Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Is the Author Omnipotent?
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Reverse run.
It refers to a song that had already fallen out of the rankings climbing back up into the top ranks.
There are various reasons for such phenomena.
For dance tracks, it would happen when a dance trend caught on or a fan-cam video went viral.
For ballads, a reverse run would occasionally occur if the song itself was good.
But now, it was happening to Sia.
"Finally......"
Choi Woo-jong couldn't believe his eyes.
Sia's title track, Breakup, which had clearly been outside the top 100 and couldn't even be checked on the charts.
"It's in the top 10!"
The song had finally entered the top 10.
"Uploading the arranged version was the right call!"
It wasn't the original version that made the charts—it was the arranged version.
The decision to go with that had been prompted by a video uploaded to YouTube not long ago.
In that video, Sia was singing Breakup.
But it wasn't the original version.
She wasn't even playing the guitar herself.
A man was playing the guitar with his back to the camera.
It wasn't the polished feel of the original ballad.
The plain, straightforward performance of the song left a strong impression.
Even without any fancy techniques, it fully conveyed what the song held within.
Above all, it matched Sia's voice perfectly.
'It was a real shock.'
It was an arrangement superior to the original.
What stood out was how well it preserved the singer's feel.
'The real shock was that the guitarist turned out to be the author.'
The man playing guitar in the video.
It was none other than author Jeong Tae-sung.
He had been truly stunned when he saw that.
'What can't that author do?'
They hadn't known each other long, but the sides of Tae-sung he'd shown were incredibly diverse.
And now, another new talent had been added.
But that wasn't the important part.
The arranged version of Breakup had exploded on YouTube.
It racked up millions of views in an instant, drawing a flood of reactions from people.
The original Breakup had entered the top 50 for the first time, reflecting the public's response.
But that didn't last.
Public reactions started plummeting sharply.
The reason lay in the original track.
[This isn't the version from YouTube.]
[It's not that great?]
[Is this really the same person who sang on YouTube?]
[Doesn't feel like the same song.]
[It's totally lame.]
Reactions to the original were close to disastrous.
People who had come from the arranged version unleashed criticism on the original.
It was impossible to conclude which of the two was the better song.
But when it came to what suited Sia best for singing, it was clear.
That was the arranged version.
'It took quite a bit of effort.'
Choi Woo-jong had acted immediately.
He met with the original composer and negotiated.
He had expected it to be tough, given the composer's strong pride.
But surprisingly, the composer agreed readily.
'In exchange, I have a request. I want to meet the person who arranged my song like that.'
He too had realized his song had been reborn.
At first, he hadn't wanted to admit it, but after hearing the arranged version, he knew.
He understood what made a song suit a singer.
Once he had the composer's permission, Choi Woo-jong contacted Tae-sung right away.
Even if it was an arrangement based on the original, they couldn't proceed with distribution without the arranger's consent.
Tae-sung's permission was essential for the service.
"Of course, feel free to use it."
Tae-sung agreed readily.
"Then, as for the contract terms......"
Choi Woo-jong presented the contract terms in a trembling voice.
They were slightly above industry standard.
In his view, this song was bound for success.
Above all, it could restore the confidence of their demoralized agency singer.
He had no intention whatsoever of treating the person who provided such a song poorly.
Especially since Tae-sung was practically a benefactor to the company?
He had no desire at all to skimp on that 1-2% royalty rate.
"I'll sign with the terms your company offers. But I'd like to add one condition to the contract."
"Ah, yes. Could I ask what it might be?"
Tae-sung smiled and stated his condition.
"If I produce an OST later, I'd like Sia to sing it."
"An OST?"
"Yes. Lately, there have been a lot of inquiries about whether Otherworld Chef has an OST. So I'm planning to make one."
"You're doing it yourself?"
"Yes, I already have a few songs composed."
"Wow...... The author really can do anything."
Choi Woo-jong shook his head, lost in recollection.
"That author really is an amazing person."
Bzzz-!
His admiration for Tae-sung cut off as his smartphone rang.
"Ah! PD Shin! Long time no see! Yes! Thanks to you, I've been doing great. Sia? Yes! Of course that's possible! Yes! Yes!"
The singer Sia, who had been forgotten.
A broad smile spread across Choi Woo-jong's face at the call seeking her.
* * *
[Doesn't Otherworld Chef have an OST?]
As Otherworld Chef's popularity surged recently, all sorts of comments poured in.
Among the ones that kept appearing persistently was inquiries about an OST.
'In Korea, OSTs have become such a culture that people expect them.'
OSTs were hugely popular in Korea.
Especially the main OST tracks from hit dramas—they'd climb to the top of music charts and were highly profitable.
'I do have songs, but......'
In fact, Tae-sung had already finished composing the OST.
They weren't songs made with an OST in mind from the start.
He had simply heard someone's voice and been struck by sudden inspiration, turning it into a song.
That someone was none other than Sia.
'She really has a great voice.'
He had thought her voice was decent when he heard it on the album.
But when he heard her real voice in person, inspiration hit him like a bolt of lightning.
The next day, he turned it into a song.
'Not bad for a composition after a long time.'
Tae-sung was someone who had made a name as a composer in the past.
