Chapter 223. Preparing for the Coming Summer, and a Leap (1)

‘It’s a good song.’

KangYoon fell into contemplation while watching the white light created by the music notes coming off the speakers.
The quiet piano intro, as well as string instruments, created soft-sounding music.

– On the fourth day, darkness fell, and on the fifth day I cried all day

It was a quiet ballad, unlike the bright rock music that Lee HyunAh had sung until now.
Her vocal colors and the rearrangement created a charming song, but the song overall sounded a little flat.

‘Shouldn’t she put her power into it a little more?’

The era was when new music was being released every day.
To grab the attention of the public, there was a need to have more impact.
This music was charming on the ears, but nothing that would stimulate a person’s heart.

‘It’s white, so it should work, but… it’s nagging on my mind.’

KangYoon thought about it several times over while listening to the song many times.
However, he was unable to find a clue.
If it were before, he would have OK’d any music from White Moonlight, but his heightened standards prevented him this time.
While he was thinking about it from a musical perspective, Lee HyunJi and the other employees started coming to work one by one.
After greeting KangYoon, who they hadn’t seen for days, people made coffee and sat down on their respective seats.

“Thanks.”

KangYoon thanked Jung HyeJin for the coffee and asked about what happened while he was away.
Lee HyunJi told him about some of their artists’ schedules before talking about the critical topic.

“I met Producer Yeo HanGi of AHF two days ago.”
“That was faster than I expected. Did he call us himself?”

They got things done before he even came back to Korea?
KangYoon was quite surprised.
Lee HyunJi nodded and continued to speak.

“Yes. He gave off a good impression. We got close over a drink in Yoido.”
“Hahaha. Director, I guess I’m expecting good news from you then?”

When KangYoon said in a joking manner, Lee HyunJi shook her head with an unfortunate smile.

“…He wasn’t my style. Anyway, that’s not the important thing… Producer Yeo wanted people that did not appear in reality shows until now.”
“Is that so? Then I guess then there was no need for the introduction.”
“Perhaps, but this saves us time. Producer Yeo wanted a plan that stimulates the dreams within people. From us, he wanted Eunha.”
“JiMin, huh… I guess we’ll have to think about that.”

As Kim JiMin focused solely on singing until now, KangYoon was very careful about this.
After that, KangYoon brought up many topics such as management of Lunas, the schedules of the artists, and other things to Jung HyeJin and Yoo JungMin.

“Mr. JungMin.”
“Yes!”

Hearing Lee HyunJi calling out to him, Yoo JungMin abruptly straightened his body.

“You should tell the president about that matter.”
“That matter… you mean the call from Producer Kim DeokJoong from SBB?”

When Lee HyunJi nodded without a word, Yoo JungMin gulped.

‘Ugh….’

KangYoon had a comfortable expression on, but he gave off a feeling of pressure.
Noticing that, KangYoon spoke in a soft tone.

“You can be at ease. I won’t eat you.”
“Hahaha.”

When the tension lightened up a little, Yoo JungMin seemed to have relaxed a little and stood up from his seat.
“You can do it sitting down if you want, you know?”
“It’s fine. It’s more comfortable this way.”

KangYoon laughed a little seeing that Yoo JungMin was still so formal and tense after all this time.

“Producer Kim DeokJoong gave us a call two days ago. Uhm, it was regarding White Moonlight…”
“Calm down.”
“Y, yes! The thing is, the producer contacted us wanting a song from White Moonlight for his new drama.”
“What kind of piece is it?”
“Uhm… it’s…”

Yoo JungMin didn’t report properly due to nervousness, but no one said anything about that.
KangYoon waited for him, so there was no need for anyone to say something to him.
A moment later.
Yoo JungMin gained his calm and spoke with a clear voice.

“It’s a piece titled ‘On the Brightest Day.’ Currently, the viewership is at 5.3%, and it’s being aired at 10 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday.”
“That’s not a high viewing rate. Hmm, what do you think we should do about it?”

When KangYoon said that while looking at Yoo JungMin, he tensed up again. However, he spoke about his opinion on the matter without shaking like before.

