The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 36



Only Krnovel

36 Cheongdam

* * *

“What happened?”

“You’re lukewarm.”

“What about passionate appeal?”

“I tried it for 30 minutes and it didn’t work. “I got kicked out.”

“······.”

As soon as Park Hoon returned to Team 1, he sat down in his chair.

The managing director was cold.

A total of 24 people were selected for the ⌜Let’s go composition contest⌟.

There is 1 grand prize winner, 3 grand prize winners, and 20 excellence prize winners.

Here, each team of ⌜Moonlight⌟ has the authority to select the 24 members.

From there, only the grand prize and grand prize are decided by the higher-ups.

Team 1 originally had no authority, but a headbutt from Assistant Manager Charina caused an upset.

I had the right to select the Excellence Award winner, and after that, I discovered a song called ⌜TEST⌟.

However, even if the Excellence Award was given, the response from the ⌜TEST⌟ composer was lukewarm.

I cannot promise an award outside of my authority.

For that reason, Park Hoon met the managing director in person.

but.

‘me···. There was nothing.’

I only became aware of the walls of reality again.

“But you probably would have listened to the song. “Manager, there was no response?”

“They say it’s good. But that’s it. There are a lot of PDs flying and crawling all over our country, but you don’t know why this composer needs to be promoted. “I don’t think it’s that bad.”

“If you say that, I didn’t say anything…”

“But honestly, would an A-lister who just sings a song and bursts into laughter apply to the contest? Has there ever been an applicant like that in history? I do not know. How many of the songs by kids from other teams have I heard? But there was no song like ⌜TEST⌟. To put it bluntly, ⌜TEST⌟ is the target. But our managing director… “He didn’t even blink when he heard this song.”

Charina calmly listened to Park Hoon’s story. She then talked about something that made her feel a little uncomfortable.

“But what if? this···. “What if it’s because there’s internal political content involved?”

“what?”

“Actually, there’s no need for the managing director to help the abandoned A&R team 1, right?”

“······.”

Park Hoon thought about the situation at the company.

For your information, the managing director was not a person who said there was a line or created a line.

In one word, Dokgo Die style.

He is the one who manages to remain neutral in ⌜Moonlight⌟.

That’s why Park Hoon-do went to give his opinion to the managing director.

but···.

Rather, I thought it might have been poison.

“There is no reason to break our neutral position…?”

“yes. If there is a rumor that we are the Managing Director’s line, the Managing Director will have nothing to gain. Rather, it could make you an easy target to attack, right?”

“······.”

It looks like a gold rope is being given to a rotten person.

It was easy to look like that.

Park Hoon came to his senses.

In order to overcome this situation, team 1 had no choice but to do it on their own.

“Then it’s Plan A again. Originally.”

“But how on earth are you going to meet a composer who won’t contact you?”

“For now, Assistant Manager Cha gets off work. You did a good job today.”

“oh. Really?”

“uh. Go quickly. “I’m sorry for me.”

Park Hoon immediately turned on the computer screen.

And I played the ⌜TEST⌟ sound file at a very low volume. It’s so quiet that only the person sitting in front of the computer can barely hear it.

There was one thing worth trying.

⌜Let’s go composition contest⌟ Excellence Award.

500,000 won and one-on-one expert feedback.

I thought that the thing to pay attention to here would be feedback rather than 500,000 won.

Park Hoon listens to over 100 new songs every month.

Evaluating a song is not a task.

‘Now all that’s left is…’

Applicants do not answer phone calls.

However, Park Hoon knows the applicant’s email address.

‘There is nothing but sincerity.’

Park Hoon started writing an email.

More meticulous and serious than ever.

And honestly.

* * *

The waiting room of Star Live House.

I came back to this place after two weeks and it was still the same.

“how have you been?”

“It’s okay. “I had a hard time adjusting to school life.”

“If it’s school… “Are you talking about elementary school?”

“Yes?”

“Hey. When did I graduate from elementary school? “Now it’s a sight to behold.”

Hearing Daeseong’s words, Ilseong laughed and responded.

