Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The Members Over-Immerse in RP
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"Then I'll whip up a sample within three days and send it over."
"That fast?"
"Haha."
Hong Seon-yul couldn't help but let out an awkward laugh at Jang Gyeon-u's reaction, wide-eyed as a total newbie to the industry.
The image people usually had of composers was probably that of tormented artists wrestling with their heads in their hands for weeks or even months, waiting for divine inspiration to strike like a shaman's possession.
But in reality, when taking on personal commissions like this, it was considered professional courtesy to deliver a finished product within a week.
'No pressure or anything.'
Hong Seon-yul's songs had never been picked up by a major agency.
They'd only sold a few times to small companies for minor uses, with low exposure and even lower stakes.
It was embarrassing to even call himself a pro.
These days, he was so confused about whether he was just a hobbyist or an actual composer.
At least he'd made it to the hold list of a major label a few times—that was his one proud achievement, his sole point of pride.
And now, this guy was tasked with a debut song for a real singer.
He knew better than anyone how many hopeful singers debuted with bright futures in mind, only to vanish into obscurity, forgotten by all.
His resolve to craft something truly great burned fiercer than ever.
'She trusted me with this.'
World Live Entertainment, being a small company short on funds and connections, probably couldn't afford the big-label approach of stockpiling songs and cherry-picking the best.
There was no criticizing the singer for skimping on the track budget.
Expensive songs didn't guarantee better results anyway.
The world wasn't that simple or straightforward.
'Just because I'm a cheap composer doesn't mean I have to churn out cheap songs.'
Through all the rejections, humiliations, and the bleak outlook, why hadn't Hong Seon-yul quit composing yet?
Because he believed one day it would shine.
Because he believed he was the kind of person who could blaze brilliantly when opportunity knocked.
Because he believed in himself.
This wasn't the end.
Back in his studio, he dove straight into work.
With such vivid fantasies as fuel, it was almost too easy.
A darkened stage, a singer no one watches, a pitiful woman weeping in solitude.
Images sharper than any movie, etched vividly in his mind.
He'd come straight from staring holes into the singer who would perform it right before his eyes.
She was so beautiful—beautiful enough to be his muse.
Melodies flooded in!
Like the god of music had descended into his head!
The song Uta wanted to create resonated deeply with Hong Seon-yul too.
A singer no one listens to, a composer no one buys from—it felt tailor-made for him, he understood that anguish all too well.
'Oh no! Too many ideas!'
The lyrics from Uta, her voice singing them, her expressions, her every gesture.
The inspiration from the goddess of music was overwhelming.
'Is this even allowed?'
Reason tried to slam on the brakes—stick to the client's request—but those brakes snapped like twigs.
'Feel it first! Then write the song!'
He forgot to sleep, lost track of time, and missed his convenience store shift.
'Morning already?'
Luckily, the store was just ten minutes from home, so he dashed over after the boss's call and clocked in.
His body was wrecked from the all-nighter, but his mind was razor-sharp—no fatigue as he hummed new melodies during his shift, raced home after to record them, collapsed into bed, and even dreamed of songs.
This mad frenzy was a first in his life.
"I've screwed up big time! I'm sorry!"
"Huh? What did you screw up?"
"Just listen first."
On the promised third day.
Hong Seon-yul barged straight into the World Live Entertainment office.
Jang Gyeon-u, who happened to be home, got summoned to the office too.
"Huh?"
"It's good? But..."
"How did this happen?"
Kim Mi-myo, Kim Mi-hyo, and Jang Gyeon-u.
The three of them stared at the song, their faces morphing into living question marks.
The track was undeniably good.
Ready for major markets right now.
But it was 180 degrees from the original request.
Girl crush—yep, that early-2020s trend from girl groups, the 'I'm amazing and the best, so look at me' electronic pop vibe.
"And there's more after that."
"More?"
The first song ended.
Then the second one played.
