A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 204

“Have you discussed this with the others?”

“Well… I’ve mentioned it. There are many friends besides me who want this position. And I’ve been wanting to start something new myself.”

“…Ah. So you’ve already made your decision and are just informing me.”

“That’s right. I’ve already made the decision internally. I was set on proposing to Do-hyun, or rather, CEO Na Do-hyun.”

This was good news for Do-hyun.

Having HY Entertainment’s main producer join his label was undoubtedly a boon.

“For me… I would be grateful if you would join us.”

“I’ve been watching CEO Na diligently nurture his juniors [younger or less experienced artists]. I was curious about who the second artist would be. Of course, there’s someone I have in mind… Anyway, that’s not the point. Seeing you nurture your juniors reminded me of when I first became a producer. That’s why I decided I wanted to work with CEO Na.”

Producer Lee’s words felt sincere.

Do-hyun paused, considering how to respond to those words.

He was unconditionally grateful.

Yet, he hesitated slightly, a little worried about Producer Lee Joon-hyuk’s future.

Producer Lee was already recognized at HY Entertainment. What if he came to The Dreamer, tried out a new music style, and perhaps experienced failure?

That was his concern.

“Perhaps, are you worried about my future?”

Producer Lee asked, as if he could read Do-hyun’s mind.

“Well… I can’t say I’m not worried.”

“Haha… There’s no need to be. There’s no such thing as failure in the future I envision. Making CEO Na’s label a success—that’s also something I thought I should do while at HY Entertainment. I also thought it was necessary to change my position and try a new music style.”

“If that’s the case… I will trust only in Producer Lee Joon-hyuk and move forward. Would you be willing to join us as the chief producer of The Dreamer?”

At Do-hyun’s proposal, Producer Lee Joon-hyuk offered a handshake.

Do-hyun accepted his hand. He knew the meaning behind that handshake.

“Let’s work well together in the future, CEO Na.”

“Thank you, Chief Producer.”

* * *

In the morning, I watched the World Cup game, and in the afternoon, I steadily prepared for The Dreamer label.

The World Cup game went as I expected.

Just like my tarot reading.

Korea successfully advanced to the semi-finals.

And… my departure schedule was also set.

I was going to decorate the stage at the World Cup closing ceremony.

Before my eyes, Irae was receiving vocal training.

She had learned to sing on her own, but she had the basics.

So, there wasn’t much need to fix things.

Rather, the more I touched it, the more the dreamy yet trendy charm of her vocals seemed to fade.

Therefore, the vocal training was focused on maintaining Irae’s natural voice as much as possible.

“Irae, your voice is as good as ever.”

I said to Irae.

Irae had said she was uncomfortable with me calling her “Irae-ssi” [formal way to address someone], so we started speaking informally.

“CEO, I think I’m learning about the strengths of my voice through vocal training. And… I think it’s good that the training is focused on enhancing the strengths of my voice.”

“I think it sounds much better when we focus on enhancing the strengths of your voice. The advantage of being able to preserve the timbre that overseas fans loved? There’s definitely something there.”

The vocal trainer also added a word.

“Irae-ssi, your voice is very good. It’s trendy and doesn’t get old easily. Where did the CEO find such a rare treasure? As expected of CEO Na Do-hyun….”

“Haha… It’s not my ability, but it was possible because Irae wanted to work with me. I was worried Irae would reject my offer.”

At my words, Irae said.

“You’re too modest… Actually, after seeing the article about the CEO establishing a label, I wanted to audition there. But I never imagined I would be contacted by email. And you contacted me directly. I screamed as soon as I saw the email!”

“Was it that much? I’m so grateful that you said that. I guess you’re worthy of being our first artist.”

I responded to Irae’s words with good humor.

Irae smiled.

“I’m counting down the days until my debut! I’m so amazed that a showcase has been scheduled… I’m just grateful that I can debut in my parents’ country….”

Irae had also been assigned a Korean language instructor.

Perhaps because Irae grew up under Korean parents, her Korean skills were improving rapidly day by day.

A Korean teacher was essential since she would be working in Korea.

But Irae was working hard, so this rapid improvement was possible.

