Chapter 11

011. An Unexpected Problem (2)

The production company M&ACT.

Director Park Dongjin, who had been vigorously polishing his bright red glasses with his sleeve, now examined the schedule with his newly cleaned glasses.

Sigh...

His eyes, weary from fatigue, were moist as if they were about to shed a tear.

The filming of the movie had just begun, but his body felt as if it were at the end of a long journey, utterly exhausted.

"This movie is particularly tough."

He complained softly while sipping from a coffee cup on his desk.

The middle-aged man sitting on a single-person sofa, shaking his leg, responded indifferently.

"You said the same thing when you were filming your previous work."

"Did I?"

Director Park Dongjin nodded, and the middle-aged man, who was M&ACT's CEO Kim Gwan-woo, popped a mint into his mouth.

"Since you insisted on having a separate music director, why are you doing everything yourself? It’s as if you’re trying to enjoy a life of luxury. You get so emotionally involved when making music movies that you can’t control yourself."

"Maybe I’m just too passionate about it."

"Considering you’ve had some hit movies and made a name for yourself as a director, how long are you going to hold onto this grudge over music?"

"Maybe that’s why the music movies I’ve made have been successful so far."

As they said, Director Park Dongjin originally majored in music.

He had switched to being a music director after hitting a wall with his talent, and eventually became a film director.

Because of this, he was overly detail-oriented when it came to music, to the point where it was well-known in the industry.

CEO Kim Gwan-woo wrinkled his nose and shook his head.

Regardless, Director Park Dongjin smiled faintly as he looked at the storyboard on the wall, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Still, I’m glad I made the changes."

"To what? Oh, the scene where the music teacher discovers the protagonist’s talent?"

Director Park Dongjin nodded.

The scene where the protagonist, playing the piano alone in an empty music room, is caught by the music teacher. Despite being a cliché, Director Park Dongjin didn’t try to make it fresh.

Instead, he delved deeper into the details. He changed the planned piece to improve the quality, making a common scene stand out.

"No matter how I think about it, Chopin’s Winter Wind just doesn’t fit. It’s not plausible. How can someone who hasn’t properly learned classical music suddenly play that?"

"The audience won’t know. They won’t even know if it’s Winter Wind or Summer Wind."

"And most importantly, it’s weak. It should show the protagonist’s genius, but it falls short."

"But the piece is flashy, isn’t it?"

"The cadenza will be used a lot in the climax. I want to show a piece that can evoke more emotion here, something that can move the music teacher’s heart."

In the end, CEO Kim Gwan-woo gave up.

"Whether it’s two or three times, so what? Ah, fine, do as you please. You’ve already commissioned the piece, haven’t you?"

While chewing the mint, he grumbled.

"I clearly started this company to make commercial movies, but why do I always feel like I’m making art films?"

I didn’t bring you here to make art films, did I?

Seeing CEO Kim Gwan-woo muttering, Director Park Dongjin smiled and returned his gaze to the storyboard.

It wasn’t the climax of the movie, but it was a scene that needed to firmly establish the protagonist’s genius to the audience.

For that, not only the direction but also the music had to be outstanding.

"If we can just get a good piece, it’ll be perfect."

At that moment, eerie music began to play from the phone on the table. It was the soundtrack from a horror movie that had been released last year, which was also Director Park Dongjin’s ringtone.

CEO Kim Gwan-woo, who had been forced to watch the movie at a preview and was trembling, now looked as if he had PTSD and shouted.

"Hey, didn’t I tell you to change that?!"

"Why? I thought the song was good. That’s why I gave it to SoundFilm. And, sir, this is my room."

"Damn it!"

Despite grumbling, he didn’t leave and just fiddled with the pile of scripts. He said the office made him uncomfortable.

Director Park Dongjin smiled and looked at his phone screen.

It was Han Gi-jun, the CEO of SoundFilm.

His expression suddenly turned serious upon confirming the caller. After all, he had only commissioned the piece a few days ago. For a response to come so quickly...

Was there a problem?

"Hello?"

-Yes, Director. This is Han Gi-jun from SoundFilm.

Fortunately, his voice was calm.

Relieved, Director Park Dongjin greeted him warmly.

"Ah, yes, Mr. Han. It’s been a while. I was going to contact you separately. But... is there a problem?"

-No, it’s not a problem. I’m calling because the piano piece you requested is complete.

"Already?"

-Yes.

Director Park Dongjin blinked, looking bewildered.

People can be so fickle.

When pressed for time, you want everything to be sent quickly, but when it arrives so fast, you start to wonder if it was done hastily.

