The Reincarnated Idol Hard Carries an Indie Band - Chapter 58

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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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A Former Idol Singer Takes on a Hard Carry with an Indie Band
Episode 58
“Why are they showing off like that?”
“Beats me.”
Destruction, watching from a distance, bristled at the sight of Heo Jun Sung helping another team.
Of course, they also hoped everyone would compete on equal footing.
But they didn’t want Ocktop’s public image to improve.
“What’s this? An interview too?”
The production crew spotted Heo Jun Sung’s behavior and came running with their camera.
It was too far to hear what was being said, but the excited crew member’s expression made it seem like they were capturing something good.
“Stop worrying about them and focus on our prep. It’s almost our turn.”
“Got it.”
With that, Destruction finished their final checks and made their way to the Audition Hall.
The set, designed like an abandoned factory, pulled off its distinctive dark atmosphere well.
Unlike the sweltering heat outside, the interior was comfortable.
Destruction finally had a moment to catch their breath.
The previous team’s performance was still underway.
The Drum and Bass were out of sync—likely from nerves—and that team was eliminated.
The Studio’s gloomy atmosphere and the previous team’s elimination threatened to overwhelm Destruction, but—
Like their band name, which meant “destruction,” they refused to be intimidated.
If anything, this dark mood would make them shine even brighter.
“Destruction, you’re up.”
“Yes.”
* * *
Having already judged over twenty teams, the judges showed clear signs of fatigue.
Four judges in total.
All four had more than twenty years of experience in band music.
Park Chul Hwan, the drummer for Band Matryoshka and one of the judges, was starting to get bored.
“Doesn’t seem like any decent bands up front.”
Shin Myeong Chul, the guitarist for Bad Onion, agreed.
“That’s what I’m saying. Didn’t you mention some kids you know are performing? There should be some decent ones.”
“Don’t know why they haven’t shown up yet.”
As they chatted, Destruction entered.
“Oh, Destruction.”
“Finally, some real talent walking in.”
The moment Destruction appeared, the judges’ eyes lit up.
Destruction was already famous among professional musicians, and their skill was beyond question.
“Entry number 26, Destruction. We’re starting our performance.”
“Go ahead, whenever you’re ready.”
The 1st Round Audition song was a free choice.
They could cover an existing song as-is or with an arrangement.
Original compositions were fine too.
Destruction brought one of their own songs.
Their most popular one, at that.
“Oh, they went with that track.”
“They’re saying they won’t lose.”
With Punk as their main genre, Destruction paid meticulous attention to the spirit that Korean rock bands needed to embody.
Each member’s skill was outstanding, with nothing to criticize.
To pass the 1st Round, a band needed to receive the “Real” stamp from at least three of the four judges.
Destruction confidently earned all four “Real” stamps and secured their place on the passing list.
* * *
After passing, they conducted a brief interview, feeling relieved.
As they left the Studio to retrieve their belongings from the Tent, they witnessed something absurd.
“Wait… what’s going on over there?”
“Isn’t that Cha Seo Ha in the middle?”
The main path between the tents was completely packed with people.
Cha Seo Ha stood in the center while the vocalists among the participants formed a semicircle around him, sitting attentively.
“So, who here has trouble with high pitch?”
Hands went up from various directions.
“Now, there are many ways to lift your high pitch. But first you need to decide—are you going to choose a clean vocal technique, or are you going to go with a husky tone?”
This was a vocal lesson.
“Teacher! I want to get better at Shouting!”
“Ah, Shouting. That’s genuinely difficult. If someone doesn’t have a natural sense for it, they need to open their Register first. So what is a Register Opening? A Register Opening means…”
Destruction stood there, dumbfounded, staring at the scene.
“What?”
“I mean, really. Why are they doing that over there?”
While Destruction was taking their audition, Jo Seong Hoon had asked Cha Seo Ha if there were any vocal tips he could use right away.
Cha Seo Ha gave various advice, which the person sitting next to Jo Seong Hoon overheard.
Naturally, that person, desperate about the audition, asked Cha Seo Ha a question.
Then someone else overheard, asked another question, and it spiraled from there…
What was supposed to be a quick tip session had somehow turned into this.
“Teacher! Do you know how to do Growling too?”
“Ah, we’ve done some metal, but Growling isn’t really my specialty. Hmm, is there anyone here who specializes in metal?”
