A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 170

The two-day concert at the Stade de France in Paris was a resounding success. The collaboration between Dohyun and Ashuma, in particular, stole the show, drawing widespread acclaim as a performance by two of the world’s hottest artists.

Dohyun’s fans were especially pleased. The unique concept stages designed for each country amplified the excitement and anticipation surrounding his performances.

Meanwhile, predictions pointed to Dohyun and Ashuma’s remix debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. With the tarot card [The Sun] having appeared in Dohyun’s reading, a bright future seemed assured. As the ranking announcement drew near, Kangho paced anxiously beside Dohyun.

Dohyun, who had been observing him quietly, finally asked, “Hyung, why are you more nervous than I am?”

“I can’t help it! I’m just so nervous. You’ve never had a song debut at number one, even though it’s your song.”

Last time, the senior girl group’s song narrowly missed the top spot, debuting at number two. Everyone had hoped it would climb to number one the following week, but unfortunately, it gradually slipped down the charts, leaving a bitter disappointment. They had naturally assumed the top spot was within reach, but it wasn’t.

That’s why Kangho was so restless, his anxiety surpassing Dohyun’s.

“It’ll be different this time, Hyung. Trust my tarot reading!”

“I just hope people really like it. Is it too much to hope for number one, just like the reading predicted?”

“I don’t think it’s greedy at all. It’s definitely possible, you know? I really want to hit number one on the Hot 100 this time. I put so much thought into everything, from contacting Ashuma to planning our stage collaboration. I hope this will prove to myself that it was a choice without regrets and a stroke of genius.”

Dohyun believed his instincts were sharp. He was determined to achieve significant results this time, finally overcoming his past near-misses on Billboard.

In other words, Dohyun was desperate for this win.

He had achieved considerable success as a singer, and was forging a groundbreaking path as a Korean artist, but a persistent challenge remained as his ambitions grew.

Dohyun wanted to prove himself with tangible results. He yearned to break through that invisible barrier and claim those elusive ‘Asia’s First’ titles.

“Oh… Dohyun. The rankings are out.”

Kangho, who had been obsessively refreshing the page, saw the results around 2:30 AM Korean time, faster than anyone else—probably even faster than the PR team back in Korea.

Dohyun took a deep breath and refreshed his phone as well.

[*1. Na Dohyun & Ashuma…]

“Wow, damn it! Na Dohyun! Congratulations!”

Kangho rushed to embrace Dohyun, who awkwardly accepted the hug, his eyes glued to the phone screen. Billboard, where he had always fallen short, had finally yielded the reward he had been waiting for.

* * *

[Official Statement] Na Dohyun Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100… First Among Male Solo Artists

Na Dohyun Writes a New Chapter for Male Solo Artists [Official Statement]

Na Dohyun, The Heart of K-Pop [Comprehensive Coverage]

Articles flooded the Korean media. Even after Dohyun received the New Artist Award at the Grammy Awards, some critics argued that his win was simply luck. While he had achieved high rankings on the Billboard charts, the fact that he had never reached number one on the Hot 100 with his own song was considered a significant shortcoming.

However, this achievement completely silenced those criticisms. Dohyun could finally stand tall as both a singer and an artist.

“Wow… If I had known Na Dohyun would be this successful, I would have taken more pictures.”

“I know, right? Should I ask the agency for a signed CD…?”

“Stop it. Don’t cause trouble for no reason. Even if the agency grants such a request, you know it will take a while to get it.”

“Hmm. That’s true.”

Reporter Yu Hana, overhearing her colleagues’ conversation, couldn’t contain her excitement. She had stayed up late checking the rankings and immediately wrote and submitted her article. She could have arrived at work later, but she was too excited to sleep and, as a result, felt a little tired.

[Senior, Dohyun hit number one! ㅠㅠ What should I do? ㅠㅠ My singer is a Billboard No. 1 singer! ㅠㅠ He finally did it! ㅠㅠ]

[As expected, it’s Na Dohyun ㅠㅠ Na Dohyun is the best… Na Dohyun is welfare!]

Reporter Yu’s face beamed as she chatted with reporter Yoon Min-hye.

“Ah, Reporter Yu. Could you come to a meeting for a moment? And what’s with the happy face? You’re all smiles.”

“Ah, something good happened to me personally. But what is it about…?”

“Let’s go inside and discuss the details.”

Reporter Yu Hana entered the conference room with a hint of nervousness.

Soon, the director entered. He looked at Reporter Yu and began, “You’ve worked hard so far.”

‘What is this…? Are they telling me to quit?’

“As Reporter Yu knows… Thanks to your leadership and example, the junior reporters have been able to learn and grow. We feel like we’re only now giving you the recognition you deserve.”

“…What?”

