Chapter 83

KangYoon and Lee HyunJi started their morning meeting with the coffee that Jung HyeJin brought them .

Lee HyunJi spoke in joy as she drank the coffee .

“We sold the song . ”

“Really? Where?”

“TNT, they’re singers belonging to Laurel Entertainment . They want to use it for their title song this time . ”

KangYoon brushed his memory, but the group TNT was not in his memories . They were probably one of the unknown singers in this era where girl group idols were everywhere .

“It’s the first time I heard of them . Are they new?”

“Not really . It’s been 2 years since they debuted, but they don’t have any songs that are hits . You should see them as veteran rookies . ”

“No hits after 2 years… . Not really a good group, are they?”

KangYoon clicked his tongue . If there was no reaction from the public for two entire years, it meant that it was hard for them to appeal to the masses . He also thought that extreme measures were necessary at this point .

“Rather than the singers, their President is the problem . He’s known for his stubbornness . His name is Lee WooSung, and he seem to have mindset that the title songs must be made by him . There are a couple singers that did well with his choice… . But TNT definitely isn’t one of them . It looks like the songs he made for TNT don’t fit them very well . ”

“Stubbornness is tough to deal with . Anyway, it’s a good thing that our song is being used as the title song . When’s the meeting?”

“I scheduled it for tomorrow . Is that fine with you?”

“Yes, then I’ll go prepare… . ”

“Wait a sec . ”

Lee HyunJi stopped KangYoon as he was about to stand up . When he looked back, she gave him a caution .

“President . You must not step up before your opponent asks you to do something . ”

“Understood . ”

Hearing KangYoon’s words, she repeated herself again as though it wasn’t enough .

“You consider the completion rate very importantly . You take risks thinking that the singer must do well . It’s fine that you do so, but we’re running a business here . If we say that we’ll do something it becomes a free service . Crafty individuals may try to exploit that . We, World Entertainment, have just taken our first step . If we keep giving out services from the get-go, we might have to keep doing it . ”

KangYoon understood what she was saying . She was worried about his personality, his care, for the singers . KangYoon said he understood and nodded his head .

“Got it . I’ll watch out for that then . ”

“You are definitely a capable person, President . However, there will be people who will try to use you without properly paying the price, and that’s what I’m worried about . I’m actually looking forward to how much profit you’ll bring us . ”

President Lee HyunJi had a very strong conviction . KangYoon also smiled in response to her expectations .

The next day .

KangYoon went to Laurel Entertainment . It was a relatively decent-sized company that used a 3-storey building . When he entered, a staff led him to President Lee WooSung .

“Welcome . I was waiting . ”

In the office, President Lee WooSung offered him some tea . President Lee WooSung did not bring up KangYoon’s past achievements . Nor did KangYoon – he only mentioned his name, and did not mention his past career . He wanted to be acknowledged purely based on skills alone .

“It’s a good song . It has a comfortable melody and will suit our girls very well . ”

“Thank you for your words . ”

“Would you like to meet them first?”

President Lee WooSung headed to the practice studio on the 3rd floor with KangYoon .

Five girls in training outfit were in the middle of practice against a mirror wall .

“Can you girls come over for a bit?”

When President Lee WooSung said that, the music turned off and everyone gathered around . He introduced them all to KangYoon . Everyone became delighted when he was introduced as the composer for ‘Good Feelings’ .

After a round of introduction, they played the song once to refresh their memories and talk about their impressions of it .

A slightly fast retro-style melody filled the studio .

– Making up to look pretty – and wore my prettiest clothes –

“It’s so good . ”

“The more I hear it, the better it gets . ”

Joo JungHyun and Lee Min were ecstatic . Though, President Lee WooSung saw them in a bad light . However, the two girls kept praising the song and President Lee WooSung’s expression twisted even more .

‘What the?’

KangYoon turned around to President Lee WooSung to talk to him about the song, but his eyes were somewhat off . KangYoon was confused . There was no way he would feel good when he saw the Lee WooSung glaring at the singers that were complimenting the song . The members of TNT kept complimenting the song, seemingly oblivious to his glares .

