A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 177

“Speaking of which, Seok-won, Hyun-ho.”

“Yes?”

“Yes, hyung.”

“Why don’t we do a project together?”

Seok-won and Hyun-ho perked up at the word ‘project’ coming from Do-hyun. Hyun-ho inquired about the nature of the project.

“How about the three of us filming a web reality show? None of us are on variety shows that often. Hyun-ho is in the same agency, so coordination should be easy, and if Seok-won’s company agrees, I think we can make it happen.”

“What kind of web reality show? Is it a long-term commitment?”

Do-hyun elaborated on the project in response to Seok-won’s question.

“It’s about capturing the three of us on a trip, just enjoying ourselves. Whether we’re doing absolutely nothing or just eating, we’ll film it. I’m aiming for a relaxing, ‘healing’ web reality show. Something you can put on in the background while you’re eating and watch comfortably.”

“Oh…! That sounds great!”

Seok-won responded with an enthusiastic expression.

“I like it too! Filming a web reality show with you, hyung, would be awesome! I’ve been wanting to make more memories with you anyway. Plus, there are a lot of fans who love our dynamic.”

Seok-won echoed Hyun-ho’s sentiment.

“I’m in too! We just need to work out the schedule! I have an Asian tour next year!”

“Icarus also has a world tour starting in March next year, so doing it before that would be ideal. Should we start planning the details ourselves first?”

Do-hyun responded after the other two agreed.

“Then let’s move forward with it.”

* * *

“Wow… Na Do-hyun is really popular.”

There aren’t many factories in Korea that produce albums. Jin-kyung, who was working a temporary job in album production, was witnessing something remarkable.

Jin-kyung’s task was to manually insert photo cards into Na Do-hyun’s album booklets. Despite technological advancements, some tasks still require human intervention. Inserting photo cards into albums is one of those, so short-term part-timers are hired to do it.

Jin-kyung knew Na Do-hyun was popular, but she was still taken aback by the sheer volume of materials arriving, even though there were only seven different types of photo cards. She felt like she’d already processed hundreds, yet dozens of boxes remained.

Typically, albums include random photo cards to boost sales, but Na Do-hyun’s album didn’t employ that strategy. Even so, the pre-order numbers were staggering.

“Everyone, please double-check that each album contains seven photo cards! Fans will be happy if there’s even one extra, but please stick to seven! Since this is being done by hand, mistakes can happen, so please minimize them.”

Jin-kyung, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to attention at the team leader’s voice.

There was a mountain of work ahead.

It felt like an endless cycle of labor and time.

* * *

The printing house producing Do-hyun’s essay was just as busy as the album factory. Since the essay’s release was timed to coincide with the album launch, the machines were running non-stop.

In an era where many people don’t read books, selling even 1,000 copies is considered a success. But Do-hyun’s essay was different.

Given his popularity, pre-sales for Do-hyun’s first essay began a month prior. The initial run of signed copies sold 100,000 copies. The printing house was ecstatic and immediately switched to extended and emergency work schedules.

“Boss! Is everything going smoothly so far?”

“Of course, of course. No damaged copies, and everything’s proceeding without a hitch!”

“Thank you! Thank you for your hard work!”

“Don’t mention it. I’m just happy to hear our printing press running at full speed. Na Do-hyun is a remarkable person. I knew he was a singer who promoted Korea’s image, but he’s even more valuable than that.”

Hyeong-jun, the head of Tempo Publishing, looked around the printing house and commented.

“I planned everything, even the casting. I have a knack for spotting talent, don’t I?”

Hyeong-jun said with a shrug, and the printing house president laughed, throwing his head back. It was a massive undertaking, enough to make them forget the publishing industry’s slump.

* * *

Finally, Do-hyun’s first essay, , was released. It immediately topped the bestseller lists.

In particular, the 100,000 copies that had been anticipated and prepared for sold out on the first day, forcing the printing house to continuously print second editions.

The publisher posted announcements for book talks and author meet-and-greets. Do-hyun’s essay was selling like hotcakes, with the events being held via lottery due to high demand.

Do-hyun, having released his first book into the world, decided to visit a bookstore to see how it was doing. The publisher had sent him a few boxes of non-sale copies, but he was curious about its actual sales performance.

Before even entering a bookstore in Gwanghwamun [a major bookstore district in Seoul], Do-hyun was surprised. One corner was dedicated to a ‘Na Do-hyun Retrospective’. It was an event organized by fans. The Na Do-hyun Retrospective featured not only his released albums but also stacks of his books, piled high like mountains, to exaggerate a little.

Do-hyun, who had covered his face to remain incognito, found a spot with a clear view of the corner and began observing. It seemed to be selling about one copy every 10 seconds.

Do-hyun figured it was understandable, given his large fandom and the scheduled commemorative event. He watched for about 30 minutes. As he finished observing and left with a sense of pride, he ran into a familiar group.

