Devil’s Music

Geon Kim sat quietly in one of the workshops in Hans's basement.

Hans' workspace consisted of a larger area that seemed to be the main workshop, with three smaller attached spaces. According to Hans, initially, he worked in the smaller workshops, but as the need for larger space grew, he expanded. However, he couldn't bear to dismantle the studios where he created precious music, so he expanded alongside them, resulting in the current interconnected workshops.

Geon stared blankly at the workstation PC in front of him, recalling the conversation from a while ago.

It was Corigliano who was surprised by Tim Burton's bombshell statement.

"What? Director, Kay is still a student. She's here for an observation, not to work. Asking her to create suddenly? It's too much pressure for a student with no experience. Please reconsider."

There was a mischievous expression on Tim Burton's face.

"Hehe, didn't I say it would be interesting, Professor?"

Looking surprised, Tim Burton spoke to Geon.

"Anyway, she came for an observation, right? Then why come all the way to Germany for a mere errand? If she's a music student, wouldn't she aspire to such opportunities?"

With a slight movement from his seat, Tim Burton put his hand on Geon's thigh.

"Give it a try. If it doesn't work out, so be it. You might get lucky and have one piece selected, and then your name will be on the credits. A student wouldn't have a better career opportunity, right?"

Hans intervened, removing Tim Burton's hand from Geon.

"Hey, Tim. You're showing odd habits again. Kay isn't your entertainment."

Tim Burton shrugged.

"If you don't like it, forget it. If it were me, I'd dive right in."

Geon quickly stepped up.

"I'll... I'll try."

Corigliano looked at Geon with surprise.

"You'll try? Are you serious, Kay?"

Geon nodded slightly, unable to hide a hint of tension.

"Yes, Professor. Just attempting it as a challenge will be enough."

After a moment of contemplation, Corigliano looked at Hans. Hans, with his arms crossed, glanced at Geon, then met eyes with Corigliano and smiled, nodding. Seeing this, Corigliano turned to Geon.

"Alright, it might turn into a good experience. Give it a shot."

As Tim Burton expressed excitement, saying, "Oh! Decision made, then!" Corigliano, with a peculiar expression, asked about the director's plans.

"But, what about you, Director? You might need to give instructions in between."

Tim Burton, sitting back on the sofa, responded.

"I'll just move between rooms. Now, let's establish some rules."

Geon leaned forward, asking about the rules.

"Rules?"

Tim Burton took out a pen and notebook, scribbling something. Hans and Corigliano waited silently until Tim Burton finished and, with a satisfied smile, tore a piece of paper and placed it on the table.

"Ta-da! These are the rules for this project."

Hans and Corigliano leaned in to read the paper on the table.

1. The project duration is 7 days.

2. Each of the three prepares 8 songs.

3. It's not necessary to complete 8 songs, but at least one per person.

4. Tim Burton will conduct a midday check once a day.

5. Meals and sleep will be separate.

6. Reunion after 7 days at 8 PM.

7. Whoever gets a song selected will be credited.

8. Tim Burton will pay $100,000 per song.

9. Even if one quits, they can't leave their room for 7 days.

Geon was slightly surprised.

"$100,000 per song? Isn't that too much?"

Tim Burton grinned oddly at Geon's reaction.

"Kay, you might not know, but others find this modest."

Geon glanced between Corigliano and Hans, then nodded in understanding, prompting Tim Burton to say again.

"Kay, even if your music gets selected, you'll get the same payment. So, give it your best shot."

**

As a result, Geon found himself seated in the smallest studio space. He glanced around the room, approximately five square meters in size. Through the glass window, a separate independent space was visible, designated as a recording studio, occupying about three square meters and equipped with guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards.

Within the studio, there were three working PCs, six monitors, an amp controller, and a synthesizer, all arranged on a large desk in a 'ㄷ' shape. Geon sat in the center, with a chair placed behind him. Two doors were behind him—one leading outside, the other toward the bedroom, which contained only a bed and a shower-equipped bathroom.

Placing his luggage in the bedroom, Geon switched on the working PC. A video file titled 'Scissorhands,' the movie he was currently working on, appeared on the blue Windows screen. Clicking the video file with his mouse, a grand sound emanated from the multi-sound bar connected to the PC as the movie began.

Engrossed in the movie, Geon attentively marked moments in the film where music would be incorporated, using a pen. Although he had documents specifying where the music should fit, its mood, and the total runtime, he believed watching the film alongside was most effective.

While concentrating on the movie, Geon pondered, "The first scene portrays Pac, a cosmetics salesman, coincidentally bringing Edward from the suburbs to the town. A haunting yet dreamy BGM sets the mood for 2 minutes and 12 seconds."

"Originally, Edward, the protagonist, was a 'vegetable cutting machine' created by a peculiar scientist. After several modifications, resembling a human, he ends up living alone when the scientist ages and dies."

In a daze, Geon found himself observing a scene where Johnny Depp, once adored by Winona Ryder, escapes villagers trying to kill him and, turning ice into sculptures, returns to his original hometown, Goseong.

"Oh no! I got so caught up in the movie that I missed the music!"

Geon rewound the movie to the beginning and played it again. Suddenly, a creaking sound interrupted without a knock—the door opened.

"Hey, Kay! Everything going well?" It was Tim Burton, entering without warning. Geon swiftly paused the movie and responded, "Ah, Director. I was still trying to grasp the essence of the film."

As Tim stood behind, placing a spare chair beside Geon and sitting down, he peered at the paused screen. "So? Getting any clues?"

Geon, with a pen in his mouth, replied, "Not yet. Your movie is so well-made that, unknowingly, I got completely immersed in it. That's why I'm planning to watch it all over again."

Despite Tim's likely pleasure at the praise for his movie, he remained expressionless, resting his arms on the table. "Oh, really? So, you've watched the movie. What kind of vibe did you get?"

Geon took a moment to organize his thoughts. "It feels like a whimsically eerie start blending into a poignant end, narrating the tragic love story of Edward, who yearned to become human."

Lying down with just his head turned, Tim curiously asked, "Hmm... so, as the director, what do you think I wanted to convey through this movie?"

Geon pondered briefly but ultimately shook his head. "I'm not sure yet. Maybe a dreamlike story that doesn't belong in the human world?"

With his face buried between his crossed arms, Tim got up, saying to Geon, "Hmm, I see." He headed towards the door but turned back before leaving. "Sometimes, I write the answers to my thoughts about the movie on the movie posters."

Geon wanted to ask something about the movie posters, but Tim had already closed the door and left.

"Movie posters?" Geon thought.

He minimized the video on his PC and searched for 'Scissorhands.' Choosing the image category, he clicked on the movie poster, revealing Johnny Depp's side profile, his hand fashioned into scissors, set against the backdrop of snow-covered towns of Naeulmaeul and Goseong.

Under the prominent title 'Scissorhands,' smaller text caught Geon's eye: 'The man unable to touch love, Scissorhands.'

>

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