Chapter 66

The number of attendees at the meeting was small.

Unlike last time, it wasn't a large group of nearly twenty people, but only those who were necessary.

It wasn't a comfortable setting.

First, the A&R team leader and the PR team leader.

In Lemon Entertainment, team leaders were equivalent to department heads in regular companies.

Moreover, since everyone was of a certain age, their postures naturally straightened.

The A&R team leader greeted us.

"It's been a while. Everyone."

"It's been a while, Team Leader."

When I nodded to Yun Seok-hwan, the director sitting next to me, and Min-ki, the screen at the head of the table lit up as Jo Director spoke.

"Did you hear it was a meeting? Right?"

"Yes."

"Well, it's not wrong, but I'd rather think of it as a time to share stories. There are things I need to tell you, and there are also matters where I need to gauge your intentions."

The A&R team leader slid a piece of paper over, and the meeting began.

"Let's start with the fireworks performance metrics."

The kids leaned in, with me at the center.

A graph with curves was drawn on the A4 paper.

Starting from 88th place on the first day, it moved to the 70s in the first week, the 50s by the end of June, and is now in the 30s.

"Unfortunately, it will likely start to drop this week. It's also the time when strong fandom groups like MOP with Daydream will be making a comeback, and we've already climbed as high as we can."

We nodded.

"And the main point is that the reaction to 'Night Sea' has been good. Because of this, a few composers have contacted us. They asked if you, Universe, would be interested in collaborating if you have the time."

"......Yes?"

"There's a songwriting offer for you. What do you think? Do you have any thoughts?"

The members looked at me with wide eyes.

Their eyes were full of congratulations.

I, on the other hand, was flustered.

Me? Why?

What did they see to want to work with me?

While the reaction was good, 'Night Sea' wasn't that great a song.

Moreover, the names of the people who made the offer were all famous enough for me to know.

"Why would such people request me?"

"It seems your song came across as fresh to them."

He continued to explain.

It seems there was already interest from industry insiders from the time of 'Fireworks,' wondering if the title was an idol's original song.

But they were unsure because of the connection with Hanjo as a composer idol.

They wondered if Lemon, like DNS, had the influence of professional songwriters.

But this time, 'Night Sea' confirmed their suspicions.

The reason for the offer was familiar.

Like when Senior Jang Soo-won made 'Something,' it was a kind of fresh element.

The songwriting skills were already mature, so I was there to provide a new perspective or freshness.

It was a good offer.

No, it was even an opportunity to learn various things by watching professionals compose.

The juniors urged me to accept it.

The A&R team leader also seemed to be looking forward to it.

"What do you think?"

I thought for a moment, but the deliberation wasn't long.

First, I wanted to confirm.

"What exactly does it mean to want to work with me? Are you talking about the next album, or a separate single?"

"The latter."

"In that case, I'd like to decline."

"......?"

I glanced at the members, who looked confused, and carefully expressed my intention.

"Learning songwriting and being able to promote with a songwriter image is good. Personally, it's a good opportunity. But we're still rookies, and we have a long way to go. Right now, I want to prioritize the group."

I also think it's a good opportunity.

I really want to do it.

But I thought it wouldn't be good for the group.

It might hinder group activities because of me, and it could also have a negative impact on fans.

"Well, if that's your intention, there's nothing I can do."

While the A&R team leader was pondering, the PR team leader smiled at me.

I almost smiled too.

Just like back then.

Similar to when we were told we were family at Eulwangri.

Especially when I looked at Biju, I had to suppress a laugh.

"By the way, this is a proposal for Lee Hyuk. After seeing the vocals yesterday, several collaboration offers came in. From your expression, it seems you agree with Universe, right?"

"Yes, I think the same."

Lee Hyuk answered and looked at me.

As if to say, "You saw that, right?"

When I smiled, the director, who had been listening quietly, spoke.

"Then, how about working together on the next album?"

"Really good. I'm not sure if they would want that, though..."

