A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 86

Hello, this is HU Entertainment.

We are providing an update regarding the current condition of singer Na Do-hyun.

Following the encore stage, Na Do-hyun fell from the stage and, fortunately, sustained injuries including a mild concussion.

Although the hospital recommended rest, Na Do-hyun insisted on proceeding with the second day of his first concert, ‘Dreams Come True.’

Additionally, we are addressing the numerous inquiries from fans regarding the stage equipment company. We will hold the company accountable for the faulty stage installation.

The concert will proceed as scheduled on the following day, but some performances will be done while seated or will omit the dance portions.

We apologize for causing concern to the fans. We will do our best to ensure the successful completion of this performance.

Thank you.

* * *

Do-hyun opened his eyes about three hours after the accident during the performance.

When he woke up, HU Entertainment staff and his parents were watching over him in the hospital room.

“He’s awake, he’s awake! Our son!”

Do-hyun’s mother hugged him.

“What happened to me? Where does it hurt?”

Do-hyun asked his parents.

Instead of his parents, the head of the management team spoke up.

“Do-hyun, they said it’s a mild concussion. But they also said it’s best to rest for a while…”

“No, I can’t. The fans are waiting for me tomorrow. I can’t do that, not for the fans. I absolutely can’t rest.”

“Son, if you overdo it and damage your health, wouldn’t that be even sadder news for the fans?”

Do-hyun’s mother said with concern.

However, Do-hyun wanted to go on stage, thinking of the fans who had been waiting for his first concert for so long.

“Mom, I think it would make the fans even sadder if I didn’t perform. I’ve been preparing for this stage for a long time, and I don’t think I should skip it just because I’m hurt.”

“…Moomyung-ah.”

“I’m not Moomyung [his birth name] anymore. I’m singer Na Do-hyun now, Mom.”

Do-hyun’s stubbornness continued. HU Entertainment staff tried to persuade him, but they couldn’t break his determination to be on stage.

Eventually, with the doctor’s permission, they decided to modify the dancing performances to him sitting on a chair or walking around with a standing microphone.

“Okay, then I’ll do my best tomorrow. Mom and Dad are coming tomorrow, so please watch me!”

* * *

The next day, HU Entertainment’s announcement that the concert would proceed safely stirred up the fan community, social media, and news articles. Among them, a hashtag campaign targeting the stage equipment company continued.

[Shouldn’t Do-hyun really cancel the concert?]

└ I heard Do-hyun insisted on it for the Honeys [his fan name] ㅠ I can’t verify it, but that’s what I know

└ㄴㅇㅈㄱㅆ (short for “I agree with what you said”)

└I don’t think he needs to push himself ㅠㅠ

└What do you mean ㄴㅇㅈㄱㅆ? The announcement clearly states ‘according to Na Do-hyun’s wishes,’ which made me cry

└I wonder if Do-hyun is really okay? I’m worried he’s pushing himself too hard with the stage performance

└I want to smash the stage equipment company representative’s head with a hammer 어쩔 [what to do]

└I was already worried because I could see the platform shaking whenever Do-hyun came out, and then that happened during the encore ㅠ Honestly, it’s a relief it ended with just a mild concussion; it could have been a major accident 어휴 [sigh]

└Is everyone doing well with the hashtag campaign against the agency? We need to root out those shoddy companies this time so they can’t get any more work and cause trouble

└HU said they’re holding the stage installation accountable, so let’s wait for news

* * *

The next day, Do-hyun’s fans learned through the announcement that he was trying to get on stage and gritted their teeth, resolving to cheer him on.

Among them was reporter Yoo Hana. Yoo secured an invitation for the press conference schedule and managed to snag tickets for both days of the concert through her own ticketing efforts. Plus, she got a signed ball the day before, so what a successful fan she was!

Yoo had a secret.

She was a “jjikdeok,” also known as a “homemaster” [a dedicated fan who takes and shares high-quality photos/videos of a celebrity].

She had restrained herself the day before to maintain her image as a reporter, but today, with no familiar faces around, she was free to bring her telephoto lens and camera.

Of course, she didn’t forget to wear a hat and mask, worried about running into other reporters.

“Hey, Yoo Hana. Which section are you in today?”

“I’m in standing section 24 by the main stage. I’ll cover the main stage. You take the extension.”

Yoo Hana was talking to her “deokmate” [fanmate]. They had a symbiotic relationship.

One would inform the other of the schedule, and the other would go to that schedule to film Do-hyun and upload the footage. For schedules they both attended, they would decide on positions that didn’t overlap to create multi-angle fancams and photos.

“I’m in the 200s, should I stick to the fence? Ah, but if I stick to the fence, it’ll be uncomfortable carrying my backpack in front.”

“That’s our fate. Nothing we can do about it.”

Her deokmate replied to Yoo.

“But I don’t think Hyuni [a cute nickname for Do-hyun] will be walking around the extension much since he’s hurt, so I wonder if it’s worth going to the extension. Should I change my position? Should I just move to the main stage?”

