Pen and Paper Translations

A few days later, Jung Arin was in a van on her way to an event.

Swoosh—

She busily tapped away on her phone, browsing various online communities.

 [ I missed last week’s Music Center live, just caught it today… What’s the deal with Jung Arin? She’s so pure-looking, and her voice is out of this world. She got 2nd place? I can accept that… Here’s the link: www. ]

 ↳ She’s definitely a “C-level” treasure. Needs to be designated as a cultural asset ASAP.

 ↳ LS must’ve been hiding her away just to release her and take over the idol world.

 ↳ She’s practically an invasive species ruining the entire ecosystem ㅠㅠ

 ↳ LS is really working overtime lately, from Seo Jiny to this.

 ↳ I heard her live in person and was seriously blown away… ㅠ

 ↳ I love the song so much; I’ll be streaming it nonstop for a month.

 ↳ Wah c… so cute… *click click clack* (sound of taking photos/fangirling)

 [ I’ve noticed something: Seo Jiny blew up recently thanks to a new single, and Jung Arin blew up right after her debut. Turns out they both got songs from the same composer. Isn’t that basically the Midas touch? ]

 ↳ Right?? I looked it up; seems to be someone called HS.

 ↳ Gong Hyo-joo’s new single was co-composed by HS, and that’s good, too.

 ↳ 999% sure it’s a famous composer who just changed their stage name.

 ↳ Isn’t this just someone who got big off LS’s backing?

 ↳ Right, the media play was insane.

 ↳ It’s a major label, so obviously they’d dominate publicity.

 ↳ I don’t care; Jung Arin’s face does all the work.

 ↳ Honestly, if the song is good, that’s all that matters.

 ↳ 22222… Every label does media play; but making a genuinely good song is harder.

In the span of just two short weeks, the world had completely changed from Jung Arin’s perspective.

Ever since her song was released, she had been searching her own name on portal sites and music platforms every single day. She’d look up entertainment news articles mentioning her name and listen to her own track nonstop until her ears hurt.

Even that alone felt like a dream. But then, a few days ago, on her first-ever music show performance, she ended up being a candidate for first place right alongside KOK, arguably Korea’s top male idol group.

Is this how things always work?

Everything had changed in the blink of an eye. It felt so surreal, she was at a loss.

“Enjoy it, and think of it as getting back what you’ve earned.”

That was what Hyunseung had told her when she expressed her bewilderment.

“You spent six years rotting away in the company’s underground practice room, right?”

Despite seeming so indifferent, Hyunseung had surprised her with his empathy.

“Like a cavity that rots away until it turns into gold.”

Truly…

“Just think of it as getting a return on all that hard work, plus interest.”

He definitely had a kind side.

At that moment, Baek Chang-su, who’d been assigned as Arin’s road manager, glanced at her in the rearview mirror and asked,

“Arin, why do you look so down?”

“Huh? No, it’s nothing…”

“You did great getting 2nd place on your very first stage.”

Convinced that she was disappointed about getting second place on Music Center a few days ago, Baek Chang-su tried to console her.

“It all just feels like a dream.”

Truth be told, she didn’t feel the slightest regret. She had no reason to.

She’d wanted to sing. She became a singer so she could sing whenever she wanted. And now she was finally that singer.

“It’s so dreamlike, I’m scared it’ll all be gone when I wake up.”

She’d first met Hyunseung by chance, thinking he was some strange guy.

“If you end up failing, give me a call.”

Even heading to the studio that day, she’d had little faith. She never imagined he could be so amazing.

If she hadn’t run into him that day, she would have packed her things and left the company, maybe tried her luck knocking on the doors of other agencies. But who could say how that would’ve turned out, especially with the stigma of having been cut?

In the end, Hyunseung had helped fulfill her dream. All she had to do now was sing her heart out.

“Manager-oppa, don’t you think the song is really good? That composer must be incredible. How does he just whip up songs this amazing…?”

Jung Arin smiled bashfully and started playing her own song, “Adolescence,” on her phone, humming along softly. Seeing her in the rearview mirror, Baek Chang-su couldn’t help smiling as well.

I really hope she makes it big, he thought.

