God of Music

Chapter 151. The Miracle OST (1)

Just as when KangYoon was contemplating about what to do in the future while browsing through the articles, Lee HyunJi approached him. In her hands was a report that summarized the events for the first quarter.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“Of course.”

KangYoon and Lee HyunJi stood up and headed to the sofa. This was also the two’s exclusive meeting room.

Jung HyeJin realized that the two were having a meeting and sensibly brewed them some coffee.

“Thanks.”

KangYoon expressed his appreciation and stalked talking.

“There were a lot of things in the first quarter. First, JiMin debuted and her results were great. From the reports, the reactions from the public were incredible for a rookie. Not to mention the music charts, she placed first in some of the music programs as well. I did not expect that…”

Lee HyunJi agreed to KangYoon’s words.

“Yes. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Eunha was the highlight of the first quarter. We’ve regained all of our investment in her training, and even filled some of the losses for Eddios. The mini album’s reactions were good so I believe that we should release a regular album soon.”

KangYoon had a look at the calendar before speaking in a difficult manner.

“Yes. We should do a regular album. However, if we do one now, our manpower at the company may be too split up. I think we should delay it for the time being.”

“Okay.”

Lee HyunJi brought up other important topics.

The artists were doing well. Kim JaeHoon became a stable source of income for the company, and Kim JiMin followed suit. The members of Eddios also started their activities as well.

“I didn’t know HanYu would go on a fashion show. Ris also started as a radio DJ… thanks for all your hard work.”

KangYoon was surprised at Lee HyunJi’s neat manner of working.

While he was working with Namhoon, the remaining two members of Eddios were scouted. Seo HanYu was scouted as a guest model for a fashion show hosted by a famous magazine, while Christie An became a host for ‘FM Date at Night’ at DLE TV station every night at 8 p.m. along with a male idol.

“It turned out just as you thought. 3 of them will do long-term projects while the remaining 3 will have short-term activities with a big impact – I think it’s turning out according to plan.”

“Indeed. I think it’s about time.”

KangYoon spoke joyfully while having a look at the materials that Lee HyunJi brought him.

“So every member of Eddios is now active. Although we had an unexpected loss regarding MinAh’s album, the results were very good. SamSoon and Ailee are having it hard, but… they’ll bring better results.”

“Yes. Pfft, I can understand SamSoon, but to think you’d send Ailee to a children’s program… I didn’t know she’d do so well. She goes along well with Tayo, too. Did you know that Ailee had such talents, president?”

KangYoon smiled awkwardly.

Right now, Ailee was digesting the character known as ‘Zoa-unni’ in ‘Fun with Kera’. She was now one of the best-ever Zoa-unnis in existence.

1st quarter.

All members of Eddios were building their foundations stably. There was also another group that was building their foundations.

“This place may burst any moment now.”

Lee HyunJi clicked her tongue while looking at the number of guests for White Moonlight’s regular performance at Lunas. The number was ever-increasing and Lunas was becoming a little too small for them. She even suggested to KangYoon to install some bridges on the 2nd floor for the audience.

“It’s about time they moved onto another stage.”

“Then we’re moving from Lunas to a bigger building?”

KangYoon shook his head.

“No. We can’t throw away our foundations. There’s the risk of losing fans if we do that. Rather than that, I’ve told HyunAh to prepare some songs, so next month, we should go major with them.”

“Oho.”

Lee HyunJi clapped in understanding. The difference in profits of being indie and being major was quite big. Although White Moonlight was steadily giving them profit, the amount was the smallest compared to other artists in the company. However, they were going to change now. In her shoes, it was very good.

However, there was a problem with that. Lee HyunJi pointed out.

“They’ll need a trigger, or something revolutionary to catch the attention of the general public. Even if we pull off a Sace collab again, I doubt people will attend…”

“The people who watch their shows will come, but the general public will not. Using a web portal like Sace can only be done by groups on the level of Eddios. Although the effects are big… it’s not worth it.”

They thought about it together but there was no clear solution.

In the end, they ended their meeting with summing up the 1st quarter achievements and KangYoon headed to the practice room to meet with White Moonlight.

