Chapter 981: I Am the King of Singers, But...? (16)

“Ah.”

“What’s wrong, Wooju?”

“Ah, my conscience is....”

I placed a hand over my chest.

“My conscience keeps stabbing at me a little. To think I still had any conscience left in me....”

“Because you didn’t tell Ri Hyuk?”

“Yes.”

I turned toward Wonseok hyung.

“How do you think Ri Hyuk’s gonna react, hyung?”

“He’ll probably sulk like crazy.”

“Right? But if I act cute in front of him, won’t he forgive me pretty quickly...? Like if I start shooting finger hearts right in front of his face.”

“Probably...? Ri Hyuk does have a soft heart.”

While we were talking, the makeup artist brushing over my face told me not to move my cheeks.

“Then I’ll just use ventriloquism. Like this.”

[Hello! Makeup child! I am Tosam! You can’t see uncle, right? Uncle is currently in spirit form! Lalalalala...!]

The makeup artist burst out laughing and nearly choked.

“I can do other versions too. Want to see?”

I cleared my throat and changed my voice into that of a mountain spirit.

[I am your ancestor. Receive these lottery numbers....]

Everyone burst into loud laughter.

Even Wonseok hyung laughed for a long time before saying,

“Forget the competition. I don’t think we need to worry about your variety show footage today, Wooju.”

“At this rate, don’t you think I could win Variety Entertainer of the Year?”

After getting my makeup done beautifully—

“Done.”

I inspected my face from every angle and smiled in satisfaction.

Actually, on , there usually isn’t any reason to reveal your bare face. Your identity only gets revealed if you lose in Round 1.

But there was one other exception.

-Advancing to the King of Kings Match.

If you advanced to the King of Kings Match and lost to the reigning king, you took off your mask and revealed your identity.

“That’s today’s goal.”

This episode already had viewers’ attention focused because of King Sun Wooju.

Now we would create the so-called NewBlack vs. NewBlack matchup of “Sun Wooju vs. Seo Ri Hyuk” and blow up the ratings.

“Honestly, you’d be curious too, right? If you heard Seo Ri Hyuk and Sun Wooju were facing off in a singing match? You’d immediately want to see it.”

“True. Even I’m curious.”

“It’s a win-win. Ri Hyuk gets more buzz, and I get people reevaluating my vocals.”

Maybe because vocals weren’t technically my specialty the way they were for Ri Hyuk.

I didn’t really care whether people acknowledged my skill or not.

Once you reached a certain level, I thought the song itself mattered more afterward.

Not how skillfully you sang it, but what song you sang.

What you wanted to show on stage.

Maybe that came from my perspective as a singer-songwriter.

“And there’s something else I’m really looking forward to.”

“What?”

“This is a chance to do a stage that’s different from usual.”

National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk had really been a great opportunity.

What was I most excited about when Biju and I formed WooBiz this time?

-Being able to do stages that are different from NewBlack.

Unlike the performances of five-member idol group NewBlack, whose style had already become fairly established, today I could show something completely different.

National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk was practically my solo activity.

So I had already decided on the concept I’d use as the selling point.

-What if Wooju from NewBlack had debuted alone as a singer-songwriter?

That was the kind of stage I had prepared several versions of.

“Of course, I can only show them if I keep advancing.”

“Right.”

“I hope I get lucky with the bracket~”

I scanned through the list of people I could face today.

In Round 1, I was guaranteed to meet one of these four.

“Lonely Wolf”

Jo Yuri, the band vocalist who had faced Ri Hyuk in the finals.

“Luxury Supporting Role Jangjorim”

Musical actor Jang Jaerim, holder of the show’s all-time longest survival record.

“Mill Cat”

Ballad singer Dokgo Young, former winner of a national survival program.

“Alice in Wonderland”

Ally, the main vocalist of girl group Lucky Girl.

As I looked through the names on the bracket, the manager asked,

“Who do you think would be easiest to face in Round 1?”

“I don’t think there’s anyone easy.”

I smiled.

“No matter who I face, I could win or lose. If I get careless or make mistakes, I lose. If I build the right strategy and execute it well, I can still win even in difficult situations.”

“That’s true.”

“There is someone I want to meet in Round 1 though... I hope I get matched with them.”

Just then—

Knock knock.

The door opened, and someone peeked their head inside.

It was PD Park Yeonhee from .

“Wooju! The Round 1 bracket is out now, so we’ll start filming your VCR soon~”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Fighting~”

Then the door shut again.

I was briefly surprised. I thought an FD would come call me, but the PD personally came herself.

It seemed like they were really happy about my appearance.

