God of Music

Chapter 100. Hot Spring?(1)

[Ready, action.]

A woman in a tight Chinese dress blocked an opposing one clad in black. Following that, she hit her opponent with her elbow. The opponent tried to retreat from the force but had to fly in the air due to a blow from the knee and the fists.

[Cut! Good, very good.]

The director, holding the megaphone, continued onto the next scene as though he was satisfied with the action scene. But this time, the black-clad woman switched. It was an action double. However, the lady in the Chinese dress shook her hands to signal that she was okay. The director gave the sign as soon as the makeup re-do was done. The shooting began.

[Where is he?]

During a clash of fists, the woman in the Chinese dressed asked that question, but the black-clad lady did not answer. Their bodies flew up into the air before clashing again. While the two floated into the air, a giant fan caused their dresses to flutter.

[Cut! Okay, let’s rest for a bit.]

It was an okay sign on the first shoot. As a difficult action scene was very good on the first try, the director also seemed to have felt good and gave everyone a break. While everyone went back to their places, the lady in the Chinese dress laid back on a long bench.

Her manager gave her a bottle of cold water as she wiped her sweat away with a towel.

“Well done, JinSeo.”

The woman in the Chinese dress – it was Min JinSeo. She drank the whole bottle in one go and put it down.

“Thanks, JooHwan-oppa. How about HyeRin-unni and the others?”

“They’re all nearby. They’re busy touring the Jiayuguan.”

“Sheesh. Tell them to watch out for their organs.”

“Whoa, JinSeo. Where did you learn that from?”

“From you, of course.”

Manager Kim JooHwan was scared stiff at Min JinSeo’s words. Min JinSeo giggled seeing him panic.

“It’s a joke. Oppa. What about the thing I asked you about last time?”

“You asked me something?”

“…….”

When Min JinSeo’s expression turned frightening, manager Kim JooHwan immediately clapped his hands as though he remembered.

“Oh, that? I looked into it already.”

Manager Kim JooHwan tried to act calm as he replied.

“Team leader Lee is in Korea right now.”

“In…. in Korea? He came back from America?”

Min JinSeo shouted very loudly. All the Chinese staff looked towards her due to the sudden outburst of Korean, but Min JinSeo did not care at all.

“Where, where is he? Is he doing well? He’s not sick anywhere, right? Right?”

“Don’t get excited. Calm down, do things one by one.”

“…Sorry. Anyway, he’s in Korea?”

“Yeah. For now, anyway.”

Min JinSeo stood up as though there was nothing more to say. She looked as though she was about to pack her bag and go. Kim JooHwan grabbed her in panic.

“Let me go.”

“Calm down. Where do you think you’re going?”

“What do you mean where? Of course, it’s to Korea….”

“You want to ditch this place and go to Korea? Do you think that petty team leader would like it if you go to Korea right now?”

“…….”

Min JinSeo became silent. With his personality, if she told him that she ditched work to meet him, then it was obvious that he would book her a flight back immediately. KangYoon was such a person.

“Moreover, if you ditch your work here, your life as an entertainer will be over. The female protagonist left the film scene in order to meet a guy. I’m afraid of rumors. How much do you think this film costs….”

“…….”

“Actually, the company told me to never tell you about it, but I’m telling you because you’re an adult and I believe that you can take care of yourself, so let’s work, okay?”

“…Okay.”

“You’re going to Korea in half a year anyway? Our goddess, please do your best, okay?”

Min JinSeo powerlessly nodded her head at his words.

Her heart had already flown over to Korea.

***

Resting time.

Kim JaeHoon was resting while drinking some water to relieve his fatigue.

‘Record it again?’

The song was definitely satisfactory. But recording it again? Kim JaeHoon approached KangYoon thinking that he might have done something wrong.

“JaeHoon what is it?”

“The recording. I’m wondering if my song was bad.”

Kim JaeHoon expressed his question. It was definitely okay to his ears. That was why he gave the okay… on top of that, he was known as a perfectionist too.

KangYoon was already aware of what he was thinking and carefully replied.

“What do you mean bad, it was very good. But there were parts that I thought were slightly off.”

“Off?”

“Yeah. This part. – I’ll get ready until then – this part. You know that the tone switches here, right?”

“Yes. Because I raise the sound quickly.”

“Why don’t we slow it down a little?”

“Slow it down?”

“Yeah. In my opinion….”

KangYoon spoke the things he felt while observing the notes. Kim JaeHoon was suspicious at first but eventually looked as though he understood.

“Okay. Perhaps it’s because I keep getting into the habit of thinking about the MR. I thought I matched it pretty well.”

“You’re not doing it wrong. I think it’s just a matter of feeling. You know, something minute.”

Kim JaeHoon was very sensitive. KangYoon indirectly spoke of his opinions in order to not make Kim JaeHoon react sensitively, and Kim JaeHoon listened to him well.

