Chapter 231

Wait, dont tell me JooYeon actually aimed for this?

Lee HyunJi naturally became suspicious .

However, KangYoon shook his head in denial .

She isnt someone whod do something like that on purpose . Its just a result of a loaded question .

Thats true, but I feel like were being dragged into her pace . Rather than that, will you be fine, president? Since this is Eddios were talking about, the workload should be quite large

The lack of manpower was showing its limits .

Working on Eddioss alb.u.m required much more effort than working with other artists . Starting with the sheer number of singers in the group, they also had ch.o.r.eography to take care of, and their alb.u.m cover art required more work than others as well .

When KangYoon looked hesitant, Lee HyunJi voiced her opinion .

Why dont we hire an exclusive producer since were at it?

Were better off without a producer than a subpar one

As she was aware of KangYoons pickiness when it came to music, Lee HyunJi raised her hand as a gesture to him to believe in her .

I already have someone in mind . I can guarantee his skill .

So you were preparing a lot of things behind my back . What kind of person is this producer?

Lee HyunJi took out a doc.u.ment from her drawers and showed it to KangYoon .

KangYoons eyes widened after seeing the familiar face .

Isnt this person Producer Oh JiWan?

The one on the doc.u.ment was none other than the core producer of MG Entertainment, Producer Oh JiWan .

He had a lot of experience working with many famous stars so there was no way he was free .

Such a person would come over from MG to World? KangYoon shook his head .

As far as I know, Producer Oh JiWan is a top-tier producer who maintained his position ever since Chairman Won JinMoon was in charge . MG should be treating him with the utmost care . Would he have a reason to come over to us?

Yes . Im sure that hell come .

Lee HyunJi answered KangYoons questions .

Producer Oh JiWan is similar to you, president . He only sees the singer and the song, just these two . Chairman Won JinMoon was able to utilize such a side of his, but the directors considered him an obstacle rather than a.s.sistance . Some even considered that they would be better off without him since he created songs that werent to their tastes . Thanks to that, theyre looking to raise other producers .

So hes not being pushed away due to skill but due to politics .

Yes . Foolish actions, I must say .

KangYoon made a bitter smile .

How sad . No one was quite as good as him back when we were at MG .

Thats the problem with MG . Since the board of directors runs it, the positions arent decided by skill but through politics . Thats why the atmosphere over there is bad .

How foolish of them . Understood then . For now, I believe that we should talk to him first .

I scheduled a meeting with him tomorrow evening, so you can come together with me .

After talking with Lee HyunJi, KangYoon went to the studio where the girl trio was .

The three ladies gave KangYoon their finished song with nervous eyes .

Here .

KangYoon accepted the USB drive and the score and played back the music on the computer .

On a dry autumn day we walked together on the day we became twenty

Kim JiMins acapella voice flowed out .

The intro had disappeared, and the song started with verse 1 . Kim JiMins unique, refres.h.i.+ng voice seemed to enrapture all those listening .

Oho?

KangYoon was surprised, seeing that the awkward intro was removed .

On top of that, as the song continued, Seo HanYus voice could be heard in the chorus, and the song became even better .

The musical notes created white light and lit up the surroundings .

When it comes to recording, I should ask White Moonlight to record the instruments rather than using MIDI like it is now .

After listening to the song to the end, KangYoon turned around to the three ladies .

H, how is it?

When Park SoYoung asked, KangYoon replied calmly .

Its definitely better than before . Who thought of removing the intro?

Hearing those words, Kim JiMin and Seo HanYu looked at Park SoYoung .

KangYoon spoke to her .

I think that was a great choice . Its much better to start with the verse itself . I also liked HanYus voice in the chorus .

Was there anything strange?

When Kim JiMin asked, KangYoon smiled as he replied .

It was nice to listen to . This time, the spatiality and the delays were nicely done . Well, it might be just me and my dislike of the sounds you used so

Even so

Park SoYoung, who did the rearrangement, looked down .

Seeing that, KangYoon was reminded of something else .

How would other producers react? I thought that acoustic sounds were much better, but others may think otherwise . Hmm I should ask once I meet him tomorrow .

Seeing Park SoYoung so dejected, KangYoon was thinking about Producer Oh JiWan .

***

The next evening .

KangYoon headed to a bar in Gangnam along with Lee HyunJi . This was where they planned to meet Producer Oh JiWan .

As this place wasnt a bar purposely created for famous people, some of the other visitors whispered to each other after noticing who KangYoon was, but he didnt mind and headed to the room .

Producer Oh JiWan had already arrived .

Its been a long time, team leader . No, I guess youre a president now . Hahaha .

Producer Oh JiWan had a smile on his face as it was nice to see KangYoon after all this time .

KangYoon shook hands with him and likewise expressed his joy .

After ordering some food along with a bottle of Sake, Lee HyunJi started speaking .

