Chapter 1

The Spotlight of a Genius Vocalist Chapter 1

Chapter 1. Fly me to the moon

The sun's reflection off the building's awning blinded me.

I got out of the car and looked up at the top of the building, which was out of sight.

Today, the project will restart from my mouth.

I fastened the cuff of my shirt, which I had undone while driving.

Now I have to move forward.

At least to ensure that what we have done does not fall apart.

When I arrived at the meeting room, executives and employees from the client company were gathered.

One of our team members quickly plugged a USB into the laptop.

The team leader was busy greeting the client people.

“Phew...”

I checked if the laser pointer was working properly.

I closed my eyes for a moment and reviewed what I had to talk about today.

Despite having practiced the presentation dozens of times, the tension still lingered.

It felt just like before stepping onto a stage.

“This side is ready, Mr. Manager.”

I opened my eyes at his words.

The team leader, who had finished all the greetings, stood beside me.

“Let's do our best, Mr. Kang.”

“Yes!”

I said with more confidence than ever.

I had to change my expression naturally, just like when stepping onto a stage.

Now is the time to smile.

“Hello, I am Mr. Kang Baram from AJ Communication.”

I spoke loudly and then bowed slowly.

“Are you ready? Let's proceed.”

One of the executives yawned briefly and said, crossing his legs and not looking at me.

In such moments, I had to guide them to look at me with a brighter smile.

I took a deep breath and gently led their attention with a voice one level higher than before.

“Yes, I will proceed. Our communication strategy begins like this.”

As my tone softened, the executive slowly lifted his head.

This is live.

I had to cater to the tastes of the many people watching me.

“Recently, due to the trend of short videos, the MZ generation has started capturing short ads on SNS.”

This is the start.

I stood still on the stage and delivered the content I had memorized.

As if not reciting it, I spoke as smoothly as possible.

“That's why AJ Communication has prepared this story concept. Using the popular retro concept, we aim to evoke nostalgia in the 3040 generation and a sense of novelty in the 1020 generation.”

Everyone sitting down focused on the presentation.

My gaze should not meet the presentation.

When on stage, I always look at the audience or the camera.

To ensure no one looks away.

“Additionally, while Sampyo Foods has emphasized the taste and benefits of existing products, the advantage is that we can also highlight a unique image.”

I continued speaking.

I kept flipping through the presentation with the laser pointer.

As they gradually became engrossed in the content, the end.

Even the executive who had yawned at the beginning was now looking at us with interest.

“I have finished the presentation. Do you have any additional questions?”

No one raised their hand.

Clap clap.

But when someone clapped, others slowly followed.

Clap clap clap!

The executive who had yawned earlier now laughed heartily.

“Haha! I thought AJ was a bit behind other agencies, but the presentation and content were better than expected!”

Success.

I smiled and bowed at his words.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

A few employees who were reviewing our documents raised their hands.

“Could you provide a more specific explanation of the expected effects?”

We were almost there.

The more questions about the presentation, the more interest it indicated.

I recalled the expected questions I had memorized.

After answering all of them, about five more minutes passed.

People who had been expressionless at first were now smiling.

“Then, please look forward to AJ Communication.”

I bowed 90 degrees.

This was the very last moment of this stage.

While idols have their own signatures, I am not an idol. It's best to finish as smoothly as possible, ensuring the content of the presentation gets more attention than me.

“Phew... It's been a few weeks of hard work, but it's finally over. Mr. Manager, you really did a great job.”

Another employee stretched and said.

“Do you think Sampyo will work with us this time?”

The team leader smiled.

“Hey, former idols are really different. You really shone during the presentation.”

“Huh? Mr. Manager, you were an idol?”

I smiled bitterly at the female employee's words.

I wasn't an idol but an idol trainee.

“That's right. Look at my face. I still have the mask.”

The team leader made a gesture of wiping his face, and the employee stared at me.

Then she nodded.

While that attention was once welcome, it was now annoying.

“What was your idol group called? I'll look it up!”

She opened her smartphone without realizing.

“I kept failing just before debut.”

I spoke as briefly as possible and quickened my pace.

The two women smiled and followed me.

It was both unpleasant and sad to recall the past.

“Hey, we went to a karaoke bar during a company dinner, and even when the boss asked, you didn't sing.”

The team leader slowly recounted my past.

I am no longer an idol or a singer; I'm just an office worker.

“Ah, Mr. Team Leader, stop it.”

In such situations, it's important to handle things smoothly rather than getting angry.

A method I learned from the jungle of social life.

“Ah, Mr. Kang, I understand. I understand.”

I don't want to be the center of attention.

But seeing the face of the newly hired employee, I knew I would suffer at the company dinner today.

I needed to warn her in advance.

“... Miss Na Hyun-ju, at the company dinner today, don't mention or ask about me.”

“Ah, yes... But is there a company dinner today?”

“Huh? I didn't hear about it?”

The team leader tilted his head.

“Wasn't there a company dinner today?”

When I asked, Na Hyun-ju shook her head.

“No way? Mr. Manager, are you confusing it with next week's dinner?”

“Why? Do you want to have a drink with your beautiful wife? Should we have a team dinner?”

The team leader poked my waist and asked.

“Then let's just go home and rest.”

Na Hyun-ju's expression darkened.

Of course, a company dinner was necessary.

It's one of the most important aspects of social life.

But it's fine to decline a team dinner.

I've seen other team leaders and Im Hyun for years.

“Yeah, you always hated drinking.”

“Yeah, that's true.”

The only good habit left after quitting as an idol trainee.

I never touched cigarettes and only drank occasionally to keep up.

“Then, let's go home early after work for a change?”

I had told Da-young about the company dinner, but today I just wanted to go home.

