Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 160

160.

The most vivid memory I have of my mother involves cigarettes.

She tried to hide it from Mok-hwa and me, and she vowed to quit countless times. But she was like autumn, just like her name [Ga-eul means autumn in Korean], and she would often light up a cigarette to soothe the loneliness that came over her. My father always worried about her health and would say, ‘Cut down on those damn cigarettes!’ and she would retort, ‘You stop saying ‘damn’ in front of the kids first!’

Having a good memory could be a curse at times, but also a blessing at others.

A person who loved fallen leaves. A person who tried to capture the sounds of all things dying. That’s the mother I could discern from the sheet music she left behind.

Looking at that, she had the complete opposite personality of my father, who was fundamentally optimistic. Even after reading all of my father’s diaries, I still find it hard to understand how they became lovers and ended up getting married.

Well, is there any aspect of love that’s easy to understand rationally? The story that began in a park was full of incomprehensible parts, but that’s what made it beautiful in its own way.

I finished my brief contemplation. I couldn’t keep the person in front of me waiting too long.

“…That’s right. May I ask why you’re asking?”

Hwa-yang nodded a few times and offered me a handshake.

“I’m a friend of Ga-eul.”

…Goodness, my mother had a friend? I wonder if someone with the same personality as me would have friends.

“Haha, I guess I haven’t lived all these years for nothing. I can tell what you’re thinking just by looking at your face.”

Ryu Iden, who was watching the situation from the side, tilted his head. I was actually expressionless.

“Ga-eul is famous for not making friends, but I’m the one who put up with her personality and became her friend.”

Hwa-yang said that and fiddled with her hairpin. Judging from her expression and the circumstances, it might be a gift from my mother. Or maybe it’s just a habit.

“So, you’re her son. No wonder I could see your mother in your compositions.”

Then she let out a sigh.

“If you don’t have any other appointments, I’d like to treat you to a cup of tea. Would that be alright?”

I turned my eyes towards my manager.

“We have 30 minutes to spare.”

“Thank you.”

At that, Hwa-yang gestured for me to follow her with a satisfied expression, then muttered softly.

“What should I do for my friend’s son……”

* * *

Clink, the sound of a coffee cup being placed down. A quiet, secluded cafe. The choice of location shows what kind of person Hwa-yang is, perhaps a calculated choice.

“Would you mind if I spoke more casually?”

“No, of course not.”

The place reveals the person. From the fact that people with messy rooms are more likely to be obese, there are many empirical grounds for this.

…Wait, if that’s the case, my studio only has a few papers and books, and the rest is stuff the other members have decorated with. Then what kind of person do I look like?

“Yes, fate is also strange. I wonder if music is hereditary or something.”

Hwa-yang continued, maintaining an elegant posture with her back straight.

“You arranged your mother’s unreleased song and made it into a piece.”

Amazing. She noticed right away. The words ‘mother’s friend’ must be true.

“I’ve engraved my mother’s name in the composer section.”

“Admirable. I wish my child would do the same.”

As far as I know, Hwa-yang doesn’t have any children.

“Anyway, is your father doing well?”

Hmm. How can I say it to minimize the guilt?

“He passed away with my mother.”

Looking back, I realized that my answer, despite all my consideration, was too factual. At that, Hwa-yang dropped the coffee cup she was holding so elegantly.

‘…I didn’t expect this.’

“……Wait, hold on. You were just a kid back then.”

“Yes.”

I nodded because I was a ‘child’ as defined by law.

Hwa-yang trembled at my answer, then bowed her head and fiddled with her hairpin.

“……Those trash, they should have told me that when they announced the obituary.”

I was startled by her voice, filled with deep anger and regret. And I gave a faint smile. It was easy to understand the true meaning in Hwa-yang’s voice.

“Um, I’ve been doing pretty well.”

Now, I think I can say that. I lived in poverty because I had no money, but after reconciling with Mok-hwa, the bad memories were discarded below the surface, and only the child’s bright smile remained in my head. So, I added it briefly as a consolation. But Hwa-yang trembled even more strongly at my words.

“With her personality, her assets would have been just the house.”

Even deeper regret than before.

“……I originally didn’t like to interfere, so I turned off my interest.”

What should I do, I seriously pondered for a moment. But the contemplation didn’t last long. Hwa-yang, who had calmed down all her anger and regret, took a deep breath. Then, in a voice more resolute than before, she threw out a word.

“I can’t let this happen. I’ll have to return it with interest.”

Excuse me?

“Yes, Dong-hwa, you had a talent for composing.”

I had a dazed expression. I’ve gotten pretty good at writing songs that make money, but compared to my mother’s songs, the level is too insignificant.

“I’ll have to move up my return to Korea a bit.”

My mind came to one conclusion. Seriously, a person with 30 years of experience in the industry is declaring that they will get me on TV.

“Let me tell you in advance, I’m a little different from your mother. Your mother was overly uninterested in others, so she was very weak in politics that exploited other people’s weaknesses.”

In other words, she is a person who specializes in seizing and squeezing other people’s weaknesses.

“So look forward to it. I’ll prepare a place for you to prove your skills.”

