Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: After First Album Promotions End, Second Album Prep Begins (6)
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What I'd thrown out off the top of my head without much thought had been neatly organized and written down.
- Red lips whispering secrets
Follow the traces left behind
A poisoned apple on a red tablecloth
It mixed in just the right amount of English, clear signs of someone who'd done this more than once or twice.
"What do you think?"
"It's way cleaner now."
"Let's try singing it over the MR."
Kim Kwang-myeong unplugged his headphones and played the MR through the speakers.
Hum along. When I fitted the lyrics to the melody, they slotted in like magic.
"Pretty amazing."
"Right? That's why this is so fun. But hyung... you might actually have some talent for this?"
"Me?"
"Yeah. You have a real knack for lyrics. Great ideas for a first-timer... Anyway, let's keep going together."
Me, talented at lyrics? That was a new one.
At twenty-six, discovering a new talent.
'But it's more fun than I expected.'
I'd never had the chance to try lyric-writing before, but now that I was, it was surprisingly enjoyable.
Coming up with ideas, jotting them down, refining them into proper lyrics.
And when those lyrics fit the MR like puzzle pieces, the rush was incredible.
"I had no idea lyric-writing was this fun."
"Now you get why I'm obsessed."
"A little bit."
"Want to learn composing while we're at it?"
"Me?"
"I think you'd pick it up quick with a pro teacher."
"Hmm..."
In this era of self-producing idols, learning to compose didn't sound like a bad idea.
"I'll ask CEO Oh about it later."
"Sure. Actually, I learned from him too."
"You?"
"Yeah. I knew basic beats already, but the pro stuff? I picked up most of it here from CEO Oh and Ji-hwang hyung."
That explained why Kim Kwang-myeong had stuck around after switching to idol track without complaint.
We spent a while chatting and writing lyrics until Park Su-rim called us to wrap up. We agreed to finish the rest tomorrow.
"Let's work on the lyrics together tomorrow too."
"Got it."
Then a new notification popped up: skill proficiency increased.
[Created lyrics that match the melody. Producing skill proficiency +30%.]
I'd only helped with lyrics, but my producing skill went up.
'Come to think of it, this is the first time producing proficiency has budged.'
Even acting and variety shows had inched up from schedules.
But producing had been stuck at Beginner Level 1, 00.00%.
'Good harvest anyway.'
Smiling in satisfaction, I headed to my bed.
I had a feeling tonight's dreams would be full of red things.
* * *
For the next few days, Kim Kwang-myeong dragged me into lyric-writing sessions.
I'd toss ideas and he'd polish them, or he'd suggest something and I'd refine it.
Our back-and-forth produced lyrics way better than I'd imagined.
He held up the notebook with the finished lyrics, bursting into a satisfied grin.
"Ah! Done! Man... we'd been stuck for days without ideas. Dude, you saved me."
"All done? No confirmation from CEO Oh or anything?"
"Oh, right, I forgot to mention. I showed him the draft yesterday."
"What?"
Without telling me?
"He gave it the okay, said it was great. And when I told him you helped write it, he was shocked."
"I bet."
Neither original Ha Jae nor I had shown much interest in lyrics or composing.
"He kept staring at the lyrics, muttering 'Lee Jae... Lee Jae?' like that."
"..."
His impression brought CEO Oh's stunned face vividly to mind.
"Anyway, if he calls you in later, don't freak out."
I nodded.
Getting summoned for something like this wasn't scary.
It was when you'd screwed up big that it mattered...
I recalled Director Choi's office the last time I got booted from TL.
...Yeah. Not something I wanted to remember.
"Anyway, so this is finalized?"
"Yup. Good work, Ha Jae."
"Hyung."
"Right, right, Ha Jae hyung."
He flashed a cheeky grin.
Ding! A notification appeared.
[Passive skill 'Producing' has leveled up to Beginner 2. The producer's instinct awakens.]
