Episode 50: It’s Me
‘First Step’ is undeniably a song I wrote for myself to perform.
But, sadly, it doesn’t suit the current me.
Seo Yoonje could tell instantly, and the reason lies in the lyrics:
“The chance to confess to you,
Today is the last.
Muster the courage for your First Step.”
Lyrics brimming with the tender excitement of confessing to a crush before a long break apart.
They pinpoint the “pseudo-romance” that’s the core of an idol’s appeal.
Me singing this?
‘It’s neither here nor there.’
Since revealing Zia in Blind Singer’s second round, earning “lovestruck” comments from Bang Hokyung, and doubling down in the finals, I’m at best suited for “marriage viral” vibes.
“It’s definitely more suited for a group than a solo.”
“The lyrics don’t quite match Yujin-ssi’s image either.”
Jeon Seonwoo and Ailee, no strangers to this, sigh almost in unison.
“If we changed the lyrics, maybe… but they fit the song too perfectly as is.”
For Ailee, unable to start ‘Shooting Star’ without lyrics, this is a letdown.
She said the Blind Singer buzz fading wouldn’t matter, but the marketing edge it provides is undeniable.
Jeon Seonwoo’s sigh carries a different weight.
“The problem is…”
He trails off, glancing at Seo Yoonje as if unsure about speaking in front of me.
“Go ahead, speak freely.”
With Seo Yoonje’s permission, Jeon sighs again and continues.
I already know what he’s about to say.
“I thought of some kids right away for this song, but… we’re missing the main vocal.”
MyWay’s boy group after Hylliy, Oberon, has delayed their debut largely due to lacking a strong vocalist—a well-known issue.
‘Oberon debuted in 2026, if I recall.’
They eventually debuted after one member grinded to boost their skills, but their current level is likely shaky.
Still—
“I actually had a main vocal in mind when I wrote this.”
What’s this?
MyWay already has a standout vocal.
An 18-year-old who outshone Blind Singer Season 3’s original TOP 5 and nearly caught up to me—a monster I’d trust to fill my shoes.
The issue? I haven’t confirmed Taeoh’s interest yet.
‘First Step’ may have propelled a group like Polaris to the top, but if Taeoh’s not into it, it’s a bust.
Given his pre-regression folk-band vibe, he might not vibe with this kind of song.
“Who?”
Seo Yoonje’s question suggests he hasn’t considered Taeoh, likely because he hasn’t seen that side of him.
So, I’ll leave room for now.
“I’m not sure if it’s the right fit yet. I’ll talk to them first and get back to you.”
No one likes a tease who trails off mid-sentence, and I’m no exception.
“Don’t overthink it. Like I said, I didn’t make this for me—it’s just to show I can write songs like this. Keep it in mind, and if you find a better fit, use it there.”
“If you say so, I’ve got nothing to add.”
“I’ll check with the trainees again.”
“I’ll forget this for now and focus on ‘Shooting Star’.”
My lighthearted tone eases the mood.
“Alright, let’s wrap up for real. Yujin-ssi, what’s your plan? Want a ride?”
I shake my head at Seo Yoonje’s offer.
“No one’s around if I go now anyway. I’ll look around the company and head out when Suhyuk calls.”
“Sounds good.”
Leaving Seo Yoonje as he heads to his desk, I step out.
Now, let’s see how good MyWay’s studios are.
And maybe say hi to the Oberon kids if I spot them.
***
Meanwhile, in Seoul’s traffic, a car crawls along with a woman and a man inside.
The woman drives silently toward their destination.
The man in the passenger seat, head against the window, stares out with a stiff expression.
The silence, unbroken since leaving home, is finally shattered by the woman.
“Son.”
No response.
Seeing his unfocused gaze, she sighs softly and voices what’s been weighing on her.
“Are you upset? Because I kept saying no?”
Her son, never one for big ambitions, expressed a desire she had to oppose.
She knew the path he wanted was treacherous, far from the glamorous façade it presented.
She’d seen it too many times.
‘A singer? A celebrity?’
But they say no parent can outlast their child.
Watching her son, she had to admit it.
On what might’ve been his final stage, his face as he played the guitar was radiant with joy.
As a mother, she couldn’t bring herself to crush that happiness.
She raised the white flag, choosing to support his decision.
Despite her decision, her son’s unchanged expression gnaws at her.
As the traffic light turns green, she shifts her gaze forward, spilling her thoughts in a rush.
“Honestly, I still wish you’d stuck with studying. I know it’s the easiest path. But I started wondering if pushing you to study was for your happiness or my own greed. I never saw you smile like that while studying. So, like your dad said, maybe I should let you do what you want. But if it goes wrong and you waste that time, I’d feel it’s such a pity…”
Her words trail off as the light turns red after just one block.