Lee HyunAh and Kim JinDae were discussing a song.

“Hm? President, hello.”

Lee HyunAh and Kim JinDae greeted him. KangYoon waved at them and gestured to them to sit. They put down their mic and instrument and sat next to KangYoon.

“Where’s everyone else?”

“ChaHee is doing a lesson right now, and ChanGyu is visiting the professor for some homework. They’ll be back soon.”

KangYoon lightly nodded at Lee HyunAh’s answer and talked about the topic at hand.

“I’ll say this again once everyone’s here, but I’m planning to turn White Moonlight into a major band.”

“……”

“HyunAh?”

Hearing KangYoon’s words, Lee HyunAh became speechless for a moment. Kim JinDae waved his hand in front of her eyes, but she was still out of it due to shock. Kim JinDae then poked at her waist.

“Ouch!”

Lee HyunAh came to herself. Now that she did, she asked KangYoon in a trembling voice.

“M…m…major? Re… really!?”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“No, no. it’s….”

KangYoon always told them this. However, now that the time was upon them, her heart was fluttering. Kim JinDae also blinked several times in surprise.

“We haven’t even started yet. Anyway, you have some songs you created, right?”

“Yes.”

“How many do you have?”

Lee HyunAh took out some scores from her bag and handed it over to KangYoon. She also showed him the video that they recorded with her phone.

– I have something to say —

After Lee HyunAH’s song, a clean-tone guitar, and Lee HyunAh’s voice harmonized. The quality of the recording wasn’t that good, but her voice and the guitar tone created good sounds.

‘This…?’

Due to the phone being a medium, he did not see any light. However, this song felt rather different. It was a different style to White Moonlight’s usual rock, so it would be hard-pressed to use it as the main song in their major debut, but it was nonetheless, very good.

“What song is this?”

“Oh, this? SoYoung gave it to us. We first tried rock at first, but it didn’t feel that good so we made it quieter. How is it? Is it good?”

“Hm….”

KangYoon was surprised. Although he would have to listen to the entire band playing it to be sure, he was surprised by Park SoYoung’s composition skills.

“What’s SoYoung doing nowadays?”

“SoYoung? Haa….”

Lee HyunAh sighed.

“She graduated and she has to look for a job, but it’s a big deal. She doesn’t come out of her house often, and she’s writing up resumes and applying to various places, but I heard she hasn’t had any luck.”

“The economy isn’t so easy nowadays… HeeYoon met with SoYoung last time but I don’t think she mentioned anything like that.”

“I don’t think she said anything to miss HeeYoon. SoYoung is actually quite a proud girl. It wouldn’t have been easy for her to ask her friend who’s doing well.”

KangYoon shook his head. Pride was important, but living was even more important. Being poor, dignity meant nothing – that’s what he thought.

“…For now, tell her to visit me once.”

“Who, SoYoung?”

When Lee HyunAh asked back, KangYoon nodded his head.

“Yes. I want to talk to her about this piece. She definitely became good. She has a good sense for it as well. I think she knows your voice best, HyunAh.”

“Okay, when should I tell her to come?”

KangYoon told her that any time was good and stood up.

“Let’s talk again after everyone’s here.”

“Yes.”

KangYoon went back to his office.

***

“I’m back~…”

Ailee, who had returned from shooting ‘Fun with Kera’, took off her shoes in a tired manner.

At the door, Han JooYeon welcomed her.

“Welcome back.”

“Yeah.. JooYeon~”

Ailee ran to Han JooYeon and hugged her. Han JooYeon was at first freaked out by her behavior but still accepted her embrace regardless.

“Girlie. Are you tired?”

“Aaaah, forget it. Tayo-oppa is such a bad guy! He always scolds me.”

Ailee took off her stockings in a violent manner and sat on the sofa. her shorts rolled up a little giving a glimpse of her underwear. Not that anyone said anything about it.

Feeling a presence, Seo HanYu exited her room as well.

“Unni, you’re back.”

“HanYu, this unni is back.”

Ailee appealed to the two of them how tiring it was at work today and how Tayo bullied her so much. She did not refuse any of the practices that Tayo wanted to do, and she also told them that she did her best.

