Chapter 73: I Became the Older Brother of a Top Star

"Wow, this song is really good."

By the time she came to her senses, Yuna had already entered the recording studio, humming along to the instrumental that was playing.

"Was I too sudden?"

"Huh?"

"I suddenly called you two here without any prior notice. I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine."

Jang Yeon-wook.

A figure whose contributions to Korean music history are not just one but many.

I had expected him to have an incredible aura, but this was beyond my expectations, transcending imagination.

I had never encountered such an overwhelmingly powerful presence, and it was honestly a bit overwhelming.

'I knew he was someone extraordinary, but—'

I didn't expect it to be this much.

What kind of actions must a person take to possess such an aura?

This was the first time Yuna's aura seemed to be overshadowed by someone else's.

And his good looks were complemented by a voice that exuded charm.

His soft voice felt like it was wrapping around my ears.

"There's no way. You're not just the best composer in South Korea... no, the world."

"Hehe. Me?"

"Most people would probably agree, right?"

"Maybe. But I've been away from the music scene for so long that I doubt people still recognize me."

As he spoke, he began to show and play the songs he had been working on.

"These are songs I created while watching your performances. I really felt like composing again after a long time, so I tried a bit."

A "bit" turned out to be 111 songs.

"......How many did you make?"

"Hmm, about a week?"

When others saw me working, did they feel the same way?

Once I get hooked on making a song, I often end up writing several at once.

But this person seemed even more prolific than me.

"The songs are all great, and they seem to match our style well."

What was even more impressive was that even a few random songs he played had an exceptional level of completion.

The songs felt like they were tailored to our style, with a clear and distinct color.

"Yuna, the song you just sang was really good. Could you try singing the middle part again?"

"Ah, sure! I'd love to!"

Yuna was jumping with excitement from the moment Jang Yeon-wook suggested working on music together.

Meeting her favorite singer and getting to work with him was something she couldn't help but be thrilled about.

"Wow, that was amazing. But I think it would be even better if you raised the pitch a bit in the middle part."

"Sure! I'll try it."

He smiled softly and immediately gave feedback to bring out Yuna's potential.

'This is similar to how I work.'

Just like how I work with Yuna in the studio, Jang Yeon-wook was showing a similar approach.

I reached out to touch the aura emanating from him.

Whoosh!!

An overwhelming amount of aura surged into me, making my body tremble.

"Is something bothering you?"

"Huh? No, I'm fine."

This was the first time I had experienced something like this.

An aura so powerful that my body couldn't handle it.

As a result, I hadn't been able to fully absorb Jang Yeon-wook's aura.

But even this much was making me feel incredibly invigorated.

'Is this how he lives every day?'

If there's a feeling of transcending a field, this must be it.

The talent contained in this aura seemed to hold boundless potential.

"It's been a while."

"Huh?"

"Working on music with someone else. I tend to be a bit of a lone wolf, so I usually avoid collaborating with others."

That makes sense.

While others might find it unlucky, anyone who experiences this aura would understand.

If I'm working at this level, it would be difficult to collaborate with someone who is struggling at the bottom.

Collaboration works best when both parties are at a similar level, allowing for smooth work without the need for detailed explanations.

To someone at his level, other people in the music industry might seem like apes who haven't fully mastered the language.

He was that advanced.

"How do you usually work, Yoon-sung?"

"Um... I usually work alone."

"Ah, I see. You seem to have a similar style to me. I also have my reasons for working alone. It's like... meditation? Or dreaming? I need that kind of time."

I understood what he meant.

Not because of his aura, but because I had similar experiences.

"Finding answers amidst the notes that unfold like a fantasy?"

Jang Yeon-wook was surprised by my words.

"Do you know what that feels like, Yoon-sung?"

"Yes, I've had that experience quite a few times. It's like the melody completes itself as I catch the notes that come to mind while letting my body flow with the water."

He looked at me in amazement.

"Why are you looking at me like that...?"

"Ah, sorry. Hehe. Actually, when I tell people this, they often look at me strangely. Some even think I'm secretly taking drugs."