Then—
“What are you talking about, Mom? I’m just grateful you allowed it.”
Glancing over, she sees her son, Kang Taeoh, beaming brightly.
“I don’t think my studies were a waste. I’ll still take the college entrance exam while preparing to be a singer. My grades won’t be as good as if I’d focused only on studying, but I need to see it through. It’ll help me focus on music.”
His words aren’t empty to ease her worries.
As someone whose career hinges on discerning truth from lies, she’s certain of it.
“Then why’ve you been sulking this whole time…?”
Flustered, she blurts out her confusion.
“Oh, that… It wasn’t because of you. Sorry for the misunderstanding.”
Taeoh laughs sheepishly, apologizing.
“Umm…”
He purses his lips, furrowing his brow with a strange sound.
“It’s just… the person I saw as my role model is way better than I expected. I was wondering if I could ever catch up.”
He recalls the Blind Singer final stage, a vision of a sun rising over an emerald sea, lingering every time he closes his eyes.
‘It’s a bit embarrassing…’
The thought flits through Taeoh’s mind.
But what’s shameful about showing weakness?
The one listening is his mother, his lifelong ally.
Though she’s startled to see her usually fiery, competitive son show vulnerability for the first time—
“Is your role model older than you?”
“Yeah, much older.”
“Then what’s the problem? You’ve got time he doesn’t.”
She flashes a confident smile, encouraging him.
“You catch up in that time. Sure, he’ll move forward too, but you started from different places—that’s out of your control. It might even be a good thing. He’ll make the mistakes for you to learn from.”
“I wonder if that hyung even makes mistakes… but yeah, that makes sense.”
The “hyung” Taeoh mentions gives her a hint about his role model.
‘That 99.9-point guy…’
Honestly, catching up to him might be tough.
Even as a supportive mother, his stage was undeniably “incredible.”
“But where you’re headed, there’s no single right answer. His path isn’t the only one. Yours can be just as valid. And who knows? Maybe you’ll walk a path he can’t.”
“Something I can do that he can’t…? Is there such a thing…?”
“There is. I believe in you, my son. Whose son are you, after all?”
She says it without a shred of doubt.
“Oh… if it’s that…”
Her clever son immediately thinks of something.
“See? I told you.”
She doesn’t know what he’s thinking or if it’s the answer, but as they talk, the car stops—not at a light, but at their destination.
“Ready?”
“Yeah.”
Taeoh steps out, grabs his mother’s hand, and strides confidently.
The slightly awkward yet uplifting swing of his arm, bigger than usual, passes quickly.
“Oh, you’re here. Nice to meet you. I’m Seo Yoonje.”
“I’ve met most agency CEOs, but you’re a first, Seo-nim.”
“Likewise. Avoiding Lawyer Min was one of my retirement goals, but here we are.”
“I’m not here for paid work today, so let’s call it an exception. I’m Min Aeran.”
Min Aeran, an intellectual property lawyer from Y&I Law Firm, shakes Seo Yoonje’s hand as a mother who’s studied some law.
“I’ve heard MyWay’s different from other agencies, but seeing it up close, it’s unreal. Do you make any profit like this?”
“I hear that a lot. We’ve got a solid backer, so we’re fine.”
“Looks good to me. Taeoh, anything else you want?”
“If you take more, we’ll have nothing left!”
Having reviewed the contract for her son and approved its exceptional terms, Min Aeran glances at Taeoh.
Seo Yoonje, laughing nervously, faces Taeoh’s serious question.
“Uh… CEO-nim, does MyWay have trainees…?”
“Of course. Our pool’s smaller than others, though. Why? Got a friend to recommend?”
Relieved it’s not about contract terms, Seo Yoonje jokes lightly.
“Can I… check out the trainee program?”
“That’s no problem. Want to go now?”
Taeoh’s earnest expression prompts an instinctive offer.
With the contract in hand, they head down a few floors and encounter an unmistakable figure.
“Oh, Yujin-ssi’s here too?”
Han Yujin, eyeing the trainees with a gaze sharper than Seo Yoonje’s “music maniac” mode.
“CEO-nim, you asked if I had anyone to recommend, right?”
“Yeah?”
“Me. Can I join the trainee program too?”
Like that day’s stage, Taeoh, seeing the blazing intensity in those emerald-blue eyes, resolves to take on the challenge of a lifetime.
****
TL Note: If you want to read 17 advanced chapters. You can read them on my Gumroad page.
Link: https://galeriakrish.gumroad.com/l/qvcevg
Or if you want to download the chapters you can download the pdf on my itch.io page.
Link: https://krishgaleria.itch.io/idol-regression
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