This time, it was exactly the concept from the planning meeting: the 'I'm nothing without you, please look at me' pop ballad.
What Hong Seon-yul meant by "screwed up" was delivering two songs instead of one.
"Remember from the planning? Idols should be more confident, right? Can we really sing whiny stuff like this? People hide their weaknesses, pretend to be tough. That's where I got the inspiration. What if she acts super strong but has a fragile heart underneath? Wouldn't that be relatable? A song like that?"
Hong Seon-yul didn't know much about the virtual streaming scene.
So he researched hard.
Dug into songs by Vtubers.
What got good reactions, what formats, what themes and lyrics—everything.
"I tried packing it all into one song, but it exploded! And no matter how I thought about it, splitting into two felt right."
The tracks he'd composed were Side-A at 2:31 and Side-B at 2:34.
Mashing them into a 5- or 6-minute single wasn't impossible.
Pop songs were trending shorter for short-form content, but no law said you had to.
Could buck the trend rebelliously.
But the more he fleshed them out, the stronger the urge to split them.
Why that call?
It just sounded better that way.
"No extra charge! Can we use both?"
People work to make money, obviously.
Hong Seon-yul wasn't rich.
Bills piled up.
Composing didn't cover living expenses, hence the convenience store gig.
Still.
He'd started this path because he loved music.
Some things you do even without pay.
"That's tricky. You know production costs dwarf composing fees, right? Music videos, marketing, all that..."
"I'll waive my salary too."
"Pardon?"
Suddenly, Jang Gyeon-u jumped in beside Hong Seon-yul.
"I'll fund the tracks with my salary."
'Suddenly inspired?'
If costs were the issue, someone just had to pay them.
Simple logic.
"You liked my song that much?"
"Of course!"
Hong Seon-yul was touched; Jang Gyeon-u was buzzing with excitement.
Splitting into Side-A and Side-B hit Jang Gyeon-u's otaku heart square on.
Acting tough up front but crying behind closed doors? Peak shipper bait.
"It's not that easy, Gyeon-u. You'd have to forfeit three months' salary?"
Kim Mi-myo's figure was way higher than Jang Gyeon-u expected.
Whipping up a hobby track for upload didn't cost much.
But operating as pros meant no amateur moves.
Low quality wouldn't just tarnish her—it smeared the whole company's rep.
"Let's do it!"
No stopping an otaku on a roll.
She had no choice against that tidal wave.
"Then we need all members' approval first. Uta isn't solo anymore—she's part of a group."
Manager Kim Mi-hyo spoke up.
Even virtual idols were idols—group members, not solo acts.
Unlike groups dropping team tracks first then subunits or solos, they were starting with original solo songs.
But that didn't make it non-group.
The four were still a shared fate.
One member kicking off with two originals?
Could spark fairness drama.
Even if self-funded.
"Then let's go convince the members."
"Huh? Me too?"
"You're the composer."
And so their adventure began.
First stop for Jang Gyeon-u: Evangelion.
With her frequent touchy-feely vibes, she seemed friendly enough.
Or so Jang Gyeon-u sensed.
Evangelion and Hong Seon-yul found her—along with Wang Rang—playing badminton at a nearby sports park.
"Hit two members at once. Let's get approval now."
'How are all these members so pretty?'
Hong Seon-yul had seen Evangelion before, but Wang Rang was new.
Her girlish charm pierced his heart differently from the others.
'Wish I could compose for her too.'
Inspiration everywhere—an ocean of ideas!
Meanwhile, Jang Gyeon-u explained the situation.
"I'm fine with it!"
Wang Rang accepted without hesitation.
"How can you agree so easily? Gyeon-u came begging on his knees—that was fun!"
Evangelion didn't seem opposed, but she wasn't handing it over easy either.
"If you don't hate it, just say yes?"
"Nope!"
Evangelion's eyes gleamed slyly.
Just like a 27-year-old uncle.