A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 219

The work on X Machina was progressing smoothly.

Just like the name X Machina, establishing the concept presented no difficulties.

With the success of Lee-rae, The Dreamer Label’s first artist, public anticipation grew for the image X Machina, the second artist, would bring to the music industry.

Perhaps because of this heightened attention, Hyun Entertainment’s stock price soared daily.

Amidst all this buzz, X Machina’s concept photos were released.

X Machina, formerly known as Seok-won.

He hadn’t stood out much within the group, but his solo concept was so dazzling that it made one wonder why he hadn’t been noticed before. He embraced a concept of decadent sexiness.

Even without excessive exposure, his glamorous makeup and captivating gaze captured the fans and the public who had been eagerly waiting.

All of this was the result of X Machina, PD [Production Director] Lee Jun-hyuk, and Do-hyun’s combined efforts.

Not long after X Machina’s photos were uploaded to social media, album pre-orders began.

The pre-order quantity reached a whopping 300,000 copies, a feat that even the group hadn’t accomplished.

This confirmed to X Machina that his choice to go solo was the right one.

Moreover, interview requests with X Machina flooded in.

Although they had dealt with X Machina countless times before, the reporters had never imagined the demand would be so overwhelming.

Thanks to this, X Machina was filled with happiness.

X Machina expressed his gratitude to Do-hyun every day.

He was practically a permanent fixture in Do-hyun’s studio.

“Hyung [older brother or male friend]. I’m so excited. I heard that a lot of reporters are gathering….”

“You can do well, right? I believe in you. You’re the second junior I’ve chosen after Lee-rae, so I have faith you’ll do great.”

“Of course, Hyung. I have to do well. Wow. I really never imagined that pre-order sales would exceed 300,000 copies. That never happened in the group. Even though we used to go around doing fan signing events, the total album sales never exceeded 300,000… I’m feeling a different kind of power than when I was in the group.”

“Your future will be filled with success. I’m going to make sure of it. The Dreamer Label—I’m going to grow it immensely. I think this is just the beginning. You can look forward to it.”

Do-hyun’s voice was full of confidence.

X Machina gained strength from that voice.

With Do-hyun, there was nothing to fear. Moreover, with the addition of Executive Producer Lee Jun-hyuk, even less so.

All 10 songs to be included in the full-length album had been recorded.

X Machina was devoting himself to practice every day, preparing for his solo debut with three title tracks.

Do-hyun visited the practice room and offered advice as both a senior artist and the head of The Dreamer Label.

X Machina was, in some ways, similar to Do-hyun. He was as diligent and hardworking. He didn’t have the innate talent to be called a genius, but he possessed all the essential elements to survive in this industry.

Sincerity, effort… those were among the most necessary things to succeed. Not giving up was also a form of courage, just like Do-hyun.

“You’re really going to succeed. I told you I’d make you successful within three years. Just trust me. You’ll be holding a solo concert in the stadium where I stood as a guest performer. Stadium tours, Super Bowl halftime shows, from Billboard to the Grammys… I’m going to let you experience everything I’ve enjoyed.”

“Hyung… I’m really touched.”

X Machina’s eyes glistened.

He seemed quite moved.

Looking at X Machina’s face, Do-hyun patted him on the shoulder.

“What are you going to cry about over something like this? I guess I got you too excited.”

“No. It’s not that. But Hyung… I really feel like I’m going to be a huge success with you. I’m fine even if we just stay in the domestic market. There’s a sense of trust that you give. You know that feeling, right? The trust that you chose me as the second artist. I think that’s probably the same.”

“I’m grateful that you say that. Anyway, I’ll do my best not to betray your trust. I’ll use all my capabilities, like the trial and error I experienced through Lee-rae, to take care of you.”

“I’m grateful just for those words. I’ve never been treated like this before. When I did the ‘Monthly Do-hyun’ project with Hyung at my previous agency, there were actually voices of opposition internally. They wondered if we really needed to do something like that. But doing it with Hyung feels like a huge success.”

At X Machina’s words, Do-hyun chuckled.

“…You saying that makes me even more grateful. This is just the beginning. This time, I only participated in producing, composing, and writing lyrics… but I’ll lend my strength as a featured artist on the next album. Actually, you’re doing well on your own, but I’m willing to help if I can.”

“Thank you, Hyung. Let’s work together on an amazing song like ‘Wicked’!”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

* * *

X Machina’s debut day.

Friday, 6 PM.

A perfect time to aim for Billboard.

X Machina’s full-length album entered the real-time charts as soon as it was released.

And all the songs did.

Moreover, articles reviewing X Machina’s album poured out.

The public began listening to X Machina’s full-length album while reading the reviews, and soon he succeeded in entering the daily charts as well.

X Machina enjoyed that joy in Do-hyun’s studio.

