Chapter 162
Translator: uly
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
"It's a mini album, not a full-length, so I think it'll be fine. Not just me—the higher-ups agree too. We're aiming for about three tracks on this mini album's tracklist. Of course, one more wouldn't hurt. The songs themselves are what matter most, though."
"So it could end up as low as two?"
"Three is the baseline. It'd be even better if Cain joined us."
"Hmm."
Woo Ji-hyun held back his response.
He just stared at the two of them with an inscrutable expression.
At that, Nam Hee-gyu pulled out a prepared contract and slid it subtly toward Woo Ji-hyun.
"Take a look, if you would. Haha."
"You're thorough."
"Opportunities like this don't come often. That's why I've been getting an earful. They wouldn't let up on me."
Nam Hee-gyu groaned and bowed his head. He'd been hounded not just by his team leader and section chief, but by the executives too.
"What choice did they have? Look at what you've accomplished, Ji-hyun. Plus, our chemistry works well."
"The terms are pretty much on par with Apple Entertainment's?"
"Like with Elder, we've prepared the best deal we can offer. We figured this was the minimum to seal a contract with Cain."
"Aren't you overextending yourselves?"
"No. Spending three years floundering and running weird gigs around the country? Better to go all-in early. Once they blow up, their value skyrockets. Doors open wide. Without that breakout, even booking a single TV spot is a struggle. Variety shows? Forget it."
Sure, plenty of idols got called "the trend," but they made up less than 1% of the total.
Out of a hundred debuting groups, only one—male or female—would snag that title.
Idol life was that cutthroat, so Curve Entertainment seemed ready to bet big from the jump.
"Sounds like you might be onto something."
"Of course, knowing it doesn't make it viable. Without a surefire key, it's off the table."
"You're making me feel bad now."
"I'm not. If I'm producing, there has to be this level of ambition. Especially since I don't lack success stories. And with you joining? Avengers, baby."
"Avengers with just us two? You need at least four."
Woo Ji-hyun snorted as if it were absurd.
But Elder stood tall.
"I'll pull double duty—more, even."
"Anyway, Cain. Your schedule easing up now?"
The original plan had been to sign Woo Ji-hyun sooner.
At first, unaware he was Cain, they'd only sought a connection through Elder. But once Nam Hee-gyu learned he was the hot lyricist, he scrapped and rewrote the blueprint.
Might as well aim higher—more the merrier.
"Yeah. I was gonna dive straight into a new project, but I need a breather. Been nonstop without a break."
"Breaks are essential. Especially for brain workers like us. Our process might be even more fragile than physical performers."
"Some people worry about you."
"Heh heh. Good times."
Nam Hee-gyu tilted his head, puzzled.
Unaware of Woo Ji-hyun's situation, he couldn't follow their banter.
"Plus, I need to prep a ton anyway. This next work's gonna lean heavy on realism. And I'm kinda in the thick of it myself."
"Fair. Not some half-baked research job. But if you're going that route, why not make the protagonist a lyricist or composer? That'd hit even harder."
"Thinking of saving that for the follow-up. Better to stockpile ideas anyway."
Even now, Woo Ji-hyun jotted down every spark in his notebook.
Might not fit the times or market yet, but later? Who knew.
Besides, his break had another motive.
Everything he'd written so far came from his past life.
This new one? Original.
Which meant Woo Ji-hyun harbored quiet worries.
'The old stuff had a predictable safety line. This? Uncharted.'
Timing-wise, it felt like prime material—especially with his firsthand experience. He trusted himself to nail it.
But writing wasn't just confidence.
Overconfidence could poison it.
Too much realism might kill the fun.
"Like a fox digging multiple dens in advance, huh?"
"Not the best analogy."
"Best I've got. Nothing better comes to mind."
"Hello!"
"Nice to meet you, sunbae!"
As the two bickered anew, the meeting room door swung open. In swept Tiramisu.
Fresh from showers, damp hair swaying, they bowed deeply toward the pair.
"Good to see you."
Elder waved lazily, all senior cool, as Tiramisu bent so low it looked like their backs might snap.
Unlike the freshly debuted Tiramisu, Elder was a seventh-year rapper now.
