Chapter 19
Chapter 19
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Members Over-Immerse in RP
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In the world of composition, there's this thing called a "hold."
Usually, when a client—think agency or label—puts a "hold" on a track, it means they're reserving it: "We might use this, so don't sell it anywhere else."
The opposite of a hold is radio silence.
If you send a song and get no response, that's it—you weren't picked, end of story.
But getting a hold doesn't mean the agency is committing to use your song.
The big agencies hold tracks from countless composers, waiting and waiting for something even better, cooler to come along.
For indie composers scraping by, it's blood-draining agony.
Especially when you're already broke, and your focus is locked on a song that might never sell.
Only when a hold turns into a "fix"—meaning it's locked in—does your track get chosen for real.
They hold tons of songs, right?
So even after a hold, most get dropped, and only a tiny fraction get fixed and see the light of day.
So what's the upside to a hold?
Nothing.
A hold by itself changes zilch.
You only get paid once it's fixed and contracted.
Meanwhile, that held track is off-limits elsewhere—you're just tied up until the agency picks it or lets it go.
Doesn't that sound unfair?
Why does this even happen?
Because big agencies rule the music industry.
They bring in the investment, train or scout the singers—everything.
If you're not even their in-house team but an independent composer, against a giant corporation, all you can do is pray for their favor.
Holds might look like thug tactics at first glance, but you can't sell without going through it, so everyone just endures.
The major labels had put holds on Hong Seon-yul's songs multiple times but never fixed any.
The world is cruel.
That nagging regret of getting so close to the door, the sting of rejection, the quiet pride of at least touching the major league threshold—all tangled emotions swelling up daily.
In the end, not a single line added to his resume.
Holds don't count as credits.
Being "good enough" for a major label proves nothing concrete.
His actual experience? A handful of tracks sold to mid-tier companies for random uses, unrelated to the big album market.
Like that rude auntie at the convenience store saying,
"If you don't study hard, you'll end up like that."
Yeah, I slacked on studies, so now I'm handling stuff like this.
Stress-induced weight loss, getting sneered at for looking gaunt, taking ear slaps from drunks, trips to the station.
Society's brutal.
Too cold and scary to chase dreams.
"Ah, this is healing."
And life's woes like that mostly fade at the sight of beautiful girls.
Having signed Kim Mi-myo's contract, Hong Seon-yul was now in charge of custom song production.
The next day.
"Wooo! Men, get out!"
"What the hell are you saying to a stranger?"
Hong Seon-yul had come to World Live Entertainment's office for a production meeting.
And he got a fiery welcome from Evangelion.
"This is a no-men zone! Get out now!"
"Ignore this weirdo."
"She's intense."
If summer had watermelons, she'd be four of them.
The first faces greeting Seon-yul in the office were Jang Gyeon-u and Evangelion.
"You're the composer taking on my song, right?"
"Ah, you're Uta?"
He'd heard she was pretty, but he hadn't imagined nation-toppling beauties like this.
How did they gather all these stunners?
Idols, I guess?
But virtual idols at that.
Hiding faces like those behind characters is a crime.
"Composer Hong Seon-yul. Nice to work with you."
Good call sticking with composing.
If I'd just gone corporate, no way I'd collaborate with people like this.
Hong Seon-yul had found the meaning of life.
"Is Eva here too?"
"Of course! It's for our Uta-chan's song!"
Soon Mi-myo and Mi-hyo arrived, and the composition meeting kicked off.
But Evangelion was angling for a seat.
She knew Jang Gyeon-u was uncomfortable but wouldn't budge.
And why Gyeon-u was uncomfortable right now...
"Embarrassing."
Creation is like baring your soul's deepest depths.
Way more exposing than nudity.
A harsh critique or a laugh hits like a sledgehammer to the skull.
So until it's properly shaped, she didn't want to show it to anyone unnecessary.
That was Gyeon-u's mindset.
"Evangelion, mind giving up your seat?"
Mi-myo noticed and shooed her out.
"What if I say no?"
"Out."
