A New Career Singer Who Can Read The Future [EN]: Chapter 97

Choi Chang-hyun’s face tightened with a nervous sensitivity.

“Lee Sun-bin also released a song called ‘One Day.’ Both songs share the same chord progression and lyrics. This suggests that one of them is falsely claiming ownership, and I’m here to reveal the truth.”

The production team’s cameras zoomed in, eager to capture the unfolding drama.

The production team wouldn’t pass up such a juicy conflict.

Moreover, it was the first time the show had used tarot cards to uncover the truth.

If Lee Sun-bin confidently presented the song as her own, despite it not being so, as Do-hyun implied, it would undoubtedly become a major point of contention.

For the production team, it was like striking gold – a surefire way to boost viewership. And the revelation was coming from Na Do-hyun, the previous season’s winner.

“As a judge, and in consultation with the production team, I request a three-way meeting with Lee Sun-bin and Choi Chang-hyun. That is all.”

* * *

[Rumors about YouFirstGa Season 2]

Na Do-hyun apparently used tarot cards to figure out who presented a song that wasn’t theirs.

└ No way, how can you figure that out with tarot cards?

└ I heard Na Do-hyun’s intuition was amazingly accurate.

└ Apparently, the people who saw Na Do-hyun’s first and last judging brought the same song. A friend who works as staff said Na Do-hyun noticed it like a ghost and determined the truth after consulting the tarot cards.

└ Na Do-hyun knows how to read tarot cards? As a fan, this is the first I’m hearing about this.

└ I don’t want to spread rumors, but wasn’t Na Do-hyun’s grandfather a shaman [a traditional spiritual healer or diviner]?

└ That’s also the first I’m hearing that, lol. Na Do-hyun inherited shamanic powers?

└ Hey, I’ve been a fan of Do-hyun for 10 years, and this is the first time I’m hearing such a story.

└ It’s a well-known story among the locals. Na Do-hyun’s grandfather was a powerful shaman. That’s why he opposed his singing career, lol. It’s surprising that fans don’t know about it? Are you even a real fan?

* * *

And so, the three-way meeting with Lee Sun-bin and Choi Chang-hyun commenced.

Their accounts were contradictory.

Lee Sun-bin claimed she composed the song two years prior, while Choi Chang-hyun insisted it was three years ago.

But there were further inconsistencies.

There was a discrepancy in their statements regarding the chords.

Choi Chang-hyun flawlessly recited the chords, but Lee Sun-bin misremembered one of them.

Furthermore, there was decisive evidence.

The truth could have been revealed immediately, but the production team suggested holding back, given the drama of the three-way meeting.

Do-hyun was reluctant to create an “evil edit” [a manipulative editing technique to portray someone negatively], but since one contestant was attempting to win with a plagiarized song, he felt compelled to reveal the truth on the program to deter future attempts.

“Lee Sun-bin, is this truly a song you composed?”

The ‘YouFirstGa’ camera continued to roll.

And Lee Sun-bin began to speak.

“Actually, I…”

“Yes, please continue,” Do-hyun replied calmly.

“I didn’t plagiarize. Choi Chang-hyun did. He’s trying to pass off my song as his own.”

Choi Chang-hyun looked utterly bewildered by Lee Sun-bin’s accusation.

“What are you talking about? This song is mine, and you’re the one who heard it. The evidence is clear, so why don’t you present some evidence of your own?”

“You have evidence? What nonsense.”

“I have evidence. I already submitted it.”

Choi Chang-hyun was confident.

His confidence stemmed from the clarity of his evidence.

Lee Sun-bin, however, didn’t believe she was at a disadvantage.

“What is it?”

“You’ll find out when you see it. You don’t have any real evidence, do you? You plagiarized my song, changed one chord, and that’s it? The lyrics are the same too, aren’t they?”

Do-hyun decided it was time to intervene.

“Okay, everyone, let’s stop there. Now, I will present the second and final piece of evidence.”

Soon, a staff member brought over a laptop.

It contained information about two files.

One was from three years ago.

The other was a recent file from one year ago.

“Here. These are the files I received from both of you. One of you claimed to have started working on the song two years ago, and the other claimed three years ago.”

At that moment, Lee Sun-bin faltered.

Seeing her hesitation, Do-hyun pressed on.

“Participant Lee Sun-bin, you stated that you first worked on the song two years ago, so why did you submit a file that you worked on one year ago?”

“Th-that’s because I formatted my computer, and it was deleted…”

“Participant Choi Chang-hyun’s file is identical to the one from three years ago. We were able to confirm that there have been no changes during that time.”

Do-hyun delivered the verdict coldly.

Lee Sun-bin’s face paled at Do-hyun’s words.

“I-I really didn’t plagiarize!”

“Wasn’t the evidence clear? With this, Participant Choi Chang-hyun has secured his place in the next preliminary round. Participant Lee Sun-bin, I hope you will refrain from stealing other people’s work in the future. That is all.”

“That’s not true! I lost the file!”

Lee Sun-bin continued her false claims and even attempted to lunge at Do-hyun.

However, she was restrained by the staff.

“Participant Choi Chang-hyun, I’ll see you in the next round.”

