Chapter 53

Reincarnation of the Reckless Genius Composer - Chapter 53 (53/482)

If one were to pick the hottest issue these days...

It would be that Taiji Sakamoto is indeed coming to the LS Entertainment building every single day without fail. Not only was this a hot topic externally, but internally it was also a major buzz, with articles pouring in like a waterfall, each featuring photos of Taiji's "commute."

"More chaotic than a celebrity's commute."

As Kim Director scanned through the articles, he muttered to himself. Taiji is a person of such high renown and prestige that even someone with little interest in music would have heard of him.

For such a person to openly show affection and send a love call to a Korean composer, and to come to another company every day to work with him?

Indeed, such actions were truly unexpected and shocking.

Of course, it had a very positive impact on Hyunseung. The public was enthusiastic about 'HS,' saying that their national pride was soaring.

"Hyunseung's fan club membership has also skyrocketed..."

Kim Director felt good that Hyunseung, whom he could call his own, seemed to be on a smooth path in life. Since he had been busy with collaboration work for a few days, he decided to visit the recording studio with a carrier full of coffee to at least see his face.

Knock, knock, knock.

Kim Director lightly knocked on the door, not wanting to disturb them. Why was there no response? Thinking they might be so engrossed in their work that they didn't hear the knock, he was about to knock again firmly when—

Bang.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a woman he had never seen before rushed out, carrying a large instrument case that was bigger than her body. She bumped into him and nodded her head without making eye contact.

"Ah, I'm, I'm sorry."

Kim Director watched the woman, who was apologizing to him, disappear in a hurry. She must have been one of the orchestra members they had called to record, as he had heard.

'But why does she look like that?'

At first glance, her face was pale, and her bangs, drenched in sweat, were messy, with dark circles under her sunken, unfocused eyes.

"Hyunseung...?"

Looking at the state of the recording studio through the open door, he immediately understood why the woman had fled and why her face was so dark and lifeless.

"Is this a recording studio or a pigsty?"

The studio looked as if a typhoon had swept through it, and it seemed that the recording studio was being used as a dormitory as well.

"Hello?"

Then, an awkward Korean greeting was heard.

"S-Sakamoto Taiji, sir?"

Turning his head to the voice, he saw Taiji slumped on the sofa.

"Nice to meet you."

Contrary to the neat and tidy image he had in his mind, Taiji's shirt was unbuttoned, his hair was carelessly swept back, and his sleeves were casually rolled up, looking disheveled.

His disheveled appearance was somewhat jarring, but paradoxically, it seemed to fit the recording studio well.

"Yes, I'm also glad to meet you. I'm Director Kim Woo-hyun."

"Is it okay if I speak in Japanese? My Korean is still a bit clumsy."

"Of course. Please have some coffee and rest a bit."

They shook hands briefly, and Taiji's face, though tired, had a faint smile.

It seemed that Taiji, like Hyunseung, had been using the studio as a dormitory. Initially, it was Seo Ji-yeon, then Jung Ara, and then Moon Bum-jae and the engineers, turning the recording studio into a group dormitory...

Now, it was Taiji.

It was becoming a dormitory with an unbelievable lineup. Or, perhaps it should be called a training camp with a sadist-level instructor? Would it end up with even the CEO, Jeon Nam-il, joining the dormitory?

"Director, please sit for a moment."

Just as Kim Director's fantasies were running wild, Hyunseung's words brought them to an end.

"We have a bit more recording left, so let's finish it quickly and go to the cafeteria."

"Take it easy. Your dark circles are down to your chin."

"Still, the bassoon recording isn't finished. But it will be done soon."

Hyunseung pointed to the booth, where a man was sitting, holding a bassoon secured with a strap, looking exhausted.

"Why does he look like that?"

He looked like an innocent man who had been falsely accused, barely surviving in prison.

"Imagine playing a large instrument like that for over 10 hours. It's only natural for him to look like this."

"What? Ten hours? It's not a prison, but look at him. His eyes have lost all hope and light."

Kim Director's face was filled with sympathy, feeling the pain of the man holding the bassoon. However, Hyunseung's face showed no empathy, only a calm and composed response.

"Prison? He's a veteran, so he'll be fine."

"He would have run away if he wasn't a veteran."

"Indeed, the Berlin Philharmonic Academy members are different."

Seeing Hyunseung clap his hands, Kim Director felt a slight fear. Even with his good eyesight, he couldn't see the man in the booth, who looked like he was about to collapse.

