A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 11

Future-Reading Rising Rookie Singer – Episode 11 (11/225)

Even though I had prepared in advance for PD [Producer Director] Lee Jun-hyuk’s suggestion to sing on the spot, I cleared my throat and got ready.

‘When I Fall in Love’ is famous for its high-pitched ad-libs in the chorus. It’s a very popular song that topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 41 weeks, and many YouTubers who think they can sing have covered it.

And it’s not just YouTubers. Among singers, those who are considered vocally talented have all performed it on broadcasts.

With so many comparisons, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

“You’ve warmed up, so let’s hear you sing it once,” PD Lee Jun-hyuk said to me with an expression that seemed to indicate he wasn’t expecting much.

I wanted to change that dry look in his eyes to one full of anticipation.

“Then, I’ll begin.”

When I fall in love.
You were in love with someone else.
It was only my own love.
I wanted to change your mind somehow.
To the moment when we were happy

Do-hyun poured his emotions into Marilyn Page’s song, hoping that his departed lover would return to him even as he watched her meet someone else.

Do-hyun had once fallen in love like that song.

After his third debut activities ended and he was forgotten by everyone.

He had a brief but passionate romance back then.

Returning to that moment, he poured his emotions into the song and nailed the high notes.

“That’s enough.”

PD Lee Jun-hyuk stopped the song.

Do-hyun waited expectantly to hear what PD Lee Jun-hyuk would say, his hands clasped neatly in front of him.

“I wasn’t expecting much, but it’s better than I thought.”

“…Thank you!”

“You don’t need to thank me. Your skills have definitely improved.”

Having worked with a top producer and refined his singing style, it would have been strange if his skills hadn’t improved.

PD Lee Jun-hyuk narrowed his eyes and told me to sing it again.

“But I’m not sure. Do you think you can pass the second preliminary round with this song? The judges will be hearing this song dozens of times a day. They might get tired of it. Your singing is better than expected, but it’s not quite satisfying. It doesn’t give me that ‘wow’ feeling.”

“Ah… is that so?”

I had only heard good things, but Do-hyun was taken aback by what he said next.

When I thought about it, considering the popularity of this song, how many people would sing it to show off their skills?

“We need a fresh song that will break the judges’ boredom. A song that highlights Na Do-hyun’s vocal characteristics while allowing him to digest it in his own style. How about singing a song by the Lavita Vita band this time?”

“That’s the song you discouraged me from using in the first preliminary round…”

“We need a strategy. In the first round, the production team tries to salvage anything they can. They need contestants who are fresh and suitable for broadcasting. That’s why I told you to sing the song from your third debut.”

Looking at it that way, it wasn’t incomprehensible.

To attract viewership with just the first preliminary round, the production team needed to create buzz.

In the case of Do-hyun, who was attempting his fourth debut, he was the perfect prey for the production team.

“Well, Kim Nam-hyun will probably cut out any buzz-generating comments, but the fact that it’s your fourth attempt—that narrative alone will make the public emotional and supportive. You’ll be remembered as someone who hasn’t given up on their dream of becoming a singer for 10 years. But the second round is different.”

PD Lee Jun-hyuk took a sip of coffee and continued.

“From the second round, there will be expectations for the 500 people who made it through the first round. Among them, those who sing the same songs as everyone else won’t feel deeply appealing. You can be eliminated even if you sing well.”

“Ah. Yes… that could happen.”

“Based on my experience as a judge on audition programs, it’s not just ‘could happen,’ it *will* happen. Your own vocal charm must be revealed. The song you chose now—Billboard Hot 100 chart for 41 weeks at number one—that means it was popular all over the world for almost a year. You know how to read the Billboard charts, right?”

“…I know very well.”

“So, you need to think again. A different song. A fresh song. Can you play the guitar?”

At PD Lee Jun-hyuk’s words, Do-hyun nodded, saying he could play the guitar.

“Versatile. Fourth debut. Yet forgotten as an unknown. Three keywords. What do you think? It’s a combination of keywords that the public will love. Koreans love stories of people who don’t give up and finally sit on the throne. They want a tightly closed happy ending. Perfect pitch, instrument playing, and vocals, all done well, and handsome too. But until now, he was an unknown to the public. What would they think?”

“I think they would see him as a talent to be pitied and vote for him at least once.”

“That’s right. You have to draw out that psychology. You see that guitar over there? Bring the guitar and play it.”

