Chapter 79: I Became the Older Brother of a Top Star

“......”

I stared blankly at Jang Yeon-wook, who was passionately singing on the screen.

To be honest, it was a fresh shock.

Not only was his singing style completely opposite to what I had heard from him before, but especially the final chorus without any accompaniment sent shivers down my spine.

To be able to hit those high notes with such a powerful and boiling voice, like a rocker.

“Truly, he is a monster.”

Would I ever meet someone who exudes as much aura as Jang Yeon-wook in this life?

I doubt it.

Jang Yeon-wook is music itself.

“The music video was shot just as I advised.”

I didn’t think he would really do it this way.

Since he is a senior, I didn’t feel like I was in a position to give advice, so I just hinted at it. But perhaps he respected my opinion that much?

“There is one thing I find hard to understand...”

It was how well Jang Yeon-wook had interpreted the song.

It was as if he knew exactly what I intended with this song, and he expressed the emotions so clearly.

“The lyrics don’t explicitly state it, but I did hint at the fact that I’m living a second life.”

Did Jang Yeon-wook catch the hidden meaning?

His performance was so good that it made me feel uneasy.

“No. What am I thinking?”

Even Jang Yeon-wook wouldn’t have noticed that I’m living a second life.

Probably no one in the world would.

If I told them that I had regressed into Jung Yun-seong’s body, no one would believe me.

Even Yuna and my family wouldn’t believe it and would take me to the hospital for treatment. It’s a story that could only come from a novel.

“But is he really planning to make a comeback now?”

Surely he’s not just going to release one song and return to his reclusive life?

* * *

“Is it really okay to leave?”

At Randy’s words, Jang Yeon-wook said with a newfound tone.

“Can’t you see I’m already on the private jet?”

“No, I thought you would start your activities again. How can you just release one song on NewTube and leave for another country?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Even you think I’m a selfish guy, don’t you?”

“Yeah, extremely! You bad guy.”

Despite Randy’s scolding, Jang Yeon-wook’s expression looked very relaxed.

“It’s fine. I’ve achieved everything I wanted. I don’t have anything else I want to do. Actually, I did think about doing a bit more, but my mind has changed.”

“Why!?”

“Hmm, maybe it’s been since I met Jung Yun-seong?”

“...?”

“You don’t need to worry too much. People will probably forget about me soon. Once Yun-seong starts releasing albums and his name spreads overseas.”

Randy firmly believed that this album would be the signal for Jang Yeon-wook’s comeback.

But that wasn’t the case.

This was, in fact, Jang Yeon-wook’s final retirement song.

“I made sure to clearly credit Jung Yun-seong as the songwriter. Now, even overseas artists will start paying attention to his name. After all, it’s a song I sang.”

“You don’t mean you released the song to boost Jung Yun-seong’s career?”

“Half right. I wanted Yun-seong to make a name for himself overseas. The other half was my own desire. I really wanted to sing that song.”

It felt like my own story, but I swallowed those words.

No matter how close I am to Randy, it’s a secret I’ve never told anyone.

“Phew. Really, Jung Yun-seong is incredibly lucky. To receive support from you, of all people.”

“Maybe. But I might be the lucky one. Eventually, I might not be able to sing Jung Yun-seong’s songs even if I want to. Both you and I will end up looking for Jung Yun-seong.”

“...You really think that highly of him?”

“I told you before. Yun-seong’s potential is far better than mine. How should I put it... Endless possibilities. It was the first time I met someone like that, and I was quite surprised.”

Is that what you mean?

I had nothing more to say.

“Anyway, my job is done here. I don’t want to be surrounded by noisy people and sing again, like before.”

With that, Yeon-wook leaned back comfortably in his chair.

Since it was a private jet for the two of them, the chair unfolded into a bed and had a massage function, allowing for a massage as well.

“I’m going to sleep first.”

“Phew. Go ahead. You bad guy.”

Even though Yeon-wook said that, Randy couldn’t shake off his regret.

It was so disappointing to realize that the song was actually a grand farewell.

Yeon-wook closed his eyes and relaxed in the chair.

And he thought to himself.

‘That song, it felt so much like my story.’

No matter how many times he sang it, the feeling was strong.

It was as if someone had quietly observed Jang Yeon-wook’s life and created the song.

If not, it must have been written with genuine feelings about his own story.

Isn’t music supposed to reveal the composer’s emotions and speak for them?

‘Could it be that Jung Yun-seong is also... a regressed person?’

