40 - The Moon's Confident Voice
Suhyeon's sudden out-of-left-field question made Haiyu's eyes widen as she shot back.
"Mother Teresa... you mean Sister Teresa, right? The one who won the Nobel Peace Prize..."
"Yes, that's right. I figured you might not know about her since she passed away twenty years ago... but you do. She received the Nobel Peace Prize and the Schweitzer Prize. She devoted her life to serving the sick and the poor until her death. That's why she's also called the Mother of the Poor. Of course, there was some controversy after her passing... but personally, I think she's more than worthy of respect."
"Why bring her up all of a sudden?"
"There's a famous line from Sister Teresa that feels just like the lyrics in the narration you're using now—something she said for people who are hurt, in pain, and lost. I was wondering if you knew it."
"Like I said before, I didn't get much schooling... so no, I don't."
"No worries if you don't. She's not Korean, and she didn't say it in Korean anyway... Now, another issue with the narration as it stands is that it's overly Korean in flavor overall. Of course, it beautifully captures your sensitivity, Haiyu—the flow is smooth, and the poignant mood comes through perfectly—but it could use a touch of duality and contrast. Like how the moon is masculine."
"So?"
"What if the moon's response was in English? But nothing too complex that people couldn't grasp it, so maybe adapt a well-known line."
"Ah, that sounds good. Why don't you take the moon's part yourself, Suhyeon?"
"No, I'm not right for it. In my opinion, the moon needs a deep, resonant voice. And flawless English pronunciation, naturally. Mine isn't particularly deep, and my accent isn't perfect either. I'm no native speaker."
"Then who would be good? If you have someone in mind, I could reach out for a feature."
"No need for that. I've got just the guy right in my circle."
Suhyeon pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed a number, thinking to himself, 'Plus, there's some stuff I need to look into with this guy, so two birds with one stone...'
The line rang for a moment before the other side picked up.
[Suhyeon?]
"Yeah, it's me. Where are you right now?"
[Me? At the company.]
"Perfect timing. You busy with anything special?"
[Homework.]
"Huh? Homework? What homework out of nowhere?"
[The homework you gave me!]
"Ah, right, that. You're working on it... It's not urgent, so come to Studio 1. I've got a favor to ask."
[You were hounding me to hurry up... A favor? What kind?]
"You'll see when you get here. Hurry up."
Suhyeon hung up, and Haiyu bombarded him with questions, curiosity overflowing.
"Suhyeon, you're younger than me—how do you even know about Sister Teresa?"
"Books. I know about her from reading 100 Great Figures of the World."
"I see... Figures. So, who's the one coming now?"
"Ah, you'll recognize him right away."
"Is he doing the narration?"
"Haven't mentioned that part yet. He might seem quiet and gruff on the outside, but he's loyal and deep down decent. If I ask, he'll probably do it."
"Got it. And what was that homework you mentioned?"
"I was pushing him to finish it quick, that's all. You're full of questions, huh?"
"Oops, sorry. I talk too much, don't I?"
"Haha, no, it's fine."
Just then, the studio door opened, and a young man walked in.
After a brief explanation, Suhyeon spoke up.
"You get it, right? Kevin."
"Got it. But... why me specifically? For English, Marvin... Oh, Marvin's off in the jungle. Robin's around too, and Gyeongbin's a rapper—he's good at English and probably narration."
"Robin's voice is too thin. And Gyeongbin with his cheeky tone on narration? That'd ruin the track."
"...Fair point."
"Yeah. You know I analyzed every song from your band days one by one, right? You're perfect for this narration."
"Sigh. Fine. If our leader says do it, I do it. What's the content?"
"We'll tweak a famous line from Sister Teresa as the base."
"Huh? Mother Teresa?"
"Yep."
"One of her famous lines... 'Little pencil'?"
"Not that one."
"Then... 'yesterday'?"
"Yes, yesterday. Native speaker indeed. Good pronunciation."
Haiyu, listening from the side, chimed in.
"Little pencil... isn't that the pencil stub? And yesterday... Beatles? But that's not it..."
Kevin replied in authentic British English.
"Oh my gosh, that sounds amazing. I don't get the exact meaning, but..."
"The pronunciation is spot-on... But even as a Brit, you memorized that? You religious?"
