Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Final Recording
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The last recording wrapped up surprisingly simply.
Because I'd already been hammered with feedback over countless hours by that point, the minor tweaks left for me—now that I'd adapted to the composer's killer critiques—were easy to handle.
“Is it really done now?”
“Yes, it's finished.”
Finally, it's over.
What a feeling.
When did we even start this?
It kicked off around the same time as the Heavenly Realm Project's second single... Yeah, it's definitely been a while.
“Shall we grab lunch first?”
“Sure.”
A bit late, but still just barely lunchtime, so we left the studio and headed back to the lobby.
Sitting down at the big table there, I spotted the notebooks we'd seen when we arrived still sitting out.
Come to think of it, what was written in them?
I sneaked a peek at what looked like Moon Chang-sik's notes, but the handwriting was so bad it was illegible.
“What are you looking at?”
Right on cue, Moon Chang-sik, who'd followed us out, spotted me and spoke up.
“Just curious what you wrote here, but damn, your handwriting's awful.”
“…An actor just needs to act well.”
“Well, you do act pretty damn well.”
He really did.
Young, tall, handsome, and a great actor to boot—no way he wasn't going to make it big.
Add in the passion, and boom: top star.
“Obvious praise. Anyway, the notes are nothing much.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, just jotting down thoughts on what I'd be thinking as a real composer while acting out the scene.”
Man, I keep noticing it, but he's dead serious about acting. Respect.
“The director shooting a movie with you must love that.”
“Huh?”
“With an actor this dedicated to the role, you can nail those scenes at 200%.”
Moon Chang-sik looked blown away by my genuine compliment.
“You can give praise like that too?”
“Hey, I'm a silver-tongued devil.”
I shrugged with a little shoulder wiggle as I said it to him, and the composer, who'd just come out to the lobby late, chimed in.
“Dunno about silver-tongued, but with that voice, half of whatever you say lands anyway.”
“Great vocalization counts as silver tongue.”
“Didn't I train that vocalization for you?”
“You trying to steal my vocal coach's credit?”
“Whoa, 'stealing' is a sensitive word in our industry.”
…Ouch, got me. Throwing shade like that? I raised the white flag right away.
“Okay, take that back. Why'd you take so long coming out anyway?”
“Just had some finishing touches pop into my head on the way out. Tweaked 'em quick.”
“Ooh... Looking forward to it. Any idea when it'll drop?”
I'd heard no plans to release right away, but maybe they had a rough timeline?
“No clue. But word from my info guy is the big idol groups are prepping comebacks.”
Damn... Big idols are dangerous.
In this chart-driven era, they're like an 8-ton dump truck with busted brakes.
Get hit, and you're done.
Speaking of big idols, one guy came to mind.
“Hey, composer, you know Lee Hyun-jun?”
“Oh, from Beasts?”
Spot-on for a guy whose specialty is this field—he even named the group.
“Oh, you do.”
“Yeah. Gave them a song once.”
“For real?”
He even gave them a song? This guy's network is terrifyingly vast.
“Yeah, sold pretty well, from what I heard. Still get calls now and then.”
Talent and personality really do go hand in hand.
Look at this composer—got the skills, so people keep reaching out to stay connected.
“Did you, uh, get a Chuseok hanwoo gift set?”
“How'd you know?”
“Just a shot in the dark.”
So Chuseok hanwoo was like a mass send-out, huh.
Idols really know how to work the goodwill.
“Good instincts. What're we having for lunch?”
Lunch?
Right, gotta order something...
We've pretty much tried every delivery spot around here at least once.
“Moon Chang-sik, any dietary restrictions?”
As I mulled over the menu, the actor popped into mind. He looked a bit leaner than last time—anything okay?
“Nah, I'm good. Hit my target weight once shooting started. Maintenance is easy.”
“Oho... Confident, huh?”
“Well... what're you thinking of ordering?”
“How about jjajangmyeon? With tangsuyuk.”
“That? Fine. Carbs and protein.”
Oh... Guess that's okay?
Got the green light, so I grabbed the composer's phone like always and placed the order.
Delivery came faster than expected.
