Charting the Band's Direction
As soon as they stepped into the Direction Practice Studio, there was Seoha, who'd snapped out of it, and Hyeona staring at her with a look that said, 'What's gotten into her all of a sudden...'
"Then, let's give it another go."
And with that, the jam session kicked off again. Surprisingly, this time it felt like they were actually syncing up—hands and feet moving in harmony. The drums, which had been charging ahead solo before, now had a solid, stable groove. In the bridge section, Suyeon glanced over at the drums, and Seoha nodded resolutely, firing back with intense eyes.
'Kids, through and through...' Myeongjeon gave her a smile and turned back to the music. Seeing her react exactly as expected just drove home how young they all were. Truth be told, behind the scenes, she was already acknowledging it... That cold attitude is all to push me to grow, she really recognizes me!—that kind of novel-worthy delusion. Of course, it wasn't just novels; real life was full of it too. Like that section chief Park who rips into you mercilessly on the job, then gets you hammered at after-work drinks and slurs, "Hey, Kim, you know I treasure you, right? It's all to build you up." Most of those stories end with, "Turns out she didn't give a damn, just saw me as free labor."
'Though, anyone who doesn't acknowledge you to your face ain't worth shit.' Of course, Myeongjeon had just reeled Seoha in the same way... but unlike the others, she genuinely recognized her talent. Or at least, that's what she told herself.
"Feels like we're breathing together now. Drums dialed back that aggressive push... it's coming along nicely. Anyway, at this pace—one or two practices a week—we should nail this song in about a month."
"Ooh, so next up, another song? Should we pick one ahead of time?"
At Iseo's question, Myeongjeon tilted her head slightly. Picking another cover was fine, but there were way more important things.
"Eh, we've got a lot to talk about first. Let's call it here for today and hash it out over coffee at a café."
Myeongjeon set the tray down on the table, silencing their chatter in an instant.
"Alright, let's start by settling what needs deciding."
"Wait, before that..."
Seoha cut her off, pointing at the guitar in its case.
"That guitar... is it by any chance..."
"Spot on."
Iseo and Hyeona shot puzzled looks—like, spot on about what? Myeongjeon took a sip of coffee and explained.
"Black Strat. 2008 model."
"Knew it...! With that look and tone, it had to be..." Seoha nodded vigorously, thrilled her guess was right. The other two, though, looked utterly lost.
"You don't know Black Strat? Even you, Bin?"
"How would I?"
"This is basic knowledge."
Seoha scratched her head and launched into an explanation. The Black Strat—David Gilmour's signature axe from Pink Floyd. He'd recorded Meddle, Live in Pompeii, Obscured by Clouds, The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, The Wall, The Final Cut on it. The guitar that defined Pink Floyd's golden era.
"Fender dropped it as a Custom Shop signature in '08, discontinued in '17. Pristine condition like that? Minimum twelve million won."
The other two gawked at the guitar, eyes wide. Myeongjeon felt an odd swell of pride. Not many could ID it on sight. It wasn't flashy—just a black guitar, after all.
'Arrogant, sure, but she takes music seriously.' That's what Myeongjeon thought. She wasn't sure how spotting the guitar proved that, but hey, people think what suits them.
"Mind if I take a peek...?"
Myeongjeon nodded, and Seoha whipped it out for a closer look. The others peered over, faces screaming, This thing's really over ten mil??
Myeongjeon sipped her coffee leisurely. "First jam cover was rushed, so hard to judge. While we're picking the second, let's decide some other stuff too."
The three nodded.
"Which band we covering?"
"Huh?"
Iseo and Hyeona stared like it was obvious, but Iseo just cocked her head.
"Which band what?"
"Exactly that—which band."
"Band's a band...?"
Myeongjeon eyed Iseo. She fidgeted, eyes darting, then blurted, "A band that plays band music?!"
"That's what I'm asking—what is 'band music'? I said, which one."
Myeongjeon tilted her head, waiting. Iseo still looked baffled, so she pressed on.
