Chapter 6

6,

Baek Kyung-tae.

Although I don't know what he's like now, Han Ji-hyuk knew exactly what kind of person Baek Kyung-tae would become in the future.

'Is this... around eight years ago?'

Since he had worked at the cafe when he was in his early twenties, it must have been around that time.

Han Ji-hyuk, while calculating the time, could guess that the person in front of him was now a new manager.

A person who, after six years of joining the company, had risen to the position of the head of the entire singer team.

Considering that IX Entertainment was not a small agency but one of the largest in the entertainment industry, it was a remarkable achievement.

This meant that Baek Kyung-tae was not only good at his job but also very capable.

Han Ji-hyuk had learned a lot from observing Baek Kyung-tae when he was leading the management.

To that extent, Han Ji-hyuk had acknowledged Baek Kyung-tae's abilities.

Baek Kyung-tae, who was now listening to Han Ji-hyuk's song, smiled and handed him a business card.

Han Ji-hyuk carefully took the business card and examined it.

After confirming the name Baek Kyung-tae of IX Entertainment, Han Ji-hyuk was once again certain that this was the person he had thought of.

'The design of the business card is a bit different, but it seems to be the right one from IX Entertainment.'

Thinking to himself, Han Ji-hyuk quickly put the business card in his wallet and extended his hand.

"I'm Han Ji-hyuk."

Even as he shook hands with Baek Kyung-tae, Han Ji-hyuk had to try hard to hide the fact that he was amazed by him.

Becoming the head of the entire singer team in just six years was quite an impressive feat.

It was even more highlighted because he had achieved this by surpassing his seniors who had joined the company before him.

'The atmosphere is very different.'

Before... that is, when he met him in the future before losing his voice, Baek Kyung-tae was a very serious person.

Now?

Instead of seriousness, his face was full of anticipation.

Looking at the slightly young and immature Baek Kyung-tae, Han Ji-hyuk spoke.

"What does this mean?"

He shrugged and asked.

Baek Kyung-tae made a "whoops" expression and scratched his head.

"I want to bring you to our company. If you could come and audition once, I would be extremely grateful."

He looked a bit desperate.

It felt like he was pleading and clinging to Han Ji-hyuk, asking him to join the company.

Feeling a strange sensation as Baek Kyung-tae spoke to him like that, Han Ji-hyuk wondered if his music was really that good.

It felt odd to hear such praise from someone he personally admired.

"I'm still a new manager, so I don't have much authority. I can only provide you with the opportunity to audition, but I really want to be your manager and take care of you."

Baek Kyung-tae spoke with emphasis in his voice.

It was clear that he was deliberately putting emphasis on his words to show his determination.

"How did it sound?"

Han Ji-hyuk asked with a smile.

He was curious.

What exactly did Baek Kyung-tae think after listening to his music?

While he could tell that the reaction was positive, he wanted to hear his detailed thoughts, not just a simple "good."

Baek Kyung-tae immediately understood what Han Ji-hyuk meant and spoke.

"More than anything, I loved how you expressed emotions in such detail, drawing the audience in as if swallowing them whole."

Baek Kyung-tae suddenly opened his notebook.

Han Ji-hyuk blinked and watched him quietly.

Baek Kyung-tae glanced at his notebook and continued speaking.

"How to play and how to sing are really important, but to be honest, I don't know much about the technical aspects."

Baek Kyung-tae closed his notebook and continued.

He seemed to have chosen honesty as his concept, starting to explain himself in detail.

From when he joined the company to the fact that he didn't have much knowledge about music, he explained everything.

"Still, while listening to Mr. Han Ji-hyuk's song, I was certain of one thing. 'Wow, this is the best! It's better than any music I've ever heard!'"

Those words were very pleasant to hear.

Han Ji-hyuk couldn't help but smile.

He had tried to maintain a poker face, but it seemed to be harder than he thought.

"I'll think about it and get back to you."

"Our company has a regular review day once a month, which is this Thursday. If you can decide by then and let us know, we'll do our best to arrange an audition for you."

Baek Kyung-tae didn't give a definite answer.

But Han Ji-hyuk was satisfied with that.

He couldn't give a definite answer either.

IX Entertainment was a good company, and for the current Han Ji-hyuk, it was an overqualified agency.

But there were too many risks in just going to an audition and signing a contract.

Han Ji-hyuk, who had returned to the past, was not naive.

He needed to think carefully and understand the current situation before making a decision.

"Alright."

Although he wanted to talk more with Baek Kyung-tae, he knew when to stop.

It was time to step back.

'I have work to do.'

Thinking to himself, Han Ji-hyuk started taking orders from customers and making coffee.

In his line of sight, Jeon Tae-chan entered the cafe with a face full of dissatisfaction.

Next to him, Jung Seon-woo looked embarrassed.

Although he didn't know the outcome, one thing was clear.

