Chapter 29

Xuzhou stood at the entrance of the music cafe, leaning against the door, with a blank expression on his face.

'It's been a while since I've seen an idol.'

Xuzhou looked at the young man who had just stepped onto the stage.

His first impression was that he was good-looking.

He stood out even among today's idols.

Generally, someone who looks good on stage might not look as good in dramas or movies, but this young man seemed like he would survive even on the screen.

His striking appearance.

Even from a distance, his facial features were as clear as if they had a different resolution.

The writers, who had been watching the rehearsal, exchanged a few words.

"Oh, he's good-looking."

"Senior, is this your first time seeing him?"

"I've never seen him in person. Where have you seen him?"

"I met him a while ago for a pre-interview."

"Is that so? I'm in charge of the Jo Yuri band this time."

The writers laughed, recalling the indie band with piercings that they had discussed in the meeting.

"Is this guy the leader?"

"He co-wrote a song with Jang So-won. I think he's the one."

"Oh, that's interesting."

"Is he the visual member, then?"

"I'm not sure."

"Why not?"

The junior writer seemed to be pondering as he replied to the senior writer's question.

"Judging by his looks, he is the best-looking, but when we talked during the interview, it was a bit ambiguous."

"Why ambiguous?"

"Maybe because Lemon Entertainment is an acting agency, everyone is good-looking. It's like a set of sushi; there are all kinds."

"Best-looking? Which two guys standing there?"

"Yes."

"Which one sang 'Something'?"

"Ah, Lee Hyuk? The one who looks innocent is not him; the one who looks cold is Lee Hyuk."

"Ah, I see."

Xuzhou listened to the conversation around him with a indifferent expression.

What's the point of the shell? The core is what matters.

While he acknowledged the writers' reactions regarding the visual appeal, he was skeptical about the singing.

'He's good-looking, but will his skills match his face?'

New Black had been booked not long ago.

A junior composer he was close with, Jo Koo-hwan, called and said he wanted to feature the group he was producing.

"Senior, please do me a favor."

"Do you think my show is for promoting newbies?"

"Not just any newbie. These are the guys who topped the charts recently."

"Alright."

"Senior."

"Send me their practice videos. I'll make the judgment."

The music cafe, despite being a late-night show, had gained its current popularity partly due to Xuzhou's strict standards.

Even if the CP from above insisted, he would reject it if he deemed the performance lacking.

As if knowing his temper, Jo Koo-hwan smiled and said,

"You won't regret it."

After watching the practice video of New Black sent via email, the production team unanimously agreed to book them.

"Also, there's a guy named Seon Woo-ju. He's a real gem. I think you'll find him interesting, Senior."

Xuzhou chuckled, recalling Jo Koo-hwan's words.

No way.

He had been playing the piano since childhood and had composed countless songs, making him a seasoned veteran in the entertainment industry.

Unless it was a legendary singer,

There was no way an idol who hadn't even properly debuted could pique his interest with just a piano performance...

"......Huh?"

When Seon Woo-ju started playing the piano, he was surprised.

It wasn't bad.

It was as if a student preparing for a piano audition was playing. Considering that he was an idol, his skills were incredibly impressive.

Moreover, he had a sense of style.

'He chose jazz.'

It was a jazz piece suitable for the broadcast time.

An excellent choice.

However, what caught his attention was not the performance skills or the song selection.

The way he played on stage.

His gaze, breathing, and finger movements.

It was definitely a familiar playing style.

'Who is he?'

Just as everyone has unique fingerprints, each musician has a unique style of playing.

The length of the fingers, the breathing, and the strength of the rhythm vary from player to player.

Seon Woo-ju's jazz piano playing was familiar.

And it was familiar in a good way.

Xuzhou rubbed his temples, trying to recall a memory from the past.

After a while, he remembered someone.

"......Senior Myung-ju?"

Xuzhou's bewildered expression made the PD standing beside him tilt his head in confusion.

