Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: The Laws of OST (3)
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We sat down at the desk in the middle of the studio.
Kim Kwang-myeong and Jeina opened their work laptops. Come to think of it, I was the only one without one.
'Maybe I should buy one once I get paid.'
My skills weren't fully professional yet, but as someone learning the ropes, it made sense to have at least the basic gear.
Just then, CEO Oh, who had been fiddling with the studio computer, spun his chair around to face us.
"Kids, want to listen to this first? Jipyeong and I whipped up a main theme before you got here."
"Sure, play it for us."
Jeina nodded, and CEO Oh hit play right away. It was a raw early draft, without even a proper top line. I closed my eyes and let the melody wash over me.
'Beautiful.'
The piano, violin, and harp blended perfectly, creating a deeply wistful and poignant vibe. Pros really were on another level.
Even though it was like a sketch with just the composition laid out, it already felt polished.
We'd had the meeting just a few days ago, and they'd progressed this far already. All I could say was impressive.
Jeina and Kim Kwang-myeong seemed to agree, voicing their admiration.
"You and Jipyeong-oppa already nailed it. Feels like there's nothing left for us to do. The vibe is perfect."
"Yeah. The orchestration is tight and intricate—gives off this real winter feel, you know? Elevates the whole thing. But the harp stands out a bit too much compared to the other lines. A slight tweak there would make it even better."
"Got it. I'll keep that in mind. What do you think, Jae?"
"Um..."
I paused to think. Like they said, it was a lyrical piece perfectly suited for winter. But something...
'Felt a little off.'
The song was great. No, excellent. Yet it didn't quite fit. I recalled the drama plot Director Hwang had shared at the meeting a few days back.
The male lead, ill, attends a rural high school for recovery, falls for the female lead, who secretly likes him back, but they don't end up together then. Years later, they reunite amid twists and turns to finally be together.
With that in mind, I spoke carefully.
"The song's amazing, but... it doesn't quite match the drama."
"Can you elaborate, Jae?"
At Hwang Jipyeong's prompting, I continued.
"Well, the core theme of this drama we're doing is immature first love, right? That high school crush they couldn't make happen back then, reuniting as adults and overcoming obstacles to be together."
"Oh, that's the plot?"
Kim Kwang-myeong blinked, not having heard the details, and Jeina confirmed, "Yeah."
"To me, the song's too perfect. Flawless in every way, which is why it feels off. It's got that full winter lyricism, but lacks the fresh, innocent first-love vibe... Maybe loosen up those tight lines a bit? And if something's missing, fill it with my vocals and Jeina-sunbae's."
Of course, that's just my personal take. I added that quickly, gauging CEO Oh and Hwang Jipyeong's reactions. CEO Oh's face looked grim. Seriously grim.
'Was I too blunt?'
It hit me after saying it—maybe I should've been more tactful. He was our company CEO; if I'd done this at TL, I'd have been in hot water.
Sure enough, a low, ominous voice came from CEO Oh.
"Jae, you little..."
Here it comes. I braced for the scolding—something about my attitude toward the boss's work. Knowing how to schmooze the higher-ups was useless if I blanked at a crucial moment like this.
But then, that ominous voice burst into a hearty laugh. CEO Oh shot up from his chair, strode over, and pulled me into a headlock.
...What the hell? I was stunned by the sudden turn. Kim Kwang-myeong just shrugged like it was par for the course.
"Our CEO's at it again."
Meanwhile, CEO Oh pinched my cheeks with his thick hands and stretched them out. Why? Why?!
"We've got another lucky charm in the company!"
"Euugh?"
"You nailed it, Jae!"
"CEO, Jae's cheeks are gonna stretch out."
Jeina laughed out loud, arms crossed, clearly amused.
Finally escaping his grip, I rubbed my stinging cheeks and asked,
"You weren't mad...?"
"Mad? Why would I be? For giving such a great idea? I should be giving you a reward."
CEO Oh plopped back down at the equipment, eyes wide like my question was absurd.
Kim Kwang-myeong chuckled and patted my shoulder.
"That's just CEO Oh's style. Next time you have a good idea, expect that kind of praise. I get it a lot too, for reference."
"I see..."
He seemed more carrot than stick.
'Phew, relieved.'
As an artist under him, this made things comfortable.
I watched CEO Oh tweak the melody on piano and realized anew he was a good guy.
