The One-Hour Masterpiece and Classroom Team Chaos
"When did I ever agree to be in a group with you?"
Creating a single song—on average, how much time does it take? It's an area that's truly impossible to calculate. It depends more than anything on the composer's skill, and there are endless variables like work methods, feedback from the song's owner, and so on. Yeah, you couldn't even average it out. But to reach a quality level ready for public release, it takes at least a week. That's what Seong Haein firmly believed. It was a conclusion drawn from experience. So, this song made in about an hour should definitely be lacking in polish.
"...By any chance, have you prepared lyrics too?"
"No. I haven't thought about the lyrics yet."
"Lyrics are still pending, then."
"Yes, I think lyrics should be done together with the singer who'll perform the song..."
"Shall we listen to the full track first?"
"Sure."
...What's the difference between this song and the ones topping the charts?
The song Jeong Jisul had created in that short time was fully ready for the public.
That work style is rare. No, have I ever even seen anyone work like that?
As Seong Haein absorbed the leisurely flowing music, she recalled Jeong Jisul's process. It completely ignored the typical composer's workflow. His method wasn't about building a skeleton from a sudden melody and then chiseling it down statically. It felt like he had the full three-minute song stored in his head and just extracted it perfectly once he started working.
It's unconventional, but...
The results were brilliant, so there was nothing more to say. That was the way of a genius. How could an ordinary person or a dullard comprehend a genius? Seong Haein had lived over 40 years as a genius and would continue her life as one. So, she had no intention of nitpicking Jeong Jisul's methods. Her own talent for composing was just average, after all.
If he gets tangled with weird people, he could really get ruined.
Even with just average talent, there were ordinary folks who gave geniuses harmful feedback on a whim. They were like cancer, stifling a genius's potential.
If possible, I'd love to recruit him to the company and protect him.
As a genius singer herself, Seong Haein felt the need to shield Jeong Jisul from such people. He was just a high schooler starting out in composing, yet producing work like this.
He's worth betting big on.
And his entertainer potential seemed outstanding too. She hadn't tested his charisma yet, but he was born with the most important talent anyway.
"Jisul, you want an early debut, right?"
"As soon as possible."
"...Honestly, I don't recommend debuting too early. I entered the industry way too young and still regret it."
At an age when the self isn't fully formed, a high school debut often led to bad outcomes in many ways.
But based on their conversation an hour ago, paradoxically, Jeong Jisul needed to achieve results in composing as quickly as possible.
...His parents are supporting him with great effort.
"Jisul, between becoming famous yourself and your songs becoming famous—which do you want more?"
Seong Haein asked carefully. If he chose the latter... she could help with his debut.
"Obviously, my songs becoming famous."
Seong Haein let out a small chuckle at Jeong Jisul's straightforward gaze.
"Got it for now. It's getting late, so let's wrap up here. I'll contact you later."
Jeong Jisul inwardly cheered at Seong Haein's favorable attitude. Leaving a good impression on a national star like this. And her saying she'd contact him later.
...I might debut with a song for Seong Haein.
It was a dream scenario for any composer.
......
After dropping Jeong Jisul off, Seong Haein returned home. She flung open the front door as usual and stepped inside.
Come to think of it, I didn't ask which class he's in.
Her daughter was in class 3—wonder which class Jeong Jisul was in. She hoped they were in the same one. And for good reason.
"Welcome back."
"Dain."
Seong Haein still hoped Kwon Dain would start music right now. The musical talent her daughter had shown as a child was just like hers.
Debut might take time, but that was fine. She was Seong Haein—surely she could debut her own daughter.
"You still want to be an actress?"
"......"
"Just start music, and you can do acting too. Who am I? Our daughter doesn't have to choose one. She can have both."
"...If I start music, you'll allow auditions?"
Auditions. Kwon Dain was parched for them.
Yet her mother Seong Haein stuck to the policy of "debut only after adulthood." So Kwon Dain couldn't even dream of the "d" in debut.
Of course, she'd once applied and passed an audition ignoring her mother. Her acting talent was real, after all.
But that was blatantly disregarding Seong Haein's position in the industry. The result was revoked the very next day.
...I didn't talk to Mom about it, but...
Probably her mother's influence.
"Acting is different from being a musician. It inevitably exposes your face to the media. If you want to debut in music before adulthood, I'd help you do it without showing your face."
Acting—no. Seong Haein added that and continued.
"Aren't you interested in music at all? Guess who I met today?"
"......"
"A student from your school. A composer, same first-year as you. He's good. But I think my daughter could do even better than that Jisul... I mean, that kid."
...Jisul?
Jisul must be...
The guy next to Seola.
Kwon Dain's face scrunched up as she dredged up the deep memory.
"...No. Sorry, Mom. I met a young musician like you for the first time in ages, and I end up saying this stuff again."
Mistaking her reaction, Seong Haein gave a wry smile and apologized to Kwon Dain. She knew her daughter hated music talk.
She was a mother, after all. It was a shame to let her inherited talent rot, but right now, mother Seong Haein trumped singer Seong Haein.
"Pocket money enough? Tell me if you need more."
"It's fine."
**
"Heh, hehehe!"
"You like those people coming that much?"
"Of course! I even have their LP vinyl!"
"...Do you have an LP player at home?"
"I do! Listening on LP has a whole different vibe!"
"Saeron, you've always had good ears."
Right before homeroom. I scrolled through Shorts while eavesdropping on their chatter.
Even if this was a trash spot where you couldn't make friends.
It does feel kinda nostalgic.
Hearing the leads banter made it worthwhile, despite the major downsides.
"What were their names again?"
"Okiid! They topped Bilbood a ton too!"
"Hmm... Never heard of them. I know the artists Mom collabed with, though..."
"...Your mom almost released a song with Okiid but it fell through."
"Really?"
"Yeah, like four years ago..."
Choi Saeron suddenly turned gloomy, pouting her lips.
"There was drama at Okiid's label back then... Sigh... If only they'd collabed then..."
Choi Saeron trailed off with a deep sigh, but I could guess the rest.
"Hey, wake up all the sleeping kids!"
The teacher, now in the classroom, banged the podium to grab attention.
Choi Saeron turned around as instructed.
"Seola. Hey, Yoon Seola."
She shook Yoon Seola, who looked practically dead still.
"......I'm up."
"Don't just get up—lift your head. Teacher said pay attention."
"......"
But Yoon Seola had no intention of doing so.
"Alright, quick quick, kids. We're grouping for music and PE practicals. Not performance-based, FYI. Early semester, so one vote: self-selected or random. Papers coming—write and submit fast."
We started voting like that. I wrote "random" without hesitation and submitted.
Self-selected? With no friends, that usually ends badly.
But.
"Okay, 21 to 4—self-selected groups confirmed. Make 'em today and submit to me. Four per group, kids."
Fuck, why are there so many normies?
The random side lost by a landslide.
"We'll do us three first, then one more—who? Closest is... Jina? Jina?"
Choi Saeron, excitedly forming groups, screamed "in-crowd."
"Jina's fine, but... I have someone in mind."
"You, Dain? Then just go with them. Who?"
I was chin-on-hand, inwardly lamenting.
"Jisul, wanna be in our group?"
Someone tapped my shoulder.
"...Huh?"
"No group yet? Join us?"
Who is she?
I'd never seen this girl before. I started to politely decline.
"Oh, Jisul's already grouping with us."
......?
"Really...?"
"Yeah."
"Guess can't be helped..."
Kwon Dain shooed her away for me. But still.
"When did I ever agree to be in a group with you?"