Chapter 106

Its not bad .

Said Professor Choi ChanYang as he praised the song that Park SoYoung brought him . The feel of the song, accompanied by a piano, was pretty good .

Park SoYoung finally calmed down her nervousness with a sigh .

Phew . Thats good . I thought about HyunAh-unni as I wrote this . Is it really okay?

I think it will suit her well . The bass line is especially good, but the chord progression is a little .

Professor Choi ChanYang pointed out a part played by the electric guitar . Although the bass line was good, the electric guitar part was too showy, and suggested her to edit it slightly . Park SoYoung understood what he meant and nodded .

I understand . Thank you for your guidance .

Okay . Come again anytime if you need any help .

Oh, yes . Now that I think about it; can I submit this to somewhere other than my graduation exam?

Another place? Where?

When he asked, Park SoYoung replied after a little bit of hesitation .

I thought of taking this to KangYoon-oppa .

You want to sell your song to him?

Professor Choi ChanYang became very curious . He even had a slight smile on his face .

That would be good, but actually, no . Who would buy my song? I shouldnt have said that . Sorry .

She thought that she said something rude since Professor Choi ChanYang was always so nice . She shook her head and turned around to leave . Just then, Professor Choi ChanYang kindly spoke .

Youre afraid of being judged .

.

Bullseye . Professor Choi ChanYang added .

But if its him, he should be able to tell you what level your composition is at . If I were you, I would prioritize showing my work to him rather than the graduation exam . Being examined within college is like judging the sky from the bottom of a well . Moreover, Mr . KangYoon has a good eye for these kind of things .

Park SoYoung did not reply and left after a greeting .

Being judged, huh .

The bottom of the well contrast did not leave Park SoYoungs head for a long time . Her hesitations continued into her classes as well .

***

Springtiue is warm, usually . However, to Kim JaeHoon, his spring this year was hotter than anyone .

Whew . I guess Ill say goodbye to this hellish schedule for a while after today .

Inside the car with KangYoon, Kim JaeHoon ended up laying down on the seat as he muttered .

Thats right . Thanks for all your hard effort, earning all that contract fee back for us .

I never imagined I would have earned 1 . 5 billion won (about 1 . 5 million USD) all in one month .

Kim JaeHoon now had a headache from all those hellish events . He practically visited every place in the country . Jeju island, Lands End, and even the frontlines where North Korea could be seen KangYoon did not leave any one of them out . What was even more frightening was his driving skills . His awesome skills lead Kim JaeHoon not being late to schedule even once .

Kim JaeHoon gulped down a bottle of water that was on the back seat .

But it looks like Ill say goodbye to events for a while . This is rather sad on its own?

Hahaha, thats how people are . What? I could get you some more if you want to .

Ill have to decline . Im no robot . Rather than that, I want to record the song I heard at the house quickly .

Okay okay . But the release date will be scheduled along with the concert hall date . Keep that in mind .

Got it .

Now that he was liberated of all of his burdens, Kim JaeHoons expression was very bright . He could not focus on singing without any debt or burden to his heart .

Arriving at an event venue in Daejeon, Kim JaeHoon immediately went on stage after preparing himself . The staff there all had sparkly eyes as they knew that he was coming . Although Kim JaeHoon was the type of singer liked by the male populace, there were naturally female fans as well .

After about 40 minutes of peformance, KangYoon and Kim JaeHoon immediately got back on the car and moved to Seoul . In the evening, he had another concert at a concert hall near a university, and after that was his final schedule for the day, an interview with a mans magazine .

Time flowed by in a flash .

Kim JaeHoon waited at a cafe after the concert at the university . Soon, a female editor from a magazine company and a cameraman arrived . After a brief introduction, the interview began .

I didnt even release an album . Is it really fine for you to interview me already?

When he asked in a joking tone, the female editor smiled awkwardly while fixing her thick glasses .

