Do You Sing Better Than Me?
Unaware of the discussion about me unfolding in the BOZ conference room, I'm spending my time in the composition room working on Shine Candy's mini-album.
"The concept isn't bad, right?"
The working title I came up with is Sweet Candy. The album's theme aims to capture love as sweet as candy, while also incorporating the bitter tastes of failure and heartbreak. A sweet concept isn't bad at all—though it feels a tad childish. Plus, a lyrical ballad fits well with the vibe of the currently hot Blush. That makes it easy to weave a story around.
"And emotional melodies always hit across all age groups."
With the theme set, I start composing. I draw inspiration, activate skills. If it doesn't sit right, I scrap it and start over from scratch. That's how I churned out five tracks. Two in a vibe similar to Blush, and three that aren't. I mixed in some upbeat, bright styles to showcase Shine Candy's fresh appeal to the public.
Slurp.
I sip the energy drink from the IP Shop while listening to the songs I made.
"Hmm."
The system evaluation isn't bad. All of them scored A+ or S-. Not quite Blush level, but I can tweak them during production for higher marks, so I'm satisfied here.
"This is pretty damn good."
Placebo effect or not, I feel the fatigue lifting. Energy drinks are 10 IP a box, but they taste great. They claim to boost focus, and it actually seems to work.
'Not cheap at 10 IP, though...'
After dumping 5000 IP into the C-rank Stamina skill, I've gotten used to spending on IP. Especially since I learned I can earn IP not just from achievements, but through entertainment activities I'm involved in. I've got backing now.
Anyway, how many hours was that? "Feels like at least a week has flown by...."
I threw everything into music-making, using all my skills. I even slept in the composition room, dedicating every waking moment to the album. The downside? Despite all this hard work, none of my skills leveled up.
"Lower-rank skills would've grown by now."
Most are S-rank, so no surprise. If a mini-album bumped skill ranks, entertainment management wouldn't have its notorious rep.
"The quickest to level might be Stamina, then?"
C-rank. My lowest skill.
"Ugh."
Even so, leveling it... No clue how many women and sessions it'd take.
Right now, I've already rolled with Jeong Hye-ryeong and her wife, plus Shine Candy and Oh Minseo. "Wait a sec."
It's been less than a month since I woke up in this world, and I've already hooked up with six women.
"Even harem novels would catch flak for this pace."
My old friends would've yelled, 'Hand over the luck!!!'
The gender reversal and Genius Face (SS)'s explosive synergy helped big time. Plus, men are so rare here. Still, I gotta be careful with taken women.
"Reversed world or not, not all guys are losers."
Plenty seemed to have their own harems. But with so few men, most women probably never even date.
Anyway, starting with Shine Candy, I'll make a name in entertainment, then build my own management company. Not just puppeteering from behind, though.
"Gotta compose tracks for myself to sing."
Running and growing a world-class management company takes more than good songwriting. I learned that grinding the entertainment management game.
So, I need to squeeze out every ounce of my abilities. "I topped the charts with Carrot and got the 'genius composer' nickname... but it's not enough."
I need more fan attention. And I've got skills to make it happen.
Vocalizing - S-rank. I'll sing my own songs.
'Not planning to debut as an idol, though.'
Not dissing idols. But they get tied to companies for years. Plus, after playing male idol last round? No thanks. The infighting among guys is annoyingly intense. Gender reversal? Fan wars between members' fans already give me a headache.
Mixed groups are out too. They flop—hard to build a fanbase.
Same here. "But I need results beyond success."
To see this game's ending. So, something more than your average idol loved across generations. A powerhouse fandom loyal only to me.
"...Band it is."
My conclusion after agonizing. Powerful guitar riffs, drums, explosive vocals—band fans get hooked hard and stick around. Bands have ironclad fanbases.
This world has women bands too. UK's massively loved Royal Mint, America's legendary The Queens. Their rock popularity dwarfs Korean idols.
"Unless it's old-world BTS level..."
No idols here hit that. Anyway, for now, build fame as composer while prepping my album slowly. Got a nice find browsing the IP Shop mid-composing out of boredom.
◈ Using the item allows creation of songs one grade higher than your current skills, based on time spent in the composition room (up to 1 day).
◈ Maximizes emotion and melody for irresistibly charming music.
