Chapter 30:

Chapter 30:

Chapter 30

The first stage we presented at the music cafe was, of course, Something.

I was hesitant at first.

I wondered if I should rearrange or remake the song and sing it in a new way.

But Director Jo Gyu-hwan disagreed with me.

You shouldnt think that the audience always wants something new. If you change a familiar stage too much, it could backfire.

Jang Sunbae So-won also agreed.

I tried that when I was in Sugarfish. But the audience didnt like it. A stage is also a show. Its like a movie. If the audience has expectations, you have to meet them first. You can show them twists or new things later.

Following their advice, we prepared the stage for Something as we had done before.

From today, Im going to flirt with you

Im going to catch you, who are hard to catch

Im going to narrow the gap between you and me

When we sang the chorus, the audience sang along with us.

I had sung with the audience before at small events, but it was amazing to have so many people sing with me.

It gave me goosebumps all over my body.

We couldnt get out of the afterglow until we entered the talk corner with MC Ha Seung-joo after the first stage.

-That was a great stage, right? Lets give them another round of applause.

The audience clapped along with the MCs comment.

We sat on the chairs that were set up.

Jang Sunbae So-won was on the far left, the members were in between, and I was sitting closest to Ha Seung-joo.

I had to do well in the talk corner.

I had done interviews before, but this was my first time doing this kind of talk.

I was afraid I might make a mistake, so Seok-hwan hyung locked us in the room and made us practice until we threw up, but I was still nervous.

The microphone in my hand was damp with cold sweat.

-First, can you introduce yourself?

-Yes, hello. Im singer Jang So-won.

The audience applauded.

In the middle of it, some guy shouted I love you, noona! and the audience burst into laughter.

It couldnt be our road manager hyung, could it?

Jang So-won smiled with her eyes and took it easy.

-I didnt know I had fans here. Yes, nice to meet you. Im Jang So-won, and you all know me as the main vocal of that group.

Sugarfish was banned from appearing on TV after the drug scandal, so they were treated like Voldemort.

The audience clapped.

It was a gesture of encouragement for her, who had overcome her dark past with a smile.

-Its been a long time since Ive seen you, Jang So-won.

-Yes, its been a long time since Ive been on a music show. Im not the type to get nervous when I go on stage, but today I was shaking.

-Really?

-Yes, because there are Sunbaes I respect here.

-Youre making me weak, So-won. I have to stick to the script, but I want to take care of you more.

-Thank you very much, Sunbae.

-Did you see that, everyone? Im so soft-hearted.

After the two experienced broadcasters exchanged pleasantries, the spotlight turned to us.

-Can you introduce yourself?

Hello, Im Woojoo, the leader of New Black.

-Im Bi-ju, the main dancer.

-Im Jung-hyun, the rapper.

-Im Seo Ri-hyuk, the main vocal.

-Im Ji-ho, the youngest and the visual. I love you.

He was supposed to introduce himself, but he acted cute.

It could have been seen as too much, but he pulled it off with his natural facial expressions.

The MC, Ha Seung-joo, smiled.

-Youre a team with a lot of personality. But Ji-ho, I heard from the writers that the visual member is Woojoo.

-No, its me.

The audience laughed at Ji-hos answer.

-The youngest says so. What do you think, Woojoo?

I also think our youngest is the most handsome.

-Really?

Actually

I pretended to hesitate.

I have to say this outside, or hell get mad when we go back to the dorm.

-So youre not the visual?

Yes, that friend is self-proclaimed visual, right?

The audience laughed at my playful retort.

The reaction was not bad.

I could throw another line.

Who should I throw it to?

The one who is quick-witted would be better.

The decision was made quickly.

Actually, I think the real visual is Bi-ju. I didnt know much when I first saw him, but the more I look at him, the more he has aura.

Ha Seung-joo, who had eye contact with me, seemed to catch on and changed the direction of the talk.

-Is that so? Bi-ju, what do you think?

No, not at all.

Bi-ju smiled shyly.

Some of the audience were swaying at the smile of the gentle-looking pretty boy.

His delicate voice echoed through the public hall through the microphone.

I think our teams main vocal, Ri-hyuk, is the most handsome.

-Then, what about Ri-hyuk?

A strange atmosphere was forming.

Ri-hyuk, who noticed the situation, pointed at Jung-hyun with his finger and said.

Our rapper is the visual.

-Ah, then shall we move on to Jung-hyun?

As expected, Jung-hyun pointed at me.

While complimenting each others appearance, the youngest, who was naturally left out, made a sad face.