This is a really important scene...

-Can you check the recording file I’ll send you?

"Sure. I’ll check it and get back to you right away. Yes, thank you for your hard work."

After ending the call, CEO Kim Gwan-woo asked.

"Already completed?"

"It seems so."

"That’s great. The school set is almost ready, so..."

While tapping on a calculator, CEO Kim Gwan-woo nodded, and Director Park Dongjin, feeling uneasy, sat down.

He immediately opened his email and played the recording file sent by Han Gi-jun.

Wearing headphones, he pressed the play button and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and focusing on the piano sound that emerged from the static.

The storyboard he had revised countless times in his mind was vividly drawn. He tried to overlay the piano piece he was hearing on top of it.

Yes, that’s it.

Right, and here...

After mumbling to himself for a while, Director Park Dongjin finally sat up as the waveform ended.

"This is it!"

"Ah!"

Startled by the sudden exclamation, CEO Kim Gwan-woo choked on his mint and coughed.

Seeing the ecstatic Director Park Dongjin, he shouted.

"You scared me, you little brat!"

#

"You said you’d check the file and get back to them, but you called back in just 10 minutes?"

"Actually, it took less than 10 minutes. Maybe 5?"

Father rubbed his rice bowl with doenjang stew and smirked. Mother’s eyes widened.

"Does that mean you called them as soon as you heard the song?"

"Pretty much."

Father’s lips curled up.

Both parents smiled.

"He must have really liked it."

"Director Park Dongjin has a good ear for music. He said he wanted to use this piece right away and even thanked me unexpectedly."

"But the piece is really good."

"Did you hear it too?"

"Of course. I listened to it live at the dining table."

Smiling at me, Mother added.

"How nice. I’m not just happy because I’m being praised, but seeing your parents’ smiles makes me feel good. It seems to warm up the dining table."

She scooped a spoonful of doenjang stew.

It’s rich and spicy, and this...

It’s a real appetite booster.

Following Father’s lead, I scooped some rice and asked.

"So, what happens next? Are we recording?"

"Of course. The sound for the movie will be recorded on set, but we still need to record it. The stand-in needs a properly recorded audio file and sheet music to practice."

Father checked his phone.

"Can’t do it tomorrow or the day after because my schedule is full. How about the weekend? Saturday?"

"Um, my schedule is clear then."

I fiddled with my phone, which had an empty calendar. Seeing Father’s smirk, I smiled back.

"It works."

"I thought you only came to the studio every day. I was impressed that you suddenly had plans. Meet some friends on the weekend."

Ha ha. I suddenly became the friendless kid.

Unlike Father’s playful tone, Mother looked genuinely worried.

Does this kid really have no friends?

To reassure her, I started listing my friends, including Lee Ho-ik and Yang Han-gil.

After calming Mother down, Father, who had already finished his bowl, patted his stomach and said.

"So, it’s set for Saturday? We need to set up the recording properly for the composer."

"Yes. I need to practice hard since there’s not much time left."

I finished my bowl with enthusiasm, feeling like my stomach might burst.

Before getting up, I took a sip of water and Father called me again.

"Ah, Seoho. I told you that Junseo will give you violin lessons, right?"

Right. Violin.

I had forgotten about it in the excitement of composing.

It’s not like a sudden homework assignment that makes my head hurt. It’s more like finding a 10,000 won bill in an old coat, making me feel happy.

I have more to do, but I’m looking forward to it...

"I gave him your contact information. He said he’d contact you today, so you should hear from him soon."

After thanking him again, I went to my room and flopped onto the bed. My stomach was full, and my eyelids felt heavy.

I didn’t realize how tiring it was to focus so deeply on arranging. It’s not that it took 30 minutes, but it felt like 3 hours.

Closing my eyes, I smiled. My heart was racing.

I whispered softly.

"It worked."

I had won over Father, the staff, and even Director Park Dongjin.

My first piece was going to be in a movie.

This was a different level of excitement from when I first learned the piano or completed my first recording.

If I feel this way now, how will I feel when I hear my piece in a movie theater?

I might go crazy with joy. And my name will be in the credits. Maybe I should take some kids to surprise them.

'But... '

Imagining it made me feel good, but my phone started buzzing.

What’s with all these messages?

The group chat with friends like Lee Ho-ik and Yang Han-gil. The red badge read 167... 168, 169. It kept increasing.

When I opened it, the conversation was flowing naturally. It was so amusing that I chuckled despite being sleepy, and a new message came in.

