The Road to Glory

“The spotlight is where I should be.”A college student watching a variety show on a tablet while lying on the bed in a 9-pyeong (around 300 sq ft) studio apartment, opened his mouth wide.“The revolving circle might show me the reason for living.”The man in the dark room gazed blankly at his phone before snapping to attention and hastily typing on the keyboard.“You say you’re not perfect.”Someone driving a car pricked up their ears.“The dreams I paint.”A family enjoying a late-night snack also paused their conversation to watch the TV.“Are different from you who know tricks.”The expressions on the three people anxiously watching the monitor screen gradually brightened.It was a stage no one had expected, but the judges’ expressions reflected on the camera were transferred to the viewers as well.The producer who had stayed up all night at the broadcasting station sent a text to the writer who must be waiting excitedly for the ratings.He glanced nervously at the clock.It was getting closer to ‘that time’.In fairy tales, the magic hour is midnight between night and dawn, but the producer and crew chose a time when they could stoke the burning passion.An office worker who spent a fiery Friday was waiting to watch the NuTube clip that would be uploaded the next day.They set it to a time when ‘everyone’ could access it.What time has the highest accessibility?It’s a conundrum that countless marketers must have pondered at least once.It varies depending on what group you belong to – nation, generation, age, gender, etc. How can you specify that?Moreover, in this era emphasizing ‘individual life’, the unbeatable logic of ‘it’s different for everyone’ has always prevailed.However, the producer was convinced that ‘this time’ was the most optimal.Even if you had to work on weekends, people generally do the same thing ‘at this time’. It’s a behavioral pattern that has been formed over a very long time, though no one knows who created it.A time that even evil companies that don’t allow breaks must permit.Moreover, it’s a long enough time to tap on a ‘music app’ or visit a community.If I’ve said this much, you must have guessed it.It’s noon, 12 o’clock sharp. The album [Show your Show S. 3] was released simultaneously with the songs.The producer feverishly hit F5, fervently wishing for the flap of a butterfly’s wings to become a storm sweeping across a nation.#At HY Studio, Kang Yeongmin looked at the white-haired boy through the glass window.At first, Kang Yeongmin didn’t recognize the boy who calmly greeted him and entered.His impression had changed too much.However, the more he looked, the more it seemed to suit him. He couldn’t recall the shy impression he had when he first saw him.He didn’t become handsome or anything, but how should he put it?After pondering for five minutes, Kang Yeongmin came up with an answer.He stood out oddly.If you placed a handsome celebrity next to him, you would naturally look at the celebrity first, but soon your gaze would be fixed on Halo.It wasn’t simply because of his peculiar hair color.How to describe it… Even though this wasn’t a stage, it felt like the world was shining a spotlight on that kid. The saying that stars are born seemed palpable just from him alone.Especially when he sang, it felt like he was the lead character in a movie or drama.Well, in fact, no matter his appearance or aura,with his singing skills, it would be impossible for him not to stand out. Whatever his looks, he would simply be called ‘Charm’.“How was it?”Halo emerged from the recording studio.As always, full of self-confidence.Spotting Kang Yeongmin’s blank expression, Halo grinned crookedly.“You weren’t zoning out, were you?”As if asking, ‘How dare you ignore my singing?’Kang Yeongmin shook his head.“Of course, I was listening.”Just listening?To the point of boredom. No, not boredom, he had just been listening all day.He had received the MR file via email and opened the song in advance.Based on what he had seen, he knew he would do well. But when he came to his senses, he was listening to it on an infinite loop.To be honest, this album perfectly matched his taste.‘Struggle’ was the kind that drained your energy the more you listened, but the tracks on ‘Spring Again’ were bright and melodious, in a major key. More mainstream, you could say.It was so easy on the ears that before he knew it, the MR was echoing in his head.How could he create such songs?From ballads and heartrending, combative rock and roll to British pop. The variation was ridiculous, but the quality of the songs was outrageous.It was like taking the talents of people who had excelled in each genre and cramming them all into one body.He was now beyond categorization.What was even harder to believe was that he had churned out songs in a month that others wouldn’t be able to create even if they worked their whole lives.‘Although there is one more song like that…’Suddenly, he recalled one more.“Oh, I saw ‘Soyou’. The student friend who visited before was number 56, right?”He couldn’t stay up to watch it since he lost sleep preparing for it, so he caught up with the clips. Kang Yeongmin opened NuTube as the thought occurred to him.