Maybe because lunch rush was winding down—no backlog, straight to prep and send.
I grabbed the jjajangmyeon and tangsuyuk, set them on the table, and suddenly that forgotten muscle soreness stabbed my nerves.
“Ow.”
“Something hurt?”
I'd set it down quick and was massaging my throbbing arm when the composer looked puzzled.
“Nah, just muscle pain.”
“Working out these days?”
“Yeah, killing me. Company made me take dance lessons.”
“Dance? Hmm...”
Uh, what? Why the pondering face?
No choreography for the new song, right?
I haven't even practiced the guitar part from last time—choreo on top, and I'm dead.
“No choreography for that song, right?”
“Wasn't originally, but thinking about it now. Separate choreographer...”
Whoa, whoa, no way—I'll actually die.
“One thing you gotta know: I'm hopeless with my body. Did jump rope in dance class.”
“That bad?”
“Yeah, don't think average adult woman—think someone bedridden for ten years.”
A bit exaggerated, but we're both hopeless dancers anyway, right?
“...Got it.”
Only after I laid it out like that did the composer nod regretfully and help set up the food.
Phew... Dodged a bullet.
I let out a sigh of relief, ripping open the jjajangmyeon plastic, when Moon Chang-sik—who'd overheard everything—piped up.
“Suhyun.”
“Yeah?”
Oh, right—maybe shouldn't mention company dance lessons in front of him?
Eh, whatever. If he asks, just say VTuber stuff.
No point hiding now—he's not the type to blab.
“Interested in a bit part?”
...Huh?
“A bit part?”
“Yeah, overheard the director mentioning in casual chat he wanted to add a scene, but no one fit. Asked if I knew anyone.
He'd been quietly watching earlier—must've been mulling that. But a bit part... out of nowhere.
“Uh... what scene?”
“This one exactly.”
“Huh?”
“Just a cocky top star chatting briefly with the producer early on.”
Ah... I can picture it. But...
“I'm not cocky, and not exactly a top star?”
I've never acted a day in my life.
To jump in front of a camera, it'd need to be a role so natural no acting required—and that doesn't fit.
“You're cocky enough, and you look the part of a top star?”
Oh...
Top star says I look like one... Can I brag about that?
“So, no interest? It'd film great, and you'd nail the role.”
Super grateful for the offer, but... too late to start now? I even wore a hat on variety to hide my face.
“Uh, well... I kinda avoid media exposure.”
“Why?”
Moon Chang-sik tilted his head like he genuinely couldn't grasp it. Makes sense—standing in front of cameras is his job.
Why? 'Cause if people recognize me later, it's a hassle.
But embarrassing to say outright...
“I'm happy with my current life. Don't wanna stir up buzz and get tired out.”
Beat-around-the-bush version, but he still looked puzzled—eyes lighting up like something clicked.
“You really satisfied with the status quo?”
“Huh?”
Satisfied? Well...
“Would someone truly content drag themselves to the studio and record this hard?”
“Uh...”
Yeah...?
Why'd I bust my ass recording this new song?
“Not dodging with 'I'm happy now, so no need' or something?”
No comeback to his words.
Before I could think of one, he kept going.
“I see it differently. No reason not to.”
In theaters packed with hundreds, sometimes restaurants, other times someone's living room.
Words and sentences poured from Moon Chang-sik's solid voice—the one that commands attention—hit my ears.
“Life's a torch we burn once. Why not burn brighter?”
I couldn't help focusing on him.
The guy I'd thought was kinda soft before? Total top star.
Could pull in the one or two people right in front of him instantly.
“Not some ordinary torch lighting the doorway, aisle, or surroundings. But one that lights up villages, cities, nations—brilliant and blazing.”
He paused after that burst, then met my eyes again.
“To me, you've got the talent, Suhyun. You could be a beacon lighting cities—no, a whole nation. Why hesitate to shine?”
With that, like he'd said his piece, he leaned back comfortably and stirred his slightly congealed jjajangmyeon.
And until he finished mixing it, I sat there dumbfounded, chopsticks untouched.
...This guy's something else.
Who pitches a bit part like that? Not even the lead.