Chapter 13

"Wow, he's handsome."

"Where did you say your agency is?"

It's a straightforward song, without any frills.

Unlike Wang Zhiho, who exuded a fresh charm just a moment ago, this one gives off a sense of skill and ease.

I'm here

Come over to me, come to me

Why don't you come

At least tell me

While the first part was meant to draw attention, the second part was intended to convey emotion.

Moreover, due to the lack of high notes, it was a part that Seon Wooju, whose skills were not yet fully developed, was well-suited to handle.

The song builds up with the accumulating emotions.

I can't wait any longer

You don't even think of coming

At the moment that would be the highlight, Seon Wooju quickly moved to the side.

Finally, the main vocalist appeared.

Seo Ryeohyuk took the microphone and stood at the center of the stage.

Where are you, my love

I've wandered through these years looking for you

Let me hold your hand

The main vocalist's performance was on a different level from those who sang before.

Everyone listening to the song was amazed.

He skillfully conveyed both the poignant and trendy aspects of the song.

Moreover, while the main vocalist was singing, the other members supported him like dancers.

It was a rich performance, despite there being only five of them, filling the stage.

During this time, Jang So-won exclaimed in admiration.

"Wow, who arranged this?"

"Why?"

"Can't you hear it, bro? The tone of the song is changing."

Yoon Chanhyuk, who had been listening intently, also opened his eyes wide.

The song had definitely started with a trot sound, but by the time he came to his senses, the tone had changed.

The atmosphere was gradually shifting to a pop feel.

Was that why?

Even when the main vocalist sang the refrain of the trot, the distinct trot feel had noticeably diminished.

The change was so gradual that it felt natural.

As if to symbolize this change, after the first verse ended, the other members moved to the back stage, and the rapper appeared.

A deep, resonant rap delivered by a low, rich voice.

You who were with me in hard times

I always felt sorry

For not being able to give you anything

I felt sorry

I wanted to show you a proud face

Even if it wasn't a big gift

My appearance on stage

I hope it will be in your heart

Thanks to his precise pronunciation, Kim Jung-hyun's rap was conveyed clearly.

Words to his parents.

All the parents present smiled warmly.

Gratitude to those who have been with them.

This was the theme chosen by the five trainees of Lemon Entertainment.

The theme they wanted to express was their gratitude to their parents and siblings who came to watch their performance.

This is the song you love

Prepare for you

So, let me tell you something

The one thing we want to say

A moment of pause.

Kim Jung-hyun finished his rap with a refreshing smile.

Thank you and I love you

The song resumed.

Although the song that followed the first verse of trot was different, people were so engrossed in the song that they hardly noticed.

"Hey, isn't this my song?"

Jang So-won opened her eyes wide.

Her first single, "With You," was coming out in a dance version.

As soon as the five members entered the stage after the rap ended, they started dancing.

At the center was undoubtedly Kim Bijoo.

Her boyish appearance contrasted with the high-difficulty choreography.

The impact from this contrast made the audience exclaim in admiration.

Thanks and thank you

Fold your grateful heart

Into a letter

Open your heart to me

Unlike the first verse, the second verse drew a response from people in their 20s and 30s.

The accompaniment, which highlighted a lively rhythm, created a joyful and exciting atmosphere.

The second verse continued excellently, just like the first.

Finally, as the refrain ended and the bridge part leading to the third verse began, the accompaniment started to build up.

A synchronized group dance, moving as smoothly as waves, followed.

Even those who didn't know much about dancing could tell how much effort they had put into this single move, it was so precise.

Eventually.

Just as the accompaniment was about to climax.

Seon Wooju, who had been dancing at the edge, moved slowly, against the flow.

But gradually faster.

His legs, which had been accelerating, moved flexibly and descended to the ground.

Seon Wooju's body moved gracefully, sliding like a dolphin cutting through the waves, slipping down and then standing in the center.

Silent exclamations of admiration erupted from various places.

* * *

The most tense part was over, and I felt relieved.

It's done.

I was much more at ease.

I had been worried about making a mistake in this part, but I managed to get through it without any issues.

It felt like a decade-old blockage had been cleared.

The others felt the same way.

They had trusted me, but they must have been worried about me making a mistake.

The atmosphere of Team New Black began to change.

It seemed everyone was now more relaxed.

Their expressions and dance lines became much softer, proving it.

It was enjoyable.

There are stages like this.

Where everything goes better than planned.

Where the performance is so good that you feel a bit sad when the song ends.

Not just me, but everyone felt this way.

We could tell without saying a word.

We could see that everyone was trying to pour out everything they had left for the remaining time.

Meanwhile, a change began to occur in my heart.

Despite practicing for nearly a month, there had been a subtle barrier between me and the other members. But through this stage, it felt like that barrier had finally been broken down.

No.

To be precise, it seemed like everyone's barriers were breaking down.

A shared passion for music and dance.

Feeling like we had become one, we performed the final part.

Thanks and thank you

Fold your grateful heart

Into a letter

Open your heart to me

Seo Ryeohyuk, or rather, Ryeohyuk, sang the refrain while we all danced our best.

As if it were the last time.

As if this stage would be the last time we would ever perform.

Even with just a slight movement, our hand gestures matched perfectly, and we finally announced the end of the stage.

Standing on the stage, we were panting.

"......"

For about two seconds, there was silence, and then applause broke out.

It wasn't thunderous applause.

Honestly, this wasn't a performance of the century.

But it was a good performance.

