Chapter 43: I Became the Older Brother of a Top Star

"Really, this song is a masterpiece no matter how many times I hear it."

"Haha. I think we should have chicken for our dinner today, shouldn't we? Haha."

As the song about chicken craving ended, the audience cheered and called for an encore.

The MCs also showed a positive response, and it felt genuine, not just for show.

"Exactly how did you come up with this song?"

"I was also very curious about that. What inspired you to create it?"

The inspiration wasn't particularly special.

"My younger sister Yuna really loves chicken."

"Right. I never get tired of eating chicken, no matter how often I have it."

At Yuna's comment, the audience burst into laughter.

"So, I watched Yuna happily tearing into chicken legs and decided to write this song. To make it more realistic, Yuna wrote the lyrics herself."

"Wow—"

"How sweet."

At this, especially the female audience members showed a strong reaction.

"Wow, I see. Here, you can really feel the warmth of your brotherly love. Usually, siblings don't pay much attention to what the other is doing."

"Right. If they do pay attention, it often leads to arguments."

Indeed.

Or maybe it's just my professional habit.

My main job was to closely monitor what my managed celebrities were doing and what they needed.

I was often praised for my ability to anticipate and provide what they needed before they even asked.

"Then, how do you usually come up with your melodies?"

"Most composers usually struggle in their studios, wracking their brains."

It was a common scene at the agency.

The PDs there would groan and moan, trying to squeeze out songs, turning their studios into torture chambers.

But I was a bit different.

"I just get inspired while doing something."

The Aura probably had the biggest influence.

Especially when I was with Yuna, the Aura she emitted often sparked my inspiration.

"Wow, really? That's not easy at all. Can you give an example?"

"Like... even now, while we're talking after the performance, I sometimes get inspired."

"Are you saying you just got inspired right now?"

"Wow! We can't miss this, can we? What do you think, everyone? Should we hear it?"

"Yeah—!!"

"I want to hear it!"

I wondered if I had said too much,

"Wow, I'm excited, bro."

Yuna's bright, sparkling eyes seemed to give me strength.

I played the melody that had just come to me on the guitar.

The slow strumming of the guitar strings echoed softly and slowly across the quiet stage.

I let my voice flow through the microphone.

The MCs on stage, the Aura of Ryu Jae-won, and even Yuna's overwhelming Aura—all of it inspired me to immerse myself in the music.

The piano in the band cautiously and slowly laid down the notes, making the song even richer.

This song wasn't about Yuna and me.

It was my song for the audience who had warmly welcomed us and cheered us on.

# # #

An impromptu, untitled original song.

Yet, it brought a surge of emotion that surpassed any other performance.

"Wow—!!"

The audience's enthusiastic cheers were proof enough.

The staff in the broadcast room also reacted similarly.

"Unbelievable. I'm crying."

"Me too. I can't stop the tears."

"Is this really an impromptu song? How can it move people like this?"

The writers in the broadcast room were already teary-eyed, and the male staff were trying to hold back their tears.

PD Kim Young-ho also chuckled, feeling a lump in his throat.

This was the first time a performance had made him cry during a broadcast.

"Wow... No, is this really an impromptu song you came up with here?"

The MCs and Ryu Jae-won.

These three were all showing a reaction of disbelief.

Especially the two MCs, who were composers themselves, were even more shocked.

"Everyone, this is unbelievable. Who would think this is an impromptu song?"

"Wow—. This must be a talent given by heaven. I've seen many artists, but this is truly shocking."

They weren't just putting on a show for the broadcast.

Anyone who had seen the performance just now would think the same.

"The song was really beautiful. I don't know when you'll release a formal album, but I hope the song you just sang will be included in it."

"Me too. I really want to buy the CD and listen to it every day."

What a remarkable kid.

Jung Yun-sung knew exactly how to touch people's emotions.

While the chicken craving song used his unique cuteness and charm to win people over, the impromptu song just now had a gentle and soothing power.

"Ha—, but what should we do now?"

The next performance was Ryu Jae-won's turn.

But Jung Yun-seng's impromptu song had completely changed the atmosphere.

Given the time constraints, it would be best to quickly wrap up the talk and move on to the next performance—

"The aftertaste lingers."

The audience and the viewers would dislike a sudden break in the flow.

But if the talk continued, the recording time would exceed the schedule.

It was important to cut it off appropriately for the schedule.

"Let's move on to the next performance now."

The MCs looked disappointed at the message from PD Kim Young-ho.

Though they didn't show it, they followed the PD's instructions and started to set up for the next performance.

"Look, this is the first time our audience has become a sea of tears since the program started."

"Touching people's emotions like this isn't easy. And such a touching song is something Ryu Jae-won is known for, isn't it?"

Ryu Jae-won, with his long broadcasting experience, quickly caught on to their conversation.

He realized it was time to move on to the next performance.

But he—

"Of course, I usually sing such songs, but today I'd rather be the listener."

He started to say something not in the script.

"Actually, before coming to this recording, I heard a rumor."

"A rumor?"

The PD and MCs were confused.

They had a look of "Why is he doing this all of a sudden?"

"Yes. I heard that the one-day sibling group met with the program's PD and writers and sang a song a cappella—"

"Oh, right. I heard that too."

