Chapter 100

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 100 (100/482)

Jaebeul called Kang Hajun to his personal studio just before the much-anticipated final round. It was their first meeting, so the atmosphere was quite awkward at first...

However, once they finished their small talk and dove into serious practice, the awkwardness melted away like a glacier under the scorching sun.

'Already—'

Jaebeul, who had been stretching, looked at the digital clock on the wall and pressed the talkback button in surprise.

"Hajun, do you want to take a break?"

"No."

"Oh, okay. If you want a break, just give a signal."

Because he had never shown any signs of fatigue, Jaebeul hadn't realized so much time had passed.

No, rather, the more they practiced, the more powerful his voice became, resonating through the speakers.

'Certainly...'

If talent could be quantified, Kang Hajun would score above average in every category.

'He's a natural...'

With his diligent effort added to his innate talent, Jaebeul was confident that a great performance would surely come.

— Sing as if you're spitting out blood.

Is this what it means to enjoy teaching? Even when you throw something casually, he catches it nicely.

"Good job just now. Let's try the first verse again, but this time, use a bit less power."

"Okay."

"Can you try to scratch your vocal cords a bit during the bridge, if possible?"

"Sure, I'll give it a try."

Thus, their intense practice continued without a word of complaint.

Knock, knock, knock—

Someone knocked on the door of Jaebeul's studio.

"Can I come in?"

"Of course."

Jaebeul, recognizing the man standing at the door, immediately pulled out a chair and said,

"Please sit down."

"Thank you."

Despite his gentle smile, the man with short, white hair, black sunglasses, and a broad build exuded a rather intimidating presence. He was Baek Kyuho, the CEO of O&M Records, the label Jaebeul belonged to.

"I don't want to interfere with your final preparations."

"Absolutely not."

Jaebeul waved his hand and gestured to Kang Hajun, who was standing in the booth, to come out.

Creak—

Kang Hajun, upon seeing Baek Kyuho, immediately bowed deeply in greeting.

Although he had never met him before and couldn't see his face behind the sunglasses, he recognized him instantly.

"It's an honor to meet you. My name is Kang Hajun."

"Yes, it's nice to meet you too."

"I listened to a lot of your songs when I was young."

"You don't listen to them anymore?"

Kang Hajun, taken aback by Baek Kyuho's playful question, stammered.

"No, no! I still listen to them, of course..."

"Just kidding."

Although he now wields immense power as the CEO of a top label, Baek Kyuho was once a renowned vocalist, so much so that not knowing him was considered suspicious.

During the peak of Moon Bum-jae's career, he was often mentioned alongside him as one of the leading figures in the rock vocal scene.

To Kang Hajun, Baek Kyuho was not just a senior in the same industry but felt like a legendary creature from a myth. Running his hand through his short, white hair, Baek Kyuho turned to Jaebeul and asked,

"You said this friend is singing a song you wrote?"

"Yes, for the final round..."

"Can I listen to it now?"

In response to Baek Kyuho's request, Jaebeul said, "Of course," and sat down at the console.

Quickly, Kang Hajun entered the booth and put on the headphones.

Click.

Pressing the space bar, the track started, and a melancholic piano melody filled the control room.

Soon,

Kang Hajun opened his lips, and a voice, finely tuned by mixing, flowed out.

— I'll tell you why I picked up the microphone.

Baek Kyuho tapped the armrest in rhythm with the voice.

Tap, tap, tap.

This was a habit he only had when listening to good songs.

— Sing with the heart you promised back then.

As the song reached its climax, Kang Hajun's voice, as requested, scratched deeply, stirring the listener's heart.

— Even if I'm now a wretched person, I hope someday everyone will listen to me.

By the final note,

— Sing as if you're spitting out blood.

It was a better finish than their recent practice. Even with less power, the earnest appeal was palpable.

"How was it?"

Jaebeul asked Baek Kyuho, though he wasn't really asking about the song. The song couldn't be bad, and from the way Baek Kyuho had been tapping the armrest, it was clear he liked it.

However,

He wasn't sure if Baek Kyuho was equally impressed with Kang Hajun's vocals.

As a rocker and vocalist who once shook the nation, Baek Kyuho had a more sensitive ear for vocals than anyone.

'If the CEO approves...'

