A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 79

I moved with Doha, filled with excitement.

We were on our way to meet the KBC radio station PD [Program Director, the head of the radio station’s programming].

I was so nervous that my hands were sweating, and I kept clutching my handkerchief.

“Hyung, are you that nervous?”

Doha looked back while we were stopped at a light.

“Of course. This is the moment my dreams are coming true! And a special MC [Master of Ceremonies, host] on a music show…….”

“Hyung, you know you have to speak calmly, right? If you get nervous and stammer, even a confirmed spot could change.”

Doha gave me a slight scare, but I wasn’t scared. Of course, my nervousness didn’t subside.

Soon, we arrived at the broadcasting station’s parking lot. As if they knew I was coming, *sasaengs* [obsessive fans who stalk or invade the privacy of celebrities] were waiting here too.

“Hyung, don’t say anything to the *sasaengs* or react to them. Got it?”

“Yeah. Of course, I know.”

“Okay, let’s go. I’ll guard you.”

Doha got out of the car first, and then I got out with Doha’s guidance. The *sasaengs* rushed at us, but they were pushed back by Doha’s ironclad defense.

“Dohyun, is it true you’re going to be a radio DJ?”

“Na Dohyun! You’ve really grown up! Congrats on becoming a DJ!”

“Hey, if you only say good things, he’ll really think he’s great. You can put him down a bit.”

“I was going to do that anyway. Now that you’re out of your obscurity, are you ignoring the fans who chase after you?”

I put on my headphones when I heard things I didn’t want to hear. The noise-canceling function worked perfectly, and I couldn’t hear what the *sasaengs* were saying.

Huff. It’s strange to see fans trying to dig into my life like this. Seeing a familiar face among them, I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to make them change like that.

As we approached the area that required an access pass, the fans seemed to be grumbling in front of it. Doha and I passed through the entrance and went to the radio station for the meeting.

Hopefully, today’s meeting will be successful!

* * *

Dohyun met with the PD in the conference room. The PD had a gentle impression, so the atmosphere was relaxed. He somehow gave off a good vibe.

“PD Ahn Hyungjin, hello! I’m Na Dohyun.”

“Oh my, you don’t have to be so formal.”

“Still…… it’s our first meeting, so I should greet you properly.”

“Well, that’s true. Anyway, please take care of me, Dohyun.”

“I look forward to working with you too!”

PD Ahn started the conversation in earnest. He said the reason was to not take up too much of Dohyun’s precious time.

“So, have you listened to the late-night radio show ‘Today, Tomorrow’?”

I had been binge-listening to ‘Today, Tomorrow’ by the previous DJ before the meeting.

Dohyun nodded.

“Actually, the competition during the afternoon is fierce, but the competition during the late-night hours is just as intense. How well you do and how much you can attract listeners’ attention is also important. The reason we chose Dohyun to be the DJ this time is to increase the number of late-night listeners.”

In other words, they had high expectations for Dohyun.

Dohyun felt a slight burden. He wasn’t sure if he could do that well. No matter how well he did on music shows or how good he was at talking in interviews, leading a two-hour program was a huge responsibility.

“PD, honestly, I don’t know if I can do as well as to drive up the listenership.”

Dohyun said honestly. PD Ahn smiled and said.

“Everyone thinks it’s difficult at the beginning. I think you’ll be in sync after about a month. So don’t worry too much. The reason we chose Dohyun is that we happened to see that you also have a desire to be a DJ.”

“……Thank you. Thank you.”

“I have no doubt that Dohyun will do well even if you don’t say it. If you’re really worried, you might want to participate from tonight until Kim Seonhee finishes her DJ duties for the sake of handover. How about it?”

Dohyun looked at Doha to see if it was okay. Doha had already scheduled everything, so I asked him. When Doha nodded, Dohyun replied.

“Then I’ll start learning from tonight.”

It would be good to learn on my own, but if there was someone to learn from, it was important to learn from that person and improve my skills, even if only a little.

“I’ve made a file of what’s important in late-night radio. Let’s work together for a long time. Got it?”

“Yes! Thank you!”

PD Ahn and Dohyun shook hands. It felt good.

Dohyun and Doha, who came out of the conference room, had no place to go because their schedule was empty today.

“Hey, Doha. Is there anywhere to go? Something ended early, and I want to go somewhere.”

“Hyung, the repackage and concert are coming up soon. You should go practice and write songs.”

“Ah, I forgot about that. I have a roughly written song, so I need to refine it.”

* * *

Dohyun came to his practice room on the 3rd floor. He was holding a bunch of energy drinks. He was determined to stay awake and energized no matter what.

As soon as he drank a can of energy drink, someone rang the bell. It was none other than PD Lee Junhyuk who rang the bell.

“PD! Welcome!”

“What is that?”

“Energy drink. I think the song work has been slow these days, so I’m going to stay up all night to work on it.”

