Chapter 406
Receiving a list of music programs doesn’t mean I can immediately appear on the show.
First, the tracks that have been recorded need to be properly completed.
Is a track considered complete just because it’s been recorded and mixed somewhere?
Now there’s also the music video to prepare and a ton of other things to do.
Honestly, the part I’m most worried about is the music video.
How are we going to shoot this?
Given the nature of the track, I had some concerns that creating the music video would be challenging…
“Here, take this.”
While I was lost in thought, the composer handed me a piece of paper.
“What’s this…?”
“Do you think you can complete the full track within the deadline?”
What was on the paper was the score.
And it’s the guitar arrangement for the new song.
“For the music video, please do a magic show.”
“…Me?”
“I prefer this to a grand music video.”
It seems the composer is thinking of shooting the music video similar to the last turning point, focusing on the artist’s performance…
In other words, it would be no different than saying our music video will force either the guitarist or the singer to do a one-man show.
But what can I do?
“…I’ll give it a try.”
If I’m asked, I’ll have to comply…
It’s not like they’re just trying to get me to practice guitar under the guise of a music video.
Anyway, this event marked the beginning of my serious guitar practice.
That evening, without hesitation, I purchased a new guitar.
What good is earning money if you don’t spend it on things like this?
I searched through various communities and even asked Kang-hyeok, the guitarist from Hyeon-su’s band through Ah-young, to help me find the best guitar.
“Ho ho.”
“That’s…
“Oh, I bought it for the music video.”
“Is that so?”
“Hmm, what do you think?”
With the newly arrived guitar in hand, I hopped into the car to head to my next schedule.
It’s modern yet carries a subtle elegance, and as a renowned brand, it’s not just visually impressive, the sound quality itself is acclaimed. I discreetly showed it off to Park Kang-seok.
“Oh, uh… So, are you going to play guitar in the car now?”
But Park Kang-seok replied in a rather hesitant manner.
This guy? Even after seeing this fantastic guitar, he’s worried about me playing it in the car?!
“I’ll be singing while I play, you know?”
“Yeah?”
“Let me play you a song.”
So, the place where I practiced the most was, not surprisingly, in the moving vehicle.
Since the filming studio and my house were quite a distance apart, travel times were long.
Practicing guitar turned into a wonderful way to kill time.
Besides, practicing in the car meant no worries about noise, right?
After all, we’re just passing through.
Though of course…
“How’s the guitar sound?”
“Uh… Good.”
One person might be suffering… But I should treat him to a hearty Hanwoo set later.
As a manager, he has to listen to this artist’s performance, right?
“…Is there only one song you’re practicing?”
“Yeah, it’s the new song I mentioned earlier. It’s a good song, isn’t it?”
“….”
Anyway, I was practicing non-stop in the car.
Upon arriving at the studio, I continued filming.
Of course, I didn’t bring the guitar with me to the filming location.
I left it in the car while working, and practiced it again during the travel time.
And when I got home….
“Go practice your guitar in that quiet room!”
“Ugh, okay….”
Now, I was pitifully practicing in the soundproof booth, tired of Mrs. Jang’s scolding.
Since this was the new song, I had to practice alone tirelessly so as not to appear on broadcast….
“Hello.”
– Hey
– Are you practicing guitar again??
– Where’s the cam??
“Actually, I practiced guitar alone earlier, so today I’m just going to play a game.”
– ???
– Me
– Don’t overstep
– Rock
– This isn’t right
“Shall we give it a try?”
Before bed, I turned on the broadcast to enjoy some gaming days.
As I was diligently spending my days as a singer, actor, and Buhwang, the dates kept changing.
“I’m back.”
“Oh, you’re here?”
The day to showcase the results of my practice had finally come.
“Have you practiced a lot?”
“I’ve sharpened my skills quite a bit.”
Today was the fateful day.
The composer would schedule the music video based on my guitar skills, so I had to pass the inspection today.
Thus, I confidently presented the guitar I brought along to the composer.
“Looks good. I’m looking forward to it.”
I subtly turned the guitar so that the brand logo would be visible in front of the nodding composer.
“Shall we do a test now?”
As the composer headed to the table in the lobby to conduct the test, I offered him the guitar.
“…What is this?”
Only then did the composer glance down to look at the guitar.
“Hmm, don’t you have anything to say about the guitar?”
“Ah.”
Do I have to be this obvious?
I mean, aside from Park Kang-seok, isn’t the composer someone who works in music too?
Plus, I’ve heard he has some knowledge of guitars, so I believed he would recognize the value of this guitar.
“You bought a new guitar.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Your determination is commendable.”
“….”
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“…No.”
Well, as long as he doesn’t know, that’s fine.