◈ Price: 3000 IP
A consumable for 3000 IP. Still, insanely tempting—it boosts my current S-rank composing by a whole grade. The gap between S and SS dwarfs A to S.
Not buying yet, though. Broke after Stamina. That's partly why I'm doing Shine Candy's mini-album.
"Earn me some IP with your activities."
Songs turned out solid, so planning a BOZ visit soon.
But then...
The gloomy vibe from the busty glasses girl. But that's Choi Nahee, one of BOZ's top producers. She was Shine Candy's main producer until she saw my skills and stepped back. Still, she helped me hone my producing instincts—practical tips during sessions.
Quiet, weirdly attached to her glasses, but not a bad person.
"OST, huh..."
Never done one, but not lacking confidence. Just, "Why me?"
BOZ has composers. I know five teams offhand.
So...
Decided to head straight there.
"It's all scrapped."
First words from Choi Nahee in her studio.
"What? Scrapped?"
Surprising. BOZ exclusives should be solid talents.
"Didn't fit the drama. Failed to capture the main characters' emotions."
"...Uh. Which drama's OST?"
"NBC's big-push drama. Know Sweet Dream?"
Not really. Vaguely recall seeing it online, but that's it. Focused only on Shine Candy stuff. Spare time went to tumbling with Jeong Hye-ryeong or Kim Chaeyeon.
"Think romance drama with Kang Do-hyun as male lead. You know him?"
"Yeah."
KM's poster boy. Starred in hits like Wind, Please and Descent of the Gods at 27. Not my type—clean-cut, but popular with female fans.
"Female leads are Seo Ye-rin and Ember."
"Ember? Lunatic?"
"Yep."
Never seen her live, but heard the name. BOZ's Foxy and 80 are top-tier girl groups, but ask for the most popular? Lunatic wins.
Ember's their main vocal. Also rising composer-idol.
'That Lunatic... 5th year now?'
Branching out makes sense. Boosts group value, expands fans. Solo shot too.
Reason BOZ shoves Foxy and 80 into variety shows.
"Right."
"Heard she's famous as a composer-idol too?"
"Talent shows. But real skill? Who knows. Could be company image."
"...Ah."
Choi Nahee rummages A4 papers on her desk.
"......"
Watching quietly, my eyes lock on one spot involuntarily. Studio's hot, so she's in a comfy V-neck tank. Problem: her D-cup massive tits. The deep cleavage hits nakedly.
'Wanna grope them.'
Squeeze, milk them, slide my dick between... Lewd thoughts dominate.
'...Relax. Snap out of it, Han Jimin.'
Shine Candy girls would've obliged instantly. Not her. Not a ya-game—bold moves don't guarantee success.
Built-up urges from composition room lockdown.
Shaking off the haze, she finds what she wants and hands me papers.
"We need three tracks total. Main theme, male lead theme, and one for Seo Ye-rin."
"Ember's?"
"She's doing hers. Seo Ye-rin's will be sung by Ria."
"Hmm......"
Broadcaster-pushed romance OST. Not super appealing. Ratings unknown, but OST success ties to drama's.
'Even if I nail it, flop drama tanks it...'
Waste of time. Plus, Shine Candy mini-album awaits. Unlike that, no guaranteed IP from OST.
Papers outline drama plot and concepts briefly.
My lingering gaze irks her? She adjusts her glasses.
"Generous fee."
"Not obligated, right?"
"Well... yeah, but I'd appreciate your help."
Explains why. Foxy vs. Lunatic rivalry. Her pride—wants solid OST after main genre wins. News to me: her three prior OSTs (all hits otherwise) bombed.
Desperate for success this time.
"Hmm."
Still not sold. Shine Candy's mini-album earns IP better. Sure, split time insanely... but 'Why bother?'
Fee's nice, but not essential.
No firm answer from me, she sighs shortly.
"Help once. If it succeeds, I won't forget the favor. Wait—no."
Shakes head, stares straight.
"I'll grant whatever you want."
"Whatever I want?"
"Yeah. Anything."
That desperate for OST success? Anyway, her "anything" makes my eyes drift to her chest involuntarily.
'Can't let my dick rule my brain...'
Man's instinct? Can't peel my gaze from Choi Nahee's D-cups.