Chgapter 53
[Neighborhood Brother Ahn Yeonhong Makes a Heartfelt Confession at a Concert: “I Sing to Fight My Cowardice”]
[Ahn Yeonhong Ignites the Hearts of Korean and Japanese Job-Seeking Youths: <Iron> Becomes a Hit for Exam Takers!]
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Could the drop in this quarter’s unemployment rate be because of Ahn Yeonhong?
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Listening to Iron while climbing the “Stairway to Heaven” at the gym makes your heart race.
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Even at our local gym, they’ve been playing Ahn Yeonhong’s songs non-stop lately, so workout times have gotten longer lol.
Yeonhong laughed while reading the article.
‘Claiming credit for the drop in unemployment is a bit much.’
“What are you laughing at, hyung?”
Jang Yongjun, the bassist from Jamankyeong, asked.
“Nothing. The article comments are funny.”
“You look really good these days. Well, I guess it makes sense. Finally, the world is yours, huh?”
“The world? No, it’s Yuhyeonjae’s world.”
“That guy’s the mastermind, isn’t he? On the surface, it looks like it’s your world, though.”
Looking good, huh? Probably. Because I really do feel good.
“Hahaha. Really? Then should I strut a bit? Like in my twenties, leather jacket, leather pants, chains and skulls?”
“Hyung, that’s not strutting—it’s just middle school syndrome. Honestly, it was so embarrassing back then.”
“Huh? That wasn’t great? Damn, why didn’t you say so earlier? If it was embarrassing, you should’ve said it then.”
“Do you even listen when I talk?”
“Ugh.”
Why hadn’t I realized how good this could feel before?
I felt embarrassed—pretending to be strong while weak, nearly jumping off when I couldn’t handle it. But after shaking all that off, I didn’t even know why I had felt ashamed. Isn’t it cool now?
‘I’m someone who can even accept this.’
Thinking that, everything started falling into place. Love calls poured in, fan club memberships and posts skyrocketed, ideas kept coming…
‘Ah, Yuhyeonjae, this guy is too cute. What should I do for him? I should do something nobody else does… hmm… should I buy him a castle in Europe?’
Yeonhong scrolled through the articles.
‘No, I shouldn’t give up practicality. Maybe buy him a shop instead?’
There seemed to be no end to articles about Yeonhong.
[Ahn Yeonhong’s <Iron> Causes a Sensation in the Japanese Market]
[“Not Hagane, but Iron,” Subtitled Video Views Explode]
‘I used to be so jealous of this… but as soon as I got involved with Yuhyeonjae, it just… happened? Am I actually going global?’
Just then:
“Yeonhong hyung, they’re asking you to contact them when you have time.”
“What? Who? Where?”
“Well… it’s kinda intense.”
Maknae Gojun’s lips twitched.
“Japan!”
A Bit of Backstory: The Day We Went to Japan
That’s when I realized that Yangpa sometimes tests me. I had noticed the signs recently.
Lately, I had been practicing analyzing films, dramas, and songs—figuring out what’s good or bad, why it’s good or bad. Yangpa evaluates if my judgment is correct, so the learning efficiency is amazing.
‘This is such an absurd cheat code.’
How often in life does effort become meaningless? Either the effort is misdirected, or it leads to the wrong conclusion… But with Yangpa, only meaningful effort counts. And meaningful effort is fun.
Even when reading a text, I could ask, “Was this part touching because the third paragraph reminded me of my childhood? Right?”—and Yangpa would respond.
Over time, Yangpa began asking questions first, even without my prompting. Of course, not verbally.
Sometimes, while watching a drama, the atmosphere suddenly feels strange. All smells disappear.
Aren’t we surrounded by smells—trees, metal…? Our sense of smell adapts quickly, so we don’t notice it constantly, but when it disappears suddenly, it feels disorienting.
I realized immediately—it meant Yangpa was testing me. Once I gave the correct answer, the smells returned.
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“This scene? You want me to focus here? Hmm… why did the male lead just do that? He shouldn’t just get angry here. The anger is a defense mechanism, so the main point is how he tries to stop it immediately.”
Then it wasn’t just the smell returning. There were small rewards:
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“Oh, the shoulder stiffness… gone?”
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“Skin… feels firmer?”
I thought there was a system where small rewards came from correctly answering surprise quizzes.
But I didn’t expect it to happen in a meeting with SERF.
The meeting included CEO Lee Jongmuk, myself, and Satoshi Ishimura, Head of Business Planning at SERF Entertainment.
“Thank you for coming. Both the CEO and I were impressed by your idol group, Nova Girls. They’re all amazing—long limbs, powerful, energetic. From Wind Bloom challenges to fan interest, it seems Japan is really engaged.”
“Thank you for noticing.”
“If you leave it to us, succeeding in Japan should be straightforward.”
Ishimura presented a detailed debut and activity schedule, aiming to start Japan activities right after finishing Korea. But…
“Why is the Japanese showcase only dance songs?”
“Oh, I didn’t explain that yet.”
Ishimura laughed it off.
“We thought focusing on select areas is best for market domination. Japanese audiences expect flashy visuals, polished, powerful choreography—something less common in Japanese idols.”
“That makes sense,” Jongmuk replied, glancing at me. Before the meeting, he said he’d leave decisions to me, so he was asking me silently, Does that make sense to you?
I answered:
“But Nova Girls’ most recognized songs are Lens and Even If There’s No Star in Tonight’s Sky. They’re vocal-centered. Shouldn’t we include these in the debut showcase?”
“Ah… that’s reasonable. But…”
Ishimura kept smiling like a mask.
“Even if in Korea and the US, Wind Bloom is the most famous in Japan. A completed dance girl group concept works best here.”
I had concerns—I had researched before coming.
