Chapter 75

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 75 (75/482)

When Yoon Jey finished singing, the words "ALL PASS" were already displayed on the screen behind him.

"Uh…."

Kim Gwangjin was the first to pick up the microphone, but he could only let out a sigh, unable to continue.

"Senior, you seem to have lost your words from the shock?"

At that moment, Lee Young-a seized the opportunity of the silent audio and picked up the microphone.

"Then I'll give my comments first. I saw Jey once at the Seoul preliminaries. I thought he was a completely different person. I remember commenting that his voice and the song didn't match well, but it seems the song was the problem."

"Thank you, thank you!"

"I really enjoyed it."

Now that he seemed to have regained his composure, Kim Gwangjin brought the microphone to his lips and began his comments.

"I was so surprised I didn't know what to say. I never imagined that a rhythmic song would suit Jey so well. It seems his voice's charm has come alive, completely changing his aura. I look forward to seeing what he'll show in the next round. Well done."

Won Jin-sub, seeing that Jayble and HS showed no signs of picking up the microphone, took the initiative to do so.

"I don't know what happened at the preliminaries, but if someone has this level of skill, I would have given them a super pass too. It was so good that I couldn't help but press the button immediately. It was really great."

Then he looked at HS and asked,

"But shouldn't HS say something? You're the one who gave the super pass."

Whirr.

The studio fell into a dead silence, with only the sound of the camera rolling and the occasional swallow breaking the quiet.

Swallow.

HS's silence continued for a moment.

"Thank you for your hard work. I look forward to seeing you in the next round."

The comment was so brief that it seemed almost too concise to be the awaited feedback.

"Thank you, thank you!"

Yoon Jey bowed repeatedly at HS's short comment and then backed off the stage.

"Wow…."

Lee Young-a let out a dazed exclamation.

"Is this even possible? For a song to change a person's aura like this?"

"Didn't you predict that Yoon Jey's voice would suit this kind of song from the preliminaries?"

Sitting on either side of Hyun Seung, Lee Young-a and Kim Gwangjin alternated between questions and exclamations, clearly finding it hard to believe what they had just seen.

No matter how much time he had had to prepare, it was almost impossible for someone's vocal skills and overall aura to change so dramatically.

Yeah, this must be close to a miracle.

At that moment, Won Jin-sub, who had been sitting at the far end of the judges' panel, chimed in.

"Everyone's been talking about HS, HS, and now I see why. His ears must be different. He recognized a gem that everyone else missed, didn't he?"

"That's right. I thought maybe HS, being a composer, didn't know much about vocals, but after seeing Yoon Jey's performance, I realized I was wrong."

Lee Young-a, whose eyes had changed, turned to face him and enthusiastically shared her thoughts. The judges' panel was now united in their admiration for 'HS'.

Except for one person….

Jayble, who remained an exception, furrowed his brow and pretended to examine the next document to hide his expression.

Actually, Jayble was recalling Yoon Jey's main round performance in his mind.

He had to pretend to read the document to avoid showing his thoughts.

Indeed.

The nature of the audition stage meant there was no backing choir, no sections, and no special effects—just the instrumental track (MR).

The stage was filled solely with Yoon Jey's voice, leaving no room for distraction.

The gloomy image of her from the video was gone, and Yoon Jey shone brightly.

In other words….

HS had discovered the potential in Yoon Jey as a singer, something that Jayble had missed.

Yeah.

With Yoon Jey as a good example, the public's trust in 'HS' would skyrocket.

'Damn…'

Though he didn't want to admit it, he felt the same way as now.

---

The main round, which seemed like it would never end, was finally approaching its conclusion.

"Hello, I'm a strong man, Kang Hahoon. Please take care of me."

As a young man confidently walked to the center of the stage and introduced himself, the judges, who had been relaxed, straightened up.

"Haha."

Lee Young-a couldn't hold back her laughter at the phrase "strong man," and Won Jin-sub joked that he was being too generous with his laughter for such a handsome contestant, creating a warm atmosphere.

"But Mr. Kang Hahoon, I felt this at the Gyeonggi preliminaries too, but your looks are so perfect that you could debut as an idol tomorrow."

Hyun Seung nodded slightly in agreement with Jayble.

'Yeah, that's true.'

Even a casual glance showed that his face was so handsome it would immediately draw people's attention.

Indeed, in terms of looks alone, Kang Hahoon had already met the conditions to be a star.

"Then let's hear the song."

After a brief chat, the stage fell silent for a moment.

'This song…'

Jayble narrowed his eyes as the familiar melody began. Yes, he recognized the intro of the song that had given him a humiliating defeat.

"Singing this song in front of the original composer?"

Lee Young-a, recognizing the song, muttered to herself in surprise.

"Quite brave…."

The song he was about to sing was the title track of HS's personal album, who was sitting confidently in one of the judges' seats.

It was "Dear my Beethoven," which had recently sparked a challenge craze and dominated the charts for a long time.

While it was a good song to showcase vocal skills if performed well….

Given its extremely high difficulty, there was a risk of it sounding like noise if not performed well. The fact that no one had chosen this song for the K-SingerStar so far was proof of its challenge.