Seize the opportunity when it comes, Ryu Iden’s Social Skills Special Lecture, Article 3.

“Um, couldn’t you help our group more than me?”

So let’s hold on tight. Since life is inherently unfair, let’s use this illegitimate connection to raise our profile.

“Well, I can. But I don’t think there’s a need to do that.”

In other words, ‘It’s clear that your profile will rise on its own even if I leave you alone, so why don’t you raise your own profile first?’

“There’s a saying that when you’re young, you’re always hungry even after eating.”

At that, Hwa-yang chuckled.

“Or, you can give those opportunities to the other members.”

Actually, that’s a better thing. I don’t mind being holed up in a room and living as a composing machine, but the other kids should be able to look to higher places.

“You’re so selfless. You’re just like your mother. You give endlessly to those you consider your people.”

Not endlessly. I muttered a rebuttal in my mind.

Hwa-yang said that, touched her hairpin once more, and came to a conclusion.

“Okay. I may not be able to help you a lot, but I’ll do what I can.”

More than that, I’m trying to be careful not to show anything on my face, but how does she know? She’s a truly mysterious person.

When I returned after the beneficial conversation with Hwa-yang, Ryu Iden was clapping.

“Congratulations on completing the basic stage of networking.”

I can finally get out of Ryu Iden Academy. Exciting.

“Now, let’s move on to the advanced stage of networking, the new curriculum.”

Oh no, I thought it was graduation, but it was a graduate school kidnapping.

“So, what was it about?”

“About a constructive future.”

“Um, according to my sister, her nickname is…….”

Ryu Iden scratched the back of his neck.

“It was ‘Spider,’ but nothing really happened, right?”

……Um, she doesn’t spit silk from her hands, so I think it’s okay.

“She was my mother’s acquaintance.”

At my simple answer, Ryu Iden nodded as if he understood. For Ryu Iden, my family story was like a magic spell that always worked.

* * *

[Blossom’s Japan Activities – Complete Summary]

(Japan Activity Timetable Summary – Analysis of stage filming, short variety shows, interviews, high-five events, etc. by time slot)

This is the schedule based on what the hommas [Korean fans who are deeply invested in supporting their idols] posted as previews. Comparison review with Nietzsche official data completed.

Brief impressions: This much schedule in just 3 days. Concerned about the kids’ health. Grateful that they still come to W App and the official fan cafe.

Comments:

― Well… I guess you don’t stan idols without knowing that they generally try to get the most out of overseas activities in a short period of time…. I understand… but let them rest a little…

― I heard that the reaction in Japan is good, so I was about to get excited, but I feel a little weird? Should we grab Nietzsche by the hair?

└Should we cause a ruckus?

└The agency should be periodically grabbed by the hair

― This isn’t a point that will change even if we cause a ruckus… Ah, I don’t know, damn it.

└But it doesn’t seem like there’s an awful lot either ㅇㅇ

└The rule is to grab them by the hair as soon as they go overseas

In communities where anonymity is guaranteed, idol fans tend to get a little rough. Fortunately, Blossom started with a survival show, but since then, the members have become close, making it a relatively good group to stan [support] as a whole. Thanks to this, there weren’t many disputes between individual fans, so the blame naturally fell on the agency.

Jang Hae-jin nodded as she looked at the community reactions.

‘…I’m sorry, everyone.’

Of course, she didn’t think this schedule was a march to hell. Also, it’s common for fans to criticize the agency.

‘Still…, we’re doing our best…….’

The management team and the planning team worked together to prevent the higher-ups from adding more to the schedule, and this was the result.

‘And we’ve also prepared one channel for the kids to rest… I’m sorry…….’

* * *

For some reason, I sat in the rocking chair in the hotel, sighed deeply, and moved my hands.

‘…It’s surprisingly busy.’

It was as busy and hectic as Jang Hae-jin had warned before the overseas promo.

Moving the thread in and out, leaning back in the rocking chair, I felt a little calmer. It was a moment to reflect on the meaning of this simple repetitive labor.

I slowly knit one stitch at a time whenever I had a break, and it definitely helps to calm my thoughts. Sincere thanks to Ryu Iden.

Chae Ha-min, who came out after showering, chuckled when she saw me like that.

“Wow, you look like a grandma. I want to put a fireplace next to you.”

Quiet. I’m in the middle of mental cultivation. I think I now know why many ancient people wiped the floor or did cross-stitch.

“We have a day off tomorrow, what are you going to do?”

A small break provided by the agency. Of course, there’s a short schedule in the morning, but it’s as good as nothing.

“Um, I feel like I’m going to be dragged around by you anyway.”

“Of course! My dad even introduced me to this hotel suite!”

Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say that he poured money into it rather than introduced it? It’s a room that the agency booked without considering their financial situation thanks to my father’s connections. It’s truly the taste of capitalism and cronyism.

“…Okay.”

Of course, I never wanted it, Ha-min.

“My dad told me to take you to a lot of good places.”

I didn’t want that either.

“So, where are we going?”

Actually, there are things you can know without being told. This is Japan, and there’s a hardcore otaku [person with obsessive interests, commonly anime and manga] in our team.

“Wiz-ny Land!”

Yeah, of course.