Chapter 179

“Can I really become a si… . ”

She was about to accept KangYoon’s proposal but stopped .

The dream of becoming a singer was in front of her, but to grab that opportunity again, her current self was too different .

‘Will I really be fine becoming a singer again? I can live a comfortable, albeit boring life right now . ’

She was 27 years old .

She was getting a little too old to chase her dreams without minding about anything else .

Although her current job made her sigh every day, it was not easy to give up a stable job like a teacher .

KangYoon seemed to have noticed what she was thinking and spoke awkwardly .

“Looks like I spoke too much about my side . You are a teacher right now, aren’t you?”

“Ah, yes . ”

“I believe that it won’t be easy to give up such a stable job as a teacher and come to a decision right now . I wasn’t taking into account your perspective, I’m sorry . ”

In MoonHee wondered why KangYoon was so considerate of her even though this situation was more than enough to annoy him . From what she knew, many people related to the entertainment industry were very selfish . It was very difficult to meet considerate people like him . Moreover, it wasn’t like she was a trainee with high potential . She was more like an ordinary person with a lot of age up her sleeves .

“No, not at all . I’m sorry instead . Thank you for giving me such good memories . ”

“No, I hope you think about this deeply . I’m proposing this to you because I believe that you can become a splendid singer, Miss MoonHee . ”

After the audition ended, In MoonHee stood up .

KangYoon saw her out until the entrance .

Leaving World Entertainment, In MoonHee politely bowed towards KangYoon .

“Thank you very much for today . It was like a nice dream . ”

“I’m glad that you had a good time . ”

In MoonHee couldn’t walk away easily .

The excitement from singing did not leave her mind . She still could not forget how people she saw in TVs judged her singing .

However, it was now time to wake up from that dream .

‘…Yes . That’s enough . It’s too late to go back to singing again, right? This is the right choice . ’

In MoonHee consoled her heart .

She forcefully took steps away from the company . However, her eyes trembled . She felt like she would cry once she left .

At that time .

“Miss MoonHee . Please wait for a moment . ”

“What?”

KangYoon held her back just as she was about to leave .

“I am well aware that you are in a position where you have to consider your age and your job . However, I want you to understand that I’m not proposing you join us without thorough judgment . I believe that you can stand on stage again . I will also think of a good way . I hope to see you soon . ”

In MoonHee received the business card that KangYoon gave her and left World Entertainment .

Going past many other people, she fell into contemplation .

‘He didn’t do this without thorough judgment? I can stand on stage again? Haa…’

Perhaps, she can become a singer after all?

Her mind became more complex as she headed home .

***

After sending In MoonHee away, KangYoon was taking care of the remaining work when he got a call from HeeYoon . HeeYoon was excited after having a look at the video on Birth of the Masterpiece, where Kim JiMin appeared .

– I saw JiMin’s singing today . Wow, she’s so…

KangYoon calmly told her that he had the same opinion as his sister .

“She prepared a lot this time . SoYoung did a lot of work too . ”

KangYoon was the one to mediate between Kim JiMin and Park SoYoung, liaise Gye HyoMin and the orchestra, and create the stage .

However, he gave credit to the other people involved .

– But you worked the most, though, oppa . I’m sure there was a lot of discord in making that stage…

As she had lectures on not just music theory, but also on general music production, she knew what KangYoon had gone through .

KangYoon smiled in response to his sister’s words .

“My HeeYoon . You’ve grown up . You speak praiseworthy words . ”

-…I grew up ages ago . Sheesh, you always treat me like a kid .

“Hahaha . ”

The siblings talked warmly with each other and HeeYoon carefully talked about why she had called .

– Did you get the file I sent you?

“JaeHoon’s new song, right? I was just about to see it . ”

– Haa…

KangYoon was confused since this wasn’t her usual reaction .

“What is it?”

-Oppa, the thing is… No, let’s talk about it after you listen to it .

KangYoon opened the music file .

He was listening with a rational mindset but his eyes widened when he heard the middle part and his jaws were agape when he heard the chorus .

“Wait, what’s this? Why is it so high?”

It was hovering around A4 and B4 before the chorus, and it went as high as F5 in the chorus . This had a similar range to Kim JaeHoon’s old songs .

“Shouldn’t you lower the key a little? I think he’ll damage his voice if he does this . ”

– I told him the same . But he won’t listen to me and he said that it doesn’t feel right otherwise . Haa… It’s not like singing high makes a song better . Please talk to JaeHoon-oppa about it, oppa .

Her thick sigh was conveyed over the phone .

KangYoon spoke with a firm tone .

“Okay . I’ll have to stop him no matter what . His vocal cords will be damaged if he uses this song . ”

– I knew it…

“I’ll talk to JaeHoon about it . I don’t need a timebomb on my hands . ”

-Okay . I’ll leave that to you then .

“I’ll persuade him . Oh, you know that JiMin and SoYoung are going over, right?”

-Yeah, I heard from SoYoung .

Although there was a short holiday with the thanksgiving season in Korea, America wasn’t the same .

