Chapter 75: The Smell of a Hit Song

As expected, maybe Lyricist Oh Jisoo was a greater figure than I knew.

I hadn’t even said much.

I had only mentioned her name.

But seeing Jeong Jaewook admire her this much said it all.

I had expected talk to arise over the lyrics issue, and I had prepared this as a kind of secret weapon. It was worth pushing for.

When I first proposed this project, Oh Jisoo did seem a little taken aback.

But unlike during ‘Ancora,’ this time she eventually agreed to collaborate.

And the result—well, as always, lived up to her name.

“Oh Jisoo…… kekek.”

He was so pleased he even choked on his own breath.

Well, I could understand that.

The reliable Oh Jisoo!

The fact that such a phrase was attached not to a composer but to a lyricist wasn’t just because she produced one masterpiece lyric after another.

“You worked with Oh Jisoo? Then…… the song must be solid.”

That was what CEO Kim Minsoo had said.

‘Oh Jisoo is like a bloodhound.’

She had a flawless nose for the scent of a hit song, or something like that.

“Ha, wow. That’s surprising.”

Why was he so shocked, really.

From Jeong Jaewook’s tone, he was probably hiding thoughts like, ‘Is Stay really on the level to be working with Oh Jisoo?’

I admitted it.

Stay. Sure, we were getting attention in the industry, but as rookies who had only released a few songs, our name value wasn’t that high yet.

She had always worked with well-established composers.

I too had gone through all sorts of twists and turns……

But in the end, it was only with the fourth song that I finally managed to work with Oh Jisoo.

I held out the water bottle on the table and said,

“Lyricist Oh Jisoo is truly someone I have a lot to learn from. It was a meaningful project.”

Then Jeong Jaewook calmly asked,

“Oh Jisoo, is she doing well?”

“Yes, that’s how she seemed.”

Couldn’t he just ask her directly?

At his level, wasn’t there no need for such bothersome ‘social pleasantries’?

“By the way, did she say who the song was for?”

“Of course.”

That was a given.

Oh Jisoo preferred songs with the performer already decided.

It was one of her strengths to write lyrics fitting the character.

Thanks to that, the lyrics were a perfect match for Signum’s image and the song’s narrative.

At least, that’s how I felt.

But for some reason, he still seemed doubtful.

Jeong Jaewook narrowed his eyes and began asking,

“You told her it was for Signum?”

“Yes. She even knew all the members’ names.”

“Really? That can’t be. Hm, are you close with Oh Jisoo?”

“I’ve met her often enough.”

“I used to be close with her too.”

Jeong Jaewook’s voice grew overly calm.

Used to be close……?

Ah, I was curious, but…… I didn’t bother to pry.

His expression was far too wistful for that.

His gaze quietly drifted off into space, like someone with a story to tell.

“She wrote the lyrics knowing it was a song you and Manny Entertainment were working on, right?”

“Yes. I told her it was a 2nd single for Manny Entertainment’s idol, and she fully understood. You don’t have to worry.”

Good grief, how frustrating.

I hadn’t thought he was this kind of person.

Why was he making me repeat the same thing?

After staring blankly into space for quite a while, Jeong Jaewook muttered under his breath.

“It’s been… a really long time.”

……What was that about.

Was he suddenly filming a drama?

Was he playing the role of a tragic male lead or something.

If I stayed any longer, I felt like even I’d get caught up in that strange mood.

Hurriedly, I set the USB down on the table and said,

“Please check the track and get back to me. Today was truly a pleasure. I’ll look forward to good news. Then.”

Leaving behind his sorrowful figure, I all but fled the room.

And then, a few days later.

“……Huh?”

It was only when I happened to search both their names that I realized,

I was able to confirm why Jeong Jaewook had stuttered like a broken machine.

What lay before my eyes was an article from a few years ago.

[Shocking! Lyricist Oh Jisoo, Producer Jeong Jaewook. 10-year secret relationship.]

[Manny Entertainment, exclusive contract with Oh Jisoo in jeopardy—‘red light’]

[Lyricist Oh Jisoo, ‘I don’t put personal feelings into my work…….’]

[Jeong Jaewook, breakup with Oh Jisoo…… what ripple effects will it bring to the entertainment industry?]

……So that’s what it was.

I had just turned myself into a clueless idiot.

It would be nice if everyone could separate work from their private life, but some people simply couldn’t.

Handling work professionally was a different matter altogether.

The human heart.

Especially when it came to matters entangled with love and jealousy, it easily clouded one’s judgment.

