Chapter 10

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 10 (10/482)

Ding!

Manager Kim quickly straightened his tie and stepped out of the elevator.

Thud, thud.

He hurriedly walked down the quiet corridor.

"Mr. Kim, you're here?"

The secretary approached with quick steps and greeted him.

"He's waiting for you."

He gestured and led the way to the CEO's office at the end of the corridor.

Swallow.

Manager Kim swallowed hard and followed. As his vision, narrowed by tension, widened, he realized...

'There are so many artists here.'

On both sides of the walls, the profile photos of various artists, like trophies, lined up, representing the history of LS Entertainment.

As he scanned the overwhelming famous artists, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. Before long, he reached the door of the CEO's office.

'The person who built this empire with these artists...'

This moment reinforced in his mind just how high the CEO's position truly was.

Knock, knock.

When the secretary knocked, the CEO's low voice replied, "Come in."

"Hello, CEO!"

As the door opened, Manager Kim bowed deeply and shouted loudly.

"Yes, please sit down first."

The CEO added,

"Would you like some tea? Or coffee?"

"I'll have tea, please."

Manager Kim, visibly tense, felt even the soft sofa like a bed of thorns.

"Then let's have a cup of tea each."

In contrast, the CEO, with a relaxed expression, instructed the secretary to bring the tea.

CEO Jeon Nam-il.

He founded LS Entertainment in his early 40s and quickly elevated it to one of the top agencies.

Moreover, despite his image as an entertainment CEO, he gave off a gentle and gentlemanly vibe and had a good reputation externally.

However.

If he were just a soft person, he wouldn't have been able to grow LS Entertainment to this scale in the jungle of the entertainment industry.

He wasn't just any person to sit in this position.

Manager Kim was overwhelmed by the fear that if he said the wrong thing today, his name might be erased from the company's personnel records.

'I need to focus.'

Just as Manager Kim was moistening his dry lips,

"The reason I called you here is probably already known to you..."

The CEO lifted his teacup and took a sip before continuing.

"I heard you decided to have the new composer, Seo Jin, be the overall producer for the new single."

Manager Kim nodded slightly in response.

"Yes, it was agreed upon by both parties..."

"Was it a request from Joo Ji-tae?"

It was common knowledge that Joo Ji-tae was deeply dissatisfied with being forced to take on Seo Jin.

Thus,

It was easy for the CEO to imagine that the new composer was a victim of Joo Ji-tae's pressure.

"No, it was his own wish."

"His own?"

"Yes, I also find it a bit strange."

Manager Kim paused before adding,

"I tried to dissuade him, but I couldn't change his mind."

The CEO lifted his teacup and murmured,

"Isn't it your job, Mr. Kim, to change his mind?"

Manager Kim bowed and said, "I'm sorry."

However, the CEO, seemingly indifferent, continued with his chin in hand.

"If that's the case, how about having the two of them work together?"

"Huh?"

"Joo Ji-tae was struggling with handling it alone. Wouldn't it be better if they worked together?"

The CEO added gently,

"Doesn't he need a little breathing room too?"

"Ah..."

"Even if the album fails, at least you can cover yourself."

The more he thought about the CEO's words, the more they seemed right.

Or rather, he was grateful just for considering the well-being of a new composer.

However...

He pictured Hyun Seung, who had volunteered to play the instruments himself, and was unsure if he would readily accept the CEO's suggestion.

"I think I need to talk to the parties involved first."

The CEO hummed and nodded slightly.

"Isn't he the one we brought in with high expectations and great difficulty?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Are you aware that the timing for the new single is not good?"

"Yes, I am."

According to the information from the PR team, the timing for the new single was not good.

It was expected to coincide with the comeback of a famous idol from another agency and the debut of a male idol group that already had a fanbase.

Moreover,

With Gong Hyo-ju, who had a good reputation and excellent skills, also involved, it was uncertain if there would be any room for Seo Jin.

"As you know, if this album doesn't break even, Seo Jin's contract will be terminated. Her re-signing depends on this person."

The ongoing issue of Seo Jin's contract termination.

LS Entertainment is not a charity for artists; it is a group formed for profit.

There was no reason to maintain a contract with an artist who couldn't even break even, especially one who was already considered a has-been.

If the rumor spread that her contract with LS was terminated as if she were being chased out...

It would be difficult for her to sign with a proper management company unless it was under favorable conditions.

In the CEO's words, Seo Jin's fate was in Hyun Seung's hands.

Conversely...

Hyun Seung's fate was also tied to the success of Seo Jin's album.

"I don't particularly like people who act on impulse."

The CEO, tapping the armrest rhythmically, murmured,

"They are uncontrollable and unpredictable."

It was a warning.

"Of course, if he achieves greater results, it's a different story."

The warning to be conveyed to Hyun Seung through Manager Kim.

"I'll talk to him properly."

"I hope I can see him for a long time."

A faint smile appeared on the CEO's face and quickly disappeared.

"Yes, thank you..."

Manager Kim just wanted to loosen the tie that was choking his neck.

* * *

Hyun Seung's response to the CEO's proposal was, as expected,

"I'll choose the instruments, write the score, and play them myself. I don't want anyone else's hands involved."

It was as expected.

"What if this album doesn't do well, and you can't properly make a comeback and have to quit?"

