Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Yuin's True Identity
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Yeonwoo was watching a drama for the first time in his life.
It was a drama that was riding high in the ratings these days.
Honestly, he had no idea if the story was good or not.
That was because Yeonwoo was focusing on the OST and BGM rather than the plot.
“How about it? Getting a feel for the concept now?”
Jiyeong, who had been watching the drama alongside him, asked Yeonwoo.
Yeonwoo nodded.
“You just lay down music that fits the scenes, right?”
“That’d be tough. It’s more like this—yeah, you prepare the BGM in advance to match the joys and sorrows. The PD probably has some specific requests too.”
“I see.”
With that, Yeonwoo felt so good that he grinned.
“You like it that much?”
“Yeah.”
Yeonwoo was thrilled.
There was a world of difference between simply participating as an OST composer and taking on the role of music director.
It meant he could do so much more.
No, when it came to music, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say he could do pretty much whatever he wanted.
On top of that, he could train all the members to his exact tastes and even make a song for Si-eun.
“Music director sounds great.”
“But what if they take one look at our Yeonwoo and laugh it off?”
Watching him like that, Jiyeong felt a twinge of worry.
She hadn’t been able to talk him out of it when he jumped at the music director offer without hesitation, but the real issue was what came next.
What would Park Sunguk, Yoon Jina, and the four-member band—the leads—think when they saw Yeonwoo?
They might not mind that a kid made the music, but handing such a big responsibility as music director to him? Wouldn’t there be an uproar?
Even if that passed smoothly, she worried they might subtly dismiss him because he was so young.
Doing it remotely wasn’t an option either—there was a limit to how long she could play middleman, and a music director couldn’t just avoid meeting Park Sunguk, Yoon Jina, and the band.
Well, people like Yu Jaehyuk had ended up understanding and following Yeonwoo, so maybe it’d be fine?
“How about I whip up some BGM samples in advance, Aunt?”
“……Sure.”
Jiyeong was buried in worry, but Yeonwoo was just excited.
He’d even paused the drama to grab his tablet and was fiddling away, composing BGM.
He hadn’t seen any footage, but he’d read the script over and over.
The setting was a school, it started in spring, and the protagonists were female students.
He started crafting various background tracks to fit.
Jiyeong had been immersed in the drama, but her gaze gradually shifted to Yeonwoo, her ears tuning in.
She was struck once again: her nephew was a genius.
“Is this for some opera or orchestra concert?”
“No, for the drama.”
But didn’t it feel way too classical for that?
Even a casual listen revealed an instrumentation that was practically orchestral.
Listening quietly, she even heard sounds from instruments she’d never encountered.
Did he just listen to instrument sounds whenever he was bored? Where did he even find these?
“What’s that clear bell-like one? Xylophone?”
“No, it’s the agogô. I liked the sound, so I tried it.”
“There’s an instrument like that too?”
“There are tons of instruments in the world, Aunt.”
It felt like he was saying she should study up on them, so Jiyeong pretended not to hear and turned back to the drama.
“Time to make a sad BGM next.”
In the midst of it, Yeonwoo excitedly began a new background track.
Jiyeong wanted to watch the drama, but the music was too good—she couldn’t help but listen.
‘Anyone who dismisses him as just a kid after hearing this is the type who’d dismiss him no matter what.’
She wouldn’t work with people like that herself.
* * *
[Yuin Becomes Music Director for ‘Highteen Rock ‘n’ Roll.’]
[‘Highteen Rock ‘n’ Roll’ from Avalon—Can Music Genius Yuin Lead It to Success?]
[What Kind of Drama Is ‘Highteen Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ Starring Genius Composer Yuin?]
-Yuin as music director?
-Yuin’s been killing it lately, body price through the roof lol. They’re actually snagging someone like that ㅋㅋㅋ
-Gotta shell out serious cash to lure him from all the places begging for him
-Avalon was one step from bankruptcy, looks like they gritted their teeth and spent big
-Dumping all their remaining cash before they go under ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Don’t know about anything else, but the music’s got me hyped
-But it’s Avalon...
-The place that made three total flops in a row—no guarantee the fourth won’t bomb too
At this point, Yuin was at the epicenter of buzz in the music world.
Every song was a hit, reviving washed-up singers, reclusive ones, and even no-name YouTubers.
Each track and artist had stories straight out of a drama, making them insanely topical.
On top of that, with this level of fame, you’d expect a face reveal somewhere—but Yuin had never shown his, drawing even more curiosity.
For the drama team, it was pure good news.
They’d braced for backlash from announcing the music director, but instead, things were looking up.
“Great, perfect. Let’s keep rolling like this.”
“Where are we going?”
“Where else? SSHIN Studio. That’s where we’re meeting Yuin.”
Park Sunguk said to Yoon Jina, buzzing with excitement.
“Why are you so hyped?”
“How could I not be? We’re going to see Yuin’s face—the one everyone’s dying to know about.”
Yoon Jina nodded at Park Sunguk’s words.
