Chapter 40
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The First Step
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There are two keywords that always plague an artist.
One is self-replicationthe repetition of past successes, a sort of deliberation on maintaining the status quo.
The other is a departure from that replication to create something new, a deliberation on a challenge.
Maintaining the status quo was relatively easy.
It delivered a familiar and palatable taste to the public, so the probability of failure was low.
However, providing the same flavor every time meant that variety would inevitably suffer.
In other words, there was a chance people would quickly grow tired of it.
Taking on a challenge was relatively difficult.
One had to create something new that not only followed the trends of the era but was also about a step ahead.
It couldn't be too far ahead, the message couldn't be too niche, nor could the expression be too abstruse.
It had to reasonably fit the format of popular appeal while being just one step ahead.
The problem, however, was that no one knew the standard for just one step.
This applied to writers who wrote, actors who portrayed characters, and musicians alike.
Team Leader Park Jeonghu, in charge of Sugar Girls, was no exception.
If only we could add just one more thing here
Park Jeonghu muttered, his eyes narrowed.
He had already listened to hundreds of demos, but not a single one had caught his fancy.
Either its cliché or its incomprehensible.
Songs that prioritized mass appeal were cliché and uninteresting, while those that focused on artistry were unrelatable due to the composer's philosophy.
If only he could find something that mixed the two just right.
Well, if it were that easy, every Tom, Dick, and Harry would be successful.
Finding a composer who possessed both popular appeal and artistry was an incredibly difficult task.
It was hard enough to excel at one, let alone find someone who could master both.
Besides, one could make a living just by being good at one of them.
However
You have to have both to be a game-changer.
The moment one possessed both, the entire game changed.
The public would go wild for the pioneer, and people of all ages would rush to understand the new trend.
It would spawn countless challenges on every social media platform, from TokTok and YouTube Shorts to Tweety.
Thats exactly what we need.
Sugar Girls was a nine-year-old idol group.
Far from being seen as new or interesting, they had long been perceived as old-fashioned.
To break free from that antiquated image, they had to find something new.
That was why Park Jeonghu was desperately listening to demo tracks.
I guess theres nothing quite like this.
Park Jeonghu played the track he received from the CEO of Sumare.
It was Yuhyeons Anthem.
Its really something else.
The full sound, the flawless production, the tension of an actual battle, and the classic elegance of the orchestra.
The progression was mainstream, yet it added a moderately experimental and fresh flavor through its orchestration.
This was exactly the kind of song that was just one step ahead.
What kind of person could he be?
A composer capable of creating a piece of this caliber had to be quite old.
To have a high understanding of both commercial and artistic value required years of experience.
I just hope communication wont be an issue.
Frankly, whether he was old or young didnt matter much to him.
The most important thing for a composer was the ability to create music.
However, the key issue was whether his hearing impairment would allow for proper communication with the team.
Honestly, just using a rookies song is a huge risk in itself.
Assigning a rookie to a major idol group like Sugar Girls was an enormous risk.
And this was for their comeback stage after a two-year hiatus.
The atmosphere at the company had become a bit strange when it was announced they were bringing in a rookie composer with a disability.
So what? I like it. You dont trust my ear?
Of course, Park Jeonghu himself didn't care in the slightest.
Considering everything he had done for Sam Entertainment, this was hardly an excessive demand.
Besides, it wasn't like he was trying to ruin Sugar Girls, was it?
As long as we can communicate somehow.
All he needed was for Yuhyeon to integrate into the project.
Just that would be enough.
It was then.
Yes, you can go in here.
Thank you for guiding me.
The conversation of two men could be heard from outside.
Soon, the door opened, and a young man appeared.
Park Jeonghu, who instinctively knew it was Yuhyeon, thought to himself.
What, hes so young?
The man before him was unmistakably a young man.
He was naturally handsome, with looks that wouldn't be out of place on stage if he were styled properly.
He looked to be around twenty-four or twenty-five.
With looks like that, we could even put him in the music video.
Park Jeonghu found himself running through scenarios in his head.
He imagined the handsome man appearing in Sugar Girls music video, playing the violin
Ah, this is not the time for that.
Music video or not, the contract was the most important issue at hand.
If that fell through, there would be no need to imagine anything further.
Its a pleasure to meet you.
Park Jeonghu said, extending his hand.
My name is Park Jeonghu.
He hoped, with all his heart, that the man before him would be the savior of Sugar Girls.
Here, please have a seat.
Thank you.
Yuhyeon pulled out a chair and sat down, looking around.
So this is what an agency looks like on the inside
Team Leader Park Jeonghus private office was dazzling enough to make ones head spin.
A floor-to-ceiling window with a view of the Han River, stylish interior design, and elegant lighting.
If the top employee at a company had an office, it would probably look like this.
There are Sugar Girls posters everywhere.
What stood out the most were the Sugar Girls posters covering every wall.
Posters from their 5th full-length album to their 7th mini-album, along with award photos, were plastered everywhere.
