I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 447
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 447
PD Lee Sung-gyun pressed his forehead with his hand.
“That bastard really….”
Honey Donut had been walking a precarious line, but until now it could be packaged as merely the grievances of the underground scene.
But today he’d even dissed this program itself.
“Everything’s predetermined in this game? He’s basically saying Min-guk’s already set to win, stirring people up again.”
“Honey Donut, he really goes too far no matter what.”
The Writer chimed in as well.
“PD, shouldn’t we at least give Honey Donut a warning?”
“If we warn him, they’ll say we took money from Min-guk’s side.”
“PD, isn’t that crossing the line? How could Min-guk possibly stay quiet hearing something like that?”
“Eminem, let’s hear your evaluation.”
And soon Eminem gave his assessment from behind.
“Honey Donut, your rap isn’t sweet like your name suggests. I don’t know what your lyrics mean, but you should be cleaning behind my stage.”
Kim Seok immediately continued the show.
“Based on the judges’ comments we’ve heard so far, it seems cleaning behind the stage isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Alright, let’s prepare the next rapper.”
In that moment, Min-guk’s brow furrowed.
Min-guk whispered to Jung-woo sitting beside him.
“Jung-woo, the rapper behind that screen… doesn’t he sound like Eminem?”
“Eminem?”
“His tone of voice and everything… what do you think?”
“It does sound a bit like it… but why would Eminem appear on a Korean program like this?”
“I guess you’re right….”
Min-guk tilted his head. But the suspicion wouldn’t go away.
And finally, Min-guk’s turn was approaching.
“Alright, this is today’s final stage. Please welcome Jeon Min-guk, the main vocalist and sub-rapper of Sevens!”
* * *
[It should be about Min-guk’s turn by now….]
More than an hour had already passed since recording began.
At that moment, I received a call from PD Lee Sung-gyun.
“PD Lee?”
– You’re still in the parking lot? Eminem’s leaving soon.
“Um… what about my brother?”
– That’s what you’re most curious about, right?
[PD, stop dragging this out. My heart’s burning up here.]
– Don’t worry. He’s completely in the safe zone. Eminem only praised three rappers, and your brother was one of them.
I finally let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank you so much, PD Lee.”
– We should be thanking you. Thanks to you, the program’s quality suddenly skyrocketed. And we got some really good scenes. Eminem remembered Min-guk well. He even said he’s his apprentice, and the other rappers were incredibly envious.
Everything was unfolding exactly as I’d anticipated.
The underground rappers who had dismissed idols doing hip-hop would have no choice but to acknowledge Min-guk once they learned he was Eminem’s protégé.
The moment I hung up with PD Lee Sung-gyun, I saw Eminem emerge.
Eminem quickly climbed into the car and gave me a thumbs up.
“Sung-guk, Min-guk has grown so much more since then?”
“Is that all?”
“Yeah.”
In that instant, Eminem’s face went pale.
“Eminem, what’s wrong?”
“The photo my daughter asked for with Min-guk!!! I forgot!!!”
“Don’t worry about that, Eminem!”
I made one more suggestion to PD Lee Sung-gyun today.
Eminem was scheduled to head to Gimpo Airport for a performance in Japan right after today’s recording ended.
Once the production team learned that Eminem’s daughter was a fan of Min-guk, I suggested they bring Min-guk directly to Gimpo Airport to see Eminem off.
“I called Min-guk to Gimpo Airport. But… it looks like the camera crew will be coming along too. The PD here wanted to capture that scene.”
Eminem’s eyes narrowed.
“Sung-guk, I feel completely used.”
“It’s for your daughter. You can do this much.”
“Seriously, I can’t live because of my daughter. A few years ago she was crazy about you, and now it’s your brother! Your dad has become a complete pushover for the Jeon brothers!”
Eminem laughed cheerfully.
* * *
I watched from a distance as Min-guk and Eminem took photos together and even video-called his daughter.
PD Lee Sung-gyun didn’t miss the moment and captured it on camera.
After exchanging warm farewells, Eminem headed into the departure hall for his performance in Japan.
Now all my work was done.
I had transformed Min-guk—an idol dismissed by rappers—into a rapper recognized by Eminem, showing other rappers what was what.
That was the plan I had orchestrated.
