Chapter 9: Damn Idol

To be honest, Team Leader Choi Su-yeon was impressed with Han Shi-on from the moment he walked in.

Whoever took his profile picture (it was a selfie), he looked much better in person.

Or, to be more precise, his aura was overwhelming.

There was an inexplicable sense of melancholy, along with a compulsive feel.

Moreover, he gave off an impression that made it hard to treat him casually.

"I didn't really prepare any original songs or covers. I'm sorry."

"…It's fine. If that's what you prefer, then that's what it is."

Contrary to Han Shi-on's guess, Choi Su-yeon wasn't upset during this conversation.

Of course, Han Shi-on said he was sorry, but she was just taken aback by the feeling that Ryan Entertainment had failed to inform him properly.

She even unknowingly gave Han Shi-on the choice of what to sing first, even though the usual procedure was to listen to the free choice song first, then the designated song.

Given that Choi Su-yeon, who had seen countless trainees and aspiring entertainers, felt this way, it was clear that his aura was not ordinary.

However, in retrospect, this was nothing compared to what came next.

The real surprise started when he began to sing.

When Han Shi-on sang "Flower Language," Choi Su-yeon was taken aback.

He was good.

Too good.

Of course, TakeScene also had good singers.

The main vocalist of TakeScene was considered the best singer in Ryan Entertainment's history.

But Han Shi-on was on a different level.

It's hard to explain, but she felt the same aura she got from the top singers in the K-pop industry, who were often called "teachers."

A sense of crisis rang in her mind.

This can't be.

He can't be on the same stage as TakeScene.

The audience vote hasn't been decided yet, but he would definitely get a landslide of votes.

But...

'Let him slip away?'

He should be put in Team B and later persuaded to become a trainee.

However, this thought became irrelevant as soon as he started his free choice song.

Melisma, "Tony Bright."

It was the first time she had heard of this artist or this song.

The Newcomer Development Team usually doesn't focus much on musical background.

They are more about selecting products, not singers.

The Training Team is responsible for turning those products into singers.

When he said he had arranged a 1940s blues song, she thought it was typical of an indie enthusiast.

But as soon as he started singing, everything changed.

He's crazy.

Who in their right mind would sing such a song at an idol audition?

And why would he puff his cheeks and leave because something didn't sit right with him?

Is this some kind of hidden camera show?

You know, like when they disguise a famous pianist as an amateur and film them.

Yes, that's it.

This guy must be a professional singer from New Orleans or Berklee...

'No, he's only twenty!'

The CEO had suggested putting strong personalities in Team B.

But Han Shi-on's performance wasn't just a personality.

It was a nuclear bomb launched from a personality.

She was in a dilemma.

She couldn't not pick him, but she was scared of what might happen if she did.

In the end, Choi Su-yeon made a decision.

This is something that CEO Choi Dae-ho should handle...

"Team Leader."

"Ah, no, I was just thinking out loud."

"Excuse me?"

"Um... No, why?"

"Can I listen to the original of the song you just sang?"

"Ah, sure. Let's listen to it. We don't know how much he arranged it."

So, they found Melisma's "Tony Bright" on YouTube...

"Can this even be called an arrangement?"

It was just a pretty good acoustic blues song.

There was no electric sound at all.

It was almost like he just took the lyrics and made a completely new song.

Moreover, from the comments and views, it didn't seem like a very famous song.

After some thought, Choi Su-yeon made a decision.

"Let's leave this to the CEO."

"Indeed, that's the best course of action."

"He's... definitely going to be a star. He might even join TakeScene."

Whether Han Shi-on would be put in Team B to boost ratings or be added to TakeScene by creating a new spot wasn't her decision to make.

"Let's pass today's recording to me... Everyone, thank you for today."

"Team Leader."

"Yes?"

"There are still participants left."

"Oh, right. We need to see more."

"And I just thought of something."

"What is it?"

"We haven't seen Han Shi-on's dance yet..."

"Oh, right..."

"What if he's terrible?"

"But maybe that's a good thing? With his level of singing, having a weakness is necessary."

"Is that so?"

In the end, they rationalized it.

* * *

As Han Shi-on left Ryan Entertainment, he checked his phone and saw that he had missed calls from Seo Seung-hyun of BVB.

Without hesitation, he called back, and a breathless question came through.

- Are the songs you posted on SoundCloud composed by Han Shi-on?

"Yes, they are. Why?"

- Have you sold them yet?

"No, I haven't."

- Not even one?

"Not even one."

- I think I made a mistake. You put my email address in your SoundCloud account, right?

"It wasn't a mistake."

- Really?

"I did it on purpose. I wanted to meet you separately."

- You wanted to meet me... outside?

"No, what are you talking about?"

What a ridiculous guy.

"I need someone to sell my songs. Someone who knows the idol industry well."

- I'm with BVB.

"In the entertainment industry, composers and trainers can change jobs freely, and many are freelancers. Do you know why?"

- I'm not sure.

"Because their professional skills are independent of the company's facilities. I think the same applies to A&R's song development."

Finding good songs, assigning good arrangers, and outsourcing to good producers.

