Chapter 63: Cherry Blossom’s New Song (1)
Ding!
The elevator door on the basement’s second floor, where Lee Dong-Min was, opened. Recording studios 1 to 6 were positioned along the fairly wide corridor, and at the end of the hallway was a door leading to a small theater that could accommodate about 150 people watching a performance.
‘The land value of this place alone must be in the hundreds of billions, especially considering it's in Apgujeong.’
Seeing this reminded me that our company was quite wealthy, a fact which I often forgot about.
That was when I heard the sound of two people arguing coming from Recording Studio 2.
"Mr. Lee! Why don't we just leave it to Jee-Tae? You know he's been on a roll lately!"
"No, we're going for an S-class songwriter this time. How many times do I have to tell you?"
"Ah, do you think S-class songwriters are crazy enough to give a song to Cherry Blossom? Jee-Tae is more than enough for them, don't you get the situation? Everyone's refusing to give them songs!"
The people fighting in Recording Studio 2 were Lee Dong-Min and Kang Shi-On, the idol group producer. The latter was from the Seoul National University of the Arts and was the main contributor to the creation of Golden Road. However, he was also the one who messed up Cherry Blossom's first and second albums.
The man who was mentioned in their quarrel was Choi Jee-Tae, the composer of ‘Ba-Bam-Ba!’—a somewhat popular track from Golden Road's album. To no one’s surprise, he was also from the Seoul National University of the Arts.
"If you keep this up, we might not even get Jee-Tae's song. Are you going to compose their song yourself then or what?"
"Hey. Mind your own business and take care of Golden Road! I'll handle Cherry Blossom."
Their heated argument made me wait outside for a moment. Soon, the noise subsided and the door opened.
Click!
Kang Shi-On came out with a frown.
"Hello. How are you, sir?"
"How am I? How do I look to you right now?"
‘Why am I getting the backlash?’
"Hey. Star Jung. Talk some sense into Mr. Lee, will you? Does he seriously think it’s okay for someone to come back to the industry after a hiatus of five years to make idol music with their old-school sensibilities?"
I found his remark ridiculous. Kang Shi-On was the one who brought Cherry Blossom down to this state, and now he was criticizing Lee Dong-Min.
"He'll do well. His class is permanent."
My response didn't seem to please Kang Shi-On as his eyes grew even more hostile. "Nonsense. What do you know about music anyway?"
Not wanting to say more, Kang Shi-On waved his hand dismissively. Then, he headed toward the elevator with an annoyed expression.
After he disappeared, I opened the door to the studio.
Creak.
Lee Dong-Min was leaning back in a chair and looking at the lit recording booth. With his disheveled hair and untucked shirt, he looked like he hadn't been home for days.
"Mr. Lee."
"Ah, what now... Oh, Yoon-Ho?"
Lee Dong-Min was about to show annoyance as he thought Kang Shi-On had returned, but soon made an awkward expression when he realized it was me who entered the room.
"When did you get here?"
"Just now. Anyway, I heard about the issue. Are the composers really not giving us any songs yet?"
Lee Dong-Min sighed. "Shall we talk over a can of cold coffee?"
"Sure."
The chair was pushed back with a squeaking sound when Lee Dong-Min stood up from his seat. We left the recording studio and headed to the break room right in front of the small theater.
Click.
I took a Let's Bee coffee from the vending machine and took a sip.
‘Ah, it tastes bad.’
"Tastes bad, doesn't it?" Lee Dong-Min asked.
I immediately hardened my expression and replied. "No, it's delicious!"
"Delicious, huh? Stop lying. I heard your coffee is the best. But what can I do? I need to simulate the old days to hopefully think of something to make this work."
Lee Dong-Min was trying to live exactly like he did when he first started his career as a producer to recall those times and get back on track. He said he had lost several kilograms due to this lifestyle.
"Are you eating properly, sir?"
Lee Dong-Min laughed as he shook his can of Let's Bee coffee. "I can't seem to swallow anything but noodles due to stress. My meals are three cups of instant noodles a day. This coffee is like a supplement."
'He'll die if he keeps this up. I died once because I didn't take care of myself.'
I frowned and opened my mouth. "Mr. Lee, does your wife know you're living like this?"
"Hehe, kiddo. Don't worry. I won’t be able to keep this up longer than a week anyway. I guess I'm washed up now. S-class, my foot. Once you're old and lose your touch, it's all over."
"Oh, come on, Mr. Lee. Don't talk like that. But why aren't the composers giving us songs?"
