The Reincarnated Idol Hard Carries an Indie Band - Chapter 53

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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 Reincarnated Idol Does Hardcore Carries for an Indie Band
Chapter 53
After the interview, Okdap performed two more songs in quick succession.
Usually at events like this, after filming a broadcast performance, the artists would do one or two more live performances for the audience.
“Encore! Encore! Encore! Encore!”
Okdap found themselves in exactly that situation.
Thanks to Seo Ha’s foresight—he’d anticipated this all along—Okdap was able to perform an encore song.
“They really are as impressive as the rumors suggest.”
“Why else would so many people be trying to make a quick profit off them? There’s always a reason for the buzz.”
“I’ve seen the footage before, but experiencing it live is something else entirely.”
Two figures were watching Okdap from the back of the audience.
Kim Jang Hwan, a producer at KSB Broadcasting Station which produced this broadcast, and Lee Jong Myeong, a producer at K-Net Broadcasting Station.
Lee Jong Myeong had an extensive career and a deep connection with Kim Jang Hwan, so moving between different broadcasting stations was nothing unusual for him.
He’d rushed over the moment he heard the rumor that Okdap would be appearing on Jo Hyun Woo’s gift box show.
Lee Jong Myeong, who had been keeping an eye on Okdap for some time, could now confirm it with certainty after seeing them perform live.
These kids were definitely going to sell.
So then…
I need to give these guys some push.
* * *
Okdap executed every song flawlessly.
They exited the stage bathed in the audience’s fervent cheers and lingering applause, heading backstage.
“Thank you so much for all your hard work!”
“Ah, thank you!”
A solo artist scheduled for the next performance greeted them, and Okdap bowed in gratitude.
“Wow, you guys performed so much better than in the video?”
“No, we still have a long way to go to catch up with you.”
“I think it won’t take long.”
“Thank you so much for saying that. We’ll work even harder.”
Though they wanted to continue the conversation, time was limited, so Okdap headed back to the green room.
Recognized by a famous, kindhearted artist with genuine musical talent, the band was in high spirits as they made their way back.
The walk to the green room wasn’t far.
Even on that short walk, crew members they passed offered them praise.
Saying they’d worked hard, that they performed brilliantly.
Their encouragement and recognition came through genuinely in every word.
Receiving endless love from the public was wonderful.
But sometimes, earning this kind of meaningful recognition from industry professionals had its own special value.
It was just before arriving at the green room.
“Hello there.”
I turned at the voice and my entire body went rigid.
What was he doing here?
“I’m Lee Jong Myeong, with K-Net.”
The man who introduced himself as Producer Lee Jong Myeong handed his business card to Manager Jo Hyun Seop.
“Hello. I’m Jo Hyun Seop, managing these kids.”
“Yes, I’ve heard much about you. It’s an honor to meet you in person. Would you perhaps have a moment to talk……?”
“Of course. You all head back to the green room first.”
“Understood.”
A scenario I hadn’t wanted to see was unfolding.
* * *
After Okdap returned to the green room, Producer Lee Jong Myeong and Manager Jo Hyun Seop found a private space to talk.
“I hear you’re managing the Okdap kids?”
“It seems the rumors got around. I wouldn’t really call it managing. We just get along well and I visit often.”
“For someone with such a distinguished name in this industry, that’s quite a modest hobby.”
“These aren’t modest kids, though, are they?”
Lee Jong Myeong and Jo Hyun Seop had only known of each other’s existence; this was their first face-to-face meeting.
The most capable producer at a major network.
And a legendary figure who shaped the very landscape of Korea’s entertainment industry.
The encounter between these two men carried weight in itself.
“That’s true. They certainly seem like exceptional kids. And that’s why I’m bringing this up……”
Producer Lee Jong Myeong’s sharp eyes gleamed as he broached the main topic.
“I’m producing a new program and I’m looking for talent.”
“A program?”
“Yes, a Band Audition Program. I think Okdap would gain a lot from appearing on my broadcast, don’t you?”
Jo Hyun Seop considered for a moment.
If it was a broadcast produced by Lee Jong Myeong, success was guaranteed.
His shows were typically audition and competition programs, with the theme varying each time.
And anything he produced always sells.
Which meant sensational editing—the kind audiences craved—was frequently woven in.
Would that actually benefit Okdap?
These kids had already dealt with their share of controversies.
Though maybe they’d actually enjoy it.
Would they even want to go out on a show like this?
Various thoughts ran through his head, but whether the kids would participate in an audition program remained uncertain.
“As I mentioned, I’m not the one managing these kids—they make their own decisions about appearances.”
“Yes, I suspected as much. That’s exactly why I’m talking to you.”
“To me?”
“Would these rebels of the Band Scene even listen to me? No matter how famous a producer I am, I’d just look like some shallow businessman thinking only about making money within the system.”
Jo Hyun Seop nodded slowly.
“Just deliver the message well.”
“I will. I’ll make sure to pass it along.”
“Thank you. Let’s grab a meal together sometime.”
The two men shook hands and wrapped up the conversation.
* * *
Manager Jo Hyun Seop went off to talk with Producer Lee Jong Myeong, and we headed to the green room to rest for a bit.
Heo Jun Sung and Kang Min were still riding high on the adrenaline of the performance, while Kim Ji Hu was already scoring today’s show.
“I’d give it about a 65.”
“Hey, isn’t that way too harsh?”
“Such a perfectionist……”
As if unaware of the commotion, Lee Do Young sat in silence.
I was too focused on watching Lee Do Young’s reaction to join the others’ conversation.
