Chapter 1062: Overcooked (15)

What is a song?

Back when Overcooked was released, Wooju had said something during a livestream.

[“I think songs are basically similar to food. When we cook for ourselves, we don't usually try to pour some grand meaning into the dish, right? For example, nobody fries an egg thinking, ‘I'm going to express the story of my entire life through this fried egg!’”]

[“At the root, I think they're the same. Just like people look for delicious food when they're hungry, maybe they look for music when their hearts are hungry. In that sense, Overcooked is a song focused on the pure joy that music itself can provide.”]

[“So is it fun to listen to? Are the lyrics entertaining? Will listening to it make you feel good? Those were the things we focused on while making it.”]

Every member of Souffle agreed.

"Exactly! Songs are just like food!"

There really were a lot of similarities.

Just as people's tastes differ, musical preferences vary from country to country.

Hip-hop dominated in America, band music remained strong in Japan, and K-pop ruled in Korea.

And beyond that—

Unless it was something globally popularized like hamburgers, foreign cuisine usually occupied a niche position.

Songs sung in unfamiliar languages felt just like exotic spices from distant countries.

Of course Koreans listened to Korean songs.

"That's right."

"Koreans naturally listen to Korean-language songs."

These were the same people who started searching for samgyeopsal and kimchi after spending only a week overseas.

Why else would tube-style gochujang be considered an essential travel item?

Because if there was nothing else to eat, you'd still want to dip broccoli in gochujang.

"So..."

Souffle nodded.

"This is only natural."

[Curious about the next chart update? Five-Minute Chart!]

King of Singers Sun Wooju - Halley

Orpheus, God of Song - Poem About Yesterday

NewBlack - Overcooked

Souffle smiled through gritted teeth.

"Of cour—"

Crrrkkk!

Their molars ground together.

"Like hell it's natural!"

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

Reason and emotion collided like sweet-and-salty flavors.

Reason smiled kindly.

—Little Souffle. If you asked Koreans to choose between premium Korean beef baekban and a greasy American steak, which do you think they'd pick? Especially when the baekban had just been praised nationwide on a TV show everyone watched.

Then emotion whispered:

—But we lost, didn't we?

Not just any time, either.

They were being beaten in real-time rankings on release day.

"We can't lose."

Souffle had encountered the strongest enemy in history and immediately tensed up.

A force that elected presidents with its own hands.

A force that made politicians nervous.

A force whose opinions moved stock prices and forced major corporations to watch their every step.

The hidden power that truly controlled South Korea.

—The Muggles. Public opinion itself...!

The Korean general public.

Outside of the Olympics or the World Cup, they were mostly dormant members with little fandom activity.

But their numbers totaled fifty million.

As the general public began streaming songs like madmen—

No, simply listening to music—

Souffle gathered together to resist.

—Guys! Let's show them our power!

For the past three years, Souffle had never once lost a release-day real-time chart battle.

Now they were about to demonstrate that strength.

—HRAAAAH!

Streaming.

Downloads.

Everything they had.

Souffle unleashed a sincere punch powered by the full might of their fandom.

But...

"It didn't work?"

Like a final boss emerging from dissipating mist without so much as a scratch, the Muggles remained completely unfazed.

It was like being flicked by a flea.

"Hm? Did something brush past me?"

And while Souffle stared blankly, unable to accept the difference in power—

"Huh?"

"The chart updated again."

[Curious about the next chart update? Five-Minute Chart!]

King of Singers Sun Wooju - Halley

Orpheus, God of Song - Poem About Yesterday

NewBlack - Overcooked

Wooju - Like The Sun (Sound of the Sun OST)

Now there was another pursuer in the race.

But the moment they saw the name "Wooju," Souffle realized something important.

The arranger who had practically remade the number-one song.

The composer of the number-two song.

The composer and performing singer of the number-four song.

All three identities belonged to the same person.

In their minds, it looked as though Wooju were giving them a thumbs-up.

—Go, Souffle. I believe in you.

Imaginary Wooju vanished with a sparkle.

"Wooju, you jerk!"

"AAAAAHHHH, SUN WOOJU!"

Souffle suffered beneath the pain inflicted by their favorite idol.

