Chapter 138 : Resemblance Among Family Members
Chapter 138: Resemblance Among Family Members
When I was little, adults used to say this to me.
‘You’re your dad’s seal stamp.’
I didn’t really understand what that meant back then.
I didn’t even know what a seal stamp was.
Then, someone said, ‘You look like you were pressed out of the same fish-shaped bun mold.’
That’s when I finally understood what they meant.
I understood the meaning of the words, not that I admitted I looked just like my dad.
Even if I stared at the mirror for days on end.
I just couldn’t see my dad’s face in mine.
Anyway. That thought hasn’t changed even now.
Some people even say I look like my mountain bandit-like older brother.
And yet—
I thought “you look like your family” was just like saying “have you eaten?”
“Whoa, you know our Junhyun?”
I realized it when I saw a couple who I presumed were Junhyun’s parents.
How could they look that identical?
To exaggerate a little, the woman who seemed to be Junhyun’s mom looked like an older Junhyun wearing a wig.
“Yes! Hello, ma’am, sir. I’m Junhyun’s friend. We’re working here together right now.”
I raised my hand and pointed to the KIM Entertainment logo.
Only then did the parents soften a little and stride toward me.
“A friend? Oh, then are you… Stay?”
“Oh dear, calling the composer ‘Stay’! Nice to meet you, Mr. Stay. I’m Junhyun’s father.”
“Oh no, sir! I’m just Junhyun’s friend!”
I waved my hands vigorously and replied.
“Ma’am, sir, please speak comfortably with me.”
It felt too awkward hearing them speak with honorifics.
“I am Stay… technically. My name is Seo Taeyoon.”
“But how did you know?”
“Sorry?”
“How did you know we were…”
They must have been asking how I knew they were Junhyun’s parents.
Well, obviously—because they looked exactly alike!
…But I couldn’t say that.
I just chuckled and glanced back and forth between Junhyun’s parents’ faces.
“Heh, heh heh.”
“Junhyun really does resemble him, doesn’t he.”
“Ma’am, you’re incredibly beautiful. No wonder Junhyun is so clean-cut and handsome… He takes after you! You’re the best, ma’am!”
“Aww, Junhyun’s friend has an eye for beauty. I thought you were a celebrity when I saw you, Taeyoon.”
Maybe it was my imagination, but it looked like the father’s eyes were narrowing.
Indeed, shared compliments are the best icebreakers.
We kept chatting for a while after that.
I calmly told them about Junhyun.
That he was doing well, that they could look forward to it.
Then, I realized something—the couple wasn’t getting to the point they had come to say.
“Did you come to see Junhyun by any chance? He’s not here today because he went to another practice room. I can give you the address…”
“No, no. We just figured since he works at KIM Entertainment, we might see him here. We were just passing by! Really, don’t worry.”
Hmm… Looks like this punk didn’t properly inform his parents?
He doesn’t seem like the talkative type anyway.
Sheesh, that’s why they ended up coming to the wrong place.
I mean, seriously—what if he just told them, ‘Hey, I’m working on this,’ or invited them to the practice room now and then?
How great would that be?
As I thought this, I looked at the couple.
Junhyun’s parents’ faces were filled with concern and curiosity.
Maybe I was meddling too much.
But I ended up saying this:
“Ma’am, sir.”
“Yes?”
“Junhyun’s been going back and forth between here and the practice room, working hard. I think the reason he didn’t tell you is… he wants to show you with a bang on his debut stage.”
“…Debut stage? I thought it was just a music video?”
This was bad.
They clearly had no idea.
This punk Junhyun… this was worse than I thought.
No matter how shy you are about telling your family.
The debut stage is tomorrow and he still hasn’t told them…?
I couldn’t think of what to say, so I just laughed awkwardly.
“Haha…”
Because, well. I’m no better myself.
Since becoming an adult, I’ve never really explained what I do or who I work with.
Even if I don’t say anything, they’ll find out eventually.
So we always just prepare for that one ‘ta-da!’ moment.
That’s when Junhyun’s mother cautiously spoke.
“I was curious.”
“…Sorry?”
“On nights when Junhyun comes home late… his pants in the laundry basket are covered in soot-like marks, and the sleeves reek of meat smell… When I gently touch his fingers while he’s asleep, there are thick calluses on his middle and index fingers from studying so hard…”
Junhyun’s father, standing next to her, gently rubbed her back.