If I had to pick the best performance from this year-end evaluation, I would choose ours without hesitation.

But at this point, the reaction didn't matter.

There was another gain.

We had poured everything we had practiced into the stage, and we looked at each other and smiled.

It just felt good.

I don't know how to describe this feeling.

Liberation?

Or joy?

An indescribable, overwhelming feeling. A feeling that we could do anything and wanted to do everything together.

I spotted my grandmother in the audience and smiled brightly.

Grandma.

I'm here.

* * *

"You did well! Well done."

As Mrs. Kim Deoksoon clapped and her eyes welled up with tears, Yoon Seokhwan smiled and said,

"How about it, Grandma? Your grandson sings well, doesn't he?"

"Hmm."

She seemed to come to her senses as she watched her grandson leave the stage and cleared her throat.

"Well, he's not bad. He could go on 'National Singing Competition.'"

"Didn't you just love it a moment ago?"

"Ah, of course I did! How could I not like it?"

"Yes, I'm happy too."

Said Director Yoon Seokhwan.

"I didn't expect him to do this well."

I had been worried he might make a series of mistakes like in the last evaluation, but he did much better than expected.

'Good job, guys.'

He genuinely applauded.

* * *

The Street Boys seemed to have been deflated by our performance.

They were already half mentally defeated from the start.

-Hello......

-Hello! We are Street Boys!

Even their greeting was off-key.

They seemed to have practiced a lot, as there were no mistakes, but the performance was flat.

Perhaps they were aware of our performance, which aimed for mass appeal.

The hip-hop and rock performance, which requires confidence, seemed to lack it.

Ultimately, the top spot in the 2013 year-end evaluation naturally went to New Black of Lemon Entertainment.

* * *

"Manager! We're number one!"

-Well done, guys.

Holding up the cheap trophy, Manager Jang Gyuwan smiled proudly during the video call.

The youngest member shouted excitedly.

"Buy us meat! Meat!"

-Go talk to the CEO. He'll buy it for you today.

He said with a smile.

-Anyway, congratulations, and you all really worked hard today. Well done, guys.

The CEO, who soon arrived, seemed to be in a good mood, laughing loudly and promising a dinner party.

There was also a time for family reunions.

"Grandma!"

As soon as I spotted my grandmother, I ran over and hugged her tightly.

"Let go! You brat!"

"Just a little longer. I really missed Grandma's smell."

"Ugh."

Grandma grumbled but soon patted my back.

I held her shoulder and opened my eyes wide.

"How was it? Did I do well?"

"Well, well... You did."

"What? I can't hear you."

"Ah! You did well!"

Oh, what a surprise.

While we were talking to our families, our members were still gathered together.

I don't know why.

Maybe we just wanted to be together.

Looking at each other, we felt happier and our mouths curved into smiles.

"Really, you all worked hard. Well done, guys."

"Me too, bro."

Bijoo said with a smile.

"Wow, I was really worried when you said you were going to do trot, but it was really......"

"It was a stroke of genius."

"Right, it was a stroke of genius."

"Really, you all worked hard, bro."

"No, you guys worked hard."

While we were having a contest to see who could say the most embarrassing things, an unexpected third party joined the conversation.

"Hello."

The moment we saw the person who had inserted herself into our group, we all froze.

A beautiful woman with a coat draped over her shoulders.

She had slightly fierce eyes but a charming smile, and she was looking at us. It was singer Jang So-won.

We were so stunned, it felt like Jesus had suddenly appeared at a weekend church camp.

"You did well on stage. The arrangement was interesting."

"Thank you!"

When I bowed deeply, the others quickly followed, bowing in a wave.

"Oh, you're making me blush. Just be comfortable."

"No, it's okay."

"I just came to congratulate you on the stage. As the original songwriter, I thought it was only polite to thank you."

Jang So-won smiled and looked us over.

Her gaze was like that of a predator looking for prey.

"By the way, who arranged it? From the skill, it doesn't seem like the company did it. It looks like you guys did it yourselves."

I raised my hand.

"I did it."

"Really? You did it?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Jang So-won looked around and asked,

"I want to give you my contact information. Who's the leader among you?"

"Leader? We haven't......"

I blinked.

The other four members were gesturing to me.

Jang So-won showed a reaction of "I knew it."

"You're the leader, huh? I see."

She wrote her number on a Post-it note and handed it to me.

"Take it. It's my contact information."

"Why are you giving this to us?"

"I'm preparing a single as a collaboration track. I was just looking for someone to sing with me."

"With us?"

We looked at each other.

Is Jang So-won proposing a collaboration to us?

"Think about it. Talk to your company, too."

"Yes, yes."

"I'll be waiting."

Jang So-won, making a phone gesture with her hand, smiled at us and walked away.

We could only bow our heads humbly as she left.

"Wow."

When she was far enough away, everyone gathered around me.

The members looked at Jang So-won's contact information as if it were a holy relic, swallowing hard.

And the people around us were watching us.

"Hey, Seon Wooju!"

Someone ran over and grabbed my shoulder.

Brother Seokhwan looked at me and then at Jang So-won, who was disappearing into the distance, with an excited face.

"Did you just, I mean, get a collaboration offer from another singer?"

"......Oh? Oh."

"What a good boy!"

Brother Seokhwan seemed delighted that we would get free publicity without spending any money, and then suddenly hugged me.

"Ah, let go!"

My reaction of disgust made the people around us burst into laughter.

It was a pleasant laugh.