Chapter 198
“Good!”
Writing the last quaver (⅛ note), HeeYoon stretched her arms out .
It always felt good to finish off a song . The song she wanted all the singers of World Entertainment to sing was finally finished after a few days of work .
“It will be Christmas in a month, so a carol-like feeling would be good, right? Would he like it?”
Imagining her brother in a joyful mood, HeeYoon made a smile .
She wanted the fans to feel what they felt from the video on Tune last time again with this song .
To strike the iron while it was still hot, she immediately called up KangYoon .
After a few connecting sounds, a voice could be heard over the phone .
– Yes HeeYoon . Did something happen?
“No, actually wait . Maybe something did happen . ”
– WHAT?
When KangYoon’s voice rose due to the misunderstanding, HeeYoon panicked a little and explained the situation .
She had made a song from the inspiration she got from the jamming video .
When it was about the song, KangYoon calmed down a little .
-… Sheesh . And here I thought something bad happened . So something good happened . Send it over . I’ll call you back after listening to it .
HeeYoon sent the file over to KangYoon .
A while later .
KangYoon called back .
– It’s a good song . It feels like a Christmas carol too .
“Right?”
Being acknowledged by her brother, HeeYoon’s voice became a little excited .
“I made it after looking at the video on Tune last time . I thought it would be a good idea to make a group alb.u.m like MG and Yerang . ”
– Really? That’s a nice idea . Our artists specialize in different themes, so it would be nice to have them all singing one song .
“Right, right?”
HeeYoon felt excited since it was going so well .
However, the words from the phone were completely unexpected for her .
– HeeYoon . I’m sorry to say this, but can I use this song on something else?
“Something else? For what?”
– I want to use this for Eddios’s Christmas alb.u.m . I was just about to call you up for this but I didn’t know you had such a good song .
HeeYoon was confused due to the sudden change .
It hadn’t been long since Eddios finished their activities, why would they make a comeback at Christmas?
“It hasn’t been that long since Eddios’s activities ended, hasn’t it?”
– Yeah . But something popped up on our side… I think we’ll have to do a flash appearance before resting some more .
“Really? That’s a pity . That’s not what I had in mind after all…”
(T/N: Why do you have to crush HeeYoon’s dream!!!! (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ )
HeeYoon found it to be a little unfortunate since that wasn’t her original intention when she made this song . Then, KangYoon softly consoled her .
– The song is good enough to be used anywhere else . I don’t think it’s right to use it like this, but we aren’t in a good situation here . Thanks to you this time, I think we’ll be able to shorten our preparation . Thank you so much, and sorry about this .
“…It’s fine . I’m glad to hear that I can help . As for songs, I can just make more . ”
It was fine as long as it helped her brother .
HeeYoon asked when KangYoon can come over to America again before ending the call .
“It’s not easy to get inspiration like that… what do I do now . ”
HeeYoon turned on the TV to cool off a little .
***
After the scandal between Han JooYeon and Tae .
Many journalists and fans flocked to Eddios’s dorms in order to get a glimpse of Han JooYeon .
“Wow, that’s a lot of people . ”
Ailee sighed while looking at the crowd of people outside the window .
Meanwhile, Christie, who was watching TV in the living room, spoke without much care .
“They are what they are . What’s JooYeon doing?”
“She’s lying down on her bed . ”
“…Sheesh, even though we told her it was alright…”
Christie shook her head .
Han JooYeon apologized to everyone for inconveniencing them and did not leave her room . She didn’t even eat either .
“It’s not like meeting a guy is a sin or something . ”
“It is . ”
“…You know, I sometimes get scared when I talk to you, Ailee . ”
“Heh, really?”
Just as the two quarreled, the doorbell rang .
When Christie had a look through the intercom screen, she saw manager Kim DaeHyun and KangYoon outside .
As they got notified that KangYoon would be visiting an hour ago, everyone had put on make-up and were ready .
A while later .
KangYoon and all the members of Eddios gathered around in the living room .
“I came here because I don’t think the situation allows for you to come to the company . ”
KangYoon pointed at the people outside .
When he did, Han JooYeon looked down . Her eyes had swollen up due to all the tears .
Jung MinAh hugged Han JooYeon and asked .
