Chapter 204

The Olympic Sports Complex was one of the biggest indoor sports facilities in Korea .

However, it had been a long time since it was built, so the acoustics werent that great, and there was also the matter of light bleed as well .

Despite all these disadvantages, it was a place beloved by many singers for holding concerts .

Its been a long time since I last stood here .

Kim JaeHoon was standing on the floor beneath the stage and exclaimed as though he was joyful .

Behind him, Lee HyunJi, smiling awkwardly, felt apologetic .

We wanted to do a concert in the Multipurpose Hall of the Central World Cup Stadium, but that was fully reserved .

I dont really mind the place . I really like it .

He had heard from KangYoon that he had contracted all the subcontractors for the concert before he went to America .

Since he had prepared meticulously as well, what was remaining was whether the tickets for the concert would sell out or not .

So the ticketing begins in a few days .

. .

Kim JaeHoon gulped in nervousness when Lee HyunJi said that .

How many people would come and listen to his songs?

This wasnt only a matter of profit . His pride as a singer was on the line as well .

Seeing him so stiff, Lee HyunJi tried to calm him down .

Mr . JaeHoon . It will go well . dont worry . You dont need to be so nervous about it .

Hahaha . Okay .

Kim JaeHoon nodded his head while feeling the warmth of Lee HyunJis hand on his back .

***

Do you need anything else?

A pretty stewardess asked KangYoon at the bar lounge, but he shook his head saying that it was okay .

Its fine . Thanks for telling me .

This was the first time in KangYoons life that he was using a first-cla.s.s seat in a plane so he asked the stewardess some questions, and she answered like a professional .

Just as when KangYoon was about to turn around and go back to his seat, the stewardess carefully asked KangYoon .

Uhm

Is there anything you need?

Uhm Im sorry, but can I ask you for an autograph?

Okay . Do you have any paper?

KangYoon took out a pen from his chest pocket, but she didnt have a paper on hand . KangYoon contemplated a little before taking out a business card from his wallet and signed his name there before giving it to her .

Thank you .

Receiving the autograph, the stewardesss eyes shone .

This was an incredible gain .

Regardless, KangYoon smiled as he spoke .

Then, best of luck with your job .

After the conversation, KangYoon returned to his seat .

However, just as he sat down, JooAh started poking at him .

Hey .

What is it?

Ugh .

KangYoon didnt understand why JooAh was doing this .

Was giving an autograph something bad?

KangYoon t.i.tled his head .

Is it because of the autograph? The business card was because there was no paper .

I know that, but *sigh*, youre clueless when it comes to things like this .

What do you mean?

Clueless?

KangYoon blinked several times dumbfoundedly, but JooAh did not answer .

Something like that .

JooAh did not mention that the stewardess with KangYoons business card was taking glances at him .

Doesnt he know that men that fly first cla.s.s seats give business cards to stewardesses theyve taken a liking to?

From the look of that stewardess, she was definitely on cloud nine .

If JinSeo found out urgh .

Just as JooAh s.h.i.+vered, KangYoon spoke in a nonchalant voice .

Its the company business card .

What was that?

That business card doesnt have my personal number . Its just a business card that only contains the company number .

Only then did JooAh nod in acceptance .

Experiencing a few hiccups midway, the flight safely arrived at the airport .

KangYoon and JooAh quickly went through customs and stepped on American land .

HeeYoon naturally came to meet the two, and after a brief greeting, JooAh left saying that she had some business to attend to in MG Entertainments American branch .

KangYoon headed to HeeYoons house with a rental car .

Inside the car, HeeYoon talked to KangYoon about a lot of things joyfully . She talked about her college life as well as the songs, and KangYoon reacted to her suitably here and there .

So Reina has started her activities for real .

KangYoons eyes widened when he heard about one of HeeYoons friends, Reina .

Shes still a minor role actor . But she did also say that she was rising fast . Apparently, it would usually take more than four years to get a minor character role .

