Chapter 13

13

"Seohoyun."

After glancing worriedly at Sung Ji-won, I noticed a bit late that Im Hyun-soo was gesturing to me. I went over and sat down beside her, and she whispered,

"Hey, your members are better than I thought. They’re nice kids."

"Not bad, huh."

"Yeah, I thought you’d all be fakes."

"Is that a compliment, composer?"

"Of course, you cute and cheeky brat."

Im Hyun-soo hummed happily.

"It’s been a while since I’ve felt fresh. It’s a bit rushed, but… I’m used to seeing established idols all the time, so it’s been a while since I’ve seen a new group with such tight discipline. I’m having fun too."

I rested my chin on my hand and looked at Im Hyun-soo.

"Composer, I know you’re secretly a softie, right?"

"That means I’m nice, right?"

"Of course, I like you so much, composer."

"You’re too kind."

Despite the accusations of plagiarism and vote manipulation, Im Hyun-soo seemed excited, perhaps thinking of his own tadpole days.

Sung Ji-won stood tense in front of the pop filter. Im Hyun-soo turned on the microphone that relayed to the recording booth.

"Main vocalist, are you ready?"

"Yes! I’m ready."

Sung Ji-won nodded. The members, who had been practicing their parts frantically in the background, suddenly looked up.

The beat started, and Sung Ji-won took a deep breath. His eyes flickered with anxiety. Im Hyun-soo muttered,

"I hope you do well."

I chuckled.

Sung Ji-won doing well?

[Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance]

Worrying about entertainers is the most useless thing in the world.

Sung Ji-won’s voice echoed through the recording booth. Im Hyun-soo’s eyes darkened, and he fell silent.

As the song progressed, Sung Ji-won’s tension gradually eased, and his immersion in the song deepened.

[Let’s say it again, it’s the beginning, we will come back every time, this strange déjà vu, you don’t have to be afraid]

Ah, Sung Ji-won’s high notes are so—comfortable.

Comfortable.

I leaned back in my chair and relaxed.

"…Is it, okay?"

After finishing his part, Im Hyun-soo turned on the microphone and looked at the nervous Sung Ji-won.

"Sung Ji-won."

"Yes, yes?"

"How did it sound to you?"

Im Hyun-soo asked in a low voice. Sung Ji-won’s eyes darted around like waves on a stormy day.

"I… I think the pitch was okay."

"Pitch? That’s not the issue right now."

Im Hyun-soo chuckled.

Jung Da-joon gasped, and Kim Sung-hyun tensed up.

Im Hyun-soo really knows how to create tension. No wonder he’s popular as a judge on audition shows.

"Your voice is good, right?"

"Thank you!"

"Why did you show up now? You’re doing well. The ending is clean… Did you train for a long time?"

"I… I trained for seven years."

"No wonder it shows. Just don’t be too tense. Your voice sounds a bit strained when you’re tense."

"Ah, yes…."

Despite being told not to, Sung Ji-won became even more tense.

'Huh?'

Im Hyun-soo, seemingly unaware, gave a few more directions and then had Sung Ji-won leave. Sung Ji-won was still trembling slightly from tension even after leaving the recording booth.

'That’s… not a good state…'

"Whatever, just do better next time. Let’s move on to the next rapper."

"Yes! Kang I-chae, you’re up!"

Kang I-chae went in. Im Hyun-soo listened and gave a not bad, but not great, evaluation.

Next, Kim Sung-hyun and then Jung Da-joon went in.

"Kang I-chae, pay more attention to your pronunciation. You enunciate well, but—"

"Kim Sung-hyun, your high notes are weak, but your volume is good."

"Jung Da-joon… Your voice is unique and charming. Not bad, but you need more practice."

Im Hyun-soo gave detailed directions, and the recording session ended quickly.

At the same time, I re-evaluated the members. They lacked star quality, but most of them were skilled. Honestly, their personalities weren’t bad either, but… that’s not really my concern.

While sipping the smoothie an employee brought, I saw Jung Da-joon come out of the booth after finishing his recording.

Im Hyun-soo turned to me and smirked.

"Alright, our fraudster. Your turn."

"Sure, sure."

I playfully responded and opened the recording booth door. The quality was better than expected, so I had to match it.

The members’ worried gazes stabbed at my back.

After my injury, I had become a clumsy dancer and hadn’t had the time to practice singing alone, so I was worried my singing skills had regressed.

In the game setting, 'idol Seohoyun' had left the group due to illness, so I hadn’t properly practiced with the members before.

"Are you ready?"

Inside the recording booth, I put on the headphones and heard Im Hyun-soo’s voice. I had occasionally been in recording booths for competition shows, but this was my first time recording, so it was interesting.

I tapped the pop filter and gestured to Im Hyun-soo.

"Give me the beat."

"Are you crazy?"

Im Hyun-soo cursed but chuckled and played the song. I entered exactly on the beat.

[Ooh, Pick a card, a future that’s more vivid]

Im Hyun-soo’s eyes widened.

[You’re anxious about the low probability, but there’s no need, It’s okay, I’ll guide you]

At this part, I thought the recording would cut off like it did for the other members, but the beat continued.

I glanced at Im Hyun-soo. He stared at me with intense eyes, making no other gestures, as if telling me to continue.

Well, it’s not a difficult task.

[Come to me, Come to me, Don’t be Afraid, come to me I have my second chance]

I finished the first verse and the chorus. The song finally cut off, signaling the end of the recording.

"…."

"…Why?"

I took off my headphones and looked at Im Hyun-soo and the members. Their expressions were strange.

"Should I do it again?"

