Chapter 655: Han So-Won (1)

Han So-Won, who was eighteen this year, appeared on stage wearing a school uniform. At 169 cm tall with a model-like slender build, she stood there smiling brightly with a bob cut that reached her shoulders.

Han So-Won had distinct features that gave her the look of a beautiful boy, but her voice was quite feminine, contrary to her appearance. She also had a vocal tone that stuck in your ears from the first listen, and before the regression, internal evaluations considered her more suited for a solo career than being in a group.

However, at the time, Top Entertainment placed her in the idol debut group instead of making her a solo singer. That was because the company was forming an idol group with Go Eun-Seo.

Problems began to arise when Han So-Won was paired with Go Eun-Seo. Han So-Won, who had moved from Daejeon to her aunt's house in Seoul with strong independence to pursue her dream of becoming an idol, clashed constantly with Go Eun-Seo, who was born into wealth and lived supported by her parents.

During this time, the company appointed Han So-Won as the team leader due to her leadership, and Go Eun-Seo responded by threatening to leave the group.

The company deliberated but ultimately sided with Go Eun-Seo. Both were highly promising talents, but Go Eun-Seo's mother was the famous actress Han So-Ye, and her father was a member of the National Assembly.

As a result, Han So-Won was removed from the debut group and demoted back to a trainee. After that, I tried to place Han So-Won in a different debut group, but Kim Dong-Soo blocked my efforts. It turned out the reason was simply that Go Eun-Seo disliked her.

From that moment on, whether it was Go Eun-Seo's doing or not, Han So-Won began to be ostracized by other trainees. As soon as I found out about it, I tried hard to release Han So-Won from her contract. Yet in the end, I couldn't make it happen. As a result, Han So-Won remained a trainee and eventually left the entertainment industry without debuting.

I was always filled with regret, thinking if I had just supported her a little more back then she might have debuted. And now, I was seeing her again, right here.

'

I'm sorry that I couldn't help you before the regression, So-Won. But this time, I won't let that happen again.

'

I didn't get involved in the singer selection, but at the very least, I was determined to make sure she wouldn't suffer the same unfair treatment in this round of

Project I.O.A

.

At that moment, Jung Sang-Bong, sitting next to me, looked at Han So-Won and spoke. "Mr. Jung. That Han So-Won girl looks kind of different, doesn't she?"

"What do you mean?"

"She's a girl, but she's really handsome. She totally got the beautiful boy look, but I bet she'd be gorgeous with makeup."

"Yeah, types like her look amazing with makeup. Her sharp features will also look great on screen."

Sure enough, just by stepping on stage, Han So-Won already had the judges visibly excited. However, this was where it truly mattered. There were few spots and many pretty girls.

First, Lee Dong-Min took the microphone. "Miss Han So-Won, your features are really charming."

"Thank you!"

From Han So-Won's androgynous appearance came a soft, delicate voice. That unexpected charm brought smiles to the judges' faces.

Lee Dong-Min smiled and continued. "There's nothing to thank me for. You should thank your parents."

Han So-Won responded confidently. "I already do. While I was training, my mom worked day and night to send me living expenses. Oh, can I say hi to my mom now?"

He meant she should be thankful for her inherited looks and voice, but her completely different reply made Lee Dong-Min laugh awkwardly. "Haha, you're funny. I meant thank them for your genes."

"

Oh!

I'm sorry."

When Han So-Won bowed her head in apology, saying she misunderstood, Lee Dong-Min chuckled. "

Haha

, there's no need to apologize. And I don't know if it'll make the broadcast, but look into the camera and say hello."

"Which camera should I look at?" Because Han So-Won wasn't the type to get timid, she asked right away.

Ji Yung-Sik, finding it amusing, raised his hand and pointed at camera 3. "Just look at the one in front of the judges' table."

Han So-Won nodded and waved brightly with her whole hand. "Mom! I'll do my best in the audition! I know you're staying up late and working hard because of me. I'll repay you for all of it later~ I love you, Mom~"

When Han So-Won made a heart above her head, everyone nodded with warm smiles.

At that moment, she added, "Oh, and also~ Mr. Owner of 88 Coin Karaoke! Thank you as always!!"

Ahn Ye-Eum let out a short laugh. "What's that place?"

"It's the coin karaoke where I work part-time. They let me sing freely when I'm on break. They even give me snacks. Thanks to them, I was able to work part-time and practice singing all I wanted!"

"You already have a sponsor, huh?

Hahaha.

"

Thanks to Han So-Won's candid words, laughter started to spread on set. A personality that knew how to promote oneself was a big plus when it came to being an idol. Maybe that was the reason a few judges began whispering as they jotted down on their tablets.

-She's good.

-We still need to see more, but among all the contestants so far, Han So-Won is my pick.

-Same here. With makeup, that face will bloom. Her voice is memorable too. She'll be popular.

-She's tall with long limbs, so her dance lines will look great. I wonder if she has good sense?

-If she sings well, that'd be perfect...

Just as I thought, everyone seemed intrigued and full of expectations.

