Chapter 98
[Kim JaeHoon switches companies – Exclusive Contract with World Entertainment]
– Sports Massei: Oh Yeon Cham
(Sports Massei – Journalist Oh Yeon Cham) The singer Kim JaeHoon (age 31) has entered an exclusive 5-year contract with World Entertainment .
On the 10th, a person from World Entertainment has revealed that Kim JaeHoon has entered a 5-year exclusive contract with World Entertainment . With this, Kim JaeHoon will be a singer belonging to World Entertainment until 2016 .
World Entertainment has also said that there will be no more sufferings for him after the conflict with his previous company .
Kim JaeHoon has stated that… .
.
.
“…Huh . ”
President Kang ShiMyoung made an expression of loss while looking at the news article .
“He accepted Kim JaeHoon? I really don’t get this guy . ”
It was practically a public secret that Kim JaeHoon was looking for a management group . He knew about the 1 . 5billion won (1 . 5m USD) contract deposit as well . However, considering his age, and the money necessary to recruit him, he wondered if Kim JaeHoon was really worth the investment .
“Is he trying to go for a short term? Then there’s no way he would sign a 5-year contract… . Hmm . I don’t get the reason… . ”
He was curious . There were many instabilities about accepting Kim JaeHoon . His 4-year gap as well as his conflict with his previous company . He really had nothing other than his singing . As such, when he approached him, he thought about it for one day and decided to decline . He thought that the other companies would do the same .
While President Kang ShiMyoung was wondering about this, a notification that the secretary has come with a report had come . Soon, a woman entered . It was Min HanNa .
“What of it?”
“The thing is… . ”
Min HanNa carefully said that the scout for Lee ChaHee had failed . Then, President Kang ShiMyoung smiled and shook his head .
“It must not have been easy . If they had any smarts at all, they should have realized that they would be useless the moment they come here . Anyway, thanks for your hard work . ”
“I apologize, sir . ”
Min HanNa’s expression brightened seeing that the President didn’t say much . However, his scolding came after .
“But even so, it’s a bit of a pity . I thought that Chief Min would do better . And this ended up making them have a tighter bond . Now then, how am I supposed to leave you with any further work?”
“…… . ”
Min HanNa had to receive Kang ShiMyoung’s nagging for quite a while after that .
“…Please excuse me . ”
When Min HanNa left with a dejected expression, President Kang ShiMyoung lightly frowned as well .
“They’re all so useless . I wish I could have just one person like Lee KangYoon . ”
He grumbled while looking towards the door .
***
Kim JaeHoon went on a trip . It was KangYoon’s method to console his tired body and heart . He went on a country tour saying that he wanted to travel across the country .
While Kim JaeHoon was absent, KangYoon proceeded with matters related to him . He received a song from HeeYoon and started to schedule Kim JaeHoon’s events . Although he was supposed to hire a manager and let that person manage Kim JaeHoon, he planned to manage him himself for a while .
2 a . m .
KangYoon was having a call with HeeYoon at home .
“I think the key is too high . ”
– Really? I tried high since you said that his voice changed a little . Well, it’s Kim JaeHoon after all .
KangYoon expressed his questions about the songs that HeeYoon had sent . KangYoon’s eyes were seeing white light from the notes inside the room . However, he also considered Kim JaeHoon’s vocal tone and his pitch . He thought that it would be better if it was lower .
HeeYoon said that she would call back an hour later . She intended to lower the key and finish the final edits and send it back to him . KangYoon also now had a grasp and thought about how to rearrange the song .
While HeeYoon was thinking about the song, HeeYoon called back .
– Oppa, I sent you the file .
KangYoon opened the file and played it . It was a key lower than the previous one . After listening to the end, KangYoon was satisfied .
“I think this is okay . ”
– Sheesh, you’re so picky . You rejected it 5 times .
“It’s work, I can’t help it . ”
– Yeah, yeah, you’re the boss .
HeeYoon grumbled as though the work was hard for her . KangYoon only laughed .
– Then do your best at work, oppa . I’ll leave the rest to you .
“Yes . I’ll ask you for things later then . ”
After the call, KangYoon rolled up his sleeves .
“Well then, should I start?”
KangYoon focused on work after a shout .
Although he stayed up the night, the arrangement wasn’t done so easily .
In the end, he slept at 5 and woke back up at 7 . KangYoon washed his tired face and went to work .
“Hello . ”
When he arrived at his office, Jung HyeJin greeted him . She gave him coffee as she always did .
“Thank you, Miss HyeJin . Are you trying to schedule for JaeHoon?”
