Chapter 45

45. A big smell

Since the reactions of the two people were not as expected, Jang Dong-su's heart became anxious.

"Could it be that you have no interest in this at all?"

"In this...?"

"Oh, I mean idol singers."

Yeon Se-rin looked at Jin Hyuk with wide eyes. After glancing at Se-rin, Jin Hyuk replied.

"I haven't thought about it yet."

"Does that mean you might consider it in the future?"

"Um..."

Se-rin spoke in a cautious voice.

"Jin Hyuk and I are studying acting."

"Acting?"

Jang Dong-su, who was momentarily surprised, soon nodded.

No wonder. With their appearance, it wouldn't be surprising if they were dreaming of becoming actors.

Actors usually find agencies after starting their activities, unlike idol singers.

However,

It's possible to challenge acting even at a slightly older age. But the roles available at this age are limited.

On the contrary, if their musical talent is considered, it might be most ideal for them to successfully become idol singers and naturally transition to acting.

"Acting is good, but how about challenging idol singing first?"

"Huh?"

"Since I'm the producer of B.O.B, you should know. As a producer, I think you two have a very high potential."

Se-rin's eyes wavered. Seeing this, Jang Dong-su felt more confident.

"Idol singing is only possible now. If you can succeed as an idol, you can definitely challenge acting afterward. Of course, you can challenge acting regardless of whether you succeed as an idol, as there's almost no age limit for actors."

The plan for the two people was already forming in Jang Dong-su's mind.

"Jin Hyuk, I don't know about you, but I don't think I have that much talent..."

"Ha!"

Jang Dong-su barely managed to suppress a burst of laughter.

No, how could you not know your own talent?

He was cautious about giving too many promises and expectations from the beginning, but with their appearance and this level of vocals, they could even consider solo projects.

Jang Dong-su thought they wouldn't need a long trainee period.

Se-rin's words didn't sound like mere modesty. She genuinely didn't think her talent was that great.

No, unless everyone around her was deaf, she must have heard countless praises.

How could she say such things with such an expression? Is her self-esteem low?

Jang Dong-su thought he needed to give her more confidence.

"Regarding singing, you two have a very special talent."

And their appearance is more than enough.

"I have very high standards."

Jang Dong-su sent a confident look.

"Ah..."

Yeon Se-rin had a bewildered expression.

"Anyway, this is a very sudden proposal for us, so we need some time to think about it."

Jin Hyuk's words made Se-rin nod.

It was a natural response to think about it. But it was surprising to see such composure from high school students in front of a top producer like himself.

He, who was trying to maintain composure, became increasingly anxious. But anxiety wouldn't solve the problem.

"Ah, of course. You should. Think about it thoroughly and consult with your parents."

Jang Dong-su handed his business card to Jin Hyuk.

"Jin Hyuk, you must contact me. Must."

After receiving Jin Hyuk's promise, Jang Dong-su said to Se-rin as well.

"Se-rin, you too. Must."

After saving the contact information of the two, Jang Dong-su asked his second, truly curious question.

"And... I'm very curious about how you two know Song Ha's song."

Jang Dong-su asked Se-rin with a thumping heart. Although Se-rin did respond, it wasn't the answer he expected.

"Oh, that. Jin Hyuk told me."

Huh?

"Se-rin, not Jin Hyuk?"

"Ah, yes. I didn't know the song at all. Jin Hyuk suggested we do it together."

No, his guess that Se-rin might be Song Ha's daughter was completely off.

Jang Dong-su, who had made that assumption, asked Jin Hyuk.

"Jin Hyuk, how do you know this song?"

"My mother has Song Ha's LP."

Indeed! Unless you have the album, it would be impossible to reproduce the song so accurately.

Jang Dong-su's nostrils twitched with excitement.

I want it. I want it.

The excitement of possibly finding something precious he had lost made his nose almost steam.

He had the money to enjoy the things he couldn't in his youth, but youth itself was gone.

And now, there were things he couldn't get no matter how much money he had, like Song Ha's album.

"Can I buy the album your mother has?"

"Huh?"

Jin Hyuk was a bit puzzled by the unexpected turn of the conversation.

"I really loved that singer, but I can't even find the album now..."

"Ah... That would be difficult. My mother treasures it a lot."

"No, please ask your mother. I'll pay whatever it takes."

Jin Hyuk's troubled expression made Jang Dong-su's face fall, but he quickly perked up.

"Then, could you lend it to me for a moment? I'll make a remaster and return it. I'll also make a CD for Jin Hyuk's mother."

"I'll ask her."

"Great. Please ask her for sure!"

Se-rin, who had been listening to their conversation, said to Jin Hyuk.

"Right! Now that the competition is over, show me the album too."

Jin Hyuk had planned to show his mother's album to Se-rin after the competition.

Jin Hyuk nodded, and Se-rin smiled widely.

***

"Se-rin."

"Dad."

The two called out to each other simultaneously.

"Ah, you go first, Se-rin."

"No, you go first, Dad."

Yeon Sung-hoon smiled and nodded.

"You sang... well."

Se-rin's eyes widened.

"Dad... did you hear it?"

"Yes, I went there that day."

Jin Hyuk shook his head to indicate that he didn't know about it.

"Sorry, Se-rin."

To his surprise, the words that came out of Yeon Sung-hoon's mouth were "Sorry."

"What... Why are you sorry, Dad?"

