March 13, 2012.
Whisper Bar, Itaewon.
"Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go on
Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go 'til we're gone
Love was when I loved you
One true time I'd hold to
In my life, we'll always go on
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on. Why does the heart go on?
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
You're here, there's nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart and
My heart will go on and on"
[My heart will go on- Titanic]
As the melody gradually rises from gentle to soaring, Kim Seo-jun with his tender and delicate voice, perfectly interprets the excitement and infatuation in love.
His singing lacked any deliberate intensity, yet it seemed to possess an invisible power that allowed every listener to genuinely feel the tender embrace of love and immerse themselves in the beautiful music.
In the midst of singing, Seo-jun looked at the system screen in front of him. It has been 3 years since he started seeing this screen. He has gotten used to it. Except for the first reward that he got from the system, he got nothing else. However, he can see how much his skills has improved.
[IDOL SYSTEM]
[Name: Kim Seo-jun]
[Age:17, Date of Birth: March 9, 1995]
[Characteristics-
Health: 90/100
Physical Fitness: 92/100, Cognitive Ability: 91/100
Height: 185 cm, Weight: 68.5 KG
Charm: 72 (Appearance 9, Figure 8, Voice 9, Temperament 7, Experience 7, Communication 9, Confidence 8, Knowledge 8, Wealth 4, Fame 3)]
[Professional skills:
(Singing: 90, Dancing: 62, Acting: 72, Songwriting: 80)
Instrument: Guitar (Max), Piano (Max), Violin (Max), Ukulele (Mid)]
[Available System Provided Songs: "BTS-I need you girl", "Beast- Fiction"," Big Bang- Loser".]
[Self-written & composed songs- Spring Day, Dope, Lemon, Inferno]
Seo-jun closed his eyes after he read the system panel. He wrote Dope after he saw several male trainees mocking him for thinking he was superior than them. He felt it childish. After he joined JYP, he understood that some people were just born with talent like Lee Ji-eun. Seo-jun had one principal in his life. It was if someone is worthy, it's not wrong for him to act arrogant. The world is shit. It's survival of the fittest. He saw how he pulled off so much efforts to train his skills whereas the other trainees who mocked him went to clubs to enjoy. That night, he wrote the sing dope in desperation.
He wrote Spring Day because of his parents. He wrote it on 2011 on the day his parents died. He terribly missed them. It's not like Jin-young or others in JYP didn't care about him. In contrast, they adored him like a family. But, no matter how much they loved him, it couldn't reach the love of a family member. He desired to have a family.
He wrote Inferno, a song entirely on japanese upon seeing the hardship of his friend, Bae Suzy. They joined JYP roughly together. However, Suzy made her debut way earlier. As her popularity in Miss A grew more than the others, she got much more hate. Netizens mocked her for being a pick me. Her own group members mocked her for taking their so-called resources. Even the drama she worked in got mocked by netizens because apparently they thought her acting was trash. In front of others, Suzy could only smile. But in front of him, her eyes would shed tears. In JYP, Suzy only had Seo-jun as her close friend. To reassure her, Seo-jun wrote this song and well, Suzy didn't understand anything. Only after he wrote the lyrics in korean, she smiled heartily albeit with tears in her eyes.
Seo-jun shook his head for a while to keep the rough thoughts away from his head. He started singing in this bar since early 2011. Because of his soothing voice and amazing piano skills, he quickly became a regular resident singer. But he knew this career would have to end soon. After all, he has to prepare his solo album soon. Yes, Jin-young confirmed it to him yesterday. The board members have agreed to make him debut in May 10. It was rushed, no doubt. However, Park Jin-young calmly approved to make him debut because he already knew the songs Seo-jun had already prepared. He had no doubt these songs will solidify his positions as a solo artists. Jin-young knew from insider talks that male kpop idols will suffer a bit this year. But, he had already decided that he would expand Seo-jun in japan market. He knew how much Seo-jun loved to sing in Japanese. He gave all production, song-writing and composing right to Seo-jun and he already registered the songs copyright. No matter what path Seo-jun takes, Jin-young was ready to support him.
"I hope you guys enjoyed the song. It's your every day favorite singer, SJ. Now, I will sing 'She will be loved by Maroon 5'. Hope you all like this song."
