Chapter 45: Overcoming (2)

One of Xelnaga Entertainment’s many conference rooms.

The faint scent of new furniture, never properly used, pricked my nose.

I sat at the head of the table, arms crossed, gazing at the opposite side.

Three women were seated on the sofa across from me.

Jungyeon, energetically explaining something; Ajung, nodding brightly beside her; and Yoon Sol, sandwiched between them, almost an invisible presence, suppressing her aura.

It was the first time all four of us—myself and all the Starlight members—were gathered in one place.

The topic, naturally, was Yoon Sol’s debut method.

“So, my idea is!”

Jungyeon’s voice gained strength, as if she were finally about to conclude her main point.

“Considering Sol’s condition and various circumstances, I think a overly glamorous showcase stage from the start would be too much pressure. Instead! Sol’s real charm point! A high-quality cover song release that can properly appeal to that national treasure-level voice! I think going for impact with this would be good!”

This was what we had coordinated last night.

Jungyeon skillfully continued, subtly glancing at Sol’s reaction as if proposing it for the first time.

It was a gesture that seemed to prioritize Yoon Sol above all else.

“Oh! A cover song sounds great! Then are we filming a music video too? In our motion capture studio? Wow!”

Ajung’s eyes sparkled.

Everything had been new and exciting for her since the showcase, and she showed great interest in Yoon Sol’s debut method as well.

“Of course! What kind of place do you think our company’s motion capture studio is! Ajung, you know from filming your dance cover. If we film a music video here, it’ll be a huge hit, right? If Sol’s voice is added to the visuals, it’s game over!”

Jungyeon chimed in excitedly.

Listening to their animated conversation, Yoon Sol still sat precariously on the edge of the sofa.

Her gaze was still fixed somewhere on the table, and her hands, resting on her lap, fidgeted, revealing her anxiety.

However, she didn’t look as terrified as before.

Amidst Jungyeon and Ajung’s bright energy, she seemed like a small bird in a storm—fragile, yet somehow enduring.

And very occasionally, whenever words like ‘recording’ or ‘music video’ came up, I didn’t miss her eyelashes fluttering.

‘It’s working, as expected.’

The bait of the best environment was still effective.

“The direction is set for a cover song.”

As I spoke softly, the gazes of all three women focused on me at once.

“Before that, I’ll make it clear why we’re starting with a cover song instead of an original.”

At my words, Ajung looked puzzled for a moment, but then, seeming to grasp my intention, she nodded.

Yoon Sol’s eyes were still anxious, but her ears were turned towards me.

“The Starlight Project is still in its nascent stages. The group’s color or direction hasn’t been clearly established yet, and neither Ajung-ssi’s nor Jungyeon-ssi’s solo activity plans have been solidified.”

I continued my explanation calmly.

“In this situation, releasing Yoon Sol-ssi’s personal original song first is not appropriate timing-wise. It could create unnecessary misunderstandings or noise, both internally and externally.”

I deliberately emphasized the words ‘misunderstandings’ and ‘noise.’

To remind her of the rumors that had tormented her in the past.

“If unnecessary talk like ‘Why is only the new member getting an original song first?’ or ‘What kind of special treatment is this?’ comes out, Sol-ssi herself will be the one who suffers the most. We need to focus solely on showcasing Sol-ssi’s skills and charm, without getting caught up in such controversies. For that, an overwhelmingly high-quality cover song is currently the safest and most effective option.”

At my explanation, Sol’s eyes flickered slightly.

It seemed she vaguely understood my intention to protect her.

Jungyeon naturally picked up the thread.

“Yes, the Boss is right! There’s no good in attracting bad attention from the start! Sol, even if it’s a cover song, with our company’s support, the quality will be so good it’ll put original songs to shame, so don’t worry too much! Our Boss has a lot of money! Mhm!”
Jungyeon’s banter lightened the mood in the conference room a little.

Sol, too, nodded slightly in agreement.

“Now, shall we decide which cover song to do?”

Ajung brightened the atmosphere again.

“There’s an idol song I’m really into these days! It’s super refreshing and lively, so I think it would suit Sol-ssi’s image well! And it really gives off that re-debut vibe!”

“An idol song?”

Jungyeon tilted her head.

“Of course, it’s good, but Sol’s voice also suits a slightly more poignant and mystical feel incredibly well. I know a famous Japanese ballad that would fit the mood perfectly.”

“A Japanese ballad?”

Ajung furrowed her brows slightly.

“The song is great, but wouldn’t it be too calm for a debut song? To clearly show Sol-ssi’s presence, wouldn’t a more impactful song be better?”

The two of them launched into another heated discussion.

It wasn’t J-Pop itself that was the issue, but a conflict of opinion regarding the song’s mood and debut impact.

Sol, caught in the middle, again looked flustered and avoided eye contact.