He’d managed many singers and actors before, most of whom lacked a solid sense of integrity. Jung Arin, though—so bright and pure—instantly made him want to cheer her on, not just as her manager but as a fan.

I hope today’s event goes well, too.

She was on her way to the Banriwol Festival, one of Seoul’s biggest annual music festivals. It was infamous for how hard it was to get tickets and for how common it was to find scalpers reselling them at steep markups. This year, it was being hosted by Sky Music Concert, one of the country’s most prestigious and longest-running music programs—meaning the festival wouldn’t just be a local event but broadcast live nationwide.

Sky Music Concert was known for featuring top stars as well as legendary older-generation artists, with no genre restrictions. Its broad viewer demographic reflected that variety.

If Arin does well here, her fandom will grow even bigger and more loyal, Baek Chang-su mused.

Though she’d only been invited last-minute as a replacement after another well-known singer had to cancel due to injury, there was no doubt this was a huge break for Jung Arin.

Drip, drop, patter—

As Baek Chang-su was lost in thought, droplets began hitting the windshield.

“Huh? Is it raining?”

---

Meanwhile…

“I truly love coming to work for moments like this.”

“Give me your lunch ticket. I’m confiscating it.”

“Hey! That’s no way to speak to your elder.”

“Then I’m taking your dentures.”

Manager Kim and Hyunseung were just leaving the cafeteria after finishing their meal.

Suddenly, Manager Kim’s phone buzzed loudly.

“Ah, man. They never let me sit down with a cup of coffee.”

He sang his little complaint under his breath, then checked the screen.

“Huh? Chang-su? Why’s he calling?”

It was Baek Chang-su—the manager who’d recently been assigned to Jung Arin’s team. A sense of unease washed over Kim.

“Hello?”

As expected—

“Manager Kim, I’m sorry, but we’ve got a bit of a problem…”

“Problem? My heart’s pounding. Spit it out.”

“Um, have you seen the weather outside lately?”

Manager Kim repeated, “Weather?” and turned his gaze to the window.

Whoosh—

It was pouring like the sky had a gaping hole in it, thick raindrops pelting the glass.

“Of all days to rain like this…”

Baek Chang-su sighed on the other end and continued,

“Most of the other singers are canceling, so I’m wondering what Arin should do…”

He must have called because it wasn’t an easy decision for a manager to make alone.

Ugh, this is tricky…

Sky Music Concert’s Banriwol Festival would be an incredible opportunity for a rookie like Arin. People involved with the Sky Music Concert were all broadcasting veterans. If she somehow messed up and left a bad impression, she might never get another shot.

But it was an outdoor stage, and the downpour looked anything but short-lived. If anything “unsafe” happened, her future schedule could be affected as well.

“Ah, what to do…”

Manager Kim scratched the back of his head, unable to decide. At that point, Hyunseung asked,

“What’s going on?”

Manager Kim ended the call, saying, “Let me call you back,” then filled Hyunseung in.

“I just got a call from Arin’s manager. They’re about to go onstage for Sky Music Concert, but it’s pouring rain. All the other singers are canceling, and they want to know if we should cancel too…”

Hyunseung shrugged indifferently.

“They’re not kids—let them decide themselves.”

“This isn’t some school talent show, you know.”

“If they want to do it, they do it; if not, they don’t.”

“Ugh, why’d I bother asking you?”

Manager Kim patted Hyunseung lightly on the shoulder.

“I’ll go hold a quick emergency meeting or something.”

“Huh? Why a whole meeting?” Hyunseung asked.

“What else can we do?”

“Ask the person in question.”

A short silence fell.

“What does Arin want to do?”

“I haven’t asked her yet…”

“Then start by asking her.”

Hyunseung shrugged again.

“Either she goes on stage or she doesn’t.”

Manager Kim nodded slowly.

“Right…makes sense…”

They couldn’t force a rookie onto a dangerous outdoor stage just because it was a ‘big opportunity.’ On the other hand, if Arin insisted on performing despite the danger, it wasn’t really Manager Kim’s place to stop her, either.

“All right, we’ll go with what she wants.”

Manager Kim scrolled through his contacts until he found “Jung Arin” and called.

“Hey, Arin, I’m sure Chang-su’s told you. Most singers are backing out because of the rain. What do you want to do?”

Then—

“I…“

Her reply began drifting over the phone.

