Chapter 41
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: A Live Demonstration
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The Music Genius of Virtual Reality
Chapter 41
In a conference room on the 10th floor of Sam Entertainment.
The room was set up with a PowerPoint presentation, refreshments, and water.
The members of the AR team were conversing with anxious faces.
...When is the team leader getting here?
Is he still handling the contract? I think its been an hour already.
The team members were already aware that Park Jeonghu and Yuhyeon were in the process of signing a contract.
After all, the reason they were sitting here was to hold a concept meeting immediately after the signing.
The problem was that the meeting was about to start, yet there was no news.
It might be better if the contract falls through...
What do you mean by that?
The person who came to sign today is a rookie with no career history, and I heard he has a hearing impairment? Something like that.
This was something Park Jeonghu had already announced to the AR team.
He had told them that the new composer had a hearing disability, so there might be some communication issues.
Hed asked them to conduct the presentation primarily through text if possible.
Thats why we have more PPT slides than usual.
Dont even mention it. I had to work overtime because of that...
One of the team members let out a deep sigh and grumbled.
Is this really going to be okay? Looking at the roadmap, it seems like we have to finish preparations in about three months.
Well, as long as there are no issues with the song, no problems with the contract, and everything proceeds according to plan...
...Isnt that just another way of saying it wont work?
The company had no classical music experts, so they had to bring in the original composer.
Working with the original composer usually made projects go off the rails, and to make matters worse, this one had a disability.
Sigh, I dont know. We just have to do what the higher-ups tell us to. Its not like things have ever been easy.
Well, doing what youre told is the life of an office worker.
If I have to pull all-nighters again for this, I swear Ill quit out of sheer frustration.
It was the common sorrow of an office worker.
The sorrow of employees at a notoriously busy agency.
I dont know who it is, but I just hope theyre a normal person!
Please! Id lick Team Leader Parks head if it meant I could leave on time!
Ugh, thats a bit much...
That was all it was.
A desperate wish not to have their work-life balance ruined by a new problem when they were already swamped.
That was the sole reason the AR team members were grumbling.
It was then.
Screeeak!
Alright, alright, I made it just in time, didnt I? Shall we get started right away?
Team Leader Park Jeonghu entered the conference room, opening the door with a cheerful air.
Seeing his expression, the team members eyes narrowed.
Whats up? Why is he in such a good mood?
The man, who was usually fuming like a ripening takoyaki, was wearing an expression they rarely saw.
He was smiling! They say people do things they normally wouldnt when their time is near. Was this that moment?
Unaware of his teams thoughts, Park Jeonghu gestured nonchalantly.
Please, come in, Composer.
At that, the team members gazes turned to Yuhyeon.
Hello, my name is Yuhyeon, the composer.
Yuhyeon bowed deeply to the AR team.
The eyes of the female employees watching him widened.
Damn, hes totally my type...
Wow, he looks like Minjun from Rocket Boy.
Of course, the male employees had little interest.
Please let me leave on time.
Ah, I have to watch the Champions League match today.
In the conference room, where a multitude of thoughts were swirling.
Shall we begin, then?
The concept meeting for Sugar Girls comeback track, Hymn, was about to start.
Whats your opinion on the visual aspect, Kang? Feel free to speak your mind.
The song has a dramatic atmosphere, so I thought it would be good to have them wear uniforms. It doesnt overlap with any of the concepts Sugar has done before.
The concept meeting, led by Team Leader Park Jeonghu, proceeded in a serious mood.
The atmosphere was more solemn than ever, yet it wasnt a one-sided communication.
It was a mutually complementary discussion where team members offered opinions and Park Jeonghu developed them.
The meeting was progressing smoothly.
What is your opinion, Composer?
I agree as well.
Are you referring to the uniforms?
Its hard to pinpoint the exact outfits, but I think it would be great if we could enhance the dramatic atmosphere.
If there was one minor issue, it was that Team Leader Park Jeonghu kept seeking Yuhyeons confirmation.
He said something along the lines of, since the composer created this world, no one knew the song better than him.
I wrote this song envisioning a holy war from the medieval era. The fast tempo and emphasized drum sounds were meant to express a tense battle, almost like a heartbeat.
Yuhyeon answered straightforwardly.
Then what kind of feeling were you going for with the orchestras progression?
