ALL NOVEL Chapter 33
An underground workshop in Gangnam.
From the weekend morning, Hyeon-su had been holed up in the workshop finishing up an album when a man approached him.
“Hey, Hyeon-su, are you expecting someone today?”
“Yeah, they should be arriving soon.”
The tall man with messy long hair tied back was Kang-hyeok, the owner of the guitar that Soo-hyun had played last time.
“I checked out what you told me about, and it was amazing!”
“Really?”
Kang-hyeok plopped down on the sofa behind Hyeon-su’s PC.
“Wow, those comments are something else!”
Kang-hyeok had come to the workshop because Hyeon-su mentioned someone would talk about the album cover tomorrow, and he was worried that this person might say unnecessary things to Hyeon-su. That’s why he came to the empty workshop on the weekend instead of lounging around at home.
“Well, they were recommended by someone trustworthy.”
“Trustworthy? Is that the woman who’s featuring?”
“Yeah, she seems like a nice person.”
“Kang Ah-young said she’s incredibly pretty. I should have come to the workshop earlier that day.”
“Haha, yeah.”
After Hyeon-su arrived, Kang Ah-young had been boasting loudly about his looks to the other crew members in the workshop, even refusing to show the photo they had taken at that time just to tease them.
“Is she really that pretty? Which celebrity does she resemble?”
“Um… I don’t really know celebrities, so I can’t say who she looks like. But she really seems like a celebrity.”
“Is it that impressive? You’re pretty good-looking too.”
“Haha…”
Kang-hyeok hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but after hearing Ah-young bragging repeatedly, he couldn’t help but feel curious.
“Geez… why does she have to make people curious about others?”
Just then, someone knocked on the workshop door.
“Oh, did I lock it? I’ll check.”
Being considerate of Hyeon-su, who was busy working, Kang-hyeok stood up to open the door. Curious about the person that Soo-hyun recommended and sent, Hyeon-su also got up late and followed Kang-hyeok.
“Yes, I’m coming out!”
The door swung open to reveal a woman wearing a hat pulled down low and a black mask.
With long legs and a large guitar bag slung over her shoulder, she pushed her hat slightly up to glance at the man in front and then at Hyeon-su.
“Nice to meet you. I’ve come regarding the album cover.”
Giving a nod to signal Hyeon-su to pretend he didn’t recognize her, Hyeon-su was already taken aback.
“Oh! You’re the one who said you’d come today, please come in!”
Surprisingly, Kang-hyeok, who was meeting her for the first time, was more composed than Hyeon-su, who was still processing the situation.
“I didn’t expect someone this beautiful!”
So Hyeon-su warmly welcomed Soo-hyun inside, while he himself was still trying to comprehend what was happening, following her into the room.
“Uh, this is Slim Gold…”
As Soo-hyun said that and trailed off, Kang-hyeok immediately pointed to Hyeon-su.
“This guy is Slim Gold! Young, right?”
“Ah, nice to meet you!”
“Ah… um, yes…”
Since Hyeon-su greeted her as if it was their first encounter, he finally caught on to Soo-hyun’s act of pretending not to know him and decided to play along.
“Yes, um… it’s nice to meet you.”
“Shall we head inside?”
Being a broadcast professional, Hyeon-su thought she seemed playful, so he followed her as she led the way into the inner part of the workshop.
***
Originally, I had planned to surprise them right as I walked in.
However, since Kang-hyeok, the owner of the guitar I used last time, didn’t seem to remember me at all, I decided to play a little prank.
Miro and Kim Soo-hyun might differ just like Soo-hyun and KSH, you know?
What’s more, Hyeon-su didn’t expect I would show up even after seeing my Bluebird ID.
Though inadvertently, my prank would become a good memory.
That said, I had to get down to business.
I placed the guitar case down and took out a notebook and some pens.
“By the way, why did you bring a guitar?”
At that moment, as I set down the guitar case, Kang-hyeok asked me.
I had wanted to learn a bit since Ah-young was around… but since she wasn’t, I just muttered whatever.
“Just, I’m interested, and it helps with the imagery.”
“Oh… I see…”
Kang-hyeok seemed satisfied with the answer and stepped back for a moment.
He probably didn’t want to disturb the work, which I appreciated.
“So, can you tell me how you’d like to produce the album?”
“Um… just a moment.”
Hyeon-su looked unsure whether I had come to work or to mess around, but eventually, he seemed to decide to move forward and started explaining about his album.
“The title of my album will be ‘Fantasy’…”
And so, Hyeon-su began explaining the album from start to finish, and I was impressed by how tightly it was put together.
“So, we could totally arrange it that way?”
