T/N: I just realized… “Etchis” is HS sounded out. Some versions are “etches”, go figure.
What Kim Yun‑ha discovered was the “composer name” for “Peekaboo Family” registered with the Korea Music Copyright Association.
And that wasn’t all.
After even checking the list recorded under “singer,” she immediately posted on a major online community.
“Everyone who knows Peekaboo Family knows it by now, right? I’m one of the people who was greatly comforted by this song, so while trying to find the composer to repay them for such a meaningful children’s song, I found something shocking.”
It was the very first post she had ever written and uploaded in her life.
“Namely the ‘composer’ field lists HS and HS alone. Seeing that the ‘agency’ field says LS Entertainment Co., Ltd., I’m pretty sure it’s that ‘Etchis’ we all know.
But the real bomb is the singer list. Since it’s a children’s song, no one cared who sang it. I didn’t either. Don’t be shocked, everyone.
The ones who sang Peekaboo Family are Jo Kyung‑mi, Jo Yeri, and Jang Jinwoo. Yes, they’re exactly the people popping into your heads.
It felt like a waste to keep this info to myself, so I’m sharing. Please understand if this post is ramblingㅠㅠ I’m still so shocked my hands are shaking.
Anyway.
Long live Peekaboo Family! Long live Etchis! Hey‑ho!”
The reaction power was truly explosive.
↳ Whoa? Crazy…
Comments piled up one after another.
↳ No wonder it’s so addictive; if it’s an Etchis song that makes sense…
↳ Ugh, I did wonder why a children’s song was such high quality—turns out it’s Etchis, of course!
↳ Etchis is tall, handsome, talented, and kind? That’s it. I’m marrying Etchis.
↳ That’s not the point. Why is Jo Kyung‑mi on a kids’ song? It really is the opera singer Jo Kyung‑mi I know, right?
↳ Over in the next fandom the New York Phil does sessions with maestri; Jo Kyung‑mi can sing a children’s song, what’s the big deal? lolol
↳ I kept feeling nostalgia listening to “Papa Bear,” and it was Jang Jinwoo—this lineup is insane lolol
↳ Sorry to break the mood, but what is Peekaboo Family..?
↳ Guys, use the dislike button on the comment above.
Just like the saying “a word with no feet travels a thousand ri,” Kim Yun‑ha’s post spread rapidly across the community.
And then…
“Hello, this is Yellow Pong Company.
First of all, we sincerely thank everyone who has loved Peekaboo Family.”
As if waiting, Yellow Pong issued an official statement immediately.
“As many of you already know, the person who created Peekaboo Family is the composer ‘HS.’
He approached us first, saying he wanted to make at least one children’s song that could prevent kids growing up in various family forms from feeling left out.”
Hyunseung stopped mid‑reading and let out a deep sigh.
As expected.
Is there really no such thing as a secret?
“Because HS’s concept was so wonderful, Yellow Pong proceeded with the collaboration right away. We’re truly grateful. Thanks to HS, Yellow Pong was able to present such a meaningful children’s song.”
They’re just… spilling everything smoothly.
At this point, didn’t they want it exposed?
“We also want to say thank you once again to everyone who understood that intention and gave so much support and interest.
And we’d like to take this chance to thank soprano Jo Kyung‑mi, singer Jo Yeri, and voice actor Jang Jinwoo, who sang Peekaboo Family despite their busy schedules.”
In short, everything had been laid bare.
“We cheer on every family living together in diverse forms in this world and wish you happiness.”
“Isn’t this a breach of contract?”
Manager Kim deliberately raised his voice as if angry.
“Sure, the netizens found out first so it couldn’t be helped, but…”
Judging by his twitching lips, he actually liked that it had been revealed.
That was understandable.
Public opinion was flowing in a very favorable direction.
[‘Peekaboo Family’ composer HS never wanted to be revealed.]
[Composer HS: ‘It was simply something I did for the kids.’]
[Angel‑like composer HS surpasses 100 thousand fan‑cafe members]
Hyunseung felt burdened that he’d unintentionally become “a good person.”
Well…
In any case, it didn’t matter.
