Raising a Neglected Singer-Songwriter - Chapter 35



Only Krnovel

35. Walk

The song ‘Walk’, written by Choi Ha Na, is a song of hope in the midst of a difficult day.

The lyrics are as follows.

Let’s walk together through the precious times with our loved ones.

Let’s walk together even if dark clouds gather for a moment.

If we talk to each other, if we link fingers.

If we’re together, we can walk anywhere.

As the theme is hope, it follows a chord structure that starts and ends in a major key to create a bright atmosphere.

It starts with simple piano chords, vocals are added on top, and drums, guitar, and brass are added one by one, leading to a spectacular finale.

‘Walk’, arranged by the ‘I Want to Live’ team, also followed some of the original song.

The song starts with a piano first. Vocals are added on top of that, and drums and instruments come in one by one.

However, if you listen closely, the introduction is clearly different from the original song.

thud-

What the piano keyboard produced was a chord accompaniment that changed from a major to a minor key.

In addition, the original song was lowered by three keys.

Therefore, what came out of Cha Seong-jun’s throat was an extremely low note.

“I walk.”

A low note produced by raising the vocal cords all the way to the floor.

If we were to play it as a musical instrument, it would be the bass range.

‘What, it’s low-pitched from the start…?’

A few of the judges flinch at the low voice that echoes through the floor.

This is because it was a low note that was difficult to produce even with training.

Moreover, the basic tone of Cha Sung-jun that I heard last time was mid-range.

It was a low note that was far beyond the vocal range that singers in that range generally have.

It was a shock to me because I didn’t know Cha Seong-jun’s stats.

[Voice Lv.9]

[Translation Lv.9]

The two stats that are about to reach level 10 have made the current low note possible.

Since the ‘range’ includes both high and low notes, there was an expansion of the low note range as well as the high note range.

Up until now, I’ve only sung high-pitched songs, so I didn’t really have a place to utilize my low notes, but this time, I tried it while thinking of arrangement ideas and it was a success.

Now back to the song.

While the original verse depicts a situation where someone is tired and resting for a while,

This arrangement feels like wandering through an endless darkness.

If Choi Ha-na focused on the hopeful ‘future’ ahead,

Because the ‘I Want to Live’ team put weight on the uncertain and opaque ‘present’.

‘A bright tomorrow like the original song is nice, but how about we sing about a helpless today instead?’

‘Oh, that’s good. I think that would be more realistic and relatable.’

That was the direction of the arrangement that Cha Sung-jun and Oh Jin-woo were concerned about.

It was an arrangement derived from Cha Seong-jun’s life.

It reminded me of the feelings I had as a child over the past few years, of giving up on my dreams.

It brought about despair, loss, anger, frustration, and resignation when faced with a wall that cannot be overcome no matter how hard you try.

And it expresses the darkness where no light is visible in a calm manner.

A voice of resignation that seems to have finally adapted to the dark after countless frustrations.

[Appeal] and the voice created by the R-rated item [Henna Sticker-Black] that can create a chic atmosphere.

“Still, walk.”

I want to sit down, but I have to walk anyway.

Because life whips you into doing so.

So I walk aimlessly.

Without even knowing where I was going.

Just walking without any purpose or direction.

That’s how verse 1 ended.

“Wow, this is······.”

Quiet gasps come from the waiting room and the judges’ table.

The first verse was so immersive that it gave some people goosebumps on their arms.

But on the other hand, it is true that the unconventional arrangement, which is the complete opposite of the original song, felt out of place.

In fact, the original lyricist, Choi Ha Na, was furrowing her brows.

It was a moment when I began to suspect that the problem of Jinwoo Oh’s strong experimental nature had surfaced.

♪~ ♬~

In the interlude leading into the second verse, a natural step-like change of key occurs.

The mood completely changed from dark monotony to light monotony.

Next –

“I walk.”

Unlike the first verse, Jinwoo Oh, with his bright voice, began to lead the second verse.

“ah···!”

Only then did Ryu Young-seok and the judges realize the intention and slap their knees.

“As expected, there was a twist.”

If verse 1 expressed a heart that had been completely burned,

Verse 2 describes the embers remaining in the ashes that were thought to have burned away.

It’s so small that it looks like it might go out at any moment, but it’s a spark that still holds warmth.

The steps I take with that handful of hope are different from before.

“Walk without giving up.”

“Then, at the end, there will be a place you have been hoping for.”

In this way, despair in low tones and hope in high tones.

The ups and downs of emotions were expressed through differences in major and minor keys and pitch.

“It was arranged like that on purpose. To create a dramatic contrast.”