Twistel is quite hot these days, huh? They failed miserably twice, but now they succeeded in making a comeback .

Yes . I guess taking clothes off does make people popular .

A 6-man boy group from GNB Entertainment, Twistel .

At first, they went with the pretty boy theme and added sparkliness to that, but they experienced horrible failures due to lack of compet.i.tiveness .

However, they grew muscles and created a huge comeback, even coining the word beastly men in the process .

Since Summer was the season of exposure, the time was just right, and the effect was amplified .

Youre right . Twistels main fan base consists of women in their late twenties to early thirties, so theyre people with money .

Indeed . They have plenty of money to buy alb.u.ms, so in the companys perspective, they should be quite the cash cow .

If that Twistel gave you an offer to work with them, what would your answer be, producer?

This question was a probe, and at the same time, it was a question asking his work philosophy .

KangYoon gently tilted his gla.s.s and focused .

Producer Oh JiWan spoke with a firm att.i.tude .

Twistel is a group of fine men . However, I dont think their style matches my style of work .

Really? Why do you think that?

Twistel is a group focused on performance more than singing . Until now, they have never shown a live singing stage . To exaggerate things a little, theyve practically abandoned live singing and are focused on performance to the utmost . This means that I would have to add many effects to their voices in recording, but I prefer the singers original voices the most . I think it would give me a headache if I were told to work with them .

How about JooAh? JooAh is good when it comes to performance as well .

Oh, no, no way . JooAh does not lack in both singing and performance . JooAh also doesnt like mechanical effects being added to her voice . She has confidence in her voice .

At that moment, KangYoon, who had been still this whole time, interrupted .

Its not like mechanical effects are bad, though, is it?

Of course . It can fill up a singers lack of skill, and it can also add effects that wouldnt be possible with human vocal cords . However, it becomes a problem when its used excessively .

I believe that MG doesnt like to use mechanical effects .

We used to . We originally emphasized the original voice of the singer more . However, the trend is changing nowadays .

Producer Oh JiWan continued to speak with a gloomy voice .

It takes a long time for a singer to find his or her voice . Theres a reason why people start being trainees for years at a time . However, starting one year ago, those talents are disappearing since the company is decreasing the number of trainees . The singers that debuted recently are bad enough to the point that it was hard to make an alb.u.m without adding effects to their voices .

Huh, so theyre lacking money to raise new trainees because theyre using that money for the construction .

KangYoon clicked his tongue .

I dont think I should talk about this anymore . It looks like I excused you two too much . Team leader, I mean, President Lee KangYoon . Im sorry that I had to talk about such a sensitive topic in front of you .

Not at all . It makes me feel better, as well .

KangYoon raised his gla.s.s, and Lee HyunJi and Producer Oh JiWan toasted him .

The mood became ripe .

Producer Oh JiWans face became red, but he no longer talked about his company .

KangYoon no longer asked him anything either, and only asked questions about the entertainment industry in general .

The day changed .

After paying, the three went to the streets .

Producer Oh JiWan shook hands with KangYoon while clutching his head due to being drunk .

Whew, Im drunk~ . Teeeam leader . I had fun today .

See you next time .

. .

Producer Oh JiWan glanced at kangYoon .

Heheh . Didnt you actually call me here because you wanted to talk about something?

Talk about something?

You knoooow~ . I am not that dim-witted . Haha, team leeeader . I, too, like World .

Perhaps because he was drunk, Producer Oh JiWan kept giggling .

Theeese days, everyone in this indussssstry always talks about Wooooorld . To traineeeees, its a utopia to successsss . To singersss, a new wooooorld . And to producers .

You are drunk, Producer Oh .

When KangYoon held Producer Oh JiWan up, he giggled and continued to speak .

A haven . Hahaha . However, I

He fell asleep without being able to finish his words .

Lee HyunJi blinked several times .

It looks like hes had it hard .

Indeed . Do you know where Producer Ohs house is?

No, what do I do

For now, Ill take him to my house . I guess I cant help it .

KangYoon took the taxi home along with Producer Oh JiWan .

The next day .

Urgh

Opening his eyes, an unfamiliar ceiling was in his view .

Producer Oh JiWan abruptly stood up from the bed in surprise .

Th, this place!?

The bedroom looked like a standard room, but there were speakers installed all around, not to mention sound dampening materials

This was a rather strange place .

Surprised, he opened the door and left the room .

!!!!!

!!!!!

And what does he see?

In the living room was a man wearing a singlet and some training trousers, walking around with a piece of bread in his mouth .

The problem was that this man was famous .

K, Kim JaeHoon?

Who might you be?

Kim JaeHoon was likewise surprised by this new person .

At that moment, KangYoon opened the bathroom door with a towel around his head .

JaeHoon, hes a guest of mine . Producer, so youre up .

KangYoon explained what happened last night to the rather shocked Producer Oh JiWan .