Lee Do Young… would he be okay?
I was puzzling over what to do about the sudden encounter when the manager opened the green room door.
“Good work, everyone.”
“Not at all. You helped us feel comfortable out there.”
“Manager, how were we? Did we do well?”
“What’s there to say? You were incredible. I was talking outside with people from the broadcasting station and they all said you did great.”
Kim Ji Hu and Kang Min perked up at the encouragement.
Kim Ji Hu still looked like he felt they could’ve done better.
“By the way, you guys. I just received an offer for a program appearance.”
Here it comes.
* * *
The broadcast the manager had been asked about was a Band Audition Program.
Through the manager, we learned the basic details about the show.
We asked to discuss it among ourselves and promised to give our answer later.
After the broadcast schedule ended, on the way home from work, we…
No—I found myself in a situation I hadn’t experienced in ages.
The moment we exited the broadcasting station, fans who’d been waiting called out to us.
“Seo Ha!”
“Ji Hu, you worked hard!”
“Kang Min!!! Hey!!! Kang Min!!”
These guys were awkward, experiencing it for the first time, but I felt moved—nostalgic, even.
As I naturally greeted them and smiled, something in my chest ached.
How wonderful it would have been to experience this with my friends back then.
I’d always planned to protect Okdap for life, but my resolve felt even stronger now.
Once we arrived at the Band Practice Room in the manager’s car, we each put away our instruments and sprawled out to rest.
“Hey, Kim Ji Hu. When does the broadcast air?”
“Next Thursday night.”
“Korea’s gonna go crazy…… Hehe……”
“Heo Jun Sung, you’re starting to look like Kang Min.”
“Me? That gamer otaku?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s dangerous.”
“Two idiots.”
After resting briefly, I interjected into their rambling conversation.
“Guys. What do you think about what the manager said earlier?”
The kids who’d been chattering fell quiet at my question.
Not long ago they’d been joking around in meetings, but now they were developing a professional mindset, or maybe just growing up—their expressions had turned serious.
“……”
Silence continued, and I wasn’t sure what they were thinking.
“What? Nobody has an opinion?”
“Shouldn’t we be asking Lee Do Young first?”
Kim Ji Hu spoke up first, and then Heo Jun Sung and Kang Min followed.
“Right, Do Young’s had that blank look ever since he saw that guy earlier.”
“We were just trying to lighten the mood. It wasn’t like we were just talking without thinking.”
“Wait, that’s what you were doing?”
Not even a year since we formed the band, and they’re already picking up on each other’s feelings like that—impressive.
But this is pretty sensitive. Would he really be okay?
“Alright, since it’s come up, let’s talk. Lee Do Young, how do you feel?”
Lee Do Young let out a long sigh and seemed to be choosing his words carefully.
“You all know my brother died, right?”
A heavy topic suddenly surfaced, and the others couldn’t hide their shock.
“Yeah. We heard about it before.”
“I remember it too.”
It was something Lee Do Young had mentioned in passing once when we were all sitting in the Band Practice Room talking openly.
At the time it was too heavy a subject, so we didn’t press further, and Lee Do Young didn’t volunteer the details. But it seemed now was the time.
“My brother was a bassist. Pretty famous one too.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. Only Seo Ha seemed to have vaguely caught on. My brother’s name was Lee Do Hyun.”
“……Lee Do Hyun? That bassist Lee Do Hyun?”
“Yeah. That’s him.”
“Wow, now that you mention it, you do look alike. Same eyes, same jaw.”
“The names are even similar—wonder why we didn’t catch it.”
It was only natural we didn’t know.
Lee Do Young’s brother, who was eight years older, had decent skill in the Band Scene at the time and was well-known.
He had talent, but the band market back then was far grimmer than it is now.
And among all the instruments, bass had the least appeal.
Plus, with our different eras, there was no way we’d connect him to Lee Do Young.
“My brother was on a Band Audition Program too, four years ago. He got slammed with hate comments because of Devil’s Editing and couldn’t handle it, so he left.”
At the time, Lee Do Hyun was seen as a scourge that deserved to be erased from the Band Scene.
The Session Mixing Mission.
In other words, a mission where band members had to perform with members from other bands, Lee Do Hyun played his part even when it wasn’t his turn—he jumped into another performer’s solo.
Because of that, a popular band at the time was eliminated.
And that sparked the hate-mongers into a frenzy that ultimately drove Lee Do Hyun to his death.
Of course, the truth was different.
Lee Do Hyun had never jumped in to play—it was a scene the broadcasting station had fabricated to create a sensational story.
“And the producer who made that broadcast was that Lee Jong Myeong from earlier.”
“I see……”
“……”
A brief response from Kang Min, then silence fell again.
And it was Heo Jun Sung who broke it first.
“No way. Forget it. What’s one broadcast? And why would we do music just to be on a broadcast anyway? Don’t do it. Why should we go on the show of a guy who hurt Do Young?”
Heo Jun Sung seemed to be clearing the air with his exaggerated gestures.
“Yeah, I think so too. What’s the point of an audition program anyway? It’s cooler if we just put out an album and succeed.”
Kang Min agreed with Heo Jun Sung’s stance.
Kim Ji Hu quietly nodded as well.
Getting famous through a broadcast would be nice, but Okdap comes first.
The reason I hadn’t spoken up earlier was because I worried the others might want to do the broadcast without Lee Do Young.
I held back, and now that our opinions align, I’m relieved.
“Actually, I think differently.”
As the mood was settling, Lee Do Young’s words drew all eyes to him.

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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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