"Why are you like that, Xuzhou?"

"PD Kim."

The MC pointed to the stage with his long, pale fingers.

"Was there anything unusual about this guy's background?"

"Unusual?"

"Like his parents."

"I'm not sure. I didn't hear anything in the meeting."

Was it a mistake?

While the PD was subtly asking, Seon Woo-ju continued to play on stage.

"Is he the leader?"

"He co-wrote a song with Jang So-won. I think it's him."

"Oh, that's interesting."

"Is he the visual member, then?"

"I'm not sure."

"Why not?"

The junior writer seemed to be pondering as he replied to the senior writer's question.

"Judging by his looks, he is the best-looking, but when we talked during the interview, it was a bit ambiguous."

"Why ambiguous?"

"Maybe because Lemon Entertainment is an acting agency, everyone is good-looking. It's like a set of sushi; there are all kinds."

"Best-looking? Which two guys standing there?"

"Yes."

"Which one sang 'Something'?"

"Ah, Lee Hyuk? The one who looks innocent is not him; the one who looks cold is Lee Hyuk."

"Ah, I see."

Xuzhou listened to the conversation around him with a indifferent expression.

What's the point of the shell? The core is what matters.

While he acknowledged the writers' reactions regarding the visual appeal, he was skeptical about the singing.

'He's good-looking, but will his skills match his face?'

New Black had been booked not long ago.

A junior composer he was close with, Jo Koo-hwan, called and said he wanted to feature the group he was producing.

"Senior, please do me a favor."

"Do you think my show is for promoting newbies?"

"Not just any newbie. These are the guys who topped the charts recently."

"Alright."

"Senior."

"Send me their practice videos. I'll make the judgment."

The music cafe, despite being a late-night show, had gained its current popularity partly due to Xuzhou's strict standards.

Even if the CP from above insisted, he would reject it if he deemed the performance lacking.

As if knowing his temper, Jo Koo-hwan smiled and said,

"You won't regret it."

After watching the practice video of New Black sent via email, the production team unanimously agreed to book them.

"Also, there's a guy named Seon Woo-ju. He's a real gem. I think you'll find him interesting, Senior."

Xuzhou chuckled, recalling Jo Koo-hwan's words.

No way.

He had been playing the piano since childhood and had composed countless songs, making him a seasoned veteran in the entertainment industry.

Unless it was a legendary singer,

There was no way an idol who hadn't even properly debuted could pique his interest with just a piano performance...

"......Huh?"

When Seon Woo-ju started playing the piano, he was surprised.

It wasn't bad.

It was as if a student preparing for a piano audition was playing. Considering that he was an idol, his skills were incredibly impressive.

Moreover, he had a sense of style.

'He chose jazz.'

It was a jazz piece suitable for the broadcast time.

An excellent choice.

However, what caught his attention was not the performance skills or the song selection.

The way he played on stage.

His gaze, breathing, and finger movements.

It was definitely a familiar playing style.

'Who is he?'

Just as everyone has unique fingerprints, each musician has a unique style of playing.

The length of the fingers, the breathing, and the strength of the rhythm vary from player to player.

Seon Woo-ju's jazz piano playing was familiar.

And it was familiar in a good way.

Xuzhou rubbed his temples, trying to recall a memory from the past.

After a while, he remembered someone.

"......Senior Myung-ju?"

Xuzhou's bewildered expression made the PD standing beside him tilt his head in confusion.

"Why are you like that, Xuzhou?"

"PD Kim."

The MC pointed to the stage with his long, pale fingers.

"Was there anything unusual about this guy's background?"

"Unusual?"

"Like his parents."

"I'm not sure. I didn't hear anything in the meeting."

Was it a mistake?

While the PD was subtly asking, Seon Woo-ju continued to play on stage.

"Is he the leader?"

"He co-wrote a song with Jang So-won. I think it's him."

"Oh, that's interesting."