“The reaction was quite intense, especially for the student song.”It was good when recording it, but it felt different seeing it on the big screen. With the good acoustics and production values added, it felt like the show was made for that song.The stage that seemed to ruin the previous one was excellent directing as well.He thought it was a real mistake and was worried, but when 56 made a sudden transformation, he realized it was staged.Kang Yeongmin praised the stage and song, saying he didn’t think they would actually broadcast a real failed stage.Halo gave a soft smile.He didn’t seem particularly excited, but accepted it as a matter of course. An expression like ‘I knew you would like my song’ or ‘It’s my song, after all.’“Your friend must be really busy. Can you at least contact him?”“Well, yeah.”“He’s doing well? He must be busy with filming these days. It’ll be tough too. Filming isn’t easy, you know.”He didn’t know about contacting him, but just yesterday…They ate chicken together while watching the first episode of ‘Soyou’.He seemed pleased with his appearance and watched intently. Unlike when he was worried about being edited unfavorably, his face showed deep thought.‘Doing well?’Halo recalled when Jang Jinsoo was leaving for home.He seemed to have something he wanted to say.So he asked first.-What is it?-Well…He did seem to have something to say.But after a long pause, Jang Jinsoo eventually just said,-No, nevermind.He had clenched his fists tightly and spoken solemnly, so Halo wondered what he should say.-Hey, Roh Haeil. You know what.-What?-Well, you don’t have to help me anymore.He wasn’t planning on helping anyway.However, he couldn’t say that because Jang Jinsoo’s face was so serious.-If I had won the bet, I was going to ask you to make me another song. ‘-…-But since I lost anyway, even if I received that song and became successful, I wouldn’t know if I did it myself. Of course, there’s no guarantee your songs will always work either.-!-So this time, no matter how hard it is, I’ll do it myself.For a moment, he wanted to object, but Halo didn’t open his mouth. Somehow, it felt like he shouldn’t interrupt.As a senior in the industry. Or as an adult who had lived a little longer in life. He only knew the fragmentary information that Jang Jinsoo had experienced and realized something on the filming set.-Alright.With his curt response, Jang Jinsoo nodded and got on the elevator. Then he waved with a much brighter expression.It seemed like he had witnessed a lot.Recalling the memory, Halo chuckled softly.“He’s doing well.”#The white hair receded.After blankly watching the departing white hair, Kang Yeongmin returned to his computer.Looking at the clock, it was 12:22 PM.It was lunchtime, but strangely, he didn’t feel hungry.Perhaps his hunger had already been sated by something else.Kang Yeongmin put on his headphones and listened to the recording.There was barely anything for him to touch up.On the computer screen was a search page for ‘Soyou’, which he had searched earlier and left open.Kang Yeongmin was about to close the search when he paused.“Oh.”Ever since the first episode of ‘Show Your Show’ that started at 9 PM last night ended, news articles, blogs, and even related search terms were buzzing.If there were real-time search rankings like decades ago, ‘Soyou’ would have taken up all the top 10 spots.That’s how hot the interest was.[Does ‘Show Your Show’ Have a Special Audition?][‘Soyou’ Episode 1…Average Viewership Rating 2.3%, Peak 3.1% A Smooth Start]As he skimmed through the articles, Kang Yeongmin was about to close the page when an official article at the top caught his eye, making him flinch in surprise.[‘Soyou’ Production Team’s Big Decision, to Release Audition Songs as Music]“As music?”Kang Yeongmin entered the Watermelon music app and searched for the song. The first one that came to mind was “Show by Show” – the one mentioned in the article, if nothing else.“They really did release it as music!”#It felt like two huge bombs had gone off.The first was when JJ put on that shocking stage yesterday.And the second was around 12:01 PM when someone mentioned that a song seemed to have been released.[Who’s going to add ‘Show by Show’ to the banned words list?]Someone protested to that extent – the firepower of #56 and his song ‘Show by Show’ was that hot.[Is this really a middle schooler’s audition song? Is this really a middle schooler’s audition song? Is this really a middle schooler’s audition song?][Wow, my girlfriend and I were cursing about how Jammin made so many mistakes at first and questioned how he even got in, but if he made ‘Show by Show’ they should have recruited him (not recommended 669)][The changing expressions of the producer Emperor.jpg][The middle schooler who sang ‘Show by Show’ wasn’t bad looking, he’ll probably be really popular when he grows up]└ Jinsoo?└ #56’s real name is Jinsoo?