The Music Camp's Hidden Genius
Park Ji-ho, the PD in charge of 'Bae Jin-goo's Music Camp', was left speechless as he watched Kim Se-jun perform on stage.
“Who is that?”
Today’s protagonist was none other than Lee Jin-ah.
Kim Se-jun was merely a supporting act who could have been replaced by anyone with the same name as her.
He had been scouted as an unknown singer because he remade the same song as her.
Although Bae Jin-goo had requested it, he hadn’t expected much.
Seeing the album rankings had surprised him somewhat, but he was just a rookie unknown artist.
He figured that as long as he didn’t mess up and gave a decent angle, he’d be satisfied.
‘This picture is amazing.’
His tongue almost stuck out at how captivating and dazzling the stage was.
The perfect harmony between the gayageum performance and his singing left the audience spellbound.
If he added his own editing, it would make a perfect picture.
“Camera! Camera, make sure you capture it well!”
Park Ji-ho turned his head abruptly and shouted in a hurried voice.
Kim Se-jun, who had appeared on 'Bae Jin-goo's Music Camp', was quite surprised as he monitored the broadcast.
“PD-nim. Your editing skills are amazing.”
Even if he thought about it himself, it was a stage he could be proud of.
The audience's reactions were good too.
But he thought it would be hard for such a vivid scene to come across clearly on air.
After all, broadcasting is difficult in capturing the rawness of the on-site atmosphere.
It was a perfect edit that washed away those worries.
It started with a full shot to highlight him, then when the performance began, it switched to a full figure shot focusing on his singing and playing.
Then it quickly cut between Kim Se-jun's face with eyes closed, sweetly playing the gayageum, and the audience's expressions as if they were mesmerized.
“Not bad.”
Kim Se-jun's lips curled up in satisfaction.
Just one stage.
Yet it must have left a big impression on those watching the broadcast.
And as expected, the netizens watching the broadcast were in a stir.
His name even took a spot in the real-time search rankings.
Although it was late at night, the merit was that his stage had impressed so many people.
His phone vibrated as he felt a surge of pride and confidence, feeling proud of himself.
“Father?”
The message came from his father, Kim Chang-yong.
Kim Se-jun clicked the video sent by his father with a curious mind.
“What kind of video is this?”
The familiar space came into view first.
His home.
A spacious living room, and then his mother Park Jin-sook appeared on the screen.
She frowned, arms crossed, watching the TV with dissatisfaction.
“What are you filming?”
Park Jin-sook spoke bluntly to her husband filming the video, and Kim Chang-yong just smiled quietly.
Confirming his intention not to stop filming, Park Jin-sook sighed and turned her head to the TV.
“Haha...”
Kim Se-jun scratched his chin at Park Jin-sook's reaction.
On the TV reflected in the camera, 'Bae Jin-goo's Music Camp' was airing.
Perhaps he learned through his father that he was there.
And that his actions were displeasing.
Just as his heart felt a bit heavy, Kim Se-jun let out a sigh.
“Eh?”
Park Jin-sook's appearance began to change.
When Kim Se-jun appeared on the TV, she sat up straighter, eyes wide open.
His performance started, she loosened her arms crossed, leaned closer to the TV, and didn't take her eyes off it.
“Mom?”
At such a sight of Park Jin-sook, Kim Se-jun's eyes widened, and Kim Chang-yong's small chuckle was heard.
As the stage progressed, Park Jin-sook's face, which had been tightly furrowed, gradually softened.
Her displeased gaze filled with pride, and she looked at it with surprised eyes.
She leaned forward, staring at the TV as if sucked in, and her arms that were crossed started clapping.
A feeling of warmth at the corners of her eyes.
“You! Stop the video right now!”
After Kim Se-jun's stage ended, Park Jin-sook, with a red face, scolded Kim Chang-yong.
With that as the last, the video ended.
And a message from Kim Chang-yong.
“Son. The stage was good.”
More powerful than any words heard from others.
It felt like he had gained a thousand troops.
Lee Jin-ah went to a sparsely populated cafe on her rare day off.
Some people stared curiously at her figure covered by sunglasses and hat, but soon the interest faded when a woman approached her and screamed.
“Kyaa! Noona! It's been so long!”
A woman covering her face like Lee Jin-ah.
But Lee Jin-ah immediately realized she was her long-time friend and raised her voice.
“You little brat! How long has it been!”
After a while of fussing and greeting each other, they calmed down and sat, talking calmly.
“Really noona, aren't you too busy these days? It's hard to even drink a cup of coffee.”
“Am I the only one busy? You also got a new radio, right Yu-na? Congratulations.”
At Lee Jin-ah's words, the person called Yu-na removed her sunglasses and mask, smiling with eyes.
Her skin as white as snow, flawless, no blemishes.
With thick double eyelids, she looked even more exotic, a beauty.
One of the nation's little sisters, a female singer-songwriter with overwhelming popularity.
Kang Yu-na, 24 years old, a promising singer who composes and writes lyrics herself, her songs are hit songs, and an old friend who endured harsh trainee life with Lee Jin-ah.
“The feeling is really fresh. Noona. I never imagined I'd be having this kind of conversation with you.”
At her words, Lee Jin-ah looked at Kang Yu-na with a special gaze and nodded.
