A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 214

“Lee-rae, you’ve practiced a lot, right? I know you’re nervous. Okay, first, let’s breathe comfortably. Did you take anything to calm your nerves?” Do-hyun asked kindly.

Lee-rae, unlike her usual confident self during training, looked visibly nervous and kept sighing.

“I can’t… remember any of the lyrics. What am I going to do?”

“You saw it during the rehearsal. There will be a teleprompter on site. So, you can look at the lyrics as much as you need to. Just because a lot of reporters came doesn’t mean they’re going to eat you alive. You’re the first singer I’m putting out, so of course, there will be expectations.”

“I’m the CEO’s first singer. What if I ruin the stage? There’s a fan showcase tonight too. Honestly, I’m not confident… I was fine until yesterday, but I have no idea why I’m like this all of a sudden….”

Do-hyun was reminded of his own debut. Enduring his family’s opposition and having to stand in front of reporters back then.

Do-hyun felt like the reporters were going to devour him, and he was terrified.

After performing on stage in front of the reporters, when the Q&A session approached, Do-hyun just wanted to disappear. The company president at the time had warned him about how ruthless the reporters could be.

However, what he actually faced was different. The reporters were bored and ended the Q&A as if they had no expectations for the rookie group. That’s how the ‘muscular idol’ was quickly forgotten.

He remembered the scene where only about 20 photographers showed up. What Lee-rae is facing is probably much more pressure than what he experienced. Thinking that way, he tried to figure out how to comfort Lee-rae and encourage her to go on stage.

“Lee-rae, don’t be afraid. You have hundreds of thousands of subscribers on your YouTube channel. You’ve been doing song covers for hundreds of thousands of people. The people who are here today aren’t even a fraction of that, just a few dozen reporters. They’re not here to tear you down. They’re here because they’re curious about you as a singer. So… you can do well. Don’t be afraid. You’ve prepared so well until now. You’ve done everything as if you were born to be a celebrity. Let’s take a deep breath.”

Do-hyun coaxed and soothed Lee-rae. As she took deep breaths, Lee-rae regained some composure, and the tension eased from her face.

“…CEO. I can do well, right?”

“Yes. You can do well. I believe in my judgment in seeing your talent. Let’s not be nervous. If you get really nervous, imagine me standing next to you on stage. Think of me as your first fan, and relax. Let’s think of today’s press showcase as the first event for your fans.”

After being comforted, Lee-rae seemed to snap out of it and exclaimed with determination.

“I! I’ll do well. I’ll show the public that the CEO’s first singer is amazing.”

“Reporters are nothing, really. Among the people you’ll meet as a celebrity in the future… reporters are nothing. They’re just people, too. They came to do their job, not to attack you. Of course, they might be here because of me, who is supporting your debut. But I hope you don’t forget that their main focus is you.”

“Thank you, thank you so much! I’ll do well. I’ll cheer up and do well!”

* * *

Lee-rae, who was on the verge of tears because she felt like she couldn’t go on stage, did a fantastic job at the showcase.

She showed off even better skills than during the rehearsal, completely owning the stage.

In particular, when she performed ‘Wicked’ with Do-hyun, she showcased an amazing vocal range and even received applause from the reporters.

Even with the choreography, she managed to impress because of her great chemistry with Do-hyun.

Then it was Q&A time.

Lee-rae calmly answered, having prepared for all the expected questions.

Some of the reporters even joked that it didn’t seem like her first debut.

With Do-hyun supporting her, Lee-rae had nothing to fear. After all, she has a reliable CEO!

That’s how Lee-rae’s one-hour press showcase came to an end.

Do-hyun and Lee-rae walked through the press corps, greeting them.

“Wow… I’ve been following you since your YouTube days, but I never thought I’d see you like this in Korea. Lee-rae, can I take a picture with you? I want to brag to my friends who are your old fans.”

The reporters were all eager to take pictures with Lee-rae.

Do-hyun was almost an afterthought.

Do-hyun thought it was a natural outcome and admired the impact Lee-rae had created.

His instinct for spotting talent was right.

The first singer is a great success.

Now it’s time to recruit the second singer.

After greeting the press with Lee-rae and returning to the waiting room, Do-hyun made a phone call.

“Hey, are you free tonight? There’s something I want to talk about.”

“Our CEO is already making plans for tonight, so it seems like he’s already thinking about the second singer?” the manager said.

Do-hyun smiled.

“The second singer is already decided.”

“By the way… if you keep fostering juniors like that… when are you going to focus on your own career?”

“It’s okay to rest a little, right? Overseas artists don’t release albums for years because of their other ventures… I released a few singles last year, so I’m going to take this year as a sabbatical [a period of paid leave granted to a university teacher or other worker for study or travel, traditionally one year for every seven years worked]. Of course, it won’t be longer than a year. I’m currently working on my own songs, and I’ve already decided on the second singer.”

