Chapter 31

Seon Myung-ju.

Fifteen years ago, it was the name of a world-renowned pianist.

“Ah...!”

Exclamations came from various parts of the audience.

That's because he was such a famous figure.

The reactions mostly came from the audience members who were over thirty.

Seon Myung-ju.

Strictly speaking, he wasn't a typical pianist.

His specialty was jazz.

Starting from winning the award for best performer at an international jazz competition, Seon Myung-ju was a legend in the jazz world. He was selected as Musician of the Year at various awards and even graced the covers of prestigious music magazines around the world.

His life journey was also a topic of conversation.

The story of an orphan discovering his talent for piano and transforming into a world-renowned figure.

When he was active in Korea, he was unknown, but as he gained immense popularity in the United States and Europe, his name became known in his homeland.

Especially during the late 1990s, when the nation was struggling through the IMF crisis and people were watching baseball and golf to forget their reality, they closely followed his activities around the world.

When the whole country was feeling depressed, Seon Myung-ju, performing on the most glamorous stages in the Americas, was a source of hope and pride for many.

But such brilliance didn't last long.

Seon Myung-ju, who had left the country for an overseas tour, lost his life when the plane he was on with his wife crashed.

It was shocking news to those who lived through the late 1990s.

That's why when Seon Woo-ju revealed his father, people's exclamations were natural.

To meet the son of a once beloved celebrity as a singer.

Not everyone knew Seon Myung-ju, though.

‘Who is Seon Myung-ju?’

While many people in the music cafe, which attracts those interested in music, knew Seon Myung-ju, to young couples who came in casually, he was an unfamiliar name.

Some even secretly took out their phones and typed ‘Seon Myung-ju’ into the search bar.

When they confirmed some of the information from places like Wikipedia, their eyes widened.

The people he had taken photos with were not ordinary.

Contemporary U.S. presidents or world-renowned artists.

They were so impressive that one might doubt if they were real.

No one could have guessed what his journey meant to the people of that time.

“Indeed.”

The PD sitting in the control room whistled.

“He's a hot topic.”

* * *

The story about my father was not a secret.

I thought it would eventually come to light, so when Seon Woo-ju asked, I was flustered but soon became calm.

I had expected such a day to come.

It was just a bit sudden.

When I heard the proposal from the MC of the music cafe, Seon Woo-ju, I said I would think about it for a moment.

Because this wasn't just my problem.

When talking about my parents on the show, it wasn't something I could decide alone.

The accident wasn't just about my father.

“...What should we do, Grandma?”

In the hallway of the waiting room, I called Grandma.

Talking about my parents on the show wasn't something I could decide alone.

After all, the daughter they had raised as a precious gem and the son-in-law had died in a plane crash.

I remember how Grandma suffered, unable to even recover their bodies.

If I bring up my parents' story, it might also bring up that accident, which could reopen old wounds for Grandma.

Grandma answered simply to my careful explanation.

-Do as you wish.

“Huh?”

-Do as you wish. It's all in the past anyway.

Grandma replied calmly, as if it really was just the past, not just to comfort me.

I sensed the lingering emotion in her voice.

A hint of hesitation.

I thought it might be her longing for her only daughter, but her next words were different from what I expected.

-But will you be okay?

“Huh? What do you mean?”

-You, my boy. Will you be okay?

It was a concern for me.

Of course, it wasn't a story I wanted to bring up.

But it had been 15 years since my parents passed away.

A long time, enough to make their faces blurry.

If this much time hadn't passed, I wouldn't have been able to talk about it.

-Indeed.

Seon Woo-ju adjusted his glasses and feigned a surprised expression.

I laughed.

Sure enough, people who are used to being on TV are good at acting.

-Did the other members know?

The audience's gaze turned to the members. The New Black members all nodded calmly in response to the question.

* * *

In the waiting room before the broadcast.

I gathered the members and Seon So-won and explained that such a conversation would take place during the broadcast.

Once I finished, Biju expressed his concern.

“No way.”

“What do you mean?”

“Is it right to trade a few minutes of airtime for your family's story? I don't think it's right.”

Unlike his usual gentle tone, he sounded quite firm.

Seok-hwan, who had been watching, also spoke up.

“Just appearing today is enough. You don't need to push yourself.”

Though he said that, the conflict in his eyes was evident.

As a close senior, he was worried, but from the perspective of a manager, it was a great opportunity.

Increasing the airtime for a rookie like us was something even managers couldn't guarantee, and the story about my father was sure to be a hot topic.

“I'll sit this one out.”

Seon So-won stood up.

“I don't think it's my place to say anything. This is something the family should decide.”

Our road manager, Seo Min-gi, also agreed with Choi Ae's words. They both left the waiting room, saying they would give us some space.

In the waiting room, now just us.

I looked around.

Somehow, it felt like I was trying to persuade my family, who were opposing me.

“Think about it, it's a good opportunity. We're ending our activities, and it would be nice to get more attention. It's hard for a rookie like us to get this much airtime...”

“That's from a manager's perspective.”

Jung-hyun's deep voice hit the mark.

“You're not a manager, but a member.”

“...”

“I really appreciate your concern, but we're not fools. We know why we were chosen for the music cafe.”

“...You do?”

“I heard it from the director.”

Seok-hwan shrugged at my gaze.

“You came to see us the day after your meeting with the CEO. You said you wanted to change your image before ending our activities. When you talked about the same concerns, I told them you had already discussed it.”

“I feel embarrassed. I thought I was the only one thinking that.”

