Composer Sin Aram — Do You Know Ghostwriting?
The second video was the music video for Clover Day, the group Han Seoah belonged to. It was the title track from the mini-album they released ahead of their full-scale Japan debut, topping digital charts and achieving record-breaking sales.
I liked the song too, so I hummed along to the intro while waiting for the credits to roll—and that's when I spotted an unfamiliar name.
—Composer: Sin Aram
'That's weird. This is supposed to be a Jang Hyunho composition.'
The famous composer Jang Hyunho had worked extensively with JH's artists, especially Clover Day, whom he'd practically handled exclusively since their debut.
In recent years, as album narratives grew more important, he'd played a decisive role in shaping Clover Day's album concepts and directions.
At the company, he was evaluated as "the Midas touch that leads to success no matter the direction." In other words, a composer you could trust and rely on completely.
'Why is someone else's name on this track?'
I looked up ghostwriting—it translated to "proxy production" in Korean. It was a deceptive practice where someone released another's work under their own name, especially criticized in music circles as moral laxity.
'If the tip is legit, Sin Aram did the actual composing, but Jang Hyunho put it out under his name.'
Such speculation was easy enough, but right now, there was no proof. Still, since it came from the demon's tip, digging into it would surely yield something useful for the strategy.
'Gotta look into Jang Hyunho.'
And just like that, a new mission dropped.
Jang Hyunho had turned an entire five-story building into his studio.
'Must be raking in the cash.'
Even excluding the high-end equipment filling the studios, the scale and staff rivaled any mid-tier production company.
"Whoa, boss. That handsome face of yours is still holding up. You might not remember, but we met at a bar right after you took over as rep? With the executive director."
He mixed in some casual speech to act buddy-buddy, but he was on Park Hyungpil's side. Naturally, he looked down on me—a lot.
"I remember. You drank like a champ back then. Still going at it these days?"
"Hahaha. Getting old, can't keep up anymore. But if you two call, I'll squeeze out the energy I don't have."
He'd squeeze it out for Tenpro, more like. He preferred women over booze, and Hyungpil had reeled him in with that bait. The guy only got satisfied calling in two or three at once for a full-service suck-off.
"So, what brings you here today…?"
"Just came to say hi since I'm going independent soon. How else am I gonna launch singers without your tracks? Haha."
I couldn't exactly ask who Sin Aram was, so I bullshitted my way through.
"Independent? Leaving a sweet gig like that?"
"Some internal stuff, but nothing worth dragging out. JH's in good hands with the executive director, so I'm thinking of starting small on my own."
Talking about going independent made his condescending gaze drop even lower. You think you can snag my tracks? his eyes said.
"Yeah… independent, huh…."
Right then, Jang Hyunho's phone rang. From his scowl mid-conversation, it wasn't good news.
After the call ended, he didn't even excuse himself before stepping out and yelling at someone in the hallway.
"Aram, you wanna keep doing things like this? Why the hell is the PD calling me about shit like this!"
An unexpected name popped up. Peeking through the cracked door, I saw a petite woman with her head bowed low, repeating apologies. She'd messed something up, apparently.
'That must be Sin Aram.'
As Jang Hyunho stormed back in fuming, I casually asked,
"Something wrong?"
"Nah, just some screw-up from the underling… no big deal."
"The staffer you were chewing out in the hall?"
His face screamed How do you know that? so I added,
"Door was open. Looked like a big mistake. You seem pretty pissed."
"Sigh~ She's learning composition, but fucks up everything I give her. Whatever, it's not JH business, so don't worry about it, Hong. Oh, wait—you're not JH anymore."
Now he was openly dismissive. Mission accomplished; no need to stick around.
I gave a quick goodbye and headed out, only to spot Sin Aram at the end of the hall by the stairs, sobbing quietly. Her face was etched with injustice and sorrow. Jang Hyunho must've ripped into her without hearing her side. I could guess the kind of treatment she got at the company without asking.
Confirming no one was around, I approached.
