Church Band Tension
Feeling the sudden chill creeping into the air, Myeongjeon slung her guitar over her shoulder and trudged down the street.
Five minutes' walk from the subway. A church in a solid location, clearly well-maintained. Yoo Seoha stood at the entrance.
"You're here?"
"Yeah. Let's go in."
The church interior matched expectations from the outside. An interior that must've cost a pretty penny. Across from the neatly arranged tables, radiant stained glass glowed.
"Where do you usually perform?"
"Not here—there's a separate hall over there."
The main building was already huge, and they had a dedicated hall? Definitely a big church, Myeongjeon thought as she kept walking. A few people cleaning up greeted Seoha first, and she returned the hellos.
"How long have you been playing together?"
"Uh... dunno. Feels like about seven or eight years."
"That's long enough—you guys must be pretty tight."
Myeongjeon muttered it under her breath. But Seoha's reply carried a negative edge.
"Just putting in time doesn't make you any better."
"True, but still..."
Chatting as they went, they arrived at the basement practice room. Music leaked faintly through the heavy soundproof door.
"Like I said earlier, we'll just jam today to feel each other out. Then grab coffee and talk."
With that, Seoha opened the door. The blasting sound from the crack cut off abruptly.
Inside: top-notch soundproofing and speakers that screamed investment. Next to the empty drum kit sat one guy on keys, one on bass, and one girl on guitar.
"Hey."
"Hi...?"
Myeongjeon greeted first. But the responses had a clear "Who the hell are you?" vibe. She shot Seoha a look.
"Brought a sub."
"A sub?"
Seoha said it casually. The guitar girl raised her voice pointedly at the end, staring at Seoha, who didn't budge.
"What? Problem?"
"No, not a problem... sigh. Seoha."
"I said I was bringing a sub."
"That's not the point... whatever. You're the sub, right?"
The guitarist bit her lip replying to Seoha, while the other two fidgeted in the shifting mood. She started to say more, sighed deeply, then brightened her face and turned to Myeongjeon.
"Yeah, Seoha asked me to sub... did I get the wrong idea?"
"No, no! Sit down for a sec? We were just practicing."
"That's how it is."
Leaving Seoha—who'd looked pissed since they arrived—Myeongjeon listened to the guitarist (Choi Yujin, college junior) explain.
In short: CCM gig in three weeks, main guitarist busted his hand. Debating sub or going short-handed when you showed up. Seoha never mentioned a sub, so surprise.
"So no plans for a sub...?"
"No! I mean, we were thinking about it, but... Seoha just sprung you on us outta nowhere. She's got that impulsive side."
Yujin patted Seoha's shoulder. No reaction.
In the awkward air, Myeongjeon tossed a question to lighten things.
"Seoha does have that side. Same in our band... anyway, three weeks to the gig—how often do you practice?"
"Weekdays once, weekends once... usually one two-hour session a week, but lately two four-hour jams. It's tight."
"Two two-hour sessions a week..."
Way too few, Myeongjeon thought. CCM didn't mean easy songs or dance routines. Hard tracks were hard, easy ones easy. Two hours twice a week was bare minimum—like a casual office worker band.
"Then we should jump straight into jamming today."
Yujin looked stunned and turned to Seoha.
"Today... right now? Uh... Seoha, you tell her the setlist?"
"Nope."
Seoha's curt reply left Yujin struggling not to show her frustration. Ignoring it, Seoha spoke up.
"But it's fine. Suyeon can nail it quick."
"That's not the point."
Yujin tried soothing her.
"We'll sync up fast. No need for weeks like some people—just a few hours..."
"Yoo Seoha."
Yujin muttered her name, staring her down. Seoha stared back.
Sudden chill in the room. Bass and keys guys squirming. Myeongjeon sighed inwardly.
What the hell is this? Seoha's fine usually—why act up here? And why invite me into this? Total mess.
"Sorry, but let's start with the setlist."
"Ah... yeah, sorry. Everyone's here and I'm..."
Yujin snapped out of it, apologizing. Seoha showed no such intent.
