Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Episode 7. A Night with the Indie Band Girl (2)
The next day, Park Siwoo headed to work early in the morning.
Dark circles hung heavily under his eyes.
He had spent the entire night studying harmony.
“Te, Team Leader?”
Seeing how gaunt he had become in just a day, one of his team members widened their eyes.
“Are you okay? Shouldn’t you take a day off today?”
“A day off? I’m fine.”
Saying that, Park Siwoo went straight to his seat and sat down.
‘My contract with CEO Cha Yeseung is at lunch.’
With multiple schedules already lined up related to contracts, it was shaping up to be a busy morning.
After briefly scanning the materials that had come in, Park Siwoo spoke.
“Seowon.”
“Yes?”
“What happened with the idol contract this time?”
“Ah… just a moment.”
He began searching through the documents.
Since he dealt with so many people, it wasn’t easy to remember each one.
“Which idol are you referring to?”
“Intro from JYT.”
“Ah… they said they’d renew with JYT. We didn’t even get to meet them.”
“I see. Good work.”
As expected, securing contracts wasn’t easy.
Starlight Entertainment lacked the leverage to cover up its lobbying issues.
“Ha…”
There was only so much he could do running around.
He had already hit that limit long ago.
‘Is there no other way?’
If they failed to secure contracts, the team would fall apart.
Just as the lines around Park Siwoo’s eyes deepened—
—Ding!
[Mr. Guitar Hero, I spoke with my members. I think we’ll sign. Can we meet?]
“…!”
Park Siwoo shot up from his seat.
It seemed he had found a merit unique to Starlight Entertainment—one strong enough to overcome the lobbying issue.
[Are you free this evening? I’ll bring the contract.]
“The contract period is two years. During that time, you’ll produce music under Starlight Entertainment.”
“Yes.”
Park Siwoo nodded as if it were obvious.
Cha Yeseung opened her desk drawer, took out a stack of documents, and handed them over.
“Sign, and you can start immediately. You don’t have any topliners or beat makers you work with, right?”
“No. I do everything myself.”
“Hmm…”
She looked at him with a slightly surprised expression.
It wasn’t that uncommon for someone to write and compose alone.
‘Is there something I don’t know?’
As he thought that, Cha Yeseung spoke.
“We’re planning to launch a new idol group.”
“An idol group?”
“Yes. We have trainees in preparation. They’ll probably debut within two years.”
While skimming through the contract, Park Siwoo let out a small hum.
“You want me to make songs for the idol?”
“No. I expect more than that.”
“More than that…?”
“Lead producer.”
Park Siwoo’s eyes widened.
“Lead producer means…”
“Of course, there will be a general producer separately. Like you said, you want to keep your identity as Guitar Hero hidden.”
“Right.”
He nodded.
But…
“Of course, we’ll match your salary to that of a general producer.”
She cut off his thoughts with that.
It was like scratching exactly where it itched.
“Sounds good. Let’s do that. However, for the first year, I’d like to focus on something else before the idol group.”
“…What is it?”
“I want to develop an indie band.”
“An indie… band? We don’t have any bands in our company.”
Park Siwoo smiled confidently.
“I’m signing one tonight.”
“…Well, new talent development is your responsibility. But I’m not sure if it’s worth delaying the idol project. What’s the band’s name?”
“Neon Heart. Try searching them.”
At that, Cha Yeseung immediately began typing on her keyboard.
“<Following the Milky Way>.”
“You know it?”
“…You don’t?”
She played the track.
Soon, her previously doubtful expression began to soften.
“…It’s good? The vocalist is impressive. No, how were these kids hidden?”
She soon looked at Park Siwoo sharply.
“Sign them.”
“That means…”
She nodded.
“I’ll allow it. But you have five months to show results.”
“Would Top 100 on the chart be enough?”
“No. Watermelon Chart Top 10. Get them into the Top 10.”
Watermelon Chart Top 10?
Park Siwoo smiled meaningfully.
“Why? Is it difficult?”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“The Top 100 I mentioned was Billboard. Billboard Top 100.”
The most recognized music ranking in the world—Billboard.
In other words,
He was confident they would easily make Top 5 on the domestic Watermelon Chart.
“Hah!”
Cha Yeseung burst out laughing.
“Prove it. We’ll talk about incentives then.”
Park Siwoo felt the weight of his now thicker wallet.
He had just received the bonus promised for bringing in Guitar Hero.
‘I didn’t think she’d actually give it.’
He thought it was just a passing remark.
But to receive it so promptly…
‘That means she trusts me.’
“Ten million won…”
He clenched his fist.
‘This is just the beginning.’
After meeting his ex-wife the previous night, Park Siwoo had made a vow.
No matter what, he would succeed through music.
He would achieve the dream that had been completely trampled under the name of marriage.
Today, he had taken the first step toward that dream.
‘I won’t stop.’
First, the indie band.
With that resolve, Park Siwoo straightened his clothes and headed out.
The meeting place with Neon Heart was a Korean restaurant in Seoul.
Not too expensive, but not cheap either.
[Ms. Seol Ayeon, I’d appreciate it if you could keep the fact that I’m Guitar Hero a secret for now.]
