Ria's First Love
Do I sing better than me?
"Hmm…."
Sweet Dream has two main heroines. One male lead, two main heroines. And two sub-heroines. Among them, the character I had to take on was Seo Yerim, one of the main heroines.
"Wait a sec. Isn't this a total harem setup?"
One guy against four women. That might piss off the female readers. But a quick internet search shows people saying it's actually light on female characters for a romance.
No, shouldn't romances have even fewer?
"This reversed world is something else."
Anyway, Seo Yerim's backstory is that she was devastated when the male lead she passionately loved during school days left her. Then, through the passage of time, she barely picks herself up, lives her life diligently, and as an adult, bumps into the male lead by chance and falls in love again….
To me, she's just your standard cliché character.
"Not particularly appealing. Isn't the setup kinda lazy?"
Is that how most women are in this society? I can't quite get the main writer's intentions.
Still, if they're writing a 16-episode drama, they must have some name value. Anyway, Seo Yerim is shy but positive about everything and full of affection. The issue is the trauma from breaking up with the male lead. In the drama, even after reuniting, she can't fully accept his feelings and agonizes over it endlessly. She's in love but terrified of being forgotten again.
"Hmm…."
After pondering that, I figure her theme song should center on the pain and longing of love.
I whip it up step by step. Starting chord is C. Most ballads and emotional tracks build on standard major chords to create a lyrical feel. I kick off the melody with piano and strings—they're great for setting an emotional mood. Slow rhythm to evoke love's ache and yearning, then weave high and low notes. High notes amp up the pathos, lows delve into deep sorrow, adding emotional depth.
"…Not bad."
I chug an energy drink and listen to the result, blending my instincts with skills.
Evaluation: B+
After cranking out finished tracks so many times, I've got the hang of it. Even relying on gut feel, the system rates it pretty high. No wonder everyone wants experienced pros. B+ just like that.
"Nice. I'll tweak it a bit more and contact the company."
Who was singing this again? Foxy's Ria?
"Hmm… What was her vocal style like?"
I rack my brain, but nothing comes up. Guess she and I weren't connected. So I hunt down videos on YouTube and tweak the song accordingly.
And then….
"Ah, hi! Long time… no see!"
A woman with pale skin and big eyes greets me brightly as I arrive at the company to discuss the theme song.
"…Ria?"
"Ah!"
Her look matches the video, so recalling her was easy. She beams at my reaction, but as she studies my face, her smile fades.
"Ah, ah…, ah……."
Her voice comes out like a sigh, laced with regret and sorrow. Watching her pretty face darken weighs on my heart.
"D-Do… you not remember?"
"Pardon?"
"Ah, n-no. Sorry. I'm sorry."
Seems like she knows this body, but I truly don't remember. And from a distance, three pairs of eyes watched the scene.
* * *
"Isn't that girl heading to Jimin… Ria?"
"Yeah."
Nayun replied to Jiyeon with fierce eyes. As leader of Shine Candy, she had bad blood with Foxy's leader Ria. Same-age trainees, rivals by default—and when Shine Candy flopped right as Foxy blew up, the gap widened. Ria never even saw Shine Candy as real competition.
'No matter what, I'm doing better than you.'
Ria's first love? Han Jimin. Nayun had seen her countless times, fidgeting to even say hi to him during trainee days. When he left the company and contact cut off, she'd bawled her eyes out.
But now, she—not Ria—was by that first love's side. He'd whispered his love to her many times, and she'd accepted it. She didn't monopolize it alone, but that was fine. Greedier would be too much. Plus, with Blush holding #1 for three weeks, he'd revived her failed group Shine Candy.
"Whoa? Ria unnie's talking to him."
The three members, including Nayun, stared wide-eyed at Ria and Jimin. Moments later, Ria bowed her head deeply, and a apologetic-looking Jimin headed into the meeting room.
"Looks like she tried playing familiar and got shut down."
Couldn't hear the words, but Ria's expression said it all.
"Let's go."
To get to the practice room, they had to pass Ria. Normally, Nayun would've hidden till Ria left, but….
Her steps were bold. Clap-clap. Ria's head lifted slightly at the sound. Their eyes met—and neither looked away.
Nayun shrugged in front of her. "You know our composer oppa?"
Kim Nayun, 20. Ria, 21. Ria was a year older.
"…You don't need to know."
"Hng~."
The drawn-out hum felt mocking. Fury boiled in Ria, but reacting would play into her hands.
"Ah, then could you move? We gotta practice Blush. Oh! Unnie, you've heard Blush, right?"
"…Who listens to crap like that?"