Jeong Jaewook was no exception.

Not because he was a pathetic man.

At the company, was I, the ever-strict and serious chairman, in truth just a clingy guy yearning for an old flame?

Of course not.

Still, it was suspicious how he and Oh Jisoo never once crossed paths.

As if someone had deliberately kept them apart. Though surely that couldn’t be the case.

“Hmmm……”

That had already been five years ago.

The meeting and breakup of a lyricist and a producer, who weren’t even celebrities. It was nothing more than trivial gossip.

Hardly anyone remembered it.

But in such a small industry, the fact they hadn’t run into each other even once was certainly strange.

One thing.

“Damn it, damn it.”

Taeyoon had proudly shown up with a song carrying Oh Jisoo’s lyrics.

Was that a coincidence? Or fate?

He couldn’t bear to listen to any song she had worked on.

Because…… her presence was all over the lyrics.

There was nothing heavier than peering into the inner thoughts of an ex-lover.

Of course, he didn’t show it to anyone.

He always acted the part of the cool-headed, intellectual chairman.

Thankfully, it seemed to be working well enough.

“Damn it, damn it, damn it.”

After cursing a hundred times over,

Jeong Jaewook only glared at the innocent USB.

Then, as if making up his mind, he picked it up, only to set it down again.

Picked it up, turned it over in his hand, then put it down once more.

“Phew……”

He was curious, yet couldn’t bring himself to listen.

It was work, but listening rashly would wound his pride.

Conflicted emotions clashed within him.

‘Why am I like this.’

He didn’t have the courage to listen alone.

And yet he wanted to hear it quickly.

Even saving up on indulgence had its limits. It was haunting his dreams.

What to do, what to do.

After struggling, the chairman unleashed his ultimate move: “employee summons.”

“Director Go, has our evaluation meeting for the new track been scheduled yet?”

Yes, it’s set for next Tuesday.

“Change the schedule. Make it Thursday.”

Understood. Then next Thursday……

“No, this Thursday.”

Pardon? If it’s this Thursday…… that’s today.

“Is that a problem?”

The equipment isn’t even set up yet, and we’d need to adjust the members’ schedules……

“Which is exactly what you’re adjusting right now, isn’t it?”

Uh……?

This was work. Urgent work.

What could possibly be more important than Signum’s 2nd single?

Whether it worked out or not, deciding quickly was better.

Just wait. Stay, Oh Jisoo.

Today, I’ll put you properly on trial.

……Or so he told himself, even as he barely managed to calm his racing heart.

“Whose song is it supposed to be?”

“Not sure. They said it’s blind.”

“What, all of a sudden?”

“Yeah, right? The chairman isn’t usually the type to suddenly call the staff together like this.”

Manny Entertainment’s A&R team was made up of three teams in total.

There were over twenty people, including the team leader.

It was a meeting personally convened by none other than the ‘Chairman’.

Everyone attended without a single absence.

“Manager Shin, you’re not late.”

“Huff, huff. I ran here. But… is today really a song personally brought by the Chairman?”

“If you just take wild guesses like usual, you’ll get caught for real this time.”

Everyone sat quietly, opening their tablets and holding their pencils, waiting for Jeong Jaewook.

Promotion and bonuses were at stake here!

It might have sounded exaggerated, but it wasn’t wrong.

The blind evaluation of new songs had long since become a test ground for promotions.

The so-called Greatest Prediction Contest!

A fierce battle with department store gift certificates on the line!

So, on test days, heated debates often broke out, reminiscent of a parliament session.

True to the blind test’s purpose, sometimes extra points were awarded if you guessed the composer.

There were even employees who simply read the room and quietly pocketed only the prize money.

But none of that mattered anymore.

Jeong Jaewook admitted it.

In this field, reading the room was part of survival.

“The Chairman is coming in.”

Jeong Jaewook appeared in the meeting room, wearing a friendly smile.

Even waving his hand.

He looked as composed as a four-term congressman.

Everyone stood up.

Employees bowed their heads at a 90-degree angle.

Their eyes all turned to one place.

Right at Jeong Jaewook’s fingertips.

As expected, he didn’t disappoint.

It was only natural to reward a boring meeting with compensation.

Once again, he was carrying a bundle of envelopes, each stamped with a big department store logo.

Placing the envelopes on the table for all to see, Jeong Jaewook opened his mouth.

“Ah, sit down, sit down. Make yourselves comfortable. I hope today’s really just a relaxed listening session.”

The Planning Director cautiously asked.

