Chapter 24
“Se-rang composed a song?” Meanwhile, in the study of Chairman Yeon’s mansion.
Chairman Yeon accepted the documents Secretary Cha handed him. They were all records of Se-rang’s movements. However, he did not read them.
Even without Secretary Cha’s report, Se-rang’s movements had been so noisy that he already heard about them from everywhere.
The executives were all tense over Se-rang’s actions. Se-rang’s two older brothers were also watching her.
“Yes. She composed it herself. It seems she intends to use that song on the broadcast.”
Chairman Yeon made a face as though he were chewing on something. It was because he never once imagined Se-rang would compose a song while he was still alive.
When Se-rang was young, he tried so hard to teach her music, but Se-rang did not even want to learn piano. Naturally, she never touched composition at all.
And even in Chairman Yeon’s eyes, Se-rang had no musical talent whatsoever, so he had stopped making her do it.
“She said she was going to play producer, so I wondered if she had something she was relying on. And that was because she could compose herself?”
These days, the scope of a producer was gradually broadening, so Chairman Yeon thought Se-rang could become a producer even if she did not compose. Of course, he was inwardly anxious because he had no idea what kind of talent she planned to use as a producer.
“Yes, that’s right. From what I saw, she didn’t compose just one song either. It seemed she composed several songs in advance.”
“Secretary Cha. I don’t want to say this, but….”
“Are you wondering if perhaps she used a ghost composer?”
(Translator’s Note: Ghost Composer — Refers to a hidden composer who creates music on behalf of someone else while the public credit goes to another person. In the entertainment industry, this can become a serious plagiarism or credit-fraud controversy.)
“Yes. If she stole someone else’s song and insisted it was hers, Se-rang would only become a laughingstock later. Even if she paid the proper price, that kind of misconduct would be perfect for dragging down Imperial’s reputation.”
As though she expected Chairman Yeon to worry about that, Secretary Cha nodded. “I thought that might be the case too, so I investigated thoroughly, but Director Yeon has not been in contact with any composer. To the point that I wondered how she learned composition at all. And recently, we also captured footage of her composing personally in one of the company studios.”
“…You’re saying Se-rang really composed it herself? Since when did that girl know how to use music programs?”
“I assume she likely learned during her study-abroad period.”
“Did that girl ever do anything during her study-abroad period besides drink?”
Secretary Cha only smiled gently, as though she did not know. Back then, Secretary Cha was assisting Yeon Sae-byeok.
“This is enough to make a ghost cry.”
Chairman Yeon found it strange, but at the same time, a part of his heart swelled with pride.
Even so, Se-rang was not someone else’s blood. He had thought she might someday show her true value, but he had not expected her to demonstrate her ability this clearly.
“Then how is the song? Is it worth listening to?”
“I think it would be better for you to hear it yourself. Within Imperial, almost no one can match your musical cultivation, Chairman.”
“Almost? There’s no one at all. How could those brats be compared to this Yeon Kangho just because they dabble in trends?”
As Chairman Yeon laughed, Secretary Cha immediately played Se-rang’s song on his tablet PC.
And after roughly three minutes passed.
“…….”
Chairman Yeon completely froze.
Secretary Cha turned off the tablet PC as though she fully understood, then waited until Chairman Yeon gathered himself.
“Did that little Se-rang really make this song?”
“Yes, Chairman. There is no room for doubt. The lyrics, composition, and arrangement were all done solely by Director Yeon.”
Chairman Yeon’s stiffened mouth showed no sign of relaxing. That was only natural, since this far exceeded his expectations.
In truth, Chairman Yeon had not expected anything from the song’s quality itself.
He thought it would be good enough if she managed to imitate the songs coming out these days. Since it was a song Se-rang made herself, he intended to be generous with his evaluation.
But this went completely beyond that level.
“If I had heard this song believing it belonged to another composer….”
“You would have offered them an exclusive contract on the spot.”
“Yes. This is that level of talent. Not simply because the composition is good…. The song itself clearly shows that it wasn’t made by some amateur who clumsily dabbled in composition, but by someone who properly built up the fundamentals.”
