Chapter 58 : Government Support Project(5)

While playing the piano, a thought suddenly struck her.

‘Was it right for me to say that?

Should I have just said I couldn’t do it?’

When she had such thoughts, she would hit her head and say, “Ah, I shouldn’t have said that…”

After a few minutes, she would say again, “No, I said it because I thought I could do it!”

Then she would try to compose the next melody, and again regret it and hit her head.

This was Hyun-ah’s recent daily routine.

At school, she was racking her brain to think of a melody, and she couldn’t concentrate on practice.

But she couldn’t ask the other kids for help because she had boldly volunteered to do it herself.

‘Why did I do that?’

But come to think of it, the other kids were all helping the band in some way.

Lee-seo with her cheerful personality, Seo-ha with her know-how from the indie band scene.

Not to mention Ha Su-yeon.

But what about Hyun-ah herself?

Of course, the other members of Group Sound didn’t think of Hyun-ah that way.

But because of the inferiority complex that people with low self-esteem often have, Hyun-ah felt like she had no presence and was just taking up space.

That’s why, even though she knew it was a bit of a stretch… she boldly volunteered when she realized it was a field where she could shine.

Of course, the result was dozens, hundreds of regrets.

‘Well, even Hans Zimmer said he regretted taking on a project after receiving the request, so I guess I’m okay…’

Hyun-ah comforted herself.

Well, it couldn’t be helped.

“I’m music director Park Hwi-seok.”

“Hello…”

A few days ago, when they had a meeting with the music director to create the OST, the music director said, “It’s not common to contact the composing team like this.”

Usually, they just communicate through email or messenger.

The reason why he came to the meeting in person was… obvious.

The camera behind the music director.

Just as Ha Su-yeon had said, they were planning to use the ‘four-member high school girl band’ as marketing for the OST.

‘Well, it can’t be helped.’

Hyun-ah thought so.

It’s not like she has a bad appearance that she can’t show on YouTube or anywhere else, and becoming famous would be a plus for her entrance exam to the art college.

It’s a good thing anyway.

“The pre-production stage of the drama is over.

We’re not the type of production company that uses daily scripts, so the script is already finished.

We also have a rough idea of which parts your music will be used in.

Of course, we can’t show you the whole script.”

Hwi-seok handed her a piece of paper.

It was a well-organized document with information about a scene.

The male lead and the female lead are in conflict, and in the process of conflict, something happens.

“Then what kind of song should we make for you?”

At Ha Su-yeon’s question, Hwi-seok scratched his chin and opened his mouth.

“Um…

A melancholic, bittersweet, slightly tense, but also sweet and ticklish jazz song about a lovers’ quarrel.”

“Excuse me?”

At Hwi-seok’s words, Hyun-ah felt like she had heard an alien language.

What was that supposed to mean?

Melancholic, bittersweet, and so on?

What the f*ck is that?

“Um…

I don’t quite understand.”

“So, this situation.

The male lead and the female lead are kind of comical and tense at the same time?

So, they like each other but don’t know that they like each other, and they’re trying to take the lead.”

Hyun-ah was about to say, “Even if you say it like that…”

But Ha Su-yeon stopped her and continued talking to the director.

While they were talking, Hyun-ah thought, ‘I wonder if Soma would have understood if she were here?’

“Well, just make it like that.

For the payment, after the melody and concept are confirmed, we’ll do one round of confirmation and pay the advance, and when it’s finished, we’ll receive the song and pay the balance.

We can’t give you much time.

Keep in mind that we’re going according to the schedule I told you.”

“Yes, I understand.

Who owns the copyright?”

“You’ll have all the credits, and the property rights will belong to us.

You know about the music revenue, right?

The basic default.

You’re the authors/performers, so 16%.”

After talking about some other miscellaneous clauses, Hwi-seok said he had one last thing to say and opened his mouth with a serious tone.

“I don’t know much about bands.

You guys know about bands.

But I’m an expert in this kind of drama OST.”

“Yes.”

Yeah, people die if they don’t drink water.

Hyun-ah scoffed inwardly as if he was stating the obvious.

On the other hand, Ha Su-yeon was responding diligently.

Hwi-seok seemed to like that attitude, and he smiled with satisfaction and continued.

“What do you think is the most important thing in a drama OST?”

“Um…

Something that can help you immerse yourself?”

“That’s good too.

But more than that, it’s about showing the emotions that the main characters can’t express in words or actions.”

It was a surprisingly proper answer, and Hyun-ah, who had half-closed her ears, subtly opened them again.

Hwi-seok took a sip of his coffee as if his throat was a little dry, and then continued.

“For example, a scene like that.

What would be the psychology of the character in that scene?

I don’t want to go.

But I want you to come.

But if you write that in the script, it becomes too childish.

But what if it’s an OST playing in the background?

The audience separates the OST from the drama scene, but they also see them as the same in a way.”

Hwi-seok explained it a few more times like that, and then left the cafe.

Until now, most of what he said was vague, but thanks to the explanation at the end, Hyun-ah felt like she had grasped something.

“What do you think?

Can you do it?”

“Um…

I think so.”

Seeing Hyun-ah say that, Ha Su-yeon thought it was a good thing.

Honestly, she thought the PD was just talking nonsense, but it’s good that she understood somehow.

“But there’s something that bothers me.”

“What is it?”

At Ha Su-yeon ‘s words, Hyun-ah showed a hesitant expression.

Why was she like that?

Did Hwi-seok give her some kind of f*cked up look?

Was he trying to hit on a high school girl?

“Liking each other, melancholic love…

I don’t really know what that’s like.”

“Why is that?”

