The Reincarnated Idol Hard Carries an Indie Band - Chapter 52

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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 Carry
Episode 52
After rehearsal ended, while the performers waited, the audience seating filled with spectators and anticipation in equal measure.
“Who’s going to perform today?”
“Did anyone release an album recently?”
“Hmm, Yun Hye Jung?”
“Oh, that’s possible.”
“What’s that girl group called? The ones doing stuff lately. You know, that song that goes something like…”
“Astella?”
“Yeah! They might show up too.”
“Man, I really want to see Astella in person. They were seriously gorgeous.”
“Or maybe Do Min Hyun?”
“Insane, I might actually die if Do Min Hyun shows up.”
Every name being thrown around in the murmuring crowd either had serious star power or impressive musicianship.
In any case, they were all lineups that could satisfy everyone’s expectations.
Of course, some familiar names were mixed in among them.
“Hey, no way—Oktatop?”
“Wow! If the producers have any sense, they’d definitely book Oktatop, right? They just released a regular album not too long ago.”
“Yeah, they put it out last week.”
“Man, this is definitely possible.”
“I want to see Oktatop too. They’re all so good-looking.”
There weren’t just one or two people hoping to see Oktatop.
Quite a few were wondering if Oktatop might show up.
That expectation was definitely going to be fulfilled.
But once they learned the full lineup for today, would their anticipation flow in a different direction?
Disappointment? Or satisfaction?
It all depended on how well Oktatop performed.
* * *
“Okay, get your in-ear monitors on. Just check your makeup once more.”
While the hip-hop label team—the opening act—was performing on stage, Oktatop was busy with final preparations backstage.
The makeup artist Jo Hyun Seop had brought did a last check of their faces, and the in-ear monitors were working fine.
Standing in a line, waiting for the stage.
Though they were working with a staff that looked pathetic compared to other teams.
Yet the aura they gave off was the most brilliant among all the teams performing today.
Their stunning looks certainly played a part, but what held even greater sway was their serious demeanor before facing the music itself.
The broadcast staff watched Oktatop and had similar thoughts.
‘High schoolers, but they all look so polished.’
‘Today’s lineup is rough. I hope they perform well.’
‘Wow, seeing them like this, they’re really ridiculously good-looking…’
‘Things have quieted down lately, but what if a skills controversy breaks out with all these masters around…’
Unaware of these thoughts drifting through the backstage, Oktatop simply waited for the signal to go on.
Soon Jo Hyun Woo’s introduction flowed through their in-ear monitors.
“Alright, next up. The youngest performers we have today.”
Jo Hyun Woo drew out the moment to build anticipation.
“These guys don’t usually appear on broadcasts. We actually had quite a hard time booking them.”
At the mention of this team’s rarity, the audience stirred.
“Everyone, do you like bands?!”
Jo Hyun Woo asked the crowd, his voice full of rock-and-roll passion.
“Yesss!”
“Kyaaaah!”
“Yeah!”
The youngest band that rarely appears on broadcast.
Those who were paying attention had probably figured it out by now.
“I present to you: Oktatop takes the stage! Please welcome them with warm applause!”
* * *
The song Oktatop opened with was the title track from their new regular album: Awaken.
Wake me up
Awaken now
Wake my sleeping heart
Stitch my scattered self back together
I’ll run again!
With the unstoppable energy pouring out, those in the audience who already knew the song found themselves singing along without realizing it.
Those hearing it for the first time shouted in unison as if entranced.
Since Jo Hyun Woo’s Gift Box was basically designed for seated viewing, some audience members had to forcefully restrain the urge to jump up and enjoy themselves right then and there.
Brilliant lighting and abundant sound equipment.
Combined with Oktatop’s outstanding ensemble playing, the effect transcended mere excellence and became radiant.
Clearly, Oktatop were still young, fresh, and adorable—not yet fully grown into their adult selves.
And yet, the way they sang and played was as if they’d been grinding through this scene for ten years.
One might have expected to notice that gap, but the audience simply couldn’t think about such things.
The stage command was too overwhelming.
Wake me up
Awaken Now
The voice calling us forward
From where I believed everything had ended
I’m starting again!
Oktatop was displaying impossible caliber.
Jo Hyun Woo and the broadcast staff watching them were at a loss.
“I told you we should’ve placed them at the end.”
“Come on, even so, the later acts have such high experience levels. Putting Oktatop last doesn’t really work visually…”
“When did our broadcast ever worry about that kind of thing?”
“Hmm…”
Oktatop didn’t have a mega-hit song.
That was definitely a disadvantage.
But among the four teams performing today, Oktatop had one weapon no one else did.
It was the fact that they were a band.