Then Lee Dong-Min smiled and spoke. "Alright~ let's make sure your mom and the owner of 88 Coin Karaoke didn't support you for nothing. What song will you be singing?"

"'Soul Fire' by Kang Ha-Na sunbae-nim and Kim Jong-Hoon sunbae-nim!"

Kim Jong-Hoon smiled. "Wait, are you planning to sing both the male and female parts by yourself?"

"Yes! I'm not perfect, but I'll do my best!"

"The part I sing is in a male key. Should I raise it to a female key for you?"

"Yes, please. I can lower my pitch, but my midrange is a little weak."

At her honest admission of a weakness, Kim Jong-Hoon nodded. It was better to say things like that, because then a composer could clearly distribute parts if she became an idol.

"Got it." Kim Jong-Hoon looked at the staff and said, "Raise my part by four keys, please."

"Okay!"

After a moment, once everything was set, a cue signaled readiness.

Lee Dong-Min looked at Han So-Won and said, "Alright, then let's begin."

"Yes, sir!"

Han So-Won grabbed the mic and started taking deep breaths. As the instrumental for 'Soul Fire,' composed by Kang Ha-Na, began playing, Han So-Won furrowed her brow and began to sing.

But what came out was not the voice I expected.

'

So-Won... What's going on with your voice?

'

***

The voice of Han So-Won in my memory was a pleasing high tone with a hint of nasal resonance. Her vocals were so powerful that even when belting out high notes in succession, her pitch didn't waver. That was why the company had once planned to train her as a solo singer.

But maybe because I was meeting her at a younger stage than before the regression, her voice now was far too delicate and lacked the power I remembered. Of course, she still cleared the passing line, but the unique charm of her vocal tone wasn't showing at all.

At that moment, I remembered an illness Han So-Won had before the regression.

'

Could it be anemia

?'

When I met her at Top Entertainment before the regression, she suffered from severe anemia and she was always living on iron supplements. That memory flashed through my mind, and I became convinced that this performance falling short of my expectations must've been because of that.

No matter what, I would have to take her to the hospital as soon as this audition ended.

Just then, as the first verse ended, Lee Dong-Min raised his hand with a smile. "Alright. We'll stop here."

Han So-Won, panting heavily, replied, "Thank you!"

"The results aren't even out yet. How can you thank us already?

Haha

."

"Well, you still listened to my singing."

As Han So-Won continued to thank them, the judges chuckled. Unlike Go Eun-Seo or the others, she had energy radiating from her despite the skinny frame. And since greetings were said to begin and end everything in the idol world—without exaggeration—Han So-Won was unknowingly racking up bonus points.

At that moment, Lee Dong-Min looked around. "Mrs. Ahn? Would you like to speak first?"

Ahn Ye-Eum nodded and began her evaluation. "Miss So-Won, did you not eat?"

Han So-Won nodded shyly. "Nope! I couldn't eat!"

Ahn Ye-Eum let out a short laugh. "I like your attitude, looks, vocals, and honesty. But there's just one thing I don't like."

Han So-Won clasped her hands together and blinked her big eyes. "What don't you like? Please tell me! I'll fix anything!"

"I like your enthusiasm, but that's not the issue. You lack strength."

"Strength?"

"Yes. Maybe because you're so skinny, there's no power in your voice. When it's time to punch out the high notes, it just comes out like deflating air. You can't keep pitch either, and that's not okay. Strength in the diaphragm comes from eating well, so eat plenty. Got it?"

Han So-Won let out a big sigh of relief. "Okay! I'll remember that! I'll eat two bowls of rice at a time!"

"Make sure you do. You're so thin that you'll need to gain weight even if you become an idol."

"I will!"

"And have you ever taken classes?"

"Yes! Just for two months. A taste course, really!"

"

Pfft

. I can tell. You don't have any of those typical habits they teach at academies, and that's a good thing. Don't even think about enrolling in one now. Professional vocal training is different."

"Got it!"

Ahn Ye-Eum laughed again, saying it was that lack of formal training that preserved her individuality.

Lee Dong-Min nodded too, then looked at Park Seon-Nyeo. "Mrs. Park, would you like to test her dance?"

"Yes. I'd like to see."

Everyone nodded, clearly assuming she was passing.

"Miss So-Won, are you ready?"

"Of course!"

The staff prepared the music, and Han So-Won began dancing the assigned choreography to 'Hurry Up!' Because her limbs were long, her movements looked refreshingly expansive.

A moment later, Park Seon-Nyeo gave her evaluation with a smile. "That's enough. You haven't taken dance lessons, right?"

Han So-Won answered with a hint of embarrassment for the first time."No. After those two months at the academy, I've only learned through watching the monitor at the coin karaoke."

"

Haha.

I thought so. But you've got good instincts, so let's do our best together. Oh, and like Mrs. Ahn said, dancing also comes from having energy. Eat well, alright?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Everyone nodded in concern at her frail figure.

Then Lee Dong-Min smiled warmly and said, "Then we'll give you a pass!"

