Chapter 64

Reckless Genius Composer Returns - Chapter 64 (64/482)

“Are you going to be so cold to me?”

Moon Bum-jae came to the studio early in the morning, grabbed the hem of Hyun Seung’s clothes, and clung to him.

“What? What kind of relationship do we have?”

“A relationship where we are one through music?”

“What? Why should I be one with you?”

Hyun Seung urgently picked up the headphones and countered. In fact, he didn’t really want an answer; he was just making a gesture to get him to leave quickly so he could work.

“Have you forgotten the memories of that night we spent together?”

“Sir, if someone else hears that, they might misunderstand.”

However, Moon Bum-jae, undeterred, clung to Hyun Seung even more.

The reason was...

“Isn’t it a simple task for you to slightly rearrange the tracks for the concert?”

He was asking for help to rearrange the tracks for his upcoming nationwide tour concert.

“But can’t you ask another engineer to do that level of rearrangement?”

“Do you know how difficult and expensive it is to get concert tickets? I have to provide the best quality to the audience who have paid so much.”

“So why should I provide that quality?”

“One of the songs to be performed at the concert is our ‘Dear my Beethoven.’ That song is yours, and you are the only one who can review the arrangement.”

Hyun Seung shook his head slightly. Looking at Moon Bum-jae’s face, trying to persuade him with romantic words, he knew it wouldn’t be easy to back down.

“Then I’ll just do your song.”

“I’d prefer if you did all of them...”

“I’m busy too. No way.”

“I can pay you generously...”

Just as Moon Bum-jae was pitifully pleading, Hyun Seung put on the headphones, ignoring his gaze.

Knock, knock, knock.

Another person had come to the studio.

“Mr. Moon Bum-jae is here too?”

Manager Kim bowed deeply and greeted him. Then he looked at Hyun Seung, raising his eyebrows to see if he had something to say.

“It’s not lunch time yet, right? I’m already hungry.”

But Hyun Seung didn’t notice at all.

“Sigh, it’s not that. There’s something you need to check.”

Manager Kim sighed and held out the tablet PC he was carrying.

“It’s a news article from this morning. It seems J-Bl is planning a comeback.”

Swipe, swipe.

Swipe, swipe.

Hyun Seung stopped scrolling and tilted his head.

K-SingerStar.

If his memory serves, Season 1 was a huge success, recording the highest ratings in the history of domestic audition programs.

After many ups and downs, it continued to Season 10, becoming a representative program among domestic audition shows.

Even those who didn’t pay attention knew about it.

In his previous life, K-SingerStar was so well-publicized with a massive production budget that almost no one was unaware of it before it even started.

“Is K-SingerStar still in Season 1?”

“Yes, it seems to be the first season.”

Moreover, he had even served as a judge in the later seasons.

“But what nerve do they have to publish such an article? It was strange from the start when they persistently requested my participation...”

At that moment, Moon Bum-jae, who had glanced at the tablet PC, joined the conversation.

“K-SingerStar? I heard they also sent me a casting request.”

“Really? To you too?”

“Yes, but I refused outright because I have concert schedules and I don’t like appearing on TV.”

Manager Kim looked at the tablet PC again and sneered.

“It seems the production team is really sharpening their knives. Their desire for a strong lineup of judges is excessive.”

Then he added, looking at Hyun Seung.

“Still, I thought I should hear your opinion. Do you want to compete with J-Bl again?”

“No, I’m not interested in J-Bl anymore.”

“Really? Already? I thought so. Then I’ll have a correction article published and firmly reject the casting request.”

Hyun Seung nodded, showing no interest. He could clearly see that K-SingerStar was making a desperate effort to make Season 1 a success.

Is that why Season 1 was successful?

No, wait...

Hyun Seung gathered his fading memories. In his previous life, when K-SingerStar Season 1 aired, he was not yet a composer.

Yes, it was a time when he hadn’t even recognized his own talent.

He remembered the first episode of K-SingerStar, which he watched by chance with his sister. A woman came out with just a guitar, sat on the floor, and sang.

What was her name? She chose a song with a strong indie feel...

Actually, the name wasn’t important. To Hyun Seung, the audition venue seemed to turn into a jazz club for a moment. Her voice swept through the room like a well-aged wine.

