Chapter 49

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 49 (49/482)

In the end, Hyun-seung headed to a nearby Korean cuisine restaurant with Taichi.

"This is why I love Korean food. The dishes are so neatly and beautifully arranged, it's like a painting."

Taichi, with an excited expression, took in the food in front of him with his eyes.

"I hope it tastes good too."

Hyun-seung replied succinctly. After that, only the clinking of utensils and the sound of sipping tea filled the air.

'He's eating so well...'

When Taichi suggested going to eat, Hyun-seung thought he might try to persuade him to reconsider the collaboration. However, Taichi was so engrossed in the food that he occasionally let out exclamations of delight and focused entirely on his meal.

Clack.

Only after finishing the dessert ice cream did he put down his utensils. When he finally lifted his head, his face was truly satisfied.

"It seems you enjoyed the food."

"Yes, it was the best Korean food I've had."

"That's a relief."

Hyun-seung wiped his lips thoroughly with a napkin and added,

"Can I ask you something now?"

"Sure, anything."

"Why did you make such a generous collaboration offer to me?"

Even though Hyun-seung was confident in his abilities, the contract he had glanced at earlier was filled with overt kindness, even to someone who didn't know him well. At first, he thought it was because Se-jini had become incredibly popular in Japan, and Taichi had naturally fallen in love with his music.

But, somehow...

It didn't quite add up. It was like a family drama missing a key plot point or a mystery novel that ended without explaining why the culprit was the culprit. He was curious about the backstory that led the representative of a company like Man Records to take such an interest in him.

"Simply hearing my music and feeling intrigued wasn't enough to explain the overt kindness in the contract."

"Even so, why didn't you accept the offer right away? If you want, I can be even more generous."

"I don't want that. I was taught to be wary of kindness when I can't understand the intentions behind it."

Their gazes met in the air. In the sudden silence, Taichi recalled the moment he first learned about the composer 'HS'.

"A young man just gave me the answer."

It was the day he went to fix the 'Contrabass' for an old friend. However, as soon as his friend mentioned that a young man had already tuned it perfectly, a series of questions began to form.

HS, the name the young man had left with his friend, he repeated it over and over. He must be a music major, and if he could perfectly tune a 'real sound' that no one else would dare to attempt, he might be someone Hyun-seung had already met.

But that thought ended the moment he heard Se-jini's song at a bar.

Madman

Suddenly, the word 'madman' came to Taichi's mind. The way he meticulously carved and polished the melody to fit the singer's voice, creating a fantastic tune, was proof that he was indeed a madman.

And.

Taichi himself was once a madman. It was when he was relatively young, and he had no interest in the world, gossip, or his bank balance.

Music and composition were his entire life. Even in his sleep, his hands would play the bow and keys, and upon waking, he would immediately sketch out the musical ideas that came to mind.

Madmen, by nature, don't care about trivial matters.

Moreover.

Madmen inevitably reap the rewards of their efforts. After rotting away in their studios like cavities, they eventually receive the interest on their time.

Taichi was no exception.

The fruits of his labor were numerous. He became the owner of a company valued in the billions, used an entire building as his company's headquarters, and owned a Rolls-Royce, expensive watches, and high-end equipment.

He genuinely loved madmen like himself. He believed they deserved such rewards. If there was a god, it should be this way because these madmen were the ones who contributed to changing the world.

"When I accidentally heard your song, I thought..."

"What did you think?"

"I thought you were a madman, deeply obsessed with music."

Madman, it was a harsh word, but not entirely wrong.

"And I thought this."

He crossed his arms and hesitated before speaking.

"Among the young composers of today, someone will surely achieve great success. Though I can't pinpoint who it will be, someone will enjoy immense glory in areas like Oricon, Grammy, and Billboard."

"Sure, that's probably true."

"Listening to your madman-like songs, I thought that if one of these young composers succeeds, it must be you. It can't be anyone else. It has to be you."

Hyun-seung empathized with his words but didn't fully understand them. He was certain he would rewrite history again, but this time for the better, not the worse.

"Why do you think that?"

Taichi smiled faintly instead of answering. Why, really? It was just a thought that came to him. Especially when he heard HS's title track, all his thoughts came to a halt in shock.

It was the song he had been waiting for. He had listened to countless songs every day, desperately searching for it. He had been wandering through a vast desert, yearning for an oasis.