“Try not to drink energy drinks. I know you’re trying hard, but it’s not that urgent, is it? Right? If you drink energy drinks, it seems like you have strength right away, but it’s not. So…… you have to stay strong and keep your mind sharp. Getting enough sleep is also important. A singer’s throat management starts with daily management.”

Dohyun, who was scolded, bowed his head in apology. PD Lee’s words were all right.

“Dohyun’s voice is a treasure. So you have to protect the treasure. I may seem like someone who only gives you a whip…… but I proved it with this activity. How many people love Dohyun’s voice.”

He wasn’t just a person who gave me a whip like before. He also gave me carrots [a Korean expression meaning he’s offering both punishment and reward]. Dohyun was surprised by PD Lee’s slightly changed words, but he didn’t show it.

“So, do you have any songs prepared?”

“I have a roughly prepared song…… Would you like to hear it?”

“I have to listen to it.”

Dohyun turned on the voice recording app on his phone and played the rough song.

As always, PD Lee had a strange expression on his face. What’s inside that? Could there be a cold heart? While imagining that, Dohyun suddenly thought of one thing!

That was the title of the song. It could be expressed as a cold heart, but I thought of titles like ‘Cold Heart’ or ‘Cold Blood’.

“I listened well, Dohyun.”

“Thank you, PD!”

“The composition of this song has improved. Have you thought of a title? Everyone has a different way of working on songs, but some people write songs after thinking of a title, and some people put a title after working on a song.”

“I just decided a little while ago, how about a title like ‘Cold Heart’ or ‘Cold Blood’? Or something like ‘Cold Love’.”

“Hmm…… the repackage album concept is usually thought of as an extension of the regular album. We were thinking of a sweet song to follow ‘Serendipity’. If the word cold is included, listeners may think that their previous happy life has changed in an instant. This would be the same among critics.”

“Hmm…… I guess this title isn’t right if you think about the concept and the organic connection with the previous album? How’s the melody?”

“What words are like Serendipity?”

At that time, a word suddenly flashed through Dohyun’s mind.

“Obliviate!”

“What does that mean?”

“It means to forget. It is also used as a spell to erase or modify people’s memories in famous novels [referring to the Harry Potter series]. If the previous album knew that life was fantastic and accidentally found happiness after hard work, now I want to erase the unhappiness of those who suffered with me and give them illusions!”

“Oh, that’s good?”

Dohyun thought it would be much better to connect [Serendipity] – [Obliviate] as the repackage is an extension of the regular album.

“Thank you. I will try to create an organic framework that connects other songs with Obliviate!”

“Good. It would be good to do that. Let me hear it when the song work is done to some extent. I will gradually take my hands off Dohyun. By the time you release your third full album, Dohyun will be able to become a singer who can fill an album by himself. That would be good for me, the company, and Dohyun.”

“Thank you, PD!”

After PD Lee left, Dohyun took out a notebook.

It was to not miss the memories that came to mind now.

In the past, it was faster and easier to enter it on my phone, but lately, I realized that the analog method suits me better.

While he was finishing the song work and taking a nap, Doha came into the studio.

Doha carefully looked at what he had written, worried that Dohyun would wake up.

“Obliviate?”

The word was written so large that it caught my eye at once.

The moment Doha took out his phone, Dohyun opened his eyes.

“Oh…… Doha, you’re here.”

“Yes, Hyung. You should go to the radio schedule soon.”

“Is it already that time? Why is it flowing so fast? I thought time would flow slowly if it was an off-season.”

“That’s because you have a schedule. Let’s go quickly, Hyung.”

“Oh…… let me stretch a bit.”

Dohyun stretched out on the sofa, feeling stiff from napping. Then he yawned, rubbed his eyes, and went down to the first floor.

Doha told the fans gathered on the first floor to come out and put Dohyun in the car.

The fans blocked the car from leaving. Doha was about to lower the window to speak, but the fans looked into the tinted window.

At that moment, Dohyun felt goosebumps all over. It was like entering a scene from a horror movie.

“Doha, let’s go quickly.”

Dohyun muttered. It was a sight I never wanted to see again. I was afraid I would dream about it.

The *sasaengs* in front of the company retreated one by one, and the car headed to KBC.

As soon as they arrived after about 30 minutes, Dohyun and Doha presented their access passes and went to the open studio where the radio recording was taking place.

PD Ahn and the writers welcomed Dohyun.

“Oh my! Who is this? Isn’t it Dohyun? Please sign it!”

“Writer Kim, you have to get my autograph too. I’m the best PD!”

“Hmph, I don’t need PD’s autograph?”

The writers each took five autographs from Dohyun.

PD Ahn whispered to Dohyun.

“Our writers are a bit immature. But you came too early. The radio DJ hasn’t even arrived yet…… Writer Kim, contact the radio DJ.”

“I called, but they’re not answering!”

“Ah, Kim Seonhee, where did this guy bounce to?”

PD Ahn’s brow furrowed.