Chapter 63

Truly, it was a day when the delinquents were fierce.

Mrs. Kim Duksoon grumbled as she rummaged through the closet.

It was a day full of events.

"Damn, they're raising the rent again."

She dropped the thick quilt to the floor and cursed the landlord of the rice bowl shop who had just announced he would raise the rent.

"Just take what they give you."

She rubbed her aching back, thinking of the customer who had demanded that the doenjang stew be reheated five times because it didn't suit his taste.

"Since when did they become the temple masters?"

She found an old radio buried in the corner and was indignant, thinking of the temple office staff she often visited.

She had gone to offer a donation for her grandson.

Lately, the amount had decreased, and their attitude had become quite unfriendly.

All of this happened within a single day.

Sometimes, there are such days.

When things start to go wrong, they just keep getting worse.

Her stubborn lips formed a straight line.

'I'll just take the hit myself.'

If she had a grandson, he would have grumbled about how ridiculous it was, but Mrs. Kim Duksoon was sincere.

When something bad happens, she takes the hit for her grandson.

That's why she quickly calmed down.

On days like this, when the delinquents are fierce, good things often happen to her grandson.

When he excitedly talked about ranking first on some chart, or when he mentioned a strange bread name during a music show, she knew something was up.

It was like he had dropped an egg by mistake in the morning.

Perhaps something good would happen today too.

With the thought that good things are good, she nodded and looked inside the closet.

"......"

There was an old radio in the corner, but she hesitated to reach for it.

It wasn't because she was short or couldn't reach it.

It was because of the owner of the item.

'My daughter used to cherish it so much.'

The old radio was something her daughter had used before she got married.

Just the thought of it made her chest feel tight.

Maybe she should just install the app on her phone as her grandson suggested.

But the smartphone was an unfamiliar world, so she decided to take out the radio.

"Phew, look at all this dust."

Mrs. Kim Duksoon wiped the dust off with a wet tissue and connected the cord.

She nervously pressed the power button.

She was worried it might not work because it was so old, but it functioned perfectly except for a slight crackling sound.

The clear voice flowed out.

- Did you have a good day today? Now, let's start Jang Soo-won's Wonderful Night!

She heard a familiar voice.

It was the girl who had appeared with her grandson on the show for a whole month.

She looked very fierce.

According to her grandson, she was an incredibly kind and good senior.

'He still has an hour before he comes on.'

She had heard he would appear with other singers.

Thinking they couldn't be bad if they didn't say anything, she shook her head.

She didn't know.

He's always been quiet about such things.

When he was in elementary school, a jealous kid had started a fight, even taunting him about not having parents.

During the fight, and when his parents came to the school and caused a scene, he remained quiet.

Thinking about her grandson made her heart ache.

The entertainment world is said to be incredibly dirty and despicable, and how many difficult things must have happened to that young one who just entered it.

Even if he doesn't show it, a parent's heart is always worried.

"......I turned it on too early."

Feeling uneasy, she got up.

There was no need to say who had passed on the philosophy that when your heart is complicated, you should do some work.

She swept the room again, mopped the floor, and even fed the stray cat that had been visiting frequently lately.

After a while of busy work, it was finally 9:00.

She turned off the fan in case she couldn't hear and sat in front of the radio, waiting for her grandson's voice.

- Hello! This is NewBlack.

Cheers greeted the enthusiastic greeting.

- I'm Wooju, the lead vocalist and leader of the group.

- I'm Ri-hyuk, the main vocalist.

Familiar voices came one after another.

Then,

Something slipped in through the slightly open door.

"Ouch."

The cat that was coming in hesitated.

"You're coming in to cause trouble again."

She waved her hand dismissively, but the cat confidently came in.

Dark paw prints were left on the freshly cleaned floor.

Just as she was about to scold it, the cat meowed and rolled over to show its belly, making her miss the timing.

After several attempts to speak, she pointed at the radio with a stern expression.

"Because of this, I'll let you off today. Next time, no mercy. Na-bi, you and I have a deal that you'll only come in today, got it?"

Meow.

Whether it understood or not, the cat looked at her as she focused on the radio.

It was a simple broadcast, but for Mrs. Kim Duksoon, it was a healing time.

The sound of her grandson's voice was so good and warm.

It seemed to melt away the fatigue of the day.

She gently stroked the head of the cat lying quietly and listened to the broadcast.

She laughed uncontrollably during the third part.

She couldn't fully grasp all the situations just by listening, but the vivid scenes made her feel as if she was right there.

Ri-hyuk, who had become like a persimmon.

When her grandson mentioned making a face because of the army, she knew exactly what kind of face it was, and she laughed.

While enjoying the broadcast, she was intrigued by her grandson's words before the live performance.

- I grew up in my grandmother's arms since I was young.