“Do-hyun, who is it? Give me a hint.”

When the manager became curious, Do-hyun only said that it was a male singer who was a friend.

“You have more than one or two male singers you’re friends with. How many friendships have you made since the Monthly Do-hyun Project….”

“Haha. You can look forward to the second singer. I’m planning to show a different side of him as a solo artist than the image he’s shown in the group so far.”

“…Ah, could it be?”

The manager asked as if he had an idea.

Do-hyun nodded.

“You have a rough idea, right?”

“Yeah. I have an idea. Did that friend successfully terminate his contract with his previous company? Just in case… they aren’t trying to hold him back, are they?”

“Of course. The contract is finished. I want to see him in solo activities rather than team activities, so I’m planning to sign him as the second singer of the More Dreamer label.”

“Oh… that’s a relief. There are so many ruthless business owners in this industry. There are a lot of people who try to hold onto artists even after the contract period is over… It’s good that that friend’s contract issue has been resolved, so now we just need to sign a contract with our label.”

“I’ve already prepared the contract and everything.”

“No, when did you prepare that?”

“Hyung [Korean term for older brother or close male friend]. I’m a workaholic. Working Na Do-hyun. If CEO Na Do-hyun doesn’t work, who will!”

The other staff members laughed at Do-hyun’s energetic voice.

Lee-rae, who was relaxing after finishing the showcase, also laughed along with the staff.

“CEO, I’m looking forward to the second singer.”

Do-hyun nodded at Lee-rae’s words.

“He’s going to be a very good singer. That friend’s potential is endless.”

* * *

He didn’t watch Lee-rae’s fan showcase.

There were many speculations that Do-hyun would attend Lee-rae’s fan showcase, but Do-hyun didn’t want to create a situation where his fans outnumbered Lee-rae’s fans, as it was her event.

That’s why Do-hyun didn’t go on stage for the ‘Wicked’ performance either.

He asked the staff to film Lee-rae’s solo ‘Wicked’ performance.

Since it was going to be a double title track and the song ‘Wicked’ was well-made, he thought she could deliver a great performance.

Do-hyun went to his penthouse.

Not long after, a guest arrived.

He was waiting for…

“Hyung! I was really nervous coming here!”

It was Seok-won.

He had decided to recruit Seok-won as the second singer.

It wasn’t just because he had been close to Seok-won for several years that he was considering scouting him.

Seeing that Seok-won’s position within his group was becoming less defined, he wanted to help him develop his potential.

Seok-won had a great voice.

He had the ability to make any genre his own, and that was Seok-won.

“Did you wait long?”

“Waiting for our CEO is nothing! Oh, my heart is pounding. And I saw the video of Hyung singing at Lee-rae’s showcase, and why are you getting better? A truly born singer… So, I want to sing a song like ‘Wicked’ too. A song that is dreamy and devastated, talking about the destruction and ruin of love!”

Seeing Seok-won’s overflowing enthusiasm, Do-hyun smiled.

“I like seeing you so excited. But let’s start by reading the contract carefully. What do you want to drink? Coffee? Or tea?”

“I want coffee right now. Hyung’s house has delicious capsule coffee. What kind of machine is so good? You know I have the same coffee machine at my house, but mine doesn’t taste like that. Does Hyung’s house use good water….”

“It must be your imagination. We use the same water and the same capsules, so there’s no way the taste would be different.”

“Well, I guess so? I think I’m being too fussy. Anyway, I want coffee!”

“Okay. Take a look at the contract for a moment.”

Do-hyun handed the contract to Seok-won.

Seok-won immediately started checking the contract.

Meanwhile, Do-hyun made coffee for his guest.

He added ice to the coffee and took it to Seok-won.

“Hyuuung… I think I’m going to cry.”

“Huh? Suddenly crying? First, drink some iced Americano… Why the sudden tears?”

“I’ve never received such good conditions, even when I was with my previous agency. I saw the contract they gave me for renewal, and it was the same one as when I debuted. So, I thought, this company isn’t going to work out. But when I saw the contract Hyung gave me, I thought, he recognizes me as a singer. I think that’s why I’m going to cry. I really don’t know how I ended up here with Hyung….”

“You saying that makes me feel pressured as a CEO? So, the contract with our label…?”

Seok-won answered as if it were obvious.

“Of course, I have to! Would I have come here if I wasn’t going to do it? Of course, I’m going to sign a contract with Hyung, no, CEO’s More Dreamer label!”

Do-hyun burst out laughing at Seok-won’s confident declaration.

“Thank you, Seok-won. Actually, because we’re friends and I knew your potential, I paid more attention to the conditions. I can’t bring in juniors with bad conditions. But I’m relieved that you like the conditions and want to join. I was actually nervous too.”

“Nervous! This is the first time I’ve seen an agency offering such good conditions. Hyung, let’s do well in the future!”

Seok-won reached out his hand. Do-hyun took his hand and shook it.