“Alright.”

Rubbing my palms together, I reached toward the mask sitting on the waiting room table.

A crane.

I smiled happily as I looked at the crane mask with its long beak and cranky expression.

“Hehehehe.”

Just thinking about ruining my younger brother’s image already made my heart race.

Once I put on the crane mask, the staff carefully fastened the Velcro straps and secured everything in place.

“How is it?”

“Hmm....”

Wow.

This already felt suffocating.

“This is more uncomfortable than I expected. I don’t think my voice comes out properly either. How did Ri Hyuk sing in this thing...?”

Thinking about it again, our kid’s singing ability really was astonishing.

“This isn’t easy. Not easy at all....”

“Wooju. Accessories.”

“Yes.”

After the staff helped me put on all the accessories too—

With my field of vision narrowed as if I were driving through a torrential downpour, I walked down the hallway holding onto the staff members’ hands.

It felt like I could only see about ten meters ahead.

“Alright, now we’ll film your VCR. You can throw a challenge message at the participant waiting for Ri Hyuk in Round 1.”

“Okay.”

“Then please start walking slowly.”

I gradually changed my gait.

Smaller steps, like little quick shuffles.

Perfect posture.

I tucked a prop book under my arm and walked like an exemplary student carrying books around.

After walking for a bit, I spotted someone approaching me.

And the moment I recognized who it was—

[Hooh.......]

A pleased smile spread across my face without me realizing it.

Because this was exactly the opponent I’d wanted to meet in Round 1.

Jo Yuri had been in a bad mood since morning.

“Damn it....”

The reason was yesterday’s broadcast.

The entire country had watched him lose to Seo Ri Hyuk in the finals.

-Wow Seo Ri Hyuk is insane

-Jo Yuri got absolutely crushed lolㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Wolf Mask did well too but honestly Ri Hyuk was on a completely different level

-Jo Yuri sang insanely well too.. but uh.. his opponent was just way too badㅋㅋ

-The narrative is crazy.. three years ago he was the senior singer on Masterpiece Group, and now the junior finally beat him

His body trembled as he stared at his phone.

He had thrown it once already yesterday, so half the screen was cracked.

Even the “ㅋㅋㅋㅋ” comments looked smeared across the fractures in the glass.

“God...!”

He clenched his fist tightly.

‘This seriously wrecks my pride.’

In the previous competition, Seo Ri Hyuk had been the perfect prey for him.

Because there was just so much to gain from beating him.

He could appear on variety shows and tell stories about it, and it was also a chance to show off his skill in a high-profile competition.

But....

That logic worked the other way around too.

-King Sun Wooju defeats Wolf Mask and advances to the King of Kings Match

Jo Yuri had also been delicious prey for Seo Ri Hyuk.

The easiest way to make people recognize a shift in status was through victory and defeat.

It was like building the image of a powerhouse team in sports by defeating strong opponents.

Which meant Seo Ri Hyuk had beaten Jo Yuri, a vocalist already known for his singing ability.

-Wow the skill gap is huge

-Feels like Seo Ri Hyuk >> Jo Yuri

-Wowㅋㅋㅋㅋ an idol beat Jo Yuri

-Maybe it was inevitable from the moment Ri Hyuk appeared as King Sun Wooju

-He seriously sings that well huh..

Musical actor Jang Jaerim, known for his long survival streak and vocal skill.

Dokgo Young, former survival show winner.

And Jo Yuri, considered one of the strongest band vocalists.

Seo Ri Hyuk’s stock had skyrocketed after defeating those three in a row.

Crunch—

Jo Yuri ground his teeth.

‘But today will be different.’

In the last competition, he had honestly acknowledged his shortcomings.

Seo Ri Hyuk sang better than him.

So for the past two weeks, he had practiced four songs with the determination to cough up blood.

‘I’ll definitely make it up there. I’ll beat King Sun Wooju and become the new king myself.’

There was no other way to recover.

Just as he was thinking that, there came a knock knock, and an FD told him to get ready.

“Yes.”

With his manager’s help, Jo Yuri put on the wolf mask and stepped out of the waiting room.

The manager asked,

“By the way, aren’t you getting makeup done?”

“It’ll only interfere with my singing. Hyung, if you’ve got a brain, think about it. Do you seriously think I’m getting eliminated in Round 1?”

“...Yeah. You’re right.”

Soon Jo Yuri took his position and looked across from him.

‘Who’s my opponent?’

Round 1 wasn’t an important concern anyway.

That was why he’d been taking it lightly, but—

‘What is this creepy feeling...?’

