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Chapter – 08
Fame
After Songi’s broadcast aired,
phone calls were coming in almost every day without exception.
“Yes, thank you. Yes, have a good day.”
Relatives who hadn’t contacted them in a long time, close acquaintances, and even friends were calling.
On top of that,
broadcast station staff—somehow they found out—and kept making appearance offers, saying they wanted to cast Songi.
‘As expected of TV broadcast, the impact is on another level.’
On one hand, it was exciting.
He had fulfilled Songi’s dream of becoming a singer.
But still,
his belief hadn’t changed that she should only handle what a young child could manage.
“Songi is under our Ssong (SSONG) Entertainment, so thank you for the casting offer, but we’ll respectfully decline.”
Sometimes, large entertainment companies also sent casting offers.
Of course, he refused them.
But part of him also felt like it was some kind of honor.
And at the same time…
he also wondered if he might be taking away Songi’s opportunities.
“So fast… seriously fast.”
In this industry, if someone was profitable talent, everyone would rush in.
Because of that, founding a one-person entertainment company didn’t feel like greed.
└ A one-person agency run by parents… isn’t that kind of dangerous?
└ She’s only 11, she probably doesn’t understand money yet… parents could easily take it all
└ Even if she sings well, debuting on TV at that age already… wow
Of course, there were negative opinions too.
Some said he was exploiting an elementary school child for money.
Others claimed the parents would steal the earnings…
It was jealousy mixed with suspicion.
“Anyway, what rank is Watermelon right now…?”
That morning.
Songi’s officially released single had gone live on all music platforms.
It hadn’t even been 24 hours yet, but he checked anyway.
And…
“Watermelon real-time rank 3”
—Jeong Songi – Song title: Umbrella Tree
—Entered Watermelon weekly TOP 5 chart
“…No way.”
He hadn’t expected high rankings at all.
But a rookie who just started singing,
with almost no promotion, was already Top 5.
Now it all made sense—why so many calls had suddenly come in.
“I was so focused on the sudden attention that I didn’t even check the rankings…”
At that moment,
another call came in.
Unknown number.
But thinking it was just another casting request, he prepared himself and answered.
“Hello, this is Jeong Hwii-eon.”
[Hello, this is writer Choi Hyun-ju from “Best of Tomorrow.”]
“……”
[Are you Representative Jeong Hwii-eon of Ssong Entertainment?]
The moment he heard the program name, his whole body stiffened.
“…Hello?]
Startled, writer Choi Hyun-ju called him several times, and he barely came back to his senses.
“Ah… yes, that’s right.”
[Ahaha, yes… you suddenly went silent so I was surprised.]
“What is it regarding?”
Even though he already knew it was a casting offer, he replied calmly.
[We would like to invite Jeong Songi to appear on our program. Have you seen our show by any chance?]
Have I seen it?
How could he not?
‘It’s the program where my ex-wife is the MC.’
“…A few times.”
[I see. Our program mainly invites “rising stars” who have become trending topics or are receiving attention.]
“…Sorry, but Songi already has several schedules, so she won’t have time.”
[Ah, if it’s scheduling, we can adjust…]
“No, I’m afraid that won’t work. I have to go now, so I’ll hang up.”
click!
Unable to control his emotions, he hung up.
Normally, he would have politely explained and declined or postponed it.
“…Ha.”
Perhaps because of unresolved feelings, he acted immaturely without realizing it.
Now she probably knows too—
that Songi has debuted as a singer.
“Better to avoid clashing.”
If something is disgusting, you don’t avoid it because it’s scary—
you avoid it because it’s disgusting.
At School Pickup Time
That day, when he went to pick Songi up from school—
“Songi…”
He raised his hand toward her.
But…
Songi was surrounded by many classmates.
They seemed to be talking, and she looked very happy.
Soon…
As she approached the school gate—
“Are you going to be on TV again next time?”
“I almost cried because you sang so well!”
“Please be my friend!”
“You’re still coming to school, right?”
Only then could he hear the voices clearly.
They were all sincere admiration toward Songi.
‘She’s popular, our Songi.’
Would she still be able to attend school properly?
Would she feel uncomfortable?
He waited, slightly worried, for Songi to notice him.
But…
“Songi’s father!”
“…?!”
The voice that came was not Songi’s.
