Chapter 15: The Idol's Technique That Never Fails

I couldn't sleep anymore. As I half-heartedly answered the phone and turned on the internet, I saw this article:

['National Idol' Jung Hae-won, Joining Firstlight?]

[Nothing confirmed yet, negotiations ongoing...]

"Can't you just let me sleep since I'm not going to die?"

When I said this, President Park Hee-taek laughed heartily. I really just want to hit him once.

After a brief conversation, I hung up the phone and went out to the alley in front of my house for a walk. My ears were ringing as if someone was cursing me right next to them.

"Ah, I'm so annoyed."

Now, I'm just tired of feeling scared, sad, and all these emotions, which only make me more annoyed. I lit one cigarette after another, feeling that one wasn't enough.

Then, I put earphones in my ringing ears. Ironically, lately, I've been listening to the songs I composed. Maybe because they match my taste, even though the quality isn't great, I like them, and the guide sung by Park Sun-jae was also good.

No matter how much they criticize me from all sides, as long as I can make music, I can endure it. Thinking this way, it's surprisingly bearable. I guess I've grown up.

At that moment, my phone screen lit up. It was Shin Ji-won.

[Rap is done]

[Send]

[Sent, I'll do the recording]

[Okay]

While reading the lyrics Shin Ji-won sent, the status bar flickered.

[Red Roulette B-grade Ticket × 1]

Although the situation isn't great, it's fortunate that there's some kind of reward.

I looked at the red, sparkling roulette wheel in front of me. When I pressed the button, the rapidly spinning roulette wheel stopped, and a reward appeared.

[Choose your reward (Select 1)]

[Good directing leads to good results: Director's Skill B]

[Package it, and it becomes more valuable: Presentation Skill B]

I thought it might be some kind of revelation about music, but it wasn't. Without hesitation, I chose the Presentation Skill B.

There are two reasons. First, getting the song selected this time is more important, and directing comes next. Second, I trust my ears. If I have good directing skills, I can produce results faster, but I'm confident that I can find the best solution if given enough time. This is the greatest confidence I have in myself: the confidence that I can recognize good music.

[I choose 'Presentation Skill B']

While making 'Turn on the Light,' I had many organically connected thoughts. However, they were scattered in my mind and not well organized.

But as soon as I chose the Presentation Skill B, my mind started to organize how I should present it.

This was the world of Firstlight. I began to hurriedly write down the thoughts that came to mind on my phone.

'Turn on the Light'

'Light'

'Villain'

'Split'

'Mega-corporation'

I started to frantically organize the thoughts that came to mind. I didn't have time to be depressed. I immediately ran back home and reopened Logic Pro.

While I was frantically making revisions, another call came. This time, I had to answer it, so I quickly picked up the phone.

"Mom."

-Yeah, Hae-won.

She must have seen the article. Her voice was a bit shaky, and she didn't start with her usual nagging.

-Did you eat?

"Still early... What? It's already eight?"

-What were you doing that you didn't notice the time?

"Composing. I've been composing lately."

-Oh?

"Yeah. It's really fun."

When I said this, my mom said "I'm glad" about ten times.

I continued to reassure her.

"If I succeed as a composer and make a lot of money, let's buy some good food."

-What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you.

"Well, what you make is the best."

It's been two years. I wonder how my parents felt during this time. I know that I did all the unfilial things in those two years that I would do in my lifetime.

For my parents, I couldn't go back to my room. So, I pulled myself together.

"Mom, I'm actually quite grown up."

When I said this playfully, my mom laughed heartily. It feels good to be the first to make her laugh today. I might have also been the first to make her cry.

* * *

I spent the next two days as if nothing had happened.

I took over the guide since it was awkward to ask Park Sun-jae to record it again. Yang Yi-hyung directed me, criticizing me so harshly that I wanted to quit. I endured the dirty and despicable treatment, recorded the guide, and slept on the makeshift bed in Yang Yi-hyung's studio. By the time I woke up, Shin Ji-won had already recorded his part and left.

['Turn on the Light' Hit Potential Check

C-grade hit song production probability 15% (+10%)]

Wow, it sounds good even without listening.

Yang Yi-hyung said,

"I've never seen a complete newbie compose such a luxurious song."

"This is the power of connections. Including you. You know what I mean, right?"

"I don't want to know at all."

I went to the sauna for a bath and brought my luggage to Yang Yi-hyung's studio. Knowing that I had to finish the work before the Wednesday meeting, Yang Yi-hyung didn't kick me out.

Just before leaving for the meeting, he said to me,

"Chul, don't forget that I helped you."

"What are you talking about? Why would I forget?"

Since I had to work in my free time, I hardly slept for four days, taking short naps on the sofa. When I asked what he meant, Yang Yi-hyung said,

"Let's work together again next time."

"Oh. You think I'll do well?"

I chuckled, but Yang Yi-hyung answered seriously and confidently,

"Yeah."