Manager Kim tried to persuade him again.

"If it doesn't do well, I'll take full responsibility. Can I go to the recording studio now?"

Despite the attempts to dissuade him, Hyun Seung went to the recording studio alone.

Creak.

As Seo Jin entered the recording studio, Hyun Seung asked,

"How is your throat today?"

"My throat?"

Surprised, Seo Jin touched her throat and adjusted it.

"It's not bad."

"Try to warm up your throat first."

For some reason, the atmosphere Hyun Seung exuded was very different from their first impression.

Hyun Seung in the recording studio...

Felt like a veteran director or producer with years of experience.

As she "Ah-" to warm up her throat, Hyun Seung narrowed his eyes and said,

"Try to relax your throat a bit more when you sing."

The voice that captivated Hyun Seung's ears.

However, due to her nervousness or the desire to succeed, her suppressed vocal cords produced a muffled sound.

"Ah-. Like this?"

"That's it."

As he quickly produced the sound he wanted, Hyun Seung nodded in satisfaction.

"Do you have any other schedules today?"

"No."

"Tomorrow?"

"No..."

"The day after tomorrow?"

"There is, but..."

She looked at him with a questioning expression.

"Shall we start now?"

Hyun Seung gestured to open the recording booth door. Surprised by the unexpectedly gentle escort, Seo Jin hesitated.

"Go in and let me know when you're ready. We'll start with a sound check."

Soon, she realized that this gesture was leading her to a dangerous place.

'What a tough guy.'

After 5 hours of recording, this was the word that filled her mind.

She had worked with many producers and recording directors, but...

'I've never met anyone who records this intensely.'

At first, she thought he preferred full takes because he kept asking for them.

Then he started breaking it down into short takes for each line, and eventually, for each syllable.

"Can we take a short break?"

"Sure, but keep your throat warm."

She opened the recording booth door and lay down on the sofa.

'He doesn't even take a break...'

She watched Hyun Seung, who was intensely working on the takes he had recorded.

'I thought he was just a passionate new composer.'

Seo Jin realized that Hyun Seung was not just a new composer.

His persistent and thorough approach to getting the best quality recording...

His careful attention to the singer's condition to help her produce the best sound.

He was clearly not a producer who was directing his first recording.

Most importantly, his ability to wait patiently in a comfortable atmosphere, allowing the singer to produce a satisfying result...

This extinguished the small flame of doubt in her heart.

'But the song fits me so well.'

The biggest reason she could open up her suppressed vocal cords and sing confidently was, of course, the quality of the song.

This single album had three songs, and all of them fit her like a custom-made dress.

'Maybe this single will do well...'

As hope rose in her heart, she smiled faintly.

"Try not to lie down too much. Your throat will get stiff."

Hyun Seung's stern voice broke through her thoughts.

"Yes, yes. I understand."

Perhaps because she knew it was for the song, it didn't sound harsh.

A pleasant smile appeared on her lips.

"But how long are you going to rest?"

"I'm done resting."

Seo Jin got up from the sofa and added,

"Shall we start again?"

Without anyone suggesting to stop, the recording continued for two more days.

* * *

"Ugh, what is this?"

Looking at the recording studio cluttered with empty food containers and water bottles, he couldn't help but sigh.

The recording studio, which Manager Kim saw, looked as if a typhoon had swept through it.

Hyun Seung, who noticed Manager Kim late, took off his headphones and greeted him.

"You're here?"

"What happened here?"

At his question, Hyun Seung looked around and shrugged.

"Manager..."

At that moment, Seo Jin, who was curled up on the corner sofa, opened her sleepy eyes and said,

"Be quiet. Don't you know recording studio etiquette?"

"Recording studio etiquette...?"

Manager Kim scratched the back of his head, looking at Seo Jin, who had turned over.

'Isn't a recording studio supposed to be noisy...?'

Manager Kim scanned the recording studio and then turned to her, continuing,

"What exactly happened in the recording studio?"

This was the first time he had seen such a messy recording studio, and the sight of her talking about etiquette while taking a nap in the studio was surprising.

She was known for being strict with her self-management, to the point where she would reject any variety show that required an all-night shoot because it would damage her skin.

Yet, staying up all night in the recording studio... This was a scoop.

"We record in the recording studio."

"I came here after hearing that you were still recording."

Manager Kim let out a hollow laugh and muttered,

"I didn't think it was true."

"Can we use the recording studio for a bit longer today?"

"Take a break today and do it another day."

"It's fine. I'll just do some monitoring and then leave."

With that, Hyun Seung put his headphones back on and started monitoring the takes he had recorded.

Looking at the program screen filled with voice tracks, Manager Kim shook his head.

I thought Hyun Seung was just a talented composer.

'Now I see...'

He had the eyes of a quite manic producer.

"Can I listen to the song?"

"It's not finished yet."

"It's okay, just let me hear a bit."

As the head of the management department, he usually listened to all the songs of the artists he managed, but...

This time, he wanted to listen out of pure curiosity.

"Sure. Seo Jin is sleeping, so listen with headphones."

Hyun Seung handed over the headphones around his neck.

Click.

The accompaniment that tickled his ears through the headphones began.

How long had it been?

Manager Kim swallowed and murmured,

"My goodness."

Then he glanced at Hyun Seung and added,

"Are you crazy...?"