“Yes . As you have said, I’ve applied for KTS . There was a reply saying that the director of that programme will contact us in the afternoon . ”
“Thank you for your work . ”
Jung HyeJin went back to her seat and started working . Lee HyunJi came to work soon as well . She greeted Jung HyeJin and came to KangYoon’s seat .
“Late night music Hula? Is he going on TV without a comeback album?”
Lee HyunJi judged that a TV programme was too early . KangYoon calmly explained to her .
“Kim JaeHoon has a 4-year gap . Although it would be fine to act after an album, he should be very passionate about singing right about now . In my opinion, the right time should be when he comes back after getting himself together . ”
“But I still think it should be better to prepare an album first… . ”
“Naturally, there will be an album . However, what we’re doing this time is for the events . ”
“The events?”
“1 . 5 billion won . We need to get that back . It’s not like we produce money out of nothing . ”
“What, you really intend to? Then the TV programme is just for advertising? Ha… . ”
Lee HyunJi understood what KangYoon was thinking . KangYoon wanted to tell the world that Kim JaeHoon was still as mighty as ever despite his 4-year gap . He was once a peak-level singer . However, it would be natural for there to be fans that were doubtful because of his 4-year gap, and fans that still waited for him . Although a new album may receive various criticisms, using his previous songs would lower that risk .
Lee HyunJi thought about it for a moment before raising her voice in excitement .
“Hula is shot in a studio and not an ordinary stage . Then we’ll be able to produce a better voice… . Oh, and isn’t there a band in Hula?”
“I was planning to send White Moonlight as the session even if you didn’t tell me . ”
“A duet with Lee HyunAh? Looks like HyunAh will rise . ”
Hearing those words, KangYoon shook his head .
“Not yet . Only the band will appear . ”
“Then only the band will debut on public TV? So, something like this can happen . Looks like you’ll receive a beating from HyunAh for a while, President . ”
“It’s work, I can’t help it . I was already worried that the band kids may think that HyunAh is receiving special treatment . This is the perfect time to show them that she is not . ”
Lee HyunJi wholeheartedly agreed to KangYoon’s plans . This was a chance to grab many opportunities . She even went a step further and asked if she could meet some of the people at the TV companies . She showed the confidence that she could get better screen times since it was a late-night show .
“Okay, then . I’ll leave that to you, director . ”
“I shall answer your expectations, then . ”
Lee HyunJi went back to her seat with a smile .
In the afternoon, Lee HyunJi went to KTS after being contacted by the director of that programme, and KangYoon headed to the underground studio . Inside, Kim JiMin was exercising her voice . After seeing KangYoon, she greeted him and went back to practice .
“So, you’re quite proficient with basic vocalization . ”
“Yes, but it’s so different from the other vocalization methods . It’s easy at first, but there are more things to look out for the more I do it . ”
Kim JiMin expressed her difficulties . She said that she wanted to sing as well, but KangYoon shook his head .
“It’s not time yet . The professor will tell you when you’re ready . You can’t practice songs or like that on your own, okay?”
“Yes . It’s because of bad habits, isn’t it?”
“You’re right . It will be hard to fix if you get any bad habits . Also… . ”
KangYoon checked Kim JiMin’s current level . Her voice, her guitar, her music theory, etc . She asked at that time .
“Uh… . Am I not going to learn to dance?”
“Dance? Why? You want to learn?”
“No, but the thing is… . The trainees around my age are all learning it, but I’m not . ”
KangYoon patted Kim JiMin and spoke .
“You might need to dance later, but right now, I don’t think you should do it . You should be focusing on one thing right now . ”
“Then… I will have to do it?”
“Why? You don’t like dancing?”
“…… . ”
It was a silent reply . KangYoon ended up laughing .
“Well, you are terrible at dancing after all . You might be worried about dancing, but right now, focus on becoming the best at what you are doing currently first and then focus on other things later . ”
“Okay . ”
By the time KangYoon finished his talk with Kim JiMin, professor Choi ChanYang opened the doors to the studio and entered . KangYoon asked him about Kim JiMin .
“Her innate voice is good, but she also practiced a lot . If she focuses, no one around her age will be able to catch up to her in around half a year . ”
KangYoon was very surprised . Although professor Choi ChanYang looked very soft on the outside, he was very harsh when it came to evaluation . If he was saying this, then Kim JiMin’s progress was indeed fast .
‘Maybe we don’t even need a whole year . ’
Since it generally took a lot of money to raise trainees, these achievements were a joyful thing for him .