“Irae, anyway… thank you for following me so well. I should go home now. I’m leaving the country tomorrow.”

“Wow…! You’re leaving tomorrow! Congratulations, CEO! I’m looking forward to your wonderful performance at the World Cup closing ceremony!”

With that, I left the practice room where Irae was receiving vocal training.

As I came out of the building, I saw fans waiting for me.

After exchanging simple greetings, I walked home.

I suddenly thought about the day I would slowly land [become successful].

I was hot as ‘You First Singer,’ won eight Grammy Awards, and succeeded.

I was recognized around the world and was going to decorate the stage at the 2026 World Cup opening and closing ceremonies.

Now I’m dreaming bigger dreams.

Nurturing juniors with my own power.

How great would it be if this dream came true?

Nurturing juniors and moving towards a better future.

That was my goal now.

“…Whatever happens, let’s not crash.”

That was my resolution.

* * *

Incheon International Airport Terminal 2.

Do-hyun was scheduled to depart on a chartered plane provided by FIFA.

For the closing ceremony stage.

Many reporters and fans had come to the airport to see Do-hyun.

As Do-hyun got out of the car, he could hear them chanting his name.

“Do-hyun-ssi! Please look over here! How do you feel about decorating both the opening and closing ceremonies!”

“This is the first time a Korean singer has decorated both the opening and closing ceremonies! Do-hyun-ssi, a word, please!”

“First of all, I think it’s a great honor. I’m grateful that I’ve been given such a good opportunity.”

“Do-hyun-ssi, are you planning to show the same stage at the closing ceremony as you did at the opening ceremony? No spoilers? Please spoil us!”

“Hahaha… I’m afraid it’s difficult to spoil. As many people are interested and watching, I will decorate the stage and return without disappointing you. Like the song title, I think the whole world showed a united 모습 [mosub – appearance/image]. In particular, I watched the World Cup game with interest. My song came out after the Korean players’ game was over. I would like to thank FIFA for providing this opportunity.”

Do-hyun gave a rather long impression and bowed.

“Do-hyun-ah! See you in America!”

“Haha… Thank you. See you in America! Or see you through the broadcast!”

Do-hyun greeted with a relaxed attitude and went to board the plane.

Do-hyun boarded the chartered plane with the staff.

The plane slowly turned on the runway and took off.

Do-hyun anticipated a long flight and fell asleep with a neck pillow.

After half a day of flying, Do-hyun arrived in the United States.

Before going out to the departure hall, Do-hyun went to the bathroom to check his condition.

His hair was messy. He couldn’t show this 모습 [mosub – appearance/image] to reporters and fans.

He neatly tidied up and changed his clothes.

Then he asked his manager how his style was.

“How is it, hyung [older brother/male friend]? Is it okay?”

“Yeah. It’s completely fine. You look like a model….”

“Should I add more muscle?”

“No. It looks good now. If you add more muscle here, it will look like you have too much muscle mass.”

Do-hyun nodded at the manager’s honest evaluation.

As someone whose job is to be seen by others, he couldn’t miss a word like this.

“Then, it would be good to maintain it by gaining a little weight in the current state.”

“Yeah. That would be good. Oh, wait. The security team is calling.”

The manager quickly answered the phone.

“Do-hyun-ah… This is amazing. About 1,000 people have gathered at the airport. Including the reporters. I’m a little scared to think about getting through this crowd….”

“Is it that much? Even though the airport is big… It’s going to be a lot of work to go out while doing fan service. Hyung [older brother/male friend]. Please take care of me.”

“How about just going without fan service?”

“Foreign reporters will hate it. So will foreign fans. Our fan service culture is different. So we have to follow the different points for each culture.”

At Do-hyun’s words, the manager nodded as if he couldn’t win.

He was always sincere when it came to fan service.

Do-hyun also tried not to discriminate against cultures as much as possible.

“Let’s go out. Everything is ready.”

Do-hyun walked ahead.

The manager slowly escorted Do-hyun with another manager.

As Do-hyun came out of the departure hall, he heard voices constantly calling his name.

He bowed and greeted.

Then he waved at every camera he saw.

“Do-hyun, look over here!”

“This way!”

“Here too!”