Raising a Neglected Singer-Songwriter - Chapter 93



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Raising a Neglected Singer-Songwriter Episode 93

93. Recruitment

PD Sangwoon Byun of JBS.

He is famous as the producer of the healing music program ‘Begin One More’, which has been broadcast seasonally since 2017.

Why is it a variety show with a spoonful of nationalism where talented Korean singers go abroad and perform busking on the streets?

And with the support of the people who love the Republic of Korea, he met his close friend and colleague, PD Park Yong-oh, who was planning a new season without fail this year.

Audition survival and healing music program.

The two people, who are on opposite sides of the cutting edge, often have drinks together and share stories about the program and their concerns.

This is because when exchanging ideas with people at the top of other fields, new ideas are sometimes born during the exchange.

Well, anyway.

“I’m worried.”

Byun Sang-woon, who was drinking with Park Yong-oh, let out a sigh and said.

“What are you worried about?”

“No, I’m thinking about the cast for this season’s ‘Begin One More’…”

Fresh voice and fresh face.

However, I am worried that there might not be an artist who can give me inspiration.

“Let me take a look at that too.”

Park Yong-oh snatched the list of casting candidates that Byun Sang-woon was holding.

His eyes quickly scanned the candidates, then he nodded and said.

“Hmm~ I get why you’re worried. They’re all good singers, but… they’re a little lacking in freshness.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“What about Hong Kwang-woo? Or is it ‘YOLO’? That guy is also doing quite well on the music charts these days.”

“Hong Kwang-woo’s musical schedule is already full. And YOLO’s is rumored to be a studio singer.”

Anyway, these days, there aren’t many new faces with good skills. They’re all established singers and veterans.

It was an inevitable phenomenon that emerged recently as the domestic music market became biased towards K-pop and idol groups.

However, we can’t really recruit unknown indie artists because the director doesn’t give us permission.

Why? Because the ratings won’t come out!

So, for Byun Sang-woon, who had to catch two birds with one stone, ratings and emotion, casting new cast members was always stressful.

braided-

Two star PDs clink clear glasses and slurp down Korean white wine, aka soju.

Then, while eating today’s side dish, a piece of beef tripe, to soothe the bitter aftertaste,

“Actually, there is someone I would like to recruit···.”

Byun Sang-woon lengthens his words and looks at Park Yong-oh’s expression.

Park Yong-oh noticed the intent in those eyes and said with a sly smile.

“Why, who are you? Is it someone I know? Do you want help?”

“What, really?”

As expected, as expected.

I had a rough idea what would happen when Byun Sang-woon said he would buy me alcohol today.

And if it’s a singer you’re close to or have a connection with, or a fresh face, then you can get a rough idea of ​​the size.

Park Yong-oh quickly selects a few singers through filtering.

Among them, if Byun Sang-woon is the singer who will whet your appetite the most, then it is definitely···

“Hey, Yong-oh, are you friends with Sung-jun? I’m talking about the singer number 49 from ‘Who’s the King’.”

As expected, it was Seongjun.

The best super rookie of 2024!

“We’re not close, but we exchange greetings every now and then. We even greeted each other during the holidays this year, New Year’s and Lunar New Year.”

“That’s enough! Well then, if you could just ask me casually, would you be interested in appearing on ‘Begin One More’?”

“Why didn’t the main PD contact me directly? He’s the best in the world, Byun Sang-woon.”

“I’d have tried contacting them. I sent a proposal to MXM Entertainment a long time ago. But Sungjun doesn’t do entertainment shows at all.”

I don’t know if it’s to prevent rapid image consumption.

Sungjun, unlike other singers, did not go on a variety show tour for promotion after his debut.

Knowing Uncle, I Live Alone, Running People, etc.

I sent a love call to a program called Naero, but the answer I got was –

‘I appreciate the offer, but I’ll think about it.’

That is, on hold for now.

