The Second Gig
"…What the hell is this?"
Myeongjeon handed over the pamphlet. Iseo took it and skimmed the contents briefly before passing it straight to Hyeona.
"It's got way too little info… Like, can any band just join?"
"Kinda looks that way."
The two of them were still grasping at straws. But Seoha seemed like she knew something about it.
"Oh, this? I heard about it last year from a band my bro was in. They bombed hard. It's sneakily tough."
"Really? How good were they?"
"They were pretty serious about the band thing… but their skills were just okay."
"If 'just okay' by Tiger-nim's standards, honestly that's pro-level for regular folks."
"Eh, that's pushing it a bit…"
Watching the three banter back and forth, Myeongjeon drifted into memories of the past. A few years back, some band guys had approached him for advice on this exact program.
'Now that I'm stuck in this body, it's not like we're connected anymore. Can't exactly ask around.'
He regretted not paying more attention back then, snapping his fingers to refocus the group. The kids, who had been chattering away, fell silent in an instant.
"Anyway, there are two eligibility requirements. First: debuted after 2019. No issue there…"
Myeongjeon pointed to the application conditions section of the pamphlet. The second one.
"Second: at least two original songs. Last year it was three… Anyway, this is the problem."
"Original songs… two? We don't have any."
"Applications close in March—that's only two months. Can we even make two originals?"
Hyeona and Iseo voiced their concerns about the conditions. But Myeongjeon didn't see making two originals in two months as a big deal.
"Making the songs themselves… shouldn't be an issue. Take Sweet Child o' Mine by Guns N' Roses—they say it was written in five minutes. Probably took a day or two in reality. Of course, I'm no Slash, and we don't have an Axl Rose lyricist, so whipping up a masterpiece overnight is basically impossible… Point is, composing doesn't take forever."
"Then what's the problem?"
"Once we make originals and start practicing them… group practice on covers becomes basically impossible. Gotta focus on the originals."
Seoha spelled it out for them. Iseo's face clouded over with worry at her words.
"Not saying no covers at all—we're not jumping straight to pro band level. I've still got tons of covers I wanna play, and even pros cover songs in shows. What I'm getting at is, if we join this program… we'll have to approach the band differently than before. We'll get funding, release an album, all that. It'll eat up way more time than now."
Myeongjeon finished and looked at the other three. Each lost in their own thoughts.
It might seem sudden, but he felt the need to address it now. He'd been playing guitar for decades, planned to keep going, had the skills to make a living off it, and in Ha Suyeon's body—with her well-off family—had no worries about the future. But the others? Not so much.
Seoha clearly aspired to go pro, her ambitions shining through regardless of family situation. Hyeona treated the band as a hobby but was set on piano for arts college—still music-related. Iseo seemed to live a life totally unrelated to music, picking up bass and the band purely as a whim.
Different circumstances all around. Even in music: Seoha wanted band life, Hyeona classical for college—similar paths, opposite directions. Iseo? No direction at all.
Myeongjeon wondered if this band would even grow to the point of debating futures. If originals flopped, or they failed the program or auditions, it'd all be meaningless.
But as the adult here, he had to worry.
'Life's long. Plenty of chances to pivot in your 20s or 30s.'
Would teens get that? Telling them study isn't the only path, music isn't either, life's full of ways to succeed—would it stick? Hell no.
That's why he had to urge caution. Otherwise, they'd charge ahead on impulse, waste time, get bitter, and spiral into bad choices.
"Separate from that, there's something else we gotta talk about today: my past screw-ups. You all know I used to bully kids pretty bad."
He laid out his plan to the thoughtful group: sincere apologies to his victims, figuring out responses for other incidents.
"I want you all to weigh everything and decide. Say we join this program, then auditions… the band won't stay a casual hobby. Not every day, but 4-5 evenings a week. Could mess with school for Iseo or Seoha, arts prep for Hyeona. Might not be that brutal—we could always dial back if it doesn't work. But since that's possible, I have to say it. Do you have the will to drag this band for a year+, alongside exams? Is it worth it? Ready for that? What about parents? Family? Other stuff?"
Myeongjeon downed his cold coffee in one go.
"Think hard. What do I think of this band? No—music first. Keep it light hobby? Try a bit? Or go all-in?"
Tough questions for kids this age.
'But I decided at their age.'
Not unreasonable. Old enough to choose. Ask parents if needed.
"I'll give you a week. I'll compose in the meantime… Iseo, you've got a job."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Whatever direction we go, we need stage experience… That otaku party gig? Tell them we're in, sort the schedule. Everyone cool?"
The others nodded. Myeongjeon glanced out the window. Sun already set. Evening.
"Dinner then? Talk more over food."
"Delivery? It's cold out."
"Mm… Mom's coming soon."
"So?"
Iseo asked like it was no big deal. But Myeongjeon felt awkward. Showing friends to parents? Kinda weird.
"Just… feels off."
"What's off about it?"
As they bickered, the door lock beeped. Lee Hyein walked in, startled by the strangers, then beamed at Suyeon.
"Suyeon's friends?"
"Come over anytime. Some days Suyeon and I busk together—text me, we can go as a group."
"No need to go that far…"
"Ah, yes! Thank you! Had fun today! We'll head out~"
The three bowed and left the apartment. Suyeon's mom, arms around her bashful daughter at the door, waved them off.
"Nice lady."
"Yeah. Place looks loaded… How much you think?"
"Dunno, but 3-4 billion won easy."
"That much?"
"Prime Seoul spot. Great access."
"Real rich folks. How'd Somaetnim meet Suyeon?"
"Just school friends…"
Chatting idly, they paused. Today's talk weighed heavy.
"What're you two gonna do?"
Seoha's question left Iseo and Hyeona speechless. But Seoha pressed on without waiting.
"Me? I'll probably keep going. Even if you two bail."
"Yeah?"
"Her guitar's insane. Suyeon… whatever. Point is, sticking with that skill's a no-brainer."
Seoha was blunt about her feelings. Her own drums were solid anywhere, but Suyeon's guitar was outlier territory. Captivating crowds with guitar alone. Igniting frenzy with unknown, even rejectable songs—raw talent and stage presence.
"True… Tiger's pro-bound anyway. Right?"
"Yeah. You too, no?"
"Kinda… but I'm not all-in like Roselia. Anyway, need to think."
Hyeona clammed up, dropping that unexpected otaku reference. Iseo stifled a laugh as Seoha checked her phone and said goodbye.
"Subway time. See ya!"
Hyeona waved, then headed off her way. Iseo stood a moment, then walked home.
'What should I do…'
Iseo eyed the bass on the corner stand. Used it yesterday, day before, this morning. Since buying it, more time than her phone—like an extension of her hand. Music Man StingRay White Precision Bass. Started from anime, but stuck with it.
Doubted during lessons if she'd last. But now? Formed a band, daily practice. Ditched fashion and makeup she loved more than food…
She'd fallen that hard for bass and music.
"Iseo~ Dinner?"
"Ate already."
Short reply, eyes back on the bass. Quit? Not an option. She dragged loner Suyeon in herself. Duty to stick if Suyeon pursued music.
'But am I just baggage for her?'
Suyeon said she'd improved a ton… But Iseo recalled Seoha's words, Suyeon's skills firsthand. Beyond specs.
Clinging to that forever… wouldn't it hold Suyeon back?
Iseo shook her head, banishing doubts. Suyeon would say if she was a drag. Trust that. Believe she helped.
Iseo opened her phone, fired up SNS. Dilemmas later—handle Suyeon's task first.
Preparations for the second gig.