Chapter 173
‘Unni, what is it?’
When Kim JiMin asked in worry, Park SoYoung returned to herself .
‘Ah, it’s nothing . It was just too much of a shock… that someone that amazing is going to be playing my song . You’ll be standing on stage with her, aren’t you nervous?’
‘I’m nervous as well . I’m still thankful though, that he gave me this chance…’
Kim JiMin was touched since she was going to play with one of the highest authorities in this industry .
Actually, she was almost thinking that KangYoon had just dumped everything to Park SoYoung and did not do anything himself, but he did not disappoint her after all .
After looking at the score for quite a long time, Gye HyoMin put the score down with a satisfied smile .
“I’ll have to play this to be sure, but I think the melody is quite good . ‘Streetlight’ is one of my favorite songs, so I would have been really sad if she ruined the song . ”
“Didn’t I tell you that you can look forward to it?”
“Indeed, that was the case . ”
With Gye HyoMin’s compliment, Park SoYoung loosened a little .
Seeing her satisfied, KangYoon spoke .
“Let’s pause here and why don’t we go out for a meal? They say a full stomach makes everything better . ”
“Fufu, is that so? Then what about the keyboard…”
“I’ve readied one already . ”
When KangYoon said in confidence, it was Lee HyunJi that asked him with a confused expression .
“Wait, weren’t you going to do the practice at the studio? I’m not sure if a grand piano can fit in it . ”
KangYoon shook his head at those words .
“I had the piano placed in Lunas . ”
“Oh, so that’s why Lunas’s schedule was empty for today and tomorrow…”
When Lee HyunJi realized what was going on, KangYoon smiled in satisfaction .
“Yes . It’s for JiMin’s practice . ”
“Oh, so today is the practice with Miss HyoMin, and tomorrow, the rest of the orchestra is coming?”
“Yes . I think we will be able to do enough practice like that . Though, it will be a little tight . ”
***
KangYoon’s house .
Kim JaeHoon’s room, shut tight, leaked a faint melody and some high-pitched notes .
“Aaah—”
High notes that were very difficult for men to sing, kept flowing out .
However, Kim JaeHoon turned his head to the phone on his desk with dissatisfaction .
“HeeYoon, the pitch is a little too low . Can’t you raise it a little?”
When he said that, a surprised tone replied to him .
[What? Isn’t this plenty high? This is C5 you know?]
“It’s lacking a little power . Or just raise the key by one tone . The melody and the rhythm are really good, but I think it’s lacking a little substance . ”
Kim JaeHoon expressed his disappointment with the music . However, HeeYoon’s words from the phone weren’t that positive about his opinion .
[Being capable of singing high pitch was a standard of skill only in the early 2000s . It’s no longer the standard of singing skill anymore . I’ll try to look into other ways rather than raising the pitch . ]
“No, I think it will be better for this song to raise the pitch a little . It’s not like I’m asking you to switch to a different key . ”
[Oppa, I heard from my oppa that you’ve injured your throat before at your previous company . ]
Despite HeeYoon’s reluctance, Kim JaeHoon did not relent on his decision . No, he went even stronger .
“It’s fine . I did C5 in the last song as well . It will be fine as long as it’s not an F or a G . ”
In the past, he did F5s and G5s as well . However, he had to sing those notes constantly at every event, so his throat naturally couldn’t take it .
[My brother will definitely say something about this when he’s doing the arrangement . I don’t want to agree to this…]
KangYoon knew of Kim JaeHoon’s condition better than anyone else . There was no way he would allow such a high-pitched song .
Then, Kim JaeHoon thought about it for a moment before speaking with a grin .
“I’ll tell him that I’ll do the rearrangement for this song . He won’t be able to help it if the song is finished . ”
[Oppa, that’s not good . Even if you do that… . ]
HeeYoon tried to restrain him, but Kim JaeHoon shook his head .
“It’s a digital single anyway . Both JiMin, Eddios, and White Moonlight are doing something, so I should do something on my part as well . Shouldn’t I tell the world that there’s Kim JaeHoon at World Entertainment?”
[Ah, oppa . But this still is…]
“Trust me for this one thing . Please? I beg you . ]
HeeYoon was in a dilemma .
‘I’ll have to tell oppa about it . ’
“Okay . Please wait for a little . ”
“Thanks . ”
Kim JaeHoon, unaware of what HeeYoon was thinking, was all smiles .
However, HeeYoon, who was on the other end, felt a heavy burden on her shoulders .
***
“Whoa?”
Gye HyoMin was surprised when she entered Lunas, or to be exact when she saw the grand piano that was in it .
“Starshures? This is the piano I use . ”
Walking around the glossy black grand piano, Gye HyoMin couldn’t hide her smile . She was worried that she may have been given a c.r.a.ppy piano since this was an urgent call for her . She was planning to have her own piano at her residence delivered if that was the case, but now, it seemed like her worries were for naught .
KangYoon smiled as he looked at her satisfied .
“I’m planning to send this over to the TV station the day before the recording and tune it there . It will be used on the program itself . ”
“You’re the best, team le, no I guess you’re the president now? Hahah . This is great . I was worried for nothing . ”
She cheerfully sat down in front of the piano . She lightly stretched her hands and wrists before beautiful sounds started filling Lunas along with a bright white light .
