The Reincarnated Idol Hard Carries an Indie Band - Chapter 82

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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 Carries an Indie Band
Chapter 82
The Oktop Stage had long since been cleared, yet the heat of the venue showed no sign of dissipating.
The audience was mostly composed of ordinary people, though musicians were scattered throughout as well.
“Wow, wasn’t that guy the one who couldn’t do it?”
“Yeah, even last year at the band slam he was falling behind by himself, but today looking at him he’s the protagonist?”
“Hey, didn’t I tell you? That guy’s the best player?”
Lee Do Young had never stepped forward to perform on his own initiative until now.
He lacked confidence, wasn’t the type to stand out, and above all, he believed he hadn’t yet become the player he wanted to be.
But that was only his own thinking—the eyes of those watching Lee Do Young today held something different.
“That guy’s going to make it big.”
“Right? Did you see how he was throwing Double Plucks earlier without losing the beat?”
“Like he was playing with a ruler, you know? The timing when the other instruments come in is perfect too.”
“But that’s not even the important part—it’s the posture…….”
“Right? The posture!”
“Exactly! The posture is insane.”
Great technique must be accompanied by great posture.
The kind of posture that emerges when a musician is fully immersed in performance.
It wasn’t about any theatrical gestures or stage manners.
Something that emanates from the player’s very heart.
The audience, who had felt that ‘posture’—knowable only through instinct—were seeing Lee Do Young anew.
“Hey, so are you gonna give your vote to Oktop for ‘Real’?”
“Ah…….”
“Hmm…….”
They had originally planned to vote for a band they liked.
But having witnessed such an exceptional stage, their hearts wavered.
* * *
The reversal stage utilizing Lee Do Young had its unmistakable strengths.
A tactic of placing the performer who looked weakest on stage at the climax to make him shine.
From backstage during the bass solo, I could see the audience’s eyes lighting up.
“Hey, Lee Do Young, you were really good?”
“Ah, thanks, Jo Seong Hoon.”
“Of course—who gave you lessons?”
“Thanks, Kim Ji Hu. It’s all thanks to you.”
“Ugh, that’s annoying. Kim Ji Hu, can’t you change the way you talk?”
Look at these guys—I ordered them to give him lessons and they’re making a scene among themselves.
Based on the atmosphere at the venue, I could estimate our ranking would be around second place.
Today, the Maruru Band was overwhelmingly dominant.
If this had been a general popular music competition, I would’ve dominated.
But in genre music, I still had limits against a veteran with years of experience.
And besides, in my past life the Maruru Band were originally the winners of this program.
They were showing themselves worthy of that.
“Oh no, that team just forgot their lyrics.”
“My goodness…….”
The final team forgot their lyrics mid-performance, and our kids felt sorry watching it.
In reality, even famous bands overseas often forget their lyrics.
Internationally, such things are usually tolerated.
You might forget lyrics while singing, and it’s usually treated as a minor incident, but it’s different here.
Especially in an audition program.
Korean listeners were unusually strict about forgotten lyrics.
In audition programs, it’s often used as grounds for elimination.
That team will probably be eliminated.
“Oktop, please wait in the Backstage area for announcements.”
“Yes!”
The moment the final team’s stage ended, we left the waiting room to prepare for the results announcement.
* * *
All performers gathered in the Backstage area to wait for the results announcement.
“Your stage was great.”
“Oh, thank you. We still have a long way to go.”
“Ah, who will make it…….”
“Hey, even if we don’t, let’s go home in good spirits.”
“Yeah, just doing this much is incredible.”
While venue staff moved busily about, the performers exchanged stage impressions and talked among themselves.
“Um, excuse me…….”
I turned my head at someone’s voice beside me.
But the call was directed at Lee Do Young, not me.
“Yes?”
“I really enjoyed watching you earlier.”
“Oh, thank you!”
“Actually, I thought only the other members were good, but today you really impressed me. Can we exchange contact information after we get our phones?”
“Yes, that sounds great.”
“Let’s grab a meal sometime and talk about music.”
Many people approached Lee Do Young.
Kang Min, Kim Ji Hu, and Heo Jun Sung performed well from the moment they first made their presence known.
But Lee Do Young, due to the nature of his instrument and his personality, had relatively faded into the background until now.
With a person like that showing off such an impressive performance, even fellow artists couldn’t help wanting to befriend him.
If competitors felt this way, what about the viewers?
On stage, host Yu Hwan was discussing impressions of today’s performances and the voting method.
Then, before the announcement, he drew it out for suspense and delivered a line about revealing the results after the commercial break, prompting sighs from the audience.
Since it wasn’t a live broadcast, the results were revealed without delay.
1st Place: Maruru Band
2nd Place: Oktop
3rd Place: …….
4th Place: …….
As expected, we placed second.
Shortly after, the three eliminated teams took the stage first to express their regrets and relief.
“The remaining three teams, please take the stage!”
