Chapter 16

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 16 (16/482)

Jung Arin, who had been standing there in a daze, cautiously asked, "Are you really going to debut me?"

"Only if you have an instrument that I can use."

Jung Arin, with a puzzled expression, stared intently at Hyun Seung, trying to sort out her thoughts. This young composer, who looked no older than his mid-twenties, how could he possibly debut someone who had been eliminated and not even made it into the debut lineup?

‘Could it be…’

A hypothesis flashed through her mind.

What if...

This man was really the composer from the rumors? The composer who was said to be favored by the CEO and the board of directors could indeed debut her.

"Sir."

Hyun Seung frowned immediately.

"What did I teach you to call me sir?"

"No, I mean, then, um…."

"Just say what you were going to say."

"Are you the composer from the rumors?"

"Composer from the rumors? What rumors are going around?"

Jung Arin bit her lip at his question.

She couldn't possibly verify the truth of the rumors in front of him.

Whether he really slept using the dolphin sleep method… or if the great Seo Jin-i really curled her tail.

"A good new composer has joined…."

Hyun Seung hummed thoughtfully before responding.

"A good new composer? Then it must be about me."

At this, Jung Arin asked again, "What do I need to do?"

As soon as she judged that he might have the influence to debut her, she reflexively asked. This was clearly an opportunity, one that she had to seize.

"First, I want to check the sound of your 'instrument.'"

"Huh?"

"The condition it's in, whether it needs tuning or not."

Hyun Seung added, "Sing a song first."

A few seconds later...

– On a rainy day, you came to me.

She sang without a moment's hesitation. From the auditions to the monthly trainee evaluations...

She had sung countless times in front of others, hadn't she?

Especially, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

There was no reason to hesitate and not sing.

– I still remember the hand that offered me an umbrella.

Her calm voice tickled his ears.

– Could you possibly offer your hand again?

From her simple, clear voice, a firm resolve could be felt. As her unstable breathing from dancing stabilized...

Her already clear voice became even more distinct.

‘I don’t need to hear any more.’

Hyun Seung immediately raised his hand.

"Stop."

She pouted, disappointed that her song had been cut short by Hyun Seung, and asked, "Was it not good? Should I try again?"

"No, it was fine. You can go now."

"Please, just one more chance, I can do better…."

"Your business is done. Go now."

Jung Arin, unable to do anything, stomped her feet. Hyun Seung responded, "I'll contact you when the song is ready."

"Okay…."

"Take good care of your condition."

With a bright smile, Jung Arin replied loudly, "Yes!" and left the studio...

Thud.

As the studio door closed, Hyun Seung began to hum the song he had just heard, even tapping the desk with his fingers to the beat.

"Jung Arin…."

She was a much better instrument than he had expected.

"I'll have to live in the studio for a few more days."

Given that he had never seen her in his previous life, it meant that Jung Arin either didn't debut or, if she did, failed without a trace...

‘Now that she’s met me, she’ll finally get her chance to shine as an instrument.’

Hyun Seung began to tap the master keyboard, laying down beats on the track, and added countless layers of sound, following the memory of her voice in his head.

Jung Arin.

Her clear voice began to fuel his work.

* * *

A few days later.

In the CEO's office, a large number of executives, including CEO Jeon Nam-il, were gathered.

CEO Jeon Nam-il sat at the head of the table, with Executive Park and Director Choi on either side.

Additionally, those in charge of Management Team 1 sat in a row next to Executive Park, while those in charge of Management Team 2 sat opposite Director Choi.

After a moment of silence, Director Kim, sitting in the same row as Director Choi, cautiously spoke up.

"The local response to Seo Jin-i in Japan is better than expected. Although it's a close call, she has entered the Oricon charts…."

CEO Jeon Nam-il slowly nodded at the explanation.

"First, we should hold a showcase and properly land in the Japanese market. We could aim for a solo concert this winter…."

Director Choi chimed in, "That's right. If she performs diligently in her scheduled activities in Japan, she could aim for the top ranks of the Oricon charts by the end of her activities."

This meeting was held to discuss Seo Jin-i's Japanese debut plan.

"Hmm."

The CEO let out a subtle sigh, and the person who had first proposed this agenda, Director Kim, swallowed hard.

"I like it."

The long-awaited approval from the CEO fell.

‘Done!’

Just as Director Kim was rejoicing internally,

Knock knock.

Director Choi, sitting right next to him, lightly tapped his hand, as if encouraging him for his efforts.

Director Choi, one of the few equity directors in the company, had once been a member of Management Team 2.

When Director Kim first joined LS Entertainment, Director Choi was his supervisor with the title of manager.

Thanks to his outstanding contributions and being a founding member, he was recently promoted to director.

In other words, Director Kim could be considered part of the 'Director Choi faction.'

As the saying goes, 'blood is thicker than water,' and he had been loyal to Director Choi, who had taken care of him since his early days.

Director Choi felt the same way.

Having known him for a long time and recognizing his abilities, there was no reason not to consider Director Kim as one of his own.

In any case, with the approval, the meeting was essentially over.

However, everyone in the room seemed eager to chat with the CEO.

At that moment,

"Perhaps because the Seo Jin-i issue, which was a headache, has been resolved, the CEO's face seems brighter lately."

Executive Park, sitting to the left of the CEO, was the first to speak.

"Yes, I feel good."

Executive Park laughed heartily and added, "Jin-i has a history of showing good performances, so I always believed she would do well. However, I never expected her to do so well so quickly. I'm very relieved."

At this, Director Choi's eyes narrowed slightly.

‘Flattery…’

Executive Park and Director Choi had been in competition since LS Entertainment was established.

In the past, Executive Park was in charge of Management Team 1, while Director Choi was in charge of Team 2...