I can use my good guitar without anyone else knowing.
Anyway, after that, we sat facing each other at the lobby table.
“Now I’ll begin.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
…But as I was about to start, despite practicing a lot, I felt a slight nervousness.
Still, I had to pass it smoothly for Park Kang-seok, who had been listening to the same song all day.
“Whew—”
So, I took a deep breath to compose myself.
Just as I was prepared to play the guitar properly—
Bee—zing!
The composer’s phone, which was on the table, rang.
“Ah.”
In that instant, my tension completely evaporated, and I looked at the composer.
“I’m sorry. I forgot to mute it.”
The composer seemed a bit embarrassed as he apologized and flipped the phone over without checking it.
“Shouldn’t you answer it?”
“For now, this takes precedence.”
“Oh….”
Well, if it were an important call, I suppose they would have called.
“Now, let’s really do this.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
Anyway, just as I was about to refocus,
-Beep beep- beep
the sound of the door lock at the entrance of the workshop could be heard.
“Ah!”
If only I had done it just now, it would have been a perfect performance!
Why does it feel like so many interruptions?
I shot a resentful glance toward the lobby entrance.
Who on earth is it? Who’s daring enough to enter by dialing the number?
Just when I thought I’d glare fiercely at whoever it might be,
“We’re here.”
Two very familiar men stepped in from the entrance.
It was none other than Lee Kang-jun and Jeong-hoon.
“…?”
“…What are you doing here?”
The two of them locked eyes with me, awkwardly holding my guitar.
“Ah.”
At that sight, the composer let out a small gasp and looked down at the phone he had flipped over.
“…It was a text saying ‘right in front’.”
Wait, um… Speaking of which, didn’t they say they would come to the workshop?
It seems like they dropped by before properly coming over, but the timing couldn’t be worse.
“…Should we go to a nearby café and come back later?”
Kang-jun said those words after gauging the situation.
“…No, it’s okay. You can stay.”
But it would be awkward to force the people who had already come to leave again, right?
Since they were here, I figured it would be better to have them as part of the assessment, so I invited them to sit at the table with the composer’s agreement.
“So, is this the new song you’re working on?”
“That’s right.”
“Oh… So it works with the guitar too.”
The two seemed aware of the new song already, as if they were students learning from the composer.
“Have you heard the new song?”
“Just a bit.”
“Aha.”
So, this would be their first time hearing it properly?
I had to show my best performance.
“Then, let’s really start this time.”
At long last, I properly held the guitar and began to showcase the fruits of my labor.
This new song is, as emphasized before, a bright, positive, high-energy track.
As such, I had to play the guitar with a lively tune and increase the tempo gradually.
Moreover, I had to sing while playing!
What the composer required from me was not just to play the guitar, but the ability to sing while playing it.
For this song, it’s crucial.
I had been putting in a lot of effort to sing and play this one song together.
While I felt nervous, I didn’t tremble.
As my hands instinctively danced on the guitar, the melody escaped from my lips.
To be honest, it wasn’t my best.
It was definitely imperfect compared to when I just play guitar.
And my vocal quality also dropped compared to when I stand and sing with intensity.
However… Rather than each part being perfect,
It was the combination of both that would create a complete performance.
“How was it?”
After finishing my play, I asked the judges in front of me.
“Wow… When did you get this good?”
“This is the new song? It’s really good!”
Kang-jun and Jeong-hoon praised.
Yeah, I just played well, so I expected this result.
For those who haven’t truly heard the new song yet, it must have sounded fantastic.
But….
“What did the composer think?”
The most critical opinion came from the main judge, the composer.
In fact, if the composer said, ‘Hmm, I’m a bit disappointed’—then I would have to practice and undergo inspection for another week.
However….
“It’s good. You can proceed to shoot the music video.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I’ll take care of the location and the director.”
Thankfully, the composer nodded in satisfaction.
Phew, I’m relieved to have succeeded on the first go.
Now, Park Kang-seok will be freed from his suffering.
More than that, about the music video… what kind of atmosphere will it have?
When the composer mentioned a magic show at the beginning, I suppose it means to emphasize sound and guitar, right?
“Composer.”
“Yes?”
“Then, will we shoot the music video while covering our faces?”
It seems common to conceal one’s face when depending solely on skill.
I asked the composer this, thinking I might follow suit….
“…Why would you cover your face?”
The composer furrowed his brow at me, a little seriously!
It was rather hurtful.
“Oh, no… I meant how sometimes for focus on the music, people wear hats low and cover their faces.”
“I consider the beauty of a singer to be part of the music itself.”
“Ah.”
…Now that I think about it, the composer is indeed an expert in idol music.
In the end, it was decided that I would go to the shop for a full makeover before shooting.