A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 28

I called participant number 41 aside.

Since participant number 41 was the frontman of the band Ether, who sang ‘Your Sea,’ I had a lot to ask.

“Hello! Number 41! I wanted to ask you something, so I asked to meet you separately.”

Participant 41 looked curious, wondering what I was curious about.

“Hmm? What could you be curious about before the busking [street performance]? Maybe you’re singing one of my songs…”

At those words, I nodded.

“That’s right! I’m planning to sing Ether’s ‘Your Sea’!”

“Oh my! Really? That song is one of my most cherished songs.”

“Ah, really? Then, could you possibly give me some insider tips about this song?”

At my polite request, number 41 laughed loudly.

“We’re in a competition, is this okay?”

That was true. Song selection is also important in the busking competition.

“Um, actually, that’s why I hesitated a bit. But since we’ve worked together as a team, I thought I’d ask just in case!”

“Haha, first of all, thank you for choosing our band’s song. A tip for singing this song… I created the song imagining a couple walking along a cold beach at the tail end of winter, right before spring. I can tell you that much.”

“Thank you! I’ll try singing it while picturing that scene in my head.”

“No, I’m just so happy you’re singing our song. With someone of your influence, number 23, our song might climb back up the charts. Then our band’s reunion might be closer. Thank you.”

After a heartwarming conversation with number 41, I headed back to the practice room.

Although the busking date and location hadn’t been decided yet, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to practice the song in advance.

I put on my headphones and started listening.

The sea I walked with you

I’ll never forget it

I’ll never forget you either

Because you will be my end

So please stay by my side for a long time

Be my eternal salvation

This song also contained ‘salvation,’ but the feeling was different. I practiced while thinking of the cold Gangneung [city in South Korea] sea. I had almost no dating experience as a singer, but I had traveled all over the country, so I pieced together those memories and focused on practicing.

I was in the middle of practicing the song when I took off my headphones to clear my throat, and someone knocked.

“Yes, come in!”

The person who came in was none other than Coast.

“Oh… hello!”

I quickly got up from my seat and greeted him.

Coast waved his hand, saying there was no need to do that.

“Why would we stand on ceremony with each other? I may be a mentor, but in reality, number 23 is the senior in the music industry. I’ve only been in the business for eight years.”

“Still, you’re participating as a mentor, so I should treat you accordingly. I think that’s the proper etiquette.”

“If you do that, I’ll be grateful. How’s the song practice going?”

I nodded, a little too enthusiastically.

“Oh… you’ve already chosen a song?”

“Have the other participants not chosen their songs yet?”

Coast replied with a nonchalant expression to my question.

“That’s not something I can tell you… Anyway, congratulations on finishing the song selection so quickly.”

“Do you happen to know the future schedule?”

I was curious about when the busking schedule would be set.

Ten people would be busking simultaneously in different parts of Seoul, and I was curious about where we would be doing it and how the locations would be decided.

Of course, Coast might not know. The production team might be keeping it a secret.

“If I knew that, wouldn’t I be part of the production team?”

As expected, that was the answer I got. Well, it didn’t matter.

“I guess so, haha… Then, can I ask you for a favor? Today is a free Saturday, isn’t it?”

“It is. What is it? As someone who has been watching participant number 23 since the preliminary round, I think I can offer a little help.”

“It’s nothing much, but could you listen to the song I’ve chosen this time and give me a short review?”

Coast made a ‘hmm’ sound and pondered for a moment before nodding.

“Well, that’s no problem… We’re going to be senior and junior colleagues in the music industry even after this competition is over. Besides, today is a day off from filming. Senior, please play the song.”

I felt awkward hearing Coast call me senior. I had been working in the music industry for 10 years, but I hadn’t achieved much, so it felt even more so.

“Then I’ll sing it. It’s Ether’s ‘Your Sea.’”

I played the song’s MR [music recorded]. A calm yet rocking sound passed by, and the music began in earnest.

My mind was focused on the couple walking along the Gangneung sea.

I imagined two people in love walking hand in hand, leaning on each other.

In front of the vast nature, in the place called the sea, they hoped that each other would be each other’s salvation.

I am the sea I used to be with you

I’ll never forget it

I’ll never forget you either

You are my alpha and omega

So please stay by my side for a long time

Be my eternal salvation

Tell me you can be my eternity

I sang the lyrics, savoring them with the thought of vowing eternity rather than sadness. After the song ended, I breathed slowly. Panting after the song was something only beginners did. You learn how to breathe from the beginning when you receive training.

Clap clap clap!

I heard applause that I didn’t expect at all.

Coast was looking at me, smiling slightly, and clapping.

“Good song choice. But you seem to be interested in the indie scene?”

“Yes. I enjoy listening to indie band music, and another participant recommended this song to me this time.”

“Oh… the recommendation of participant number 41 who sang this song?”

“No. Participant number 33 recommended it. Saying it would suit my voice well.”