A song like 'Dear my Beethoven,' capable of changing the world's landscape! A stubborn, obsessive, and stubbornly foolish composer who could create such songs! A captain who could lead the music market, on the brink of frustration due to obstacles.

"I was one of the few who witnessed the birth of Michael Jackson in the 80s."

"I wish I had been born in that era to witness it myself."

"When I heard your title track this time, I felt the same excitement."

And he was certain that the young composer sitting in front of him was the one. He was intrigued. However, he didn't want to force or manipulate him.

Geniuses should be free. They produce the best results when they can choose what they find interesting and enjoyable, rather than being constrained and working like machines.

"If waiting is necessary, I will wait."

"For how long?"

"Yes, for as long as it takes."

Silence ensued.

"May I offer a piece of advice, even if it's presumptuous?"

Hyun-seung nodded in agreement. This was the moment when he should have heard persuasive words disguised as advice, urging or threatening him. It was a life-changing opportunity, and he would regret it if he missed it, or even more ruthless words.

"Since I'm just adding my spoon to the success you will achieve someday, I can assure you that good opportunities will come your way, regardless of our collaboration with Man Records."

However, Taichi only said things that didn't sound like a businessman at all.

"This business is not for you; it's for me. If someone in the industry ever offers you a business deal and claims it's for you... "

Silence ensued.

"Please stay away from them. Based on my experience, such people's hypocritical and greedy intentions often hold back geniuses."

It was certainly not what a businessman should say. If he was confident and considered the profit, he shouldn't have said such soft words. He should have made Hyun-seung feel anxious with phrases like, "This opportunity will soon be over!"

However.

Paradoxically, it was also a very business-like statement. Because of the sincere advice, Hyun-seung felt a human connection with him. Of course, he couldn't sign the contract based on feelings like affection or sympathy.

"I will take your advice to heart, senior."

But.

"I would like to see you often."

He felt that they would have more interactions. In the industry, 'interaction' is called 'possibility.' As long as there is a small point of connection, the possibility of collaboration is always open.

Moreover, the conditions offered by Man Records were extremely satisfying. His statement about considering it positively was a genuine pause, not a rejection. It was a good opportunity, and he was just being cautious.

"Thank you for your kind words."

Taichi's first impression was excellent. Having been deceived by first impressions many times in his two lives, he thought it wouldn't matter if he was deceived one more time, given how satisfying this one was.

Silence ensued.

Sipping the still steaming tea, he thought to himself.

It was a satisfying meal.

* * *

"Hyun-seung!"

After finishing his meal with Taichi, Hyun-seung was immediately called to the personal office of Director Choi.

"What's with all the texts? I haven't even had my post-meal coffee yet."

"Come in, greet me, and sit down. I'll buy you coffee on the way out."

Hyun-seung scratched the back of his head and greeted Director Choi, who was already seated.

"Nice to see you again today. Have you had your meal, Director?"

"Yes, did you eat well?"

"Yes, I ate well. And so did Mr. Taichi."

"Since you have many questions, come and sit down."

At his words, Hyun-seung immediately headed to the sofa and took a seat.

"Did you talk more about the collaboration during the meal?"

Director Choi couldn't hold back his curiosity.

"No, we just chatted about personal matters."

"Only personal matters?"

"There will be plenty of time to talk about work."

Director Choi and Manager Kim simultaneously wondered. Did that mean he was considering it positively? Their gazes met for a moment, and then Director Choi cleared his throat and asked cautiously.

"When do you plan to make a decision?"

It was a massive offer, one that could define his life as a composer. The company, LS Entertainment, and even Director Choi and Manager Kim, who managed Hyun-seung, would benefit greatly from the ripple effect and indirect benefits.

"I'm not sure."

Hyun-seung pondered for a moment before answering.

"I'll think about it carefully after the current album issue is over."

The 'current album issue' Hyun-seung mentioned clearly referred to the bet with Jayble. Although he wanted to urge Hyun-seung to sign the contract immediately, Director Choi exercised superhuman patience and swallowed his words.

People in their twenties are often capricious. Who knows when and how he might sign the contract. Pressuring him might only cause unnecessary resistance. Moreover, Min Hyun-seung was not an ordinary twenty-something.

'A twenty-something who achieved great success thanks to his genius talent...'

