Chapter 47

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 47 (47/482)

It had been a month since the simultaneous release of Jayble and Hyunsung's albums, and about three weeks since the "500 million donation bet" sparked by the "retirement bread" controversy began.

"Wow, it's really a hit, isn't it?"

"Seriously, this is a miracle."

"It's because the songs are that good."

The publicity department employees cheered, clapping their hands. After all, most of Hyunsung's album tracks had climbed to the top ranks.

It was the result of everyone working together with determination, climbing the steep cliff step by step.

"But still, not in first place…."

"Hey, shh…."

"But, the deadline is coming up…."

At that moment, one employee, unaware of the tension, spoke up and was elbowed in the side, trailing off. The employee felt wronged. Wasn't it their job to confirm the data and relay the information?

Indeed, none of Hyunsung's tracks had yet claimed the top spot. While the title track was vying for the throne, alternating between second and third place in the real-time charts, the bet had a set deadline.

Even if Hyunsung managed to take first place after the deadline, it would be a game with no reward. If Hyunsung lost, someone might call it a natural outcome, but since Hyunsung had initiated the challenge, he would have to donate 500 million won without the glory of first place or the settlement money.

"Maybe it's because Jayble's fanbase is too solid, making it hard to move from second to first."

Team Leader Kwak spoke to Manager Kim in a calm, organized tone.

"That's true. Jayble isn't just anyone. Well, the dice have already been thrown, so there's nothing we can do…."

A shadow of darkness fell over Manager Kim's face, and his confidence wavered. It seemed as if an invisible barrier prevented them from crossing the line to first place.

As the deadline approached, articles mocking Hyunsung began to appear sporadically. It felt like all the layers of her skin were drying up, as if standing in front of a hot heater.

Then,

"Jayble…."

Amid the tense and anxious atmosphere, Hyunsung, who had remained calm like a wildflower growing quietly, spoke up.

"If I can't take first place for even a day, I'll admit defeat and donate 500 million won, right?"

"That's true."

"Since I've been in third place and now maintained second place for two consecutive days, won't I take first place for at least one day?"

"That's true, but it's been a week…."

"A week? Surely, with a week left, my song will take the top spot at least once, right?"

Hyunsung looked around, and everyone scratched the back of their heads or hastily drank coffee, avoiding his gaze.

"Right, that's what we need."

At that moment, Manager Kim answered with a firm, resonant voice. In fact, everyone in the room, even those not present, who had contributed to Hyunsung's album, would want him to win the "donation bet." Of course, Hyunsung himself would want it the most.

The publicity department employees approached the task with a passion beyond their duty. However, they couldn't answer with certainty, knowing all too well that wishes and outcomes don't always align.

"You're right, we need to take first place. Everyone has worked so hard."

Team Leader Kwak added his agreement. It had been a more arduous and longer journey than an idol group's comeback. The finish line of the project was now in sight.

If they could make a final sprint and claim first place, it would create an even more dramatic narrative. Such a narrative would become invaluable material for the publicity department.

Hopefully.

Now, they could only wait, thinking, "Even if we dangle the bait, will they still not bite? How can they not listen to something this good?" The time had come to believe and wait for the first place with all their hearts. But still…

"Hyunsung."

They needed a contingency plan.

"Although it's unlikely, if you lose, how much do you plan to donate? The media is putting a lot of pressure on us."

Hyunsung wore a thoughtful expression for a moment before nodding and answering.

"Well, since they called for 500 million, I should donate 500 million, right?"

Manager Kim, looking surprised, suddenly stood up and asked.

"You, you don't have that kind of spare money, do you? You need to give a clear answer. This will be reported."

After a moment,

Hyunsung rubbed his cheek and asked playfully.

"Even you, Manager, can't check my settlement statement, can you?"

Manager Kim replied,

"Well, it's a matter of personal information protection…."

Then, he asked in surprise,

"What? You don't mean—?"

Hyunsung shrugged.

"Is there? Is there?"

In response to the direct question, Hyunsung remained silent.

And,

That silence turned the suspicion into certainty.

"You lucky dog! I'm so jealous! You have it, you have it!"

* * *

The arrival gate at Incheon International Airport was bustling with a large crowd.

"When will he come out…."

Among the many people, Kim Hye-yeon, a reporter for Shinil Ilbo, looked particularly anxious.

Tap, tap.

She had a habit of biting her nails when nervous. The flight she was eagerly waiting for had already arrived at 2 PM, as indicated on the display, but there was no sign of him.

Checking her wristwatch, it was 2:20 PM. Thinking about it, it would take at least this long to go through the procedures and come out. After all, it was an international flight, not a domestic one.

"Don't overthink it."

