Frills, Concepts, and Album Deadlines
"First, let me explain the progress on recording the full-length album."
Lee Hyein, Go Kyung-min, Jeong Yu-young, and the other Label Echo Sound staff were gathered with the Group Sound members. It was the production meeting for the full-length album, with everyone involved in its creation in attendance. Go Kyung-min started off like that, clicking the laser pointer and gesturing to one side of the projector screen.
"We currently have a total of 10 songs in production. Three are in the middle of recording, and one is complete. Progress is around 20%, which is a bit slower than expected."
At Go Kyung-min's words, Hyein lightly stroked her cheek, her face showing confusion.
"I heard from Suyeon earlier that there would be 12 to 15 tracks... If we're only at 10 songs now, shouldn't the progress be much higher?"
"Well, it's a bit nuanced to explain, but... Normally, when making an album, we don't just produce exactly the number of songs needed for it. We create way more—double or triple—and then select and refine the best ones to finalize the tracklist."
That explanation reminded Myeongjeon of a certain anecdote. Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys had spent over 40 years unable to finalize the tracklist for their album Smile, eventually releasing it in an unfinished state.
"Because if you only make exactly 12 songs for a 12-track album, you're bound to end up with some that fall short on quality. So instead, we produce a lot upfront, cherry-pick the highest quality ones for the album, and that's why artists end up with so many unreleased tracks."
Hyein nodded as if she finally understood. Seeing that, Kyung-min shifted his gaze to Myeongjeon and the girls.
"Can you meet the deadline?"
"Hmm... To be honest, I'm not sure. Songs don't just come because you decide you need to make them, as you know."
Myeongjeon said that while glancing at the girls. They seemed shocked by Kyung-min's story, whispering among themselves things like, "Wait, does that mean I have to write more songs?" Myeongjeon pressed a hand to her forehead. Didn't these kids know that either?
"But we have to stick to the schedule as much as possible. We'll give it our best shot, and if it really doesn't work out, we can push back the timeline."
"We can only pray that doesn't happen. Songwriting is something only the band members can do. That said... If you need to buy songs or bring in a producer, please don't hesitate to let us know. And..."
It was the kind of talk that could feel humiliating to the band. A band that "couldn't handle its own production." Kyung-min's words were gentle, but they carried the implicit message: If you miss the deadline, we'll consider external production. Myeongjeon resolved to whip the girls into shape to avoid that at all costs, then looked at the next slide Kyung-min brought up. A PPT slide filled with various album-related details.
"Next up is the album concept."
"Didn't we already decide that? I remember Suyeon bringing in some songs," Iseo said.
Kyung-min nodded. "Yes, that's the overall concept we settled on... but now we need to get into specifics for the imagery."
Unless it was a compilation album full of hits, every album revolved around a theme—be it an ideology, a story, or a shared experience.
"For example, the current concept feels like 'Our Story' or something... but that's a bit too broad, in my opinion. For fans or the general public, you could just say, 'An album collecting our stories,' and call it a day."
With that, Kyung-min pulled up covers and music videos from various albums.
"But when you're working with designers or video directors, you can't just tell them, 'The concept is Our Story,' and expect results. We need a unifying image: title, album cover, MV, outfits. And since you're planning a solo concert, stage concepts too. Everything tied together."
He went on to explain. If they waited until all the content was finished before starting on visuals, it would be impossible within six months. They'd have to design based on the full tracklist, which would delay things. The reverse was just as bad—handling everything separately would eat into production time, making it equally unfeasible. That was Kyung-min's point.
"I get the gist..." Myeongjeon muttered.
She had presented the overall concept to the members by playing them Entangle (working title) early on... but she hadn't refined it into a polished image. The girls had interpreted the vibe on their own and run with it, leading to variations in how each saw the concept. Kyung-min was saying they needed something more concrete and easy to convey—one that prevented misinterpretations and worked for outsiders too.
Along with "album imagery," Kyung-min brought out additional materials for "inflow content"—that frilly dress—proposing they create it.
"This album is a textbook example," he added.
"What?"
Go Kyung-min looked bewildered at Myeongjeon's outburst. But he pressed on. He couldn't stop. Having lived as a woman for years now, she'd tried on every wearable outfit under the sun. But even she had her pride, her sensibilities. Even if the sky fell, she couldn't don a skimpy tank top and hot pants—and a frilly, weird J-pop idol dress was no different. This was too much.