Yoo firmly said to her deokmate’s concern.

“No. We know better than anyone that Hyuni does what he sets his mind to. He’s the type to say he wants to be on stage even if he’s hurt, so shouldn’t we leave him with prettier photos and fancams? Oh, it’s almost time for us to hand out our slogans.”

That’s right.

“Jjikdeoks” would create their own slogans and hand them out at certain locations before the concert. If the singer held it up on stage and acknowledged it, they would become successful fans once again.

Today, Yoo and her deokmate had prepared [Do-hyun, you are my ocean]. The sparkling slogan shone with iridescent light when illuminated.

“Okay, let’s hurry up and do it. Let’s post our location and what we’re wearing on SNS [social networking service] and go!”

* * *

Kangho watched Do-hyun, who had his eyes closed, getting his makeup done.

“Do-hyun, are you really going to be okay?”

Do-hyun didn’t look okay to Kangho.

The image of Do-hyun falling from the extension stage was vivid in his mind.

“Hoya hyung [older brother/friend], I’m really okay. Don’t worry too much.”

“Still, I saw your back earlier, and it was bruised. How can I not worry as your manager? Plus, I live with you.”

A soft smile spread across Do-hyun’s face.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. Today, the fans’ love will be even more abundant. Besides, it’s the day my parents are finally coming to see my first concert. It’s a day to properly show them my 모습 [image/appearance] as Na Do-hyun, not just Namoomyung. It’s precious.”

Kangho thought that he was always more concerned about the people around him and the fans than himself.

“Still, don’t overdo it. If you really can’t do it during the performance, signal the staff immediately. Take some time to talk in between.”

“No, I can’t do that. How are the fans coming to see my concert? I know from trying to get tickets myself, waiting for the server to open, struggling to grab those tiny grape-sized ticket seats. I can’t waste those people’s time. They see me as the hope of their lives.”

Kangho thought that every word he said was a 명문 [wise saying/proverb]. He couldn’t win against Do-hyun’s words. He had been instructed to get him to take it easy on stage, but it wasn’t easy.

“Two hours until the performance!”

Kangho went out to check the stage at the staff’s words. He heard that the stage equipment company had stayed up all night to properly set up the extension stage, anticipating the upcoming legal battle with HU Entertainment.

But he was worried that the same thing might happen as yesterday.

That’s why he went out to check.

“Hmm, please fix this a little more securely. It’s possible since there are two hours left, right?”

“Yes? Yes! It’s possible!”

The equipment company staff came out with a unconditionally submissive attitude. They seemed to know the mistake they had made. They had been working with HU Entertainment for a long time, but now they were facing the risk of losing a major contract and the company going bankrupt.

“Please do it thoroughly. So the same thing doesn’t happen as yesterday.”

Kangho watched the equipment company staff work with a fierce look.

There wasn’t much time left until the stage.

Since yesterday’s stage was ruined during the encore and could have left people with trauma, today had to be more thorough and meticulous.

* * *

“Do-hyun, are you really okay?”

The head of the management team asked again.

He hinted that many celebrities had come today.

Adding that yesterday was the day the press corps came to cover, so they didn’t give out invitations to anyone other than the press corps.

“It’ll be more of an issue since it’s in front of celebrities, right? Let’s expand the stage from the Gymnastics Stadium to the Jamsil Main Stadium! Wouldn’t that be great? Na Do-hyun, a solo singer filling an outdoor concert hall and the main stadium! 크으 [onomatopoeia for admiration]! Great title!”

The head of the team was already getting ahead of himself.

Of course, Do-hyun thought it would be nice to perform in a larger venue.

But he also decided that the Gymnastics Stadium was still appropriate.

Performing at the main stadium would be something to do after establishing himself more firmly.

“I’m okay, really. The people who came to see today’s performance… especially those who saw yesterday’s stage, will be even more impressed. They’ll realize what kind of 존재 [existence/presence] Na Do-hyun is. That’s why I was determined to do it even if it hurt.”

“Good, Do-hyun. I like that determination. Let’s go out there with that determination! Fighting!”

“Yes! Fighting!”

* * *

With excitement, the entrance began, and Do-hyun’s songs filled the concert hall in a medley.

The fans waited for 5 PM when Do-hyun would appear. Today was also the day of a surprise event.

That was to turn on the purple light sticks and shout ‘Na Do-hyun, you are my number one’ during Do-hyun’s first greeting.

After Do-hyun appeared on ‘Neocheotga,’ the fans created the phrase ‘You are my number one’ among themselves.

If it were the usual Do-hyun, he would have searched SNS to find out what events the fans were preparing, but this concert was his first, so he was too busy to know that the fans were waiting.

As the most recently released song ended, the lights in the Gymnastics Stadium dimmed, and a VCR came on.

Then, Do-hyun appeared on the extension stage, standing still. On the first day, he had jumped out from the extension, but he decided to use only the standing microphone at the doctor’s advice that it was better not to overdo it.

Do-hyun opened his eyes, which had been closed.

A purple wave was rippling before his eyes.