LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 11
Episode 11
The intro plays, and the song begins with Gyeoul’s basic winter groove.
[I’ve got a girl bothering me.]
[He's a man I just can't stop thinking about.]
The song choice is Gyeoul’s “Uh-foo,” which she’s been practicing for a while.
With only five days left, starting to learn a new song from scratch didn’t seem like a good decision. So, we chose to polish up “Uh-foo.”
Of course, because of those bad habits, improving “Uh-foo” felt tougher than teaching a brand-new song.
But it made sense.
[A guy who laughs like the sun.]
[That guy who’s as smooth as sand.]
The industry refers to bad habits, known as “kuse,” as technical flourishes added to parts that should be sung plainly but usually refers to anything that hinders vocal or dance expression.
They make movements harder, ruin breath control, and throw off the song’s balance.
So what happens to Gyeoul, who has shed all those kuse?
[Look here, oh! Look there, oh!]
[All I can think of is that guy.]
She soars, as if all those kuse were chains tying her down, now flying higher and farther.
The song reaches its highlight.
Gyeoul’s high notes soar up to a high G in three octaves.
[Uh-foo! I've fallen into the sea of love!]
For a confident female singer, hitting a high A isn’t uncommon, so some might underestimate Gyeoul’s high notes.
But seeing her dance while singing would make anyone rethink that.
She seamlessly executes those high notes amid intense choreography.
You wouldn’t even think she’s hitting high notes.
Even while inducing heavy breaths just from dancing, Gyeoul’s vocals resound clear and smooth.
It’s not a heart-stirring, moving vocal.
It’s not a unique vocal filled with a singer’s personality.
It’s just a straightforward and pure expression of a girl’s voice around that age.
To the average ear, it might come off as a dull vocal.
However, to a producer, it would be seen as a gem that could become anything.
It seems like the producer could paint any color on that voice that they want.
And that expectation won’t be wrong.
[I just keep getting sucked in, I just keep flowing in.]
[All I can think of is that guy.]
Gyeoul was a genius.
She wasn’t just reading the letter A displayed on the status screen.
As someone who’s spent over ten years in the industry.
As someone who even held the title of CEO, this was an objective evaluation.
It might not be enough to become the best vocalist.
It might not be enough to become the best dancer either.
However, if we’re talking about being the best idol, that’s something I will definitely achieve without hesitation.
What I’ve done is merely wiping the dust off a gem.
But still, it’s true that I’ve contributed to that gem’s shine.
Honestly, I was proud of that.
The knowledge that I could lend a hand in that light gave me the conviction that while I may have failed as a person, I hadn’t failed in management.
As I was admiring that light, the song ended.
I looked at Cheon Jong-hoon, wrapped in a pleasant aftertaste.
I was sure he felt a similar emotion.
“First of all, tell that kid to go outside.”
Why are we sending Gyeoul out?
I should be showering her with praise for all the hard work she’s done!
I didn’t just keep that thought to myself.
“If you’re going to evaluate Gyeoul, there’s no harm in her being here, right?”
“My evaluation is expensive. I have no intention of dealing with an outsider who isn’t even a trainee yet.”
Well, that’s just ridiculously expensive.
I wasn’t happy about it, but since I couldn’t ignore the client’s request, I told Gyeoul to wait in the hallway for a moment.
Gyeoul glanced around, bowed her head, and went out into the hallway.
Even after Gyeoul left, Cheon Jong-hoon didn’t speak a word.
He just stood there with his arms crossed, tapping his forearms with his fingers.
The man and woman flanking Cheon Jong-hoon glanced at me, but they were clearly waiting for him to say something first.
Looking at those two, it didn’t seem like a workplace where opinions could be freely expressed.
…Cheon Jong-hoon isn’t exactly the type who encourages others to speak their minds.
As I wasted time with such random thoughts, Cheon Jong-hoon finally opened his mouth.
“…Yeah, talent seems okay. But it looks like it’s far from the tension and space of a Jersey Club style song like you mentioned?”
“Far from it, you say?”
“Sexy? Funky groove? You could say it leans more towards that. Well, I won’t say it’s bad, but it’s not the level I’m looking for.”
Cheon Jong-hoon said this sarcastically.
He sounded like a frontman trying to nitpick flaws to force down the price.
Gyeoul was clearly a top-tier asset.
I didn’t understand why he would take that attitude when he wasn’t even paying a deposit.
It was obvious he was going to take her anyway.
“I see how you evaluated my level. You must think that’s good enough. But my standards are higher than your thoughts. That kid seems lacking for the intense and intricate performance I expect.”
It was only after I heard that that I realized.
The Cheon Jong-hoon I knew was the best producer, dubbed number one after succeeding countless songs and groups in ten years.
That he’s the best producer, huh?
