Chapter 6
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 6
“So, I just have to give you a song?”
“Finally, we’re speaking the same language.”
I pulled out a cigarette. Even though we were in the lobby of the studio building, Im Hyeon-su didn’t stop me.
Well, who would dare stop me?
Im Hyeon-su looked like she was dying for a smoke herself, so I held out a pack of Marlboro Golds.
“Want one?”
“...I thought you said you were an idol?”
“...Ah.”
Now that I thought about it, are idols not supposed to smoke? I toyed with my chin for a moment, considering a factor I hadn’t even thought of, while Im Hyeon-su muttered skeptically.
“What the hell are you...?”
She glanced around cautiously before sliding one out.
Click, click.
When I kindly flicked my lighter and lit it for her, she shuddered as if she’d just seen a ghost.
I watched her for a moment before speaking.
“What I want is simple, Composer. Just give me one song with a high-end, killer beat.”
“You mean ‘flashy yet simple’? Don’t give me such trashy orders. Phew... Just one?”
“Yes. We’re releasing it as a single. I’ll think about a full album later.”
“What about the concept? Have you decided?”
A good point.
As I gave her a rough explanation of what I had in mind, Im Hyeon-su pulled a notebook from her pocket and began scribbling.
Since I hadn’t discussed it with the planning team yet, I could only describe the concept in abstract terms, but once I mentioned the genre, she seemed to catch on perfectly.
“Got it. I have a general idea of the direction. Send over a contract with the down payment and the timeframe filled in.”
“A contract?”
“What?”
“And what’s this about a down payment?”
There was no way The Dawn’s agency had any money to send Im Hyeon-su. At the very least, there was no budget for The Dawn’s comeback song. That much was certain.
Wait, has Im Hyeon-su still not come to her senses? Mentioning a down payment at a time like this.
I spoke clearly, emphasizing every word.
“You’re doing a talent donation, Composer.”
Wake up. It’s a cold, harsh world out there.
Im Hyeon-su’s jaw dropped.
“A-A talent donation? Me? Im Hyeon-su...?”
I began humming the chorus of the sajaegi song I’d heard earlier.
“Would you like to have a drink with me—the words I’ve always wanted to say—”
By the time I reached the second line, Im Hyeon-su was gritting her teeth.
“I’ll do it! I’ll do the talent donation!”
“Wow, thank you.”
“Am I dreaming? Me... I... I’ve become a sucker?”
“It’s not a dream.”
I spoke kindly and glanced at my watch. It was time to deliver the counter-punch to her mention of a down payment.
“It’s 3:00 PM right now. Have the first demo ready and sent to me by 7:00 PM tonight.”
“What? In four hours? Are you insane?!”
“If you don’t want to, you can always quit.”
“That’s...”
“I~ like you so much~.”
That was the chorus of her plagiarized song.
I leaned back into the sofa, humming, and took a long drag of my cigarette. Just as the smoke began to rise like a cloud, Im Hyeon-su let out a stream of profanity.
“Tell me if this is love or what~.”
“Fine! I’ll do it! I’ll send it by seven!”
“My, how impressive. Thank you for your passion.”
Her lips kept twitching as if she were still cursing under her breath, but that wasn’t my concern.
Ah, Im Hyeon-su is easy to handle.
I felt as refreshed as if I’d just downed a cold cider. With a satisfied expression, I watched her write down notes about the concept. Soon, she finished and tossed her pencil aside.
“Write down your number.”
“Sure.”
I took the notebook and slowly wrote my number.
[010-XXXX-XXXX Seo Ho-yun
I look forward to working with you! ^^]
The last emoticon was definitely intended to annoy her. Upon seeing it, Im Hyeon-su clutched the back of her neck.
Since she seemed to understand the situation, it was time for me to leave. I had a busy schedule ahead.
“I’ll be going now, Composer. I’m counting on you.”
“Wait. You’re really... you’re not going to tell anyone about this, right?”
“Of course, Composer. I have my standards.”
If it makes money, I talk; if it doesn’t, I don’t. It was only natural.
Besides, I was the type to keep my word.