[Kim Junseo: How are you? I’m Junseo.]

[Me: Yes, sir. Hello...]

While typing, my phone rang. It was an unknown number, but I had a feeling I knew who it was.

I sat up and answered.

"Hello?"

-Hey, Seoho. It’s Junseo.

I smiled at his characteristic cheerful tone.

I knew it. So Junseo-like. You know those people who say they prefer calls over texts...

-Are you busy with something? Like on a date with your girlfriend.

"I don’t have a girlfriend."

-You’re in! You’re my student from today.

...Was that an interview?

Anyway, I have a teacher now.

My second teacher after Professor Yoon.

'If Professor Yoon knew, he’d be pretty upset, wouldn’t he?'

I could picture his wounded pride and chuckled silently. Junseo continued.

-I heard from the CEO that you’re learning for the sake of composing and arranging.

"Yes, that’s right."

-You have a great ear. I think you’ll learn the violin easily.

"I’ll do my best."

-Okay, I’ll do my best to teach you. I look forward to it.

We had a brief, warm conversation.

Then, I joked around with Junseo, who was hyped up, and set a date for the first lesson before hanging up.

Violin...

"It’s going to be fun."

Mumbling to myself, I lay down on my back.

Looking at the ceiling, I imagined notes as if they were sheet music. As I drew my own violin sheet music, my phone buzzed again. I thought it was my friends, but it wasn’t.

"Group chat?"

This new chat was created by Junseo.

The other names were familiar. They were the college musicians I had recorded with.

[Kim Junseo: Seoho, these are the members you played with on the recording day. Remember?]

I blinked and replied.

[Me: Of course. But, can I be in this chat?]

[Kim Junseo: You were part of our group that day, so of course.]

As soon as I finished, messages started pouring in.

[Lee So-hyun: Oh, Seoho?]

[Kim Young-tae: Seoho, hello!]

[Me: Hello.]

[Kim Junseo: Su-a, your junior is here.]

[Kim Junseo: Su-a~]

[Lee So-hyun: You know Su-a checks her messages slowly.]

[Kim Young-tae: Very slowly. Her notifications are probably off.]

[Kim Junseo: Yeah.]

I chuckled at the musicians’ comments.

Shin Su-a. I only saw her for a day, but she seemed like the type who doesn’t care about others’ affairs.

It was surprising that she hadn’t left the group chat.

Then, a message appeared.

[Shin Su-a: Oh, hello.]

It was Shin Su-a.

[Me: Hello.]

[Kim Junseo: What’s this? You’re quick today.]

[Shin Su-a: What?]

Seeing the two of them bickering from the start, I asked.

[Me: What’s the purpose of this chat?]

[Kim Junseo: Purpose? Well, after the performance, we give each other small feedback...]

[Shin Su-a: We just eat and hang out.]

[Kim Junseo: Ah, I wanted to show a professional image in front of my student, but Su-a ruined it...]

I chuckled at Junseo’s message, which seemed to have voice support.

The musicians were mocking his first impression.

Watching the messages pile up, I put down my phone.

I can’t do this. I need to sleep. I’m so tired.

Just as I was about to, the screen lit up again.

[Shin Su-a: Student?]

#

A few days later.

As I approached the company’s break room, Junseo, who was shaking a bag of snacks, waved his hand.

"Hey~. How was school?"

"Yes. You came early?"

"I was bored at home, so I came early. I’m pretty free on weekends, so I asked my father to give me more work. The key is to ask smoothly. You know, smoothly~."

Such a natural request.

"Got it."

"Of course, my beloved student."

We hadn’t even had a lesson, and I was already his beloved student.

Maybe I’ll be his star student soon.

"Shall we start the first lesson? Where’s the studio?"

We moved to the studio.

The company had a 4/4 size violin, a wooden bow, and Eva Pirazzi strings.

Junseo glanced at the violin in my hand and gave a thumbs up. It was quite expensive.

It didn’t look bad to me either.

It wasn’t as good as the old violin I had seen, but it seemed fine for practice.

"Let’s start with how to hold the bow."

The lesson began.

Junseo, looking like an experienced tutor, faced me and slowly wrapped his bow.

I followed suit and picked up the bow.

"This is called the silver wire. Hold it with your second finger... Yes, that’s right. And your third finger with your thumb... Yes, you’ve held a bow before?"

"No, it’s my first time."

Of course, I had seen it many times. That’s why it felt quite natural. It felt like I had held it before.

"Really? You did a good job on your first try."

Junseo, who had been blinking,