"Kyaang!"
Evangelion tried to hold out, but seeing Gyeon-u's darkening expression, she finally yielded.
"Composer dude! Hit on Uta-chan and you're dead!"
"She knows her place, at least."
Can't even fantasize about dating unless they're moderately pretty.
To Seon-yul, Gyeon-u was from another world—worship was all he could manage.
"Sorry about our girl."
Kim Mi-myo apologizing on behalf of Evangelion's outburst.
Finally, the creative meeting began.
"On streams, there's this stage thing. Like, there's a singer there. But without listeners, a singer's nothing. Streamers without viewers are nothing. It's like, um..."
Some people don't mind exposing their inner world.
But Gyeon-u hadn't debuted yet, wasn't used to it.
Her face reddening, words stumbling.
No way the details get across like this.
"You wrote lyrics, right? Show us."
President Kim Mi-myo's order.
Ever shared your own poetry publicly?
Most haven't since elementary school.
Handing over self-written lyrics felt just like that.
From ancient times, poetry set to rhythm became song—pretty common.
Songs and poems differ but overlap hugely.
Gyeon-u handed her self-penned lyrics to Seon-yul, face etched with anxiety.
So cute Seon-yul couldn't help a chuckle.
"Am I funny!?"
"Haven't read it yet."
She knew he hadn't had time, but still trembled in nerves.
So adorable Seon-yul felt a heart attack coming.
Could die smiling in a coffin right now.
"A bit Japanese vibe."
That was polite.
To be blunt, otaku flavor.
From the lyrics, Seon-yul grasped the song's direction.
Neighbor Japan, huge cultural exchange.
Lots of K-pop borrows J-pop vibes; Seon-yul had tried it himself.
Mi-myo must've liked some of his like that and signed him.
"It's good."
"No way!?"
"Really good. Needs polishing, though."
"Really!?"
Her big reactions made the chat fun.
Like a kindergartener showing her first drawing to the teacher.
Raw, unmarketable stuff honestly, but no reason not to praise.
"Lyricist's touch will refine it anyway."
Still planning stage, not final product.
Sensibility and message mattered more than polish.
And Gyeon-u's lyrics nailed her message.
"But there are repeating lines here, three times each. Did you have a melody in mind too?"
Song production's big three: lyrics, composition, arrangement.
Music fans know the terms; total newbies often mix up composing and arranging.
Composition is crafting the main melody.
The tune that colors karaoke lyrics.
Barely needs theory.
If you hum something catchy, that's composing.
"Kinda, but I'm an amateur. No clue about composing."
"Anyone can compose. If a melody pops up, that's it. Please share yours."
"Euaang!"
Even showing lyrics was mortifying.
But sing her own melody?
That shame level: stripping naked for a dance in Gwanghwamun Square!
Gyeon-u wailed.
"Cute."
But pro world is ruthless.
Drag it all out: "Folks, come see—this one's spilling her soul!"
"Sing it."
"O-okay, I will."
Gyeon-u had come this far; no backing out.
That's pro.
Clearing her throat, she sang her original melody for everyone.
"Are you there, are you there, are you there."
"Great tone. Melody's solid too? Nurture this vibe, it'll be a hit."
Gyeon-u's work—lyrics and melody—was fragmentary.
Makes sense for a first-timer squeezing out passion.
Pros fill the gaps.
What people imagine as "pro composer"—everything beyond main melody—is arrangement.
How to play which instruments, how much.
Needs harmony theory; tons to study for pros.
"It's good?"
Gyeon-u's concept:
First, pleading to "you": "Are you there?"
Then herself shouting: "I'm here!"
Finally, begging "you": "Stay there."
Middles had erase marks—she'd struggled.
And the note: "If I could fill it all, I'd be the composer!"
"Isn't it a bit much? Jumping straight to 'Look at me!' 'Ignore my streams and I flop!'"
"No, it's perfect!"
Seon-yul praised firmly.
Singer's voice is killer.
Clear story to tell.
And she's gorgeous.
This job would be a blast.