Chapter 92

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 92 (92/482)

The prelude to the grand journey that the eleven participants, known as the "TOP 11," would create began.

Since it was the first live broadcast, people gathered in front of their TVs as soon as the time came.

"Really crazy…"

Hyuna and her friends also gathered at Hyuna's house to watch K-SingerStar.

"There are so many people who can sing well in this world."

"Exactly, how can they all sing so well?"

"They already seem like established singers just by being on stage."

As they ordered a lot of snacks, they started to comment on each participant's performance.

"I don't really like the impression I get from Yoo Joo."

"Apparently, there's a controversy about her attitude."

"But she's pretty, and she sings well."

This time, since the real-time viewer votes would also be counted, they scrutinized the performances more critically.

"Ah, Kim Minji's performance this time was a bit disappointing."

"Right, it seemed a bit unstable."

"You too? I felt uneasy the whole time I was listening."

Hyuna nodded in agreement.

"Exactly, her condition must not have been good."

Although she wasn't an expert, she could tell if a performance was good or bad.

"Hey, it seems Yun Jai's turn. I'm really looking forward to it."

"This kid has more than enough qualifications to be in the TOP 11."

"Right, he's been singing better and better."

As the performance began, everyone, as if they had made a promise, stopped their chopsticks and fixed their eyes on the screen.

"……"

The room was filled with Yun Jai's voice coming from the TV.

Without even breathing, they listened to her captivating voice.

"Hmm."

Occasionally, the sound of a sensitive friend trying to hold back tears could be heard over the music.

"Wow…"

When her voice, which had swept through the room, finally stopped, everyone let out a sigh of admiration along with the breath they had been holding.

"Crazy, crazy, crazy, it's really good to the point of making me want to swear…"

"Sniff, I'm so sad…"

"Somehow, I always end up holding my breath when I listen to Yun Jai's songs."

Eventually.

The screen switched to the judges' panel.

"Ah, HS is picking up the microphone, he's picking up the microphone!"

"His voice is good too…"

"But when will he take off his helmet?"

When her brother's name was mentioned, Hyuna, feeling embarrassed, stuffed a piece of tteokbokki into her mouth and mumbled.

"Ah, it's delicious…"

Then, pretending to be indifferent, she glanced at the TV screen out of the corner of her eye.

The man sitting confidently in one of the judges' seats, wearing a helmet.

That man was…

Her blood-related older brother and the composer judge for this K-SingerStar, HS.

Hyuna found it amazing that her brother was a famous person on TV.

- Well done. Thank you for your hard work.

Despite such a lackluster comment, the fact that the participants bowed their heads repeatedly and expressed their gratitude was truly precious.

At that moment.

"Ah, really…"

A friend who had been crying through a whole box of tissues finally stopped and spoke.

"I would have no regrets if HS just lifted his helmet for a few seconds."

Since they were all women, her words sparked a lively discussion about HS.

"Really! Right! He should take it off at least once! We should start a petition!"

"Shouldn't we post it on the broadcaster's bulletin board?"

"Oh, you're smart? I'll post it right after the broadcast!"

Hyuna, looking at her friends, held her head in her hands.

'Guys, please…'

It was embarrassing enough that the topic was about her brother, and she found it difficult to manage her expression because she knew her brother would never reveal his face publicly.

'I'm afraid they'll be disappointed…'

Especially, her friends were such passionate members of the 'G(od)-HS' fan cafe that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they watched K-SingerStar just to see HS's face.

'Won't they be angry later?'

Hyuna, with her head bowed, idly stirred the tteokbokki on her plate.

'Why is everyone so curious about my brother's face…'

Lately, there had been occasional complaints on community sites about why he even appeared on TV if he wasn't going to reveal his face, which made Hyuna feel down.

As someone who checked articles and posts related to her brother on community sites and fan cafes every day, it was impossible not to be concerned.

"Hyuna, aren't you curious about your brother's face?"

"Huh? My brother's face…?"

Here, 'brother's face' referred to the real face of her actual older brother, whom she had seen all her life.

So, how could she be curious?

But if she said that, she would surely be interrogated by her overzealous friends.

"Well, I am curious…"

"But Hyuna, you always get quiet when HS is mentioned?"

"Me? I do?"

"Yes, Hyuna, you do! You become strangely silent like a bee that has eaten honey."

For a moment, she broke out in a cold sweat at the friend's sharp question.

"Yes, aren't you too timid for a fan cafe member?"

Fortunately, her friends seemed to consider her just a 'timid fan.' Maybe that was a good thing.

"Hey! Look! It's Kang Hajoon-!"

Suddenly, one friend's exclamation changed the topic.

"Wow, today Kang Hajoon looks like a real vampire count."

"Really, his face is on fire. Really, really."

"Since it's the first live broadcast, he must have really prepared well."

Not just her friends, but Hyuna herself was also captivated by Kang Hajoon's face.

'Maybe I am just a timid fan…'

Although she didn't show it, Hyuna was thoroughly enchanted by the man named Kang Hajoon lately.

