Become A Music Monster Overnight! [EN]: Chapter 118

34. Audition

It was around this time that Black Tiger visited their practice room.

Fortunately, Youngchan’s uncles didn’t tease him. Or rather, they couldn’t.

This was related to the whispers they exchanged as they retreated to a corner of the practice room to resume practicing.

“Those guys look like they’re at least Level 2.”

“MTM? I know some of those guys. Level 2? Are you sure you’re seeing things right?”

“No. If they weren’t celebrities, they might even be Level 3…”

“Hey! Level 3 is a bit much.”

“…Well, if they’re Level 2, I guess it makes sense.”

Security for YC was being increasingly tightened as his popularity continued to soar rather than decline.

This was due to the *sasaeng* fans [obsessive fans who invade the privacy of celebrities], who called themselves fans but were essentially criminals.

The security team classified the risk level of these individuals into four categories.

Level 1 fans were typical Black Cat-level fans. They maintained a relationship within reasonable boundaries, which was the ideal level for many singers and fans.

Level 2 fans were extreme fans who went beyond these reasonable boundaries. They saw YC as more than just a star, causing problems such as excessive gift-giving, but they were still relatively harmless.

The problem started with Level 3.

*Sasaeng* fans who invaded privacy were a prime example, and their obsession was chilling. The fact that a *sasaeng* fan hiding in the closet after finishing a schedule was considered cute in their world shows how harmful they were.

In fact, among fans, *sasaeng* fans were sometimes referred to as *sasaeng* criminals.

And then there was Level 4.

From this point on, it could be considered criminal territory.

These were individuals with delusions and a possessiveness bordering on mental illness, who would destroy what they couldn’t have.

They wouldn’t hesitate to commit acts such as acid attacks or shootings, going far beyond the concept of being a fan.

In any case, assuming MTM was at the Level 2 extreme fan level, their enthusiastic reaction to Youngchan’s squid dance was understandable.

However, unbeknownst to them, there were surprisingly many idols who were as enthusiastic about YC as MTM.

This was especially true after YC conquered Billboard.

Immediately, the singers within YC Entertainment were mostly Level 1 fans close to Level 2, and some were even at Level 2.

Well, this was inevitable.

Although they tried to restrain themselves as much as possible, they often encountered Youngchan in his serious mode.

Most of the singers from MS, which he had acquired, were fans of YC.

Although not quite at Level 2 like MTM, they all considered themselves Black Cats.

Because of this, White Velvet and the new male idol group 6DAY were filled with joy.

It wasn’t just because YC had acquired MS Entertainment.

More than that, like MTM, White Velvet and 6DAY also received songs.

As soon as MTM’s activities ended, White Velvet and 6DAY were scheduled to continue their activities, starting with opening guest performances.

Hearing these facts from MS officials, their fans were already cheering.

Fortunately, MTM properly made their name known on Billboard through Black Tiger’s opening guest performance.

With G1 Band, Blue Rose, and New Daisy, who had already made a splendid presence as established artists, the opening guest for Black Tiger was currently attracting attention in the media.

In this situation, it would have been strange if MTM, a top Korean group, hadn’t become a hot topic with YC’s song and the incredible performance they had never shown before.

Contrary to what was planned, their popularity eventually led them to reduce their Korean activities and expand their American activities.

By the third week, they had managed to climb to 94th place on the Billboard Hot 100, and like a 10-year veteran, they skillfully navigated broadcasts and radio, gradually increasing their ranking.

Naturally, MTM’s long-time core fans went wild.

They were already grateful that the group was able to resume activities for the first time since renewing their contract, but it was as if they had been given a new lease on life, so they couldn’t help but be moved.

Although their activities in Korea would inevitably decrease, they were grateful just to be able to continue as a group.

Because of this, letters of gratitude were already pouring into YC Entertainment and MS Entertainment.

-MTM’s Revival! Entering Billboard?-

-Unbelievable Feat by the Leader of the 2nd Generation Idols! Reaching 94th Place on Billboard-

-Unexpectedly Enthusiastic Response Causes Confusion Within MS Entertainment.-

“I didn’t think things would go this far?”

Youngchan, who could be said to be the one who created the current situation, seemed a little embarrassed.

However, MTM was bound to be revived through this song, even if it wasn’t in the American market.

The ‘MTM’ song that Youngchan had given them was an amazing song that captured both popularity and professionalism, and above all, the choreography created through his inspiration was a hot topic in itself.

In any case, MTM made Black Tiger’s opening guest even more of a hot topic.

Naturally, White Velvet, who followed MTM as the opening guest, received explosive attention no less than MTM.

In terms of buzz, it was true that girl groups were ahead of boy groups, and White Velvet was no exception.

Before YC Entertainment, White Velvet, one of the girl groups that the top 3 entertainment companies mainly promoted, had some weaknesses, but this event completely changed the landscape.

There was no longer any disagreement that White Velvet was next in line after Blue Rose and New Daisy.

6DAY, who followed White Velvet as the opening guest, also received a warm response.