'To me, it's a happy ending.'

Han Ji-hyuk thought to himself and smiled slightly.

Life is truly fascinating.

A child who was bullied in school can become the CEO of a company, and the child who bullied him can become an employee of that company.

In this interesting life, Han Ji-hyuk thought his own life was the most interesting.

He, who had no talent, had returned to the past through death and suddenly gained a strange ability.

Was it a blessing from God?

Or some kind of magic?

He had thought about it from various angles and even searched on portal sites, but there was no answer.

He could only accept it as it was.

He had returned to the past.

To be precise, eight years ago.

"No matter how I think about it, it's absurd."

Han Ji-hyuk muttered.

His mother, who was sitting next to him and watching TV, turned to look at him.

"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"

At his mother's words, Han Ji-hyuk immediately shook his head.

Actually, he still felt a bit awkward talking to his mother.

It had been two days since he returned, but the Han Ji-hyuk from eight years later usually only talked on the phone.

Seeing his mother from eight years ago was a very unique experience.

When he first saw his mother and father, he felt like he might cry.

Seeing his parents' faces after death was like a huge resonance.

Among his regrets in life, there was the regret of not taking good care of his parents, so Han Ji-hyuk was trying harder than in his previous life.

Having a conversation with his mother in the living room was one of those efforts.

In the past, he would have probably been in his room, listening to music with headphones.

"It's nothing. I'm just finding life interesting these days."

"Music... Do you still want to do it? You looked very stressed over the past few months."

"It's fun. Very fun."

Han Ji-hyuk nodded.

In his early twenties.

His parents didn't really support Han Ji-hyuk's music career.

In his late twenties.

He had given up on music and chosen the path of a manager.

His mother looked at him with concern but didn't say much.

Although they didn't support his music, they didn't try to stop his dream either.

That was the conclusion his parents had come to.

"Well, I'm sure you'll do well."

Not knowing what to say, Han Ji-hyuk remained silent.

He couldn't tell her that he couldn't do well on his own, which led to him suffering as a manager and eventually starting his own management company, only to die while trying to secure a singer at the last moment.

It would cause a huge fuss if he told her that.

'Not that she would believe it anyway.'

While Han Ji-hyuk was thinking to himself, his mother spoke to him.

"Are you going to Hongdae later?"

"Yes, in the evening."

"Do you have a date or something?"

"Not really... I just want to see some buskers on the street."

He didn't have any specific plans.

He just needed time to clear his head.

He planned to watch some buskers in Hongdae and eat something delicious.

While doing so, he needed to think about IX Entertainment slowly.

"Can I take you to the bus stop?"

"No, it's okay. I'll go on my own."

Han Ji-hyuk answered and closed his mouth.

His mother glanced at him, but Han Ji-hyuk pretended not to notice.

He still felt awkward talking to his parents.

Even though it was a weekday, Hongdae was clearly crowded in the evening.

Han Ji-hyuk walked leisurely, watching the people on the streets of Hongdae.

Although he wasn't on a date or out with friends, he felt happy for no reason.

"It's not bad."

Coming to Hongdae seemed to be a good choice.

After walking a short distance, he started to hear music.

A man with an acoustic guitar caught his eye.

Han Ji-hyuk listened to the man's music for a while.

He was at a similar level to Jeon Tae-chan.

-'The Six-Stringed Magician' sighs.

-'The King of Pop' frowns and shakes his head.

-'Another Queen' suggests leaving the place.

To Han Ji-hyuk, it wasn't that bad, but it seemed he couldn't satisfy the picky message windows.

'They are gods... after all.'

Han Ji-hyuk thought to himself.

He needed to organize his ability, so he had roughly done so on the way.

He could guess who the owner of the message windows was.

-'The Six-Stringed Magician'

-'The King of Pop'

-'The Silent Artist'

-'Another Queen'

These were not just descriptions of legendary figures in the music industry.

Han Ji-hyuk decided to call them the gods of music.

In fact, he couldn't think of any other way to describe them.

'What can I do with this ability?'

He thought as he walked.

As the music of the buskers became clearer, the corresponding message windows appeared.

-'The Gentleman of the Street' closes his eyes and turns away.

-'The King of Pop' bursts into laughter, calling it terrible music.

-'The Silent Artist' points and says it's a fruitless fruit tree.

All negative comments.

As Han Ji-hyuk read them, he recalled the vivid sensation he had when he was playing and singing.

That vivid sensation hadn't faded.

Comparing the buskers' performances to his own singing at the cafe, he gained a firm belief.

'This dream... won't just remain a dream. Maybe I can really do it.'

Han Ji-hyuk sat on a stone staircase and took out his wallet.

Carefully taking out Baek Kyung-tae's business card and examining it, he then took out his smartphone.

"Let's give it a try."

Let's go to the top.

What can't I do?

With the gods of music on my side.