[SUB QUEST completed.]
[Click the button to claim your reward. Click!]
Looks like we'd made a song solid enough to clear the quest.
I let out a relieved sigh and claimed the reward.
[Acquired experience points.]
[Intimacy with Kim Kwang-myeong increases.]
[LEVEL UP! 'Ha Jae' level rises to 8.]
[Seventh LEVEL UP reward: Luck stat +5.]
Oh, level up. Feels like it's been ages.
Higher levels meant level-ups came slower.
'Luck stat for the seventh one?'
Still not sure what high luck did exactly.
Though I did find a 500-won coin on the street a few days ago...
'It's luck, so higher's better, right?'
No point overthinking it.
I shook my head to clear the thoughts.
That day, during practice, manager hyung burst into the practice room.
"Lee Jae. CEO Oh wants to see you."
"Oh, okay."
Fast. I caught Kim Kwang-myeong's glance as I followed manager hyung to the CEO's office.
CEO Oh was waiting, holding a sheet of paper.
As I sat, he handed it over.
"Lee Jae. Kwang-myeong said you came up with the ideas for these lyrics. That true?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Really? How'd you think of this?"
I explained honestly, and his eyes lit up with burning intensity.
Different from his usual gaze—full of determination.
Like finding out a random roadside pebble was a gemstone in the rough.
A bit intimidating... I averted my eyes slightly as I answered.
"I read a book called [The Color of Secrets] recently. Have you heard of it?"
"The mystery novel? Know of it, haven't read it. Global bestseller, right?"
"Yeah. And Kwang-myeong..."
I detailed everything: him playing the MR with the working title 'RED', how the lyrics came to me, and how we finished them.
His face grew brighter with every word.
"So Kwang-myeong taught you? Good start. For a first try, it's really solid. Even with his help, the core ideas were yours. Not easy at all... You did great."
"Thanks for the praise."
"We're going with these lyrics as-is. So I'm adding your name to the lyric credits."
"Really?"
It made sense—my lyrics, my credit.
But hearing it for real felt strange.
Like stepping into uncharted territory.
What about royalties?
I asked, and he nodded.
"Lyric royalties are settled separately from management contracts."
"Awesome."
Extra income outside the contract? Perfect.
I nodded with a satisfied smile.
Then his expression turned serious again.
Leaning in like a subway salesman, he whispered.
"More importantly, didn't know this, but you seem to have a real knack for producing. Ever thought about learning to compose properly?"
"I'd love to if I could. But not sure about the time."
I pictured Kim Kwang-myeong, legs splitting from juggling practice and producing.
CEO Oh nodded understandingly.
"Fair enough. Schedules will ramp up soon... How about learning bits from Kwang-myeong in his downtime? I'll ask him."
"Hmm..."
"Having multiple producing-capable members is a plus. Your Sunbaes in Redbee are learning now too."
"Oh?"
No downside to producing skills.
Crafting songs that fit the group's vibe would boost EverPlanet's edge.
'But learning from Kim Kwang-myeong?'
I imagined him teaching me composing.
'Not exactly teacher material.'
He was a genius producer, sure.
But talent doesn't equal teaching skill.
If anything, he was the opposite of the ideal teacher type.
All I could picture was him whipping me for mistakes, berating me.
"A bit much? But you're older than him."
"No, age isn't it. I just don't want to burden him more. He's swamped with songs and practice already."
I didn't want to pile on someone already busy.
"I'll ask Kwang-myeong. If he's cool, no issue, right?"
"Yeah... sure..."
I nodded.
"Alright, we'll do that."
"Good. Mainly called to say you did well, Lee Jae. Back to practice."
"Got it. Thanks, CEO Oh."
I bowed and left the office.
As the door closed, a notification appeared.
[Discovered new producer potential. Art +1]
Seeing it, a chill ran down my spine.
Somehow, I had a feeling I'd become Kim Kwang-myeong's first student.