"Huh? Can I tell Jimin oppa you said that?"
"!!!"
"It's the song your precious Jimin oppa composed for us. He'd be so bummed if he knew."
Grind. Ria's teeth clenched at Nayun's blatant scratching.
She'd heard from the manager that Jimin, who'd left, returned as a composer. And that his track was killer. Foxy had eyed it first, but… [We were gonna take that one… but the composer's tight with Shine Candy. He gave it to them.]
So Blush hit #1 on Mango Chart for three weeks, reviving Shine Candy.
"Rumor is he's doing our mini-album too…."
Nayun's wink was utterly loathsome. But Ria had ammo.
"Oh yeah? I'm working on a track with Jimin too. Before you guys? OST."
"…Pardon?"
"Didn't know? Why'd you think Jimin left the company today? To discuss the OST."
Ria smirked as Nayun's eyes spun. Whatever familiarity she had with Jimin didn't matter.
"Ria! What're you doing? Hurry and prep for the meeting! Composer's here with the track!"
The manager's distant call rang out. Ria turned, leaving Nayun standing. Nayun's flaunting of her connection with Han Jimin seemed pathetic today.
Still….
'You girls probably just work together. But I'll win the composer's heart for sure.'
Winner's me.
As Ria vanished, Nayun unclenched her fist.
"Ugh, why her of all people…!"
"Right? Didn't he say he'd do our mini-album?"
Yunji's voice held disappointment too. That night, she'd given body and soul… and now he was eyeing another girl already?
"No schedule today, right?"
"…Probably?"
Nayun nodded, recalling. "Let's call the composer."
"Oppa…?"
"Yeah. Time to lay down the law."
Yunji's eyes widened. Post-Blush #1, Shine Candy drowned in schedules. Barely texted Jimin. Distance breeds detachment—they needed a recharge. And vent some pent-up desire.
"Threesome again?"
Team eldest Jiyeon showed sly interest. First time was forced, but after, she'd clung to him hungrily. Couldn't forget that man's taste. Craved his firm muscles pinning her down.
But their naughty plan crumbled as the manager arrived.
"You girls got extra training starting today?"
"Whaaat?! Why?!"
"Mini-album prep."
Question marks over the trio's heads. They'd heard vaguely about the mini-album, but not that it was ready.
They'd planned a hot night with no schedule….
"Han Jimin composer prepped it ahead. Tracks arrived; Choi Nahee producer's editing now. Cut schedules, grind in the practice room."
"Ah, a-ah… Starting today?"
"Yep. Perfect timing, right? Ride Blush's wave, nail the mini-album—you'll carve out your spot."
The ecstatic manager left them murmuring "Ah, a-ah…." Hot night dashed.
Meanwhile at the BOZ building, various dramas unfolded. And at NBC, Hong PD faced a massive headache.
"I want to sing this myself."
Drama lead and KM star Kang Do-hyun insisted on singing his theme OST himself.
"Dive in Love? You, actor Kang?"
"Yes."
"Uh, um…."
Hong PD pondered. Do-hyun was a huge star, drama lead—hard to refuse. But OSTs aren't jokes. Jimin's Dive in Love was near-perfect as-is.
"It's a song expressing my emotions, right? Wouldn't it be better if I sing it?"
"Er…."
Not wrong. But doesn't the composer know those emotions too? After agonizing, Hong PD relented.
"Give it a shot. We'll evaluate after."
"Got it."
Do-hyun nodded happily. Recording prepped, singing began.
"A soft breeze wraps around me, warm sunlight brushes this moment."
"……."
Subtle grimaces rippled through the room. Hong PD too. From the first line, it was off. Decent amateur, but no pro. This needed Jimin's voice.
"Phew… How was it?"
Do-hyun beamed proudly. But the verdict was set.
"Think we should go with Han Jimin composer's version."
"No, why?!"
"Well… You're an actor, he's a music pro?"
Beat around the bush about skill gap….
"Then rearrange it so I can sing easy!"
Doesn't get it. Song's too good; he's tripping over it.
'Fuck, what a pain.'
Can't ignore the lead. KM pulls funding, they're screwed—drama's already shot.
"…I'll contact the composer."
"Talk him up nice. Better for him if I sing, right? Name value of Kang Do-hyun? I'll fund OST fees myself."
"No, what? Do-hyun-ah, company's got it. Just prep to sing."
"……."
They decided to explain to Jimin.
'Guy whipped this up in a day….'
Massage it right, maybe package Do-hyun as decent singer? Text sent; reply came quick. Hong PD inwardly wept.
"Haa…."
Situation's royally fucked.