The concept was to express a sense of praise for a messiah, like in Handels oratorios. While the battle created a dramatic sound, the orchestra was meant to provide a solemn and sacred resonance.
He simply laid out the honest impressions he felt while creating the song.
The way the team members looked at Yuhyeon gradually began to change.
Hes surprisingly easy to communicate with. He might even be a better speaker than most people.
Thats a nice answer. Not too convoluted either.
The anxiety they had felt before the meeting started had almost completely vanished.
For the outfits, lets go with gothic-style dresses made of materials like quilt. We can get the uniform feel Kang mentioned from the color scheme. A good mix of platinum, white, and black should be able to create both a uniform look and a classic elegance.
Park Jeonghu spoke in a powerful tone while looking at the PPT slides.
The dance should have moves that emphasize elegance, with group choreography that gives a military feel. Like female knights, noble and unapproachable. At the same time, it should reveal a healthy femininity and sexiness.
The team members nodded, seeming to have grasped the concept.
However, there was still one remaining issue.
Is the song completely finalized?
Yuhyeons song was structurally complete, but it had areas that needed work before it could be released.
It might need arranging, and more importantly, it hadnt undergone any post-processing by engineers.
Well have to start moving quickly from now on.
As you know, Team Leader, our ability to move forward with specifics depends on how quickly the song is finished. If the final version is delayed even a little...
The most crucial factor was how well Yuhyeon and the company could coordinate on the song.
Im not worried about the other parts, but the orchestra arrangement seems like it will be a problem. We dont have a classical composer in the company. We have to rely entirely on you, Yuhyeon...
The team members eyes turned toward Yuhyeon.
A rather familiar gaze.
Ultimately, the point was whether he, a person with a disability, could work on the song without friction with the company.
For them, who were facing an important project, it was a moment where they had every right to feel anxious.
Yuhyeon spoke in a calm tone.
I can fully understand why you would be concerned about the points youve raised.
...?
But you dont need to worry.
The team members eyes narrowed for a moment.
He said not to worry. Did he have some clear direction in mind?
Just give me your requests, and I can incorporate all of them. I can also arrange the music in any direction you wish.
Yuhyeon said with a faint smile.
Theres nothing to worry about.
As long as he was given enough time, he was confident he could produce the desired results.
In the end, wasn't this work done between people? All they had to do was coordinate their opinions and set a direction.
Ive done this plenty of times even before Wonderland.
He had even gone through similar work with CEO Sumare before he could hear sound.
Back when the CEO would give abstract feedback like, How about a more cheerful feel? or Bright, but dark.
He had already built up plenty of experience.
Since were on the topic, would it be alright if I gave a demonstration?
A demonstration? What do you mean by that...?
Park Jeonghu asked Yuhyeon with a puzzled expression.
Then, assuming we were to arrange it, could you give me one piece of feedback? If you have any modifications that come to mind.
Yuhyeon said as he took his instrument out of its violin case.
I want to show you that there will be no problems working with me.
It was only when he placed the violin on his shoulder and rested his chin on it that the team members eyes widened.
What, is he really going to play?
Is that even possible when he cant hear?
I think hes just bluffing...
The team members exchanged glances with one another.
It was as if their expressions were saying, You want to try? and You talk to him.
Only Park Jeonghus eyes lit up as he watched Yuhyeon.
I didnt expect him to use the violin like that.
He had asked him to bring the violin only to listen to the sound in person and coordinate the arrangement direction.
There was a huge difference between hearing a recording and hearing it live.
Hes got some serious guts.
He never imagined Yuhyeon would take such a direct approach here.
To prove himself right in front of those who doubted his abilities.
It was an act that completely captivated Park Jeonghu.
You could say it was right up his alley.
The stage is set, yet no one dares to speak.
Park Jeonghu glanced around once.
He thought to himself, Tsk, tsk, so spineless, before speaking in a low voice.
I actually had something to mention, so this is perfect. I was thinking, what if the interlude between the first and second verses had a more melancholic feel? Would it be possible to make it a little darker?
Instead of answering, Yuhyeon gave a slight nod.
He wants the interlude to have a melancholic feel...
He probably meant that since the second verse had a climactic part in its progression, he wanted the first verse to provide a contrast.
Of course, he couldn't know exactly what was in Park Jeonghu's head, but whatever it was, he could just play it and see.
