The Reincarnated Idol Hard Carries an Indie Band - Chapter 80

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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 Leads an Indie Band
Episode 80
“Who’s The Real! Welcome to our Semifinal competition. I’m Yu Hwan, your host for today!”
The audience erupted in cheers at the host’s greeting.
“Woooooo!!!”
In front of the protruding stage, elaborately dressed spectators clustered together tightly, remote controls in hand.
“Today we have a total of six teams competing in the Semifinal. After watching all the performances, you’ll cast one Real vote for your favorite stage and one Fake vote for the least impressive one.”
Of the six remaining teams, only three would survive today.
The scores from audience votes would determine the rankings.
And the top three teams would advance to the Final stage.
A large display screen behind Yu Hwan showed photos of today’s contestants.
“Woooooo!!”
The crowd roared.
The audience judges gazed at the photos of the Top 6 participants, their anticipation building.
“Man, seeing them all lined up like this—the lineup is intense.”
“Today’s gonna be legendary.”
“Oktop and Maruru Band are definitely going head-to-head, right?”
“Ugh, I just want Oktop and Maruru Band to co-win.”
“Wow, I’m finally seeing Cha Seo Ha in person…. Finally!”
“Did you see that story yesterday? Looks like they picked a legendary song?”
While there were no set criteria for selecting audience judges, the fanbases of Maruru Band and Oktop were overwhelmingly represented.
Maruru Band’s fanbase had been solid for years.
Oktop’s following had exploded over the past year thanks to various controversies and moments.
These were the fruits of the careers and attention both teams had steadily accumulated.
Of course, fandom wasn’t the only force at work.
“Man, Destruction should’ve been here instead of Oktop.”
“Kang Min’s attitude and that dancer Cha Seo Ha making it feels kinda undeserved.”
“Lee Do Young’s skills are a bit…….”
There were just as many audience members who disliked Oktop.
Today’s competition outcome hinged on these audience judges, each carrying their own preconceptions.
* * *
The Semifinal lived up to its name with stellar performances.
Oktop was scheduled to perform fifth out of six teams.
Maruru Band, in third position, had just finished their stage.
Maruru Band, who usually showcased emotional ballads, performed an upbeat pop-punk rock song.
Matching leather outfits and meticulously applied makeup—Maruru Band was fully prepared.
Excellent musicality, striking visuals, and genuine audience engagement.
Their performance was nearly flawless.
“That band’s pretty solid.”
Kim Ji Hu, watching from the waiting room, offered his brief assessment.
Coming from him, that was high praise.
“Can you do better than them?”
Kim Ji Hu’s question was directed at Lee Do Young.
Lee Do Young needed to step up his game on this stage.
We were planning to blow this entire broadcast away in the Final.
To do that, we needed Lee Do Young’s story arc to develop.
And the completion of that arc was this round—the Semifinal.
More than seasoned Kang Min, more than the fiery Heo Jun Sung, more than the precise Kim Ji Hu—Lee Do Young had to stand out.
And Lee Do Young answered.
“Of course.”
There was no trace of fear in his expression or voice.
Yet he wasn’t brimming with blind confidence either.
It was something akin to will or determination.
A certain trembling that such emotion created.
Lee Do Young was burning brighter than ever.
“Good, let’s show them what we’ve got.”
A moment later, a staff member opened the waiting room door.
“Oktop, please get ready.”
“Yes!”
We followed the staff toward Backstage.
As we walked through the hallway, I could hear the band performing just before us on the Stage.
And from the opposite direction came Maruru Band, exiting after their performance.
“Hello!”
“We enjoyed your performance!”
My band members bowed respectfully, and I followed their lead.
Maruru Band had a reputation for strong musicianship and good character.
I’d always held them in regard—their love for the scene was genuine, and they took their music seriously.
But their attitude toward us was unexpected.
They gave a perfunctory nod and turned back toward the waiting room without lingering.
“What was that? Are they in a bad mood?”
Heo Jun Sung muttered.
I’d had the same thought for a moment, but their parting glance felt unsettling.
Do they resent us?
* * *
The previous team finished, and we took the stage.
The moment the audience spotted us, they cheered.
We waved back at them with bright smiles.
My bandmates moved into tuning.
Before we began the actual performance, I made eye contact with each of them.
Heo Jun Sung brimmed with so much confidence he looked ready to burst, and Kang Min was the same.
Kim Ji Hu maintained his trademark cynical expression.
That was a sign of readiness.
Lee Do Young looked a bit worn from the long wait, but he’d pull through.
Over the past few rounds, producer Jung Hyuk had repeatedly criticized Lee Do Young’s bass playing.
The truth was, Lee Do Young’s skill wasn’t actually lacking.
It was just that the songs we’d performed so far hadn’t really showcased the bass prominently.