"Is he the visual member, then?"

"I'm not sure."

"Why not?"

The junior writer seemed to be pondering as he replied to the senior writer's question.

"Judging by his looks, he is the best-looking, but when we talked during the interview, it was a bit ambiguous."

"Why ambiguous?"

"Maybe because Lemon Entertainment is an acting agency, everyone is good-looking. It's like a set of sushi; there are all kinds."

"Best-looking? Which two guys standing there?"

"Yes."

"Which one sang 'Something'?"

"Ah, Lee Hyuk? The one who looks innocent is not him; the one who looks cold is Lee Hyuk."

"Ah, I see."

Xuzhou listened to the conversation around him with a indifferent expression.

What's the point of the shell? The core is what matters.

While he acknowledged the writers' reactions regarding the visual appeal, he was skeptical about the singing.

'He's good-looking, but will his skills match his face?'

New Black had been booked not long ago.

A junior composer he was close with, Jo Koo-hwan, called and said he wanted to feature the group he was producing.

"Senior, please do me a favor."

"Do you think my show is for promoting newbies?"

"Not just any newbie. These are the guys who topped the charts recently."

"Alright."

"Senior."

"Send me their practice videos. I'll make the judgment."

The music cafe, despite being a late-night show, had gained its current popularity partly due to Xuzhou's strict standards.

Even if the CP from above insisted, he would reject it if he deemed the performance lacking.

As if knowing his temper, Jo Koo-hwan smiled and said,

"You won't regret it."

After watching the practice video of New Black sent via email, the production team unanimously agreed to book them.

"Also, there's a guy named Seon Woo-ju. He's a real gem. I think you'll find him interesting, Senior."

Xuzhou chuckled, recalling Jo Koo-hwan's words.

No way.

He had been playing the piano since childhood and had composed countless songs, making him a seasoned veteran in the entertainment industry.

Unless it was a legendary singer,

There was no way an idol who hadn't even properly debuted could pique his interest with just a piano performance...

"......Huh?"

When Seon Woo-ju started playing the piano, he was surprised.

It wasn't bad.

It was as if a student preparing for a piano audition was playing. Considering that he was an idol, his skills were incredibly impressive.

Moreover, he had a sense of style.

'He chose jazz.'

It was a jazz piece suitable for the broadcast time.

An excellent choice.

However, what caught his attention was not the performance skills or the song selection.

The way he played on stage.

His gaze, breathing, and finger movements.

It was definitely a familiar playing style.

'Who is he?'

Just as everyone has unique fingerprints, each musician has a unique style of playing.

The length of the fingers, the breathing, and the strength of the rhythm vary from player to player.

Seon Woo-ju's jazz piano playing was familiar.

And it was familiar in a good way.

Xuzhou rubbed his temples, trying to recall a memory from the past.

After a while, he remembered someone.

"......Senior Myung-ju?"

Xuzhou's bewildered expression made the PD standing beside him tilt his head in confusion.

"Why are you like that, Xuzhou?"

"PD Kim."

The MC pointed to the stage with his long, pale fingers.

"Was there anything unusual about this guy's background?"

"Unusual?"

"Like his parents."

"I'm not sure. I didn't hear anything in the meeting."

Was it a mistake?

While the PD was subtly asking, Seon Woo-ju continued to play on stage.

"Is he the leader?"

"He co-wrote a song with Jang So-won. I think it's him."

"Oh, that's interesting."

"Is he the visual member, then?"

"I'm not sure."

"Why not?"

The junior writer seemed to be pondering as he replied to the senior writer's question.

"Judging by his looks, he is the best-looking, but when we talked during the interview, it was a bit ambiguous."

"Why ambiguous?"

"Maybe because Lemon Entertainment is an acting agency, everyone is good-looking. It's like a set of sushi; there are all kinds."

"Best-looking? Which two guys standing there?"

"Yes."

"Which one sang 'Something'?"

