Become A Music Monster Overnight! [EN]: Chapter 95

“Next week will be crucial.”

“Indeed. How about touring some events in the US, even now?”

“Hmm. I am tempted.”

Youngchan replied to Ichiro’s half-sincere words with a joking tone.

At that, Ichiro scratched his thinning hair, seemingly embarrassed.

He looked genuinely disappointed, and it was understandable why.

Officially, Youngchan was the representative of his company, but privately, he was like the sun to him.

He was an object of awe, surpassing mere admiration.

So, for him, the current situation, where they were hesitating just before achieving a rare record, was frustrating.

The longest-running number one on Billboard is “One Sweet Day,” sung by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men.

Released in 1995, it topped the charts for a whopping 16 weeks.

In contrast, there were six others who reached 14 weeks: Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Los Del Rio, Elton John, Mariah Carey, and Black Eyed Peas.

With six artists stopping short of the still-vacant 15th week, the phrase ‘the curse of 14 weeks’ emerged.

Thanks to this, many people thought it was a miracle that “One Sweet Day” reached number one for 16 weeks.

Youngchan knew this, so he mentioned the next week, even if only as a joke.

“…You truly have a great capacity.”

Therefore, Ichiro couldn’t help but admire him.

No ordinary person, not even a charismatic figure who shakes the world, could be so calm at a moment when such a great record was being achieved.

Naturally, Ichiro’s awe for Youngchan only grew.

Seeing Ichiro’s expression, Youngchan gave a troubled smile, as if knowing what he was thinking, and then shook his head.

‘Actually, 14 weeks is unbelievable.’

If someone in the past had asked if a heavy metal genre could achieve such a great record, everyone would have said it was impossible.

Heavy metal was a genre with distinct likes and dislikes.

Conversely, making such a divisive genre so universally appealing was truly amazing.

It was no wonder that Billboard and the whole world were buzzing, comparing “Painkiller” to a nuclear bomb.

However, Youngchan, who created, played, and sang this song, didn’t become arrogant or complacent.

‘This song wouldn’t have come out if it weren’t for Marvin in the first place.’

“Painkiller” was a song created through inspiration from Marvin.

Without him, Youngchan wouldn’t have been able to produce such a masterpiece.

Thanks to “Painkiller,” Youngchan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so it was definitely a meaningful song for him.

But that’s why he felt regret.

‘I wish I could share these experiences with my uncles…….’

Since there were hardly any first-time experiences he had with his uncles, he felt both happy and sad about these record-breaking experiences.

In any case, as Ichiro reacted earlier, the interest in him was at its peak, not only in Korea but also in Japan.

That meant that interest in the NEW DAZE contest had also greatly increased.

Considering that the preview of episode 3, which was uploaded to YouTube an hour ago, already had over 3 million views, you could guess the level of interest.

* * *

The finalists will live together for up to 12 weeks.

Of course, this only applies to those who survive until the final round, and most of the 104 finalists will see their numbers reduced after 4 weeks.

The judging is based on 80% votes and 20% judges’ scores, and Youngchan’s say accounted for more than half of the 20% of the judges’ scores.

To be precise, the judges maintain their 20% until Youngchan expresses his opinion.

The composition of the judges changes every time, but there were still fixed judges.

In fact, the main figures in charge of this NEW DAZE were Lee Jiwoo, the 2nd Planning Director, and Team Leader Go Woori.

They had gained great power, but their complexions were not good.

“Ugh. Director, I think I have indigestion.”

“You’re lucky! I’m the one who’s dying here!”

Director Lee Jiwoo, with a pale face, rubbed her chest as if she was dumbfounded by Team Leader Go Woori’s whining.

The hospital said it was an early symptom of gastritis and that she should avoid stress, but how was that possible?

As the person in charge of the NEW DAZE contest, which had grown ten times larger than originally planned, she had to return to work as soon as she woke up, even if she was hospitalized.

Director Lee Jiwoo’s real wish was to bring even Director Tokashi, but unfortunately, Director Tokashi’s situation was not easy either.

This was natural, as preparations for Blue Rose’s first full-length album were in their final stages.

“I’m holding on because the company is supporting me like crazy.”

Director Lee Jiwoo was more than surprised and burdened by the company’s push, which was unbelievably supportive compared to Mania Entertainment and even MS Entertainment.

‘It really showed that there’s nothing you can’t do with money and connections.’

