A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 103

Working with Hyoseop went smoothly. There were no conflicts.

Dohyun took charge of the composition.

Hyoseop and Dohyun split the lyrics, and the selected parts were chosen through a blind review.

The same went for the studio.

Unlike Season 1, where they had to compete, there was none of that now.

“Hyung [older brother or male friend], this song is really turning out well, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I think so too. I can’t be 100 percent sure, maybe around 80?”

“Me too, about that much. It’s hard to make a song you like that much… but I’m glad it turned out well.”

The two were talking in Dohyun’s studio.

“How did you contract with the company? If it were me, I’d be pushing hard with the singer-songwriter concept. What about you?”

“Ah! If there are two people with the same concept in one company, it’ll be a bit boring, don’t you think?”

“Hmm? Not necessarily, though.”

“I’m not as good at producing, writing lyrics, or composing as you are, hyung. For now, I’m planning to receive songs while learning how to write lyrics, compose, and produce, so that my ultimate goal can be to become a singer-songwriter.”

“Not bad. And you and I have different directions we’re pursuing.”

“If you’re going for a British band style, I’m… should I say American pop style? My vocal tone is also like that. Ah, of course, you’re a bit more groovy, hyung.”

“That’s true. Anyway, now that it’s like this, let’s do well. We’ve ended up continuing our connection in the same company.”

“Yes, hyung!”

* * *

Before they knew it, Dohyun’s second album was complete.

The album pre-order quantity exceeded 700,000 copies, matching the sales volume of the previous album.

It was gathering expectations by exceeding 1 million pre-orders alone.

Everything was progressing smoothly.

Dohyun was in a situation where only the release date and concert remained.

In the meantime, Dohyun looked around the concert hall.

While the first concert was at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena, this time the venue was changed to the Handball Stadium next door.

Instead, the concert dates were changed to 6 shows in Seoul.

They would be performing 6 shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

After meeting fans in small venues overseas, he realized that the size of the venue didn’t matter.

The moment of meeting the fans was important.

He also learned from past experience that fans prefer to meet several times rather than once or twice in a large stadium.

Hue Entertainment told him to do two days of performances at the Gymnastics Arena, but Dohyun insisted on doing 6 shows.

His stubbornness could not be broken.

That’s why the 6-show performance, which might be a bit much for an artist, was prepared.

March 9, ahead of the concert.

It was Dohyun’s birthday.

To celebrate Dohyun’s birthday, bus advertisements, outdoor advertisements, and advertisements in department store aisles continued.

In addition to that, birthday parties were held internationally, beyond Korea.

A cafe in Japan transformed into an event cafe where fans gave out Dohyun photo cards to celebrate Dohyun’s birthday.

Fans in Europe, as well as fans in the United States and Canada, celebrated in their own way.

Dohyun, who had left the studio, put on a hat and mask and visited a cafe located somewhere in Hapjeong-dong.

It was his birthday cafe.

Of course, he was planning to go to other cafes besides this one and leave “proof shots” [pictures or videos taken to verify one’s presence or participation in an event].

Various events were prepared.

He hadn’t seen it last year, but this year he wanted to see it with his own eyes and prove everything.

“Welcome… Oh my.”

The cafe was filled with Dohyun’s photos and birthday greetings.

Dohyun, who was receiving so many people’s congratulations for the first time, took pictures of various places in the cafe.

However, that time did not last long.

“Kyaa!”

From the cafe owner to the Honeys [Dohyun’s fan name] in the cafe.

They recognized Dohyun’s appearance at once.

Before Dohyun could even take a second picture, fans started filming Dohyun, saying, “Jackpot! Na Dohyun appeared!”

“Do, Dohyun! Happy birthday!”

“Thank you! Does it show that it’s me even when I cover up like this?”

“Yeah… anyone can tell it’s you.”

“Oh… I thought I was coming in disguise.”

He had no idea that his fans had such sharp eyes.

“Dohyun-ssi [Mr. Dohyun]! What kind of drink would you like?”

“Hmm? Iced Americano. And I’ll pay for everyone who comes today!”

The fan in charge of the event stopped Dohyun, saying that he didn’t have to do that, but he didn’t listen.

In the end, Dohyun spent about 1 million won [approximately $750 USD] at the cafe and moved to the next place.

He took proof photos in front of the subway interior advertisement and crossed over to another station.

There, there were fans filming Dohyun’s large advertisement and giggling.

Dohyun felt playful.

“Excuse me… would you mind taking a picture of me?”

“Yes… Heok! Do, Dohyun…!”

Dohyun smiled brightly at the fans’ wide eyes.

“Thank you. Honey, everyone. It’s Na Dohyun.”

Clang! Clatter!

The fan dropped their phone. The phone screen was broken, but Dohyun was in front of them, so they couldn’t seem to come to their senses.

“Do, Dohyun… How did you come… came….”

“I knew you guys prepared it, so I came. I looked it up on SNS [Social Networking Services]. So, would you take a picture of me?”

“Aren’t you with Manager Kang Ho? It’s dangerous! The world makes you dangerous!”

Dohyun smiled at the fan’s playful rambling.

“The Honeys will protect me, right? Okay, then take a picture!”

“One, two, three, kimchi!”

“Everyone, would you like to take a selfie with me?”

Dohyun, who was in a great mood, suggested a selfie.

The fans said they couldn’t take a picture with his noble face, but Dohyun insisted that they should take it together to celebrate his birthday.

In the end, the fans really hit the jackpot.

