Chapter 129
Chapter 129
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Recording Woes and an Idol Bet
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To be honest, I was confident.
After all, I had plenty of experience up to now.
I didn't think I'd nail it on the first try, but with Hyun-su's feedback, I'd fix things quickly and wrap up the recording.
...Of course, when I practiced a bit after last night's stream, it had been pretty tough, but not impossible to sing.
Honestly, without the experience recording "Fork in the Road" with composer Kang Woo-hyun, it would've been really hard.
And so, we started recording in the separate studio in Hyun-su's workspace.
Come to think of it, how long had it been since I last recorded here? The last time was for Wonderland, so quite a while had passed without me realizing.
"Alright, you've memorized the song, right?"
"Of course."
"Then let's get started."
With that, we began recording, Hyun-su and Lee Hyun-jun watching from the side.
"Let's try the ending again?"
"Okay."
Well, I got an NG right away, but I hadn't expected to get it perfect on the first go.
"Can you make the beginning a bit more subdued?"
"Sure."
The second take... well, I felt like I'd messed up a little while singing it myself.
But...
"Pick up the tempo more in the middle."
"You get the song, right? It's pretty close to musical theater, honestly."
"Act it out! You're good at that!"
"You did well, but I think it'll be even better if you do it again."
"Put a little more power into your voice. Again."
Ah.
I'd forgotten.
No, it was more like I'd gotten cocky.
As much as I'd grown since Wonderland, Hyun-su's feedback had grown even sharper.
"Again!"
"Grah!"
"Save your throat!"
"Ugh!"
"My ears hurt!"
By the time recording wrapped up, I dragged myself out of the booth even more exhausted than after dance lessons.
Plop.
I collapsed right onto the sofa in front of the booth, startling Lee Hyun-jun, who was sitting next to it, into jumping up.
"Oof."
"Am I gross or something?"
"No, you just scared me... Anyway, you sing really well?"
"You heard?"
"Yeah, I did. I was seriously impressed. For real."
Hm, his expression looked genuinely shocked.
As I secretly felt pleased about that, Lee Hyun-jun, who'd been pondering, tossed out a question.
"By any chance... were you a trainee? Even if not now."
He kept bringing up the idol trainee thing.
Maybe because he was an idol himself?
"Nope, never did anything like that."
"Really? What about scouting?"
"Turned it all down."
How many business cards had girl Kim Suhyun thrown in the trash?
"...So, you never even thought about being an idol?"
"Yeah, I just feel more comfortable holed up at home."
Idol trainee... no way.
Idol trainees weren't the kind of monsters who did dance lessons like today's and recording feedback like this every single day?
All while managing their diets, facing weekly evaluations, and dealing with the anxiety of whether they'd debut successfully or not.
I couldn't do it.
Better to just chill in my room and stream.
"Well, I'm jealous, anyway."
"Envious of what?"
"Being able to sing your heart out and live carefree like that."
What did that mean?
I looked over at him, still slumped against the sofa, and saw his serious, slightly bitter expression.
Complicated, in a nutshell.
Idols have it rough? Well, sure they do.
But someone like Lee Hyun-jun must get swarmed by fans every time he steps into a venue.
Who was that guy we met last time? Ballad singer Lee Kang-jun, who was super envious of people like him.
"Don't overthink it."
That was about all I could say from my position.
"Pardon?"
"People are like torches that burn bright for one lifetime, and you're burning strong right now, aren't you?"
"What do you...?"
"You're shining so bright you sold a million albums—why the heavy expression? Just enjoy it."
Lee Hyun-jun gave me a weird look at my words.
"Torch? What, did you read some novel or something?"
No, wasn't this supposed to be touching?
"Ah, I was just quoting Moon Chang-sik."
I threw out a quick deflection before I ended up seeming like some weirdo.
Now that I thought about it, even if it was cringy, hearing it from Moon Chang-sik versus me would land differently.
Moon Chang-sik, you jerk! Trying to make me look weird...
"Moon Chang-sik? You mean the senior I know, Moon Chang-sik?"
"Moon Chang-sik senior? If you're talking about actor Moon Chang-sik, yeah."
Senior? Had Moon Chang-sik been an idol? I furrowed my brow for a second, and Lee Hyun-jun continued.
"I've done a few bit parts myself, so he's my senior as an actor."
"Ah, idol actor thing?"
"Truth is, I've got this little dream tucked away of retiring and becoming a cool actor someday."
"Hm."
I eyed Lee Hyun-jun as he said that.
He was handsome, sure... but actor material? Hard to say.
"Why are you staring so obviously? It's embarrassing."
I hesitated to say what popped into my head, since it might be rude.
