Chapter 73

# Chapter 073

I think I have a rough idea of what it feels like.

There is a central axis where the members' opinions converge, but it doesn't coalesce.

'It kind of feels like a girl crush...'

But there's a method for this.

Seong-pil ran to Son Hye-bin and relayed the members' opinions.

"Ahahaha!"

Son Hye-bin laughed until her belly ached.

"I think we could just send this to the lyricist as it is. But we definitely need to polish it. It would be good to have a central word."

"Is that right? What do you think, Unnie?"

"What do I think? For it to fit the age group, wouldn't rebellion be appropriate? The detailed narrative can be thought out by you and the kids."

"Unnie, don't you have any feelings about it?"

"Ha, Seong-pil."

Son Hye-bin placed her hand on Seong-pil's shoulder.

Her gaze was not kind, almost like a gangster trying to extort money.

"We are competitors. I think the Elik song is good? I'll keep pushing for that song."

"So you won't help?"

"What's the point of helping or not? What more can I add here? Isn't your dream to be a producer? You need to have a clear stance and opinion."

"No, I do have thoughts, but... I want to respect the kids' opinions as much as possible."

Son Hye-bin carefully examined the notebook containing the members' opinions again.

"I think there should be a feeling of 'beginning.' It's the first song of the first album. We need content that says 'We are who we are.' It shouldn't just be a story; it should highlight the members' character traits."

"Right."

"That's my opinion. Good luck."

It was shocking to learn that she considered him a competitor. But she gave him sincere help.

'Right. It's a debut song, so character traits are necessary. It's a very important part. Once an image is set, it's hard to change.'

Seong-pil, recalling Son Hye-bin's advice, went to find Han Goo-in.

Han Goo-in pondered the members' opinions for a long time. Seong-pil was grateful for his serious consideration.

"I have an idea why the members gave such opinions."

"Really?"

"This is related to the concerns of the generation the members belong to. The so-called older generation had fewer opportunities compared to now. Mainly educational opportunities. It was common to give up their dreams for their families, and the idea of dreams was unfamiliar to them."

Seong-pil was momentarily taken aback by the in-depth analysis but quickly regained his composure and started taking notes in his notebook.

"The older generation had a place to blame when they couldn't find their own identity."

"Where?"

"Society. In a society advancing towards industrialization and democratization, individuality and aspirations were somewhat suppressed. By society, the nation, local communities, families, and so on. It was natural for them. But the current generation is different. With far more opportunities than in the past, they have no one to blame. You often see the word 'effort' in newspaper articles, a term filled with self-mockery."

In short, the older generation sees the younger generation unfavorably.

'Why do you have so many complaints when we had it so much harder?'

"It's a generational difference. Everyone has their own concerns, but conflicts arise because they don't understand each other. The 'resistance' or 'rebellion' that the members focus on is probably an expression of dissatisfaction with the social system and atmosphere built by the older generation."

"But, isn't it a bit too deep for them to think like that...?"

"Isn't it influenced? Words like 'effort' or terms like '3-give-up generation' and '5-give-up generation' are filled with the anger of the youth. Young people, unable to attribute the frustration of self-actualization to themselves, gradually build up anger. The increasing focus on individuality and the importance of personality among the youth are also related to this."

"Mr. Han."

"Yes."

"Ultimately, what the kids want to express is resistance against adults. Is that what you mean?"

"Haha. It sounds a bit heavy for an idol song. If we condense it, it could be 'I'll do what my heart desires.' In a word, it could be freedom or resistance."

Seong-pil felt like he had received a psychological counseling session.

Even as he went to the members, Han Goo-in's explanation kept circling in his mind.

Do the members really have these thoughts when they come up with ideas?

Or, even if not consciously, are they thinking this subconsciously?

"...That's Mr. Han's opinion. What do you think?"

"I've made up my mind."

Suddenly, Rika clasped her hands to her chest and made a resolution.

"I'm going to go to the humanities track! I'll become like Mr. Han!"

"You won't get a job if you go to the humanities track."

"I don't care! I want to live with Mr. Han's brain, even for a day... I want to tear apart our psychology and see how the world looks."

It would look the same as everyone else's.

"Was Teacher Seol-ha in the humanities track?"

"I was in the science track."

"Eek! You were good at math?! Traitor!"

"No, no. I just followed the teacher..."

"Really? What about Hyang-ah?"

"I was in the humanities track. I was bad at math, but I wasn't good at anything else either."

Seong-pil clapped his hands to keep the conversation on track.

