Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Episode 14. Delinquent Girl and a One-Night Stand (3)
Under the gaze of everyone filled with awe, Park Siwoo went up to the CEO’s office.
Knock knock knock.
“CEO, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
As soon as permission was granted, Park Siwoo went straight inside.
The room was the same as before.
In a bad way, it was plain, and in a good way, it was simple.
Cha Ye-seung was seated in the center of the room, on a large one-person sofa often seen in dramas where chaebol chairmen sit.
“You’re here? Sit here.”
She pointed to a chair next to her.
Park Siwoo went over and sat down.
At the same time, Cha Ye-seung spoke.
“How did you do it?”
“Pardon?”
“Contracting with Kim Yuna. The terms weren’t even the best in the industry.”
“She really wanted to join Starlight. I used that.”
“Kim Yuna wanted to join Starlight?”
“Yes.”
Given the company’s issues with corruption, celebrities would normally avoid Starlight Entertainment.
Was there really enough merit for someone like Kim Yuna to come here?
“Ah.”
Cha Ye-seung let out a small exclamation.
The very merit that would make Starlight attractive.
It was right in front of her.
“So it’s because of you?”
At her words, Park Siwoo shrugged.
Cha Ye-seung laughed in disbelief and said,
“I truly can’t believe your influence. Just mentioning the name Guitar Hero drops top-tier promotions into your lap, and celebrities are lining up to join.”
“If you know that, you should reward me properly with a performance bonus. This is a losing deal for me.”
“Of course. I’ll take care of it.”
Cha Ye-seung pressed a button on her desk.
Her secretary rushed in.
In his hands was a thick envelope of money, which Cha Ye-seung handed to Park Siwoo.
“Paying in cash is something very special, you know?”
After saying that, she gestured for him to check it.
Park Siwoo carefully opened the envelope.
Then he flinched in surprise.
“All 50,000 won bills…?”
And this thick?
How much was the bonus then?
As Park Siwoo widened his eyes in surprise, Cha Ye-seung said,
“It’s 50 million won. 10 million in cash, the rest in checks.”
“Nothing illegal…?”
“Do I look crazy?! It’s money that’s taxed, so don’t worry and take it.”
What kind of person did she take him for?
Leaving behind Cha Ye-seung muttering that, Park Siwoo casually stuffed the envelope into his pocket.
By the time he had put the money away, Cha Ye-seung added,
“If you succeed with Neon Heart, I’ll give you double this, so work hard. I’m expecting a lot from you.”
“Understood.”
“Then you may go.”
“Yes.”
Park Siwoo bowed slightly and left the office.
“Phew.”
Cha Ye-seung let out a small sigh.
Normally, she would have given about 10 million won as a performance bonus, but she had increased it fivefold for him.
Of course, considering his value, it was still a small amount.
This was merely a bonus given to him as a sales employee.
“In the future, we’ll need much more.”
After all, he was undeniably the best composer.
“This might be enough for now…”
But if he grew further, even offering hundreds of millions might not be enough to hold onto him.
“Even if it’s 1 billion.”
She would have to keep him.
Deep wrinkles formed on Cha Ye-seung’s forehead.
“One, two, three!”
The song began.
And it ended perfectly.
“Good work.”
After Park Siwoo said that, Ha Seungjin, the leader of Neon Heart, replied with a hearty laugh.
“We just performed what was made for us. You’re the one who worked hard, producer.”
“Not at all.”
Park Siwoo smiled awkwardly.
After adjusting and getting used to the process, the time required for composing and writing had shortened considerably.
“If I fine-tune the details, it takes about three hours…”
Thanks to that, now, a week after recording the first song, Park Siwoo had succeeded in completing all the songs for the album.
Now all that remained was for Neon Heart to learn and record them, and the album release would be ready.
“Producer, thank you for your hard work.”
Seo Ayeon, who had come out after recording the second song, wiped the sweat from her forehead.
“You worked hard as well, Ayeon.”
Park Siwoo said that and took out a handkerchief, handing it to her.
Seo Ayeon, who took it without realizing, looked at Park Siwoo with a slightly surprised expression.
“Is it okay to use this?”
What reason would there be for it not to be?
“Yes, of course.”
She nodded, and Seo Ayeon gently dabbed her forehead to wipe the sweat.
After wiping herself, she slipped the handkerchief into her pocket.
Park Siwoo, who had expected her to return it, looked at her slightly stunned.
“I’ll wash it and return it.”
“Ah.”
Indeed, it would be awkward to just return a handkerchief used to wipe sweat.
While Park Siwoo nodded, Lee Sua, who was standing nearby, shouted loudly,
“Producer, you’re coming to the after-party today, right?”
“After-party?”
“Yes! We’ve finished working on the songs, so we should have a drink! Ayeon is coming too.”
“Ayeon too?”
“Yes!”
Well, since she’s a member of Neon Heart, that makes sense.
“I’d like to go as well, but…”
Park Siwoo said with an awkward smile,
“I already have plans today, so I can’t make it.”
