Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: The One-Two Punch
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“I think I saw a mosquito.”
“Hey! What mosquito? It's winter.”
CEO Park Jae-yong, annoyed, held out the back of his hand.
“Huh?”
It was a real mosquito.
“Ah, what the heck, Daepyo-nim! You've been eating in here, haven't you!”
“…No… I haven't lately.”
“Of course it wasn't lately! The mosquito must have laid its eggs in some corner!”
“...”
“You're the one who said this place has sensitive equipment and needs to be kept dry!”
CEO Park Jae-yong looked at me with an aggrieved expression.
“I'm sorry. I didn't even realize...”
“No, well... it hurt more than the bite would have.”
CEO Park Jae-yong was hoping to start a conversation with me to escape Isa-nim's nagging.
“Also, I have something to say.”
“Great! Tell me.”
CEO Park Jae-yong’s face lit up.
“I know the schedule is already set, but I think it would be better to release a full album instead of just a single.”
“Wasn't the plan to see how the single did first before deciding on that?”
CEO Park Jae-yong asked, as if wondering where this was coming from.
“Look... Min-jun. I was impressed with what I heard earlier. It was moving. I acknowledge your talent.”
Siljang-nim Ji, who would have previously yelled at me for being arrogant, began to speak calmly.
“But let me give you a reality check. To hold a proper showcase, we have to align it with the release date contracted with the music distributor, right? You have to book a venue at least six months in advance. It's not something you can just throw money at. We also have to coordinate promotions with the broadcasting stations...”
[Trait ‘Star Maker (A)’ Activated]
Things that couldn't be explained by intuition alone began to surface in my mind.
I waited for Siljang-nim Ji to finish before speaking again.
“We can release the single as planned. However, if we release the full album containing that single before its popularity wanes, it will create a much better synergy.”
“Is that necessary?”
“It's necessary because it would be a shame to let the head producer's song go to waste.”
A pleased twitch crossed CEO Park Jae-yong's face.
This would create a problem with the profit-sharing agreement I had for producing the entire album, but my intuition came first.
“Music has trends, and it's absurd to let such a great song sit on a shelf.”
“Trends don't change drastically in a year. There's always this fall or winter.”
At Isa-nim's words, CEO Park Jae-yong's expression fell.
“No. Could I listen to your song now, Daepyo-nim?”
CEO Park Jae-yong grinned and unlocked a private folder.
He then found the folder, organized by date, and played the song.
♪♬
“As you can hear, it's an up-tempo dance track with a disco house rhythm.”
CEO Park Jae-yong's head started bobbing to the beat.
“The tight energy of the synth brass, the clear and powerful distortion sound, and the strong release after a good build-up will surely provide a refreshing sense of relief.”
“Heh. I think I know what our Min-jun is getting at.”
“May I add something to your song as an example, Daepyo-nim?”
“Hey, hey, hey! Go for it. Do whatever you want!”
Excited by my words, CEO Park Jae-yong said magnanimously.
I set up a virtual module on the keyboard and tapped the keys.
“I'll add a pluck sound at the beginning.”
♬♪
*Plink-plink-plink! Bomp-bomp-bomp!*
♬♪
As the cute pluck sound created a refreshing vibe reminiscent of a vacation spot, everyone's mouths fell open.
“Now, I'll layer a vox sample here, slice it, and add portamento to create a melody.”
I tapped the keyboard again, and a pleasant-sounding vox lead was added.
“It's perfect for an exciting summer song.”
Everyone was bewildered as CEO Park Jae-yong's song was instantly transformed into an exciting summer track.
But Siljang-nim Ji's face was filled with worry.
“It's good, but... making an album costs a fortune, and we need the funds from a successful single first...”
“Wow! Our Min-jun's understanding is on another level. How can he be so perfect at his age? And when did he learn such advanced skills?”
CEO Park Jae-yong eagerly took the bait.
“The plan is to release the single first, then follow up with the next title track on the album for a one-two punch, right?”
“Yes. And the album will also include solo tracks that highlight each member's individual characteristics.”
“I love it!”
“But still, why the sudden gamble? It's much safer to do some events after the single succeeds and build up our funds.”
Isa-nim seemed to somewhat agree with Siljang-nim Ji's concern.
“As I mentioned, I was worried Daepyo-nim's song would miss this summer's trend, but there's another reason.”
“What is it?”
“Timing-wise, the single will be released right after they appear on 'Best Idol' and gain popularity. They can earn recognition and establish themselves with a first title track that emphasizes their vocal skills, but isn't it event season right after that?”
“...Right, it is.”
“It's because I'm confident that a bright and cheerful summer song will maximize profits far more than a heavy one.”
“Ah...”
A collective gasp escaped from everyone's lips at my words.
Sexy or heavy songs are very niche. Can parents who bring their children comfortably enjoy a sexy dance performance? Most likely not.
But a bright and cheerful summer song appeals to all ages and genders, which meant their range of potential events would expand significantly. Being professionals, they understood this immediately.
⋮
CEO Park Jae-yong requested a private meeting with me.
Was it about the contract?
I entered CEO Park Jae-yong's office.
“If this is about the profit-sharing...”
“Don't be ridiculous, kid.”
“...”
“I'm fine with just the royalties. You take it.”
I couldn't help but be inwardly surprised by the unexpectedly magnanimous CEO Park Jae-yong.
The 5% profit I stood to gain was by no means a small amount.
“Listen to this.”
CEO Park Jae-yong's personal computer also contained numerous self-composed songs.
