“No way, Kiryang is that woman’s son…..”
Survive IDOL’s vocal trainer, Seezy, muttered while resting her chin on her hand.
‘I thought his face looked familiar, but Kiryang didn’t give it away at all, so I didn’t realize it.’
Then, recalling the face of the pianist who had previously appeared on the program, she let out a deep sigh. This was because her impression of Kiryang’s mother at the time had not been particularly favorable.
On a program designed as a battle between popular and classical music, she had appeared as the representative of popular music and had a big argument with Baek Kiheon’s mother, who had been invited as the representative of classical music.
“Classical music, untainted by commercialism, is the true art. Can we really call the songs of those who perform on stage solely in pursuit of profit ‘music’? That’s nothing more than entertainment.”
“All music exists because there are people who listen to it. You have no right to belittle the value of music created to captivate the public. I am someone who has dedicated a life to music, just as long as you have. Don’t speak lightly about the music I love.”
The clash of pride between the two musicians perfectly aligned with the program’s concept, so they used sensational editing to air it, and it became a huge hit with the public.
However, even after the program ended, she couldn’t shake off her uncomfortable feelings. It was because she had failed to break Baek Kiryang’s mother’s stubbornness until the very end.
‘That person kept shouting about how classical music is superior, right up until the end.…’
Baek Kiryang’s mother’s love for music was genuine. It was so sincere and deeply rooted that it was virtually impenetrable. It was not easy for a person to change the values that they had devoted their entire life to.
And now, that woman’s son dreamed of becoming an idol.
She couldn’t believe it.
‘She criticized pop music so harshly on TV, do you think she would just sit idly by while her son decides to become an idol?’
As her thoughts circled around and eventually led to that question, she realized with a startled “
Oh no
“.
It was then that she finally understood the feelings of Baek Kiryang, whose face had turned pale while hearing her sharp evaluation.
‘Aah, this is a big problem. That woman really dislikes me, and now her son has been criticized by me….’
Later, she heard that when Baek Kiryang was insulted by Frick, his parents pressured him to quit the program. Given that she was an even bigger enemy to them than someone like Frick, it was clear they would be even more furious once it aired.
“Haa … seriously, what are they all thinking?”
She couldn’t understand why Baek Kiryang, who was carrying such a family background, appeared on this program, and why Han Seungbeom kept holding onto such Baek Kiryang until the end.
‘I can at least understand Kiryang. If that’s his dream, there’s nothing he can do. But Seungbeom, I just don’t understand him.’
The reason she decided to appear on Survive IDOL was because she had a dream of discovering raw, unpolished gems and nurturing them. Witnessing a child’s talent blossoms always brought a flutter to her heart.
“I am Do Yuda, a trainee from SU Entertainment!”
However, as soon as she started the first lesson after finally discovering the bundle of talent she had longed for, she immediately sensed something was off.
“If I practice to the point of straining my throat, I will get scolded.”
The child, whom she had thought was a raw gem without a single stain, had already been shaped by someone else’s hand, and had already handed over all his trust to that person.
The basics should be solid, but in a way that won’t harm the child’s future.
The individual’s subjectivity felt too distinct to be something accomplished by the large entertainment agency the child was affiliated with.
As the program progressed, Seezy was able to immediately figure out who the mastermind behind the eerie yet meticulous and skillful guidance was.
‘….Han Seungbeom.’
Even among the trainees with remarkable star qualities who could instantly revive the stagnant program, there was a child who shone particularly brightly. It was the child who always maintained the top position as if it were his birthright.
‘A child with that level of meticulousness surely wouldn’t have
failed to foresee Baek Kiryang’s poor performance. Why on earth did you entrust such an important role to Baek Kiryang?’
Baek Kiryang undeniably had the talent. This was something she could swear on her entire music career. However, whether that talent could shine right now was a different matter.
‘Even someone like me, who has never done idol activities, could sense it subconsciously. Baek Kiryang definitely has talent for singing, but I’m honestly not sure about him being an idol.’
A person’s attitude or personality, formed over a lifetime, wouldn’t easily change. Furthermore, if it stemmed from the parents who gave birth to and raised them, it would probably follow them for life. Seezy felt this strongly when she looked at Baek Kiryang’s mother.
“We will proceed with the last team rehearsal!”
While Seezy was unable to organize her complicated thoughts, she heard the staff’s announcement. At the sound of the last team’s rehearsal being announced, she quickly snapped back to attention and asked the surrounding trainers.
“Oh, which team is it?”
Then, a low voice came from right next to her.
“It’s Trainee Han Seungbeom’s team.”
The one who answered her was Jay, the head trainer of Survive IDOL. Judging by the fact that he spoke without even looking at the paper with the performance order, it seemed he had memorized Han Seungbeom’s team’s order from the beginning.
“You’ve even memorized the order?”
“I’m looking forward to it. After all, it’s Trainee Han Seungbeom’s team.”
Jay always had a smiling face in front of others, but there was often a cold atmosphere lingered around him. Seeing him enjoying himself so innocently like a child, Seezy was somewhat taken aback and blinked her eyes.
Then she opened her mouth cautiously, “I hate to break it to you while you’re so excited, but it might be better to not expect too much.”
“Why?”
“If there’s someone who can’t blend in on a stage that everyone creates together, the overall quality of the performance will inevitably drop. You’ve seen the mid-term evaluation, so you must understand what I’m talking about, Jay-ssi. It’s something that’s impossible to fix overnight.”