“What are Sol-ssi’s thoughts?”

I asked her once more.

“Is there no style you yourself want to sing?”

At my question, Sol hesitated, her lips moving slightly.

Jungyeon and Ajung’s gazes focused on her.

“I, I….”

Her voice was still trembling.

But something different from before could be felt in her eyes.

“Right now… a calm ballad… I think that would be more comfortable for me…….”

As expected.

The instinct to choose the safe path still.

However, her clenched fists and subtly wavering pupils told a different story.

Jungyeon spoke gently.

“Sol, of course, your comfort is the most important thing. But this is your debut song. You need to sing a song you truly want to sing, one that can hold your heart, so you won’t have regrets.”

Ajung chimed in from the side.

“That’s right, Sol-ssi! We’re here for you! Whatever song you choose, Sol-ssi, we’ll do our best to help you from the sidelines!”

Their sincere encouragement.

Yoon Sol’s eyes began to waver intensely.

She seemed lost between the fear of the past and the opportunity of the present.

‘Just one more time.’

I didn’t miss her lips moving ever so slightly.

‘This time, really.’

Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she took a deep breath.

And then, in a trembling but incomparably firmer voice than before, she said.

“I want to sing… an idol song.”

Silence.

“A song… about… wanting to start over… something like that.”

She was declaring that she would face her greatest trauma head-on.

Instead of hiding behind a calm ballad, an intention to reach out once more towards the world she had fled from.

“Really? Sol!”

“Wow, amazing! Sol-ssi, you’re so cool!”

Jungyeon and Ajung exclaimed simultaneously, starting to rise from their seats as if to rush towards Yoon Sol.

Their faces showed surprise mixed with genuine emotion.

I slowly curved my lips into a smile.

It was unexpected, but a very pleasing development.

I thought she was just fragile, but to think she had such strength hidden within.

“Hmm. An idol song, you say. Good. I like that resolve.”

I said in a low voice.

“Then let’s look for a song in that direction. A song with a message like ‘I will challenge being an idol again.’ The genre doesn’t matter. A song that can most intensely showcase Sol-ssi’s voice and that determination.”

Yoon Sol’s eyes widened in surprise at my words, but she soon nodded slightly.

A very faint, resolute light flickered across her face.

“Now, then, the avatar?”

I moved on to the next topic.

Jungyeon quickly switched the tablet screen.

“Yes! I talked to Sol directly about this and decided! She said she likes sky blue, so we’ve already had several made by artists, and we just need to pick a few and modify them slightly!”

On the screen, avatar mock-ups with an innocent and mystical atmosphere appeared.

They were designs reflecting Yoon Sol’s opinions.

“Good. Let’s proceed based on this. The 3D modeling should be as natural and emotive as possible. Pay special attention to the facial expressions.”

“Yes! I’ll relay that immediately!”

The avatar was decided smoothly as well.

Now, the last thing, the music video.

“What should the MV concept be?”

Jungyeon asked.

“You said it would have a story.”

I stated the idea I had already formulated.

“Sol-ssi’s story. A girl who lost her light and was trapped in darkness, heals her wounds through her voice, and finally stands on a shining stage as an idol again. That’s the narrative we’ll incorporate. Not just a pretty video, but like a drama that shows Sol-ssi’s growth and overcoming.”

At my explanation, Jungyeon and Ajung were impressed once again.

“Wow… then it would be really, really touching, wouldn’t it?”

“If Sol-ssi’s story is included, fans will be able to empathize much more deeply!”

I looked at Yoon Sol.

She seemed to hesitate for a moment at the idea of her own story being the theme of the video, but then she nodded, small but firm.

“Yes. It’s okay. Please… do it that way.”

The courage to face her own wounds and sublimate them into art.

She was clearly growing.

“Good. Then the MV concept is confirmed as this. Jungyeon-ssi, please assemble a team of professional scriptwriters, a video team, and 3D artists, and start planning immediately.”

“Yes, Boss! I’ll prepare it perfectly!”

All decisions had been made.

Yoon Sol’s debut would now be the signal flare opening a new chapter for the Starlight Project.

I stood up, declaring the end of the meeting.

“Good work. Jungyeon-ssi, please coordinate the detailed progress well, and report anything necessary at any time.”

And before leaving the conference room, I paused for a moment and offered a final word to Yoon Sol, whose expression still showed a mix of tension and excitement.

“Sol-ssi.”

“Yes, yes?”

“I’ll be looking forward to it. To see what kind of resonance your ‘sincerity’ will create.”

At my words, Sol’s eyes wavered greatly once more.

And this time, a very clear, determined smile bloomed on her lips.

The conference room door closed, and I walked away with a satisfied smile.

The third star had now chosen to shine on its own.

Watching how intense that light would be was now my pleasure.