"You want me to be honest?"
"What do you want to say...? Go ahead."
Well, if he gave permission...
"Your face is too flashy—you probably couldn't pull off a wide range of roles."
"What the... Is that a compliment?"
"It would be for an idol."
"And for an actor?"
"Hm... Hey, Hyun-su's taking a while, huh? He should be out by now."
"So it was criticism."
"Haha, not exactly."
More like... well, there are plenty of roles that need a flashy look.
Actually a plus. Protagonist vibes and all.
"Anyway, how do you know Moon Chang-sik senior?"
Then Lee Hyun-jun asked about him.
Come to think of it, I'd name-dropped him to deflect...
Hm, the movie thing was a secret, right?
Lee Hyun-jun didn't seem like the type to blab, but it was in the contract, so better keep quiet.
So, what could I say about my connection to Moon Chang-sik...?
"I took acting lessons from him a while back."
"...You're joking again?"
Eek, he didn't buy it.
Well, even I wouldn't believe it.
Why would someone like him teach acting to a total nobody like me?
"You don't have to believe me."
"For real?"
"Eh... Want his autograph?"
"Pardon?"
"Moon Chang-sik's. Everyone loves getting one."
"You know I can't even get my own autograph sometimes?"
"Right? Want one?"
"Forget it. Don't say stuff you don't mean."
...I was serious.
Heavenly Realm members seemed to know him a bit, so I'd planned to ask for one, but if he didn't want to, oh well.
"What are you all doing out here?"
Just then, Hyun-su emerged from the booth.
He'd said he'd tidy up, but it took longer than expected.
"New song recording done?"
"Ah, 'Quiet Lake' is wrapped."
As Hyun-su came out, Lee Hyun-jun whipped his head around and addressed him.
...Was talking to me that bad?
"Huh? Does she have more to record?"
"Yeah, one left."
Oh yeah, there was one more thing to record here in Hyun-su's studio.
"Sis, you got time? Wanna knock out the rest today?"
"Featuring track ready?"
"Yeah, Hyun-jun hyung first, though."
"Hm... Pass. Can't record anymore."
I wanted to get it done, but my energy was tapped out.
Dance lessons plus recording? Morning Kim Suhyun must've been insane.
"So what now? Watch Hyun-jun hyung record before you go? Could be helpful."
"Helpful?"
"Yeah, observing a lot is good practice."
"Hm."
If Hyun-su said it'd help...
Plus, Lee Hyun-jun was a big idol despite appearances.
Not every day you get to watch one record up close.
But it wouldn't end in 10 minutes—I wasn't sure I could sit through hours of it, so I was mulling it over.
"What're you worrying about?"
Lee Hyun-jun, who'd been listening, chimed in.
"Huh?"
"You're good, but I'm no slouch. Watch and see."
"Is that so?"
Well, sure he'd be good, but still.
"Wait, I hear Suhyun's doing a featuring too? Wanna bet?"
Maybe he'd misinterpreted my hesitation as doubt—Lee Hyun-jun's competitive streak flared, and he made a sudden proposal.
"Huh?"
"On whose is better once the album drops."
Whose is better?
Fine by me—I like bets, but...
"Uh... Who's judging?"
"Listeners?"
"You joking?"
Listeners? His million-strong Beasts fandom would swarm it...
No Red Cliffs battle here—I'd get crushed.
"Then experts vote instead of listeners."
"Huh?"
"More people on the album, right? Ask them for a fair vote."
That was doable...
Hyun-su, band members, other featuring artists.
All musicians—no questioning their fairness.
"Sure. What's the bet?"
"Easy—wish fulfillment."
"Ooh, lifetime unlimited Hanwoo refills?"
"...Nothing too crazy."
"...One year?"
"That works."
Whoa, a year of Hanwoo refills was that casual?
His wealth game was next level.
"Deal. Let's bet."
Not a huge stake anyway, so I agreed lightly.
"Watch then—you'll regret it."
With that, Lee Hyun-jun headed into the booth first after I accepted.
"Haha, sorry it's so sudden. Hyun-jun hyung's super competitive, but it'll be a fun matchup?"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, rivalry's good fuel."
Hyun-su said that and followed him in, so I went into the booth too.
Lee Hyun-jun, already inside, stood confidently at the mic.
...He really looked the idol part now.
Though he was one.
"Alright, starting."
"Yeah."
And once recording began...
"Oh..."
I realized why he was so cocky about his tone.
"Still, I'm better, right Hyun-su?"
"..."
"Answer."
"Uh, Hyun-jun hyung, let's go again!"
"Hey."
...Honestly felt like my sweat-soaked win, though.