Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: This Life is Space Star 66
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The meeting attendees were few and far between.
Not the nearly twenty people from last time, but just the essentials.
It wasn't a relaxed gathering.
First off, the A&R Team Leader and the PR Team Leader.
At Lemon Entertainment, a team leader position was equivalent to a vice president at a regular company.
And with their seniority, everyone naturally straightened up in their seats.
The A&R Team Leader greeted us.
“Long time no see, everyone.”
“It's been a while, Team Leader.”
He exchanged eye contact with Yoon Seok-hwan, the section chief sitting right next to me, and Min-gi hyung.
That's when Executive Director Jo, at the head of the table, spoke up.
“You probably heard this is a meeting. Right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, not wrong, but think of it more as a time to chat. There's stuff we need to tell you, and some matters where we need your input.”
The A&R Team Leader slid a sheet of paper across, and the meeting kicked off.
“First up, let's talk metrics on Fireworks.”
The guys leaned in around me.
An A4 sheet showed a graph with curving lines.
Starting at 88 on day one, climbing to the 70s in week one, the 50s by late June, and now in the 30s.
“Unfortunately, it'll probably start dropping from this week onward. MOP's Daydream and other groups with strong fandoms are coming back soon, and it's peaked as high as it's going to go.”
We nodded.
“And the main point: Night Sea is getting good reactions right now. That's drawn interest from a few composers. They're asking if you'd be up for collaborating sometime—directed at you, Woojoo.”
“……Pardon?”
“They've offered to work on a track with you. What do you think? Interested?”
The members' eyes widened as they turned to me.
Eyes full of congratulations.
But I was flustered.
Me? Why?
What on earth had they seen in me to want to collaborate?
Night Sea was doing well, sure, but it wasn't some groundbreaking hit.
Plus, the names proposing were all big shots I knew of.
“Why would people like that want to work with me?”
“Seems your songs came across as fresh to them.”
The explanation continued.
From Fireworks onward, industry folks had been buzzing: 'The title track is an idol's self-composed song?'
But there'd been skepticism because of the collab with Han Jo, positioning us as composer idols.
Even Lemon might've had pro composers ghostwriting, like DNS.
Night Sea confirmed it for them.
The reason for the offer was familiar.
Like when Sunbae Jang So-won made Something—a fresh element.
They were pros at composing; I provided a new perspective or novelty.
No downside to the offer.
If anything, a chance to learn from watching pros at work.
The dongsaengs were urging me on like, do it already.
The A&R Team Leader looked expectant too.
“What do you think?”
I pondered briefly; no long deliberation.
Check the details first.
“What exactly does collaborating with me mean? Are we talking next album, or a separate single?”
“The latter.”
“Then I'd like to pass.”
“……?”
I glanced at the members' baffled faces before carefully stating my position.
“Learning composition and building that image for promo? Sounds good. Great opportunity personally. But we're still rookies with a long way to go. Right now, I want to prioritize the group.”
I saw it as a good opportunity.
Wanted to do it badly.
But not great for the group.
Could disrupt activities centered on me, or send the wrong message to fans.
“Well, if that's your call, can't argue.”
As the A&R Team Leader smacked his lips, the PR Team Leader glanced my way with a smile.
I turned and nearly smiled myself.
Just like back then.
Similar to when they said we were family in Ulwangri.
Especially swallowing a laugh at Bijoo.
“Oh, and this came for Ri-hyeok. After yesterday's vocal showcase, a bunch of collab offers rolled in. Judging by your face, same opinion as Woojoo, huh?”
“Yeah, same here.”
Ri-hyeok answered, looking at me.
Like, see?
I smiled approval when the quietly listening director spoke.
“Then what about collaborating on the next album?”
“That'd be great. If they'd even want that…….”
“If that's your stance, we'll look into it.”
“……Pardon?”
Was this the kind of thing that gets instant OK?
Something felt off.
Trainee days, it was always 'do this, do that' from the company.
Now, one opinion from me, and they greenlight it.
Dazed, the director smiled.
“You're artists now, full-fledged. Not trainees we can order around. Especially on music—your input as performers matters most.”
Felt like another promotion.
After Something's success, getting the studio marked us as promising composers.
This meeting? Us communicating as equals with the company, like true artists.
We exchanged emotional looks; everyone smiled.
* * *
The meeting flew by frantically.
Had to take notes just to keep up.
Full of surprises.
Talks underway with brands like school uniform companies for ads.
Clothing sponsorships in discussion.
Terrestrial broadcasters floating variety show appearances.
Last one? Don't get hopes up.
Just talks so far.
Seok-hwan hyung's nonstop boozy efforts lately seemed tied to this.
Each company remark drew 'oohs' from us.
Director Jo nodded approval.
“Good work. Beyond expectations.”
That hit strange.
Amazement, pride.
Debut showcase to two weeks of music show sprints—curtains hid all this hustle.
Now saw our first album promo's path.
Music shows alone hadn't conveyed it.
What successful rookie debut really meant.
“Yoon Section Chief, management side all covered?”
“Yes.”
“Whew, finally time.”
The PR Team Leader chuckled warmly.
Then the agenda—today's core, by the vibe.
