Chapter 25

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 25 (25/482)

A few days later, Jung Arin was on a van, heading to an event.

Swish.

Jung Arin's fingers busily scrolled through various communities.

↳ Jung Arin is a C-rank. Urgent need for cultural heritage designation;

↳ Looks like LS kept it hidden and then let it out to chew on the stone slab.

↳ Isn't this an ecosystem disruptor? 😭

↳ From Seo Jin-i, LS has been working hard lately;

↳ I heard a live performance at the scene, and her voice was melting, 😭

↳ The song is so good that I'll be on an infinite loop for a month;

↳ Wow, so cute,,, rumble,,, thud,,, rumble,,, thud,,

↳ That's right. It seems to be someone named HS when I looked it up?

↳ Gong Hyo-ju's latest single was co-composed with HS, and it's also good.

↳ 99.9% chance it's a famous composer who changed their name.

↳ But didn't this person suddenly become popular thanks to the company?

↳ Yeah; It seems they did some serious media play;

↳ Of course, as a major entertainment company, they would have tightened public opinion, lol;

↳ Ah, I don't care anymore. It's all about Jung Arin's face.

↳ Honestly, if the songs are good, that's enough, right?

↳ 22222,, everyone does some media play; but it's hard to make good songs.

In just a couple of weeks, the world in front of Jung Arin had completely changed.

After the song was released, she searched for her name every day on portal sites and music platforms.

She looked for entertainment articles with her name and listened to the music non-stop until her ears hurt.

Even up to this point, it felt like a dream...

A few days ago, at her first music show performance, she even stood alongside 'KOK,' arguably the top male idol group in Korea, as a 1st place candidate.

Is this how it's supposed to be?

It's so strange and bewildering that the world can change so drastically in the blink of an eye.

"Think of it as getting back what you lost and enjoy it."

That was the answer she got when she confided her worries to Hyun Seung.

"Didn't you spend six long years rotting in the company's basement practice room?"

Hyun Seung, who she thought was indifferent, surprisingly...

"It was like a cavity that rotted and eventually cracked."

Indeed...

"Think of it as getting back the time you spent, with interest."

He definitely had a caring side.

At that moment,

Baek Chang-soo, assigned as Jung Arin's road manager, glanced at her in the rearview mirror and asked,

"Arin, why do you look so gloomy?"

"Huh? It's nothing..."

"Coming in second at your first performance is still a great achievement."

Baek Chang-soo was convinced that Jung Arin was disappointed about coming in second at Music Center a few days ago, but...

"It just feels like a dream."

There was not a trace of disappointment.

No, there was no reason to be disappointed in the first place.

"I'm not at all disappointed."

She wanted to sing, and that's why she wanted to become a singer.

Now,

She has become a singer who can sing and share her songs freely.

"I'm just scared that it might end when I wake up in the morning."

She met Hyun Seung, whom she initially thought was a strange person, by chance.

"If you fail as expected, give me a call."

Even when she was heading to the studio, she didn't have much faith...

'Really, I didn't know he was such an amazing person...'

If she hadn't met Hyun Seung by chance that day?

She would have packed her bags and left the company.

She might have tried knocking on the doors of other management companies, but...

It was uncertain how things would have turned out with the label of a former trainee who had been kicked out.

In the end,

Since Hyun Seung made her 'dream' come true, all she had to do now was sing hard.

"Manager, but isn't the song really good? The composer is really amazing. How did he manage to create such a great song so easily...?"

Jung Arin smiled and played her song 'Adolescence' on her phone, humming along...

Baek Chang-soo, who was glancing at her in the rearview mirror, also smiled.

'I hope she succeeds.'

Perhaps because most of the singers and actors he had managed before had poor character traits,

Seeing Jung Arin, who radiated bright and pure energy, he couldn't help but cheer for her as a fan rather than a manager.

'I hope today's event goes well.'

The popular festival hosted annually by Seoul City.

'The Banryeong Festival'

Not only is it notorious for its difficult ticketing process, but it's also a large-scale festival where scalpers add premiums to the ticket prices each season.

However, it felt important because this year's Banryeong Festival was being organized by 'Heaven Music Show,' one of the long-running and prestigious terrestrial music programs that has been running since the 1990s.