Seo-jun closed his eyes, shutting off the exotic scenario of the bar. His soft voice echoed,
"Beauty queen of only eighteen
She had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her
She always belonged to someone else
I drove for miles and miles
And wound up at your door
I've had you so many times
But somehow, I want more
I don't mind spending every day
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay a while
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
Tap on my window, knock on my door, I
Want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get so insecure
Doesn't matter anymore
It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along, yeah
My heart is full and my door's always open
You come any time you want, yeah
I don't mind spending every day
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay a while
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
I know where you hide
Alone in your car
Know all of the things that make you who you are
I know that goodbye means nothing at all
Comes back and begs me to catch her every time she falls, yeah"
At this moment, Sulli (Choi Jin-ri), who was in the 2nd floor by the side of stairs, was deeply attracted by the soothing voice. She couldn't help but get up, gently lean on the railing, and stared intently at Seo-jun, who was singing earnestly. She excitedly called out, "Tifanny unnie, listen!" Tifanny and Hyoyeon who were both sipping their drinks, slowly got up and leaned over the railing. She listened attentively for a moment and exclaimed in admiration," Wow! That's a very professional singing style! No less than Taengoo."
At this moment, 2PM's Nichkun came here. "He is Kim Seo-jun, JYP's darling child. He is a true prodigy. Jin-young hyung cares for him too much."
He introduced Seo-jun to them. Nichkun looked at Tiffany's face. He knew how much Tiffany was a face addict. Thankfully, she was also a career oriented woman who would settle for no less. He felt bad for comparing himself to Seo-jun. But, when someone shines too brightly, you can't help but bear envy. He was pursuing Tiffany since 2011 and he doesn't want someone to catch her eyes.
"Sulli. What are you looking at? Come, let's drink." A man who seemed to be in his 30s strode over to Sulli's side with a bottle of wine. His face was rather broad, which seemed slightly disproportionate to his features. He was Choi Jae-ho, who was eyeing Sulli for a while since she turned 18. Nichkun at this moment, didn't like Choi Jae-ho at all. He only came over because Hyoyeon invited him. He had no idea this guy would arrive. Judging by his intense look at Sulli, he knew Jae-ho was a sinister guy.
'A 32 year old dude thirsting for a barely 18 year old girl.'
Nichkhun forced a smile and said respectfully, "Sunbae, we've only just begun to warm up."
"Haha, that's good. Everyone, lets have a drink! You're all Sulli's seniors! I'll pay for everyone's drink tonight." Choi Jae-ho said, grabbing Sulli's wrist. Sulli wanted to struggle but she also didn't want to be rude.
"Sunbae, you are hurting me. I can't drink if you hold me too tight." Sulli calmly said. She was one of the darling children of SM entertainment. She didn't want people to hate her. Rather, she wanted a place to belong. She wanted a loving family, not an abusing one. Having joined SM at a very early age, she learnt to be obedient and didn't want to cause trouble. But, deep down, all she ever wanted was to have a family. The absence of her father's love during her childhood was like a huge void, while her mother's indifference left her with deep emotional scars. That's the advantage Jae-ho took on her. She suffered malicious comments by netizens. So, a little warmth given to her by Jae-ho kept her close to him.
Sulli obediently raised her glass, tilted her head back, and drank the wine in one gulp. As the wine entered her throat, she frowned slightly, and a blush instantly rose on her fair face. Seeing her blushed face, Choi Jae-ho wanted to possess her. He was obsessed with her, wanted to possess her body.
"Is it too strong for you? Should I get something lighter?"
Sulli shook her head and stood up to pour him wine. This was South Korean culture. Those who are young has to pour drinks for the older people. They also have to finish eating later. Every move she made showed that she was sensible and well-behaved.
Sulli slowly stood up, having poured him wine. Jae-ho watched her with interest.
"Unnies, I'm going to the bathroom for a bit." He smiled intently.
At this moment, Seo-jun finished his usual performance. The manager walked over and gave him 200k won as a tip from a customer. He bowed slightly and was about to leave when the manager requested him for another performance. Having known him for 1 year, he couldn't refuse.
"Okay. One more hour. But, Hyung, I will soon debut. So, I can't come here after today."
The manager was slightly sad. Seo-jun brought profit. People liked to hear him sing and listen to his piano. He nodded sadly and left.
Seo-jun walked towards the bathroom to get fresh, not knowing that a devil was plotting to possess an angel.
[Seo-jun will debut maybe in 2-4 chapters.......]