The head of the A&R team, Joo Woosik, sighed deeply while listening to the demo tracks.
“Ha-ah…”
‘If it weren’t for that jerk, I wouldn’t be going through this trouble…’
The trouble began a few days ago in the conference room.
It was a meeting set for the launch of Shock Entertainment’s new boy group, “Inus.”
Normally, such meetings would only involve the practical staff from the planning team, A&R team, visual direction team, etc., but today was different.
“Isn’t it better not to have a storyline?”
“Yes, given that it’s a survival debut group, songs that appeal to the public are definitely better.”
“That’s right. A good storyline helps secure a fandom, but once you gain popularity, nothing beats public appeal.”
However, the board members unusually attended that day.
The higher-ups were showing significant interest in the new boy group from the start.
“A storyline? Don’t most other boy groups include one?”
“Yes, that’s true, but most of those groups are self-produced idols, which is why they have that vibe.”
And as expected, a board member forcefully made his point.
“Hmm… Really? Speaking of which, isn’t there a friend among the debuting members who can produce? How about working with that friend? They can help out on the side, right?”
“Yes, of course, we could collaborate with composers, but we’ve scheduled the debut for early November. As we’re running short on time, it seems difficult this time.”
“No, no. Just postpone the debut to late November. Why do other boy groups succeed? We need to learn from them. What do you think? Okay?”
This company always talks about eliminating hierarchy and fostering a horizontal atmosphere, and they always end up like this.
“…Okay, understood. Then let’s arrange a meeting with the Inus members and set things up anew…”
Of course, the board member’s point wasn’t entirely wrong.
Having a storyline would allow female fans to immerse themselves better.
Although there would be some loss in public appeal, this is merely a matter of direction.
However, they would have to choose and rearrange the songs to match the newly crafted storyline and concept, which would get a bit annoying.
‘Still, since the debut is a single album, two songs should be fine…’
However, the board member’s commentary didn’t stop there.
The planning team began wrap-up discussions.
“Then let’s also postpone the showcase schedule to match the debut.”
“Ah, the showcase, the showcase… One moment.”
The board member hesitated at the planning team’s leader’s comment before snapping their fingers confidently.
“Isn’t the showcase too common now? How about we go for a show concert instead? Let’s do it at the Gocheok Sky Dome.”
It was a suggestion to have a debut concert.
“A concert?”
“Ah, is the Gocheok Sky Dome too big? The LE staff predicts that with a recognition level like Inus, we can definitely fill it.”
“No, we could fill the Gocheok Sky Dome…”
If it’s just for one day, it would definitely be filled.
The problem, however, isn’t the Gocheok Sky Dome.
The problem isn’t the Gocheok Dome.
“I think we might not have enough songs for the concert.”
A single album barely has two tracks. It’s just not enough to fill this concert.
“Well, we can just take songs from the survival show.”
“Even then, I think it’ll still be not enough.”
“Hmmm… is that so?”
After a moment of thought, the director flashed a smile and proposed a solution.
“Then let’s release a full album.”
“…Huh?”
And then the director quickly rattled off.
“Since the debut got delayed, we have time to prepare. We can pick the tracks quickly. If you don’t believe our A&R team who hit three jackpots in a row as Seven, then who will? Let’s all give it a cheer!”
‘I should just quit this company and find another job…’
“Got it…”
As a result, the A&R team found themselves picking songs after days and nights of endless meetings.
You could hear the sound of air escaping from a straw.
‘Guess I’ve finished my coffee…’
I pulled out my card and handed it to the youngest.
“Woo-ah, go out and get some coffee. Get one for yourself too.”
The youngest reluctantly stood up from her seat.
“Yes… iced Americano, right?”
“Yeah, an iced one. You can buy something expensive, so take your time. Clear your head a bit.”
“Yes…”
And as the youngest from the A&R team opened the door to leave, she jumped in surprise.
“Whoa, what a scare.”
“Ah, I didn’t spill it.”
It was a girl carrying a bunch of coffee and desserts.
“Hello~”
It was Do-hee, the youngest of Seven.
“Did you buy this for us? Why did you bring so much?”
I stood up to greet Do-hee and accepted the coffee and desserts.
“It’s essential for office workers~”
Just when we were running low on sweets and caffeine, her arrival was indeed a blessing.
Do-hee definitely has an adult-like maturity beyond her age. So polite too.
More than anything, her face is so well-mannered.
Thanks to that, the dim A&R meeting room suddenly felt bright.
“So, what are you doing here alone?”
If a member of Seven shows up at this time, it must be for something like…
“Oh, is it for the tour? Are you planning to use new songs in Yokohama?”
“No, that’s not it.”
If it’s not that… Oh, it’s almost the end of the year, isn’t it?
“Then the awards stage? It would be good to prepare early. But as you know, we’ve been really busy lately, so it might be tough right now. Wouldn’t it be okay to prepare after the tour?”
But it seems that even saying that wasn’t the right answer.
“What is it? Tell me.”
Do-hee hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke up.
“Actually… I want to move up the comeback a bit.”
