238-240

Chapter 238 – Show Invitation 

Heh. 

Jimmy chuckled from deep within his chest, the humor in Ronan’s words making him genuinely happy. 

“Thank you, truly. I should be honored that His Royal Highness the Prince would wait for me,” Jimmy replied, effortlessly playing along with the joke. “I was actually planning to go to New Jersey tomorrow to catch the show. But when I called to get tickets, I found out it’s sold out! Now what am I supposed to do?” 

“That’s a shame, but it’s not the end of the world. We’re performing in New Jersey for two more days. You’ll still have a chance to grab a ticket,” Ronan said, already realizing that Jimmy was just teasing. 

The tickets for tomorrow’s show weren’t actually sold out. The attendance rate was still around 90%. Sure, the best seats might’ve been taken, but saying there were no tickets left was clearly a stretch. 

Now Ronan finally understood what Alice had meant—Jimmy’s tone and manner were indeed a bit peculiar. But what could he possibly be hinting at? It’s not like Jimmy needed anything from him. 

To be fair, Ronan and Jimmy were practically strangers. For someone of Jimmy’s status in the entertainment world, there was no reason to keep this connection going—if anything, it should be Ronan worried about clinging too tightly. 

“Otherwise, you probably should’ve called me in advance so I could save you a family pass. Even Prince William is still waiting in line,” Ronan joked again. He might’ve been confused internally, but on the outside he remained relaxed and easygoing. 

Jimmy burst into laughter and played along. “That’s too bad, then. I guess I really might miss the show this week. Ah!” He paused, then smoothly shifted the conversation. “But we should still meet up. What do you think? I have an idea, Ronan—how about your band comes on my show for an interview?” 

An appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live? 

Totally unexpected. 

There hadn’t been the slightest hint or warning, and yet here Jimmy Kimmel was, extending a personal invitation. What was going on? 

This would be the band’s biggest media opportunity to date. Of course Ronan and the band would want to do it. Jimmy’s question wasn’t really a question. The real mystery was: Why was he the one offering? 

This is the entertainment industry—cutthroat, fame-obsessed, and relentless. Everyone's always clawing for a step up. Take Leonardo DiCaprio, for example. After his Titanic fame exploded, he went through a long slump—surrounded by fake friends who only wanted to ride his coattails. It left him disillusioned, causing him to pull away from people completely. 

Eventually, Leo developed a bad habit: he stopped making new friends. The only people he truly trusted were those he knew before Titanic. That mindset even bled into his romantic relationships. 

In the eyes of a relatively unknown band like King for a Day, Jimmy Kimmel was a towering figure. Shouldn’t he be the one cautious about opportunists trying to use him for exposure? Why did it feel like the roles were reversed? 

Instead, Ronan found himself asking, “Are you sure? Us? King for a Day? You want us on your show? Are you sure there’s no mistake?” He laughed. “Wait, let me check the calendar—is it Halloween today? Did you switch up your Halloween prank?” 

Halloween had just passed, and Jimmy Kimmel Live had, as usual, pulled off another viral Halloween candy prank that set social media ablaze. 

Jimmy was amused by Ronan’s genuine surprise. “That’s a great idea. Maybe I should change up the theme next year. There’s definitely a lot to dig into. But no—this isn’t a prank.” Then he added more seriously, “You really don’t know what’s been happening online, do you?” 

That explained a lot. Otherwise, Ronan wouldn’t have been so calm. 

Realizing this, Jimmy chuckled again—Ronan’s sincerity was truly rare in the entertainment world. Even if he wasn’t totally unique, he was definitely one of a kind. 

And that was exactly why Jimmy was willing to “lower himself” to personally invite Ronan onto the show. 

Since they’d met, Ronan had never tried to suck up or manipulate the relationship. He was refreshingly genuine and relaxed. Despite how short their acquaintance was, Jimmy genuinely saw him as a friend—an equal. Even without the show, he’d gladly stay connected with someone like Ronan. 

