A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 205

After a powerful and firm greeting, Do-hyun headed to his hotel room.

As soon as he arrived, Do-hyun felt completely drained.

“Do-hyun, are you feeling alright? You don’t look so good. Should I get you some coffee?”

The manager asked, observing Do-hyun’s tired expression.

“I really need an iced coffee… Did they even sell iced coffee in the States back then? My memory’s a bit hazy. I thought they only sold iced Americanos in Korea.”

“If they don’t, we’ll just get an ice cup and coffee separately and combine them ourselves.”

“Please do. I need something cold to snap me out of it. Maybe it’s just the long flight… I don’t think my body is adjusting well.”

“Okay. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

The manager returned to Do-hyun’s room in just ten minutes.

He had indeed prepared an ice cup and coffee separately.

Do-hyun was genuinely touched.

“What would I do without you, Manager?”

At Do-hyun’s words, the manager smiled and replied,

“That’s not going to happen. I won that bet because of you, Do-hyun… I should treat you even better. Isn’t that just human nature?”

“Wait, you were being nice to me because of that? Now I’m suspicious.”

When Do-hyun pretended to glare, the manager laughed heartily.

“Just kidding! Do you think I’d only take care of you for such a simple reason? A manager has responsibilities, and looking after the artist’s well-being is one of them. I’m just doing my job.”

“I appreciate you saying that…”

“Don’t overthink it. You tend to think too much, you know? You know that’s a bad habit, right?”

Do-hyun nodded. He knew it was a bad habit.

Being reminded like this, he resolved to try and curb those tendencies.

“Ah, since we’re in America, how about meeting with a famous producer? Chris Hadler sent an email to the company. Now that you’ve officially signed with [entertainment company] 이래, it seems he wants to collaborate on a song.”

“Ah, that email. I saw it too. I was planning to adjust my schedule anyway. I should set a date after the closing ceremony. I almost forgot. Thanks for reminding me, 형 [term used to address an older brother or close male friend].”

Do-hyun immediately took out his laptop from his bag.

It wasn’t as fast as it was in Korea. The internet speed alone was frustrating.

Despite the slow connection, Do-hyun waited patiently.

Finally, the email opened. Do-hyun used his fluent English to send an email requesting a meeting after the World Cup closing ceremony.

In the meantime, the manager had left, probably to attend to his own tasks.

Do-hyun took off his shoes and lay down on the bed.

He had to start rehearsals tomorrow.

This World Cup had attracted a diverse audience and was a huge success worldwide.

In this context, Do-hyun was once again in the spotlight as an 홍보대사 [promotional ambassador].

In addition, the South Korean national team had advanced to the semi-finals, drawing a lot of attention to Korea.

‘This is really fortunate. I’m so happy our national team reached the semi-finals… and there’s so much positive feedback about Korea. Next time, I want to see them not just stay in 4th place, but go all the way to the finals.’

He wasn’t a huge soccer fan, but as a citizen, he supported the national team players.

In particular, he had tremendous respect for Son Heung-min, who was retiring from the national team after this World Cup.

Ding-dong?

“Who is it?”

“Do-hyun, we need to go to practice a little early. The organizers contacted us and asked us to come quickly.”

“…Already? I’ve only been in America for a few hours!”

“It seems like it’s an urgent situation. I don’t know what’s so urgent, but we need to go.”

“Let’s go then.”

* * *

The place Do-hyun arrived at was a recording studio in LA.

Inside the studio, he saw the producer with a frustrated expression.

He hadn’t looked like this before… Do-hyun wondered what was wrong and asked,

“What’s wrong? Why do you look so upset?”

“Damn it! I lost the sound source for the closing ceremony because of that 망할 [cursed] ransomware! Even the backed-up files were infected! So I think I have to record everything again… from the beginning… The good thing is, I still have the MR [music recorded without vocals]….”

“Oh, no….”

It was an emergency. With the closing ceremony just a few days away, having to re-record everything meant they had to pull out all the stops.

“Don’t worry too much. We can finish the recording today. Is the computer recovered?”

“Since it’s not recovered, I’m planning to use another computer for now. What else can I do? I have to do it that way.”

“Great. Or we could use my laptop. Don’t be discouraged, let’s finish the recording today!”

At Do-hyun’s confident voice, the frustrated staff nodded in agreement.

And so, Do-hyun encouraged the staff and successfully completed the re-recording.

None of the staff could resist Do-hyun’s determination.

“Everyone, you worked so hard!”

Do-hyun approached each of the staff members, hugged them, and said goodbye.

It was a humble attitude to see from a global superstar.

The staff also took commemorative photos with Do-hyun.

Do-hyun didn’t refuse any of them.

Rather, he enjoyed it; there was no reason to refuse.

On the way out after finishing the recording,

Do-hyun suddenly thought of the Korean town he had visited before.

The memory of the hidden camera prank on the James Corden Show flashed through his mind.

“형, is there a hidden camera schedule on this trip too?”

“Of course not. I saw how disgusted you were last time; how could I schedule something like that again?”

