Chapter 433
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 433
“Yi-chae, do you want to drink this?”
“Yeah.”
After checking the opening, Seong Ji-won brushed his hand over his mouth as if to hide his complicated feelings. He forced a smile and kept talking to Kang Yi-chae, trying to keep him distracted.
Looking at their faces, Kim Seong-hyeon and Jeong Da-jun also seemed to be seething inside, but they were clearly trying to stay calm for the sake of Kang Yi-chae, who was acting as if nothing was wrong.
Soon, the scene on the screen shifted to the set, and the camera captured the cast members entering. The way it was edited made it look like we were all locked in a tense psychological battle. How childish.
I found myself frowning unconsciously; in the time since I’d last seen his work, PD Jeong Jun-hwan’s editing style had become considerably tacky. Just then, captions appeared over a black screen.
【※ The songs created during the initiation ceremony were pre-released as blind samples (TRACKS A–F) via the Song Camp SNS account before the broadcast.】
Reflecting the hype, a medley of random melodies played, ending with TRACK F.
Then, the MC, Lee Jeong-ung, appeared to explain the initiation ceremony.
【Lee Jeong-ung: Compose the first verse within one hour. Any genre.】
[???? Those tracks were composed in just one hour??]
[Is it even possible for composers to make things that fast...?]
[Well, if it’s just the first verse, I guess it’s possible. But the time limit is insane...]
[Even if it’s not on the spot, they can just pick some samples they already had lol. If they pre-made them, they could do it in under 10 minutes.]
[When the tracks were first released, I thought it was just self-plagiarism... but it’s not even that. It looks like they just brought in stuff they made beforehand. Disappointing.]
Then, the process of how these songs were born was revealed one by one.
【As expected, a calm response even to a sudden mission!】
【Kang U-rin: I usually think of the basic melody first. If I’m in a hurry, I record it on my phone—...】
The cast members who worked based on previously composed melodies were shown first, portrayed in a pleasant and professional light.
[Lol, what a total flex.]
Negative comments in the chat spiked instantly.
[Look at Kang U-rin lol. He’s so relaxed.]
[So Kang U-rin was the one pushing the genius concept, not Kang Yi-chae? Lmao.]
[Between Ju Yeong-bi and LUMA, they’re giving such kind explanations while composing that I thought I was watching an online lecture ^^]
[I know there’s a script, but isn’t this too shameless? I’d rather watch K-Voka, who doesn’t even try to act. He just dropped a beat and admitted he had lyrics written already lol.]
[K-Voka is famous in the hip-hop scene for hating staged stuff lol. He says it’s not ‘Real’... haha.]
[Is it even the cast’s fault? It’s the production team’s fault for giving such a ridiculous mission in the first place.]
‘Jeong Jun-hwan probably expected this.’
PD Jeong Jun-hwan might have a bad personality, but he wasn’t an idiot.
He must have known this kind of controversy would arise. He simply didn’t care as long as it boosted the ratings.
In a way, he was the person within QBS whose professional ethics and mindset were most similar to mine.
That was exactly why I chose him.
[Ah lol, this is so boring.]
[I don’t care about the ‘improvised’ crap... I just want to see whose track is whose. I think F is #1...]
[F is definitely Baek Ji-jun.]
[It’s K-Voka for sure lol.]
【Meanwhile, in the other room...?】
【Baek Ji-jun: I can do it. I am Baek Ji-jun. I am a great composer....】
【An unusual state of mental breakdown...?!】
Just then, Baek Ji-jun appeared, muttering to himself and tearing at his hair, in stark contrast to the other contestants.
[Wait, looks like Baek Ji-jun is actually making it from scratch lolololol.]
[I can feel the panic all the way here from the way his leg is shaking lololol.]
[Wow, Baek Ji-jun was smiling through the whole opening, but seeing him look so serious while staring at the monitor is actually hot.]
【Baek Ji-jun isn’t the only one trembling!】
Next, our group appeared.
