Chapter 179

Chapter 179

Raise Three Idols Well And They’ll Launch a Confession Attack.

Episode 179: Is That Romance? No, That’s A Thriller

After understanding the situation from Seon Taeyang’s explanation, Oh Yoori realized.

That the group “Girl Revolution,” which she thought was close to being a ticking time bomb, was actually exploding in real time.

‘The remaining contract period is 5 years and 5 months… I don’t think I can last.’

Yoori thought that, no matter whose scandal—Yeoreum’s or Gaeul’s—broke out tomorrow morning, she would just accept it as inevitable. Seon Taeyang’s judgment was correct. He was really screwed up.

As she tried to wrap her head around the unsolvable dilemma, someone spoke to her.

“Yoori, do you have a moment?”

It was Han Gyeoul, who had been noticeably avoiding Seon Taeyang recently.

“Gyeoul unnie? Is something bothering you?”

Gyeoul revealed her shy personality and spoke hesitantly.

“W-well, it’s because of me… I’ve been having trouble talking to Seon Taeyang lately. I’m sure he’s angry, and of course, disappointed…”

But her next words were firm and unwavering.

“Still, I want to go back to how we were. A relationship where I can smile beside Seon Taeyang again.”

“…”

“But… I’m such a fool, I don’t know how to do that…”

Gyeoul lowered her head and said,

“Could you help me just a little?”

Oh Yoori, who had shuddered from the bloody confessions of threats on the rooftop and in the plane, thought upon hearing Gyeoul’s shy request for help.

‘This is a romance, the way it should be. What Yeoreum unnie and Gaeul unnie are doing is a thriller.’

“I’ll help you! No matter what!”

Oh Yoori was convinced that she should always support such wholesome intentions.

During my regular part-time work, when I discussed my recent concerns about the direction of my work with Cheon Jonghoon, his response was simple.

“Just ignore what Oh James said. It’s completely useless.”

It wasn’t the answer I had expected.

“Well, it’s not like he’s wrong, right? Saying that he wants something unique to be in the song, isn’t that too harsh of a critique?”

“It deserves to be criticized. That guy can’t even express what he’s trying to say clearly. To judge purely in a sensory realm without any theoretical definition or grounding? Nice talk. Then, should I just ignore all the theories, frameworks, and model answers and throw in random notes and get praised as avant-garde?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“So, it doesn’t mean you’re aiming for some avant-garde breakthrough, right?”

Cheon Jonghoon spoke passionately, as if something had built up inside him.

“I’ve never liked that guy. His talk is typical of those who are intoxicated by the ‘art disease.’… He’s lucky to be holding on right now, but it wouldn’t be strange if he suddenly disappeared after saying his inspiration’s gone, and he’s in a slump. Although I admit he’s been holding on longer than others, that won’t last.”

Considering the future Oh James would face, it was a surprisingly objective analysis.

However, the harsh words about a colleague made me uncomfortable, so I protested.

“But Oh James has built up more variations and narratives than anyone else, and he’s turned that into results. Isn’t that a fact? So, considering past examples, his sense should be regarded as a meaningful reference.”

Upon hearing my words, Cheon Jonghoon sighed and spoke.

“What do you think of the breed known as composers?”

“Are you asking about the definition?”

“Yeah, definition. Even you, who’ve already passed the introductory stage, must have your own definition by now.”

“…”

Oh James had mentioned ‘artist’ in that definition.

But I didn’t want to repeat that word. However, I couldn’t come up with an appropriate answer either.

Seeing me in thought, Cheon Jonghoon took the books from beside his desk and stacked them on my hands.

The books about music, which Cheon Jonghoon had forced me to read, were stacked one by one.

They were so heavy that I started to wonder if this was some new form of torment. Cheon Jonghoon then spoke.

“Composers are people who deal with ‘systems.’”

“…My hands hurt. Can I move these books now?”

Cheon Jonghoon, noticing my discomfort, started to remove the books one by one and continued.

“History is the system. It’s the model answers that the great composers and past masters discovered through countless attempts. Yes, it’s the same kind of history as the books stacked in your hands.”

After removing all the books himself, Cheon Jonghoon adjusted the audio and began playing a medley of hit songs.

“Why do we study music? Why do we analyze killing chords and listen to songs that have already fallen off the charts? It’s because we know that they are the model answers to win the public’s love.”

Listening to his words, I blurted out something that had come to mind.