How to put it... Even her controlled breathing felt sultry.

However,

The judges didn’t seem to notice the immense talent hidden within her and eliminated her from the audition, saying her voice didn’t match the song.

And she disappeared like the wind.

She couldn’t be found anywhere. Despite her talent, he expected her to be quietly making music somewhere, but even after becoming a composer, he couldn’t find any trace of her.

It was an instrument he wanted to play beautifully, but it disappeared without him ever touching it. He had to settle for just looking at it in the display case.

The only instrument that left him with deep regret and vanished.

‘In my previous life, I wasn’t a composer at that time...’

He had no choice but to let it go.

But now,

Everything is different.

He is now an influential composer, and K-SingerStar is offering him a chance to play that instrument.

There’s no reason to refuse.

“Manager Kim, I’m going out.”

“Where are you going all of a sudden?”

Manager Kim, seeing the spark in Hyun Seung’s eyes, sensed that something was about to happen.

Sure enough, Hyun Seung answered with a grin.

“Where? K-SingerStar.”

* * *

PD Kim Young-ho placed his hand on the already heavy shoulders of Lee Hyo-sub and said,

“No matter what, we need to secure his participation today, got it?”

“Of course.”

He added, running his fingers through his hair.

“Still, it’s good that you managed to get him here.”

“Thank you.”

PD Kim Young-ho genuinely wanted to commend Lee Hyo-sub, who stood before him. In fact, he wasn’t happy with the casting reports for the others.

Until Lee Hyo-sub confidently said he had a plan, he had just crossed his arms and watched, thinking, “Let’s see what you can do.”

He knew that casting HS was almost impossible, according to the rumors circulating in the broadcasting industry. So he didn’t even have any expectations.

But then,

Something unexpected happened. Suddenly, articles predicting the participation of J-Bl and HS in K-SingerStar started appearing, almost confirming their involvement.

He worried that LS Entertainment might sue them before the program even started, but HS proposed a meeting to discuss the terms of participation.

This was a positive sign.

A mysterious figure who had previously refused to appear on TV was now willing to come to the station.

PD Kim Young-ho was determined to meet HS’s demands, no matter what, and place him in the center of the judges.

“Isn’t it time for the meeting?”

“Yes, we agreed to meet at 1 PM...”

Lee Hyo-sub glanced at the clock on the wall and quickly took out his phone. The clock’s hands pointed to 1 PM.

PD Kim Young-ho is very punctual and meticulous about appointments. He checked the text message again, trembling, to make sure he hadn’t misunderstood the time.

“It’s 1 PM...”

Fortunately, the text confirmed the meeting was set for 1 PM that day. So it was likely that HS was being difficult, trying to assert his authority.

“Is there traffic...?”

Lee Hyo-sub muttered to himself and observed PD Kim Young-ho. However, contrary to his worries, PD Kim Young-ho calmly sipped his tea, looking as if he was visiting an art gallery.

“It’s the weekend. Traffic is expected.”

He answered as if it was a given, defending HS, whom he had never met. If HS agreed to participate, he would even tolerate being spat on.

Knock, knock, knock.

A familiar knock sounded, and a male voice from behind the door said, “It’s HS.”

“Come in.”

PD Kim Young-ho stood up, his face trembling as if he was meeting the CEO of the broadcasting station.

“I’m sorry for being late.”

“Huh...?”

Lee Hyo-sub’s expression gradually stiffened as he welcomed HS, who appeared wearing a helmet.

He had heard stories about the ‘helmet man’ who wore a helmet even in front of fans, but he didn’t expect him to wear it to a negotiation.

“Thank you for coming all this way. I’m PD Kim Young-ho, the main director of K-SingerStar.”

PD Kim Young-ho, ignoring Lee Hyo-sub’s puzzled expression, approached the helmet man and offered his hand.

“Yes, nice to meet you. I’m composer HS.”

“I didn’t expect to meet you here. Please, have a seat.”

Lee Hyo-sub, seeing how warmly PD Kim Young-ho welcomed him, suddenly felt a bit off. It didn’t matter if HS wore a helmet, a headset, or a cap; the goal was to get HS to agree to participate.