Following staff directions, we and the Maruru Band, along with one other team, headed to the stage.
“So, these are the three bands that will stand on the Finals stage. First, let’s hear from the Maruru Band about your resolve.”
“We’ll show you a wonderful stage without letting our tension slip until the very end.”
Min Hyun A answered calmly.
There was a subtle composure woven subtly into her dry tone.
“Yes, excellent. And now let’s hear from Oktop’s resolve?”
At the host’s words, I took the microphone and spoke.
“Like the title of this program, ‘Who’s the Real,’ we’ll show you a genuine stage.”
I conveyed my resolve briefly and succinctly.
The audience cheered.
Looking at them, I felt eager to unveil the Finals stage.
A genuine stage.
Just how much noise would the world make then?
Probably the issues we’ve been stirring up so far won’t even matter.
* * *
Oktop advanced to the Finals and PD Lee Jong Myung confirmed the results.
“Excellent! Perfect!”
PD Lee Jong Myung was overjoyed.
With Oktop advancing to the Finals, the drama had now entered its final chapter.
Oktop showed their legitimacy and demonstrated the boldness of newcomers.
Cha Seo Ha even dared to dance in a band audition, flaunting star quality.
Kang Min’s rebellious attitude, the rivalry with Destruction, and the subsequent victory.
Even the growth of Lee Do Young, who had no presence.
Oktop had shown everything they could show on this program.
What remained now was emotional narrative.
The growth narrative of Lee Do Young from just before, flowing brilliantly into what came next.
Lee Jong Myung thought that Cha Seo Ha had a real talent for broadcast.
If they’d used the story about Lee Do Young’s brother in the Semifinal, the narrative would’ve overlapped and been difficult to stretch out.
He was grateful that they had made the suggestion first.
Currently, Oktop’s reputation was the best among all the performers.
Viewer forums, article count, search volume, clip views—everything proved it.
Of course, Oktop had performed well, but that was just material.
It was Lee Jong Myung himself who had cooked it superbly.
He believed, as always, that broadcasting was ninety percent editing.
“Editing…….”
He suddenly thought of Lee Do Hyun.
A talented tragedy—the editing he had done became the spark that led to a barrage of malicious comments and a premature death.
Lee Jong Myung felt no guilt.
Lee Do Hyun had taken his own life a year after the broadcast ended.
That was too long a period for Lee Jong Myung to deeply link his death with his own editing.
And the direct blow had come not from him but from the commenters spewing malice.
Besides, the fact that it was devilish editing was something only people who were there would know.
And even if someone knew, it had never been made public.
And the members of Oktop didn’t seem to know the actual circumstances well.
If they didn’t know, that was the end of it.
Lee Do Hyun was dead, and he, still living, had work to do.
“Anyway, helping with buzz then, and even in death helping like this…. I’m grateful, Do Hyun.”
Knock, knock.
Just then, writer Kim Da Young knocked on the PD office door and entered.
“PD, I’ve arranged the filming schedule for Lee Do Young.”
“Oh, good. You always work so hard, Da Young.”
“Not at all.”
Seeing how cooperative they were being, Lee Jong Myung was convinced that Oktop truly didn’t know the truth.
* * *
As the three teams advancing to the Finals prepared their stages, all remaining episodes were released.
The second half of Main Round 1, Main Round 2, and Semifinal content.
It was revealed that the Jo Seong Hoon Band had actually borrowed a song from Oktop.
A stage showing Lee Do Young’s growth well aired.
The Maruru Band recorded first place in every round since entering the Main Round.
While they had the advantage of a thick existing fanbase, the musicality and stage control they demonstrated were certainly overwhelming compared to the other teams.
Oktop showed youthful boldness and diversity, and there was certainly polish to Cha Seo Ha.
But the aura emanating from genuine years of experience embedded in the body was something Cha Seo Ha didn’t possess.
Cha Seo Ha’s insides were mature, but what mattered was what showed.
The Maruru Band was skilled at properly infusing their experience into their craft.
-The stage is legendary with Maruru but the reason I watch is Oktop
└Yeah
└Oktop is really amazing too but Maruru’s experience is just beyond our reach
-I’m so curious what Oktop will show in the next round
-Honestly the other bands feel like they just keep doing what they’ve been doing but Oktop keeps showing completely different things so it’s fun to watch
-Wait, Jo Seong Hoon’s band used all of Oktop’s songs? Oktop’s version then basically
-Oktop is so cool right? While competing with a strong team like Destruction they help the weakest team
└True, strong and weak balance
└Really sympathetic actually
-Will Maruru win the championship?
└It’s hard to say when the live voting comes up, there are more Oktop fans than expected
└The Finals need to capture the general public
-Jo Seong Hoon’s band songs were all so good, now there’s a reason
As comments steadily climbed, the viewership ratings shot up dramatically with each new episode.
The public, without even knowing it themselves, had begun preparing to be hit by the bomb Oktop was about to drop.

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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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