Episode 1
Everyone dreams of standing at the top.
“Thank you for waiting. The winner of this year’s grand prize is…”
But there’s only one peak.
“An artist beloved not only by a generation but by an era—who shined again this year—”
And the moment I stood at that peak—
“Baek Nokha!”
—I couldn’t feel happy at all.
“Unnie! Seriously, congrats on the grand prize!”
“Nokha, you really worked hard! Thanks for mentioning your Greenies!”
On the way home from the awards ceremony, fans were waiting for me in the parking lot.
Grateful people. Even in this cold weather, they waited like this.
I greeted the fans, even if it was just from inside the car, and gave them one last thank-you.
“Thank you, my Greenies. I’ll come back soon to greet you properly.”
Normally, I would’ve said more, expressed more gratitude, but… today I just couldn’t.
Honestly, I could barely even remember how I made it here.
As soon as the window fully rolled up, my manager turned to me.
“You did great, Nokha. Seriously. I can only imagine how you must’ve felt… but you didn’t let it show at all. Your acceptance speech too—just the right amount of nervousness, really well done. Everyone’s saying it was touching. The reactions are great.”
My manager, who’s been with me for ten years, tried to comfort me.
But right now, none of those congratulations or comforting words registered.
The grand prize trophy sat beside me, neatly placed on the seat, but I couldn’t even see it.
“Unnie, thank you, but… let’s just go to the hospital. Now.”
“Ah, right. Of course. I’ll drive as fast as I can.”
“Thanks.”
Because—
“How’s Mom…? Is she okay?”
It was all because of a single phone call, right before the award was announced.
Nokha, don’t panic, but listen carefully. Your mom’s… there was a fire at the house…
The message was short.
But the situation was anything but simple.
There had been a fire at my mother’s house, and she, watching my awards moment alone at home, got caught in it.
The fire was out now, but my mother’s condition was critical.
Yet I couldn’t go to the hospital right away.
Because in five minutes, I was set to receive the grand prize.
My third grand prize.
Three years in a row.
Just hearing it sounds like an incredible title.
It wasn’t just me waiting for this moment—it was all the people who supported me.
Just 30 minutes. Just accept the award, say your speech, and then leave immediately, said my company CEO. I couldn’t say no.
Nokha, I’ll go to the hospital for now. I’ll keep you updated constantly, so you just receive the award, okay? Just for a little bit.
It wasn’t for the CEO.
And not even for myself.
It was for the fans in the audience, holding up my slogans behind me.
As soon as I stepped down after receiving the award, I ran out.
The potential hate comments for leaving early flashed in my mind, but I didn’t care.
“The CEO says he’ll release a statement explaining why you left early. That your mom’s in critical condition—”
“Unnie. It’s fine. Really. Let’s just… go.”
“Ah, right, of course.”
My manager turned back to the road, a bit embarrassed.
Honestly, right now, I couldn’t see anything but my mom.
Then—
🎵 Our spring will return again~ 🎵
The ringtone made my heart drop.
My song. The one that got me this award.
A song I loved so dearly, but now, why did it sound so terrifying?
“Dumbass CEO”
That was the caller ID.
Seo Changwoon. My agency’s CEO. The one at the hospital in my place.
My hands shook as I answered.
—I’m sorry, Nokha… I’m really sorry…
And then I had to hear the one thing I never wanted to hear.
I don’t even remember what I thought at that moment.
“Unnie.”
“Yeah? What did the CEO say?”
“Please pull over.”
“What? We’re in the middle of the road. I’ll find a place to stop.”
“Just… just pull over. Anywhere. I think I’m going to throw up.”
The nausea was overwhelming. I begged to stop the car.
My manager, flustered, pulled over as quickly as possible.
As soon as the car stopped, I opened the door and vomited.
After two straight days of schedules, I hadn’t eaten much, so only a bit of stomach acid came out.
I collapsed onto the pavement, laughing weakly.
What… is this?
Why is God playing such a cruel joke on me?
Today was supposed to be the best moment of my life—so why has it become the worst?
I worked so hard for this. Not just me—so many of my people, my fans, ran with me.