Lee Dong-Min looked just as clueless while tilting his head. "I have no idea. Can you believe it? Even after offering up to 40 million won for a song, not a single person is willing to give us their song."
‘What? We offered double the usual rate and there are still no takers? What’s going on?’
"Epil K, Genos, Bambi, Kim Woon-Sik, and even Changee. All of them said the songs they made already have owners."
The names of S-class composers in South Korea came up one after another.
"But that's just unbelievable..."
"Exactly."
Composers would usually create new songs when requested. Normally, they always had at least one or two extra songs ready. But now, all of them were saying they didn't have any songs.
Even the experienced Lee Dong-Min looked puzzled.
"I might have to accept Jee-Tae's song at this rate."
However, he clicked his tongue as if he recalled how Cherry Blossom’s second album was a total flop because of Jee-Tae.
At that moment, I suddenly remembered a major girl group debut happening around this time.
'Girlfriends7 should be preparing for their debut around now.’
I left Lee Dong-Min pondering and started scanning through my planner.
[Everyday V10]
[Date: April 18, 2020]
-07:00 PM (Report) Ace Entertainment, Girlfriends7 KBC Music Stage debut songs, 3 tracks. Protested to the AD.
Ace Entertainment's new idol—Girlfriends7—became strong contenders for the number one spot upon debut, starting a three-way girl group battle with Petite More and Golden Road. I recalled a rumor that Ace Entertainment had hoarded all the S-class composers' songs for Girlfriends7's debut.
I immediately shared my thoughts with Lee Dong-Min.
"Mr. Lee, did you hear about Ace Entertainment preparing to launch a major girl group?"
"Heard about it? I went and saw them myself. They're good and have great looks too. If they get good songs, they'll rise to stardom in no time. Wait...wait a minute."
Lee Dong-Min's eyes widened with a sudden realization as he made a dumbfounded expression. "So, are you saying that Ace Entertainment hoarded all the good songs?"
‘Bingo.’
"Yes."
Lee Dong-Min pondered for a moment. "It does make sense... But even if they hoarded all the songs, that shouldn't stop them from giving songs to Cherry Blossom. Something isn’t right."
"Maybe they're doing it to keep Cherry Blossom in check."
"Keeping Cherry Blossom in check? Why would they keep a group at the bottom of the second league in check?"
"Well, if you look at Cherry Blossom’s performance alone, yes—you might think that. But consider their popularity in the last month. They've risen significantly since the year-end stage, haven't they?"
Cherry Blossom's exposure had skyrocketed since the year-end stage, thanks to the trending shoes they wore on stage.
"I-I guess that's true."
“Right? Mr. Lee, why don't we meet Composer Kim Woon-Sik directly? You're close with him, aren't you?"
Lee Dong-Min threw his empty can of Let's Bee coffee into the trash bin.
Thud!
‘A perfect shot.’
A smile appeared on Lee Dong-Min’s face after hearing my suggestion.
"Alright. Since Woon-Sik isn't answering my calls, let's meet him and press him for the truth."
Having made up his mind, Lee Dong-Min stood up. Although he was staggering with his weary body, he had sparkles in his eyes.
As we left the recording studio, Lee Dong-Min asked, "Don’t you need to visit Yoo-Jin?"
"The urgent matters surrounding her are all settled now. I can go later."
When I mentioned Ju Kang-Yong's arrest, Lee Dong-Min patted my shoulder. "It's rewarding to see your efforts bear fruit. I felt sorry to see a good person like Yoo-Jin suffer."
Han Myung-Ho and Lee Dong-Min had not mentioned Cherry Blossom's situation to me until now as they thought that Yoo-Jin's issue was more urgent.
"Alright. Let's go."
We immediately headed to Hongdae to meet Kim Woon-Sik.
***
I called Yoo-Jin in Lee Dong-Min's car.
"How's the hotel? Is everything okay there?"
-It's really nice here! Miso is having fun and the food's great. But oppa, why is the minibar so expensive?
A bottle of water that costs 500 won outside costs over 3,000 won in the minibar. That’s six times the regular price. I always wondered who would pay that much, but apparently many people don’t mind paying extra.
"It's okay, don’t worry about the price. The company will cover your expenditure."
-Ugh, but it feels like I'm being ripped off. I just can't do it.
Yoo-Jin complained about the unknown foreign snacks in the minibar, saying the prices made her spit out curse words.
At that moment, Miso took over the phone.
-Uncle Yoon-Ho, when are you coming?
"Hey, Miso. I'll be there in the evening. And don’t worry about eating snacks from the minibar, eat whatever you want!"
