Chapter 134
“Leave the first beat as it is and cut it on the half beat after the 2nd . ”
Listening to Kim JiMin playing the guitar, HeeYoon shook her head saying that it wasn’t the right feeling .
“Unni~ . It’s too hard to suddenly stop on the half beat … . ”
“I can’t help it . It’s the only way I can get that feeling . ”
The usually soft HeeYoon was all but gone . It was the saying, like brother, like sister . As Kim JiMin couldn’t get that ‘feel’, HeeYoon enforced practice like a spartan teacher .
Kim JiMin eventually tired herself out and put down the guitar pick .
“I should play with my fingers instead . ”
“Let’s try again . One-and-two-and… . ”
Along with HeeYoon’s beats, Kim JiMin slowly learned the rhythm . In the second part, she had to split the first beat in two, and smoothly join the half beat after the 2nd beat with the third .
As she had a solid foundation, it didn’t actually take that long for her to grasp it .
“Good . ”
HeeYoon clapped . Kim JiMin, who had learned herself a new playing method, became cheerful again . Learning an advanced method really wasn’t easy .
“Is this right?”
“Yeah . Now, let’s try singing as you play that part . You know what part to accentuate, right?”
“Yes . The third beat, right?”
“Yes . This song is the same . ”
The two started to practice again after HeeYoon’s explanations .
***
KangYoon had received the completed song from HeeYoon and started to rearrange the song .
KangYoon first tried combining the recorded acoustic accompaniment with Kim JiMin’s voice . He saw an array of white light .
‘There’s no need to drag out the guitar solo for so long . ’
After the guitar part, he added a cheerful drum part .
‘Let’s just add a basic rhythm, and record a band . ’
He seemed to require a session from White Moonlight . In order to bring out Kim JiMin’s guitar solo effectively, a band was necessary . After all, real instruments sounded a lot better than MIDI . He had to do this in order to raise the quality of the sound .
‘Looks like I should head to the company after this . ’
KangYoon only added a few string instruments without a line . Other than that, he added the drums, the bass guitar, and the electric guitar to get a general feeling of the song before saving the file . After his work, he left his house with the file .
On his way, he called the members of the band . The members of White Moonlight were summoned to the studio as they were just about to go home after practice . They were in a good mood though, since it had been a while since they recorded anything .
When KangYoon arrived at the studio, The members of White Moonlight, HeeYoon, Kim JiMin, and even Lee HyunJi were present . Although it was late in the evening, the studio was already full .
“Director, you haven’t gone home yet?”
“This is JiMin’s song we’re talking about . I made a visit because I was curious what it would sound like . ”
Everyone was focusing on the first ‘new’ singer from World Entertainment .
The various instruments were already set up inside the booth . KangYoon adjusted the sound for each of the instruments . After that, the recording began .
Along with the accompaniment, Kim JinDae tapped on the snare and the foot bass, when KangYoon spoke through the mic .
“JinDae, let’s go with rimshot . ChaHee, well done staying out . ”
-Yes .
Kim JinDae replied very formally unlike his usual attitude .
In that round, the notes from the drums intermixed with the intro accompaniment to create grey light . It seemed to stem from the drum’s playing method . KangYoon asked Kim JinDae to go with rimshots .
In the next round, the drums blended well with the other sounds .
‘This is better . ’
Unlike the grey color from before, the light was a bright white this time . Next was Lee ChaHee’s turn to join . At the part where other instruments joined after the acoustic guitar and the drums played a duet, she played the slide method to skid down the strings . Kim JinDae also gave some alterations to the drums to add to the impact .
However, KangYoon shook his head and spoke into the mic again .
“ChaHee, let’s skip the slide . I think we can use that in later parts when we need some accentuating . ”
– Yes .
“JinDae, don’t go too flashy from the get-go . ”
They had unintentionally brought out their habits because White Moonlight’s songs were mostly the powerful sort . KangYoon adjusted their playing .