Ocktop’s skill was undeniable.
But was it really okay to be that relaxed about it?
“Let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
With that, Destruction left the Audition Hall, leaving Ocktop’s excessive composure behind.
* * *
“Alright! That’s where we’ll wrap up for now! Everyone go back and practice!”
I’d been giving a vocal lecture for about an hour.
I turned around and saw my bandmates staring at me with expressions that said they couldn’t believe what was happening.
Ah, I didn’t expect things to snowball like this either.
But this lecture had real value.
I felt proud helping those people, and it was good practice for warming up my voice too.
Of course, the greatest payoff from this lecture was…
“Cha Seo Ha. We’re going to do an interview with you.”
The moment the lecture ended, the camera and production crew approached.
Of course they’d use a scene this good.
“Is it really okay to give tips like that to other competitors?”
“Well, I think it’s fine. They’ve all worked hard to prepare, so if I can help, I should.”
“But what if Ocktop loses in the competition because of the tips you gave? Are you okay with that?”
“We came to compete, but what matters more to me is the growth of this culture. As long as whoever wins is someone who can lead the band culture forward, that’s enough for me.”
The production crew smiled warmly.
They muttered something among themselves and walked away.
“Wow, you really do speak well.”
“So why can’t you study?”
“Do you memorize this stuff beforehand or something?”
“Oh man, I saw a compilation of Cha Seo Ha quotes on YouTube before.”
“Dude, that’s genuinely impressive.”
Wait, are they spreading false information about me?
Either way, I decided to lie low between Jo Seong Hoon’s band and Ocktop for a bit.
A vocal lesson for our competitors.
This was just the beginning.
There was more to come if I wanted to.
I was determined to promote our existence with everything I had.
Destruction, who’d finished their audition earlier.
And Maruru Band, relaxing in the distance.
Odyssey Band, who’d stepped away for now.
And a few other bands.
No matter how superior Ocktop’s musicality was, we couldn’t match the authenticity of the rock bands I mentioned.
That kind of thing can’t be expressed through music alone.
It’s more like a certain atmosphere that gets absorbed into your body through years of living in this culture.
Since we can’t produce that deep flavor right now, we need to use a different weapon.
That weapon is “getting more camera time.”
This vocal lecture was just the start.
I was lost in thought when Jo Seong Hoon stood up.
“Where are you going?”
“We need to get ready.”
“Already?”
Looking at the time, it was getting close to evening.
“I’ll be back soon…”
“Don’t be too nervous, hyung. You can do this.”
“Right, thanks. We’ll kill it!”
“Yes! Fighting!”
“Go get ’em, hyungs!”
“Destroy them and come back!”
Ocktop was Jo Seong Hoon’s band’s solid support system.
They were the people who’d made our music video, and we were deeply grateful.
I hoped the older guys would perform well without getting nervous.
Anyway, it took nine hours just to get to Jo Seong Hoon at entry number 32.
We’re number 56. When on earth will we finally go on?
It looks like we’ll start around midnight. I should try to get some rest.
* * *
I’d heard that audition programs had a bad reputation for this sort of thing.
Back when a hip-hop audition show and vocal audition shows were popular, some people had waited up to 30 hours in the 1st Round waiting area.
I’d always thought it sounded grueling, but it burns through way more stamina than I expected.
Kang Min and I, who’d been training hard, were holding up okay, but Lee Do Young and Kim Ji Hu, who’d only been sitting in chairs, were clearly exhausted.
Well, Heo Jun Sung had already fallen asleep.
It was getting close to midnight now, and at least the weather wasn’t as hot anymore.
And soon, it would be our turn.
“Guys, let’s get ready. Heo Jun Sung, wake up.”
“Ugh, it’s hot… Is it time?”
“Yeah, come on.”
Heo Jun Sung stretched hard and blinked his eyes open.
Kim Ji Hu and Lee Do Young worked out their stiff limbs.
“Man, I want to wrap this up… I’m losing it…”
“Kang Min, you have somewhere to be?”
“Yeah, today’s the day the new episode of Is It Wrong to Try to Find Love in This World? drops.”
“Is It Wrong…? What’s that?”
“It’s an anime, and the new episode airs today.”
“Everyone, focus up. Get your instruments.”
We’d practiced pretty thoroughly, but seriously—do these guys have no nerves at all?
They’re all pretty fearless.

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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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