Perfect Solo and Savage Clapback
Myeongjeon fiddled with the amp settings this way and that during the open mic setup. He'd asked the composer about the desired solo tone, but the guy said there wasn't anything specific in mind. Fine, then—just go with something comfortable. Let's add a touch of drive. It's a bit cliché, but... this kind of sound actually fits the 'rock ballad' vibe perfectly. It felt a little distant from the tone he usually favored. But to really explode with emotion in the latter half, the sound needed to stretch out clean and clear.
As for the line... He pieced together a reliable riff he'd used plenty of times before. Based on high notes stretching straight out, with meticulous bends and bend vibrato slotted in midway. Nothing fancy—just solid, straightforward playing.
"Last up, the solo."
Myeongjeon announced it like that and waited for the cue. 3. 2. 1. High-note bend. With a crisp, ringing guitar cry slicing through, he played with leisurely ease.
"That's refreshing~"
The composer listening from the side let out an impressed sigh. Right as the vocals wrapped, the solo picked up that emotion seamlessly and charged ahead. No flashy techniques—just pure, unadorned execution. And that's exactly why Jaehun couldn't have been more satisfied.
How does she play like that? At her age.
One of the classic mistakes guitar session players made. When the solo section hit, they'd suddenly unleash the "performer ego" they'd been suppressing up to that point. Like someone had taunted them—"You can't play guitar, right? You're trash?"—and they'd erupt in a frenzy, only to snap back at any feedback with, "Nah, this is better." Sure, it might work as a solo in its own right. But you're a session musician. Plenty of guitarists—even veterans—couldn't compromise there, acting like "It's guitar solo time—my turn now!" despite not being the main act. Beginners were even worse.
But Suyeon's playing right now? It was the textbook model for an OST guitar solo. No over-the-top flair, just extending the vocal line like a natural prolongation... a supporting tool that solely amplified the emotional burst.
"Alright, great. The main line's solid. But could we tweak the start just a bit...?"
"How so?"
"Keep that ziiing! climb, but then rake into it with a follow-up rock and really punch it up."
"Like this?"
"Yeah, exactly. Just like that."
The composer issuing directions from inside the room. And Suyeon grasping it instantly, delivering the exact line he wanted. The sound engineer watching muttered, "Does she have a USB cable plugged straight into her brain or what?"
"Then let's dub it. Hit the track."
With that, Seokjun restarted the song. And once more, the solo layered perfectly over the flowing music.
I need to get her card... Nah, at her age, she probably doesn't have one. Should tell her to keep her schedule open since I'll be calling her back a lot.
"Guitar's done!"
A smattering of applause from the staff. "Ended way too quick?" "Hey, let's grab some food outside. Ugh, sick of box lunches..." The chatter flowed.
A total shift from when Suyeon first showed up. As she emerged with her guitar, a staffer followed carrying an acoustic and a nylon. Even offering "Need me to carry that for you?" while juggling two himself—she must've really impressed them.
"Great guitar work!"
The composer, thrilled for even a brief break to nap, grabbed Suyeon's hand with both of his and shook it vigorously up and down.
"Thank you."
"Next time too!! I really hope we get another chance to work together!!"
"Uh, sure, yeah..."
Suyeon trailed off and turned to the other staff.
"That's everything, right?"
"Yes. You're free to go—the payment will hit your account within a week..."
Unless urgent, broadcasting gigs always dragged their feet on payouts. Sessions were eternally in the weak position. But the staff thought, She did that well—shouldn't they speed it up?
"We'll process it ASAP. And tidy up over there."
"Got it!"
Jaehun, who'd sidled up, glanced at Suyeon.
"Uh, you didn't take what I said earlier to heart, right?"
"Pardon?"
"Well, at first..."
Jaehun scratched his head lightly and continued.
"Y'know, you're not exactly established. No idea what you could do. No portfolio or anything—just that Im Junhong guy recommended you, so I said come on in... But hey, it worked out great!"