"You did it on purpose, didn't you? Because you thought Dad would dislike it."

"Huh?"

"Your singing. You never sang properly at school, on purpose."

Se-rin tilted her head.

"What do you mean, Dad? Why would I deliberately not sing properly?"

"Be honest, Se-rin. After Mom left, Dad... "

If it weren't for Se-rin, Yeon Sung-hoon would have followed his wife in death. Se-rin was the only thing that kept him from letting go.

But he couldn't prevent the extreme depression. The days when he felt like dying just by seeing a trace of his wife.

He eventually got rid of all the items that reminded him of his wife, but singing still haunted him.

"You have a pretty smell~"

The thought of his wife would drive him mad whenever he heard a song, so he erased singing from his life.

Even now, Sung-hoon doesn't listen to songs much. But it's not for the same reason as before.

The wound had healed enough that listening to songs wouldn't bring him back to life, but the habit of avoiding songs had become deeply ingrained.

Sung-hoon blamed himself. The wound had healed for him, but it might not have for his daughter. Why didn't he think about it?

He was not in his right mind back then, so he couldn't remember exactly how his troubled heart expressed itself to his daughter.

"Stop singing! Dad will... die!"

Just faintly, like a dream. He hoped these words he had said to his daughter were not real, not reality.

But for his daughter, who valued others more than herself, these words were not faint.

"I'm sorry, Se-rin. I didn't know you had been holding onto those words for so long. I was too troubled back then..."

Tears rolled down Yeon Sung-hoon's eyes.

"Ah, Dad..."

Se-rin, flustered, quickly went to her father's side and held his hand.

"Dad, it's not like that. I don't remember you saying those things. I just... lacked confidence."

Holding her father's trembling hand, Se-rin's eyes were also brimming with tears.

Se-rin and Sung-hoon both had half-truths.

Se-rin's statement that she didn't remember was true. But her claim that she just lacked confidence was false.

Trauma.

The fear that her singing could kill her father. A fear more terrifying than her own death.

Although it had happened when she was very young and might have disappeared from her memory, the fear remained in her heart.

None of the three sitting there knew the truth of this fear, but it wasn't particularly important now.

"I have something to give to the two of you."

The two looked at Jin Hyuk.

Jin Hyuk slowly took out Song Ha's LP from his bag.

Yeon Sung-hoon's eyes widened. Then, with a trembling voice, he asked Jin Hyuk.

"That, that... How did you, Jin Hyuk?"

The voice he had dreamed of, his wife's voice.

With the LP in front of him, Sung-hoon's hands trembled so much he couldn't take it.

His daughter, Se-rin, took the album in his place. Se-rin's eyes caught the large letters.

Song Ha.

The person smiling brightly above the name.

"Mom...?"

Behind the smiling face of her mother, Jin Hyuk's smiling face appeared. Se-rin quickly realized the significance of what was happening.

"Mom... singing... was..."

Tears welled up in Se-rin's eyes and spilled over. Sung-hoon embraced his daughter.

For a long time, father and daughter cried. Until the something that had remained in their hearts was washed away.

When the hearts washed by tears became clean,

Sung-hoon, who realized why Se-rin had entered the competition with Song Ha's song, held Jin Hyuk's hand.

"Jin Hyuk, thank you. I don't know how to repay this favor."

"Really, thank you, Jin Hyuk."

Their eyes were still moist, but Jin Hyuk's lips curved into a warm smile, wanting to comfort them.

***

At the end of the year, and the beginning of the new year.

Time, which disappears without anyone noticing, passing by in a flash.

This was especially true for the busy people in the entertainment industry.

"Man, it's already the end of January. What's going on?"

"This is time slip. Definitely."

Hearing the employees' jokes, Park Sung-woo, the manager of No Hyun-woo, slightly smiled.

During the busy season, he was able to get a bit of a break thanks to the top actor from a wealthy family who insisted on enjoying the New Year and canceled all his schedules.

"Mr. Kim, have you made contact with the friend I mentioned last time?"

"Ah, yes. Mr. Park. The friend recommended by Hyun-woo, Woo Jin-hyuk? I've been contacting him and his school regularly. But the response... is still pending."

"I see..."

"But, Mr. Park, how great must this friend be for you to pay so much attention? Even if it's a favor from Hyun-woo."

HC Entertainment, a company of this level, had many aspiring newcomers eager to join.

Yet, to be so humble to a high school student with no acting experience was unusual. It was no wonder the team leader was curious.

However, the manager's interest wasn't just because of No Hyun-woo's request. He had seen something with his own eyes that day.

"Look at this."

"Huh? Ah... What?"

The team leader looked at Park Sung-woo with a surprised expression.

"Yes. The official casting announcement will be made soon. And here, Min Seo-yeon, Hyun-woo's cousin."

"Ah, the child you mentioned before."

Min Seo-yeon would be brought in by Hyun-woo anyway. The issue was Woo Jin-hyuk.

He had only met the boy a few months ago. At that time, he had just started acting.

Yet, the casting for 'High School 2'. And a major role at that.

There was a big smell. And the smell was getting stronger. He didn't get his position as the head of a major agency by chance.

He was the one who discovered the top star No Hyun-woo.

He didn't know why Woo Jin-hyuk was hesitating, but he couldn't just wait anymore.

He needed to bring Woo Jin-hyuk to HC Entertainment as soon as possible.

Before any annoying competitors got involved.