After that, KangYoon went upstairs to the practice room and observed their daily practice and ended his work for that day .
***
Kim JaeHoon had returned after his holiday . He had a very bright expression as though he had been relieved of all the weight that was pressuring him .
“I’m back . ”
“Welcome . ”
He and KangYoon had a light hug in the office .
The two sat down and started talking about business .
“Late night Hula? That’s good . I’ve always wanted to go there once . ”
When he heard about his first schedule from KangYoon, his expression brightened . He was worried that he may have had to do some entertainment shows or talk shows, but it looked as though he was worried about nothing .
“You’ll go there with our band . ”
“Really? That’s good . We can practice beforehand . Am I going to do a duet with that girl as well?”
“No, we need to get the focus to shine on you, so only the band will be appearing . If HyunAh goes there, the attention will be divided among you two . ”
“That’s a pity . I’ve always wanted to do a duet with a girl . ”
“Let’s try that out at a later date on another programme . ”
KangYoon talked about many things . He talked about any precautions he should have or the things he should do on the show . Kim JaeHoon nodded his head at his words .
“Okay . I thought my first TV show would’ve been an entertainment one… . ”
“You won’t get any of those in the future either . I know that you’ll get video edited out . Why should I send you?”
“Hahahaha . ”
Kim JaeHoon laughed awkwardly .
KangYoon and Kim JaeHoon headed to the practice studio where White Moonlight was practicing . When the two entered, the loud music all stopped at once .
Although they had seen each other before, Kim JaeHoon and White Moonlight were still awkward with each other . KangYoon first made them stand next to each other . Since they would be appearing on TV together, they were practically one family . Fortunately, Kim JinDae and Jung ChanGyu looked at Kim JaeHoon with admiration, while Lee ChaHee also didn’t show any signs of discomfort .
Just that, Lee HyunAh was pouting after hearing that she wouldn’t be appearing with them .
“Then… should we start practicing?”
When Kim JaeHoon grabbed the mic, the band picked up their instruments again . The score was already there . The band started, and Kim JaeHoon closed his eyes .
“The sad feelings – blown in the wind–”
Kim JaeHoon’s low, yet thin voice started flowing out in the practice studio . His notes and the notes from the instruments combined to make a very intense white light . However… .
“Wait . The lows are too high . Please lower it a little . Raise the high a bit too . ”
Kim JaeHoon didn’t seem to like the voice and stopped the music to set the mic again . Manager Kim DaeHyun interacted with the mixer and changed the setting . Then, the song started again .
“The sad feelings – blown in the wind–”
The white became stronger . However, Kim JaeHoon halted the song again .
“Sorry for that . Is there an echo?”
“Yes . ”
“Just remove all of it . Remove the delay as well and lower the gain . ”
Kim JaeHoon asked for a lot of things . Kim DaeHyun had a hard time listening to all his requests .
‘He’s so harsh… . ’
Kim DaeHyun felt as though he was in a real concert . Kim JaeHoon reacted sensitively to even the most minute settings . He looked at KangYoon, but KangYoon didn’t flinch at all . He intended for him to do it himself .
‘Dammit . ’
Like that, a total of 40 minutes passed .
“Hm… . The microphone doesn’t fit my voice . But since this is practice… . ”
Kim JaeHoon sighed in pity . Then, KangYoon spoke from behind .
“What did you use?”
“It was from SNR, and it felt good since it was heavy . ”
“Looks like we’ll need to get you a personal mic too . ”
“They probably don’t sell those in Korea . ”
“I’ll get one for you regardless . ”
Hearing KangYoon’s words, Kim JaeHoon felt better . Although he didn’t have complete confidence yet, he felt that he should be able to do well with a President like this .
“Should we do it then?”
When Kim JaeHoon gave the signal, Kim JinDae gave the beat on the drums, much more nervous than usual .
***
Leaving behind the band members to practice, Lee HyunAh left the practice studio .
‘It feels quite strange . ’
Everyone else was practicing other than her . She felt left out . Even though it was practically thanks to her that they were able to come to this place-
“HyunAh”
When she was about to fall into thought, someone called her from behind . It was KangYoon .
“Ah, yes . President . ”
“Should we go out for a little?”
“Where… are we going?”
Normally, she would jump around in joy, but she felt down right now . KangYoon replied calmly to her question .
“To see a concert venue . ”
“What?”
“Get ready and come back out . I’ll wait at the entrance . ”
KangYoon spoke a word and returned to his office .
‘Yes!’
Her downcast feelings instantly rose sky high thanks to the sudden invitation for a date(?) .