“Didn’t your brother graduate from elementary school almost 25 years ago? and. Even if Seojin was really my father, I wouldn’t have anything to say. Seojin, just call Daesung hyung grandfather from now on. “I guess that’s okay…”

Those words didn’t last until the end. This is because Daesung approached Ilseong with great strides and smoothly applied a headlock.

Ilsung hyung hurriedly tapped the tab in less than a second. However, a series of actions were being repeated because of the words, “Grandpa, why are you so strong?”

Lee Yeon, who was sitting on the sofa and watching the scene, asked me a question.

“What about the middle school entrance exam? “How’s it going?”

“That’s okay too. “I like all the songs submitted this time.”

“I’m glad. But you know that it’s actually all about skill, right?”

“I’ve been very lucky since this vacation. “It’s not just about skill.”

“Humility.”

“It’s true…”

After chatting with my brothers for a while, I followed them onto the stage.

Today was not the day of ⌜Let’s Daeseong⌟’s regular performance.

Instead, it is a day to set up a few standing tables and invite a few bands to perform freely.

In a way, it can be said that it is a day operated by a live cafe system.

Customers come in with a cheaper admission fee than usual and enjoy a light drink and listen to music. Of course, this drink is more expensive than usual. This was the structure to make a profit.

The live cafe was held in parts 1, 2, and 3, and the ⌜Let’s Be Great⌟ stage was the last part of part 1.

I was curious about the unique operation method, so I asked Daesung about it.

‘If we don’t do this, we’ll all die. I’m struggling to survive somehow. Seo Jin-ah, I know how much the monthly rent is in Hongdae… Huh. no. no. ‘I’ll just wipe away your tears.’

what···. Live houses were operated in various ways.

The audience wasn’t as full as last time. Last time, it was a big event in Hongdae so there were a lot of people, but today it was a little less crowded.

Guests chat lightly with each other and enjoy music.

It definitely wasn’t as burdensome as the last performance.

The performance was neat.

⌜Let’s Daeseong⌟ sang a total of 5 songs, and I helped play the keyboard for 2 of them.

When it was time for the intermission between parts 1 and 2, Daesung told me I could play as much as I wanted.

There is no need to decline.

So, after much deliberation, I brought my guitar.

Even Uncle Miller said that the more stage experience you have, the better.

Even though there were only a few people in the audience, I felt comfortable playing the guitar in front of them.

Just as comfortably as if you were playing the guitar to your younger brother at home.

I only chose famous songs that everyone knows.

Unlike the concerto, the solo performance also had a distinct charm.

When the performance of about three songs was over, one of the audience members asked me for a song request.

Let it be by the Beatles.

A very famous song.

I gladly accepted the request for an encore, and everyone in the audience, including him, excitedly sang Let It Be together. I also joined them and sang along with a few bars.

“Hehe! This is it. “I come to Hongdae for this taste.”

“But who is he? Do you look too young? “I can’t see my face properly because of the mask.”

“I guess he’s the new bandsman?”

“Write it. “Is this the guy I saw last time?”

“Wow~ That’s cool! Well done!”

Small cheers from the few audience members.

I felt like this stage was quite enjoyable.

After saying hello to the audience, I went down to the backstage and Daesung hyung messed up my hair.

“Ay! why!”

“young! I thought you were good at it. You don’t even make a song list and you’re good at it, right? Everyone saw it, right? uh?”

Deuksu suddenly appeared in a dark place.

“It’s completely natural. “Look at how shamelessly they come down with an encore song.”

“haha. So Seojin, tell me honestly. Isn’t this stage quite fun? “If there aren’t many audiences, it’s fun to perform in a more intimate way.”

“what···. surely···.”

“yes?”

“There is that aspect to it.”

Daesung hyung told me various things, saying that he would continue to increase my stage experience.

“So what about next weekend? Would you like to hold a formal performance? I think I just need to decide on a short song list of about 30 minutes. how is it?”

I thought for a moment and then shook my head.

“Not then. “I have a lesson.”

“lesson?”