"If that's your opinion, I'll consider it."

"......What?"

Was this supposed to be an immediate 'OK'?

Something felt off.

During my trainee days, I only heard 'do this' and 'do that' from the company, but now they were accepting my opinion right away.

Feeling a bit dazed, the director smiled and said,

"You're now established artists. We don't just order you around like in the trainee days. Especially when it comes to music, your opinions as performers are even more important."

It felt like another promotion.

If receiving a studio after the success of 'Something' meant being recognized as a promising talent with songwriting potential, this meeting felt like we were now artists communicating on equal terms with the company.

We looked at each other with a sense of accomplishment, and everyone laughed.

* * *

The meeting continued in a whirlwind.

I even had to take notes to remember everything.

It was full of surprises.

There were talks about advertising with some companies, like school uniform companies.

Discussions about sponsorships with clothing brands.

And talks about appearing on variety shows with terrestrial broadcasters.

Of course, we were told not to get our hopes up about the last one.

It was just talk.

Judging from the atmosphere, it seemed Seok-hwan was working day and night on this, reeking of alcohol.

Every time a company employee said something, we let out an "Oh" in amazement.

Director Jo nodded, looking satisfied.

"You've worked hard. The results exceeded my expectations."

I felt a strange mix of emotions.

It was surprising and fulfilling.

During the two weeks from the debut showcase to the music shows, so much had been happening behind the scenes, and it painted a picture of the path our first album activity was taking.

Something that didn't hit me when we were just running around music shows.

What it really means to be a successfully debuted rookie.

"Director Yun, have you finished everything you need to pass on to management?"

"Yes."

"Phew, now we can finally talk."

The PR team leader chuckled and laughed.

Then he brought up the main agenda of the day.

"Is this Sunday the fan signing event?"

"Yes."

"We'll be soliciting and voting on a fandom name around that time. First, we need you to shoot a message to the fans about it."

It was the event Ji-ho mentioned earlier.

"We're planning an event for the fan signing."

"An event?"

"Nothing grand. Just a small gift you've prepared for the fans, like the ones you gave at the debut showcase."

"Ah, yes."

I recalled the small snacks and photo cards we gave to the fans.

"It's not about you preparing the gifts. We just want you to brainstorm some ideas. Even if it's the same idea, the sincerity is different when it comes from you."

I understood what he meant.

Even if it's the same proposal, a heartfelt, simple approach is better than a flashy one from a professional agency.

He added,

"And one more thing not to forget."

"Are you going to film the brainstorming process and send it to us?"

"You catch on quick."

He smiled contentedly.

With the PR team leader's words, the meeting ended.

As everyone filed out like a receding tide, led by the director, I took a deep breath.

"Wow..."

Turning around, I saw the juniors looking exhausted.

They were tense in front of the team leaders, and the content of today's meeting was shocking.

Most of all,

A sense of fulfillment was washing over us.

As we struggled to process the complex emotions, Jung-hyun spoke up.

"Our album really did well, didn't it?"

Reflecting on it, there was no better summary.

* * *

Lemon Entertainment's MiTube account.

The 'NewBlack' category was overflowing with videos.

From the videos taken during the year-end evaluation, the recording process of 'Something,' the behind-the-scenes of the music show win, to the practice videos at the music cafe.

The videos, which were sparse at first, increased dramatically after DNS Media's promotion.

From then on, self-produced reality shows, practice videos, and daily life videos started flooding in, and the most recent upload was a five-part series titled 'Universe & Lee Hyuk, Night Sea Composition.'

In Part 1, I was seen sitting in the studio with a mask on, bickering with Lee Hyuk while working.

Parts 2 to 4 showed the lyric writing and practice process.

Part 5 finally showed the live performance of the completed 'Night Sea.'

Among them, Part 5, along with the a cappella live video 'A Rookie's Attitude in Dealing with Sound Accidents,' was the second most viewed after the 'Fireworks' MV.

-It makes me cry 😭😭😭

-This is better