A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 54

The Olympic Park buzzed with excitement as spectators flocked to see KBC’s ‘I Want to Be Your First Singer.’ Ticket scalpers weaved through the crowd, some getting chased away by security after having their illicit tickets confiscated. It was the typical pre-concert frenzy.

“Wow, I wonder what the atmosphere will be like today. I’m so nervous….”

“It’s going to be amazing. A stage in front of 10,000 people.”

“It’s the first time I’ve felt the number 10,000 is so huge.”

“Seriously, I’ve always wanted to perform at the Gymnastics Stadium [a large indoor arena] at least once in my life…. I never thought I’d get such an opportunity.”

Other contestants, their nerves on edge, chattered amongst themselves.

Do Hyun briefly considered joining their conversation, but his mind was already racing, filled with ideas on how to captivate the audience with his performance.

‘There’s also a protruding stage. The advantage of my performance is that I can utilize both the thrust [protruding] stage and the main stage. Starting from the thrust stage and finishing on the main stage would be quite effective.’

All the contestants put on their in-ear monitors and took to the stage for a pre-show sound check.

The sight of 10,000 people filling the Gymnastics Stadium, waving their glow sticks, was truly moving.

Do Hyun had dreamed of performing on the Gymnastics Stadium stage as a singer since his debut. He had envisioned holding a concert there during his first, second, and even third stints as an idol, but he never achieved the popularity required.

Performing at the Gymnastics Stadium signified being a well-established group with a substantial fan base. It was such a difficult milestone to reach, but filling the Gymnastics Stadium as a solo artist? That was a fantasy. And Do Hyun was about to experience that fantasy firsthand.

Scanning the audience, from the front rows to the highest seats, Do Hyun couldn’t help but wipe away tears.

It was overwhelming. He spotted numerous slogans expressing love for him and heard individual shouts of “Do Hyun, I love you!” Do Hyun couldn’t stop smiling.

MC Ha Yeon-ho appeared on stage.

“Everyone, do you know exactly how many people are here today?”

“10,000 people!” one audience member shouted enthusiastically.

“That’s right. 10,000 people! Today, our eight contestants must win the hearts of these 10,000 people through their performances. To vote for a contestant, simply press the button after each performance. Shall we try a practice run? Everyone who likes Ha Yeon-ho, press the button!”

The number of buttons pressed was displayed on the screen in real-time.

“If you think your button is malfunctioning, please request assistance from the staff in your area! Well, without further ado, let’s get started with KBC ‘I Want to Be Your First Singer’! After many twists and turns, we’ve finally reached the final stage. Let’s see who will be crowned the winner! Everyone, please stand by!”

Do Hyun’s performance was scheduled third in the lineup. Before going on stage, he warmed up his voice one last time in the waiting room.

Today, he planned to showcase his vocal range, moving effortlessly between low and high notes, and create the persona of a fallen angel with dangerous allure by skillfully using scat singing [improvisational vocalization]. He aimed to recapture the audience’s attention, those who had been mesmerized by his previous performance.

The real-time stage situation was displayed on a monitor in the waiting room. However, the number of votes each contestant received remained hidden, adding to the growing tension.

As his turn approached, Do Hyun went beneath the thrust stage to wait. He was scheduled to ascend to the stage on a lift.

3.

2.

1.

A bright red spotlight pierced the darkness. His eyes were partially concealed by lace, and he wore a see-through shirt paired with a suit that accentuated his tall frame.

The audience gasped at Do Hyun’s undeniable sex appeal. They were too stunned to even scream.

“Wow, Na Do Hyun….”

Do Hyun’s longtime fans in the audience understood.

They knew how much he cherished his life as a singer. How desperately he wanted to be on that stage.

Reach out your hand to me
You are my only salvation
Reach out your hand to me
You are my only universe
You you you you you you
Take control of my world
I can’t imagine a universe without you
So put me under you
Create a story called me

The lyrics were undeniably sensual. Had someone else sung them, they might have been dismissed as cheesy, but Do Hyun delivered the performance flawlessly.

“Yes! Do Hyun, that was a great performance.”

Do Hyun wiped the sweat from his face with a towel provided near the prompter. He also took a sip of water.

“Do Hyun, you delivered a truly overwhelming performance today. What are your thoughts?”

“Really… considering that this is the final stage of ‘Neocheotga’ [short for I Want to Be Your First Singer], I think I poured even more effort into it than the previous stages. Thank you. Everyone.”

Ha Yeon-ho grinned and turned to Do Hyun.

“Then let’s find out right away if you won the hearts of our 10,000 audience members! Right! Right! Right now! Do Hyun, please turn around!”

As soon as he turned, he squeezed his eyes shut. During his performance, he had seemed to command the Gymnastics Stadium with ease, but now, as the results were about to be revealed, he worried that he might not have received enough votes.

“Wow! As expected, number 23, Na Do Hyun! Na Do Hyun! Na Do Hyun!”

Ha Yeon-ho encouraged the audience to chant Do Hyun’s name. The entire stadium echoed with his name.

It was the first time Do Hyun had heard so many people calling his name, and a wave of emotion washed over him.

And soon….

“Number 23, Na Do Hyun, please look ahead. The score has been revealed!”

“Kyaa!”

“Wow! Na Do Hyun! Congratulations on your debut!”