As expected by broadcasting officials including Byun Sang-woon, this was MXM Entertainment’s strategy for branding Sung-jun as a ‘mysterious singer’ and ‘a singer not easily seen on variety shows.’

As a result, each production team, desperate to cast Sung-jun before other programs, was raising his appearance fee as if it were an auction.

Just as MXM planned.

So, in order to get Sung Jun, Byun Sang-woon also co-produced ‘Who’s the King’ with MXM Entertainment and made a difficult request to Park Yong-oh, who had met Sung Jun face-to-face.

“So, let me ask you a favor. Okay?”

Park Yong-oh pretended not to be able to resist Byun Sang-woon, who smiled slyly and said, “What does it mean to be good friends?”

“Oh, okay, I understand. I’ll try to contact you. Well, don’t expect too much.”

“Where is that! Thanks, buddy! Hahahaha! Auntie! Bring me another bottle of soju, or rather, one bokbunja!!”

Park Yong-oh, who was smiling at the sight of the cheerful Byun Sang-woon, checks Sung-jun’s contact information saved on his phone.

‘You didn’t change your number, did you?’

And the next day.

“Seongjun, it’s been a while. I’m Park Yong-oh. I’m so happy to hear Seongjun’s songs everywhere these days. Hahaha. Oh, it’s nothing else-”

Park Yong-oh, who had carefully brought up the ‘Begin One More’ story for the sake of his promise with Byun Sang-woon, asked in surprise.

“Yes? Are you really interested?!”

*

“Starting this month, Sungjun will also be scheduling appearances on entertainment shows.”

This was a story from the management group in charge of Sungjun.

A situation where offers from major entertainment programs are pouring in like a flood.

The branding of a mysterious and difficult-to-recruit singer has been established to some extent.

In order to avoid being portrayed as someone who is completely reluctant to appear on variety shows, it was decided that now, two months after their debut and entering March, was the right time.

Sungjun was holding a meeting to narrow down the candidates.

Among the dozens of entertainment programs that were longing for Sungjun, after much deliberation with the management team, four were chosen.

The three major global entertainment programs are ‘Knowing Uncle’, ‘I Live Alone’, and ‘Running People’.

And the music talk show ‘Drawing Book’ hosted by ‘Who’s the King’ judge Ryu Young-seok.

“I’m appearing on a variety show. It feels weird. Hehe.”

Not long ago, he was appearing on a variety show that he enjoyed watching after lying down in bed after work. And it was because of the other person’s passionate courtship!

It wasn’t so strange that my heart started pounding with a strange feeling.

“I think it would be good to do just one more. Preferably a music variety show.”

The most efficient number of entertainment appearances calculated by the management team is 5 times in total.

So, it was the time when we were narrowing down the candidates to select the final entertainment show that would decorate the finale following the previous four.

Brrrrrr-

Seongjun’s cell phone rang.

The sender is Park Yong-oh, the main producer of ‘Who’s the King’.

“Yes, PD-nim. What’s going on?”

When I answer the phone, Park Yong-oh asks briefly how I’m doing.

Then, he soon asked me in a casual manner whether I was interested in any entertainment programs.

Overseas busking entertainment show, ‘Begin One More’.

It was a variety show that Sungjun and the management team were comparing with ‘Immortal Song’ and were leaning slightly more towards.

This is because Sungjun, who has been a hot topic of conversation recently for his busking video in Shinjuku, Japan, and his busking video at Mangwon Park’s ‘Tan-neun No-eul’ as ‘Ji-haeng C’.

So, compared to ‘Immortal Songs’, everyone was saying that ‘Begin One More’ was a program that could better showcase Sungjun’s charm, which is particularly strong in live performances.

But then PD Park Yong-oh happened to ask if I was interested in the show.

“I’m interested.”

A startled reaction was heard over the phone at Seongjun’s words.

“By the way, was PD Park the main character in ‘Begin One More’ too?”