“Fan sign this Sunday, right?”
“Yes.”
“Around then, we'll run a fandom name contest and vote. First, need you to film a message for fans about it.”
What Ji-ho mentioned earlier.
“Planning an event with the fan sign.”
“Event?”
“Nothing grand. Like small gifts you prep for fans. Like debut showcase ones.”
“Ah, yes.”
Tiny snacks or photocards from then came to mind.
“Not asking you to make those. Just brainstorm ideas together. Even same idea—ours vs. yours feels more sincere.”
Got it.
Same proposal: flashy pro-made vs. humble but heartfelt.
He added.
“And one more thing not to forget.”
“Film the brainstorming process?”
“Spot on.”
Satisfied smile.
PR Team Leader wrapped; meeting ended.
Director Jo led the outgoing tide; I took a deep breath.
“Wow…….”
Glanced; dongsaengs drained too.
Tension around leaders easing, shocking content.
Above all.
Pride swelled.
All swallowing complex feelings, Jung-hyun spoke.
“Our album really did well, huh.”
Looking back, no better summary.
* * *
Lemon Entertainment's Mityube channel.
'New Black' category overflowed with videos.
Year-end eval clips, Something recording, music show #1 behinds, Music Cafe practice.
Upload surge hit when DNS Media's promo push started.
Then self-made reality, practice, daily vlogs exploded.
Latest: 'Woojoo & Ri-hyeok, Night Sea Composition Saga'—five-parter.
Part 1: Masked in studio, me bickering with Ri-hyeok over work.
2-4: Lyrics, practice.
5: Final live Night Sea.
Part 5—with acapella 'Rookie Handles Sound Glitch'—hit #2 views after Fireworks MV.
-Listening makes me tear up
-Better than album title track
-Melancholy but warm
-Lyrics
-This song's stuck in my head, so good lol
-Live gods here
First time hearing it—insane talent, great tones too.
-eng sub plz
High views meant tons of comments.
Smiling through them, white hands clapped before my eyes.
Ah. Jump scare.
“Hey, ajusshi. Focus.”
Looked up: Ri-hyeok across, sulky.
Tuesday today.
HBS MTV's 'It's Showtime' music show waiting room.
“Still no ideas. Scrolling our Mityube vids for inspo.”
PR Team Leader said brainstorm simple; nothing solid yet.
No 'this is it' spark.
Agreed on gifts for fans; what varied.
“Handwritten letters?”
…Bijoo's idea vetoed quick.
100 people; too sentimental, burdensome.
“Group dinner after? Like BBQ.”
“Hey, Jung-hyun.”
“Yeah.”
“Let's rethink. Together.”
Jung-hyun nodded, 'sure,' brain churning.
No, Jung-hyun.
Not for another idea.
Dreading his next words.
“Song gifts?”
“Oh, not bad.”
“Good? Fitting too.”
Main vocal's practical.
Jotting it when hyungs eyed; maknae pounced.
“Mine's that. Sandwich.”
“Sandwich?”
“Inga sandwich, y'know.”
“Ah…….”
“Thought at shop earlier—bam, that hit. Money buys lots. What can't? That.”
“Yeah. Sandwiches qualify.”
Solid idea.
HBS top singer's Sunday canteen sandwiches—famous tasty.
SNS buzz lately.
Fans'd know.
But Ri-hyeok countered.
“Not bad, but meh? Fine for queue fans, but fan sign… not handmade by us.”
“Hmm, true. Missed that.”
Ri-hyeok had point.
Sandwich good, but not 'our' gift exactly.
Too plain.
Kept squeezing brains; nothing satisfying.
No instant 'yes!' gift.
Meaningful.
One screaming, 'They think of us this much.'
Debating; Bijoo shifted.
“But nailing fan sign matters more first? Attitude over gifts…….”
“Yeah. Worries me too.”
Jung-hyun's 'bit worried' meant very.
“Me too. Company guidelines soon, but just guidelines. Gotta learn on-site; scared of messing up.”
“Me too. Can't treat like school friends. But too formal weird.”
All anxious about fan sign.
Me too.
Wanted advice; no experience.
“Ah. Ask sunbaes?”
All eyed me at Bijoo's words.
“Why me?”
“You got most connections, hyung. Lately everyone's cozying up.”
“Dunno.”
Scrolling contacts, muttering.
“Not super social. TJ friends' numbers old, no contact. Oh, wait—you guys close with Scarlett too.”
“Busy lately, texts sparse.”
Got their vibe.
Bump into: 'Woo!' chatty.
No solo outreach.
“Then Jang So-won sunbae? Did Sugarfish.”
“Jung-hyun.”
“Yeah.”
“Even fans might snap asking disbanded group era?”
“Could be.”
Could be? Definitely.
Frustrated forehead rub; kids laughed.
Then a contact caught eye.
Oh yeah.
“Messaged this one days ago.”
“Who?”
“Tae-hyun.”
“Whoa, TNT's?”
“But probably slammed. Heard China fanmeets, crazy busy. Eh, leave a message…….”
Texted 'free?' closing phone—
Bzzz—
'TNT_Han Tae-hyun' lit screen; kids blinked at me.
Awkward, added.
“Guess he's free now.”