Chapter 58
Chapter 58
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The Outsider Watching the Dance Practice
-----------------------------------------------------------------
***
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The issue with the music to insert into the UCC...
In the end, it was resolved more simply than expected.
Though the process was a bit odd.
First off, to avoid copyright issues with the insert song, Han Si-a started listening to songs from 70 years ago indiscriminately.
Then she suddenly declared, "Even if I die tomorrow, I can't use these old songs," and began insisting strongly that we needed permission to use the latest hit tracks.
"Have you guys even listened to music from 70 years ago? The only ones who could dance to that kind of music are kids like Charlie Chaplin or SpongeBob. Not pretty high school girls like us!" she said.
...
Still, using Charlie Chaplin and SpongeBob as the basis for her argument is totally unfair.
After hearing that, every time I thought of old music, my mind replayed SpongeBob dancing, and I couldn't focus.
Yoo So-mi and I couldn't bring ourselves to say, "We're dancing to old music that sounds like Charlie Chaplin would pop up just to save on copyright fees!" So Han Si-a's opinion was accepted without much dissent.
But that meant we ultimately had to secure usage rights for music still under copyright...
Out of the three of us, who knew how to get permission to use music tracks?
And if they asked for money, who would pay?
We couldn't find any info online, and we had no one to ask.
So among us, the conversation devolved into meaningless debates like, "We have no choice but to use a 70-year-old song," or "Let's trust Si-a's connections and go for it."
Unable to stand it anymore, I ended up putting my finger on the "red button you should never touch"...
...
Ah, this is basically "throwing a tantrum at a civil servant."
Civilian: Hello? I'm calling with a question about copyrights for this UCC contest.
Staff Member: Yes~ What can I help you with?
Civilian: I want to use copyrighted music in my UCC, so please help.
Staff Member: Ah.... For that, you'll need to negotiate directly with the copyright holder...
Civilian: Waaah! High schoolers don't know how to do that. Please help just this once. If you don't, I'll file a complaint about rude service. Just do it.
Staff Member: ....
Staff Member: ...I'm not an expert either, but there's a company that specializes in brokering UCC music usage rights...
Kya... Civil servants are reliable as expected.
For people without money, civil servants are lawyers and patent attorneys.
Before my regression, I'd ask AI for stuff like this, but in 2011, we had human intelligence from civil servants instead.
And back then, there was no "Customer Service Worker Protection Law" or anything, so they had to deal with it.
After contacting the UCC music rights broker, we got permission to use the music for free in our UCC until the contest results.
And the song we chose after much deliberation was the 2010 super hit, "California Gurls."
Of course, it's a hugely famous song both overseas and domestically, and even after my regression, it was a steady seller used in all sorts of videos.
So if Seoul City wants to use our video, they'll have to pay the original artist an insane amount in usage fees.
Whatever, though. We've got permission until the awards, so it's fine by the rules. Any issues after winning aren't our problem, right?
If we get bumped down the rankings over usage fees, it'd be unfair... but nah, no way. It's all taxpayer money anyway.
Now that the background music issue for the UCC is neatly solved, it's time to figure out choreography that fits the song.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ It's right in the middle of July, the early part of summer break.
Even early in the morning, cicadas are screeching noisily, the sun beats down on the black asphalt, rapidly heating the ground,
and the news keeps reporting heatstroke victims as breaking news, repeatedly advising people to avoid outdoor activities.
If we mindlessly practiced choreography outdoors in this weather, we'd be the stars of tomorrow's news.
For the record, I'm heading to Baekseung High School even in this sweltering heat.
The reason? While scouting practice spots, we successfully rented the school gymnasium.
The idea to rent the school gym came from Yoo So-mi.
But I opposed it,
because there's no way the school would allow it.
Just think about it: during break, there's not enough staff to supervise,
and running the AC in that huge space for just three people is wildly inefficient.
Even setting aside those practical issues, the school janitor could shut us down with the unbeatable logic of "We can't give you special treatment over other students."
Common sense says they wouldn't open the gym to students...
"Ah, welcome, Jeong Yi-an. Han Si-a is already inside waiting. Wasn't it too hot on the way? We turned on the AC ahead of time, so use it comfortably."