For 6DAY, who had not yet shed their rookie status, the opening guest spot at the Black Tiger concert was a tremendous opportunity.

Although they didn’t generate as much buzz as MTM, they managed to imprint themselves on the Billboard market.

For two weeks, they climbed to 95th place on the Billboard Hot 100 before quickly dropping off, but reaching that ranking was a monumental achievement in itself.

The person who came up as the opening guest for the last 4 weeks of the concert was none other than Lala Land.

-Lala Land Under YC Entertainment! Hitting the Jackpot-

-Lala Land’s Rise to 54th Place on the Billboard Hot 100 Shows No Signs of Stopping?-

-With This, All Singers Under YC Entertainment Have Reached the Billboard Charts.-

-Lala Land’s Title Track ‘7th Year of Christmas’ Recognized as This Year’s Christmas Carol!-

The reason Youngchan left Lala Land as the last opening guest was because of this carol.

As the end of November approached, carol songs were heard everywhere on the streets in Korea, but it was even more so in the United States.

Even before November, they had finished decorating the exterior of their houses and played carol songs to stimulate consumer sentiment.

That’s how lucrative Christmas carols are, so most singers were busy releasing carols during this time.

In that regard, ‘7th Year of Christmas’ generated tremendous buzz even without a proper music video.

This was because Youngchan took on the duet part in the middle of the song, playing the role of a past lover.

For fans who had been waiting for Youngchan’s carol song since ‘Snow Lady,’ this was like a Christmas present.

-Black Tiger Successfully Concludes All-Stadium Tour Ahead of Christmas!-

-Estimated Revenue of $400 Million? Some Say It Will Be Double That When Including Merchandise!-

-YC’s US Branch Listed Amidst the Buzz of the Successful All-Stadium Tour!-

-Exceeding the Expected Price of $1,000 on the First Day!-

-YC Owns 70% of the Shares of YC’s US Branch, Which Is on an Endless Rise?-

-Black Tiger’s Colleagues Each Become Major Shareholders with 3% of YC’s US Branch Shares.-

-YC Rises to the Top as the Wealthiest Celebrity in Korea by an Overwhelming Margin.-

As expected, as the all-stadium tour successfully concluded, the stock price of the US branch went crazy.

Originally, it was a stock in a bubble-heavy sector, and it was natural since the net profit for this year alone exceeded $1 billion.

Above all, the fact that MS Entertainment’s singers successfully made their names known on Billboard was a boon to the stock market.

Then, like a Christmas present, Lala Land caused a huge sensation with ‘7th Year of Christmas,’ and the stock price could only soar further.

It was a really fortunate thing for Taylor, who was preparing for expansion in a somewhat reckless manner.

He did not stop expanding throughout the United States and Europe, even putting Christmas aside. There was a reason why he was pushing so hard.

‘It’s time to find talent not only in Korea but also overseas.’

In addition to simply expanding the market, Taylor believed that this distribution should be expanded in order to secure overseas talent.

The reason he was so confident was because of Jamie, whom Youngchan had found in Las Vegas.

She didn’t seem to have much to do with being a singer, and perhaps she was even a bit late in age.

He was surprised by the talent she showed in the class and test she was taking at the New York branch.

But what really surprised him was what Youngchan said about her.

“Keep an eye on her. She will surprise the world. And many will shout, ‘Karen Carpenter is back.'”

He compared her to Karen Carpenter.

Karen Carpenter was a figure who evoked considerable sensitivity in middle-aged Americans like him.

As such, it was honestly hard to imagine someone saying that she had come back to life.

However, it was different if Youngchan said it.

He, who possessed tremendous musicality as if Mozart had been reincarnated in modern times, did not usually make empty promises when it came to music.

So, if he said so, it must be true.

“If the CEO is right, discovering a second Jamie through this alone would be a great deal.”

He didn’t know about other fields, but at least in arts and sports such as music, the historical resonance that one genius brings was not small.

“…I really can’t stop him.”

Youngchan, who knew what Christmas meant in the United States, ended up giving him, who was working like crazy even on Christmas, an absurd Christmas present.

He gave him 2% of the stock price on the condition that he would be reappointed for 20 years, and even the bold Taylor was surprised by this.

The amount of money was already enormous, but he knew that it would become an astronomical amount in the future.

But for Youngchan, it wasn’t a big deal.

It was hard to find an employee who had both trust and ability like Taylor.

“Ah~ Damn it, I’m solo again this year!”

He grumbled that he was still single, approaching the age of 34, but that was only for a moment.

As always, he couldn’t dismiss the inspiration that suddenly came to him in the late hours of the night and had to head to the studio.

* * *

What is the hottest news in the entertainment industry right now?

There are many, but the hottest is YC Entertainment’s recruitment of trainees.

As 2016 began, they suddenly decided to publicly recruit trainees through various media outlets.

The fields were not limited to idols.

They started recruiting in various fields such as the currently popular hip-hop, as well as rock bands and jazz.

Naturally, this caused a huge stir.

This was even more so because they knew how crazy YC Entertainment’s performance had been last year.