Chapter 982: I Am the King of Singers, But...? (17)

Everyone erupted into commotion at the appearance of National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk.

‘Sun Wooju!’

‘Wooju!’

The celebrity panelists stared at each other with their mouths hanging open, going, “This is insane?!”

“Waaah!”

“Seriously, I think I just used up all the luck I’ll ever have in my life. Holy crap, I’ve got goosebumps right now.”

“Same....”

The cameras caught audience members covering their mouths or smacking the friends they came with while saying this was crazy.

An excited middle-aged man shouted from the audience seats.

“Wooju!!”

The crane mask crooked a finger.

[Nope.]

‘Not him?’

[I am National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk.]

‘Ah, right... that was the concept...!’

The audience burst into loud laughter at how shamelessly natural he acted.

One of the celebrity panelists pointed toward the other idols and started laughing.

“No, look at these kids.”

“?”

Everyone burst into laughter.

It was because of the posture of the idols appearing as panelists today.

The male and female idols were sitting stiffly upright like newly enlisted recruits sitting at attention.

“Why are all of you sitting like that?”

“No, we’re comfortable.”

It was a completely different reaction from when King Sun Wooju had appeared.

Back then they’d gone, “Wow... it’s Senior Ri Hyuk!” with excitement and admiration.

Now they were trembling in fear going, “It’s Senior Wooju....”

People laughed because they understood.

‘Makes sense.’

The supreme ruler of K-pop had arrived.

Multiple #1 songs on the Mango yearly chart.

Composer of a Billboard Hot 100 #1 song and the composer currently holding the longest-running #1 record on Billboard with Answer.

On top of that, his close colleagues were all dominating at the top too, making him practically the most powerful figure in the idol industry.

Of course, the man himself was famous for his kind personality, but no matter how gentle the chairman might be, employees were naturally afraid of him anyway.

[Hm.]

The crane mask opened a book.

[Let’s see.]

A voice distorted through the voice changer echoed from the pointed beak.

[Monthly Boy Mint. Real name Park Hajin. His stage name is derived from “mint.” A member famous for his beautiful dance lines....]

Everyone burst out laughing at the Pokémon encyclopedia-like explanation.

While Mint from Monthly Boy widened his eyes in surprise as a guest panelist, National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk continued.

[I’ve really been enjoying your songs lately.]

He even sang a short line from one of their songs to promote them.

While Monthly Boy’s Mint looked ready to burst into tears from emotion, the crane continued greeting the other rookie idols one by one.

The panelists were impressed.

‘So this is why he built the biggest faction in the idol industry. That political skill....’

‘So that’s why every idol these days is part of the New line.’

‘Live your life like Sun Wooju.’

While Wooju quietly laughed to himself after instantly turning all the rookie idols into his fans—

The panelists excitedly started asking questions.

“Why did you come on the show?”

“What’s your goal for appearing today?! Seo Ri... no, are you here to take down King Sun Wooju??”

It was the question everyone wanted answered the most.

The crane mask calmly lifted the microphone.

[Yes. I came here today to defeat Wooju hyung... the person Seo Ri Hyuk respects the most in this world. Honestly, no matter how much Sun Wooju is the reigning king, when it comes to singing, isn’t Seo Ri Hyuk still superior?]

“But you appeared as National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk!!”

[Yes. I intentionally did not attach the king title. Because today I’ll be taking that title away from King Sun Wooju.]

“WOOOOOOOAHHHH—!”

The audience exploded into cheers.

Their hearts pounded wildly.

‘Holy crap... Sun Wooju vs. Seo Ri Hyuk?!’

‘This works.’

The cameras captured everyone whispering to each other with wide eyes.

After finishing his playful introduction, Sun Wooju stepped aside, and people’s attention shifted toward the contestants entering after him.

[Jorim~ jorim~ jangjoriiiim~~]

[I am Lonely Wolf.]

As everyone introduced themselves one by one, people’s eyes turned toward the final young man stepping onto the stage.

White smoke spread across the floor as the reigning king strode forward, his cape fluttering dramatically.

But....

“?”

“??”

Something about the atmosphere felt off.

Woooooooo—

The figure of King Sun Wooju advancing while radiating a dark aura looked like...!

Tremble—

Bzzzzzzzz—

Like a cellphone vibrating from a spam call!

The moment they saw him shaking like that, the audience burst into huge laughter.

‘He didn’t know!’

‘He had no idea Wooju was appearing!’

It almost felt like they could hear the sound of grinding teeth from here.

As the clearly overheated king appeared, the hosts’ commentary rang out.

[Yes! The 43rd King, King Sun Wooju!]

[The king of kings.]

Still visibly trembling, the king climbed onto the throne.

