Chapter 94
G.o.d of Music Chapter 94 . The Appearance of The Formidables, White Moonlight (4)
Kim JiMin was currently at the concert venue ‘Greenlight’ along with Lee HyunJi and professor Choi ChanYang .
“Wow… . ”
Seeing an indie concert for the first time was a wonder itself for her . The stage that was underground, as well as the lights . Everything was like a new world to her .
“Professor . Is HyunAh-unni going to perform up there?”
“Yeah . She’s up last . ”
“That’s amazing . The unni I always see at the office is going to perform there…”
“Pfft . ”
Lee HyunJi burst out laughing after hearing those words . Girls around Kim JiMin’s age would giggle at almost anything .
“Oh, dear JiMin . What can I do about your cuteness?”
Lee HyunJi lightly pinched Kim JiMin’s cheeks .
“Ii hursh (It hurts) . ”
While the three were waiting for the concert to start, the lights started dimming . The stage was about to begin .
“It’s starting . ”
Just as Lee HyunJi said, the lights on the stage brightened and a male presenter walked out . He introduced the concert casually and briefly; and spoke about the singers and that would appear today . The lights then dimmed again, and the sound of footsteps could be heard .
Then the lights turned on again .
“Whoaaa— “
“h.e.l.lo? It’s Jang HyoJi . ”
Amongst the cheers of the audience, Jang HyoJi took a deep bow . Then, the band at the back of the stage started playing and made the audience clap according to the beat .
“Uoooooh—!”
It was very short but was enough to draw out the reaction from the audience . These people were here to enjoy the concert, so they only needed to be fanned slightly and they would jump to the beat .
“It’s a nice day today . Should we do that again?”
Jang HyoJi heightened the mood with another round . Since all of these people had come here ready to play around, everyone jumped in unison . And after she judged that it was around time, she gave a signal to the drums . Then, the drums started playing some light beats and the ba.s.s started the song . It was a fun song with a fast beat .
“Set fire – to the boring life – and go on a —“
“Uoooooh!”
The lyrics spoke for the people, while the fun beats made them jump . Jang HyoJi’s hefty and powerful voice gave a refreshing feeling to the audience .
“Waaaah—!”
Kim JiMin also jumped with the rest of the audience . Lee HyunJi by her side did the same . Professor Choi ChanYang waved his hands in the air and enjoyed it in his own style .
The song slowly reached its climax .
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“I wish to – go back to the days – I was happy about small things—–!”
Jang HyoJi shouted the lyrics . Both the music and the audience reached their climax . Everyone became one and jumped in unison . Their reactions were, needless to say, amazing .
“Thank you . Should we do that one more time?”
“Waah—-!”
In the following song, Jang HyoJi again sang a song that had a fast 16-beat tempo and the audience jumped around again .
***
“Her stage manners are definitely okay . ”
President Kang ShiMyoung of Yerang Entertainment was currently at the back of the audience seats watching Jang HyoJi’s stage . Beside him was chief Min JoongSup of the scouting team with a nervous expression .
(T/N: Yerang is the place that tried to steal KY off MG . Their president was the burly guy . )
“Sh… she’s definitely capable . There’s no need to talk about her manners . ”
“That seems to be the case . ”
President Kang ShiMyung narrowed his eyes and watched Jang HyoJi’s stage until the very end . Jang HyoJi didn’t take her eyes off the audience until the end, and she had very good concentration . She was an overall good singer . However, he kept shaking his head as though she was lacking .
“She’s good, but it’s a bit of a pity . She’s lacking when compared to the girl called Lee HyunAh . She’s bright, but she doesn’t shine . ”
“But… Lee HyunAh said that she won’t come unless we accept the entire band… . ”
“That can’t be helped . Our budget doesn’t allow that… . Oh yes, I heard that HyunAh that girl also signed a contract . ”
“It’s called World Entertainment . ”
“World?”
For President Kang ShiMyoung, this was something he heard for the first time . He tilted his head .
“It’s a newly made company . Their first singer is Lee HyunAh as well . So that’s why they accepted her condition to accept the entire band . ”
“Looks like they’ll go down pretty soon . It’s not like affection earns money . ”
“Exactly . ”
When they talked for quite a while, the stage ended . Jang HyoJi exited amongst the cheers of the audience . The next band continued with the mood that Jang HyoJi had set up but was lacking compared to Jang HyoJi .
President Kang ShiMyoung crossed his arms and watched the stage .
