Episode 135
“The intro is great… No, it’s beyond great, it’s excellent. They said the composer is James Oh, and he’s certainly living up to his name.”
Choi Jung-woo had a stubborn belief that perfection in creative works didn’t exist.
Because of this, he often focused on finding negative points when reviewing, earning a notorious reputation among idol fans for his sharp criticisms. However, this time, he surprisingly gave a favorable review to Girl Revolution’s melody and sessions.
For good reason, as he couldn’t find any suitable criticisms for the song ‘traitor.’
That’s the quality that James Oh, one of the industry’s top names, brought to the table.
“But, just because the song is good doesn’t guarantee success. In the end, it all comes down to the charm of the idol. Sure, they can get popular, but if they want to rise as a one-hit wonder from a good song, they can’t do it without a proper fandom. And if you can’t make a fanbase, it’s like getting a death sentence as an idol… Ah, I hope this kid Taeyang does well in this company.”
Amidst such worries, the prelude came to an end, and the song finally began.
“Our Alliance, The Disappearance of Witnesses.”
What kicked it off was Han Gyeoul’s clear and pure vocals.
“Oh, not bad…”
“At the moment of confession, everything is already over.”
“On a vanished grave, a secret empire is built.”
“Empire?”
Only then did Choi Jung-woo realize what the main concept of Girl Revolution’s members’ outfits was.
Each member had undergone such a bold transformation that it was hard to recognize their original forms. Dressed in street fashion like crop tops and halter necks, he didn’t immediately catch onto it. However, various accessories like shaving, fringe epaulettes, and Sam Brown belts made it clear that the outfit concept was military-themed.
The bold colors might have seemed like excessive cosplay, but evidently, they invested quite a bit into their outfits, giving off a charming mix of street style and girlish allure.
“No need to make excuses, your betrayal is the only truth.”
“When we left bearing our sins, we already knew.”
“It’s already too late for regrets.”
And such outfits added harmony and charm to their performance, weaving together complex yet spectacular and stable choreography with each member showcasing their distinct colors through their captivating vocal lines.
“Definitely not bad. Vocals, dance, visuals, all of it… But doesn’t the song feel a bit fairytale-like? That’s not the best idea if we’re thinking about mass appeal.”
Having listened to and analyzed thousands of songs for critiques, this sense of alienation struck him uniquely, or perhaps freshly, as a positive feeling, but he also recognized that it was far from a typical mainstream song.
It came with a positive vibe, but I was also aware that this was far from your typical popular track.
“This is a rebellion that should be forgotten.”
“Did the track change?”
As if sensing his worries, the song shifted dramatically.
“Oh traitor, you who deceive me.”
“Empty promises, we’ve become sinners.”
“At the end of this song, we are traitors.”
Not only the track had changed. The choreography, which had mostly shown groovy moves, and the session that felt solidly built on a deep bass, had turned rougher and more addictive.
The color of the song, worthy of being called the killing part by anyone, was vividly shining.
“Tears flow when I call your name.”
“I won’t break up, because I loved only you.”
“Our memories buried in darkness.”
“The words I loved you, make me feel like I’m all alone.”
A smoothly crossing minor scale melody over a well-blended pizzicato, with the members’ chorus riding on a rich bass trap beat, dragged the song through a torment yet enchanting experience.
“Oh traitor, you who deceive me.”
“Empty promises, we’ve become sinners.”
And once again, in the returning highlight, Yoo Gaeul’s vocals, deserving of being called genius, burst forth clearly for the first time in this song.
“At the end of this song, we are traitors.”
“‘….’”
Everyone had laid their hands off their fan and typing boards, staring in a daze at her overwhelming talent.
“Yes, that was the Girl Revolution’s ‘Traitor.’”
The song, feeling like a fleeting moment, came to a stop, and as we regained our senses, their stage had ended.
Choi Jeongwoo clapped unconsciously.
Typically, at these press showcase events, even if the idols presented high-quality music videos, teasers, or showcased their cute skills, the place was filled only with the sound of camera shutters and keyboard clatter, without any response or engagement.
Moreover, even if they showed a passionate stage, there would be no applause. Unless it was one of the major broadcasting companies where the reporters had to be cautious of the singers, that is.
But, contrary to this perception, the showcase hall was filled with the sound of applause from the reporters after the stage ended.
With excitement and a flushed face, a junior asked Choi Jeongwoo.
“How did you see Jungwoo, senior?”
At the question from a junior, Choi Jungwoo clicked his tongue and summarized.
“These kids are definitely going to blow up, right?”
