Chapter 134

“Leave the first beat as it is and cut it on the half beat after the 2nd . ”

Listening to Kim JiMin playing the guitar, HeeYoon shook her head saying that it wasn’t the right feeling .

“Unni~ . It’s too hard to suddenly stop on the half beat … . ”

“I can’t help it . It’s the only way I can get that feeling . ”

The usually soft HeeYoon was all but gone . It was the saying, like brother, like sister . As Kim JiMin couldn’t get that ‘feel’, HeeYoon enforced practice like a spartan teacher .

Kim JiMin eventually tired herself out and put down the guitar pick .

“I should play with my fingers instead . ”

“Let’s try again . One-and-two-and… . ”

Along with HeeYoon’s beats, Kim JiMin slowly learned the rhythm . In the second part, she had to split the first beat in two, and smoothly join the half beat after the 2nd beat with the third .

As she had a solid foundation, it didn’t actually take that long for her to grasp it .

“Good . ”

HeeYoon clapped . Kim JiMin, who had learned herself a new playing method, became cheerful again . Learning an advanced method really wasn’t easy .

“Is this right?”

“Yeah . Now, let’s try singing as you play that part . You know what part to accentuate, right?”

“Yes . The third beat, right?”

“Yes . This song is the same . ”

The two started to practice again after HeeYoon’s explanations .

***

KangYoon had received the completed song from HeeYoon and started to rearrange the song .

KangYoon first tried combining the recorded acoustic accompaniment with Kim JiMin’s voice . He saw an array of white light .

‘There’s no need to drag out the guitar solo for so long . ’

After the guitar part, he added a cheerful drum part .

‘Let’s just add a basic rhythm, and record a band . ’

He seemed to require a session from White Moonlight . In order to bring out Kim JiMin’s guitar solo effectively, a band was necessary . After all, real instruments sounded a lot better than MIDI . He had to do this in order to raise the quality of the sound .

‘Looks like I should head to the company after this . ’

KangYoon only added a few string instruments without a line . Other than that, he added the drums, the bass guitar, and the electric guitar to get a general feeling of the song before saving the file . After his work, he left his house with the file .

On his way, he called the members of the band . The members of White Moonlight were summoned to the studio as they were just about to go home after practice . They were in a good mood though, since it had been a while since they recorded anything .

When KangYoon arrived at the studio, The members of White Moonlight, HeeYoon, Kim JiMin, and even Lee HyunJi were present . Although it was late in the evening, the studio was already full .

“Director, you haven’t gone home yet?”

“This is JiMin’s song we’re talking about . I made a visit because I was curious what it would sound like . ”

Everyone was focusing on the first ‘new’ singer from World Entertainment .

The various instruments were already set up inside the booth . KangYoon adjusted the sound for each of the instruments . After that, the recording began .

Along with the accompaniment, Kim JinDae tapped on the snare and the foot bass, when KangYoon spoke through the mic .

“JinDae, let’s go with rimshot . ChaHee, well done staying out . ”

-Yes .

Kim JinDae replied very formally unlike his usual attitude .

In that round, the notes from the drums intermixed with the intro accompaniment to create grey light . It seemed to stem from the drum’s playing method . KangYoon asked Kim JinDae to go with rimshots .

In the next round, the drums blended well with the other sounds .

‘This is better . ’

Unlike the grey color from before, the light was a bright white this time . Next was Lee ChaHee’s turn to join . At the part where other instruments joined after the acoustic guitar and the drums played a duet, she played the slide method to skid down the strings . Kim JinDae also gave some alterations to the drums to add to the impact .

However, KangYoon shook his head and spoke into the mic again .

“ChaHee, let’s skip the slide . I think we can use that in later parts when we need some accentuating . ”

– Yes .

“JinDae, don’t go too flashy from the get-go . ”

They had unintentionally brought out their habits because White Moonlight’s songs were mostly the powerful sort . KangYoon adjusted their playing .

