Chapter 185
In the meeting room filled with all of TwoBear’s employees, Cheon Aram asked, looking slightly perplexed.
“So what Team Leader Seon is saying is that we should change the main title song, which has already been mastered and even filmed for a music video?”
I concealed my nervousness and responded as calmly as possible.
“Not entirely. We’re just changing the direction. It’s not like we’re ignoring all the existing materials.”
“Even so, the fact that we have to rework completed products isn’t changing, right?”
That was a valid point.
What I was trying to do was indeed a tall order.
Since this is about changing the direction of the song, it falls under the realm of arrangement rather than just rewriting or reworking. However, it still means we’d have to revisit all the existing work, which wouldn’t change.
Moreover, we were already on a tight schedule with the impending return of Girl Revolution.
If we had more time, it might be a different story. But tinkering with the title under such a pressing timeline was no easy feat.
Despite being aware of all this, Cheon Aram tried to adapt to my opinion as best as she could.
“Sure, if the quality of the final product is an issue, then it makes sense to change it, even if it means delaying the return. Even if we have to pay penalties for the set schedule and promotional contracts, that’s the right move. But Team Leader Seon, do you really think the results are that terrible? …I might be ashamed to admit it as the CEO of the company, but I really don’t see it. The song, choreography, and visuals are all great, right? How could there be anything better?”
All the employees at TwoBear looked at me, unable to nod in agreement. They seemed to have the same doubts as Cheon Aram.
“I’d like to address that point as well.”
James Oh, the A&R team leader from TwoBear, opened his mouth to tackle Cheon Aram’s essential question.
“The title track that Team Leader Seon has produced, ‘I’ll Be By Your Side,’ boasts the highest degree of completeness. It features bold bass movements, string melodies, and a dramatic and unconventional harmony centered around dazzling and dreamy synths and bell sounds— all of which create a uniquely exceptional development. …I assure you, there are very few pop dance songs with this level of quality. This album from Girl Revolution will be a classic. Other composers will be dissecting and analyzing ‘I’ll Be By Your Side’ in an attempt to replicate it. That’s the caliber of this track.”
I smiled bitterly and said, “That’s because Composer James Oh helped out.”
“…Helped out you say?”
James Oh frowned at me.
“No! Please stop being so modest.”
And then, red-faced, he spoke with exaggerated emphasis.
“Why on earth, after coming this far and creating something incredible, are you still lacking confidence? Is there anything more I did besides tuning that snare drum sound a bit and figuring out how it sounds when played back during the mastering process? Even my little brother, while drinking on the job, does that!”
“Is there anything other than figuring out how it sounds when actually played during the mastering process? My younger brother does the same thing while downing drinks during work!”
“Hey… why are you bothering me when I’m just sitting here?”
Plagiarist composer Oh Jin-woo protested in frustration, but James Oh continued without even glancing at him.
“Have I ever spoken carelessly about the work? Did you think my evaluation of Team Leader Seon was just some kindness? Absolutely not! This song is complete. There’s no need to add anything or make any changes! This is the greatest achievement that composer Seon Taeyang will accomplish. When people hear this song, they’ll think of the life achievement that comes with that name!”
I shook my head.
“That’s it. This song is now Seon Taeyang’s.”
“What’s wrong with it being Seon Taeyang’s song!”
Isabella, who was nearby, tried to calm him down, but James Oh said nonchalantly.
“I noticed and understood that Team Leader Seon has been feeling down lately. I empathized with that. It must be due to anxiety and uncertainty about the work. It’s tough. That’s why I’ve kept telling you every chance I get, right? ‘This song is amazing. This song is going to hit. This song is the best!’ How many more times do I need to say it for that anxiety to go away? Have some confidence! I can shower you with compliments until you’re sick of them!”
“….”
It seems James Oh’s recent reactions have been particularly intense because of me.
I was being crushed under expectations, unconditional encouragement, and praise.
Seeing me like that, James Oh became even more actively complimentary.
He wanted me to have more confidence.
In the end, what was hidden between the lines was nothing but goodwill.
…Relationships between people are complicated.
“….”
I lowered my head deeply in front of him.
“I’m sorry.”
“No…, Team Leader Seon. You don’t need to apologize that much. I’m just….”
“No. It’s my fault for not properly recognizing your consideration, composer James Oh. I’m really sorry for disappointing you. And…”
I looked up and spoke earnestly.
“I’ll make you a bit more disappointed.”
“What?”
Amidst the gathered gazes, I asked Cheon Aram.
“President Cheon.”
Cheon Aram smiled lightly and replied calmly.
“Yes, Team Leader.”
“Whose song is ‘I’ll be by your side’?”
