Chapter 983: I Am the King of Singers, But...? (18)

A gentle guitar melody.

The performance carried the analog warmth of an old radio, making the middle-aged audience smile.

‘This song is.......’

It was Kim Sehak’s late-80s hit folk song, Blooming Spring.

Back then, anyone who played guitar around university campuses would hum this song while strumming along.

The chorus—You, blooming like a flower, were beautiful like spring—automatically surfaced in people’s minds.

The older celebrity panelists and singers clicked their tongues in admiration.

“Oof.......”

“He picked a difficult song.”

“That song is seriously hard.”

At that, Mint from Monthly Boy, appearing as a guest panelist, brushed back his mint-colored hair and whispered,

“Why is it difficult?”

“The entire song only has guitar accompaniment. The singer has to fill all the empty space with their voice alone.”

In simple terms, it meant there were no exciting drum beats or various instruments to support the atmosphere. The singer had to carry everything with their voice alone.

That was why the original singer Kim Sehak’s ringing vocal power and distinctive tone had been the charm point of the song.

‘That difficult song.......’

‘Wooju, fighting.’

While the celebrity panelists and audience focused all their attention on the stage—

The crane mask stood quietly beneath blue lighting.

For some reason, it felt like he must have his eyes closed beneath the mask.

And then—

As the four seasons pass

Another year piles onto time

The moment the crane mask raised the microphone, gasps erupted from the audience.

A voice overflowing with resonance.

The audience stared at one another in shock at the low, mid-range tone that spread outward like an echo.

‘He’s good!’

‘Wow, what is that tone.......’

The celebrity panelists covered their mouths while the audience watched in complete immersion.

The singer’s voice intertwined with the acoustic guitar.

On the snow-covered streets of Gwanghwamun

I walk there once again

At the voice soaking over the stage like a wandering poet, middle-aged audience members slowly closed their eyes.

The melody seeped into them like a drizzle.

Like the songs people listened to in their youth, simply hearing the melody alone was enough to make one’s eyes sting slightly.

I lived so busily

I had little time to look back

I had to keep running forward

I simply had to

Within the lonely and desolate atmosphere of the song, the vocalist’s voice thinned delicately, layering in finer emotional expression.

Back again on the streets of Gwanghwamun

Suddenly

I saw a single flower

Blooming Spring was a song about youth.

An older narrator wandered through the streets of Gwanghwamun he had frequented in his younger days, lost in thought.

Then he suddenly noticed a single flower.

Among the bustling crowds, the man sank into contemplation.

Watching the lively young people and students passing beside him, watching the beautifully blooming flower, he looked back at himself, now like a bare winter branch.

-Was I beautiful too?

And so the man began digging through old memories.

Forgotten memories

Excitement, joy, sorrow

What I thought was winter

Was spring back then

The singer carefully pronounced every syllable with sincerity.

Even the audience members who had initially watched with evaluative eyes were now completely absorbed in the performance.

And then the voice slowly began changing.

‘Wow... the singing style is changing in real time.’

One singer widened his eyes in amazement.

Wooju’s voice, which until moments ago had sounded like that of an experienced veteran singer, gradually became younger.

It was changing alongside the lyrics.

Even though it remained the same low-mid tone, it somehow felt like the younger version of the narrator was singing now.

And then—

As the song steadily swelled, the singer’s voice expanded too, blooming outward in a quiet explosion.

Every step became a memory

Every smile was beautiful

You— were beautiful too

Back then, you and I

The singer’s low, drawn-out voice spread all the way to the farthest corners of the audience.

A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd.

People stared at one another as goosebumps prickled across their arms with a tingling sensation.

“!”

“!!”

And just as the voice reached its peak—

The singer beneath the crane mask whispered the final line like the last verse of a poem.

You, blooming like a flower

Were beautiful like spring

Even though he wore a mask, it somehow felt as though the person beneath it was smiling beautifully.

The instrumental break between verse one and verse two.

While only the acoustic guitar echoed through the venue, the way people looked at National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk had completely changed.

‘This is.......’

It no longer felt like they were watching a contestant on a competition show.

It felt like they were watching a brand-new singer-songwriter debuting for the first time.

Was it because he could make an old song feel entirely like his own?

Was it because of that emotionally stirring voice?