After the rest, the recording began again. Kim JaeHoon’s singing rang out through the studio again with the piano accompaniment.

“The meaning behind the tears on my eyes – I consoled myself that it was rain –”

Kim JaeHoon’s voice rode on the faint piano accompaniment and emphasized the bass. The drums calmly generated the rhythm. All the notes produced white light and filled the studio.

“Can’t win against my loneliness – I wander through the night, drunk, looking for you–”

Kim JaeHoon’s song heightened gradually. At the same time, the light became more intense as well. KangYoon could see the faint silver light amidst of the white light.

‘This is the part.’

KangYoon was nervous. This was the phrase where the silver light started increasing. KangYoon clasped his hand hoping that Kim JaeHoon would do well.

“My hot love – is washed away by the rain –”

The bass lowered and the drums became fancier. At the same time, Kim JaeHoon’s voice became higher.

“Your promise to return – made me live on – but –”

White light had already filled every inch of the studio already. This was enough to enchant the audiences. However, KangYoon wanted more than that. The silver song was what he was waiting for.

And finally, the moment KangYoon waited for finally came.

“I’ll get ready until then – it doesn’t matter if you’re late–”

This was the repeated bridge after the chorus. Kim JaeHoon seemed to have perfectly understood what KangYoon wanted and took his time raising his voice. The minute misalignment between his voice and the instruments now matched and the song turned silver.

‘This is it!’

KangYoon gripped his fists.

“Everything for you – the day you come back to me —”

Kim JaeHoon’s voice became higher and higher. He even ad-libbed higher than he had to. When he did, the white that had turned silver glowed brighter and filled the studio.

“Whoa….”

Moon ShinHak couldn’t even exclaim as he wanted to. He had already lost his calm. The producer and the staff had all of their gazes stolen away by him. The silver light enchanted all. Only KangYoon was not charmed by it.

“…A gap? Did such a thing happen?”

“I should get his signature later.”

While all of the staff members were dumbfounded by that scene, Kim JaeHoon’s song reached the climax.

“The love hidden deep in my heart — you are the one — I love ——-”

Kim JaeHoon’s song reached its climax.

The silver light had also reached its peak. The studio was already filled with light and notes that KangYoon couldn’t see in front of him. The band also used fancy techniques.

The song then slowly faded out. However, the silver light did not fade away and left behind a deep presence.

“…….”

“…….”

No one reacted. To be exact, no one could react.

A moment of silence passed. Then….

Clap, clap, clap clap clap.

All of the staff started applauding. It was their appreciation to Kim JaeHoon for letting them listen to a great song.

“Thank you.”

Kim JaeHoon did a 90-degree bow politely. The camera caught him doing this.

“…This looks awesome. This is like a huge jackpot.”

The producer was already imagining how to package this and broadcast it to the public. Today’s shoot could definitely be considered the single best episode among the ones he did until now.

Kim JaeHoon’s late night music show ‘Hula’, finished like that.

***

“Lee HeeYoon!”

JooAh ran towards HeeYoon who was waving from the grass. JooAh hugged HeeYoon strongly and jumped.

“HeeYoon! My girl! When did you become so pretty?”

“JooAh, look at you. Your butt is so round now.”

“…Hey, hey. It’s actually padded.”

“What? It doesn’t feel like it though.”

“That’s a joke. Aren’t I good?”

The two girls expressed their joy. Soon, the two headed to a nearby restaurant.

JooAh ordered a lot including steak. When HeeYoon became surprised, she made a ‘v’ with her fingers saying that she would pay.

“Looks like you’re stressed out?”

“Phew, tell me about it. I’m always busy fighting those directors.”

JooAh insulted the directors for a long while. She didn’t hold back on her words and said that they were all haughty when they didn’t even know how the actual scene turned out. HeeYoon sighed after hearing that.

“So those old men have a lot of problems.”

“Ah, forget it. I at least can resist them. But the Eddios girls are really pitiful. They’re going around clubs, but they don’t have any intentions on calling them back to Korea…. Why are they all like this?”

Even in JooAh’s eyes, the directors had a lot of problems. They looked as though they weren’t thinking about their actions at all. To be exact, they looked as though they were more sensitive to their own profits rather than the profits of the company as a whole. She was worried that the image of MG Entertainment would fall like a toppling tower at this rate. However, she switched topics saying that such a topic would just cause headaches.

“Is KangYoon-oppa doing well?”

“My brother? He’s doing well.”

“He’s doing well as an arrangement composer. Oh yeah, HeeYoon. Do me a song.”

“A song? Are you going to do an album?”

“Not yet. Later.”

“Sure. I’ll force you even if you don’t want it so don’t worry about that.”

“Hahaha, I’ll judge you.”

The two girls kept talking away for a long time.

***

Two weeks after the recording of the late night music show ‘Hula’.