“It’s the first day I go to Korea University to take lessons. “I think we need to prepare in advance then.”

“Hankook University? Haha! Seojin Han! Are you saying that he is a talented person born in Korea? “How old are you to go to Korea University and take lessons?”

“now···. “I’m a prospective middle school student.”

“We decided to call it Elementary School. Do you understand, student Seojin?”

“······.”

“Youngjae… I’m jealous. I envy you.”

“It’s not that bad. And I am a prospective middle school student.”

“yes. yes. Okay~”

Daesung tried to mess with my hair again, but this time I was able to anticipate his hand and avoid it.

“What? “Is it a little big?”

“It was actually 0.3cm bigger than two weeks ago.”

“really?”

“yes. We stock it every day. “It’s growing by about 0.02cm per day.”

“ha···. “That Seojin is not a normal weirdo.”

The chatter continued loudly.

I received my payment today after finishing a light marathon with my brothers.

30,000 won for performance items.

And someone else gave 20,000 won as a tip.

“Another tip? Seojin is no joke.”

“If you tease me, you’ll go back to being 12 years old. “Keep your skills as is.”

“······.”

“You can’t do it, right?”

“Tsk. “I will start developing a time machine starting today.”

The sound of Ilsung-hyung grumbling.

Even though I was receiving money from Daesung, I became curious and asked questions.

“But I’m a minor. Is it okay for me to work for money like this?”

Daeseong grinned.

“Day? What happened? “When did you work here?”

“yes?”

“You just played on stage. And I just gave my ‘known younger brother’ pocket money. The tip is… Since it’s a tip, I have to make an exception. is not it?”

“Was it something like that?”

He taps my arm for no reason.

“If you get a chance, why not talk to your parents? “Give me your contact information when you feel like it.”

“······.”

Write…

But is it really necessary?

Like Daeseong said, I’m just ‘playing’.

I answered that I understood, and Daeseong laughed even more after hearing my answer.

“For some reason, it seemed like that. A kid who goes to Yejung on the piano will be on stage in Hongdae? No parent would welcome that. Anyway, take care of it yourself. He’s a smart kid, so he’ll figure it out. right?”

I answered a little awkwardly, “Yes,” and the other brothers also started laughing a little when they saw me.

As I listened to the stories that followed, it seemed like everyone had similar experiences.

Before leaving Star Live House.

I asked my ⌜Daesung Let’s⌟ hyungs what I was really curious about.

Yesterday, I received a long email from the label ⌜Moonlight⌟.

Most of the content was an evaluation of my ⌜TEST⌟.

For the most part, it was full of praise, but there were times when he sharply pointed out areas that were lacking.

In particular, he pinpointed the melody that I had no choice but to crush due to the limitations of the smartphone app.

What followed was roughly like this.

1. Let’s sign a contract with us. We’ll do our best.

2. The excellence award is confirmed. But don’t you feel uncomfortable about the 500,000 won bonus? But regardless of that, we will support music production. Directly into our team budget. So let’s do it together!

4. I found great potential in ⌜TEST⌟. The current song is good, but the next song will definitely be an even bigger hit.

5. Pick me pick me pick me up.

6. I Love You.

I thought all the texts and phone calls I received were spam, but after reading the long email, it seemed like that wasn’t the case.

So ⌜Let’s do great⌟ I asked the guys for their opinions.

My brothers saw the email and reacted simply.

First, I made a fuss and said I would listen to what ⌜TEST⌟ was.

So I told it to you.

“hey! It’s your first time touching MIDI! “Where did you go and what did you do?”

“ha. Han River. Today I go to the Han River. “Don’t stop me.”

“Anyway…”

“haha. I’m going crazy. That’s right, Youngjae. Seojin, you even compose music to that extent now?”

After much fuss, the brothers finally read the email properly.

The brothers chatted among themselves for a long time, and Daesung expressed his opinion as a representative.

“I guess this is real, right? “More than that, how many characters does this have?”

“I was curious about that too, so I copied it into Korean. “I thought it was about 25,000 characters.”

