God of Music

Chapter 98. Spreading the Broken Wings?(4)

– 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(?).