【Kim Seong-hyeon: Yi-chae, you’re writing the rap separately, right? For now, the older members will just write the main melody and lyrics, okay?】
【Jeong Da-jun: We judge solely by sound....】
【Kang Yi-chae: Da-jun, be quiet for a second....】
The screen showed Kang Yi-chae curled up in front of the computer, trying to refine his musical inspiration, while Kim Seong-hyeon and Seong Ji-won calmly typed away. Jeong Da-jun and I were seen offering various ideas and feedback.
【Kang Yi-chae: No, seriously! How am I supposed to make a song that’s unique yet trendy, and calm yet cheerful?!】
【Seo Ho-yun: Just do it well.】
[Ah lolololololololol.]
[That looks like me an hour before my assignment deadline lolololol.]
[Lol, is Song Camp an idol survival show now? This is boring. Just show me K-Voka, who composed that bop.]
[I didn’t come here to watch idol self-produced content, so stop showing them and tell me who Track F belongs to, ffs lol.]
[I want to see the performance for Track F~~]
Before long, the clock on the set’s screen announced that an hour had passed, and the cast members were shown trudging out of their respective booths.
The initiation performances followed immediately.
Starting from TRACK A, the titles and the composers were revealed one after another. The reactions to the performances were explosive, especially when—
【Baek Ji-jun - TRACK E
‘Stopped Season’】
The moment the owner of TRACK E was revealed, the chat went wild.
[?????]
[Baek Ji-jun is Track E???]
[Heol?? I thought for sure this was Kang Yi-chae.]
[Oh, then K-Voka must be F.]
On the TV, Baek Ji-jun looked a bit stiff as he fiddled with the standing mic before slowly closing his eyes.
【The day you said your goodbyes
I wished that time would just stop】
“Whoa....”
“Baek Ji-jun is no joke.”
The atmosphere shifted instantly with just that one line. He truly lived up to his reputation as someone who had built immense popularity through his vocal color alone.
【Don’t say words that hurt too much
I just need to see you one more time
I’m still trapped in that season
Because of our memories piled up like snowflakes】
[Wow... it’s so well-made.]
[The genre was a bit funky, so I’m still shocked Baek Ji-jun is Track E... but looking at the lyrical lyrics, it makes sense.]
[I like it. It feels like a new attempt.]
[?? Wait, this guy is Baek Ji-jun?? Is he even handsome?]
[I’m tired of telling him to pay more taxes.]
[Go to jail.]
[Lmfaooooooooo.]
【It hurts with this unfamiliar scent
I just want to hold you one more time—...】
[I hope they release the digital track. It’s so, so good when you hear it properly;;]
[I think it’s even better because Baek Ji-jun is the one singing it.]
[For real, Baek Ji-jun is just on another level.]
While people were still reeling from the lingering emotions of Baek Ji-jun’s song and flooding the chat with praise, our group name finally appeared.
【The Dawn - TRACK F】
[?????]
[Heol.]
[?????????????]
“Gah! It’s our turn!”
Jeong Da-jun, seemingly nervous, let out a shriek and grabbed Kang Yi-chae’s shoulders, shaking him relentlessly.
[Track F belongs to Kang Yi-chae???]
[Heol, crazy lolololol. Then Track A is K-Voka?]
[I TOLD YOUUUUUU this was The Dawn’s!!!!!!!!!!!]
[You bastards, I bet my damn balls on this, fuck!!!!!!!!!!!]
The title appeared over Seong Ji-won’s back as he climbed the stairs.
【‘I L-Lost the Lyrics’】
[???????]
At that exact moment, the screen froze, and a mid-roll commercial started playing.
[For real?]
[Is this real life?]
[Lmfaooooooooo.]
[Ah lolololol. What is happening?]
[No, fuck, can’t we skip the ads this time?]
[Track F belongs to Kang Yi-chae. Where are all those bastards who were whining that it was K-Voka, huh?]
“Whew....”
A heavy sigh escaped Kang Yi-chae, who had been quiet throughout the viewing. He rubbed his forehead as if the shock of that day was being vividly recalled.
As the members’ gazes converged on him, checking his reaction, the commercial ended. Seong Ji-won appeared again, heading toward the stage. Then, as if rewinding, the scene pulled back to show a part of the production process that had been intentionally hidden earlier.
