episode_0003

Street singing competition.

I had seen it occasionally when I used to busk. They even suggested that I participate, saying I could at least make it to the top three.

However, unlike busking where people support you with money if they like you, competitions seemed to be all about singing for the prize money, so I was extremely reluctant to participate.

Looking back now, that’s just how it was, but why did I insist on being so stubborn? Anyway, 2 million won in cash. If I get it, I can have churros without worrying about money. I should try it right away.

“Anna, are you very hungry?”

Seeing her pale face, my heart ached for some reason.

“Huh? No, I can endure it.”

“Wanna listen to my song?”

“A song?”

She looked puzzled as I mentioned churros out of the blue. Smiling brightly at her, I nodded.

“Yes. Unnie, you sing well.”

Since I didn’t sing songs that kids would enjoy listening to in the orphanage due to not singing heavy metal genre songs, I never sang in front of them. Looking back now, I should have sung even a children’s song. Why did I have such strange pride?

“Look over there at the square. Are they preparing for a singing contest?”

If Anna refused, it would be the end of it, but I knew she wouldn’t refuse. As evidence, color returned to Anna’s face once again.

“It looks fun.”

“Right? Just give me a moment. Please.”

“Okay.”

I tightly held Anna’s hand and headed towards the square where the singing contest was taking place. Is BamBam a famous streamer at night? There seem to be quite a lot of people here. Holding onto Anna’s hand even tighter in the crowd, I checked his broadcast on my phone.

[BamBam]

[Broadcast Title: Season 123 Suddenly Singing Contest!]

[Viewers: 2,300]

They were still preparing for the broadcast, showing only white text on a black screen that said “Loading.”

– Turn on the broadcast quickly!!!

– Excited excited

– OMG OMG OMG

– Last season wasn’t great, but BamBam must have woken up, right? Looking forward to this season

Wow. Over 2,000 viewers, not just a large crowd at the square. It must be because they immediately pay out 2 million won in cash. The scale is much bigger than I thought.

We approached a man in a suit who seemed to be managing the crowd.

“Excuse me, how do I sign up for the singing contest?”

He stared blankly at me before regaining his composure and led me to a karaoke machine nearby. There, we met BamBam, who was checking the machine. He could quickly tell it was BamBam from his broadcast profile picture.

“W-who are you?”

“I’m a hopeful participant for the singing contest.”

“Wow…”

After a moment of admiration, he opened his mouth in surprise.

“Are you a celebrity? A singer?”

A singer, I didn’t have the qualification to be called that. I was just an obstinate art patient.

“Just, you know, trying it out for a bit.”

“I see… I’ll look forward to it. Especially for you, I’ll use my authority as the organizer to put you last in line.”

In a contest like this, being last is incredibly important. I bowed with gratitude.

“No, no. It’s a bit awkward to say this to someone I’ve just met, but I really messed up in the previous seasons of this singing contest. But seeing you, I somehow feel like this season will be a hit… Oh! I’m not trying to pressure you. What song will you be singing?”

In contests like these, song choice is as crucial as skill. Naturally, I should sing a popular song. Which song would be good?

Not only the viewers but also the audience gathered here must not be ignored. So, I decided to sing a band song that is fast-paced and exciting, one that can completely captivate the stage.

“Do you know ‘New Start’ by Tier Band?”

“I know. The Tier Band’s signature song. There’s no one who doesn’t know it.”

Some rock fans criticized selling their souls to popularity and getting entangled in capitalism, but I have never wavered.

A song is just a song, and a genre is just a genre. There’s no need to compare them. Surprisingly, for inspiration, I listened widely to various songs regardless of the genre. I just didn’t sing them because of my stubbornness.

But now, I don’t hold onto that stubbornness anymore. I’ve lost too much because of it. Not having a few thousand won means I can’t even buy my younger sister, not a close sibling but my dear sister Anna, a single Churros.

“You’re going to sing it in a male key, right? This song is so difficult even for women to sing in a male key. I heard that even the Tier Band’s vocalist doesn’t sing it in the original key nowadays. It’s too demanding.”

“I’ll sing it in the female key. Because I’m a woman?”

I just can’t get used to this. I shouldn’t have said the last part.

“Really? Then the highest note is around 3 octaves F sharp…”

“It’s okay. That’s fine.”

I’ve already tested it. It’s not a problem, and the notes actually linger. To win decisively in a competition like this, you have to show that kind of shouting.

“Okay then. Please wait a moment.”

After applying, we chatted briefly during the broadcast preparation time. It might have been bothersome, but he answered each question patiently.

“But… Are you really giving me 2 million won in cash? Really, immediately…?”

He takes out an envelope and shows its contents. How many ten-thousand-won bills are there? Reading my expression, he speaks.

“There are 200 ten-thousand-won bills.”

“Wow… You won’t run out of money.”

“Haha. If I did something like that, I wouldn’t have made it to Season 123.”

So, all I have to do now is prepare to sing, right? Wrong. I almost forgot that Anna was here.

