Become A Music Monster Overnight! [EN]: Chapter 41

14. Conquering Japan

“We’re actually advancing into Japan!”

“I couldn’t have imagined this, even when I was a kid.”

“What do you mean, ‘when you were a kid’? Even ten years ago, Japan was a place we could barely look at.”

“Do you think they’ll really recognize us?”

“Tell us honestly now. Are you tricking us with the director?”

“…What would I gain from tricking you guys? It’s going to be chaotic when we arrive, so don’t worry about anything else and just follow me.”

Their over-the-top reaction was understandable.

Even now, but especially in their younger days, Japan was a formidable cultural powerhouse.

It was so influential that the Korean government at the time considered a complete ban on the import of Japanese culture as a matter of course.

That’s how much fear South Korea had of being culturally overrun by Japan.

But forbidding it didn’t mean it could be completely stopped.

Through underground routes, known as ‘peddlers’ [individuals who illegally smuggled and distributed goods], manga, games, concert videos, and more were illegally copied and circulated.

The Japanese culture they saw in that hidden world felt like discovering a new world.

The members of Black Tiger were people who had nurtured their dreams during those times.

Their perspective on Japan was bound to be different from Youngchan’s.

Because of this, their anxiety only grew as they approached Japan.

That anxiety disappeared the moment they arrived at Tokyo International Airport.

Security guards, pre-arranged by the airport, began to escort them. Black Tiger and the staff were filled with bewilderment at this unprecedented experience.

“Alright, alright. The surprises haven’t even started yet. Let’s get moving.”

“O-okay!”

In contrast, Youngchan accepted their escort as if it were natural, urging his hesitant colleagues to move forward.

And then…

-Waaaaahhh!-

“Black Tiger! Black Tiger!”

“YC-sama! YC-sama! Welcome!”

“Welcome to Japan! We are Black Cat of Japan!” [Likely a fan club name, referencing Black Tiger].

“The god of rock has arrived!”

A tremendous roar poured down on them.

Youngchan’s bandmates, surrounded by a crowd reminiscent of Hollywood actors visiting Korea in the past, couldn’t easily come to their senses.

Unlike these guys, Youngchan’s expression was relaxed, but inwardly, he was surprised.

‘This is even bigger than I thought? Why this much!’

The welcoming crowd was no less enthusiastic than during his heyday in his imprinted memories.

The sensation that swept through Korea seemed to have spread to Japan, and the rumors were clearly not unfounded.

“Jang Taeshik! Kwak Dohun! Moon Ilbeom! Park Siyoung! Kim Il! Park Youngchan! We love you!”

It was even more evident seeing fans shouting the names of Black Tiger members in clumsy Korean.

Since all the members except Youngchan were wearing sunglasses, they were calmly looking around, seemingly unfazed by the numerous camera flashes.

If the security guards hadn’t urged them on, they might have stood there forever.

‘Those guys…’

Although he couldn’t see it because of the sunglasses, Youngchan was sure that his bandmates’ eyes were red with emotion.

Youngchan wondered if he should go and say something, but he decided against it.

He figured that if he were experiencing this for the first time, he wouldn’t have been much different from them.

‘I feel like sharing memories isn’t always a good thing at times like this.’

Youngchan gave a wry smile and turned to the fans.

-Kyaaaaaa!-

-YC-sama! Aaaaaaak!-

Knowing what they wanted, Youngchan flaunted the aura he had trained to the limit, half voluntarily and half forced by Director Hong Euichan, who was now quite familiar with how to elicit it.

Because of that, the fans were screaming every time his gaze landed on them.

If it had been a space like a concert hall, some might have fainted from excitement.

Amidst the fans’ welcome, mixed with screams and shouts, Black Tiger landed in Japan, where they had been longing to be.