Wednesday morning, February 3, Japan.
News of Vanguard’s debut show-con was so hot that, starting from Japan’s number-one social media platform, even the Japanese press was covering it in considerable detail.
《“Vanguard” to Debut at Korea’s Gocheok Dome》
《Social Media Heats Up at News of “Vanguard,” from Geubaekpeu, Making Their Debut》
Japan was overflowing with Vanguard fans as well. They were clamoring for an official Japanese fan club to be recognized. Considering they had been gathering since Geubaekpeu, it was no wonder. Their popularity was proven on Japan’s music charts.
In Korea, the Geubaekpeu songs had lost a bit of steam, but in Japan, they were still near the top.
The same went for Netflix Japan’s rankings.
The new year had begun and it was already the second month, yet Geubaekpeu and Rental Lover were still lodged within Netflix Japan’s top ten.
But Netflix Japan did not rest on its laurels.
It was because of a project they had been pushing quite heavily as of late. To be precise, it was A Strange Spectacle, the story written by Kang Rojun. It had already been announced in grand fashion as a Netflix Japan original series, and since production had begun around late November of last year, they were already entering the third month.
As such, the shape of its progress had become quite clear.
The production company and PD in charge of producing A Strange Spectacle had long since finished the storyboard work and were currently going around scouting locations while sets were being built.
That, too, was in its final stages.
Since the series consisted of ten episodes, the pace was even faster.
For reference, among the works Rojun had written, Blood Hunt, which had started about a month later than A Strange Spectacle, was currently in the middle of storyboard work and actor casting. Therefore, while A Strange Spectacle had already revealed that Rojun was both the writer and an actor, Blood Hunt had not yet done so.
In any case, both works were progressing smoothly.
《Netflix Japan’s “A Strange Spectacle” Completes Casting of Top Actors One After Another》
The casting situation for A Strange Spectacle was going extremely smoothly. No, perhaps it should be called explosive. The details could be heard during a meeting with Executive Director Tom Cavill and the production company in charge of A Strange Spectacle. Given Netflix’s production structure, after Netflix Japan poured in the investment, their role was largely to keep everything oiled and receive reports.
The handling itself was done by the directing PD and the production company staff.
“At this point, I’d say casting for the main roles is about eighty percent complete. Some minor roles remain, but those will be done quickly.”
“I think we can start coordinating the actors’ schedules and set a date for the first script reading.”
Even as he listened to the production company’s report, Netflix Japan’s Executive Director Tom Cavill fixed his blue eyes on the screen being projected by the beam projector.
‘Somehow, the lineup has become quite spectacular.’
Indeed, the screen before him was packed with top actors renowned throughout Japan.
‘Public interest pouring into A Strange Spectacle, and the rumor that we at Netflix Japan are preparing this project in earnest, made it relatively easy to wrap things up.’
Then Tom Cavill’s gaze stopped squarely on a male actor whose looks were particularly striking. Among the listed Japanese top actors, he was the only Korean actor: Kang Rojun. Executive Director Tom Cavill honestly voiced his impression inwardly.
‘First of all, in terms of visuals, he simply overwhelms them.’
The Japanese top actors might be considered exceptional here in their own right, but with Kang Rojun placed among them, they looked like squids. This was not only Tom Cavill’s opinion; all the executives at Netflix Japan thought the same.
Around then, the directing PD, whose eyes were bloodshot and who generally gave off a gloomy air, spoke in Japanese.
“For the script reading, I think it would be best to split it into two sessions, a first and second reading.”
“Split it into two?”
“Yes. To begin with, A Strange Spectacle is omnibus-style, and there are a great many actors. The scale is too large, and it would be impossible to coordinate everyone’s schedule all at once.”
“Mm. That makes sense. Understood. Proceed that way.”
“I think around February 22 would be good for the first script reading.”
That was roughly three weeks later. Finding that acceptable, Executive Director Tom Cavill nodded, then brought up Rojun.
“Have Rojun participate only in the first script reading, as both the writer and an actor.”
“What about the second script reading?”
“It will be difficult.”
Tom Cavill, who was continuously monitoring the Korean side, smiled faintly.
“We should be grateful enough that he’s coming to the first script reading.”
At the same time, Korea.
The Vanguard members arrived at the company early in the morning. Just like yesterday, Rojun, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong scattered in different directions. For now, they were still practicing individually; starting next week, their first group practice would begin, so they would have to be together almost constantly.
