Chapter 66: Cherry Blossom’s New Song (4)
Kim Chun-Ja seemed curious about whether her son truly had talent and tried to hide her anxiety, maintaining a calm demeanor.
In response, Lee Dong-Min nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, ma'am! His songs are of such great quality that we want to sign a contract with him right away. I haven't called the president yet, but I'm sure he'll be supportive."
Kim Chun-Ja responded to Lee Dong-Min’s words. "Then, you should talk to the president first before proceeding."
Lee Dong-Min looked puzzled. "Huh? Why is that...?"
"Didn't you hear me? Get a promise from the president about the contract first. Only then can I let Gwi-Nam go with you."
“B-but ma’am. It’s not easy for me to contact the president of the company at this time.”
Lee Dong-Min made a perplexed expression, but Kim Chun-Ja remained firm in her stance.
“Mr. Lee, just think about it. My son is so excited to sign a contract with your company right now, but can you imagine how hurt he would be if your president was against signing the contract?”
Perhaps because of Bang Seon-Woo's near experience of being scammed by 'Uncle Music' before he met us, Kim Chun-Ja was extremely wary and careful.
Lee Dong-Min pondered for a moment and then stood up. "Alright! I'll call the president right away and come back to explain the contract details to you. Yoon-Ho, please wait here for a bit."
Lee Dong-Min bowed slightly, lifting the shutter door and stepping outside. Meanwhile, Bang Seon-Woo was busy trying to persuade his mother, whose eyes were fixed solely on me.
"Mom! Hoop Entertainment is a really good place. What if I miss out on this opportunity?" Bang Seon-Woo exclaimed anxiously.
But Kim Chun-Ja raised her hand to interrupt him. "Quiet! Just shut up!"
Bang Seon-Woo flinched and recoiled. Kim Chun-Ja sighed and then turned her gaze toward me. Staring directly into my eyes, she slowly opened her mouth.
"It's you, isn't it?"
"Pardon me?"
I was puzzled as I had no idea what she was talking about.
‘What does she mean by that? Did I do something?‘
"You're the one who brought that man to see my son, aren’t you?"
‘Ah, that's what she meant.’
"Yes, ma’am. I’m the one who brought Mr. Lee to see Mr. Bang Seon-Woo. But how did you know?"
"I could just tell. That man had a dull expression since he entered, but your eyes were bright and excited."
I was taken aback by the fact that she had noticed that in such a short time.
"I've been running a business for decades. I can easily read people's faces."
Bang Seon-Woo chimed in excitedly. "Yeah, Mom. This guy saw the songs I uploaded to the composer's website and..."
As Bang Seon-Woo tried to join the conversation, Kim Chun-Ja raised her hand again. "Enough!"
Bang Seon-Woo flinched and immediately fell silent.
Realizing that I was seated across from her, Kim Chun-Ja looked slightly embarrassed. "I'm not well-educated, so I always lose my temper like this. I hope you understand."
"No problem at all, ma'am."
"But seriously...my son—does he really have potential?"
"Yes. I believe he can become one of the best composers."
Kim Chun-Ja stared intently at me. "It seems like you’re speaking the truth. Your eyes are deep and honest. They don't look like those of a liar. I've been running a business long enough to read people as well as any fortune teller."
However, that wasn't the case as I only knew that he would be successful in the future because I had traveled back in time.
My face flushed upon hearing Kim Chun-Ja’s piercing words.
At that moment, Kim Chun-Ja slowly stood up and continued speaking slowly. "I'm grateful you think so highly of my lacking son."
As soon as she finished speaking, she began to bow deeply, slowly, and sincerely. She then earnestly requested me to care for her son. "Please take good care of my son. I’m sending my son to your company because I trust you, sir."
Surprised by her unexpected action, I quickly stood up and bowed to her. "M-ma'am, please don't do this. Of course, I will take good care of your son."
"They say not to even step on a teacher's shadow. I’m grateful that you are willing to help this worthless boy. As a mother, there's not much more I can do for him...Please help him be successful."
Then, Kim Chun-Ja, still bowing, called her son. "Gwi-Nam, what are you doing? Show your gratitude!"
"Oh, right. Okay, Mom."
Bang Seon-Woo also quickly stood up and bowed to me. "I'm in your hands, sir."
Kim Chun-Ja's attitude was so unfamiliar to me. I, a mere talent agent, was being addressed as ‘sir.’ Nevertheless, I refrained from passing judgment on her actions. The values and life experiences she had encountered bore a weight I dared not measure.
I spoke to Kim Chun-Ja—who was still bowing—with all sincerity, promising to protect her son in any situation. "I will do my best. Please leave it to me."
At that moment, I saw Kim Chun-Ja's shoulders trembling slightly. It seemed her long-burdened shoulders, due to her concern for Bang Seon-Woo, were relieved a bit.
Then, Lee Dong-Min burst in through the shutter door and exclaimed in a loud voice. "Yoon-Ho, Mr. Kang offered 10 million won per song and a bonus of 30 million won if it hits number one! Is that okay with...huh? What's going on?"
Lee Dong-Min looked around with a puzzled expression before bowing as well. Only after a respectful exchange of bows did we all sit down.
Then, I suggested we clarify the issue of address first. "Please address only Mr. Lee Dong-Min as 'sir.' I'm just a talent agent and he's the music expert. He will help fill in Mr. Seon-Woo's gaps."
However, Kim Chun-Ja shook her head at my words. "Nonsense. You are both offering huge help to my boy. It’s only natural I address you that way."
‘Well, I guess that's one way to put it.’
Kim Chun-Ja smiled slightly. "Okay then. I've said what I had to say. Go ahead and take my son with you."
