A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 152

Dohyun waited backstage, his makeup far heavier than when he performed as a singer. He was preparing for his moment on stage. Today was the day of [the show’s premiere]. Dohyun was only scheduled for three performances, but these were a significant opportunity for him. A rare chance for a Korean star on this scale!

‘The Star Card [referring to his hard work and talent] was all for standing on this stage. I have to do well. Sharp critics from Hollywood are in the audience today. I’m even more nervous than I was at the Grammy Awards… I have to nail this. My fans have been waiting so long to see me perform.’

Dohyun remembered connecting with his fans through SNS [Social Networking Service] broadcasts just days ago. He’d been struggling with homesickness and feeling isolated. He couldn’t forget the warm, supportive words they’d shared online. They were consistently kind people, beings he could never thank enough. For him, his fans were the absolute priority.

[Hyung, your first show is today, right? Fighting!]

[Hyung! Sunbae [senior/mentor]! You’re so cool! Fighting!]

Messages arrived from Seokwon and Hyunho, respectively. He also received calls from numerous junior celebrities. Dohyun didn’t have time to respond before the show, so he asked Kangho to take his phone and promised to reply later.

“Hoo… I’m so nervous, hyung.”

“This isn’t just any stage; it’s Hollywood… and Broadway… You’re on stage after breaking through against some huge names. It’s understandable you’re nervous.”

“I don’t have a lot of performance time… but I’m fortunate and grateful for the time I have.”

“Just remember your original intentions. Enjoy the stage with that mindset. Relax and have fun!”

“Yes, hyung. I will. Keep a close eye on me. That way, I can do even better in the remaining two performances.”

“Okay! Fighting. Let’s get you ready.”

Kangho headed to the waiting room. The production team had given Dohyun’s manager a ticket for Dohyun’s first performance, so he could monitor the show.

Kangho found an empty seat on the third floor. Soon, the stage went dark, and the curtain rose.

* * *

My heart was pounding so hard, I thought it would burst.

My role was a supporting one, but it was barely even that. A minor supporting role, maybe? Anyway….

I couldn’t ignore the many eyes on me. The moment I stepped on stage, adjusted to the spotlight, and looked out at the audience, I was met with their gazes.

Those gazes were full of anticipation.

I practiced like crazy, but I was so nervous I couldn’t even remember how I sang. I think I did well… but I had no idea how well.

-Dohyun, get ready again.

-Yes. I understand.

The role of Teddy, who appears midway through the show, was a scene-stealer.

A character who brings humor to the play while singing challenging songs. It’s a role that adds levity to a story about the hardships and love of migrant workers.

I had to keep appearing and disappearing, connecting the main characters’ love story, which meant changing costumes five times and constantly going back on stage.

I was completely out of it. I had no time to wonder if I was doing well or not.

And then the show was over.

-Oh, Teddy. Good job.

The producer, Mary Jane, came and hugged me. I hugged her back. Only then could I breathe properly.

-How was I, MJ?

-You were perfect! Who would think you’re a Broadway rookie? Absolutely no one!

-Thank you, MJ. I think I made a lot of mistakes.

-No way! There were no mistakes at all. You were flawless.

-Thank you, MJ.

-Don’t mention it. I want to thank you. William urgently suggested you audition, and you didn’t have much time to practice, but I can’t praise you enough for your incredible performance!

Mary Jane’s praise made me feel lighter. I didn’t do badly; I did well. It was a success.

-By the way, some very discerning critics from Hollywood came today and were blown away by Teddy. They all want to talk to you.

-R, really?

-Why are you stuttering? I want to talk to you too! Your sincerity and effort, the amazing story of an unknown Korean singer succeeding in America… If this were a movie, people might criticize it for being unrealistic. But you did it, didn’t you?

-Haha. Thank you so much for the praise. I don’t know what to say.

Mary Jane greeted me with light kisses on both cheeks in the French style, then led me to the critics. I felt nervous again. This was where they’d assess my star power and whether my skills matched it, in this most ruthless of capitalist societies.

A gray-haired gentleman in glasses and a neat suit looked me over, adjusting his glasses. Mary Jane introduced him as Ted, joking that I shouldn’t get confused because it was similar to Teddy, my character.

-Hello, Mr. Ted.

-You don’t need to be so formal. About today’s performance… I expected just a mediocre singer from Asia, but um… it was better than I thought….

