Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 518: Concert (3)

As Cherry Blossom performed 'My First Love Story' and 'Hurry Up!,' Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon stood beside me, taking deep breaths.

Their songs were 'A New Beginning' and 'Soulfire.' Though they had sung them countless times before, they felt a different kind of tension compared to performing on a music show. They kept steadying their breaths, saying it didn't feel the same.

The reason for their nervousness was simple: they were about to debut their new singles.

A moment later, Kang Ha-Na would sing her self-composed song 'Winter Rain,' and Kim Jong-Hoon would perform his song 'Lighthouse.'

'Winter Rain' told Kang Ha-Na's personal story about how she had become a completely different person despite experiencing the same winter rain as a year ago. Meanwhile, 'Lighthouse' reflected Kim Jong-Hoon's journey. Once lost in the vast ocean of music, he had now found a guiding light.

Kang Ha-Na had once nearly given up on becoming a singer as an idol trainee, and Kim Jong-Hoon had once nearly given up on life itself despite being a top idol. However, both had gone on to find their paths and were now embracing their growth as artists.

Watching them, I gave them a little encouragement. "You'll do great, don't worry."

Kim Jong-Hoon turned to me and looked at me with eyes filled with gratitude. "Yoon-Ho, thanks for letting me perform my new song today."

"There's no need to thank me. Thanks to you, we got to promote Ha-Na faster."

Back when Kang Ha-Na debuted, Kim Jong-Hoon had accompanied her on the piano and helped her gain quick recognition.

Kim Jong-Hoon shook his head. "Not at all. Even without me, you would've made Ha-Na successful. And Ha-Na would've risen on her own."

"Nah, you made things a lot easier for us."

Kim Jong-Hoon chuckled. "You are too humble sometimes."

Then, Kim Jong-Hoon suddenly straightened up and spoke again. "Oh, and Yoon-Ho, there's something I really need to say."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Thanks for saving me and guiding me. Because of you, I can stand on this stage again."

Kim Jong-Hoon's unexpected confession made my heart swell. Before I regressed, Kim Jong-Hoon was no longer in this world. But now, he was here and alive in this moment as my close friend.

I looked at him and responded with sincerity. "Don't mention it. That's what friends do."

My answer was short, but Kim Jong-Hoon grinned as if that was more than enough.

I then turned my gaze to Kang Ha-Na who looked especially tense. In just two minutes, she would step onto the stage.

I asked, "Ha-Na, what's wrong?"

"Yoon-Ho oppa. My mom and dad... They really came today?"

"Yeah, they're here. They're sitting right in the middle of the front row."

I had arranged for the parents of all the performers to sit in the special front-row seats. Normally, VIP sections were reserved for politicians' families, chaebols, and influential figures in the entertainment industry.

Yet, I invited the families of all the performers today because they were the real VIPs to me.

"But my parents said they wouldn't come..."

"I convinced them. I wanted them to see you perform properly."

Kang Ha-Na's mother was a former singer, though only known for cover songs, and her father had been her mother's talent agent. Because they understood the struggles of being a singer, they initially didn't want to attend.

However, I made sure they came because I knew Kang Ha-Na would shine, even if she didn't fully believe it herself just yet.

"Agh... What if I mess up?"

I responded without hesitation. "So what if you do?"

"Huh?"

"Giving your best like a pro is great, but sometimes, you just need to have fun. The concert hall is filled with people who love you, so just go out there and enjoy it."

Kim Jong-Hoon smiled beside us. "A million-subscriber MeTuber who livestreams to twenty thousand viewers every night is scared of performing in front of just eight thousand people?"

"Hey, this is different," Kang Ha-Na replied.

"There's no difference at all. And like Yoon-Ho said, it's fine even if you make a mistake here. Just think about making your fans happy."

I added my own bit to ease Kang Ha-Na's nerves. "Jong-Hoon is right, Ha-Na. And if you do mess up, I'll go up on stage later and do an apology dance. So don't worry."

Kang Ha-Na giggled. "I should definitely do well for the sake of your reputation."

"Wow~ Are you insulting my dancing skills?"

Instead of answering me, Kang Ha-Na turned to Kim Jong-Hoon. "Jong-Hoon oppa, should I just make a mistake? Let's turn Yoon-Ho oppa into a star."

Kim Jong-Hoon grinned. "Well, if the Handsome Talent Agent busts out some terrible dance moves, it'll definitely hit number one on trending."

'Wait a second. Why do you two sound like scheming villains?'

I was trying to ease her nerves, but now I was the one getting anxious.

Seeing my face, Kang Ha-Na laughed. "Oppa. If I mess up, you have to dance."

Kim Jong-Hoon added fuel to the fire. "If Ha-Na doesn't mess up, then I'll have to make a mistake instead."

I protested, "Hey! What's wrong with you two? Cancel it! I take it back!"