In other words,

It's not just a local festival but will be broadcast live nationwide.

The 'Heaven Music Show' features not only the current popular singers but also singers from all generations, including those classified as veterans.

Additionally, due to its diverse range of genres, it has a wide audience demographic.

'If she performs well at this event, Arin's fan base will definitely grow and become more solid...'

Although she was hastily booked as a replacement for a famous singer who had to cancel due to an injury,

Participating in the Banryeong Festival organized by the 'Heaven Music Show' is undoubtedly a great opportunity for Jung Arin.

Tap, tap, tap...

While Baek Chang-soo was lost in thought,

"Huh? Is it raining...?"

Raindrops started to fall on the front windshield of the car.

* * *

Meanwhile,

"Really, I come to work for this."

"Confiscate the meal ticket."

"Hey! No manners!"

"Confiscate the dentures."

Manager Kim and Hyun Seung had just finished their meal at the cafeteria.

Suddenly,

Manager Kim's phone started ringing loudly with a "Beep-beep-beep" sound...

"Seriously, no one gives me a moment to have a cup of coffee."

Manager Kim hummed a tune with a nasal tone for a moment.

"Huh? Chang-soo? What's up?"

When the number of Baek Chang-soo, who had been assigned as Jung Arin's manager recently, appeared on the screen, a sense of unease washed over him.

"Hello?"

Sure enough,

- Manager, I'm sorry, but there seems to be a problem...

"Problem? What problem? My heart is racing. Tell me quickly."

- By the way, have you seen the weather outside?

Manager Kim repeated, "Weather?" and turned his head towards the window.

Whoosh!

It was raining heavily, as if a hole had been punched in the sky.

"Looks like it's raining on a bad day..."

Baek Chang-soo took a deep breath on the other end of the line and added,

- Most of the other singers are canceling, and I'm not sure what to do with Arin...

It seemed like a decision he couldn't easily make as a manager...

'Oh, this is a tough one...'

Certainly, the Banryeong Festival organized by the 'Heaven Music Show' was a tremendous opportunity for a rookie like Jung Arin, who had just debuted.

Especially since the 'Heaven Music Show' is a long-running program, most of the staff are seasoned professionals from the broadcasting station.

At a time when she was gaining recognition and rising in popularity, any mistake here could cost her the next opportunity.

For established or mid-level singers, it might be different, but for a rookie like Jung Arin, there was no real choice.

However,

Looking at the rain pouring down outside, it didn't seem like a passing shower.

Since it was an outdoor stage, if a 'safety accident' occurred, it would affect her future schedule.

"Ah, what should I do..."

Manager Kim, unable to make a quick decision, scratched the back of his head.

"What's going on?"

In response to Hyun Seung's question, Manager Kim ended the call with "I'll call you back." and explained the situation.

"Actually, Arin's manager just called. He said that Arin has to go on stage at the 'Heaven Music Show' outdoor venue, but the rain is heavy, and they might cancel the event..."

Hyun Seung responded nonchalantly,

"She's not a child; let her decide for herself."

"Hey, this isn't some school talent show..."

"Do what she wants. If she wants to, she'll do it; if not, she won't."

"Fine, it was a mistake to ask you."

Manager Kim lightly patted Hyun Seung's shoulder.

"I need to have a quick meeting."

Hyun Seung, who had initially responded with "Huh?" asked again,

"Why a meeting?"

"Why not?"

"We should follow the artist's wishes."

A moment of silence.

"What does she want to do?"

"I haven't asked her yet..."

"Then ask her first."

Hyun Seung shrugged and added,

"Whether she goes on stage or not."

Manager Kim nodded in agreement.

"Indeed..."

It wasn't right to force her onto an outdoor stage in the rain just because it was a good opportunity...

If she was determined to go on stage despite the danger, it wouldn't be right to stop her.

"Let's follow her wishes..."

Manager Kim took out his phone and called the number saved as 'Jung Arin'...

- Yes, Manager Kim.

As soon as he heard the familiar voice on the other end, he asked,

"Chang-soo told you, right? Other singers are canceling due to the rain. What do you want to do, Arin?"

After a moment,

- I...

Arin's response began to come through the phone.

