Chapter 40

I became the older brother of a top star, Chapter 40

Before enrolling, there was a school program where new students were gathered to tour the school and learn about its system.

Since this was a mandatory process for enrollment, I stood in front of the school gate.

“Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“I said it before, but the school uniform here is really cool. It suits you too.”

Indeed, it looked different from the one I wore in middle school, both in fit and quality.

It had a slightly slim-fit suit-like feel.

“That’s because our son takes after me and looks good in anything. Plus, he has broad shoulders thanks to me.”

Father burst into laughter, and Mother slapped his protruding belly.

“That’s because our Yoonseong works hard at sports! Do you know how much he exercises these days? You’re the one with the belly.”

“Ah, ahem. This is just age catching up with me.”

I chuckled.

Father was indeed quite built, with broad shoulders and a tall stature.

Thanks to that, I grew tall too, but my shoulders weren’t as broad, so I was working on them through exercise.

“You don’t have to bring me here today.”

“No, I want to see my son start high school. Wait, you’re not embarrassed or ashamed that we’re here, are you?!”

At this age, kids usually avoid going around with their parents.

It’s quite strange.

Even middle schoolers feel embarrassed holding hands with their mothers and dislike their parents coming to school events.

That’s why parents often feel the most heartache when their children hit puberty.

I quickly waved my hands.

“No, I’m actually glad you’re here.”

But I hope the two of you stay healthy and together for a long time.

I’ll make sure of that.

“Phew—”

Just as I was about to enter the school, Yuna, who was standing next to me, sighed deeply.

Then she said to me,

“Do you think I can get in here next year?”

Yuna was already nervous, trembling and biting her thumb.

I patted her shoulder.

“It’s fine. Even if you just barely make it, you’ll get in.”

I really wanted Yuna to get in.

With her talent, she would be more than capable.

“Well, I’m going in now.”

“Okay, son. Before you go, let’s have a hug with Dad.”

“Ah, okay.”

Yuna hugs her parents every day.

It was a habit for her to just run up and hug them for no reason.

But I wasn’t used to this.

I still felt a bit awkward.

“Wow, you’re going to be taller than me soon, looking down at me from above.”

But these occasional hugs with my parents always warmed my heart.

“Have a good day, son.”

“Okay.”

With that warm feeling lingering, I smiled and entered the auditorium.

* * *

The freshmen gathered for the Jeonho Arts High School Orientation were busy looking around.

They were checking if they knew anyone, who they should befriend, and what groups were forming.

Since school isn’t just about studying, the kids were keenly scanning for new social connections.

As they perked up their ears, various pieces of information started to filter in.

“Hey, Choi Beomjun also got into the Theater and Film Department, right?”

“Oh, that child actor?”

“Yeah, he was the top student this time, I heard.”

“Wow, isn’t he really handsome? He’s been acting since he was a child, so he’s good at it too.”

“That’s why he got in as the top student.”

Some students had already built a reputation as child actors,

“Isn’t it true that Chae Yurin, who’s sweeping all the competitions, got in here?”

There were also students who had been recognized in music since elementary and middle school.

“I thought she would go abroad. But she ended up here.”

“Apparently, she got in for composition, not piano.”

“So she must have been the top student.”

“No, someone else was the top student.”

“Really? Who?”

And one person was frequently mentioned in their conversations.

“Jung Yoonseong. You know, the siblings from NewTube—”

“Wow, I heard about it, but he was the top student?”

“Crazy. I thought he didn’t participate in any competitions.”

“Not to mention, Jung Yoonseong has an amazing look, right?”

“Did you see the L Restaurant video on NewTube? He composed all the music himself.”

“Oh, I saw that. How many original songs did he have? And he plays the piano really well too.”

As the kids chattered, a teacher stepped onto the stage and cleared his throat into the microphone.

The auditorium fell silent.

“Welcome, freshmen, to the Jeonho Arts High School Orientation. First, we’ll hear a few words from the principal.”

I could already feel the boredom setting in.

“Hello, I’m the principal of Jeonho Arts High School, Choo Dae-ho.”

As the principal’s long speech dragged on, the students started to wilt in their seats.

“Let’s all strive to be proud students of Jeonho.”

Finally, the long and boring session ended.

Next,

“Now, students representing each department will come forward to recite the principles we should uphold as students of Jeonho Arts High School.”

This could be considered a boring part, but it was actually the most anticipated moment.

The recitation is a long-standing tradition, and only those who entered with the highest grades can participate.

Following the teacher’s guidance, several students ascended the stage.

The first to take the microphone was,

“Wow.”

“It’s Choi Beomjun.”

Choi Beomjun, who entered as the top student in the Theater and Film Department, had a striking appearance that caught the attention of the girls.