Once this season of Give Me The Money aired, people who had thought of Sevens as idols merely mimicking hip-hop would see them differently.
I turned quietly away from the crowd and headed toward the parking lot.
[This kid Min-guk has no idea about my grand plan.]
I smiled bitterly.
This was the fate of being South Korea’s eldest son.
* * *
Give Me The Money Season 4 had begun airing.
The early broadcasts proceeded with pre-recorded footage, and once only eight contestants remained, the structure shifted to live broadcasts with one-on-one matches leading to the semifinals and finals.
Fortunately, both Min-guk and Jung-woo survived within the final eight. Honey Donut was also among the survivors.
Click—click—click—
The front door opened repeatedly.
Jeon Tae-guk, Sam, and Adam from the neighbor’s house, as well as Secretary Kim Mi-so and Secretary Park Sung-hee, were arriving to watch Min-guk’s first broadcast.
Only Ji-hee, who was sensitive due to college entrance exam preparations, stayed home, while Mother and Father came to our house.
Father’s bossam was laid out on the table, and Jeon Tae-guk had specially brought Thai cuisine from Samjeon Hotel, filling the table abundantly.
“Father, it’s been a while. You should have a drink with us.”
Jeon Tae-guk poured whiskey for Father with an easy smile.
“Sung-guk, would you like a drink too?”
“I’ll have a beer, please.”
Secretary Kim Mi-so sat beside Mother, sipping soju together warmly.
“Mother, I’ve grown quite fond of soju.”
“Secretary Kim and I have good taste in drinks. I don’t like beer—it makes me too full—and whiskey is too strong for me.”
I stared blankly at the beer in my hand, then gulped it down.
“Alright, it’s starting now! Everyone, pay attention!”
At Secretary Park Sung-hee’s cry, we all held our breath and watched the television.
* * *
Father’s sighs came one after another.
Give Me The Money Season 4’s target was unmistakably Min-guk.
The moment Min-guk and Jung-woo from Sevens appeared at the preliminaries, the looks directed at them were far from welcoming. And in the interviews that followed, people openly mocked them, asking what business idols had doing hip-hop.
Even though Min-guk and Jung-woo passed the preliminaries fair and square, the judges didn’t drop their suspicious gazes.
– That’s Jeon Sung-guk’s younger brother, isn’t it? One of the wealthiest men in America. Why wouldn’t the broadcasting station pick someone with such a successful older brother?
– He’s an idol with decent looks, so they picked him thinking it would help with ratings. If I had money, I’d get my whole face done and debut like that too.
At those words, Mother bristled.
“Our Min-guk hasn’t had anything done! He looks like his mother and father!”
“That’s right, Mother. Just look at the CEO.”
Secretary Kim Mi-so chimed in as well.
[Secretary Kim, so you’re saying I’m… handsome?]
Then came a judge’s critique of Min-guk’s rap.
– He does it well enough, but honestly, a real rapper has to write their own lyrics, you know? I’m not sure an idol who just parrots what they’re given can pull that off.
Father let out a sigh.
“Watching this show, Min-guk must be getting really hurt….”
“Father, don’t worry. Min-guk is gritting his teeth and practicing in the studio right now.”
Min-guk wasn’t watching the broadcast—he was practicing in preparation for the eight-person stage.
From the eight-person stage onward, the format changed to have actual audience members come and vote.
And near the end of the first episode, Honey Donut appeared in an individual interview.
True to his concept, Honey Donut sat in his chair with an arrogant pose for the interview.
“Which rapper do you think is a contender for the championship?”
“If we’re talking pure skill, me?”
“What do you mean by that, Honey Donut?”
“Skill-wise, I’d be the champion. But there’s someone here with some serious backing, so I guess that person’s going to win anyway, right?”
Then the camera panned to Min-guk and Jung-woo practicing nervously in the waiting room, focusing especially on Min-guk’s face as the first episode wrapped up.
“What is this, completely devil’s editing! Anyone watching would think our Min-guk is the predetermined winner!”
Jeon Tae-guk bristled.
I quickly tried to calm him down.
“Brother, don’t worry. Honestly, Min-guk does have advantages over the other contestants. He trained as a trainee for a long time, he has outstanding looks, and he has an older brother like me backing him. Compared to contestants with nothing, he’s in a good position. Now he just needs to overcome that with his actual skill.”