"Sin Aram, right?"
"Y-Yes? Uh, who are you?"
Instead of answering, I handed her my business card.
"Gasp, JH Entertainment's CEO!"
"Second card has my personal number. Not great for a long talk here, but I've got something to say to you—call me."
"To me?"
"Yeah."
"Wh-what…."
I leaned in close and whispered an offer she couldn't refuse.
"If you want to take back the name Jang Hyunho stole, call me."
The next day, I called in the legal team and management support staff to prepare the paperwork for my resignation registry.
All I needed was my resignation letter, but the filing required over ten documents.
Board and shareholder approvals, appointing the next CEO—none of that mattered without me. But the new rep had to be set for my legal responsibilities to transfer. I didn't like it, but I needed a firm confirmation from Hyungpil first. Otherwise, headaches later.
"…So the paperwork's ready. Handle the board yourself. They're all your people."
"Who the hell said you could resign?"
"We talked at the villa. Said I'd quit soon."
"That was just talk with me. Forgot who put you in that chair?"
"Gotta get permission from big bro now?"
"Your half-assed resignation means less to me than that."
You bastard. Quick to line his pockets alone, but plays lackey when it suits. I'd avoided crossing paths with Hong as much as possible—he was still a wall to me.
'Oguang Group Chairman Hong Seonho….'
He was the one who'd abused young Hong Rep back in the day. In Asmodeus's space, I'd only seen memories of that childhood trauma, so I didn't know their current relationship.
His most recent memory was a brief company encounter right after taking CEO. Four years ago—hardly "recent." No calls in four years? Worse than strangers.
Hyungpil bringing up the chairman's permission was pure ass-covering. As my watcher, my exit without it would make him look incompetent. He wanted me to report my voluntary resignation directly.
Clean resignation for full freedom. No clever workaround came to mind, so I used my CEO status to contact the majority shareholder via the "official channel."
"It's me."
I'd left a message with his secretarial office, and he called right back.
"Long time no see, bro."
"Cut the 'hyung' crap. You're resigning?"
"Yeah. That's the plan."
"……"
Too bad I couldn't see his face. What did this silence mean?
"Tomorrow, 2 PM, got 20 minutes. Come to the company."
His arrogant tone—like handling a subordinate—grated, but now wasn't the time to be picky.
"Got it, bro. See you tomorrow."
I hung up, and my phone rang again. What was with today?
"Hello."
"……"
"Hello?"
"…H-Hello, it's Kang Bora."
Ah, took the call mid-Hong chat without checking. Expected it, but should've taken a breath first. My throat suddenly tightened.
"Saw the script you sent."
"Choi Rep showed it to you?"
"Choi Rep? Wasn't it from your manager?"
Knew it. I'd played nice as CEO, but no need next time.
"Nah, doesn't matter—as long as you got it. What'd you think?"
"Haa, what answer are you fishing for?"
"Honest impression."
"First, tell me how you wrote this. Don't gimme that 'I created it' bullshit."
Sis is holding back a lot. Her tone screamed incoming profanity.
"Isn't there more you're curious about?"
"Damn right! My house, door code, personal cell, manager's contact—how the hell do you know all that? Who the fuck are you?"
"Not a phone convo. Let's meet outside."
"You're gonna drug me again and drag me off!"
"Then you pick the spot this time. Somewhere tied to Song Manager, if possible."
"……"
Long silence. The script gave hints, so she was piecing together me and Song Jinho, picking the perfect spot. Crucial moment—I waited patiently, no rushing.
"Tomorrow, 8 PM… come to."
"Where? Can't hear."
"Where I first met Jinho, idiot!"
She hung without waiting. After agonizing, she picked the host bar. Guess nothing else fit.
'Not the safest spot to meet sis carefree, though….'
Celebs frequented it discreetly. Top actress and big agency CEO together? Prime tabloid bait. Security was tight, but nothing's perfect.
'Gotta ask Madam Hyung for backup again.'