“I see. It suits your voice well. It would be good to appear as a vocalist on a band audition program later and aim for the frontman position…”

At those words, I burst into laughter.

“Then that would be my fifth debut, Coast. I need to be successful here, if I go any further from here…”

“Hmm, that’s true. I apologize for unintentionally mentioning your fifth debut. But you’re really perfect as a band vocalist. You have the voice that the public is looking for these days. I’m curious how you haven’t lost your trendiness even after 10 years since your debut.”

Coast’s appearance from the preliminary and main rounds was significantly different from now. Knowing that he could be someone who could give so many compliments made me feel embarrassed for some reason.

“Oh, no. I don’t know what to do because you’re giving me too much praise.”

“It’s true. I even want to become personally close after this program ends. That’s how coveted your vocals are. If I’m given another team mission next time, then I must… will you accept me?”

Coast seemed to have kept in mind that I didn’t choose him.

I smiled and replied.

“If I can, I’ll try to do that.”

Coast and Seon Hwa-seung were the mentors I expected to be the spiciest [most critical or harsh].

However, seeing Coast’s different side made me think that humans are indeed three-dimensional.

“I’ll be disturbing your practice. I’ll be on my way.”

“Yes. Be careful going.”

After Coast left.

I almost collapsed with joy at being praised by a cold-blooded trainer.

Thinking it was my last debut, every moment was important.

“Aja aja! Na Do-hyun! Fighting!” [Aja aja is a Korean phrase used for encouragement, similar to “fighting!”]

* * *

Sunday evening.

Ten participants and five mentors were summoned to the auditorium.

Seon Hwa-seung was chosen as the MC to replace Ha Yeon-ho.

Seon Hwa-seung read the cue sheet and proceeded.

“Hello, this is mentor Seon Hwa-seung. Why do you think you’ve all gathered here today?”

Then participant number 17 said.

“To decide on the busking location!”

“That’s right. We need to decide on the busking location, right? Since the location was revealed in the last competition, I think you’ll have a goal of where you want to go. You already have a place in mind, right?”

Instead of answering Seon Hwa-seung’s words, the participants nodded.

Do-hyun was the same. The place he wanted was Yeonnam-dong, but he just nodded, thinking there was no need to bring it up now.

“Everyone’s eyes are sparkling, so I’m curious about how you’ll choose which place to go. It’s very simple. Do you see that giant board over there?”

Everyone’s gaze turned to where Seon Hwa-seung was pointing.

The so-called ‘Spin the Wheel’ was there.

Seon Hwa-seung continued the explanation.

“You will spin that wheel according to your individual ranking in the last competition. If you like the place that comes up, stop there. But if you don’t like the place and want to try again, you’ll go to the last spot and spin again. It will proceed in that order. Very simple, right?”

Those words meant that they would leave the location to the fate of the wheel.

Do-hyun racked his brain.

‘Hmm, I have a good feeling. It feels like it will be either Yeonnam-dong or Hongdae Street. Hyo-seop, who is in first place, said he wants Gangnam Station, so the competition will be fierce, and number 41, who is in second place, seems to be aiming for Hongdae Street, so if I, who am in third place, go to Yeonnam-dong, it will be perfect.’

Do-hyun recalled the tarot card he first encountered in his head.

The [WHEEL OF FORTUNE] card. Seeing the places written on the wheel now, why did he think of that card, which says that fate turns according to reason?

‘I hope it goes as planned!’

“Now, participant number 33, who was in first place last time. Where do you want to go?”

At Seon Hwa-seung’s question, Hyo-seop confidently revealed.

“I want Gangnam Station. Exit 8 of Gangnam Station would be good, right?”

“Oh, that seems to be a very competitive place. Well… let’s spin it once.”

Hyo-seop gave the wheel a strong push and spun it.

The wheel, which was gradually slowing down, vaguely went back and forth between Gangnam Station and Cheonggye Plaza.

“I’m curious to see where you’ll end up going! It’s starting to stop!”

Seon Hwa-seung’s progress wasn’t as chewy [drawn out or suspenseful] as Ha Yeon-ho’s, but the situation made me nervous.

“Ah… oh no. The wheel went back and forth between Gangnam Station and Cheonggye Plaza and stopped at Cheonggye Plaza! Participant number 33, are you going to go with this?”

“Can I know when it’s happening?”

“That’s a secret.”

“…Hmm, then I’ll go to the very back.”

That’s how Hyo-seop went to the very back and expressed his intention to revote.

Next was participant number 41.

“I want to go to Hongdae Street. It’s a very familiar place to me.”

Participant number 41 didn’t push very hard. Because of that, the wheel turned slowly.

The wheel, which was hovering between Hongdae Entrance and Konkuk University Entrance, stopped right at Konkuk University Entrance.

Participant number 41 hesitated for a moment before saying that he would go to Konkuk University Entrance.

“Now, participant number 23, please come out. Where do you want to go?”

“I want Yeonnam-dong!”

“I see. Then please spin the wheel.”