“…” Ronan paused. “You mean the radio shows that have been playing our songs? Or that YouTube video that made it into the trending list? I do know about that.” Alice had mentioned it during dinner, but he’d been too busy savoring a seafood paella to really listen. 

To be fair, the paella was excellent—with pineapple and coconut giving it a sweet aftertaste that paired surprisingly well with the fresh seafood. None of them expected a hole-in-the-wall shop to serve something that good. They really should go back sometime. 

“Ronan?” 

Jimmy’s voice pulled him back to reality. “Ah, sorry, I spaced out for a second. What did you say?” 

Jimmy couldn’t help but laugh. “I said, you really have no idea how big this has gotten. You don’t even know yet, do you? Your single just made it onto the Billboard Hot 100.” 

“What?” Ronan blurted out, completely confirming Jimmy’s suspicion. 

Neither he, nor Alice, nor even Cliff—who obsessively tracked their YouTube views—had considered the possibility that their song could crack the Billboard charts. So they never checked. And now, they were totally in the dark. 

Even now, hearing it from Jimmy directly, Ronan’s first instinct was disbelief. No way. That can’t be true. 

“You mean that Billboard? The one where if you get a #1 hit, you can eat fried chicken for life without a worry in the world?” 

Ronan could hear the disbelief in his own voice, his tone full of exaggerated shock. It was anything but cool or composed. He had always imagined that when a moment like this came, he’d react with nonchalance, maybe a suave “Oh, really?”—because that’s what cool people do. 

But no, Ronan had to admit it: he couldn’t stay calm. He didn’t even want to hide how thrilled he was. 

This was real. This was huge. 

And he deserved to be happy about it—after all, it could be his lifetime meal ticket. 

Chapter 239: A Total Fantasy 

There’s an old joke: “What’s the one condition that proves a singer has truly made it in North America?” The answer? A No. 1 single on the Billboard charts. 

Sure, it’s a bit of an exaggeration—just a joke—but there’s definitely some truth in it. 

First of all, Billboard is the most influential and authoritative music chart in North America, and arguably the world. Making it onto any Billboard chart is no small feat. From The Beatles and Michael Jackson to Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars, Billboard rankings are one of the key metrics for measuring an artist’s success. 

Billboard also has a ton of different charts, but the most prestigious ones are the Hot 100 for singles and the Billboard 200 for albums. The way these charts are calculated is different. The album chart is based purely on sales—whoever sells the most albums in a single week takes the top spot. 

In other words, if Steve Jobs decided to spend $100 million to buy 10 million copies of “One Day King’s” new album, then “One Day King” would shoot straight to the top of the Billboard 200. 

But that doesn’t work for the singles chart. Sales are just one factor. Billboard’s Hot 100 takes a lot more into account: radio airplay, digital downloads, streaming numbers, music video views, and—very importantly—user-generated content. 

So what exactly is “user-generated content” (UGC)? 

Basically, if a user uploads a video and it uses a certain piece of music for more than a set duration—typically over 30 seconds—they need a license, which means the rights holder earns revenue. That usage also counts toward the song’s Billboard ranking. 

The best example? Psy’s “Gangnam Style” in 2012. It sparked a massive wave of parodies and covers across all social media platforms. YouTube exploded with fan-made videos—covers, reaction videos, dance remakes—you name it. All of that counted toward Billboard’s data as UGC. 

That’s why it’s so hard to top the Hot 100. The chart’s methodology is complex, drawing data from every corner of the internet. No matter how passionate the fanbase is, you can’t fake that kind of widespread engagement. You need genuine mainstream appeal. 

Some artists do manage to hit No. 1 on iTunes or other download platforms thanks to their diehard fans, but that’s not enough to get them anywhere near the top of the Hot 100. Even cracking the top 10 is a struggle without broader recognition. 

So, topping the album chart shows how many hardcore fans you’ve got. But topping the singles chart? That shows real mainstream success. 

And the rewards are long-lasting. A hit single on the Hot 100 means royalties and licensing income that can keep coming in for years—like a golden goose. 