'Kang Hajoon, fighting!'

Hyuna watched Kang Hajoon's performance begin and continued her enthusiastic cheering in her heart.

'Wow, even idols can't match this…'

With the scale of the stage increasing this round, the dazzling special lighting and dancers made it feel like watching his debut performance.

'His dance moves are insane…'

She clasped her hands as she watched Kang Hajoon fill the stage with his performance.

'My brother, you have to come in first. You must. Do whatever you want.'

She also participated in the viewer vote so she wouldn't forget.

Clap, clap-!

After the performance, Hyuna, without realizing it, clapped and then awkwardly put her hands down.

"Wow! Ah… hmm, hmm."

"Looks like our Hyuna is a Kang Hajoon fan, not an HS fan."

"No, no, I'm an HS fan."

"Don't deny it. If it's Kang Hajoon, I'll admit it. Go for it-!"

Hyuna's cheeks turned red like ripe persimmons in autumn when her friend patted her shoulder and said, "Go ahead and like him!"

Soon.

The performance ended, and despite his heavy breathing, Kang Hajoon maintained a bright smile thanks to the positive comments from the judges.

However.

The moment her brother picked up the microphone…

- In this performance, the performance ratio was too high, making it hard to hear the vocals. I think you might have been a bit too ambitious.

His expression instantly changed to that of a deflated puppy.

No.

Why is my brother like that? Can't he say things nicely?

[Really, I hate my brother the most in this world]

Hyuna, who was in a bad mood, was about to send an angry text to her brother but stopped.

'No.'

Hadn't she recently realized the life her brother was living as the head of the family?

Especially, it had been proven many times that her brother's hearing was better than others.

'My brother is probably right.'

Hyuna deleted the text she had written and opened her internet browser. The community must already be in an uproar over the live broadcast.

Fortunately.

There didn't seem to be any negative posts about her brother (Hyun Seung). Instead, there were many comments about the performances of the participants.

Hyuna clicked on a post with the keyword 'Kang Hajoon,' which was her current biggest interest.

"Kang Hajoon's performance today was perfect. Just like a vampire; his stage presence, performance, and eye contact were so good, I would believe he's a current idol;; Where did such a gem come from?"

Swipe, swipe-.

↳ Hey, guys;; There's already a video clip of Kang Hajoon on NewTube;; It's so fast;; Let's go watch it on repeat

↳ But honestly, this performance was too focused on the performance, so it's hard to tell about his singing skills, as HS said.

↳ It doesn't matter; his singing skills are already proven. Isn't the point of a competition to show a variety of performances?

↳ Ah, who cares, he's just so handsome, that's enough 呵呵 But guys, are you all voting?

↳ Of course lol I already texted everyone in my family as soon as the broadcast started

Hyuna put down her phone with a satisfied nod.

Turning her head, she saw the main characters of the TOP 11 on the TV stage.

- We are about to announce the list of qualifiers for the TOP 8. Everyone must be feeling mixed emotions…

The participants, all with tense expressions, waited for the announcement as the MC conducted the interview.

"Hey, guys, who do you think will be first in this round?"

Suddenly, one friend asked an unexpected question.

"But, isn't it said that Kang Hajoon will win the championship anyway?"

"The championship is one thing. Who do you think will be first today?"

"DI's song choice today seemed good, didn't it?"

"Yoo Joo also showed a new side, which was nice."

The other friends eagerly shared their opinions.

"I thought Kang Hajoon's performance today was like a musical, so it was enjoyable to watch."

"Huh? But wasn't Yun Jai's singing the most moving?"

"Right, Kang Hajoon and Yun Jai were the best. I agree."

Too many cooks spoil the broth, they say.

"Hey, guys, why don't we apply to be audience members? Don't you want to hear it live?"

"I already checked, and all the applications for the final round are closed. The black market tickets are really expensive."

"He must be really popular. How much are the black market tickets? I just got my part-time job money…"

The conversation soon turned to the price of K-SingerStar audience black market tickets.

Meanwhile, a countdown for the last 5 seconds before the voting deadline appeared on the screen.

- 5

- 4

- 3

- 2

- 1

- The real-time voting has ended.

Everyone stopped talking and turned their attention to the screen as the MC announced.

- The results of the voting and the judges' scores will be combined to determine the top 8 who will advance to the next round.

Hyuna, as if Kang Hajoon were her own brother, clasped her hands and began to pray earnestly.

God, Buddha, Allah, ancestors…

I'll really be filial to my father and brother later, and I'll clean my room well and do more good deeds.

She was calling out to the gods she rarely thought about in her daily life.

- Now, let's announce the results of the TOP 11 round!

The tension in the room intensified with the MC's excited voice.

- We will reveal the results starting from 8th place.

Why?

- The 8th place overall, who will advance to the next live broadcast round, is…!

Hyuna was suddenly overwhelmed by a foreboding feeling.

Usually.

From experience, such premonitions were always accurate.

Yes, just like now.

.

.

.

- It will be revealed in 60 seconds.