“You’re also debuting a two-member girl group around the same time, ARARE, right?”
“Oh, no.” Ishimura waved dismissively.
“I assure you, this isn’t why we adjusted Nova Girls’ concept. Those two are well-known utaite. If anything, we’re being considerate to Nova Girls…”
“Considerate? What does that mean?”
“Each has their strengths.”
What?
I got mad. This guy thinks Nova Girls would be overshadowed by vocal songs?
“Anyway, this decision is solely for maximizing profits and success.”
“Hmm… Team Yuh thinks it’s fine to proceed as is, right?”
Jongmuk asked me. Suddenly, all smell vanished.
‘Test? Yangpa, a test at a time like this?’
What’s the right choice? JM struggles in Japan. Although successful in China and Taiwan, never in Japan. Now Nova Girls succeeded unexpectedly, outside the predicted future. SERF approached because of that.
SERF is a major corporation. The planning head’s points aren’t unreasonable. But…
‘This is too easy, Yangpa.’
I said:
“Thank you. But our goals and SERF’s proposal don’t fully align.”
“What? You think focusing on dance songs isn’t the best choice?”
“Not just that. There are other points we need to reconsider.”
Ishimura’s smile faded.
“No… what does your CEO think?”
“Same as me.”
“So… you’re rejecting our proposal? Think reasonably. Compared to ARARE, it’s not favorable.”
I firmly rejected it. Why? Because I believe in Nova Girls. Nova Girls believe in me. I want them to succeed and be loved.
Nova Girls are Nova Girls—they aren’t just a dance group from Korea. They endured hardships, practiced tirelessly, created songs overnight. That journey defines them.
There’s no reason to work with a company that doesn’t acknowledge that. No reason to cut and repackage them as merely a ‘dance girl group’ for Japan.
The planning head even thinks Nova Girls’ vocal songs would lose to ARARE? I’ve heard ARARE’s songs. Our girls are unquestionably better.
“Perhaps you should reconsider. Doesn’t seem wise.”
“I think SERF should reconsider. If both ARARE and Nova Girls debut in the second half, ARARE will be overshadowed. Maybe adjust the timing?”
Ishimura’s face stiffened.
At that moment, a fragrance came from the Yangpa bracelet.
‘See? This is the right choice.’
Would there be rewards? Muscle relief? Softer skin?
At that moment…
‘Uh…’
A vision entered my mind. Not the first time. The future represented by the ring’s flower symbol had appeared several times.
But now…
‘This is… my future.’
Future me was giving an interview:
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“Why reject SERF’s proposal and contact Akita Shinichi instead?”
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“You’re preparing a Nova Girls world tour. When did you foresee this success?”
[Nova from Korea Sweeps Japan]
[Why SERF Wavered and KAMISUMIRE Rose, the Background of Yuhyeonjae and Akita Shinichi Meeting]
Jongmuk laughed heartily.
“Hahaha. Once again, you’ve made a bold move, Team Leader Yuhyeonjae. What’s next?”
Even though it could’ve warranted severe scolding, he wasn’t angry. I answered:
“I’ll contact Kamisumire.”
“That was strange. CEO Lee Jongmuk stayed quiet, and the team leader next to him seemed to make the decisions.”
“Really? I heard that team leader is famous in Korea. How was it?”
SERF CEO Takahashi Jiro was being briefed by Ishimura.
“Honestly, I didn’t understand it well. He seemed emotional. Idols are products—companies figure out how to sell them best—but Yuhyeonjae seemed to think differently. He couldn’t view the team coldly.”
“Hmm… JM had no reason to reject our offer, unexpected. Still, did you handle it well with Ahn Yeonhong?”
“Yes, we did.”
Mentions of Ahn Yeonhong in Japan were increasing rapidly in recent weeks. Understandably—Japan is a stronghold of shonen manga. Famous singers often rise through anime songs.
Yeonhong’s Iron has lyrics and melodies reminiscent of a shonen manga OST. His past, revealed at concerts, is like a manga awakening scene.
Someone made a fan-made video, drawing all scenes by hand.
Jumping off the rooftop, taking medicine, crying while writing songs, denying and then accepting himself—set to Iron.
It reached 30 million views in one week and ranked #1 on the Japanese video site Murumuru weekly.
Ignoring contact made no sense.
Just then, a call came from the person in charge of contacting Ahn Yeonhong:
“So, any updates? Was a meeting date set?”
[ “It didn’t work out.” ]
“What? Weren’t responses positive yesterday?”
[ “He refused. Won’t sign with us.” ]
“Why? What’s the reason?”
[ “It’s embarrassing, but he said: ‘Team Leader Yuhyeonjae refused, so I won’t do it either.’” ]
Takahashi couldn’t understand. It didn’t seem critical to lose Nova Girls; other K-pop girl groups could enter Japan. But Ahn Yeonhong was irreplaceable—unique. KJH, a top 3 market-cap company, would move immediately to leverage this buzz. And yet they lost him over such an absurd reason?
“Fine. How about renegotiating with Nova Girls? They just dislike being seen as a dance-centric girl group. Let’s compromise there.”
“…CEO, they’re contacting Kamisumire now.”
“What? Where?”
“Kamisumire, with Akita Shinichi.”
“Why there?”
Takahashi couldn’t help but laugh:
“They wouldn’t push a girl group. Did they really come clueless?”
“But if Akita changes his mind, it could be problematic. Kamisumire, second-largest market cap, competes…”
“Akita is done with girl groups. They’re profitable now; why bother with another girl group?”
“True…”
Takahashi said:
“Anyway, keep contacting them. Our stance is forgiving, even if you made a mistake.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Oh, and release an article. Suggesting Nova Girls might not succeed in Japan because of Team Leader Yuhyeonjae.”
“Yes!”