“That’s your song, Team Leader.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“…If it’s not composed and written by you, whose song is it then?”
With conviction and belief, I said.
“This song is from Girl Revolution.”
With those words, I played the revised version of ‘I’ll be by your side’ that I was able to complete yesterday with the children’s help.
She played the version.
“I had a dream you were in.”
It all started with Oh Yoori’s vocals.
“It wasn’t creepy, it was sweet.”
“Just, I cried. You were crying in the dream too.”
So cute, so adorable. So pretty.
The voice of a girl named Oh Yoori typically conjures up those kinds of images.
And because of her charming appeal, it helps form the image of her as the youngest in Oh Yoori’s circle, leading to the so-called obsessive fandom.
However, if you ask experts whether her voice is suitable for vocals, most would shake their heads.
They would comment that it’s a voice more suited for streams or entertainment shows.
That’s just because they hardly know Oh Yoori.
“So now, I’m going to sing this song.”
That girl knows how to act. Not just when she stands in front of the camera as an actress, but also in that moment when she’s singing.
She immerses herself. She gets sucked in. She merges with it.
And that transforms into overwhelming vocal appeal.
“To convey all the emotions I feel.”
Just like now.
“Play that exciting piano for me.”
Then came Yeoreum’s vocals.
“Feel free to bang the drums.”
“Don’t trap yourself in loneliness and solitude.”
Yeoreum’s voice is elegant.
It transcends mere beauty to evoke an intangible longing for sophistication.
If idols are said to sell fantasies, then she would be akin to the world’s greatest talent.
Yeoreum’s voice spreads out elegantly and nobly, as if it exists on another level.
“I’ll be by your side.”
“This stage isn’t just yours.”
So beautiful and captivating that anyone would be filled with admiration and want to follow.
“We’re going to dance to the moonlight along with the song.”
Next up was the voice of our main vocalist, Gaeul.
“It’s okay to shed tears at that time.”
“Until the night passes, and we move through dawn to welcome the morning.”
Her voice is overwhelmingly rich and powerful beyond comparison.
A small paragraph, a brief humming, those mere seconds are too much time to fall under the spell of Gaeul the witch.
What she needs now isn’t much.
And if she meets the right song, if she gets just one drop of experience added to her,
“I’ll be by your side, hold my hand.”
Her voice will surely one day be called one of the best vocals representing this country.
“I’ll be by your side.”
[This stage is not just for one person.]
And the grand finale was decorated by Gyeoul’s vocals.
[We'll dance under that sun to the song.]
[It's okay to shed tears at that time.]
Gyeoul’s voice is very clear and pure.
It’s so white that memories of trying to erase bad habits in front of Cheon Jong-hoon are barely recalled.
That pure whiteness is like a canvas that can paint anything.
Gyeoul learned and felt from countless emotions, experiences, and cherished memories she held dear.
And all the stories she piled up overflowed richly in her pure white voice.
[Until morning passes, noon comes, and night falls.]
Now, so that no one can forget her voice, loudly.
[I'll be by your side, please hold me tight.]
“‘….’”
And the song came to an end.
The staff, who shook their heads in response to my rude and reckless suggestion, fell silent as if they held their breaths.
In the silence of those who couldn’t find words, it was James Oh who first spoke up.
“…This stands out.”
He articulated his impression amid the gathered gazes.
“The existing rich and elegant strings, the groovy bass have all died. The finely tuned session and trap have buried their heads. Only the vocals that elevated the completeness have popped out without setting any limits. This is closer to lowering the existing completeness.”
“That’s right. It’s noticeable. Each vocal is too unique, and rather than all elements becoming one, they are overshadowing the song… So was it not good?”
“….”
Neither James Oh, Cheon Aram, Seo Soo-yeon, Lee Hyerin, Song Johan, Isabella, Seok Hyun-woo, Oh Jin-woo, Park Miso, Jo Narae, nor Seo Eunbyeol disagreed with that remark.
And from that sight, I gained conviction.
“What should come to mind when hearing this song isn’t the composer or the session, and definitely not the manager… What should come to mind when hearing this song is only Girl Revolution.”
My method might be different, but it’s not the wrong way.
“And to make them the main characters, to engrave the names of Gyeoul, Gaeul, Yeoreum, and Yuri into people’s minds…,”
“…”
“I think I need to change the song like this.”
Cheon Aram looked into my eyes, filled with conviction, and spoke to Seo Soo-yeon.
“…Soo-yeon, is it possible to reflect that opinion and make revisions with our remaining schedule?”
“It’s difficult. But if we pour money and manpower into it, nothing is impossible.”
At those words, Cheon Aram chuckled and said so easily.
“Then let’s do it.”
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