12. Label (5)
In the suffocating space, I slowly opened my mouth.
"Well, I don't think I can easily let go of expectations as much as I've been trusted to sit here."
Director Kwak In-hyuk's face turned irritated at my words. He seemed to be upset because the trainee he thought was easy was talking back to him like this.
"You're so confident. Do you have a hard time grasping reality?"
"I know that I still have a lot to learn. But I'm not stupid enough to throw away opportunities that come my way."
"It's also ignorant to blindly grab opportunities without recognizing your own abilities."
"Isn't it better than setting your own limits and giving up before you even try?"
A reckless action that an ordinary trainee wouldn't even think of trying.
However, I'm not here as a trainee right now. I should keep my level, but I shouldn't be too docile.
"Are you thinking of going into producing? Have you given up on dancing?"
"No, if you give me a chance, I will do my best without giving up on dancing or producing."
I suppressed a sigh at Director Kwak In-hyuk's sarcasm and smiled. I can give up that damn position, but I couldn't give it up because of the system. I just had to split my time and work on my body a little.
'...But since I've come this far, I guess I should lighten the mood a bit.'
I'd like to turn everything upside down, but social life isn't something you can do as you please. It's not good in the long run to act like a jerk when you meet often for work.
Also, right now is the time when I haven't shown any of my abilities. If I had resisted, I would have only created hostility.
"I'm prepared. It may be shameless to say this, but I'll need a lot of help. I'll always gladly accept your teachings."
I gave in first, so he probably wouldn't say anything. Fortunately, Director Kwak In-hyuk didn't ask any more questions. It seemed like he thought this kind of conversation was a waste of time.
'It must be an action based on the conviction that I will give up and run away first.'
CEO Son Dong-young clapped his hands loudly. Everyone's eyes turned to him. CEO Son Dong-young smiled and shrugged.
"Then can we start the meeting now?"
Tap tap. The paper document fluffed up and unfolded under his fingers.
"The group style and debut album, all the details haven't been decided yet, right?"
"We plan to discuss the debut concept and the direction of the group little by little. We have about five songs prepared."
At Director Kwak In-hyuk's signal, one of the employees went to the speaker. Five songs that were still only rough recordings (*random recordings made before official recording) flowed out one after another. They were all refined and clean-feeling songs.
'The songs were well made. I thought the label itself was hastily put together. Either they prepared for a long time, or Director Kwak In-hyuk's ability is outstanding. It must be one of the two.'
I wrote down the characteristics and evaluations of each song on the paper document that was distributed. Then, as soon as the song ended, I said whatever came to mind.
"The song is overall clean. Feels like it's popular these days? Especially the second and fifth ones seem like they'll be useful. The source was good."
"....."
"The third one has a strong popular tendency, so I think we'll have to capture the group image well. The key is how to apply the performance. I think the dance will be soft because there are few beats for thumping."
"....."
"The fourth one, um, the mood is okay. It's okay, but the completion level is relatively low, so I want to hear the developed version... Uh, did I do something wrong?"
As I kept my mouth shut, a cold silence flowed. At that moment, I instinctively realized. These people think that I am a trainee and I am being too much.
The atmosphere was worse than I thought.
'I have been self-restrained all this time, but I am getting excited because I am having an album meeting after such a long time.'
I had no intention of showing off like this. If I were to make an excuse, it would be that I unconsciously reverted to my old habits.
As I kept my mouth shut as if I knew nothing, CEO Son Dong-young raised his hand. A light voice flowed from him.
"I don't know about anything else, but our producer's ears seem to be very accurate. Right?"
Thanks to this, the heavy silence was lifted. This expression is cliché, but it felt like ice had melted.
I smiled and made eye contact with CEO Son Dong-young. I unintentionally received help.
"This is the concept we have chosen."
Director Kwak In-hyuk proceeded with the meeting as if I was someone who did not exist. It was a form of preemptive strike.
'Ignoring, passing over opinions without asking for the general producer's opinion even though he was present.
'The timing was clever, so it was hard to pinpoint.'
What should I say about the concept he proposed.... It was neat but boring. It was a style that was doing well these days.
After listening to Director Kwak In-hyuk's words until the end, CEO Son Dong-young shrugged his shoulders.
"Then let's do this for now. I think we should also listen to the new producer's opinion. Mr. Yoo Young, will you be ready before the next meeting?"
"Yes, I can."
"Our trainees, practice as usual until the song is selected, and from the next meeting, Mr. Yoo Young will lead the meeting."
CEO Son Dong-young naturally passed the initiative to me and laughed. He was picking on Director Kwak In-hyuk's rudeness.
When no one objected, CEO Son Dong-young shook his hand.
"If you have no more opinions, let's get out of here."
With his words, the chaotic first meeting ended.
***
Everyone except me and CEO Son Dong-young left the conference room. I sat quietly and stared at CEO Son Dong-young.
"Why did you ask me to stay?"
"Um...... When I saw Yoo Young, it seemed like he had a lot to say to me."
CEO Son Dong-young urged me to answer, saying, "Isn't that so?" It was a consideration of his own, telling me to speak comfortably. I didn't back down and asked for the opportunity.
"Then let me ask. Why did you give me the position of general producer?"
I thought about asking him indirectly, but I decided it wasn't necessary in a conversation with CEO Son Dong-young.
As expected, CEO Son Dong-young accepted the question without showing any sign of displeasure.