Jaehun kept rambling. Truth was, his earlier insults were just tough love to fire her up. New session players always choked under pressure—he was just pumping her up, y'know? And so on.
"Anyway. Point is, I said it hoping things'd go well. You get me? I'm sorry, okay? We gotta keep working together, right? Next time, the time after. Gotta build on this."
"Ah, sure."
Suyeon's expression stiffened a touch, but her reply signaled understanding. Jaehun inwardly sighed in relief. Staff said her rate was way below top-tier sessions—if she got pissy over his words and bailed with "Not working with you," it'd be a headache. Good thing she was sharp enough to catch his hint about future calls and agree.
"Our schedule's a mess right now—could you clear some time? No firm dates yet, but it's broadcast work. Builds your resume, helps your session career. Sound good?"
"Oh, is that so? But uh..."
Suyeon replied brightly to his pitch. Jaehun flashed a smug grin. Killer guitar skills, but naive as hell.
"Next week's tough for me."
"Next week? Why! It's our crunch week—tons of work. Can't you make space? We'll prioritize you if something pops."
Jaehun's voice turned sharp, pressing—like the magic tone for bullying kids.
"Nah, still can't."
"Fine. Next week's out. What about the week after?"
"That one's no good either."
Jaehun's face shifted. Was she messing with him? She'd just agreed to work, now playing hard to get?
"What're you saying? If you're gonna work, fit our schedule."
"Well, I might need to hit the hospital."
"Huh? What hospital?"
"Psych ward."
The conversation veered weirdly, and Jaehun clamped his mouth shut. The staff eavesdropping perked up their ears—even more stunned.
"You called me a weird girl, right? Director."
"Huh? Oh, no—that was just heat-of-the-moment."
"If I'm so weird, shouldn't I get checked at a psych ward or something?"
"No, wait—that was..."
Jaehun looked seriously flustered. But the staff behind him? Practically giddy.
"My head's messed up, so be straight with me—no vague stuff. You were cursing Im Junhong like 'that fucking asshole prick' and telling me 'some weirdo girl's here'—telling me to fuck off, right?"
"Nooo—that's not it! Uh! Sorry. Really sorry...!"
"Sorry fix it? I hauled an extra guitar, sweating my ass off to do more sessions. Show up and you call me a weirdo freak, trash Im Junhong the recommender... All that shit's nothing? My delusion? I'm just a crazy psycho? Fine, guess I'll get a diagnosis from the psych ward, head to the cops, file some papers. Yeah, that seems right."
Throwing a fit over one slight wasn't Myeongjeon's style. They were all in the same cutthroat industry, livelihoods on the line—everyone was touchy. Unless it was blatant, he'd just laugh it off. And this? Barely even that.
Stuff for bar bitching: "That Kim Jaehun called me a fucking weirdo~" "That prick again? Ugh, asshole." Done.
But this time—why bother? Back then, yeah, it was his meal ticket, so he'd bow to the alphas. Not anymore.
Thus, Myeongjeon checked off a lifelong bucket list item: Go apeshit right back at an apeshit broadcasting jerk.
Is this why people rage about power trips? Stress just melted away.
The "police," "psych ward," "sue" bits he'd tossed out half-assed? No intention of following through. But the other guy didn't know that... Plenty of agony in store. Good enough, right? Accelerating Jaehun's hair loss was victory enough.
So thinking, Myeongjeon checked her bank app. They'd said morning deposit. And the amount...
Six hundred thousand won.
Supposed to be three for a one-pro boost. Peace offering? Paid double to keep me on the hook?
Ridiculous. Treating her like a kid... Well, she was one, technically. Myeongjeon smirked and opened her email.
Unlike the barren inbox before, messages were trickling in. Collab offers, session inquiries... Not a flood, but worlds apart from before.
Junhong spreading the word? YouTube buzz? Session word-of-mouth? Whatever it was, the shift from months ago brought a quiet satisfaction.