As a silhouette approached from afar, he felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

At first he thought it was a model.

Among the people he’d seen recently, the only one with proportions that good was Seo Ri Hyuk.

It was like proportions sculpted by God.

And judging by the solid build, they clearly worked out a lot too.

Right when the random thought crossed his mind that he would definitely lose in a fight—

‘Huh?’

Jo Yuri’s pupils shook behind the wolf mask.

The person was walking with tiny, pitiful little steps, but somehow what was inside felt strangely familiar.

Step. Step.

The crane mask stopped directly in front of him.

“?”

The crane stared at him silently, then suddenly rummaged around under one arm and pulled out a book before flipping it open dramatically.

Soon a voice distorted through the voice changer echoed out.

[Wolf. An animal belonging to the canine family. In Sino-Korean terminology, wolves and jackals are collectively referred to as sirang.]

The crane spoke like it was reading from a Pokémon encyclopedia, then snapped the book shut and spread its wings.

The other person politely extended a hand for a handshake.

[So you are Senior Wolf. It is a pleasure to meet you.]

[Pleased to meet you.]

While Jo Yuri maintained his solemn concept and wondered, ‘What kind of concept is this?’—

[Do you happen to know about rap?]

[Hm?]

[Would you care to experience the charm of hip hop that shakes the soul?]

[Uh...?]

This insane crane suddenly opened the book again and started rapping bizarre nonsense.

[Yeah, hands in the air~ Once you hear my rap you can never escape~ You can never escape my charms~ I blow everything up mercilessly like a dynamite~!]

While the production staff holding cameras nearby pressed their lips tightly together, the crane continued rapping with the book open.

Jo Yuri could only stare blankly.

Now the crane started mimicking a DJ scratching records while beatboxing.

[Boong boong wiki wiki- boong boong wiki wiki-]

As the production staff squeezed their eyes shut and stared at the walls to suppress their laughter at the distorted sound effects—

Jo Yuri finally forgot his concept entirely and asked in a bewildered voice,

[W-What are you doing?]

[Rap, senior.]

Then the crane politely bowed.

[Come to think of it, I never introduced myself.]

The crane opened the book again.

[I’m today’s true champion drinking Champagne~ guess who I am? My name is Seo Ri Hyuk~! a.k.a. Pirarucu!]

[!!!]

[Yes. I am “National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk,” senior.]

Jo Yuri’s face froze stiff behind the wolf mask.

Because he instantly realized who his opponent was.

‘Sun Wooju...!’

Another member of NewBlack had appeared.

Thankful that he was wearing a mask, Jo Yuri cleared his throat.

[My name is Lonely Wolf.]

[Yes, nice to meet yo.]

[Kgh... cough! I-I look forward to a good match.]

With that, Jo Yuri finished filming and strode back toward the waiting room.

Thump thump.

‘Is this an opportunity?!’

NewBlack had appeared.

Compared to main vocalist Seo Ri Hyuk, Sun Wooju was definitely someone whose skills seemed weaker.

But....

‘This easily??’

For anyone else, maybe. But he had met NewBlack’s leader many times during Masterpiece Group.

The type who never did anything that would disadvantage his group.

He always smiled brightly with innocent eyes, but you could never tell what he was actually thinking.

‘...What is this? Why did he even come out?’

Jo Yuri’s mind descended into confusion.

‘My skill level is definitely higher...?’

There was no way even Sun Wooju could sing better than him.

That was what he believed, but....

That strange ominous feeling kept lingering in the back of his mind.

Sangam TBC Recording Studio.

The audience seats were packed ahead of the competition.

“Wow.......”

“Woooow!”

“I can’t believe I actually made it here....”

The audience looked around the studio with emotional expressions.

“What were the odds again?”

“I think it was over 1000 to 1.”

“Wow....”

That was right.

Everyone gathered here today had made it through odds of at least one thousand to one.

“I guess I used up all the luck in my life here....”

“Still, this is amazing. Everyone wants to come now. It got even crazier after yesterday’s broadcast.”

“The charts were completely flooded with Mission Singer songs.”

A huge number of people here today had come to see King Sun Wooju.

People holding the pamphlets in the audience stared at the sunflower mask printed inside and said,

“Ri Hyuk was seriously unbelievable yesterday.”

“Seriously.”

Compared to the first-round stage from last week, the reaction was calmer now.

Because that first round had been pure culture shock.

But the second round, third round, and King of Kings stage afterward had shocked everyone all over again.

“To think Ri Hyuk was that good.......”

He had always been good, but even after watching Round 1, people still weren’t sure he could go all the way.