“Isn’t that a novel idea?”

While we are admiring each other, the song moves into the bridge section.

The highlight is that the song gradually builds to a crescendo as Cha Sung-jun and Oh Jin-woo exchange lines in low and high tones respectively.

“If we talk to each other.”

“If you put your finger on it.”

Two people singing while facing each other.

While the two voices with different tones were playing ping-pong like a game of tag.

“Ohhh~”

Cha Seong-jun’s voice, which had been low, gradually increased in pitch during the ad-lib line, catching up with the original song.

Build up the harmony by going up one note at a time.

Also, Oh Jin-woo’s keyboard is rhythmic, while Cha Seong-jun’s guitar is rough.

Each one runs like a non-stop leap and a heart about to burst.

And finally-

“If we’re together!”

The two voices combine.

This is a union of wills.

Me, who is overcome with frustration, and me, who dreams of hope.

In the end, we will move forward in the same direction.

“Towards the me that will meet me at the end of this road-!”

In an instant, the final chorus swelled.

In conclusion,

“”Walk.””

It was light, not darkness.

*

The judges’ table.

“······.”

Even though the stage is over, the committee members including Ryu Young-seok are quiet.

Because I still couldn’t get over the lingering emotions of the song.

The arrangement by the ‘I Want to Live’ team was desperate.

Unlike the clean-cut ‘Eleven Crown’ team, the emotions are sticky.

Originally, this kind of emotional excess would have been a negative factor.

however······

‘The arrangement saved it!’

The dark, monotone arrangement at the beginning naturally created an excess of emotions that could otherwise be burdensome.

A song that requires you to cry and vomit like this.

Then, the lyrics also felt different.

Although the lyrics are clearly the same, different messages are conveyed.

In particular, the original lyricist, Choi Ha-na, has an expression on her face as if she had been hit in the head with a hammer.

“It’s completely different from what I expected… Why do they suit each other so well?”

With the muttering of the youngest member as the starting signal, the judges’ comments erupted.

“That was number 18’s specialty, right? The unique instrument arrangement. Last time, the melody was difficult and it stood out too much, but this arrangement really shined. Now, it seems like it’s finally wearing its own clothes.”

“I heard that person 49 saw the overall direction. Is that right? And the song concept?”

“It’s smart. If it had been a sound source, it might have been a little less touching, but when I heard it live, the appeal was no joke.”

“Um… I felt a little disappointed.”

“What part?”

“I’m sorry you didn’t arrange my song.”

“What is that!”

In general, the general opinion was that they complemented each other’s strengths well and created perfect synergy.

But soon the judges’ expressions darken.

Because the time of choice has come.

“It was a close game for both teams.”

“I’m worried. At this point, I think it’s probably just a matter of taste.”

The judges who had been expressing their discomfort gathered together.

And they started discussing among themselves who should be the winner.

“I’m from the ‘Eleven Crown’ team. I can’t ignore their songwriting skills. The quality is different.”

“On the contrary, I find it boring. Because I hear it all the time. In terms of impact, this one is actually better.”

“But there is still a difference in terms of using musical instruments and professional aspects. After all, one side is an amateur.”

“But you do admit that the ‘I Want to Live’ team was overwhelmingly superior in terms of singing and stage presence, right?”

“Ahhhh. Can’t we just say that they both won?”

The judges, each on their own side, gave their opinions in a tense debate for 20 minutes.

Even after a long discussion, it was not easy to reach an agreement,

“That won’t work. Let’s go vote.”

In the end, the fastest and most intuitive method was summoned.

And finally, the moment of announcement of the results has arrived.

The one holding the microphone is Choi Hana, the lyricist of ‘Walk’.

“I think it was a really close match. Because of that, we had a lot to think about. As a result of the vote by the seven custodians, the winner and loser were divided by a difference of 4 to 3. 1 vote.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she opened her lips.

“The winner of this match is······the ‘I Want to Live’ team! Congratulations!”

At Choi Ha-na’s announcement, Cha Seong-jun and Oh Jin-woo look at each other in surprise.

“Brother, did we really win?”

“Uh… I guess so.”

Of course, I thought I had a good chance of winning while doing this arrangement, but I never thought I would actually beat the favorite.

the other side,

Zeke’s face is shocked, as if he had expected his victory. His eyes are filled with the question, ‘Why?’

At this time, Ryu Young-seok picked up the microphone.

“To be honest, in terms of the perfection of the arrangement, the ‘Eleven Crown’ team was slightly ahead······.”

And the pattern that explains it.