[Everyone, watch this. Min-guk’s growth. Give Me The Money Season 4 is the story of Jeon Min-guk’s ascension!]
I drained my beer in one gulp.
* * *
– Give Me The Money Season 4 erupts with controversy from the start. Honey Donut’s claim that there’s a predetermined winner!
– PD Lee Sung-gyun, who directed Give Me The Money Season 4, dismisses Honey Donut’s remarks as mere personal delusion.
– Despite the uproar, Give Me The Money Season 4 achieves record-breaking viewership ratings!
Give Me The Money’s ratings soared, and Min-guk’s public perception was shifting in a favorable direction.
– Min-guk’s actually more skilled than expected. He’s the sub-rapper on his team, but in terms of pure ability, he’s no worse than the main rapper.
– Min-guk isn’t just a pretty face. I’m genuinely curious what kind of genes run through that family!
– Jung-woo from Sevens is a complete pro too. His lyrics are incredible. He’s like a wandering bard, seriously.
And finally, Eminem’s blind evaluation and mid-round assessment aired.
Even amid Eminem’s scathing critiques, Min-guk received favorable praise, and when Eminem called Min-guk his protégé, the internet erupted.
– Jeon Min-guk really is talented! Eminem’s protégé!
– Wait, shouldn’t we be suspicious of this? Didn’t Jeon Sung-guk just throw money at it?
– If you have ears, listen. The only ones worth hearing rap are Min-guk, Jung-woo, Psycho, and Honey Donut.
– Listen to Sevens’ music. Min-guk’s singing is incredible too.
Thanks to Give Me The Money’s impact, Sevens’ album even experienced a chart resurgence.
It started when Eminem’s daughter, a Sevens fan, appeared in a video call scene at the airport that was broadcast.
Articles poured out day after day.
– Sevens’ reevaluation. Not idols pretending at hip-hop, but a genuinely talented group!
– Though Honey Donut said it maliciously, the momentum now belongs to Jeon Min-guk!
Min-guk faced off against each of the eight competitors one-on-one in death matches and advanced to the semifinals.
However, Jung-woo faced off against Psycho, who was considered a strong championship favorite, and was eliminated.
But Jung-woo’s recognition certainly rose as well.
Many praised Jung-woo’s lyrics so highly that he earned the nickname “the wandering bard of hip-hop.”
And now, tomorrow is Min-guk’s semifinal.
Min-guk’s semifinal opponent was set to be Honey Donut.
– The championship is obviously Jeon Min-guk’s! Honey Donut versus Jeon Min-guk in the semifinals!
* * *
Min-guk stumbled home completely exhausted.
It was past three in the morning.
“Hyung, you haven’t slept yet?”
I’d been waiting for Min-guk and hadn’t even noticed how much time had passed.
“I was working on some things… Min-guk, your semifinal is tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah.”
I handed Min-guk the shopping bag that Jeon Tae-guk had given me.
“Tae-guk wanted to give this to you himself, but he was worried you’d get nervous, so he just left it with me. It’s an outfit—make sure to coordinate it well for tomorrow.”
“Tell him I’m grateful instead. I’ll say hello after the competition.”
“Okay. Go wash up and get some sleep. Don’t be nervous….”
“Got it.”
Min-guk turned to head to his room, but suddenly glanced back at me.
“Hyung, I’m curious about something.”
“What?”
“Did you arrange Eminem’s appearance?”
“….”
When I paused for a moment, Min-guk spoke quietly.
“I knew it. You did it….”
“Good ratings are always nice, right? Your recognition will go up too….”
I offered a weak excuse, and Min-guk broke into a smile.
“Hyung, thank you.”
[Wait, did my ears deceive me? He’s thanking me?]
“At first I didn’t think it was possible… but looking back, I started to feel like this was all part of your plan.”
I listened silently to what Min-guk was saying.
“Sevens got ripped apart for being a hip-hop idol group. But I realized you arranged Eminem’s appearance because you thought people’s perception would change if he endorsed us. I figured it all out. Hyung, I’m really grateful.”
“Min-guk, you got there on your own talent. You don’t need to thank me for that.”
“Tch— anyway, trying to act cool.”
With that, Min-guk headed into his room.
[Min-guk, I’m not trying to act cool… I really am cool.]
I shrugged my shoulders.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————