Although he said a lot, the recording time wasn’t that long . Both Kim JinDae and Lee ChaHee were skilled players, and KangYoon’s requests were clear cut as well .
Like that, they were able to smoothly go past the 1st and 2nd verses and into the chorus .
“ChaHee, your notes are going too high . ”
As the chorus was about to end, KangYoon felt something strange as the notes rose without limit . The white light did not change, but the bass and the accompaniment fell lower in comparison .
– Huh? I played according to the score you gave me . I’m pretty sure I didn’t play it wrong… .
“That’s strange . It was a whole tone up… . ”
This was the part where many flashy sound effects entered the fray to liven up the mood . Lee ChaHee’s bass had to support them from below . However, the bass notes were now lower instead . The mood of the entire song was shaking .
After one line, KangYoon halted the recording again .
“ChaHee, you’re low this time . ”
– That’s strange . I did play it right… .
The sound was strange despite playing correctly? Just in case, KangYoon had a look at his own score as well . There was nothing wrong with it . He entered the booth to have a look at Lee ChaHee’s copy, but he didn’t find anything wrong with it either .
‘What’s this?’
Lee ChaHee wasn’t someone that tried to cover up her mistakes .
‘Am I too tired?’
KangYoon decided that he had become too sensitive .
“Let’s just try ag… . ”
At that time, Lee ChaHee suddenly paled and started shaking on the spot while looking at KangYoon .
“What is it?”
– President, on your left, there’s a gho… gh…
“Go what?”
KangYoon was confused . Lee ChaHee’s expression was locked in horror . The usually calm attitude of hers had all but disappeared .
– Kyaaaak! A gho… Ghost!!
Everyone was shocked by the sudden scream .
A ghost! All of a sudden, too! Everyone looked around in search of this ghost, but they found no traces of one .
In the end, Kim JinDae grabbed Lee ChaHee and strongly shook her .
– ChaHee, Calm down
– Uh… ye . . yeah… .
Lee ChaHee calmed down after a while .
KangYoon entered the booth seeing Lee ChaHee act weird .
“Did you see something?”
“Uhm, it was… there was some woman right next to you, president… . ”
“A woman?”
KangYoon was flabbergasted .
Summing it up, it was the story of the recording studio ghost that brought good luck . This was weird coming from Lee ChaHee, who always had a calm attitude .
(T/N: Apparently recording studio ghost is a thing . “Seeing a ghost while recording means that the album will be a great hit” – that’s the general outline . )
“Sheesh, there’s no such thing as a ghost in the modern world . ”
“I really did see one though… . ”
How was he supposed to react to that? Many mystery fans would probably like this story .
Though for KangYoon, it was no fun at all .
‘Is her romance not going well these days?’
KangYoon told Kim JinDae to look after her and declared a period of rest .
Lee HyunJi, who was watching all this while, approached KangYoon .
“The legendary studio ghost . It’s been a while since I heard of one . ”
“There’s no such thing as ghosts . It’s all made up . ”
“Oh? I believe in ghosts though . Do you really think that way?”
Lee HyunJi had the ‘this is interesting’ expression on . However, KangYoon chuckled instead .
“Well, it does look like things are looking good for the music . I wish I saw one too . ”
“Pfft, I knew you’d say that, president . Anyway, the ghost, huh . Looks like we have one more thing to advertise about . I should ask ChaHee for more details . ”
Lee HyunJi entered the booth with joy . Then, she started asking Lee ChaHee about things while consoling her .
‘Looks like women love ghost stories . ’
KangYoon shook his head after all this ‘ghost’ incident .
***
(T/N: AFAIK, this company is mildly important… so don’t just forget about it . )
GNB Entertainment was a company that was growing at an incredible rate during the past 3 years .
After an investment from the Korean colossus company that was Benneth, it grew in size rapidly while scouting popular actors and actresses, comedians as well as singers .
President Han YoungSook was an iron fisted woman that single-handedly created the company with an immense budget .
Today, she called Yoo NaYoon, who would soon have her debut .
