Chapter 40: The Techniques of an Idol Who Never Fails

The filming location was a spacious factory that had been converted into a cafe. It had a naturalistic atmosphere, and as the name suggested, it was a place where light shone well.

An Juwon handed me a photo and explained, "It would be good to set it up over here. Make it feel spacious."

"I'll adjust the reverb and panning (the process of dividing sound between left and right) to create that effect."

"Hey, I was talking about perspective."

"Hey, you're talking about art when we're discussing music."

"Why are you talking about music when you're looking at the place?"

While An Juwon and I were bickering, Shin Jiun picked up the program outline that had been lying on the hospital bed and asked Hwang Saebek, "Bro, we're not doing this, right?"

"Yeah, we have to find a way not to do it."

In response to Hwang Saebek's words, I said, "At first, I thought we had to increase the YouTube views as a team, and I was worried that the Haeul members would be stressed out and have to keep streaming, so I thought it was absolutely impossible."

"Yeah, that's a problem too."

"But when I looked at it again, I saw that the members were mixed up."

At my words, Hwang Saebek was about to say something but just clicked his tongue. It seemed he was reacting to my mental state.

But I joined the team to help increase its popularity, not to hold it back. If there was something that could help the team's popularity, I was ready to jump in without hesitation.

At that moment, my phone rang. It was Yang Euihyung. [Sent]

"Ah, it's here. Hey, let's all go. It's chaotic."

I said this and took out my headphones and the MacBook that the company had given me for work. Checking my email, I found that the vocal tracks of 'Clear Day,' which the members had pre-recorded, had arrived.

This fan song was a song that the members created from beginning to end, and it was also a rare song with no rap parts. It was the first time since their debut that all members sang all parts, and it was decided that only the members' voices would be used for the chorus.

We didn't have to do this, but because it was a fan song, we ended up doing a more difficult and meticulous job. And these members seemed to have a knack for making things more complicated. Huh...

"What are you doing? I said go."

"Why go? Anyway, when we do the main recording, you'll be directing, right? Tell us the parts we need to prepare while we listen."

Everyone agreed with Shin Jiun's words. I also thought it made sense, so I put down my headphones and listened to the vocal tracks with the members.

Hwang Saebek's voice, as always, overwhelmed the atmosphere and immediately immersed us in the song. Park Sunjae, who was sitting next to me, said, "I can really feel the atmosphere that Hwang Saebek talks about."

"Yeah, this is really a natural talent."

An Juwon's voice was as soft as his personality, and Shin Jiun's vocal was a rough, testosterone-filled voice in contrast.

Han Hyoseok's voice felt like a warm heater in winter, and Min Jihoh was like bright sunlight. Listening to their vocals together, you could feel the difference between warmth and heat.

And our youngest member, without a doubt, was a virtuoso, so much so that it made my mouth hurt to praise him.

I didn't have anything to criticize and instead kept talking about these characteristics and strengths.

Even with Kukseon-a, I had been particularly meddlesome with these six. They all had a 'I am the only one in the world' attitude, so there were probably more obedient and well-matched trainees. But I meddled because I liked their vocals. They were individually good, but most importantly, their combined vocals were amazing.

This kind of harmony is something that even the company couldn't create after years of effort. It was truly a gift from heaven.

After listening to all six vocal tracks, I had to admit, "I like your vocals more than I thought."

At this, An Juwon asked me, "My vocals too?"

"Yeah, they're good. You sing well. Who are you teasing?"

The members chuckled at my words. They stayed in the small hospital room for a long time, chatting and eventually left. They really loved gathering.

* * *

After leaving the hospital and getting in the car, Min Jihoh asked Hwang Saebek, "Bro, what if the company suggests we do that variety show?"

"What do you mean? We have to say no."

He hinted that the company might find it hard to refuse. It turned out that another group from a different agency had already declined the offer.

The casting had already been planned, and there was a conflict between the agency that refused and the broadcasting company. The agency was likely to face some disadvantages.

The comeback was on September 1st, and the activity period ended two weeks later, on Friday, the 16th. The first broadcast was the following week, on the 25th, and the show would run for 6 weeks. It was a grueling schedule.

Regardless of the company's stance, as the team's leader, Hwang Saebek felt a sense of duty to ensure that the members could continue their activities safely for a long time.

Before Jeong Haeun joined, he had thought of the leader role as just another unpleasant task. But now, it was different. This team would not fall apart. No matter what.

In his life, which he had lived trying to avoid difficult or complicated situations, this was almost the only time he had chosen to go straight ahead.

Hwang Saebek briefly recalled the days of Kukseon-a.

He joined the most proactive agency because he was tired of receiving so many casting offers and rejecting them. But debuting wasn't as easy as the agency's initial sweet talk suggested.