Or because of the enormous vocal power filling the entire auditorium?

While the audience remained frozen in shock, several of the singers among the panelists identified the reason.

It was the arrangement.

‘The arrangement.......’

‘The arrangement is insane.’

An 80s song had been transformed so stylishly that it wouldn’t have felt out of place even if someone claimed it was a song released in 2018.

But he hadn’t recklessly altered the original either.

An arrangement that preserved the charm of the original while highlighting his own strengths.

‘Wow.......’

‘How did he arrange it like this??’

Several singers were already thinking they needed to properly analyze the performance once the broadcast aired.

Meanwhile, the second verse continued.

Like dry and barren branches

Like reeds swaying in the wind

I merely

Grieved that I was not a flower

Blooming Spring was not simply a song that ended with, I too was beautiful in my youth.

Rather, its thematic message gradually shifted.

-Then does that mean I am no longer beautiful now?

Is youth alone the measure of beauty?

The narrator answers no.

Flowers, symbols of youth, are not the only form of beauty.

Just as ancient palaces possess a serene elegance, just as fields of reeds swaying in the wind or snow-covered pine trees in winter can move people emotionally—

The song affirmed the self by saying: though the flowers have fallen, I am still beautiful.

Though the petals have long scattered

You, who endured so firmly

Still possess beauty

The ringing voice sounded as though it were appealing directly to the audience.

The melody of the song Kim Sehak had written thirty years ago for his depressed wife crossed through time.

That emotion, delivered intact through the voice of a singer far younger than the song itself.

It truly felt—

‘Warm.’

That was the emotion the song carried.

As the middle-aged audience listened to the lyrics you are still beautiful, many stared absently into the air with glistening eyes.

The cameras caught audience members subtly brushing the corners of their eyes with their pinkies as though something had gotten in them.

While everyone remained immersed in the song—

“Wow.......”

“Good lord.”

“This is bad. This is really bad.”

The singers watching through the waiting room TVs merely rubbed the backs of their necks.

‘He’s seriously difficult to deal with.’

It wouldn’t have been an exaggeration to call him the greatest nightmare opponent in the show’s history.

People were reminded of Cherry, vocalist and singer-songwriter of the indie group Socks, who had once survived for a long time under the nickname “Sock Princess.”

A singer who compensated for slightly weaker vocals with brilliant arrangements.

“His arranging is even stronger than Cherry’s.”

“That arrangement... he probably did all of it himself, right? It’s so sophisticated. Even though it’s Kim Sehak’s song, it feels like he’s singing his own track.”

“Ha.......”

If someone only arranged well, they were difficult, but still beatable.

The problem was that his vocal skill was outstanding too.

“I had no idea Wooju could sing like that.”

“What kind of monster group has two people like this.......”

People were beginning to realize that Ri Hyuk wasn’t the only member whose vocal ability had gone unnoticed.

Honestly, there wasn’t anyone in this room who could confidently say, “I sing better than Sun Wooju.”

‘Even if I survive the semifinals, I’ll have to face him in the finals.......’

The face behind the Jangjorim mask darkened.

‘Ah, teacher, seriously, give me a break. I still won a survival show, didn’t I...?!’

Ballad singer Dokgo Young, who would face Sun Wooju in the semifinals, already felt a headache coming on.

Honestly, even in a pure vocal battle, he felt like he’d lose six-to-four.

Everyone’s thoughts grew complicated.

‘No, does this even make sense...?!’

‘The main vocalist alone should be this good, why.......’

‘Still, at least I’m getting buzz from this. Let’s be happy, Jorim. Hehe... successful self-rationalization!’

As everyone imagined various scenarios in their heads—

One singer spoke to his manager.

“Even if Wooju had debuted solo, I think he still would’ve sold out the main stadium. No seriously, I really think he would have.”

“Exactly.”

“This kid... is unbelievable.”

Not only did he possess exceptional vocal and composing talent, but also star quality.

The ability to make people look at him.

“His stage presence is insane. He sings like someone living his second life.”

“Maybe because he’s been through so much. Looking at his pre-debut story, he apparently had all kinds of hardships.”

“True....”

“But really, there’s something different about him. The depth and range of his emotions.......”

As NewBlack became national idols, Sun Wooju’s past gradually became known to the public as well.