【With only about 10 minutes left, The Dawn has lost all their lyrics except for the rap!】
The screen showed Jeong Da-jun pushing aside a haggard, frozen Kang Yi-chae to take his place at the computer, hurriedly opening Notepad.
Seeing the youngest show off his flashy keyboard skills was quite a sight. I roughly ruffled his fluffy platinum-blonde hair as he hovered nearby and spoke.
“Wow... Bangbang-i, your typing is fast.”
“Hehe, I was first in my class for typing speed back in elementary school.”
【Jeong Da-jun: Earlier! What did we write earlier?!】
【Seo Ho-yun: I don’t remember.】
【Kim Seong-hyeon: Uh, I—I think the word ‘love’ was in there?!】
While the members scrambled in the broadcast, even the little time they had left vanished. A staff member burst in and began checking their work.
【Production Team: It seems the title is missing. What is it?】
【Kang Yi-chae: (Sorrowfully) I... I l-lost the lyrics! Except for the rap!】
【Production Team: Ah... hmm, that’s actually pretty good.】
【The Dawn: What?】
【~ A Moment Later ~】
【‘I L-Lost the Lyrics’ has been selected as the title.】
[Lolololololololol.]
[This is insane lolololol.]
[The production team, holy shit lolololololol.]
Accompanied by a comical bell sound effect, the scene shifted to Seong Ji-won taking deep breaths backstage.
Composing his expression, Seong Ji-won patted Kang Yi-chae on the back and immediately stepped out. Placing his right hand on the standing mic, Seong Ji-won lowered his gaze and began to sing.
【PD-nim...】
[Wow, look at the other contestants buzzing the moment Seong Ji-won sang one word.]
[My house is buzzing too... Who is that guy??]
[Please remember this: Seong Ji-won is the next god of K-Pop.]
【Telling us to compose in an hour
Where is the sense in that?
PD-nim, you’ve never composed before, have you?】
[Lolololololololololololololololol.]
[Ah, he’s actually dissing the PD lololololololol.]
【30 minutes to come up with a melody
27 minutes to lay down the beat
Only 3 minutes left for the lyrics
But the lyrics I prepared have vanished】
“Wow, Ji-won hyung, why are you so good??”
“Hyung... how did you fit all that nonsense into the melody?”
Beside a wide-eyed Jeong Da-jun, Kang Yi-chae—who had suddenly remembered that the lyrics written in a rush on-site weren’t actually this refined—asked Seong Ji-won in surprise.
“...Hahaha, I just, you know, adjusted a few syllables here and there....”
Embarrassed by the members’ praise, Seong Ji-won scratched his cheek sheepishly.
[Lolololol Kang Yi-chae lolololol.]
[Fuck, is an idol allowed to be like this? lolololololol.]
[Is the guy singing it also crazy???]
[The PD who actually broadcasted this is a madman too lolololololololol.]
【Even the title was decided on a whim
This is truly an unfair treatment—...】
The moment Seong Ji-won’s voice reached a sorrowful climax, a lift rose in the center of the stage, and Kang Yi-chae appeared.
【Um Um...】
Exchanging a glance with Seong Ji-won, Kang Yi-chae grabbed the mic and stepped forward.
【—...Did you spot my blot? Of course, looks even better
When everyone else is laughing, my pulse stays calm
My intuition feels pretty good today】
Although most of the lyrics had been lost back then, the rap section had remained intact.
[?????? What????]
[You have to admit, Kang Yi-chae’s rapping is the real deal. He’s soooooo good;;]
[Until a second ago, it was just a funny song with a good beat, but suddenly I’m totally immersed;;]
【Time is running out to doubt myself
I’m writing down notes following my heartbeat
I don’t know if you understand this feeling of pushing to the limit, since I never faked any line】
Kang Yi-chae’s eyes gleamed fiercely.
【Concentrate, as if we’re the only two left
That’s the only way to win
(Yeah Yeah Yeah—!) Soon enough, you’ll know
I might have lost before—】
It was as if he were determined to flip the entire situation on its head.
【—But I’ve never been afraid.】
And he was a man who never missed a target once he set his sights on it.