The other judges would surely find it good, and the public? It would be a no-brainer.

"Can I really judge, even though I'm no longer active?"

"Still, your ear is exceptional."

"I'm no longer a singer, just a businessman."

Meanwhile, Kang Hajun, inside the booth, couldn't hear their conversation but could sense the strange atmosphere through the window, preventing him from leaving.

'I should look at the lyrics again.'

Kang Hajun, taking his eyes off the two, looked at the sheet music in his hand and muttered,

"Hmm."

Baek Kyuho, after a moment, looked at Kang Hajun and let out a sigh.

"Very..."

As if looking at a hit product in a store window, he said,

"It will sell well."

"Excuse me?"

"It will sell like hotcakes."

He stopped tapping the armrest and added,

"Soon, the public will give their hearts, time, and money to this young man."

Then, he lowered his sunglasses and winked.

"The song is, of course, good."

Then,

"By the way, this young man..."

Baek Kyuho, making sure the talkback switch was off, continued,

"Is he already signed with LS Entertainment?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Ah, what a pity."

Jaebeul, not hearing clearly, asked, "Excuse me?"

"Kang Hajun..."

Instead of answering, he looked into the booth and muttered,

"It's good to see him grow. I hope we can meet again someday."

He meant it sincerely.

To that extent,

He felt the potential of a great star.

"Oh."

Jaebeul, finally understanding, nodded.

"Indeed."

Soon,

A smile of confidence appeared on the faces of both men as they looked at Kang Hajun.

* * *

Finally, the day of the final arrived.

Min Joon-seok brought his daughter, Hyun-a, to the venue where the K-SingerStar final was being held.

"Wow, there are so many people."

Although he couldn't hear what his daughter was saying, she seemed bored waiting in line, pouting and crossing her arms.

She always did this. Ever since she was young, she would stick close to him in crowded places to avoid getting lost, as she couldn't call out to him.

Soon, following Hyun-a's lead, they entered the venue.

"Wow."

Hyun-a's mouth opened wide in amazement at the size of the venue, which made anyone gasp.

"Oops."

She quickly closed her mouth, her teeth clacking together, to avoid being teased by her brother as a "country mouse."

'Wow...'

Min Joon-seok, with wide eyes, slowly looked around the venue.

"Dad, this is our seat! It's so good!"

She sat in the front row of the second floor and looked down at the brightly lit stage.

'It's much bigger than on TV.'

On the stage, various lights were being checked, flashing continuously, and the LED screen behind it displayed dazzling visuals.

Min Joon-seok was captivated by the splendor.

Due to his hearing loss from a young age, he had never attended performances. His financial situation had also never been good enough to enjoy leisure activities like others.

However,

Thinking about it, the thought of watching a performance of a show where his son was a judge made his heart race, just like the first time he went to the movies with his wife.

Back then,

Even though it was a foreign film with subtitles, he had only looked at his wife's profile.

Tap, tap.

When he felt a tap on his arm, he turned to see his daughter's innocent face, which resembled her mother's.

— Dad, look over there.

Following his daughter's outstretched hand, he saw the judges' seats nearby, and among the familiar faces, a man in a helmet.

'Son...'

Even with the helmet, he recognized him instantly.

'It's our Hyun-seung...'

His son.

Tap, tap.

Then, Hyun-a, smiling broadly, asked in sign language,

— Our brother is so cool, isn't he?

In response, Min Joon-seok, like a broken robot, nodded repeatedly.

— Dad, our son is successful, it seems.

Indeed.

As his daughter said, his son, Hyun-seung, was a person who met the criteria for success that others often talked about.

Min Joon-seok could feel this in his skin lately.

After all, today, he wasn't just a singer but a judge, a position that was undoubtedly significant.

Although he didn't know exactly how significant it was...

He was proud and impressed that his son had reached such a position on his own, without much support from him.

Suddenly,

He thought of his late wife.

'If she could have come to see this...'

When he met his wife in heaven, he would tell her everything.

How their son had become so successful. How he, who had done nothing for him, was enjoying such luxury alone.

How grateful he was for her giving birth to such a wonderful son.

Tap, tap.

Again, his daughter's soft hand tapped his back.

— Dad, are you crying?

Turning, he saw his daughter's worried