Soon.

Kang Hahoon's tightly closed lips parted, and everyone listened intently to his voice. Hyun Seung, too, perked up inside his helmet.

"Hmm?"

Contrary to everyone's concerns, Kang Hahoon's vocals were quite pleasant. While he didn't show extraordinary techniques, his solid foundation and the performance elements like gestures and expressions complemented his rendition of "Dear my Beethoven."

Was it because Hyun Seung hadn't expected much from anyone other than Yoon Jey?

Hyun Seung raised his eyebrows in surprise. Although he didn't remember from his past life, it was clear that Kang Hahoon would be a topic of discussion in this program.

Not an instrument he would play himself, but perhaps a refined one? Yes, Kang Hahoon had a natural star quality that could cover his ordinary skills.

A 'light' that shines on stage, a gift given only to the chosen few.

If Kang Hahoon were to debut as Jayble suggested, he would undoubtedly become a singer who surpasses the average break-even point.

As Kang Hahoon's song approached its climax.

Click.

A light flashed at Hyun Seung's seat.

"Huh?"

Indeed, it was Hyun Seung who gave the first pass to Kang Hahoon.

"What's going on?"

Lee Young-a asked in surprise. Having judged together from the Seoul final preliminaries to the first main round, she knew Hyun Seung was particularly stingy with the pass button.

This wasn't just her impression.

Even on that day, out of the many songs he had heard to select 100 qualifiers, he had only given passes to about twenty people.

Moreover.

As soon as Kang Hahoon finished his song, Hyun Seung was the first to pick up the microphone to give his comments.

"Can I give my comments first?"

Everyone looked at Hyun Seung with puzzled expressions and nodded.

Soon.

Hyun Seung, holding the microphone, began his comments.

"Mr. Kang Hahoon? First, I appreciate you choosing my song. However…."

* * *

"Looks like HS doesn't really like me."

Kang Hahoon's monotone voice was as steady as ever.

"What do you mean?"

Park Executive Director, startled by his sudden statement, asked again.

"I heard that HS was the first to press the pass button in the main round?"

"Pass? Yes, well… he did press the pass button first."

Kang Hahoon gave a meaningful answer but then closed his lips tightly, unable to continue.

'What happened?'

Park Executive Director glanced at Kang Hahoon, trying to read his thoughts. He wanted to press for more details, but….

'He's hard to approach.'

Despite his extensive experience with various types of people, Kang Hahoon was particularly difficult to handle.

The discomfort might stem from their social status difference….

If he were like the spoiled heirs in dramas, throwing tantrums when things didn't go his way, it might have been easier to deal with.

But Kang Hahoon was the opposite. He was polite to everyone and followed instructions to the best of his ability, like an FM radio.

Only.

His quiet and unapproachable personality made it difficult to get close to him.

"Did HS say anything bad about you…?"

Park Executive Director asked very cautiously, and Kang Hahoon only let out a sigh.

"Hmm…."

According to the report from the road manager he had sent to the recording site, HS not only pressed the pass button first but also grabbed the microphone first.

Not only that….

The road manager had excitedly reported that Kang Hahoon had received passes from all the judges, earning an "ALL PASS."

What had happened to make this boy, with whom he had never had a casual conversation, suddenly say that HS didn't like him?

After a moment of silence.

"Star quality is innate, but the natural sound as an instrument is not good. What do you think about that?"

Kang Hahoon continued, looking at the speechless Park Executive Director with a flat tone.

"I interpreted it as having talent as a star but not as a singer."

Park Executive Director sighed deeply, lost in thought.

An instrument….

Yes, that boy often compared singers to instruments. Given his tendency to speak bluntly, it was likely that he meant exactly what he said.

"No, he probably said that because your voice hasn't fully matured yet."

However.

He couldn't confirm Kang Hahoon's interpretation, especially after the intense training he had undergone before K-SingerStar to show his determination to compete with his skills.

"Is that so?"

Kang Hahoon stroked his chin a few times and slowly nodded.

"But he also added that if I stay at that level, I might end up being just an instrument to be displayed in a showcase…."

"That's just a way of saying you need to improve more. That boy doesn't talk much, doesn't show much interest in others, and isn't particularly talented, but he seems to have taken a keen interest in you."

Despite his different character from other heirs, Kang Hahoon must have been more accustomed to receiving praise. Suddenly facing harsh criticism, he must have been disheartened.

Especially at this crucial moment as he took his first steps in the entertainment industry, a shaken mental state could lead to a complete collapse. It was important to guide him to think positively.

Moreover.

Even if HS's comments were a bit cryptic, the fact that he pressed the pass button, despite his strict standards, was a positive sign.

Especially since he, who never spoke empty words, had clearly stated that Kang Hahoon had star quality, it was evident that he saw great potential in the boy sitting in front of him.

Of course.

The talent as a singer that HS mentioned would also be necessary.

"Hopefully, our Hahoon will do well."

Park Executive Director patted Kang Hahoon's shoulder gently.

"Yes, I'll do better in the next round."

Kang Hahoon smiled enigmatically and clenched his fist under the table.