Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Once Again, Writer
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“I was going to ask about that anyway. I heard from Bini that this isn’t your original line of work. Even your debut as a lyricist happened because you happened to hear Elder’s song and jotted down some lyrics.”
Park Eun-su’s gaze flicked briefly toward Bini.
Her eyes made it clear that Bini was the source.
“Yes, it wasn’t intentional at all. Things just turned out that way. Same with Bini’s situation.”
Swish.
Bini bowed her head under Woo Ji-hyun’s gaze.
She was the one who had begged and pleaded with Elder to introduce her to Woo Ji-hyun.
And that had led to things escalating to this point.
So Bini couldn’t say much, even if she had a mouth.
“About that, I really feel sorry too. It’s practically like we dragged you here. But if you could think of it this way: your talent as a lyricist under the name Cain is so extraordinary that we had no choice but to reach out.”
“The work itself isn’t hard. What worries me is exactly this kind of situation. This is already the second time.”
“I’m so sorryyy.”
“I’m not blaming you. You have your own position to consider. And compared to Elder, you’re tame. That guy outright brazenly pushes to collaborate, shoving his melodies at me first.”
“Hahaha…….”
Bini gave an awkward laugh at Woo Ji-hyun’s not-quite-diss.
The members knew about their relationship, but Park Eun-su, sitting in front of Woo Ji-hyun, didn’t.
Woo Ji-hyun seemed to sense this and never crossed a certain line.
“You must be close with Elder?”
“Manager unnie, doesn’t anything come to mind when you look at Cain oppa? We figured it out right away.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Before Woo Ji-hyun could respond, the Yoon twins, Mi-rae and Na-rae, chimed in.
They gazed at him with meaningful looks.
“You recognized me?”
“Yeah, we knew instantly.”
“The moment we saw his face.”
“Should we give you a hint?”
Following the twins, Lee Mi-jeong grinned playfully too.
Park Eun-su tilted her head, staring at Woo Ji-hyun.
He had a clean, handsome face—not ugly by any means.
But not strikingly good-looking enough for showbiz either.
‘Come to think of it, he does seem vaguely familiar…….’
She recognized him, but couldn’t tell if it was because it was a common face or if she’d seen him somewhere.
From what the PriOs members were saying, though, it had to be the latter.
“You probably won’t recognize him.”
“But we get it, Manager unnie’s age and all…….”
“Shh! We can’t say that!”
Smack!
Yoon Mi-rae hurriedly covered her twin sister’s mouth.
But the key word had already slipped out.
“What about my age?”
“Ahem!”
Park Eun-su’s pale forehead bulged with veins as she snapped sharply.
But the expression vanished in an instant.
It was familiar to the PriOs members, but there was a guest here who was seeing it for the first time today.
And this was a business meeting to secure cooperation, so Park Eun-su composed herself.
“Sorry about that.”
“No, no. I totally get where Manager-nim is coming from. I’ve been on the receiving end of plenty from Bini myself.”
“Our kids aren’t usually this cheeky…….”
Even in this situation, Park Eun-su defended PriOs.
She was taking care of her own, after all.
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“Ahaha.”
Park Eun-su laughed awkwardly at the tone that implied he’d go along with whatever she wanted.
She nudged Bini with her elbow.
A silent urging for a hint, quick.
“You’re the same age as Elder oppa and Lee Woo-hyung the player.”
“Lee Woo-hyung? The soccer player? The one with Manchester United transfer rumors?”
“No official announcement yet, but the link-up rumors are out there.”
“Huh?”
Park Eun-su blinked in surprise at the sudden mention of Lee Woo-hyung, her face lighting up with realization.
She’d finally figured out Woo Ji-hyun’s identity.
“Looks like you’ve got it now.”
“Maestro on the Field! Kakao Page!”
“That’s right. Woo Ji-hyun, genre novel writer.”
Woo Ji-hyun introduced himself once more.
His true identity, this time.
More precisely, his main job, but Park Eun-su took it differently.
She thought today’s contract might not be easy.
“So writing is your main gig.”
“Yes, though these days, people say ‘web novel writer’ more than ‘genre novel writer.’”
“I use Kakao Page a lot myself. Mostly romance novels, though.”
“Women usually go for romance.”
Woo Ji-hyun smiled faintly.
He had no intention of hiding it, but no urge to volunteer it either.
So he answered with an awkward smile.
“Sorry for not recognizing you.”
“No, it’s fine. I didn’t say anything. And I’m here as a lyricist today. Well, half-dragged here, anyway.”
“I’m so sorryyy.”
Bini bowed her head in apology again.
Reflexive guilt made her do it.