Not to mention, when more trainer teachers were needed than expected, they were found as if by magic when money was thrown around.

“They say that if money doesn’t solve a problem, it’s because there isn’t enough money… I can’t believe those snobby guys came.”

Was it just money?

How did he build such connections? Ichiro, the head of the Japanese branch, found a place for 1,000 girls to stay and train in less than a day.

With the situation like this, Director Lee Jiwoo was in a position where she had to make this project a success, no matter what.

As the NEW DAZE contest progressed with such struggles, the third episode of the main competition was finally released.

* * *

“Here are 104 girls who have gathered for their dreams. Please vote for your girl. Your vote can make the girls’ dreams come true.”

Following someone’s familiar words against a black background, words began to fill the screen.

The filled words blurred white and then scattered, instantly turning the dark background into a starry night sky.

It was quite an impactful scene, but unfortunately, not many people paid attention to the impact.

This was because there was no one who didn’t know whose voice was echoing beyond the black background.

“YC sama [Mr. YC]!”

“Really! YC sama from the first scene?”

It was the appearance of the main character of the hot topic currently heating up the Japanese archipelago.

It wasn’t just a voice appearance.

Soon, the impressively created night sky went down, and then his appearance was revealed.

-Kyaaaaak!-

Soon, screams rang out from homes and stores watching the NEW DAZE contest.

This was because the appearance of YC sama, who had achieved tremendous success on Billboard, was too stimulating.

Perhaps because he had achieved tremendous success on Billboard, they couldn’t dare to resist the aura that YC sama exuded.

Even the PD [Production Director] who was editing this seemed to feel the same way, as he spent a long time on YC sama’s video before introducing the girls.

The girls, who introduced themselves and went up on stage one by one, tilted their heads at the strange atmosphere of the scene, and then were surprised to find YC sama, who came as a special MC [Master of Ceremonies].

The reactions of the girls who reacted to this hidden camera were all amazing.

“Aaaaaaak!”

-Thud!-

Some girls screamed for so long that it seemed like they were broken, while others collapsed on the spot with their legs giving way.

“Uh… am I dreaming?”

Or there were girls who denied reality, and this type made people laugh.

This was because they showed unexpected behavior.

“A, a dream……”

If it were reality, they wouldn’t even dare to approach Youngchan, who was in serious mode, but thinking it was a dream, the girls showed amazing courage.

-Whack!-

-Poke… poke!-

Suddenly, they hugged him or carefully touched his face.

Of course, when the girls were embarrassed by the realistic touch that was hard to think of as a dream, Youngchan would smile and make them realize that it wasn’t a dream.

“Aaaaaaak!”

In such cases, they showed the same pattern every time.

They screamed, blushing greatly at their actions.

Thanks to Youngchan’s sacrifice, episode 3 was a hit.

-That… that sly girl! She definitely knew and hugged him!-

└That girl touched our brother!

└……Why a man?

-I’m jealous. I’m so jealous. Why did I fail in the preliminaries?

-They’ll do a season 2, right? I have to train hard to get into the finals no matter what.-

└Bro… what’s wrong with you since earlier? Only girls can participate.

└If you’re that crazy, you might be able to tear it off [qualify despite the rules].

-Was her name Sumire? She’s so cute. She’s never going to wash the hand that poked her cheek.-

└Sumire is so cute. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone scream like that in a cartoon.

└Rikka was funny too. She regretted not doing what Sumire did.

-Nikori! She was the most elegant of the girls who collapsed. Oh~ she’s totally my type.-

└Her 말투 [manner of speaking] seems very old-fashioned. She feels more like an actress than an idol.

-I’m Himari. Isn’t she so sexy? When she collapsed, the bounce……-

└Clang clang [sound of alarm]. Do you know she’s a middle school student?

└I’m a middle school student too.

└Bullshit! I bet my hair that you’re a bald otaku [obsessive fan].

└Don’t be fooled! That bastard is already bald.

Especially in the short interviews that followed after meeting Youngchan, the girls showed increased fighting spirit, apart from the fuss they made.

During the long and difficult preliminary period, they were somewhat depressed, but meeting YC sama, who was the object of their admiration and affection, made them realize why they were here.

The production team, who didn’t plan the hidden camera with this in mind, were all happy with the girls’ appearance.

This alone was a great boon, but the good news was not over yet.

-Painkiller Achieves 15th Week at No. 1 on Billboard!-

The uncertain Painkiller’s solo run had not stopped yet.