The Reincarnated Idol Hard Carries an Indie Band - Chapter 106

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Former Idol’s Indie Band Hard-Carry
Chapter 106
Kim Ji Hu was someone who typically handled whatever tasks fell to him on his own.
He was independent, and almost never consulted anyone about his troubles.
In fact, he’d never done it once.
He’d always overcome every hardship through his own strength.
So when such words came from his mouth—as though he actually had something to discuss—it was quite remarkable.
And somehow, I thought I knew what the topic was.
“What is it?”
Heo Jun Sung asked while chewing his taco.
“Maybe I shouldn’t leave Oktatop, right?”
The movements of the others, who’d been eating their food slowly, came to a halt.
So did Jo Hyun Seop’s.
Then everyone’s expression grew serious.
There was no attempt to brush it off with a joke or deflect with laughter.
Because the other person was Kim Ji Hu.
He was the type who would never say anything pointless.
His words carried weight.
And it seemed no one could bear that weight, so I answered first.
“Why? Did you get accepted to Medical School?”
“Yeah. I got into Korea University Medical School.”
“Insane.”
Korea University Medical School.
It was the highest-ranking medical school in all of South Korea.
If you studied hard and became a doctor, you could live a comfortable life.
As soon as they heard the title Korea University Medical School, everyone probably envisioned that future.
And so no one could easily tell him not to leave Oktatop.
And I was no exception.
“Come on, I get what you’re thinking, but is now really the time to say something like this, right before such an important schedule?”
Heo Jun Sung replied with a slightly sharp tone.
“I’m sorry.”
Heo Jun Sung’s point had merit, but Kim Ji Hu must have his reasons too.
It was a situation where everyone’s feelings were understandable.
For a while, we ate in silence.
And I gathered my thoughts.
I had to protect Oktatop, no matter what.
“Think about it carefully. Given your situation, we can’t force you to stay.”
Kim Ji Hu simply nodded.
“While we’re here in the States, you need to focus on the broadcast. Just do your best while you’re still with us.”
“Got it.”
And so we went through an unsettled meal and returned to preparing for the broadcast.
* * *
“Are you alright? I never thought Ji Hu would say something like that.”
Jo Hyun Seop asked as soon as we returned to the accommodation.
“I’m fine. He won’t leave.”
“Really?”
“Yes, because what he really wants isn’t to become a doctor.”
“So there’s understanding between friends.”
“Of course.”
I smiled confidently at Jo Hyun Seop.
Jo Hyun Seop and I shared one room in the accommodation.
Kang Min, Lee Do Young, Kim Ji Hu, and Heo Jun Sung shared another.
I’m going to protect Oktatop and stay together with them for the rest of my life.
And this crisis that’s come upon us now was something I’d anticipated would happen someday.
Because in my previous life, Kim Ji Hu actually became a doctor.
But that was in a timeline where I abandoned Oktatop and ran away.
If things are different now, it will probably turn out differently.
* * *
The next morning.
We all woke up early, had breakfast together, and did our makeup appropriately.
Kim Ji Hu, who normally hated having anything on his face, was unusually cooperative today.
He must have been worried about what he’d said yesterday.
Once we were all dolled up, our kids really did look good.
Even though we’d only put in a moderate amount of effort, I could feel the gazes of other hotel guests as we left.
Some people couldn’t contain their curiosity and asked us who we were.
We naturally answered “Korean Indie Band Oktatop” and gladly obliged those who asked for photos.
And so we headed to the broadcasting station.
The car ride to the station was quieter than usual.
Today was our first official overseas schedule.
Oktatop should be loud and excited, but—
the anxiety that this might be the last time as a five-member lineup hung heavy in the air.
I started to think we might mess up our first shoot.
I had to say something to snap them out of it.
“Hey, you bastards. Are you going to get your heads in the game or what?”
“Huh?”
“So Kim Ji Hu leaves—so what? He comes by sometimes and we ask him to be a guest artist. Does he die if he leaves? Does he?”
Lee Do Young answered first, responding to my chewing-out.
“I mean… it still feels weird.”
“He can come hang out every weekend. Hey, when you go to college, are you going to completely ditch us and live without us?”
“No, that’s not it.”
Kim Ji Hu answered without much emotion.
“Whether he leaves or doesn’t leave is what it is. So why are you all sitting around looking depressed? If you’re going to hold on, hold on tight. If not, let him go coolly. You got it?”
“Yeah……”
“Yeah, I get it.”
“No more nagging……”
I turned on some music to try to lighten the mood.
