Chapter 64: I Became the Older Brother of a Top Star

They say that even the heavens help a successful broadcast.

PD Jeon Jihwan felt it today.

He could feel that the heavens were blessing his career and this program.

“Wow-”

“It’s the first snow.”

“It’s so beautiful.”

Not too much, not too little, the first snow was falling at just the right amount for the broadcast.

The combination of the year’s first snow and the sweet voice of Jung Yuna created a beautiful scene.

“Is this being filmed well?”

“Yes, sir.”

“From now on, you can’t miss a single moment. You have to capture everything beautifully. Got it?”

“Understood!”

This is an opportunity given by the heavens.

I will film the most beautiful and perfect scene.

PD Jeon Jihwan continued the filming with all his might.

“Everyone, thank you for your hard work!”

“No, Yuna worked the hardest. Her hands were trembling from the cold earlier. Are you okay?”

“Hehe. This much is fine.”

Sung Hyejin took care of Yuna like an aunt.

“I don’t know when I’ll have another chance to perform with you all. I hope there will be another opportunity.”

“Sister, can you invite us to your concert?”

“Eh? Really? Haha. Of course, I’ll invite you if you’re okay with it!”

“Please invite us anytime, sister.”

“Sure. And Yuna.”

Sung Hyejin grabbed my hand and said in a serious tone.

“Do you remember our promise?”

“Huh?”

“To throw you a leftover song.”

“...”

I never made such a promise.

“Just one song is fine. Ah! Of course, the copyright will be all yours. I’ll really sing it hard.”

But if the other party is Sung Hyejin, I have to make a promise even if it doesn’t exist.

“I’d be happy if you sing it. I’ll pick a song that fits you perfectly and send it to you.”

Then, Sung Hyejin touched my cheek and said,

“Of course, Yuna and I always have a good conversation, don’t we?”

And there was someone staring at us intently from behind.

“...”

It was Hwang Juyong, who seemed to emit a dark aura.

“Oh dear. Juyong!”

Sung Hyejin slapped Hwang Juyong’s back.

“Didn’t I tell you not to hide behind me and look at us creepily!”

“C-Creepily...”

Hwang Juyong looked shocked.

Through various practices, I learned that Hwang Juyong, despite not looking like it, has a very timid personality.

“Um... If you give me a song...”

Hwang Juyong, who rose much faster than in the original future.

His singing ability and ability to convey lyrics are top-notch, so he is a singer with a bright future.

“Of course. I’ll write a song that really suits you and send it to you.”

“No. You don’t have to write a new one. Just give me a leftover song.”

“No. The songs I’ve made so far are all for me and Yuna, so they won’t be useful for you two. I’ll write new ones and send them to you.”

At that, Sung Hyejin and Hwang Juyong looked at me with grateful eyes.

“Really? You’ll write a completely new one?”

“Yes.”

“Haha. I keep owing you. Thanks to you two, I’ve become famous, and now I’m shamelessly asking for a song.”

Then, Sung Hyejin slapped Hwang Juyong’s back again.

“Ouch-!”

It seemed her hand was quite strong, as Hwang Juyong’s body bent.

“He always makes such weak sounds. If you want to repay us, just make the song you receive a number one hit. And buying us a meal would be nice too. Got it?”

“Haha. Y-Yeah.”

Hwang Juyong scratched his head and asked us,

“Do you guys... like anything?”

Yuna answered,

“We eat everything well!”

“Oh. Really? Then next time, let’s go...”

“Especially, we like beef?”

“...”

Hwang Juyong looked at us with a stiff face for a moment, then clenched his fists and said,

“Sure. I’ll definitely make a lot of money and buy you Hanwoo!”

“Wow!”

Although we are currently in the top 10 on the Melon chart and are being invited to various broadcasts, the settlement hasn’t come in yet, so we can’t afford expensive beef right away.

I didn’t want to burden him immediately.

“Then, brother, when your next album comes out, you’ll buy it, right?”

“Eh? Oh, yeah.”

After sending off Sung Hyejin and Hwang Juyong, we also said goodbye to the production team.

“Today was a fantastic performance. Thanks to you, I’m leaving feeling refreshed. Haha.”

“Yeah. How did the first snow fall at just the right time?”

“It was such an emotional performance.”

Thanks to the production team, we were able to create a good memory.

“We’re grateful too. Please invite us again.”

“Sure. Next time, let’s go abroad. Haha.”

It’s uncertain if they will invite us again.

As far as I know, they don’t invite the same singers again.

They probably won’t this time either.

“Aww. My cute kids. Did you do well today?”

“Yeah!”

After parting ways with the production team, we got into the car our father had come to pick us up in and headed home.

“How was it? A lot of people came, right?”

“Wow. So many people, Dad. It felt like everyone in Hongdae was there.”

“Wow. That many?! No wonder, it’s Yuna after all.”

Father laughed happily.

“I’m glad it went well. Right, brother?”

“Yeah. But are you going to catch a cold? Take a cold medicine before you go to bed tonight.”

“Yeah, I should. It wasn’t snowing much, but it was still cold.”

Yuna smiled as she looked outside.

“Isn’t it amazing? Our wish came true. I never thought the first snow would come.”

That was surprising to me too.

“Huh? A wish? What wish?”

