Chapter 131: Featuring Recording (2)

“I have no idea how relieved I was that you agreed to help. Thanks for accepting the offer.”

“The honor is all mine. I was shocked when I first got the featuring request. Honestly, I never imagined we'd get one since our group hasn't exactly been recognized for our skills yet.”

“From Honey Enter? No way your skills are lacking. And I've heard the rumors about you—you're no joke.”

We'd worked hard during our last comeback to build a solid reputation for our talent, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but it hadn't gotten as much attention as we'd hoped. Still, it looked like it wasn't a total failure.

“Hearing your voice up close like this makes me want to hear you sing right now. How's your throat feeling?”

“I prepped it ahead of time, so it's good to go. We could start anytime.”

“This album means everything to me, okay? Pretty please!”

Nana winked cutely as she spoke, and damn, she was charming. No wonder she ranked in the top 10 most popular idols among women. Her straightforward vibe and refreshing laugh had given me a great first impression from the start.

'Especially since she was one of the senior idols who actually acknowledged my greetings when I was diligently bowing to everyone.'

After experiencing the industry myself, I got why seniors often ignore greetings. With so many idol groups debuting and disbanding constantly, it's overwhelming to respond to every single one. Plus, some people wrinkle their noses at it, thinking, 'What a pushover.' Others approach just to network with popular idols, or even...

'Worse—with the intent of, 'How can I hook up with them once?'

Some were outright flirty, almost harassing. The kind that makes you think, 'Is this okay?' She'd been an idol for six years, so she knew all that crap better than anyone.

'That's why I'm even more grateful for her.'

Funny thing: the real top-tier stars don't act like assholes, but the mid-tier ones clinging to relevance often strut around like they're kings. I knew this industry wasn't kind enough to survive on niceness alone, but people like Nana made me hope she'd stick around for the long haul.

“You won't regret asking me.”

“Ahaha! I love that confidence!”

Nana's new track kicked off with a heavy beat. Her cool voice layered over it made your shoulders bounce instinctively. My featuring part was the highlight—time to belt out some high notes clean and powerful.

“I don't expect perfection on the first take, so relax and let's give it a shot?”

“Sure.”

I pulled out the thermos I'd brought, sipping warm barley tea to loosen up my throat from the trip over.

“Brrrr—brrrr—ahh—ahhh—aaaaaahhh!”

“Whoa, that range is crisp.”

“Oh...?”

Even the engineer operating the console looked stunned, eyes widening as he stared at me. No one had heard my improved skills firsthand yet, so it was understandable.

“Since when were you this good?”

Nana was cheering like I'd already crushed it, which was ridiculous.

“You're hyping me up before we even start?”

“I can tell you're something special~!!”

She was bouncing around excitedly, and her high energy left me scratching my head awkwardly.

“Belt it out nice and fresh. Make it electrifying!”

“You sure?”

“Yeah! Go all out. It's fine!”

“Got it. Here goes.”

Just screaming high notes doesn't make a song great. But she wanted me to let ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠loose because this was the climax. I'd used studios plenty before, so stepping into this unfamiliar one didn't faze me much. Headphones on, mic ready, and Nana's voice came through.

—For the first pass, just feel it out. Sing it like you practiced.

“Okay.”

I powered through from the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gut, full force. With my singing stat over 50%, even I was impressed at how effortlessly the highs poured out.

—Whoa, that felt amazing. One clean take without stopping.

“How was it?”

—What's your range like? Those highs are insane. How do you hit that without even flinching?

Excitement filled her voice—she loved it. But we weren't done.

“Can you push the 'Boomba Boomba' a bit higher? Like, stress-melting high!”

“Like... Boomba Boomba Booomba this high?”

“Yes! That's it! Holy shit, you're unreal. Why hide talent like that? The world needs to know!”

“I've been promoting it through our activities.”

“How is Honey Enter not pushing you solo? They're slacking.”

The praise was over-the-top, leaving me flustered but secretly pleased. I hadn't expected to sing this well myself. The studio vibe heated up fast. Her suggestions came quick, and I nailed revisions on the spot, wrapping up in no time.

“Thanks so much today. This album's gonna kill now.”

“It was a great experience for me too. Good work, sunbaenim. Can't wait for the release.”

“You got it! I'll send copies to the agency.”

“Sounds good.”

“Hit me up anytime you need help. I'm not the type to ghost after getting mine, got it?”

“Of course. It was awesome for me too.”

“Call me noona next time! Love having a handsome dongsaeng like you.”

Her forwardness didn't bug me because I knew it stemmed from genuine admiration for my vocals. We wrapped on a high note, even swapping numbers. Networking in entertainment? Hell yeah, that was a win.

'At least don't beef with Nana. No need to be besties.'

'Why?'

'She's got insane connections. Tons of celeb friends. Piss her off, and it'll bite you. She's not bad, but polarizing.'

Manager noona had warned me before dropping me off. Leaving a good impression on a networking powerhouse like Nana? Score.

She walked me out, still reluctant. “Sucks I can't even buy you dinner with my schedule.”

“No worries. Next time.”

“You got it! Great work today! Album's coming your way!”

“Thanks.”

I slipped on my glasses from the bag—essential for blending in—and headed out. Manager noona had other work, so taxi back to Honey Enter it was. Those pricey shop glasses? Worth every coin.

？ ？ ？

Back in the studio after Jin Haesol left, Nana and the engineer reviewed the takes. Pros like them could already gauge the final quality.

“Once mixed, people will say this should be the title track. How'd you know? The kid can sing.”

“Ahaha! Lucky find. He's better than I expected—I'm shocked too. Meant it for promo, but this could blow up.”

“He's hot right now, yeah. But doesn't he outclass you a bit?”

“That's why it works. Use him for buzz, then I steal the spotlight. But now? Game changed. Honey Enter's got game after all.”

Honey Enter stars had been fading amid scandals—like a tiger without teeth. Turns out the cubs still had bite.

“Vocals upgraded the whole track.”

“Kinda regretting it now. Should've saved him for another song.”

“Nah, this one's perfect. Imagine him on the title— you'd get buried. Even this could do it.”

“Ouch, my ego...”

“Dance harder, what else?”

Nana sighed lightly. Her pride stung, but she couldn't complain—this was gold. The track would spark “Jin Haesol rediscovered” buzz, and she'd ride it.

'This album can't flop. Whatever it takes, it'll smash. Even if it means leaning on my hoobae dongsaeng!'

She'd eat “no pride” jabs now, but success would silence them. In this biz, win big and you're forgiven anything.

“Honey Enter seemed solid, but hiding that? If their others are like him, they're monsters.”

“Visuals match the talent—secret weapon, probably.”

“Our company prez would've solo-debuted him on sight. Why pair him up?”

Haesol was prime solo material, no doubt. “Saw a halo behind him entering. Groups hold him back.”

“They've got their reasons.”

They didn't know he'd joined months pre-debut as the weakest vocalist, a visual pick. Solo then? Laughable. Oblivious, Nana and the engineer gossiped about Honey Enter's “decline” and brainstormed exploiting Haesol's “hidden gem” talent.

'Ask for promo help? What to offer Honey Enter?'

Relations were decent, but no obligation for active promo. Regretful, Nana pondered joint music show stages for live collabs.