Chapter 99
I was currently facing a huge dilemma.
“Hmm… The company’s equipment isn’t as trashy as I thought. It might actually be suitable as the starting line to showcase my genius.”
“….”
“If the treatment is reasonable, it might not be bad to temporarily entrust my body here. You should consider it good luck. I’m going to become a producer who surpasses James Oh in the future.”
It was because the plagiarism composer, Oh Jin-woo, who had smacked me in the back of the head in the previous episodes, had shown up on his own wanting to join TwoBear.
…Seriously, why this punk?
While he was exploring TwoBear’s sound room, Cheon Aram, having caught a whiff of his scent, whispered to me.
“There’s a bit of a smell, and it’s not a positive vibe. Honestly, I’d rather not take him in, but if Team Leader Seon thinks it’s okay, I’ll accept it. I feel like I could endure the smell. The producing team isn’t a department where I have to see him as often as Team Leader Seon.”
It seems even Cheon Aram couldn’t pass the smell test.
Then again, considering the personality of someone who plagiated and didn’t even have the decency to cover it up, it was strange to expect a passing grade in the smell evaluation.
“If it smells, you can just refuse.”
“Still, he’s a friend that Team Leader Seon said has talent, so we should compromise as much as possible. I know it’s excessive to expect a talented producer to have a good personality. How many cases have both supreme skill and character? …That’s why I honestly wished Team Leader Seon had studied producing; do you have any thoughts about it now?”
“I don’t want to leave the fate of Gyeoul, Gaeul, and Yeoreum in the hands of an amateur like me.”
Cheon Aram shook her head firmly.
“I think Team Leader Seon has talent. He won’t just remain an amateur.”
“Thanks for the high praise. But I can’t produce the best quality right from the first at-bat. I think the person responsible for producing should be someone who can show their best right now.”
“…Yeah, no kidding. Team Leader Seon is already doing so much. We need to compromise. That’s what a businessman does.”
She quietly said while watching Oh Jin-woo handling the equipment skillfully.
“And after hearing the samples, it did seem like he had skills.”
“…That’s true.”
Indeed. It was clear that the punk was rude and had a terrible personality, but there was no doubt about his abilities.
It was clear that something had burst, but it was certain that there was talent involved.
Later, after establishing a personal studio and becoming a heavyweight producer raking in money, that talent became evident.
Considering that skilled producers are all overflowing with pride and avoid newcomers that don’t match their reputation, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that Oh Jin-woo was an A-class asset for TwoBear.
“Moreover, that guy. He’s the one recommended by James Oh, right? Given his sincerity, it would be difficult to just dismiss him.”
“Exactly. If we refuse without a rational reason, it would make him uncomfortable, especially since he kindly introduced someone knowing that we lack proper producing personnel. He mentioned we could comfortably decline, but human feelings don’t always work that way.”
Indeed. The reason the plagiarism composer Oh Jin-woo suddenly joined our TwoBear was because he was connected through James Oh’s recommendation.
While having a drink together, I expressed my concerns about getting a producer, and he offered a solution by saying he would introduce a capable person.
That was how Oh Jin-woo, the plagiarism composer known for his sharp backstabbing, ended up here.
Of course, James Oh’s introduction was out of pure goodwill. That made it even more awkward. Because right now, Oh Jin-woo was just a talented and promising producer without any history of plagiarism, making it challenging to find a reason to refuse him.
…And truthfully, if I keep a strong awareness and check for plagiarism, I could still make use of him.
I know exactly how copyright issues arise and where the risks lie since I’ve been through legal battles about it. If I can nip any potential problems in the bud, the plagiarism controversy would disappear. Yet, I still felt hesitant psychologically.
“I’ll leave this to Team Leader Seon’s judgment this time. I don’t think I can make a proper decision because of the smell.”
“…Understood. I will choose what’s best for the company.”
As I finished consulting with Cheon Aram, Oh Jin-woo exited the soundproof booth after checking out the studio.
“Well, there are some basics here. It was somewhat decent. But there are definitely things that need to be added.”
…Huh? Cheon Aram had equipped the facility with top-notch everything already?
I’ve used it for Gyeoul’s arrangement when we did ‘Drop the Beat,’ and it was good. What could possibly be missing?
I thought we should discuss any deficiencies for improvement and asked.
“What do you think is lacking?”