It was the sasaengs [overly obsessive fans who stalk celebrities]. They must have been tracking Do-hyun’s movements. As soon as they spotted him, they pointed their cell phone cameras at him, drawing the attention of people passing by the bookstore entrance.

“Wow. Is that Na Do-hyun?”

“Isn’t he here to check on his book? Look at his small head and great proportions. A celebrity is a celebrity.”

Do-hyun felt embarrassed to be caught in the crowd.

“But isn’t Na Do-hyun’s book marketing a bit excessive? They’re saying they’re buying books and entering a lottery to meet him. My girlfriend is a fan of Na Do-hyun, so I have no choice but to buy her a few copies… Sigh. It’s hard being a boyfriend.”

Do-hyun’s mind went blank at that one comment. He had suggested a lottery system to avoid fans having to stay up all night for days to get a spot, thinking it would be fairer, but people’s perceptions were different.

“I’m sorry. Excuse me.”

Do-hyun apologized, trying to get through, but the crowd didn’t easily part.

Then a bookstore employee stepped forward.

“Excuse me! Coming through! Please make way!”

The employee’s loud voice cleared a path. Do-hyun managed to escape safely in about 10 minutes.

Do-hyun returned to the company. He happened to run into the public relations team leader, who was returning from an external meeting.

“Team leader, hello!”

“Do-hyun, where have you been?”

“Ah. I went to the bookstore.”

“That’s right, Do-hyun’s book was published. Double congratulations.”

“…Double congratulations?”

Do-hyun tilted his head, wondering what else there was to celebrate besides the book’s publication.

“Do-hyun, the pre-order quantity for this album has exceeded 2 million copies. That’s a record for a domestic artist. And there are 10 fan signing events scheduled to commemorate the release… I think the actual physical album sales will easily exceed 2.5 million copies. Especially the initial sales, which are considered the most important these days. With several fan signing events scheduled during the initial sales week… I think the initial sales will easily surpass 1 million, and probably even 2 million, right?”

2 million copies easily.

Do-hyun felt dizzy just hearing the numbers; he couldn’t believe it.

The public relations team leader laughed at his expression.

“Do-hyun, are you making that face because you can’t believe it? You look stunned.”

“Yes… I can’t wrap my head around 2 million. I’m going to have to prepare thoroughly this time. Since there are fan signing events scheduled, I’ll diet a little more.”

“Oh my, where do you have any fat to lose?”

“I think I’ve gained a little weight lately. Ah, team leader, by the way, has the press release for the web healing entertainment program that Hyun-ho and Seok-won are doing together been released yet?”

The three-person, three-night, four-day trip that Do-hyun was planning as a project had been approved after a planning team meeting and discussions between the agencies.

A solo article was initially planned, but Hyu Entertainment and Seok-won’s agency barely managed to prevent the spoiler from leaking.

“It’s going to be released soon. The press release will be out after the trip. Understand?”

“Ah… I thought it would be released right away. Thank you!”

“Don’t worry about it. Anyway, Do-hyun, thank you for working so hard! You know that the more you do, the more excited our public relations team gets, right?”

“I’m just grateful that you feel that way!”

“Head on up.”

Do-hyun was in high spirits, anticipating what was to come. He entered the studio with a big smile and turned on YouTube to watch fan-made videos, something he hadn’t done in a while.

But something caught his eye….

[Shocking] Na Do-hyun’s Second Face: Fan Love? Nono! Fan Cheater!

A video with a bizarre title had been uploaded to YouTube Shorts.

Do-hyun clicked on the video. He couldn’t resist clicking on such a title. He had never cheated his fans, not even once. He always tried to show them his true self. But fan cheating… what could it mean?

When the video played, a distorted voice provided an explanation.

[Singer Na Do-hyun is known as a singer who practices fan love. This is not true. Na Do-hyun has tried to punch fans who follow his private life several times, and some people have been injured for more than 3 weeks. The agency is working hard to create a positive image to prevent Na Do-hyun from causing accidents. According to staff who have worked with Na Do-hyun, you can see how violent Na Do-hyun is!]

So-called fake news. Baseless rumors [Jirashi is a type of tabloid news or rumor sheet] were relentlessly targeting Na Do-hyun. It was the work of a ‘cyber wrecker’ who earns money through YouTube views.

Do-hyun immediately sent the link to Kang-ho. As soon as Kang-ho marked the message as read, he called.

“Hoya hyung, let’s file a complaint against this cyber wrecker.”

He couldn’t tolerate the nonsense about raising his hand to his fans, no matter what. It was something he had never even considered. And violence had never been a part of his life.

“…Do you think he’ll come to his senses when he receives the complaint?”

Do-hyun also called the public relations team leader.

“Yes, team leader, it’s about these cyber wreckers spreading false rumors about me… I’d like you to post another notice about filing a complaint.”

[Oh, really? Please send me the link. We’ll check it out and do our best within our capabilities.]

“Yes, thank you.”

Do-hyun’s fingertips trembled.

He’s a violent criminal.

Are there people who actually believe this ridiculous story?

“Ha, it’s absurd.”