As HeeYoon wasn’t able to visit Korea due to her being in the graduating class, Park SoYoung and Kim JiMin were visiting her instead .

“Don’t go off to weird places just because some friends are visiting . ”

– Fine . I don’t like clubs because it’s noisy there .

“Hahaha . You should create songs together . ”

– No way . You’re making them work when they are coming over for a visit? You’re such an evil president .

KangYoon laughed hearing his sister’s playful words .

After that, they ended the call after exchanging some news .

“Did JaeHoon get addicted to singing high after HyunAh’s song? Why did he…”

KangYoon headed home with a lot of questions in his mind .

When he arrived, the lights were off in the living room and there were lights in Kim JaeHoon’s room .

Knock knock .

KangYoon knocked on Kim JaeHoon’s room and entered .

“Hyung . You’re back . ”

“Yeah . Can we talk for a sec?”

KangYoon sat on Kim JaeHoon’s bed . When Kim JaeHoon dragged the chair to face him, KangYoon calmly spoke .

“I got your song from HeeYoon today . ”

“Ah… . ”

Kim JaeHoon immediately understood what this was about . KangYoon was one of the people who cared the most about his voice .

Kim JaeHoon became defiant .

“Hyung, It’s been years since my voice completely recovered . I think it’s fine now . ”

KangYoon shook his head at his words .

“Completely recovered, you say? There’s no such thing as a ‘complete recovery’ after an injury to the vocal cords . There’s only some change . HyunAh’s song with a C5 last time was plenty high . Wasn’t it too hard to sing higher?”

“That’s…”

Kim JaeHoon flinched at that moment .

Seeing his reaction, KangYoon continued .

“JaeHoon . I get how you feel, but it’s not like your next album will be your last album . Are you going to quit after a single song?”

“… . . ”

“We’re not in the early 2000s where being able to sing high notes is a measure of technique . In my opinion, I think you should refine your voice right now . ”

Kim JaeHoon became silent .

KangYoon’s words were persuasive, but it was hard for him to give this up .

‘Sheesh, he’s so obstinate . ’

Reading obstinacy from Kim JaeHoon’s eyes, KangYoon shook his head . Kim JaeHoon was very stubborn alright .

However, there was no room for negotiation here .

“JaeHoon . At this rate, we’ll be talking in parallel . If you keep doing this, I can only throw this song away . ”

“Hyung, that’s…”

Kim JaeHoon of course knew that KangYoon was the type of man to stick to his words .

He was very flustered when KangYoon came strong .

Kim JaeHoon knew that his activities brought a lot of profit to the company . He was the second most profitable artist in World Entertainment after Eddios . And here, KangYoon was saying he would throw away his song regardless .

When Kim JaeHoon flinched, KangYoon continued to speak .

“It’s obvious that there will be a problem, so who would want to jump into a burning haystack? It’s better to just not do it at all . Come to me again once you change your mind . ”

KangYoon then stood up .

Seeing that, Kim JaeHoon grabbed him .

“W, wait, Hyung . ”

Seeing that Kim JaeHoon had relented somewhat, KangYoon turned around to him .

“What?”

“Uhm…”

“Tell me once you change your mind . Oh, and I hope that you won’t try and practice that song . As long as you belong to World, you will not release an album with that song . Unless you go to another company, that is . ”

Kim JaeHoon gulped seeing that KangYoon was coming on strong . He didn’t sound like he was joking .

Just as KangYoon was about to leave, he shouted .

“Wait! Fine, I won’t do it . ”

“What?”

“…This song, I won’t do it . I just have to not do it, right?”

Kim JaeHoon completely relented .

Hearing that, KangYoon turned around and sat down again .

“Can you promise me that?”

“…Yes . ”

Closing his eyes shut, Kim JaeHoon replied heavily . He didn’t want to give this song up, but his boss was like this so he couldn’t help it . Moreover, this was in consideration for him as well…

KangYoon spoke calmly .

“Okay . I’ll make a promise too . ”

“A promise?”

KangYoon spoke in a strong tone .

“I’ll give you a good enough song that you can be satisfied with while not putting in high notes . I won’t disappoint you so please wait a little more . ”

“Okay . ”

Kim JaeHoon nodded his head .

‘How should I rearrange the song…’

KangYoon started squeezing his brain to think up good imagery .

***

“Miss In . ”

“……”

“Miss In . ”

Lunchtime ended and it was class time . However, In MoonHee was contemplating while dazing out .

‘Is it not too late? He didn’t contact me even once…’

However, dazing out while working was something bad .

“Miss In!”

“Y, yes!”

The vice-principal, who had narrowed his eyes behind In MoonHee, suddenly shouted out loud .

Only then did In MoonHee turn around, startled .

Seeing In Moonhee shaking her head, the vice-principal clicked his tongue .

“It’s been five minutes . ”

“What? Ah, eh!?”

“What eh, aren’t you going to class?”

In MoonHee hurriedly went to the classroom with her teaching materials .

