A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 184

The restaurant owner, who had initially complained about poor business, was clearly intimidated by Do-hyun’s charisma. He hadn’t expected a so-called ‘entertainer’ to possess such a commanding presence.

“No, what I mean is, hurry up and finish this and leave. That’s all I’m saying.”

The owner’s voice was much softer than when he had stormed onto the stage. His attitude had changed instantly. Do-hyun almost sneered, disgusted by how easily the man cowered before someone perceived as stronger.

“The performance is almost over. We’ll finish it without any further incidents.”

“Oh… okay. Good performance.”

The restaurant owner left the stage without a word of apology, despite having disrupted the performance.

Only after the owner was gone did Do-hyun look around. Seok-won and Hyun-ho looked visibly embarrassed. The audience was broadcasting the situation live, holding up their phones to film the stage. And the two reporters in the front row… they were definitely writing articles.

‘Sigh… I never expected such a variable to occur. A sudden audience intrusion during a permitted performance…’

Do-hyun approached Seok-won and Hyun-ho, patting them on the shoulders. Then, he grabbed the microphone.

“Well, that was a bit of a commotion. Maybe we should name our team ‘Commotion,’ haha. Anyway… I apologize to those who came to see our performance today. We’ll start the show again.”

* * *

The resumed performance continued for about 30 more minutes before concluding. Afterward, a special high-touch event [an event where fans get to briefly touch or high-five the performers] was prepared.

This idea was something the three of them had actively planned.

They felt it was a courtesy to those who had come to see the performance. After about an hour of the high-touch event, the three were finally able to head to their accommodation.

On the way, the camera was turned off, thanks to the staff’s consideration.

“Wow… today’s performance was really… something.”

Seok-won’s voice wasn’t bright. Rather, it held a note of relief that they hadn’t completely ruined the show.

“Me too… I knew there might be unexpected issues, but I didn’t expect *that* kind of issue to pop up. It was a permitted performance, so why did he blame us for his poor business?”

“Some people… people who like to blame others will always find a reason. Actually… if that restaurant owner had just waited quietly, hungry people might have visited his restaurant after the performance… You could argue he ruined his own business today, right?”

Everyone nodded at Do-hyun’s logic. They had overheard people saying they wouldn’t go to that restaurant.

“…Anyway, we had a unique experience that we wouldn’t normally have. Thanks for your hard work, everyone. Thank you for doing so well on stage, even though you were embarrassed.”

Do-hyun patted his younger bandmates on the back. It was the best he could do in the situation.

* * *

“Ugh… what a day. Seriously… I never dreamed I’d be writing an article while on vacation in Jeju Island, senior. I came here determined to get legendary fancam footage, but now I have a headache just thinking about editing this video.”

Reporter Yoon Min-hye grumbled. Photographer Yoo Ha-na was relatively fortunate; she had managed to avoid filming Do-hyun until the situation was resolved. However, Yoon Min-hye had been filming with the intention of uploading a full fancam from the start, and now she had to cut out a significant portion of the video.

“…I know. I was so excited to come on vacation to Jeju Island, but what is this? I can’t help but feel annoyed because I don’t want to waste the vacation days I used. And do you know what our chief said? He contacted me to thank me for writing an exclusive article from my vacation spot! Seriously, he’s not even going to give me an incentive for writing an exclusive article from my vacation spot! He just sweet-talks me!”

Reporter Yoo Ha-na was also annoyed. She had avoided the worst of the situation, but she couldn’t help feeling frustrated.

She had rarely experienced anything like this while following Do-hyun around. She had been bothered by overly enthusiastic fans before, but the intrusion of a nearby restaurant owner was a first. Reporter Yoo wrote the article emphasizing Do-hyun and the ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ production team’s perspective as much as possible, but there were already rumors circulating in online communities that “it was wrong to perform without permission.” That’s why she decided to write the article herself….

“Right now, social media and online forums are full of posts cursing Do-hyun, Seok-won, and Hyun-ho. From questioning why they performed there in the first place, to complaining that they didn’t promote nearby restaurants when so many people gathered, there are even ridiculous comments like that? Seriously, are they philanthropists? Did they go on stage to do that? Even if it was a surprise event, it’s obvious that the production team would have gotten permission. People just seem eager to tear down celebrities. I’m a celebrity reporter, but I think it’s too much at times like this. Actually, even though I put out a correction article, how can this still be happening? Ugh. It’s upsetting. Senior, I’m going to drink some beer.”

Reporter Yoon Min-hye turned on the video editing program and opened a can of beer. The sound of the cool can opening and her swallowing could be heard.

“I should have some makgeolli [Korean rice wine]. I’m going to drink it straight from the bottle.”

Reporter Yoo Ha-na took out a bottle of makgeolli that she had put in the refrigerator. She wanted to upload photos of today’s events to social media and write about them in detail, but she knew how the atmosphere within the fandom would turn if she did that, so she refrained from doing so.

