Clearing Debts and Forging Alliances
Suhyeon looked at Park Team Leader with a voice laced with suspicion.
"Does Park Team Leader really need to go this low to someone as young as me? Just to clear up any misunderstandings—I'm not planning to keep encroaching on your territory. Once I release Muran's debut track and BBG's comeback song, I have no producing plans for the foreseeable future. I'm focusing entirely on the movie."
Park Team Leader responded immediately, as if he'd already organized his thoughts.
"First off, I'm the root cause. Even if I didn't know it, that absurd incident involved someone connected to me, and it was my fault for not explaining properly just because the BBG members are young. Second, I have confidence in my own skills. I've lasted a full decade at YK, one of the top three agencies in the country. If I lacked talent or hadn't met the company's performance targets, I'd have been fired long ago."
He paused to catch his breath before continuing.
"But... from the company's perspective, I'm just replaceable manpower. There are at least thirty people in this industry with skills on my level. You're different, though. No one can replace you. I see a high chance you'll soon become YK's signature entertainer—and cash cow. For an ordinary salaryman like me, falling out with you would be practically suicidal. I'm not the president's son or anything..."
Park Team Leader, who had been spilling his words rapidly, suddenly hesitated. Then, as if he'd made up his mind, he spoke again.
"The third reason might sound pathetic coming from someone young and full of potential like you... but it's money. At my position in this industry, there are a lot of people I have to look out for. I can't ignore their livelihoods."
Suhyeon tilted his head curiously.
"A lot of people you have to look out for? Isn't the AR team just the three of you here today? Are there others I don't know about?"
"It's not just the AR team. You think that way because you handle everything yourself when producing. But making one song involves a ton of other people—like session musicians or unknown singers providing backup vocals."
"Ah..."
"Not everyone in music is living large. This industry is full of talented folks who can't make ends meet, not even enough for baby formula. Art is supposed to be a hungry pursuit, but once you're at my level, it's your duty as a senior to at least help them put food on the table."
"I see."
"No one else got to participate in the sound sources for Moon and My Story or the live recordings you've released. And you're planning to do the remaining two tracks solo too... If that's because of me—if our bad blood is the reason... I'd get on my knees and beg you to reconsider."
At that moment, Seong-ho, the man who had been listening quietly from the side, chimed in.
"Team Leader isn't taking kickbacks from hungry junior musicians just to get them on tracks. He does it to help them out even a little. To be honest... I was one of those who nearly quit music altogether. I couldn't make money, but I had a girlfriend who liked me, and no cash to bring home for living expenses... Team Leader called me in a few times for session work, which barely kept me afloat until I switched to arranging. That let me stick with music. A few years later, he brought me on full-time, and we've been working together ever since."
Park Team Leader bit his lip slightly, embarrassed to hear it recounted, then spoke up.
"I'm not as bad as you might think, Suhyeon. I come off cold and end up misunderstood sometimes, but I'm no trash heap deserving finger-pointing. If there's any misconception you have, I came here to clear it up today."
Suhyeon replied,
"So, if I let go of the misunderstanding, does that mean you want the AR team to join my current projects?"
"Embarrassing as it is... yes. Your music is refreshingly original—something I've never heard before. That means huge hit potential, as you can see from Moon and My Story. Let others join in on that process. This isn't just for me or the AR team. Please, show some leniency..."
"Hm..."
Suhyeon drummed his fingers on the table, lost in thought at Park Team Leader's candid plea. The conference room's atmosphere grew taut with tension.
If the AR team is bowing first like this, no need to make enemies. My schedule's only getting busier, and I might need their help someday...
Moments later, Suhyeon made up his mind. He scanned the rigidly tense AR team before speaking.
"Alright. Honestly, looking over the materials you showed earlier, I realized I had some misconceptions. I'd only thought you'd stolen copyrights from other members... but checking the actual files, they're not even at copyright level. Just rough sketches at best..."
The room's strained air instantly relaxed.
"Phew. What a relief. I was worried your misunderstanding wouldn't clear..."