“Yes, the feeling should be about that mysterious boundary between fantasy and reality…”
Hyeon-su, who had a hard time ordering feedback for a song, seemed to have a clear image this time, thankfully.
It seems the experience from the Wonderland project helped him in situations like this.
Following the image I had in mind, I lightly sketched in the notebook.
“Is this the kind of vibe you’re going for?”
In the notebook, on one side of a central boundary line was a calm-looking boy drawn in a realistic style, while the other side featured a fairy-tale styled character.
Appropriately, in the background where the fairy-tale character stood, musical notes floated around, whereas the actual boy’s surroundings included floating notebooks and pens.
“Uh… yes, that’s it… exactly that feeling…”
Hyeon-su alternately gazed at the quick sketch I provided and me, nodding with a perplexed expression.
“Do you like it?”
Though it was just a sketch, my drawing effectively conveyed the intended feeling.
“Yes… I think it’ll come out just as I wanted when it’s completed.”
“Then shall we contract?”
This feels like an audition now. Typically, such an arrangement doesn’t happen, but think about it—this is a good opportunity to gain through someone I know, right?
If Hyeon-su becomes famous later on, my career will also rise with it.
I don’t plan on quitting broadcasting, but having some side income wouldn’t hurt.
“Yes, then… thank you in advance.”
“Yes, thank you.”
And just like that, we wrapped up the contract. Things might get busier, but soon my bank account will have some extra digits in it!
“Uh, I…”
Just as I was about to get up, Hyeon-su glanced around to make sure Kang-hyeok was gone and approached me cautiously.
“I need to put a name on the Wonderland song; how should we do it? Are you registered on any music sites?”
“Oh, a name?”
Just my name, Kim Soo-hyun, should be fine, right?
But I wondered if there would be more opportunities to sing under the name Kim Soo-hyun in the future.
“I haven’t registered yet.”
“Then…”
“Just list me as part-time help.”
Well, I could register if necessary, but if it’s just this one time, do I really need to use my real name?
“Excuse me?”
Hyeon-su looked perplexed at the suggestion to list me as part-time help, but I was serious—it’s not like I plan to build a career as a singer under the name Kim Soo-hyun.
“Oh, but for the album cover, I’ll need to use your real name.”
While the featuring part is just me helping out, the album cover is different; that’s my artwork career.
“Sure, but… I really didn’t expect it to be you.”
“Did you think I was joking?”
“Not at all.”
“Don’t underestimate people! Well, I’ll be going.”
With that, I finished the conversation and headed out of the workshop.
Now that I think about it, I had some questions regarding the guitar… I guess I’ll just have to ask Ah-young over text.
Later, as I left the workshop and walked home, feeling the scorching sun, I wondered if it was a mistake to bring the heavy guitar with me, when suddenly, my phone rang.
“Hello?”
[Good afternoon, Miro-nim.]
As expected, it was my manager.
Well, when I get calls on my phone, it’s usually either Hyejeong or my manager.
“What’s going on?”
[Are you available to talk?]
“I am.”
It was tough under the hot sun, but it’s doable.
[Actually, I’m collecting opinions from the members regarding the upcoming single.]
“Opinions?”
[Yes, remember I mentioned we’d actively consider the members’ opinions this time? I’m planning to take ideas from the initial planning stage.]
“Wow, this time it’s different?”
It’s definitely a level up compared to the last time when they just layered voices on completed songs.
To think they’d be asking for ideas from the very beginning like this.
[Exactly. So, do you have anything specific in mind for the song? You don’t have to say it right away; this is just to give it some thought.]
“Oh, but you’d prefer it quickly, right?”
[Haha… well, it would be more convenient with the schedule, yes?]
“I’m glad to hear that. Two ideas just came to me.”
I blessedly came up with something right away while the manager seemed eager to handle things swiftly.
[What are they?]
“First, individuality.”
[Individuality?]
“Yeah, I played the last song for a friend, and they mentioned that the members’ individuality didn’t come through enough. So I had it in mind to mention that.”
This was what Hyeon-su had said. Gathering people with different styles and lives into one and having a sound that felt too manufactured, wasn’t it?
[Okay, I’ve noted that. And the second?]
“Actually, the second just popped into my head right now…”
[That’s perfectly fine. Any idea is welcomed.]
Wiping off the sweat rolling down my forehead, I looked up at the sky.
Honestly, it’s still not even mid-summer yet, but the blazing sun was already making me sweat just by walking.
“I hope for refreshment.”
[Excuse me?]
“I feel like we should release a song that matches the season since it’s so hot right now.”
“Those are the two ideas for now.”
[Alright, I see.]
And just like that, I casually shared my thoughts on the spur of the moment without knowing what results would come from it.