Ballad singer Dokgo Young wasn’t an easy opponent.

And even if he advanced, Jo Yuri had still been waiting.

But....

“Ri Hyuk completely overwhelmed them.”

“Agreed.”

In Round 3, Ri Hyuk had suddenly unleashed hidden power and delivered a godlike performance.

Crowned king.

There had been idol singers who became kings before, but nobody had ever fought through multiple king-level singers in succession like this.

“I’d heard NewBlack’s live performances at concerts were insane, but.......”

“Seriously. I should’ve tried booking tickets earlier.”

“They say you can’t even get tickets unless you’re a fan. They sell out during fan reservations alone.”

As those conversations spread around, several Souffles hidden among the audience quietly teared up.

‘Damn it.’

‘The normies are becoming fans again....’

‘Stop... there won’t be seats left for us.......’

At least the fan club used a generation system, which helped keep things manageable.

If memberships had been open year-round, ticketing would’ve become absolute hell.

‘Tch.’

The Souffles wearing sorrowful expressions soon looked toward the [King Sun Wooju] placards and smiled.

‘Still happy!’

‘This is happiness!’

It was a place every Souffle envied.

Because they were witnessing a moment that would later become part of idol history.

The very scene where Seo Ri Hyuk, under the name King Sun Wooju, showed the entire nation his singing ability...!

‘Ri Hyuk...!’

‘Ri Hyuk, hurry up and come out. I want to see you.’

The Souffles were already waving their [King Sun Wooju] signs in anticipation.

While the audience settled into their seats, listened to the preliminary MC, and chatted with the celebrity panelists—

The production staff climbed onto the stage, clapped the slateboard, and filming officially began.

[There has never been a competition like this before! Trust only your singing, trust only yourself, and compete! Mission~]

[Singer~!!]

After the celebrity panelists and audience shouted the program’s catchphrase together—

Highlights from the previous match began playing.

[Ah! Victory goes to King Sun Wooju! He defeats Wolf Mask and advances to the King of Kings Match!]

The scene of Seo Ri Hyuk defeating Jo Yuri.

[The 43rd King! King Sun Wooju!]

[It’s still funny hearing it again. King King Sun Wooju!]

[Our royal royal king.]

Everyone burst into laughter at the name King King Sun Wooju.

Then the hosts returned live and introduced today’s contestants in order.

“WOOOOOOOAHHHHHH-!”

One by one, the participants appeared.

People whose identities were impossible to guess from the masks alone came out and performed strange little introductions.

Then came the fourth and final new contestant.

“Hm?”

“Huh??”

Suddenly, hip hop BGM started blasting.

A DJ scratching sound played as dancers and a singer climbed onto the stage together.

A scholar’s hanbok outfit paired with oversized hip hop gold chains.

A thin crane mask.

“!”

“!!”

The moment they saw the silhouette, the Souffles nearly stopped breathing.

As they erased the [King] part from their [King Sun Wooju] signs and began waving only [Sun Wooju]—

The dancers carrying cassette radios on their shoulders started dancing while the crane opened a book.

[A-yo! Make some noise!]

The audience hesitantly responded to the pathetic voice coming through the voice changer.

[Let me introduce myself!]

[My name is Seo Ri Hyuk, National Hip Hop King~ My original dream was NASA~ Aerospace doctor~]

The singer spat out absurd rhymes and ridiculous lyrics, making people laugh, but—

The audience had already frozen solid.

“??”

“?”

Everyone turned to stare at {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} each other.

“Hey, that’s...!”

“That’s him!”

Their hearts felt ready to burst.

‘That’s Sun Wooju?!’

‘Holy shit?!’

‘God, thank you! Holy shit, thank you!’

Everyone started screaming as if their hearts were exploding.

Because the real Wooju had appeared.

And while everyone roared in excitement—

[.......]

[.......]

The singers waiting backstage below the stage slowly turned toward the sunflower mask standing there blankly.

[Th-that.......]

Seo Ri Hyuk pointed at the stage with a trembling finger, unable to finish his sentence.

Memories flashed through his mind.

-Hey! I lent you my name and this is the best cleaning you can do? Back in my military days, the sergeant major personally praised me, you know.

-But can I use your name someday too? Hehe. No, I was just joking... though that means I can, right?

-Man, my shoulders are stiff. It’d sure be nice if someone who borrowed my name massaged them for me....

Watching Sun Wooju dancing on stage while calling himself National Hip Hop King, Seo Ri Hyuk’s body trembled violently.

‘What a complete trash human being......!’

Seo Ri Hyuk finally exploded with rage.