Take Mariah Carey’s classic 1994 hit All I Want for Christmas Is You. It’s been called a “retirement single” for good reason. Every holiday season for nearly 30 years, the song charts again—sometimes breaking into the top 20, and even reaching No. 1 in December 2019, earning the record for the longest gap between a song’s release and its eventual climb to the top. 

Now, “One Day King” hasn’t hit No. 1 on Billboard—nowhere close. But the fact that, without any promotion—no music video, no radio airplay, completely under the radar—they still managed to break into the Hot 100? 

That’s just… a total fantasy. 

Which is why Ronan’s shock and disbelief were so understandable. 

Even Jimmy, when he got the news, was floored. He double-checked it three times just to make sure it wasn’t a mistake. 

Right now, Ronan wasn’t even trying to hide his joy. His chest swelled with happiness and excitement; he was completely caught up in the thrill of the moment. And he wasn’t holding anything back—this was the real him, raw and honest. 

Even over the phone, you could hear it in his voice—no filters, no pretenses, just pure joy. Jimmy couldn’t help but get swept up in the feeling too. Ronan’s excitement was contagious, and laughter bubbled up from deep within Jimmy’s chest. 

“If I’m not mistaken,” Jimmy said, “then we’re talking about the same Billboard chart.” He hadn’t even finished speaking before Ronan’s enthusiasm made him laugh out loud too. It was just too much fun. 

“And Ronan,” Jimmy added, “there’s a hashtag going around on social media: #ChasingTheLight. It’s already got over 100,000 posts. People are sharing how much they love the song, and what it means to them.” 

Ronan’s jaw dropped slightly in surprise—Maxim had only checked for keywords like Chasing the Light and One Day King. He must’ve missed that hashtag entirely. And because of that, they had completely overlooked a whole movement. 

In a way, this really showed how strange and unpredictable the internet could be. It could open your eyes to a wider world, but also trap you in your own blind spots. The world’s always changing. Some people keep up with the times, others fall behind—it’s always been that way. 

“This song clearly struck a chord with everyday people,” Jimmy said. “So I pitched an idea to the producers—we want to invite you on the show. Talk about the story behind the song, and share a bit about your journey as a band.” 

Capitalizing on viral trends—that’s the name of the game in today’s entertainment world. Even though “One Day King” was still relatively unknown, The Oprah Show often featured everyday people with compelling stories. Jimmy had no objections. If it got people talking, that was good enough for him—and right now, this felt like the perfect opportunity. 

“But…” Jimmy continued, “I don’t know how you feel about it. I also called Atlantic Records. They seemed hesitant—maybe they have their own marketing plans for you guys, and maybe my show doesn’t fit into that. But I figured I’d ask anyway, to see if I could convince you to come on.” 

Oh, right—the company! 

Ronan had completely forgotten. Clearly, he still wasn’t used to having a label calling the shots in his life. 

Chapter 240: Embracing Possibilities 

Back when Shining Band climbed from total obscurity to third place on the Billboard Hot 100 with their hit “Ho, Hey,” it was considered a modern-day indie fairytale. Their success became a widely shared legend in the independent music scene—not only had they stayed true to themselves, but they had also won broad recognition. It was the ideal outcome. 

However, their single’s success didn’t translate into widespread exposure, let alone opportunities on major mainstream talk shows. There were a lot of reasons for that. 

For one, they didn’t have the necessary connections. The King for a Day band, on the other hand, benefited from Bruno’s private party, which—intentionally or not—gave them a critical opportunity. Jimmy Kimmel noticed them, and that was something Shining Band never had. 

On another note, their song “Chasing the Light” hit a cultural nerve. It sparked intense discussion across social media, resonating with countless people stuck in monotonous daily routines. The raw emotion in the lyrics reignited their passions. Shining Band hadn’t struck that same chord. 

Whatever the case, Jimmy saw something in Ronan and King for a Day. He was ready to seize the moment and turn it into a media event, hence the invitation to the show. 

And so, this seemingly impossible “fairytale” began to unfold. 

Still, King for a Day and Shining Band had a major difference—while the latter had no corporate oversight and thus missed their peak moment, the former had Atlantic Records backing them. That meant a steadier climb, but also the weight of corporate control. 