A Berlin Philharmonic member must have been studying music for decades, familiar with grueling recordings, rehearsals, and long performances. Yes, that must have been the case.

Until he met Hyunseung.

"Alright, since we've rested, let's record again."

Ah, right. Today, there was also Taiji.

"Although it might be a bit sadistic to ask for a high-pitched fast section, I believe you can do it."

"But your breathing is getting weaker. The sound is too light. The multiphonics section is crucial."

It was heart-wrenching to see such a precious talent being subjected to high-intensity training by Hyunseung and Taiji, like a training camp.

"Let's just re-record the 21st measure."

"Just now, it was a bit disappointing. Again."

"Faster, one more time, please."

Again, again, again. What could he do? It was the man's job to do it, so he could only hope he would overcome this challenge in life.

"Huh..."

However, as time went on, his sympathy for the man was overshadowed by the awe he felt for Hyunseung and Taiji. When they arrived, both Hyunseung and Taiji were clearly exhausted. The table looked like a war zone, and it seemed they hadn't slept for days.

But...

When they started recording again, all signs of fatigue disappeared, and their eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Their sensitive ears perked up, and sharp criticisms flew.

Two madmen, meeting with a manic gleam in their eyes, showed no intention of compromising with "good enough" or "it's fine."

They pushed each other to perfection, not giving an inch.

To think that Taiji would join in making a game OST, and that a Berlin Philharmonic member would participate in the recording, staying up countless nights. It was an unbelievable situation.

Perhaps, until now, it hadn't been a problem. An unexpected combination, an unimaginable concept and scale... It might truly be a "problem."

"Um, it was the best, but how was it, Mr. Hyunseung?"

Just...

"Wasn't the breathing on the last note a bit disappointing?"

It was like a large-scale accident, with a few injuries.

"Let's do it one more time."

* * *

"What's that?"

Park Executive Director was about to leave the lobby to go to the restaurant in front of the building. In front of the building, fans were gathered, holding placards.

"Executive Director, fans coming to the building isn't anything new."

Oh Director shrugged, as if it was nothing new.

"No, but look at that group over there."

Park Executive Director shook his head and pointed to a group outside the window. Following his finger, Oh Director's eyes widened.

"Huh?"

Since the glass from the outside was opaque, he slowly approached. He rubbed his eyes several times, narrowed his gaze, and carefully observed the group.

「 G-HS 」

This was the common word on the placards. It sounded similar to the most frequently mentioned name in the company recently, the pen name of the exclusive composer Min Hyunseung of Team 2.

"Could it be...?"

Oh Director's face twisted, reflecting his confusion. The 'HS' character was the reason Team 2's performance and results were overwhelmingly ahead.

Moreover, due to the Taiji incident, he was starting to receive recognition both internally and externally, which was not a pleasant situation for Team 1, which was in competition.

"Unlikely things do happen."

However, Park Executive Director's face looked calm. It was strange for someone with a fiery and aggressive personality to be so composed. Didn't he hate and dislike the line of the chief of Team 2 more than anyone else? Just as he was wondering, Park Executive Director took a photo of the 'HS' fans and tapped on his phone, sending it somewhere.

What was he thinking? He couldn't be kindly informing HS that his fans had come.

"Kim Director, did you see what I sent?"

Of course. It seemed that Park Executive Director was talking to Kim Woo-hyun, the director of Team 2. The tone didn't seem kind, but rather mocking.

"HS's fans are camped out in front of the building, so I can't go out to eat."

– So many? I'm sorry.

"Indeed, it's funny that a composer has a fan club, let alone a fan. Why don't we make him a celebrity now?"

Even a passerby or someone who knew nothing about the situation would recognize the sarcastic tone in Park Executive Director's voice. It seemed that his calm demeanor was just preparation for this moment.

"Of course, he's likely to fall into disgrace due to personality issues soon."

His mocking tone sometimes went too far, making it seem like a stroke of luck that they were on the same team.

"But isn't he getting too arrogant?"

Just like now.

"To maintain his good performance, shouldn't he come out and do some fan service?"

– I'm sorry, but Hyunseung can't reveal his identity from the beginning of the contract...

At that moment, a young voice interrupted Kim Director's words.

– No, I think what Mr. Park said isn't wrong.

It was HS, yes, Min Hyunseung's voice.

– I can show my face once.

Kim Director's urgent voice asking, "Are you serious?" could be heard from the side, but the young, spirited composer accepted it immediately.