But that criticism had aired on broadcast and reached the public.
As a result, there were quite a few people discussing Lee Do Young’s bass abilities.
It wasn’t just on this show either.
When Oktop first formed, Lee Do Young’s skill was genuinely the weakest.
He had potential, but his growth hadn’t been dramatic.
But that was ancient history now.
The Lee Do Young of today was different.
As tuning went on, I locked eyes with producer Jung Hyuk.
Watch carefully.
See how my friend embarrasses you.
* * *
While Oktop tuned on stage, the producers were discussing their expectations for the performance.
“Did the kids prepare well?”
“Since you won’t let us watch the rehearsal, I’m dying of curiosity.”
Only Park Chul Hwan knew what Oktop had planned.
“They prepared hard. And Hyuk, listen.”
“Yes?”
“You mentioned Lee Do Young’s bass a few times, didn’t you?”
“I did. He seemed a bit behind.”
“You’re going to regret it.”
“……Really?”
Producer Jung Hyuk’s curiosity piqued at Park Chul Hwan’s words.
The producers no longer had judging authority.
But if Oktop—or rather, Lee Do Young—showed a strong performance today, Jung Hyuk was willing to provide good support for their future music activities.
You couldn’t help but feel affection for an artist who demonstrated growth.
Producer Jung Hyuk was lost in these thoughts when he felt a gaze on him and turned his head toward the stage.
Cha Seo Ha was looking directly at him.
He was sending a wordless message.
One that said: pay close attention to Oktop’s stage from now on.
More specifically, his eyes conveyed: watch Lee Do Young’s true skill.
“Ha, these guys are something else.”
* * *
The standby signal dropped, and Oktop’s Semifinal stage began.
Oktop – <Run>
With the opening cue, the audience erupted, and Oktop launched into their performance.
The song started with a funky sound.
Heo Jun Sung laid down a kitschy guitar line.
Kim Ji Hu strapped on his guitar and unleashed a tight, percussive rhythm to back up Heo Jun Sung’s sound.
Kang Min demonstrated excellent restraint, laying down a solid rhythmic foundation.
And in that space, Lee Do Young showcased a dazzling Bass Slap.
The producers immediately gasped in unison at his playing.
“Whoa, what? From the start?”
“Man, Lee Do Young must have really stepped up his game.”
“It’s got a danceable funk vibe to it.”
The timing of the Ghost Notes he wove between the slaps was impeccable.
His playing showed a real understanding of what groove truly meant.
The audience members, drawn in by the brisk intro, unconsciously nodded their heads along.
Oktop had demonstrated authenticity in their first audition.
Star quality in the second round.
In the first main competition, they’d made audience connection their primary weapon.
Though barely past the intro, everyone watching this stage already sensed what Oktop’s weapon was this time.
Mastery.
Every musician executed their parts with seamless precision.
And Cha Seo Ha’s movements across the stage radiated experience.
Even the otherwise fiery Heo Jun Sung maintained composure, channeling all focus into crafting the melody.
“They really have so many tools in their arsenal.”
“Seeing this, I can’t help but look forward to the Final.”
The producers marveled at the diverse facets Oktop was displaying.
As Lee Do Young’s flashy bass work settled, Heo Jun Sung’s guitar shifted into Stroke technique.
Kim Ji Hu played with a pre-recorded brass sound as an accent point.
The Verse had begun.
Cha Seo Ha sang with a pleasant, clear tone.
The moment his voice layered over the seasoned instrumental arrangement, a universal appeal crystallized.
Music that was easy to listen to.
Yet not simplistic in its construction.
This was popular rock—Oktop’s very identity.
I had a dream yesterday
You were looking at me
And I followed you
Though only fragments of the lyrics had been released, an atmosphere capturing youth at its peak already suffused the stage.
“Wow…….”
“Man, this is so good…….”
“This is what Oktop is.”
The audience’s hearts swelled at the youth Oktop offered them.
Oktop plays music well.
But what surpassed that was their power to transmit emotion, and that came from their unity.
Dazzling lights poured down, and the LED screen displayed vibrant imagery.
The broadcast station had even refined the set to amplify Oktop’s stage.
And Oktop was executing what they did best cleanly and seamlessly.
And there, in the judges’ section, this was being said.
“They’re good, but is that all there is?”
“Hmm…….”
Lee Do Young had shown a brief slap solo in the intro, then reverted to his usual style.
Producer Jung Hyuk had been looking forward to this, and if that brief moment was all Lee Do Young had to offer, it felt disappointing.
Of course, the overall picture was strong.
With their solid fanbase, he expected they’d rank high.
But if they missed this opportunity to build Lee Do Young’s narrative arc, it would be difficult to regard Oktop’s true capability as highly as they deserved.

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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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