Become A Music Monster Overnight! [EN]: Chapter 96

“Looks like this is the end.”

It might have sounded negative, but Taylor, the US branch manager of YC Entertainment, beamed upon hearing Youngchan’s words.

He nodded silently, agreeing with Youngchan. Maintaining the Billboard number one spot had been quite a struggle.

Given the constant emergence of legendary artists, it was remarkable they had held on for so long.

Their internal calculations showed a narrow lead over the second-place contender, suggesting a complete reversal was imminent the following week.

However, there was no reason to be disappointed.

Fifteen weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

This achievement secured the title of the second-longest-reigning number one song in the history of the Billboard Hot 100, a monumental feat.

“The song was good, but… Marvin’s status as an American heavy metal legend played a significant role.”

Youngchan believed this was a major factor in their record-breaking success.

As the saying goes, charity begins at home, and the same held true for America.

If Black Tiger had performed a song like “Painkiller,” it would have barely lasted ten weeks, let alone fifteen.

Considering this, his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame likely had a considerable impact on maintaining the number one spot for fifteen weeks.

Realizing this was likely the end, Youngchan finally let go of his lingering attachment to the record.

However… Youngchan’s judgment was premature.

-Billboard Legend Larry’s Scandalous Private Life!-

-Sexual Relations with a Minor!-

-Larry Denies Allegations with the Help of Mega-Firm E, but Local Lawyers Predict a Difficult Battle!-

-Miss S, Who Had a Relationship with Larry in the Past, Steps Forward as a Witness.-

A scandal that would shake the American music scene had erupted.

Unlike Korea, America is relatively lenient when it comes to scandals involving drugs or relationships. Naturally, school bullying, which is often a fatal blow to idol groups in Korea, is barely even considered.

Given the frequent gun violence among rappers who thrive on diss culture [a subculture where artists publicly disrespect each other in songs], bringing up school bullying would be laughable.

However, there was one absolute taboo in America: child sexual exploitation.

Producing child pornography can result in a prison sentence of 15 to 30 years, even for first-time offenders, with repeat offenses potentially leading to 50 years or even life imprisonment.

Furthermore, the possession of and even attempted access to child pornography are severely punished.

This phenomenon has arisen due to America’s surprisingly conservative social culture, contrary to popular belief.

In fact, this is why the American ideal of female beauty differs from that of other countries.

While many European and Asian countries generally prize a youthful, innocent appearance, America, with its obsession with this issue, values a strong, mature, and powerful form of female beauty.

This is not necessarily a matter of personal choice but rather a result of social conditioning from a young age.

In any case, America’s obsession with child sexual exploitation meant that Larry, who had weathered drug and assault scandals, was now finished.

While his wealth might prevent him from serving decades in prison, the consensus was that he would serve at least five years.

This news from America became a major topic in Korea, Japan, and China.

This wasn’t because Larry was a beloved singer in these countries.

-Larry’s Downfall Threatens Billboard Number One Spot!-

-Larry Cries! Painkiller Smiles!-

-Will Painkiller Achieve 16 Weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot 100?-

As the headlines suggest, Larry was the artist poised to dethrone “Painkiller” from the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

As a result, Larry and YC naturally became opposing forces.

-One side does drugs, assaults people, and even shoots guns, right? And now sexual exploitation… In contrast, YC even launched a charity campaign for cancer patients!-

└Comparing that trash to the god of rock is an insult.

└Unbelievably, YC’s private life is perfect too.

└If I were YC, I would have been in dozens of scandals already. Every time celebrities mention their ideal type, they always say YC.

-I’m going to listen to Painkiller. I love how this song is bringing legends out of retirement.-

└Wow, they might maintain number one again this time?

└Are you kidding? With the current atmosphere, they might even break the record.

└I hope so. Honestly, “One Sweet Day” has been at the top for too long.

“……”

As the dying embers reignited due to Larry’s unexpected scandal, Youngchan was speechless.

The same was true for all the employees in the company.

Taylor, especially, who was on the ground in the US, looked even more surprised.

“Well… it seems like Blue Rose’s schedule will be increasing thanks to this.”

“Ahem. That’s good.”

He could only manage those words, refraining from mentioning “Painkiller.”

At this point, the song had become an unpredictable force.

Therefore, he barely regained his composure and began discussing Blue Rose, whom he would be managing in the US.

Blue Rose was scheduled to spend their first full album promotion in the United States.

This decision was made because Blue Rose was a hot topic among K-pop fans in America.

One reason was that they perfectly captured the trendy retro vibe, but the biggest reason was that they were an idol group produced by YC, who had personally reached the pinnacle of success in America.