Do-hyun said this and left the scene.

* * *

“Wow, Na Do-hyun, thanks to you, we got an entire episode’s worth of footage! That alone will probably get huge ratings, right?”

The assistant director exclaimed.

Another PD echoed his sentiment.

“Na Do-hyun using tarot cards to pick out participants could also save the beginning part… How about asking them to add more scenes of him choosing participants with tarot cards?”

“No, no. Then the main purpose of the program will be diluted. It’s better to have him appear only in the beginning and then not include such scenes from then on.”

“Ah… I see. It’s not a program related to fortune-telling, but a program to find hidden gems like Na Do-hyun. We need to produce another star, so it’s better not to include such things.”

“That’s right. Anyway… Let’s make sure to save, cut, and edit Do-hyun’s judging scenes properly!”

* * *

That’s how the preliminary rounds continued.

Before the second preliminary round, Do-hyun looked at the tarot cards in the waiting room.

He wanted to be prepared in case the same situation as the first preliminary round occurred again.

The sound of shuffling cards filled the room as Do-hyun spread them out.

He chose one card that immediately caught his eye.

[Two of Swords]

A figure struggling to choose between two options.

‘Hmm… It seems like formidable participants will appear. Should I draw one more card?’

Do-hyun drew another card that stood out to him.

[Two of Pentacles]
A jester juggling two pentacles in an infinity loop.

This card conveyed a similar meaning to the Two of Swords.

Moreover, the number 2 appeared once again.

‘It seems I will be choosing one out of two people from the pool of contestants. I’m going to be worrying a lot about that.’

Do-hyun mused.

The staff’s camera captured Do-hyun’s process of choosing, drawing, and contemplating the cards.

“Do-hyun, what did the cards reveal?”

“It seems like many formidable participants will come out. That’s what the tarot cards are telling me.”

“Oh… really?”

“Yes. It seems like it will be so competitive that it will be difficult for me to choose.”

“I see! We’ll see if the competition will be as fierce as Do-hyun predicts! Please do a good job judging!”

Shortly after, Do-hyun moved to the judging room.

The number of people Do-hyun could select today was 25.

That meant he could only award the necklace of acceptance to 25 people.

‘Let’s be as fair as possible and find shining gems.’

“Okay, let’s start!”

The staff’s voices echoed, and a participant entered.

A familiar face stood before Do-hyun.

“Hello, judge. No, hyung [an honorific term used to address an older brother or male friend].”

It was… Hyo-seop, the one with whom things went sour at the end of season 1.

“Oh… um… is this happening again?”

Do-hyun was taken aback and glanced at the staff.

The staff wore knowing smiles.

They likely anticipated this situation and deliberately sent Hyo-seop to him.

“Participant, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

If things hadn’t gone wrong at the end of season 1, they would have remained in contact, but… that wasn’t the case.

Do-hyun hadn’t considered reaching out, and Hyo-seop hadn’t contacted him either, perhaps out of embarrassment.

“I’ve been well. I’m aiming for the win this time.”

“I see. Well, would you like to perform the song you prepared?”

Do-hyun wondered if the Two of Swords and Two of Pentacles cards he drew earlier were foreshadowing this very encounter.

Hyo-seop had clearly worked hard in the intervening time; his vocal volume had become richer, and his skills had noticeably improved.

Do-hyun was genuinely impressed.

He realized he had no choice but to select him.

“…Good job. You passed.”

Hyo-seop responded as if he had anticipated the outcome.

“Thank you. I’ll see you in the main competition. I hope you will be my mentor.”

Do-hyun remained silent.

Hyo-seop’s mentor…

From the production team’s perspective, it would be a goldmine of footage… but Do-hyun wasn’t enthusiastic. Perhaps because some unresolved feelings still lingered.

“Next participant, please come in.”

Do-hyun called the next participant to clear his head.

His judging continued.

It was also a time to reflect on the responsibility of selecting 25 individuals.

And so, 25 successful candidates were chosen by Do-hyun.

Combined with the selections of the other judges, there would be a total of 100 participants.

From that point on, the selection process would be a joint effort, a slight departure from season 1. In season 1, there were 5 judges, but this time there were 4, including Do-hyun.

Na Do-hyun, Seon Hwa-seung, Cost, and Choi In-jun, the renowned vocalist from the indie band scene who was a new addition to the panel.

The four of them would meet the participants as both judges and mentors.

‘I wonder… what kind of participants I will meet… I’m curious about the people the other judges picked.’

“Ah, there’s a dinner for the judges today! You know it’s being filmed for broadcast, right?”

The staff reminded Do-hyun, who was lost in thought after finishing the judging.

Do-hyun nodded.

“We’ve booked a nearby barbecue restaurant, so you can head over there. I’ve already informed your manager!”

“Yes, I understand.”

Do-hyun went to the waiting room. Kang-ho, with impeccable timing, was already hungry and urged him to go to the barbecue restaurant quickly.

Do-hyun nodded and left the waiting room.

A few minutes later, he arrived at the barbecue restaurant.

Do-hyun greeted Kang-ho, wishing him a good meal, as he entered the judges’ room.