Her eyes widened as her grandson explained the background of the song "Night Sea."

'Did he make this song for me to hear?'

She had wondered why he kept telling her to listen to the radio, saying he would be upset if she didn't.

It seemed to be for this reason.

Feeling proud, she managed her expression, even though no one was watching.

'Well, he said he made a song for me.'

But her smile bloomed even more as her grandson continued.

The old memories were so vivid.

She remembered putting her grandson to sleep on the mud floor whenever he complained about not being able to sleep.

'He was so cute when he was young.'

Just thinking about it made her smile broadly.

He might be annoying now, but how adorable he was when he was young.

Every sister in the neighborhood used to say, "Grandma, I'll take Wooju to school" every time they went to school.

- How about leaving a message for your grandmother before the commercial?

Mrs. Kim Duksoon swallowed.

She leaned in, waiting to hear what her grandson would say.

- Oh, our Mrs. Kim Duksoon. I really love her.

Oh.

She awkwardly clenched her fists, and the cat stared at her.

After a moment,

Mrs. Kim Duksoon burst into laughter.

- Since I made this song, please listen to it well... And... I wish all the grandmothers across the country good luck. Thank you for raising your grandchildren.

Sure enough, he always adds a bit of trouble at the end.

Last time, he mentioned a strange bread on the show.

She laughed at the mistake but felt a bit anxious.

'I need to listen well now.'

It was because the previous singer had performed well.

The song might not have been to her taste, but even with her untrained ear, she could tell it was good.

But her worry vanished as soon as Ri-hyuk started humming.

Anyone could tell he was skilled.

If someone else had done it, she might have scolded them for singing a frivolous tune, but the humming was calm and pleasant.

It even had a captivating quality that drew the listener in.

The 30 seconds that felt like 10 seconds passed in a flash, and the song finally began.

'The noisy flower viewing, but this is calm and nice.'

It seemed her grandson was indeed talented.

Just by listening, she could visualize the imagery conveyed by the song.

Chirp-

The sound of waves in the opening tickled her ears.

The familiar scene came to mind again.

A summer night with stars twinkling, she had put her grandson to sleep on the mud floor.

Her grandson sang softly, as if whispering from right beside her.

When I stroll through a very old memory

The rusty gate creaks

Taking off my shoes carefully and stepping over the threshold

I see your lap

Mrs. Kim Duksoon held her breath and didn't move until her grandson's part ended.

Her heart was warm and fuzzy.

Each word was filled with deep nostalgia.

A voice that seemed to say, "I miss those days too."

Her body felt warm.

The frustration of the day had vanished without a trace.

Perhaps something good would happen today too.

Feeling good, she nodded.

She looked into the closet.

"......"

There was an old radio in the corner, but she hesitated to reach for it.

It wasn't because she was short or couldn't reach it.

It was because of the owner of the item.

'My daughter used to cherish it so much.'

The old radio was something her daughter had used before she got married.

Just the thought of it made her chest feel tight.

Maybe she should just install the app on her phone as her grandson suggested.

But the smartphone was an unfamiliar world, so she decided to take out the radio.

"Phew, look at all this dust."

Mrs. Kim Duksoon wiped the dust off with a wet tissue and connected the cord.

She nervously pressed the power button.

She was worried it might not work because it was so old, but it functioned perfectly except for a slight crackling sound.

The clear voice flowed out.

- Did you have a good day today? Now, let's start Jang Soo-won's Wonderful Night!

She heard a familiar voice.

It was the girl who had appeared with her grandson on the show for a whole month.

She looked very fierce.

According to her grandson, she was an incredibly kind and good senior.

'He still has an hour before he comes on.'

She had heard he would appear with other singers.

Thinking they couldn't be bad if they didn't say anything, she shook her head.

She didn't know.

He's always been quiet about such things.

When he was in elementary school, a jealous kid had started a fight, even taunting him about not having parents.

During the fight, and when his parents came to the school and caused a scene, he remained quiet.

Thinking about her grandson made her heart ache.

The entertainment world is said to be incredibly dirty and despicable, and how many difficult things must have happened to that young one who just entered it.

Even if he doesn't show it, a parent's heart is always worried.

"......I turned it on too early."

Feeling uneasy, she got up.

There was no need to say who had passed on the philosophy that when your heart is complicated, you should do some work.

She swept the room again, mopped the floor, and even fed the stray cat that had been visiting frequently lately.

After a while of busy work, it was finally 9:00.

She turned off the fan in case she couldn't hear and sat in front of the radio, waiting for her grandson's voice.

- Hello! This is NewBlack.

Cheers greeted the enthusiastic greeting.

- I'm Wooju, the lead vocalist and leader of the group.

- I'm Ri-hyuk, the main vocalist.

Familiar voices came one after another.

Then,

Something slipped in through the slightly open door.