Although he said a lot, the recording time wasn’t that long . Both Kim JinDae and Lee ChaHee were skilled players, and KangYoon’s requests were clear cut as well .

Like that, they were able to smoothly go past the 1st and 2nd verses and into the chorus .

“ChaHee, your notes are going too high . ”

As the chorus was about to end, KangYoon felt something strange as the notes rose without limit . The white light did not change, but the bass and the accompaniment fell lower in comparison .

– Huh? I played according to the score you gave me . I’m pretty sure I didn’t play it wrong… .

“That’s strange . It was a whole tone up… . ”

This was the part where many flashy sound effects entered the fray to liven up the mood . Lee ChaHee’s bass had to support them from below . However, the bass notes were now lower instead . The mood of the entire song was shaking .

After one line, KangYoon halted the recording again .

“ChaHee, you’re low this time . ”

– That’s strange . I did play it right… .

The sound was strange despite playing correctly? Just in case, KangYoon had a look at his own score as well . There was nothing wrong with it . He entered the booth to have a look at Lee ChaHee’s copy, but he didn’t find anything wrong with it either .

‘What’s this?’

Lee ChaHee wasn’t someone that tried to cover up her mistakes .

‘Am I too tired?’

KangYoon decided that he had become too sensitive .

“Let’s just try ag… . ”

At that time, Lee ChaHee suddenly paled and started shaking on the spot while looking at KangYoon .

“What is it?”

– President, on your left, there’s a gho… gh…

“Go what?”

KangYoon was confused . Lee ChaHee’s expression was locked in horror . The usually calm attitude of hers had all but disappeared .

– Kyaaaak! A gho… Ghost!!

Everyone was shocked by the sudden scream .

A ghost! All of a sudden, too! Everyone looked around in search of this ghost, but they found no traces of one .

In the end, Kim JinDae grabbed Lee ChaHee and strongly shook her .

– ChaHee, Calm down

– Uh… ye . . yeah… .

Lee ChaHee calmed down after a while .

KangYoon entered the booth seeing Lee ChaHee act weird .

“Did you see something?”

“Uhm, it was… there was some woman right next to you, president… . ”

“A woman?”

KangYoon was flabbergasted .

Summing it up, it was the story of the recording studio ghost that brought good luck . This was weird coming from Lee ChaHee, who always had a calm attitude .

(T/N: Apparently recording studio ghost is a thing . “Seeing a ghost while recording means that the album will be a great hit” – that’s the general outline . )

“Sheesh, there’s no such thing as a ghost in the modern world . ”

“I really did see one though… . ”

How was he supposed to react to that? Many mystery fans would probably like this story .

Though for KangYoon, it was no fun at all .

‘Is her romance not going well these days?’

KangYoon told Kim JinDae to look after her and declared a period of rest .

Lee HyunJi, who was watching all this while, approached KangYoon .

“The legendary studio ghost . It’s been a while since I heard of one . ”

“There’s no such thing as ghosts . It’s all made up . ”

“Oh? I believe in ghosts though . Do you really think that way?”

Lee HyunJi had the ‘this is interesting’ expression on . However, KangYoon chuckled instead .

“Well, it does look like things are looking good for the music . I wish I saw one too . ”

“Pfft, I knew you’d say that, president . Anyway, the ghost, huh . Looks like we have one more thing to advertise about . I should ask ChaHee for more details . ”

Lee HyunJi entered the booth with joy . Then, she started asking Lee ChaHee about things while consoling her .

‘Looks like women love ghost stories . ’

KangYoon shook his head after all this ‘ghost’ incident .

***

(T/N: AFAIK, this company is mildly important… so don’t just forget about it . )

GNB Entertainment was a company that was growing at an incredible rate during the past 3 years .

After an investment from the Korean colossus company that was Benneth, it grew in size rapidly while scouting popular actors and actresses, comedians as well as singers .

President Han YoungSook was an iron fisted woman that single-handedly created the company with an immense budget .

Today, she called Yoo NaYoon, who would soon have her debut .

