Chapter 41

### Reincarnation of the Rebellious Genius Composer - Chapter 41 (41/482)

Thus, the much-anticipated Christmas Day finally arrived.

As planned...

Hyunseung's solo album was also released to the public.

Was it thanks to President Jeon Nam-il's promise?

Several articles related to the album were published on the entertainment sections of internet news sites as soon as the album was released.

Additionally,

Jayble's solo album, which was also scheduled for release on the same day, was making a big splash on the front pages of portal sites.

How much time had passed since then?

"Manager Kim, if you keep shaking your leg, your luck will run out."

Hyunseung's words were met with a nervous and irritable response from Manager Kim.

"Hey, if I'm shaking, what do you want me to do—?"

"Why are you shaking for my album?"

"The situation has become much bigger than we expected!"

"People are just interested in other people's affairs."

It had been exactly one day since the two albums were released.

While Jayble's album dominated the top of the charts...

Hyunseung's album was struggling in the lower ranks.

"Hey, aren't you being a bit too detached about this?"

"Shouldn't you at least pray for it?"

"People have been working hard for your album for days!"

"It's just everyone doing their jobs, isn't it?"

Hyunseung pointed to himself and said,

"I create the music."

Then, he pointed to Manager Kim and added,

"And you guys handle the promotion, distribution, and sales."

Manager Kim muttered, "You...," with a look of deep disappointment as he silently stared at Hyunseung.

He himself had spent several sleepless nights at the company, worrying about the success or failure of this album.

He had been running in and out of the publicity department, making calls here and there, and checking the distribution and release status...

Of course, he hadn't been doing this because Hyunseung had asked him to, but he had been praying for its success with all his heart.

In contrast,

Hyunseung seemed so detached, as if he were watching from across the sea, which made Manager Kim want to give him a good scolding.

"Hey, I can understand my own feelings, but if other department people hear such words, they'll be incredibly disappointed."

"Huh?"

"None of the people in the Strategy Planning Team, Publicity Team, Distribution Team, or A&R Team have been slacking off..."

In fact, releasing Hyunseung's album on the same day as Jayble's was like hitting a rock with an egg.

No, not just that.

To put it more dramatically, it was almost a suicidal act, a reckless and hopeless endeavor.

However,

The preparation period was incredibly intense, to the point where no one had ever worked so hard since joining the company.

Why, no one knew.

Those who had contributed to this album release gradually began to think that Hyunseung might create a significant upheaval.

Was it because he had already brought about a second golden age for Seo Jin-ee and turned Jeong A-rin, who was on the verge of being dropped, into a star?

Or was it because they believed that Hyunseung's well-composed songs could beat Jayble?

Or perhaps because President Jeon Nam-il, known for his keen eye and skills, had personally directed full support?

The important point was...

Everyone had worked tirelessly, sacrificing their sleep and meals, all because of their high expectations for Hyunseung.

Of course,

Unfortunately, the world doesn't always work according to one's wishes.

Regardless of how good the songs were or how much effort everyone had put in, the response was lukewarm.

Swish, swish—

Manager Kim, who was scanning the headlines of the articles on the main page of the portal site, grumbled.

"Is Jayble a noble? A royal? What's so special about him?"

He then clicked on the entertainment news section and began to scrutinize each article carefully.

Swish, swish—

A snicker escaped him naturally.

"Damn, Hwang Chan-soo, it's so annoying how he always hovers around when our kids release an album. What's with all the gossip? Why does he keep coming back even though he doesn't die?"

Swish, swish—

"Fire on the soles of the feet? It's peaceful here!"

"It looks like you have fire on the soles of your feet right now."

"What? Are you in cahoots with those guys?"

"Of course not. I'm the one being criticized and attacked."

Manager Kim's lips tightened into a straight line at Hyunseung's response.

Right...

The person who was most disappointed right now was Hyunseung.

Even though he might seem light-hearted at other times, he was always sincere about his work.

Especially during the preparation for this album, Hyunseung had been particularly passionate and enthusiastic.

It was painful for him to hear and see evaluations he didn't want to hear or see in front of such a passionate Hyunseung.

"Those bastards. What kind of article is this? I don't even know if they've listened to it. If they had, they wouldn't have written such a thing..."

He then continued, trying to encourage Hyunseung.

"Anyway, don't worry too much. The publicity team will clean up a few high-level articles. Since it's still early in the release and the songs are good, if we manage the news, columns, and communities well, the album will definitely rebound in the charts."

At that moment, Hyunseung replied calmly.

"You don't have to try so hard."

"Huh? What do you mean...?"

"I know you've done your best."

From his perspective, all the company's marketing channels had been focused on him to the point where he wondered if it was too much.

If he had failed despite such full support, he needed to reflect on himself objectively.

'In such a case...'

There are usually two reasons.

First, the songs themselves are not good.

Second, they are too ahead of their time.

Of course, his songs couldn't be bad, so he firmly believed they were ahead of their time and decided to let it go.

It might seem overly narcissistic, but he believed that when the public's standards improved, they would be re-evaluated.

A needle in a bag will eventually pierce through the bag.

Like a hidden masterpiece that will be re-evaluated in the distant future, some of the songs he had released in his previous life were only recognized and consumed by the public much later, even reversing the charts.

Initially,

Considering that a rookie composer had managed to enter the top 100 charts in the fiercely competitive year-end music market, it was quite encouraging.