“Wow…”
Kim JiMin and Park SoYoung gulped . Although they did not know much about cla.s.sical music, her elegant hand movements and the beautiful sound were enough to mesmerize them .
‘President . ’
‘Yeah?’
Kim JiMin approached KangYoon and whispered .
‘Thank you . ’
He shrugged his shoulders at her thanks .
‘Miss HyoMin is quite picky, so you’ll have to try to get along with her . Do your best . ’
‘Yes . ’
Soon, Kim JiMin stood next to Gye HyoMin who had just finished her warmup . Now, Gye HyoMin spread out the score that Park SoYoung had created and was waiting for her .
“You ready?”
“Yes . ”
“Here we go then . ”
Gye HyoMin’s eyes gleamed . Her hands slowly and softly started to move .
The intro of this song was rather calm . However, her song hit one ba.s.s note before powerfully pressing on with the rest of the music . Then finally, she pressed both ba.s.s and treble notes powerfully to create a grand effect .
After that, the piano sounds died down and Kim JiMin started singing .
“The unforgettable memories – when I walk down that road – I remember you under the sunshine –”
Kim JiMin’s note and Gye HyoMin’s piano intermixed to create white light . However, something else could be seen within the white light .
‘That’s… . ’
Something similar to grey, but something that shined .
It was a sign of silver . Seeing that after a long time, KangYoon’s eyes shone .
“The autumn with the falling leaves – my memories blur with the cold wind — but I will remember — the time with you –”
The faint piano sounds slowly climbed up the scale .
Park SoYoung was surprised at this part .
‘Wow, she’s improvising . ’
‘That’s right, you rearranged for an orchestra so that shouldn’t usually happen, right?’
‘Yes . World cla.s.s… truly is different . ’
Park SoYoung exclaimed . She even wondered if her song was really this beautiful .
“In the shade – oh -the memories of love with you — under the streetlight –”
The piano resonated loudly and added power to Kim JiMin’s song . Gye HyoMin also seemed empowered by her singing as she put more and more emotion into her playing .
Although the original plan was to just try singing the first verse, the song continued until the end .
“Your fragrance — the nostalgic streetlight — I – still remember –”
Kim JiMin became deeply immersed in the song and cried a little . Her husky yet clear voice filled the stage and the piano sounds empowered her voice .
“I remember —”
Again, the simultaneous play of low and high notes resonated within before the piano sounds died down . Like that, the sounds slowly disappeared .
“Wow…”
Park SoYoung clapped unknowingly . This was the best piano playing she had ever heard in her life . It enveloped Kim JiMin’s singing softly at times and powerfully led it at other times .
KangYoon and Lee HyunJi clapped as well .
“Thank you . ”
Gye HyoMin said thanks before standing up from the piano . She took the score and approached Park SoYoung . Seeing that, Park SoYoung gulped nervously .
“Miss SoYoung was it?”
“Y, yes!”
“You don’t have to be so nervous . Why don’t we talk a little?”
“Yes!”
Park SoYoung was still stiff since this was one of the greatest pianists in the world about to discuss music with her . KangYoon burst out laughing .
“Learn a lot from her . ”
“Yes . ”
Gye HyoMin grinned hearing the exchange .
“There’s nothing much to change . It’s just that the intro needs to be a little more powerful and the later parts should be a little softer . We need to get the balance right, so why don’t we have a talk?”
It wasn’t every day where she would have the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest musicians in the world .
Park SoYoung became nervous but headed to another room along with Gye HyoMin while feeling appreciative .
“Well then . What do we do now?”
Hearing Lee HyunJi say those words, KangYoon smiled as he replied .
“Well, work of course . ”
“… . . ”
Lee HyunJi’s face looked as though she was about to cry .
***
A high-cla.s.s j.a.panese restaurant with faint music in Gangnam .
It was one of those restaurants that lots of people wanted to visit due to it being well-known because of a famous chef but was too expensive to afford .
President Han YoungSook of GNB Entertainment and President Kang ShiMyoung of Yerang Entertainment were having a meal together .
“Thank you for this one . I’ll definitely repay you later . ”
President Han YoungSook spoke softly as she put down her chopsticks . President Kang ShiMyoung waved his hand though .
“I’m thankful instead for you for preparing such a wonderful meal . ”
“This is nothing much compared to what you did, preparing over 30 dancers in such short notice . All of them were very skilled . They all belonged to a famous team . ”
Famous dance teams within the country all gathered for one purpose . There was no need to mention their skills . Unless someone had a special relationship with the industry or the teams themselves, it wouldn’t be easy hiring those teams on such short notice .
“I hope I see something good tomorrow . Leaving business aside, I have high hopes for Miss Nael . ”
“Fufu, thank you very much . ”
The atmosphere was very bright .
Though, the two were thinking completely differently on the inside…
‘I hope he doesn’t ask me for something too big . ’
Although she was indebted to him, she didn’t want to give up too much in compensation . President Han YoungSook became wary .