“President, those people are inconveniencing us to no end . Both the front and back doors are blocked . So I have to cross the fence to go to practice . Ugh…”
“We got a new car yesterday, and it’s been tinted as well . You can go to practice using that . In the meantime, team leader DaeHyun will take care of you girls . It will be uncomfortable for a week or so, so you’ll have to get used to that . ”
“Okay . Ah, those d.a.m.ned useless people… . ”
Jung MinAh grumbled .
As always, she was direct about her opinion . Some of the members giggled .
KangYoon also chuckled and continued to speak .
“But still, we’re gradually clearing up . JooYeon uploaded an apology to the fan cafe as well . Although many people still have their doubts, you’ll have to undertake that risk since you were the source of the problem . Be careful for a while . Don’t take any actions that may cause trouble . ”
“Yes . ”
When everyone replied in unison, KangYoon started talking about the alb.u.m . This was the reason he was here today .
He played the song he got from HeeYoon with the speakers in the living room .
The wonderful piano sounds as well as other instruments rang out in the living room and the members of Eddios concentrated on listening .
‘A carol?’
It was a piano song, but they felt like just adding bell sounds would turn this into a Christmas carol .
The song pa.s.sed by in a flash .
“How is it?”
KangYoon asked after the song ended, and Christie An replied .
“Is this a Christmas song?”
“Yes . How does it feel?”
“It feels good . I think it will be really good if the ups and downs are a little more distinct . ”
KangYoon agreed to her words .
“That’s what I think as well . I’m going to rearrange this song . You girls are going to have a busy time starting December, so you have to prepare for it, okay?”
“Yes . ”
The meeting didn’t last long .
KangYoon told Jung MinAh to take good care of Han JooYeon before turning around to Seo HanYu .
“Can I have a word with you, HanYu?”
“Yes . ”
KangYoon entered a room with her . It was the room that was revamped into the music room last time .
He had a look at the machines before speaking .
“I want you to do the mastering this time . ”
“Me? I don’t think I’m up to par yet…”
Seo HanYu shook her head .
Mastering required good ears and experience . She did not believe that she had enough experience and asked back .
When she did, KangYoon replied with a smile .
“Of course, we’re doing this together . I’m not letting you do this alone so don’t worry about that . ”
“Oh really?”
“I’m going to advertise that you partic.i.p.ated in the mastering this time . That’s what I need . ”
“Does such a thing have an effect?”
KangYoon patted on Seo HanYu’s shoulders as though it was obvious .
“Of course . To strive to learn something new . This is why people like the ‘SeoYu’ of Eddios . It’s also why you have the least number of breakaway fans . ”
“That’s… true, I guess . ”
Seo HanYu blushed as she was a little proud of that fact .
“Keep practicing until you are able to produce music on your own later . Who knows? You might become a prominent producer in the future . ”
“No way . That can’t happen . ”
“Oh? I think you can . ”
Seo HanYu waved her hands saying that it won’t be easy, but KangYoon encouraged her .
***
KangYoon headed to his next appointment after leaving Eddios’s dorms .
Although the time was early evening, the high-cla.s.s bar, the place he was appointed to meet at, was ready to receive guests .
“Welcome . ”
The employee greeted KangYoon politely and took him to the other guest who was waiting already .
“President Lee . ”
The one waiting for him was none other than President Choo ManJi .
His cheeks were rather skinny due to all the hardships he had recently with the scandal
After a handshake, they started talking over a gla.s.s of wine .
“…I’m sorry for not keeping my people in check . ”
President Choo ManJi spoke bitterly while pouring KangYoon a gla.s.s .
KangYoon also poured Choo ManJi one and replied bitterly .
“I’m sorry instead . I know I can’t help the feelings between men and women, the responsibility goes to us after all . ”
“…Would you like to smoke?”
KangYoon accepted the cigarette that Choo ManJi gave him . KangYoon spoke while lighting Choo ManJi’s cigarette .
“What happened happened, so I think the problem here is how we clean up . Didn’t you release an alb.u.m in j.a.pan?”