Only then did he realize what kind of a mistake he had made and replied with a flushed face .

I, Im sorry . Ill leave imm

He was about to get his stuff and leave without even was.h.i.+ng his face when a ladys voice could be heard from the kitchen .

Oppa! Breakfast is ready . Everyone, please get ready for breakfast!

And now a girls voice!

Seeing Producer Oh JiWan panic, KangYoon smiled at the dining table .

You should relieve yourself of your hangover first .

But this

Its fine .

Producer Oh JiWan went to the kitchen with a shocked face .

But then

Whoa!

He screamed .

The lady wearing an ap.r.o.n, cooking some bean sprout soup she was none other than HeeYoon of Muse, known to be a genius composer .

As the top producer in MG Entertainment, there was no way he didnt know of HeeYoon of Team Muse .

(T/N: I mean who else did he expect?)

Producer?

I, isnt she the composer Muse?

I am Muse, too, though?

E, even so

HeeYoon tilted her head and scooped some bean sprout soup for Producer Oh JiWan .

Youre my brothers guest, right? Theres not much here, but enjoy your meal .

O, okay

He stood stiff for a moment before eating the bean sprout soup .

The bean sprout soup was refres.h.i.+ng and fantastic .

Its delicious!

The breakfast he had after a long time seemed to warm his heart .

He was humbled since it was a famous composer who cooked the food .

While eating, HeeYoon asked .

Oppa, hows the song that SoYoung made? Was it okay?

It wasnt bad . I dont think itll do bad as an alb.u.m .

Really? So youre recording soon?

Yeah, but Im kinda worried . I have work to sort out with FinesTok, and I dont have enough time

At that moment, Producer Oh JiWan interrupted .

Uhm If its not too rude of me, may I watch your work?

What?

KangYoons eyes widened .

I dont have any work to do at my company, so Id like to study how you work . If its too much to ask, then forget I said anything .

Not at all . Too much to ask? Youll be the one giving me advice . Hahaha .

When KangYoon accepted without batting an eyelid, Producer Oh JiWan became embarra.s.sed .

Thank you very much . Ill try not to get in your way .

(T/N: Youre falling for his trap!)

After the meal, KangYoon and Producer Oh JiWan went to work .

Seo HanYu greeted Producer Oh JiWan nicely since the two knew each other, and Park SoYoung and Kim JiMin were nervous after hearing that he was a famous producer .

However, when they started discussing music, their nervousness disappeared .

SoYoung . On this part, you used V203 on verse 2, right?

Yes . Since the chorus started by bursting out, I wanted to increase the tension slowly again .

JiMin, what do you think? Is it okay that it became calm?

Its not bad, but I feel like somethings just cut off in between .

The three ladies talked about music with KangYoon .

Whoa .

For Producer Oh JiWan, this was shocking .

The president is talking music with the artists?

This should be a natural scene in a singer-focused entertainment company, but nowadays, it was rarely seen since idol groups became the general trend .

Now that I think about it, Team Leader KangYoon always tried to listen to the artists opinion so that they could bring out their full potential . He always tried to find a connection between what the singer wants to sing and what the populace likes .

He kind of understood the secrets behind World Entertainments success .

How about the third one, the beta guitar? That was smooth .

Unni, that things too stringy . Why dont we go with something else?

I think the fourth one, the sound string, will be better .

Kim JiMin, Park SoYoung, and even Seo HanYu voiced their opinions to KangYoon .

At that moment .

Try using the 8th one . Alpha Gilder .

Eh?

Oh no .

Interrupting unintentionally, Producer Oh JiWan received the stares of everyone and blinked several times .

However, KangYoon laughed and spoke .

Lets try the 8th one, then, shall we?

Yes .

KangYoon switched the sound and played back the music, and soon, a unique, charming sound started flowing out .

Wow

Park SoYoung, Kim JiMin, and SeoHanYus eyes all widened in surprise .

Producer Oh JiWan didnt stop there and approached where KangYoon was and inserted another sound .

Wow!

It was a sound that was like a mix of a piano and a guitar . It was very gentle .

KangYoon also gave his thumbs up after seeing that the light had become stronger .

Producer, youre the best .

Thank y ah .

He only intended to watch at first .

The mood somehow swept him up .

Just as Producer Oh JiWan clutched his head, blaming his foolishness, Seo HanYu grabbed his arm .

Producer, please help us out here . Were having a hard time since this is our first time .

HanYu .

As Seo HanYu rarely asked for help, Producer Oh JiWan couldnt win against her desperate eyes .

KangYoon naturally stood up from the seat and Producer Oh JiWan replaced him .

Producer, youre the best!

Youre so cool . Wow Do you have all these sounds memorized?

Well, yes, I guess?

Seeing Producer Oh JiWan deep into the music process, KangYoon couldnt help but laugh .

Without even noticing KangYoons exit, the three ladies and Producer Oh JiWan started working .