Usually, no . But the interest of the people is on you, Mr . Kim JaeHoon . We are a magazine company with a major male audience, so I thought that it would be good to have your interview on board .

Okay . Then, what . Should I start with my secrets of being successful?

Hahaha . Ill appreciate it if you do .

The mood was very lively . The female editors sharp eyes looked slightly scary, but she had a knack for calming the mood down . She calmly dragged out stories from Kim JaeHoon, especially about the past 4 years, during which he spent nightmarish days . The main topic was about how he overcame this crisis .

After a bit of thought, Kim JaeHoon spoke calmly .

Maybe its because I met a good person?

A person?

The female editor showed interest and jotted things down while recording the entire interview . Kim JaeHoon calmly continued .

I was in a serious conflict with my previous company . In the end, I was forced to pay the cancellation fee, and was burdened with debt ever since time . Then, I did my military service in disappointment, but nothing much changed even after I went there . The person who saved me at that time is my current president .

This wasnt an answer that the female editor wanted . She wanted an answer like I held on to the best of my ability or something along those lines . And naturally, she induced him to say so .

But didnt you put in a lot of effort to come back?

Of course, I practiced every day . To a singer, practice is life .

Oh, so in the end, your secret is to prepare for your comeback every day .

I guess thats true, but actually in my case, its my presidents deeds .

Kim JaeHoon turned his head towards KangYoon . KangYoon shrugged his shoulders when Kim JaeHoon looked at him . Kim JaeHoon only laughed .

The female editor asked as though this was quite strange .

This distance shouldnt be enough for him to listen . Looks like you really admire your president .

Yes . He taught me a lot of things . Unlike my previous president .

Your former president, oh . Its foreign gambling incident .

Yoo MinSung . At that time, I thought I could become successful as long as I could sing well, but he painfully made me realize how important the people around me were . Unlike him, who invested the money I earned him into gambling, my current president invests his money into new singers, and enables them to sing better songs .

Is that promoting your company?

Hahaha, can I ask you to do it?

Ill think about it if you buy me coffee today .

The female editor smirked . Kim JaeHoon took out his credit card . He implied her to promote World Entertainment .

Now, Kim JaeHoon was a proper entertainer solely belonging to World Entertainment .

After the interview, Kim JaeHoon was about to take the bill, but the female editor took it from him .

Where do you see an editor that lets an interviewee pay?

She left the cafe first saying that he didnt need to worry about promotion .

After the interview, KangYoon approached Kim JaeHOon .

Thanks for all your hard work . Youre now free .

You too, president . Wow I finally get to rest tomorrow . It feels quite strange, you know?

Now, youll have to work on your songs while resting . If we can release the album with this kind of current public opinion, we should be able to get good results . Ill go get the car .

KangYoon patted Kim JaeHoons back and left the cafe .

Hyung, thank you .

Muttered Kim JaeHoon as he saw KangYoons sturdy back .

***

Lee HyunJi, who was visiting estate agents around Yeonnam-dong looking for a building that can be used as a concert hall, was currently heading to one such building that was out for sale .

The price is a little steep, but the location is pretty good .

It was not far from a subway station, and it was easily accessible by foot as well . Moreover, as this was an urgent sale, the price was lowered quite a lot . Though, it was still expensive considering World Entertainments current finances . Lee HyunJi still deemed this to be suitable .

No ones contracted yet, right?

Some people are eyeing it out, but I dont know if they will .

Okay, Ill have a talk to my president .

Lee HyunJi considered this building a suitable candidate and returned to the office . When she returned, KangYoon, who was currently guiding Kim JiMin, was working at the office . (T/N: How does that work it doesnt make sense in Korean either)

Did you have a look at the hall?

Yes . Although the price is a little expensive . It was by far the best among the ones we saw thus far .

Really? Shall we go right away?

KangYoon immediately left the company . Although Lee HyunJi had to leave as soon as she arrived, she did not complain .

