Chapter 87

***

Although it was Saturday evening, KangYoon and Lee HyunJi remained at the company without going home . The importance of an employee was different to that of an employer . Jung HyeJin had already gone home, but these two still had some things to do regarding the contract with Kim JiMin .

Drinking bitter coffee, KangYoon turned his eyes to the papers .

She lives with just her grandmother?

KangYoon couldnt hide his surprise after hearing about Kim JiMins family situation from Lee HyunJi . Looking at her address, he saw that it wasnt far from where he used to live . KangYoon was speechless .

That place they even share the toilets .

What? Such a place still exists?

Its just around the corner of where I used to live . There arent many toilets, so they are practically shared . I didnt know people still lived there .

Im more surprised by the fact that you used to live there .

Now that I think about it, it hasnt been that long since I started getting hot tap water .

Lee HyunJi was surprised at KangYoon instead . She did once see KangYoons resume, but she didnt know that he went through all sort of suffering in a place like that .

KangYoon thought that Kim JiMin had to have a stable lifestyle first . Although more hunger calls for more desperation and better quality, that didnt work in an era like this . However, there was a problem; money .

We can get a small house . It will be better than a shack like that one .

Fortunately, Lee HyunJis answer was a positive one . She also thought that their first trainee shouldnt stay in a shack like that . However, there was a problem .

Im not worried about the money since youll earn it back, but this wont be a vain investment, right?

Her worries lay with Kim JiMin . Although they got a proper trainee, the matters of the world were mysterious .

KangYoon agreed with her worries but still calmed her down by saying that he would make it happen .

Ill have to do my best . Now, well be family .

Thats true . You always moved for a just cause like that . Its not just one or two people that fell for that charm of yours .

Hahaha .

KangYoon shrugged his shoulders .

Eventually, the two came to an agreement that they should get Kim JiMin a dorm where she could live with her grandmother . They also decided that she should practice everyday after school, Lee HyunJi went off to look for trainers, and KangYoon agreed .

Like that, matters about Kim JiMin were finished . Next was Lee HyunAh .

Lee HyunAh? Here?

Hearing that from KangYoon, Lee HyunJi crossed her arms . Is a band easy to succeed with? Her opinion was that it was very hard .

What did you reply with?

I said that I will think about it . A band is a very hard item to succeed with . I cant just accept them on behalf of friendship .

She must have been disappointed . She might have thought that you were a high-pass .

Work is work .

Lee HyunJi nodded at KangYoons words . Running a company wasnt a joke . Accepting an entire group on behalf of friendship was a hard thing to do .

In your opinion, do you think Lee HyunAh and her band have a chance to succeed?

KangYoon didnt voice out his opinions that easily . Lee HyunAh definitely had her own charms . She was going beyond the Hongdae goddess position in the indie band world . Moreover, she could even write songs as well . As an individual, she was a very talented singer-songwriter . The problem was the band . Can the individuals of the band succeed as a star? Can they succeed as a band in the major world?

Considering all that, it was hard for KangYoon to come to a decision . Lee HyunJi also seemed to notice his worries and added .

A band is definitely difficult . A lot of people came out as a band in the past and screwed up . Moreover, they are of mixed gender, so it will be hard to gain fans .

KangYoon agreed with her . However, there was something that tugged his heart .

A band, huh a band, in the end, gains profit through performances

He could just give up on them . But something just didnt seem right .

KangYoons worries didnt settle .

***

Kim JiMin felt that everything was a dream .

Lee HyunJi came to her school and processed documents about early leave for every day as she would become a trainee . As this all had the agreement of her guardian and had legitimate documents about her from the company, the school allowed it without much hassle . Though, they found it slightly disappointing since it was a small company .

JiMin! Did you really become a trainee? Thats awesome!

My friend is a celebrity now?

When rumors spread, Kim JiMin became a hot issue among the students . Despite that, she maintained good relationships with her friends .

The next change that came to her was the dorms . Kim JiMin had lived in shacks for all her life and was not able to believe the two-room studio apartment in front of her eyes .

Wow .

It wasnt that big, but it was very neat and tidy . Everything felt as though it was a dream . There was everything necessary with beds and a computer .

My dear, president . I cannot thank you enough .

Kim JiMins parents grabbed KangYoons hands dearly . She did hear that her granddaughter had become a trainee or something, but she never imagined that she got her a house as well . KangYoon also grabbed her hands back .

JiMin will bring you to a better place in the future . Shell give us with greater things, so this is not much .

Thank you, thank you so much .

Kim JiMins grandmother was just thankful .

With the matters with the school and living done, they took care of most things . What was left was training . And today was the historic first training .

Hello .

Kim JiMin finished just the morning classes and headed to World Entertainment . She greeted Jung HyeJin and headed to the basement studio .

Welcome .