No,

Even the fact that a rookie composer who hadn't even completed his first year had successfully released his solo album was a sign that he was on the right path.

"Damn, what do you mean by 'done enough'?"

On the other hand, Manager Kim's perspective was different.

"Have you ever thought that you were done enough with your songwriting and just moved on?"

"Of course not."

"We're the same. As you said before, once the song leaves the original creator's hands, it's all our responsibility."

He added in a serious tone.

"Just stay detached like you are now. We'll figure out the rest."

Hyunseung smiled and asked,

"Why are you trying to act cool?"

"I'm just cool."

Although exchanging jokes with Hyunseung made him feel a bit calmer...

'I'm worried.'

It was undeniable that the results were disappointing compared to the high expectations for Hyunseung.

Especially, the possibility that President Jeon Nam-il might have folded one of his fingers in his heart due to this incident was a concern.

He had been stubborn and focused the marketing channels, but the results were not up to par, so the probability was high.

What was even more frightening was that he didn't know how many times his fingers would be folded before he was out of favor.

'This is really...'

It could be the second finger, the third finger...

Perhaps,

He might already be out of favor.

'Forget it. I'll make up for it with the next song.'

What's the big deal about one failed album?

The distribution wasn't even over yet. Who knows, with Hyunseung's album, some event might dramatically turn things around.

'He always does...'

For now, what he needed to do was not to get bogged down in negative thoughts but to think about how to bring about a more positive outcome.

"Delivery—!"

At that moment, Team Leader Kwak from the Publicity Department burst into the studio.

He was carrying a heavy box filled with CDs.

"Here are the fresh, hot-off-the-press album CDs!"

Inside the box were about 100 copies of Hyunseung's solo album.

The youngest member of the Publicity Department, who followed Team Leader Kwak, asked in a low voice,

"Isn't this the first time we've printed such a small quantity? Are you planning an event like giving out limited edition CDs to fans who win a lottery?"

Manager Kim shrugged and mocked,

"Our great composer, who can turn pine cones into grenades and use teleportation, insisted on having at least a minimum quantity of physical albums. We just do what we're told, what can we do?"

Meanwhile, Hyunseung, ignoring the conversation, looked into the box and said,

"Manager, please send one to Mr. Lee Duseok."

"You should take it to him yourself!"

"I can't. If I go, I'll be stuck there all day."

"Am I your errand boy?"

"Why are you being so harsh? If not, I'll just send it by mail."

Hyunseung took one album from the box.

"I'll only take one. You can handle the rest as you see fit."

"One? Just one?"

"Yes, one is enough for me. Please go home today. Shave a bit, too."

As Hyunseung left with one album, Manager Kim grumbled,

"That guy, I'm here because of him, and I can't even shave..."

Team Leader Kwak laughed and said,

"You two seem to be getting along well today."

"Getting along? What are you talking about?"

"By the way, Hyunseung, are you dating?"

Manager Kim was startled and asked,

"How did you know?"

Although he always understood his feelings perfectly, how did he know about this?

Curious, Manager Kim stretched his neck like a meerkat to look at his face.

"Usually, when a composer of his age releases their first album, they immediately give it to their girlfriend."

"Hmm, is that so?"

"With his youthful energy, looks, and talent, it would be more unusual if he didn't have a girlfriend."

"Well, I guess..."

At that moment, one of the female employees from the Publicity Department raised a question.

"Hey? The album booklet has sheet music in it?"

As she spoke, the nearby employees began to check the album booklets one by one.

"Really? It does? It makes it feel like a piano new age album. Did you know about this, Manager?"

Manager Kim approached them and started to examine the album again.

"Well, the album layout and booklet were all handled by Hyunseung, so I'm not sure."

At that moment, the Publicity Department employees, like baby birds waiting for food, chirped,

"Can I take one of Hyunseung's albums?"

"Me too, me too!"

"I promised to give some to my friends, so three..."

Manager Kim asked in surprise,

"It's not an idol album. What are you going to do with it?"

After a moment,

"Who knows?"

One of the Publicity Department employees, taking an album, continued,

"Even if this album's performance is overshadowed by Jayble, Hyunseung will eventually surpass him, right? When he becomes famous, this album, filled with great songs, could become a legendary masterpiece."

"Is this a new movie? It's interesting. Keep going."

"Considering it's a limited first edition of a debut album, it could be worth a fortune in the future. Thank you to everyone who has joined Sotheby's! The next item is the first edition of HS's debut album...!"

Even those who hadn't given it much thought started to take a few albums.

"That's a good point. I'll take a few..."

Even Team Leader Kwak quietly took an album.

"Wow?"

At this scene, Manager Kim chuckled.

'Yeah, who knows.'

In reality, the famous overseas band 'Betrayce' had only released 100 LPs of their debut album.

And now,

Their first edition albums are being traded for millions of dollars at Sotheby's.

'Right.'

As the Publicity Department employee said, it was too early to judge the value of Hyunseung's album based solely on the success of this album, given what Hyunseung had shown.

"Hmm, I'll take a few, too."

Manager Kim also took a few of Hyunseung's albums and said,

"I'll buy a house with the money from selling these later..."

After a moment,

"Why not take a few more and buy a building?"

Everyone burst into laughter at Team Leader Kwak's joke.