It seemed she had misunderstood something. Bang Seon-Woo didn’t have to leave—he could simply work from home, though he might be away for a few nights because staying over at the company for work was pretty common.
But I didn't know how to bring it up given her serious expression. Fortunately, Bang Seon-Woo spoke up and explained it to her before I had to.
Kim Chun-Ja scratched her head in embarrassment after hearing the conversation. "You should have said that earlier."
"Ah, Mom. You were getting ahead of yourself! I didn't even have a chance to explain!"
Then, Kim Chun-Ja laughed and took my hand. "I trust you, sir."
However, her eyes conveyed a different message. If something were to happen to her child, she wouldn't let it go easily. A cold chill ran down my spine, remembering that she was someone who kept her word even in my past life.
We said our goodbyes to Kim Chun-Ja and left with Bang Seon-Woo for the company.
***
We immediately called the legal division to draft the contract and swiftly completed the copyright registration process. However, the entry on Bang Seon-Woo's funeral remained unchanged in my planner.
[Everyday V10]
[Date: July 1, 2022]
-01:00 PM Suwon St. Mary's Hospital Funeral Hall Room 8. Bang Seon-Woo's funeral service. Starts at 9 AM.
‘What’s going on?’
I couldn’t understand the situation.
'But why? Why isn't there any change?'
Despite Lee Dong-Min and the legal division registering the copyrights, the fact that Bang Seon-Woo would still die remained constant.
'What's going on? Why isn't it disappearing?'
I pondered the reason while observing Bang Seon-Woo, who was attentively listening to Lee Dong-Min in the recording studio, determined to find the cause and erase this schedule.
Meanwhile, Lee Dong-Min began to explain the equipment in the recording studio to Bang Seon-Woo. "This is a synthesizer, and this is a controller..."
After explaining the equipment, Lee Dong-Min opened his laptop to show the composition software he used. "The composition programs are all quite similar. But the free app you've been using probably had many limitations. Tomorrow, I'll buy you both the new MePad and a portable MeMac. But for now, you can start using this one right here."
"Okay, got it. And please, feel free to speak casually to me, sir."
"Are you sure? Alright then."
Lee Dong-Min nodded and started pointing out areas for improvement in the melodies that Bang Seon-Woo had created. "Sigh. I’m kind of scared to tamper with your melodies because they are so impactful already... but adding a little here and there might enhance them. Let’s make the melody sound more full."
Lee Dong-Min began adjusting the soundtracks on the monitor. With his touch, several instrumental tracks started to be added to the eight tracks created by Bang Seon-Woo. When he pressed play, all the tracks merged. The background to the previously empty melody was filled with instruments chosen by Lee Dong-Min.
At that moment, the recording studio was suddenly filled with rich sound. It was the result of a fusion of talent and experience.
"Wow! It changed so much with a professional touch!" Bang Seon-Woo exclaimed.
"Well, the foundation was already excellent..."
Apparently, the free app on Bang Seon-Woo’s MePad had offered only about 12 instruments. Seeing the unlimited number of instruments in the composition software, Bang Seon-Woo was astounded.
Lee Dong-Min then began to explain a few more things and started arranging the song together with Bang Seon-Woo.
Bang Seon-Woo, who had been listening intently with an excited expression, began to make requests. "Mr. Lee. Let’s put the third string instrument right here. Yes, and a half-tone higher."
Bang Seon-Woo chose the instrument he didn't even know the name of and pointed to the place on the program where the note should go. He vividly remembered the sound of the instrument after hearing it just once.
The amazed Lee Dong-Min started placing the notes as Bang Seon-Woo indicated with his jaw dropped. "L-like this?"
"Yes, sir. And for the fifth instrument, start from under this sharp note for five seconds and three tones lower."
"Y-you mean like this?"
"Exactly. And that percussion sound from the thirty-seventh instrument—could you place it from the beginning to the end like this? Tick! Tick~tatatat! In sync with this beat. Is that possible?"
"Of course, Seon-Woo. Let’s try whatever you want."
Due to his lack of formal music training, Bang Seon-Woo's expressions were quite unpolished and rudimentary. However, the conversation flowed smoothly as the experienced Lee Dong-Min was able to adjust accordingly and provide guidance.
Lee Dong-Min was like hands and feet to Bang Seon-Woo, who quickly began to give more specific instructions about which instruments to use, where to place the notes, and what beats to follow. He became completely engrossed in placing instruments and arranging notes in the composition software under Bang Seon-Woo's instructions. It was only after adding about 15 instruments that Bang Seon-Woo stopped giving instructions.
"Um...could we play it now and see what it sounds like?"
"O-of course. Sure, let's listen to it."
Click.
The moment Lee Dong-Min pressed play, all the soundtracks arranged in the music composition program merged. The melody that used to stand out on its own was now harmonized with the other instruments, creating a beautiful harmony.
I was left speechless. The chorus, the most important part of the idol song, came alive even more along with the lively and vibrant emotions.
'Was composing always this easy?'
But looking at Lee Dong-Min's face, I could tell it wasn't an easy task at all.
“This is insane..."
The moment the three-minute song ended, Lee Dong-Min suddenly hugged Bang Seon-Woo.
"Seon-Woo!"
"M-Mr. Lee. W-what's this about?"
"What do you mean what’s this about? I'm just so happy! How could such a gem like you be hidden until now?"
The song created on the spot was titled ‘Hit It Up!’, which had ranked number one for five weeks in my past life. In all honesty, the song Lee Dong-Min and Bang Seon-Woo created just now seemed much better than the version I had heard in my past life. There was indeed a huge difference between a knockoff and the original.
It was the moment Bang Seon-Woo, a genius composer, began to spread his wings.
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