“I am a proud student of Jeonho Arts High School...”

After Choi Beomjun’s part, the microphone was passed to other students.

When Kim Yujin, who had built a reputation as a child actor, took the microphone, the boys reacted positively.

The students who followed seemed pitiful in comparison.

But—

“Oh?”

“Jung Yoonseong?”

“Wow—”

When Jung Yoonseong took the microphone for the final part, the response was enthusiastic, regardless of gender.

“I am a proud student of Jeonho Arts High School, setting an example and leading by example...”

With his striking face, tall stature, and well-built body from sports, and a voice that captivated the audience, Jung Yoonseong made Choi Beomjun seem ordinary.

The students and teachers in the auditorium watched him read with amazement.

“That’s all.”

When he finished—

“Huh—”

“Oh—”

The teacher, who had been conducting the event, also seemed to be momentarily stunned before picking up the microphone.

“Ahem. Let’s give the students a round of applause.”

Clap clap clap—

“Wow—”

A loud applause and cheers erupted.

Everyone could feel it.

The enthusiastic response from the students was directed entirely at Jung Yoonseong, standing there calmly.

* * *

“Wow, this broadcasting station is huge. I heard cable TV makes a lot of money. It seems true, brother.”

ABT Channel, the current leader in cable TV.

It’s strong now, but it’s expected to grow even more in the future.

In the years to come, various entertainment programs and dramas from this channel will hit it big, eventually overshadowing public broadcasting stations.

“Are you really okay with this? Appearing on TV isn’t as easy as you think.”

Father, who followed us out, still looked worried.

The reason we were here today was that we were invited as guests on a program by ABT Channel.

Of course, being invited doesn’t mean we automatically appear on TV.

We had to meet the production team to discuss how the show would proceed and what style of performance would fit the program.

After all that, if everything was in order, we would sign the final contract to appear.

“Yeah, it’s fine. And Dad is here to support us.”

When we received the offer to appear on TV, I was a bit surprised.

To want us as guests, even though we haven’t officially released an album or debuted yet.

But Yuna, who often watched the show, accepted the offer without hesitation.

“Sometimes they invite indie bands to perform here.”

Maybe we were invited in that capacity.

As soon as we entered the broadcasting station and Yuna stepped into the office where the PD and writers were waiting, she radiated her usual brightness.

“Hello, everyone!”

The people there greeted her with smiles as soon as they saw her face.

“Oh, come in!”

“Thank you for inviting us today.”

Yuna’s greatest strength is this.

Wherever she goes, her happiness virus infects everyone.

The place, which initially felt dry and barren like a desert, was now a garden in full bloom.

“Oh, the representative, please come in.”

“Ah, yes. I came because it’s about our children. Is it okay if I stay?”

“Of course. Since they’re minors, it’s good to have the parents here.”

The person who greeted Father was the main PD of the show, Kim Young-ho.

After a quick glance at his business card, Father stepped back a bit.

“Don’t worry about me. Please talk freely with the children.”

“Ah, thank you.”

PD Kim Young-ho and the writers kept smiling at us.

“Sorry, we keep laughing. We’re just so happy. The atmosphere here changed completely after you two arrived. Ha ha, just seeing you two makes us laugh.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

Then, PD Kim told us,

“We have another guest for this show, the singer Ryu Jae-won. You know him, right?”

“Wow, of course we do!”

He was a ballad singer Yuna liked.

We often practiced his songs together.

“You’ll be appearing with him. There will be some talk segments, and since you two are famous on NewTube, we’ll talk a lot about that. Of course, we’ll give you a script with the questions the MCs will ask, so you can think about your answers in advance and discuss them with the writers for adjustments.”

Variety shows are called variety, but in fact, there’s no such thing as a variety show in Korea without a script.

Without a script, anything could go wrong.

Especially since this show has an audience, having a script is crucial.

“Do you have any songs in mind that you’d like to perform?”

“Hmm, a few come to mind.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, can I sing a bit here?”

PD and the writers were taken aback.

“Here? We don’t have any music equipment here.”

“It’s fine. We can do it a cappella.”

PD Kim nodded with interest.

“That would be great.”

He then checked if the camera was working properly.

“Brother, let’s sing the one we practiced last time.”

One of Ryu Jae-won’s hit songs.

I wish I had brought a guitar, knowing this would happen.

It was a bit awkward to sing a cappella with Yuna, but—

“Sure, let’s do it.”

It could be quite fun.

I adjusted my posture and moved my feet up and down, mimicking drumming.

It felt a bit strange without a guitar, but the awkwardness quickly disappeared with Yuna’s usual confident expression.

Following the rhythm, Yuna’s voice began to flow.