Chapter 56
Chapter 56: Baek Seungchan’s OST Production
Translated by POWERPUFF
After finishing the filming of “Afterlife Restaurant” and wrapping up a simple after-party, Baek Seungchan headed to Dream Entertainment to visit Baek Seunghee’s studio.
Bzzz—
On the way up, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
"Cha Minhee: What’s the secret? Tell me! I’m really curious!"
It was a message from Cha Minhee.
Ever since he mentioned a “secret,” she had been asking nonstop, from right after filming until the wrap party.
“She’s talkative over text, at least.”
Unlike her shy personality in real life, she was quite expressive through messages.
“But I can’t tell her.”
He replied, “Do you not know why it’s called a secret? I’ll tell you later.”
The phone kept vibrating afterward, but he ignored it with a smile and continued to the studio.
“You’re here…”
Inside, Baek Seunghee greeted him weakly.
She had been busy going back and forth between university and the studio, working on the OST.
“Take it easy, you’ll ruin your health.”
“I was planning to rest soon. I’m almost done anyway.”
She smiled, satisfied with her work.
“But why are you here all of a sudden?”
“I’m going to try composing.”
“…What?”
She doubted her ears.
“Yeah, composing.”
During the final filming, a melody had suddenly come to him, perfectly matching the scene.
He wanted to turn it into a song.
“…Did I hear that right?”
“Why?”
“Have you ever learned composing?”
“No.”
“And you’re going to compose?”
“Yes.”
At his serious answer, she burst out laughing.
“Do you think composing is something you can just do instantly? Being good at singing doesn’t mean you can compose.”
She was right. Singing and composing were entirely different skills.
“Well, of course, I’m a genius exception.”
She smiled proudly.
She had already gained recognition as a genius singer-songwriter through the OST “Glass Doll.”
“I know. I’m just trying.”
He didn’t expect perfection.
Though he had experience mimicking musicians in his past life, modern music was different.
Still, he wanted to try.
“Can I use the keyboard?”
“Do you even know how to play piano?”
“I learned when I was young.”
“…That barely counts.”
He had only learned until elementary school.
“Can I start?”
“Wait.”
She set up the recording.
“Okay, go ahead.”
He stretched his fingers, closed his eyes, and recalled the melody.
“Does he actually have something?”
She watched curiously.
But then—
Beep… beep…
He pressed keys with just one finger.
“Are you testing all the keys?”
“Checking the range.”
He pressed all the keys, then nodded.
“Checking the range? What a show-off.”
She found it oddly endearing.
Then—
Tararara—
A beautiful melody filled the room.
“…What?”
Her eyes widened.
It wasn’t just good—it was incredible.
His piano playing surpassed hers easily.
The emotions in the melody—longing, love—
It was beyond beginner level.
“How is this possible…?”
She couldn’t understand it, but soon stopped questioning and simply listened.
The performance ended.
“Oppa! What was that?”
“What do you mean? I told you I’d compose.”
“….”
She realized this wasn’t something to analyze logically.
“Right… you’re just a genius like a novel protagonist.”
That explained everything.
“This is for the final scene, right?”
“Yes. What do you think?”
“It’s amazing.”
She meant it.
But—
“Hmm…”
He wasn’t satisfied.
“What’s wrong?”
“It feels incomplete.”
“Incomplete? This?”
She couldn’t believe it.
“Can I use your guitar?”
“Sure.”
“Can you play the piano recording?”
“Okay.”
As the piano played, he added guitar.
“Wow…”
The melody evolved beautifully.
“Genius really is different…”
She felt the gap in talent.
But instead of feeling discouraged, she was excited to learn.
Still—
“…Not quite.”
He wasn’t satisfied.
“Let’s try again.”
She agreed, curious.
This time—
Pluck, pluck—
The guitar sounded different.
“…That’s new.”
It resembled a traditional instrument.
“Like a gayageum…”
He was trying to recreate that sound.
But—
“…Still not right.”
He sighed.
“You’re trying to mimic a gayageum, right?”
“Something like that.”
“But you can’t replicate it with guitar.”
“I know.”
Each instrument had unique sounds.
“Then what?”
“I’ll learn it.”
“…What?”
“I’ll learn gayageum.”
“That’s not something you learn in a month!”
“Still, I’ll try.”
He was determined.
“…You’re really stubborn.”
“You’re one to talk.”
She smirked.
“Fine. I’ll introduce you to someone.”
“Who?”
“My friend.”
“A friend?”
“She majors in gayageum.”
“…Is she good?”
“She learned directly from her grandmother.”
“Who’s her grandmother?”
Baek Seunghee smiled proudly.
“A nationally recognized master of gayageum.”