on frivolous things.”

“It’s almost a problem how frugally you live. Ah, but you do live in a penthouse, so should I retract that statement?”

“Keuh… Hyung [an honorific used to address an older male friend or brother], you’re being funny, right? I’m laughing so hard. Laughing like this makes me feel a little better. I feel like ideas are starting to come to me.”

“So, what are you thinking?”

“They said there’s no rain in the forecast, so we don’t need to prepare raincoats. I should prepare hot packs and chocolate sets. Handwritten letters… if I write tens of thousands of them, my hands will be ruined, and I won’t be able to play the guitar, so I’ll have to skip that. But I have to do Polaroids. Well, taking hundreds of thousands of selfies. It’ll be quick, right? If I start now?”

“…Reckless, reckless.”

“Hey, Hyung. It’s not reckless. Anyway, I’ll contact the planning team.”

* * *

“Sunbae [a term used to address a senior colleague or mentor]. Are you really not going to tell me any dating stories?”

On the day of Do-hyun’s concert,

Reporter Yoon Min-hye was at a cafe with Reporter Yoo Hana.

It wasn’t an assignment day, but they both came to see the performance.

Reporter Yoon had been furious when the rumors of Hana and Do-hyun’s marriage turned out to be true, but she quickly accepted it.

After that, she constantly pestered her to share details about her relationship with Do-hyun, but Hana remained tight-lipped.

“Nope. I’m not going to tell you.”

“Sunbae… really, not even to me…? Aren’t you going to tell me? No, when did you two start dating? From the interview? Or before that?”

“It was long after the interview. After The Dreamer Label was established. I’ll only say this much. There are many people listening. My face has already been exposed.”

“Wow… so you’re saying you’ve known each other for a long time and your relationship developed… Wow, I feel betrayed! I’m going to get married too! To someone who likes me…! To Na Do-hyun too!”

“…Who said they’d give you our Do-hyun?”

“Keuh… I didn’t really like him in a romantic way, it was more like he was my source of strength, but… you wouldn’t understand how I felt at that time. That feeling of lightning striking in my head. It’s indescribable.”

“Someday… when enough time has passed and I feel like it’s the right moment. When that time comes, I’ll tell you everything. I think it’s too early yet.”

Hana was very cautious when it came to Do-hyun, especially after they started dating and got married. Even at work, she remained silent when stories about Do-hyun came up. She passed everything on to Huent or The Dreamer Label. She didn’t correct anything, even when she knew the truth.

“Really… you’re so secretive. I honestly thought that if Do-hyun had a girlfriend, she’d be an attention seeker and tell everyone, so the whole world would know. But she was right next to me? Ugh… the world is scary… and creepy….”

“What’s so surprising about that? Anyway, just watch quietly. I’ll live quietly and beautifully. For a long, long time. We’ll live happily ever after. That’s how it is.”

“Saying that just makes me even more curious about your dating stories! I’m sure you wouldn’t have asked him out with your personality. So, Do-hyun asked you out first? Do you know what cognitive dissonance is?”

Min-hye became even more agitated. Hana, noticing her voice getting louder, told her to lower it and calmed her down. Min-hye apologized and lowered her voice.

“On a good day like today… I got a little excited for a moment. Anyway… congratulations. How is it? How does it feel to live with an idol?”

“That’s also no comment. Today is fan mode to see the concert, not couple mode. So, I’m going to have fun and enjoy myself. No matter what anyone says, I’m going to have fun.”

“Ah, then just one question. Does Do-hyun know today’s setlist?”

Min-hye asked with sharp eyes. At those words, Hana shook her head, feigning disappointment.

“Surprisingly, my answer is no. He told me to check the setlist at the concert hall and wouldn’t tell me no matter how much I begged. Honestly, how can you not tell your own wife the setlist… I was a little disappointed….”

“Wow… that’s cold. Na Do-hyun… I’m newly smitten… A cold city man who doesn’t even spoil the setlist for his wife… but also to my woman….”

“Whoa. That’s enough. Anyway, let’s go since it’s almost time to enter. I already picked up the merchandise.”

“Yes, let’s go quickly, Sunbae.”

* * *

The audience was packed. The invitation seats for Do-hyun’s acquaintances were also full. Do-hyun’s parents and his parents-in-law were also present.

Do-hyun’s parents wondered why Hana wasn’t in her assigned seat.

At this, Do-hyun’s father-in-law laughed and said,

“As you know… my daughter is a huge fan of my son-in-law, so she said she managed to get better seats. She said she wouldn’t be sitting here today.”

“…Ah! That’s right. I forgot about that. I’ve heard so much about the intense ticketing battles that I didn’t think she would have gone to a better seat.”

“It seems like she’s only gotten better at ticketing while supporting my son-in-law for so long. Hehe… I hope you understand, in-laws.”

At the words of his father-in-law, Do-hyun’s father waved his hand, saying no.

“No. We’re just grateful that you gave us such a wonderful daughter who loves our son so much. She could have sat in the invitation seat… but she went through the trouble of ticketing and watching the performance… I’m newly impressed. I think I know why Do-hyun fell in love.”

“Hehe… no.”

While a warm conversation was taking place between both families,

The lights suddenly went out.

And the first video began to play.

The eyes of the elders of both families were fixed on the screen.

The same was true for the others who were chatting in the invitation seats.

The cheers of the fans echoed through the Jamsil Main Stadium.

Despite the chilly weather in late autumn, the fans’ enthusiasm was palpable.

Na Do-hyun! Na Do-hyun! Na Do-hyun!

The sound of chanting Do-hyun’s name filled the air….

Do-hyun rose on the lift from the extended stage.

The first performance was a sexy routine with choreography from his idol days, something he hadn’t showcased in a while.

Kyaaaaaaa?!

The cheers reverberated throughout the Jamsil Main Stadium.

Although Do-hyun had moved past his active idol days, he showed off his unchanging appearance and the results of his consistent self-care. Do-hyun sang five songs in that style.

“Haa… Hello everyone! I’m Na Do-hyun!”

“Do-hyun-ah! I love you!”

“Do-hyun-ahhhhh! You’re so sexy!”

“Na Do-hyun! You’re really awesome today!”

“Awesome Na Do-hyun!”

“Hahaha… Thank you everyone for welcoming me so enthusiastically from the very first stage. Are you ready to jump?”

Yeeeeees?!

Listening to the response, Do-hyun smiled.

The colorful lights of the cheering sticks illuminated the Jamsil Main Stadium.

How much he had missed this stage.

He was making his mark as the head of The Dreamer Label, but he missed being on stage as a singer, Na Do-hyun.

At this moment,