His parents had died on his seventh birthday.

The idol dream he’d prepared for through six brutal years as a trainee at a major agency had collapsed completely.

And the college entrance exam he’d prepared for during two years in the military, hoping to enter a music university, had been ruined while saving an elderly man.

‘Ugh.......’

‘If it were me, I wouldn’t have survived mentally.’

‘The kid is really strong.’

In the end, he bloomed into the flower known as NewBlack, but before that, NewBlack’s leader had endured countless hardships.

Maybe that was why—

The figure standing on stage resembled a tree with deeply rooted foundations.

Depending on the atmosphere of the song, it could scatter petals beautifully, boast lush green leaves, or sway lonely branches in the wind.

“Wow.......”

Eventually, the crane mask finished singing this ode to youth called Blooming Spring and lowered the microphone.

It almost felt as though the mask itself was asking—

-How was my song?

And in response—

Thunderous cheers exploded outward.

“WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH—!”

“AAAAAAHHHH! Woojuuuuu! No, Ri Hyuuuukkk!”

“National Hip Hop! Number One!”

Everyone could feel it.

‘That’s a king.’

‘That’s seriously king-level.’

A new king-level singer had appeared.

And—

“Ha... fuck.......”

In everyone’s hearts, Jo Yuri had already lost before even performing.

After finishing the final line, I slowly lowered the microphone.

It was hot.

I was out of breath.

“.......”

I finally understood why Ri Hyuk said singing inside the mask was so difficult.

Every time I used my voice, the moisture stayed trapped instead of escaping, making sweat gather inside the mask.

And the blazing stage lights only added more heat.

By the time the 3-minute-40-second song ended, I was practically steamed like a giant dumpling.

Still—

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!”

“National Hip Hop! National Hip Hop!”

I felt good.

I smiled happily while looking at the audience screaming in excitement.

Especially the middle-aged and elderly audience members smiling with moist eyes.

That made me happy.

“It worked.”

I muttered quietly.

The theme of this competition was “Youth.”

And the listener I had imagined while singing Blooming Spring was my grandmother.

-You are still beautiful.

Watching elderly audience members around her age smiling emotionally made my own heart feel warm too.

“National Hip Hop! National Hip Hop!”

I waved to the cheering audience as I walked off the stage.

Mm.

The outcome wasn’t certain, but I’d probably win.

Because the strategy I’d chosen for Round 1 was simple:

-Go all in.

No matter what else happened, it would be difficult for me to lose in Round 1.

[.......]

As I descended the stairs, I met eyes with the wolf mask waiting backstage to go up next.

I switched on the voice modulator and greeted him.

[I look forward to your performance, senior.]

[.......]

Without saying a word, he brushed past me and walked onto the stage.

While the audience applauded, I turned around and looked behind me for a moment.

Not at Jo Yuri’s back—

But at the sunflower mask staring straight through me from atop the throne.

[King Sun Wooju. I’m coming for you..☆]

The staff nearby burst into laughter after hearing that.

For some reason it felt like the sunflower mask was swearing at me through eye contact, but I figured it was just my imagination.

Jo Yuri unleashed his trump card on stage.

The audience gasped in admiration at the rock vocalist belting notes beyond the third octave.

“Hm.......”

Watching from the throne, Seo Ri Hyuk’s interest visibly faded behind his mask.

It was nice not having to manage his facial expressions while wearing a mask.

‘He lost.’

Jo Yuri had unleashed his signature high notes, but the audience reaction amounted to little more than, “Wow.”

‘He lost his pace too.’

The song Jo Yuri had chosen for Round 1 was Youth Manga.

A bright, refreshing song that felt like a high school band vocalist confessing to his crush.

Normally, it would’ve been the perfect Round 1 song.

-Light enough while still letting him show off his skill.

The problem was that Sun Wooju had brought out the kind of song usually reserved for Round 3.

Most songs used in finals were songs meant to deeply move people emotionally.

And just as Sun Wooju intended, the audience had been soaked in tears.

“.......”

A piece of advice someone once gave Seo Ri Hyuk echoed in his ears.

-Ri Hyuk. On competition programs, people don’t just vote for vocal skill. They vote for the song that moved their emotions the most. When facing strong opponents, you have to aim for that. Especially....

-Especially?