“NaYoon . Are you doing well?”

“Yes . It’s thanks to everyone’s help . ”

“That’s good . ”

The words were nice, but Yoo NaYoon was very nervous . The president’s eyes seemed to see through everything .

“It will be your debut after the Lunar New Year . At that time, there will be no singers making comebacks, and there will be no super rookies either . You know that this is the best time, right? Well, I guess you are a super rookie yourself, NaYoon . ”

“……”

It was a compliment, but Yoo NaYoon was unable to smile . She knew that those words contained thorns .

President Han YoungSook continued speaking with a very engaged expression .

“I heard a few days ago from president Kang that someone will be debuting at a similar time as my NaYoon . Fufu, at your level, nothing should beat you, right?”

President Han YoungSook had confidence . President Kang ShiMyoung had told her to watch out since World had a lot of achievements up their sleeves, that company, with a single trainee, and low on company funds, seemed beneath her notice . In other words, they should have their hands full running Kim JaeHoon and Eddios . A new trainee from such a company? It made her laugh .

“You have faith in me . There’s no problem at all . ”

“Yes, yes . Just consider all my investment in… . *hm hm* . My pretty is not going anywhere, right?”

President Han YoungSook patted Yoo NaYoon’s back . To her, this rookie from World Entertainment had no meaning to her .

***

“It’s always about the money . ”

Pressing buttons on the calculator, Lee HyunJi heaved a deep sigh . Money for distribution of music, as well as money required to pay a lot of other services, meant that there was no money left over for a big showcase .

KangYoon said that it was okay and that they should look for another method .

“Even if we do hold a showcase for JiMin, there will be no people to attend it . Although we possess Kim JaeHoon and Eddios among our ranks, our reputation as a company is quite low . We’ll have to leave a showcase for Eddios’s comeback . ”

“That’s a pity . A debut is a once in a lifetime thing, but she’s having such a small one . ”

“It won’t be as small as you think it is . The TV station allocated us quite a lot of time .

They were allocated 6 minutes . They acquired that time through the deal that the debut will be exclusive to Music Camp on DLE TV station . They also could not hold any other stages in that week .

Lee HyunJi was surprised by KangYoon’s skills .

“Looks like President Choo ManJi is repaying us for DiaTeen . DLE was close with Yoonseul, right?”

“Yes . I thought I would have a hard time even after that, but president Choo gladly took it into his hands . Without effort from his part, this would have been very hard . If that didn’t work, I would have had to look for another method . ”

KangYoon discussed a lot of things about Kim JiMin’s debut with Lee HyunJi . She needed a manager, as well as a coordinator, and they had to set on a schedule for her as well . They talked about the usual things that were required to run an entertainer .

They were talking about a lot of things when KangYoon brought up a topic that president Choo ManJi told him to be wary about .

“A rookie from GNB will have her debut on the same day . ”

“GNB? Doesn’t president Han YoungSook run that place?”

“Yes . Coincidentally, theirs is a female solo too . Their ages are similar as well… . ”

Lee HyunJi’s frowned . Usually, music artists with similar themes do not release their albums at similar times . This was usually done through negotiations by the companies themselves . This was either a whim of fate or that the opponent was looking to stomp on them .

“Did they aim for that?”

“I don’t think so . It just looks like their thought processes were similar to ours . No one is making a comeback or having a debut in early February . ”

“This is a little bad for a coincidence . GNB is a company with a lot of money . Although they don’t have much know-how compared to MG or Yoonseul, their budget is through the roof . People jokingly refer to them as the rich entertainer . ”

“Pfft, I’m envious now . ”

KangYoon sighed . However, he soon regained his confidence .

“I hope their theme is not something similar to ours, but if it is, this will be a showdown . If we delay the date, though, we’ll only be labeled copycats . I believe that it’s better to meet them head-on . ”

“Looks like the journalists will love this topic . Should we make something out of it as well?”

“No, marketing JiMin like this won’t last long . If her image is ruined due to a single misstep, things will go down the drain . We need to be slow and steady . ”

Lee HyunJi nodded her head in understanding .