It seemed like this was something they had already talked about together.
“Unlike his older brother, he always came in top of his class, lifting the burden of tuition from our shoulders… and yet he’d come home completely exhausted… I was afraid even asking if he was tired would disturb his rest, so I never asked.”
Mother fidgeted with her fingers as she continued gently.
“And yet lately… his face has looked especially bright. Ever since he said he wanted to be a singer, he’s been smiling a lot more. So I got even more curious. I wanted to know what kind of work he’s doing, who he’s working with, whether he’s really enjoying it more than before. So we just came here on a whim, but I’m so glad we met you, Taeyoon. I feel like some of my questions were answered. Thank you.”
She smiled warmly as she said that.
But she couldn’t quite hide the regret in her eyes.
All I could do was assume—so this is what a mother’s heart looks like.
“Oh my, look at me rambling. I shouldn’t keep you, you must be busy.”
She hurried to wrap up the conversation.
That meant it was their final farewell.
If I let them leave like this, Junhyun would regret it.
He definitely wouldn’t tell them.
He wouldn’t even realize they were worried and curious.
Why am I so sure…?
Because I’ve been exactly the same until now.
All parent-child relationships must be more or less the same.
So, I said this:
“Actually, Junhyun’s debut stage is tomorrow.”
“…Tomorrow?”
Their eyes widened at the word tomorrow.
Without hesitation, I continued.
“It’s scheduled for Hongdae Blue Road. The time is 6 p.m. Oh, and…”
I looked at the smartphone in the mother’s hand.
I gently received it, saved my contact info, and asked,
“This is my number. If you’re ever curious, please feel free to call. If Junhyun knew you came, he’d be really happy.”
“If he didn’t tell us on purpose…”
The mother trailed off.
There’s no way that’s true. More than anyone, he would want his family to witness it.
But I didn’t say that.
That’s something Junhyun needs to say himself.
Instead, I simply said goodbye again to express my feelings.
“I’ll see you tomorrow! I really hope to!”
As I turned to leave, the father quietly grabbed my arm.
“Here…”
In his shy hands were two boxes of energy drinks.
It was unmistakable support and encouragement.
I thanked them and promised I’d drink them well while preparing for tomorrow’s stage—then wrapped up our meeting.
Two boxes of bottled drinks.
They should’ve been heavy, but for some reason, they felt oddly light.
And today, of all days……
“Mom, are you doing well? When are you coming up to Seoul again? Me? I’m doing fine. If you’re free next week, I’ll try to come down for a visit.”
“Dad, how’s work going? You’re not drinking too much, right? Yeah, yeah. I’ll tell you more in person. I… miss you, too.”
I started missing Mom and Dad.
A lot.
The next morning.
To make final preparations for the performance, Taeyoon and Baek Junhyun sat face to face backstage.
Taeyoon briefly explained what had happened yesterday.
“That’s how it went.”
“……They’re really coming?”
“Who knows. I don’t.”
“Wow……”
Was that admiration or a sigh?
Junhyun’s vague response made Taeyoon tilt his head in curiosity.
“Thanks, Seo Taeyoon.”
“Huh?”
Junhyun suddenly expressed his thanks and looked at Taeyoon.
Even though he usually clattered around backstage, seeming carefree—
He was someone with deep thoughts. Deeper than one could imagine.
The words Taeyoon had said:
Feelings don’t come across on their own. You have to say them to be understood.
Those words had given him courage.
He’d thought that expressing his heart through the envelope of cash was enough—
But it wasn’t.
For this first stage, this new beginning—
He sincerely wanted his family to be there and witness it by his side.
“I hope they come. But……”
“Yeah?”
“It’s the weekend. My parents are even busier on weekends. It’d be hard for them to make time. That’s why I didn’t tell them. I didn’t want to pressure them.”
A cold bead of sweat rolled down Taeyoon’s spine.
‘……Crap.’
That was an unexpected twist.
In Taeyoon’s head, “normal people” worked on weekdays and rested on weekends.
Caught off guard, he blurted out something weird.
“Sorry. I didn’t know. What should we do?”
But Junhyun simply smiled and replied.
“Oh, don’t be sorry. Of course you wouldn’t know. But now they know I’m performing today, so they’ll probably watch the video later or something. Thanks.”
A gentle pat touched Taeyoon’s back.
Taeyoon nodded silently.