– Oh, that’s not it. He’s my friend PD Byun Sang-woon.

Park Yong-oh, who explained the situation, said that he would soon receive an official call from producer Byun Sang-woon.

And then, less than a minute later, I got a call from an unknown number.

– Hello! I am Byun Sang-woon, the main PD of ‘Begin One More’!

After a brief greeting, the details were tossed to the management team.

Anyway, with this, all five entertainment slots were filled.

And a few days later, I decided on which variety show I would appear on for the first time.

‘I live alone’.

The reason was simple.

Because I’m moving soon!

At the end of February last month.

The total result is the sum of music copyright fees, advertising fees, Mimyosonyeo song fees, production fees, ‘My Favorite Girls’ appearance fees, YouTube revenue, etc.

The number printed on the bankbook was 1.2 billion.

If you combine it with the remaining amount after the FLEX settlement at the end of January, it amounts to approximately 2 billion won.

Now that we have the budget, we’ve decided to move.

As I was at Adari, I had a meeting with the ‘Naholsan’ side.

The composition shows the house that Sungjun moved into after becoming successful, starting from his old one-room apartment.

“The picture would be much better if you included a housewarming event!”

The production team had an opinion that the public would be expecting more from Sungjun’s connections in the entertainment industry.

In addition, there is a scene where he stands on stage as the opening guest for Halla’s 40th anniversary concert to show his side as a singer, his main profession.

There are additional plans to film scenes where she participates as a mentor to promote ‘My Favorite Girls’.

‘Halla’ also readily agreed to this as it was promoting their 40th anniversary concert.

“Then, all that’s left is to invite guests for the housewarming party…”

This is quite a troubling part.

If I were to name my close friends among the general public, I would say Kang Seung-wook and Kim Ho-soo.

When it comes to calling people in the entertainment industry, it’s hard to know who to call.

First of all, I don’t have many close connections in the entertainment industry that I can invite to my housewarming party.

Well, you should have been more active!

Let’s just count those few connections:

First, Jiwoong and Jaymin from our senior agency, Monsta Z.

Yeseonha and I became close while filming a music video.

Next up are the Brave Cat Judge and the Subtle Girl.

However, it is a bit difficult to invite the subtle girl.

They haven’t revealed yet that Sungjun will be producing their next song.

For a strong impact right before the comeback.

If that happens, only four people will be left…

‘Should I ask the two Monsta Z members for help? Or Mr. Ye-seon Ha? Judge Yong-go-‘

Seongjun’s head is spinning busily.

at that time,

“Brother. Or Sister Yuna?”

Oh Hae-soo suddenly suggested a new alternative.

“Yuna?”

“Yes, if you think about it, my relationship with my brother is the longest, and the two of you are also very close.”

“hmm···.”

To be honest, it’s not that I didn’t think of Yuna.

No, when I was talking about connections in the entertainment industry, the first face that came to mind was Yuna.

As Oh Hae-soo said, we are the oldest friends, starting from our first meeting at Paradise Arcade, and we became quite close while working on music.

but,

“Hey, when does he have time to appear on a variety show?”

The busiest singer in South Korea is Yuna.

Especially since starting an overseas tour this month, I’m going from one place to another, with a domestic tour today and an overseas tour tomorrow.

‘But will you have time to come out to ‘Naholsan’?’

Therefore, it was excluded from the recruitment target from the beginning.

But after listening to Oh Hae-soo’s words again, I think that there is no point in losing.

On the one hand, it would be better to ask for the doctor’s opinion even if you get rejected, but Yuna is a great person who would definitely be upset that you didn’t contact her.

So I sent a text message to Yuna without much expectation.

– I’m going out to ‘Naholsan’ to have a housewarming party. Do you want to come?

Then, a moment later, the 1 next to the message disappeared and a bold, short reply arrived.

It didn’t go as expected···

– song!!!!

…Huh? Really?