Reina should do well .

Right?

KangYoon thought back to Reina from when she visited Korea with HeeYoon .

She had both the talent for singing and acting . Moreover, she was hardworking as well .

He believed that she was more than talented enough to become big .

He stepped on the brakes as he approached the traffic lights that had turned red .

Reina sometimes talks about you . She wants to see you in Korea once she becomes big .

Really? But how big is big?

Hmm A main role at the Broadway Musical?

Then I guess Ill have to wait ten years at least .

Really?

KangYoon accelerated after the lights turned green .

After driving for quite a long time, the two arrived at HeeYoons house .

Parking the car outside the house, KangYoon entered the house and unpacked his luggage .

Yes . Alright . Please take care of the company .

After calling Lee HyunJi, KangYoon lied down on the sofa .

Looks like I should hurry with JaeHoons concert once I get back . The special equipment team seemed worrying .

Fatigue overwhelmed him due to jet lag .

However, even though he had closed his eyes, thoughts about Kim JaeHoons concert swirled in his mind .

Thinking about how he put less effort into his concert due to the matters with Hidden Catch, the thoughts about the concert didnt leave his mind .

That s.p.a.ce needs special attention to acoustics . Ill only be able to produce a good sound if I invest two days of time into acoustics at least . Also

***

Take me away

Zzz

The sound of a knife hitting the chopping board as well as a beautiful voice woke KangYoon up .

How was your day

Your day

He heard familiar voices .

KangYoon opened his eyes hearing the familiar voice .

Hm?

When he did, he saw two ladies with ap.r.o.ns on, HeeYoon and JooAh .

Doenjang-jjigae was boiling on the stove, while HeeYoon was chopping spring onions on the chopping board .

The notes the two girls created were producing bright white light .

How nice .

The refres.h.i.+ng sensation from the white light made KangYoon wake up .

Feeling movement behind her, HeeYoon turned around to see him .

Huh? Oppa, you woke up?

Uh, yeah . JooAhs here?

Sure Im here . Im going to sleep here as well .

Fine .

Since they were going to sleep in separate rooms, KangYoon allowed it .

Dinner was a doenjang-jjigae meal .

Giving JooAh, who was eating gluttonously, some water, HeeYoon showed off her maturity .

When their bowls of rice were almost empty, JooAh sighed with a serious expression .

Oppa, can I ask you for a favor?

Is it the one you talked about last time?

Yeah .

JooAh didnt mention her favor during the flight either .

A favor that required a first-cla.s.s plane ticket?

KangYoon waited for her words with a likewise serious expression .

After hesitating a little, JooAh started speaking with a stiff expression .

Im going to audition for Unite Music .

Unite Music?

KangYoons eyes widened .

Unite Music was a colossal entertainment company in America . It was one of the top four . They were a huge capital in the music market .

I sent them a video of me half a year ago, and I was contacted a while back . They asked me whether Im willing to partic.i.p.ate in an audition .

So you grabbed the opportunity . Congratulations .

Yes, and so

JooAh paused for a moment before speaking with a firm tone .

Can you watch me practice tomorrow? You know, everyone does it better when you watch them .

KangYoons eyes shook at JooAhs words .

She didnt know that KangYoons ability to see musical notes, but she was aware that KangYoon brought out the best of any artist .

Not seeming to notice his surprise, JooAh grabbed KangYoons hands desperately .

Oppa

KangYoon sighed briefly .

She was practically saying that she wanted to succeed going to America, which they had failed last time .

Its not that I dont know her skills, but

In Korea, JooAh was the first one that came to mind when it came to dancing . Her dance just had that much charm .

However, would her dances work in America as well?

Silver? No, as an east-Asian, it needs to be gold at least .

That much was necessary in order to bridge the cultural gap and the bias that stemmed from it .

KangYoon believed so .

Whens the audition?

In two days .

There wasnt long left either .

KangYoon clutched his forehead .

You should have told me beforehand .