“Yeah. I never imagined I'd be scolded by the teacher and crying all night in the practice room with you.”
Lee Jin-ah's words about the distant old memories made Kang Yu-na's face pale.
“Thinking about that time... I'm really glad I had noona. If I didn't have you, I probably wouldn't have debuted as a singer.”
The fierce and harsh competition back then.
Even when her peers gave up their dreams one by one, they remained until the end, comforting each other.
Eventually, Lee Jin-ah passed the Ares Music audition and became a successful singer, while Kang Yu-na entered a small management but now is a big artist managing it.
“I would be the same without you.”
Lee Jin-ah stroked Kang Yu-na's head with a warm, sincere voice.
She also didn't know how big a force Kang Yu-na was back then.
They still cherish the deep friendship they made, and even on busy, hard days, they make time to vent.
“Noona's song released this time was really good. And...”
Kang Yu-na trailed off, eyes half-lidded.
Her lips slightly curled up with a playful expression.
“The man who sings that response song. What's his name? Kim Se-jun? What's the relationship? Tell me honestly!”
“What do you mean tell me honestly.”
“Euh! I can't fool my eyes.”
At Kang Yu-na's tease, Lee Jin-ah shook her head with a faint smile.
“You're so consistent. Every time we meet. Sorry, but we're not anything.”
At Lee Jin-ah's words, Kang Yu-na pouted and vented her frustration.
“Hmm. Really? I thought there might be something.”
“Se-jun is just a little brother. A genius little brother with a lot to learn.”
“Genius little brother?”
Kang Yu-na leaned forward with curiosity.
Although they've known each other for over ten years, she hadn't heard anyone call someone a genius.
Since Lee Jin-ah has a firm philosophy and values, she doesn't lightly praise people.
“Jealous, huh.”
Knowing she herself hadn't heard anyone call her a genius, Kang Yu-na felt a small jealousy and asked again.
“His songs are good too. But even calling him a genius?”
Lee Jin-ah shook her head and clicked her tongue.
“Don't say that. Just this time, it was all thanks to Se-jun. The response song concept was also suggested by Se-jun. I didn't know, but the PD said so. The bridge and chorus of this song received help from Se-jun. Whether composing or lyrics, it looks like Se-jun helped a lot.”
“Oh?”
At Lee Jin-ah's words, Kang Yu-na's eyes showed deep curiosity.
According to her thinking, the biggest advantage of this Lee Jin-ah's song is the heart-wrenching bridge and chorus.
And the lyrics that melt the feelings of a woman in love.
When she realized that the man named Kim Se-jun included all her thoughts as advantages, Kang Yu-na decided to acknowledge Kim Se-jun.
“He must have good music sense.”
“Right. But what's even more surprising?”
“What?”
“I went to Bae Jin-goo's Music Camp last time. Se-jun went with me too. Did you see it?”
“No. I had a schedule then.”
Lee Jin-ah playfully smiled and gave Kang Yu-na a light tap on the head.
“Noona didn't watch the broadcast either. Unfair of you? Anyway, watch it once. You won't regret it. Especially watch Se-jun's performance.”
“Eh? Not noona's performance?”
“I have to watch my own performance too! But watch Se-jun's well. His charisma and immersion are no joke. He instantly captivated the audience. I quickly realized. He's got stage presence. And he's really a genius. Just with accompaniment, he captivates the audience... Wow... Back then, I really got goosebumps all over my body.”
Looking at Lee Jin-ah rubbing her arms, Kang Yu-na's eyes widened.
“That much?”
“Yeah. I felt it when I watched. A friend with a lot to learn, even though she's a rookie.”
“Interesting...”
Thanks to Lee Jin-ah's endless praise, Kang Yu-na's curiosity was filled, and she left Kim Se-jun in her mind.
May is a particularly grueling and anticipated month for singers.
Because it's the time when university festivals are held all over the country.
The moment of enjoying youth on the field of young people and singing together with them.
Although the performance fees beyond imagination bring joy, the joy of being able to enjoy the stage with the audience up close is also a big reason why singers wait for May.
Kim Se-jun also finished his performance at a university festival in a province and returned to the car.
“Hyung-nim. Was the stage good? You look like your mood isn't great.”
Seeing Kim Se-jun entering with a dark expression, Lee Joo-sung waiting in the car expressed concern.
“Huh? No. Just a bit disappointed.”
At Lee Joo-sung's concern, Kim Se-jun shook his head as if it was nothing, and licking his lips while looking at the stage outside the window.
“The soaring 'Lotus'. The performance that rose to 20th place was a ranking sufficient to recruit him from various universities.”
However, the disappointing point was that his released song was only 'Lotus'.
“I want to release more songs soon.”
Still looking at Lee Jin-ah performing on stage and the audience cheering for her with envy-filled eyes.
On the way home after the festival, suddenly Lee Hae-jin's call made Kim Se-jun head to the Ares Music headquarters.
“President. I'm back.”
“Tough work. Se-jun-ah.”
Entering Lee Hae-jin's office, Lee Hae-jin buried in documents greeted him with a bright smile.
“Is there something to say?”
“Um...”
Lee Hae-jin crossed his legs and looked at him subtly.
“Se-jun-ah. Do you want to do a duet once?”