"So, is Mr. Han right? Were you really thinking that?"

There was no answer, but everyone seemed to agree with Han Goo-in's explanation.

"Resistance against whom?"

Baek Seol-ha and Jang Ha-yang answered simultaneously.

"Parents?"

"Parents?"

They were startled and looked at each other awkwardly, then laughed.

"I mean school. School, the prison, where we wear uniforms like prisoners and... you know."

"Middle school syndrome."

Jo Ara put Rika in a headlock.

'Does Ara understand Japanese?'

I should test her later.

"School feels like a waste of time. They always say they're doing it for our own good, but they just chip away at our self-esteem. Teachers are old-fashioned, too."

"Hey?!"

"Not Teacher Seol-ha."

"I see. Then, Rika?"

"Um, um... I don't really have anyone I want to rebel against... Oh! But it does look cool!"

"Rebellion is cool?"

"Like a revolution! An evolution!"

"Revolution."

Is this the sentiment of teenagers?

There are many idol songs that sing about resistance, with varying degrees of intensity.

On the cute side, there are songs like 'I'll do what I want!' and on the stronger side, 'Leave me alone.'

The lyrics should be something like that.

"So, the main themes are resistance and freedom."

"Ah! What about love?"

"How can we fit love in here?"

"Please!"

"...Alright."

When I pass this to the lyricist, I'll write 'love (don't worry too much about it).'

Seong-pil finished his notes.

'Now, let's start.'

Once the lyrics were received.

* * *

Seong-pil sent requests to several lyricists.

The deadline was about 10 days.

The song supply for Garo Entertainment was almost complete.

So far, about five demos had been gathered, and with Jeong Ji-eum's, there were a total of six.

The debut song for the members would be chosen from among these.

Seong-pil anxiously awaited the lyricists' responses.

Some sent their work within a day, while others took a week.

Seong-pil first consulted with Jeong Ji-eum.

"This part has the wrong number of syllables."

Matching the number of syllables to the melody is called 'counting syllables.'

If a place that should have three syllables has four or five, it's a mistake by the lyricist.

"I'll pass it on."

First, feedback on the lyricist's minor mistakes was given, and once the lyrics were perfectly matched, another challenge awaited.

[I wonder why I feel this way.

I wander, what does this mean to us...]

"This lyric feels too focused on constraints. It sounds like a prisoner singing."

"Exactly. It emphasizes suffering rather than resistance. It's also too poetic."

"It might have worked well if it were a boy group."

Seong-pil had conveyed the same theme and concept to the lyricists, but each interpreted it differently.

If it completely deviated from Seong-pil and Jeong Ji-eum's intentions, it couldn't be revised. The lyrics would need to be completely rewritten.

Putting that aside, he chose an appropriate one.

[Miss.Worldwide! Now I want to say it. Want it!

Really want it! It doesn't matter to you, anything!]

"This one has a strong character."

"Isn't it too cute and cheerful?"

Jeong Ji-eum sang all the lyrics sent by the lyricists.

Singing them in a male voice didn't convey the feeling at all.

But the general atmosphere could be grasped.

"You're right. It sounds like a Maltese trying to bite."

"Kuk. It would suit Rika."

"Rika?"

Jeong Ji-eum scratched her head, indicating she didn't agree.

'Ah, I'm thinking of Rika as a kid again.'

He thought this lyric would suit Rika and Jo Ara more than Baek Seol-ha and Jang Ha-yang.

It felt like a sloth trying to prove its strength, emphasizing cuteness.

'Rika is not the old Rika. I need to change her image quickly.'

Seong-pil and Jeong Ji-eum spent a busy 10 days this way.

They sought help from Son Hye-bin and Han Goo-in and communicated continuously with the lyricists to improve the lyrics.

Finally, on the last day, Seong-pil and Jeong Ji-eum had to choose the lyrics.

"I'll leave it to your judgment."

"I'm not sure... They all look good."

"You're the composer. What do you think would fit the song best?"

"What about you?"

"I won't say."

"..."

Seong-pil gave her the complete choice, and Jeong Ji-eum, without hesitation, pointed to one.

"This one."

Jeong Ji-eum looked at Seong-pil for his reaction. Seong-pil smiled.

"Me too."

They high-fived and basked in the afterglow of the completed task.

For 10 days, they had only lyrics on their minds and couldn't focus on anything else.

Seong-pil immediately contacted the owner of the chosen lyrics.