“The viewership may be small, but the character building, the plot, and the production is currently evaluated very highly. The other dramas aired at the same time slot are known for using stimulative content, but this drama is forming a solid fanbase. Some of the hardcore fans are even affecting the search term rankings.”

KangYoon put his hand on his chin after hearing the report.

“A solid fanbase, huh… that might be better for us then. Thank you for your report, Mr. JungMin.”
“Thank you, sir!”

Yoo JungMin took a deep bow towards KangYoon before sitting down on his seat.
After that, KangYoon got reports about various other matters and noted down the things he deemed were necessary.
Although there wasn’t much progress regarding FinesTok and its music streaming service, the other things saw a lot of improvement.
This was especially the case with the negotiations with a Japanese production company for In MoonHee’s debut in Japan.

“I talked with A-Trust, the company we are cooperating with for Miss MoonHee’s debut, about the time. They asked me what we thought of releasing an album in the summer. They told me they would be visiting in the upcoming Golden Week (A series of Japanese holidays at the beginning of May).”
“So, they’re quite proactive as well.”
“Perhaps your name is quite effective there? JooAh was quite a big hit after all.”

KangYoon shrugged his shoulders at Lee HyunJi’s words.

“You flatter me too much. Anyway, we should get prepared too then.”
“Yes. I did think about giving Miss MoonHee some more time and releasing one in the winter, but… I felt like there was no merit in delaying it for so long. That’s why I set it for summer.”

KangYoon made a satisfied smile and nodded his head.

“Understood. Thank you for your work until now.”
“Not at all. Rather than that, I haven’t decided on… who would release their album this season. Everyone was so proactive about it… now that I think about it, Miss HyunAh was the only one who came to me with a song but… have you listened to it?”
“Yes. It was a good song.”
“Should I prepare then?
“Yes. It looks like we’ll have a busy time.”

After the meeting, KangYoon went to White Moonlight’s practice room.
Inside, Lee HyunAh was alone exercising her voice while playing the synthesizer.

“Oh, president.”
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Yes. Hello.”

KangYoon felt somewhat awkward meeting Lee HyunAh after a long time.
Meanwhile, she tried not to express past events.
KangYoon also noticed that and tried to be considerate.

“I heard your song.”
“…How was it?”
“It was good. The accompaniment and your voice fitted nicely with each other, but…”

The critical part came afterward.
Lee HyunAh gulped and focused on KangYoon’s words.

“The overall balance left a little to be desired.”
“….Really? Balance… what do you think I should do?”

KangYoon took out a pen and drew something like a graph.
Lee HyunAh focused with her eyes wide open.

“The development of the song is key. The exposition is fine. First, I think you should add more impact to the introductory part. Something that will catch the attention of the people amidst the calm. Also, I think you also need something to change the mood to in the climax. HeeYoon did the rearrangement, didn’t she?”
“Yes, I participated in it as well.”
“Then you should finish it together as well. Actually, why don’t you try mastering it yourself with SoYoung’s help? I’ll help you release the song as soon as your work is done.”
“Okay.”

After finishing his pat, KangYoon stood up.
He was just about to leave when Lee HyunAh stopped him.

“What is it?
“Uhm…”
“Do you need anything more?”

KangYoon asked with a soft expression, but Lee HyunAh let go of her grip on KangYoons’ sleeves and shook her head.

“…It’s nothing. I forgot.”
“Oh. If you do remember it, tell me later.”
“Yes.”

KangYoon left, and Lee HyunAh muttered to herself while looking at the closed door.

“…Does he feel nothing after all that? Haah.”

Her sigh filled the practice room.

***

After their days off, the members of Eddios returned to their residence, so their house was full again.
The members brought back presents for Jung MinAh, who was left alone all this time.

“HanYu! Thank you so much!”

Jung MinAh had a bright smile on her face after receiving new training clothes from Seo HanYu.
She changed her clothes into the new one on the spot.
The pink-colored clothes fit her perfectly, and it was very much to her liking.

“Here’s one from me~.”
“Whoaaa!”

Christie An also gave her a small box.
Jung MinAh opened it and found a bottle of perfume, to her surprise.

