A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 5

Do-hyun meticulously examined the contract, knowing that some unscrupulous agencies insert toxic clauses into the fine print. He was wary and wanted to ensure his interests were protected.

“There won’t be any clauses in the contract that are detrimental to Na Do-hyun. We’re using the industry-standard contract,” Team Leader Lee Jun-hyuk assured him.

Having drafted contracts four times before, Do-hyun could now discern the meaning of each clause with a quick glance.

However, one question lingered in his mind.

“Team Leader, Lee Jun-hyuk, I have a question.”

“What is it?” Lee Jun-hyuk responded dryly.

Do-hyun, maintaining sincere eye contact, asked, “You must have met countless vocalists while in your position, so why is Huent Entertainment signing me—a solo artist who has already debuted multiple times—to send me to KBC’s ‘I Want to Be Your First Singer’?”

It was a natural question. If they were scouting him, a relatively unknown artist despite three previous debuts, and planning to pit him against others in an audition program, he couldn’t help but wonder about their true intentions.

“That’s the most important question. Frankly, Na Do-hyun is easy to build a story around, and his skills are solid. He’s the kind of person Huent Entertainment was looking for. You could say he’s our hidden card.”

It was an honest assessment, but it stung nonetheless. “Story-making” meant capitalizing on the narrative of a ‘no-name’ artist who remained obscure despite multiple attempts, while his skills, proven as a guide vocalist, were simply a given.

It stung a little, but Do-hyun focused on maintaining his composure. What Lee Jun-hyuk said wasn’t wrong.

“I see. Thank you for your honest answer.”

“It’s my motto: to be honest. Frankly, I expect Na Do-hyun to rank high in the program. Face? Pass. Skill? Pass. A compelling narrative? Pass. If we can just cultivate a dedicated fanbase…”

Team Leader Lee Jun-hyuk trailed off, and Team Leader Lee Mi-young added, “He’ll become the complete package. Take the group Black Swan, for example. They debuted as a boy group and initially struggled to gain recognition. But what happened? They captured the hearts of overseas fans, leading to increased album sales and, subsequently, domestic and international attention. As domestic fans started to support them, they became a group that could easily win first place on comeback week, or even choose not to appear on music shows if they preferred.”

More painful words, hitting close to home.

A member he had debuted with the first time was now in Black Swan. When that member had asked Do-hyun to join Black Swan, Do-hyun had refused, convinced it would fail.

Who knew they would become so successful?

“Anyway, that’s the gist of it. I used Black Swan as an example, but you get the idea, right? Only one or two of Huent Entertainment’s existing trainees will participate in the program for camera tests.”

Team Leader Lee Jun-hyuk continued, “Our main focus is on Na Do-hyun, who has a perfect narrative and can present himself as a complete solo artist. Isn’t that right, Team Leader Lee?”

Team Leader Lee Mi-young nodded in agreement.

She then instructed Do-hyun to stand up.

“Let’s assess your proportions and how you’ll look on camera. Let’s see.”

Team Leader Lee Mi-young meticulously examined Do-hyun, assessing his physical presence and potential on-screen appeal.

Having worked in the New Talent Development Team for a long time, she had developed a keen eye for talent, as if she had a camera installed in her head.

“Your proportions are good. Your third debut activities were very short-lived, but it seems you’ve been consistently managing your physique since then?”

“Yes! I’ve been diligently maintaining it. Anything is possible with effort, discipline, and hard work….”

“Okay, ‘steady’ is enough,” Team Leader Lee Jun-hyuk interjected, cutting off Do-hyun’s enthusiastic response.

“The contract fee will be paid on the 15th. The settlement date is also the 15th of every month. Any more questions?”

“If the trainee Huent Entertainment sends out and I face off in the finals, which one will you support?”

That was the last thing he was curious about.

Do-hyun wanted to know whether they would prioritize their own trainee or him. It was a form of reassurance he needed.

“I think the answer to that is obvious. No, the answer is already clear. Our hidden card, the one we’re actively promoting, is Na Do-hyun. The trainees we’re sending are going to debut anyway; it’s just to gain exposure. You know how this industry works, don’t you? I heard you’ve been in it for about 10 years, so you must understand.”

Each word was delivered coldly, hitting him with stark reality.

Feeling somewhat deflated after seeking confirmation, Do-hyun signed each page of the contract and finalized the agreement.

Team Leader Lee Jun-hyuk handed Do-hyun a copy of the contract.

“The KBC preliminaries aren’t far off, right? So, starting tomorrow, you’ll come to the company for lessons, song selection, and directing.”

“And we’ll conduct a camera test as well. Ah, your proportions are good, but your face looks a little chubby. I looked at your old photos, and your features were a bit sharper back then. I think that looks better? So, try to diet as much as possible. The goal is to lose 5kg by the preliminaries.”

Team Leader Lee Jun-hyuk and Team Leader Lee Mi-young both offered their input.

He knew he would have to work hard since he had decided to participate in the audition program, but the thought of having to embrace chicken breast as a staple food again was daunting.

“Understood!”

“Here’s your access card.”