“NaYoon . Are you doing well?”
“Yes . It’s thanks to everyone’s help . ”
“That’s good . ”
The words were nice, but Yoo NaYoon was very nervous . The president’s eyes seemed to see through everything .
“It will be your debut after the Lunar New Year . At that time, there will be no singers making comebacks, and there will be no super rookies either . You know that this is the best time, right? Well, I guess you are a super rookie yourself, NaYoon . ”
“……”
It was a compliment, but Yoo NaYoon was unable to smile . She knew that those words contained thorns .
President Han YoungSook continued speaking with a very engaged expression .
“I heard a few days ago from president Kang that someone will be debuting at a similar time as my NaYoon . Fufu, at your level, nothing should beat you, right?”
President Han YoungSook had confidence . President Kang ShiMyoung had told her to watch out since World had a lot of achievements up their sleeves, that company, with a single trainee, and low on company funds, seemed beneath her notice . In other words, they should have their hands full running Kim JaeHoon and Eddios . A new trainee from such a company? It made her laugh .
“You have faith in me . There’s no problem at all . ”
“Yes, yes . Just consider all my investment in… . *hm hm* . My pretty is not going anywhere, right?”
President Han YoungSook patted Yoo NaYoon’s back . To her, this rookie from World Entertainment had no meaning to her .
***
“It’s always about the money . ”
Pressing buttons on the calculator, Lee HyunJi heaved a deep sigh . Money for distribution of music, as well as money required to pay a lot of other services, meant that there was no money left over for a big showcase .
KangYoon said that it was okay and that they should look for another method .
“Even if we do hold a showcase for JiMin, there will be no people to attend it . Although we possess Kim JaeHoon and Eddios among our ranks, our reputation as a company is quite low . We’ll have to leave a showcase for Eddios’s comeback . ”
“That’s a pity . A debut is a once in a lifetime thing, but she’s having such a small one . ”
“It won’t be as small as you think it is . The TV station allocated us quite a lot of time .
They were allocated 6 minutes . They acquired that time through the deal that the debut will be exclusive to Music Camp on DLE TV station . They also could not hold any other stages in that week .
Lee HyunJi was surprised by KangYoon’s skills .
“Looks like President Choo ManJi is repaying us for DiaTeen . DLE was close with Yoonseul, right?”
“Yes . I thought I would have a hard time even after that, but president Choo gladly took it into his hands . Without effort from his part, this would have been very hard . If that didn’t work, I would have had to look for another method . ”
KangYoon discussed a lot of things about Kim JiMin’s debut with Lee HyunJi . She needed a manager, as well as a coordinator, and they had to set on a schedule for her as well . They talked about the usual things that were required to run an entertainer .
They were talking about a lot of things when KangYoon brought up a topic that president Choo ManJi told him to be wary about .
“A rookie from GNB will have her debut on the same day . ”
“GNB? Doesn’t president Han YoungSook run that place?”
“Yes . Coincidentally, theirs is a female solo too . Their ages are similar as well… . ”
Lee HyunJi’s frowned . Usually, music artists with similar themes do not release their albums at similar times . This was usually done through negotiations by the companies themselves . This was either a whim of fate or that the opponent was looking to stomp on them .
“Did they aim for that?”
“I don’t think so . It just looks like their thought processes were similar to ours . No one is making a comeback or having a debut in early February . ”
“This is a little bad for a coincidence . GNB is a company with a lot of money . Although they don’t have much know-how compared to MG or Yoonseul, their budget is through the roof . People jokingly refer to them as the rich entertainer . ”
“Pfft, I’m envious now . ”
KangYoon sighed . However, he soon regained his confidence .
“I hope their theme is not something similar to ours, but if it is, this will be a showdown . If we delay the date, though, we’ll only be labeled copycats . I believe that it’s better to meet them head-on . ”
“Looks like the journalists will love this topic . Should we make something out of it as well?”