“Starting this week, we want you to focus less on routine assignments and more on covering major events. Do you understand what this means?”

Interpreting the director’s words….

“Am I finally being promoted to team leader?”

“That’s right. This means you’ll be responsible for guiding and mentoring the junior reporters. With your experience in the industry, you’re more than ready. You’ve also established connections with broadcasting stations, and while your primary focus has been the music industry… We’re making this decision based on the achievements you’ve demonstrated.”

“…Wow.”

She was already overjoyed by the news of Dohyun’s Billboard Hot 100 number one, and now she was hearing about her long-awaited promotion to team leader on the same day! All her fatigue seemed to vanish.

“Thank you… I will work hard!”

“We have no doubt you will, Reporter Yu.”

“Thank you! I will strive to be a reporter worthy of your expectations!”

“Of course, you have to be that kind of reporter. You’ve been dedicated so far. You should have been promoted last year, but as you know, it was a somewhat chaotic time, both internally and externally. I trust you understand.”

“Thank you! I will really work hard to build a strong team.”

“As a team leader, you know it’s different from before, right? Now, you have to have a different sense of responsibility.”

“Yes! I understand, Director.”

“So, it also means you should work a little less hard. Whenever I see you, the junior reporters seem to be twiddling their fingers, while you’re trying to handle everything yourself.”

That was true. Rather than delegating, she often felt it was more efficient to handle exclusive coverage herself. Each time, the juniors looked at her with admiration.

“Senior, how do you do it?” Such questions never came. If she had received such a question even once, she would have enthusiastically and sincerely mentored that junior… But the opportunity never arose.

With this promotion, Reporter Yu resolved to properly re-educate the juniors from the ground up. Previously, as a senior with years of experience, she had avoided directly addressing their shortcomings. The only thing she occasionally asked was whether they had fact-checked their information.

“Now that I’m a team leader, the company will see changes. Director. I will show you a transformed team with an innovative structure.”

“Huh… Is this some kind of American tech company? Looking for innovation. If you push the juniors too hard, strange rumors will circulate in the industry, so be careful.”

“Of course, I don’t mean it like that. Director, you know my personality….”

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Don’t be upset.”

“I’m not upset! I’m just saying, in case.”

“Anyway, congratulations, Yu Hana. You finally got the team leader title. Be proud, because it’s a title reserved for passionate reporters recognized by our media. We are the number one in the industry, right?”

“Yes. That’s right. Except for the three telecommunication companies, we’re number one in online entertainment media. Anyway… I want to thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. Thank you.”

“Let’s do great things! Team Leader Yu!”

Reporter Yu Hana, leaving the conference room, wanted to pump her fist and shout with joy, but she restrained herself.

“Everyone, pay attention!”

At the director’s words, all the reporters turned their attention to the front.

“As of today… Reporter Yu Hana has been promoted to team leader. I hope that you and Reporter Yu Hana will support and guide each other… I’m saying this to ask for your cooperation. Team Leader Yu, you have something to say, right?”

“Thank you. Let’s all do well together. Let’s maintain our position as the number one online entertainment media and strive for excellence! Fighting!”

“Fighting!”

With that energy, even a celebratory lunch [hoe-sik, a Korean company dinner] was organized. Reporter Yu, who had a busy afternoon schedule, ate quickly and excused herself. Her day was packed with appointments from 2 PM to 8 PM. It was a day when she couldn’t go home early, even if she wanted to.

“Senior… Why do you look so exhausted?”

Reporter Yoon Min-hye, whom she met on location, asked. Reporter Yoon herself had stayed up all night, so she looked tired as well, making her comment a little ironic.

“I couldn’t sleep… Ah, and Min-hye.”

“Yes?”

“I got promoted. I’m a team leader now.”

“Yes? You got promoted? Then you’re really a big senior now?”

“If you endure a few more years, you can become a team leader and even a director in this industry. I’m thinking about whether to aim for the director position now. They told me to meet with officials instead of going to routine assignments. It’s good to build connections with officials… But I prefer being in the field [hyeon-jang] more.”

“Still, now that you’re a team leader, your role as a senior is even more significant, right? Wow… I’m jealous, congratulations, Senior!”

“…Thanks.”

“Senior. Your media outlet has a lot of influence. Why don’t you take this opportunity to get an interview with Dohyun? In this day and age, you can’t skip an interview just because he’s abroad. You can get photos from the agency, and whether it’s in writing or through an online video chat… I recommend doing an interview! Right now, HU Entertainment must be thrilled to have their first Billboard Hot 100 number one singer!”

It was something she hadn’t considered.

At those words, Reporter Yu immediately called the head of the HU Entertainment PR team.

“Yes, hello. Team Leader, how are you? This is the first time I’m contacting you since I went to Wembley and Glastonbury… The reason I’m calling is….”