Chapter 9

Reincarnation of a Reckless Genius Composer - Chapter 9 (9/482)

After listening to the three songs, Se Jin's impression could be summed up in one word: 'tailor-made.'

It was like a suit that had been measured and made to fit perfectly, highlighting strengths and concealing weaknesses.

"Jin, do you like it?"

In response to Kim Manager's question, she nodded slightly, feeling more satisfied than she could express in words.

'Every word, every line, I could picture how to sing it in my head…'

Lately, she had felt burdened and intimidated by singing, but when she heard this song, it was different.

She felt confident that she could sing it well, and even saw herself performing on stage.

'Could it really be a song made just for me in just one day?'

Se Jin's gaze remained fixed on Hyun Seung.

Then,

Hyun Seung, who had been maintaining eye contact with her, spoke.

"How long are you going to keep staring at me?"

"Huh?"

"Wasn't the song good?"

"Yes, it was."

Se Jin stopped her deep thoughts and asked in return.

"Why is it good…?"

Hyun Seung, seeing her dazed expression, shook his head and continued.

"We need to do a simple test, so can you sing it right away?"

"A test? You want me to sing the song I just heard right now?"

"Don't you need to see if you can sing it?"

Se Jin's expression hardened.

Not only Se Jin, but everyone in the room, including Kim Manager and Team Leader Han, as well as the engineers, had their expressions stiffen.

Even if she wasn't just any unknown or new singer, and even if Se Jin was considered washed up...

Was a new composer really going to test whether a singer with six years of experience could sing his song?

It was a statement that could easily hurt one's feelings, but Hyun Seung didn't seem to care and repeated his suggestion.

"Just sing the last song with scat (*scat)."

In fact, if there was any part that sounded off, he planned to go back and make adjustments.

Since it was a 'tailor-made' song for Se Jin, he had no intention of reusing it for anyone else.

He had created it with the mindset that it would be scrapped if she couldn't sing it.

Then,

"Can I listen to it one more time?"

She bit her lip and hesitated before asking.

"Of course."

As Hyun Seung's response fell, everyone's jaws dropped to the floor.

'Is Se Jin going to accept this proposal so calmly?'

It was Kim Manager's thought, and everyone else's as well. Not only did she accept it calmly, but the proud Se Jin was even asking to listen to the song again...

'Hyun Seung's song must have really resonated with her.'

Kim Manager rubbed his eyes and gave a small, hollow laugh.

"Play the last song, please."

Se Jin put on her headphones again and spoke to the engineer.

Thud!

The engineer quickly pressed the space bar to play the last song.

She was instantly immersed in the song, humming along with the melody as if she were alone.

Even though it was the first time she was singing it, it felt as natural as singing a familiar hit song.

Thud, thud!

Her foot tapping, which had surprised the engineer, started again.

"Hmm, hmm-"

Soon, a ticklish nasal sound came from her throat.

"I'll listen to it one more time."

As soon as the song ended, she quickly asked again,

"Just one more time."

Continuously, continuously, continuously again,

"Just one more time."

The 4-minute 25-second song was repeated seven times, and a total of 30 minutes and 55 seconds passed.

Despite the considerable time spent, no one scolded her.

Instead, they were so surprised that they just stared with their mouths shut.

'She looks like a new singer...'

Each song was precious, and she had a desperate desire to sing and perform on stage, just like a new singer.

'She didn't act like this even when she was a new singer...'

Like any idol trainee from a major agency, if she had a striking face, she would have been a topic of discussion even before her debut.

Se Jin was also close to being a complete entertainer, with no lack of vocal talent or appearance, to the point where a fan club was formed during her trainee days.

So, even if she was a new singer, her starting point was different.

Of course, that was the story of her early debut days. After that, every new song she released flopped, and eventually, she became the top singer that composers avoided due to personality issues.

'She always worked hard, though...'

Se Jin was particularly discouraged after starting to work with Joo Ji Tae.

A meeting between a singer who couldn't break even and a composer desperate for a hit.

Perhaps they were stuck in a meaningless, vicious cycle.

As Kim Manager's thoughts deepened,

"I'll try singing it now."

She took off her headphones and said confidently.

"Alright."

However, the response that came back shocked everyone again.

"I don't think I need to listen to it."

Hyun Seung wore a satisfied expression, as if the test was already complete.

"We'll see on the recording day. That's all for now."

Since he had the answer, there was no point in listening further.

Thud!

Hyun Seung quickly opened the door and left, leaving everyone staring in disbelief.

'Is this puppy training or what?'

The 30 minutes and 55 seconds of effort she put in seemed to have flown away.

* * *

Hyun Seung was heading home as the sky began to lighten.

He had spent the night in his personal studio, making adjustments to Se Jin's song.

'Se Jin...'

Although it was a sudden test he proposed, he was also a bit surprised by her dedication.

Most importantly,

Just by hearing her hum the song repeatedly, he could tell.

'She really is a good instrument.'

The melody line, pitch, and rhythm were noticeably different from the first time she listened to it to the last.

Moreover, she even caught the ad-lib points without realizing it.

Hyun Seung decided he didn't need to listen further.

'This is going to be fun.'

How much time had passed?

Before he knew it, Hyun Seung had arrived at his house.

"I'm back."

The living room, which he thought would be dark, was brightly lit and bustling.

- You just got back?

Hyun Seung's father, who had spotted him, approached in one step and signed.

- What are you doing up so early?

- I was making breakfast.

- Is there anything I can help with?

- No, it's done, just wait a bit.

At that moment,

"Big brother, did you just get back?"

It was Hyun Ah, who had just come out of her room in her pajamas.

"Yeah."

Hyun Ah sat at the table and asked again.

"Aren't you going out too much lately?"

"I'm busy."