A classic case of “what helps you can also hold you back.” 

This was the first real obstacle Jimmy faced when inviting King for a Day onto the show: Atlantic Records. 

And clearly, Ronan had completely forgotten about that part. 

The Company! 

Jimmy’s careful phrasing now made sense—he probably assumed Alice was Atlantic’s assigned manager and chose not to say too much until Ronan followed up. 

Ronan realized that he’d overlooked something big: the company essentially controlled the band’s scheduling and publicity strategy. And thinking it through, he wasn’t surprised at Atlantic’s hesitation. 

It was obvious the label wanted to maintain the band’s professional image—let the music speak, build a solid foundation, and wait for that explosive tipping point. From that perspective, a talk show appearance could be more harmful than helpful. 

Talk shows are great platforms for exposure—but they also carry certain risks. 

First, they’re inherently commercial, which can dilute a band’s artistic credibility. 

Second, they require a completely different kind of charisma—wit, poise, personality. Many top musicians shine on stage but falter under the spotlight of candid, unscripted conversation. 

Even legendary bands like The Beatles, Queen, and Led Zeppelin avoided such appearances. And even commercial powerhouses like Coldplay and Maroon 5 rarely did talk shows, preferring to focus on tours and albums. 

So, it’s not that King for a Day couldn’t go on a talk show—it just required serious thought. 

Atlantic Records didn’t quite trust the band yet. They were afraid a talk show might backfire. 

Even with Jimmy Kimmel Live—a huge opportunity—the label remained cautious and hadn’t agreed immediately. 

Curious, Ronan asked, “Jimmy, you’ve met my bandmates. What makes you think we can pull off a good show?” 

Ollie was reliable enough to record, but not the funniest guy. Cliff got nervous easily and came across too serious. Maxim had the charm for TV, but still needed to polish his speaking skills. 

King for a Day had strengths and weaknesses—and a lot of uncertainty. Not exactly the dream guests. 

Jimmy laughed. “Ronan, are you questioning my professional judgment?” His confidence made Ronan chuckle. 

“I believe in you,” Jimmy continued. “I like your style, your presence. I think you’ll bring something fresh to the screen.” 

“Thank you.” Ronan was learning to accept praise—still a bit awkward, but getting there. 

“And your bandmates all have their own personalities. I want to see what kind of sparks we can create together. Trust me, I know how to produce a show. I know the risks. But that’s exactly what makes it exciting.” 

Jimmy was clearly trying to persuade Ronan. 

And somehow, the roles felt reversed—shouldn’t Ronan be the one begging Jimmy for this opportunity? The situation was slightly surreal. 

Ronan laughed again. “Jimmy, can I be honest with you?” 

“Of course! And just so you know, if there was a camera rolling right now, I’d still want you to be honest—that’s how you get the best moments.” 

Jimmy’s joke made Ronan laugh out loud. “Honestly? I’m not sure if I’ll do great, but I want to try. It sounds like a fun challenge.” 

Ronan meant it. A talk show was a completely different kind of stage—another way for audiences to see the band’s personality. He was ready to open himself to new experiences and challenges—to live a more colorful life. 

On the other end of the line, Jimmy clenched his fist without even realizing it. A wave of excitement burst through him, his smile spreading involuntarily. 

This was backward—Ronan should be the one feeling honored, but here Jimmy was, thrilled. 

As the high wore off, Jimmy grinned. A big part of that joy came from Ronan himself. Jimmy liked the way Ronan handled things—calm but persistent, gentle but tough. And another part? The challenge. 

Interviewing King for a Day came with risks. It could bomb—or it could be amazing. That uncertainty shook Jimmy out of his routine, reigniting his passion. 

Jimmy Kimmel Live had been running since 2003. After ten years, the show had settled into a rhythm. But Jimmy, a comedian at heart, knew that too much routine could be dangerous. It dulls your sense of humor, saps creativity, and drains energy. 

He didn’t want that. 

And that’s why King for a Day—with all their unpredictability—was exactly what he needed. 

(End of Chapter)