Thinking something might be wrong, I asked. Im Hyun-soo turned on the microphone.

"Hey, Seohoyun. Who taught you to sing?"

"Not really…."

"Huh, not a single flat note. All on pitch…."

Ah, that’s what he means. It’s not surprising, so I nodded. Im Hyun-soo stroked his chin.

"Usually, when kids get cocky, they overdo the techniques, but you don’t. Instead, it’s clean, making your voice characteristics stand out more."

That’s inevitable. I recalled the judges from the competition shows.

The torrent of insults and criticisms directed at the participants!

'Don’t add unnecessary techniques.'

'Why do you think there’s a beat?'

'You know your pitch is off, right?'

And 70% of those insults came from Im Hyun-soo. When editing, I had to watch those scenes dozens of times, so it’s natural that I wouldn’t develop those habits.

I constantly listened to the judges’ comments and the participants’ songs.

To me, singing is defined by three rules:

1. Always hit the pitch.

2. Don’t try to show off; sing honestly.

3. Pitch deviation is a sin.

"Was it good?"

I asked, and Im Hyun-soo nodded.

"Yeah, but you lack emotion. Don’t try to be too honest; let it flow a bit. It’ll fit the concept better."

"Understood."

I nodded and sang again. This time, I sang until the end of the chorus and was asked to add harmonies to Sung Ji-won’s part.

"Wow!"

Im Hyun-soo excitedly waved his hands.

"Hey! How do you immediately get the harmonies right?"

Watching the program, I had seen Im Hyun-soo talk about harmony for three hours, which I had to watch repeatedly. It was like private tutoring in harmony.

"Your emotion is a bit lacking, but let’s think about it and record it again. Your fundamentals are good."

Im Hyun-soo seemed very satisfied, raising his thumbs. As I left the recording booth, the members gave a standing ovation.

"Our clumsy dancer… can sing well."

"Bro! You were amazing!"

"I thought you were just a vending machine. You produce results right away."

I shrugged at the compliments. I wasn’t that good.

I had lowered their expectations with my dancing. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I sipped my smoothie again and noticed Kim Sung-hyun’s relieved expression. His thoughts were clear.

'At least he’s not a troll…'

What a thought.

Watching familiarly, Sung Ji-won went in a few more times to add harmonies, and Im Hyun-soo played the recorded song for everyone.

"Not bad."

"Better than expected. Good job."

The members sighed in relief, and Im Hyun-soo nodded, whispering,

"To be honest, it’s better than the White Cherry song I’m working on now."

"Wow, that’s… an honor!"

"Thank you so much, composer!"

"Hahaha, praise me, kids."

'Showing off…'

Objectively, it couldn’t be better than the well-funded White Cherry song.

He’s just showing off, but the members were completely taken in, bowing deeply.

Still, if it fits their taste, it is better than White Cherry. The lyrics are also well-written, so it just needs good interpretation in the music video.

"Anyway, good job, everyone. If there’s anything you don’t like, we can redo it. I’m busy, so I’ll go now."

"Yes! Thank you!"

"Ah, Seohoyun. Come here for a moment."

"Why?"

I approached obediently, and Im Hyun-soo asked me quietly,

"Did you threaten Joo Woo-sung?"

"…."

He must have seen Joo Woo-sung’s star rating. I didn’t deny it, so Im Hyun-soo chuckled.

"Are you really a fraudster?"

"Why are you like this to someone who’s trying to do well?"

"Two times pure, and you’ll flip."

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Wait a moment."

I shrugged. If he was just going to talk nonsense, I was about to leave, but Im Hyun-soo asked me,

"I heard you guys are shooting a music video with Director Jung?"

"Ah… Yes, that’s right."

Director Jung. I didn’t know him well, but he was an expert in idol music videos.

I wondered why he brought this up.

"I know him. He’s a lazy guy who just takes the money, but he used to make beautiful videos."

"Is that an introduction?"

"Do you want to die?"

This is about Im Hyun-soo. People say birds of a feather flock together.

As I pondered, Im Hyun-soo lightly pushed my forehead with his palm.

"I’ve already talked to him. I told him to take good care of you."

"…."

This is unexpected. Without any threats, Im Hyun-soo is helping us?

'What’s his intention?'

I raised my eyebrows and tried to figure out Im Hyun-soo’s plan. But Im Hyun-soo tsked at my suspicious look.

"When did you get so badly burned by someone? Why can’t you trust people? Well, it’s a good habit in the entertainment industry, I guess."

"…I don’t know why you’re being nice. I haven’t done anything good."

Hearing my honest response, Im Hyun-soo laughed.

"Just a whim to follow the crazy guy’s lead, that’s all."

"…."

"It’s fun. If a rookie like you guys become famous, it’ll feel like a good deed."

Ding!

[Your relationship with Im Hyun-soo is friendly.]

[You have completed the 'First Recording' quest.]

[300 points have been awarded.]

It was an unexpected favor and stroke of luck.

I nodded lightly. Im Hyun-soo was cool and didn’t hold grudges, which was good.

"Thank you."

"Seohoyun, be nice to me."

"I’ll bring you some good sake next time."

Im Hyun-soo showed me his middle finger. I couldn’t help but laugh.

I shrugged and joined the members waiting outside. It felt like a good wrap-up, but the members’ faces were blank.

"Did I really… record with Blue Tiger?"

"Is this a dream? Slap me."

"Bro, I really can slap you."

Kang I-chae made a fist, and Kim Sung-hyun quickly backed away. A shadow fell over Sung Ji-won’s face.

I patted them and urged them on.

"Let’s go practice."

We still have a long way to go.