“Um, sorry for keeping you talking…”

“It’s fine.”

“Lastly, is there no seat for my sister to sit?”

She was standing awkwardly in front of the cafe, her legs must be hurting badly. He kindly brought a plastic chair for her.

“If you sit here, you won’t appear on the broadcast, so it should be fine.”

“Thank you. Anna, your leg hurts, right? Take a seat and rest for a while.”

“Thank you.”

Anna also sat down and nodded politely towards me.

“Don’t worry. My manager will take care of you while I sing.”

“Thank you very much… Thank you for taking care of everything.”

“Oh, come on. Let’s look forward to your singing.”

Not only for the money but also for the person who provided me with various conveniences, I should sing my best. They said I messed up last season, right?

“This season, let’s make it big.”

“Haha. Thank you for your consideration.”

Once the broadcast preparations were done, he went out and started the show. Next to him was a large karaoke machine, and on the monitor next to it, his broadcast chat was visible.

-Here we go lol

-Is it something big???

-I trust BamBam at night!

-Will BamBam conquer the Han River again this season?

-Season 123 BamBam’s Dung Show

Internet broadcasting. I’m not an expert, but I know some things. The feeling of being live is overwhelming. I stood next to Anna quietly, covering the chat window with my left hand.

“Hmm?”

“Oh, nothing.”

One by one, people sang their songs. From those boasting explosive high notes to those stimulating emotions.

Anna seemed deeply moved listening to others’ songs and looked up at me.

“Do you sing better than those people?”

There’s concern in her voice.

“They all sang well, but there’s a slight sense of dissatisfaction.”

Looking at the chat reactions, several people seem to share similar feelings as me.

-Kind of disappointing

-They sing well, but they all feel mass-produced

-BamBam, pack your bags

-Just average vocal levels

-It seems like there’s no one this season who stands out like a 200-line singer, right?

However, I didn’t say anything as severe as that, did I? BamBam also sensed something unusual in the chat room and took a brief break for moderation.

Terrifying. An internet broadcast in its raw form.

How will people react when I sing? Half worry, half excitement. And then, before I knew it, my turn had arrived.

“It’s already my turn…”

BamBam sends me a sign to come into the screen. Current viewers have surpassed 3,000. In addition, the crowd surrounding the karaoke machine has grown larger than before. In this situation, in front of so many viewers and spectators, I would be singing…

“I’ll be right back.”

“Yeah! Fighting, unnie!”

My expression subtly reflects on the smartphone screen I was holding. I looked more excited than a child.

“Nice to meet you! Can I ask for a brief introduction?”

“Yes. Hello. My name is SeoA Kwon. I stopped by briefly on my way to a cafe with my younger sibling.”

“Stopped by on your way to a cafe… It feels like you exude a casual aura like a passerby master. Before participating in the competition, can we hear a word of determination from you?”

“I’ll spend the 2 million won prize money well.”

“Wow~! Seems like you’ve already secured the winning prize!”

Was my recent comment not great? Since the chat window showing immediate reactions was right next to me, I felt a bit self-conscious. Curious, I rolled my eyes.

-Wow…

-SeoA is amazinggg

-The best

-Seoha

-Her voice is amazing from the start?

-Is she a celebrity?

-Beautiful

-Winner!

-BamBam, where did you find this talent?

-BamBam, quickly give her the 2 million won, add the taxi fare too

Even though I hadn’t started singing yet, the reactions were already reaching their peak in a positive direction. Was it because of my appearance that evoked admiration? It felt genuine and even more pleasing.

“Well then, how will your singing skills measure up to the determination you’ve shown? Let’s not delay any further and get right into it!”

The accompaniment begins. Glancing at the chat window, I see everyone adding a line they seem to know well, just like a famous song.

-Oh my

-Haha lol

-Originality lol

-She’s doing this song?

-How many keys did she raise this by?

-Can a hellish song be done in a female key?

Now, let’s focus. It’s not the reliable band accompaniment anymore but a karaoke machine, yet I don’t feel disappointed.

A fresh start.

I open my mouth, pouring my emotions into the song title. Although I usually sing high songs in a female key, singing wasn’t difficult. It was rather enjoyable. The lyrics fit my current situation perfectly, making me more immersed.

Caught up in the excitement, I unexpectedly ad-libbed, and at the peak of the song, I held onto the breath and note, lifting it higher.

It was what’s commonly known as a three-octave high note. Am I getting too carried away? Was it too much? How will people react? As the song ends, I finally notice the reactions in the chat window and among the people in the square.

-“Wow, what was that ad-lib just now?”

-“Wow… OMG”

-“Wow, thrilling”

-“Three-octave high note, wow”

-“Transcending the original song;;”

-“She’s a singer?”

-“Her voice is solid”

“This season’s performance is top-notch haha”

“Wow, SeoA is amazing.”

“What, is she a singer?”

“She seems like a singer.”

“Chills…”

Praise filled the air, leaving me speechless.