Team Leader Lee Mi-young handed Do-hyun an employee ID card on a necklace. Do-hyun carefully placed the employee ID card in his bag’s inner pocket to avoid losing it.

“The long story is over. Anyway, let’s work hard starting tomorrow.”

Do-hyun shook hands with both Team Leaders, bowed respectfully, and left.

He had arrived before 3 PM and didn’t leave until almost 6 PM.

Several messages had accumulated on his phone in the meantime.

‘Ah, the writer!’

He remembered that the writer from the low-rated [0%] cable broadcast had promised to contact him after their meeting.

Do-hyun checked if the writer had sent a message.

[The shaman grandfather’s contact number is 010-9540-2XXX. The fortune-telling place is in Yangjae-dong.]

Having resolved one issue, he now had another to address.

He called the shaman grandfather.

[The customer is currently on another call.]

‘I wonder if the fortune-telling place will be open past 6 PM. It’ll take about 20-30 minutes to get to Yangjae from here. Considering the rush hour, it might take even longer.’

He had initially planned to go tomorrow, but now that he had signed the contract, there was something he wanted to verify immediately.

‘Let’s go now.’

Do-hyun entered the address provided by the writer into the taxi app and booked a ride. A car quickly arrived in front of Do-hyun.

“Hello.”

“Hello,” Do-hyun replied to the taxi driver’s greeting, adding, “You’re working hard,” before gazing out the window, lost in thought.

It felt like events were unfolding in a strangely mysterious way.

The meeting with the shaman grandfather, the tarot card readings, even his own grandfather’s past—it was as if everything was orchestrated. He felt like he was living in a meticulously illuminated world.

“Oh my, it’s really congested today.”

“How long does it usually take?”

“It takes about 25 minutes if traffic is light. But it’s rush hour, so Gangnam is always congested. I wonder when this subway construction will ever be finished.” The taxi driver grumbled.

Do-hyun offered vague responses, keeping him company.

‘It really is congested.’

It took about 30 minutes just to get out of Gangnam-daero.

Fortunately, the road opened up a bit after leaving Gangnam-daero.

“Thank you. Have a good one!” Do-hyun said with an energetic greeting as he exited the taxi.

‘He can’t be reached by phone, but he wouldn’t have moved, right?

A skilled shaman wouldn’t relocate, would he?’

“Are you there!” Do-hyun rang the bell and called out.

“Who is it?” a middle-aged woman’s voice responded.

Wondering if he had come to the right place, Do-hyun shouted energetically, “I came to get my fortune told!”

The door opened in response to Do-hyun’s answer.

However, the middle-aged woman’s face at the door was etched with annoyance.

“We’re closed for today.”

“I met the shaman grandfather on a broadcast before.”

“Still, it’s not possible. Our elder keeps strict hours and doesn’t provide fortunes after the designated time.”

That’s when it happened.

“Oh… it’s that young man from back then.” The shaman grandfather emerged, sporting glamorous makeup.

Seeing the grandfather, Do-hyun bowed in delight.

“Grandfather! There’s something I wanted to ask….”

“What you’re thinking is right.”

“…Pardon?”

The shaman grandfather answered as if he had read Do-hyun’s mind.

“Those things you’re contemplating in your head—they’re all coming to fruition, so you don’t need to come anymore. Suppressing the energy with tarot cards created a slight discrepancy, but it was quickly overturned, haha…. Is it because he’s the grandson of the Mansin [a hereditary shaman]… his mind is also sharp.”

The shaman grandfather uttered only those words and retreated inside.

The middle-aged woman instructed Do-hyun to leave now that he had received his answer.

Do-hyun had no choice but to depart, having obtained the information he sought.

Signing a formal contract with Huent Entertainment is a positive development.

Appearing on KBC’s ‘I Want to Be Your First Singer’ is a favorable opportunity.

The tarot cards are currently accurate, which is a good sign.

However, the downside is that he can no longer consult the tarot cards to predict the future.

Whether his thoughts are accurate remains uncertain—a potential blessing or curse.

‘…I’m the one who rejected the shamanic calling and chose the path of a singer. Let’s not blindly trust in tarot. Let’s simply use it as a tool to glimpse the future.’

With that resolution, Do-hyun returned home.

Do-hyun handed a document envelope to his parents, who were in the living room.

Do-hyun’s dad tilted his head and asked, “Huent Entertainment?”

“That’s right, Dad. I signed a contract with them.”

His mom’s expression was subtle upon hearing those words. She seemed happy, but also a bit lost in thought.

“If you want to live as a singer that badly… there’s nothing we can do.”

His mom’s voice conveyed complex emotions.

Do-hyun’s dad patted Do-hyun’s shoulder a couple of times.

“Our son must be destined to be a singer. Even though your grandfather was so against it, it seems you’re eventually returning to being a singer.”

“I’ll work hard, Mom, Dad. Don’t worry. This time, I’ll become a successful singer, not an unknown one.”

Do-hyun’s mom sighed deeply.

“Okay, son! Now that it’s come to this, let’s definitely succeed. Our Moo-myung [meaning ‘no name’].”