It was her homeroom teacher, Joo Seo-hyun.
“Ah, teacher Seo-hyun. Hello, it’s been a while.”
“Yes, how have you been? Actually, I have something I must talk to you about. I considered calling you directly, but I thought you might be waiting for Songi at the gate, so I came here myself.”
“I see.”
“Do you have time?”
Was this about Songi?
If so, it would be helpful to hear it.
“Dadddd!”
At that moment,
Songi ran through the crowd waving her hand.
“How was school?”
“Good! I became super popular!”
“Really?”
After briefly greeting Songi, they went to a nearby café with teacher Joo Seo-hyun.
“How is Songi doing at school?”
“She’s doing great! She’s so bright and cheerful, she gets along so well with her friends.”
“…Then what is the matter?”
On the table were iced americanos for the adults and iced chocolate for Songi.
“Well, the thing is…”
The teacher hesitated, then carefully placed something in front of him.
“…This is?”
A blank A4 sheet of paper. That was all.
“When I asked Songi a little, she said the composer of ‘Umbrella Tree’ is her father?”
“…Ah, yes, but what is this A4 sheet for?”
“Well… signatures…”
“…Signatures?”
“Yes. Could I… possibly ask for your signature?”
What?
He thought it would be something serious, but it was just a request for an autograph.
“Haha, actually Songi already gave me one.”
The teacher shyly took out a crumpled piece of paper from her bag.
It had Songi’s carefully written name in crayon.
“Today Songi was giving autographs to her classmates, so the class was a bit chaotic.”
“Ah… that happened?”
“She was so cheerful while doing it. It almost felt like her own autograph event, but it was a fun time.”
The teacher had already relaxed and was casually drinking her coffee.
It almost felt like she wasn’t a teacher talking to a parent, but chatting with a friend.
“My mom cried after watching the broadcast… Songi’s voice left such a deep impression…”
“….”
“And the lyrics were so good too…”
Today, they were going to meet PD Song Yeon-seong with Songi.
After the song release, the chart performance was good and public attention had increased.
He planned to discuss scheduling for a possible variety appearance in Part 2.
But…
Teacher Joo Seo-hyun kept talking endlessly.
“By the way, when did you start composing?”
“…Teacher, I’m a bit busy right now.”
“Oh!”
She widened her eyes in surprise.
“I’m sorry… I took up your time.”
“It’s fine, I still have a little time.”
He pulled the A4 paper closer.
“…I don’t have a signature stamp, is it okay if I just write my name?”
“Of course! Oh, and please write my name here and also ‘Please be happy’ as a message.”
“…Ah, yes.”
She was surprisingly demanding.
He quickly wrote it and stood up with Songi.
Later
He seemed to have coordinated well with PD Song Yeon-seong.
“The schedule is about a month later…”
The first song had already become a hit.
Songi’s track had reached #1 on Watermelon charts and was still holding it.
“But popular idol groups will be making comebacks soon, so it won’t stay long.”
He knew the industry well.
So he understood how fierce competition was.
Songi didn’t yet have a strong fanbase, so rankings could drop anytime.
“Maybe it’s time to start a full album.”
One hit song wouldn’t last forever.
They needed more songs.
“Songi, are you excited? Daddy will make lots of songs for you.”
“Yes!”
For now, he planned to learn production tools from producer Hyun Sung-ho.
But since he was still inexperienced, outsourcing to Sung-ho would be better.
However…
Songi seemed unusually quiet.
“…Songi, what’s wrong?”
She had recently received an expensive smartphone.
She fiddled with it nervously.
“Tell me if you have a worry.”
“…Dad, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, anything.”
Songi smiled.
Was she going to ask for something?
That’s what he assumed.
“I want to go on the program where Mom appears.”
“….”
But her answer was completely unexpected.
“…What?”
He asked again, wondering if he misheard.
“Best of Tomorrow… Mom appears there. I want to go on that show.”
That morning, he had received a casting call.
From the program staff of “Best of Tomorrow.”
‘They shouldn’t even have Songi’s number…’
Did someone contact her?
“Songi, did someone call you?”
“No.”
“Then why are you saying this?”
“I want to show Mom.”
“…Show her what?”
Songi’s eyes were clear.
Pure, without any malice.
And then…
The words that came out of her mouth shocked him.