“She is definitely the best out of all of them . ”
The words President Kang ShiMyoung spoke after the fourth band ended made chief Min JoongSup smile . His scouting was acknowledged by the president .
“This is good . Let’s see . The last in order is White Moonlight? Weren’t they called The Formidables before?”
“Yes . They were called that last time, but I think they changed the name . ”
“Looks like the company made them change it . Well, it’s better than what it was before . ”
President Kang ShiMyoung watched the stage with a blank expression . This band had rejected his offer, in the end, he didn’t have good feelings about them .
The stage lights dimmed, and the last team was getting ready . The sounds of tapping and the occasional sounds of tuning could be heard . This was the fun in small clubs . The lights brightened again and shone on Lee HyunAh, who was at the center .
“h.e.l.lo! I’m Lee HyunAh from White Moonlight, our new name for the band, The Formidables . ”
“Waaaaaaaah” —-”
As to reflect Lee HyunAh’s status as the Hongdae G.o.ddess, the reactions from the audience were very hot . Lee HyunAh commented that she was excited to show them a new song . The people’s eye’s shined in expectation after hearing that there was a new song .
“You jumped for a while until now . Consider it as resting for a small while . Then let’s begin . ”
Lee HyunAh clicked her fingers towards the drums . Then, Kim JinDae tapped the sticks together to set the beat and then beat on the tom-tom drums . The other instruments started playing .
“Aaah— Aaaah—-”
People raised their hands while listening to Lee HyunAh’s humming . They were tired after jumping around all this time . They turned their phone screens on and waved their phone lights .
“Today – just like yesterday – I walk the same streets –”
The grand instrumental faded out, and Lee HyunAh started singing . The refreshing singing style added taste to the song .
As the song progressed, the people started falling into her voice . Some people fell into the deep emotion and teared up as well . It started happening in one of the front rows and it spread around to the others .
The drums that only set the beat started getting louder while the ba.s.s and electric guitars raised their volumes and heightened the mood . Lee HyunAh’s voice resounded across the stage . The people raised their hands and followed along with the singing .
“whenever – wherever–”
The drums changed to an offbeat accent, while the ba.s.s heightened the mood even more . The distortion effect decorated the surroundings and made Lee HyunAh’s voice shine . The people reacted even more pa.s.sionately . As though affected, Lee HyunAh took out the mic from the stand .
“Blossom beautifully again ——Aaaah—”
“Waaaah—-!”
The drummer played all the drums, including snares, tom-toms, rides, and gave a decorative effect, and the rest of the instruments all boasted their skills as well . The audience reacted pa.s.sionately, as though they hadn’t jumped around this entire time . Their voices had already gone hoa.r.s.e, but they still shouted, and jumped . Everyone seemed to be crazy about the song .
Lee HyunAh sang some more songs . She never knew that she would receive such a pa.s.sionate reaction from the audience . She received energy from the audience and exploded with power .
After a fancy round of instrumental skills, their new song ended and introduced itself fully to the world .
‘Ha… . Haha . ’
President Kang ShiMyoung, who was watching from the back shivered in frustration . Min JoongSup, who was by his side, gulped and couldn’t stop being nervous .
***
The exclusive producer for MG Entertainment, producer Oh JiWan, didn’t feel good recently . Ever since chairman Won JinMoon collapsed, the company was centralized around the director’s a.s.sociation and the company went in a strange direction . Thanks to that, he, who only had work centered around recording before, now had to manage trainees and do other things as well .
But today was the day he relieved his stress . He had a schedule in Gangnam with a close friend of his that had just come back from the military . He left the company early and headed to the place .
“JaeHoon . ”
“Hyung, it’s been a while . ”
When he arrived at the bar, an ordinary-looking man with very short hair was walking around . Producer Oh JiWan greeted him and entered the bar .
The bar was room-style (had several private rooms) . The two ordered quickly and poured each other some alcohol . When they drank, they started talking .
“Wow, Kim JaeHoon . How long has it been?”
“It’s been 2 years . We met just before I went to the military . ”
“You vicious little p.r.i.c.k . You didn’t even call me once during your leave . ”
“Sorry . I just… didn’t have the leisure to . ”
The guy called Kim JaeHoon poured alcohol while saying sorry . Seeing him apologize with a very sorry face, producer Oh JiWan said that it was okay, and they clashed gla.s.ses . Along with the gla.s.s clashing sound, the two emptied their gla.s.ses in one go .