“So, what do you think about the idea that composing is art?”

“If we view art from a cultural perspective, it’s correct. But if someone treats art as a means to spread their own ideology or individuality, I don’t agree with that.”

Cheon Jonghoon looked at me intently and said,

“And Oh James, I think, falls into the latter category.”

“…”

After hearing this, I remained silent, and he spoke again.

“Let me evaluate the song you made this time… Honestly, it’s good. I didn’t expect you to get this proficient so quickly, even I, as your teacher. The people who have been helping me under my guidance now seem completely clueless in comparison. I don’t even know how they got their prestigious degrees and awards… Actually, I even wonder if those credentials are credible.”

“It’s better to view your subordinates with a warm perspective. If not, they’ll leave.”

“Let them leave.”

“…”

Easily said.

Cheon Jonghoon glared at me and then, as if embarrassed, turned his gaze away and spoke.

“Anyway, the point I’m making is that your song is objectively good enough to receive positive evaluations from the public.”

“From the public?”

“Yes, the public. That’s what it’s all about. The reason we’ve developed music as a discipline and formalized the path to success in the system is all for the public! So what exactly are you struggling with now?”

“Well, for making a better song…”

“No.”

Cheon Jonghoon cut me off and said more firmly than ever.

“You’re currently working on a song to satisfy just Oh James.”

Returning to the studio, I was banging my head trying to squeeze out an idea that wasn’t coming when a knock sounded.

“Come in.”

“It’s me, Team Leader Seon.”

It was Oh James.

“Haha, come in. Would you like some tea?”

“No, there’s no need for that. I know you’re busy, so it feels awkward to receive such treatment while I’m interrupting.”

“Eh, how busy can I really be? I’m just making one song. It’s nothing compared to Oh James, who’s making four songs.”

At this point, Oh James working on such projects while receiving a salary from TwoBear was almost like charity work. I didn’t want to complain about making one song in front of someone like him.

He shook his head and responded to my attempt at humor.

“Team Leader Seon, that’s not all you do, is it?”

Well, that’s true.

After finishing his words, he cautiously spoke while glancing at me.

“How about using the sample song you showed before as the title track?”

“Eh? Didn’t you show a negative reaction to that last time?”

“Ah, that… Ha. I was wrong.”

Oh James spoke to me with a heavily discouraged look on his face.

“I shouldn’t have said that. Especially to Team Leader Seon. Your work is objectively the best quality. It’s no worse than the songs I’ve made. Isabella is right. It’s worthy of being the title track, and it will get a great response.”

He looked me directly in the eyes and said firmly.

“Let’s go with that song as it is. Forget what I said earlier.”

I fell silent for a moment, thought carefully about his words, and then spoke.

“What made you change your mind?”

“I realized, albeit late, that I was evaluating it as a fan, not as a colleague working in the TwoBear music team.”

“A fan?”

“Yes, a fan. Someone who is irrational, unreasonable, and expects too much. Criticizing something as good as Team Leader Seon’s sample was wrong of me.”

“…”

“There’s no need for you to accommodate my stubbornness. I’m truly sorry for troubling you while you’re busy.”

In fact, right now, it’s hard for me to even spare time for this.

I’m the one managing the schedules of the Girl Revolution members, who are excelling in various fields, and I’m also in charge of the staff and planning for the new album.

I am the one working with the PR team to develop the publicity strategy, reporting to the CEO, and also having endless discussions with Seo Soo-yeon regarding the financial matters of all these issues.

On top of all that, the issues with Yeoreum and Gaeul have weighed on me, making me mentally weak.

Honestly, I just wanted to nod along with Oh James’s words.

He also said the quality isn’t bad, so the song’s quality would likely pass the mark.

Even though I knew that, I still asked a question.

“What kind of image does Oh James, as a fan, expect from me?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Oh James answered the question.

“The world’s greatest genius.”

“…”

H-haha.

It’s not even funny. What does he see in me to say such absurd things?

Even meeting elevated expectations has its limits, but this? I have no idea how I’m supposed to meet those expectations.

“…”

But, you know…

“The deadline is in 7 days, right?”

“That’s right. Given the schedule, it was set like that.”

“Then, I’ll finish one more in 5 days. I’ll need time to make revisions.”

“No, you don’t have to do that… but would it be possible?”

“Yes, it’s possible.”

However, I didn’t want to just ignore those expectations.

“Because I’m a genius.”

That was my pride.