God of Music

Chapter 85. Three Years Later, a New Beginning?(5)

Translator: Synopsis

“Unni, what is it!?”

Jin SeAh was surprised by the scream from the living room and rushed out. The other members all rushed out to the living room after hearing their leader, who was normally very calm, scream.

“Unni, what happened?”

“N…. n…. num… ….”

“Num?”

Kim HyoRin only pointed at the screen with shaking hands, so no one understood anything.

Jin SeAh looked at the computer.

– 07 ↑47 Good Feelings | T&T

“WHAT!!!!!!”

Everyone gasped. They jumped 47 places and were now placed in the top 10. This….

“What, the hell is this!”

Even Lee Min, who was rarely surprised, gaped her jaws in shock. It was needless to say that the other members were equally as shocked.

“Call the president immediately!”

Among everyone’s excitement, Min HyoRin called President Lee WooSung with her phone.

“The top 10, huh? That’s quite high.”

Lee HyunJi, who was monitoring it, couldn’t hide her surprise.

“Really?”

KangYoon only smiled lightly while drinking the coffee Jung HyeJin gave him.

“Looking at you, I feel like you saw this coming.”

“Really?”

KangYoon shrugged his shoulders. Then, he spoke on after sipping the coffee.

“The producing side of Laurel was a bit of a pity. If that was better than the reaction would have been better as well.”

“Well, we can’t help it since his skills are only subpar. It seems like your advice played a big role. But rather than that, the choreography is quite good. Their accents are on point.”

“The leader has good senses, as well as experience. She’s quite the unlucky fella.”

After watching the music video, KangYoon was surprised by Kim HyoRin’s dance. He even felt that she was lowering her skills intentionally to match the rest of the team.

The fact that the song was in the top 10 meant that the public would know about the group. After all, many people from all over the country must listen to the song for the rankings to go up.

“So, it’s about time we did the next thing.”

“Yes. Now there’s only the receiving part left.”

President Lee HyunJi laughed at KangYoon’s words.

“You know what, the more I look at you, the more I think you act on practical benefits. You should have had a hard time dealing with that old ass Lee WooSung, too. Did you know that it will come to this?”

“Maybe. He probably didn’t know that our song would go so well when we signed the contract. Well, he tried to abandon the music with all sorts of excuses, so he probably accepted such a contract.”

“He’s a fool alright.”

KangYoon shrugged his shoulders while thinking about the contents of the contract.

Once in the top 10, a percentage of all profits gained from the song must be paid to the composer. Instead, the cost of rights to use the song was lowered. Thanks to that, President Lee HyunJi could get him to sign the contract easily. President Lee WooSung tried to abandon the song with various excuses, but he could not think of one, and things eventually lead to this.

“Pfft, well then. I’m off to collect some money.”

“Watch your words, there.”

Seeing Lee HyunJi speak like a loan shark, KangYoon jokingly warned her. However, he also felt relaxed after enduring it for such a long time.

‘Was the audition programme this week?’

KangYoon called the number he got from Lee HyunJi. A producer of the programmer answered the call and notified KangYoon of the schedule. When he asked if there was anything to prepare, he was replied that only himself needed to be there. Also, he was warned that he may be physically fatigued as there would be a lot of people.

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“…Okay.”

– Before the shoot, there will be an interview with the writer of the programme. Is there anything else you need?

KangYoon asked him that he would be represented as a CEO of a company. He was doing this to advertise the company after all. The producer gave a positive reply.

After the call, KangYoon downloaded the audition programme videos that took place until now and watched them.

‘There are a lot of styles.’

From judges that blatantly shouted at the candidates, to those that praised but gave them a fail as well as judges that silently did their markings; there were a lot of styles. The most eye-catching one was without a doubt the one that shouted and drove the candidates to the bottom. However, they had their charms as well: they said that it was to motivate them to do better. This kind of style grabbed attention and produced some news articles as well.

‘So, all in all, it’s a TV programme.’

It was an audition, but at the same time, it was a TV programme. After everything that’s said and done, it was done to grab viewers at home. So, the judges were writing dramas in various styles. Even KangYoon thought that he might do that as well.

When he was thinking, he got a call. It was from Lee HyunJi. She spoke of her matter immediately.

– Everything went as the contract stated. We’ll receive the money by today.