He burst into tears in the studio.

So much so that Do-hyun was embarrassed.

“Hey, are you that happy?”

“Hyung… I’m really happy. I never imagined that I would become a number one singer like this. I’m also number one on the album sales charts. I never even imagined this before. But you’re the one who made my imagination a reality. Believing in my potential—that’s you, Hyung.”

X Machina said everything he wanted to say, even while sobbing.

Do-hyun, who found that quite amusing, patted him on the shoulder and said,

“You know you’ll get a sty if you cry and laugh, right? It’s refreshing to see this side of you after always seeing your mature side. It would be great if we could get into the Hot 100 on the Billboard charts. Getting into the 200 chart is confirmed.”

“Hyuuuung… I’m so touched. Who would have known that I would be on the Billboard 200 chart?”

“Let’s not arbitrarily judge the future. You’re a singer with enough potential. You can get into the Hot 100 following the Billboard 200 chart. One of the triple title tracks this time is an English song. It’s a song that openly aimed for the Billboard Hot 100… you can definitely do it. It would be a good result even if you get into the Bubbling Under chart instead of the Hot 100. It’s possible to have a reverse run [a song gaining popularity long after its release].”

Do-hyun spoke calmly as an experienced person.

At those words, X Machina imagined his future and burst into tears once again.

Knowing what that feeling of joy was like, Do-hyun quietly handed him a tissue instead of telling him to stop crying.

“From the next album, we’re going to go even harder. Aiming for the Billboard charts as well as the Korean charts will be next. After the Billboard charts, it’s the Grammys. There’s also talk of it being a local awards ceremony, but… anyway….”

“Hyung. I’m really amazed that you won 8 awards at the Grammys. I can’t even believe it. Can I get to that position?”

“Yes. You can get there. I can say that with certainty. I, who spent over 10 years as an unknown, got to that position. It’s the result of enduring and persevering in this industry. So I can’t say that you can’t do it. You can do it too.”

X Machina seemed to gain courage from Do-hyun’s words and looked at Do-hyun with emotional eyes.

“I’m really going to do well. I’m going to do my best for my fans, and I won’t do anything other than music work until I achieve my goals. I won’t date either… I have to live as fiercely as Hyung….”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t been on a date lately because I’ve been so focused on your work. My girlfriend must be waiting eagerly. Well, if I had to prioritize, dating would be second, and you would be first. If a third artist comes in… the third artist would be higher than dating.”

“…I’m going to live like Hyung too. Dating only after I’m in my mid-30s….”

“This isn’t necessarily a good thing. Just don’t get caught. Just don’t do anything that deceives the fans. Don’t do ‘Lovestagrams’ [publicly obvious displays of affection on social media] or anything like that. Don’t give gifts from fans to your girlfriend and get caught. You know what I mean, right?”

X Machina immediately understood what Do-hyun was saying. In fact, his former team member had given gifts he received from fans to his girlfriend and was caught, causing a huge uproar.

“Of course. I should definitely do that. Come to think of it, the relationship between fans and singers is really amazing. How should I put it… they’re always going together, but it’s even more amazing that this isn’t a simple relationship….”

“Yeah. I think so too. Well, I’m only saying this now, but my girlfriend said she was my fan. Before being a reporter, she liked me as a person, something like that. So she pushed me away and stuff… as I started dating, I started thinking hard about what the relationship between fans and singers is.”

“It’s like friends who always support each other’s lives. That expression is not enough, though.”

“The expression is lacking. I think you’re thinking well about the fans to that extent. You know how many celebrities deceive their fans… you know. There are many people in this industry who look down on fans.”

Do-hyun thought of several cases, but he didn’t say them out loud.

“Anyway, you’ve stopped crying, so let’s practice now. You know that only practice can save you, right?”

“Of course. I know that well. I have to go practice. But Hyung. Aren’t my eyes too swollen? I think I cried too much.”

As X Machina said, his eyes were swollen.

That appearance was also quite cute. Do-hyun reassured him that it wasn’t the day of a music show anyway, so the swelling only needed to go down by tomorrow morning.

“Pay special attention when practicing with the dancers. You have to do both rap and singing. You know that you have to pay a lot of attention to the lines, fingertips, and toes, right?”

“Yes, I know. Even though I look like this, I’m quite skilled in dancing….”

“So I’m asking you as the CEO to pay more attention. You know that the dance is quite important in this title track, right? It’s an upbeat song, so pay more attention. You know what I mean, right?”

At Do-hyun’s earnest request, X Machina nodded, saying he understood.

Only then did Do-hyun feel relieved and smiled.

“Okay, let’s do well. Music shows and fan signing events will start in earnest from tomorrow, so we have to do even better. Got it? Seok-won.”

“Yes, Hyung. I’ll do my best! Fighting!”

“Fighting!”