When I left, Yang Yi-hyung even saw me off, emphasizing several times not to forget that he helped me. This made me even more nervous.

* * *

Before the meeting with the A&R team, I went straight to the president's office and explained the world of Firstlight to President Park Hee-taek.

After my explanation, President Park Hee-taek asked,

"So, in summary, you want to turn the entire process of joining Firstlight into a show? And that will become the color and world of Firstlight?"

"Yes. If the backlash is too strong and I don't join, that can also be a happy ending."

"What about your mental state?"

"I'll be compensated with money."

President Park Hee-taek looked at me with a new expression, one I had never seen before.

Is it bad?

Well, it's either good or bad.

After thinking for a bit, President Park Hee-taek asked,

"But why? You seemed like you wouldn't do it at all."

"Because I want to make money."

Money is the answer to all questions in modern society. I didn't need to explain further.

Since I was going to get criticized anyway, I decided overnight to make music, make money, and get criticized. I no longer wanted to hide; I wanted to break through head-on.

I at least wanted to try standing in front of an audience. If I don't even try, as Hwang Saebi said, I'll regret it until I die.

President Park Hee-taek immediately called the album production team and Team Leader Jung Seon-mi to his office.

All albums produced by TRV must go through Team Leader Jung Seon-mi. Jung Seon-mi, who looked like she hadn't slept for days, listened to my presentation again, straightened her glasses, and asked,

"So, a mega-corporation?"

"Yes."

"And the members have special abilities?"

"Ah, yes."

President Park Hee-taek, who was confused by the explanation, understood everything immediately. Jung Seon-mi muttered,

"Later, we can even do an inhuman concept."

"Sure, sure."

"We can also create units... hmm."

As Jung Seon-mi nodded, President Park Hee-taek, surprised, said to me,

"Seems like she really likes it? I've never seen Seon-mi so positive."

"Positive?"

"You were focused. She was excited."

Jung Seon-mi, lost in her own thoughts, wrote something on a piece of paper and said,

"Then I'll go to the variety show team. They can best implement this."

"Do whatever you want. I'll support you."

She seems a bit scatterbrained, but seeing that President Park Hee-taek didn't stop her, she must be incredibly good at her job. After all, TRV is always known for its challenging and innovative albums.

President Park Hee-taek even opened the door for me as I was leaving and shook my hand.

"Let's do well. Welcome."

"Yes."

I bowed and left.

* * *

Firstlight Digital Single 2nd Meeting.

Team Leader Park Sun-hye and three A&R team members arrived at the meeting room where the members were waiting.

I listened to 'Turn on the Light' from start to finish during the meeting.

The vocals, which I re-recorded, were much worse, but I can confidently say the song's quality has improved. And the rap Shin Ji-won wrote really caught my ear.

[To you, the night is also my night. We look at the same place from the same place.]

[Here is the white night. The night no longer comes to us. The darkness can no longer catch us as we run.]

"Wow, Ji-won's diction."

Min Ji-ho said what I wanted to say. Good diction and voice really make the song stand out. Especially compared to my vocals, it sounds even better.

Min Ji-ho couldn't keep still, thinking about the performance. Hwang Saebi and An Ju-won patted my back from both sides.

"You really worked hard on your singing."

"I can't say it's good, but I can tell you put in effort."

Ha ha, yeah, yeah. You guys also squeezed out a lot of praise.

After our chattering, we became quiet, noticing the A&R team's reaction.

Team Leader Park Sun-hye said,

"Let's raise our hands for 'Turn on the Light' first."

As soon as she finished, all six members and the three A&R team members raised their hands. Full agreement without even considering the next song.

The members looked confused, and an A&R team member explained,

"Our team only discussed 'Turn on the Light.' Anyway, the members' opinions are the top priority."

Another A&R team member added,

"We thought that Firstlight members would only accept something if they created it from start to finish."

The members were quiet for a moment, then Hwang Saebi, as the leader, asked,

"The members themselves?"

The A&R team member hesitated. It seemed that what I said in the president's office had been relayed.

The silence was longer than expected, so I spoke up.

"I talked to the president earlier. If you guys are okay with it, I want to join Firstlight. The company is setting up... Ah, ah, ah. Hey, hey."

To my surprise, the members rushed over, more excited than I expected.

Six of us hugged each other, and they were all so tall that it was quite heavy.

[Firstlight Digital Single]

['Turn on the Light' is confirmed]

[The first step as a producer begins]

[First chapter completed]

[Obtaining reward]

[Judging the most needed reward]

[Judging...]

[Judging...]

[Obtained reward]

[Using all health recovery potions]

[Vocal condition fully recovered]

[Using all mental recovery potions]

[Feeling calm]

Wow.

Oh.

Suddenly, I felt my body and mind become light, and I couldn't help but laugh.

This... feels good?

It's like I've entered a pine forest, and my mind and even my blood feel clear. Seeing me laugh so happily, Team Leader Park Sun-hye smiled for the first time since we met.

Ah, this.

Some baseless confidence is arising?