Kim Hye-yeon tried to calm herself but checked her watch again. The person she was waiting for rarely showed his face in public, except for official events.

She was surprised when she heard that he had readily agreed to an interview she had requested, hoping for his return to Korea. Could he really be so easy?

What if.

His mind had changed? His schedule had changed?

She couldn't have misunderstood the schedule. She had confirmed the agreed date and time dozens of times, writing it down in her notebook, on post-it notes, and in her calendar. She had checked her phone multiple times to see if her company had contacted her.

"Huh?"

The person she had searched for on portal sites multiple times, the person she had been anxiously waiting for, the person she had been worried about not showing up, finally walked out of the arrival gate. Kim Hye-yeon called out to him with a relieved smile, as if greeting a family member returning from abroad.

"Mr. Tajima!"

It was a natural smile of relief.

"Nice to see you. I'm a bit late."

Tajima, walking calmly, bowed politely to Kim Hye-yeon.

"It's fine. Shall we go to the meeting room we've arranged?"

Tajima glanced at his wristwatch and looked around.

"Sorry, but my schedule is tight. How about we do it at the café over there?"

"Ah, a café? Sure, anything is fine. Let's go!"

Kim Hye-yeon led the way to a nearby café. Although she had spent a lot of effort and money on securing and reserving an interview location, now was not the time to regret it.

Knowing that the time she had with the person she had never thought she would meet in person was limited, her pace quickened.

Sitting across from each other with a steaming cup of tea, an awkward silence filled the air, but there was no time to ease the tension with small talk.

"Shall we start the interview?"

"Sure, of course."

Kim Hye-yeon suddenly remembered what her senior reporter had told her before she left work yesterday.

"You've really got a chance to change your career. Don't let it slip away like a fool."

Yes, it was sincere advice for her. She bit her trembling lips to stop them from quivering. Just as she was about to say, "I'm shaking, please help me," she composed herself.

"Ahem."

She couldn't waste time trembling like a fool. She steadied her trembling voice and pulled out a neatly organized list of questions.

"Personally, I think Man Records is the most sensitive and responsive to the music market among many distributors."

"Thank you for the kind words. I think it's due to the capable employees we have."

"Man Records is known for pursuing unique musicality. Do you have any specific criteria for selecting good songs, Mr. Tajima Sakamoto?"

At her sudden question, Tajima's lips twitched, and an inexplicable silence followed.

'What is it?'

Kim Hye-yeon observed Tajima's expression. She couldn't read his face at all. Had she asked about a business secret? Should she smoothly move to the next question? As her anxious thoughts multiplied, her hand naturally moved to her mouth.

"If it's difficult to answer, shall we move to the next question…."

"No, I'll answer."

Kim Hye-yeon relaxed and put her hand down.

"To be honest, I'm quite cautious, but I have a lot of complaints about the current music market. In my personal opinion, it's definitely regressing."

"Declining…?"

"Yes, I understand that with so many songs being released daily, it's inevitable that similar songs will flood the market. But nowadays, composers are holding onto the money codes that guarantee success and are unwilling to let them go."

Tajima looked genuinely troubled. It's as if the songs are more aptly described as 'produced' or 'manufactured' rather than 'written' or 'created.'

Can such songs, born from such obvious constraints, still be consumed by the public decades from now? If someone asked me, I would definitely say no.

"To break this situation, someone needs to take a new challenge. Instead of relying on machines to produce codes and focusing on catchy, guaranteed-to-succeed melodies, we need a pioneer who insists on perfect live performances, even if it's inconvenient, and stubbornly tells their own story, opening the door to a new generation in this regressing music market."

"Ah, I see. Then, in your opinion, are there any composers currently active who can play the role of a pioneer?"

"Unfortunately, it's hard to find such composers nowadays. You could say they are almost non-existent. However, I recently found one person by chance. I'm actually in Korea today to meet this composer."

Tajima added with a smile.

"I accepted this interview because I wanted to help this composer in some way."

Seeing Tajima speak passionately about 'music,' Kim Hye-yeon felt her tension ease and her expectations rise.

Imagining filling her article with much more valuable content than she had expected, she couldn't see the questions she had prepared.

Like a child eagerly waiting for sweet candy on Halloween, she asked excitedly,

"Is this person a Korean composer?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Is it Jayble?"

Tajima tilted his head and said firmly, "Jayble?"

"It's not him."

After a moment,

"It's HS."

At the name that came out of his mouth, Kim Hye-yeon's fingers, which had been typing, stopped.

"Excuse me? Who did you just say…."

Tajima smiled and answered.

"HS. I'm here to meet him."

Kim Hye-yeon thought of the current fiery competition between Jayble and HS. She had a hunch. A hunch that the day she published this interview, the landscape would change.