HS is the hidden card that could make the first season a success.

“HS, nice to meet you. I’m Lee Hyo-sub, the casting director.”

Lee Hyo-sub bowed and offered his business card.

“I heard you’re averse to showing your face. Thank you for agreeing despite the challenges.”

“You’re welcome.”

“We are willing to meet all of your demands if you agree to be a main judge.”

He placed a contract with blank spaces in front of HS and added,

“Please feel free to fill in any conditions you have, whether it’s per-episode fees, advance payments, or any additional requests.”

HS nodded slightly, lifted the visor of his helmet, and scanned the contract.

‘Wow’

PD Kim Young-ho and Lee Hyo-sub held their breath for a moment. They weren’t breathing; they just stopped.

Just from his deep-set eyes and straight nose, it was clear he had a perfect face.

Now he understood why HS’s face was such a topic of discussion in the community.

“Isn’t the helmet uncomfortable?”

PD Kim Young-ho asked, subtly checking.

“No, it’s fine.”

HS closed the visor with a click and added,

“But can you really meet all of my demands?”

“Yes, anything...!”

“Are you sure you won’t change your mind later, saying the CEO said something different?”

HS’s sharp gaze pierced them both.

“Unless the demands are completely unreasonable...!”

“Who decides what’s unreasonable?”

Lee Hyo-sub’s mouth tightened at the pointed question.

“All other conditions are fine. I can play along in a staged setting, but I don’t want any restrictions or coercion on my judging or activities.”

HS turned to face PD Kim Young-ho, clearly indicating he wanted to talk to the decision-maker.

“Of course.”

PD Kim Young-ho, startled by the direct gaze, leaned forward, interlocking his fingers.

“I won’t negotiate the conditions you write in the blanks.”

After a moment,

“Huh?”

PD Kim Young-ho’s eyes widened as he received the contract pushed toward him.

“I’ll sign it immediately if you promise to uphold these conditions.”

* * *

CP Go Hyun-deok was momentarily lost in thought.

“What is this...?”

The contract PD Kim Young-ho handed him listed conditions he had never seen before.

1. Allow him to wear a helmet in all episodes.

2. Do not ask him to remove the helmet.

3. If his face is exposed due to the helmet coming off, edit it out.

These were not typical demands in the industry. Usually, participants would request specific cast members or script adjustments.

He had heard of demands like not making eye contact, not allowing staff to speak to them, bringing their pets to the set, or providing specific brands of water, but...

A helmet?

It was surprising that the participant they so desperately wanted only had three conditions, all related to the helmet.

“What about the contract fee and per-episode appearance fee?”

“Same as J-Bl.”

CP Go Hyun-deok chuckled.

“This is quite...”

He sighed, taking a serious tone. It wasn’t a difficult condition, but...

Given the nature of television, hiding one’s face was, in a way, the most absurd condition.

“The public is curious about HS’s face. If he wears a helmet in every episode, people will quickly lose interest. They might even boycott the show, calling it a gimmick.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Moreover, our strict CEO might be furious about someone appearing on TV in a helmet. He might give a long speech, spitting on my face, and even prohibit HS’s participation.”

PD Kim Young-ho, who had been listening silently, stood up straight and said firmly,

“That’s why I came to you, CP. I can confirm the participation of a judge, but I need you to back me up in case of any unforeseen situations.”

CP Go Hyun-deok, looking at him, smiled.

“You’re still as bold as ever.”

When he appointed PD Kim Young-ho as the main director, it was partly because of this boldness.

“It wasn’t about confirmation; that was the goal.”

For the sake of the program, he doesn’t hold grudges, doesn’t worry about higher-ups, and always delivers on his promises.

“Can you promise to deliver the results to match that? Then I’ll have a reason to argue with the CEO.”

“Of course. I’ll make K-SingerStar the best audition program in Korean history.”

PD Kim Young-ho answered without hesitation, his eyes shining. Despite growing into a respected PD, his eyes still burned with the same passion as when he was a rookie.

I have to believe in him for that passion alone.

After a moment,

CP Go Hyun-deok patted his shoulder and said,

“Then show me what you can do.”

And thus, HS’s first TV appearance was confirmed.