Seeing that, the vice-principal shook his head .

“She’s no good . She has no passion despite being young . ”

It was another bad comment on her evaluation .

Even while spending time with the young students, the thought in her head did not go away . The numbers she wrote on the blackboard looked like musical notes instead, and any voices she heard sounded like music .

‘Haa…’

Putting down the chalk, In MoonHee sighed .

She couldn’t concentrate .

She was like this ever since she took the audition last Saturday . She thought that she would be able to leave behind any regrets about singing and focus on her everyday life, but the reality was the opposite of that .

“Teacher . ”

“…… . ”

“Teacher . ”

“Oh, sorry about that . How can I help you?”

“You called me though . ”

“D, did I? I’m sorry . ”

She even forgot the fact that she had called a girl over due to her mind being filled about music . She sighed a little .

She was exhausted at the end of the day not because of the students, but because she had to wrestle with her thoughts .

“Phew…”

Thankfully, she didn’t have to overtime work today . Schoolwork had decreased somewhat thanks to the approaching of Thanksgiving .

Just as she left the school gates exhausted, a man was waiting for her .

“Wait, president?”

“Hello there . ”

It was KangYoon .

He approached her with a faint smile .

“I’m sorry for visiting you all of a sudden . Can I take a bit of your time?”

“Uhm… yes . I’m fine with it . ”

She had no particular schedule . No, she rather wanted to meet him instead .

As it was evening, KangYoon headed to a nearby restaurant with her .

‘Ah, How am I supposed to say it?’

She had a lot to say to him, but now that she met him, In MoonHee did not know what to speak first .

However, KangYoon didn’t mention anything about singing at all .

He only asked what it was like to work as an elementary school teacher, and talked about generic stories about the entertainment industry .

KangYoon spoke with a soft tone as he rolled some spaghetti around his fork .

“I heard that the age of students smoking for the first time is decreasing lately . ”

“Yes . There were two kids from my class who were caught for the same problem . ”

“Wow… looks like being a teacher isn’t easy . ”

In MoonHee talked about the kids that got into trouble for smoking . Their parents were summoned, but those parents instead became angry at her and told her that ‘their little angel would never do such a thing’, which made her flabbergasted .

KangYoon sympathized with her .

“So being overprotective is ruining those kids . ”

“I think so too . The students with moderately strict parents were kinder and had better attitudes . ”

In MoonHee talked for a long time about her school .

She continued until they finished the main course .

Amidst the calm music, In MoonHee felt rather sorry for KangYoon .

‘He would have split up his busy schedule to meet me…’

In the end, In MoonHee couldn’t hold it anymore and spoke about it .

“President . Your offer about me becoming a singer…”

In MoonHee was about to politely refuse . However, the words didn’t easily escape her mouth when she faced KangYoon .

‘I… do want to sing though…’

She didn’t want to miss this opportunity . However, she wasn’t that young anymore . It was hard to give up on stability .

“Please, you can speak whatever you want . ”

KangYoon tried to make her calm down after seeing that she kept hesitating, but she couldn’t speak easily .

In this dilemma, she ended up crashing her face onto the table .

“…U . *sob… sob* . ”

“Miss MoonHee?”

“*sob sob*…”

In the end, she burst into tears . Her emotions had welled up and burst out .

KangYoon panicked a little, but still waited until she stopped crying .

Eventually, she raised her head with reddened eyes .

“…I’m sorry to show you something so embarrassing . ”

“Not at all . ”

“This… Ah, that was embarrassing . ”

In MoonHee covered her face with her hands before fanning herself . Her face turned red due to embarrassment .

“…I’ve thought about a lot of things ever since I left World Entertainment . Just what does World see in me that they give me this offer? Can I become a singer again? These kinds of things . But… honestly, I don’t really get it . Even though there’s nothing much…”

“Please don’t call it ‘nothing much’ . It’s because you put your emotions into your singing better than anyone else, Miss MoonHee . ”

“My emotions?”

When she tilted her head, KangYoon calmly continued to explain .

“I believe that your technique in singing is not that different from the other singers out there . Though, there are some differences… As for this, I believe we can train them to be better . However, emotions are different . This is hard to teach and is even more difficult to explain . I value this very highly . ”

“Oh…”

“I thought things over . I also believe that it’s not good to quit your job immediately . I wonder if it’s okay with you to receive training at our company while you still go to teach at school . Why don’t we come to a decision after 3 months of training?”

This was a much more realistic offer .

In MoonHee’s expression brightened . She nodded her head without thinking .

“Is that… okay? I think that’s too much of a bother for you…”

“Hahaha . It is a little loss for us . Please promote us well even if you do decide not to join us . ”

When KangYoon smiled as he spoke, In MoonHee also returned with a smile .

“Of course! I’ve received such good treatment! I’ll do my best . ”

“Okay then . I welcome you to World Entertainment . ”

“Please take care of me, president . ”

The two shook hands .

KangYoon’s ties to the lady that would sing a trot for all ages, started out like this .

***