The thing is I tried to, but both you and I were busy . At first, I thought about doing it on my own, but no matter how hard I thought about it, I dont think I could make it by myself . Hehe, Im sorry .

JooAh stuck out her tongue in embarra.s.sment .

She looked very cute, but he had plans tomorrow .

Things arent looking good .

Yeah, a little .

I dont think I can help you

Hearing that, JooAhs eyes widened .

What?

I have an important meeting tomorrow . Theres a company I have a meeting with due to some stage equipment tomorrow .

Ah, okay

JooAhs shoulders lowered in dejection .

KangYoon couldnt hide his sorry feelings either .

Im sorry, but I think youll have to try this audition on your own this time .

Really? I guess theres no helping it .

If she knew this was going to happen, she had to mention it beforehand .

JooAh regretted it . Hesitation led to this result .

Despite that, she did not make a big deal out of it .

I guess I cant help it . Haha .

Im sorry, theres the flight as well .

Thats fine . We arent strangers .

JooAh waved her hand .

No one rejected anything she said . Although it had become strange, even MG Entertainment listened to her words .

However, KangYoon was

HeeYoon . Im going to sleep first .

Okay . Ive laid the mattress out for you .

Dejected, JooAh left her food, and dejectedly walked into the room .

HeeYoon spoke to KangYoon after the two of them were left .

Cant you help her after your meeting?

This meeting will be a long one . Also, it wont be easy for JooAh to get accepted in the audition .

What?

HeeYoon asked back as though KangYoon was speaking nonsense, but KangYoon shook his head .

Cultural barriers are frightening . Its incredibly thick and tall . As an east-Asian, the only thing that would work is overwhelming skills . Of course, JooAh indeed has incredible skills, but I dont think

You dont think?

I dont think shes at the point where she could overcome that cultural difference . To be exact, her dancing skills alone should be fine, but it wont be easy due to other physical factors . Her body figure, her atmosphere as well as her origins, etc . There are a lot of barriers she has to overcome . To win against people from America, only overwhelming skill could bridge that gap .

Oh

Only then did HeeYoon accept KangYoons words .

She looked at the door JooAh just went in with pitying eyes .

***

Two days later .

[Then well call you later . ]

[Thank you . ]

JooAh, who had danced in front of a white man who was twice, no three times as big as her, left Unite Music with sweat all over her body .

I knew it, but its still hard .

Although he said that theyll call her later, his expression was full of disappointment .

She couldnt forget the expression when he was surprised about her small stature, and when he smiled bitterly saying that she seemed to lack energy when she was dancing .

JooAh collapsed onto a sofa in the lobby of Unite Music .

Dammit!

Her loud cursing made the people around look at her with weird gazes, but she didnt care .

The disappointment of having missed a great opportunity didnt go away easily .

Lets go

She was about to return after staring blankly for a long time, but just as she was about to, her phone started ringing .

Yes, oppa .

It was a call from KangYoon .

Unlike before, she accepted the call with a rather awkward voice .

How did the audition go?

JooAh didnt want to say that she failed .

She wanted to boldly say that she could pa.s.s without KangYoons help .

Of course I did well . Who do you think I

Really?

Silence pervaded the call for a long time .

I know it already . Be honest about it .

The silence seemed to say those words .

After the period of silence, JooAh snapped .

Yeah, I failed . I failed, okay? Do you feel good now? Huh?

Why cant you just let me be is that so hard to do? You evil

JooAh sobbed .

He shouldve helped if he knew it was going to be like this . Just why

Just as she was about to vent all of her frustration at him, a calm voice sounded over the phone .

Theres another audition . How is it, wanna do it?

An audition?

JooAh stopped .

Do you know who Carrie Cloudia is?

Carrie Cloudia?

Its an audition looking for her partner how is it? Wanna do it?

A super popular singer who was ranked 5th on the Billboard Charts, thats who Carrie Cloudia was . JooAhs eyes started shaking .