Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Picking My Original Song
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"Anyway, since you've agreed to the featuring, I'll send you the track."
"Thanks...!"
I was truly grateful from the bottom of my heart.
Miro's first original song.
Isn't this the Heavenly Realm's first?
What about the music video...?
Should I produce it separately?
You need experience to do anything right, so I should ask the Manager first.
I'll take the song, so can they handle the MV on their end?
Even if they don't provide support, they'll probably introduce me to some reliable people.
Lost in these happy thoughts, Hyun-su added something.
"Oh, and I'll tweak the song I promised you earlier too."
"That'd be great, thanks."
"You'll love it. It fits perfectly."
"Yeah, is the theme narcissism by any chance?"
"Ahaha."
I asked half-joking, but his reaction was oddly subtle.
"Well? Your answer?"
"Listen for yourself."
For real? Nah.
But I'm absolutely not a narcissist.
I'm just objectively viewing woman Kim Suhyun through man Kim Suhyun's eyes and stating facts.
"Just so we're clear, I might admire myself in the mirror, but that's not narcissism."
"...Sis, do you know the story of Narcissus?"
"Narcissus? Who's that?"
Some old figure? The name rings a bell somehow...
"He's nobody special, but he fell for his own reflection in a lake too."
"Is he like the poster boy for narcissism?"
"Kinda like Confucius for Confucianism? Mussolini for fascism, Karl Marx for communi—"
"Stop!"
I immediately raised my palm and lightly smacked his forehead.
"Ugh."
"That's violence. The fastest cure for wrong ideas."
"Wow."
He stared at me like, what kind of person are you? But what can you do?
Who asked him to call me a narcissist?
Just then, Ayoung, who'd been watching us, tapped my shoulder.
"Hey, Suhyun."
"Yeah?"
"Can I post that on our Instar?"
She showed me her phone, which had just recorded our whole conversation with Hyun-su.
When did she film this?
"If I post this, the reactions will be insane."
"Absolutely not."
"Aw...."
No way. You trying to get me killed by Slim Gold's fans?
"More importantly, when did you even record that?"
"Right from 'Is the theme narcissism by any chance?' I whipped out my phone."
...She has killer timing?
Did she hate that PD during our variety shoot because of professional jealousy?
But there's something from our earlier chat that's bugging me.
"Hyun-su."
"Yeah?"
"But can you really just revise a song like that?"
"Revise a song?"
"Make it harder and better."
Is it normally possible to tweak it to raise the difficulty and quality?
"Oh, no, actually, I made it easier for you, Sis Suhyun. Your technique's still lacking, right?"
"Hey, you little... "
That actually touched me.
He composed the song and assigned featuring parts with me in mind from the start?
Sure, he didn't ask my permission, but it's thoughtful enough.
No wonder industry seniors adore him.
"Hyun-su, if you ever need a hand later, just say the word."
"The featuring's more than enough."
"Still, if you ask nicely, I'll do extra."
I never planned to snag a whole song just for one featuring.
I'm a grown-up with some shame.
Though what could Hyun-su possibly need from me? Still, outside of music, don't I have expertise in other areas?
Like drawing, or graphic design, or even art in general.
"In that case... I'll gladly take you up on it."
"Think of it as a wish voucher. Use it freely."
"Then for now, listen to these and pick some."
"Hmm... that's a tough ask."
They're all so good, it hurts to choose.
If I don't pick now, they won't toss them and will release later, right?
"But what happens to the ones I don't pick?"
I asked just in case, but he pondered like he'd never thought about it.
"Hmm? I could sell them to other singers."
"Ah."
"I'm composing and writing anyway."
"Doesn't that feel like a waste? You could sing them yourself."
"These are the ones I didn't pick? I'll make better ones later."
No, damn.
Hyun-su the Great.
No idea how he got like this, but the confidence is overflowing.
You can feel the genius vibe.
We ended up listening to all twenty tracks over lunch, and I managed to pick three that matched my taste.
"These two, and this one's totally my style."
"Got it for now."
No clue if they'll get used, but if it helps, great.
"Alright, time for me to head out."
"Already?"
"I've been here a while, haven't I?"
I'd come in the morning, but yeah, quite some time in the studio.
"Stay longer!"
As I moved to leave, Ayoung grabbed me.
Guess she likes having another woman around with all these guys.
"I'd love to, but..."
Like she said, I considered sticking till dinner, but sadly, I had plans.
"I've got somewhere to be. I'll come back next time."
"Aw... You always leave early."
"Busy woman, that's me."
"No friends, though?"
"...I'm out."
I left Hyun-su's studio and headed to my next stop.
Kang Woo-hyun's studio.
No recording planned, but since I was already out for Hyun-su's, he happily let me drop by.
I took in the now-familiar street views, reached the building, punched in the code, and entered.
The lobby had the composer right away, with another guy sitting across from him.
Mid to late twenties?
Hard to tell. Just a young guy.
More than that, is this a meeting spot? Every time I come, someone's here.
"Ah, Suhyun?"
As I stepped in, both the composer and the guy turned to me.
Composer still mostly expressionless, the guy looking a bit shocked.
"Yeah, sorry I'm late. Who's this...?"
"Oh, this is Kang-jun, who's collaborating with me this time. He brought gifts to discuss things."
The composer gestured to one side of the lobby.
A premium Hanwoo set, obviously expensive.
"Ooh..."
Seeing the gift and the stiff guy, I got why the composer has killer connections without leaving the studio.
No need to move.
Like how neighboring states brought tribute gold to the old Qing Dynasty or Roman Empire.
At his level, connections come to him.
"Composer's skills are top-tier as expected."
"Suddenly? Flattery won't get you anything."
Such respect in my sneak attack worship, and he looks at me like what? What do you mean nothing... Don't I always get something here?
"At least dinner will come out, right?"
"Pfft! Cough! Hack!"
My words ended, and the guy who'd been listening burst out laughing, then hacked away.
The composer chuckled and nodded.
"Definitely... dinner's on the menu."
"Then I'll partake."
Dad's off today anyway, so let the parents have a cozy dinner at home. I'll snag mine here.
"So, what's your name?"
"Oh, I'm Lee Kang-jun."
He introduced himself with a grin.
Like, now that you know my name, you'll recognize me.
Maybe others did before... but sorry, doesn't ring a bell.
Even though I've studied singer names for music recognition.
"Ah... I'm Kim Suhyun."
My reaction made him wonder if I really didn't know him, his face turning subtle.
"You don't go to noraebang much?"
"Uh? Yeah, pretty much."
"Man...."
When was the last time? No idea why he's asking, but recently it was only with Tenshi-san in Korea.
Awkward silence flowed, till the composer stepped in, unable to stand it.
"Kang-jun hit number one on the noraebang charts this time."
"Ah, congrats."
So... that's what noraebang charts mean?
Impressive.
Everyone who frequents noraebang knows it.
But... I've seen so many big names by now, it's hard to get excited.
The composer right here has topped yearly charts too.
Come to think of it, during that K-pop World Cup on my stream, some of his songs probably charted.
...Hope he never watches my stream.
A newbie like me who knows his face judging his songs might rub him wrong.
Nah. He's got that big-hearted side, might just laugh it off.
"Wanna hear my song?"
"Sure, I'd love to."
Hoping I'll recognize it?
Lee Kang-jun hesitated, then pulled out his phone and played his track.
Alright, let's hear it.
Maybe I do know it.
And so, in the composer's studio lobby, Lee Kang-jun's proudly played song echoed out.