The Villainous Member Has Returned! Episode 172
* * *
What Gim Chunyong had to do now was simple and clear.
The repackage album to be released after “Hide and Seek” had to be produced just as well as “Hide and Seek”—no.
Even better. They absolutely had to take first place on a music show at least once.
This was necessary both to safely wrap up the sudden mission X had assigned him and to win the subtle battle of nerves against Director Sin Giho.
Truthfully, since there was only one true goal, everything else was secondary.
After all, to fulfill the contract condition with X—becoming “the greatest idol in K-pop history”—a number one win was an obvious necessity, and even if it was a case of same bed, different dreams, Director Sin Giho would naturally be satisfied if they took first place.
So, what was important was….
“Right. You guys, ready?”
A good enough album to satisfy that condition.
“…
Yeah. We’re ready. Start it up, Logan.”
Gim Chunyong lightly nodded toward Logan, who was looking at the members with a solemn expression in front of the recording booth.
To make that good album, T.O.J had wrapped up their first post-debut company dinner quickly and come to the company recording studio.
“Um, everyone performed the final stage of ‘Hide and Seek’ today too, so you must be really tired. Still, I thought it would be good to do this today.”
Logan slowly walked into the recording studio lined with equipment and naturally looked at Gim Chunyong.
It was because of the conversation the two of them had shared after Director Sin decided to include Logan’s song in the album to win over Logan’s parents.
Since it was Gim Chunyong who had fulfilled Logan’s fervent wish to include his own song on the next album, it was only natural that they would end up talking about the track.
Not that Gim Chunyong didn’t have an ulterior motive of his own, but anyway.
“…
What did I tell you, Logan? I said we’d definitely get it in.”
“God, I know! Honestly, when you first said that, I thought you were joking. But then after my family came up in conversation, you suddenly said it was happening….”
“Anyway, isn’t it great? Your grandmother really likes this song of yours. She’ll be happy too.”
“Mm, that’s right. Actually, Grandmother likes all my songs, though.”
Obtaining the desired element right away was good, even if it meant deceiving Director Sin—who had misunderstood the word “family” to mean Logan’s parents—and even if their respective interests had gotten slightly tangled up because of it.
So, indeed, the next step was what mattered.
“Ah, then I’ll start slowly. First, I’m sure you’ve all heard it, but! Let’s listen to the song once before we go in.”
“…
Okay.”
Gim Chunyong slowly sat in a chair in the middle of the recording studio, watching Logan operate the equipment as he let out a low hum.
There was only one reason Gim Chunyong had decided Logan’s song absolutely had to be the album’s title track.
…Because it was a song already proven.
“Hm? Isn’t this the kid who appeared on
“…
Oh my god. It’s Logan? Wow, I didn’t know because he left voluntarily before we could get close! I guess his home country really suits him, huh? Tch, he’s so good I’m jealous.”
“The song… is good. Hwaseong hyung, the volume… please, turn it up a little….”
Back when Gim Chunyong, the members, and Ryu Wei were active as Arrows.
That is, before that problematic incident.
Logan, who had returned to Liverpool, appeared on a famous British audition program not long after and proudly took first place.
Only now did he learn that there had been behind-the-scenes machinations by Director Sin and Ryu Wei, and pressure from his parents, but anyway.
On that audition program—whether he had finally freed himself from his parents’ pressure or had appeared under some other condition—Logan had revealed numerous outstanding self-composed songs.
Songs he had sung while busking on the street where he met Choe Geonyeong, or songs he had sung during the first mentor evaluation on
♪♬♩♪♩….
And the song now filling the recording studio was one Logan had sung in the semifinals.
An easy-listening song that fit current trends perfectly, based on the guitar that Logan—who insisted one had to “commune with the instrument”—always slept with before performing as a ritual.
‘…To think he made all these songs in advance. He really is a genius, seriously.’
Gim Chunyong, who had huddled together with the members on the sofa at the back of the studio listening to the song, clicked his tongue and buried his admiration.
He could admire it purely because the song was good.