After the third project ended, Do-hyun often played the guitar to soothe his boredom. Among them, he was most confident in the songs of the band Lavita Vita.

Do-hyun picked up the guitar and played Lavita Vita’s song in an acoustic version.

Do-hyun didn’t see it, but at that moment, a spark flashed in PD Lee Jun-hyuk’s eyes.

Lavita Vita’s song didn’t have the fiery passion of ‘This is rock!’, but it was a song that could handle a variety of ranges from low to high.

“That’s enough.”

“Yes!”

Do-hyun immediately stopped playing and looked at PD Lee Jun-hyuk’s face. His face felt more relaxed than before.

“Let’s go with this song.”

“…Pardon?”

“There are only a few days left until the second round. Six days left, right? It’s held every week, so six days is enough. Na Do-hyun, your guitar playing was better than I thought. This song brings out Na Do-hyun’s vocals even more. And…”

“Yes.”

“The Lavita Vita band is not as famous as I thought. Only about 2,000 ‘artist likes’ on music streaming sites. Did you take all of this into account?”

“Ah, no.”

“I see. Well, it’s fine even if it’s outside of your calculations. You might have been eliminated if you sang it in the first round. But… as I’ve said several times, it’s okay because it’s the second round. Have you already chosen the songs for the third round and the finals?”

Do-hyun had already selected the songs to sing before the TV broadcast.

“Yes. I’ve already selected the songs.”

“I’ll listen to that as well. Play Lavita Vita’s song again first.”

Do-hyun sang the songs from Lavita Vita’s song to the finals in a row. They were mostly songs by indie artists. After the last song ended, PD Lee Jun-hyuk did something he had never done before.

Clap, clap, clap!

Incredibly, that cold man applauded.

“Good. If I were a judge, I would have passed you immediately.”

“Thank you, PD! I’ll work hard!”

“You don’t need to thank me. I’ve seen Na Do-hyun in a new light. You’ve shown me that you have more hidden aspects. In fact, I don’t expect much even from trainees. No matter how good they are, I forbid myself from having expectations. So, I didn’t have any particular expectations for Na Do-hyun.”

“I have a question. Then why did you offer me a contract?”

“Because I needed someone to send to the audition program under HU Entertainment’s name.”

It was a cold remark, but Do-hyun thought about it again. The fact that he needed someone to send under HU Entertainment’s name meant that it was like a hidden card that HU Entertainment was putting out. So, it sounded like he had chosen him. Perhaps because he had become accustomed to PD Lee Jun-hyuk’s way of twisting his words, it didn’t sound offensive.

“Thank you!”

“Well, it seems like you’re well-prepared, so there will be no more directing.”

This was something I hadn’t expected.

I had expected him to direct me until the very end, but it wasn’t so.

“…You’re not going to direct me until the very end?”

“I was planning to direct you at least until the TV broadcast. But… after listening to your songs today, I’ve changed my mind. It’s better to create a song that brings out Na Do-hyun’s vocals than to spend time directing.”

“…Huh.”

A song for me. It was something I had never experienced during my three debuts.

I had appeared on variety shows and sung solo songs during my agency president and audition program projects, but to receive a song directly from a top PD.

That alone made my future as a singer seem bright.

“Thank you so, so much!”

“Work hard. Always approach it with the thought that it’s your first time. The viewers and the judges all know. They all know how you sing on stage and what emotions are conveyed.”

“I know that very well.”

“But you couldn’t keep that in mind, so you had a long ’empty house’ directing session. Isn’t that right?”

I had nothing to say about this.

It was true that I had been complacent. Perhaps it was a slump, or perhaps I had fallen into a rut.

“I’m grateful for that as well.”

“There’s no need to be. I just did my part. I won’t say I don’t want you to aim for first place. But more than that, you have to be in the top 10 in the live broadcast. After that, get rid of any worries. Screen time? Evil editing [manipulative editing to portray someone negatively]? You don’t have to worry about those things.”

“…Really?”

It was an enticing remark. In other words, it was the same as saying that HU Entertainment would eliminate those worries.

“That’s right. Remember. Na Do-hyun is HU Entertainment’s hidden card. Just don’t forget that fact.”

“Yes! I understand!”

“Then go down to the practice room. Something came to my mind, so I need to jot down some chords.”

“Yes! I understand, PD-nim [PD with honorific]!”

Do-hyun answered in a loud voice and went down to the practice room.

‘Na Do-hyun, you can do it! This time, the feeling is really different! You can succeed!’