Chapter 145: Seo Ji Woo in Seoul, Part 4

What kind of debut song would suit Seo Ji-woo? It was a question that Hayoon had pondered for a while.

Fans loved a good story, so she decided to connect Lucy’s new music to her previous work.

The result…

“Bright Night.”

“Please play the MR for ‘Bright Night.’ I’ll give it a try.”

“Okay.”

The Forest Sound studio owner cued the MR, and the synth intro began. City pop.

“Let’s do this, Ji-woo.”

“I’ll do my best…!”

Inside the recording booth, Seo Ji-woo adjusted her headset and nodded.

Hayoon watched nervously, arms crossed.

She was confident, but still unsure how Seo Ji-woo would handle the new genre.

“Why so nervous? Let’s hear it.”

“I’m worried it won’t be well-received. It’s a new style.”

“New style?”

“Yeah, she hasn’t sung city pop before…”

Seo Ji-woo, or Lucy, had never attempted city pop.

While the genre often featured repetitive choruses, capturing the bouncy synth feel required experience.

Hayoon worried that she had given Seo Ji-woo, who needed to outperform the less experienced Baek-seol and Jo A-yeong, too difficult a song.

“I thought they were stars, all those countless lights.”

“Huh?”

The moment Seo Ji-woo’s voice filled the booth, Hayoon felt a jolt of excitement.

This was it.

“Countless people sweeping over me like waves.”

Her voice was much more stable than expected.

It wasn’t the style Hayoon had anticipated, but…

“Wow, this is fresh.”

Seo Ji-woo’s husky voice, delivering the opening lines almost conversationally, was captivating.

It felt closer to sing-rap than traditional city pop, and she sounded incredibly comfortable.

“Sounds great.”

“She’s got a fantastic voice. Really catchy. You’ve got a good ear for talent.”

The studio owner was impressed with Seo Ji-woo’s skill and unique tone.

“Music drifting from the end of the alley, laughter spilling from a café…”

The song built towards the climax. Or rather, it was supposed to…

“That unfamiliar scene… cough, cough…
…”

Seo Ji-woo, seemingly short of breath, coughed and signaled for a stop.

“You okay?”

“This is harder than I thought. Maybe because city pop is so… staccato?”

“Like what?”

“Well, ballads build to a big release, right?”

“Right.”

“But city pop requires constant energy, like maintaining a level six intensity, so I’m getting winded.”

“Ahh…?”

City pop, while repetitive, wasn’t easy. “Bright Night,” in particular, had simple melodies but a fast tempo and complex lyrics.

“We’ll need to practice this a lot for the live show. No mistakes on stage.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“No, you need to be fine.”

Seo Ji-woo was nonchalant, but Hayoon was worried.

If Seo Ji-woo faltered, the entire concert could collapse.

“The other two have easier songs, less suited for a live performance…”

Seo Ji-woo’s role was crucial; she needed to energize the audience with her city pop song and powerful cover.

“We’re planning to build the energy with ‘Bright Night’ and your ‘Waiting For You’ cover, then transition to the group song. You’re essential, Ji-woo. We have plenty of time, so let’s perfect it by December. Can you do it?”

Hayoon knew this added pressure, but it was necessary.

One member had joined via the “I-cup” route, and another through the “19+ ASMR” route. Seo Ji-woo was their only reliable vocalist.

“Hmm… So…”

Unexpectedly, Seo Ji-woo…

“You’re saying I need to do well? Or you’ll be in trouble?”

“More than ‘trouble.’ I’ve sunk over 30 million won into this concert.”

“Hmm… really…?”

Seo Ji-woo felt a thrill. Hayoon, her beautiful, busty friend, was watching her anxiously, desperate for her to succeed.

“Hayoon needs me! I have to do this!”

She felt a surge of motivation.

After being stuck in a cycle of envy and self-doubt, she finally had a chance to prove her worth to Hayoon.

“You can count on me!”

She would perfect “Bright Night” by the concert.

Day 1 of recording.

Seo Ji-woo’s performance wasn’t perfect, but she steadily improved with each take.

“Good work, Ji-woo. Let’s keep this momentum. We have over a month. Take care of your throat, don’t push yourself too hard, and no screaming, even if you feel like it.”

Seo Ji-woo was undoubtedly Trinity’s main vocalist. Hayoon was grateful she had recruited Lucy.

“Want some honey water for your throat?”

“Nah, I’m good.”

“A drink, then?”

“Really, I’m fine. What’s with you?”

“Just proud of your progress.”

Hayoon, as a reward, began grooming Seo Ji-woo.

“Haha, ‘proud’… You think I enjoy this? Hee hee…”

Seo Ji-woo, clearly enjoying the attention, couldn’t stop smiling.

Her mood swings were easily triggered, but not extreme.

She appreciated praise, especially now, when she wasn’t being triggered by Hayoon’s physique.

“I would have practiced hard anyway. I’m a professional. Professionals always give their best!”

“Of course. I knew you would. You’re a pro.”

“Hehehe…”

Hayoon, understanding how to handle Seo Ji-woo, played along, continuing the grooming.

‘Why… is everyone around me like this?’

They were all so responsive to praise and affection. Seo Ji-woo’s mood swings were more pronounced, but…

“Ji-woo, I’m really counting on you.”

“I know, I know. I’ll do well, just stop already.”

Hayoon was learning how to manage Seo Ji-woo.

She felt a surge of excitement, anticipating their year-end performance.

The day after Seo Ji-woo’s first recording session, Hayoon went to the studio with Baek-seol.

“Looking forward to working with you again, CEO.”

“Let’s get started.”

“Baek-seol, you can go in the booth.”

“Okay.”

Baek-seol’s song was “Poison Apple,” themed around Snow White’s poisoned apple. It followed a typical J-Pop melody but with Korean lyrics, taking advantage of the creative freedom offered by their native language.

“It’s right there, within my grasp!”

Baek-seol delivered the lyrics with power.

“Sweet, crimson fruit, a fatal temptation.”

“Hmm…”

Hearing J-Pop-style lyrics in Korean felt a bit cringeworthy, like a musical, but it was too late to change them.

Hayoon made a mental note to improve the localization next time and focused on Baek-seol’s strong vocals.

“She’s good. Lacks a bit of technique, but she’s got powerful lungs.”

Baek-seol’s performance impressed the studio owner.

“But the lyrics… are these really okay? The song’s great, but the lyrics… the more I think about them…”

The lyrics of “Poison Apple” were a barrier to entry for the average listener. Hayoon decided to make Baek-seol’s next song more accessible.

“Good work!”

“You too. You can go, Baek-seol.”

“Okay.”

Baek-seol’s first recording was a success. However, on the third day, during Jo A-yeong’s first recording…

“Hmm…”

“Hmm…”

Red flags.

“Was it… that bad…?”

This could be a serious problem.