Then a system alert pinged in front of me.
[Detected an excellent producing idea. Art +1]
Guess this direction was right.
* * *
With open communication, work picked up speed.
"How about [First Winter] for the title? The drama's all about winter and first love. Mash 'em together."
"Nice. Perfect keyword for lyrics."
"'First winter's here, my first winter with you.' Something like that?"
"Love it, Jae."
The vibe encouraged everyone to share ideas freely.
Too many cooks could spoil the broth, but with pro producer CEO Oh steering the ship, no issues.
Jeina's suggestion stuck for the title [First Winter]. I focused on top line and lyrics since my producing wasn't pro-level yet like Kim Kwang-myeong's arranging.
Still, watching the experts taught me tons. Peeking over shoulders boosted my Producing skill proficiency by 20%.
After two weeks of intense sessions whenever schedules allowed, OST [First Winter] was done. Seeing a few of my lyrics in it felt rewarding.
Director Hwang, who commissioned it, loved the final product.
"Perfect. Now just recording."
After some practice, [First Winter] recording day arrived.
* * *
On recording day for [First Winter], producer Oh Woong-jae checked gear with Hwang Jipyeong and Kim Kwang-myeong. Everything had to be flawless.
Meanwhile, today's artists, Jae and Jeina, warmed up their voices.
"Jae, nervous?"
"Yeah, a bit."
"Don't overthink—just sing relaxed, like practice. You'll be fine."
Jeina eased his nerves like a good sunbae. Very proper Sunbae-junior dynamic.
Smiling at them, Hwang Jipyeong signaled check complete.
"Hyung, all good here. Ready to record."
"Nice work, Jipyeong. Ina, Jae—let's go."
"Yeah~"
"Yep."
In the booth, they donned headphones and gave the OK through the glass.
CEO Oh cued the track.
First verse: Jeina's part. Her clear voice filled the mic.
- First winter's here
My first winter with you
My heart flutters like my breath in the air
'As expected from Ina.'
With tons of drama OST experience, Jeina delivered top-quality effortlessly.
That's why she was top-tier vocalist among girl groups.
Snagging her in auditions was one of CEO Oh's best moves since entering the biz.
He guided the recording, cutting between lines, satisfied. She nailed it so few retakes needed.
Smooth into chorus. Jae's part mixed with their harmony.
CEO Oh listened more carefully.
- Ah, you're my snowflake
Dancing on the winter wind
Piling high on my heart
Jeina led the first chorus line.
Then Jae's turn. He sang for the first time.
- Ah, you're my snowflake
When you fall for me, I
Tremble for so long
A smile crept onto CEO Oh's face at Jae's voice.
'Like a boy in first love.'
Delicate yet subtly trembling, like a boy crushing on a girl.
Perfect interpretation.
Then their harmony on the final chorus line, eyes locked to match pitch.
- With you here, first winter feels so warm
Their timbres blended beautifully.
Hwang Jipyeong muttered beside him,
"Wow, they both kill it."
CEO Oh agreed inwardly.
Saved the take, then verse 2 led by Jae.
Eyes closed, he sang steadily.
- First winter's here
My first winter with you
Want to walk just us two in the white snowfields
Listening, CEO Oh recalled past Jae.
The Jae who shrank in studios or on stage, not showing full potential.
Night and day compared to now.
"He's really good, right, CEO?"
Kim Kwang-myeong asked, and CEO Oh nodded.
'Improving every time.'
Even better than during album 2 recording.
Such rapid growth amazed him.
Jae's verse 2, then chorus again.
Final part left: highlight with high notes.
Tough spot needing emotional peak from both.
Before starting, CEO Oh spoke into the booth.
"Kids. One-take on this."
"One-take?"
"Stopping midway kills the emotion. Better to push through, even if we redo."
"Got it."
"No worries, CEO!"
One-take highlight.
Jeina led, Jae supported solidly.
- Because it's our first winter together—!
The one-take choice paid off big.
CEO Oh cheered inwardly at their soaring high notes.
Hit vibes rising.
- With you here, first winter feels so warm
After the fading final line, CEO Oh called end.
"OK, great. Ina, Jae—good work."
"Thank you."
"You too, CEO!"
In a warm atmosphere, [First Winter] recording wrapped successfully.
Soon after, drama [Han-cheol's Winter] premiere was announced, with OST [First Winter] pre-released.