The members would likely be pouring their souls into learning the choreography, but Kang Rojun stopped by the gym first.
‘Hoo—today, I should lift a bit heavy.’
After completing his daily mission, building his body, and increasing his stamina, Rojun did not immediately go shower.
—Swoosh.
Because he headed straight to an empty practice room. Since various details about the debut songs had been finalized, Rojun’s daily schedule had become even tighter.
‘I have to divide my time even more finely than before.’
Rojun started with vocals first. Singing with pure skill, or reviewing what he had learned. Naturally, the songs he spent the most time practicing were the debut tracks: Geurinbi, Windveil, and Flying Bell. The same went for the rap and choreography that followed.
Even though he had already learned the vocals and choreography, he repeated them again and again.
The finish was acting practice.
That was how the morning ended.
After eating lunch and returning, Kang Rojun settled into the familiar workroom this time. Perhaps because he had just showered, his skin looked fresh as he tilted his head from side to side and murmured.
“First, let’s finish writing the Japanese lyrics for the debut songs.”
Meanwhile.
While Kang Rojun and the Vanguard members were busy with their respective schedules, Chief Kim Gibaek, wearing a long padded coat thrown on carelessly, stopped by the recording studio where work on Vanguard’s debut songs was in full swing.
Inside, the producing team that had participated during the vocal recording was moving busily. Chief Kim Gibaek’s presence was faint as always, and since the song kept playing, no one noticed that he had arrived until—
—Slide.
Chief Kim Gibaek suddenly set down the Condition drinks he had bought.
“Augh! You scared me!”
Only then did the producer in a hat and the rest of the producing team notice Chief Kim Gibaek’s presence. Smiling with a deflated expression, Chief Kim Gibaek asked the producer.
“Mm—how far along are you?”
The producer glanced at Chief Kim Gibaek’s rough stubble, then answered.
“Are you here to rush us?”
“No, I have to report the situation upstairs in my own way.”
“We’re mixing Geurinbi, and we’ll move on to mastering soon.”
“That’s fast.”
Mixing was the process of balancing vocals, instruments, and other elements, while the final check was mastering. In other words, Geurinbi was in its final stages. Even so, two more songs remained. Then Kim Gibaek, who had been looking around the recording studio, asked something else.
“How was Rojun when he was producing?”
“You saw him. He’s good.”
“That’s how it looked to a complete amateur. But it’s different from the perspective of a successful pro.”
The producer took off his hat and cleared his throat for no reason. He had been hit with an unexpected compliment.
“Rather than saying he produced, he only imitated it, but he is the talented type. First of all, the quality of the song is quite good, isn’t it? At a glance, you can tell he has a good ear and sight-reading ability. He was born with that sense.”
In music, sight-reading was singing or playing a piece of sheet music for the first time without practice. It belonged to the realm of talent.
“Mm—isn’t Sihu similar?”
“He is. But how should I put it? Sihu has a more professional smell to him, while Rojun is rougher? Like the difference between a college student who followed an elite course and a genius high school graduate?”
Chief Kim Gibaek, roughly understanding what he meant, slowly nodded and asked in return.
“If you were to give the two of them advice right now?”
“…Well, you probably know better than I do, but Sihu lacks a bit of confidence. Rojun, on the other hand, has plenty. Ah, but Rojun is going to keep going with composing and lyric-writing, right?”
“He says he will.”
“Hmm. Then that means he’ll touch arranging or producing too.”
The producer, arms crossed, thought for a moment before speaking.
“It’ll probably be fine for now, but as time goes on, it’ll get tough for Rojun.”
“Why?”
“Sihu seems to know how to handle instruments in general, but Rojun doesn’t seem able to play anything except guitar. When I watched him during the last recording, he didn’t touch the keyboard at all when giving direction.”
“Ah—”
“Composing, lyric-writing, arranging, producing. Whichever way it goes, if you want to last, the more instruments you know, including piano and guitar of course, the broader your understanding becomes. The quality changes completely too. There are some composers who can’t play certain instruments, but there’s no need for kids who are just starting to grow to deliberately take the thorny path.”
Keyboard, huh—Chief Kim Gibaek murmured inwardly.
‘In other words, piano.’
At that moment, the producer scratched his chin.