In the studio were KangYoon and professor Choi ChanYang . Kim JiMin nervously greeted towards the professor .

After a brief introduction, the three sat down and went to the topic .

JiMin, the professor will take care of your vocal training starting today . You have a lot to learn, but singing is the basics of the basics, so you must work hard, okay?

Yes . Ill do my best .

Kim JiMins eyes were full of enthusiasm . Professor Choi ChanYang smiled in satisfaction .

No, take care of me too . This will be the first time I train someone too .

Kim JiMins eyes trembled, but KangYoon explained .

Hes a professor in Hallyeo Arts University . Its the first time hes doing vocal training, but he teaches composing . This opportunity is quite rare . Also, the vocal skills youre about to learn cant be learned from just anywhere so do your best .

A professor hi .

Kim JiMin gulped in nervousness . Then, professor Choi ChanYang smiled and made her relax .

After she relaxed a little, KangYoon continued to explain .

Its called SLS vocal method, and it originated from vocal music, but it can handle pop or classic, as well as all other genres of singing .

She wondered if there really was such a magical singing method, but trusted KangYoon . When her eyes sparkled, KangYoon continued .

Its hard to see effects for people who already learned another vocal method . But I thought that you should be able to learn it since you dont have experience learning any other things . This is quite effective for people who dont have habits in singing . Not anyone can teach it without the proper licenses . So, do your best to learn it .

Yes .

KangYoon spoke no more . He pushed away the tables in the studio while Kim JiMin sat down .

Here, do as I do . Ah~ .

Ah

Professor Choi ChanYang started from the basics . Kim JiMin sang as she did normally . Then, the professor shook his head .

Think as though youre doing it more naturally . Listen to me . Aaah-

KangYoon sat down and focused his ears on their voices . The professor repeated the same ah sound . The prior sounded like a scratching sound, and the latter sounded more comfortable .

What is the difference between the two?

I think the first one was more difficult to voice out . The second one sounded more comfortable .

Good . You have good ears .

The compliment made Kim JiMin happy .

Thats where the importance of SLS lies . Comfortably and clearly . If you perfectly digest this voicing method, then youll be able to voice out even the high notes .

Oh .

Kim JiMin exclaimed . She didnt even think about that .

Lets do it then . Aah

Aaah

The sound is still a little awkward right? Its because your larynx is too low . The important thing is to find the right place for the larynx . Again . Aah

Aaah

Kim JiMins vocal training started with the basics . Seeing that the lesson was taking off, KangYoon quietly left through the door .

In the office, Lee HyunJi was hard at work while grabbing her head . KangYoon sat down as to not interrupt her .

Band, what do I do with a band?

The band problem was very difficult . How to produce profit out of them, this was a big question . Even if they acted as a unit, the problem of sharing profit was obviously a big hindrance . There was a reason Yerang wanted Lee HyunAh alone .

But no one has done it yet . The merit of being the first success is definitely there . Moreover, her skills are already approved . Increasing the number of performances and proper marketing should make her a good card .

There was definitely merit if he could package the band well . Moreover, there was the foundation that she had piled up in Hongdae (Hongik University District) . If the music could be turned a little more mass-public-oriented while maintaining the originality of the band, then a good reaction could be expected .

If I do decide to accept her, then the important part will be to produce a profit . But its not like HyunAh has talents in acting or TV shows, and theres no way the others do either . In the end, it will be about music . Music, music, huh . Music Oh .

At that moment, something flashed in KangYoons head .

The main source of income for a band is a concert . Lee HyunAhs foundation is an indie band . Why did I only think about large-scale concerts? Concerts with less than 100 people audience is still a concert . Hahaha .

Thinking about it, Lee HyunAh was already earning money as an indie band . However, there was a difference between doing it through a company and doing it as an individual or a team . Moreover, he could also expect an increase in quality as she would be able to focus solely on music .

With a band, I could earn profits through indie stages, and get popularity through TV shows . Once there are enough fans, a large concert to sweep it all? Like that, shouldnt there be quite a lot of profit, though, not as much as an event?

He thought about a part he forgot about . These people werent the typical celebrities . They were indie singers . The advantage of indie singers was that they had manias die-hard fans . If he could provide a fan-service for these specific group of fans, and increase their numbers, then there would eventually be a frightening mass of fans . The profit too would be

Thats it!

KangYoon subconsciously shouted out loud . Lee HyunJi, who was focusing on her work on the side, was surprised and looked at him .

Did something happen?

Oh .

KangYoon momentarily became embarrassed .

***

To strike the iron while it was hot, KangYoon immediately called for Lee HyunAh . She quickly came to the office of World Entertainment upon call .

Drinking the coffee Jung HyeJin gave her, Lee HyunAh asked .

What did you call me for?