“People think alike.”

Ri Hyuk said.

“Do you think we didn't have the same thoughts? When you secretly had those meetings, we felt a bit betrayed.”

“Hey, you didn't talk about it either.”

“We're different, senior.”

Biju smiled.

“We didn't say anything because we didn't want to worry you, seeing how busy you were with interviews and personal schedules.”

“I didn't say anything because I was worried about you too.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

At the junior's summary, we, who had been making serious faces, burst into laughter.

It was the right answer.

We were all pretending to be good brothers, so it was fitting.

“So, let's be honest with each other from now on.”

At my words, the juniors nodded.

“I'm sorry for not saying anything. I guess I saw you all as juniors, like a habit from when I was taking care of trainees at TJ.”

“Keep treating me as young. I'm cute.”

As if imagining my childhood self, smiles spread across the audience's faces.

“So I gave up on the piano.”

-When you were a child?

“Yes, I think I was about five. I said, 'I won't do it!' while banging on the piano keys with my tiny hands. I don't remember it myself, but Grandma told me it happened.”

Seon Woo-ju and the others smiled.

“Maybe that's why I turned to singing. I used to follow the dance moves and sing along when the first-generation idol seniors appeared on TV. My parents really enjoyed it when I did that.”

-That could be considered the beginning of your idol career, Woo-ju.

“Yes, it's also my first memory.”

My first memory was of flailing my limbs.

My mother and father clapped and laughed, praising me. I, as a child, stared at them with my mouth agape, thinking their expressions were as beautiful as jewels.

I wanted to frame those expressions and hang them on the wall.

I think that's when I started dreaming of being an idol.

Because I wanted to see it.

I wanted to see people make those expressions when I danced and sang, just like my parents.

I calmly brought up this story.

-You finally got to stand on the stage you only saw on TV as a child. It's like you achieved a dream you had every day.

With Seon Woo-ju's closing remarks, the topic about my parents was wrapped up.

Only then did my worries surface.

Did I talk too much, like a drunk person, without any order? It felt a bit embarrassing, being too emotional, but the water had already spilled.

Well, the production team would edit it, right?

The talk about New Black was roughly wrapped up there.

Because there was one more story to cover.

Seon So-won.

I had something to say to her too.

She was a member of Sugar Fish, a group that almost became a national girl group but quickly disbanded due to member controversies. She had returned to the stage after activities like drama OSTs.

Her life journey.

When tears welled up in Seon So-won's eyes, recalling tough times, the audience's eyes also reddened.

The late-night time slot, which stimulates emotions, also played a role.

And someone close to me was affected by it.

-Sniff...

Suddenly, one of our members burst into tears while listening to the story.

Why are you crying?

Our youngest, full of emotion, was shedding real tears.

The two streams of snot were a real symbol of his tears.

His still chubby, white face, crying, looked both cute and funny.

Seon So-wun and Seon Woo-ju burst into laughter.

-Ji-ho, are you okay?

-Excuse me, but Ji-ho's snot is distracting me. Can someone bring a tissue?

-It's okay. I can wipe it with my sleeve.

-No, no! That's a sponsorship!

-Ji-ho, that's gross.

Ri Hyuk's sudden outburst and Biju's baby-like handling made the audience burst into laughter.

The laughter erupted again as Ji-ho blew his nose.

The sound of "Kerchow" came through the microphone.

It was the loudest laughter I had heard since I arrived.

I felt a moment of release at the junior's action, despite being told to wipe quietly.

Ji-ho...

We're still recording... Pull yourself together...

I could imagine Mr. Yun Seok-hwan, the backstage manager, grabbing his neck.

Fortunately, everyone, including the audience, found the junior cute.

Right? He's cute.

So, can someone take him away...

-Ji-ho seems to cry a lot.

-He's the youngest and more sensitive than he looks. He cried the most when I scolded him during recordings.

Seon So-won smiled and answered.

When she patted Ji-ho's shoulder like an older sister, a warm atmosphere spread.

I decided to think positively, considering our image.

Honestly, it was fun.

Especially because I now had something to tease the kid who messed up by calling New Black a soufflé during our number one speech.

I wasn't the only one.

Everyone was waiting for this.

Ri Hyuk, who had a lot of pent-up feelings towards the natural comedian, had a smirk on his face.

Even Biju was grinning widely.

Look forward to it, Wang Ji-ho.

I'll tease you for a month.

* * *

The recording of the music cafe so far was successful.

If I had to point out a downside, it would be that even if you combined the airtime of the other New Black members, it might not match mine.

There was the story about my father, but the members' slight hesitation in the talk also played a role.

Still, considering it was our first recording, it was excellent.

New rookies usually sweat and tense up during recording interviews.

If I were to rate today's broadcast, I'd give it 90 out of 100.

Of course, that was for the talk.

Just as there are written and practical exams, there was one more important practical part left.

The final performance.

The stage we set up to showcase New Black's musicality remained.

-Now, it's time to say goodbye to Seon So-won and New Black. It was a really enjoyable time today.

To Seon Woo-ju's farewell, we took turns expressing our gratitude.

-Then, let's welcome the final performance.

Seon Woo-ju stepped aside, and we moved to the main stage.

The staff on site were bustling about.

The lights were dim.

Soon, the lights shone like direct sunlight, blinding us, while Seon So-won and I took our places.

And the music started.

The prelude that echoed through the PBS Open Hall caused a slight murmur in the audience.

“...?”

It was understandable.

It was the exact same prelude as the first performance.