Why turn it into this disaster?
Just then—
Are you feeling wronged?
A truly strange being appeared.
“…What the hell are you?”
I almost never spoke informally, not even once since my debut. I always used honorifics, obsessively, just in case.
But the thing in front of me…
What I am doesn’t matter. What matters is what you want right now.
It definitely wasn’t human.
A tiny, floating black fluff ball. Just hovering there.
“…Am I hallucinating from the shock?”
Out of habit, I looked for my manager. If this was a hallucination, I wasn’t in my right mind.
“Unnie? Unnie?”
No reply. Which was strange—normally she’d respond instantly.
I stood up and peeked into the car.
Something was off.
My manager was gone.
Not just that—the road was empty. Not a single car. Not a single person in sight.
“…I must be hallucinating.”
You’re not.
The fluff ball floated closer to me.
“Jesus!”
We don’t have time. Let’s get to the point.
“You, what are you?”
You want to bring your mom back, right?
“…!”
I froze. Those words struck right at my core.
I’ll turn this worst moment back into your best one.
The fluff ball had no face, but somehow, I could feel it was smiling.
“…How?”
Simple. I’ll erase the fire like it never happened. Your mom will be safely at home, watching you win the grand prize.
It zipped around in front of me.
Then voilà! You can fully enjoy your moment of glory.
“….”
It was a perfect offer.
So much so, it felt like a dream—something I wanted so badly I’d created it in my head.
I chuckled bitterly. If it’s a dream, might as well play along.
Because once I wake up… it’ll be hell again.
“So, what do you get out of this?”
Ah, that part’s not so simple.
The fluff drooped a little.
But I know you can do it.
“…Me?”
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
I eyed it warily.
Scammy little dream fluff.
Baek Nokha. Ten-year singer-songwriter and idol. From rookie of the year to excellence awards, top awards, popularity, and now the grand prize. Twice. The one and only top female solo artist. Highest recognition, biggest fandom, best image. Truly the ultimate star. Maybe not born with it—but you earned it.
Why the sudden praise?
I’ve heard it before—but hearing it from this fluff made me uncomfortable.
And now, finally! Winning your third straight grand prize! Making everyone’s dream come true. Idol at the very top!
Yeah…
I smiled bitterly.
But there’s a poor soul who wants to be just like you.
“Someone who wants to be like me?”
I muttered.
Yes. Someone who wants to reach the top like you. If you help that soul—I’ll help you.
The fluff regained energy and bounced around again.
But I was confused.
“How could I possibly help? I might be an idol, but I’m not a god. I don’t know how to help some soul.”
That’s what I’m here for.
The fluff puffed up again.
Don’t worry about the how. Just decide whether to accept my deal.
I couldn’t answer easily.
Even in a dream, I felt like this fluff was avoiding something.
Promise to help that soul—and I’ll erase the fire completely. Your mother will be safe.
It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.
If it meant I could have my mom back… how could I say no?
“…I accept.”
A mother who lived her whole life for me—if I could save her…
Excellent choice!
The fluff gave a strange giggle and suddenly grew enormous.
Oh right, Baek Nokha.
“…What?”
I stared blankly at the rapidly growing fluff ball as it spoke.
If you could bring only one part of your body into your next life—what would you bring?
“…?”
Quick, choose.
“…My voice…?”
Brilliant choice!
The fluff giggled bizarrely again.
And then it opened its huge mouth—and swallowed me whole.
Before I could react, I was consumed by darkness.
“Shit.”
I was definitely scammed.
“What the hell happened to these overused vocal cords?”
I sat in a practice room, muttering to myself.
“And what’s up with this weak-ass body?”
A room with mirrors covering the entire wall.
But this was not my agency’s practice room.
This was the practice room of one of the biggest entertainment companies in the country—Colors.
And I was now a trainee at Colors—
“What the hell is all this?”
—I had become Yoon Cheong.
Destined to debut in one year and disband in two.
A member of the group Steel Blue.
Ding!
Congratulations! You are now ‘Yoon Cheong’.
From now on, your mission is to save the doomed girl group, Steel Blue!
Goddamn it.