"It was my oversight too, not checking properly under the excuse of a busy schedule... But from now on, even if it's just sketches, prioritize the original creator's rights over the company's profits."
"Of course. That's my style anyway. Back then, it was company orders... Sigh. No need to dwell; it'll just make me look pathetic. I'll be even more careful going forward."
"Good. Then let's bury all past issues here today, clear the air, and call it even. Man to man, let's shake it off."
"Thank you, Suhyeon."
Suhyeon pulled a USB from his pocket and handed it to Park Team Leader.
"What's this?"
"Master tracks for Muran's Laputa and BBG's Dispatch. Plus one more—a track I made recently called I Do Not Wish for Salvation."
Park Team Leader's voice trembled slightly as he asked,
"Really...? Why give this to me?"
"You handle the final producing. Look after those struggling juniors financially too. But! I won't yield on the key copyright parts that belong to me. List producing as a joint effort between me and the AR team. I'm not doing this at a huge personal loss."
Park Team Leader's face lit up with excitement.
"Naturally! You sure about this?"
"Yes. The core lyrics and composition are mine anyway, and with joint producing, I can yield some neighboring rights to help those struggling musicians."
"Thank you. Truly... to you..."
Suhyeon raised a hand to cut him off.
"No need for more words. Thanks to you, I can offload the burden and focus even more on the movie. Win-win, right? So let's discuss contract terms and future schedules now."
"Perfect. I'll never forget this favor."
Soon after, Suhyeon and the AR team dove into a lively meeting, exchanging ideas in a warm atmosphere.
From that day on, to focus on his film, Suhyeon headed to the Yangsu-ri set early each morning, filming all day, then drew jacket art for Muran's album at home each night. He occasionally checked in with the AR team on progress, pushing to wrap all horseback scenes before the weather turned cold. In just a week, he finished every scene with horses and returned to the office on the day of Muran's final recording.
Working with the AR team over two intense days of final recordings, Suhyeon also completed the album jacket he'd been sketching between film shoots. After two sleepless nights of frantic work, Muran's debut album was finally done. After consulting the rookie planning team, they set her debut stage for five days later.
That evening, as Muran's album wrapped, Suhyeon gathered the BBG members and announced they'd finalize their new track in a week—telling them to prepare thoroughly on their own. Then he hopped into his manager's van and headed home.
In the van, his manager spoke worriedly.
"Suhyeon."
"Yeah, hyung."
"Aren't you way too slammed? It looks unstable even from the sidelines."
"I'm fine. It's all going according to plan, so no worries. In five days, Muran debuts—no more need for my input. Then just wrap BBG's new track by next week. After that, nothing but the movie. Promo activities are mandatory anyway..."
"Still, the schedule looks brutally tight..."
"Hyung, I'm young. Gotta push hard while my stamina holds. For my future, nailing this lead role is priority one. Crank-in's soon, so I have to clear everything else beforehand. That way, I can focus purely on filming."
"Sigh. Got it. You'll handle it. You sleeping okay at night?"
"Of course. Don't worry."
"If anything comes up—even small—tell your hyung right away. Got it?"
"Yes, hyung."
"Tomorrow's announcement means chaos again soon, so crash hard tonight. I'll pick you up around 11."
"Sure. Drive safe."
After a rare restful night at home, Suhyeon woke leisurely around 10 the next morning, showered, and picked up his phone in the living room to check news while waiting for his manager.
Today's the day, so the article should be up by now...
Moments later, he found the news he'd been waiting for.
Actor Suhyeon Challenges Blockbuster with First Lead Role
BJ Ent. is pouring massive funds into a blockbuster film, and Suhyeon has been dramatically cast as the lead. The untitled project boasts a whopping 350 billion won budget—the highest for any film slated for next year.
This unprecedented choice of a rookie actor like Suhyeon for such a mega-production was a shocking move no one saw coming. According to a BJ Ent. rep, they spotted the immense potential and value in this newcomer...
After reading the full article, Suhyeon murmured with resolute determination.
"At last, my life as an actor truly begins anew."
Just then, his phone rang—his manager had arrived.