“Alright, we’ve reached the last part. A new format of variation. This could really split opinions. But for me, it’s a yes. The slowed-down tempo in the beginning of the coda reminded me a bit of Zimmer’s playing, and the intensity in the coda brings to mind Lang Lang’s performances… It’s really fascinating. Now, if I say this, I worry you might think I’m exaggerating, so let me clarify: of course, Do-hee’s skill isn’t on the same level as those masters. As a pianist myself, I can’t say that. But for a 17-year-old student who’s an idol in the pop music scene to show such a genius interpretation is nothing short of incredible. The performance itself and the way it was interpreted… Honestly, Do-hee, you’ve done brilliantly.”
After analyzing the performance for over 30 minutes, the pianist began his closing remarks.
“Honestly, if we really dive into the analysis, we could go on for another three hours. There are definitely shortcomings I could point out. For instance, it seems Do-hee doesn’t realize that Chopin, when wanting a perfect ending, uses a B, and when it’s less finished, it ends with a G. Such nuances are not typically known without lessons from top pianists or professors. I definitely have this desire to point those things out. But the reason I hold back is simple: the strengths are much more vivid and strong—truly excellent performance. Just a bit of refinement and she could become a wonderful pianist.”
“So, what can I say… (Sadness) Did we lose a classical talent to the idol industry? If Do-hee’s entertainment agency chairman happens to see this video, I hope they’ll bring her back to the classical realm… (Laughter) Just kidding, please don’t go yelling at me, fans. Do-hee, who’s quite famous as an idol that I occasionally hear about, I hope she’ll continue her great activities and classical performances. Now, I’ll wrap it up!”
The pianist, named Ha Hyun-jun, paused to analyze each part in detail.
– “This is so fun! Even though I’ve never learned piano, I feel like I really grasp the performance.”
– “Wow… I didn’t realize there was such intention behind it, I’ll have to rewatch the hand movements and expressions… Thank you for the lovely comments!”
This perfectly catered to the fans’ desires.
However, the existing viewership of the classical channel wasn’t comprised of young fans.
Naturally, it was the classical aficionados, typically older individuals.
– “The young student fantastically expressed the five chords before the coda… I’m at a loss for words at the final concentration… What a wonderful performance.”
– “As a music student, just looking at Do-hee’s record of winning competitions made me think she’s not just an ordinary talent… Truly amazing…”
– As a music college student, just looking at Do-hee’s past competition awards, I think she’s no ordinary talent… it’s genuinely amazing…
– I thought she looked like a fairy just as much as she plays… and she’s an idol… nowadays singers can even play the piano, haha.
– I was wondering where I’d seen her before… that troublesome son of mine brings home posters of this girl every day, haha! But I think I can enjoy the performance while communicating with my son. Go Do-hee!
└Haha, that’s so funny!
– Thank you for the detailed analysis from the pianist teacher… I’ll have to listen to the performance video again myself.
– Wow… I knew she played well, but…
└This is a comment Do-hee left herself, for real.
This also served as an opportunity to make middle-aged people who weren’t interested in idols recognize Do-hee’s existence.
Thanks to this, Do-hee’s competition performance video posted on the official YouTube channel of the Joseon Music Competition saw an instant spike in views.
[74th Joseon Music Competition Piano High School Level 1st Place Do-hee Lee (16Y) F. Chopin Ballade No.4 in F minor, Op.52]
– 440,000 views · 1 day ago
– She really seems like a princess herself.
– It’s a shame for her to be an idol with such genius. It might be better for her to switch to being a pianist.
└Our Rahi was born from an idol star, though? And she’s too pretty to be a pianist, haha.
└You shouldn’t just look at appearances; you need to see the inner self. Modern people are so used to loud sounds that they can’t pay attention to refined and restrained sounds like this…
└Yeah, Do-hee’s on a 7-year contract~ Topist will definitely not let her go~ haha.
– Cheerful and pretty friend, I’ll support you even as a 70-year-old grandma.
└The way you speak gives it away; you must be in your 20s, grandma.
└Did it show too much?
– Genius at the piano, my foot, haha. Just a piano enthusiast at best, haha.
└Hahaha, that really is a piano enthusiast level of performance.
└It’s just so poignant, isn’t it… to say that even while watching such a performance. I hope you can get your mind straight.
└Ah, if you misunderstood, I’m sorry. It was just a joke between fans, haha. Do-hee told us fans before the competition that she was just a piano enthusiast, seriously!
└Ah, I see, haha. “Piano enthusiast” sounds adorable.
└To think such a pretty girl is just an enthusiast, haha.