"I'm absolutely not wearing that. Don't even dream of forcing me."
"No, it's not about wearing it—"
"If we're not wearing it, why bring it here? Huh? That alone shows your intentions!"
Her voice echoed through the office, her usual composure cracking more than usual. Iseo scratched her head. She'd been thinking it for a while now, but it was clear: her friend Ha Suyeon must've damaged her brain in that kickboard accident. How else could a person change so drastically? The girl who'd posted half-naked selfies on Instagram back when they weren't close was now having a full meltdown over a single frilly skirt.
True Confucian girl.
"Yeon, calm down."
"Does this look calmable to you?"
"Manager Go isn't saying wear it right now. And..."
Suyeon's agitation seemed to quiet at that. But while Iseo patted her back, Hyeona's words shot in like an arrow.
"B-but... from before, on Insta... you posted stuff... way more revealing than that..."
Hyeona's blunt words, innocent—or maybe not. Suyeon froze, then exploded.
"That wasn't me!!"
"What do you mean it wasn't? It was you. I was shocked back then. This super modest girl a year younger joins the band, all prim and proper, but her Insta? Half-naked middle schooler pics..."
"It wasn't!!"
"Hiking up her uniform skirt practically to flash her ass. Hashtagging '07 liner' and all that. I usually ignore stuff, but my inner Confucian dragon woke right up."
"I said it wasn't!!"
Suyeon's screams somehow rang with sincerity. But Seoha and Hyeona just laughed it off as nonsense.
"Suyeon, Mom really thinks that kind of thing is no good..."
At Hyein's words, Suyeon trembled like she might lose it, but silenced by "Mom," she couldn't retort. Seizing the moment, Iseo patted her back and turned to Go Kyung-min.
"Anyway, so... a well-crafted image like that pairs with a well-crafted album. That's what you're getting at, right?"
"Yes, exactly. It might even work in reverse sometimes, but we definitely need image guidelines for this full-length album production."
Despite the scene they'd just witnessed, Manager Go Kyung-min calmly continued. Iseo forcibly sat down the on-the-verge-of-death-from-injustice Suyeon (no idea why) and scratched her head. Imagery, huh. How were they supposed to create it?
"That's what happened."
It had been a while since a session gig. Myeongjeon recounted the recent meeting to Kim Cheol-yeon, leader of the major Korean rock band Taylor'd, whom she'd met for the session. He'd asked about the full-length album's status.
"Happens to everyone, especially with a debut full-length. Wait, not your first album? You did an EP already. No issues then?"
"I handled everything myself back then."
"Ah, yeah, that makes sense."
Cheol-yeon nodded. "Easier when you're solo on it~," he muttered, and Myeongjeon silently agreed. If she did it all alone, no annoying hassles.
"Still, involving more people usually ups the quality. Having a designer would help."
"Does Taylor'd have one?"
"We outsource. Stylists for outfits."
At Myeongjeon's question, Cheol-yeon explained. Album covers and MVs: all outsourced. Overall design concepts: handled in-house. Outfits, stage design: coordinators and external teams.
"Nice to have a dedicated designer, but unless you're a big company, you can't just hire one. To go internal instead of freelancers, you'd need a full design team—probably five people."
"What? Not even one?"
"Who handles all that solo these days?"
Myeongjeon tilted her head at Cheol-yeon's words. Back in the day, one label office lady and one external guy knocked it all out. Designs were all similar anyway—just grab some artsy kid...
No, that's why I keep getting called a boomer.
Myeongjeon shook her head to banish the thought. As the girls' teasing ramped up, she had to ditch the old mindset. How long could she take the ribbing?
The more she clung to Seo Myeongjeon's ways, the more "boomer" jabs she'd get.
"Anyway, takes me back. Right? We were fumbling around back then too, cranking out albums..."
"Yeah, we were. But we had it easier than you guys—no worrying about designs or outfits."
As Myeongjeon pondered that, Cheol-yeon and his bandmates reminisced about their early days. She listened closely. They were juniors by a mile, but veterans in album production she couldn't match.
"Wanna see some of our old album files? Might help as reference."
So when Cheol-yeon made the offer, she could only nod eagerly.