There were a few of Rocket Boy here and there, but the photos of Sugar Girls were overwhelmingly dominant.
It was as if he were showing off his masterpiece.
How was your journey here?
Park Jeonghu asked as he handed Yuhyeon a coffee made from a capsule machine.
I left early, so there were no problems. The view of the Han River on the way was nice.
Thats one of our companys greatest perks. A building with a view of the Han River, haha.
Park Jeonghu continued, trying to lighten the mood.
By any chance, before you came, did you listen to any of Sugar Girls songs no, I mean, do you know anything about Sugar Girls?
The original question was whether he had heard any of Sugar Girls' songs.
It was a simple question to check if the composer had a professional, business-like attitude.
He speaks so well I completely forgot.
Yuhyeon was so good at lip-reading that for a moment, he had forgotten about the mans disability.
So he had hastily changed the question.
Ive listened to everything from their 1st to 5th full-length albums, and their 1st to 7th mini-albums.
An unexpected answer came from Yuhyeon.
Ex-excuse me? How did you
Theres a game called Wonderland where you can hear sounds. It has a music listening feature, so I listened to them there before I came.
Well, Ill be
Park Jeonghu muttered in genuine surprise.
Wait a minute, does this mean things could proceed much more quickly?
He communicates this well in person, and he has a place where he can listen to sound directly. Isnt that all we need?
Park Jeonghus mind raced.
Was there any album among them that you particularly liked?
Should I give you my honest opinion?
Of course! Please speak freely.
Yuhyeons eyes narrowed for a moment.
Personally, I started to like them from the 3rd album. Compared to the 1st and 2nd, the melodies were more challenging and experimental. Of course, they still had mass appeal.
Oh, oh.
But the one I liked the most was the 5th album.
Oh, oh, ooh!
Park Jeonghus bald head gleamed under the lights.
What did you like about the 5th album?
I felt that the characters and concepts developed in the 3rd and 4th albums were most prominent in the 5th. I thought it was the most complete form in every aspect.
Yes!
Park Jeonghu nodded vigorously in agreement.
It made sense, as a different director had been in charge until the 2nd album, and he had only gotten involved from the 3rd.
Among them, the 5th album was the one he prided himself on having put the most effort into.
In other words, Yuhyeons comments were practically a hymn of praise for his own achievements.
You really know your stuff!
Park Jeonghus eyes filled with adoration as he looked at Yuhyeon.
Ive already vetted the song, and he seems like a good person.
Communication, which he had been most worried about, was also going smoothly.
Weren't these reasons more than enough to join hands with Yuhyeon?
Without hesitation, Park Jeonghu pushed a contract forward.
Well then, shall we get down to business?
In an instant, Park Jeonghus demeanor changed.
From a playful tone to that of a consummate businessman.
Here is the contract. Please take your time and read it over.
Yuhyeon picked up the contract placed before him.
His eyes, as he meticulously scanned the paper, were just as cool.
Its 2.5, 2.5, and 5. The company will handle the lyrics and arrangement, with half going to you, the composer.
Park Jeonghu added his explanation.
Typically, the shares for lyrics, composition, and arrangement were split 4:4:2.
Compared to the standard, this contract was offering Yuhyeon a larger share.
I see.
Yuhyeon was just as surprised.
In reality, it was nearly impossible for a rookie composer to make money from royalties alone.
The fact that Park Jeonghu was treating him with a share that exceeded the industry standard spoke volumes.
Theres nothing to find fault with.
For Yuhyeon, whose goal wasn't to make a fortune from a single song, this was an ideal contract.
The most important thing was breaking into the major market, and his income would surely increase with his performance.
Once the song is complete, we will pay you a song fee.
A song fee?
Yes, we will deposit 5 million won the day after completion.
Yuhyeons eyes widened.
5 million won?
Typically, a rookie composer received between 700,000 to 1,000,000 won.
This wasn't even the industry standard, and rookies often received no fee at all.
An amount like this was something composers with a certain level of experience could expect to receive.
Thats how desperately we want your song, Mr. Yuhyeon.
Park Jeonghu said emphatically, his face full of sincerity.
These are terms Ive never heard of anywhere.
Yuhyeons eyes narrowed.
Although this was his first time entering the major leagues, he had a rough idea of the industry's general state of affairs.
Park Jeonghus words about desperately wanting his song were undoubtedly true.
Is there any reason to refuse?
A golden opportunity had come his way.
Someone who recognized his value was sitting right in front of him.
No, I have to take it.
Yuhyeon was the kind of person who knew how to seize an opportunity when it presented itself.
Ill sign the contract.
Thump!
The sound of the stamp pressing onto the contract echoed cheerfully.
I look forward to working with you, Composer.
There was a saying that a good start is half the battle.
Now that the first step had been taken, all that remained was to walk the other half.
I look forward to working with you as well, Team Leader.
It was the historic first step, the moment Yuhyeons song would be released to the world.