Chapter 70

# Chapter 070

Erick rarely met idols in person when giving them songs. He usually just watched their videos sent by the company. So, when the Garo Entertainment members performed in front of him, he was much more excited than expected.

‘They really look like idols.’

Erick has been in the Korean music industry for almost 10 years, but he rarely saw live performances by singers. As a congenital homebody, his studio was his playground, home, cafe, and restaurant.

‘Do you want to see the songs you made live? You can just watch them on the internet, right?’

Erick always had this mindset.

In short, the members' performance was a huge stimulation for Erick.

However, there was a mistake in the middle.

Baek Seolha went off-key once during the chorus, but she quickly recovered, so it wasn't too noticeable.

“I don’t really have an eye for dance, but wasn’t this originally a song without choreography?”

The performance the members showed Erick was EMC’s “Oh my own,” which they had performed as a group song during their first monthly evaluation.

“Yes, the kids choreographed it themselves.”

“By themselves? Wow, that’s impressive.”

Jo Ara’s cheeks rose as if they were about to ascend to heaven.

Most of the choreography was designed by Jo Ara.

“Doesn’t he seem like a good person?”

“Ara-chan’s guard is too low.”

Erick already liked the members. And then Son Hyebin added to it.

“Do you know how well Seolha sings? If she debuted as a solo artist, she’d sweep the charts. Just one high note and you’ll get goosebumps.”

“If you’re praising her, she must be really good.”

“She sings better than me.”

“You were a dance artist….”

“Are you saying dance artists can’t sing?!”

“No, no.”

Son Hyebin made Baek Seolha’s face as red as a beet.

Taking advantage of the moment, Baek Seolha even sang.

Even without a microphone, her voice filled the practice room, and it didn’t feel excessive.

Erick was almost bewitched like a scholar by a gumiho. The more he saw the members, the more charming they became.

“Thank you for coming today.”

After finishing the scheduled activities, they slowly prepared to part ways. Hong Gyuheon shook hands with him and saw him off to the outside.

“I also enjoyed it. About the song….”

When Erick started talking about the song, Hong Gyuheon tensed up.

The reason he came today was to see if Garo Entertainment’s members were worthy of his song. He didn’t want to burden him, so he didn’t even mention the word ‘song,’ but Erick brought it up first.

“Suddenly, but can I play it for you right now?”

“…Now? Did you bring it?”

“I always carry my work laptop when I go out. It has all my work. After seeing the trainees in person, I felt much better than expected. I have a song that fits them perfectly.”

“Oh, we’d be grateful.”

Son Hyebin smiled proudly.

Erick wasn’t the type to say things he didn’t mean. If he said he liked something, he really meant it.

If things went this way, it wouldn’t be a dream for Garo Entertainment to get his song.

Hong Gyuheon, Son Hyebin, and the others were filled with anticipation, but Sung Pil felt a sense of crisis.

‘If this happens, Ji-eum’s song won’t be used….’

It’s not good to close off your thoughts.

But Sung Pil had been thinking about writing Ji-eum’s first song for the past few days. He had already visualized the members dancing to the song hundreds of times in his head.

With a subtle sense of unease, Sung Pil followed behind Erick and Hong Gyuheon.

“Here, I’ll play it.”

‘It takes just 3 seconds to know if it’s good.’

The first melody captivates the listener.

From the beginning, all the sounds are poured out, and the vocals burst out 6 seconds into the song.

‘There’s a guide vocal?’

The guide vocal’s skill was also outstanding.

I don’t know who the vocalist is, but it could be released as is without any issues.

‘Wow, this is really….’

Sung Pil was speechless.

It was a song that seemed determined to turn anyone into a fan after just one listen.

The placement of the chorus at the beginning of the song was a good start.

I can see how confident Erick is in his composition skills. And that confidence isn’t arrogance.

‘The highlight is also good.’

The song ended.

Silence filled the meeting room.

Surprise was etched on everyone’s faces.

Such a song, such a good song….

“Are you selling this to us?”

“Yes.”

Erick answered immediately.