He could feel the subtle loneliness buried in Junhyun’s reassuring words.
He considered saying something comforting, but held back.
Are you okay? Hang in there.
He knew too well how empty those words could be.
He simply made a silent vow in his heart.
He would show everything on stage today.
He would make them understand it all—through just one performance.
[ Real-time at Hongdae - Setting up instruments on Blue Road ㄷㄷㄷ This busking is going to be insane. I heard the gear is super expensive? ]
↳ Still just a nobody band tho ㅅㄱ
↳ Expensive gear doesn’t equal talent~~~
[ Waiting at Blue Road for busking. I’m super hyped. I watch busking often but I’ve never seen a team prep this thoroughly……. (photo) ]
↳ Fr same. Even the staff looks super experienced.
↳ Already got my spot. Expectations through the roof lol
Saturday afternoon, on the streets of Hongdae.
The weather was unusually clear.
And there were a lot of people.
The outdoor tables in front of nearby cafes were packed, and the alleyways bustled with people browsing at select shops.
At the center, the ‘Blue Road’ busking plaza was in the midst of full instrument setup.
“Oh? Looks like someone’s busking?”
“They do busking here all the time, don’t they?”
“That’s some serious setup. Drums, bass, even a keyboard?”
Buzzes of conversation echoed from all around.
People turned their heads at the sound of a guitar being tuned.
Couples stopped in their tracks as they were passing by.
At first, no one had high expectations.
Busking in Hongdae was common, and teams flaunting flashy equipment were even more so.
But then—
“Wait, that guy on guitar…”
“…Huh? Isn’t that UTAR? Whoa, it’s Bang Gicheol.”
“Holy—It really is. Why is Cheongseong here?”
Recognition spread like ripples in water.
A silhouette that could be identified at a glance.
The band people had seen in YouTube videos—renowned for their live performances—was right there setting up their instruments.
“It’s really them.”
“Goosebumps. Looks exactly like the videos.”
“It’s the old guys. Heh. But why’s Cheongseong busking here?”
“Who’s that rookie again, ah! Doubline!”
“What’s that?”
“Double Line. Haven’t you heard of Crossing Tomorrow?”
“Oh, yeah. No way… Are they debuting via busking?”
Some took out their phones to snap photos.
Others kept exclaiming “crazy” as they filmed videos.
Drawn by the rare sight, passersby swarmed up to the barricade.
A delivery bike came to a halt, and the rider took off their helmet.
“Gotta see this.”
“Let’s grab a spot before the crowd explodes.”
“SNS is blowing up right now.”
“Really? Let me see.”
[ Breaking news—Cheongseong appears in Hongdae ㄷㄷㄷㄷ Not a nobody band, looks like a Double Line debut ㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ ]
↳ Whoaaa???
↳ Double Line??? Why is Double Line busking in Hongdae……
↳ Wow, Baek Junhyun is insanely good—now I get to hear him live.
↳ 😭Why isn’t anyone talking about Dogibong. Gibong’s great too 😭
[ (photo) (photo) Breaking: The man touching the bass confirmed to be Cheongseong’s Bang
Gicheol, in-person guitar performance incoming ]
↳ Is Seo Rabbit here too???
↳↳ DJ turntables?? None spotted ㅠㅠ
↳ㅠㅠ If UTAR is here, Seo Rabbit has to be here too.
↳ Searching high and low for Seo Rabbit lolol
↳ You don’t even know what he looks like.
↳↳ I’ve watched UTAR’s videos like a thousand times, I’ll know right away ㅎㅎㅎ
↳↳↳ Me too! I’d recognize him instantly. Find Seo Rabbit!!!
……Huh? No one knows?
Taeyoon chuckled quietly as he monitored the reactions.
Wearing a hoodie and pulling his cap down low—
He was disguised as a staff member, leading the stage setup with a producer’s authority.
“Here, have this. Junhyun’s parents sent it.”
“Ooh, thanks.”
“Man… vitamin drinks are the best!”
He passed out the drinks and checked the audience area again.
Even though it was still early, the crowd was growing.
Good, just as expected.
As he looked around the stage, pleased, he spotted familiar faces.
None other than Baek Junhyun’s mother and father.
Their eyes met, and Taeyoon gave a small wave subtle enough not to be noticed by others.
‘I knew you’d come.’
And so, Double Line’s debut stage was beginning.