“No, marketing JiMin like this won’t last long . If her image is ruined due to a single misstep, things will go down the drain . We need to be slow and steady . ”
Lee HyunJi nodded her head in understanding .
***
Lunar New Years . Kim JiMin focused on practice even after the holiday season . No one interrupted her . Though, HeeYoon and professor Choi ChanYang occasionally helped her out a little .
Time flowed quickly and it was now February .
D-Day .
KangYoon, Kim JiMin’s manager, Choi HyukJin, and her coordinator Lee JinAh, were currently waiting at DLE station’s waiting room .
“JiMin looks so pretty with makeup on . ”
Lee JinAh wasn’t stingy with her praises as she put makeup powder on Kim JiMin’s face . Her skin did not have a single blemish and accepted the makeup well, there was a sense of achievement in doing so .
Before she got into her stage costume, KangYoon and Kim JiMin went around handing out CDs . This was a form of greeting for rookies in their debut . The other singers gave words of encouragement seeing that a solo girl, rare in this industry, was going on stage .
Like that, the two of them went around to the other waiting rooms and finally stumbled upon the last waiting room, labeled, ‘Nael’ .
“This place is… . ”
Kim JiMin looked at KangYoon with a slightly worried tone . This waiting room was for the singer that debuted at the same time as her .
“Even if she’s a rival, you need to be friends with her . ”
“If she does, that’s all she amounts to . ”
“You’re right . ”
Kim JiMin knocked on the door . When she was granted entry, she entered .
Yo NaYoon and her manager greeted them from inside .
“Hello? I’m Eunha and I’m having my debut stage today . I’m here for greetings . ” (T/N: Eunha is JiMin’s stage name . Means ‘galaxy’)
Kim JiMin gave her greetings .
‘Wow, so pretty . ’
Yo NaYoon (T/N: ‘Nael’ is her stage name . ) had a doll-like appearance . She was taller than Kim JiMin and had curves where they needed to be . It was just that, she gave the aura of someone unapproachable .
“Hello . I’m Nael . ”
Yo NaYoon gave her her own CD in welcome . Kim JiMin exchanged CDs with her as she looked at her .
“Since we have our debuts on the same day, does that make us peers?”
“Hahaha . ”
Kim JiMin smiled at Yoo NaYoon’s words . However, sparks could be seen between them . Both Kim JiMin and Yoo NaYoon were wary against each other .
After a brief greeting, KangYoon and Kim JiMin left the waiting room .
“How was it?”
“She was pretty . VERY pretty . ”
She meant it . Yoo NaYoon was just tall enough for men to like, she was slim, and had a doll face . Honestly, she didn’t think that she would win against her appearance-wise .
“Sir . Can I… win against her?”
She seemed to have lost confidence and KangYoon smiled softly .
“Win? That’s not necessarily important . ”
“Then what?”
“The ones you should focus on are the people listening to your music . Not her . ”
“Oh… . . ”
Kim JiMin exclaimed . KangYoon was right .
“You became a singer because you wanted to sing, right? Now, you’re at the starting line . ”
“Yes . ”
Her memories of reaching here after meeting KangYoon for the first time played in her mind . Thinking back, the process was fun . She was having a hard time after a failed audition when she met KangYoon, and he allowed her to live her dream as a musician despite being financially unstable . She saw a lot of other peoples’ stages, grew up, and now she was here .
…It was a miracle that she was standing here in the first place .
“She should have a story of her own . However, what’s important to you, JiMin, is you . You sing your song . She will sing her song . The viewers will be the judge . ”
“Okay . ”
When they arrived at her waiting room, KangYoon patted Kim JiMin’s back .
“The moment you go up on stage, you focus on your own song . Leave everything else to me, okay?”
“Yes!!”
KangYoon patted Kim JiMin’s head before sending her into the waiting room .
‘Another one has begun . ’
Seeing the waiting room shut, KangYoon tried to calm down his racing heart .
World Entertainment’s rookie was going on stage . He was filled with excitement, expectation, and a bit of worry as he headed towards the stage .