But there were mountains beyond mountains ahead of them now.
“Uh, Chunyong hyung. But unlike ‘Boyhood Ending,’ which I made with the A&R team before, I made this thinking I’d sing it alone… so I need to tweak the song. To fit our members.”
“Right. I was thinking the same thing. How much time do you think you’ll need?”
“Um, still, I think… it’ll take about a week. Honestly. I can’t just throw together something rough.”
“…
Hoo. We’ll have to find a way.”
The preparation period given to T.O.J for the repackage album was four weeks.
These four weeks didn’t mean they had four weeks solely for preparation.
They had to shoot mood samplers and concept photos.
They had to upload them immediately after shooting and editing, and simultaneously announce the teasing schedule.
Choreography practice, recording, and even music video shoots.
It meant they had four weeks to carry out all of these schedules.
And in the midst of all that, spend a whole week revising one song?
“No way. Is ‘a week’ the name of somebody’s dog? You kids ask for favors too easily just because I’m fond of you.”
“God, Director-nim. It really, really is a good song. I’ll fix it up well and bring it back!”
“I don’t want to sound like some stubborn old-timer, but no means no. You have to think of the other friends on our directing team too. Is the A&R team just sitting around? What about the choreography team?”
“…
Ugh. Is it really not possible? …
Please?”
“Acting like a puppy won’t help. I’m a cat person, Logan dear.”
To the point that *that* Moon Yunha waved her hands in refusal.
In the end, they had no choice but to reach a compromise.
With the more desperate side making ten times the concessions.
“Then, would it be okay from Friday, when we have our final broadcast dinner, until that weekend?”
“…
You’re saying you won’t come to the final broadcast dinner? Oh my, as expected of greenhouse flowers who’ve never worked a day in society….”
“No, no! I’ll go, I’ll go! Instead, if I leave a little early… I think I can somehow work on it through the weekend.”
“…
Hmm.”
And so, that was how this happened.
♪♬♩♪♩….
As the song ended, solemn determination rose on the faces of the members, who had already been briefed on the situation by Gim Chunyong and Logan.
“…
So to use this good song as the title track, we have to modify it bit by bit to fit us? Like adding rap parts or matching the bridge tone?”
“Yes. Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s possible within three days…!”
“No, no. We can do it, Logan. I’ve done part-time demo work before, and even songs far less complete than this eventually came out as tracks.”
“Mm, right. Our ‘Hide and Seek’ was eventually made by mixing various drafts together too… Logan, you don’t need to worry about that.”
Led by Bang Yuchan and Son Jaeha’s kind and powerful consideration….
“The lyrics! Most of the lyrics we have now are in English, right? Ha, being a native speaker. We’ll have to start thinking about the lyrics now too!”
“R-right… still, I, and Hwaseong hyung… Jaeha hyung… took… songwriting lessons… a little… s-so we can do it…!”
…Even the energetic and enthusiastic faces of the maknae line.
Gim Chunyong quietly watched that sight, met eyes with Logan, and quickly spoke.
He had known his members would react this way, and these were words he had prepared in advance.
“So, I’ve been thinking. I think it would be good to have everyone split the roles so that Logan records after final confirmation. Those who can write lyrics can prepare them together, and Yuchan hyung can sort out and sing the demos right away.”
“…
Sounds good? But wait. Then what are you going to do, Chunyong?”
“Ugh, Yongyong hyung. If you’re going to say something like ‘I’ll direct,’ I’m rejecting that in advance.”
“Hey, punk. Do you think I’d be that idle….”
The very person who had started all of this, Gim Chunyong, showed a slightly hollow smile, took out his phone, and waved it at the members.
A short conversation with someone floated on the screen.
[JDS Crew Jin Dasol: Then sketch out the draft and send it to me, Chunyong-ssi.]
[JDS Crew Jin Dasol: Let’s have us match it to your draft.]
[JDS Crew Jin Dasol: But since our team will be taking this on, can I record again later as a guest member…]
“…
Wait, Yongyong hyung. Guest member? Again? Are you going to get headhunted again?”