– Everything is just so sophisticated.
└This is a comment Do-hee left herself, for real.
*
In the company’s dance practice room.
During a short break.
Lying on the sofa, I was going through all the performance videos I appeared in one by one.
I was looking it up.
“Wow… I knew you could play well…”
I occasionally left comments here and there.
“Our little self~ Are you feeling good about getting the award?”
Woo-ah Unni thought I was cute and kept ruffling my hair.
Honestly, since I had gotten used to Woo-ah Unni’s skinship since we were little, I didn’t feel any resistance.
“Yes~”
“Do you want me to join in too?”
“No, no.”
Watching us, Seo-yoon Unni said with a tired expression, “She’s still manipulating public opinion even after getting caught once.”
That’s a pretty extreme way of putting it.
“Hey, this isn’t public manipulation; it’s just a little self-appeal.”
To be honest, when I got caught by the fans last year, I was really embarrassed.
But after hearing so much teasing, I became indifferent in front of the members, and now I don’t even try to hide it.
“Yeah~ So what? Our Do-hee didn’t do anything wrong.”
Na-eun Unni, squatting on the practice room floor, smiled benevolently like a mother.
“Wow, as expected of Na-eun Unni. This is what being an older sister is, the quality is different.”
“What, are you saying that for me to hear?”
“Feeling pricked?”
“More than that, Do-hee, can your sister talk about this as an episode when they go on a variety show later?”
Cancel the benevolence.
“Whatever, you’re not still commenting with that account you got caught with, right?”
“Of course~ I made a new account~”
“Sigh… You’re really so reckless.”
Ignoring Seo-yoon Unni’s sigh, I started working on the comments again.
“Really… everything… looks… so high-class…”
“Oh…”
And at that moment, my phone vibrated, and an alarm popped up.
[♥Sara Unni♥: Are you sleeping…?]
‘Ah, it’s about time for Sara Unni.’
At the same time, Woo-ah Unni, who had been gently ruffling my hair, suddenly shoved my head away forcefully.
“…?”
Rubbing my squeezed head, I looked up at my sister with a confused expression.
“You… are you cheating on me?”
Woo-ah Unni looked at me with hurt eyes, gazing pitifully.
“What?”
“That message…”
An unexpected role-play situation.
“What message?”
“That heart in the name setting! You didn’t give it to me!”
Ah, the heart.
[♥Sara Unni♥: Are you sleeping…?]
“You saved my name as ‘Topist Jiwoo’ before! But Sara Unni gets a heart!”
I replied to the message first, as Sara Unni kept sending crying emojis.
[Me: Who’s sleeping at 8;;]
[Me: It’s the practice room]
Then Woo-ah Unni imitated a heartbroken heroine with a trembling voice.
“I don’t mean anything to you? And talking to her in front of me again!”
This time, Unni aggressively pushed my shoulder.
“Oh, stop it. And this? Sara Unni secretly took my phone and set it up herself.”
“You expect me to believe that? Then why haven’t you changed it until now!”
“Because it’s annoying. Oh, whatever. I’m busy. I have to work on comments.”
“Is that how it always is for you…? Hand over the phone. I need to see the messages myself.”
“Oh, what do you want? I told you I need to do comment work.”
In the meantime, Na-eun Unni and Seo-yoon Unni watched the situation from a step away, having fun.
“Do you really think you can comment during all this? Such cruelty.”
“No~ I like it. It’s like our practice room adds one new episode every day, making it great for preparing variety shows.”
“Agreed. There are plenty of idiots around.”
“Right? It’s a majority.”
“…Majority? Unni, am I included?”
“…Well, I dunno…?”
Why do I feel like I’m being targeted?
It seems like my evaluation is only going down.
I’m sure I showed my genius!
While such sad thoughts cross my mind…
Something suddenly flashed in my brain.
There was an unusual sense of discomfort in the practice room.
It was quieter than usual.
I immediately jumped up from my seat.
This can’t be happening.
‘Is Chiyo Unni quiet?’
That feels extremely unsettling.
I scanned the interior of the practice room.
And just next to my sofa.
In my line of sight, Chiyo Unni was intensely fiddling with her phone.
─Tap tap.
I leaned down to get a closer look at Chiyo Unni’s screen.
“This… is… Do-hee… doing something…”
“……”
She was typing at a sluggish speed.
“Just… a comment… really…”
“……”
And sensing something was off, Chiyo Unni’s head slowly turned around.
“What are you doing?”
“……”
Chiyo Unni’s eyes were shaking intensely.
“Commenting…?”