Did he mean it was better than he thought? I waited for his next words, my hands clasped politely.

-You delivered a performance beyond my expectations. I was impressed.

-Ah…! Thank you. Thank you so much for saying that!

-There’s no need to thank me. To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations. I think it’s harder to succeed on a Broadway stage than at the Grammy Awards. You satisfied someone who thinks that way. That’s a great achievement. My colleagues feel the same. Your voice has an attractive and appealing quality.

It was the ultimate praise. I didn’t know what to do because every word he said, while looking at me with sharp eyes, was praise, so I simply bowed.

-There’s no need to bow like that. You seem too humble. Sometimes you need to show a confident side. America sometimes prefers the arrogant image of a star over humility.

-Of course, that might be true, but I don’t want to do that. I’m in this position because of the love of my fans, and they like me for who I am now. I don’t want to pretend to be arrogant.

-Hoo… You’re an interesting young man.

-Thank you. Thank you for finding me interesting. I’m glad you enjoyed today’s performance.

-I look forward to seeing more. I think you’ll do well at the Grammy Awards. You’re someone I’m looking forward to seeing in the future.

With that, Ted disappeared with Mary Jane, saying he had something to do. I went back to the waiting room and took off my makeup. Kangho hyung jumped up and hugged me.

“Dohyun-ah, you did it, you did it! You were amazing. How could you be even better than you were in practice?”

“Was I better?”

“Uh… you were really good. I loved it. I think you gave a performance you won’t regret.”

“Hyung, I’m so relieved. I was so nervous I didn’t even know what I was singing; I was completely out of it. I hope our fans enjoyed it.”

“They definitely did. Your foreign fans were sitting near me, and they gave you a standing ovation at the end. They seemed very moved.”

“Really? I was so nervous I couldn’t even see the audience’s expressions.”

At my honest words, Hoya hyung pointed out both the good and the bad, praising me while also honestly saying he was disappointed that my gaze seemed unnatural at times. Listening to both the strengths and weaknesses, I resolved once again to deliver a great performance for the remaining two shows.

* * *

-Shouldn’t we announce the lineup soon?

The Glastonbury Festival organizers were coordinating schedules with artists. The main concern was who to choose as the headliner.

-The headliner is key this year. Sam Malark? Or Adion?

-What if we could put them both on stage at the same time?

-Don’t tell me… are you suggesting that Korean singer who replaced Sam Malark last time as the headliner?

-He’s going on a US tour with 40,000 to 50,000 people this time. That means his ticket sales are huge. Glastonbury is a meaningful and historic festival, but isn’t it our job to put a singer with that kind of draw as the headliner?

-Hmm… would Sam Malark and Adion really want to be featured on his stage?

-I think they will. I’m sure of it.

-Then let’s inquire with Sam Malark, Adion, and Na Dohyun first.

That’s how Hu Entertainment received a second offer from Glastonbury.

Initially, Glastonbury didn’t specify Dohyun’s placement. However, after repeated requests from Hu Entertainment, they confirmed he was invited as a ‘headliner’ level artist, not just any other slot.

Naturally, Hu Entertainment was in an uproar. It wasn’t just a headliner at a regular Korean festival, but a headliner at Glastonbury.

“Everyone, calm down. You all know this must be kept secret until Glastonbury makes an official announcement, right?”

“But I can’t calm down! When did Na Dohyun get this big? Last year, he was just a singer filling in for Sam Malark….”

Lee Junhyuk PD, who was listening, interjected.

“Just filling in? You need to correct that. We trusted Dohyun’s skills and increased his stage time. He got a better response than Sam Malark on that stage. And think about what Dohyun has been doing for the past year: Grammy, Broadway, and now a large-scale US tour.”

At Lee PD’s words, who cherished Dohyun more than anyone, the person who made the mistake apologized.

“I can’t stand putting down our artists, especially Dohyun. Think about what he’s contributed to Hu Entertainment… the reason so many talented people want to become singers like Dohyun in our company. Isn’t that right?”

Everyone fell silent at Lee PD’s sharp words. The excitement subsided for a moment. Lee PD continued.

“Glastonbury headliner will be an incredible experience for Dohyun. We have to get him on that stage. And we’ll promote it extensively. Prepare the press release in advance. We will build the Na Dohyun brand with our own hands.”