Listening to her story, Han JooYeon and Seo HanYu whispered to each other.

‘Looks like Tayo-seonbae had it hard.’

‘Yeah. It’s not easy to get along with a picky girl like that.’

In front of Ailee who was venting her frustration, the two shook their heads.

Having spent so much time together, ‘Yes’ sounded like a ‘no’ to them.

***

A bar in Mapo-gu.

This was a place that attracted high-class people with an antique-looking ceiling which was illuminated by a faint purple light.

KangYoon, who was invited here by chief producer Kim ChooYeon lightly clanged his glass with the others in cheers. Chief producer Kim ChooYeon drank the strong brandy in one gulp and filled it up again.

“I got off of trouble thanks to you, President Lee. Damned Yang PD, he can’t do anything properly…”

“It’s good to hear that things went well. Nothing good would have happened to even us if that dragged out for too long. I wish to end the topic of MinAh here.”

KangYoon’s words were welcome to him and chief producer Kim ChooYeon laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! Thank you.”

“I also had to ask you for a favor for sir Namhoon, didn’t I? We are just helping each other out. It’s not like we are going to see each other for a day or two.

Chief producer Kim ChooYeon liked this young CEO. He was neither cocky nor self-deprecating. He liked this man from both a business perspective and a personal standpoint.

He refilled KangYoon’s empty glass and spoke.

“I guess so. Oh, do you know about Min ChaeYeon?”

“Oh, that not-so-rookie rookie. I heard that she was nameless for 6 years. She made it big through the villain role in Luxurious Villain. She was good at acting…”

“Yes. But you know? That very same Min ChaeYeon moved over to Tasty as soon as her contract was over.”

KangYoon blinked his eyes several times.

“Tasty? The one that has several top-tier actors and actresses…?”

“Yes. She ran as soon as she made it big. Apparently, the business owner of Min ChaeYeon’s former company even went as far as to inhale briquette gas (carbon monoxide). He looked after her for 7 whole years… personally, I find that very unfortunate.”

“Hm….”

(T/N: Burning coal briquettes inside a car to commit suicide is quite a stereotype in movies and stories.)

KangYoon didn’t feel like this was someone else’s problem. He had experienced a similar situation before he returned to the past and when he had a single artist at his company. He knew that it felt like someone was shaving his bones off.

Chief producer Kim ChooYeon added.

“It’s somewhat funny to emphasize loyalty in a world like this, but I still feel bitter when I listen to stories like this.”

“Me too. To entertainment business owners, artists are like their own children.”

At the chief producer’s level, he knew many of the backstories in the industry. KangYoon knew most of them, but there were many that he wasn’t aware of. The two talked about a lot of things and shared their information.

It was a very wholesome conversation.

The two drank for a long time.

Chief producer Kim ChooYeon’s face had turned bright red. He grinned and talked to KangYoon.

“Haha, president. I’m having fun. It’s good to have someone I can talk to.”

“Me too.”

“Phew, I’m getting drunk. President.”

He leaned towards KangYoon.

“I have some good intel. Would you like to hear it?”

“Some intel?”

When KangYoon asked back, he replied in a low tone.

“There’s an empty OST slot for a Wednesday and Thursday drama that we do. It’s a medical romance drama titled ‘His Hospital’, and we’ve only released two episodes so far.”

“Oh, I’m aware of that. I also heard that it has decent viewing rates.”

“Yes. But the producer over there is quite picky and hasn’t decided on an OST yet. That dude is quite stubborn so he ignores all pressure from investors… Do you have any in mind?”

This was a nice suggestion. KangYoon had no reason to refuse.

“I’ll be thankful if you do.”

“Let me see, what’s his number again…”

Chief producer Kim ChooYeon looked up the contact info on his phone and showed it to KangYoon. KangYoon saved the number on his phone and bowed.

“Thank you, chief producer.”

“Well, it will be outside of my influence whether the music gets used or not even if it does go on the album. I can’t help that. The producer is quite picky so you must be careful.”

KangYoon said he understood and nodded his head.

‘That song will work.’

KangYoon was ensured after hearing the proposal from chief producer Kim ChooYeon.