"Nope! There's no take-backs~"

Just then, Cherry Blossom's stage ended. A roar of cheers erupted from the crowd as Cherry Blossom grabbed their mic and shouted their gratitude.

As they stepped down, the next MC, Jang Joon-Hyuk, walked onto the stage.

-I am Jang Joon-Hyuk, the man making his comeback! Are you all having fun?

The fans erupted into even louder cheers upon seeing Jang Joon-Hyuk. Switching up the MC every time had turned out to be a great idea.

-Alright! Up next, we have another star of tonight's concert! Please welcome Miss Kang Ha-Na, along with Mr. Kim Jong-Hoon on piano!

With Jang Joon-Hyuk's smooth introduction, Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon headed up onto the stage.

"We'll be back," they said.

Despite their earlier nerves, the two delivered a flawless performance. Kang Ha-Na began singing with Kim Jong-Hoon's piano accompaniment under the spotlight. Then, fifty members of the National Gugak Orchestra joined them, and 'Soulfire' began.

Pouring all their energy into the song, Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon stood tall before Ha-Na's teary-eyed parents, proving she had become a proud and confident singer.

Kang Ha-Na was finally shaking off her past and cementing her place as a top star.

***

After Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon's solo performances, Cherry Blossom took the stage again.

They performed 'Autumn, Winter Rain' and 'Cherry Blossoms Bloom Twice,' two songs that had only existed in the album before now. As they sang, the fans followed along using the pre-distributed guide pamphlets, chanting the fan slogans in perfect sync.

As the successful concert continued, it was now time for guest performer Seo Yeon-Woo. His song for the night was 'Hwayeonga.' It was the theme song of Kim Beop-Min, the eldest son of Kim Chun-Chu, who admired Princess Yoo-Hwa in the drama.

Standing below the stage, Seo Yeon-Woo clutched his microphone tightly and took a deep breath. Though this wasn't an official solo debut, it was still his first time showcasing himself as a singer.

Watching Seo Yeon-Woo full of both excitement and fear, I offered a few words of advice. "Yeon-Woo, if the crowd feels overwhelming, just... imagine you're singing comfortably for your grandmother."

This was something I often told singers struggling with stage fright. They should focus only on the people who loved and supported them, and everything—their voice, their expression—would naturally improve.

Seo Yeon-Woo nodded. His grandmother seated in the audience with her hands clasped tightly together happened to be in good condition today.

"Oh, and hyung... Thanks for keeping your promise."

Onstage, fifty members of the gugak orchestra were already in place and waiting to perform alongside Seo Yeon-Woo. I had even asked Bang Seon-Woo to arrange the accompaniment specifically for the concert.

On top of that, I had also spoken with Oh Bok-Hee from Hwaranjeon to secure an edited video for the back screen.

But that wasn't all I had prepared for Seo Yeon-Woo. The suit he was wearing now was a top-tier custom piece I had personally requested from Jason Cho. With his well-proportioned figure, Seo Yeon-Woo pulled off the suit effortlessly.

I said, "This stage doesn't even count as a real promise. When you get more popular, let's plan your solo concert next year."

Seo Yeon-Woo nodded. "Yes, hyung."

"Alright, time to get ready to go up."

Just then, Haru, who was the MC for this segment, stepped onto the stage first. "Hyung, I'll go ahead."

"Yeah, good luck."

Haru grabbed the mic and greeted the audience. "Hello, everyone~"

The audience erupted with excitement.

-Oh my goodness! It's Haru!

The venue buzzed with energy as Haru, currently ranked as the hottest teenage actor, appeared.

"Are you all having fun?"

-Yes~~~!

The loud cheers echoed throughout the hall.

Haru smiled brightly and responded that he was having a great time too. Then, he introduced Seo Yeon-Woo.

"Now, the next performer is someone who has trained the vocals of Cherry Blossom and Miss Kang Ha-Na."

At that moment, murmurs spread through the audience. The idea of someone who had trained such top singers naturally sparked curiosity and anticipation.

Haru hyped up the introduction as much as he could before finally announcing,

"Presenting the special guest who will perform Hwaranjeon's original soundtrack 'Hwayeonga,' I Mr. Seo Yeon-Woo!"

At that moment, the massive screen behind the stage lit up with a scene from next month's broadcast of Hwaranjeon. The image showed Yoo-Jin in a vast field of yellow rapeseed flowers, dressed in a stunning hanbok, gazing out at the horizon.

As a princess of Silla, her expression was filled with charisma as if she were determined to conquer the Baekje kingdom beyond. Her graceful yet powerful presence drew awed gasps from the audience.

At that moment, the waiting members of the gugak orchestra began their performance as Kim Jong-Hoon played the first note on the piano.

Ding~

The delicate and sorrowful melody of the bipa[1] harmonized with the piano, creating a deeply emotional atmosphere.

The fully prepared Seo Yeon-Woo looked at me. "Hyung, I'll be back. And... thank you for everything today."

"Go on."

Seo Yeon-Woo nodded and stepped onto the stage.