“Oh, really?”
Lee Sua sighed in disappointment.
But soon she returned to her usual bright expression and said,
“You’re busy, Producer, so it can’t be helped! We’ll drink among ourselves.”
“Let’s drink together next time.”
“Okay!”
Lee Sua nodded and turned around.
As if passing the baton, Seo Ayeon took her place.
“You’re not coming, Producer?”
“No. I have to work on a song with Kim Yuna today.”
“Ah…”
She looked even more disappointed than Lee Sua.
Was she that eager to drink?
“Let’s drink together next time.”
“…Okay.”
With a dejected expression, Seo Ayeon turned and returned to where Neon Heart was.
“We’ll be going now.”
“Please go safely.”
Neon Heart then left the recording studio.
Watching them leave for a moment, Park Siwoo let out a warm breath.
At that moment, the engineer beside him said,
“The producer seems a bit oblivious.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind.”
Cha Seungjun awkwardly turned his head away.
“Am I oblivious?”
It didn’t really seem that way.
After briefly thinking about it, Park Siwoo dismissed the thought.
It was about time to meet Kim Yuna.
“Cha Seungjun, please come along as well.”
“Ah, yes.”
Park Siwoo took him and headed to the next room.
Kim Yuna was warming up her voice there.
Click.
As the door opened, a soaring high note struck their eardrums.
Kim Yuna’s signature triple high note.
“Impressive.”
Even while hitting such high notes, she maintained her clear and pristine tone.
Not a single grimace, no veins bulging in her neck, smoothly elevating her voice.
“The title northern duke’s daughter isn’t for nothing.”
Her singing figure looked like a princess living in an ice palace.
Park Siwoo watched her through the glass for a moment.
Time passed.
After finishing all her signature songs, she let out a tired breath.
“How was it?”
Then came a cute nasal voice.
Contrasting with her cold appearance, the cute tone made Park Siwoo chuckle.
“Pfft…”
Only then did Kim Yuna realize he had already arrived.
Her face turned bright red as she rushed out of the recording room.
“When did you get here?”
“Just now.”
“Liar…”
Her face had now completely turned as red as a tomato.
“She’s cute like this.”
Park Siwoo smiled inwardly and said,
“The song’s ready. Would you like to hear it?”
“Yes…”
She replied in a drained voice.
Well, hearing the song should cheer her up again.
Shrugging, Park Siwoo sat down in a chair.
Meanwhile, Cha Seungjun stood in front of Kim Yuna.
“I’m Cha Seungjun. Kim Yuna, I’m a huge fan. Could I get an autograph here…”
“Yes…”
She was known for not giving autographs even to fans.
Seeing her comply with Cha Seungjun, it seemed she had softened her personality.
Park Siwoo nodded in satisfaction and launched the app.
Two days earlier.
After finishing all Neon Heart’s songs, Park Siwoo used his remaining time to create Kim Yuna’s song.
“If I promised to promote her, I should fully promote her.”
Of course, her song would be released much later, even if it was created earlier.
It couldn’t overlap with Neon Heart’s schedule.
Anyway, after creating her song, Park Siwoo contacted Kim Yuna.
He asked if she wanted to listen to the song.
And then.
She said she would like to listen in person.
Park Siwoo was quite surprised.
“I thought she wouldn’t even want to see my face.”
From an artist’s perspective, listening in person allowed immediate feedback and adjustments, which wasn’t a bad thing.
Thus, this meeting came to be.
“I’ll play the song.”
Tap tap tap tap!
A drum opening played, followed by a calm melody.
Since her comeback was likely to be around autumn, the song was composed with that mood in mind.
“Wow…”
Cha Seungjun’s mouth fell open.
That good.
It was filled with autumn emotion, with a bouncing bass line anchoring the track.
“This is definitely going to be an autumn essential.”
It was a perfect song comparable to “Looks Like It’s Autumn.”
“How is it?”
Park Siwoo asked with a gentle smile.
“It’s really… really good.”
“What about you, Yuna?”
“I… I like it too.”
A faint smile appeared on Kim Yuna’s face.
“She’s showing a lot of expressions.”
Laughing, crying, getting shy.
She didn’t seem as cold as she appeared.
Thinking that, Park Siwoo handed her a sheet of paper.
Startle.
Kim Yuna flinched as she took it.
Another contract?
But upon checking, it was a sheet with lyrics written on it.
“These are the lyrics. I’ll send you the melody separately via message.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Please practice in advance. I’ll also send this to your band.”
“T-thank you.”
“Then, good work.”
Park Siwoo stood up.
As he turned to leave the recording room—
“T- Guitar Hero-nim!”
Kim Yuna’s voice stopped his steps.
Turning around, he saw Kim Yuna holding the paper tightly, staring at him.
For some reason, her eyes seemed filled with tears.
“Kim Yuna…?”
Why is she crying again?
Just as that thought crossed his mind, she bowed deeply.
A full 90-degree formal bow.
“I’ll work really hard. Thank you very much!”