The instant he sat down, his gaze shot toward the crane in the distance.

Stare!

[!!]

The crane immediately flinched and began fidgeting awkwardly.

The audience burst into laughter.

‘So he really didn’t tell him he was coming!’

But of course, Sun Wooju wasn’t about to stay quiet.

The crane mask immediately opened the book again.

[Sun Wooju. The most handsome man on Earth. Global fashionista. Greatest composer. Ranked first in the nationwide “ideal type excluding personality” poll, and thirteenth when personality was included. Korea’s greatest man!]

National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk bowed politely.

[Hello, Wooju hyung. Ri Hyuk is here, the person who respects and loves you most.]

[You... you!!]

[Ri Hyuk loves Wooju hyung the most~ Love and peace~!]

Even through the mask, it somehow felt like the sunflower mask was swearing with its eyes.

King Sun Wooju gritted his teeth.

[Yeeees.... the Ri Hyuk I love most has come....... Crunch....]

The panelists asked,

“Seo Ri... no, King Sun Wooju, I guess you didn’t know your younger brother was appearing?”

“He came without telling me.”

King Sun Wooju nodded.

[I was really shocked. Seriously, who does something like this without saying a word... If you were going to appear, at least tell me first.......]

He was trying hard to speak calmly when—

The crane mask interrupted.

[You must be very flustered, hyung.]

[.......]

[But....]

The crane mask poked its own cheek with a finger and acted cute.

[You’re happy to see me, right? I’m cute, right??]

[!!]

As King Sun Wooju trembled with fury, the guards beside him tried calming him down.

The audience could only laugh uncontrollably.

‘God, he’s so annoying.’

‘Sun Wooju is way too irritating. Seriously.’

Eventually the cast finished their skit and began heading offstage.

Scurry scurry—

The crane mask fled like an actual crane while the sunflower mask hurried after him, making everyone laugh once more.

‘Ah, I’m seriously so curious.’

They desperately wanted to know what kind of conversation was happening backstage.

I could see the floor.

Hm.

The TBC Sangam building really was spotless. The floor was shining.

“.......”

“.......”

I stared at the floor for a while before cautiously lifting my head to glance at the other person.

A triangle with crossed arms was glaring at me.

I immediately lowered my head again.

“.......”

“.......”

I politely clasped my hands together and stared at the floor.

Then came a cold voice.

“I knew something was weird. Ever since a week ago, Wang Jiho started laughing every time he heard anything about King Sun Wooju, and today he suddenly insisted on following us around and being nice to me too.......”

“I’m sorry.”

“If you were going to appear, you should’ve said so, you idiot!!”

“I have no excuse.”

I kept pretending to reflect sincerely while staring at the floor.

When I cautiously lifted my head again, Ri Hyuk looked slightly less angry than before.

The moment he saw my face, he ran a hand through his hair.

“Ah, but now that I think about it again, I’m pissed off all over again.”

I hurriedly lowered my head.

“If you were going to do a concept, it should’ve been something like King Seo Ri Hyuk. What the hell is National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk? What even is National Hip Hop King?!”

“B-Because it’s funny....”

“You were fully committed to ruining your younger brother’s image.”

“But couldn’t the same be said about you? You appeared as King Sun Wooju and kept saying all kinds of weird things too.......”

“.......”

After thinking about it for a moment, Ri Hyuk reluctantly admitted I had a point.

“Well, we’ll let that part slide.”

‘He’s letting it slide because it’s disadvantageous for him.......’

“You just cursed at me in your head, didn’t you?”

“Nope.”

Seeing me shamelessly pretend innocence, Ri Hyuk sighed.

Mm. He’d softened up a little.

I slowly moved closer to him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you beforehand. But....”

“But?”

“Isn’t this way more fun? Honestly, it was hilarious, right?”

“KYAAAAAH!”

I widened the distance again.

After carefully adjusting the space between us so Ri Hyuk wouldn’t feel uncomfortable—

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you going to do for me if you’re sorry?”

“I’ll grant you anything.”

I moved a little closer again.

Approaching Ri Hyuk was like trying to catch a seagull.

If you rushed toward a seagull too quickly, it flapped away, but if you approached slowly, you could catch it.

“Write me a solo song.”

“Okay.”

“You have to write mine before Wang Jiho’s.”

“I promise. I’ll write the best song for you.”

“Then pinky swear....”

“Pro~mise~”

As we pinky swore about the solo song, I slipped closer and patted him gently.

Quest complete.

It almost felt like a message appeared in front of me saying: [Hostile relationship with Seo Ri Hyuk has been resolved.]

“Well....”

Ri Hyuk shrugged.