“Min-jun, listen through these and pick out anything that might be usable.”
CEO Park Jae-yong was asking me to arrange them.
The man with so much pride was admitting that I was above him.
***
“This one could also be a title track with some arrangement.”
“Right?”
The songs CEO Park Jae-yong had kept separately were almost devoid of his signature style.
The signs of his hard work to change his musical color were clear.
Even at a glance, two or three of them had trendy hooks that would make them suitable as title tracks after some arrangement.
“...You want to give it a try, Min-jun?”
CEO Park Jae-yong said it casually, but I could tell he'd said it with courage after much deliberation.
“I'll work on it when I have time.”
“Right, right. I'll make sure you're well compensated.”
“Understood. I also have to go to the final confirmation for Answer's custom outfits.”
“Oh, that's right. You can go ahead.”
For me, the time after work was crucial for making more money and building my future.
I left CEO Park Jae-yong's office.
“I know Min-jun is talented in many ways, but aren't you trusting him too much?”
“But it's not like he's wrong.”
The volume was low, but Siljang-nim Ji's complaint to Isa-nim drifted into my sensitive ears.
“Why take a risk when there's a safe path?”
“Oppa, just trust him.”
“Can we get by on trust alone? And Team Leader Lee's mood isn't great right now either.”
It couldn't be helped.
In fact, anyone would have reacted the same way as Siljang-nim Ji.
A rookie with less than a year of experience was handling all the major projects.
They had no way of knowing about the cheat-like abilities I possessed.
“I'm heading out after the outfit production confirmation.”
“Oh, okay. Take this before you go.”
As I approached Isa-nim, she handed me a manila envelope.
“It's your pay stub. Let me know by tomorrow if there are any issues.”
“Thank you.”
“Nothing to thank me for.”
It was the first pay stub I'd received since my promotion to Assistant Manager.
With so much going on, I'd forgotten about my salary, and it felt good to be reminded.
“Well then, I'll be leaving.”
“Alright. Don't go blowing your money just because it's payday.”
It's probably only around 3 million won. How could I possibly blow it?
I left the office with a bitter smile.
I pressed the elevator button and opened the pay stub.
“?”
4.5 million won.
I was a little surprised by the net pay, which was much higher than I expected. I had thought my net pay would be around 2.8 million won, and 3.5 million at most with bonuses.
[Bonus Pay (Best Idol Casting) 500,000 won, Answer Interview 200,000 won, Outstanding Idea Meeting Contributor 300,000 won, Directing Allowance 150,000 won...]
I had been meticulously rewarded for contributions I hadn't even considered.
That was Isa-nim for you.
It seemed all her frequent note-taking was for things like this.
*Third floor.*
The elevator doors opened.
Team Leader Lee, who was inside, scowled upon seeing me.
“Good work today. I'll be leaving now.”
“...Hey. Rookie.”
Team Leader Lee blocked the elevator door.
“...”
“What are you so happy about, smirking like that? Think you're hot stuff now that you've been promoted?”
He was clearly expressing his dissatisfaction with me, which included the incident where he'd bumped my shoulder.
From my perspective, as someone who would build this company up, the crooked Team Leader Lee was just another problem to overcome.
Society was a meritocracy, and the final destination for those with an old-school mentality who couldn't accept it was falling behind.
“I don't know why you're upset, but I think it's unfair to call me a rookie when my official title is Assistant Manager.”
Team Leader Lee snorted.
“Hey, you think you can look down on your seniors just because you're doing well?”
“What are you doing?”
Siljang-nim Ji, who had come out of the office, scolded him in a low voice.
“This rookie bastard is being arrogant.”
“Team Leader Lee, what's gotten into you?”
Siljang-nim Ji also seemed flustered.
Team Leader Lee cracked his neck from side to side and opened his mouth.
“...Hyung-nim! Let's be honest, does it make sense for a rookie with less than a year here to become a manager-level team leader?”
“He's an Assistant Manager, not a Manager.”
Surprisingly, Siljang-nim Ji took my side.
“He's only an Assistant Manager in name! His salary is at the manager level!”
“What are you talking about! Where did you hear that?”
“Is that what's important right now?”
“Assistant Manager Min, you can go.”
“Where are you sending him? Let's hear him out properly.”
Team Leader Lee didn't give me any room to leave.
“Hey! You, how much is your salary?”
At Team Leader Lee's words, Siljang-nim Ji's face reddened as he took a step forward.
“You punk! Have you been in this industry for a day or two? Why is a guy who's been around for seven years acting like this?!”
“So you're saying it makes sense for a rookie to get this kind of treatment?”
This was a problem that arose because very few people knew I was also producing. But I had no intention of doing something that wouldn't help my own plans one bit just to appease Team Leader Lee's sense of injustice.
“If you're so damn bitter, then go out and land some huge deals like Assistant Manager Min!”
“Haaah...”
“How many things has Assistant Manager Min resolved and brought in so far? You must have heard some of it!”
“Even so...”
“You still have something to say? Assistant Manager Min's performance this quarter is way better than mine, you punk. Do I need to explain further?”
“Ha... fuck.”
Spitting out a curse, Team Leader Lee brushed past me and headed for the office.
“Hurry up and go home.”
Siljang-nim Ji said to me before following Team Leader Lee into the office.
I thought Siljang-nim Ji had a bad impression of me, but it seems that wasn't the case.
He was more like a senior colleague, worried about disharmony in the company and trying to mediate.