-If you’re lucky enough to perform first, it becomes even more effective.

-Why?

The other person smiled mischievously.

-Because once people cry once, they usually don’t cry the second time. It’s harder than you think.

From Seo Ri Hyuk’s perspective, this fight had been over from the start.

‘To think he’d improved this much.......’

The moment he heard just one line of his eldest hyung’s singing, he knew.

He knew they would meet in the King Match.

Even if Wooju had simply fought Jo Yuri head-on with vocal skill alone, he probably still would’ve won.

But—

‘He really is shameless.’

First he created a goofy comedy character concept, then revealed overwhelming skill for the twist.

That insane crane.

And after that crane unleashed an absurd arrangement—

He followed it up with an emotional song selection that made everyone cry and completely destroyed Round 1.

Honestly, from Jo Yuri’s perspective—who had brought a relatively light Round 1 song as usual—he was probably cursing internally.

How the hell were you supposed to overturn that?

WOOOOOOOOOO—

WOOOOOOOO—

The reason Jo Yuri was desperately screaming high notes during the chorus right now was exactly because of that.

A light song couldn’t overturn the situation, so he kept piling in more and more technical vocal tricks.

Jo Yuri himself probably knew it too.

That screaming out those high notes didn’t really suit the fresh youthful atmosphere of Youth Manga.

But he had no way to overturn things, so he was forcing it anyway.

[Yes! That was Lonely Wolf’s performance.]

[It felt like watching a stormy youth manga come to life.]

After the commentators finished their remarks—

The Round 1 voting began.

[Alright! Round 1 Match 4!]

[Between Lonely Wolf and National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk, who received more votes......?!]

The two singers stood silently on stage.

Tense BGM played—

And then the scores appeared on the giant screen.

[National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk — 93]

[Lonely Wolf — 7]

The overwhelming vote count drew gasps from all around.

Jo Yuri immediately left the stage, while National Hip Hop King Seo Ri Hyuk politely bowed and delivered his thanks.

“Hm....”

Ri Hyuk smirked sharply.

Well.

It still felt good seeing his eldest hyung win.

[Yeah, swag-]

The audience burst out laughing as National Hip Hop King added his own sound effects.

[I am National Hip Hop King, nobody can stop me~ Hey! King~! Song king!]

‘Me?’

[Just keep warming that throne~ Because that seat belongs to me~☆]

[.......]

[King? Do you hear me? I’m comingyo~ Tonight your songs are bland~ Tonight your dreams will be uneasy~!]

[.......]

[Boong boong- wiki wiki-]

Watching someone use the name Seo Ri Hyuk while performing bizarre rap nonsense made the real Seo Ri Hyuk tremble inside the sunflower mask.

The audience responded enthusiastically with their own “Boop boop boop—!”

‘Evil human being...!’

While King Sun Wooju quietly trembled in rage, one of the hosts asked teasingly,

[Ah, are those words meant as a challenge to the reigning king?]

[Yes, they are.]

[Oooh! King! What does our King King think about this?]

[Hm.]

King Sun Wooju lifted the microphone.

[How laughable.]

“Ooooooh~!”

The audience cheered excitedly while Ri Hyuk clenched his fist.

‘Counterattack successful!’

Then the crane mask gazed wistfully into the air.

[Actually, I know too.]

[?]

[It really would be difficult for Seo Ri Hyuk to defeat Sun Wooju, wouldn’t it?]

[!!]

The audience burst into hysterical laughter.

[Mm... it’s difficult. Seo Ri Hyuk defeating Sun Wooju....... After all, Seo Ri Hyuk simply can’t beat Sun Wooju.......]

[No.......]

[If even Wooju hyung himself says I’m laughable, then there’s nothing I can do! I suppose Seo Ri Hyuk is destined to lose to Sun Wooju forever. Ahh! How sad...! So very sad~]

[No, wait a second....]

[I guess Seo Ri Hyuk really can’t beat Sun Wooju after all...! Sob sob!]

Repeating it wistfully like brainwashing, Sun Wooju gave Seo Ri Hyuk no opportunity to respond and immediately descended backstage.

The audience roared with laughter.

‘Ah, I seriously want to punch him just once!’

Seo Ri Hyuk could only smack the throne’s armrest repeatedly in frustration.