"Ah, Lee Hyuk? The one who looks innocent is not him; the one who looks cold is Lee Hyuk."

"Ah, I see."

Xuzhou listened to the conversation around him with a indifferent expression.

What's the point of the shell? The core is what matters.

While he acknowledged the writers' reactions regarding the visual appeal, he was skeptical about the singing.

'He's good-looking, but will his skills match his face?'

New Black had been booked not long ago.

A junior composer he was close with, Jo Koo-hwan, called and said he wanted to feature the group he was producing.

"Senior, please do me a favor."

"Do you think my show is for promoting newbies?"

"Not just any newbie. These are the guys who topped the charts recently."

"Alright."

"Senior."

"Send me their practice videos. I'll make the judgment."

The music cafe, despite being a late-night show, had gained its current popularity partly due to Xuzhou's strict standards.

Even if the CP from above insisted, he would reject it if he deemed the performance lacking.

As if knowing his temper, Jo Koo-hwan smiled and said,

"You won't regret it."

After watching the practice video of New Black sent via email, the production team unanimously agreed to book them.

"Also, there's a guy named Seon Woo-ju. He's a real gem. I think you'll find him interesting, Senior."

Xuzhou chuckled, recalling Jo Koo-hwan's words.

No way.

He had been playing the piano since childhood and had composed countless songs, making him a seasoned veteran in the entertainment industry.

Unless it was a legendary singer,

There was no way an idol who hadn't even properly debuted could pique his interest with just a piano performance...

"......Huh?"

When Seon Woo-ju started playing the piano, he was surprised.

It wasn't bad.

It was as if a student preparing for a piano audition was playing. Considering that he was an idol, his skills were incredibly impressive.

Moreover, he had a sense of style.

'He chose jazz.'

It was a jazz piece suitable for the broadcast time.

An excellent choice.

However, what caught his attention was not the performance skills or the song selection.

The way he played on stage.

His gaze, breathing, and finger movements.

It was definitely a familiar playing style.

'Who is he?'

Just as everyone has unique fingerprints, each musician has a unique style of playing.

The length of the fingers, the breathing, and the strength of the rhythm vary from player to player.

Seon Woo-ju's jazz piano playing was familiar.

And it was familiar in a good way.

Xuzhou rubbed his temples, trying to recall a memory from the past.

After a while, he remembered someone.

"......Senior Myung-ju?"

Xuzhou's bewildered expression made the PD standing beside him tilt his head in confusion.

"Why are you like that, Xuzhou?"

"PD Kim."

The MC pointed to the stage with his long, pale fingers.

"Was there anything unusual about this guy's background?"

"Unusual?"

"Like his parents."

"I'm not sure. I didn't hear anything in the meeting."

Was it a mistake?

While the PD was subtly asking, Seon Woo-ju continued to play on stage.

"Is he the leader?"

"He co-wrote a song with Jang So-won. I think it's him."

"Oh, that's interesting."

"Is he the visual member, then?"

"I'm not sure."

"Why not?"

The junior writer seemed to be pondering as he replied to the senior writer's question.

"Judging by his looks, he is the best-looking, but when we talked during the interview, it was a bit ambiguous."

"Why ambiguous?"

"Maybe because Lemon Entertainment is an acting agency, everyone is good-looking. It's like a set of sushi; there are all kinds."

"Best-looking? Which two guys standing there?"

"Yes."

"Which one sang 'Something'?"

"Ah, Lee Hyuk? The one who looks innocent is not him; the one who looks cold is Lee Hyuk."

"Ah, I see."

Xuzhou listened to the conversation around him with a indifferent expression.

What's the point of the shell? The core is what matters.

While he acknowledged the writers' reactions regarding the visual appeal, he was skeptical about the singing.

'He's good-looking, but will his skills match his face?'

New Black had been booked not long ago.

A junior composer he was close with, Jo Koo-hwan, called and said he wanted to feature