"Honored to meet you!"
"Thanks to Ji-hyun oppa for setting this up!"
"Have a seat first."
After greeting Elder, then Woo Ji-hyun, Tiramisu scurried to their spots.
Side by side next to Nam Hee-gyu, eyes sparkling bright.
They were idols, celebrities now—but Elder was the celebrity's celebrity.
Leagues beyond them.
"How's the contract talk?"
"Still negotiating."
"Even Ji-hyun oppa?"
"Cain too."
Nam Hee-gyu murmured softly.
Hye-jeong-i's pupils quivered faintly.
Their dream scenario hadn't materialized yet.
The other members' faces darkened too.
"I'm leaning yes. If not, I wouldn't be here—no matter how much this guy begged."
"No pressure from me. Business is business."
"That's why I like you."
"Sorry, I'm taken."
Tiramisu's eyes widened like saucers at Woo Ji-hyun's words.
No way they'd hear his dating news here.
"You dog—spreading that 'join us' bait everywhere, huh?"
"What're you on about? Play the tracks I brought first."
Elder shot him a suspicious glance.
But dropped it.
"I've selected tracks I think suit Tiramisu. Seven in total—two with lyrics done."
"Playing them pre-contract?"
"Yeah. What if we sign and the songs flop?"
Elder coolly fired up his smartphone.
Demos, just skeletons—but enough to feel the vibe.
And showcase his class.
"Whoa~!"
"Level's insane..."
Instant reaction to the first track.
Nam Hee-gyu nodded knowingly; Tiramisu's eyes bulged.
A clear tier above anything they'd heard.
Explained why the label was so desperate for Elder.
"First one's killer already?"
"That's the problem. Not every track slays. Might not be my taste, but could work for others."
Hot response from the jump—Elder shrugged.
Expectations climbing too fast.
Not that he'd skimped.
With his name on it, no half-measures.
"Total girl group vibe."
"So peppy."
"Warm too. Definitely not sunbae style."
"But you can write this? Amazing."
Tiramisu mirrored awe-struck faces, gazes full of admiration for Elder.
Most guys' hearts would skip.
Elder didn't blink.
Work mode—and he had stunning girlfriend Bini.
"What do you think?"
"It's good."
"No urge to write?"
Elder ignored the room, eyeing Woo Ji-hyun.
Glancing at his side.
"Nope."
"No inspiration?"
"What're you expecting?"
"Your genius? Hmm. Pass on these two, then."
Nam Hee-gyu and Tiramisu gawked blankly, heads swiveling.
No clue what they meant.
But Elder's face was dead serious.
"No need to overthink. Songs are solid. Girls love 'em?"
"Solid satisfaction won't cut it. Middling at best. My pride's on the line this album. Yours too."
"Me? What?"
"Sunrise's spouting crap. Said your luck ran out—that's why you vanished."
"Why care? Believers gonna believe."
Woo Ji-hyun shrugged off the overreaction vibe.
Refuting wouldn't change minds.
He'd ignored the articles on purpose.
"No dice. Can't sit idle while they trash my pride! Sneaky, no direct fight?"
"Media play's sneaky? For revenge, hit 'em same way. Apple's pros at that."
"Can't stoop to their level. Got standards. Gotta crush 'em so bad they can't even squirm."
Elder's eyes blazed.
Hell-bent on demolition.
Woo Ji-hyun and Bini dragged in? Fierce.
"Uh, how?"
Nam Hee-gyu stammered amid the intensity.
Funny—Tiramisu looked thrilled, not tense.
"Sunrise's Rubis dropping an album soon. Maybe same time as Tiramisu."
"No way?"
"Yep. Crushing with skill. You and me? Unbeatable. Time to etch it in Sunrise's brain: the sound chart's top dogs are back."
"Music chart powerhouse? Perfect for us."
Nam Hee-gyu grinned, stroking his chin. As long as no real beef, pure win for Tiramisu.
Even tangling with Sunrise? Not bad.
Spotlight on Tiramisu too.
Cold calc: better team with Elder, Woo Ji-hyun, Apple than shady Sunrise. Way better.