-No way! It's too expensive! My teacher taught me that overspending is bad.
I found myself agreeing with Miso's firm stance. Indeed, it was hard to argue against not overspending.
‘But it would be a shame to leave the hotel without trying anything since it’s her first time there.’
"Then just eat one thing."
-One thing?
"Yeah. Just one. You’re at a hotel, so why not enjoy it?"
-Mom~ Uncle Yoon-Ho said I can eat one thing! Can I?
I could vividly imagine the expression Miso was making at this moment.
-It’s me again on the phone, oppa!
"Alright. Now that everything's sorted out, relax for one more day. We’ll go home once the reporters leave."
-Thank you.
I replied with a pleased smile. "What for? It's just part of a talent agent's job."
Lee Dong-Min chuckled at my reaction while driving.
"You’re really that happy, huh?"
"Ah, Mr. Lee. Haha, well..."
"If you’re happy, just say so. Who wouldn’t be happy seeing their celebrity succeed?"
Then, Lee Dong-Min reminisced about the first singer he managed, recalling names like Park Woon-Ki and Choi Eun-Sil—popular solo artists of his time. He felt regretful that those he had worked with had already retired.
'Why not help them with a comeback?'
However, I didn't say it out loud, seeing that Lee Dong-Min had lost a lot of confidence. I decided to bring it up another time.
Soon, we arrived at Kim Woon-Sik's studio in Hongdae. It was still daytime, so the streets weren't very crowded.
"It looks shabby."
"Yes, but he’s got the inside all decked out."
Despite being wealthy and living in an expensive house in Pyeongchang-dong, this S-class composer was said to always compose his songs in the same place where he started out.
As we descended the basement stairs, the damp smell of moist cement hit my nose. An empty bowl of jjajangmyeon that appeared to be a few days old was also visible at the entrance.
Lee Dong-Min grumbled as he opened the door, "This guy, he never cleans up."
When the door opened, I was surprised by the fancy remodeled basement studio before me.
'Whoa, what’s with this stark contrast?'
As soon as Lee Dong-Min entered the studio, he started nagging, "Hey! Why don’t you answer your phone!?"
A man lying on an Italian leather sofa slowly raised himself. "Ugh...uh... Who is it?"
A man with bushy hair rubbed his sleepy eyes and got up. He was Kim Woon-Sik, a composer who reportedly earned over 500 million won in royalties annually.
"Dong-Min... hyung?"
"Dong-Min hyung, my ass. You're not even giving me a song. Who are you calling hyung, you asshole!"
Kim Woon-Sik scratched his head, looking apologetic. "Ah, seriously. Why are you like this? I told you all the songs I've written are already taken."
Kim Woon-Sik gulped down some lukewarm water on the table and rubbed his eyes before asking, "But why are you here again?"
"What do you mean why? We're here to get a song from you."
"Wow. How could you be so entitled?"
Kim Woon-Sik seemed upset, insisting he genuinely had no songs left.
"Then write a new one. A new song! It only takes three minutes, right?"
"How great would it be if songs just popped up like that, huh? Do I look like instant noodles to you? Done in three minutes?"
The conversation quickly escalated into an argument. Seeing no sign of a conclusion, I stepped in.
"Hello, sir. I’m Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment."
Kim Woon-Sik scratched his head irritably. "Who's this now?"
"He's our company's secret weapon."
As Lee Dong-Min spoke cheekily, Kim Woon-Sik gave me a sharp look.
"Really? He does have nice looks. Rapper? Singer? Dancer? Which one are you?"
"No, Mr. Kim. I'm just a talent agent."
Kim Woon-Sik turned his head to Lee Dong-Min. "But didn’t you just say he's a secret weapon?"
Ignoring Kim Woon-Sik's words, Lee Dong-Min sprawled himself on an empty sofa. "Yoon-Ho, ask him whatever you're curious about. Wake me up when you're done."
"Wow... Am I not even human to you now? You're not going to talk to me anymore, hyung?"
"Nope. You, not human."
Kim Woon-Sik looked at me again with a ridiculous expression. "I don’t know what this situation is, but you heard I don’t have any songs left, right?"
"I did, sir."
"Then, that's the end of my answer. Take your director and leave, will you? I need to get more sleep."
Kim Woon-Sik snapped and began to awkwardly settle back on the sofa.
"Mr. Kim, did you happen to sign an exclusive contract with Ace Entertainment?"
At that moment, Kim Woon-Sik, who was about to lie down on the sofa, froze in place.
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