“…….”
As if those words didn’t resonate with him much, Jay simply watched one side of the stage with a calm expression. Just as Seezy was about to question his reaction, Jay slowly started to speak.
“Trainee Han Seungbeom placed his bet on Trainee Baek Kiryang, and I believe that alone is enough to make it a possibility.”
“…Aren’t you putting too much trust in Seungbeom? No matter how great he is, Seungbeom is still a trainee.”
“I’m not saying this just because of my trust in Trainee Han Seungbeom. What strikes me is Trainee Baek Kiryang’s thirst.”
“Thirst?”
“Trainee Baek Kiryang is probably thirsty for expectation and trust, more than anything else. His growth environment has made him that way.”
Before Jay could finish his words, the lights in the audience went out, and the spotlight on the stage lit up. Then, in time with the sound of footsteps, someone walked onto the stage.
The rehearsal for the fourth mission, and that too, the last order. The trainers, already exhausted, were staring at the stage with bored expressions.
But when that lone figure stepped onto the stage and gazed into the camera…..
“….Trainee Baek Kiryang?”
“Ah, surely not … isn’t that someone else?”
The trainers started to murmur.
“The person who can quench his thirst has finally appeared, but will Trainee Baek Kiryang really still embrace the old self that he himself hated so much?”
At that sight, and at Jay’s words, Seezy felt an inexplicable flutter in her heart.
***
After the contest began, Seezy stepped out for some fresh air and slowly walked down the hallway. She felt a sense of emptiness as she recalled the rehearsal stage from earlier.
‘This is ridiculous. It’s only one day. How can you transform someone like that in just one day?’
There was no trace of the once shy and timid Baek Kiryang in the person who had just flawlessly completed the performance.
The trainers were all dumbfounded by the unexpected change that no one had predicted or expected. Among the confused trainers, Jay was the only one who remained calm.
The direction of the members’ gazes, Jay’s words, and the actions of Han Seungbeom that she had seen so far.
The culprit behind this ridiculous situation was too obvious.
‘…This is also something Seungbeom planned.’
A feeling of helplessness washed over her. She felt ashamed of herself for not having contributed at all, especially considering that Han Seungbeom, still just a trainee, had managed to help Baek Kiryang grow to this extent.
Although she was more confident than anyone in teaching singing techniques, she felt as if she was missing something important.
‘Is it because I’ve never been an idol myself that I find this so difficult? Or is it because my career as a mentor is too short?’
“Haaa……”
As she was walking aimlessly toward the trainer’s waiting room, the voice of the person who had been troubling her mind reached her ears.
“Trainer-nim.”
“….Kiryang, what’s going on?”
When she spoke with a slightly tired expression, Baek Kiryang, who had been nervously watching her, suddenly bowed and expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you.”
“…..What is it?”
“You told me that I would be a person who always stands on stage. I was happy.”
Only after hearing that, Seezy remembered the mid-term evaluation.
He had outstanding singing skills, so she thought that he would definitely stand on stage in some way in the future. She never expected Baek Kiryang to be so grateful for such an obvious statement.
What’s more, at that time, Baek Kiryang had turned pale and was trembling in fear. She was fully prepared to be resented for saying those words, so his gratitude came as a complete shock.
Unable to erase the feelings of helplessness and regret she had felt while witnessing Baek Kiryang’s growth, she shook her head and muttered, “….Thank you? It’s too excessive a word for me. I haven’t done anything for Kiryang.”
After hearing what Seezy said, Baek Kiryang blinked a few times and looked behind him. In the direction of his gaze was Han Seungbeom. When their eyes met, Han Seungbeom silently nodded.
It almost seemed like he was cheering for Baek Kiryang.
Baek Kiryang, with a face reddened by that, hesitantly began speaking to Seezy again.
“To tell you the truth, I cheered for you, Trainer-nim, while watching the program my mother appeared on. And while watching Trainer Seezy, I came to a dream. I want to do ‘
the music I love
‘ too.”
“…….”
“I’m here today thanks to you, Trainer-nim.”
After saying that, Baek Kiryang lifted his head. He had a smile on his face that Seezy had never seen before. Seezy let out a sigh upon seeing it.
At long last, she was able to understand. The difference between the current Baek Kiryang and Baek Kiryang during the mid-term evaluation.
‘Now that I think of it, I’ve never seen Baek Kiryang smile.’
No matter how legitimate the advice was, if the person receiving it had a heart full of wounds, it would only cause them pain, not provide help for them.
At that time, Baek Kiryang didn’t have the capacity to absorb other people’ advice in the right direction. However, after meeting a mentor named Han Seungbeom, the current Baek Kiryang had found the courage to fully face her advice.
‘What Kiryang needed the most wasn’t harsh advice.’
The growth of children can sometimes lead to the growth of their mentor.
Deeply feeling the meaning of those words, she bowed her head towards the two children.
“I am the one who should be thanking you. I’ve learned so much from meeting Kiryang and the trainees here.”
And she prayed that the efforts these two children had worked so hard to build would not come crashing down.
“Mother-nim! You can’t enter without permission!”
“Baek Kiryang, come out right now! Baek Kiryang!”
But reality was always cruel, and children, without even having a chance to resist, were often shaken by it.
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Translator’s Corner:
Actually I’m too weak-hearted for this kind of story …. me going to prepare my mental first …..