---

Near Banpo Bridge on the Han River, an outdoor stage had been set up, and the big screen flashed non-stop. This was the Banriwol Festival, one of Seoul’s premier annual music events. This year, thanks to the partnership with Sky Music Concert, it was highly anticipated.

“Aren’t they just going to cancel because of the rain?”

Unfortunately, it had been drizzling since that morning.

“Should we just leave?”

The staff hurriedly handed out raincoats, but many of the visitors were packing up and heading home. Fans only stayed put if they were specifically there to see a particular performer.

“You’re here for N-BLEE, right?”

“Yeah, you too?”

“No, I’m here for FIVEJIN.”

In the front row, several “home masters” (fan photographers who focus on a specific artist) were busy setting up their gear. One guy, who’d come to shoot the trending girl group N-BLEE, was putting a rain cover on his camera.

Thump, thump, patter—

Raindrops started pelting the camera lens more heavily.

Oh? It’s suddenly pouring…

Even though his camera had weather sealing and a cover, too much rain could still cause problems later—humidity might damage the electronics. He was thinking it might be time to call it quits when:

“Wait, I heard the vans for N-BLEE and FIVEJIN are leaving?”

“What? But the show’s about to start…”

“I overheard someone near the bathroom.”

“It is raining a lot, though…”

The guy pricked up his ears at the conversation among a group of women sitting nearby.
Moments later, Yu In-chang, today’s MC, stepped onto the stage and began speaking solemnly:

“Thank you for coming despite the bad weather. I have an announcement before the opening act.”

He kept rubbing his eyes, as if the rain was blurring his vision, and continued:

“Because of the sudden worsening weather, for safety reasons, a few of today’s acts—N-BLEE, FIVEJIN, Park Hyuk-soo, DEARS, and Jinjin—have canceled their performances. We ask for your understanding. Once again…”

An uproar broke out in the audience.

“That’s basically all the big names!”

Most attendees had come specifically for those popular acts, meaning the festival had effectively lost its main draw.

“Are you kidding me? We’ve been waiting forever, and now they cancel?”

A chorus of boos erupted, and many people got up and left. The seats quickly grew sparse. A few stayed in hopes their favorite artist might still go on, or because they’d already waited so long and didn’t want to leave empty-handed.

“Damn it…”

The man waiting for N-BLEE muttered under his breath.

“They bail just because of a bit of rain…”

He’d shown up early in the morning, lugging heavy camera gear, to secure a front spot. He might have been a fan photographer, but there were plenty of genuine fans in the same boat.

“I’m really starting to hate this fandom life…”

With a scowl, he glanced around. Other home masters were already packing up to leave.

“Not going yet?”

“Yeah, I guess I am.”

He, too, decided there was no point staying in this downpour, so he started dismantling his setup.

“Thank you again to everyone who stayed despite the rain. We’ll now begin the Banriwol Festival & Sky Music Concert!”

Hoping to keep the remaining attendees from leaving, the organizers pushed the MC to start the opening right away.

“First up to kick off the show is a rising rookie—Jung Arin! Please give her a big round of applause!”

As the MC wrapped up his introduction, a fierce downpour hammered the stage, and the intro music began to play. Jung Arin stepped confidently onto the stage, braving the pelting rain.

“You said you liked me once.”

At the first lyrics, the man who’d been preparing to leave froze in his tracks. In fact, several others stopped, turning back to see who was singing.

“Could it be my poor way with words?”

Slender, drenched in rain, Jung Arin kept rubbing her eyes but managed to lock eyes with audience members now and then.

“Whoa? I saw her on that music show. She’s famous these days, right?”

“What’s this song called? I really like it!”

“But is it safe for her with all this rain?”

“Yeah, it looks dangerous…”

“Guess she’s determined if everyone else left but she’s still here…”

Her quiet yet firm voice projected across the seats, unshaken by the storm. As the audience gradually forgot the pounding rain and focused on her singing, the man muttered,

“Jung Arin…”

He pulled his camera out of his bag again.

“Sorry if I confused you…”

Mesmerized, he zoomed in on her face, framing the shot.

“She photographs so well…”

Then:

Click, click—

He began capturing the scene of her determined performance in the pouring rain.

---