“I’ve never been in love…”

I see.

Ha Su-yeon twisted her hair.

It’s true that love is a difficult emotion to describe if you haven’t experienced it.

But don’t people experience love, dating, and such things at that age?

A famous quote by an unknown person.

‘Love is a devil, a fire, a heaven, and a hell.

Pleasure and pain, sorrow and regret live together there.’

It was exactly like the life Ha Su-yeon had lived.

Come to think of it, when she was young, she seemed to do nothing but sleep, play the guitar, or date…

Ha Su-yeon was about to give advice based on her abundant dating experience, but she quickly closed her mouth.

‘Has this kid ever dated?’

Among the memories she had recalled while living like this, there were no such memories.

Just that she liked to play with guys?

She only enjoyed toying with their appearances, but it seemed like she never had a serious relationship.

“Ha Su-yeon…

Have you ever had such an experience?”

“Huh??

Uh, ah, um…

Um, uh, um, uh…”

At the sudden question, Ha Su-yeon was flustered.

What should she say?

Should she say she had based on her past life?

But that would be a lie.

But she had to give advice.

To do that, she would have to lie again.

It was a dilemma.

When the song, which consisted of a simple melody, was over, Ha Su-yeon pressed the button and turned on the microphone.

“It’s good?”

“Really?

Thank you…”

The line that Hyun-ah had shown them, saying she had completed it, was quite good in Ha Su-yeon ‘s opinion.

A clear beginning, development, climax, and conclusion, a slightly coquettish and whispering melody.

“The problem is, how do I complete this into a song.”

“Can’t you just complete it?

Is there any special problem?”

“I’ve listened to some classical music and jazz…

But is what I’m making classical and jazz?

It feels a bit like that.”

Ha Su-yeon smiled a little, not letting Hyun-ah hear.

Hyun-ah’s Concern was a common one for creators.

Is this right?

Something like that.

Is this rock?

Is this blues?

Is this metal?

Etc.

Isn’t that the most representative Concern of young people?

“Genre…

You don’t make it and then label it.

You make it and then label it.”

“Yes?”

Ha Su-yeon leaned closer to the desk for a detailed explanation.

Her breath brushed against the microphone and shattered.

“When that guy Park Hwi-seok asked for classical/jazz-style music…

He wasn’t asking for music of that genre.

He was asking for music that sounds like that to the viewers.

So, you don’t have to be too obsessed with that.

If other people think it’s good, then that’s enough.”

At Ha Su-yeon ‘s words, Hyun-ah replied, “Oh…”

And she continued.

“But even so, in terms of arrangement…

I’m a bit, what should I say.

I don’t quite know how to complete this into a real song.”

“Arrangement, well, it’s a band thing.

We’ll do it together, right?”

Ha Su-yeon answered that way.

Well, in reality, Ha Su-yeon would probably do most of it.

It would be fun to leave it to Lee-seo or Seo-ha, but this is the band’s first commissioned work.

Ha Su-yeon didn’t want to mess it up or get a bad evaluation by leaving it to the other kids.

She didn’t think the kids wouldn’t be able to show their talents, but it’s best to prevent such things from happening by doing it herself rather than trusting and leaving it to them.

“Don’t worry.

I’ll make it so that everyone who hears it will say it’s good.”

“Oh…

That’s a good song?”

A song draft that was clearly recorded with MIDI, not with real band sounds.

But despite that, the drums that were appropriately placed in various parts, the soft touch of the bass, the guitar.

The keyboard that clearly defined the line.

The voice that was used as a guide vocal was a bit low, which made it even better.

The back band’s performance, the melody with a clear beginning, development, climax, and conclusion.

The voice that seemed to alleviate the ‘tension’ that Hwi-seok had ordered.

If there wasn’t an assigned singer, he would have wanted to use the owner of this voice as the vocalist.

‘This is better than I expected…’

Hwi-seok thought so.

When he saw the skills shown in the session and listened to the band’s song, he thought it would be of a certain quality, but that was it.

Just a decent band song, and that’s it.

He was planning to release the videos taken during the making of the OST, the recording scene of the high school girl band, and the interviews of the kids to attract some attention.

“It’s good, isn’t it?

Is this really the high school kids that the director mentioned?

The ones in the making-of film?

Is it them?”

“Yeah.

This is just recorded with MIDI, but it’s better than I expected.”

The skill that the guitarist showed in the session was almost shocking.

If she hadn’t restrained herself, she would have been able to overpower Professor Chae Ho-geun, who had decades of experience.

Moreover, the band’s bassist (she was a bit lacking), keyboardist, and drummer were also quite good, so if that performance was added and good lyrics were attached.

“This will definitely be a hit, Su-hyeong.”

“Yes?”

“Tell Director Lee, no, I’ll call him.”

Hwi-seok decided to call himself because he thought it would seem less important if a staff member called.

After a few rings, he heard a slightly annoyed voice.

“Oh~!

Director Lee!

It’s Park Hwi-seok.

Is the shooting not going well today?

No, no, it’s not that.

We’re making an OST this time, right?

There’s a real jackpot here.

Have we already started recording?

No, it’s not that.

A draft came in, and, uh?

If Director Lee hears it, you’ll be amazed.”

Hwi-seok talked and gauged the situation.

After all, this has to be okay for them to move on to the next step.

“So, the reason I called is, we’re looking for a pre-release song for the OST, right?

How about this song?

Yeah.

No, the singer is unreleased.

No, the song is good even if you just listen to it.

But why not release it?

No, if we keep it unreleased, it will be a big shock when the singer and this are revealed.

Where are you?

If you have time now, I’ll go and tell you in person…”