A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 168

Dohyun was surprised by Seokwon and Hyunho’s words. He was already grateful that they had come all the way to see his performance, but their offer to appear on his stage as a surprise was even more appreciated.

“Did you both have this in mind before you came here?”

In response to Dohyun’s question, Seokwon and Hyunho boasted that they had already practiced a lot.

Seokwon, in particular, seemed very excited.

“Watching your performance today was electrifying, hyung [older brother or male friend]. You have the capacity to fill Wembley Stadium all by yourself! We thought, how about we make a surprise appearance? Wouldn’t it be another gift to your fans if we appeared as guests and spiced up the stage?”

Dohyun pondered Seokwon’s words. He wasn’t sure if his fans would like it or not. However, he thought that if the two of them were on stage for the opening performance instead of the main show, the fans would be impressed by the friendship between the senior and junior artists.

“Hmm… now that I think about it, how about being guests for the opening act instead of the main performance?”

Seokwon and Hyunho nodded at Dohyun’s suggestion.

“It would be an honor to open for our senior artist!”

Dohyun smiled and replied to Hyunho’s words.

“Okay, then let’s rehearse tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it since you two have practiced so much.”

“We’ll create the hottest opening at Wembley!”

Seokwon said with enthusiasm. Dohyun patted them on the shoulders a couple of times and offered his bed, saying they must be tired from traveling all the way to England, and told them to get some rest.

“No, hyung. We booked our own rooms! You’re the one who needs to rest well. What if you get sick before tomorrow’s performance?”

Dohyun had made the offer because Kangho was going to sleep in another staff room, leaving one bed empty, but they both waved their hands, saying there was no need.

Dohyun reiterated that they could share the room since there was an extra bed, but the two stood up and said they would head to their own rooms.

“…That’s a little disappointing. Anyway, sleep well. It’ll take time to adjust to the time difference, so let’s meet tomorrow morning in good shape.”

“Yes, hyung.”

“Yes! Senior artist!”

After the two left, Dohyun announced the two additional songs to the staff group chat, saying that he needed to add them to the setlist. He also shared the news that Seokwon and Hyunho would each be performing on the opening stage at tomorrow’s concert.

Dohyun thanked Seokwon and Hyunho once again for coming and then went to sleep.

* * *

“Ugh… why is my condition like this today?”

Dohyun knew as soon as he woke up that his physical condition wasn’t as good as yesterday. Even the stiff area that he thought had improved was hurting again.

Was it because he was too nervous? Or was it because he had overexerted himself on stage?

Ding-dong.

“It’s hyung, Dohyun.”

Dohyun stretched his shoulder, which wasn’t cooperating, and opened the door at Kangho’s voice.

“Oh, Dohyun… you don’t look good. Your face is a bit swollen… and you look haggard. Are you okay?”

“No. I have a really bad stiff neck. I think I need to see the trainer. I’m glad I woke up early and realized my condition; if I had slept longer, it would have been a disaster. I also feel like I’m getting a bit of a cold…”

“Let’s go to the trainer first. There are medicines available, so if you can take them, take them and fight off the cold.”

“I should.”

Dohyun moved to the room where the trainer was. The trainer was eating room service that had been delivered.

“Teacher, I’m sorry to bother you while you’re eating, but my neck is so stiff… I think it’s because I did the synchronized choreography so intensely for the first time in a while, and it’s too hard to turn my shoulder.”

Dohyun honestly explained his condition.

The trainer quickly finished his meal and checked Dohyun’s condition.

Dohyun took the available medicine, along with cold medicine. It didn’t get better right away, but it was an emergency measure.

“Dohyun, if it’s hard to dance on stage today, tell me. The company can assess your condition and release a statement.”

However, Dohyun firmly refused.

“Hyung, it’s Wembley Stadium, not just any place. It’s a place that countless legendary singers have graced at least once. How many chances will I have to stand in a place like this in my life? The more we’re in a place like this, the more thoroughly we have to prepare for the stage. I’ll get better soon, so please don’t officially announce it to the company.”

“…Are you sure you’ll be okay? What if it gets worse after the performance? There’s no time or opportunity to go to Korea during the European tour.”

“I’ll get better soon. I feel a little better after taking the medicine. I’ll just sleep for another hour or two. I know the rehearsal time is tight… please take good care of Hyunho and Seokwon, hyung. It’s their first time on the Wembley stage, so they must be very nervous.”

“I’ll send Hyunho and Seokwon to Wembley with the road manager first. When are you planning to leave? After sleeping a bit?”

“Yes, hyung. I think that would be best. I think I need some rest.”

“Okay, then rest and contact me. Or should I wake you up in about an hour and a half?”

“Please wake me up. If I take cold medicine, I don’t think I’ll be able to think clearly because I’ll be drowsy. I can’t go to the rehearsal site in a daze.”

“Okay, I got it.”