* * *

“Really? You didn’t see the songwriter’s name? Jung Yun-seong’s name is clearly there! This guy must have really put his heart into the song. Think about it. Has Jang Yeon-wook ever released a song like this before? It’s all because of our Yun-seong...!”

The professor was on the phone all day in the practice room.

When he’s like this, he seems even more enthusiastic than my father.

Even though he doesn’t have children, he brags about me more than his own child.

After making several calls, the professor looked very satisfied.

“Hmm. Shall we stop here for today?”

I’m not sure what he meant by stopping here, but the professor sat next to me and hinted at something.

“Yun-seong, the song was really amazing. It’s no wonder Jang Yeon-wook, such a big star, came all the way here to see you.”

“...”

“So, when are you meeting him next? Can I see him for a moment, just a moment?”

I sighed briefly.

“No, you can’t.”

“Huh? Can’t see him? Why? The song you composed has already hit 100 million views! That’s a perfect comeback song. If it were me, I’d at least buy him a meal.”

“He’s already on a plane and left.”

“What, what?!”

The professor looked as if he had been hit by a hammer.

Maybe finding it funny, Yuna sneaked up and waved her hand in front of the professor.

Still, the professor couldn’t regain his composure for a while and then suddenly shouted.

“No way. He’s already gone? Why?! Is he not going to be active in Korea at all? He’s Korean, so he should at least do a comeback in Korea. How can he start his comeback stage in the U.S.?”

“It’s not like that. He doesn’t plan to have a comeback stage. He said this song is his last song.”

“...?”

The professor seemed even more shocked.

“Anyway, we can’t meet him now. Maybe we can meet briefly if we go abroad later.”

“Phew... He’s really an unpredictable guy. So, why did he release such a song? Just to make people anxious. He’s really a unique person, isn’t he?”

“Yes, he is. He’s unique, as you said before, but he’s also amazing.”

“That’s true. There are always people who break the mold in any field, but Jang Yeon-wook goes far beyond that. You created music for such a person. In that sense, you are even more amazing. Haha!”

Then, perhaps feeling anxious, he added.

“Yun-seong, you shouldn’t suddenly quit music and go into hiding like Jang Yeon-wook, right?”

“Well, I...”

I looked at Yuna, who was playing an unknown song.

“I don’t plan to quit anytime soon.”

If Yuna continues singing, I will too. If she quits, I will quit as well. There are plenty of other things to do in this world besides music.

“Oh, by the way, aren’t you about to release an album soon?”

“Yes, in a week.”

In a week, Yuna and I will release our second album.

“The timing is quite coincidental. Your song is being released after Jang Yeon-wook’s.”

By chance, our schedules overlapped.

Before our album was released, the song I created for Jang Yeon-wook was released.

“Maybe this will help draw more attention.”

“Will it?”

“You don’t check the internet as much as I do. People are talking a lot about Jang Yeon-wook, but they’re also talking a lot about you. Especially on foreign community sites, there are many discussions about who wrote the song for Jang Yeon-wook. Your name is gradually becoming known.”

“...Professor, do you check foreign communities too?”

“Huh? Haha. Hey, are you ignoring me? I can speak five languages, you know.”

“No, it’s not about the languages...”

“Haha. I found it insufficient to just check Korean sites. I was curious about foreign reactions, so I looked around.”

I never imagined he would check foreign sites.

Should I call this immense love for his students...?

“Brother, check the time.”

“Huh? Oh.”

When did it get so late?

We might be late if we’re not careful.

“Why? Where are you going?”

“It’s the final music video shoot today.”

“Really? Your schedule is so tight. The album release is in a week, and you haven’t finished the music video yet? You haven’t been practicing much lately, either.”

That’s how it’s been lately.

After school, I have to go to drama practice, and on weekends, I have to go to filming.

When I have time, I take piano lessons or finish the album production.

I didn’t plan it this way, but I ended up living a very busy life.

“That’s how it is in this industry. You’re always chasing the schedule.”

“Tsk. I was planning to treat you to some delicious beef today.”

“Huh! Then, should we postpone the shoot and go eat beef, brother?”

“...”

Yuna seemed to be serious, which was scary.

“Then, I’ll go now.”

“Okay. Do a good job. And Yuna, we’ll eat beef after the shoot is done, okay?”

“Okay~!”

With that, the professor smiled and answered a call.

“Go on in. I need to take this call.”

As we left the practice room, we heard the professor’s hearty laughter and voice.

“Haha! Yes, that’s our Yun-seong. Well, you know, our Yun-seong...”

Even if we don’t go to the practice room, he’ll probably be busy bragging about me for a while.