“Number 7 stood out too much. Number 7’s unique color was strong, and number 4 wasn’t visible. It was a team mission.”

“On the other hand, the ‘I Want to Live’ team had good harmony between the two, so I gave them my all.”

Zig remained silent as Choi Kang-san continued to speak.

“It’s unfortunate, but I will now announce the losers.”

Here, number 4, Zeke’s partner, fell.

As we returned to the waiting room, cheers erupted at the surprising result.

“It was a legendary match!”

“Once it goes on air, it will definitely be number one in viewer ratings!”

Somehow I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I went to my seat.

The remaining teams continued to compete, and a winner and a loser were determined.

And the long-awaited first ranking announcement order.

All 49 contestants went up on stage.

In this 2:2 battle mission, individual scores were calculated not only to determine victory or defeat, but also to determine rankings.

The winning team takes the benefit, and the combined ranking is determined based on this.

“I will announce the winners starting from 49th place. 49th place is-”

The 15 people whose names are called next stand at the bottom of the pyramid set.

Everyone was a participant from the losing team, a dropout who would not be able to see the stage until today.

After that, most of the lower-ranked participants were on the losing team and did not receive any benefits.

Meanwhile, Zik took 10th place.

A great ranking considering there are no benefits.

Now there are nine people left.

Cha Sung-jun and Oh Jin-woo’s numbers haven’t been called yet.

“Hyung, are you by any chance the winner? The judges’ eyes are all on you.”

“Hey, no way.”

“Number 7 was the favorite to win, and we beat number 7.”

While we were whispering, number 18 was called.

Oh Jin-woo is in 8th place.

‘It’s almost time.’

Cha Seong-jun, who was looking around, prepares.

It’s because he thinks his name will be called soon.

Although they did cause an upset by defeating the number 7 title contender.

While the remaining contestants are all professionals with some experience in the industry, he is a rookie amateur composer who is just starting out in composition.

Because it didn’t make sense to defeat them so easily.

So I waited for my name to be called with a humble attitude.

however······

How did it happen that five people were left?

‘Now I’m really going to get called out.’

Four, and three.

‘No no no, isn’t it really time to be called now?!’

Even when there were finally two, number 49 did not appear.

That is,

“The two candidates standing on the stage until the end are the two who will compete for first place in the first ranking announcement ceremony. Candidate number 15 and candidate number 49.”

‘Really?!’

When I turned my head with a bewildered expression, our eyes crossed.

Number 15. A white man with a full reddish beard.

As the winner of the All Crown at the Exaltation Ceremony, I arranged a synth-pop song for this mission and received rave reviews from the judges, who said they wanted to work together again.

Even the participants who were listening in the waiting room were amazed and said it was amazing.

“Both candidates, please move towards the throne.”

I climb the stairs past 47 other contestants.

When we reached the top, we took our places on either side of the red velvet chair with a gold border in the middle.

Then, Park Hye-shin, who had been keeping quiet for a long time considering the main broadcast, announced the owner of the throne.

“The candidate who won first place in this mission is······Congratulations to candidate number 15!”

Cha Seong-jun came in second place.

“I’m so happy to-”

Number 15, who won first place, shares his thoughts.

Then, the mic went back to second place runner-up Cha Seong-jun.

Cha Seong-jun speaks his mind in a bewildered manner.

“Oh… That’s an unexpectedly high ranking. I’ll work hard for the next round too.”

And so the ranking announcement ceremony ended.

The dropouts shed tears, and the survivors hug and offer comfort.

It was the moment when Cha Sung-jun was about to go down the pyramid set to meet Oh Jin-woo.

“Hey.”

Someone tapped me on the shoulder and said hello.

Number 15 sitting on the throne.

He came over to shake my hand with a bright smile.

“I heard your song. (I listened to your music well.)”

“Thank you.”

I thought it was the friendliness and networking that is unique to foreigners, so I shook hands and expressed my gratitude.

however,

“Surprised to see you. I never thought I’d meet a celebrity in this survival. So lucky. (I was surprised to see you. I never thought I’d meet a celebrity in this survival. So lucky.)”

A man who talks out of the blue.

‘Me, a celebrity? What do you mean? I think I’m mistaken.’

I thought maybe he had confused himself with number 7, so I corrected him.

“Maybe you are confusing me with No.7 (Maybe you confused me with number 7.)”

Cha Sung-jun points his finger at Zig.

But the man smiled and shook his head.

“I’m not confused, bro.”

Then he said in a confident tone.

“You are the guy, D.Voice. Right? (You are the guy, D.Voice)”

────────────────────────────────────

────────────────────────────────────