Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Rose White
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I was in the middle of a discussion with Director Lee about Ro-si’s vocal doubling recording.
“We don’t have a sound engineer?”
“We’d need one for maybe ten days a month, so how could we keep one on staff? When things weren’t busy, the CEO would handle it, and for simple stuff, Section Chief Ji or Team Leader Park did it.”
I recalled the members calling Team Leader Park a producer. He must have lorded his shoddy recording work over them.
It was the unavoidable reality of a small company where everyone had to be a jack-of-all-trades.
“…I’ll buy you a meal. Something nice. You do it, Min-jun.”
It had been a while since I’d had sashimi. I guess I’ll have to hit the weights hard.
I called Director Lee and Ro-si and led them to the engineer’s room.
[The trait ‘Star Maker’ is activated.]
[The target will focus on your words.]
“We’re going to create a lip-sync track that sounds live. Why do you think this is necessary?”
I asked Ro-si.
When teaching someone, their understanding deepens and their perspective broadens if they grasp not just the key point, but the reason behind it.
As someone who wanted my kids to become masters in their own right, capable of teaching others, I had no choice but to be thorough.
“…Because it’s embarrassing…?”
Director Lee chuckled at Ro-si’s hesitant answer.
“Of course, I think it’s worthy of criticism for a singer to neglect their primary duty of singing and rely solely on lip-syncing while dancing. But creating a doubled track isn’t just about avoiding embarrassment.”
“Then what is it for…?”
“Because not every venue we go to will have a good sound system.”
“Ah…”
Ro-si nodded as if she understood.
“There are venues where we’re lucky to get two dynamic mics, let alone lavaliers. You need a professional engineer to handle the console and set up the mics, but not every event is that large-scale. Even if it’s not that, sometimes the speakers are underpowered and the sound gets distorted from bad settings. The reasons are countless.”
As I watched Director Lee try to hide her surprise at my field knowledge, I gave Ro-si a chance to speak.
“So. Is it about pretending to be live to inject some energy into a situation where it can’t be helped?”
Ro-si didn’t disappoint me.
“Yes. No matter who the artists are, if all they do is dance, they’re no different from an amateur dance team. We need to look like we’re performing live for the audience to feel rewarded for sticking around.”
“Yes…”
“Before you become famous, a lot of events are booked through agencies. The organizers will be satisfied only if the audience reacts well, and that increases the chances of us getting booked again, right?”
Director Lee smiled leisurely and opened her mouth.
“The manager is right. It’s a way to satisfy both our service to the audience and our business needs.”
The director had subtly elevated my title.
Being called a manager was a completely different level from a road manager, whose job was mostly driving and running errands. She was seeing me as an assistant manager, at least.
Does this mean I might get a raise?
“Alright then, shall we start recording?”
I hoped Ro-si would understand why I had explained all this in such detail.
I entered the recording booth with Ro-si.
“You can use this console to adjust the MR volume and your own vocal levels. It also controls the sound of my voice from outside. The basic settings are done, but depending on your singing style, some parts might be hard to hear. So, you adjust it, Ro-si.”
“Yes! I understand.”
Perhaps because the director was present, her reply was even more energetic.
[Influenced by the trait ‘Star Maker,’ Lee Sun is impressed.]
[Your favorability and trust with her have each increased by +1.]
[Name: Lee Sun (Age 32)]
Favorability: 71+1
Trust: 72+1
When I came out of the booth, Director Lee was staring at me intently.
“What is it, Director?”
“…How do you know all these intricate details about working in the field? Honestly, it feels like you know more than I do.”
Should I tell her a little bit of the truth?
“I learned a lot looking over CEO Gyeon’s shoulder. I also studied theory in my spare time.”
“…You’re not going to make a name for yourself here and then betray us, are you?”
“…If someone leaves because they weren’t treated fairly, I don’t think that’s betrayal.”
The director’s face momentarily stiffened before a smile spread across it.
“Right. Your honesty makes you more trustworthy. If you’re that talented, Min-jun, then it’s on us to keep you. I acknowledge that.”
Ro-si watched our inaudible conversation from the booth with a curious look in her eyes.
I pressed the microphone button to the recording booth.
“We’ll start now.”
-Okay!