Han So-Won bowed repeatedly. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

After that, Han So-Won hugged the pass doll like it was solid gold and left the audition hall.

At that moment, I quickly stood up.

"Mr. Jung, where are you going?" Jung Sang-Bong asked.

I replied, "To go see her. Can you give me the number listed on her profile?"

Since every judge had mentioned her physical condition, I was thinking of taking her to Kim Soo-Myung for a checkup immediately.

"Ah, yes." Jung Sang-Bong checked her number on the tablet and handed it over. "Here you go."

"Thanks~"

With her number in hand, I headed toward the staff exit to meet her.

***

After stepping into the staff hallway, I immediately made a call. The staff and contestant exits were on opposite ends, so I might miss her if I wasn't quick.

-The person you are trying to reach is currently on another call... redirecting to voicemail...

She must have been on the phone with her mom because the call didn't go through. I kept calling without a break, and just as I reached the staff entrance, the call finally connected.

-Hello?

"

Ah

, this is Jung Yoon-Ho, chief at Hoop Entertainment."

-Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho? Do you mean the Mr. Jung of Cherry Blossom?

"Yes, that's me."

-Wow~ This is amazing! Hello!

"Yes. Where are you right now?"

I had exited through the staff entrance near the parking lot and was glancing toward the contestant exit as I asked.

-I'm at the bus stop. I ran there because I have a part-time job.

'

No wonder I couldn't find her anywhere.

'

"I have something to talk to you about. Can I see you for a moment?"

Han So-Won hesitated before replying.

-Um, Mr. Jung...Would it be okay if I called you back on this number after my part-time shift?

I figured it must be her coin karaoke part-time job. Yet if I wanted to get her checked and treated for anemia right away, I had to take her to Kim Soo-Myung.

"Would it be okay if someone else filled in for you?"

-Well, I guess so...

"Then let's meet now. I'll send someone to cover the coin karaoke shift. Oh, and I'm driving there right now, so just stay at the bus stop."

-

Ah,

okay.

I headed to the nearby parking lot and started the car. Then I called Lee Ho-Jae.

Lee Ho-Jae answered in an excited voice.

-Yes, hyung-nim.

"Ho-Jae, is there anyone among the guys who could fill in for a part-time shift at a coin karaoke? Tell them I'll pay them well. If not, hire someone through the agency."

-How much are you thinking of paying?

"Twenty thousand, no, thirty thousand won per hour. I don't know how many hours it'll be, though."

-Come on~ Why would I hand off such a sweet gig to an agency? I'll go myself.

Hahaha.

"Okay. I'll text you the time and place soon."

-Yup. Let me know.

After arranging the substitute, I drove to the bus stop. Immediately, I spotted Han So-Won standing there, hugging the pass doll like it was made of gold.

Screech.

I stopped the car and rolled down the window. "Get in."

"Okay!"

Once she got in, I asked her to call her boss at the karaoke. Han So-Won nodded and informed them that someone else would be filling in her shift. Then I sent the contact info and address of the karaoke owner to Lee Ho-Jae.

Having handled the part-time job situation, I turned to Han So-Won. "Also, call your mom. Let her know you're with me. She'll be worried."

"Oh, it's okay."

I firmly shook my head. "No, at our company, it's policy to inform parents."

"Understood."

Han So-Won hesitated, then made the call.

-So-Won, what now? Are you calling to brag about passing again?

'

So she had talked to her mom after passing earlier.

'

"No, Mom. Mr. Jung from Hoop Entertainment said he had something to talk about and asked to meet me. I got in his car. But he said he has to talk to you directly because you might worry!"

-Oh my, he is very thoughtful. That's good... But where are you going in a car? Is he driving you to your job?

As expected, she sounded worried. So I took the phone and answered honestly. "So-Won passed the audition, but her voice seemed a little weak. We're just going to get a simple checkup at the hospital Cherry Blossom uses. Is that alright, ma'am?"

-The hospital...?

"Please don't worry. We're just going to ask what foods would help her build stamina more effectively."

Only then did she finally sound relieved.

-Oh, I see. I hate to ask, but please take good care of my daughter, Mr. Jung.

"Don't worry. I'll call you after the hospital visit."

After finishing the call with Han So-Won's mother, we headed to Kim Soo-Myung's clinic.

***

As soon as we arrived at Kim Soo-Myung's clinic, I asked him to examine Han So-Won.

I casually dropped a hint to check for anemia. "She passed the audition today, but she seems a bit weak. Maybe it's because she hasn't eaten... or well, I'd like to check if it might be anemia."

"Understood."

Kim Soo-Myung took Han So-Won into the examination room. A short while later, the door to the examination room swung open urgently.

Bang.

For some reason, Kim Soo-Myung's face was grim.

Just as I was about to ask what was wrong, he rushed over and whispered quietly. "Mr. Jung... this child needs to be admitted immediately."

"Admitted? Why?"

Then, with a furrowed brow, Kim Soo-Myung began to say something I could hardly believe.

"Well, the thing is..."