While drinking the bottled makgeolli straight from the bottle, Reporter Yoo chose the best cut of Do-hyun and the one she had taken as a preview.

“Ugh… he looked so good like this! The location was great today too! I might not be able to film Do-hyun in a place like this again! Seriously, it’s so disappointing.”

Reporter Yoon continued to express her disappointment while editing the video. Reporter Yoo was also heartbroken that she couldn’t capture more of the scene where Do-hyun’s hair was blowing in the wind, which was moderately blowing until the restaurant owner intruded.

“Our Do-hyun is really having a rough start to the year. Still… there’s the World Cup this year. I have to look forward to that. I hope the song he sings for the World Cup will be a hit.”

* * *

The short 3-night, 4-day trip came to an end. Although the intrusion of the restaurant owner was a blemish in the middle of the trip, after about a day, even that felt like a distant memory.

“Hyung, you’ll be busy preparing for the concert and the World Cup theme song when you go back? It’s a shame… I wish we could have hung out a little longer. About a week?”

Hyun-ho expressed his regret. Seok-won nodded in agreement.

“Yeah. I guess… that’s right? Now I have to prepare for the encore concert, and the World Cup is being held this year, so I think I’ll have to leave the country as soon as the concert is over… Ah! I have to leave for the Grammys soon too. Leaving for the Grammys was first. I’m busy from the beginning of the year, busy. After returning from the Grammys, I have to go to all the domestic awards ceremonies.”

Do-hyun was lost in thought as he considered his already packed schedule. Domestic and foreign awards ceremonies, four encore concerts, and being selected as the singer for the World Cup theme song, which would require him to travel abroad. It was no exaggeration to say that this year’s plan was completely full.

“Hyung, I’ll come see you often anyway.”

“That’s right. We’re in the same company anyway, so I’ll visit Hyung’s studio often.”

“Thank you, everyone. You two are the closest friends I can say I have in the entertainment industry. Every time you take care of me, my heart feels strangely touched. I feel like I’ve met good friends. It’s something I couldn’t have dreamed of in the past.”

“Hyung. You’re a good person, so you would have met good people no matter when. So don’t think like that.”

[We will guide you to board the plane. Korean Air AZ203 passengers, please come to gate 5 right now.]

“The announcement is out. Let’s go.”

Seok-won, Hyun-ho, and Do-hyun went to board the plane.

The group that had been chasing the three around Jeju Island also boarded the plane. Seok-won, Hyun-ho, and Do-hyun, who were using domestic flights, boarded in economy class. The *sasaengs* [overly obsessive fans who stalk celebrities] were lucky enough to sit near the three. The three deliberately ignored the stalkers and closed their eyes.

* * *

“Do-hyun, please say a word as you leave the country! Do you think you will win this year’s Grammy Awards! How many Grammy nominations is this already!”

Do-hyun was invited to the Grammy Awards again this year and would be performing.

It was natural that attention was focused on Do-hyun. He had received an award in the New Artist category, and since then, he had only graced the stage as a performer. It was a pity that he was only nominated, though.

“First of all… I think I’ll be happy no matter what the result is. I think it’s a privilege to be able to perform on stage at the Grammy Awards. I will do my best to put on a great show on behalf of Korea and return. Thank you, reporters.”

Do-hyun said the best he could.

And he recalled the memories of the previous night.

When asked if he would be able to receive an award in the nominated category, the tarot card once again gave the answer [The World].

Do-hyun’s heart began to pound at this. Because it was a card with the meaning of being able to ‘complete’ something, he had a firm belief that this year could be a year in which his career would be perfected.

Even so, he remained humble in front of the reporters, even though he was secretly hoping that he would win a Grammy.

“Do-hyun, please make a heart with your arms while looking this way!”

“This way too!”

“Do-hyun, please look here once!”

Requests from fans poured in. Do-hyun was happy to be leaving the country, so he fulfilled all the fans’ requests. As long as he maintained a certain distance and kept walking, there was nothing to worry about. There were occasionally fans who got too close and tried to initiate skinship [physical contact], but the security team controlled that, so he didn’t have to worry about it.

Do-hyun boarded the chartered plane.

“Wow… Do-hyun, how long has it been?”

Kang-ho, who was in charge of Icarus, had boarded in advance.

“Oh, hyung? You have an Icarus schedule, is it okay for you to come to my schedule?”

“Well, it’s better for someone with experience to come. I’m someone who has seen you go to the Grammys several times, so I entrusted the Icarus schedule to the road manager and came to you.”

“Ah… I see. Hyung, when are you going to give me the wedding invitation? I’m waiting. Constantly.”

“The wedding invitation hasn’t come out yet. The youngest [his fiancee] kept saying that she wanted to be a bride in May, so….”

“Haha… okay, hyung. May is a good time when the weather is warm. You must be very busy.”

“Still, I’m glad that I’ve prepared all the major things and only the small things are left. Anyway… Do-hyun, did you get a tarot reading before you came?”

“Um… that’s….”