"Do you have something to be busy with? You don't even have friends."

"Get your eyes checked."

Hyun Seung also sat at the table and scanned the elaborate breakfast spread.

"I don't like mixed grain rice..."

The bowl was filled with steaming mixed grain rice, and various colorful side dishes were laid out.

"I don't like the side dishes either..."

Hyun Ah's eyes turned from suspicion to disappointment.

"It's the first full moon of the year, so you have to eat it. Dad worked hard to make it."

Hyun Seung nodded and picked up his chopsticks.

"I know."

As he chewed the mixed grain rice along with his sister's gaze,

"Big brother, just to check, are you doing anything bad lately?"

Hyun Ah asked with concern.

"Bad things?"

Now that the exclusive contract was signed and the new project was decided, it was time to tell her.

"No, I got a job."

"Job? Where?"

"LS Entertainment."

Hyun Ah's eyes narrowed.

"What do you do there?"

"Composer. I'll probably be busy for a while."

Hyun Ah put down her spoon, and a moment of silence followed.

"Composer? Big brother? You're a composer?"

"Yeah."

"Be quiet and eat your mixed grain rice."

"..."

"Chew it well."

"..."

Does she really not trust me that much?

After all,

How could an unemployed brother suddenly become a composer?

Hyun Seung thought he would react the same way if it were him.

- How is it? Is it good?

At that moment, his father, sitting opposite, signed.

- Yes, it's good. And this...

Hyun Seung then quietly took out the employee ID card from his pocket and handed it over.

Both his father and Hyun Ah stared at the ID card and Hyun Seung with wide eyes.

- I know it's hard to believe, but I'll try to be a good eldest son from now on.

His father nodded and smiled.

"It really says 'exclusive composer'..."

Hyun Ah, who was staring at the ID card, muttered.

"I told you, I'm a composer."

Hyun Ah muttered to herself, "No way."

"Believe me now."

Hyun Seung complained, feeling wronged.

Then, a glimmer appeared in Hyun Ah's eyes.

"If you're really a composer, you'll be making songs for LS Entertainment's singers, right?"

Hyun Seung nodded, and Hyun Ah asked again.

"Then, who are you making a song for now?"

"Se Jin."

"Wow, really? Can you get me an autograph?"

Hyun Seung narrowed his eyes and asked back.

"Why do you need Se Jin's autograph?"

"She's famous!"

"Sure, she's famous, but do you know what she's like?"

"There are bad rumors, but I think she's cool and I like her!"

Hyun Seung muttered, "Scratch that," and continued.

"Anyway, I'll believe what I see."

"Looks aren't everything."

"Whatever! If you're a composer, you can get me an autograph, right?"

Hyun Seung sighed and shook his head.

No way I'm asking Se Jin for an autograph.

Even if she's my sister, some things just can't be done.

"I can't."

"Big brother, are you lying about being a composer?"

"No, I'm not."

"Are you just a low-level employee?"

"No, I'm not."

"Then why can't you get me an autograph?"

"I don't want to ask."

"See, you're lying!"

As they bickered, their father signed,

- It seems you two are getting along better lately. It's nice to see.

Instead of signing back, they both turned their heads in opposite directions and shouted,

"No way!"

"It's not true."

Their argument continued until the mixed grain rice got cold.

* * *

"The sample song is quite well done, isn't it?"

Kong Hyo-ju, an LS Entertainment singer, said with enthusiasm.

"Just a little more work, and it could be a really high-quality song."

Kong Hyo-ju was known for being picky about song quality, to the point of participating in the composition process herself.

She often delayed comebacks due to a lack of good songs.

"Can I write the fourth sample song?"

"Decide right away?"

"The melody came to me as soon as I heard it."

The track that instantly captured her heart was 'HS 04,' one of the sample songs Hyun Seung had sent before signing the contract.

"I want to ask the composer if I can make some adjustments."

"I'll talk to him, it should be fine."

Since the copyright belongs to the company, it doesn't matter which singer gets it.

"Thanks to Manager Kim, I got to meet such a good song."

"No, no, it's nothing."

"I'll treat you to a meal with the composer later."

Manager Kim nodded and ended the conversation.

As he watched Kong Hyo-ju brightly greet her manager, he thought,

'With someone like Kong Hyo-ju...'

Kong Hyo-ju was known as the 'model daughter' in the company. Not only did she consistently produce hits and bring in a lot of money, but her good personality and reputation also positively influenced LS Entertainment's image.

Her solid and large fan base was a given.

When Manager Kim learned that she was preparing a new song, he immediately went to see her, sample song in hand.

He thought she might show some interest since it was a good song.

However,

It was unexpected that she, known for her picky ears, would make a decision so quickly.

'Things are going well.'

Manager Kim couldn't hide his pleased expression and nodded.

'I can't just put all my eggs in Jin's basket.'

If Kong Hyo-ju hurried, since both would be singles, their release dates would be similar.

Even if Se Jin's single failed, if Kong Hyo-ju's succeeded,

'Then the company can't say anything.'

Manager Kim, with a lighter step, headed to Hyun Seung's personal studio.

Surely, he would be happy that a singer like Kong Hyo-ju would sing his song?

Creak.

As he opened the door, the thumping bass sound continued.

"Are you here?"

Hyun Seung, sitting on the sofa and playing the bass, was visible.

"You can play the bass too?"

"It's basic for a composer."

"Isn't it usually recorded as a sample these days?"

"Playing it yourself makes a clear difference in sound."

The guy has a surprisingly old-school sense.

"Anyway, Hyun Seung."

"Yes."

"I have some good news."

"What is it?"

"One of your sample songs will be sung by Kong Hyo-ju."

"Ah, okay."

Manager Kim, with a flat expression, repeated, "Ah, okay?"

"Did you come just to tell me this