Five Years Have Passed Since Then

A while ago, a post on Instagram titled "Flags of the World in 2020" went viral. It showed white cloth masks being used as flags, representing the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking back, several significant events have occurred since then, both personally and societally. Due to privacy concerns, I won't disclose details about personal matters.

This takes us back to before the COVID-19 pandemic. Although completely unrelated to today's post, I purchased this desktop computer at Costco at the end of 2019. With my new computer, I enjoyed the newly released music videos for Lee Yong Shin's "Returned Full Moon" (돌아온 풀문). Then, the concerts in Korea ended successfully, and the pandemic hit, dealing a massive blow to the performing arts industry.

Karaoke was also affected. Luckily, around autumn 2019, I had the chance to go to karaoke with members of my church. It was in a karaoke room set up in someone's basement. Honestly, I've rarely hung out with friends since high school, so the atmosphere wasn't really my thing. I just sat in the back and reacted.

While browsing the songbook, I found a song title and artist that were incredibly familiar, to the point my eyes popped out. I instantly felt a strong conviction that this was an opportunity given by God. So, I cautiously asked a young friend next to me, "Um...is it okay if I sing a Japanese song?" He readily agreed and even made the reservation for me, considering my poor eyesight.

Finally, it was my turn. The powerful string sounds in the intro had everyone exclaiming, "Wow!" However, I didn't realize the microphone was off at the beginning, so the first part was sung only with my natural voice, which was disappointing. Thankfully, the long instrumental break after that initial part gave me a chance to turn on the microphone and sing properly.

Strange dance moves unrelated to the song filled the screen, and the church deacons found it so funny that they started mimicking the dance. I was so busy trying not to laugh while singing that I was sweating. But I calmly and slightly nervously finished the song and scored 90 points. (It would have been higher if the microphone hadn't been off at the beginning.) Someone even commented, "You're not like yourself today."

Anyway, after that one song, I didn't sing anything else that day. Since I only knew Japanese songs, I thought it would be impolite to keep singing them.

By now, you're probably wondering what song I sang. So, I've prepared something. I recorded a few songs on my phone, and this was practically the starting point. I'm too embarrassed to share them widely, but my mother and others who have heard them are surprised by my unexpected and unique side.

I hope I get another good opportunity in the future. But this time, I want to sing with people who know and enjoy J-Pop. Actually, since I only know J-Pop, I hope to have a great time singing it in Japan itself.