“This is just my personal opinion, but the idea that you can compose just fine without a keyboard is bullshit. Sure, it’s possible. If it’s just a hobby, then it doesn’t matter. But we’re pros. Composers and arrangers who are considered decent all have it as a basic. A basic.”
Chief Kim Gibaek, who already had a rough idea, confirmed it again.
“If you compare it to a chef, instruments are ingredients, right? The more you have, the more varied the flavors can be. Then Rojun composing Geurinbi without a keyboard could be considered amazing.”
“That’s right. Rojun’s specs are already terrifying, but if he learns piano, it’ll be even nicer.”
“Thank you for your opinion.”
“But no matter how much of a genius Rojun is, the timing is pretty tight right now. A keyboard isn’t something you can learn in a day or two. For now, ask him after Vanguard debuts. In my opinion, Rojun will hit a wall in composition after a while. He won’t be satisfied with just the guitar.”
After expressing his thanks, Chief Kim Gibaek recalled Kang Rojun’s face.
‘At least keyboard—piano—training is something the company might be able to help with, right?’
A few hours later.
Kang Rojun raced toward finishing the Japanese lyrics for Geurinbi, Windveil, and Flying Bell, which had been a bit slow due to how busy he had been. Since he had already done some work on them, it did not take that long. After finishing the Japanese lyrics in about two hours, Kang Rojun stretched wide.
“This much is satisfactory.”
With that, all the lyrics for the Korean and Japanese versions of Vanguard’s debut songs were complete. After sending a casual message to Chief Kim Gibaek, Kang Rojun immediately moved on to the next task.
This time, composing.
After the already-saved ballad No. 1, he had finished up to Geurinbi. Now it was time to work on composing Song No. 3, which was currently in progress. Song No. 3, likewise set as a dance track, had also been worked on to some extent.
Here, Kang Rojun rubbed his chin.
“Hmm—”
His eyes moved from the laptop in front of him to the area attached to the left side of the workroom equipment. A keyboard had been set there. Since this was a song workroom, of course there was a keyboard, but Rojun had never touched it until now.
However, he was slowly growing interested.
“I need it, whether for composing or whatever else. If I can use a keyboard, my spectrum will expand drastically.”
In truth, since Rojun had already learned guitar, he was quite skilled. On top of that, composing was possible even if one could not play guitar or keyboard. There were composers who could not play instruments. However, the more he composed, the more he felt the need for a keyboard—in other words, piano.
‘It was like that when I was producing this time too.’
There had been a guitar in the recording studio as well, but the producing team mostly used the keyboard. It was the same when giving direction.
‘If you compose while playing guitar, there’s a unique sense of rhythm and groove, but as you keep going, musical ideas don’t come to you as broadly.’
Just as he said, if one learned the keyboard or piano, there were many convenient aspects as a composer, lyricist, and arranger. From delicate harmonic progressions to melodies and so on. Even more so if combined with guitar.
“Hmm. Composing and lyric-writing, of course, but producing was fun too, now that I’ve tried it.”
The number of songs Kang Rojun had currently completed was two. It was time to move beyond the basics.
“I’m still lacking, but I should just go for it.”
Rojun moved his body and arrived in front of the nearby keyboard, then murmured.
“Piano learning, go go.”
He took his phone out of his pocket. Kang Rojun quickly accessed the AI Simulation app. However, instead of immediately tapping AI Automation, he touched the Inventory button.
The reason was simple.
-[Inventory]
-[1] AI Automation One-Time Free Use Ticket
Because he had an item he had kept.
‘It’s piano learning, so it’s obvious it’ll be expensive. I should use this ridiculously good item.’
When he pressed the item, the text changed. The familiar flavor of AI Automation messages. Rojun carefully wrote about piano learning in the blank field, and the result appeared on the phone screen where the loading circle had been spinning.
-[AI analyzing…… Analysis complete!]
-[To derive the result you desire, 370 coins are required.]
-[Would you like to use the item “AI Automation One-Time Free Use Ticket”?]
Kang Rojun pressed Accept without the slightest hesitation.
Meanwhile, someone was moving toward the workroom Rojun was in. It was Chief Kim Gibaek, who had received Kang Rojun’s message.
“He already finished the Japanese lyrics for the debut songs?”
“Yes. I just got the message too.”
“Whew, Rojun really works fast.”
The A&R team staff were with him as well.