Chapter 8
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 8
[Professor… honestly, burying him in the mountain behind the school seems like it would be faster than me graduating. Why do I even have to go to school?]
[Also… why isn’t Black Call making a comeback? Does the agency just hate working??]
The graduate student posting on Twitter was busy cursing out her professor again today.
They say a late-blooming obsession is the scariest. She had been a casual fan during her student days, but everything changed three years ago when she discovered Ju Woo-seong of Black Call.
‘This guy… he really is handsome…….’
She shed tears as she retweeted a photo of Ju Woo-seong that was nearly three months old.
Black Call was a boy group ambitiously launched by a massive agency a few years ago, and they were now the undisputed top-tier idols of South Korea.
Ju Woo-seong was known as the "Muggle’s gateway" to the fandom, and once she had been drawn in, she had become a hardcore, ride-or-die fan.
She was mid-rant, cursing the agency with irritation, when a notification from Ju Woo-seong’s Starstagram popped up.
“Huh…?”
Holy crap, is it finally a new photo?
She felt like she was going to die of frustration because of this guy, who usually only posted #Ads and #BrandNames without ever showing his face properly.
But today, he had finally posted his own face!
She was happily swiping through the photos when she reached the next slide—a video. The graduate student’s expression soured.
“What is this?”
* * *
[Daepasung Entertainment]
Only two days had passed, but so much had happened that it felt like I hadn’t been here in ages.
Having just seen Ju Woo-seong’s apartment, the company building looked even more dilapidated than before, drawing a sigh from my lips. Still, I had a powerful weapon hidden in my phone.
As I stepped inside, I saw Jeong Da-jun hovering anxiously in the lobby.
“Hyung?”
“Yeah.”
Jeong Da-jun’s eyes widened. He rushed toward me and clung to my arm.
“Ho-yun hyung, why haven’t you been answering your phone?”
“Hmm… your diction is good.”
“Ah, hyung!”
He started rattling off questions so fast I thought my ears might start bleeding. I gently pried my arm away and asked, “Have you been well?”
“Have we been well?”
Kang Yi-chae suddenly popped up from the side. He shook his head with a crazy-looking smirk.
“The last two days have been legendary.”
“Seong-hyeon hyung was throwing such a fit…. The atmosphere was seriously chilling. Ji-won hyung had to cover for it… no, that’s not what’s important. Have you finally given up?”
“Give up on what?”
“Eh? Didn’t you come back because you couldn’t get a song?”
Man, these guys really have zero faith in me.
I pressed down on the back of the innocent-looking Jeong Da-jun’s head. As he let out a pained "Ouch!" before he could even react, I locked eyes with Kang Yi-chae. A flicker of "No way" passed through his gaze.
Kang Yi-chae—I thought so last time too, but for a crazy guy, he’s pretty quick on the uptake.
He asked, “For real?”
“For real,” I answered nonchalantly.
Kang Yi-chae still looked suspicious, but he followed me quietly to the practice room.
Inside, I saw Kim Seong-hyeon and Seong Ji-won talking with serious expressions. They both jumped to their feet the moment they saw my face.
“You’re back?”
“…….”
Kim Seong-hyeon glanced my way. I could also feel Seong Ji-won’s troubled gaze.
Why are their faces so dark?
“Ho-yun-ah.”
Seong Ji-won hesitated before approaching me.
“You went through a lot, didn’t you?”
Huh?
“I heard Composer Im Hyeon-su has a rough personality and a foul mouth…. Did she say anything too harsh to you?”
Well, this is an unexpected development.
Seong Ji-won was clearly offering comfort under the assumption that I had failed.
“She did.”
“What… what did she say?”
“Crazy bastard, psycho, piece of shit… I heard it all.”
Im Hyeon-su’s mouth was as foul as ever.
As I objectively listed the insults I’d received, the atmosphere in the practice room—which was already a ticking time bomb—turned even colder.
“Hyung….”
“Oh boy…….”
Jeong Da-jun looked like the world was ending. I expected Kim Seong-hyeon to be sarcastic, but surprisingly, he just kept his mouth shut while checking my mood.