“…That’s the problem right now . Heroy’s fanbase is mostly made up of teens and people in their 20s and it came as a huge shock to them . Moreover, I wasn’t able to prevent the article from going up this time . Although I can’t do anything about the first article, I tried to prevent other people from writing about the same thing, but it seems like someone had their hands in this and I couldn’t stop them at all . ”
Breathing the smoke out, president Choo fell into contemplation .
“…I think I’ll have to bear with the hit on the alb.u.m this time . Eddios is better off in that regard since they’re in their rest period . Oh, the tag will be a problem . We’re giving out explanations as well, but journalists these days are trash . They can only write provocative things . XX’s man, XX’s girl, these tags will not disappear easily . ”
KangYoon rubbed the cigarette in the ashtray to put it out and spoke over a gla.s.s of wine .
“It won’t be easy, but I’m planning for a frontal breakthrough this time . ”
“What do you mean, a frontal breakthrough?”
“I was originally planning an alb.u.m for spring next year, but I pulled it ahead to Christmas . ”
Hearing that, President Choo ManJi’s eyes widened .
“Whoa, there . Are you aiming for a noise marketing strategy?”
“There’s that too . ”
“Hahaha . ”
Something seemed to have flashed in President Choo ManJi’s mind and he laughed heartily .
“Wow, it really is a frontal breakthrough . That’s just like you, President Lee . I think we should continue our activities as though nothing happened . After all, it’s not true!”
“For that to happen, I believe that we should apologize to the fans first . In any case, it’s our fault for breaking the fantasies of our fans . I think we’ll only have an effect if we come out straight about it and say sorry . ”
“Hahaha . Looks like I’m learning from you today . But is it really alright to tell me something like that?”
When President Choo ManJi said that, KangYoon smiled as he replied .
“No way, you aren’t planning to eat and run are you?”
“Hahahahahaha! Eat and run, you say!”
The cheap words made President Choo ManJi laugh even more .
“Well, I’m not that cheap . Unlike Yera… Oh, have you heard about that rumor?”
“Which rumor are you talking about?”
President Choo ManJi spoke quietly .
“Kang ShiMyoung from Yerang secretly met with the directors at MG . I don’t know what went between them, but I feel like they would have done something . ”
“Is that so?”
Yerang and MG Entertainment companies .
KangYoon didn’t have very good feelings towards either of them .
President Choo ManJi seemed to be the same as he spoke with a stiff expression .
“In my opinion, this scandal happened at just the right, I mean, wrong time… and there’s a group in Yerang that’s active in j.a.pan right now, and I heard that there’s a group similar to Eddios coming out soon too . Moreover, MG and you have had a bad relationship for a long time… am I overspeculating things?”
“That’s quite complex . ”
KangYoon’s words had a lot of complex emotions in them .
***
A little past 2 in the afternoon .
Lee HyunJi looked at the new desk in the office with a smile .
“So it’s today . ”
“It’s about time . ”
KangYoon also felt a little excited as he looked at the time .
The employees were notified as well so they just kept on working as usual .
Not long later, the door to the office opened and a rather chubby man entered .
“Welcome, Mr . GiJoon . ”
KangYoon stood up from his seat and gave him a light hug .
“h.e.l.lo, President . ”
It was a short, chubby man wearing a suit .
He was Kang GiJoon of (former) Keyode Entertainment . He had officially come to World Entertainment after dealing with his former company .
Lee HyunJi also greeted him with a handshake .
“h.e.l.lo, President Kang . I mean, you’re a team leader now . It might be a little awkward but let’s get along together . ”
“Not at all, Director . I should get used to this in the future . ”
When Kang GiJoon asked where his seat was, Jung HyeJin quickly came and guided him to his place . He took a liking to his desk and put his luggage on the desk .
After unpacking, he headed towards the rooftop with KangYoon .
“Do you smoke?”
“No, I don’t . ”
“Okay . ”
KangYoon was about to pull his pack of cigarettes out but pushed them back in before speaking .
“We’re going to work properly starting tomorrow . Please write up a guideline for raising actors with the knowledge you had at Keyode Entertainment .
“Understood . ”
“And also…”
KangYoon calmly continued .
“Next year, Min JinSeo will come to our company . It won’t take long, so please get ready to support her in ways that do not lose out to MG Entertainment . ”
Kang GiJoon gulped in nervousness as he was still in disbelief about this .