Sampling Genius Unveiled
It was all too obvious how he'd been found out. Sampling could be summed up in one line: "Taking a snippet from an existing track, processing it, and rearranging it into something new."
Bae Sol tapped her philtrum thoughtfully as she looped the track from Jeong Jisul that she liked most.
"It's not like pop music never uses sampling..."
Typically, sampling showed up a lot in hip-hop and EDM genres. The reason was simple: electronic sounds blended seamlessly with samples.
"I thought we needed something entirely new."
That was Bae Sol's stance. This album was Seong Haein's comeback after five years—a long time by any measure. Bae Sol wanted to differentiate it with unheard-of sounds while crafting a masterpiece that would captivate the masses and dominate Korea's music scene.
But that was just the ambition of "producer Bae Sol." The top priority for this comeback wasn't the general public.
It was Seong Haein's fans.
"With sampling like this... fans won't be able to resist."
Becoming a fan meant cherishing the memories built with that artist. This kind of sampling would serve as a perfect conduit to relive those moments.
"How did that kid even think to sample a track from 15 years ago? He would've been two when it dropped."
As a gift to the fans, this track was ideal.
"Maybe make the whole album a sampling project."
This album would chronicle Seong Haein's life and career. Quoting the sounds she'd etched into history...
"...that'd hit all the nostalgia receptors."
Bae Sol grinned brightly. Countless tracks sprang to mind—and they were all hers, so no copyright worries.
"How'd he come up with this? Does he listen to a lot of hip-hop? Is that why he's so open to sampling?"
Bae Sol pulled up the message window with Jeong Jisul on her monitor.
Handing tracks from Seong Haein's album to a 17-year-old no-name composer with no debut? Three tracks, no less? Industry folks might say, "Bae Sol's finally lost it."
But that was for people who didn't know the truth about this 17-year-old no-name composer. Bae Sol, who did, wore a smile that wouldn't fade.
Jeong Jisul was destined to lead Korea's music industry into the future.
"...What if Jisul gets too famous?"
What if the album blew up so big people started asking, "Who is this guy?" Bae Sol was more worried about that than the album's success.
After hearing Jisul's sampling, she had zero doubts it'd flop.
"I'd love to approve it, but the application is too sloppy. And clubs need at least four members—you only listed three."
"I see."
I'd been called to the teachers' office for a one-on-one with my homeroom teacher to discuss the band club.
"Saeron's listed as president—is that right?"
"Yes."
Honestly, I was pretty thrown off too. Choi Saeron had sworn, "I'll handle everything—just put your name down!" so I'd figured the club was as good as approved.
How half-assed did she have to be to get rejected?
"Clubs like this pass easier if members have good grades."
"Got it."
"Jisul, your mock exam scores are excellent, and your performance evals are top-notch. Want to reapply as president?"
"Can I submit it today?"
"Sure—the clubs start full swing next week, so hand it to me ASAP."
"Yes, I'll write it up quick."
"Good, keep up the great work."
The teacher patted my shoulder and handed me a fresh application form. All that hard work in school paid off!
...Well, not exactly for this, but still, good result.
"......"
Back in class, I quietly took my seat. Of the three girls around me, only one was awake.
"What'd they call you in for?"
"Band club stuff."
"Oh, the band club."
It was Kwon Dain.
"Saeron submitted the app, but it was so sloppy it got rejected."
"...Figures."
Kwon Dain looked unsurprised.
"And we're short one member..."
I stared straight at Kwon Dain, mouthing the words deliberately.
"...Why?"
"......"
I locked eyes with her dark pupils; she held mine. About 15 seconds in...
"You're not asking me to join the band club, are you?"
Kwon Dain frowned slightly.
"As expected from the top scorer. But you won't do it?"
"...I can't. I don't play any instruments."
"I'll teach you crash-course style."
Her mom was Seong Haein—what's a little instrument trouble? She'd inherited the talent to master it in a month anyway.
But Kwon Dain's response made me shake my head.
"I'm already in the literature club."
"Ah."
No switching clubs, huh... Figures.
"Didn't think of that."
"That desperate for one more? Enough to ask me?"
Kwon Dain tilted her head, genuinely curious.
"Not desperate, but... I want someone solid."
I could've grabbed anyone from the self-study class who wanted in. But I preferred a somewhat close friend.
Anyone friendly in self-study...?
Unlike my early worries, I had plenty of friends now. Shallow ties, sure, but good relations all around. Being athletic made me popular with the guys—impossible not to be.
I've always wondered why my motor skills are so good.
Perk of body customization, I guess. Previous life? Total klutz.
Anyway, felt great. Then—
"...You guys doing the band club?"
The class president adjusted his glasses and approached.
"If you're recruiting, any room for me...?"
Class pres.
He was a prime pick. Our lineup: me, Yoon Seola, Choi Saeron. Half girls (excluding me), all objectively stunning. Guys would swarm to join for them.
But class pres? No way. A month of chats confirmed: studies and anime were his world.
And not a creepy otaku, either.
Best physique in class, too.
No interest in 3D girls, great grades, proven social skills.
...Passing on him would be dumb.
I wrote his name on the application right then.
....
"Yeah, this should do. Two top students—oughta pass no problem."
"Thanks."
"Good job. Head back—next period's coming up."
If the teacher said that, it was basically approved. Back in class, I strode up to yawning Choi Saeron.
"Sleep well?"
"Yaaawn... Huh? Sleep well? Outta nowhere?"
"Sleep well?"
"Did. Stayed up late—super sleepy today."
"Why so late?"
"Filling out the club app. No clue what to write, agonized over it."
...And that got rejected?
I'd meant to chew her out, but hearing her story deflated my anger.
"...Okay, good effort."
"What's with you...? Not buying me iced tea for being nice?"
"Not even considering it—relax."
"For real? I'm a baller part-timer making 20k an hour?"
"Buy your own."
She tried hard and still got rejected—oh well.
"Oh, added one more band member."
"Who?"
"Class pres."
"Class pres? Nice."
Sounded like a win from her. For a girl to say "nice," risk level had to be near zero.
"Approved super fast. You'll use the auxiliary music room—soundproofing makes it a lock."
"Got it."
After school, I stayed behind for the teacher's rundown.
"And perform at the school festival. That's mandatory."
"Got it."
"That's the key stuff. I'm your advisor, so issues in the music room? Come to me, not the music teacher."
"Got it."
I'd turned into a "got it" machine. You know how "yes" feels bland, "yep" too casual? "Got it" hits perfect.
Back in the classroom, I froze.
"Can't just leave without waking her."
Only sleeping Yoon Seola remained.
...Can I touch her?
What if she wakes mad and reports me? Nah.
She's not like that.
I gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Wake up. School's over."
I shook her lightly. She stirred smoothly.
"Where'd everyone go? Just you?"
I asked sincerely, worried.
Still drowsy, she blinked slowly.
"Got something to say."
She softly gripped my wrist.
"What?"
Maybe from just waking, her skin felt warm.
Yoon Seola fixed her gaze on me and spoke.
"You signed with HS, right...?"
Her words threw me completely. How'd a classmate find out about the contract in under a month?