Thirty minutes before Souffle's suffering began—

Ordinary viewers were simply enjoying television.

"Damn..."

"Seriously, Ri Hyuk is incredible."

The audience applauded as Sunflower Mask slowly lowered his microphone.

[WAAAAAAAHHHH!]

Viewers eating chicken at home clapped as well, scattering crumbs everywhere.

Greasy smiles spread across their faces.

"This is it."

Some raised mugs of draft beer and grinned broadly.

Why had ordinary people watched this battle in the first place?

Partly because they were curious about the outcome, as with any major rivalry.

But more than anything—

Because it was fun.

—Cha Woohyun versus Ri Hyuk? That's going to be insanely entertaining!

Entertainment was the core of an event match.

Winning mattered.

But if the match wasn't fun, nothing else mattered.

People wanted to watch elite boxers exchange spectacular punches.

Nobody wanted to watch two fighters spend the entire match clinching and pressing their faces together.

In other words:

"Wow! Who's going to win?"

[Translation]

"Who will win this thrilling, edge-of-your-seat battle packed with unforgettable moments?"

Ri Hyuk and Cha Woohyun's showdown delivered everything viewers wanted.

Cha Woohyun displayed the dignity of a legend.

Ri Hyuk embodied fearless youth.

People watched Cha Woohyun's performance in awe.

Ri Hyuk's performance simply made everyone happy.

"Ri Hyuk's got charm."

"Right? He gets so cheeky when he's like this."

NewBlack's main vocalist had taken the stage with absolute confidence.

His skill was extraordinary.

He remained respectful toward his senior.

Yet he still projected confidence from start to finish.

It was a performance packed with everything Koreans tended to love.

People were thoroughly satisfied.

—Holy crap this is so fun lol

—No clue who'll win but entertainment score is 100/100

—Seriously lol. If the rookie just rolled out a chair and bowed because a senior showed up, that would've been boring

—What's the word... fearless confidence? I love this stuff lol

It felt like watching one of those legendary competition stages later remembered as "the rookie uprising."

"But who do you think wins?"

"I think Cha Woohyun wins... I'm more curious about the margin."

"Ri Hyuk could win too... maybe."

The same opinions appeared online and offline.

People disagreed about which stage they preferred.

But in terms of pure technical ability, Cha Woohyun still held the edge.

Most people felt the better performer should ultimately win.

Even Souffle prayed.

"Please let Ri Hyuk lose by as few votes as possible."

The current atmosphere was perfect.

People adored Ri Hyuk right now.

A narrow, honorable loss would be ideal.

If he actually won, they could already predict the backlash.

—Uh... I don't know about this lol

—Ri Hyuk was great, but wasn't Cha Woohyun better?

—Do the audience members have no ears?

—I saw NewBlack fans holding banners in the audience. They probably voted for him

...The reactions were painfully predictable.

And so Souffle prayed desperately.

Then—

"Oh, they're coming out."

Both singers stepped onto the stage together, and the venue stirred.

[WAAAAAAAHHHH!]

A towering ballad singer over six feet three.

A slender idol.

Standing side by side.

—Looks like a master and disciple lol

—Bear master and cat disciple lol

—Ri Hyuk needs Mission Singer added to his filmography lol. Why is he always so adorable here?

—Seriously. Nobody would've imagined this picture back during Famous Restaurant Theory

At that moment—

Just before the results were announced—

Cha Woohyun suddenly extended his hand.

Ri Hyuk accepted the handshake in confusion.

Cha Woohyun shook it enthusiastically up and down.

Anyone could tell he looked delighted beneath the mask.

—He's like a veteran gamer meeting a talented newbie lol

—Senior singer unable to contain his joy over an amazing junior

—Why is Cha Woohyun so excited lol

—First vocalist in his twenties since debut who can continue his lineage

—After decades, Ballad National Treasure No. 1 has finally found his successor lol

—Help, Cha Woohyun looks adorable now

And as everyone naturally began accepting Ri Hyuk as "Cha Woohyun's successor," their attention turned fully toward the screen.

Tense background music began to play.

People stopped whatever they were doing.

Restaurant patrons quickly downed their shots.

People eating chicken set down their wings.