"Ouch."

The cat that was coming in hesitated.

"You're coming in to cause trouble again."

She waved her hand dismissively, but the cat confidently came in.

Dark paw prints were left on the freshly cleaned floor.

Just as she was about to scold it, the cat meowed and rolled over to show its belly, making her miss the timing.

After several attempts to speak, she pointed at the radio with a stern expression.

"Because of this, I'll let you off today. Next time, no mercy. Na-bi, you and I have a deal that you'll only come in today, got it?"

Meow.

Whether it understood or not, the cat looked at her as she focused on the radio.

It was a simple broadcast, but for Mrs. Kim Duksoon, it was a healing time.

The sound of her grandson's voice was so good and warm.

It seemed to melt away the fatigue of the day.

She gently stroked the head of the cat lying quietly and listened to the broadcast.

She laughed uncontrollably during the third part.

She couldn't fully grasp all the situations just by listening, but the vivid scenes made her feel as if she was right there.

Ri-hyuk, who had become like a persimmon.

When her grandson mentioned making a face because of the army, she knew exactly what kind of face it was, and she laughed.

While enjoying the broadcast, she was intrigued by her grandson's words before the live performance.

- I grew up in my grandmother's arms since I was young.

Her eyes widened as her grandson explained the background of the song "Night Sea."

'Did he make this song for me to hear?'

She had wondered why he kept telling her to listen to the radio, saying he would be upset if she didn't.

It seemed to be for this reason.

Feeling proud, she managed her expression, even though no one was watching.

'Well, he said he made a song for me.'

But her smile bloomed even more as her grandson continued.

The old memories were so vivid.

She remembered putting her grandson to sleep on the mud floor whenever he complained about not being able to sleep.

'He was so cute when he was young.'

Just thinking about it made her smile broadly.

He might be annoying now, but how adorable he was when he young.

Every sister in the neighborhood used to say, "Grandma, I'll take Wooju to school" every time they went to school.

- How about leaving a message for your grandmother before the commercial?

Mrs. Kim Duksoon swallowed.

She leaned in, waiting to hear what her grandson would say.

- Oh, our Mrs. Kim Duksoon. I really love her.

Oh.

She awkwardly clenched her fists, and the cat stared at her.

After a moment,

Mrs. Kim Duksoon burst into laughter.

- Since I made this song, please listen to it well... And... I wish all the grandmothers across the country good luck. Thank you for raising your grandchildren.

Sure enough, he always adds a bit of trouble at the end.

Last time, he mentioned a strange bread on the show.

She laughed at the mistake but felt a bit anxious.

'I need to listen well now.'

It was because the previous singer had performed well.

The song might not have been to her taste, but even with her untrained ear, she could tell it was good.

But her worry vanished as soon as Ri-hyuk started humming.

Anyone could tell he was skilled.

If someone else had done it, she might have scolded them for singing a frivolous tune, but the humming was calm and pleasant.

It even had a captivating quality that drew the listener in.

The 30 seconds that felt like 10 seconds passed in a flash, and the song finally began.

'The noisy flower viewing, but this is calm and nice.'

It seemed her grandson was indeed talented.

Just by listening, she could visualize the imagery conveyed by the song.

Chirp-

The sound of waves in the opening tickled her ears.

The familiar scene came to mind again.

A summer night with stars twinkling, she had put her grandson to sleep on the mud floor.

Her grandson sang softly, as if whispering from right beside her.

When I stroll through a very old memory

The rusty gate creaks

Taking off my shoes carefully and stepping over the threshold

I see your lap

Mrs. Kim Duksoon held her breath and didn't move until her grandson's part ended.

Her heart was warm and fuzzy.

Each word was filled with deep nostalgia.

A voice that seemed to say, "I miss those days too."

Her body felt warm.

The frustration of the day had vanished without a trace.

Perhaps something good would happen today too.

Feeling good, she nodded.

She looked into the closet.

"......"

There was an old radio in the corner, but she hesitated to reach for it.

It wasn't because she was short or couldn't reach it.

It was because of the owner of the item.

'My daughter used to cherish it so much.'

The old radio was something her daughter had used before she got married.

Just the thought of it made her chest feel tight.

Maybe she should just install the app on her phone as her grandson suggested.

But the smartphone was an unfamiliar world, so she decided to take out the radio.

"Phew, look at all this dust."

Mrs. Kim Duksoon wiped the dust off with a wet tissue and connected the cord.

She nervously pressed the power button.

She was worried it might not work because it was so old, but it functioned perfectly except for a slight crackling sound.

The clear voice flowed out.

- Did you have a good day today? Now, let's start Jang Soo-won's Wonderful Night!

She heard a familiar voice.

It was the girl who had appeared with her grandson on the show for a whole month.

She looked very fierce.

According to