Even though Youngchan wasn’t actively performing, his popularity in the US was comparable to Elvis Presley during his prime.

Elvis Presley.

He was the one who brought rock and roll into the mainstream.

With his musicality, audacity, and captivating charm, he dared to provoke audiences with his body-shaking performances on television shows that were once known for their tame music. He awakened people’s instincts.

Bob Dylan said, “The first time I saw Elvis, I felt like I was released from prison,” and John Lennon even said, “If there was no Elvis, there would be no Beatles.”

Of course, he was so ahead of his time that he also garnered a tremendous amount of haters.

In any case, it was a girl group raised by someone whose popularity was comparable to Elvis Presley.

It would have been stranger if they hadn’t become a sensation.

Therefore, after much deliberation, it was decided that Blue Rose’s first full album promotions would start in the United States.

Youngchan even created ‘teen movies’ infused with the high-teen sensibility of the American 80s and 90s [referring to the aesthetic and themes popular in teen films of that era].

These were essentially high-teen dramas, and the music videos were designed to feel both typical and uniquely special.

Director Hong Euichan also directed this music video, and Black Tiger made a surprise appearance in the 10-minute-long video.

Youngchan blatantly took on the role of the main character in the music video, and his uncles played the roles of villains, neighborhood guys, and teachers.

Even before the trailer was released, the music video, featuring Youngchan’s new look, was generating a lot of buzz in the United States.

Hollywood was particularly interested.

Among them, director Halberk, whose recent film had grossed $1 billion, was particularly outspoken.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve watched all the music videos he’s appeared in. Especially the transcendent being he played in ‘Brilliant Struggle’ shook all my senses. What drives me the most crazy is that there were no CG effects in all the scenes he appeared in. In other words, he created that presence through acting, and this alone shows how great an actor he is.”

Director Halberk wasn’t the only one who felt this way.

Famous actors and directors, whose names alone were enough to command respect, praised Youngchan’s portrayal of the transcendent being in ‘Brilliant Struggle.’

Director Jackson even compared YC to Christopher Reeve, who ushered in the golden age of Superman.

And this statement generated more buzz than expected.

This was because Director Jackson provided detailed comparisons with photos and videos, adding credibility to his statement.

Christopher Reeve’s Superman had to portray both an absolute being and a clumsy reporter without the aid of CG [computer-generated imagery].

This was an incredibly difficult performance.

Logically, he had to convince viewers that people couldn’t recognize him with just a pair of glasses.

However, Christopher Reeve succeeded in doing so.

Through his expressions, gestures, and the angle of his protruding back, he convincingly conveyed this unbelievable setting to the audience.

“As you can see, YC also changes from his usual self in official stages and music videos. He maximizes or hides this incredible charm through his expressions, gestures, and body angles. In Asia, they call this the ‘True Mode,’ after the ‘Sincerity Series’ from a certain manga [Japanese comic book series].”

He compared Christopher Reeve’s Superman and YC in various ways and finally expressed his desire to cast him in his film.

Of course, Youngchan didn’t have to think twice.

“Please reject them all. Acting is difficult for me.”

“That’s a shame. This is a very rare opportunity.”

Taylor was very disappointed but readily accepted Youngchan’s decision.

In fact, apart from the missed opportunity, he personally hoped that Youngchan would focus solely on music.

Conversely, Youngchan had some regrets, despite his firm stance.

“If I had even a little talent for acting… things might have been different.”

However, he had already been made aware of his lack of acting talent by those around him, so he had to let go of his lingering feelings.

Blue Rose, backed by Youngchan’s immense popularity, was already receiving attention beyond the small K-pop scene.

Internally, there was talk that if the promotion of YC’s production of Blue Rose’s ‘teen movies’ went well, they might even be able to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Amidst this, the NEW DAZE project that YC was producing was also becoming known among K-pop fans.

This fame led to great popularity in Japan, and thanks to this, the buzz surrounding the NEW DAZE project was reaching its peak.

The contestants who had already made it to the finals each had their own fan clubs.

In the midst of such favorable conditions, the ultimate piece of good news arrived.

-Painkiller Achieves 16 Weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot 100!-

Eventually, “Painkiller” continued its reign at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 weeks.

With the renewed buzz thanks to Larry, experts were even suggesting that it could go on for 17 weeks.

And these predictions came true as if they were lies.

-Painkiller Achieves 17 Weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot 100!-

-Painkiller Achieves 18 Weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot 100!-

It broke the history of the Billboard Hot 100 by reaching number one for 18 weeks, following 17 weeks.

In the end, “Painkiller” stepped down from the number one spot after 18 weeks, but it continued to show amazing vitality by staying within the top 10 for nearly five weeks afterward.