The two had met after such a long time and started talking about various things . Military, the entertainment world, etc . There were a lot of things to talk about .
Producer Oh JiWan, whose face reddened after drinking so much, asked carefully .
“JaeHoon . Are you looking for a management company?”
“Not yet . I can’t trust anyone so easily . ”
“Well, yeah . If you’ve met those guys, then it couldn’t be helped that you think so . ”
Producer Oh JiWan frowned in displeasure .
“Those d.a.m.ned guys . They did nothing, and they want three times the contract deposit . How does that make any sense?”
“They didn’t even pay for the rearrangement fees and the concert profit . And they canceled the contract outright… . ”
“What happened to the lawsuit?”
“…… . ”
Kim JaeHon lowered his head implying that the results weren’t good . Producer Oh JiWan had nothing to say either .
“I just… . Want to sing without thinking about anything else . Just sing… . ”
Kim JaeHoon truly wished to do that . 2 years of lawsuit plus 2 years of military . He hadn’t stood on a stage for four years . Moreover, the result of the long lawsuit was terrible . His expression behind his smile was colored in demise .
Producer Oh JiWan couldn’t easily say anything either . Is there really a company that is willing to accept him? Yes, his singing skills were top-notch . However, there was a 4-year gap . And what about the money problem? Is there really a company that is willing to accept him despite all those risks?
Well, maybe it would be possible if it’s the three big companies with a lot of funds .
“Did you contact places like Yerang?”
“Yes . ”
“What did they say?”
Kim JaeHoon shook his head . Meaning that it was no good .
‘If Yerang said no, then what about us? No, the company’s doing horrible nowadays . It would be better to go to the place President Lee HyunJi set up… . Oh, wait . ’
Something flashed by in producer Oh JiWan’s head . The new company that Lee HyunJi and KangYoon built . Although their scale was small, he felt that they would be okay .
“JaeHoon . The scale of the company doesn’t matter, right?”
“A company is a necessary evil . ”
“Y… yeah . Anyway . I have a place to recommend to you… . ”
Producer Oh JiWan started talking about World Entertainment with him .
***
“That was awesome . Ah, The Formidables are the best . ”
“It’s White Moonlight . They changed their name . ”
“Whatever, same thing . Anyway, they’re so cool . Ah, HyunAh-unni… . ”
After the whole concert was over, the audience left the concert hall like a receding tide . The concert venue was emptied in an instant . However, the heat from the concert still remained behind .
Inside the empty concert hall, President Kang ShiMyoung stood there quietly .
“That’s a pity . Really, it is . ”
President Kang ShiMyoung remembered back to the last stage by White Moonlight . Even the tired people waved their hands and shouted . Even he, who was used to this after visiting countless stages, fell to it . The fact that he couldn’t get Lee HyunAh to join his company was painful .
At that time, he saw KangYoon who was looking at the stage . President Kang ShiMyoung approached him .
“Mr . Lee KangYoon . ”
“President Kang ShiMyoung”
“So you still remember me . ”
President Kang ShiMyoung . KangYoon shook his hand and took a bow . KangYoon never thought that he’d see him here .
“You aren’t someone I see frequently . What brought you here?”
“Oh, I came here for a singer from my company . ”
“Oh, I’ve heard that you were doing a new business with President Lee HyunJi . So, it’s about that . ”
“Yes . ”
KangYoon acknowledged that but didn’t reveal any more .
Just as President Kang ShiMyoung was about to ask more, Lee HyunAh and the band left the waiting room .
“O…resident! We’re ready . ”
“Okay, let’s go . Then I shall take my leave . ”
“Lee HyunAh? Wait . Your work was… wait . ”
President Kang ShiMyoung’s expression turned strange . He had heard that Lee HyunAh joined a company . She called KangYoon… ‘oresident’? or something . The situation was simple . KangYoon scouted Lee HyunAh and the band .
“Ha… . Haha . ’
“Then I shall take my leave . ”
“S… sure . ”
KangYoon shook hands with the panicking President Kang ShiMyoung and left the venue with White Moonlight .
“Haha… ha . Lee KangYoon . It’s that guy . Interesting . ”
Seeing KangYoon leaving the venue, President Kang ShiMyoung muttered in a low voice .
“Chief Min . ”
“Yes, sir . ”
“Did you say World Entertainment?”
“Yes, sir . ”
“Investigate everything about them and bring it to me . ”
President Kang ShiMyoung continued looking at the door that KangYoon had just left through and narrowed his eyes .
***