“Hmm.”

Hong Gyuheon had to think about how to respond to Erick’s bold attitude.

The song is good. Really good.

The melody is still ringing in his ears even after just hearing it.

“Also, if it’s not too much trouble, I can invest as well.”

“Invest?”

“Yes. I don’t know how to explain it, but I really feel it. From the trainees. This song fits them perfectly.”

Hong Gyuheon let out a hollow laugh.

What is this? Is this a dream?

Not only getting a song from a famous composer but also receiving an investment?

“Hey, aren’t you going too fast? You haven’t even heard feedback on your song yet.”

“Well, what do you think….”

Do I really have to hear it? His attitude suggested.

A person at the top can be this confident, it’s quite impressive.

“I’ll give you this song and invest, but in return, let me participate in the production of this album.”

Erick didn’t stop.

He charged forward like a rhinoceros that has spotted its prey.

“I feel it. I really feel it. They… Oh, sorry. They should go for a dreamy and pure concept.”

Hong Gyuheon listened to Erick in silence, then glanced at Sung Pil.

Sung Pil was gripping his knees tightly and biting his lips, as if he wanted to object but was barely holding back.

“The main target should be men. The costume concept is….”

“Hey, stop it!”

Son Hyebin hit Erick’s side, stopping his rant.

Erick’s head hit the desk and he fell over.

“Stop being rude. Mr. Hong, I’ll apologize for him.”

“Shut up, you….”

“He just blurts out anything that comes to mind.”

“Ugh, you….”

“But what he said isn’t all lies. I’ve never seen him like this before. Our trainees must have really impressed him.”

“Yeah. As a CEO, it feels good.”

Hong Gyuheon tapped the desk, showing that he was thinking.

Erick’s eyes followed her fingers up and down.

It seems he really felt it; his eyes showed a passion for production.

‘Manager Park said our trainees are all gems. People see things the same way.’

If there are so many gems, why wouldn’t he be attracted?

Hong Gyuheon looked at Han Gugin. He nodded, indicating he would take the responsibility.

Then he looked at Sung Pil.

‘No, Mr. Hong, please no. Please say no. No, no.’

His desperate eyes seemed to plead.

Hong Gyuheon slowly opened his mouth.

* * *

“Rika, what do you see here?”

“A drum!”

“Yes, a drum.”

Ji-eum stayed up all night to create a MIDI composition lesson plan.

It was worth the effort.

For a first-time teacher, she could effectively convey the basics.

“What is this?”

“A kick drum! The one you kick with!”

“And this?”

“A snare! The middle is a tom! The top is cymbals!”

“Good job. You learn quickly.”

“Hehe. It’s because you teach well, Oppa!”

Ji-eum’s form of address had settled on ‘Oppa’ instead of ‘composer.’

Actually, Rika had called him something else when he first came for the lesson.

“Oni-chan (Oppa)!”

“Don’t call me that, you fangirl.”

After Jo Ara’s reprimand, it changed to ‘Oppa.’

Ji-eum was secretly disappointed.

The first lesson ended with explaining the types of instruments. Rika politely said goodbye and left the room, while Ji-eum decided to stay a bit longer.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

The snare drum played a steady rhythm, like a regular and emotionless expression of Ji-eum’s inner thoughts.

‘Erick is in this building now….’

He came to give a song.

‘Erick. A famous composer. Talented. Getting a song from Erick would be good.’

Then Ji-eum’s own song would be forgotten.

Although Sung Pil praised it endlessly, how could it compete with Erick?

Idols need to rise.

You can’t choose a song based on dreams and ideals alone. Choosing a safe and good song is the right choice.

Still, it’s bitter.

‘If we choose Erick’s song, Manager Park might feel sorry for me. I shouldn’t show that I’m upset.’

She thought this, but Ji-eum felt bad.

It’s like being abandoned after being managed.

‘I can’t sell a song right after escaping the ghost writer’s life. Don’t be too optimistic. Being able to do part-time MIDI lessons is already positive enough.’

Ji-eum opened her composition program.