“…You should cover up the scent of your sweat, at least.”
“You just had to put it that way…”

Despite the present, the two quarreled as always.
Lee SamSoon brought beef, saying it was a specialty of her hometown, while Han JooYeon gave her a set of shoes, so Jung MinAh was on cloud nine.
And finally came Ailee Jung’s present.

Ailee Jung gave Jung MinAh a small box with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“Is this a lipstick? I was just running out too! Thank you so much.”
“Ah, not at all. heheheh.”

Ailee gestured to open it quickly.

“Huh? Is it lipstick? What shade is this? Look at that color. It’s so peculiar.”

The light pink-colored lipstick caught her heart inst..

“Huh? Wait, why does this feel so wrong?”

Jung MinAh tried to put the new ‘lipstick’ on but felt a weird sensation on her lips, so she tilted her head.
What should have been a solid lipstick felt slightly soft, yet hard, and somewhat strange?
She tilted her head and rotated the lipstick without thinking much.
Ziiiiiin!!

“Aaack! What’s this?”

Feeling the ‘lipstick’ vibrate suddenly, Jung MinAh threw the item in her hand.
The other members were also surprised at the sudden noise.

“Wh, what the?”

The ‘lipstick’ fell on the ground and wiggled about on its own.
Even Ailee, who gave Jung MinAh the present, widened her eyes in surprise.
Christie An picked up the ‘lipstick’ from the ground and observed it for a little before frowning.

“W, wait! Th, this, this is… that!”
“What do you mean by that?”

Han JooYeon and Lee SamSoon became curious.
When Christie An rotated the ‘lipstick’ again, the vibrations stopped.

“Here, look.”

She rotated the ‘lipstick’ again, and the item started wiggling around again.

“…You know. A toy made for… adults.”
“W, wait. Wh, WHAAAT!?”

Some of the rather quick-witted members widened their eyes.
Even their youngest member, Seo HanYu, watched with her mouth agape.
Adult toys…
These days, they say it was hard to differentiate between one and what was not one…
However, Ailee Jung, who was the source of the ‘gift’, had her face turn red as though she knew nothing about it.

“I, I, I do, I don’t know anything! I a, asked my sister to b, buy one…!”

Despite that, the other members did not lift their suspicions on her so easily.

“She was so bold underneath that clueless face.”
“I respect your hobbies, my friend.”
“…Good for you.”

Everyone other than Seo HanYu and Jung MinAh spoke up, and Ailee Jung shouted as though she was wronged.

“It’s not like thaaaaaaat!”

Just as she shouted her frustration out.
Jung MinAh received the ‘lipstick’ from Christie and looked at it curiously while switching the thing on repeatedly.

“Lily. This, you put it here and…”
“Hey!”

Everyone stopped Jung MinAh from going R-18.

***

A day in May. It was drizzling on this day.
KangYoon and Lee HyunAh were at a meeting room in SBB.

“Thank you.”

Lee HyunAh thanked the female assistant director that gave her a cup of coffee. KangYoon also conversed with the assistant director while drinking coffee when Producer Kim DeokJoong and Chief Producer Kang JungShik, wearing a baseball cap, entered the meeting room.
They briefly had a self-introduction period before talking about the song.

“…I’m very thankful that you’ve expressed positive feedback after the misfortunate incident last time.”

Producer Kim DeokJoong apologized to KangYoon.
He still remembered how he had to switch the OST thanks to external pressure. He was thankful for KangYoon when he expressed that he wanted to work together with him again.

“There’s nothing to be gained by mentioning past matters, is there?”
“…I’m thankful that you say that.”

Producer Kim DeokJoong and KangYoon had a pleasant conversation going when Chief Producer Kang JungShik spoke about the song.

“I’m glad that you sent us a good song.”
“I’m thankful for your words.”
“We’ve had a lot of internal discussion about this. We were torn on which one to go with between this song and another song.”

Producer Kim DeokJoong’s eyes widened.
This wasn’t the plan he knew of.

‘Seonbae-nim.’
‘Stay still. Since we’re going with them, we should cut down on costs as much as possible.’

The situation was going in a weird direction.
Producer Kim DeokJoong couldn’t hide his unease as he looked at KangYoon and his senior alternately.