“I had the same impression.”
Chairman Yeon briefly lowered his gaze and sorted out his confused feelings.
He could not understand why his granddaughter had hidden this talent so perfectly. Just why?
“When Se-rang said she would produce personally, I was already agonizing over who I should attach to her from behind…. But there’s no need for that now.”
Secretary Cha nodded in agreement.
“I think you may feel a little more at ease now. Also, PD Kim’s side evaluated Director Yeon as having good broadcasting instincts. They said she is bold while also knowing the proper line.”
“I already heard that. But at the time, I simply thought… that girl always had an amusing side to her, so that must have been why.”
“I think you should acknowledge it now, Chairman.”
Chairman Yeon let out a difficult groan. “Yes. That girl really is….”
He had to acknowledge that she was a talent qualified to enter the succession competition.
“These are the ones.”
Baek Do-gyeong kept his promise.
From the very next day, two trainers were dispatched to Imperial. Se-rang introduced them to the three trainees without delay.
Se-rang also wanted to check the three trainees’ skills, so she had each of them sing the song once.
And the result was….
“All three will need a lot of time, Director.”
“I thought so.”
When Yeon Se-rang quickly acknowledged it, the three trainees became deeply dejected.
But even in Se-rang’s eyes, their skills were not good enough, so it could not be helped. She expected that from Seo Dowon, but Seol Yuhyun also seemed a little shaky.
Still, he has talent.
His voice was merely still unstable. Seol Yuhyun’s tone was exceptional.
Among the three of them, his vocal color alone stood out by far.
“Next is dancing. Since the choreography isn’t out yet, each of you should show them the dance you’re most confident in.”
At Se-rang’s words, a dance relay followed this time, and as expected, the result was—
“Oh dear.”
It was disastrous.
The dance trainer swept a hand through his hair with a deeply troubled expression.
Instead of adding more comments and shattering the children’s self-esteem, Se-rang briefly called the trainers outside.
“You saw, right?”
“Yes, we saw, Director.”
The two trainers sighed automatically at the situation, which was far more serious than they expected.
It was already absurd that they had been moved to another workplace overnight, but they accepted it obediently because they feared Baek Do-gyeong’s influence.
There was nowhere in the industry Baek Do-gyeong’s power did not reach. Since this was a personal request from someone like that, they could not refuse.
However, they had only come reluctantly. It was not something they wanted.
And in that situation, the trainees they had to teach were not particularly skilled either, so it was understandable for them to lack motivation.
Se-rang understood how they felt very well.
“There are two months left. For those two months, please make them master this one song perfectly. That’s all I need.”
“…We’ll do our best.”
The trainers said that, but Se-rang could not be satisfied with those words alone. She quietly took two white envelopes from her bag and handed one to each of them.
“This is a personal token of sincerity from me.”
“!”
“D-Director. Something like this….”
Se-rang politely bowed her head to the startled trainers.
“First, please think of this as a greeting gift. And if the children achieve good results, I would like to repay you with twice the amount in that envelope.”
“…!”
“I understand that the process by which you first came here may have been unpleasant. But the reason I wanted to bring in the two of you, not any other trainers, was because I heard very well that no one is better than you two.” After saying that, Se-rang bowed her head. “I truly want to do this well. I truly want to see those children grow properly and show a good stage. The two of you are the only ones who can make that possible. So please… I sincerely ask for your help. Please think of this only as a token of my gratitude.”
What Se-rang placed inside was a check worth ten million won.
A ten-million-won bonus per person.
And the offer to give them twenty million more if they taught the children well for two months—
“I’ll make sure to train them properly.”
“Don’t worry, Director.”
Was more than enough to light a fire in the two trainers’ eyes.
But Se-rang had no intention of stopping there.
“During this program, there will be three stages. Whenever each stage succeeds, I’ll give you an additional performance bonus.”
“!”
“Then I’ll be counting on you.” After saying that, Se-rang clapped her palms together with an “Ah. Please work them hard without worry. Of course, it would be even better if you worked them hard with care. The road these children have to travel is very long.”