A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 150

Incheon International Airport, Terminal 2.

Do Hyun was preparing to depart for his audition for a Broadway musical.

Somehow, reporters and fans had gotten wind of his schedule, and they swarmed around him.

“Do Hyun! Is it true you’re going to be in a Broadway musical?”

Do Hyun smiled and bowed in response.

“Is it confirmed? We know it’s very rare for a Korean artist to get to Broadway!”

“Do Hyun, after the Grammy Awards, now Broadway… Please share your feelings about this opportunity!”

“Do Hyun! Just a word, please!”

Due to a confidentiality agreement [an agreement to keep certain information secret], Do Hyun couldn’t answer the reporters’ questions.

The fans were busy snapping pictures of him.

This time, he was departing on a private jet, which was why he was at Terminal 2. Instead of flying first class as usual, Huentertainment had chartered a private jet to ensure Do Hyun would be in the best possible condition for his audition.

“We heard you’re boarding a private jet this time! How do you feel?”

“Thank you. I don’t have much to say today, but thank you all for coming!”

Do Hyun put down his bag and made a heart shape with his hands above his head.

He continued to greet the fans until he went through immigration. He wanted to soak up as much of their energy as possible. Even though the bodyguards kept them from getting too close, their shouts of encouragement were a great source of strength.

“Hyun-ah! Do your best!”

“See you on the LA tour!”

“I’ll come see the musical! Get the part!”

“Na Do Hyun! You’re the best!”

Do Hyun waved to the fans.

After completing immigration, he boarded the private jet.

Kang Ho followed, exhausted from protecting Do Hyun with the bodyguards.

“Wow… everyone knew today’s schedule….”

“I heard they buy and sell airport information. That’s probably how everyone found out. Plus, there are always reporters stationed at the airport. I’m surprised they knew about the private jet, though.”

Kang Ho was genuinely surprised, but Do Hyun remained calm.

“No, I was really surprised! I didn’t expect so many people to gather. If we hadn’t deployed so many bodyguards, it could have been a disaster.”

“It’s a relief it didn’t happen….”

“Exactly. I’m glad we had so many bodyguards. Anyway… Do Hyun, it’s a long flight, so why don’t you rest? Get some sleep.”

“I slept plenty at my parents’ house. I slept like I was making up for lost time, Hyung [older brother or close male friend].”

Do Hyun had gained a little weight while spending a few days with his parents. Usually, he maintained a slender physique through constant effort, but he found it hard to refuse his parents’ loving offerings of food. Eating everything they gave him had made his face slightly rounder.

He checked fan reactions, wondering if they would be disappointed.

[Why is Do Hyun’s chubby face so cute?]

┗I know, right? LOL. I heard from someone in his hometown that Do Hyun was staying with his parents, and he looks adorable.

┗My heart ached because Do Hyun was always so skinny, so I’m happy he’s gained some weight.

┗Do Hyun will probably lose weight again when he goes to the US because of his busy schedule ㅠㅠ Eat well ㅠㅠ

┗Hyun-ah! Always be happy and only walk the path of eating [a Korean expression encouraging someone to only experience good things]

[It’s so cute that Do Hyun, who always manages himself so carefully, got chubby cheeks while staying at his parents’ house]

Na Do Hyun, only walk the path of eating ㅠㅠ My heart aches every time your cheeks look sunken ㅠㅠ I wonder if you know that fans always want to feed you delicious food

┗Only walk the path of eating 222222

┗Do Hyun, I hope you release a song called ‘Only Walk the Path of Eating’ next time!

┗It would be nice to release a song called ‘Eating’

┗Na Do Hyun, I’ll always support your chubby cheeks, but how is it that your body is still *oppa* [term used by females to refer to older brothers or male friends] even with chubby cheeks?

┗I need to lose weight… Do Hyun, don’t lose weight, I’ll lose it

“…Pfft.”

“Why?”

Kang Ho asked, curious, as Do Hyun suddenly laughed while looking at his phone.

“No, I thought the fans would dislike my swollen face… but they like it. I think I should show this side of me more often.”

“You never know, they might change their minds and dislike it again… There’s only a fine line between fans and antis [anti-fans] for celebrities.”

“That’s true. They call them ‘kkappa,’ right? I know they call them that. They like you while criticizing you.”

“Exactly. Celebrities get stressed out because of those kinds of people.”

Do Hyun had seen people around him struggle with “kkappa.” Rising groups were especially vulnerable, and Icarus was a prime example. Hyun Ho was constantly stressed because fans would send him messages that were essentially malicious comments via direct message if he gained even a little weight.