Bathed in the soft glow of the spotlight, he shone like a true star. Walking slowly to the center of the stage, he raised the mic to his lips.

And in that moment, Seo Yeon-Woo's beautiful, clear voice filled DX Hall.

***

As 'Hwayeonga' resonated throughout the concert hall, the audience began to tear up despite not knowing Seo Yeon-Woo well. His voice carried the raw emotions of a powerful noble's son in Silla, torn by his love for a woman destined to be the next queen.

The purity of Seo Yeon-Woo's tone, the tragic yet grand accompaniment of the gugak orchestra, and Kim Jong-Hoon's elegant piano blended into a breathtaking harmony.

Overwhelmed with emotion, fans turned on their phone flashes and swayed them in unison. The dazzling lights from the 8,000-seat audience created a mesmerizing sight.

Moments later, the concert hall was left in a stunned silence as Seo Yeon-Woo's song came to an end.

With the final fading notes of the accompaniment, Seo Yeon-Woo slowly moved the mic away from his lips. Overcome with emotion, his body trembled slightly as he bowed deeply at a full 90 degrees.

"Thank... you."

At that moment, the entire audience leapt to their feet in a standing ovation as if they had been waiting for this moment.

-That was incredible! Seo Yeon-Woo!

-Wow, his voice is unreal.

-Seo Yeon-Woo, I'm your fan from today!!!

Even those who didn't know Seo Yeon-Woo before were swept up in the performance and cheered in pure admiration for the song itself.

That's when Seo Yeon-Woo's grandmother staggered to her feet, with support from Haru's mother, Natalia. Overcome with emotion, she clapped through her tears.

"My baby... You did so well... No, Mr. Seo Yeon-Woo, you're the best."

Her voice trembled as she used formal speech for the first time with her grandson, now a singer.

With an expression that seemed to say she could die without regrets, she continued clapping endlessly even after the audience had taken their seats. She wanted to etch this moment into her memory, to never forget her grandson standing proudly on stage.

Receiving the greatest applause from his most cherished fan, Seo Yeon-Woo bowed again and again before reluctantly leaving the stage.

Seo Yeon-Woo's eyes brimmed with tears as he descended. "Hyung..."

Finally, Seo Yeon-Woo had shown his grandmother that he had become a singer. He was unable to form words with tears streaming uncontrollably down his face.

I patted Seo Yeon-Woo on the shoulder, waiting for him to release all the emotions he had been holding back. "I know. Let it all out."

When he finally stopped crying, he lowered his head to me once more. "Hyung... Thank you so much. I'll work even harder from now on."

"Yeah. Oh, and you were truly amazing today."

Only then did a small smile break through Seo Yeon-Woo's tear-streaked face.

And with that, Seo Yeon-Woo officially transitioned from "vocal trainer Seo Yeon-Woo" to "singer Seo Yeon-Woo."

***

Cherry Blossom and Kang Ha-Na's concert continued to deliver one successful performance after another.

Sae-Ri took the stage alone, performing Hwaranjeon's original soundtrack and marking the start of her solo career.

The girl group Treviang also made a guest appearance, showcasing their honed skills. With flawless synchronization and machine-like precision, Treviang executed their choreography without a single mistake. Their overwhelming stage presence hinted at the rise of a new top-tier idol group, and the audience responded with thunderous applause.

Meanwhile, the concert's atmosphere heated up even more every time an S-class actor took on the MC role.

The concert, which started at 7 p.m, was originally scheduled to end at 9 p.m. However, it wasn't until 10 p.m that it finally concluded with encore after encore. A total of seven encore songs were performed, driven by the relentless cheers of the crowd.

And with that, Hoop Entertainment's first joint concert ended in a massive success.

As I watched the audience file out, I made one final announcement over the radio to the staff. "Everyone, thank you so much for your hard work today!"

At that moment, responses came flooding in from the staff including Lee Dong-Min.

-Yoon-Ho, you really worked hard today.

-Mr. Jung, great job.

-Seriously, you did an amazing job.

-The success of today's concert is all thanks to you, Mr. Jung.

Amid endless messages of congratulations and gratitude, Cherry Blossom and Kang Ha-Na's joint concert officially came to a close.

***

The morning after the concert, I woke up with a parched throat. My body was aching all over from the alcohol I had downed at the after-party.

I reached for my phone with my limbs heavy from exhaustion. The time was 5:30 a.m. Since I only had to be at work by noon, I planned to drink some water and get a little more sleep.

But the moment I glanced at the bottom of my screen, all drowsiness vanished.

[Missed Calls: 212]

[Unread Messages: 359]

'What the heck? Why are there so many missed calls at this hour?'

Talent agents instinctively felt fear when they saw a flood of missed calls, because it meant something happened.

My sleep completely disappeared as I hastily unlocked my phone and opened the portal site.

And an unbelievable sight awaited me in the entertainment news section.

1. Bipa is a traditional Korean instrument ☜