Even after both became executives, they continued to manage and compete in the management department.

In other words, Executive Park could not help but feel uncomfortable with 'Seo Jin-i's success.'

"I'm glad Jin-i is doing well."

Executive Park's words prompted the CEO to ask, "You always believed she would do well?"

"Yes, but…."

"Hmm, that's contrary to my thoughts."

The CEO quietly shared his opinion.

"To be honest, I thought 'Seo Jin-i' was a product that had completely failed in branding. Once the opportunity was lost, I believed she could neither regain public interest nor be loved again…."

He looked at Director Kim, trailing off.

"I didn't expect her to do this well."

"Are you talking about Hyun Seung?"

"I hope my evaluation hasn't changed."

Then he asked, "I heard that many offers for collaborations have come in due to the success of Jin-i's album. Has the next artist been decided?"

Director Kim, who had been fidgeting, finally spoke up.

"Well, actually…."

At that moment,

Buzz...

Everyone's attention turned to the CEO as a vibration sound suddenly rang out.

"This guy, it seems he can't be a gentleman."

"Excuse me?"

"How did he know to call while I was talking about him?"

Tension spread across Director Kim's face.

‘Why is Hyun Seung calling…’

While he knew they had exchanged contact information at the previous meeting, what could be the reason for Hyun Seung to call the CEO personally?

‘He’s really going to drive me crazy…’

If Hyun Seung were to be compared to anything, he would be like a 'rugby ball.' It was impossible to predict where he would bounce.

‘I hope he doesn’t say anything strange…’

Everyone in the room was focused on the CEO.

After all, it was rare for the CEO's personal phone to ring.

Only a few executives knew the CEO's personal number, and even fewer could call him directly.

How did a newly signed composer manage to get the CEO's number?

As everyone watched the CEO in silence,

"Yes, this is Jeon Nam-il."

The CEO, seemingly unaware of the focused attention, calmly brought his phone to his ear.

– This is Min Hyun Seung, whom I introduced last time. Since you're busy, I'll get straight to the point.

Hyun Seung's matter-of-fact voice came through the phone.

– There's a trainee named Jung Arin who has been with LS Entertainment for a long time but was recently eliminated. I'm considering working with her this time.

The CEO raised an eyebrow and asked, "It doesn't sound like you're asking for permission."

– No, I'm just reporting.

"If you're helping her out of personal connections…."

– I have no personal connection with her.

The CEO paused for a moment before speaking slowly.

"LS Entertainment's trainers are all highly capable."

– Yes, but…

"Surely, she wasn't eliminated without reason."

A moment of silence followed.

"Your intention to work with an eliminated trainee is somewhat curious."

At that moment,

– Anyone can make a sound with a violin.

Hyun Seung suddenly said something cryptic.

"What do you mean?"

Everyone in the room listened intently to what Hyun Seung would say next.

– If you draw the bow across the strings and move it vigorously, a sound will be produced.

"But?"

– Making a sound and performing are different matters.

The CEO let out a small sigh in response.

– Even the best instrument, if played by an incompetent performer, will produce noise.

Hyun Seung continued, pressing his point.

– Didn't I show you an example with Seo Jin-i? This time, it's the same thought. If I play it, it could be a decent performance.

Hyun Seung added,

– Before starting the production of the debut song, I would like your help in getting the trainee to sign a management contract with the company.

A smile spread across the CEO's face.

"Can you show me the same satisfactory results this time?"

After a few more exchanges, the call ended, and the CEO put his phone back into his suit pocket, smiling again.

‘What did I just see?’

A mix of emotions crossed Executive Park's face.

‘That robot-like person…’

CEO Jeon Nam-il, whom he had observed for a long time, was not someone who smiled often.

So much so that he was often described as a robot without emotions, or that he would bleed metal if pricked with a needle...

The executives often discussed the CEO's unchanging emotions.

"CEO, it seems you were talking to the composer who worked on Seo Jin-i's album…."

When Executive Park asked, the CEO nodded and glanced at Director Kim.

"That guy wants to work with a trainee who was recently eliminated and release a single album."

At this, Director Kim involuntarily hit his forehead.

‘Oh my God.’

He had said he would think about it for a few more days, but now this happened.

"I'm sorry, I'll do my best to persuade him…."

The CEO shook his head, muttering, "No, no."

"He doesn't seem like someone whose stubbornness can be easily changed."

Executive Park quickly interjected.

"But that guy…."

Once again, everyone's attention turned to Executive Park.

"Even though Jin-i's album did well, it seems like this new composer is acting too arbitrarily…."

The CEO responded in his usual flat tone.

"Well, he can ask for such an opportunity, can't he?"

"Hmm…."

"Didn't he show his potential through Jin-i's album?"

He took a few sips of tea and added,

"He might be a golden goose."

A hint of displeasure flashed across Executive Park's face.

The emotion he was feeling was clearly 'jealousy.'

He was annoyed to see the composer receiving attention from the CEO.

At that moment,

The CEO put down his teacup and spoke gently.

"Executive Park, in my opinion…."

A moment of silence followed.

"There are only two ways to handle a talented but uncontrollable person."

He spoke with a deep smile.

"The first is to keep them close and nurture them. There's no reason to push away someone who consistently delivers results, just because they're hard to control, right?"

After a pause,

"The other is a method to use when their performance is inconsistent and they keep acting impulsively…."

Everyone listened intently again.

"Completely crush and uproot them."

The atmosphere in the room became solemn at his words.

"If keeping them close is troublesome, and giving them to someone else is painful, then completely crushing and uprooting them is a good method, isn't it?"

He asked, "Isn't that right?"

His gaze was fixed on Director Kim.

"Yes…."

It was clear that the direction of the CEO's decision regarding Hyun Seung would depend on the success or failure of this album.