‘There’s nothing good trying to get anything with this . The real deal is World . I have to take Eunha down with Nael . World’s momentum is too fast . ’
MG, YoonSeul, Yerang, and finally GNB Entertainment . Kang ShiMyoung thought that these four should be the only big companies in the industry .
He did not want an uncertain element like World Entertainment joining the group .
Hiding his intentions, he calmly spoke .
“I heard Kim JiMin was appearing in this week’s Birth of the Masterpiece . ”
“So I hear . This Eunha is an obstacle wherever we go . Every single time, she’s…”
President Han YoungSook shook her head .
Eunha the singer . She was an existence that blocked Nael’s path ever since the two debuted, and she didn’t like this a lot .
Feeling a change in her mood, president Kang ShiMyoung spoke in a soft tone .
“World Entertainment, the one Eunha belongs to, is small, but powerful . They should have prepared something this time . The president there is quite capable . ”
“This time, we won’t be losing out either . Although we were defeated unknowingly when the two girls debuted, it will be different this time . You’re helping me out so much, president Kang, so I need to show everyone that Nael is better than Eunha . ”
“Hahahahaha . I hope that happens . ”
President Kang ShiMyoung laughed heartily . However, he felt something tugging at his heart .
‘I don’t know what that Lee KangYoon guy will do… This is very important . ’
He worried about what to do with World Entertainment as he listened to president Han YoungSook’s confident words .
The war between two artists belonging to GNB Entertainment and World Entertainment respectively was about to begin .
***
After the rearrangement was done, time flew .
Kim JiMin practiced with Gye HyoMin on the day she got her hands on the score and had a rehearsal with the orchestra that KangYoon had hired the next day .
“I heard Miss Gye HyoMin was coming . ”
“Yeah, I’m so nervous . ”
The people in charge of violin 1 and violin 2 exchanged nervous conversations in their rest period . They looked forward to their performance this time . Although this was a pop song rearranged into an orchestral piece, the weight of the name Gye HyoMin was heavy .
Park SoYoung’s palms were sweaty as she watched all of Kim JiMin’s practice .
“Your fragrance — the nostalgic streetlight — I – still remember –”
Kim JiMin also became more and more immersed in it as the violin and the cello became more powerful .
The pleasure of having one’s music be played by a grand orchestra was indescribable .
KangYoon also had a look at the magnificent array of white light in front of him absentmindedly .
‘I wonder what would happen if Miss HyoMin is added to this . ’
KangYoon made a satisfied smile .
The next day, AKA the D-day .
KangYoon and Kim JiMin headed towards KS TV’s public hall early in the morning . They had a lot of things to do regarding delivering the grand piano as well as other things .
When they arrived, the grand piano that Gye HyoMin would be using had arrived already, and the tuner was tuning it . As the tuning for this instrument was very important for today’s piece, KangYoon focused most of his mind in this .
KangYoon and Kim JiMin were watching over the tuning of the grand piano when the producer for ‘Birth of the Masterpiece’, named Lee TaeSung, approached the two . He was wearing horn-rimmed gla.s.ses that hid his sharp eyes .
“Welcome, Miss Eunha . You too, president . ”
“h.e.l.lo, producer . ”
Producer Lee TaeSung spoke seriously as he looked at the grand piano .
“As you requested, the orchestra and the grand piano CAN be used, but the piano needs to be removed right after the stage is done . Your slot is also the first…”
“I am aware of that . We can accept it after all that you’ve done for us . ”
“Thank you . For the rehearsal, we can just push it over to one side, but we can’t do that for the real thing . Once the stage is over, I’ll have my men take it out immediately . ”
“Understood . ”
They got the disadvantage that they were up first due to the presence of the piano, but KangYoon gladly accepted . The fact that they were first put a little pressure on them, but the usage of the grand piano was much more important than that .
After the conversation with producer Lee TaeSung and the tuning of the piano, the two walked towards the waiting room .
Kim JiMin was getting ready for the rehearsal while exercising her voice when the door opened and a group of people entered . It was Yoo NaYoon, who was going to be on stage as well today .
“h.e.l.lo, president KangYoon . Oh, JiMin!”
“NaYOon!”
Yoo NaYoon greeted KangYoon with a bow before grabbing Kim JiMin’s hands cheerfully . Although they were going to be competing today, the two atmosphere between the two wasn’t bad at all .
“JiMin, have you prepared a lot?”
“I didn’t have the time to . How about you?”
“Me? Just so-so . Fufu, I’ll definitely win this time . ”
Yoo NaYoon glanced at Kim JiMin with a confident expression . Kim JiMin also strained her eyes so as to not lose out .
“Let’s do this then . ”
“Yeah . ”
The two girls burned their fighting spirit .
The recording would begin at 5 in the evening .
The time allocated for the girls and the other cast for today’s recording flew by . After one mock rehearsal and a camera rehearsal, the designated time soon came .
The a.s.sistant host that brought up the mood exited the stage and the main host for the program entered the stage .
“Ladies and gentlemen . Welcome to the 14th stage of Birth of the Masterpiece!”
“Oooooh!”
Loud cheers erupted and the recording that would bring a wave to the internet began .