Oh Jin-woo spoke without hesitation, as if he had already thought this through.
“First of all, I usually don’t skip breakfast, so there should at least be a brunch with fresh fruits. And you might not know this, but there’s something called a Sleep Pod. It’s a capsule for comfortable sleep, and I think we should get one. Plus, there’s a cocktail bar system, which wouldn’t hurt. After all, inspiration can sometimes pop up with just a little alcohol.”
…Is this guy for real?
I silently looked at Cheon Aram’s face. She seemed to be wrinkling her expression in confusion as well.
Maybe Oh Jin-woo’s smell was a bit strong; I found myself subconsciously adjusting my nose.
Still, Cheon Aram nodded once as if she believed in me, but didn’t add anything about Oh Jin-woo’s demands.
Seeing that, I felt certain. There was no way she’d endure this nonsense just to recruit Oh Jin-woo.
Well, I might as well put in a little more legwork.
I may have just graduated high school, but I had a promise to join SS.
…Of course, I never actually got in.
Anyway, with my knowledge from regression and the status window, recruiting an A-class producer like Oh Jin-woo wasn’t beyond my capabilities.
Even if I had to struggle, there’s no way I’m working with that ungrateful jerk twice.
I gathered my thoughts and spoke.
“I’m afraid it’s difficult to accommodate such requests from composer Oh Jin-woo.”
Oh Jin-woo’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he replied.
“Hmm…, do you think this is an excessive demand? I’m the one who graduated at the top of the Valiz Music School and won the blind audition test at BH, you know?”
Sure, his credentials are impressive. And he’s got the skills to match.
“I’m not denying composer Oh Jin-woo’s excellence. You don’t even need to mention your credentials; just listening to one of the samples you’ve sent makes it clear how remarkable your talent and skills are.”
But half of that stuff is plagiarized, isn’t it?
“However, I believe that our agency, TwoBear, is lacking in the ability to support someone with your potential, composer Oh Jin-woo. If you remember that we are just a small company with a few groups, it should be easier to understand.”
“…Well, in that case, I would have less to do at such a company. It might take a few months just to make a mini-album and face a long hiatus.”
“Moreover, to be frank, we’re short on funds. The project we’re currently working on is also a small-scale one that fits our limited budget. I suspect we might only be satisfied with releasing a digital album.”
“I’m not sure if just releasing a digital album would be enough.”
At my mention of lacking funds, Cheon Aram tilted her head in confusion. It seemed she found my statement questionable.
Well, considering Cheon Aram is gathering investors and TwoBear has received massive support from Jinkang, saying we’re short on funds did sound questionable.
Objectively, it’s true that we have a lot of money… but there’s no budget to give Oh Jin-woo.
There’s no way I’m watching that guy get my money without blinking.
“Hey, SlipPod? You can’t even afford a comfy bed!”
“So, rather than a fledgling agency like us with both funding and personnel shortages, it seems a sturdier vessel is needed to really draw out composer Oh Jin-woo’s talent.”
Oh Jin-woo nodded along, seemingly convinced by my flattery.
“Hmm… keep talking.”
“By the way, I happen to know an agency starting a large project that is looking for a young, talented new face producer. Of course, they have plenty of funds. You would definitely get the treatment you desire there.”
Even if James Oh introduced them, since we’re short on resources and they offer better treatment, it shouldn’t cause much backlash.
Although, once Oh Jin-woo’s plagiarism is revealed, that company will be in a lot of trouble, but I had thoughts on that as well.
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to listen. What’s the name of that company?”
“Where are they located…?”
*
The next day, I summoned a man.
“So, what did you call me for?”
“Is your mouth too light?”
“…Did you call me?”
It was Ban Seong-cheol, the manager from Flower Entertainment.
“Remember our bet where you promised to help me out?”
“…Wasn’t that just a polite exchange?”
“You said it wasn’t enough and we should raise the stakes, didn’t you? Don’t you remember what you said?”
“…”
Seong-cheol’s lips protruded, clearly displeased. He looked like I could just smack him one.
“…You remember it has to be a reasonable favor, right?”
“Don’t worry, this is beneficial for you too.”
“And what’s that?”
With a cheerful smirk, I said,
“Hey, are you interested in an A-grade composer looking for a place to stay?”
Jin-woo, go to Flower and plagiarize to your heart’s content.
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