He needed to be more cautious in his persuasion.

"Right, we need to clear away the thorn in our eye first."

However, he couldn't hide his disappointment. After clicking his tongue, Director Choi fell into thought, and Hyun-seung, as if reading his mind, calmly added a few words.

"I need to review the contract and work details more, but if it seems even a little interesting, I might consider it."

Yes, Hyun-seung always pursued what was interesting. Because it's interesting. Because it's fun. That obsession with fun, fun, fun...

He wouldn't do anything, no matter how good the conditions or how certain the success, if it didn't interest him.

That's the kind of person Hyun-seung is.

But he doesn't dislike that. He chooses his work based on interest, but he doesn't handle work just for fun. The results of the work he chose based on interest were always fantastic.

However.

The only problem was that he didn't know what his standard of fun was. For some, a promise of big money or a guaranteed success is fun. What does he mean by fun?

'Can't open his mind and see.'

At that moment, Manager Kim interjected.

"Hyun-seung, a strategic approach might not be bad."

Hyun-seung narrowed his eyes at the suggestion.

"Strategic?"

After a brief "Hmm," Manager Kim explained his thoughts.

"Can't we secure an advantage by publishing a few articles confirming the collaboration with Man Records? It's unprecedented, so we can actively use the marketing channels we have at LS... "

Hyun-seung looked at his fingernails and replied.

"No."

He continued, almost dismissively.

"Why bother when we're going to win anyway?"

"Still, if we can..."

"It seems cheap and dirty."

At that, Director Choi chuckled.

"Right, I respect that."

Manager Kim protested, "Director!"

He had believed this person would support him. But giving up on persuasion and siding with Hyun-seung was a betrayal, to say the least.

"Yes, I'll show results."

"Go on, then."

"Have a good day."

Hyun-seung stood up, bowed, and left the office. Manager Kim, loosening his tie, asked.

"Director! Why didn't you help persuade him?"

Director Choi shook his head.

"Manager Kim, you still have a long way to go. You've been watching Min Hyun-seung for so long and still don't understand him?"

"Um...?"

"Does this thunderbolt think he'll say 'Yes, I understand' just because we say a few words?"

He looked at the door Hyun-seung had left through and said,

"This guy is like Sun Wukong, the Monkey King."

"Sun Wukong?"

"Yes, exactly. Uncontrollable and unpredictable."

Director Choi, smelling the coffee, continued leisurely.

"Unfortunately, we're not the Buddha."

Manager Kim sighed. It was a spot-on statement. Handling Hyun-seung might be more difficult than riding a speeding car from Seoul to Busan.

"Director, just in case, please don't hate Hyun-seung."

"Why would I hate him? I should admire and cherish him."

Silence ensued.

"I envy this guy. His capriciousness, his fussiness, his unpredictable nature. They're all privileges of youth. Watching him, I really feel regret. Why couldn't I live like him when I was young?"

Director Choi, trailing off, burst into laughter. It was a self-asked, self-answered question. In his youth, he didn't have the talent that Min Hyun-seung possessed. The shining, coveted talent.

Knock, knock, knock.

At that moment, a steady knocking came from the office door.

"I have an urgent report..."

It was Team Leader Kwak from the PR department. What could be so urgent that he rushed to the office? He was even sweating from running.

"It seems things are taking an unexpected turn..."

Director Choi, surprised, asked,

"What do you mean?"

"Take a look at this."

He pushed the tablet PC he had been carrying under his arm. Director Choi put on the silver-rimmed glasses he kept in his inner pocket and examined the screen.

His eyes immediately narrowed at the name 'Taichi' in the headline on the main page.

– Taichi expressed his regret, saying, "The current music market is regressing..."

(Excerpt)

– When asked if there was a young composer he was currently watching, he revealed it was 'HS.' He also said, "HS will be a pioneer who brings a new wind to the regressing music market..."

(Excerpt)

– He even revealed that his reason for visiting Korea was to pursue business with 'HS'... (Excerpt)

Director Choi let out a hollow laugh and burst into laughter again.

"Wow, this is..."

After a moment of hesitation, he added,

"Min Hyun-seung is being Min Hyun-seung again."

Manager Kim nodded in agreement.

"Yes, really..."

The situation was exactly as Director Choi described.

"Hyun-seung is being Hyun-seung again..."

The tide was already turning in his favor.