The program was broadcasted. Although it was a late-night show, KTS (The TV station) leaked that Kim JaeHoon was going to appear and gathered everyone’s attention. Moreover, articles appeared on the internet as well as on hot search words list. This was a result of KangYoon’s business. Kim JaeHoon’s name value also played a role.

Yoo SungGyum was a fan of Kim JaeHoon. As soon as he saw that Kim JaeHoon was going to appear on KTS’s ‘Hula’, he decided to watch the main episode.

And 30 minutes past midnight arrived. He turned on the TV and clad himself in his blanket.

– Hello? I’m Moon ShinHak. Today….

The TV introduced Moon ShinHak and some short commentary from him. Then, Kim JaeHoon appeared after a bit of time. The band had appeared on the camera as well.

‘White Moonlight? So, the session is a band.’

After a comment that the singer and the band were from the same company, they talked about more recent matters for a little while. After a short conversation, Kim JaeHoon’s song began. This was the moment he was waiting for. Yoo SungGyum perked his ears.

– I will not – love –

Kim JaeHoon’s voice was as good as ever. The 4 year-gap, 2 years of conflict with his former company as well as the 2 years in the military – looked as though it had not happened. Yoo SungGyum unintentionally waved around in his blanket.

Every one of them was a famous song. There were some of Kim JaeHoon’s own songs, and some English songs as well. Kim JaeHoon’s unique low voice was so cool as he sang those songs. A perfect voice – it was definitely worthy of being called that.

And then….

– This time, I’ve prepared ‘Promise Again’.

This was the song that put Kim JaeHoon up to the top. Yoo SungGyun rejoiced inwardly. Finally, finally!

The piano accompaniment flowed out and Kim JaeHoon’s voice drenched his ears.

– The meaning behind the tears in my eyes – I consoled myself that it was rain –

It was as good as ever. Yoo SungGyun exclaimed. He felt as though he was about to shout in joy. The song flowed on and his heart became more fulfilled.

-Your promise to return – made me live on – but –

He felt heightened as the song continued. The accompaniment waved and his heart also waved. However, the true wave started at that moment.

– I’ll get ready until then – It doesn’t matter if you’re late –

Kim JaeHoon’s voice leisurely rose and beat his heart strongly. This felt completely different from before. His ears trembled and he felt goosebumps all over his body. A good song now came to him as something completely different. It felt as though an electric shock had passed through him.

He couldn’t get a hold of himself, and the song reached its peak.

– The love hidden deep in my heart — you are the one — I love ——-

It felt as though everything burst out at once. All the hindrances crumbled as though a dam was broken through. Kim JaeHoon’s low yet refreshing voice pierce through him completely.

The song ended, and even though commentary resumed, Yoo SungGyum couldn’t get a hold of himself.

‘This…, this…. What is……!’

Tonight, Yoo SungGyum was met with a great song.

***

– Kim JaeHoon bursts out with emotional. Music show Hula was….

– Those four gap years have done nothing to him. Kim JaeHoon, when is his comeback?

– Will he cry the hearts of women? Kim JaeHoon’s experiences…

.

.

.

KangYoon closed the internet. The day after the broadcast, the internet’s top search word was already Kim JaeHoon. Not because of his conflicts with his previous company, but purely because of his song.

Lee HyunJi smiled at the good results.

“Are we a step forward now?”

“Yes. We can start now.”

KangYoon replied with a deep sigh.

There was a 4-year gap, but Kim JaeHoon is still as good as ever. No, he became stronger!

They could appeal this point through Hula this time. It was a great success.

“Leave the PR to me. I already have the SNS down.”

“You’re really reassuring.”

Thanks to Lee HyunJi, KangYoon could work on his own work more comfortably. A partner who worked without having to tell her what to do was a great partner.

“Wait a minute. Is this JaeHoon’s schedule?”

“Yes.”

“Haa….”

But Lee HyunJi made a confused expression after looking at Kim JaeHoon’s schedule.

“Is, is this fine? I think he might fall ill.”

“Shouldn’t we get our investment? He only needs to work hard for three months.”

“Pfft.”

Lee HyunJi covered her face and laughed.

Speaking of the devil, Kim JaeHoon opened the door and entered. Due to the effects of the TV programme yesterday, he looked very bright.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Mr. JaeHoon.”

“You’re here.”

They greeted each other, and the three gathered around.

“Here’s your schedule.”

Kim JaeHoon received his schedule.

“…What the!”

Kim JaeHoon almost screamed after looking at his schedule.

“W… wait. This… is this really… humanly possible?”

“We’ll try. Don’t worry. I’ll be going with you.”

“Th…. That’s not the problem… the number of events here….”

Kim JaeHoon shivered after looking at the extremely long list of events on his schedule. However, KangYoon smirked and replied.

“I told you last time. You won’t have any time to rest.”

“But this is still….”

“I don’t speak lies.”

“…….”

Kim JaeHoon felt the fright of KangYoon properly.

Like that the two’s hot(?) spring began.