The two people had a look at the buildling with the estate agent, but this time in detail . Such as the height of the ceiling, the area of the hall, as well as accessibility . KangYoon was especially interested in the number of audience it could hold .

How is it?

KangYoon nodded after a bit of hesitation .

Its suitable . As for the price .

When KangYoon said that, the estate agent interfered .

The price can be negotiated . Since this was put on urgent sale, if you talk with the owner directly .

Hearing that, Lee HyunJi stepped in .

Oh, is that true? How much do you think we can shave if we get it today?

If you get the contract done today .

The estate agent quickly talked about the price . It was pretty obvious that he had talked to the owner beforehand . However, Lee HyunJi was dissatisfied with the answer .

Theres no merit even though if we get the contract done today . President, should we look into some more?

Okay, then . Can you give me a business card?

KangYoon received a business card from the estate agent and turned around . He told him that he would come back after negotiating with the owner .

After returning to the company, the two began their respective work again . KangYoon guided Kim JiMin in the studio, while Lee HyunJi took care of administrative work and scheduling White Moonlight and Kim JaeHoons timelines .

During this past month, Kim JiMin received almost no guidance from KangYoon, and due to that, she was receiving spartan education right now .

I, its so hard .

It is . Lets have a look at it again . Although its not on the score, try playing it with a sus-4 chord . That part brings liveliness to the song . There, try again .

Okay .

Kim JiMin was almost about to cry as she played the guitar . After almost a month of waiting, KangYoons education was very hard . Despite that, she felt that she was learning something and did her best to follow .

Just as she was focusing on learning, two people opened the door to the studio and entered . They were Professor Choi ChanYang and Park SoYoung .

Professor, youre here .

Hello, Mr . KangYoon . And hello to you too .

Hello .

KangYoon declared a bit of rest . Kim JiMin headed to the preparation room saying that she would get some coffee . Park SoYoung followed suit .

Youre here with SoYoung today?

Yeah . I chanced upon her on my way here . She has business with you, apparently .

She does? What kind of?

Shell say it herself .

Soon, Kim JiMin and Park SoYoung brought coffee . The four people talked about various things while drinking; about university, about practice, as well as other things . This was a rest time after all .

After everyone emptied their cuppas, Professor Choi ChanYang spoke to Kim JiMin .

JiMin, shall we go practice?

Okay .

I told you last time that you cant just top midway, right? Lets see how much you improved on that .

Kim JiMin was nervous as she left the studio with Professor Choi ChanYang . The two headed to the practice room .

Only Park SoYoung and KangYoon were left in the studio .

Uhm . oppa .

You had business with me?

Yes .

She carefully took out a score and a USB . KangYoon received the USB and put it on his PC . When he played the song that was in it, a song flowed out .

It wasnt recorded in a studio .

I dont have that kind of money haha .

While the music played, Park SoYoung laughed awkwardly . The speaker contained a guitar progression along with Park SoYoungs voice .

I could still run, but why do people

It was a light-paced yet powerful song . Even though this was just a classical guitar and a voice, the power could be felt . However, KangYoon tilted his head .

The light is weak .

Perhaps this was because there was no arrangement done, or it was for some another reason . It seemed that he had to listen to this live in order to judge for sure .

SoYoung, can you play it to me?

Play? Live?

Yup .

She hesitated a little seeing that KangYoon was so adamant . But soon, she picked up her guitar .

But in my heart I engrave my love and on your heart

Park SoYoung closed her eyes and started singing . The light-paced guitar sounds made her heart flutter . The song became more powerful due to that .

KangYoon focused his eyes on Park SoYoungs musical note and the guitars notes . This was very pleasing to the ear . However .

I knew it . Its still weak .

What was it that was lacking? This was definitely a good song, but the influence was a little weak . It was like this was a song that you would listen to only once . Maybe it would change if other instruments came into play, but right now, the feeling was just okay, and?-like feeling .

The song ended .

Uhm . How was I?

KangYoon replied to her careful question .