What's her deal—like blood feud?
"We've got a few tunes, but most urgent is Marcus Worship's 'David's Song'. You know it?"
"Yeah, I do."
Yujin blinked, surprised. "Wait... you did CCM before?"
Myeongjeon just said, "No."
"Good you know it, but we gotta sync. Bands are like that—breathing together takes work. Let's run it and tweak from there."
Yujin gestured to the band. They took positions. Watching Seoha head to drums, Myeongjeon grabbed a corner spot.
Right after the run-through.
"This make any sense?"
Yujin muttered in shock. The others echoed the disbelief: "Insane."
"Did you secretly rehearse with them behind my back?"
"Not at all."
"How'd you sync that perfect? Hidden camera? First time jamming blind and it fits like a glove?"
How?! Yujin's last bit was practically a wail. Bass and keys nodded furiously.
"Totally possible," Myeongjeon replied, tilting her head thoughtfully.
This could be trouble...
After the chaotic practice wrapped.
"I'll text you the next slot via Seoha. Cool?"
With Yujin's send-off, Myeongjeon dragged Seoha straight to a cafe. Time to figure out what the hell.
"Just subbing, right?"
"I did sub."
"That look like 'just subbing' to you?"
Myeongjeon stared into Seoha's eyes. Unlike before, Seoha flicked hers away after a few seconds. Myeongjeon sighed and pressed.
"What gives? Explain."
"Can't we just leave it?"
"Think, dude. Practice in that vibe? Miracle if it works."
Seoha clammed up like she hated explaining. Myeongjeon shot back, "Really?"
"Just practice and gig—no issue. But you drag me in, then act like mortal enemies with your own band. Practicing like that's a miracle already."
Seoha deflated a bit. Arms crossed, Myeongjeon watched her flickering eyes steady.
Seoha finally spoke, resolute. "It's long... okay?"
Seoha had never been into music. Unlike kids these days force-fed piano lessons at the slightest talent, her childhood had zero music.
Until fifth grade, when she heard the CCM band needed a drummer.
"Parents made me. Learn drums."
"They made you?"
"Yeah. That's how it started. Kept at it after."
Seoha's dad was a pastor, mom a pastor's wife. They planted a tiny church in Jongno that grew into a mega-church with thousands and multiple pastors.
Could've basked in it, but they handed it off and headed provincial. "To reach where faith hasn't."
Model lives. Except leaving their daughter in Seoul.
"See 'em once or twice a year. Live with grandma; that church is Dad's old plant, so they help me out."
Myeongjeon doubted her ears. Not missionaries to Africa—21st-century Korea has this? World full of weirdos, sure.
"But what's that got to do with beefing with the band?"
"Coming to that. Listen."
Seoha's CCM band was hobby-level. Solid basics, but stuck in place for years. No grind, no struggle—just "Sing faith fun."
She tolerated at first, but years in, boredom hit. Friends or not, too pathetic.
That frustration: ditched cradle faith, switched to metal, scoured Hongdae for bands, made music friends, joined Myeongjeon's band.
"But gig in three weeks—parents coming."
Long-absent folks: wanted to shine, so she ripped into the band. Half-estranged ties turned hostile, feelings hurt.
Main guitarist hurt hand; pondering options, Seoha thought: Suyeon shreds guitar... whipped our band tight—why not here?
"...That's it."
Long tale done. Myeongjeon peeled her hand from her face and eyed Seoha.
"I'm not some free consultant. Why should I fix your band gratis?"
"Fair... but c'mon. From last year to now, we blew up skill-wise. At that pace, two-three songs in three weeks? Doable."
Hopeful tone. Myeongjeon chewed cheesecake, pondering. Three weeks...
"Double or triple practice—possible?"
"That's their normal level."
Seoha nodded, forking cake. Myeongjeon recalculated. Normal skill, three weeks. One hour solo daily, ten hours group weekly...
"Obviously..."
"Obviously?"
"Nah. No way."
Seoha's fork clattered down. Cheesecake splatted softly; fork bounced.