Compared to solo artists, they had the advantage in stage command.
While their headcount was similar to the hip-hop crew, the addition of instruments gave them richer sound.
Even though the later acts hadn’t performed yet, Jo Hyun Woo and the staff could sense it instinctively.
That Oktatop would own this performance.
Of course, if Oktatop did well, Jo Hyun Woo wouldn’t complain.
A band scene boom was something every bandsman dreamed of.
And Jo Hyun Woo harbored a certain hope that Oktatop might be the ones to make it happen.
“Thank you!”
Oktatop’s first song ended and the stage settled.
The audience remained restless, unable to shake off the lingering resonance.
“Wow, what…”
“Wow…”
“No, like…”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m saying…”
“Uh… wow… I mean…”
The audience wanted to say something using words, but their brains had taken in too much information to find the right ones easily.
Well, it didn’t matter anyway—they were all feeling the same thing.
Once the stage was tidied up, Oktatop’s members and Jo Hyun Woo took their seats.
“The bad boys of the band scene! Last year they were accidentally captured in NBC Star’s observation camp, and went on to achieve the feat of appearing on various broadcasts including music shows and Killing Band. They’re juniors I really like. Let me introduce Oktatop!”
“Yesss!”
As the audience roared, Oktatop’s members exchanged glances and bowed in unison.
“Hello. We’re Oktatop!”
“Pffft!”
“Ahahaha!”
Laughter erupted from the audience at exactly that moment.
Oktatop was naturally bewildered.
Jo Hyun Woo was laughing too.
“I mean, you guys just put on such an incredible performance and then you come out with ‘Helloooo. We’re Oktatop!’ Like that!”
“Senior, when did we ever do that?”
“Haha! That’s how it looked to us. Man, this is hilarious.”
The atmosphere was warm from the start.
Oktatop looked indignant, but they’d have to admit it sounded that way.
The kids who’d just been tearing the stage apart like they were devouring the whole country suddenly reverted to their high school selves and cheerfully greeted everyone.
You could’ve sworn you heard “Helloooo. We’re Oktatop!”
Once things settled down, the proper post-performance interview began.
“How have you been lately?”
At Jo Hyun Woo’s question, it was naturally Cha Seo Ha who grabbed the mic first.
“We’re in the middle of the school year, so we go to school and do busking on weekends.”
“Ah, so you’re students. You’re all seniors in high school, right?”
This time Kang Min answered.
“Yes, these friends here are all busy between the band and school. I dropped out earlier, so I have more flexibility, relatively speaking.”
“…?”
“…!”
At Kang Min’s words, the other members of Oktatop’s faces contorted.
‘I have to hold it together.’
‘Don’t laugh.’
‘I have to protect Kang Min.’
‘What’s wrong with that crazy guy’s speech?’
Even Cha Seo Ha, the most seasoned on broadcasts, found it hard to hold back in this moment.
“Ah, I see. If I’m not mistaken, Kang Min, you’re the youngest ever winner of the Drum Master Championship, aren’t you?”
“Oh, yes. It’s embarrassing to say, but that’s right. I think I was sixteen at the time. I was lucky.”
The members were starting to find it difficult to hold back.
Like, why does he use such ridiculous speech all the time and put the members in this position?
“Lucky, you say. Your skills were just that good. Actually, I was there that day too. We’ve known each other since before, right?”
“Yes, I remember well. It was truly an honor to meet you back then.”
Kang Min, please stop…
Just before the members’ faces burst, Jo Hyun Woo finally changed the subject.
“Anyway, you really are indie, right? Everyone knows about that controversy from before?”
A rather provocative question followed, and only quiet silence hung over the audience seating.
“Yes, we know. To be clear, we are indie. We’re not affiliated with any company.”
“Then how did you end up on music broadcasts?”
“Well, we’re not entirely sure about that either. Someone we’re close to got in touch and said it would be great if we could appear on music broadcasts…”
This was the advantage of being high schoolers.
If you admit directly that you filled a sudden opening, it becomes a problem.
There are so many teams wanting to appear on music broadcasts.
There are definitely teams that made their reservations before us but got pushed back for skill issues.
If those teams heard the details, they wouldn’t take it lying down.
Even if they made an issue of it, things wouldn’t change much, but the broadcasters would get annoyed.
He didn’t want to make enemies of the broadcast station with careless words.
Pretending to be a clueless high schooler was the best move.
“In any case, it seems like you’re doing the kind of work that’s difficult for indie bands to pull off, and I find it encouraging as a senior.”
“Not at all. We’re learning a lot from watching and observing.”
And so the pleasant conversation continued with an album introduction.
“Well, then, let’s continue enjoying Oktatop’s performance.”

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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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