When the song ended, President Lee WooSung asked .

“How is it? Is it okay?”

“Yes . ”

When Lee Min said that without a shred of hesitation, President Lee WooSung’s eyes trembled slightly .

“R… . really?”

“The melody is somehow addictive . I think a good choreography is all we need . ”

Added Joo JungHyun .

“Oh… really . Do you think so too, SeSol?”

“It’s really good . ”

President Lee WooSung asked Kim SeSol, who usually followed his intentions, but she was not that much different from the others either .

‘Is he trying to haggle?’

KangYoon felt slightly disgusted as he watched President Lee WooSung’s actions . Whether he didn’t like the song, or he wanted to haggle, he definitely did have some shady intentions .

‘I don’t like him, he’s rude too . What do I do?’

Although he was a newbie in this field, KangYoon had confidence in the song . It wasn’t just conviction from his efforts . The song was created with his special ability as well as effort . He could feel the might of the white light from the song .

While KangYoon was pondering about that, the tug of war between the President and the members continued . KangYoon spoke after a while .

“Why don’t we decide after you sing it?”

“Eh?”

Everyone turned around to him .

“No matter how great the song is in your opinion; you’d need to sing it first to see if it fits a singer or not . On my way here, I even saw a recording studio . I think it will be better to decide after you sing it for yourselves . ”

Hearing his words, President Lee WooSung and the members of TNT came to a truce and nodded their heads . KangYoon’s words were reasonable .

“Then let’s decide after trying it . Girls, is that fine with you?”

“Yes . ”

President Lee WooSung left saying he’d open the studio . Then, Jin SeAh complained as soon as he left .

“Sheesh, he keeps acting like that because he wants to do his own song… . This one’s good, can’t we just go with it?”

“SeAh, shush . ”

“Oh… . ”

When Kim HyoRin shushed her, Jin SeAh finally became conscious of KangYoon and shut herself up . However, KangYoon already realized what was happening when she said that .

‘They don’t believe in the President . Well, that must be because how they failed until now . It’s a little bit of a pity . ’

KangYoon felt bitter . He felt that President Lee WooSung was like him of the past where he always failed .

***

(T/N: She is actually called “student JiMin” here, but since there is no such thing in English, I’ll use ‘miss’ . Just be aware that she’s a student . )

“Miss JiMin has a good voice, and your guitar skills are good as well . You have plenty of potential to be a music artist . ”

Kim JiMin’s expression brightened at the positive feedback . However, words must be listened to the end .

“However, our company is currently not looking out for an artist . I’m sorry . What we want as a company are trainees to become part of a girl group idol, not a potential musical artist . ”

“Is that so…… . ”

“It’s a pity that we don’t have the room to take you in . I wish that we’d meet at a better place next time . ”

Listening to the male judge’s soft words, Kim JiMin greeted and left .

‘It’s girl group everywhere… . ’

Leaving the company, Kim JiMin’s shoulders dropped in disappointment . It had already been 4 years since she decided to become a singer, and practiced music . However, no one recognized her passion for music as well as her songs . Many companies said that they wanted trainees to be part of a girl group and did not take her in, who had a short height and was far from skilled in dancing .

She even went as far as to practice dancing, which she wasn’t talented in, to become a trainee . However, her stiff body could not follow the movements of other aspiring girls .

“Haa… . ”

Carrying the guitar powerlessly, the girl in the uniform walked on the street . She felt hopeless now that she failed the audition as well . She was annoyed by the cold wind blowing . However, her phone suddenly vibrated .

– Announcement for Korea ONE STAR Seoul region auditions . 2011…

It was the results of her application to a public TV audition that was hot nowadays . Kim JiMin’s shoulders suddenly stood erect again .

‘Yes . Even if I fail for the 100th time, I just need to try again for the 101st time . ’

She held up the guitar case as she resolved herself .