After taking a selfie with Dohyun, the fans’ legs gave way and they collapsed as Dohyun strode away.

“…Hey. That’s Na Dohyun, right? That’s my baby, right.”

“That’s our baby… Na Dohyun must have made up his mind today… Was he originally a prankster? Was he originally that type?”

“He was secretly like that… but he was a serious man… No, when did our baby grow up and become so cute….”

In the meantime, Dohyun was freely walking around Hongdae.

Past memories came to mind.

The memory of when he wanted to do busking [street performing].

Dohyun, who had awkwardly finished his 3rd debut.

He wanted to do busking, but he didn’t have the courage to do it.

Then, in the process of preparing for his 4th debut, he did busking in Yeonnam-dong.

Of course, he did busking in Yeonnam-dong even after his debut.

Dohyun’s steps stopped at the busking street.

However, there was one thing Dohyun didn’t know.

That there were many fans who had been following Dohyun since earlier.

Dohyun was like the Pied Piper. Even though the fans were following him, he didn’t notice at all.

‘I used to want to do that too.’

It was then.

A man chose Dohyun’s song ‘One and Only.’

Without knowing that Dohyun’s fan and the original singer Na Dohyun were here.

The man started singing and the first verse passed.

During the interlude, Dohyun approached him.

“If it’s okay, can I sing the second verse with you?”

Dohyun’s playfulness was triggered once again.

“Together… Heok! Na Dohyun…!”

“What? Na Dohyun?”

People surrounded them in a circle.

Dohyun accepted the microphone that the busking man handed him and sang ‘One and Only’ in a sweet voice.

After singing two bars, he handed the microphone back to its original owner.

The original owner couldn’t sing and was just staring at Dohyun as if he was넋 (넋이 나간 -넋: soul, spirit) 나가 (gone) [넋 나가다 is an idiom that means to be in a daze or to be mesmerized].

“Everyone, shall we sing together? Let’s all sing together!”

The increased crowd was telling that Dohyun was here.

From 찍덕 (photographers) [people who take pictures of celebrities or idols] who came to take pictures of ‘underground idols’ active in Hongdae to ordinary people passing by… they captured Dohyun’s figure of taking off his hat and mask and concentrating on the song.

“If you don’t mind, can I sing one more song?”

Dohyun politely asked the man.

“Yes? Yes… please sing… Wow, 형님 (older brother) [term used by males to address older males they are close to], can I call you 형님 (older brother)? You have a honey voice, really… plus a crazy physical and beauty….”

The man was rambling without knowing what he was saying.

Dohyun patted him on the shoulder a couple of times and suggested a selfie.

The man took the opportunity and took a picture together.

After that, Dohyun’s stage began.

Dohyun strummed the guitar that the man handed him a couple of times and grabbed the chords.

“Everyone! It’s Na Dohyun! Do you know who I am?”

“I know you well!”

“Kyaaaa!”

“Happy birthday, Dohyun oppa [term used by females to address older males they are close to]!”

“Happy birthday to my first singer!”

“Thank you, everyone. It’s my birthday today. I’m happy to be with you on a day like today. I’m also happy to be able to sing with someone I don’t know like this. I’ll let you listen to a song I cherish.”

Dohyun then chose ‘Can’t take my eyes off you,’ one of the monthly Dohyun songs.

With the soft guitar sound, Dohyun’s mid-low tone echoed through the streets of Hongdae.

The sound quality was naturally not as good as a concert hall or broadcasting station.

But Dohyun felt like he was dreaming that he could have such a stage here for a while.

Everyone was congratulating him.

In the past, there were hardly any people who celebrated his birthday.

He used to be envious of other celebrities receiving tremendous congratulations from fans.

That was Dohyun….

‘Happiness is also an overdose. What am I supposed to do if I’m this happy.’

Dohyun, who was singing with his eyes closed, opened his eyes.

Then, he watched and tried to remember the faces of the people standing in a circle one by one.

“Thank you! For listening to the song. And please give a round of applause to this person who lent me his stage for a while!”

Dohyun’s video was immediately uploaded to YouTube. It spread not only to YouTube but also to all kinds of SNS.

└Crazy, awesome, Na Dohyun

└What am I going to do with that honey voice

└He roamed around Hongdae Hapjeong Sangsu with that face and figure? Without a manager?

└It could be dangerous in some ways, but Na Dohyun is really amazing. Look at him trying to prove all the fans’ gifts

└I was upset that I couldn’t give a gift because the notice that they don’t receive gifts separately was posted, but I felt better after seeing Na Dohyun proving everything ㅠㅠ [crying emoticon]

└Isn’t Na Dohyun an angel who fell to earth? Really?

└I vote that Na Dohyun has wings on his back ㅠㅠ

└Our Meow ㅠㅠ proved it ㅠㅠ Agoo Agoo our Meow ㅠㅠ [Agoo Agoo is an expression of endearment]

└Honestly, isn’t Na Dohyun guilty of stealing fan hearts with that much mania? Guilty human Na Dohyun, marry me!!!

└Dohyunaaaaaaa! I was there today!!! I was just going to go to the birthday cafe and I saw Na Dohyun ㅠㅠ Real life is 말 모태 (can’t explain) ㅠㅠ Dohyun, I love you ㅠㅠ I cherish you so much ㅠㅠ

└Envious mania. 지방 (local) [referring to fans who live outside of Seoul] 덕후 (mania) are just crying 우럭우럭 (crying) [onomatopoeia for sobbing]

└└Dohyun is going on a national tour this time, so I hope you go!