The people burst into laughter as the youngests expression change was broadcast live on the screen.

Of course, it wasnt sincere.

It was just a show for the broadcast.

The PD thought for a moment and smiled at the staffs words.

Is there anyone among the guests who can say anything to us?

No.

Extending and reducing the time is the broadcasting stations own right. And just take care of the time. The upcoming content will be that much more buzzworthy. No problem. And what if they talk behind our backs?

He added with a smile.

As long as the ratings are good, its all good.

****

The talk about the composition and the trivial matters was over, and there were only two stages left.

-Well, its time to see the middle stage.

The MC adjusted his glasses and looked at me.

He gave me a look that asked if I was ready.

I nodded and Ha Seung-joo continued.

-I heard that Woojoo has a talent for piano, too.

Oh, no.

I waved my hands and said.

Even though Ive been playing since I was young, my skills are still lacking.

-Dont be fooled by his modesty, everyone.

Ha Seung-joo smirked as he looked at the audience.

-I sneaked in earlier and watched him rehearse, and Im a pianist and composer myself, but I couldnt play with such emotion when I was his age. You can look forward to Woojoos piano.

The audiences eyes sparkled with curiosity at the hosts appropriate remark.

Their attention was focused on me.

I casually walked towards the grand piano.

I was nervous.

I put on a relaxed expression that I learned from the master of facial acting, Wang Ji-ho, but I couldnt help trembling.

The stage is a strange thing.

Just when you get used to it, a new nervousness comes along.

As I passed by the members seats, they gave me encouraging looks.

Hoo

I took a shallow breath that no one could see and sat down on the piano chair.

Cold touch.

The seat felt very cold.

The audience was silent.

Their eyes, filled with curiosity and anticipation, watched me like stars in the night sky.

I felt the heavy air on my body and started to move my fingers.

***

The audience was inflated with expectation.

Ha Seung-joo never praised anyones piano before. How good is he?

Their eyes were fixed on one place.

The handsome idol member sitting in front of the grand piano.

He lifted one arm to the piano, and his thin, pale fingers caught the eyes of the people near the stage.

Maybe he was a bit nervous, his Adams apple bobbed up and down a few times.

Then the performance began.

It was an arrangement of the legendary jazz classic Route 66 for piano.

A very cheerful melody.

From the moment the first phrase was heard, the audience was captivated by the performance.

It was probably because Seon Woojoo himself was immersed in the music.

He looked completely different from when he sat down nervously in front of the piano. His fingers seemed to make notes flow out of the piano as they tapped the keys.

The audience stared at Seon Woojoo in awe.

He had a face that enjoyed music.

His shoulders moved up and down naturally, and his knees also moved lightly as he pressed the pedals.

His fingers danced happily on the black and white keys.

But it wasnt all joy.

There was a hint of melancholy in the arrangement of Route 66.

It was like watching a gentleman singing cheerfully about his lover who left him on a rainy day.

The audience naturally got absorbed.

They stopped seeing Seon Woojoo as a mere handsome idol and appreciated his stage as it was.

Hes playing twice as well as he did in rehearsal.

The PD who was watching from the control room grinned.

Itll be a good clip to upload on the internet.

That group must be good at live performances. They seemed so tense during rehearsal, but now they look totally relaxed.

What do you think of the audiences reaction?

The assistant director who was watching the audiences expressions on the screen answered.

Its a huge success.

I knew it.

The PD muttered as he looked at Seon Woojoo playing the piano.

Blood doesnt lie, after all.

He had heard about Seon Woojoos father while talking to Ha Seung-joo earlier.

When Ha Seung-joo suggested increasing the airtime of New Black, he frowned and wondered what he was talking about, but he soon agreed when he heard about Seon Woojoos father.

It was a good story to boost the ratings.

Some people might not know, but well

Soon the performance ended.

The camera captured the applause of the audience, and Seon Woojoo returned to his seat.

Ha Seung-joo smiled and asked.

-That was a wonderful performance. Did you arrange it yourself? Youre really talented in music, from composing to playing.

-Thank you.

Seon Woojoo bowed his head and Ha Seung-joo, the MC, glanced at the cue card and changed the topic.

-But did you inherit this musical talent? Of course, your own effort is important, but talent is also important for art, right?

-Well, thats

Seon Woojoo said with a smile.

-I think I got it from my father. He was a pianist, and I saw him a lot since I was young.

-Whats his name?

-Seon Myung-joo

At that name, gasps erupted from the audience.

Seon Myung-joo.

He was the most famous pianist in Korea 15 years ago.