“Right? A secrecy agreement in this day and age... First time I’ve ever signed one of these.”
“Exactly.”
“What happens if we break it?”
“Probably... JOP would come down hard. They seem dead serious about protecting Yuin.”
Yoon Jina shrugged at that.
“JOP? Big deal? They’re just hot in Japan—nothing here in Korea.”
“Heard they came in heavy this time, with JC investing and taking shares. If JOP steps up, JC backs them.”
JC was the mega-corp that practically owned Korea’s media landscape right now.
Piss off JC?
“......We absolutely can’t spill.”
She’d have to be ready to leave the industry.
Still, she was curious.
Why go to such lengths to hide Yuin’s identity?
“What about the kids?”
When Yoon Jina asked about the four leads of Highteen Rock ‘n’ Roll, Park Sunguk answered.
“We’re meeting at the studio entrance at 6 and going in together.”
“Got it.”
* * *
Just as Park Sunguk said, the four protagonists of Highteen Rock ‘n’ Roll were all headed to SSHIN Studio on time.
But one was the exception.
Lee Si-eun.
Yuin had told her to come two hours early, so she was on her way to SSHIN Studio ahead of schedule.
“Isn’t this too much? Banning even the manager and making you go in alone?”
“Who knows? Maybe he knows your sister’s got a big mouth.”
“Me, big mouth?! What are you talking about!!”
The manager snapped, but Si-eun didn’t respond.
Truth be told, it wasn’t just her manager.
If you named the loosest lips in the industry, managers would top the list.
They had their own communities, spreading every rumor under the sun.
Not all of them, sure, but Si-eun’s manager was definitely one of the worst.
“But why me early?”
“Who knows? Probably ‘cause you’re the lead?”
“Lead......”
Just hearing “lead” made her chest tighten.
She’d thought therapy would help, but no progress yet.
Still felt burdensome, shaky, didn’t want to do it.
Even practicing lines alone in the company room with a camera on made her mind go blank when she thought of it.
“Haa......”
At this rate, cranking would be a disaster.
Should she drop out like the music director? It wasn’t too late.
Dropout still lingered in her mind, but she’d come this far—she’d see Yuin first, then decide.
With that resolve, the car pulled up to SSHIN Studio before she knew it.
“For a place that got JOP investment, it’s in the middle of nowhere?”
It could’ve been smack in Gangnam, but SSHIN Studio was in a strip mall by an apartment complex in Bucheon.
They said it got massive funding—apparently not.
“Go on in. Call when you’re done—I’ll pick you up.”
“Okay.”
Glancing around, Si-eun nodded at the manager’s words, got out, and headed into the strip mall.
She climbed the stairs to the third floor of the fairly old building.
Her heart pounded.
A mix of fear and excitement.
Soon, a door with a small sign appeared. Si-eun pressed the buzzer with a trembling hand.
It opened with a beep, like they’d been waiting. Si-eun peeked inside.
“Um, hello?”
......What kind of dumb question was that? Of course someone was inside, or they wouldn’t have buzzed her in.
Cursing herself inwardly for the idiotic line, Si-eun cautiously stepped in.
Unlike the rundown building, a sleek studio came into view.
A sofa area, one side a kitchen-dining combo, straight ahead the recording booth and gear.
And to the left......
“Yuin......”
A door with a panel labeled ‘Yuin’ in cute handwriting.
That’s where Yuin was?
“Oh, hello there?”
A woman appeared then.
“Ah! Director Shin Jiyeong! Hello!”
She snapped to attention and bowed 90 degrees.
“Oh, no need for that. I’m not some scary person. I’m not even involved with Highteen Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
“Still......”
......That’s when the door behind burst open.
Startled, Si-eun whipped around—and froze in terror.
“What?”
A man radiating charisma that sent chills down her spine, Yu Jaehyuk, loomed right in front of her, looking down.
Her mind went blank, like facing a camera.
It wasn’t just that her mom liked Linkin Park.
Si-eun’s mom loved rock, and from her youth back then, Yu Jaehyuk was her ultimate fave.
The owner of the songs her mom played since she was little stood before her.
It felt like seeing a real celebrity.
“Ah, that hardcore rock ‘n’ roll thing......?”
“Senior, it’s highteen, not hardcore!!”
“Same difference. Once practice starts, it’ll turn hardcore anyway.”
The brutal words sent a shiver up her spine.
That’s when it came.
“Aunt, Uncle’s here?”
A young child’s voice from behind.
Si-eun turned back. A kid emerged from Yuin’s workspace.
So pretty it was almost girlish, dressed in boy’s clothes, gender unclear, staring at her.
“Uh......?”
Who? Yuin’s nephew?
As Si-eun looked puzzled, Jiyeong said to her.
“Say hi.”
“Huh?”
“It’s Yuin.”
“Ah, okay...... Huh?!”
Si-eun gaped at the kid. Their eyes met, and the child smiled prettily with clear black eyes, bowing to her navel.
“Hello, I’m Yuin.”
......No way, right?