Meanwhile, the current Cheon Jong-hoon was just a rookie finally trying to carve his path.
I had mistakenly thought Cheon Jong-hoon was a fully formed human all along.
The basis for such judgment was clear.
Even as a manager, it was evident that I couldn’t recognize that remarkable talent.
How could you call someone like that the best producer?
I couldn’t help but stifle a laugh at Cheon Jong-hoon’s youthful appearance, which felt like a tall wall standing before me.
“…Are you laughing?”
Oh no, my bad.
“Haha, my apologies. I’m just happy I can show you the materials I prepared. I almost would have been hurt if you hadn’t said that.”
I made a slight apology and pulled out the materials I had prepared, just in case.
“Could you take a look at this video for a moment?”
I played the video I had filmed on my smartphone and handed it to Cheon Jong-hoon.
Cheon Jong-hoon received my smartphone with a skeptical look and checked the video.
The video captured Gyeoul dancing and singing “Oof” five days ago, fully showcasing her bad habits.
“Is it an old video? What a sight. It’s almost suspicious as if someone is trying to deliberately provoke others.”
Cheon Jong-hoon said, sounding quite displeased.
“…But I must admit, thinking about her current self, she has made a lot of progress. But that’s all there is to it.”
Cheon Jong-hoon looked at me with an indifferent expression and said.
“So what’s the point of showing this video? Is it to empathize with that child’s effort? I regret to inform you, I’m a businessman, so I only look at results, hence…”
“When do you think that video was filmed?”
After pondering my question, Cheon Jong-hoon replied.
“…Half a year ago? No, maybe around three months ago?”
Wrong answer, Jong-hoon.
“It was filmed five days ago.”
Cheon Jong-hoon fell silent for a moment, then let out a chuckle before speaking again.
“Ha… Do I look like I’m standing here as a joke? Watching the video, it doesn’t seem like she’s acting or trying to emphasize her posture on purpose. It’s just coming out naturally, like a habit.”
As he continued, his voice rose.
There was no mistaking his frustration.
“Do you expect me to believe you fixed all those habits in five days? That’s absurd. If you’re going to exaggerate, at least do it within reasonable limits. Did you think my judgment would change just because you said that?”
Cheon Jong-hoon’s words were utterly correct.
I was amazed too.
I never imagined those bad habits could be uprooted in just five days.
But it really happened.
“Let’s cut the chatter; just look at the filming time of the video.”
Cheon Jong-hoon checked the information and fell silent.
The filming time was exactly four days and eighteen hours and thirty-six minutes ago from now.
So it wasn’t even five days.
Cheon Jong-hoon seemed incredulous, even after seeing the records.
He spoke as if he couldn’t do it.
“By manipulating the filming information….”
“Oh dear, if you’re feeling that suspicious, why not commission an expert? I’m quite confident.”
“….”
I spoke to Cheon Jong-hoon, who had fallen silent.
“Actually, the expression I used over the phone, that Gyeoul’s song matches the tension and spatiality of the Jersey Club, was incorrect.”
That’s not the essence of Gyeoul.
“I was just saying that provocatively to persuade you, Team Leader Cheon, in a short time. I used limited and interesting keywords. Gyeoul’s talent isn’t just that.”
He seemed to seize the opportunity and clung to my words.
“What? That’s not it? And yet you recommended her? Do the other trainees I selected look like a joke to you?”
Cheon Jong-hoon spoke with the expression of a beast baring its fangs.
“The current trainees were considered suitable in every aspect based only on my final entry. After 3-4 years, they became optimally skilled for my ideals. Are you suggesting inserting a mismatched gem among my jewels?”
“There was a flaw in your words. Let me correct that. Gyeoul’s talent is ‘certainly’ not just that.”
You know it too.
Sometimes, those unreasonable ones do appear.
“I will assert it. Gyeoul is a genius. Whether it’s Jersey Club, Old School, Girlish, or Street, she can handle any concept.”
Any genre or concept doesn’t matter.
Gyeoul will become the best at whatever she is given.
“You said the existing trainees became optimally skilled for you over 3-4 years? Congratulations. That record will be broken. Gyeoul will catch up to those kids in just 9 months.”
“You’re exaggerating. Nine months? That’s a time even the best in the industry would find hard to guarantee.”
“Then of course you should assign the best to her. Were you thinking of pairing her with some mediocre folks? For that jewel? Was SS that desperate for talent?”
That did not make sense to me at all.
“SS is a place where the best gather. You should be able to do that.”
I asked cautiously.
“Could it be that you’re not confident?”
Are you scared, Jong-hoon?
Why are you holding back on the best gem?
I feel a bit let down since you keep holding back.
Just throw me a solid offer.
“…a price.”
“What?”
“State your desired price. I can’t possibly think of letting such a kid go for free.”
I knew I could count on you, Jong-hoon!