“Mm, Chunyong-ah. This is….”
“Yeah. That’s not important, right?”
When the members sent meaningful gazes after seeing the last message, Gim Chunyong hurriedly put his phone back in his pocket and composed his voice.
“Anyway, as you all saw from the messages… I’ll be in the practice room upstairs working on the choreography, and once it’s revised, I’ll come to check and give feedback. I think that would be best.”
“…
Mm, it would be nice to have the choreography come out together. But then won’t you have less time to get familiar with the song?”
“Ah. Don’t worry about that, Jaeha hyung. …Because that won’t happen.”
Gim Chunyong dissuaded Son Jaeha’s worries with a smile that briefly revealed his canines.
Less time to get familiar with the song? At least in Gim Chunyong’s mind, there was no chance of that.
Because aside from the original creator Logan, the person in T.O.J most familiar with the current title candidate was Gim Chunyong.
“Hm? Rex, you listen to that song often. I guess you like it?”
“Ah, yes. This one is pretty good… I’ve listened to it so much I think I could almost memorize it now. Personally, I was wondering if I could try making some cover choreography for it.”
“Aha. Don’t overdo it. Okay? You’ll be going on music festivals and award ceremonies soon.”
“Haha, don’t worry, hyung.”
Even to the point of knowing what the completed version sounded like.
“Then….”
Without even time to commemorate the final broadcast of their debut album, the members’ eyes quickly exchanged glances.
Well, they say every end is another beginning.
“…
Let’s do it, now.”
Perhaps this was time for T.O.J toward another beginning.
* * *
The weekend morning of T.O.J’s dedicated director, the aesthetics fanatic Moon Yunha, began early.
No matter how much she had drunk the day before, if her routine broke, the nickname attached to her name would feel aggrieved.
“Yes, yes. Lulu and Byeongshik, let’s eat. Yes….”
After feeding the cats that scratched at her calves and yowled for food, Moon Yunha soon slammed a cup of espresso into her mouth and slowly blinked her eyes.
It was because her head was busy with thoughts about T.O.J’s next repackage album concept.
“…Since the previous album was mysterious gunslinger boy scouts, this time I’ll keep that nuance but make it slightly more casual….”
Moon Yunha continued muttering to herself as she turned on her laptop.
Indeed, one might call it the appearance of a person who constantly improved while other visual directors were sprawled out until the day after tomorrow nursing hangovers.
“Ah, but maybe I should change dear Chunyong’s hair now. …No, no. For now, until this comeback, I’ll leave it slightly covering his neck… Should I put a mole on his face? Like dear Siu.”
…Or perhaps simply an aesthetics fanatic with an eye for beautiful things.
“I think Jaeha-ssi would look good in glasses too. Hm, more than that, the overall image should feel a bit more lively….”
Just as she was showing, without filter, a sight that would make others think, “So that’s why they call her the industry’s top lunatic,” at that moment.
“Huh?”
Her muttering stopped when she went to her inbox to check the references her team had sent.
Her inbox, which would normally be neatly marked with all-read signs, was dotted with 20 unread emails.
“…
What the heck.”
The subjects were almost all identical.
[Re: Repackage Album Title Track Candidate_Final]
[Re_Re: Repackage Album Title Track Candidate_Final2]
[Re_Re_Re: Repackage Album Title Track Candidate_Real Final]
[Re_Re_Re_Re: Repackage Album Title Track Candidate_This Is Really The Last One]
The recipients were Moon Yunha and the A&R team leader.
And the sender was….
[From: Target_of_Xenon]
As Moon Yunha began checking each email one by one, she cackled in a way that suited her usual cynical demeanor.
“Ah, seriously. This is exactly why kids who’ve never worked… who sends emails like this? I gave them three days. Then they should send it all organized on the third day….”
However, when she checked the file in the email with the subject line [Really_Please_This_Is_Truly_really_god_Final].
“…
Hmm. I see what kind of feeling this is.”
That a rather affectionate smile rose on her face was something that needn’t even be said.