Lee HyunAhs question had both expectation and worry . Before, KangYoon did not give a proper answer . However, she still expected something from KangYoon, thinking that KangYoon would be different .

KangYoon started to talk .

You wanted to enter our company, right? With the rest of the band .

Yes .

I have something to talk about that . The conditions will be very bad . Is that fine with you??

Yes . There was hope in KangYoons words . She sparkled eyes and nodded her head .

Yes, yes! I knew it, you were .

Decide after you hear about everything . The terms arent that good . You will be sacrificing a lot .

Sacrificing?

Lee HyunAh was confused by the negative word . However, she already considered not going to Yerang a sacrifice .

Thats fine . If I was worried about sacrifices, I would have gone to Yerang .

Okay . Then Ill start with the most difficult part for you .

KangYoon talked about the distribution of profits . It was about Lee HyunAhs individual income . KangYoon said that she would have to share some of her own income with the rest of the members . At those words, her eyes widened .

What, my money?

Of course, the income from other members will also be shared in the same ratio . However, reasonably speaking, your income will be the highest . Meaning, you will be making some losses .

When KangYoon talked about the money, she started hesitating as well . The reality concerning money and the thought of being together with the rest of the team was conflicting each other .

Lee HyunAh thought about it for a moment and eventually came to a decision .

Okay . Then if I sacrifice my portion of the income, then will I be accepted?

Lee HyunAh threw a direct question . However, KangYoon still said that there were some things left .

Theres still more . Decide after you hear about it . Honestly, if you enter, then Id welcome you . This company is still in its initial stages, so rather than me doing something for you, you might feel like you have more family . So .

But its not like youre going to abandon me, oppa .

Y . yes, thats true as well .

Youll utilize the group somehow to produce income . If I come here, that is .

She was right . She said that and urged KangYoon to speak properly .

Ill clear it up for you . If you come here, youll be put through a lot of suffering . You might even earn less money for the time being than being indie . However

However?

Her eyes sparkled at this point .

I can guarantee this . The number of performances you do will increase . But the real goal is .

Is?

10,000 people concert .

Her eyes widened .

10 thousand people!?

Ten thousand may seem like not that of a great number, but it wasnt such an easy feat . Even she had a hard time believing whether this was possible or not . However, KangYoon continued to calmly explain .

Your fans until now, and the fans youll make through TV, your image youll make in the future . In total, Im thinking around 2 years . Our company will also have to get ready to digest such a large concert by then . I wont do something rude like asking you to spend your own money so dont worry about that .

Oh . Hahahaha .

Lee HyunAh smiled awkwardly . Looking at the current state of the company, as well as her own popularity as a band, this did not make any sense . However, KangYoon was the one to say it . She didnt think that it was a lie . Moreover, if the entire band was going to be treated the same, then there was no need to talk anymore .

I, Ill come here . The others will come too .

Youll be put through a lot of suffering . Like, a LOT . You might even resent met .

Its fine . Its fine . 10 thousand . Ten thousand

She went absent-minded as though she was enchanted by the temptation of the large-scale concert . To a band, a large concert was like a dream .

Like that, Lee HyunAhs band, The Formidables, nested themselves in World .

***

President, you didnt say a lot in the show .

Today was the broadcasting date for the audition programme . Monitoring, Lee HyunJi jokingly complained to him .

They said everything before me, so I had nothing else to say .

Pfft . You should have made up something . Look at Lee JaeHyuk, hes making up all sorts of things . That applicant is really good too .

Like what Lee HyunJi said, applicant number 209 had very cleaning singing, and his attitude was very good as well . However, Lee JaeHyuk kept asking him for more saying something was lacking . And that definitely made it through the editing . After that, Lee JaeHyuk said in the interview that he liked the applicant but thought that he could do better .

Compared to the other two, you dont appear that much . Perhaps because you arent that known yet .

When Lee HyunJi jokingly said that, KangYoon shook his head .

It was difficult to find a gem among the sand . There were people who had good voices, but it wasnt that easy to find people with potential . I think that those two are just celebrities putting on a show .

Really? I think your standards are too high .

Maybe .

KangYoon shrugged his shoulders . This was his first appearance, but he didnt show that much of an impact, and he was slightly disappointed about that . However, there werent that many talented people either . Moreover, Kim JiMin was edited out, even though she was the true talent .

Yes, hello? Oh, producer .

While KangYoon monitored himself with a disinterested expression Lee HyunJi answered the call from a producer with a high-pitched voice . Reflecting her business attitude, she never stopped laughing and giggling while on the phone .

After the call, she sighed and spoke .

President, we got a call from the producer of ONE STAR . Its work .

Work?

Yes . He wanted you to do an arrangement of a song for one of the top 10 .

Arrangement?

Yes, the costs will be handled by the TV station . You became quite popular with the rise of T&T, right? Its about time you did something again .

KangYoon accepted and smiled .