***

Lunar New Years . Kim JiMin focused on practice even after the holiday season . No one interrupted her . Though, HeeYoon and professor Choi ChanYang occasionally helped her out a little .

Time flowed quickly and it was now February .

D-Day .

KangYoon, Kim JiMin’s manager, Choi HyukJin, and her coordinator Lee JinAh, were currently waiting at DLE station’s waiting room .

“JiMin looks so pretty with makeup on . ”

Lee JinAh wasn’t stingy with her praises as she put makeup powder on Kim JiMin’s face . Her skin did not have a single blemish and accepted the makeup well, there was a sense of achievement in doing so .

Before she got into her stage costume, KangYoon and Kim JiMin went around handing out CDs . This was a form of greeting for rookies in their debut . The other singers gave words of encouragement seeing that a solo girl, rare in this industry, was going on stage .

Like that, the two of them went around to the other waiting rooms and finally stumbled upon the last waiting room, labeled, ‘Nael’ .

“This place is… . ”

Kim JiMin looked at KangYoon with a slightly worried tone . This waiting room was for the singer that debuted at the same time as her .

“Even if she’s a rival, you need to be friends with her . ”

“Won’t she look at me strangely or anything?”

“If she does, that’s all she amounts to . ”

“You’re right . ”

Kim JiMin knocked on the door . When she was granted entry, she entered .

Yo NaYoon and her manager greeted them from inside .

“Hello? I’m Eunha and I’m having my debut stage today . I’m here for greetings . ” (T/N: Eunha is JiMin’s stage name . Means ‘galaxy’)

Kim JiMin gave her greetings .

‘Wow, so pretty . ’

Yo NaYoon (T/N: ‘Nael’ is her stage name . ) had a doll-like appearance . She was taller than Kim JiMin and had curves where they needed to be . It was just that, she gave the aura of someone unapproachable .

“Hello . I’m Nael . ”

Yo NaYoon gave her her own CD in welcome . Kim JiMin exchanged CDs with her as she looked at her .

“Since we have our debuts on the same day, does that make us peers?”

“Hahaha . ”

Kim JiMin smiled at Yoo NaYoon’s words . However, sparks could be seen between them . Both Kim JiMin and Yoo NaYoon were wary against each other .

After a brief greeting, KangYoon and Kim JiMin left the waiting room .

“How was it?”

“She was pretty . VERY pretty . ”

She meant it . Yoo NaYoon was just tall enough for men to like, she was slim, and had a doll face . Honestly, she didn’t think that she would win against her appearance-wise .

“Sir . Can I… win against her?”

She seemed to have lost confidence and KangYoon smiled softly .

“Win? That’s not necessarily important . ”

“Then what?”

“The ones you should focus on are the people listening to your music . Not her . ”

“Oh… . . ”

Kim JiMin exclaimed . KangYoon was right .

“You became a singer because you wanted to sing, right? Now, you’re at the starting line . ”

“Yes . ”

Her memories of reaching here after meeting KangYoon for the first time played in her mind . Thinking back, the process was fun . She was having a hard time after a failed audition when she met KangYoon, and he allowed her to live her dream as a musician despite being financially unstable . She saw a lot of other peoples’ stages, grew up, and now she was here .

…It was a miracle that she was standing here in the first place .

“She should have a story of her own . However, what’s important to you, JiMin, is you . You sing your song . She will sing her song . The viewers will be the judge . ”

“Okay . ”

When they arrived at her waiting room, KangYoon patted Kim JiMin’s back .

“The moment you go up on stage, you focus on your own song . Leave everything else to me, okay?”

“Yes!!”

KangYoon patted Kim JiMin’s head before sending her into the waiting room .

‘Another one has begun . ’

Seeing the waiting room shut, KangYoon tried to calm down his racing heart .

World Entertainment’s rookie was going on stage . He was filled with excitement, expectation, and a bit of worry as he headed towards the stage .