“Oh, you know, Dad. I went exploring a famous restaurant with my brother, and... well, that restaurant...”

Yuna, sitting next to Father, was explaining in a chatty manner.

Instead of simply saying she threw a coin into a wishing lake, she added details and talked for 15 minutes.

She has an incredible talent for storytelling.

“So... you threw a coin into the lake and wished for the first snow?”

“Yeah!”

“The heavens must be watching over you. It wasn’t supposed to snow today, but it seems they made it happen.”

Since I’m a bit of a realist, I thought it was probably just a mistake by the weather forecast.

But sometimes I wonder,

Could the heavens really love us?

Could this be the second chance they’re giving us...?

* * *

The episode featuring the daily siblings, Sung Hyejin, and Hwang Juyong was finally released.

Thanks to the live performance in front of the broadcasting station that was posted last time, the first episode’s ratings were quite good.

With Sung Hyejin, whose singing ability is unquestionable, the new rookie Hwang Juyong, and the daily siblings who achieved a full sweep of the music charts from their debut, their performances naturally received high praise.

Especially, the first snow falling while Jung Yuna was singing was chosen as the best scene by the viewers.

As proof, the NewTube video uploaded by the production team was getting an explosive number of views.

“This... this is not normal.”

“Yeah.”

PD Jeon Jihwan sensed that something was happening with the rapidly increasing NewTube views.

Sure enough.

The final episode, split into two parts, exploded in popularity.

“P, PD sir. The ratings just came in.”

The assistant PD’s face was pale, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“What’s the reaction?”

PD Jeon Jihwan thought the ratings would be good, but better than last week.

However,

“What? 10%? Wait. Is this statistic wrong?”

“No, I checked it several times. It’s really 10%.”

The writers, who had been listening quietly, jumped up from their seats.

“10%?!”

“Is that even possible?”

It’s a cable TV program.

Even if it’s popular, there are limits due to the nature of cable TV.

So far, the average rating was around 3-4%, and the highest rating was 5%.

But this time, the rating was 10%.

I thought 7% would be good, but it was much higher.

“No way.”

“Is this a dream?”

“No. How can a cable TV variety show get 10%...?”

Even popular cable TV dramas struggle to reach 10%.

Yet, a mere variety show achieved it.

Wooh!

PD Jeon Jihwan, who had been staring blankly at the statistics, snapped back to reality when his phone vibrated in his pocket.

It was the director.

“Ah, yes. Director.”

“Hahaha. Thank you. It was just good luck.”

The director rarely calls directly.

Usually, he would communicate through the CP.

This was a very happy day.

“Yes. There were other singers, but overall, the daily siblings were the most outstanding.”

“Really? A regular cast?”

He hadn’t thought about a regular cast.

There were budget issues and difficulties in securing talent.

But the higher-ups had opposed it, saying they should continue to invite new singers to give viewers fresh stimulation without a regular cast.

While it was working well without a regular cast, it was uncertain how long it would last.

“Yes. But you opposed it...”

Ah, that rumor.

It had already been exaggerated from 100 to 200 songs.

“I’ll try to coordinate it well.”

“Thank you, Director.”

After hanging up, PD Jeon Jihwan clenched his fist and shouted “Yes!” in his head.

He had been worried about the program’s future, but this resolved everything.

The station’s support would be strong, and even the daily siblings as regular cast members.

It was thrilling to think about.

“Sure, they’re a blessing.”

Since meeting the daily siblings, his life had started to go smoothly.

These cute kids.

Please don’t refuse.

Please.

PD Jeon Jihwan was praying more earnestly than ever.

* * *

I was sitting in the waiting room, wearing a tuxedo I wasn’t used to.

I could feel people glancing at me from all around.

No, the girls were openly staring at me.

“Wow...”

“Crazy.”

“Yuna. You really look good in a tuxedo.”

I thought it didn’t suit me, but it seems to look good to others.

Well, it’s a custom-made tuxedo that my father spent a lot of money on, so it should look good.

“Can I take a photo?”

“Sure.”

“Me too!”

“Me too!”

After taking a few photos with the girls, I looked at my sheet music.

‘Finally, the day has come.’

When we first practiced, I thought there was still a lot of time left, but it came so quickly.

Today is the day of the Jeonho High School music concert.

“Alright, first-year students. Are you all ready? Let’s go out now.”

“Yeah!”

The students got up from their seats and picked up their instruments.

But instead of going out, they just stared at me.

“...?”

Why are they doing this?

Then, one student whispered to me,

“Everyone is waiting for you to say something.”

I looked around at the students.

What should I say?

I hadn’t prepared anything.

“Thank you all for your hard work. I made you practice a lot. I kept making you do additional practice even for small mistakes. I’m sorry.”

The members nodded their heads vigorously.

Some of them shivered, probably remembering those days.

“But I’ll be lenient today.”

“...?”

“I won’t make you do additional practice for mistakes today. Even if you make a lot of mistakes, don’t worry. I’ll help you get through it smoothly.”

It’s the real deal now.

The members have practiced so hard that if they just do what they’ve practiced, they’ll give a great performance. So, I just need to keep them relaxed and comfortable.

“Do your best with a calm mind. Trust me, the conductor, until the end. Got it?”

I should have prepared a good speech.

But even with these inadequate words, the members,

“Yes!”

Answered loudly and started to emit a passionate aura.