"Catholic."
"...Right. Catholic. You're a Catholic?"
Kevin gave a slightly bitter smile.
"Yeah. My parents are devout, so I went to church from childhood. Don't anymore, though..."
Haiyu jumped in.
"Kevin, then what's 'yesterday'? I want to hear the famous line for the narration too."
"If it's a Mother Teresa quote starting with 'yesterday,' it's probably this."
Kevin spoke again, his voice thick and resonant, in perfect British English.
"...Your voice and pronunciation are incredible. Kevin, you're awesome. And I get what this means."
Suhyeon nodded vigorously.
"Perfect. Absolutely perfect. The vibe is killer. You're the one for this narration."
"Phew. So we use the original as-is? Just read it straight?"
"Nah, that'd make the moon's reply too simplistic. We'll split it into past, future, and present tenses, adding lines to each. Straight copy-paste would mismatch the narration a bit, so we'll tweak for better flow."
Soon, Haiyu and Kevin entered the recording booth, donned headsets, and calibrated the mics. Finally, the narration recording was ready.
Suhyeon flipped the mic switch by the console.
"We'll record past, future, present separately. Past part first. When I cue, Haiyu starts narration, then after she finishes, I'll cue Kevin—you begin then."
- Got it.
- Okay.
"Haiyu, cue."
[The grueling days we've endured so far are too...]
"Cut. Haiyu, this is narration, not singing. Take two."
[Yes. Ahem.]
"Cue."
[...etched in bronze with a chisel...]
"Cut. Haiyu, too rhythmic. You're not on a musical stage. Talk like normal conversation—like chatting with a friend at a café, or your uncle or dad... Take three. Ready... cue."
[...won't heal even as they flow.]
"Cut. Good. Much better. One more thing: this is about recalling past pains with heartache, right? Let that emotion seep into your voice. It's a bit too detached now. Add that trembling sorrow, and it'll be spot-on."
Buoyed by the praise, Haiyu replied brightly.
[Yes, got it.]
After a few tries, Haiyu's past part wrapped.
"Good. Kevin, ready... cue."
[Don't distress...]
"Cut. Kevin, louder voice, please."
[OK.]
"Again. Cue."
[Don't distress yourself. Yesterday...]
"Cut. Kevin, that's the perfect volume and tone. But no confidence in your voice."
[Confidence?]
"Yeah. Confidence. Right now, you're not human—you're the moon. An omnipotent god-like being. Your words must heal the suffering and lift the fallen."
[Sigh.]
"You're like Jesus Christ—performing the miracle of the loaves and fishes, raising the lame. At least a cult leader. People need to believe and follow. Speak with conviction, and they'll believe."
[...Easier said than done.]
"I know, I know. Sorry to push you. Okay, again. Cue."
To the cue, Kevin tensed his core and spoke thicker than before.
[Don't distress yourself. Yesterday is gone.]
"Cut. Kevin, that's just thicker tone—no confidence yet. Firmer. More declarative. Like your word is law and truth. Again. Cue."
After more attempts, Suhyeon paused, deep in thought.
'Telling an introverted, quiet guy to channel god-like confidence? No wonder it's tough. Sigh. This isn't working...'
He gathered his thoughts, switched on the mic.
"Five-minute break. Haiyu, drink water to keep your throat good, practice the next part softly. Kevin, come out of the booth. Let's talk."
A moment later, facing Kevin, Suhyeon began.
"Kevin, we're friends, right?"
"Obviously."
"Yeah. Not long ago, when I was with you, Gyeongbin, and Robin, Robin said something funny to me."
"What?"
"He said even if my dad doesn't get my personality, he does—knows my dirty side well. Curious, I asked how. He said, 'Friends naturally figure each other out quick.'"
"That's normal for friends. Not just Robin—I know your picky side too."
"Right. Friends know each other... So as your friend, I naturally know things about you—no investigation needed."
"...What are you getting at?"
"Watching you as a friend... one thing comes to mind."
After a pause, Suhyeon gazed at Kevin warmly, his voice soft and soothing like coaxing a child.
Domestic Violence.
In that instant, Kevin's face twisted in agony, and without realizing, a low, gloomy growl erupted from his throat like vomiting blood.
"Shit."