Those watching on public transportation raised their earbud volume.

[Then let's announce the results.]

Everyone assumed one thing.

Cha Woohyun would win.

The only question was by how much.

"Twenty votes?"

"Twenty votes would be around sixty-forty. Maybe a little closer."

"Watch Ri Hyuk win."

"Ah! Everyone, be quiet!"

The audience still hadn't fully settled on an image of the two performances.

Both stages had been outstanding.

Once the vote gap was revealed, history would decide how they were remembered.

Even if two performances were relatively close, a nine-to-one vote split would later make people remember it as a complete blowout.

[The winner of today's match is...!]

The MC shouted.

[Orpheus, God of Song!]

The vote totals appeared on screen.

[■ Orpheus, God of Song: 58 Votes]

[□ King of Singers Sun Wooju: 42 Votes]

For a moment, cheers erupted everywhere.

"Sixteen votes!"

"Wow... Ri Hyuk really..."

"Wooooow! Let's drink to that."

"Cheers."

People clinked soju glasses in restaurants.

"Pay up! Team Sixteen Votes wins!"

"Damn, so close."

Friends who had made bets settled their wagers.

"Today's chicken feels a little small."

"Probably because deliveries were busy."

"Should we order late-night food to celebrate Ri Hyuk winning?"

Families placed additional food orders.

The show that had entertained the entire nation finally reached its conclusion.

Of course, there was still a bonus segment.

The reveal of the main vocalist who had spent weeks teasing everyone behind a mask while saying things like, "Looks like Sun Wooju just can't do it~"

[And now! The true identity of King of Singers Sun Wooju is...!]

Black hair fluttered.

A handsome young face appeared.

Balanced perfectly between boyhood and adulthood.

Sharp, artistic eyes.

A refined nose.

Beautiful lips.

The previously quiet forums exploded.

—HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT

—Did everyone see the board go completely silent for a second lol

—I'm losing my mind

—Urgent need for one Ri Hyuk per household. Cleaning, organization, budgeting, disaster preparedness, beauty, everything

People admired him.

—Damn it

—I take back calling him Our Hyuk. From now on he's Your Hyuk

—Your Hyuk lol

—Witnessing public opinion collapse in real time lol

People lamented.

Even fans who had been crying moments earlier suddenly found themselves smiling.

Everyone looked on fondly.

"Our Ri Hyuk..."

The man who had spent the past two months making viewers laugh and cry was now giving his farewell speech.

People applauded the entertainer who had brought them so much joy.

Then—

[I'd like to sing one song for a certain older brother who's probably watching right now. You all know it, right? Like The Sun?]

Ri Hyuk began singing Like The Sun as his farewell song.

Apparently bothered by the sweat, he removed one of his in-ear monitors and listened to the audience's cheers.

Then he passionately sang the musical film OST that his oldest brother had performed two weeks earlier to promote the movie.

"Wow..."

Viewers smiled happily.

Their ears had truly been blessed tonight.

As they felt sad watching Ri Hyuk leave the stage, Cha Woohyun stepped forward to give his remarks.

And with that, Mission Singer entered a new era.

[From this point onward, it will be the era of Orpheus, God of Song.]

Viewers felt excitement building.

This was going to be fun.

The era of King of Singers Sun Wooju had ended.

Now the God of Song was opening a new age.

People imagined legendary singers competing against one another and eagerly anticipated the future.

At the same time—

Hello~ Hello~

The melody echoed in their ears as viewers opened their music apps.

"...?"

"...??"

The real-time chart was already covered.

King of Singers Sun Wooju - Halley

Orpheus, God of Song - Poem About Yesterday

NewBlack - Overcooked

Wooju - Like The Sun (Sound of the Sun OST)

Viewers blinked.

Only now did they realize the identity of the mastermind behind nearly everything they had listened to tonight.

"...Wooju?!"

As they stared blankly—

People who had arrived online late for their own reasons asked:

—My overtime still isn't overㅠㅠㅠ Who won Mission Singer????

└ Wooju won

└ [OP] What are you talking about??

└ That's actually correct

└ 22222 Wooju's bank account won

└ [OP] ????

For the latecomers, the conversation made absolutely no sense.