“Don’t worry. I’m heading out.”
Just as I was about to stand up, Im Hyeon-su grabbed me urgently. When I turned back, she was staring at me with a face that looked like she was seeing a demon or a ghost.
“Who the hell are you, really?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you have a powerful relative? Are you a reporter? If not, what are you? How is your tongue so damn slick?”
Me? I’m a PD who used to get flooded with love calls, obviously.
“I’m a P-D from QB—”
“P?”
Ding!
[Choices:
- I’m the cutie-pie idol, Ho-u Ho-u!
- I’m Ho-yun-chan, the one who will capture your heart.
- I’m the eternally shining star, Seo Ho-yun.]
‘Wow, this is absolute garbage.’
I gritted my teeth. I felt like vomiting, but if I did, I’d run out of time and the system would pick a line at random. I squeezed my eyes shut and spoke.
“I’m... the eternally shining star, Seo Ho-yun.”
“Wh-What?”
“I’m quite sparkly, aren’t I...?”
“Are you a total psycho?”
Im Hyeon-su laughed as if she’d lost her mind. I felt the same way. Neither of us was sane at this point.
“You really are a crazy bastard...”
“I’d rather not hear that from you, Composer... Anyway.”
I gave a curt nod and was about to leave when I stopped in my tracks again.
“Oh, right. I’ll send you my account number and the price of the tablet, so please reimburse me for it.”
“......”
Even if I was having a crisis of identity, I couldn’t forget the cost of my precious tablet.
* * *
[Sudden Quest Completed:
‘Get a Comeback Song!’
PD-nim... no, Ho-yun-nim, I thought you were a literal devil!
Reward: +10 Charm.]
“Hey, those dialogue choices...”
[Yes!]
“When do they appear? Is there a criteria?”
[It’s up to the System Window’s whim!]
“Fucking hell...”
I was the fool for expecting a proper answer.
I pulled out my phone and checked my messages.
There were a few from the manager and that other member from earlier.
Ignoring them all, I tapped on my chat with Im Hyeon-su. I could see the conversation we’d had over the past few hours.
[Me: Our dear Composer, is it finished yet?]
[Me: Knock knock]
There was no reply. I could see she’d read them, though. Scrolling further, it was clear I’d been messaging her like a madman.
[Me: Knock knock]
[Me: Knock knock]
[Me: Knock knock]
[Me: Knock knock]
[Me: Knock knock]
[Im Hyeon-su: Are you insane?]
[Me: Our dear Composer, is it finished yet? ^^]
I scrolled more.
Im Hyeon-su had finally sent the file.
[Im Hyeon-su: You lunatic, it’s done.]
[Im Hyeon-su: Take it and get lost.]
She really had finished the song in four hours. It seemed like she’d just thrown some rough lyrics over a beat and recorded it, but I actually liked it quite a bit.
As expected, her fundamental skills were solid. Why did she ever resort to sajaegi and plagiarism out of some useless pressure... Foolish Im Hyeon-su.
I listened to the song in the living room and then called out to Seo Ho-jin, who was doing the dishes.
“Hey, Seo Ho-jin.”
“What?”
“Come here.”
Perhaps because he felt guilty about something, Seo Ho-jin approached obediently. However, he still seemed to flinch every time he saw my face.
Well, I’d be shocked too if someone told me Lee Chon had suddenly become ten years younger. Even I get surprised when I look in the mirror.
“Listen to this.”
“A song? What is it?”
Seo Ho-jin listened in silence. At first, he frowned, not knowing what to make of it, but gradually he started nodding his head and eventually gave a thumbs up.
“Hey, this is actually good.”
I stopped the music.
“Sing that chorus back to me.”
“What? How am I supposed to remember that?”
Seo Ho-jin wasn’t particularly talented at music. He was closer to an average person. That made him even more useful as a test subject.
“Hyung, is that your song?”
“You don’t need to know.”
“Aw, come on...”
I sent a message to Im Hyeon-su.
[Me: Composer, is this the best you can do?]
[Me: I just played it for my brother, and he couldn’t remember it after five seconds... It lacks impact.]