* * *

The outdoor performance venue set up on the Han River near Banpo Bridge was flashing continuously.

The Banryeong Festival.

One of the large-scale music festivals held annually by Seoul City, and this year, it was co-hosted by the 'Heaven Music Show,' making it a highly anticipated event.

"Is it going to be canceled because of the rain?"

However, it started drizzling in the morning...

"Should we just leave?"

Staff members hurriedly distributed raincoats, but citizens who had come to watch were gradually leaving.

In the end, only the fans of the singers they liked remained...

"Are you here for Enbly?"

"Yeah, that's right. How about you?"

"No, I'm here for Five Jin."

In the front row, several *homma (*home master) were setting up for filming.

A man, who had come to film the popular girl group 'Enbly,' was preparing his camera.

Thud, thud, thud...

Heavy raindrops started hitting the lens.

'Oh, it's getting heavier...'

Even with a camera that had waterproof and dustproof features and a cover, too much rain could cause problems later, so he had to consider leaving.

Just as the man was pondering the sudden downpour...

"Hey, Enbly and Five Jin are pulling out?"

"Come on, it can't be starting now, right?"

"I heard people talking while I was in the bathroom."

"But it's raining really hard."

"Since it's an outdoor stage, they might just leave..."

The man perked up his ears to the whispers of the women sitting nearby.

Yoo In-chang, the MC of the festival, walked onto the stage and began speaking.

- Thank you for coming despite the bad weather. I have an announcement to make before the opening.

He looked quite pitiful, rubbing his eyes as the rain continued to obstruct his view.

- Due to the sudden worsening weather and safety concerns, the performances by Enbly, Five Jin, Park Hyuk-soo, Dear's, and Jin Jin, which were scheduled for today, have been canceled. We ask for your understanding. Once again...

As he finished speaking, the audience began to murmur.

"Seriously, almost all the main acts are canceled?"

With the cancellation of the well-known singers, the event had lost its appeal for most people.

"Are you kidding? We waited, and now it's canceled!"

Boos erupted from the audience.

Some sighed and left their seats...

In no time, the audience area became empty.

Of course,

There were still some who stayed.

Those hoping their favorite singer wouldn't cancel.

Or those who felt it was a waste to leave after waiting so long.

"Damn it..."

A homma of Enbly, who had been waiting, muttered.

"Why did they leave so quickly just because of a little rain..."

He had waited since the early morning, carrying a heavy camera to secure a front-row spot for filming.

While his main purpose was filming, many others had stayed out of genuine fandom.

"Really, I'm losing interest in being a fan..."

When the man turned his head, the other homma beside him were already preparing to leave.

"Are you not going?"

"Yeah, I have to go."

The man also decided that expecting more in this heavy rain was pointless and began to dismantle his setup.

- Thank you to those who stayed despite the bad weather. Now, let's start the Banryeong Festival & Heaven Music Show.

Perhaps trying to hold onto the few remaining audience members, the organizers hurried the MC to start the opening.

- The singer who will open this festival is the rising new star, Jung Arin. Please give her a warm welcome with your applause and cheers!

As the introduction ended, the prelude began to play amidst the heavy rain...

Jung Arin stepped onto the stage, walking confidently through the heavy rain.

- You said you liked me.

As Jung Arin sang the first line,

"Huh?"

The man, who was preparing to leave, stopped in his tracks.

Not just him...

Others also turned to watch Jung Arin's performance.

- Is it because I'm not good at expressing myself?

The delicate figure of the girl stood precariously in the heavy rain, rubbing her eyes and making eye contact with the audience.

"Wow, I saw her on a music show. She's famous these days!"

"What's the title of this song? It's so good!"

"But is it safe with all this rain?"

"Yeah, it looks dangerous..."

"Most other singers have left, so she's really brave..."

Her clear and steady voice spread through the audience, unaffected by the rain.

As the audience began to focus on her voice and the song rather than the heavy rain,

"Jung Arin..."

The man muttered, dazed.

- If I confused you, I'm sorry.

He took out his camera from his bag again.

- What can I do about this jealousy?

And then,

Squeak...

He zoomed in on Jung Arin's face, as if in a trance.

"Good picture..."

Soon,

Click, click.

He repeatedly captured her performance in the bad weather with his camera.