"They said it was an amazing song without any accompaniment. It's already being talked about as a legend, even though it happened not long ago. Haha."

PD Kim Young-ho, sensing something was up, muttered.

"What? Is Ryu Jae-won—"

Sure enough.

"I'd really like to hear that legendary a cappella song here, with everyone present."

"Wow—!"

"Great!!"

The MCs were taken aback by Ryu Jae-won's sudden request, but they didn't seem to mind.

PD Kim Young-ho was also surprised by Ryu Jae-won's sudden action—

"He must have really liked it."

He couldn't stop him.

Ryu Jae-won knew that if he let the siblings perform again, his own performance would have to be skipped due to time constraints.

But he did it anyway, because he wanted to hear more of their songs.

"PD, what should we do?"

The writers were confused by the recording that was going off-script from start to finish.

"What can we do? Ryu Jae-won just gave us a sign. Let's go with the flow today."

PD Kim Young-ho also understood Ryu Jae-won's feelings.

That's why he wanted to run the broadcast more spontaneously and impulsively today.

* * *

"Thank you so much today."

"Ah, no need to thank us. We're the ones who are grateful."

"It would be great if we could work on music together in the future. Let's definitely collaborate, considering the connection we made today. Got it?"

After the broadcast, the MCs shook hands with us and parted ways.

Thanks to their Aura and smooth hosting, we were able to finish the broadcast without any issues.

Of course, it went completely off-script.

"Today's broadcast was great. I feel healed. Thanks to you two."

"Thank you, bro."

"Right. I hope we can do another broadcast together. And Yun-sung—"

"Ah, yes, hyung."

I had started calling Ryu Jae-won "hyung" without realizing it.

"Don't ever give up on composing, okay?"

"Sure, I won't."

He said this while shaking my hand.

"Seeing you reminded me of someone."

"Who? Who is it?"

"Jang Yeon-wook."

JJ's Jang Yeon-wook.

A legendary composer and singer who once swept through Korea and the world.

"He's now living abroad, having given up on music, but seeing you reminded me of Jang Yeon-wook in his prime. He had an incredible talent for creating songs on the spot."

But now he has stopped all his music activities and is living in seclusion.

However, his legacy continues to influence the Korean music industry.

"I've met many singers, but I haven't seen a talent as beautiful and radiant as yours and Yuna's. So, don't give up like Jang Yeon-wook did, okay?"

"Sure, I won't."

As long as Yuna doesn't give up, I won't leave this industry.

We parted ways with Ryu Jae-won and went home.

On the way back, Yuna was very excited.

She seemed happy to have completed the broadcast and had a unique experience.

"Bro, you're lucky."

"Huh?"

I expected her to say, "It's great to have a cute younger brother like you!" but—

"Ryu Jae-won said it, didn't he? That you have composing skills like Jang Yeon-wook."

"He was just flattering me."

"But I think he was serious. So, are you going to be like Jang Yeon-wook and make it to the Billboard charts?"

"Stop teasing me and go take a shower and sleep. You didn't sleep well last night, right?"

"Hehe. Okay."

Jang Yeon-wook.

His achievements are so great that I can't even think of following in his footsteps.

I just enjoy singing and performing on stage with Yuna.

I don't have big ambitions.

After a long shower, I came out to the living room.

But Yuna was lying on the sofa, looking dazed.

"Why aren't you in bed? Why are you lying here?"

"Why are you taking so long? Usually, guys take less than three minutes to shower."

Since I became Jung Yun-sung, I've been taking unusually long showers.

I wonder if it's a habit from his subconscious.

In contrast, Yuna showers incredibly fast, like she's in the military.

I doubt she even gets her long hair wet.

"Ugh. I can't sleep, bro."

"What?"

My heart sank.

I hope it's not insomnia like in my previous life.

"Yesterday, I was so nervous that I couldn't sleep at all. But you know, when you don't sleep, you get really tired, and you can't fall asleep, and your eyes hurt."

Fortunately, it didn't seem to be that.

Sometimes, when you're too tired, you can't fall asleep.

"Help me sleep. Huh."

"Hmm. Should we go for a walk or something?"

"······Just kill me."

I chuckled.

"Should I sing you a lullaby, then?"

I said it as a joke,

"Okay. Play a lullaby on the guitar."

"Really? You're serious?"

"Yeah. Play it! Hurry up!"

"But won't that keep you awake?"

Besides, I only know a few lullabies.

"It's okay. Play anything."

If that's the case,

I brought the guitar and sat next to Yuna.

Should I really play it?

"The song from earlier."

"Huh?"

"The impromptu song you played during the recording. Can you play that?"

It's not a lullaby, but the slow rhythm and melody are similar.

"Okay."

I didn't sing, just slowly strummed the guitar.

Like at the broadcast, I immersed myself in the quiet atmosphere and continued playing.

Yuna, lying down, sighed in admiration.

"Wow—. It's so good."

Yuna's bright eyes slowly closed.

"I really like this song—"

When I had played about half the song,

I heard her soft snores.

I hesitated to stop playing, even though I saw Yuna was asleep.

'Good night.'

I suddenly thought that I hoped this song could help the insomnia-suffering Jung Yun-a from my previous life.