As expected, the daily chart's number one song was Overcooked.

The other songs had all been released late at night.

"It'll get a little shaky starting tomorrow."

"Yeah..."

"We'll figure something out."

Future us would handle it somehow.

Normally, competition songs weren't frightening.

They made noise for a day or two after the broadcast and then quickly lost momentum.

But this time was different.

The buzz was enormous.

—"The Greatest Match Ever" — TBC's Mission Singer explodes with ratings, reactions, and online discussion

It was the most impactful competition broadcast in years.

Even people who rarely watched television said they'd tuned in for at least part of it.

Jiho stared at the charts with wide eyes.

"Wow. These chart movements are insane. Did you see the original versions climbing too?"

"Of course."

Not only Halley by Minji Discordance, which had never charted before—

But even the original version of Poem About Yesterday.

"Minji posted on social media too."

"Really?"

The original composer, Minji Discordance, had uploaded an Instagram story that looked like the ruler of the Kingdom of Souffle waving the national flag while sobbing.

The caption beneath a flood of crying emojis read:

[Oh my god, thank you NewBlackㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

Everyone laughed.

Reactions were pouring in from everywhere.

"Congratulations, Ri Hyuk."

I patted Ri Hyuk's shoulder as he carefully monitored all the responses.

"I'm seriously so proud that you're our main vocalist."

"Well... people seem to like it."

"More than like it. They're all calling you Cha Woohyun's successor. And nobody's arguing."

This time, we'd accomplished everything we'd set out to do.

Ri Hyuk had successfully established himself as a promising young successor to traditional ballad singers.

And as people rediscovered his performances, the group's overall skill level was receiving attention as well.

"Especially you singing Like The Sun yesterday. That helped a lot."

According to Seokhwan hyung, because Ri Hyuk had performed a song I'd sung recently, people were unconsciously linking our images together.

While he explained, we all gathered around Ri Hyuk and built a prison of compliments.

"Our greatest vocalist!"

"Our lovable genius vocalist!"

"So cute, so cute~ impossibly cute~"

"S-Stop..."

The living tomato squirmed.

We finally gave him a chance to cool off.

Ri Hyuk flapped his metaphorical fins and wiped away sweat before taking a deep breath.

A faint sigh escaped him.

"It's finally over."

"Yeah."

The long Mission Singer project had ended.

When it first started, I thought it would just be a mildly interesting competition where Ri Hyuk and I happened to face each other.

I never imagined it would grow this large.

While everyone smiled, Ri Hyuk quietly spoke.

"Thank you, everyone."

"Feeling sentimental all of a sudden?"

"..."

"I'm kidding. Go ahead."

"Thank you for being so considerate while I was doing Mission Singer. Whenever my individual schedules interfered with group practice, I felt really guilty. But that won't happen anymore."

"You never caused problems in the first place, Ri Hyuk."

I smiled.

"We're just proud of you."

"Especially proud that you're our main vocalist."

"..."

Then Jiho chimed in like a dutiful younger brother.

"Don't feel bad about stuff like that, hyung."

"..."

"Because I'll be busy too once movie filming starts! Hehehe!"

"..."

Ri Hyuk closed his eyes and silently recited the character for patience.

Meanwhile, Biju studied the chart.

"But do you think Overcooked will be okay domestically?"

"It might get pushed down a little for now. Mission Singer's buzz is huge."

"Hmm..."

"Besides, Overcooked is an English-language song. The main target was North America from the beginning. Let's focus on those promotions. The ripple effect might create even more attention back home."

"That's true."

As Biju nodded with a smile, I looked around at the members.

"Everyone ready?"

"Yes."

We glanced at the suitcases lined up throughout the dorm living room.

Now that Overcooked had been released, it was time to begin full-scale promotions in America.

Music magazine interviews.

Television talk shows.

A bizarre dodgeball exhibition match.

And plenty more.

"Alright, let's go. America."

"Yes!"

"Let's make some noise."

We climbed into the vehicle heading for the airport.

Then—

"It already happened."

"...?"

Seokhwan hyung looked bewildered as he relayed a message from our American agency.

"Your song."

"Yeah?"

"They're saying it's already blowing up."

"...??"

Something had happened in America.