They did?
And the vice principal came out to the school gate in this heat to greet me.
From the vibe, it looks like renting the gym succeeded thanks to Han Si-a's parents pulling strings.
Money and power are great...
I hope Bitcoin prices rise fast.
.
.
.
Our usual crew is me, Han Si-a, and Yoo So-mi—three people—but today, there's an extra.
"Hi, Yi-an oppa. Long time no see. You doing well? It's been since we ate together last time, right? Sorry I haven't texted! I meant to keep in touch, but my sister kept not giving me your number, so I couldn't call. So, can you give me your number now?"
With undyed black hair, sharp features, and—proving she shares genes with her sister—voluminous curves, this middle schooler is Yoo So-mi's younger sister, Yoo So-ha.
I met her once before, when So-mi treated me to a meal in Sinchon.
She said she'd keep in touch when we parted.
But I never got a single message after that.
Yet here she is blaming her sister for not sharing my number, so I glanced at Yoo So-mi.
...
Still, Yoo So-mi just smiles silently behind her without a word. No guilt or apology on her face.
Well, yeah, that makes sense. So-mi's not some yandere from a neighboring country's fiction who'd deliberately withhold her little sister's crush's number.
She just couldn't be bothered to text me, and had no reason to anyway.
No need for excuses like that, So-ha.
Just say outright you don't want to be friends with a loser like me!
That "let's keep in touch" you said last time was just casual chit-chat like "we should grab food sometime," right?
I was secretly waiting for your text, though!
Kraaaah!! I fell for an insider's trap again!!!
...
Of course, I hid my discomfort, smiled, and gave her my number.
.
.
.
Yoo So-ha came to help brainstorm choreography for our UCC.
As a typical insider who loves hanging out with friends, she's uploaded tons of dance videos with them to blogs and SNS.
So at Yoo So-mi's request, she's here to assist with our contest prep.
Yoo So-ha showed us her UCCs one by one.
Videos of girls dancing simply to music, or staging funny skits with friends.
The editing was so sloppy they weren't great videos,
but seeing so many where she danced made it clear she'd be a huge help in creating and practicing choreography.
That said, having insiders' carefree youth shoved in my face like this makes my stomach churn a bit.
What was I doing in my third year of middle school before regression?
I don't remember well. Probably memorizing English vocab in cram school all day.
...
Anyway, I explained to her the concept, background music, and that choreography needed to account for fixed camera shots and editing cuts.
She nodded along, then shared her thoughts before making the choreography.
"For this video, the camera stays fixed, and performers have to stay in position, right? So the choreography should mostly use stationary moves without much movement."
Yoo So-ha grasped the video's intent from my brief explanation.
As she said, if performers move forward/back or side-to-side during choreography, syncing edited clips from different shots becomes impossible.
Impressed by her understanding, I watched as she shared short videos on her smartphone.
"Making pro-level dance moves is tough, but piecing together amateur short-video choreography like this isn't hard. We don't need deep meaning in each move, and we're not traversing a stage."
Ooh... She sounds so confident; it's reassuring.
Impressive for a third-year middle schooler.
"So my job now is just remixing common choreo bits to fit, then stringing them together. I'll tweak some for the song's beat, but that's not too hard."
"And that means it's efficient to practice short move segments first, then link them into full choreography later."
Then Yoo So-ha smiles and tells us,
"So, I'll make the choreography later and show you. For now, let's practice basic dance moves!"
Great. We can practice during choreography planning—perfect.
At this pace, we'll submit with time to spare.
...
But...
Do I really need to be here while you practice dancing?
No, I'm not saying I'll just sit in the corner mooching—watching you dance feels kinda awkward.
Hard to know where to look, honestly.
Plus, girls practicing dance with a guy watching would feel weird, right?
See you after practice, friends.
Resolved to slip out naturally, I subtly grabbed my bag and stood.
But...
"Ah! Yi-an oppa, iced tea in a cup with ice!"
"Oh, going to the convenience store? Sports drink for me."
"...Cappuccino with ice for me."
Yeah, can't say "Sorry guys, I'm heading home" in this vibe...
Pretending I was going anyway, I smiled naturally and took their orders.