“Wow, these guys are serious. ⌜Moonlight⌟. It’s ⌜Moonlight⌟… First of all, it’s a label with no bad rumors, right? I think it would be nice to meet him once. “Have you made an appointment?”

“that is···.”

I showed him the last part of the email.

Daeseong read that part exactly.

“Monday at 6 o’clock at a cafe in Cheongdam-dong… We are the composer… I’ll be waiting. It doesn’t matter if you don’t show up… Because this is our heart… Just like a drop of dew falls even in the middle of summer… hey. “What kind of love letter is this?”

“It’s a bit strange, isn’t it?”

“Monday at 6 o’clock. But at that time, I would also be in the middle of a musical instrument store.”

I realized what Daesung meant and shook my head.

“No. I didn’t ask you to come directly. Just an opinion…”

“hey. Ilseong, how are you on Monday?”

“You guys don’t have to come?”

“I had a part-time job at that time. “What about Deuksu?”

“hey? “Brothers?”

“We have to grill meat at the Han River that day. “Food truck.”

“Oh right. “Then what about Lee Yeon?”

“······.”

For some reason, my words were not reflected at all.

It was already an established fact that one person would follow me.

Lee Yeon answers Ilsung’s question.

“I’m okay. I also happened to be able to rent a car at that time. Seojin, should I give you a ride? “Where did you say you live?”

“Oh, no. To that extent…”

“wait. Hey, was it the new fall last time? You said you were going to elementary school this summer? “Let’s look it up on the Internet.”

It’s almost semi-compulsory.

I had no choice but to gratefully accept the help.

I made a rough compromise with Lee Yeon by coming right to the meeting place that day.

These brothers…

ha···.

Well, to be honest…

It felt a little reassuring.

* * *

Monday 5:30 PM Cheongdam-dong.

Not long after arriving at the meeting place, a small car stopped in front of me.

Then the driver’s window opened and a young woman waved at me.

“and! You’re really young! It’s cute too! Then, I will take care of my husband today. If you do something strange, I will sell my name and stop you from doing it. Understand? “If you tell me later, it will work out well.”

“······?”

what? Who is it?

Fortunately, my doubts didn’t last too long.

This is because Lee Yeon got out from the passenger seat.

“Ugh. What are you saying in front of the child? Anyway, thank you. “I’ll just watch him sign the contract today and he’ll move in soon.”

“huh. okay. See you later. Yuna~”

“okay.”

I found out that Lee Yeon was hyung’s girlfriend… No, she was actually my wife.

Out of curiosity, I asked Lee Yeon, and he told me that he had been married for quite some time.

Lee Yeon, who I thought was single, is already married, and Deuk Su, who I thought was married, is single.

‘These brothers… ‘It’s always unexpected.’

We walked through the alleys of Cheongdam-dong, talking about various things.

He said that if a music-related meeting is scheduled, it is usually held in Gangnam because it is a place where many entertainment companies and labels are gathered.

“More than that, have you tried contacting ⌜Wolgwang⌟?”

“I followed my brother’s advice and just exchanged text messages a few times. “They say that if you mix things up a lot before signing a contract, it will only lead to confusion.”

“that’s right. Those people are all scammers. These people are experts at bewitching people with their words. You always need to be careful. And it is always best to have a conversation face to face. “I can’t trust anything else.”

“is it so?”

“Anyway, you’ll find out when you go. “I guess it’s there.”

The place we arrived at was a pretty cafe.

Perhaps because we arrived 30 minutes early, there seemed to be no ⌜Moonlight⌟ people.

While thinking about the menu, I ordered iced cocoa, and Lee Yeon ordered iced Americano.

I took a seat by the window and waited a little while for my drink to come out.

I watched people passing by through the window.

A person who walks quickly in a suit.

A group of young people passing by, bursting into laughter.

A little girl about Suyeon’s age, who must have gone out for a walk, is smiling brightly, holding her mother’s hand.

Several people caught my eye.

‘It’s a label…’

What kind of person will come out?

I looked out the window and was lost in thought for a while.