It was just… he no longer shared a secret that belonged only to him and the little rascal.
Now then, what secret should he create next?
“Hmm…”
Hyunseung was lost in thought when—
“Should we notify Legal?”
Manager Kim threw out the question half‑heartedly.
“No need.”
“Really?”
“I didn’t do anything wrong. Let’s just wait for it to blow over quietly.”
“It’s a bit late for quiet—Peekaboo Family is up to #74 on the chart.”
At that, Hyunseung shook his head lightly and answered.
“It won’t last long anyway.”
Yet that prediction missed the mark completely.
“Peekaboo, Peekaboo!”
Kim Dojun handed his phone over to his little sister in the back seat, who kept clamoring “Peekaboo!”
She loves it that much, huh.
Because she doesn’t have a phone of her own, she begs for his every time they meet.
He’d heard that children can repeat a game they think is fun over and over and still genuinely enjoy it every time.
It was true.
—Hey, ho! Peekaboo Family!
Dohee watched the “Peekaboo Family” video for at least an hour straight. Listening along, Dojun now went to bed with “Hey, ho!” buzzing in his ears.
Apparently, they weren’t the only ones: Peekaboo Family’s popularity kept soaring day by day.
Moreover, once it was made public to the whole world that HS had composed it, the song shot up the charts at terrifying speed.
#43 Peekaboo Family – Yellow Pong
For a children’s song not only to enter the chart but to stay this long was unprecedented.
Actually, it was almost miraculous.
And his own situation right now could also be called a miracle.
“Son, did your company really provide this car and the house we’re moving to?”
Mom, sitting in the passenger seat, asked with a suspicious look.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Even he could hardly believe it, so it was natural for Mom to worry.
Cars aside…
What company would provide housing as a benefit to an employee just entering his third year?
And not just any place. It was a famous brand apartment on prime land in Seoul.
“Hmm.”
From the day they suddenly told him a house had been found and gave the move‑in date, up until driving to the new place now, nothing felt real.
Even this moment, unloading the moving boxes from the trunk in front of the new home, was the same.
Because the house supposedly came fully furnished and equipped, they’d only packed clothes, photo albums, and odds and ends, so the family of three ended up with just two boxes.
Honestly, it was a bit depressing.
When my paycheck comes in, I need to buy Mom and Dohee some clothes, Dojun thought as he opened the rear door and reached for his sister.
“Time to stop Peekaboo and get out.”
“Can’t I watch just once more?”
“Don’t you want to see your new room? It’s waiting.”
“Yes! I wanna see!”
Dohee jumped out of the car and followed her brother.
“Huh?”
Dojun, who was precariously carrying the two boxes, felt himself bump into someone.
“You shouldn’t stack boxes so high and walk around like that.”
One box blocking his view disappeared, and Manager Kim appeared.
“Use your body recklessly while you’re young and you’ll wreck it fast.”
“M-Manage Kim? Why are you—”
“Didn’t I tell you? I live in this apartment too.”
Leaving that brief answer, he walked on silently.
Plod, plod.
Watching his back, Dojun noticed something odd.
Even though the season was shifting from autumn to winter, Manager Kim’s shirt was drenched with sweat.
Does he overheat easily?
Clack.
Reaching the new apartment, Manager Kim set the box down and greeted Dohee, who had followed them in.
“Long time no see, Dohee.”
“Y‑yes…”
“You talk fine with Flame Mask Man, so why get shy only with me?”
“Uh, uh… Speaking of which, Flame Mask Man didn’t come today?”
“That hurts. I bought that comfy sofa over there for you.”
Turning toward where he pointed, Dojun saw a beige sofa sitting in the spacious living room.
Manager Kim, didn’t they say it was fully furnished?”
“So naïve.”
When Dojun asked in surprise, Manager Kim smirked.
“What fully furnished place comes with a sofa?”
“Then you really paid for it out of pocket…?”
“Yep. I wanted to score points and get closer to Dohee.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Just pay me back when I get married someday.”
After exchanging polite greetings with Mom, he said he’d better get going and left.
“Mom’s room is down the hall on the right, and Dohee’s is opposite.”