* * *

My afternoon is beautiful.

At least more than the night.

I bought a slightly expensive wine and steak from the supermarket.

I also bought a pack of sushi.

I received high praise from the CEO as soon as I entered the company.

Thanks to securing another contract recently.

“Phew...”

Yet, a part of my heart remained heavy.

I didn't like the evening, even during work hours.

I looked at the sky, which had turned to dusk before entering.

A house I moved into with a loan.

After staring for a while, I suddenly came to my senses.

I had to go in.

Into the house filled with silence.

I moved my steps with the meat and wine I bought as a surprise.

– Take Me to the moon. Take me to the moon.

I carefully opened the front door, and the song that made Da-young and me fall in love played.

A song sung by many artists, led by Frank.

Age 30, married for 7 years, no children.

It was a hasty marriage, and at the time, I was just an idol trainee with nothing.

Why did I do it...

Looking back, it was a reckless, unplanned action.

I examined the wedding photo in a frame on the drawer.

“Maybe it's because you were too beautiful.”

Not only in personality, but Da-young had a beauty that could rival any idol.

– Spring is coming. Spring is coming.

We secretly dated for a few months.

We lay on the bed together, looking at the ceiling without any glow-in-the-dark stickers.

Why did I propose marriage when Da-young said she wanted to walk among the stars while singing this song?

– Let me feel the same season among many stars. I want to feel the same season among many stars.

And why did Da-young agree?

I wanted to show her spring.

But it was already too late.

After five years of preparing for debut, I left the idol agency and worked at various small companies to build a family.

I eventually settled at AJ Communication.

With each project secured, the performance bonuses were substantial.

As the dream of buying a house in the suburbs of Seoul became closer, our conversations decreased.

No, Da-young unilaterally reduced them.

The silence at home was almost hellish for me, who talked a lot at work.

It felt like the endless cold treatment I received when I first met her.

Today, I wanted to be a little, just a little different.

I secured a long-awaited project for the company, and today's presentation was successful.

– In similar ways, kiss me tonight. In similar ways, kiss me tonight.

The song we often listened to during our dating slowly filled the room.

The unique baritone of Frank set the mood.

I hadn't hummed this song in a long time.

With the thoughtful steak and wine.

Today, I planned to bring out the conversation in my heart.

Just as I thought our couple would finally work together.

I suddenly felt something strange, different from usual.

Was it because I said there was a company dinner?

Da-young didn't come out, and there was a different smell in the room.

A slightly musky, sweat-like scent.

The important thing was the regular snoring sound coming from the room.

It wasn't Da-young's.

Although we hadn't had physical contact for a while, we still slept in the same bed at my request.

I knew her breathing and sleeping habits.

But this wasn't Da-young's sound.

It felt dirty.

I opened the door, and the lights were off.

When I turned on the lights, a man and a woman were entangled in their underwear.

“...”

Blood rushed to my head.

I held the door and calmly took a photo of them.

I don't know why, but I felt I had to do it.

Then I collapsed.

My breathing quickened, and my heart rate rose.

– In similar ways, don't leave me. In similar ways, don't leave me.

The song slowly filled the room.

“Honey, why did you turn on the lights? You said that person would come home late today.”

Da-young rubbed her eyes and started to get up but paused, feeling the warmth beside her.

She looked at the door, no, at me.

Then she was startled and said.

“Oh, Oppa... Didn't you say there was a company dinner today?”

The man was still snoring slightly and hadn't woken up.

– In similar ways, I love you. In similar ways, I love you.

This damn song continued to play, oblivious to my feelings.

A song I had listened to endlessly on my own over the years of our marriage.

A song that once comforted me now sounded disgusting.

I had loved Da-young throughout our relationship.

I turned and slowly, almost crawling, approached the dining table.

“Why, let's just sleep a little more. He said he would come home late.”

From the room, Da-young seemed to be waking up her lover.

I finally reached the dining table and unconsciously picked up the wine bottle.

Why did I pick up the bottle?

What should I do with the wine bottle? As I pondered its use, I looked at her, who remained silent.

“Say something if you can.”

“...”

“This damn! Speak!”

I had never used such vulgar language, but the boiling anger forced me to curse.

To the person I loved the most.

No, the person I had loved.

She covered her body with a blanket and came to the living room, looking into my eyes.

“... I wanted you to do something, whether it was for a living or anything, when you were on stage.”

A rare fan base for an idol trainee.

When did the emptiness in her once beautiful eyes start?

“Ha, do you think that justifies this?”

I glared at the bedroom.

The man was quickly putting on his clothes, looking around.

“... I thought you would come back and sing after not adapting to your job when you quit being an idol.”

Da-young, who had avoided my eyes throughout our marriage, was now staring at me, something she hadn't done since our dating days.

That's the problem; it's now in this damn situation.

My head throbbed.

How much effort did I put into earning money to support this family?

Why couldn't you understand that?

I consistently saved and applied for housing loans to buy a house in the suburbs of Seoul within a few years.

“You... Do you know how much I've suffered?”

“Yeah.”

“But how could you do this to me!!”

At her words, Da-young hesitated and looked at the ground.

“...”

“Get out.”

“...”

“Can't you hear me? Get out of my sight right now!”

Clang!

The wine bottle I threw hit the wall next to the lover's face as he was trying to escape, and he fled in panic.

“Eek!”

“...”

She seemed surprised by my unexpected behavior, always so polite, and prepared to leave with minimal belongings.

“And tell your father-in-law why we are getting divorced.”

“That...”

She opened her mouth but closed it again, seeing my eyes.

Then, as I watched her leave, I finally collapsed, overwhelmed by the sense of futility.

-Do you love me, too? Do you love me, too?

The lingering song continued to play, reflecting my heart.