Director Lee moved closer to watch me operate the console.
The first track was the pure MR.
The second through fourth tracks held the recorded vocals of Seol-ah, Seul-bi, and Yi-na, respectively. I set the fifth track, Mi-ji’s part, to record.
As the recording progressed, Mi-ji’s part would naturally be erased.
♪♬
As the intro played, Ro-si began to dance lightly.
♪♬
Today is the third day I’ve met you
Will we meet again tomorrow, this thing between us
Please know my impatient heart, you fool
♪♬
Ro-si recorded while dancing lightly, careful not to overexert herself. Her slightly ragged breath perfectly captured a sense of live performance, and a smile crept onto my face. It was proof that she had understood my lengthy explanation.
After Ro-si’s lead vocal for verse 1 was finished, I stopped the recording. When the music suddenly cut off, Ro-si looked at me with a bewildered expression.
“I didn’t stop because you did something wrong. You did great. I just stopped to record the next part. Take a moment to catch your breath, and give me a sign when you’ve recovered.”
-I understand.
Ro-si took a deep breath, her expression still a bit shaky.
Mi-ji’s lead vocal parts, which Ro-si would now cover, totaled 1 minute and 15 seconds, spread across 11 parts.
-I’m ready!
Ro-si’s energetic voice startled me.
“…Okay. We’ll start 10 seconds before the second part. And you don’t have to shout; I can hear you just fine.”
-…Yes.
Ro-si bowed her head slightly in apology.
It took less than twenty minutes to finish recording everything, including the harmony part with the main vocalist, Seol-ah.
“Good work. You can come out now.”
-Okay. Thank you for your hard work!
With the recording finished smoothly, Ro-si’s face was beaming with joy.
“Is it over already?”
“Yes. She didn’t miss any lyrics or go off-pitch.”
If this had been a formal recording, a single song could have taken days. But this was for a live track.
“Well, she’s not the main vocalist, so this should be fine.”
“Yes. In fact, a slight delay will actually enhance the live feel.”
Ro-si came out of the booth.
*Clap, clap, clap.*
I applauded to boost Ro-si’s confidence. Understanding my intention, Director Lee chuckled and clapped along.
“You’ve worked hard these past few days. It was your first recording, and you did a great job.”
Tears suddenly welled up in Ro-si’s smiling eyes.
“…*Sob*. Thank you…!”
Why is she crying all of a sudden?
“The work isn’t finished yet.”
“I’m sorry… *hic*. I was just criticized recently… so… I was worried, and then you said that so suddenly…”
Ro-si sniffled constantly as if tears were running down to her nose.
“…I’m not… sniffling up snot. The tears are coming out of my nose…”
Ro-si’s attempt to defend herself made both the director and me burst out laughing.
“I’m going to keep the effects minimal to preserve the live feel. I’ll apply the same reverb effect as the other members, using this IR Live Stereo.”
I explained as if I were reporting to the director. I figured that with her sharp mind, just watching over my shoulder would be a great help to her.
A loading bar moved quickly. When I clicked the completed file, a rich resonance was added to the previously flat vocals.
Ro-si’s voice blended seamlessly into the parts where Mi-ji had been. Ro-si’s face was filled with elation.
[Achievement Unlocked: First Recording.]
An outstanding result has been produced thanks to your trait.
Reward Stat: 1 pt
Distributable Stat Points: 26 pt
* * *
“Good work. Should I treat you to dinner tonight?”
“No, that’s alright. I have to move Ro-si’s things to the dorm today.”
“Right, I forgot. We have a lot to do tomorrow, too, like getting the outfits ready early.”
“Yes.”
“Ro-si?”
“Yes, Director.”
“You know how to do basic makeup, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’d love to get you full makeup for your first schedule, but it might cause friction if you look too different from the other members, so you should do it yourself.”
“Yes, Director!”
I went down to the parking lot with Ro-si.
“Where should I sit?”
“In the back, of course. Were you planning on taking the passenger seat?”
I needed to instill in her that she was an artist now. Ro-si looked at the new contract she had signed with curious eyes.
I started the car.
“From now on, Ro-si, you are a full-fledged artist.”
“Yes!”
“You’re not a trainee anymore, so have some pride. If you need any errands run, don’t hesitate to tell me.”