“Thank you for your work. You must have had a hard time.”

– Not really. Oh, President Lee WooSung wishes to call you, should I hand it to him?

When KangYoon gave the okay, the caller switched.

– Composer, I’m Lee WooSung.

“Yes, President. Congratulations to you.”

– Thank you. Thanks to you, the results were good. I thank you again.

Good greetings were exchanged. President Lee WooSung didn’t have that complaining tone anymore.

“Not at all. Thanks for your hard work as well.”

– Not at all, no. It’s all thanks to you.

That attitude. There was definitely something he wanted from this. Probably something like lowering the contract conditions. KangYoon knew that well. Of course, he wasn’t going to do that.

“Oh, I must apologize, I have a different call. I’ll call you next time.”

– Composer, com….

KangYoon ended the call. He waited to see if he called back, but there were no calls.

“You deserved that.”

The superior position in this contract was flipped.

***

“…I apologize. I don’t think I can go there alone.”

Lee HyunAh voiced her thoughts to the scouter of Yerang entertainment.

“I wished that we could have a better relationship… but okay. Let us meet next time if fate allows us to.”

The scouter from Yerang entertainment gave Lee HyunAh a business card while expressing disappointment. Lee HyunAh received the business card and put it in her bag.

“Man. Maybe I’m missing an opportunity because of that oppa.”

Left alone inside the café, Lee HyunAh drank the rest of the Americano and grumbled. However, her expression looked as though she was relieved.

“Well, then. I’m not so busy anymore so let’s go hit him in the chest.”

Having drunk the coffee, Lee HyunAh was about to leave through the front door. However….

“Excuse me, miss….

“Sorry? Is something wrong?”

“You haven’t paid.”

“Sorry? Didn’t the woman that just left pay?”

“She only paid for one person.”

“…….”

Lee HyunAh felt absurd after seeing the meticulous ‘going dutch’ (individual pays for himself/herself) from the businesswoman that seem to imply that their fate ended there.

***

– Wow!! Oppa, what is all this money?

HeeYoon called KangYoon after seeing so much money in the bank account.

“What do you mean? This is all the profit from the song this time. I’m not sure about the cost of rights to use the music, but I got loads from the extras.”

– You’re one capable man.

“I must get the proper payment for a good song. Eat some nice things with that money.”

– Okay.

KangYoon was delighted to give HeeYoon so much pocket money. To be exact, he was planning to give HeeYoon all the composer rights, but HeeYoon left the money with KangYoon saying that he should use it for managing the company. KangYoon was proud to see her sister’s growth over these years.

After telling her to beware of boys, KangYoon ended the call and stood up. Today’s was the filming day of Korea ONE STAR. KangYoon headed to SBB TV station in Seoul.

“Hello.”

“Hello.”

KangYoon headed inside the station with the assistant director that came out to meet him. He leads KangYoon to the makeup room. He had his hair done and put on some light makeup.

‘This feels awkward.’

Although he visited TV stations many times, this was the first time he would be appearing on any programme. Although it was a special guest appearance, he felt very fresh.

It took around 30 minutes for the stages to be set up. KangYoon headed to the waiting room. Today, veteran singer Lee JaeHyuk and composer Moon SangJae were there. KangYoon greeted them and got ready.

One of the programmer writers entered and they started an interview. He asked about their standards for their judgment today as well as their preferred genre of singers. KangYoon was interviewed last.

“What kind of candidates are you planning to pick?”

When he was asked that, KangYoon answered after a little bit of thought.

“I wish to pick a candidate that has a unique trait as well as skills.”

“Do you have any candidates that you have your eyes on?”

“Hmm….”

He didn’t specifically have one, so he shook his head.

After the light interview, the judges took their seats. The audition started like that.

Although this was the 2nd round of auditions, there were still a lot of candidates. Although each of them got less than 5 minutes’ worth of time, the endless numbers of candidates exhausted the judges.

“My heart – to the sky— “

“Wait wait. Did you not have breakfast today? You sound too powerless.”

“S…. sorry.”

“This is an audition. Try again.”

Singer Lee JaeHyuk was like a roaring tiger towards the applicants. Sitting in the center, he glared at the applicants through his sunglasses. Moon SangJae supported his words as he branched off the candidates.