“…If you did, I would have cursed you out with my eyes.”

“You were already cursing with your eyes back then… Don’t you remember how careful the staff was?”

“Hey, but I endured it. I was angry, of course. But pranks that risk my life… are not for me.”

“That’s true. Anyway… there’s nothing like that on this schedule at all. So you can rest assured. If that happens again? Then I’ll submit my resignation. I’ll take the plane home….”

“형. That’s too much. I’ll believe you even if you don’t do that, so don’t worry.”

At Do-hyun’s words, the manager laughed loudly and heartily.

“That’s why I like you. You’re 은근히 [subtly] cool. That’s why I like it.”

“은근히? I’m openly cool, you know?”

“No. Sometimes I think you’re timid….”

“흐음 [hmm]?”

When Do-hyun looked at him with his arms crossed, the manager waved his hand and said,

“Cancel, cancel. It looks like you’re going to sulk again.”

“I’m not that easy to sulk.”

Do-hyun said with a relaxed smile.

“Okay, let’s say that’s the case. A man who is cool and doesn’t sulk easily. Na Do-hyun! 크으 [expression of admiration]! Do-hyun, you’re 멋지다 [awesome]!”

“…It sounds like you’re teasing me. Is that just my imagination?”

“Imagination is… maybe not?”

As they exchanged 티키타카 [banter] and talked, they arrived at the hotel before they knew it.

As soon as Do-hyun’s location was known, dozens of fans flocked in front of it.

Do-hyun looked around, searching for someone.

But that familiar face was nowhere to be seen.

‘…You barely came last time. Unless you quit your job, it’ll be hard to come to the closing ceremony… but it feels a little lonely.’

He felt a strange emotion.

How many years had it been since he felt this way thinking about someone?

Reporter Yoo Hana had drawn a line that singers and fans should maintain a professional distance, but Do-hyun’s thoughts were a little different.

‘Is there really a rule that you have to keep that line?’

That thought suddenly came to mind.

Maybe it would be okay to cross that line a little. Do-hyun also thought that he wanted to open his heart.

He became a hot star in his 10th year of debut with ‘너첫가 [Your First Song]’ Season 1 and had been running busily ever since. In the meantime, he was grateful to all the fans who had been by his side.

At the same time, there was an unquenched thirst.

The love for fans and the love for a lover were clearly different.

He had been making songs with different kinds of love and using various expressions, but… now that he was approaching his mid-30s,

Do-hyun wanted to change a little now.

‘…The person who knows me best and loves me best… I think there’s only one. I think there’s only one person.’

“…Do-hyun? What are you thinking about? The fans are waiting.”

“Ah. I have to say hello and go in.”

“Everyone, thank you for coming! Please look forward to the closing ceremony stage!”

Do-hyun, who had been momentarily lost in thought, greeted the fans and entered the hotel.

“Do-hyun, get some rest….”

“형. Can I ask you just one thing?”

Do-hyun grabbed the manager who was about to leave and asked.

“What is it?”

“You know Reporter Yoo Hana, right?”

“Of course, I know her. She’s a famous reporter among 가요 [K-pop] reporters; there’s no way I wouldn’t know her. Why? She’s written a lot of good articles about you… I remember her well because she’s a good person.”

“I want to know Reporter Yoo Hana’s contact information.”

Do-hyun had deleted her contact information when Reporter Yoo Hana drew the line before.

He had a business card, but it had been a long time since he threw it away.

“Suddenly? What did that reporter say? Are you going to confront her directly?”

“Ah. It’s not like that. There’s something I want to ask her personally. I think she’ll keep it a secret.”

“Ah, okay. I’ll tell you. Just a moment.”

Do-hyun took out his cell phone and prepared.

“공일공 [Korean phone number prefix]….”

The manager recited Yoo’s contact information.

Do-hyun immediately entered the number and saved it.

Then he checked until Yoo’s profile appeared in the messenger app.

Yoo’s profile picture was a picture of herself.

It was a famous picture, a so-called ‘boyfriend짤 [boyfriend picture]’.

Even that was so like Yoo that Do-hyun burst out laughing.

“형. Then I’ll go into the room and rest.”

“Okay. I’ll call you when it’s dinner time. Get some rest and take a nap.”

“Yes, 형.”

As soon as Do-hyun closed the door and lay down on the bed, he racked his brains about what message to send to Yoo.

Then he decided….

[This is Na Do-hyun. Reporter.]

He sent a really honest message.

It should be night in Korea now.

He expected to see the message read late, but what’s this?

The ‘1’ indicating unread message disappeared right away!

[…Are you crazy?]

Do-hyun, thinking that the answer from Reporter Yoo Hana was just like her, laughed involuntarily.

It was fun.

And….

His heart was pounding.

It felt good to feel this emotion.

Now that I think about it, from the moment I gave Reporter Yoo Hana my contact information at the Grammy Awards and waited, to always looking for Yoo on stage… I think I know the identity of that ambiguous feeling now.

That is….

[No. I’m not crazy. Aren’t you coming to the closing ceremony?]