[Me: I thought you were better than this...]
As soon as I sent it, Im Hyeon-su called me. I watched the phone calmly and intentionally waited fifteen seconds before answering.
“Yes, hello.”
—[Hey!! Are you crazy?!]
“It’s late, but you certainly sound healthy.”
After my dry response to her thunderous greeting, Im Hyeon-su huffed for a while.
—[I went out of my way to do this, and you say what? It lacks impact?]
“...Ah, did that bother you?”
—[I’m Im Hyeon-su, okay? I’m Blue Tiger!]
“Yes... My, what an incredible person you are.”
I switched channels with the TV remote and let out a loud, intentional yawn. Loud enough for Im Hyeon-su to hear.
I could practically hear the sound of Im Hyeon-su’s pride crumbling.
—[You... you...]
“I had high expectations because you’re such a great person, so this is truly sad. To see that Blue Tiger only amounts to this.”
—[...Is the song really that bad?]
“It’s not bad, per se...”
I trailed off slowly. To make her curious.
All creators, no matter what they make, are naturally curious about the reaction to their work.
“To be precise, it feels like... someone who said they’d spend three hours looking for inspiration, spent that time cursing me out instead, worked for ten minutes, recorded a five-minute guide, and sent it off...”
—[......]
I must have hit the nail on the head. Pricked by her conscience, Im Hyeon-su didn’t respond for a long time. Then, she asked tentatively.
—[Did you install a CCTV camera on your way out?]
“Hahaha, you have quite the imagination.”
—[You terrifying bastard...]
“Anyway, is this really all?”
I lowered my voice.
In moments like this, a specific tone and voice are required. Planting hope, as if I expect more from them. As if they are capable of achieving even greater things.
“I know you well, Composer.”
—[......]
“I know you’re someone who can do much better. That’s why I’m so disappointed—that someone as talented as you would slack off like this and claim it’s your best.”
Beside me, Seo Ho-jin, who had unintentionally overheard, shuddered. He was trembling with fear.
“If I misjudged you, then I guess there’s nothing I can do.”
I waited five seconds for an answer. And exactly five seconds later, Im Hyeon-su’s reply came.
—[...You, just you wait.]
With that, the call ended. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the pleasant turn of events.
“Im Hyeon-su, what a temper.”
Since she was a card I was using, I couldn’t stop at just accepting a song of this caliber.
In a little while—probably an hour or two—Im Hyeon-su would contact me again. I just had to wait until then.
I flipped through the channels and stopped at a variety show featuring idols. I knew the face of the person struggling while holding a toy hammer very well.
Ju Woo-seong.
He was undeniably one of the most successful idols in South Korea.
‘...Hmm.’
Seo Ho-jin, sitting on the sofa peeling a tangerine, spoke up.
“Oh, isn’t that Ju Woo-seong from Black Call?”
“Yeah, look at you, being an expert.”
“Your tone is so annoying.”
He sounded exactly like someone who knew nothing about idols but wanted to show off his shallow knowledge. Sensing my gaze, Seo Ho-jin defended his opinion as if he’d been wronged.
“Even I know him, okay? My classmates praise him so much I can’t help but know. Do you have any idea how popular he is in my department...?”
“Ho-jin, look up his SNS follower count.”
“On it.”
Seo Ho-jin tapped away at his phone for a while before showing me the screen.
“It says he’s 14th in the country. Eleven million followers.”
“Really? Ju Woo-seong has really made it big.”
So, that’s how popular Ju Woo-seong is these days.
Well, he was always popular, but...
What was it again, about Ju Woo-seong?
I stroked my chin while watching him. Then, I smirked.
I remembered.
Seo Ho-jin shuddered once again.
“Why... why are you smiling like that?”
“......”
“I really hate it when you smile like a decent person...”
“Ho-jin, tangerine.”
“Yes, sir.”
Seo Ho-jin, suddenly standing at attention, quickly peeled a tangerine and handed it to me. Eating it, I watched Ju Woo-seong on the TV, who was smiling brightly, unaware of his impending fate.
The sweet and sour juice spread through my mouth.
The next target was confirmed.