This isnt about finding the right answer, but about seeing if we can communicate.
Yuhyeon lightly gripped Destiny.
He then raised his bow and drew it across the strings without hesitation.
Zzzing!
A sharp, clear resonance enveloped the conference room.
A warm smile graced Yuhyeons lips.
This is incredible...
He had only plucked it once, but he could feel the greatness of Destiny.
The exquisitely responsive feel of the strings, the minute vibrations, the sensation transmitted through his hands...
It was insanely delicate, an instrument that felt like it could express any sound imaginable.
Just like the violin used by the Conductor of Melody.
How ecstatic would it be to hear this sound directly?
He knew without hearing.
It was a performers sense, something one comes to know after handling an instrument for a long time.
Of course, that wasnt what was important right now.
This was the time to receive feedback and play.
Melancholy.
At last, Yuhyeons bow began to move slowly.
Very slowly and melancholically.
A gloomy sound that stirred the listeners heart echoed through the room.
It wasnt a miserable kind of depression.
Rather, it was more akin to the subtle emotions of soldiers before a battle.
A delicate melody that was somber, yet held a small glimmer of hope within.
Zing! Jing!
Yuhyeons bow danced upon the strings.
A static yet calm tone, reminiscent of the sound of rain, resonated throughout the venue.
It was truly a beautiful and clear melody.
Zzzing!
The melody gradually built up.
And just as Yuhyeon played the final phrase.
...
...
Park Jeonghu and the team members stared at Yuhyeon with dumbfounded expressions.
To show me the exact sound I wanted in a single try...
Is it really possible to play without hearing the sound?
They were each speechless for different reasons.
Soon, inspired team members began to offer their own opinions one by one.
I, uh, could I make a request too? I think it would be great if the verse part could be expressed more bouncily.
For the orchestra part, what if we gave it a feeling where the melody gets progressively stronger? Like a rising action, climax, resolution kind of feel.
Park Jeonghu, who had been observing the situation, calmly reiterated to organize things.
One person at a time, cant you speak in order?
Its alright.
Yuhyeon smiled faintly.
Whatever you request, Ill do it all.
That day, the beautiful melody of a violin echoed through the 10th-floor hallway of Sam Entertainment.
The first concept meeting concluded successfully.
Once the song is complete, we plan to have a meeting with Sugar Girls. Well discuss specifics like part distribution.
Team Leader Park Jeonghu had asked him to visit the company building for a second meeting once the song was finished.
If its okay with you, Composer, wed like you to attend then as well. Things definitely move faster with the original composer present. Of course, if youre uncomfortable, we understand.
Ill be there. As long as it doesnt conflict with my schedule, its fine.
Yuhyeon had expressed his intent to attend without a moments hesitation.
There was no need to even think about it. Sam Entertainment was a pioneer leading the idol market.
Just being able to participate in a meeting held at such a place was a great opportunity for Yuhyeon.
What you learn on-site is the greatest asset and inspiration.
In any case, all of this was to happen after the song was completed.
Receiving the payment for the song, holding the second concept meeting, everything.
They decided to communicate via text to work on song revisions until then.
It ended earlier than I thought.
Yuhyeon looked up at the sky and murmured to himself.
It was early evening, with the sun just beginning to set.
What now.
His plans for the day had only been to repair the violin and formally sign the contract for Hymn.
He thought that alone would have made for a tight schedule.
Should I go to a capsule room?
Yuhyeons thoughts naturally drifted to Wonderland.
To the place that had recently brought him the most joy and happiness.
It was then.
Bzzzz.
A strong vibration from his phone.
Sangcheol-hyung: Hey hey Yuhyeon did you see this
Sangcheol-hyung: Its a trending post check it out
Sangcheol-hyung: quick quick this is huge
A message came from Sangcheol-hyung after a long time.
Hm?
What on earth could it be for his hyung to make such a fuss?
However, it didnt take long for Yuhyeon to find out why.
And for good reason.
Huh...
The trending post Sangcheol had sent him had a very familiar image attached to it.
Sangcheol-hyung: Why is some sheet music so popular?
Sangcheol-hyung: Every online forum is going crazy over this.
And it was generating thousands of comments on a single post.
Th-this is my sheet music!
Yuhyeons eyes widened.