“Enough. I’ve heard enough apologies. And it’s not a bad experience for me. When else would I get to visit an entertainment agency headquarters? My new work even features the industry—perfect timing.”
“You tie everything into novels?”
“Occupational hazard. But I love it. Writing’s always been my favorite thing.”
“It really shows.”
Park Eun-su nodded, watching Woo Ji-hyun’s bright smile.
It was a genuine grin from the heart.
“So, shall we talk business?”
“I’ve been waiting. First off, we’d like to request lyrics for two songs from Cain-nim. Yu-seon and Mi-rae will sing them. PriOs’s first unit group.”
“Please take care of us!”
“Give us some mega-hit lyrics!”
“Hahaha.”
Woo Ji-hyun couldn’t help laughing at Yoon Mi-rae’s bold demand, compared to Ha Yu-seon’s polite bow.
It didn’t come off as rude, though.
Her honesty was refreshing.
Just like on variety shows.
“A bit bold, but honestly, that’s what I’d ask for too. Nothing more, nothing less—just something on the level of ‘The Start of Goodbye’ would be perfect.”
“Sorry, but it doesn’t work that way. You can’t force a hit.”
“I know. If it were that easy, ‘hit’ wouldn’t be a word. We just want you to give it your all.”
“Your expectations seem awfully high.”
Woo Ji-hyun’s face filled with unease.
From their words, they saw him as some genius lyricist.
“We’re basing this on your track record.”
“Yeah!”
“Please give us great lyrics!”
Unlike Park Eun-su’s calm trust, Ha Yu-seon and Yoon Mi-rae shot him expectant, burdensome stares.
Their eyes sparkled as they looked at him.
And they weren’t just any fans—they were female idols.
‘Feels good, but damn, the pressure.’
Woo Ji-hyun’s stomach churned under their gazes that trusted only him.
And it wasn’t just the two.
Yoon Na-rae and Lee Mi-jeong watched him with half-expectation, half-curiosity too.
“I believe in you, oppa. You’re a genius. I’m living proof!”
“……Stop saying that everywhere. The more you do, the harder it gets for me.”
“Ah, sorry!”
Bini, who’d shouted boldly, clamped her own mouth shut.
But no one paid her any mind.
“Let’s hear the tracks first.”
“Before signing the contract?”
“Yes, lyrics might not come. We signed for ‘The Start of Goodbye’ after the work too. Of course, we’ll do an NDA. Can’t have new songs leaking.”
“Hoho. No need for that. I know you’re not the type. Though if worst comes to worst, I’d take responsibility.”
Park Eun-su smiled, issuing a warning that wasn’t quite a warning.
Apple Entertainment had the power to make it stick.
But deep down, she didn’t think it’d happen.
She’d gauged Woo Ji-hyun’s character in their short time together.
“Manager-nim, like I said, Ji-hyun oppa has high standards. He won’t write unless it’s a really good track. Says half-baked lyrics are all that come out otherwise.”
“That’s exactly the sensibility we need. Don’t worry—we won’t push a bad song.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Yoon Mi-rae nodded along.
But Bini still eyed Woo Ji-hyun cautiously.
The others might like the songs, but he might not.
“I get what you’re worried about. But no need. If it’s not right, we skip it. That’s why we discuss.”
“True, but.”
“Shall we listen?”
Woo Ji-hyun smoothly deflected Bini’s concerned gaze.
Park Eun-su then played the new unit songs from her smartphone, one by one.
“I brought five just in case. All for this mini album. Hope one clicks for you, Ji-hyun-ssi.”
“I’ll listen.”
Woo Ji-hyun familiarly pulled out a notepad and pen from his bag.
He focused on the music Park Eun-su played.
Swish. Swish.
PriOs members held their breath, watching him spin the pen naturally on his finger as he listened.
They glanced at Bini especially.
They’d heard from her how he acted when inspiration struck.
But even after the third song, into the fourth, the pen still spun on his fingers.
‘No way it’s really nothing?’
‘They’re all getting rejected?’
Bini had called him a lyric-writing genius.
He denied it, but she’d known instantly, she swore.
Elder agreed too.
Ha Yu-seon and Yoon Mi-rae’s faces grew serious as he wrote nothing.
“This is the last one.”
“Varied genres. I’d just pictured upbeat vibes.”
“For a unit, we wanted something fresh. But nothing’s clicking yet, huh.”
“Yeah, no strong hits.”
Woo Ji-hyun smiled brightly.
Park Eun-su couldn’t smile.
A lyricist who’d hit twice in a row calling them all meh? Time to rethink the tracklist?
Thud.
As anxious thoughts rose, she played the last song.
The one among the five that got a vague “meh” review.
At that moment, Woo Ji-hyun’s eyes flashed.
“Hot smack?”