“Could you give us a hint?”

“Hey now, you’re a director. You shouldn’t be greedy for envelopes.”

A small laugh spread.

Though the meeting had started suddenly, nobody really disliked being there.

Because if it was a song brought by the Chairman, there was no way it would be something trivial.

“Today, I’ve prepared just one song.”

“What?”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Uhmm……”

“What. You wanted to complain—dragging busy people here for just one song?”

After a short pause, Jeong Jaewook continued.

“Today, I’m blind too.”

“The Chairman doesn’t know the credit either?”

“No, I know the credit. But I’ll be hearing the song for the first time today as well.”

“What?”

What on earth did that mean?

He brought in a song he hadn’t even listened to himself and gathered all the busy employees?

Good grief.

The Production Director barely held back the urge to smack his forehead.

It had to be one of two things.

Either a song by a composer on the level of the Busan Goblin.

Or he had listened but got confused and just pretended not to know.

Either way, one had to tread carefully.

Exchanging glances with the employees, the Production Director signaled the real beginning.

“Alright, let’s listen first. We’ll start with first impressions, then move on to detailed analysis.”

“……”

Everyone blinked blankly in disbelief.

Everyone sitting in the meeting room felt the same.

What on earth did we just listen to?

The song brought by the Chairman.

Could this even be called a song?

No. No, it was more.

A story, a shining narrative.

And……

“The bass comes in like this.”

“It’s funky but acoustic too. So it really can work.”

“Who’s the bassist here? This is insane.”

“Will our kids even be able to play this live?”

An outpouring of admiration for the bass!

As the murmurs died down for a moment.

When Jeong Jaewook gave a signal with his eyes, the youngest staff quickly replayed the track.

Even listening again, it was astonishing.

“A whistle……”

A refreshing whistling sound.

A calm pluck sound announced the beginning of the song.

Up to here, the development was somewhat predictable.

Easy listening? Or maybe a refreshing band track?

At this point, the electric guitar should come in with a jang-jang-jang—right?

Huh? Wait? Is this really happening?

But no, the song deliberately overturned everyone’s expectations.

“Wow, damn……”

“Shh!”

Chzzzz-

Right after a short scratch mixed with noise ended—

The bass made its presence known, illuminating the song.

Like a flash going off.

Light, bright, and lively.

Boom— boom-boom-boomboom—

A lively slap bass poured down like an avalanche.

Avalanche.

A clear keyword that enriched the song even more.

“That’s a good keyword.”

“What’s ‘Avalanche’?”

“A snow slide.”

“Wow, that keyword’s perfect. You can really feel it.”

A bright track.

And the marshmallow-like melody made the song even chewier.

On top of that came the hidden weapon!

The rhythm with syncopation brought out a natural sense of life.

Syncopation.

A rhythmic technique where stress is placed in unexpected positions.

Simply put, it arranged the rhythm ‘differently from expectation’, creating a unique feel.

When you listen to such songs, there are rhythms that make you nod your head and move your body without realizing.

This song was one of them.

Driven rhythmically forward with syncopation.

Fresh and intriguing.

The song built toward its climax.

“Isn’t this break just perfect?”

An intentional cut.

It wasn’t only in romance that push and pull existed.

It was just as important in music.

Maintaining tension, then right before the chorus, letting it go for a brief moment.

“Ah, the bass tone is just cheating……”

While everyone’s focus was on the beat, melody, and bass—

The youngest new hire was reading the song in a different direction.

‘These lyrics are cheating too, aren’t they?’

Lower, lower. Touch the ground.

It’s okay, this Bass, our Base.

The instrument’s bass.

The background’s base.

Same pronunciation, different meaning.

This style of lyric. It felt familiar.

Who was it again, who?

Ah!

The youngest staff snapped their fingers and, without realizing, shouted out loud.

“I know who wrote the lyrics!”

Flinch.

The senior next to him shuddered once and glanced around nervously.

It wasn’t only the youngest who noticed.

Everyone had already figured out who the lyricist was.

It was just…… nobody said it out loud.

The senior tugged lightly on his arm and whispered a plea.

“Assistant Manager Minseo. Let’s talk later……”

But regardless.

Excited, the youngest even waved his hand as he shouted to Jeong Jaewook.

“Answer! Lyrics by Oh Jisoo! Chairman! I got it right, didn’t I?”

Flinch.

The moment she spoke that forbidden name aloud.

Everyone gave awkward smiles and simply watched Jeong Jaewook’s reaction.

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