This was the first time I was sharing this with someone, something I usually kept to myself to avoid being labeled as delusional.

"Amazing. I've worked with countless artists, but this is the first time I've met someone like you."

Jang Yeon-wook stared at me and said,

"Plus, the way you compose songs is similar to mine."

"Really?"

"Yes. You're not composing for yourself but for your sister in that recording studio, right?"

I was surprised by his words.

"You don't have to look at me like that. Music is a mirror of the composer. I can tell the mindset behind a song just by listening to it. I invited you and Yuna because I felt a similar emotion in your songs."

Jang Yeon-wook smiled softly as he watched Yuna singing hard in the studio.

"Like you, I've been composing songs for my sister. So even though our styles are different, the emotions are similar. Most importantly, I can feel your desire for your sister to succeed when I listen to your songs."

I had always composed with Yuna in mind.

Songs that best suited her voice and that she could perform well.

I had struggled to create these songs, leading to where I am now.

"You're like a fortune teller."

"Hehe! I told you, I'm the same. That's why I can give advice."

"Advice?"

"Yes. Sometimes, instead of composing for others, try making a song for yourself. It will definitely help you."

I took his words to heart.

A song for myself, not for others.

Thinking about it, I had never made such a song before.

"Right now..."

"Yes?"

"Can I try making one here, following your advice?"

"Of course."

Suddenly, inspiration started flowing like a fountain, and I felt an urgent need to express it.

As soon as I got Jang Yeon-wook's permission, I started inputting notes into the computer.

The wall that had been blocking me for so long crumbled instantly.

* * *

"Thanks a lot, Oppa!"

"It feels a bit strange to hear 'Oppa' from someone much younger than me. But I'm the one who should be grateful. It's been a long time since I had so much fun. Be careful on your way home, and come visit often. I'll be in Korea for a few weeks."

"Sure!"

"See you again, Hyung."

"Take care."

After seeing them off, Jang Yeon-wook sighed and sat down.

They were indeed full of energy, probably because of their youth.

Yoon-sung had suddenly gotten inspired and worked on songs for almost six hours without a break.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

He knew who it was just by the sound.

"Come in."

The person who peeked in was none other than James Randy.

Randy, Jang Yeon-wook's only close friend, had followed him to Korea as soon as he heard he was coming.

He even hid in another room when he heard that the siblings he had been interested in would be invited to this building.

"Were those kids gone?"

"Yeah."

"Good. They were here for a long time."

"You should have at least come to see them."

"No way. What if they don't pay attention to you because of me, a superstar?"

"......"

Randy entered and stretched out his legs, making himself at home.

"But why is it so hot in here?"

"Because we worked so hard, of course?"

"What? You? Don't lie."

"Of course, I just watched. I didn't do much."

"I thought so."

Randy clicked his tongue and shook his head.

Then, out of curiosity, he got up and walked to the computer.

"So, did this student, Yoon-sung, make all of these?"

"Yep. Take a look."

Randy casually examined the songs.

Gradually, his face hardened.

"Yeon-wook."

"Hmm?"

"Is this really not your work?"

"Yep."

"Really? You didn't help at all?"

"No. I didn't touch a single note. I could tell just by looking. Yoon-sung and I have similar tendencies. He wouldn't like others touching his work, right?"

"So, Yoon-sung made all of this?"

Randy's face was filled with shock as he played the notes on the computer.

"Yeon-wook, in all my life, the only person whose music has ever stunned me is you."

"Is that so? Should I feel honored?"

"I'm being serious. But... this is the second time. This is real talent, just like you. Maybe even... surpassing you."

"Surpassing me?"

"Probably. If given more time to refine the songs, they would have been masterpieces. This is unbelievable. I thought you were the only composer of your caliber, but how could another one of this level come from South Korea? What kind of country is this?"

"Maybe there's some great secret we don't know about."

Laughing playfully, Yeon-wook stared at the sheet music Yoon-sung had left behind after struggling with it until the end.

'This song...'

Somehow, the notes and emotions in this song didn't feel like Yoon-sung's alone. It felt like it was telling the story of Jang Yeon-wook, who was living a new life, just as the title suggested.