"Take office workers or school clubs—they cover endlessly, practice covers, gig covers, no originals. Hobby level, done. But some go further: write originals, flesh 'em out, drop albums, hit the underground. Boom, stars."
"Tha—"
Myeongjeon held up a hand to stop Iseo.
"That's just broad strokes. Then it gets specific—what songs? Rock? Metal? Pop? Muse or Queen like college bands? Korean stuff—Yoon Do-hyun Band, Rumble Fish, Nucksal? Or anime tunes like the one you brought, Iseo? Options galore. But what we can play, practice, perform? Limited. And for gigs, genre cohesion matters. Can't drop anime one set, metal the next."
Suyeon's calm breakdown overwhelmed Iseo. ...I've never seriously thought about any of this. She'd roped Suyeon into a band on a whim, assuming they'd all jam her fave knuckle bands. But no. Hyeona—fellow otaku—was cool with it, but Suyeon dug unknown tracks, and who knew Seoha's tastes?
"I can roll with it. Long as you show up and practice hard."
Suyeon's words lit a fire in Iseo. She was offering to make her music happen.
"Then...!"
"Hold up—not done yet."
Myeongjeon sliced through Iseo's enthusiasm. Ignoring her aggrieved glare, she continued.
"Gig schedule's key too. When? Where? How? Tailor songs to that. Say, school festival. Prep for it. But ours is...?"
"October."
"October—ours is past. Yours, Hyeona?"
"December."
"December. Aim there, max 2-3 songs. Fine for fest, but tight for polish."
"Gonna take real effort," Suyeon muttered.
Seoha's face paled slightly.
"You doing our school fest...?"
"Eh, TBD."
Hyeona perked up at the prospect; Myeongjeon shut it down quick. Watching her deflate, Myeongjeon mused, Own school gig sounds meh to me... but feelings vary.
"Don't have to do school fests. Other events work. Anime music? Otaku cons galore. Or leverage our all-girl quartet rarity. Nail the quality, venues everywhere..."
Too much to nail today, so Myeongjeon swapped KakaoTalks and made a group chat. Probably their hub from here on. What would this band become? Myeongjeon was genuinely curious. Fade like a school fling? Last through college? Office band? Albums? Pro musicians? Honestly, any outcome was fine. Life's long—even a year is. They might burn out, hit exams, ditch for reality. No point overinvesting meaning till it's earned.
"Um..."
"Yeah?"
Myeongjeon turned to Iseo. Rare for her—deflated, cowed. Heavy makeup and that expression... more aggrieved than timid, maybe.
"What?"
"Truth is, I didn't think about any of it."
Sun long set. Under stark streetlights on the black road, Iseo hesitated before speaking. She'd pitched the band to Suyeon on pure impulse—watched Boogie the Rock, wanted in. Started bass, now here.
"But everyone else is serious. Bin... Hyeona-sunbae, Seoha-sunbae. They know their sound, clear goals."
"And?"
"I got none. Feels like I dragged you in on a vague 'band' whim. Sorry."
Myeongjeon tilted her head. No goals? Doubtful.
"Cover bands exist. Know 'em?"
"...Nope."
"Tribute bands too. Pink Floyd's Brit Floyd. Beatles' Britten's Finest. Korea's got Queen tribute the Young Ladies Band."
"Band named Young Ladies??
Myeongjeon nodded. 0vueen or whatever.
"Point is, music's got endless ways to enjoy. Covers fine, tributes fine. Do what you love—keeps you playing. But..."
"But?"
Suyeon paused, locking eyes. The straight gaze froze Iseo.
"If you're in for the long haul... study up. Composing, lyrics, arranging."
Iseo felt crushed. Compose? Lyrics? Arrange? Towering feats, too big to grasp.
"Could... I even do that?"
"Only seen one who couldn't."
Suyeon's distant look hinted at someone specific; Iseo had to ask.
"Who?"
"Secret."
Suyeon flashed a grin—refreshingly bright, Iseo thought.