“I’m still annoyed you didn’t tell me, but I understand why you came out. You came here for my sake, didn’t you?”

“Yeah.”

Sharp eyes turned toward me.

“You’re planning to make it to the finals and face me in the King Match, right? To blow up the ratings with the Sun Wooju vs. Seo Ri Hyuk narrative.”

“That’s the goal, at least.”

“Mmm... I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

“You don’t need to worry so much. I spent the last two weeks carefully building strategies so I could win no matter what happens....”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“Hm?”

Ri Hyuk shook his head.

“I just don’t think things are going to go according to your plan.”

“What do you mean?”

“Making it to the King Match probably will go according to plan.”

“Right.”

“But you’re assuming you’ll lose after facing me there.”

“Isn’t that true...?”

What was he talking about?

Seeing my confusion, Ri Hyuk said,

“There’s also a chance I could lose in the King Match.”

“What are you talking about, Ri Hyuk? There’s obviously still a gap between you and me. How could I possibly beat you?”

“.......”

“Why are you looking at me like that...?”

“I can’t tell whether you know what you’re saying or not.......”

“??”

Ri Hyuk shook his head as if it didn’t matter either way and uncrossed his arms.

“Well. Whatever. I’m going all out in the King Match too. I’m going to perform thinking of you not as my group member, but as my rival. So you’d better prepare yourself.”

“R-Right. Do that.”

“I need to get into the right emotional state now, so leave. And I’d rather not see your face again until the King Match. Seeing your face makes me soft.”

‘This is my waiting room though.’

Mingi hyung answered for me.

“Ri Hyuk.”

“Yes.”

“This is Wooju’s waiting room.”

“KYAAAAAH!”

Everyone burst out laughing as Ri Hyuk stormed out of the waiting room like an enraged cat.

The recording finally began in earnest.

As the Round 1 matches continued, the audience all shared similar thoughts.

‘There’s a reason the long-term survivors last so long.’

The new contestants kept getting eliminated one after another by the veteran survivors.

[Round 1, Match 1! Alice in Wonderland claims victory!]

[That was really close!]

In Match 1, Lucky Girl’s main vocalist Ally narrowly defeated a famous singer-songwriter.

[Luxury Supporting Role Jangjorim is in incredible condition today! He’s really on a roll right now.]

In Match 2, Jangjorim Mask comfortably defeated an actor known for his singing ability.

[Wow... that was truly an incredible match.]

[This was the closest one yet. Mill Cat advances to Round 2 by only four votes!]

[At this point, it just comes down to personal taste.]

In Match 3, former survival show winner Dokgo Young barely defeated female rock vocalist Heo Heejin.

It really was the perfect example of “just a difference in taste.”

After seeing the voting results, the audience let out disappointed sighs.

“Wow....”

“No, how did the bracket end up like that? It’s basically all the top contenders facing each other....”

“It really must be random.”

“I hope Heo Heejin gets revived in the revival round later. That’s such a shame. She’s king-level too.”

They were still discussing it when—

[Alright! Round 1 Match 4 will begin shortly!]

The faces of two men appeared on the big screen with “VS” between them.

[Lonely Wolf]

[National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk]

Everyone’s hearts started pounding.

It was a completely different kind of tension from the Dokgo Young vs. Heo Heejin match earlier.

‘Ah... this won’t be easy for Wooju.......’

Jo Yuri, who had reached the finals in the previous competition before narrowly losing to Seo Ri Hyuk.

One of today’s strongest contenders for victory.

If you asked everyone here who would probably face King Sun Wooju today, most people would pick Jo Yuri.

“Mmm.......”

“Mmmmmm.......”

The audience wanted to support the Wooju they loved, but they still believed they had to judge objectively since this was a competition.

‘Ah, but this is seriously going to be hard.’

‘Jo Yuri only lost because his opponent was Ri Hyuk. He’s not an easy opponent.’

In truth, the source of the audience’s anxiety was simple: they didn’t really know how good Wooju’s singing was.

“Is Wooju a good singer?”

“No idea....”

To the general public, Wooju was mostly famous for his image as a composer and entertainer.

Then someone spoke up.

“But isn’t Wooju probably amazing too?”

“Hm?”

“No, I mean, Ri Hyuk sings that well, and they say Wooju’s number two in the group. I’ve never once thought he was bad.”

“That’s true, but NewBlack songs are group songs. Ri Hyuk doesn’t go all-out in those like he does in competitions.”

“Mmm. True.”

While the audience whispered among themselves debating Wooju’s singing ability—

Someone suddenly raised another possibility.

“But what if that’s actually not Wooju? What if it’s Jiho?”

“!”

“!!”

A convincing theory emerged.

The so-called “National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk = Jiho” theory.