“I actually want to move our comeback up a little.”
“Ah…”
The atmosphere in the meeting room, which had brightened with Do-hee, froze again.
*
“Did you get approval from above…?”
Of course, I did. From the executive, of course.
When I mentioned the album, he was very welcoming.
– An album? That’s great~ Let’s do it that way.
The basic first week sales would be at least a million copies.
The money-loving executive wouldn’t refuse.
“What about the members?”
For now, I nodded. What would we do if they don’t agree?
With a big sigh, the Team Leader began speaking gently.
“Do-hee, of course, I want to help you. Who wouldn’t want to help you here, right?”
That’s true. I’m definitely a magnet for goodwill.
“But this time, since Inus is debuting with a full album, most of the usable songs have gone to their album, so we don’t have anything that feels like a title track. They’ve pretty much swept the good songs!”
Wait a minute. Haven’t we not even had a full album yet?
“That said, can we prepare new songs… it’s tough. We just picked songs and are looking for arrangers and starting work… When would we even record?”
“Seven comes out with a weird song. We’re sad, the fans are sad, and you guys are sad too.”
“Oh, and our planning team and management might not even be able to keep up with your activities. We’re overall short-staffed…”
Well, I was kinda expecting this.
The company’s focus had been entirely on Inus.
So from the start…
“Then, Team Leader, could you pass me the list of the rejected songs?”
I had no intention of passing the work onto the A&R team.
*
I’ve always thought that people become the loosest and nicest when it’s meal time.
But it seems like that doesn’t quite apply when the issue is big.
– Cling clang
“Are we moving our activities up to next month?”
Hana Unni put her utensils down.
“Ah, Jeon Ha-rang will die. I’ll die. Kwon Hana and Do-hee will die under this tyranny. Aaaah.”
“…Ye-eun will die too! Kya.”
The two were throwing a tantrum on the sofa.
“Do-hee’s so cute that I’m dying…”
Hmm… true.
“Do-hee, I understand what you mean. But you know, we have to practice for our tour. We have new stages coming up right after the Tokyo tour begins.”
In the midst of this chaos, only Chae-rin Unni approached the situation calmly and logically.
“That’s fine. We can practice the new album after the tour ends. Of course it would be better to practice before that.”
“What about the year-end stage? We have to prepare for the awards ceremony. We’ll definitely win something. You know we can’t just wing that.”
“Um… we can do that after the tour.”
“Do-hee, this time we’re not just performing one song like last year. The stages will be more difficult than last year, and the preparation will take even longer.”
“The stage is going to be tougher than last year. The preparation process will take even longer.”
“Still, can’t we mix in some ballad covers…?”
Chaerin Unni let out a sigh.
“Well… let’s assume that’s true. What about the A&R team? They must be busy, will they help us?”
She took out her tablet and showed it sneakily.
“So… I’ve got the song list, and if we choose ourselves and make some tweaks…”
“Who? Us? It took us months to get our fan song done!”
“This time, if we collaborate with outside composers, it could go a bit faster. Both you and I might not be good at handling the program, but we have good ears for listening.”
Unni put the tablet aside and grabbed my cheeks.
“So what about you? Can you participate in composing and arranging while we’re on tour? It’s not like we have no schedules when we come to Korea. We have commercials to shoot and photoshoots to do. Speaking of which, don’t you have a personal ad coming up next week?”
“That’s why I asked Eunni to help a bit.”
I really have to cut down on my sleep.
I mean, really cut down.
“…Sigh, okay, I’ll let that slide. Living with you guys has definitely cut down my sleep a lot. That’s fine, it seems there’s a way. I’ll take this part for now though.”
Unni turned her head to look at the sofa.
“Ahhh!!! Jeon Harang is on the verge of assassination! I’m gonna die!!!”
“Ye-eun’s gonna die…!”
…Ah.
“I’ll do what Do-hee wants…!”
“Guys, our youngest is trying so hard for us to win an award together, right? Let’s do our best!”
It’s a relief that our leader, Hana Unni, is supporting us like this.
“Ugh!! Only 4 days off all year! Just kill me now!!”
“Guh…!”
The brat said to follow along quietly when she says so.
So we decided to go with a majority vote.
Just write yes or no on a note and put it in the box, and that’s it.
“Alright, let’s see.”
I took out the notes one by one.
– Yes!
Obviously Hana Unni’s handwriting.
– Yes.
Probably Chaerin Unni.
– Yes…(˶⸃ ⴰ⸃˶)♡
Hmm… this should be Sara Unni, right…?
– Yes. If you listen well to Do-hee, you’ll even get rice cakes in your dreams!
Phew, brainwashing worked!
– I surrender…
This is definitely Harang Unni.
– No.
What a lunatic.
I looked up at Kim Seo-yoon.
She doesn’t even seem to be trying to hide it.
“What, are you opposing for the sake of opposing? Are you jealous?”
Of course, I expected all the other members to agree, but…
That means I trust the members, but…
‘Am I running my happiness circuits too much?’
“Are you seriously opposing?”
“Hey. Bring it on.”
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