He had created songs that rocked the entire continent and moved the whole world.
He had sung them himself too, but this one wasn't for him.
Songs have their rightful owners.
Since he composed this one after hearing Sia's voice, it was certain to yield the best result with her singing it.
"Best to schedule it as soon as possible, even if it's just a day sooner."
Sia's stock had skyrocketed recently.
With her reverse run legend, places seeking her were multiplying.
Walking down the street, her voice was the most common one heard—her popularity went without saying.
To work with her, he needed to reach out early.
Even if he'd given prior notice.
Tae-sung dialed Choi Woo-jong's number and called.
After a few rings, Choi Woo-jong's voice came through.
-Hello! Author!
"Yes, Representative Choi, I hope you've been well?"
-Thanks to you, I've been doing really, really well! I owe you so much for the arranged version deal.
"No need. It's all because Sia sang it so well. Anyway, I'm calling today with a request regarding Sia."
-Yes! Please go ahead.
"It's about the OST I mentioned last time."
-Ah! Yes! I passed it on to Sia, and she said she's welcome anytime.
"That's a relief."
Choi Woo-jong agreed without the slightest hesitation.
In his mind, anything involving Tae-sung was destined to go extremely well—a firm belief.
* * *
Meeting day.
Tae-sung visited CY Entertainment, where Choi Woo-jong was CEO.
"Come on in, author! I should have come to you myself. I'm sorry!"
"No, it's fine. Your office is quite stylish."
"Haha! Thank you."
"Ah...... Hello."
At that moment, Sia peeked out from behind Choi Woo-jong and greeted him.
Her petite frame was completely hidden behind his bulk.
"Long time no see. Have you been well?"
"Yes...... Composer, no, author, have you been well?"
"Yes, thanks to you, I have."
"Instead of chatting here, let's head inside."
CEO Choi Woo-jong led the way.
They entered a pre-cleared office and took seats.
Tae-sung was the first to bring up the topic.
"As I mentioned on the phone, I'm planning to insert an OST into Otherworld Chef. I've already finished composing it. I'd like Sia to sing the main title track."
Tae-sung held out his smartphone.
"This is the title track. I haven't added lyrics yet."
"Oh...... You already have a demo version? But who's the composer?"
"I composed it myself."
"You...... did, author?"
"Yes, so it might have some rough edges. Please keep that in mind while listening."
Choi Woo-jong's eyes widened.
He knew Tae-sung had many talents.
But composing too?
'Well...... He did such a great job arranging Breakup.'
A little thought made it not seem so strange.
Tae-sung already had precedent with the brilliant arrangement of Breakup.
Arrangement work differed somewhat from composing, but it wasn't something you could do without any knowledge.
Choi Woo-jong used the app on the smartphone to play the song.
Soon, piano sounds filled the room from the phone.
The instruments used throughout the song weren't many.
Just piano and guitar.
He liked the gently flowing atmosphere.
But that wasn't all.
Amid the calm, a sense of loneliness seeped through.
Even without lyrics or vocals, it tugged at the heartstrings poignantly.
'Amazing......'
It had been a long time since he'd heard a song that stirred the soul like this.
What made this song truly remarkable was.
'If Sia's voice is added to this......'
Just listening made the perfect singer's voice come to mind.
This was a song for Sia.
Choi Woo-jong realized it.
And Sia felt the same.
"C-CEO! I, I want to sing this song! I must! Absolutely!"
The usually timid girl expressed her will clearly.
Choi Woo-jong was a bit surprised—it was a first for her.
But he nodded soon after.
She knew it too.
That this song was made for her.
It was only natural for a singer to covet such a song.
"Author! Give this song to us!"
"That's why I scheduled this meeting today."
"Ah......"
Right.
He had momentarily forgotten, immersed in the song.
That today's meeting was to discuss exactly that.
"Ahem, we'll match whatever conditions you want. As long as Sia can sing this song."
Choi Woo-jong appealed strongly.
"Shall we work out the terms then?"
"Yes!"
Serious negotiations began.
In truth, it wasn't much of a negotiation.
Choi Woo-jong was prepared to accept any terms to give this song to Sia.
Thanks to that, it didn't take long.
"Then, we'll draw up the contract like this and meet again soon."
"Yes."
"Um...... Teacher!"
Just as they were about to rise.
Sia called out to Tae-sung.
"Yes?"
"Could I...... maybe write the lyrics?"
At the mention of writing lyrics, Choi Woo-jong's eyes widened in surprise.
As he was about to say something.
Tae-sung spoke first.
"It's possible, but if it doesn't fit the song, we might not use it. Is that okay?"
"Yes!"
"Then, please write the lyrics within a week and send them to me. Here's my business card. It has my messenger ID, email, and contact info—reach out whichever way is easiest."
"Thank you!"
He smiled at Sia, who bowed deeply.
Writing lyrics.
It was easy yet difficult.
She surely knew that.
No singer who had tried making their own song and telling their own story wouldn't.
Yet she had spoken up first, meaning she had found inspiration.
Above all, it would be unthinkable not to even give a chance to someone who mustered the courage to ask.
"Then, I'll look forward to your lyrics."
"I'll do my absolute best!!"
And so, the singer for Otherworld Chef's OST was decided.