All the uneasiness he’d felt on the way here melted like snow when he saw Dohee running around excitedly.
Right.
If the company is offering, just accept. I’ll work even harder and become truly valuable to them.
“Wow…”
As he thought that, slowly taking in the spacious home…
“What’s this?”
He spotted a document lying on the floor. Thinking it was a lease, he picked it up only to see it was a sales contract for the apartment.
So it wasn’t rent but purchase. LS Entertainment really plays big.
He started to slip the papers back into the envelope when his eyes stopped on something.
Buyer: Min Hyunseung
A name he’d never seen before. Why would it list that name instead of a corporate or executive name?
Hyunseung, Hyunseung, Hyunseung…
No way.
Clutching the contract, Dojun sprinted out of the apartment.
“Manager Kim!”
Luckily, when he reached the first floor, Manager Kim was still nearby.
“What? Why’d you come out?”
Dojun stared at his startled face and asked,
“Why did you recommend me?”
“Well, because you work hard?”
“But since we’re on opposite teams, you don’t actually know me that well.”
“We’re still family in the same company.”
Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, Manager Kim looked unnatural.
“Originally there wasn’t some special in‑house benefit like this, was there?”
When Dojun tossed out the question, Manager Kim panicked. “Huh?”
Yeah.
No wonder it felt so strange.
“Did HS personally help us again this time?”
“Again?”
“The car, the house, the furniture, the appliances—did HS provide them all?”
“I told you, I bought the sofa.”
“So everything else really is from HS.”
Manager Kim scrunched his brow like he was doomed, then gave in. “Yeah, that’s right.”
“Then please tell him we can’t accept it. I’ve already received too much from him.”
“How much could it be to make you say that?”
“Anyway, we’ll return the car and move everything out of the house.”
“He’s got so much copyright money he can’t even spend it all.”
Running a hand through his hair in frustration, Manager Kim continued,
“Stop overthinking and just take it.”
But it was he who felt frustrated.
No, he was full of questions.
Why?
Why show our family such generosity? He’s not blood, we haven’t known him long.
Who in this world would lavish kindness on us just because he finds Dohee cute?
“Why on earth is he giving our family such enormous kindness?”
After Dojun practically spat the question, Manager Kim paused only briefly.
“He just… hates it.”
He answered in a flat tone.
“Hates seeing unhappiness.”
“To me, it’s just a reality I have to endure.”
“I don’t know; I’d like to understand that guy too, honestly.”
Shaking his head, Manager Kim tapped his chest twice.
Even as someone watching from the side, he couldn’t grasp it…
“He simply doesn’t want you and your family to be unhappy. That’s all.”
Would even the person receiving all that material support understand?
Yet that really was the entire reason.
What did Hyunseung say again? Manager Kim replayed their earlier conversation.
“Hyunseung, doing that won’t change the world. Baseless kindness can even become poison.”
“Do I have to worry about that while helping? And I’m no hero, why would I change the world?”
“Then why go so far to help?”
“Just helping. It’s not some noble feeling.”
“Most people would call that noble, you know.”
“Whatever. It bugs me because it reminds me of the past.”
Manager Kim didn’t know exactly what childhood or past Hyunseung had, but he could guess it hadn’t been prosperous or happy.
So Dojun and Dohee’s misfortune nagged at him all the more.
“Even so, house, car, school fees, medical bills… that’s a bit much…”
“No matter how much he gives, he won’t use up even the children’s song royalties.”
In the end, their conversation ended with Hyunseung practically shoving him out again.
“Anyway, I’m busy, so go.”
Most likely, the golden kid got embarrassed.
While Manager Kim stood there reminiscing with a faint smile,
“How can I ever repay all this?”
Dojun clenched his fist and asked.
“Someday you’ll have the chance, won’t you?”
That was all he could say, an uncertain assurance.
Then, standing in for Hyunseung, he added,
“Or maybe one day you’ll give someone else kindness for no reason. That ought to be enough.”
With eyes now burning, Dojun nodded several times.
“Yes, I’ll definitely do that.”
Before long he lowered his head, hiding his face. The feeling that washed over him today was like a warm spring breeze suddenly arriving in the chilly late autumn.
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