"That's because I saw Yoo Young's potential."
"...... Do you think I would believe that?"
"Why wouldn't you believe me?"
What a calm tone. You know it's nonsense, but you're still shameless.
I chewed the inside of my cheek.
"It doesn't make sense to give the position of executive producer to an 18-year-old idol trainee with no guarantee of success just because of 'possibility'."
"That could make sense. For example, I could be an idiot who would give an important position just because of potential."
"Do you really want me to believe that?"
CEO Son Dong-young shut his mouth. It seemed like the conversation wouldn't go well at this rate.
"...Senior Han A-won got injured in an accident, but to show that Lime is still going strong... I think a new artist will come out around September or October at the latest? It would be better to make a couple of comebacks to match the end-of-year award ceremony schedule."
"That's right. It would look good if they received the Rookie of the Year award."
"Even though it's a label, if Lime's rookie debut overlaps with our debut, it wouldn't look good, so we'll probably come out early next year at the earliest."
"Yes, I'm thinking of January or February."
I matched the answer sheet with CEO Son Dong-young as if I was solving a problem.
If I had said this much, he would have understood my intentions, but he didn't come forward first. I calmly stated the facts.
"There'll be relatively more time to prepare. Wouldn't it be better to bring in a famous producer rather than a trainee you've never seen before in order to attract investment?"
"That's true."
"But why do you insist on using me?"
CEO Son Dong-young rolled his eyes, lost in thought for a long time. He had an expression that seemed to recall something. I waited without getting impatient, and I was able to hear his final answer.
"To be honest, it's a feeling."
".....Yes?"
A foolish sound escaped my mouth. At my appearance, CEO Son Dong-young smiled and brought up a fond memory.
"What should I say about this? Um....... Do you know that Planet was a total failure at first? I used to be a manager of Planet."
I know. I was part of that failed group. CEO Son Dong-young looked at my expression and raised his head as if it was funny.
"Everyone thought that the group would end up like that, but one day, Awon said that he had a plan he was confident in, so he wanted to release one more album. At that time, everyone around him thought, 'It's hopeless anyway.'
"Even so, I went to the CEO in person and persuaded him. Even if it was a failure, I wanted to try what Awon said."
...... Yes, I remember. The day I first learned how to produce, the day I protested to the company, the day I looked for a curse spell for the CEO. All of it.
'I didn't know it was him who persuaded the CEO.'
I thought it was just because of the CEO's whim that we were able to release the album, but it seems there was a behind-the-scenes story. I calmly cleared my throat.
"...What was the reason you did that?"
Fortunately, a calm voice came out. CEO Son Dong-young held up the paper document that Director Kwak In-hyuk had distributed. He said it with his characteristically dry smile.
"It's funny because of my intuition. At the time, I was just a manager who didn't know anything, but the moment I saw the plan that Han A-won brought, I thought it would work out."
"Did you feel that way about me this time?"
"To be exact, it would be 'When I see Yoo Young, I think of Han A-won.' No, I guess it's almost the same feeling."
"...Huh?"
"I don't know why, but I have a feeling."
Shouldn't we straighten out the mat at this point? My heart ached like a child who had been caught lying. I straightened my posture and bowed my head. Regardless of whether what I said was true or not, I should be polite since I was being praised now.
"...Thank you. It's an honor."
"What. Anyway, that's why I'm going to trust my feeling again this time. I think it fits better than I thought."
CEO Son Dong-young shook the paper document. I could see the letters written in large letters. The page he opened was the 'Selection of Title Song' section.
"And the fact that I'm having this conversation with Yoo Young... isn't that proof that I'm right this time too? Usually, kids Yoo Young's age don't worry about other trivial reasons when their abilities are recognized."
There are many cases where you don't even know how much weight the seat you're sitting on holds. CEO Son Dong-young added quietly.
"Haha.."
I laughed without realizing it. I always wondered why people fall for Son Dong-young's compliments, but now I think I know why.
It simultaneously satisfies the satisfaction of being recognized and the sense of superiority of being better than others. It also emphasizes the importance of the other person, giving them a sense of responsibility.
'This hyung still makes me feel uneasy.'
Even though he says it like it's honey, I am not naive, so it was obvious that he would cut me off right away if I didn't meet his expectations.
CEO Son Dong-young stared at me with a piece of paper. This time, his eyes were full of mischief.
"If you get to know Yoo Young, it's like a second chance in life? Well, isn't it something like that?"
"Yes?"
"Ah-hyun... Oh, you know Im Ah-hyun from Planet? That's a joke he told me. He said it's used to describe someone who is really outstanding."
Planet's Im Ah-hyun.... I thought our youngest only said that to the members, but did he say it to the manager too?
Son Dong-young burst into laughter, interpreting my expression.
"Wow, Yoo Young, you look like you want to say something. I'm the CEO."
"......No."
The playful tone reminded me of the not-so-distant past. I think we had this conversation back when he was the manager.
I got up from my seat, trying to control my strange feelings.
"Then I'll go. The manager is waiting."
"Yes. It was fun talking to you."
I bowed and left the conference room, and I ran into Director Kwak In-hyuk. He nodded and passed me by.
'Didn't you wait to talk to me?'
I gave up on him because he was too far away to catch up and headed to the underground parking lot where the new members would be.
I felt like I was getting tired for some reason.
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