“…Okay.”
We arrived at Ro-si’s studio apartment.
“…”
There were more belongings than I expected.
Three large suitcases, two small ones, and five storage boxes.
“It’s a little much, isn’t it… I tried to downsize as much as I could.”
* * *
2 a.m.
I went home to catch a few hours of sleep before heading back to the dorm. When I rang the bell, Ro-si, her eyes bright and clear, came out with her makeup beautifully done.
She really looks familiar.
“…You didn’t sleep at all, did you?”
“…No. I just watched TV until midnight, did my makeup, and then watched more TV.”
“Weren’t you scared being alone?”
“That’s why I watched TV. I cleaned my room, too.”
On the way to the salon with Ro-si, I found a café that was open.
“I’m surprised there’s a café open at this hour.”
“Yeah. There are a few 24-hour cafés around. Koreans are passionate about everything, whether it’s working or playing, all through the night.”
I bought ten coffees and a fresh cream cake that would go well with them. Ro-si’s eyes seemed to ask me what all this was for.
“You know Chae-ron, right?”
“Of course I know her! We trained together.”
“We’re going to where she works.”
I handed a coffee to Ro-si and started driving again.
I had felt a lingering guilt about name-dropping Chae-ron in front of the trainees while coaching Ro-si on her vocals. Giving out coffee and cake was my way of easing my conscience.
That’s just the kind of person I am.
We arrived at a select shop, a beacon of light in the otherwise dark surroundings. Two vans, the kind celebrities would ride in, were parked out front.
Two employees who looked like stylists were pulling out a clothing rack and carefully hanging clothes in the back of a van. The fact that two stylists were accompanying them meant they were definitely a successful girl group.
I entered the shop with coffee in both hands, while Ro-si carried the cake. Ro-si’s eyes sparkled as she saw a girl group in the middle of a fitting.
As I walked in, the cool gazes of the staff and the girl group members turned to me.
“Welcome. You’re Answer’s manager, right?”
“Yes, hello. I’m here to pick up the outfits. And by any chance, is Chae-ron here right now?”
“Chae-ron!”
“Yes!”
Chae-ron appeared, holding clothes with tags still on them.
“…Unni!”
“Ro-si…”
A bittersweet smile spread across Chae-ron’s welcoming face. It seemed she had intuited that Ro-si was debuting.
I offered a coffee to the shop’s owner.
“Please take good care of Chae-ron.”
“Oh my! You brought coffee at this hour.”
The owner and staff happily accepted the coffee and cake.
“Looks like Chae-ron has some solid backing, huh?”
Chae-ron looked burdened but couldn’t hide her happy expression.
“Why are you doing all this for me…?”
“…An investment in the future. And to be honest, I dropped your name once before.”
“You did?”
While we were gathering Answer’s outfits, Ro-si tried on hers for the first time. The staff member helping her with the fitting was full of admiration.
“Are you debuting? Your figure is lovely and your skin is so fair.”
Personally, I disliked outfits that accentuated sexiness, but it suited Ro-si so well that she looked like a different person. Her silver hair was reminiscent of a nine-tailed fox with a silver coat.
Ro-si looked awkward, seemingly embarrassed by the shoulder-baring outfit.
I never realized Ro-si was this beautiful.
“…I look weird, don’t I?”
Ro-si said with a face on the verge of tears, her body awkwardly hunched.
“You look like a goddess.”
“…I’m being serious.”
“No, really. Like an actress…”
The familiar face I couldn't place suddenly appeared in my third eye as a vision.
“Rose! You look like Rose White.”
Seeing Ro-si's startled eyes, it was like stars exploded in my head.
It wasn't that she resembled her.
Rose White was Ro-si.
The vision was of something that would happen several years in the future.
“I’ve never heard of that actress. And Rose White is the name of the female lead in a play I wrote in college… what a strange coincidence.”
“…It was Ro-si. Rose was.”
“What?”
Ro-si stared at me, completely baffled.
Rose White, the elegant Korean actress who, several years from now, would write her own screenplay, star as the female lead, and rise to the pinnacle of stardom on a foreign OTT platform.
What are you doing here?
The faint glow of success that had always emanated from Ro-si’s body transformed, becoming deeper and more intense.