“…Right, good job. Don’t be too heartbroken about not getting the song….”
“What are you talking about? When did I say I didn’t get it?”
“Huh?”
“Of course I got it. I told you I’d bring one back.”
Everyone stood there with blank faces, unable to process reality.
I walked past them to the speakers and connected my phone. These speakers are pathetic. I’ll have to buy new ones once we get some money.
Then, I played the audio file I’d received on my phone. I remembered what Im Hyeon-su said when she sent the file.
[Hey, I’m serious… inspiration just suddenly struck! Is my talent insane or what?]
“Sure….”
[Are you even listening, you brat?]
At first, there was a muffled droning, as if the sound were underwater.
Then, after a moment, a sharp beep rang out, and the sound cleared up as if snapping into consciousness. An intense electronic beat began.
[I got a bit excited while working on it… so I threw in a bunch of stuff. There are still parts I don’t like, so I’m going to change them.]
A perfectionist to the end. At the same time, even though I thought she wouldn’t do it, Im Hyeon-su had actually recorded the guide vocal herself. Temporary lyrics had been added to match the concept I’d suggested.
It was a husky female voice, but there would be no problem at all transposing it to a male key.
【 I’m telling you once more, this is our beginning
I will come back every time
This strange déjà vu, you’re afraid of it
No, there’s no need to be afraid 】
‘She actually wrote the lyrics pretty well.’
Even if I hadn’t said it was a Blue Tiger track, it was blindingly obvious.
The beat, the melody, the concept, the style—it was everything Im Hyeon-su loved.
She complained the whole time, but she really did pull out a killer beat and melody.
‘She’s good, that Im Hyeon-su.’
After about three minutes and forty seconds, the song ended.
It really was well-made. I just needed to flesh it out with more detailed planning and a story, then tell Im Hyeon-su to revise the lyrics.
“How is it?”
I turned to the members with a look of quiet satisfaction. I expected them to be jumping for joy, but they were all….
“…….”
“…….”
Silent.
“What’s wrong? Do you still doubt me?”
Do they think it’s not Blue Tiger? I was seriously considering whether I should video call Im Hyeon-su right now to prove it when Seong Ji-won shook his head. It seemed he understood.
“I believe you.”
Then why? What’s with the silence?
“How you got it, how you know her… putting all that aside.”
“…….”
Kim Seong-hyeon finally spoke up. He seemed to be hesitating.
“Is this… ours?”
“Of course.”
I didn’t bother mentioning that I got it as a "talent donation."
Kang Yi-chae broke a long silence.
“……The song is good.”
But suddenly, at those words, Jeong Da-jun started sniffing. Everyone flinched in surprise. I was the most baffled of all.
“Are you crying?”
“No, I’m not……. Dammit, this is embarrassing.”
“Why are you crying?”
Usually, when you ask a crying person why they’re crying, you don’t get an answer. But I was too bewildered not to ask.
Instead of Jeong Da-jun, who was busy sniffing and pretending not to cry, Seong Ji-won patted his back and explained for him.
“I think it’s because the song is so good. We finally… got the kind of song you’d only expect from a huge agency. He just can’t believe it.”
Hic…
“Da-jun has suffered a lot this past year.”
Ah, so at least it’s not because they don’t like it.
Jeong Da-jun couldn’t pull himself together and kept sniffing at Seong Ji-won’s kind words.
Then, Kang Yi-chae suddenly stood up and started clapping.
“Everyone, let’s clap. A round of applause for us for escaping the curse of the Pineapple. And another round for the gifted Seo Ho-yun!”
That finally shifted the mood. I was glad Kang Yi-chae seemed to have a strong mental state.
Though they didn’t say it out loud, I could tell they were all grateful. Even Kim Seong-hyeon.
“…Good job.”
Though he never actually said the word "thanks."
‘Hmph…….’
I quickly revised my image of them.
‘These guys are so naive, they’d probably lose everything if they signed a bad guarantee for someone….’
They were all so innocent. I waited awkwardly for the sudden heartwarming atmosphere to settle down. Once Jeong Da-jun stopped sniffing, I clapped my hands once.