His training period extended for various reasons, and as the agency lost credibility and people who started training like him began to quit, he ended up joining Kukseon-a.

At first, he found the intense lifestyle there didn't suit him, and he fell into a constant state of depression. While other trainees tried to stand out in front of the camera, Hwang Saebek wasn't that kind of person.

Gradually, he moved to the back and watched the other trainees perform in front of the camera. He was paired with Jeong Haeun for the first time. Jeong Haeun seemed like a natural leader, pulling even the reserved Hwang Saebek forward to achieve the best results. His innate talent for music and stage presence brought out the best in his teammates.

Of course, there were countless arguments during the process. Hwang Saebek and Jeong Haeun had their share of conflicts. When he was asked to sing the introduction, which he hated, they often argued.

"You focus better because of the atmosphere and vocal tone."

It was the first time he took on the lead vocal role, and after that, Hwang Saebek often sang the introduction. Most of what Jeong Haeun said was true.

After getting his phone back, he seemed fine for a while, but one day, Hwang Saebek saw Jeong Haeun sitting against the wall in the dorm hallway, staring at his phone. When he tried to take the phone to stop him from seeing it, he saw this on the open internet page:

[I don't want to see him on TV ever again.]

[Well, he probably won't be able to appear anyway. The public hates him so much, how can he appear?]

Before he could ask why Jeong Haeun was reading this, he heard him mutter, "If the public hates you, it's hard to become an idol."

Hwang Saebek thought there were even harsher comments, and Jeong Haeun had read them all, using them as a means to correct himself. But this was the first time he hinted at quitting being an idol.

That comment stayed with Hwang Saebek for a long time.

* * *

I was really glad I had a full day of rest at the hospital.

With the comeback approaching, the schedule became intense from that point on.

That evening, I returned to the studio to finish 'Clear Day.' The A&R team was always there during the production. Even though our company had a clear division of labor in album production, which made the workload lighter, I was still working late almost every day. Despite this, the production side was quite comfortable.

When shooting the concept photos, some members had to change their hair color to match the regular album's atmosphere, so we had to shoot the special video beforehand, which was very urgent. Despite the tight schedule, we managed to finish the recording and mixing just in time before the shoot.

When we arrived at the set, A&R Park Geunho said to me, "You've really worked hard, writer... I mean, Haeun. No, writer is correct, right?"

He seemed sleep-deprived and was rambling. I said, "Just talk casually. We'll see each other often."

"Ah, is that okay? Should I?"

"Yes. I'm tired, so save some energy by shortening your words."

Park Geunho laughed awkwardly at my words. Seeing him laugh at something not particularly funny, it seemed he was extremely tired. Being an A&R must be a job where you're on edge and exhausted until the album is safely released.

Anyway, I stood with the members on the set. The atmosphere was really good. The building was surrounded by trees, and sunlight streamed through the leaves beyond the windows.

I always loved recording on sunny days. On such days, the sunlight felt green.

My part was a section in the first verse.

[When you remind me, I remember the moment with the sunlight]

[Wrapped in the warmth of dry clothes]

"Ah, I have so many lines, I'm nervous."

The members next to me laughed, finding it ridiculous. I don't get why they're laughing.

Before the shoot started, An Juwon said, "Let's do a cheer. How about Haeun leading it?"

"Sure, let's do it."

"Come on, gather up."

The seven members gathered and put their hands together. I looked around at the members and said, "This is the first fan song we're giving to the Haeul. Imagine the Haeul's happy faces as they open the gift and sing it sincerely. Third, second."

I called out "First," and we returned to our respective microphones.

The atmosphere on set was fantastic, and both I and the members were satisfied with the recording.

Still, I was probably the most nervous I've ever been, waiting for the upload. It felt like waiting for a gift, like a child waiting for a present.

* * *

A few days later, the Firstlight official channel was scheduled to upload a video.

Before the video was uploaded, Min Jihoh posted a series of messages on Xbus.

[Minjo: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

[Minjo: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

[Minjo: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

The fans, who were not on the activity schedule or the schedule list, were filled with excitement and questions.

[Why, what's coming?]

[The concept trailer is still far away?]

[I'm so curious, I'm going crazy.]

[Minjo, what is it? What's coming?!!!!!!!!!!]

[They usually spoil so much, but this time they're not giving us any spoilers. What is it?]

And the moment the video was uploaded.

The title alone caused an explosive reaction from the fans.

[From Firstlight to the Haeul - 'Clear Day']

[No way, is it really this?]

[Are you kidding? It's a fan song. I can't believe it.]

[What do I do? I'm just staring at the thumbnail and can't click.]

[Someone, listen and tell me. I cry a lot. Do I cry? How is it?]

And 3 minutes and 21 seconds later, when the song ended.

Comments flooded in at the fastest rate in Firstlight's history.