"Yes, this is Park from Garo Entertainment. Your lyrics have been chosen. Yes, yes, no. Thank you for your hard work. Yes, I'll treat you next time."

It was over.

Only the lyrics were finished.

Now, the real work begins.

"Let's record the guide vocals."

"Who should we ask? Do you know any vocalists?"

"Do we really need to find a vocalist?"

There are already singers in Garo Entertainment.

* * *

Seong-pil rented a studio for one session (3 hours 30 minutes). From Garo Entertainment, Seong-pil, Son Hye-bin, Jeong Ji-eum, and Baek Seol-ha came.

That's right.

The guide vocal recording was assigned to Baek Seol-ha.

Trusting Baek Seol-ha's abilities, there was no vocal director.

Son Hye-bin offered to help, but the interpretation of the song ultimately depended on Baek Seol-ha, so it wouldn't make much difference.

"I'll start."

The recording began with the recording engineer's words.

Seong-pil's heart was pounding.

"Are you nervous?"

"Yeah. It's been a while."

"It's just a guide, so try to relax."

"But I have to show it to the CEO. I need to treat it like a real recording."

"You're really focused. How about Seol-ha?"

Baek Seol-ha was staring intently at the lyrics on the paper.

Her hands, holding the paper, were trembling like an old person's, as if trying to shake off something on them.

She was that nervous.

"Seol-ha."

"Yes!"

She reacted as if she had encountered a tiger.

She looked at Seong-pil with an anxious, trembling gaze. It wasn't clear if she was even looking at him.

Her focus was off...

"Don't be too nervous. It's just a guide recording."

"But you said to treat it like a real recording."

Son Hye-bin should have been a bit quieter.

"Ah, ah, ah, yes, yes. I won't be nervous. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale."

She seemed even more nervous.

It was understandable for Baek Seol-ha.

Even though it was a guide recording, it would be shown to Hong Gyu-hyun, and Son Hye-bin, her childhood idol, was also there.

Not to mention Seong-pil!

It was impossible not to be nervous.

Baek Seol-ha felt like she would faint several times as she entered the recording booth.

"Our Seol-ha! Don't be nervous! You'll do great. You're a pro. There's no need to be intimidated!"

Son Hye-bin cheered for Baek Seol-ha.

Baek Seol-ha tried her best to smile.

"Let's go."

"Yes, yes."

Baek Seol-ha entered the recording booth. She adjusted the microphone height and took a deep breath.

The recording engineer pressed the talkback (when pressed, the singer in the booth can hear the voice).

"Starting now."

[Yes!]

The song started.

The beginning of the lyrics starts with a strong declaration.

[Hot!]

Jeong Ji-eum stopped the song and pressed the talkback.

"Seol-ha."

[Yes, composer.]

"This is the beginning of the song. You need to capture the audience's attention. It's just 'Hot,' but it shouldn't be said weakly."

[Ah, ah, yes. Should I raise the pitch?]

"No. Scratch your throat a bit. Haa! Like this. Got it?"

[Yes...]

The song started again.

[Haa!]

Jeong Ji-eum stopped the song and pressed the talkback again.

"No, not that feeling. The song is a story. The beginning of a story is..."

That day's recording session was...

"Is Ji-eum a perfectionist?"

"Seems like it. I felt sorry for Seol-ha."

The recording was completed without any issues.

If there had been more time, Jeong Ji-eum wouldn't have let it go, but it was finished anyway.

On the way back, Baek Seol-ha didn't even dare to look at Jeong Ji-eum.

* * *

Seong-pil stopped in front of the conference room with a USB in hand.

He tried to calm down by tapping his feet and taking deep breaths, but it didn't work.

"What are you doing, not going in?"

"No, no. I'll go in."

Seeing Seong-pil's trembling shoulders, Son Hye-bin smiled. She put her arm around his shoulder and gently shook his body.

"Come on. Have some confidence. If you're confident, there's no reason to be nervous."

"How can I not be nervous? The CEO trusted me so much."

I received lyrics for a song that might not even be chosen.

Just for that, a lot of money was spent.

If the result is below Hong Gyu-hyun's expectations, I'll be too embarrassed to show my face.

"So, is the song bad?"

"No. It's good."

"Then stand up straight! And your back!"

Son Hye-bin lightly patted Seong-pil's back and waist. Seong-pil straightened up as she said.

He gripped the doorknob of the conference room with a firm hand and turned it.

As the door opened, Hong Gyu-hyun, sitting at the head of the conference table, came into view.

"Come in quickly. Let's start."

The time to choose the debut song had arrived.