Pilot Program Predicament
"Man, everyone knows you guys don't have schedules, so why's everyone turning this down?"
In the program meeting room, PD Im Jonghun muttered that with his arms crossed. Not liking how his words just hung in the quiet room, he raised his voice.
"No one's landed anyone yet? What the hell... Hey, Kim Seongjin. Weren't you the one with that buddy? You get in touch with him?"
"Uh... he turned it down too."
"Damn it... You said you could bring him! I'm losing my mind here."
Jonghun scratched his head furiously. Normally, agencies begged to get their acts on other programs. This was par for the course. So why, when he put his heart into producing something, were so many people declining?
It wasn't like he was making anything controversial. He just wanted to ride the current "rock band boom," revive the rock music he loved a bit. Unsure if it'd fly, he was testing the waters with a pilot. But every pitch got shot down.
They were offering a chance to perform live on stage—why say no? Was it because it wasn't a full band gig?
"Uh... I kinda have a guess..."
"What? Why? Spill it."
"Well... PD, I know that's not your intent. But don't you think they're worried it'll turn into a comparison fest?"
Jonghun leaned back, furrowing his brow. Why would they think that? He wasn't making it to compare anyone.
"It's not about comparing. Why would they think that?"
"You told us at the start: swapping songs and playing each other's. That still on?"
"Yeah, unchanged. I explained it that way. That's what makes it fun, right?"
The guitarists he approached were known, but not "must-see TV" stars. To amp it up—like Jimmy Page doing Pink Floyd with David Gilmour's parts. Needed that dynamism. That's why the format.
"But that just screams comparison. They've got pride. What if they flub onstage...?"
"Come on, they're not kids. Seasoned pros. No way."
Even as he said it, he suspected that was spot on. Not the only reason—schedules, family stuff—but it factored in.
"Fine. Let's go young. Pull a list of solid young players and send it my way. I'll scout."
Jonghun stood. Time to make the calls.
[“...Anyway, that's how it went down. Details? No clue. I don't know the PD that well. He's a student of my friend's disciple.”]
"I see."
He tilted his head slightly in response. Professor Chae Hogun piled on with chit-chat. Who his friend was, why he took the PD as a disciple... Total TMI.
Listening, he mulled it over. A pilot where guitarists intro each other, swap songs, cover classics. Sounded meh on paper.
“Suyeon's got too many session requests. Even I'm getting 'introduce her!' pleas.”
"I see."
“They hear my album, freak over the guitar: 'Who's that?!' Tell 'em Ha Suyeon of Group Sound, and boom—'Session me once? Come hang, dinner's on me.' My grandkids are hounding me too. 'You know Suyeon? Get a signature!'”
'Old folks gonna old folk...'
He'd started seeing himself apart from the elders. Found their tales dull, yet listened on. Others saw no difference beyond looks.
“Anyway, if interested, hit that number. They said two days max.”
"Ah, got it. Thanks."
Call ended. Staring at his phone, Hyein spoke up.
"TV booking call?"
"Yeah. Not the PD direct—via that professor we know."
"Whoa, he's going all out. Gotta drop by with a gift sometime."
"No need for..."
He didn't think so. Professor needed him too. But Hyein differed.
"Gifting's small but sticks in memory."
She scrolled gifts. 'That's why I had no friends?'
Pre-death, it was his prickly personality, not "relationship management fail." He scratched his head.
'Should I do it?'
Normally, yes. Free schedule, upside: terrestrial TV exposure, pay. No skill gap to fear.
But... He'd thought "better to work," yet now "wanna chill." Burnout? Nah, just lazy.
Scratching, he scrolled his laptop. Recent routine: eat, music. Filler hobby: community surfing. For this decision.
Place is packed af. Economy's bad they say, but rich folks everywhere lol
[Comment box]
Young folks whine 'cause they didn't live through the old days. Call it dentures-era BS, but survivors shut up. Back then, department stores were a dream.
"Damn, not the time for this."
Under covers, iPhone in hand, he typed away—hooked.
Titles like [BlahBlah.jpg], [BlahBlah.mp3]. Dopamine bait: clickbait titles, addictive comments.
Shaking it off, past big sites to his niche haunts.
Music-focused, calming vibe. He searched Group Sound.
Good song - Nailed it - Lyrics meh tbh, just Nicodong vibes
Nah lots good stuff
Just not your taste ;;
Acoustic ver slaps too
'My band for real...'
Lyrics ain't my fault. More searches: mostly praise. Worst? "Music good, not my taste."
Realizing why he started this: gauge "guitarist variety show" interest. Wasting time on forums? Lame.
Whipping his weak resolve, final search: his name.
- Gap inevitable
- Pros say same
They say you see a player's life in their technique
Did he predict Clapton's affair? Lol
- Big diff lolol
Don't play, you don't know. Hype players everywhere
Fr lol
Especially girl guitarists—pure hype
Ha Suyeon <- This chick's peak hype. Simps galore, but her songs? Barely plays guitar lol
"What?!"
He kicked off the blanket, bolting up. What nonsense... Scrolling: war over her skill, spectators piling in. Childish, but it lit the fire. Show that troll who he was.
Would they recognize? Whatever.
Production meeting. Pilot—maybe one, two eps max—but big turnout. Lots of talent, schedules to sync.
Maknaes hustled snacks, setup. People trickled in.
"Hey~"
"Hello."
"Hi!"
Ten-plus. Some with guitars, some not. Nods of recognition, or not—but scene vets knew via glances.
"New axe?"
"Just got it."
"Nice. Shoulda got a Les Paul."
Gathering: chit-chat, intros. Bows to seniors, nods to juniors. Warm vibes.
Then: "Guitar nerds like us—someone rip a tune?"
Casual toss, but tension spiderwebbed. Subtle edge.
"I'll give it a go?"
Oohs, riffs. "Nice~!" Claps. But undercurrents: I could top that, He's good... shoulda sat.
"My turn."
"Jam together?"
"Everyone rips. Me next?"
Natural among pros. Inspired or humbled. Some back off humble; others "that was warmup" and shred.
Heat rising—till she walked in.
Door opens: girl, out of place amid men of all ages. Cool high schooler vibe. But hottest new guitarist...
"Hell...o? This the waiting room? Did I... get lost...?"
Ha Suyeon.