Chapter 1

001. It was not as easy as it seemed.

- Hello, this is the A&R department of Mits Entertainment.

Unfortunately, we have to inform you that you did not pass the online audition you applied for...

“Ah... Another rejection.”

On the stairs of a residential area, Nam Do-woong checked the audition result displayed on his phone screen and swept his face.

Do-woong, whose dream has been to become a singer since his early twenties, has been repeating failures for years. If counted from his first audition, it would have been a dream that has lasted for over a hundred times.

Although he often failed due to his lack of talent,

there was no way Do-woong would ever give up.

“Tsk... I have to do better next time. But why isn’t this guy coming even though he said he was nearby?”

Do-woong, who makes a living through quick service part-time jobs,

tapped the black plastic bag at his feet.

While waiting for the owner of the item, he habitually opened a video app.

A video sharing platform where users can upload and watch videos.

Whenever he had time, Do-woong practiced vocal techniques and other skills here.

- Alright! What is the most basic of basics when starting to sing? Yes, breathing! Today, I will explain breathing techniques. If you repeat this practice, you'll become a breathing master!

In the video, a man with his hair wildly disheveled enthusiastically explained breathing techniques.

- Take a deep breath to expand your ribcage! Hoo!

“Hoo-”

- Let your sternum sink in! Haa!

“Haa-”

Do-woong, with his hand near his ribcage, diligently followed the breathing techniques.

In this way, the many people in the videos were like mentors to Do-woong.

For him, who desperately wanted to make music but couldn't pass the threshold of success,

training was like a distant fairy tale.

Thus, for Do-woong, who barely made ends meet,

the only way to improve his musical skills was through this.

Do-woong streamed videos whenever he had time.

- From today, I will escape from being a complete beginner at acoustic guitar! Today, I will play a song using four chords...

- The basics of self-taught composition! Nowadays, you can record the melody you want to express on your phone...

“There are so many talented people out there.”

Even if it wasn't singing, any music-related video was good.

Streaming was the only comfort and hope in Do-woong's barren life.

“Hey! Quick!”

At that moment, a pot-bellied uncle from the floor below wobbled up.

Do-woong slowly got up, holding the bag at his feet.

“Three thousand won for the quick service.”

“What? It’s COD?”

Even though they just met, the uncle spoke informally and rudely.

This kind of thing happened often, and Do-woong was used to it.

The uncle pulled out a green bill from his wallet with a displeased look.

“It’s thirteen thousand won, not ten thousand.”

“Come on, give me a discount!”

The uncle raised his voice and tried to grab the black bag.

The young man in his late twenties seemed easy to push around.

However, what the uncle overlooked was that the man in front of him was not as easy to handle as he looked.

Do-woong never gave up, no matter what kind of trouble he faced.

“Damn, you’re stubborn.”

After sizing Do-woong up, the uncle finally pulled out a crumpled three thousand won from his back pocket.

Click.

Having received the correct amount, Do-woong handed the black bag to the uncle and calmly left the residential area.

“Phew, what a pain.”

Ding.

Just as he finished the settlement, a new call came in.

Do-woong immediately got on his old motorcycle.

At that moment, his phone on the mount vibrated.

“Mom, what’s up?”

- Are you going to be late? It’s already quite dark.

“Still have some work to do. Did you eat dinner and take your medicine? I’ll be there soon, don’t worry.”

- Okay, always drive carefully.

“Got it. I’ll see you when I get home.”

- Vroom.

After ending the call, Do-woong revved the throttle and shot forward roughly.

Do-woong felt the most heartache when he heard his mother's dejected voice.

His mother, who had been growing weaker since the accident.

That's why he jumped into the workforce right after high school.

Do-woong, who had done every part-time job imaginable, always felt a sense of guilt towards his mother.

Seeing his mother's bent back and her declining spirit was the most painful thing for Do-woong.

Screech!

Do-woong suddenly hit the brakes as he was caught at a red light.

At that moment, the thought of the failed audition came to mind.

Do-woong felt frustrated with himself for not being able to move forward.

‘Why do I keep getting stuck at the red light without even starting?’

His talent, which never seemed to shine, and the countless rejections he had faced because of it.

If he didn’t feel exhausted, it would all be a lie.

He was twenty-eight, an age where he was gradually moving away from his dreams.

But he didn’t want to give up.

Music was the only happiness and hope in Do-woong's barren life.

“If I had just a little bit of talent like those people in the videos.”

While muttering to himself,

a familiar pop-up appeared on the phone mounted on his bike.

“Suddenly an ad? Does Mega Play have a premium version?”

Driven by curiosity, Do-woong finally parked his motorcycle on the side of the road.

And, attracted by the word "free," he pressed the download button for the app.

Mega Play was Do-woong's only comfort and habit.

He wanted to see what the premium version was like.

“But what does 'talent in the video' mean?”

Do-woong tapped his fingers, waiting for the number to reach 100.

However, just as the download was about to complete,

Screech! Bang!

A speeding truck launched Do-woong's motorcycle into the air.

The debris that fell to the ground was a gruesome sight.

At that moment, an alert sounded from Do-woong's shattered phone.

Ding.

**

“Ow, my head.”

Do-woong got up, clutching his throbbing head.

“Damn, I saw the number 732x...”

He squinted and looked around.

No matter how he looked, this was not the cold road.

Rustic wallpaper and an old wooden desk.

Clothes casually draped over a chair.

It was clearly the room he used to live in when he was a student.

Do-woong, suddenly alert, quickly checked his body.

And when he stood in front of the mirror,

“Ah... Ahhh!”

He came face to face with his own young, screaming face.

Thick-rimmed glasses and a gray school uniform.

He was clearly in the form of a high school student.

“Ah, damn. What is this?”

Should he be relieved that his limbs were intact?

Or is this what people call the afterlife?

At that moment, a vibration came from the clunky phone on the desk.

Do-woong, who unconsciously glanced at the screen, nearly fainted.

The green app, Mega Play Premium, which he had downloaded just before the accident, was shining on the screen.

“Supporting... my dream?”

At that moment, a strong desire swirled in Do-woong's heart.