[Ah, yes. I’ll do that. (smiling penguin emoji)]
Seeing the cute emoji that contrasted with her cold appearance, Park Siwoo smiled inwardly.
Then he put away his phone and entered the restaurant.
Guided by an employee into a private room, he found all the members of Neon Heart already waiting.
‘There are still 20 minutes left before the meeting time.’
Slightly surprised, he stepped in, and a large-built man stood up abruptly.
“Ah, hello. I’m Ha Seungjin, leader and drummer of Neon Heart.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Park Siwoo, new sales team leader at Starlight Entertainment.”
“Ah, yes. May I call you Team Leader Park?”
“Of course. Please, have a seat.”
As he gestured downward, all the members quickly sat down.
Only after they were seated did Park Siwoo sit and speak.
“Before we discuss the contract, could I hear introductions from each of you?”
“Ah, of course.”
Ha Seungjin nodded.
Though Park Siwoo had already memorized their names, seeing people in person was different from photos.
More importantly, hearing introductions directly left a stronger impression.
“From the left, bassist Lee Sua.”
“Hello.”
“Guitarist Jang Junho.”
“Hello.”
“Main vocalist and second guitarist, Seol Ayeon.”
“Hello.”
‘They look exactly like their photos.’
Their setup was typical of a band.
The only difference from modern bands was the absence of a keyboardist.
It was a slight drawback, but not a critical one.
‘They all seem skilled.’
After organizing his thoughts, Park Siwoo took out four copies of the contract and handed them out.
“Please read through it. Let me know if you have any questions.”
“Uh… I don’t think we have any.”
After reading, Ha Seungjin glanced around.
“What about you guys?”
“Nothing here.”
“Same.”
“Me too.”
“Ayeon?”
“No… thing.”
She answered briefly, awkwardly adding a polite ending.
“Any requests regarding payment?”
Ha Seungjin shook his head.
“As you know, opportunities like this don’t come often for indie bands. We want to seize this chance no matter what. But…”
He spoke in a slightly subdued voice.
“We don’t want to be pushed around. We don’t want to lose our color.”
“Hmm…”
Park Siwoo let out a thoughtful hum.
Their music was clearly jangle pop—focused on bright, jangly guitar tones.
With cynical, coming-of-age lyrics layered on top.
While their dreamy vibe aligned with his style, theirs was much deeper.
‘When a song leans too heavily into one genre, it tends to become niche.’
That was why they were still an indie band despite their skill.
To reach Top 10 on the Watermelon Chart, their color needed to be softened.
So Park Siwoo spoke quietly.
“That would be difficult.”
“In that case, we may need to reconsider the contract.”
He added,
“I’m not saying to erase your color. Just lighten it a bit.”
“That means…?”
“Our goal is to get Neon Heart into the Top 10 of the Watermelon Chart within five months.”
“Top 10?”
Ha Seungjin repeated, and beside him, Lee Sua muttered,
“That’s impossible.”
Of course it sounded impossible.
But with me, it’s possible.
Park Siwoo was confident.
His composing skills weren’t perfect yet, but still—
Top 10 was well within reach.
The numerous offers from celebrities proved it.
“What exactly do you mean by ‘lightening’ our color?”
“Exactly what I said. Neon Heart is currently trapped in one genre. Break out of it and try something more mainstream.”
“But we don’t know how to make that kind of music.”
“You don’t have to. Guitar Hero will personally produce your songs.”
Ha Seungjin’s eyes widened.
“Guitar Hero…?”
Lee Sua asked,
“The composer of <Following the Milky Way>?”
“Yes.”
Park Siwoo nodded.
Lee Sua let out a small scream.
“Oh my god! He’s going to make songs for us?! Oppa, we have to sign this—it’s a real opportunity!”
“That may be true, but…”
Ha Seungjin drank a sip of cold water and spoke carefully.
“Will Guitar Hero really compose for us?”
“Yes. If you want, I can include it in the contract.”
“…Damn.”
Neon Heart had been together since high school.
They were closer than family.
Ha Seungjin wanted to lead them to success.
He wanted to see smiles on the faces of those who trusted and followed him.
‘If it’s a song by Guitar Hero…’
That genius…
We can do it.
He picked up the pen.
Watching him, Park Siwoo smiled.
“I look forward to working with you.”
“Yes, likewise.”
“I’ll contact you later. I’ve already paid for the meal, so enjoy.”
“You’re not eating?”
“I have work. Excuse me.”
He didn’t actually have work.
He just wanted to give them space.
After seeing him off, Neon Heart remained behind.
Just then—
“Wa, wait!”
Seol Ayeon ran out and stopped him.
“What is it?”
“Thank you. Really.”
She had run out just to say that.
His ex-wife had never thanked him, not even for luxury gifts.
Smiling bitterly, Park Siwoo replied,
“No need. Your food will get cold—go eat.”
“Yes…! Thank you for the meal!”
“Enjoy.”
Leaving behind Seol Ayeon bowing deeply, Park Siwoo turned away.
The next day,
400 million won was deposited into his bank account.