“Jiho’s an incredible actor.”

Wang Jiho had displayed tremendous acting ability in the NetPlus drama .

“What if Jiho’s pretending to be Wooju while acting as National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk? Then later during the reveal, Jiho suddenly appears.”

“...That actually makes sense??”

“Jiho and Wooju have similar builds too.”

In Ri Hyuk’s or Biju’s cases, even when their heights were similar, they still gave off very different vibes.

Biju’s every movement felt light and dance-like, while Ri Hyuk felt clean and neatly composed.

But Jiho and Wooju had very similar heights and physiques.

Someone listening nearby joined in.

“What if it’s actually Kim Junghyun?”

“Oh...!”

“No way. Junghyun can’t act, so it can’t be him. Plus he’s slightly taller than Wooju and Jiho.......”

And Junghyun had that uniquely slim yet sturdy feeling to him.

Not muscles, but something like solid stone.

Soon conversations like that spread all over the audience.

“Hey, someone over there said maybe that isn’t Wooju, but Jiho.”

“Whoa, chills... that actually makes sense.”

Of course, the Souffles merely scoffed internally.

‘What nonsense. That’s 100% Wooju.’

Even if their heights were similar, their silhouettes clearly felt different.

Still, the Souffles understood why the audience found the Jiho theory convincing.

‘Because it’s more logical.’

The general audience simply couldn’t understand why Wooju had appeared here.

There didn’t seem to be any benefit.

If he stayed quiet, Ri Hyuk’s performance alone would make people think, “Then Wooju, the group’s second-best vocalist standing beside him, must be incredible too,” and he’d gain that reputation effortlessly. But if he appeared and lost, wouldn’t he just damage his own image for no reason?

On the other hand, if it were Jiho, it made sense.

Unlike Wooju, Jiho was recognized more as an actor member than a vocalist, so there was less risk in appearing on .

He could create funny moments, show off decent vocals, and get reevaluated in a positive way.

‘Well. That’s just what they think.......’

The Souffles quietly watched the stage.

Just as the members trusted their leader, they trusted their singer too.

Over the past four years, they had built unwavering faith that whenever their leader did something, he always had a plan.

[Alright! Then we’ll now determine the order for the final Round 1 match.]

The order would be decided by random draw for fairness.

Wooju won the coin toss and ended up performing first.

“Ah.......”

“Oh no.”

The audience sighed, while Jo Yuri descended from the stage inwardly celebrating.

‘I won!’

No matter what song Sun Wooju sang, Jo Yuri could simply overshadow it by performing an even stronger song afterward.

While he was thinking that, National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk waved coyly at the audience.

There wasn’t even one ounce of tension in him.

Meanwhile, while the audience looked toward Wooju with complicated expressions—

“......?”

King Sun Wooju, Seo Ri Hyuk, watching from the throne, turned his eyes toward the excitedly descending Jo Yuri.

‘Now is definitely not the time for him to relax.’

Even he, who had overwhelmingly become king in the last competition, was nervous right now. So he couldn’t understand why Jo Yuri looked so relaxed.

One of the questions he’d received after the last competition flashed through his mind.

-Why do you practice vocals so obsessively?

In interviews, he always gave diplomatic answers, but there was one important reason he practiced so hard.

And that reason was—

-Ri Hyukkkkk!!

-Aaaahhh! Stop following me!!

-Hyung, I sing well now, right?! What do you think?!

-Don’t come near me! I told you not to come!!

Whenever he tried to relax even a little, a lunatic chased after him with terrifying determination.

After constantly trying to shake that person off, he’d ended up devoting himself even more intensely to vocal practice.

‘People still don’t know how skilled that hyung really is.......’

They were probably going to be shocked.

And....

There was one thing about his opponent even scarier than vocal skill.

-Wooju hyung feels like someone who knows how to win. Seriously. My dad says he absolutely never wants to face Wooju hyung as an enemy.

Just as the youngest member once said, Sun Wooju was someone who knew how to win.

Someone who knew how to use every strategy and trick possible to secure victory.

“Ah, my head.......”

Already feeling a headache coming on, Seo Ri Hyuk slipped a hand through the gap in his mask and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Looks like it’s starting.”

“Oh, it’s starting.”

After the band finished setting up and the stage preparations were complete—

The audience blinked.

‘Hm?’

‘Huh?’

The National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk, who had been making the audience laugh moments ago, now stood silently in place.

As if all the comedic scenes until now had merely been smoke and mirrors, a strange tension filled the stage, and the audience swallowed nervously.

The lights slowly dimmed as the intro began playing.

And then—

‘It’s starting....’

‘Why am I nervous too?’

At last, the crane mask lifted the microphone, and everyone’s attention focused on him.