└ Oh, Jang Jinsoo? Jinsoo raps quite well[The poster is a music college composition major, but ‘Show by Show’ is definitely not]That middle schooler’s song isn’t an audition pieceLooking at the song structure, it’s definitely a pro’s workMy acquaintance (already working as a composer in the industry) also said 100% that it was ghostwrittenOnly pros can accurately gauge mass appeal and design for it, there aren’t many people like that, probably if you look into it they’ll be at least in their 30s and among the top ten in the industryIf you analyze the chords (read more)Following the impact of the preview ending, the ending of Episode 1 was also impactful.The ‘Soyou’ avid viewers who had been dissecting everything from the judges to the contestants were now solely discussing ‘Show by Show’ and #56 (JJ).Other contestants’ posts or fans’ complaints were drowned out by the overwhelming interest.Then, at that moment, someone made a post.[Uh, ‘Show by Show’ is on Watermelon now?]└ You’re lying└ Eat sh*tFor a week, they had desperately searched and were disappointed, so everyone ignored it at first.But when the same post appeared again, one by one, they started peeking their heads out.‘Could it be?’And finally, when someone posted the address of the song on Watermelon, the server crashed.The door burst open.Kim Kyungjin entered with a youthful expression.He was the manager of P-R Label Gillaon.“You called for me, President?”“You came quickly.”Kim Kyungjin approached Samjang, the president of P-R Label. He studied what he was doing – it was the Watermelon chart.From #1 to #10, they were all songs he had listened to. He had thought this chart wouldn’t change for a while.“Laon’s song was also released today, right?”“Yes, that’s right.”Kim Kyungjin answered matter-of-factly.As the legal guardian of the minor Gillaon, Kim Kyungjin had attended the meeting, and Samjang had also received the report.Both of them knew that Laon’s song would be released on Watermelon and other music streaming services today.In fact, Kim Kyungjin had been monitoring the chart until Samjang called him.“How does it look?”Ever since becoming the president, Samjang often asked his employees for updates and opinions. Kim Kyungjin had been asked multiple times, so he answered without hesitation.“It seems it will be difficult.”“Why? Is Laon’s song not good?”“No, Laon’s songs are always good. But, you know.”The charts are packed right now.It wasn’t just that they were occupied by songs.Formidable competitors – veteran singers, trot kings, queens of digital music, and idol group album tracks – were filling up the charts.Gillaon had just made his broadcasting debut, and had only appeared briefly in the first episode.The genre he had showcased in the youth-focused ‘Soyou’ was the unassuming ballad.He had given a decent performance, but with all the attention stolen away now…Kim Kyungjin frankly thought it would be impressive if he could just make the top 100. If he did, it would be another realization of Gillaon’s genius talents. They hadn’t forgotten that Gillaon was a diamond in the rough – a gem that needed to be polished further.Samjang was silent for a while.Kim Kyungjin tentatively spoke up.“May I go down now?”“No, stay. Then what about this song?”“Well…”What kind of question was that?It was quite a difficult question for both Gillaon and Samjang to ask.If he evaluated that Gillaon’s song would struggle to make the top 100, wouldn’t it seem strange for him to rate his competitor’s song higher?Sensing the awkwardness, Kim Kyungjin answered.“I think it will make the top 100.”Judging by the intense public reaction, it should comfortably make the top 100. Samjang gave a small laugh at the cautious response.Feeling more self-conscious from that laugh, Kim Kyungjin added.“But it might take some time. Since he’s unknown.”There were so many competitors now.The reason he had predicted the 23rd spot before was that he hadn’t expected the charts to be like this. The situation two weeks ago was completely different from now.Back then, it was practically an empty house.But now, it was like everyone was racing to release Christmas editions, new songs, and covers before the year-end, like the packed movie theaters in December.“Really? How long do you think it will take then?”A difficult question.He always thinks, if he knew these things, he could have made a fortune trading cryptocurrencies or stocks, or working in Yeouido (Korea’s Wall Street).“You can be wrong, so just say it.”Samjang urged him.There were many factors to consider, but his boss lacked patience.The Christmas carol by the digital music queen Liv.The ballad album by a veteran singer and the regular album by a middle-tier idol group had just been released.Kim Kyungjin took into account that the Watermelon chart ranking was calculated by combining the past 24 hours and past 1 hour of usage equally.“Since the song is good, maybe 1 or 2 weeks?”Kim Kyungjin gauged Samjang’s expression.He couldn’t figure out what he was thinking.“Can I go out now?”Kim Kyungjin expressed his desire to leave, glancing for a response. No answer came.Taking it as a positive response, Kim Kyungjin took a step back.As he was about to open the door, Samjang’s voice came quietly.“But why do I feel like it won’t take a few days?”Hi everyone, I've fully translated this series. If you love the series and wanted to binge read until the end, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. Instead of buying the advanced chapters one by one, you can buy them in one bulk (with discounted price too)!