Do Hyun cautiously opened his eyes.

9,887/10,000.

He had won the hearts of 9,887 out of 10,000 people!

He had worried that various incidents might negatively impact his score, but those fears were unfounded!

Do Hyun’s legs buckled, and he collapsed to the floor.

Ha Yeon-ho approached Do Hyun, who was now crying like a child, and attempted to interview him, but his sobs and words were jumbled together, making it difficult to understand.

“Okay, okay, we’ll send Do Hyun backstage to compose himself, and then we’ll continue with the performances of the other contestants!”

After the last performance was completed!

Finally, the overall rankings were revealed.

All eight contestants stood on stage, but it was clear to everyone that the first-place winner had already been decided.

Ha Yeon-ho maintained a suspenseful smile as he announced the rankings, starting from 8th place.

For the final Top 3, the screen split into three sections.

Those cruel broadcasting guys!

The Top 3 were Seon-ah noona [older sister/female friend], Hyo-seop, and Do Hyun.

The rankings were as expected!

“Now, who will take 3rd place?”

The 3rd place arrow spun wildly on the three-way split screen.

It was one of the most nerve-wracking moments. After a few agonizing seconds, the arrow stopped!

“Congratulations! Contestant number 41, the rising star of Hongdae [a district in Seoul known for its indie music scene]! With this, the band that dominated Hongdae will be reuniting!”

“Thank you! Are my members watching! I kept my promise! Get ready to reunite!”

The audience erupted in laughter at his energetic words.

“Now, two people remain. Please come forward.”

Do Hyun and Hyo-seop.

It was the moment to decide the final outcome between the two, who were considered rivals.

In reality, it was widely believed that 1st place had already been decided.

“Everyone, while watching ‘Neocheotga,’ you must have thought, ‘This friend is really talented.’ You may have felt that their efforts to debut were truly admirable.”

These were words that applied equally to both Do Hyun and Hyo-seop.

“The results are a combination of the votes from our 10,000 audience members, real-time website voting, and the judges’ scores. Should we announce 1st place first? Or should we announce 2nd place?”

The audience booed at Ha Yeon-ho’s drawn-out suspense.

“Oh, everyone. I understand. I will announce it now. The combined result for 2nd place is right! Right! Right now!”

The arrow on the screen moved back and forth between Do Hyun and Hyo-seop.

Soon, the arrow’s speed decreased, and it lingered on Do Hyun’s side for a longer period.

‘Oh, no! Please!’

“2nd place is…! Congratulations! Contestant number 33! You’ve come close to your second debut! I hope to see a great performance soon!”

“Thank you! I would like to thank everyone who encouraged me and stayed close to me so that I could come this far. Especially Na Do Hyun hyung [older brother/male friend], who won 1st place, congratulations!”

“Wow, what a heartwarming moment! The 1st place winner, contestant number 23, who will be making his fourth debut, please say a few words.”

“Really, I love you and thank you. It seems that no words can express more than that. I will become a singer, Na Do Hyun, who will repay your love and move you with music!”

Bang!

Confetti rained down from all directions.

Tears streamed down Do Hyun’s face.

It was truly a fantastic night.

* * *

Less than a week had passed since he had tasted the joy of victory.

Unbeknownst to Do Hyun, the online world was in an uproar.

It all started with a post uploaded to an online community.

[I confess Na Do Hyun’s school violence from ‘Neocheotga.’ I am the victim.]

Na Do Hyun, who graduated from Korea Middle School, had been dreaming of becoming a singer since he was young. But he had no regard for his image. He often used to hit me like a punching bag and bully me. You might say that’s how kids play at that age? Who plays by hitting vital spots? And that’s not all. He also made me, who was poor and had no money, buy him a lot of things. Seriously, does that make sense? How could he do that? Even if I said I didn’t have money, he would threaten to beat me if I didn’t get the money, and he borrowed money like that more than once or twice.

To be honest, until now, he had been living an unknown life for a long time, so I couldn’t see or hear him, so I was just going to let it go, but now it’s different. I really hate that Na Do Hyun has gained fame and debuted through the program ‘Neocheotga.’ It feels like the memories from middle school are coming back to life.

I really don’t like that someone like him is standing in a high position and living as a singer. If you ask me if I’ve ever asked him to apologize… I did ask him to apologize. But even though I asked him to apologize, he didn’t apologize.

I’m authenticating it in case you say it’s ‘not real, go away.’ I’m authenticating my Korea Middle School diploma.

└Who can’t fake a diploma alone

└Show other evidence besides the diploma authentication

└Don’t you have any photos? Photos that Na Do Hyun did school violence

└Writer: Unfortunately, there is no evidence left

└Na Do Hyun’s age group should have plenty of photo evidence left, but what do you mean there’s no evidence. If you want to hide the truth, you have to present clear evidence, right?

└Writer: I have other evidence, but I’m thinking of revealing it when I get in touch with Na Do Hyun.

└ㄷㄷㄷ [Internet slang expressing surprise] It seems like there’s something there

└Has the agency contacted you? Writer

└Writer: Well, I don’t think he even knows who I am. I don’t even know if Na Do Hyun remembers me

└Isn’t it just your delusion? The content is also poor… It seems like a lie, so I’ll just stay still for now. There have been many cases where it was school violence but it wasn’t, so stay still stay still stay still~