"I should tell the fans this news. They'll be thrilled."

No, wait, how could he agree so easily? He was supposed to avoid exposing his face, right? Was he hiding some dark past?

– Yes, they say a bull can be dehorned in one go, so I'll go down right away.

The call ended, leaving only questions.

"Truly, this guy is consistent."

Park Executive Director looked at his phone and added.

"He's consistently rude."

First, it wasn't the time to debate his rudeness. Was he really coming down right now? Why did he change his mind suddenly? If Min Hyunseung's face was revealed to the public, the number of fans would skyrocket.

Yes, his good looks would do that. Ah, of course, there was always the possibility that he could fall into disgrace with a single word.

However.

It was something that should never happen at the company level. A goose that lays golden eggs? It couldn't be lost.

But Park Executive Director was more of a lone wolf, acting for his own benefit and power rather than for the company.

"Maybe he'll really get a big nose injury."

Now, it wasn't just because of Chief Choi, but because of HS, Min Hyunseung himself, that he was so irritated.

* * *

Jin Miso's heart had been racing uncontrollably since earlier.

"Mr. HS will come down soon, so please stand to one side and wait safely."

This was the message she received from the security guard. She hadn't expected it, knowing that he wouldn't reveal any information or identity.

She had come to the front of the building with a light heart, thinking that she might meet him if she found the right opportunity, after setting up the fan club and seeing the growing membership.

But, could she really meet him, the one she had only imagined and dreamed about? Was he really coming out to meet them?

"Phew..."

The thoughts that kept coming one after another made her excited, nervous, and even a bit depressed. She hadn't realized that her fan heart, nurtured by listening to his music, had grown so much.

Not only Jin Miso, but everyone was nervous.

HS was a hot topic, constantly mentioned in people's conversations. However, since nothing was truly revealed about him, everyone was curious.

Even fans of other celebrities were holding their breath, looking at the building's entrance. It seemed that everyone here was hoping for HS to appear.

Swoosh.

Soon, the massive door of the building opened.

"Hey, hey? Someone's coming out!"

The person who walked out through the door was...

"Helmet...?"

A tall, well-built man wearing a helmet.

"Hey, it's HS!!!"

Other fans whispered, "Is that him?" But HS's fans knew from his first solo interview that he wore a helmet as part of his concept. They all rushed towards the helmeted man.

"Bro, this is a gift I prepared!"

"I made it myself!"

"It's a multivitamin, take care of yourself!"

The helmeted man took a step back and said,

"Yes, thank you all for coming to see me. However, it's distracting me from my work, so please don't wait here. I'll take a photo with each of you, but then please go home and listen to my music with your families. That would be a bigger help to me."

While this might have been a disappointing statement, fans already perceived HS as a "tsundere" based on interviews with Seo Ji-yeon and Jung Ara, and his public interviews.

Therefore, even his indifferent request for them to go home was seen as a sign of his concern for them.

"His physique is better than most idols?"

"Ah! He's so affectionate!"

"How can his voice be so sweet and handsome?"

While the girl fans were screaming in excitement, the helmeted man calmly responded.

"Come on, don't push and form a line. If you don't line up, I'll just go back inside."

Jin Miso, the president of the fan club, quickly organized the fans into a line, fearing that HS would really go back inside if his request wasn't followed.

"I really love every song you make."

"Yes, thank you. Next."

"Bro, I really love you."

"Me too. Next."

"I love you. Can you marry me?"

"That's impossible. Next!"

The helmeted man was efficiently and accurately taking photos with the girl fans, almost like a photo-taking bot.

"Finally, the last one. Give me your phone to take a photo."

Jin Miso, standing at the end of the line, looked at him with a desperate expression.

"Um, Mr. HS... Could you please lift your visor just once?"

It's not going to happen, it won't happen. She knew he avoided exposure. But this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Moreover, she was the president of the 'G(od)HS' fan club. She needed to be brave for the members. She continued boldly.

"I won't leave if you don't lift it."

"Huh..."

"Please, just once! I beg you!"

The helmeted man sighed deeply, as if her request was quite burdensome. Of course, it wouldn't happen. What if he just left? Jin Miso's heart was pounding with anxiety.

"Really..."

Only Jin Miso, standing close to him, could hear his response.

"Just for a moment."

After a moment,

The helmeted man lifted and then closed the visor with a "click." It was a very brief moment, but it was clear.

"Wh-What? Wh-What?!"

It was something that would stir the public again.

"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-!"

It was a fleeting moment.