* * *

Hoya hyung woke me up exactly an hour and a half later.

I checked the condition of my shoulder first. The medicine for stiff necks was definitely effective. I was able to turn my shoulder somewhat smoothly.

In addition, the chills had lessened considerably. That was a relief.

“Dohyun, how’s your condition?”

“Based on 100%, it’s about 70%.”

“Wouldn’t that mean you should take it a little easier on stage?”

“Hyung, I’m a professional. Even with only 70% of my stamina, I can successfully perform. It’s not for nothing that I have over 10 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Even if I’m sick, I’ll show you the synchronized choreography, and I’ll make the audience who came here very satisfied.”

“Haha… your will is extraordinary.”

“I’ve come this far with the love of my fans, so of course, I have to. Unless I have a fracture, I’m going to dance on stage and give the fans the performance they want to see.”

Hoya hyung just laughed at my words. I know. I also know that I’m a terrible workaholic.

“What about Seokwon and Hyunho?”

“Oh… I just got a call from the road manager a little while ago, and they said they arrived at the venue and are rehearsing. They prepared their in-ear monitors and microphones as a surprise for you. How thorough. Hyunho’s team manager is also a bit like that. Would it have been better if they told us in advance?”

Hoya hyung grumbled as if he didn’t like Icarus’s manager. He grumbled that if he had known about the schedule adjustment in advance, he wouldn’t have been caught off guard.

“It’s a surprise event in its own way. I can’t complain. I think it’s unique to complete the stage like this. We were with Adion on the North American tour, so it would be nice to be with Seokwon and Hyunho on the UK tour. I’m a little worried about what to do for the rest of the European tour, though.”

With the guests, I felt pressured that there must be a guest’s stage before the main stage. In fact, pop singers were structuring their shows that way a lot. However, I couldn’t ask Seokwon and Hyunho to join the remaining European tour schedule.

“I need to think about how to fill the guest spot for the rest of the European tour. Or, since it’s Europe, DJing is popular. It would be nice to have an EDM stage with a DJ… wouldn’t it be cool to perform a dance version of one of my existing songs with DJing? Is it too ambitious?”

“Hmm… do you have someone in mind?”

“DJ Ashuma.”

DJ Ashuma is an artist who enjoys worldwide popularity and has headlined various DJing festivals. Once, I had the idea of doing my song ‘Black Walker’ with Ashuma, but it remained just a thought.

“Is that the DJ Ashuma I think it is…?”

Hoya hyung asked with a look of disbelief.

“It’s the Ashuma hyung knows. The person who only headlines major DJing festivals in Korea. A DJ from Sweden.”

“…Oh my god. The next show is not far away, but is it even possible to get him? I heard that Ashuma’s schedule for the year is completely booked. So, even if you try to book him for a Korean EDM festival, you have to contact him a year in advance to barely secure a date.”

“Hmm. Should I try to reach out? How about shooting for the moon?”

Hoya hyung couldn’t hide his apprehension at my suggestion. It was just my personality to act once I set my mind to something.

“…I know your personality, but really… don’t be too disappointed if you can’t get him?”

“Yes, hyung. I’ll send him a DM [direct message] on social media to see if he has any availability. I’ll try to recruit him. I’ll even pay the appearance fee myself.”

“No, why are you trying to do it yourself?”

“Hyung, I don’t think there’s time to go through the company when the European tour schedule is so tight. It’ll also be necessary to prepare stage equipment for DJing. So, I think it’s better to act quickly.”

“Well, yeah… I can’t change your stubbornness. I know that well… anyway… send me the direct message and let me know. The company will also look for an artist who can create a unique stage with you.”

“I hope you don’t forget that Ashuma is the top priority. I’ll get him.”

“Hmm… then how about checking our luck with tarot cards to see if you can recruit Ashuma at this time?”

I was wondering when this would come up.

At hyung’s words, I brought the tarot cards to the table. After shuffling the cards, we decided to draw just one card.

[Three of Pentacles]

“Oh… what kind of card is this?”

“First of all, this person is a designer, this person is a bishop, and this person was… a politician. Anyway, it’s a scene where the three of them are building a cathedral and discussing plans.”

“It looks like it. So what does it mean?”

“In the Middle Ages, cathedrals and large churches played the same role as today’s public corporations. The fact that there are three of them emphasizes the importance of collaboration. So that means…”

“Ashuma will accept the collaboration proposal?”

“Yes, hyung. That’s how I interpret it. With this opportunity, we can collaborate with Ashuma and work on even better songs together later. So far, my work has been mainly rock, folk, and dance, but if we work with Ashuma, we can also venture into the EDM genre, and I think I can show off a different side of Dohyun Na.”

“Thorough. Anyway, send that direct message.”

“Yes, hyung.”

I immediately sent a direct message to Ashuma. And not long after, an alert popped up.

It was a reply from Ashuma.