Chapter 20 of "Becoming the Older Brother of a Top Star"

“We at S&C Entertainment can achieve a debut as quickly as possible with our differentiated training culture...”

“We at Loen Media promise transparent settlements and guarantee the maximum freedom for our artists...”

“We at YT Entertainment are willing to provide the maximum support to ensure that you can complete your academic curriculum...”

Rumors do spread fast.

When I came out after school, agency staff were waiting for us at the front gate.

They vied to hand us their business cards.

“Why don’t we go to a café? I know a place that makes really delicious cake.”

“Cake? What kind of... cake is it?”

“Oh! It’s a café that our agency’s artists really love, and it’s located...”

I pulled Yuna, who was sparkling at the mention of cake, back.

This kid would definitely follow anyone who offered her chicken or cake.

“I appreciate that you came all this way, but we have no intention of joining an agency.”

“Huh?”

“What? You mean both of you, with such incredible talent, have no intention of joining an agency?”

For once, the people from competing agencies spoke in unison, trying to persuade me.

“Please reconsider. This is a national waste.”

“There are many people looking forward to seeing the two of you on stage again.”

“On NewTube, there are many people who really want to see you debut.”

Then one of the staff members trailed off.

“By any chance, are you already signed with another agency...?”

Their expressions stiffened.

They looked doubtful.

‘Maybe it’s because the video just went viral.’

These people didn’t do their homework.

“No, we’re not signed with another agency.”

“Phew. What a relief.”

“I thought you were already trainees with another agency...”

It was too early to sigh in relief.

“My father is the CEO of a management company.”

“...?”

“Huh?”

Their faces showed cracks.

One of them was so shocked that their words came out jumbled.

“W-What did you just say?”

Then Yuna stepped in.

“Our father is the CEO of JY Entertainment.”

“!?”

“Wait. JY Entertainment, as in... CEO Jung Young-hoon?”

“Yes.”

Jung Yun-sung, Jung Yuna.

They confirmed our names again before slapping their foreheads.

“Oh!”

“Wow. I didn’t even think of that.”

If they had taken a few more days to investigate us more thoroughly, they would have found out.

“Now do you understand why we’re refusing?”

They burst into a defeated laugh.

“Haha. Well, there’s nothing we can do about this situation.”

“If you were just trainees with another agency, we might have tried to persuade you, but this...”

Who could say anything when your father is the CEO of a management company?

There was nothing they could do.

Still,

“It’s a shame, but we’ll support you from afar.”

“I will too. It’s really a shame, but there’s nothing we can do. And your performance on stage was truly impressive.”

“I can’t wait to see your next performance. I’ll be waiting for your successful debut.”

Their words didn’t sound like empty formalities.

They were all genuinely cheering for us.

Yuna, feeling the same emotions as I did, bowed to them.

“Thank you!”

Their faces lit up with pleasant smiles as they left.

Then Yuna seemed to remember something.

“Oh, right!”

“Huh? What’s up?”

“Oh, I should have asked where that cake place is.”

“...”

She was so consistent.

“But it’s the first time I’ve received so many business cards at once, so I’m a bit overwhelmed.”

Yuna had probably received business cards from management before.

Had Jung Yun-sung ever received any in the past?

“Still, don’t throw them away. Keep them.”

Yuna, who was collecting the business cards, asked me.

“Did you see that video?”

“Of course I did.”

“Did you see people’s reactions?”

“Yes. Everyone seemed to love it.”

Honestly, it was surprising.

Hundreds of thousands of people.

No, soon it would be millions of people watching a video with me in it.

“Yeah. I was surprised to see only positive comments. I thought I might have done a bit poorly.”

If that was considered poor, what about other aspiring singers, Yuna?

Objectively, that performance was perfect.

That’s why people were so enthusiastic.

But,

“Are you disappointed?”

“Huh?”

“You look a bit disappointed.”

I could read the disappointment on Yuna’s face.

She looked like something was unfulfilled.

“With all the support and love from people, you might be thinking you want to perform on that stage again, right?”

There’s a saying that singers can’t leave the stage even as they grow older.

The enthusiastic cheers of the audience.

Their boundless attention and love.

They can’t forget it, no matter how much money they make, and they stay on that stage until the end.

Yes.

The stage is like a drug for singers.

A drug they can’t quit, even until death.

And actually,

“I feel the same.”

I was experiencing a similar feeling for the first time.

I often heard that after performing in front of a large audience, whether it’s a song or a play, one feels a void.

I never understood what that meant or why one would feel such emptiness, but now I felt it deeply.

“You too?”

“Yes. I feel a bit disappointed and wish more people had seen it. I just feel restless.”

“Wow. People really do think alike. I feel exactly the same.”

“...”

We didn’t say anything for a moment.

Yuna felt the same way as I did.

I was worried she might not have any thoughts, but it seems she did.

Then,

“Yuna.”

“Yeah?”

“What if we create our own stage this time?”