These tasks are crucial for a singer's career but are not as standardized as one might think.

They rely entirely on the personal skills of the A&R producer.

To address this, they hold Song Camps and seminars, but personal skills remain important.

"Isn't the ban on A&R team members taking on side jobs a bit lenient?"

A&R teams often help connect star composers with other companies to build relationships.

Because favors often come back.

"Let's start with six songs. One of them would fit NOP, so there's a good reason."

- What about the pay?

"I'll give you half of the song sales."

- ...! Are you serious?

"Of course."

If you offer 10%, they'll consider it a collaboration. If you offer 20%, they'll consider it a partnership.

But if you offer 50%, they'll think they've won the lottery.

No one who finds it too much trouble to go to the bank to claim their winnings.

Being financially free has its advantages.

Others are not so free.

"Let's write the contract today. What time do you finish work?"

* * *

The conversation with Seo Seung-hyun went well.

They agreed to sell "I'm Not Your Man" to BVB Entertainment as NOP's next single.

Seo Seung-hyun also thought "Selfish" would fit NOP well, but there was a better option for that.

"Try selling 'Selfish' to DROP OUT as a title track."

I may have forgotten a lot about Korea, but there are some things I'll never forget.

I know who the current president is, who the best player on the national soccer team is, and who the biggest star in the entertainment industry is.

DROP OUT.

A five-member boy group.

I'm not sure about their seniority or album sales records.

But I can't not know DROP OUT.

Even my greedy uncle probably knows a song or two by them.

They're not just a top-tier group; they're the top group.

The only boy group that can get soldiers to sing along at military shows.

"DROP OUT? They don't accept title tracks from others. After their first album, they've always produced their own."

"Still, try pushing it."

"They haven't announced a comeback. It could take years."

"They will soon. I know it."

I'm not sure when, but it will be soon.

This year or next, anyway.

The reason I want to sell 'Selfish' to DROP OUT is simple.

They always sang this song at their encore concerts.

I've seen interviews where members chose 'Selfish' as their favorite song and even saw them perform a special stage with their own arrangement.

'Selfish' is a versatile song among the ones I composed.

I didn't release it when I was in GOTM (it didn't fit the traditional band image), but I achieved my first Billboard No. 1 with 'Selfish' in my career.

It suited my voice well and was a timeless song.

This means that if I released it in 2019, it could be a Billboard No. 1, and if I released it in 2024, it could still be a Billboard No. 1.

Of course, it needs proper marketing, but it's a powerful song.

It seems to fit DROP OUT's taste, so it might become a title track.

Of course, some might think I should sing it myself.

But that's for another life.

In this life, I'll just watch how DROP OUT arranges 'Selfish' in a K-pop style, adds boy group lyrics, and promotes it.

I'm curious about how it will perform.

Besides, I don't feel too bad about it.

I have quite a few songs as good as 'Selfish.'

"What if they want it as a B-side?"

"I'll refuse. It has to be the title track."

"Frankly, it might be difficult... But I understand."

"I don't have any other plans, so just sell the others as you see fit, and I'll give you a few more songs soon."

"But, Mr. Han Shi-on."

"Yes?"

"Why did you choose me? With songs of this quality, you could contact companies directly."

Money is powerful.

Offering half the song sales made him subconsciously accept his chosen status.

I chose Seo Seung-hyun to naturally build connections.

For a time traveler, connections are different from those of ordinary people.

Even if I had deep friendships with NARAS members in my previous life, one regression would reset everything.

There's no guarantee that I would become close again just because I was in the previous life.

My life can turn a close friend into a mortal enemy.

So, to me, connections are people whose behavior I can accurately predict.

People who can become close or distant based on my actions.

People who can trust or distrust me.

By building these connections, a twenty-year-old (eighteen in the U.S.) newcomer from the East can debut with a Billboard No. 1 hit.

But connections can't be built with a goal in mind.

You can't just wander around LA to learn "how to get a Billboard No. 1" and expect to build useful connections.

You have to enter the industry.

By doing whatever you can, you'll naturally or inevitably build connections.

Take the CEO of LB Studio, Lee Hyun-seok, for example.

If I need a connection to the indie scene in my next life, I'll go to LB Studio.

And I'll record the same songs at the same time.

To me, this is what connections are.

And currently, the only person I have a proper connection with in the Korean K-pop industry is Team Leader Seo Seung-hyun.

He works for a fairly large company, BVB Entertainment.

It was a good starting point, even if I had a choice.

But I couldn't say that.

"Just because. I liked Team Leader Seo Seung-hyun."

"Because he fit your taste...?"

"Ah, by the way, you've been saying some strange things."

So, Seo Seung-hyun started working for me.

Originally, I planned to debut through BVB, but this direction isn't bad either.

Now, I need to be chosen in ComingUp Next...

I'm not sure.

Team Leader Choi Su-yeon's expression during the interview didn't seem very positive.

Maybe I'm too far from the K-pop style, and it's giving her a professional aversion.

If I had more overwhelming skills, it wouldn't be a problem.

I need to practice.

Oh.