After I played a song they liked, conversation finally started flowing again.
They chatted about how this artist’s recent album was this and that, and whether it was nominated or not…
Then Heo Jun Sung and Kang Min started arguing about a particular band.
“Come on, how is that legendary? It’s just decent.”
“What? No, that’s not right—don’t say ridiculous things. How high is their contribution?”
“Their own albums all flopped, didn’t they?”
“Hey, hey—the riffs you’re playing now, those people developed all of it.”
“It would’ve happened even without those guys.”
Finally, the car got a little louder.
“You guys, don’t fight. If you ask me, you’re both overrated.”
“What?”
Both instantly bristled.
“What do you know, Lee Do Young?”
“Just go play root notes.”
“How dare a bassist make a sound?”
“Do you think we’re on the same level?”
Lee Do Young’s jab took rapid counterpunches.
“…… That’s too much.”
Lee Do Young, thoroughly beaten two-on-one, got sulky and turned his gaze out the window.
Pfft.
Then Kim Ji Hu burst out laughing.
I think only I heard it—the other two were still arguing about who was right.
And so we headed to the broadcasting station, listening to music mixed with noise.
* * *
When we arrived at The Greenroom studio again, it was far busier than the day before.
The old brick warehouse by the river, converted into a studio, looked like a completely different place once we stepped inside.
Warm-colored lights hung from the high ceiling.
In the center was a small stage.
In front of it, around a hundred seats were arranged in a circular living-room style.
Rather than a massive broadcasting station set, it felt like we’d been invited to someone’s spacious living room.
“Wow, it looks so different from yesterday from this angle.”
Lee Do Young marveled as he looked around the stage.
“The distance between the audience and us is really close.”
Heo Jun Sung touched the audience seating in fascination.
Kang Min sat in front of the drum set and got a feel for it by pressing the pedal a few times.
Kim Ji Hu sat silently in front of the keyboard, his fingers resting gently on the keys.
The mood from earlier had lifted, and yesterday’s atmosphere was completely gone.
Just the usual vibe.
This was a decent start.
“Oh! Finally you’ve arrived, our Korean stars!”
A man approached us with a cheerful voice.
Marcus, the host of The Greenroom.
With graying hair and a flashy shirt, he carried the unmistakable aura of a true musician at first glance.
“Nice to meet you. We’re Oktatop.”
When I greeted him in English, Marcus’s eyes sparkled.
“Excellent pronunciation. Good, because if we have to interpret constantly, the whole thing loses its charm.”
He introduced himself as a former musician who used to play bass.
Perhaps because of that, the way he treated us wasn’t as formal guests but excited, as though meeting fellow musicians.
“I really enjoyed Riot. It’s amazing that you’re making such excellent music in a distant country.”
“It’s an honor.”
“Especially that drums.”
Marcus pointed to Kang Min in front of the drum set.
“Your hands are no ordinary thing.”
Kang Min, understanding well enough, shrugged in response.
“W-Watashi no… power… Heheheh…”
Thank goodness Marcus didn’t understand.
* * *
Before we started filming, we reviewed the script and matched our lines.
The script was basically just a few questions, with the rest of the talk being filled in by questions that stemmed from those.
It was a script designed to pursue naturalness.
Since we didn’t have a professional interpreter, Jo Hyun Seop and the English-speaking members decided to handle the interpretation on the fly.
Then came the rehearsal.
“Say, Mr. Jo. Don’t you have a backing track?”
The production staff asked Jo Hyun Seop.
“We don’t have one. Oktatop is going to play everything live.”
“Ooh? Riot live?”
“Of course.”
The staff raised his eyebrows in surprise, while Jo Hyun Seop wore a confident expression telling everyone to just wait and see.
We felt the same way.
“Hey, did you see their faces?”
“We really gotta do well, don’t we?”
“Nah, nothing hard about it.”
“Heheheh… I’m excited now…”
After tuning, the way they giggled to themselves was nothing short of remarkable.
And here we were in America, showing not a trace of nervousness.
Now that they’re adults, their nerve has grown too.
Anyway, our kids are truly amazing.
“Alright, rehearsal starts!”
The staff shouted loudly and we each returned to our positions.
Of course, the rehearsal performance was perfect.
We’d practiced countless times.
And since this was our first stage in America, we’d prepared even more thoroughly than usual.
Everyone on site was absolutely blown away.
After the rehearsal ended, people even threw individual questions at us.
We’d performed that well.
And then I thought:
If I want to keep Kim Ji Hu, I need to make sure the actual performance fails.
I hope filming starts soon.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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