“Huh? Create our own stage?”

“Yes. Like, we could start a separate NewTube channel and see how it goes.”

What we want is immediate feedback from people, not just waiting to debut slowly.

There’s no better way than posting videos on NewTube.

“And we could occasionally go busking in Hongdae like last time.”

“Wow. Busking too? Ugh, I’m already nervous, but it sounds fun.”

Of course, we don’t know how much attention our channel will get or how many people will come to see us busking.

But isn’t it better to do something rather than just sit around?

“I’m in. Are you joining me?”

“Of course. You said we’d do it together last time.”

So, we should start by creating a channel, right?

We need to decide how to shoot the videos and what songs to perform.

“Bro, NewTube sounds good, and busking sounds good, but...”

“Yeah?”

What’s she trying to say?

“Can we go get cake first? I’m hungry. That lady mentioned a strawberry cake, and now I’m craving it.”

“...”

I chuckled.

She was true to herself from start to finish.

“Sure. Where do you want to go?”

“Great! I heard about a great place from my friends. Let’s go there.”

But just as Yuna was about to take a step,

“Hello. I’m from Blue Entertainment...”

It seems this is going to be a long day.

* * *

Originally, CEO Jung Young-hoon planned to return at night, but the meeting dragged on, and he ended up returning the next morning, looking exhausted.

But the thought of seeing his wife and his adorable daughter and son gave him strength.

“You all did a great job. Go home and get some rest.”

“Yes, CEO. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Drive safely.”

After sending off his staff, he got into the car waiting for him at the airport and checked the stock market.

It was better to invest in the stock market and grow his money rather than leaving it in the bank.

So, checking the stock market had become a habit.

However,

“Hmm?”

Something strange was happening.

“What is this?”

The stock of JY Entertainment, which had always been at the bottom, was suddenly surging.

CEO Jung Young-hoon felt his head spin.

Why would a stock with no reason to surge suddenly skyrocket?

Obviously,

“It’s a market manipulation.”

Why were they targeting JY stock of all things?

Did they think it was an easy target?

Well, it was easy.

No, now wasn’t the time to think about that.

“Hello? Ah, Manager Kim. It’s me.”

“Ah, yes. CEO. You’re back?”

“Yes. Did you see our company’s stock? It looks like someone is playing games.”

Manager Kim’s response was odd.

“Oh, that? I was going to tell you about it.”

“Huh? What do you know?”

“I didn’t want to bother you while you were busy in Malaysia, so I didn’t contact you... I’ll send you a link. Can you check it out?”

What could it be?

CEO Jung Young-hoon followed the link sent by Manager Kim.

It was a NewTube video.

However,

“Huh?”

The two people in the video caught his eye.

His beloved son and daughter were there.

“Why are they here...”

He instinctively played the video.

“-!?”

From the start to the end of the video.

CEO Jung Young-hoon felt a numbness in the back of his head.

The heavy shock didn’t fade.

“What... is this...”

He couldn’t even form a coherent sentence.

He quickly called Manager Kim again.

Manager Kim’s voice was full of laughter.

“Did you see it?”

“What... is going on?”

“You must be surprised. I was shocked when I first saw it. I was going to tell you, but I couldn’t reach you, so I put it on hold. I also tried to keep the staff from talking, but it seems the word got out that the two kids are your children.”

Wait.

Does that mean...

“Is the rise in our company’s stock because of Yun-sung and Yuna?”

“Yes. I know it’s hard to believe, but we’re seeing the effects now.”

“Wow!”

What a bizarre situation.

“I understand. I’ll head to the office right away.”

“Yes, I’ll be waiting, CEO.”

After hanging up, CEO Jung Young-hoon leaned back in his chair.

He asked the driver,

“Have you seen the video?”

“Of course. I’ve watched it several times. It’s really addictive.”

That’s how it is.

The views alone showed the popularity.

And it was surprising that the stock price had risen because of this.

‘Our kids really did grow up beautifully.’

He had always known that his two children were as beautiful as celebrities.

He often heard people ask when he was going to debut them.

But Jung Young-hoon never pressured them.

He knew how nasty and tough this industry could be.

Moreover,

‘I didn’t know they had such talent.’

He knew Yuna had a unique and special voice, but

‘Yun-sung too?’

The child who had always lacked enthusiasm in everything.

The child who used to ignore his sister and fight with her all the time had suddenly changed at some point.

Now, he was doing well in his studies and was gradually showing his talent in management and music.

Even the company staff could tell how exceptional he was.

‘This is clear proof.’

There’s something called presence.

Whether someone has the potential to become a star or not can be determined by this presence.

Yun-sung was just playing the guitar and occasionally adding harmonies behind Yuna, but people who watched the video would have felt it.

The incredible presence emanating from this child.

“Was I blind?”

To not know that his son had such talent.

He felt a mix of embarrassment and a pleasant smile.

He wanted to see his beautiful children as soon as possible.

Chapter 21