“Right, guys. Let’s talk.”
At the suggestion of a conversation, the other members kept their mouths shut and looked at each other awkwardly, wondering what I was going to say next.
Seeing how defenseless and unprepared they were, I nodded and tossed them a printout I had prepared. Kang Yi-chae, being the closest, snatched it out of the air with interest.
“What’s this?”
“Materials.”
“What kind of materials…?”
“Getting the song isn’t the end. Choreography, lyrics, planning. I’ve pulled together every trend there is these days.”
“And?”
While Jeong Da-jun looked puzzled, Kang Yi-chae and Kim Seong-hyeon were already scanning the documents, having caught on.
Yes, idols need to be quick on the uptake.
“Come up with a plan that fits the song.”
“Huh?”
“We can’t apply that Pineapple plan to this. I’ll tell the CEO we’re doing a total overhaul.”
Normally, you’d plan first, then compose, write lyrics, and then do choreography, but we only have a month left.
It’s better to work like our lives depend on it.
Everyone seemed fired up as they nodded like mad.
“I’ll work hard.”
“Yeah! Let’s do it!”
“It’s two o’clock right now.”
“Yeah!”
I checked my phone.
“Have it ready by three. Then we’ll start the planning meeting.”
You guys need to earn your keep now.
“T-that’s impossible….”
“No. I’ll do it.”
While the manager and Jeong Da-jun stood there with their mouths agape, Seong Ji-won stood up. His eyes were full of determination.
I’ll leave this part to them.
I gestured to the manager.
“Come out with me.”
“M-me? Why?”
“Eh? Ho-yun hyung, where are you going? Weren’t we doing this together?”
No. Of course, as a former PD, I could do the planning with my eyes closed, but there was something more urgent right now.
In response to Kang Yi-chae’s question, I pointed upward.
“To see the CEO.”
Everyone’s jaw dropped.
“A-a showdown?”
“I guess it’s because everything has to be scrapped.”
“Ho-yun-ah, I’m sorry we’re making you take the heat.”
“…….”
Ding!
[…Um……. Hmmm…….]
Even the system window, which had been constantly snarky, seemed lost for words and let out a sigh toward these innocent members.
“Forget it.”
I turned away, grabbed the manager, and strode toward the CEO’s office.
The manager was restless, but I had business to attend to.
“You said you finished revising the contract, right?”
“Yeah, b-but there’s no need to involve the CEO….”
“I need to go see him anyway to discuss overhauling the entire plan.”
…That was actually an excuse.
I needed a one-on-one showdown with the CEO.
When we arrived at the office, the CEO I’d seen last time was still there, frowning over some documents.
“What is it?”
“Hello. I’m Seo Ho-yun.”
“Ah….”
“Are you here to talk about the contract?”
The CEO’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Yes. Among other things.”
“Good grief. Next time, call before you come. Just barging in like this….”
It’s because I can’t trust you, man.
I can’t trust this damn agency that has nothing ready even though the comeback date is barely a month away.
When I remained silent, the CEO sighed and gestured to the manager.
“The contract.”
“Yes, sir!”
The manager rushed forward with it. I sat down and quickly scanned the contents.
Usually, people in their early twenties—especially those who have spent all their time in a practice room trying to be idols—don’t even know what they’re looking at and just stamp their seal.
“I looked into it and realized there wasn’t a proper contract yet. So I remade it according to the standard form.”
The manager gave me a long-winded explanation. I flipped through the ten or so pages dryly before asking, “Did you tell the CEO I’m scrapping the plan?”
“Huh? Uh… I mentioned it briefly….”
I see he tried to gloss over it.
“Scrapping the plan? Why?”
“Because it’s a waste of time.”
I watched the CEO’s face darken. He probably thinks this is just a young kid’s bravado.
Then, the manager suddenly threw a wrench in the works.
“H-Ho-yun isn’t just talking big! He actually got a song from Blue Tiger!”
‘Ah, dammit.’
I was going to save that for the decisive moment. He probably meant it as support, but he had no sense of timing.
I shot a cold look at the manager before turning back to the CEO. The CEO looked intrigued.
“From Blue Tiger?”