KangYoon was also judging the people coming on stage. He was looking at the light emitted by them while saying some comments. However, there was a problem.

‘Why is everyone so stuffy?’

It was grey light everywhere. Not only that, KangYoon was now more influenced by the musical lights. It was hard to endure this audition venue that was filled with grey light. He tried his best to endure by drinking lots of water. However, the stuffy feeling did not go away so easily.

They continued the audition without even eating.

“Number 701 entering.”

With the assistant director’s notification, a girl clad in school uniform entered with a guitar.

“Hello. My name is Kim JiMin. I’m 17 and I currently go to XX Girl’s High. Please take care of me.”

All the judges were fixated on the guitar behind the girl’s back. The first one to ask was Lee JaeHyuk.

“So, you play the guitar?”

“Yes. I liked playing it since I was young.”

“Really? Hmm.”

He seemed to be interested and urged her to play. Then, the girl started playing on the seat that was prepared for her. At that time, Lee JaeHyuk coldly spoke.

“Wait, aren’t you going to tune it?”

“Ah, I forgot. Tuning…. Tuning….”

Nervousness made her forgot about the most important thing. Kim JiMin finally took out the tuner from her bag but there was no way the judges would wait for that.

“…Forget the guitar. What have you prepared for us today?”

“A song called ‘Romance’.”

“Oho. That’s a hard one. Go ahead, then.”

The song ‘Romance’ was a high-pitched song sung by a veteran female singer. Lee JaeHyuk’s eyes shined in interest. KangYoon was the same. Kim JiMin did a light vocal exercise and started singing.

“The romance I dream of – “

Quiet and soft – Kim JiMin’s voice rang out. Lee JaeHyuk and Moon SangJae closed their eyes and admired her song.

‘Strong.’

KangYoon was surprised. The white light from the purple notes was getting stronger as the song progressed. Lee JaeHyuk and Moon SangJae were humming under its influence.

However…

“Go—slowly—roman…”

Due to her nervousness, she messed up a tone. Thanks to that, Lee JaeHyuk and Moon SangJae’s eyes abruptly opened, Kim JiMin ended up stopping there as she was surprised by their reactions.

“Ah….”

“Hm.”

Lee JaeHyuk and Moon SangJae shook their heads in disappointment. Her voice was very good, but it felt as though she was lacking something. Lee JaeHyuk started his evaluation first.

“Your voice is very good.”

“Thank you.”

“But you’re too nervous. You must learn to relax a little bit more. And right now, only your voice is good. Come again after you get used to this kind of stage. For me….”

He pressed X. It was a fail.

“Ah….”

Kim JiMin lowered her head. There were two votes left.

“I’m not that much different from Mr. Lee JaeHyuk’s. You have a good voice, but I wish you could practice some more before you come again.”

Moon SangJae pressed X as well. 2 out of 3 gave an X. This was a fail.

“…Thank you. I wish I can see you again at this place next time.”

Without even looking at KangYoon’s result, Kim JiMin left.

“Looks like she was disheartened.”

“It’s a pity. Her voice was really good.”

Lee JaeHyuk and Moon SangJae talked about Kim JiMin. Her voice was good, but it was too early for her to get a pass. This was their opinion.

However, KangYoon was different.

‘If she relaxed a little more, she would be really good. Looks like I’ll have to see her again.’

Just the voice was good? Not in KangYoon’s opinion, no. Among the trainees KangYoon saw, there were rarely any that could produce such a clear white light. He stood up from his seat as though something tugged his mind.

“Can we have a little rest?”

“Hmm…. Should we? I’m hungry too.”

When Lee JaeHyuk agreed to KangYoon’s request for a rest, the programme was paused. KangYoon immediately left and looked for Kim JiMin.

‘Where is she?’

However, she wasn’t in the lobby. When he asked a staff in the lobby, he got the reply that a girl with a guitar had just left the lobby, and he ran out.

Fortunately, he could see the girl not far away from the building. KangYoon ran.

“Wait!”

“Eh?”

The girl turned around at KangYoon’s call.

“Sir judge?”

“*pant pant….*”

Looking at the girl’s confused expression, KangYoon made a bright face.

“Fuu, I was looking for you.”

“For me?”

The girl, Kim JiMin, looked at KangYoon with very confused eyes.