The song that Sung Pil praised that day had a vocal line added.

She stayed up all night, not eating or using the bathroom, driven by the passion for creation. Thinking about the members, her hands didn’t stop.

‘This….’

Don’t show it.

Even if Sung Pil thinks it’s good, Erick’s song would be more beneficial for Garo Entertainment.

* * *

Sung Pil tidied up the scattered papers on the empty conference table.

His face was full of depression.

Then he heard footsteps outside the door.

Regular high heels, it’s Hong Gyuheon.

Even when the door opened, Sung Pil didn’t turn around.

He thought he couldn’t control his expression if he saw Hong Gyuheon now.

“Manager Park.”

Hong Gyuheon put her arm around Sung Pil’s shoulder. Sung Pil hid his surprise and looked at her.

“Are you upset?”

Hong Gyuheon squeezed his shoulder, as if telling him to sit down.

They sat in the chairs, facing each other.

“No.”

“You are upset.”

Ah, I know this feeling.

Sung Pil was taken back to his childhood memories.

When he was angry, his mother would hug him from behind and speak gently.

‘Are you angry, Sung Pil?’

Then Sung Pil would sharply reply, ‘I’m not angry!’ and try to get out of her embrace.

The more he tried, the tighter she would hug him, saying, ‘You seem angry.’

Sung Pil would eventually cry and confess his feelings.

It’s exactly that feeling.

“….”

When Sung Pil wiped his eyes, Hong Gyuheon let him go. She took out a cigarette from her pocket, put it in his mouth, and also put one in her own.

Sung Pil silently tried to light her cigarette.

Click, click, click.

The lighter seemed to be out of fuel, so it didn’t light easily. Hong Gyuheon waited patiently, and soon it lit.

Sung Pil tried to light his own cigarette.

Click, click, click.

“Manager Park.”

Hong Gyuheon aligned the tip of her cigarette with his.

Sung Pil inhaled deeply.

It lit.

They smoked in silence.

“Can we smoke here?”

“No. There’s a ventilation system, but Manager Han will be angry. We only smoke in the CEO’s office.”

“It will smell.”

“Then what, we’ll get scolded.”

The cigarette Hong Gyuheon gave was strong.

Since Rika joined the company, Sung Pil had been gradually reducing the number of cigarettes he smoked. Hong Gyuheon’s strong cigarettes were enough to scratch his throat.

Still, he tried to suppress his cough as much as possible.

He didn’t want to show a weak side due to some unknown pride.

“Are you upset because I praised Erick?”

“….”

“Because I kept smiling?”

“….”

“Because you felt ignored?”

“….”

Honestly, he was upset. He was sulking.

But Sung Pil knew this was an irrational anger.

Garo Entertainment is a management company.

It’s natural to be delighted and kind when a good composer offers a song and an investment.

But Sung Pil couldn’t see it that way.

He thought of Yoon Sang-yul from Success Entertainment.

After he joined, the CEO Kim Tae-hoon, who was like a brother to Sung Pil, started to distance himself.

Even when Sung Pil said he would leave the company, Kim Tae-hoon chose Yoon Sang-yul.

After all the time they spent together….

Sung Pil overlapped Hong Gyuheon and Erick with Kim Tae-hoon and Yoon Sang-yul.

“Hey, wait, are you crying?”

“No….”

“Why are you like this? Just because of this? No, hey….”

Hong Gyuheon wiped Sung Pil’s eyes with her shirt sleeve. She was quite surprised.

Seeing a grown man cry in front of her was a first.

She had seen someone cry after a failed confession and drinking, but that was not in a clear state of mind.

Sung Pil is in a clear state of mind.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you? Do you like me? Are you upset because I paid attention to another man?”

Even when Hong Gyuheon tried to make Sung Pil laugh with a joke, he just looked like a rain-soaked statue, letting the water run off.

Only then did Hong Gyuheon recall his past.

He left Success Entertainment, feeling abandoned by CEO Kim Tae-hoon, who he had been close to like a brother. The reason was a conflict with the famous producer Yoon Sang-yul.

“Hey