“That’s right. Hyun Ho is like that… and Seok Won said he’s experienced this kind of thing before. I think it’s because my fans filter out those kinds of posts for me that I don’t see them often. Everyone says they’re scared of malicious comments on their posts… I’m lucky that I only see good comments.”

Do Hyun said, feeling relieved.

After talking for a while, they announced that they were taking off.

Do Hyun finished preparing for takeoff, leaned back in his seat with a neck pillow, and tried to sleep.

A long flight of over 10 hours was just beginning.

* * *

As soon as he arrived in the United States, Do Hyun had to rent a practice room to prepare for the audition. He needed to practice the song that the production team had given him in advance. Because the musical was being staged with a new cast, they demanded strict confidentiality from Do Hyun.

Do Hyun assured them that he would do his best to maintain security, as this was a hard-won opportunity. Huentertainment also carefully considered security when finding a practice room. Even the vocal trainer had come along on this trip.

“Okay, Do Hyun. You know what to do, right? Think of it as having a wider range than the musical . And do it with more power. Change the singing style a bit….”

“Yes. I understand, Teacher. I’ll give it a try.”

Do Hyun practiced relentlessly until his vocal trainer said he was producing a near-perfect sound. He needed time to adjust to the time difference, but he pushed himself to perfect his audition piece.

Two days passed in a blur.

Audition day arrived.

Do Hyun walked the streets of Broadway. Having won a Grammy Award, he was often recognized. People asked for autographs, and he happily obliged. It was amazing that people recognized him in this unfamiliar place.

Arriving at the audition site, Do Hyun checked himself in the mirror. He was wearing a suit. Although it wasn’t required, he felt it was important to show respect. The chubby cheeks from his time at his parents’ house had quickly disappeared, replaced by a sharp jawline, the result of intense practice and exercise since arriving in the United States.

“Hyung, I can really get this, right?”

“Korea is watching. Articles are appearing almost every day about Na Do Hyun, who proved his skills through the great work , and whether he can show his skills in the musical ….”

“I’m too nervous to read the Korean articles. I feel more comfortable reading foreign news articles… Is that weird?”

“Maybe. Just focus on ! Do Hyun.”

The other actors auditioning for the same role were warming up their voices and practicing.

Do Hyun stopped chatting with Kang Ho, warmed up his voice, and began to practice. Then he realized something… He was practicing a different song from the others.

‘Huh? Why are the others practicing a slightly easier song, but I’m practicing a difficult one?’

He wondered if the production team had deliberately asked him to practice a difficult song to thoroughly test his abilities.

‘But the Star card came out [referencing a tarot card reading]. Following a high goal… That’s what it means. It’s telling me that the beginning will be good. Na Do Hyun! I will definitely get the role!’

The musical , which tells the love story of migrant workers, was highly anticipated. The Asian role that Do Hyun was auditioning for, Teddy, was somewhat mischievous and playful. Do Hyun focused on the lyrics and poured his energy into conveying the emotions.

-Mr. Na, it’s time for your audition.

One by one, the actors entered the audition room. Finally, it was Do Hyun’s turn.

As he stood up, Kang Ho encouraged him.

“Do Hyun! You know I always believe in you, right? Do well in the audition!”

“Hyung, I’ll really do well! Thank you for being my manager.”

“It’s not like we’re saying goodbye…! Fighting, Na Do Hyun!”

Encouraged by Kang Ho’s energetic support, Do Hyun entered the audition room.

The pressure from the Broadway theater was immense. He felt like his shoulders were carrying a great weight.

But he didn’t show it.

-Mr. Na, we have high expectations because the general director, William K. Johnson, likes you.

-Thank you! I’m here today thanks to him!

-It’s too early to say thank you. First, I want to see your skills… Do you have any questions?

-I noticed that the other actors auditioning for the role of Teddy are practicing a slightly easier song. But I was asked to practice a song with quite difficult high notes. Is that related to the audition?

The production team’s eyes lit up, as if surprised by his question.

-We want to be absolutely sure of your abilities. We saw that you won the New Artist Award at the Grammy Awards, and we’ve had many opportunities to learn about you, but… We wanted to be certain, so we gave you the most difficult song from Teddy’s repertoire. Is that a sufficient answer?

-Thank you. Then I will sing the song now.

The piano accompaniment began, and Do Hyun closed his eyes and focused on his voice. It held a different soul than when he sang pop songs. His voice warmly embraced the theater, drawing exclamations from the judges. When he finished, the judges gave him a standing ovation.

-We saw it through this performance. You are a true artist! You’re in!