*
“…I think the producer’s package has arrived.”
Yoon Seo-ah, a member of Alcest who only had a little time left until their official debut, cautiously said to Cheon Jong-hoon, the main producer of SS.
Checking the package handed to him and receiving it a bit roughly, Cheon Jong-hoon said emotionlessly.
“Seo-ah, do you have time for this? Have you completed all the personal training listed in the schedule?”
Under the sudden pressure from Cheon Jong-hoon, Seo-ah confidently replied.
“Yes! I came in two hours early this morning and finished everything already.”
“Then go do one more cycle on top of that.”
“Yes! Understood!”
Sighing as he watched Seo-ah quickly take off her training shirt tied around her waist to start training, Cheon Jong-hoon added.
“Exclude vocal training. Right now, managing your voice is very important.”
Hearing that, Seo-ah smiled brightly and responded again.
“Okay, got it!”
Leaving an energetic reply, Seo-ah disappeared from the scene for additional training.
“…I still don’t know if making that kid part of Alcest was the right choice.”
Lily, Coco, Amy, Yoon Jeong, and lastly Han Gyeoul. That was the image of the five-member Alcest that Cheon Jong-hoon envisioned. However, due to a series of events led by Seon Taeyang, that plan was scrapped. He had to give up on Han Gyeoul, whom he had taken a liking to.
Before going through that incident, Cheon Jong-hoon would have rather changed Alcest into a four-member group, but feeling distrust toward managing the existing four members, he brought in Yoon Seo-ah, who scored highest in personality and sociability among the trainees, as the fifth member. Even if it was somewhat different from the color he had wanted for Alcest.
“Since it’s already decided, there’s nothing I can do. It doesn’t seem like it’s ineffective either.”
Like the expectations Yoon Seo-ah had from SS, she became the leader of the team, stabilizing the exclusive and unstable Lily, Coco, Amy, and Yoon Jeong. At least in that aspect, Cheon Jong-hoon was satisfied.
Moreover, she had already completed recording, filming, and choreography as part of the group. It would be hard for even the main producer to get the team’s consent to remove her now. So, he had already thought about whether she fit into Alcest. It would be pointless to dwell on it.
Cheon Jong-hoon chose to clear those thoughts and focus on the package.
He entered the office and carefully opened the package.
He entered the office and carefully opened the delivery package.
And there it was, the first album of Girl Revolution, sold through TwoBear’s pre-order, displaying its glory.
“…They really put effort into the package design.”
Cheon Jong-hoon slowly admired the album as if he were analyzing it.
Anyone would have tilted their head in confusion at the producer of a girl group about to debut in less than a week, spending time analyzing another girl group’s album.
After all, leisurely analyzing and appreciating another girl group’s album was far from what he was supposed to be doing right now.
“…This isn’t me blurring the line between public and private. I need to understand my enemies to respond appropriately. It’s something I should do as a producer, taking responsibility.”
However, Cheon Jong-hoon continued to justify himself even though no one was listening.
“For now, there’s nothing wrong with the composition or design.”
To be honest, it was a luxurious composition and design that made one doubt if they were actually trying to make money, but arrogant Cheon Jong-hoon expressed it more delicately.
Skipping over the tracklist, Cheon Jong-hoon finished his appreciation of the package, took out the CD, and carefully placed it on the high-end player. He then hit play.
As the included songs played, it was true that they were created under James Oh’s lead; not just the title but all four tracks had the quality worthy of any other idol’s title, enough that they could bow down and accept it. Indeed, his reputation was well-deserved. The levels of mixing were on point, with the lively vocals of main vocalist Gaeul and the other members of Girl Revolution captured beautifully.
Yet, Cheon Jong-hoon felt disappointment.
‘…Wait, why am I disappointed?’
Suddenly struck by that feeling while listening to the fourth track, Cheon Jong-hoon paused the song and continued his thoughts.
‘It’s true that I don’t like James Oh’s work. He’s not making music; he’s trying to create art. That approach collapses easily as soon as inspiration runs dry. But I can’t deny that the quality of those songs is top-notch. There shouldn’t be any reason for me to be disappointed… So why am I feeling this way?’
Feeling puzzled, Cheon Jong-hoon hit play again. And just as the fourth track finished and information about the fifth track popped up, he realized why he felt disappointed.
Track 05 Albatross – Play time 02:58. Composed by Seon Taeyang, Lyrics by Seon Taeyang.
“…Ha, ha, right, you can’t not be in this.”
Cheon Jong-hoon had been waiting for that name.
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