***

The recording studio in Laurel Entertainment was small and cozy . Compared to the super-large mixer in MG Entertainment, the number of channels and even the number of speakers were smaller . However, it had all the necessary components such as glass screens and sound dampening materials .

“Then let’s get ready . ”

President Lee WooSung sat down and put on his headphones . The members of TNT also entered the booth and stood in their positions with scores in their hands . They exercised their voice while President Lee WooSung also prepared to record . He soon signaled that he was ready .

“Should we start?”

According to his hand signal, the song began . Since they didn’t formally separate the song into individual parts yet, they improvised it . First up was their sub-vocal, Lee Min .

– You are – the greatest gift – wait for me –

Lee Min’s voice ran across the studio . Her voice was very light and bright just like the music .

– My heart is burning—Please tell me—

Kim SeSol came next . She added more power into the light intro .

After that the song progressed very smoothly . The main vocals receiving the song added more and more power . The repeated but comfortable melody was nice to everyone’s ears . All members raised their voices at the climatic point .

However, unlike the members of TNT who were singing their hearts out, President Lee WooSung shook his head in dissatisfaction . Even while controlling the mixer, he didn’t seem quite satisfied .

KangYoon was also sighing behind him .

‘Why is it grey?’

When their musical notes combined, rays of grey light were being emitted . KangYoon had to endure the murky electric feeling the whole time . Even though it was definitely white when he finished composing the song . He could not understand what was happening .

After the song ended, the members of TNT lef the recording room with slightly agitated expressions, and President Lee WooSung let them listen to the recording . The girls tilted their heads in confusion when they heard that their own singing was even worse than the guide singer doing it .

“That’s strange . It definitely felt good though… does it not fit us?”

Hearing Joo JungHyun’s words, Kim SeSol chimed in .

“Might as well be . Perhaps this song does not match well with us . ”

“Is it… . ”

With all the members tilting towards the ‘not matching’ team, President Lee WooSung finally smiled .

At that time, KangYoon stepped up .

“Can we do it once again?”

“Sorry?”

President Lee WooSung asked back .

“I just feel that it’s a pity . In my opinion it suits them quite well, so I think we should try again . ”

“Well… okay then . ”

President Lee WooSung made a strange expression before going to the mixer seat again . At that moment, KangYoon spoke again .

“Can I have a look at it this time?”

“…Go ahead, I guess . ”

President Lee WooSung stepped back with a doubtful expression . KangYoon then put on the headset and controlled the mixer to get a feeling of the voice range . Kim HyoRin inside the booth was a little surprised, but KangYoon apologized and continued .

“We’ll start from the microphone settings . ”

Since there was only 1 omnidirectional microphone, the sound signals were very important . Even though the microphone would receive sound from all directions, it wasn’t easy for it to receive voices from 5 people all equally . In cases like this, the mixer was important .

KangYoon told them all to sing and adjusted the volume . However, the gauge was going too high even though the voices of TNT weren’t that loud at all . He could hear wind noises from his headset .

‘The voices are equal, but there’s too much unwanted noise . ’

KangYoon controlled the device so that no unwanted noise could be amplified . He also slightly lowered the high pitch and raised the bass slightly . Then, he entered the booth and even put a windshield over the microphone . It was to prevent any useless noise from entering .

“Wow…… . ”

The members of TNT were surprised at his degree of preparation . Even though this wasn’t the official recording, he was showing such a high degree of meticulousness .

KangYoon listened to the headset again and heard that there were no unnecessary wind noises and was finally about to give the start signal . But then, something flashed in his head .

‘This guy . Did he not properly do the setting on purpose?’

Making them sing under such horrible conditions, it was no wonder the song turned grey . When KangYoon looked at President Lee WooSung, he only looked back at him with no expression . KangYoon was assured .

‘He did it on purpose . ’

He had heard that the CEO was stubborn to do his own pieces, and it seemed so . He even went far as to hinder . KangYoon felt flabbergasted about this, but did not express it . Composers were supposed to do their talking with their music . He only needed to squash him to death with this .

“Then let’s begin . ”

KangYoon gave the signal . Then, TNT began their singing .