Chapter 43
The settings for part distribution were the same as before.
Leader, center, main vocalist, main dancer, etc.
The method was to attach the trainee's name next to the parts that were divided in detail.
"Haha, I'm starting to get scared to make any rash moves."
Song Hyeong-bin tried to lighten the mood with a light laugh.
But his anxious gaze was fixed on the L sticker placed at the bottom of the table.
I had a rough idea of what was going through his head during that short time.
'Should I take that L sticker this time, or should I let go of the burden on my mind? I'm sure he's been thinking about it for a long time.'
If it was Song Hyeong-bin, whom I had vaguely heard and seen, he wouldn't have cared about what others thought.
I guess he just took the leader sticker without paying any attention.
However, he must have felt pressured because the leader conflict narrative filled more than 90% of his screen time during the first round broadcast.
It was a little fortunate that Ken Hashimoto had a somewhat cheerful personality.
"Part distribution is fun! We all sit together and think about it!"
"Yes, yes. Let's sit down and think about it."
We sat in a semicircle and looked at the part distribution chart in silence for a moment.
Song Hyeong-bin, who was holding the panel in the middle, swallowed hard and began to proceed.
"First of all, since our group consists of five people, the parts aren't that detailed. If we just organize the main vocalist, main dancer, and center, we can group together the remaining sub-parts."
"Then can we watch the video first?"
"Great!"
As per Park Jae-hoon's opinion, it was decided to start with the mission song video.
I distinctly remember it as a mega-hit song by the five-member boy group Mayday.
It is worth taking a closer look at how it will be modified for this competition.
After watching the choreography video and the original singer's stage video provided by the production team,.
"... It's darker than I thought?"
"Because they came out with such a clear concept, the costumes and makeup are also very intense."
"Yes, um...."
Everyone looked slightly embarrassed.
In particular, Heo Yu-bin had a serious expression on his face that was unexpected.
"If, if you don't mind, can I tell you something? "
"Yubin, you can talk as much as you want."
When I looked into his eyes, I got a feeling for something.
Before the abnormal state of 'hikikomori' was activated and lowered his confidence, I gave him a gentle push on the back.
"I don't know much, but I studied composition a little when I was bored by myself."
"Oh, Yubin! I didn't know you could compose songs! That's awesome!"
"Ah, hahaha. Oh, thank you."
Heo Yu-bin held Ken Hashimoto's hand as if he was used to it.
It must be thanks to the influence of Yoo Minha, the power energizer he had been with for the past few days.
I think it has surprisingly become a virtuous cycle.
"Anyway, Mayday Seniors' original song used a lot of melodic lines with a slightly slower tempo. Although it's a trap genre, they added an orchestral sound in the middle and also added a bridge here and there as a variation."
As Heo Yu-bin fiddled with the tablet, the bass line's importance was clearly reduced, and a bridge with an eerie melody rose up.
He played that bridge for a few dozen seconds.
Park Jae-hoon, who had been listening carefully, raised his hand.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm a little scared because the vocal range here seems to be high. It's not even a real voice, and it's even a falsetto, so I think it's going to be quite difficult."
"I was going to say that too."
Heo Yu-bin nodded vigorously.
"Can I ask what everyone's main positions are? "
"I'm okay with both vocals and dancing."
"I'm more comfortable dancing than singing."
"I also like dancing and rapping."
They all say that they are more comfortable in other positions than singing.
I also briefly agreed while thinking about my current abilities.
"I'm still more comfortable with performance."
"Then Hyeong-bin nim and I are the only ones who are confident in vocals. Wait a minute; I'll look at the part distribution again."
Heo Yu-bin briefly apologized and took the part distribution chart from Song Hyeong-bin.
I had a strange feeling watching him fiddle with the tablet in such an excited manner.
'Until I first met him, he was lacking in confidence because of his underground status. But now he's even declaring that he's confident in his vocals.'
It's a proud moment, as if you've taken a talented prosecutor to the next level.
I instinctively wanted to clap, but I resisted the urge.
In the meantime, Heo Yu-bin finished organizing his thoughts in his head.
"The biggest problem right now is the bridge part. Looking at the part distribution that the production team gave us, here and here are sub vocals 2 and 3. If I take the main vocal and Hyeong-bin nim takes the sub vocal 1 part, which has the most parts, the two of us won't be able to do this falsetto bridge."
"So does that mean that two of the three remaining people will have to do that bridge? "
"I think we should do that because the production team said we can't change the part distribution itself."
At Heo Yu-bin's words, Park Jae-hoon made a dejected expression.
"First of all, I only rap, so these vocal parts...."
"It's, it's okay! Karis nim and I will do whatever it takes—!"
"For a moment."
Song Hyeong-bin raised his hand slightly and intercepted Ken Hashimoto's positive remarks.
His gaze was fixed on Heo Yu-bin.
"Yubin, you still have more to say, right? You said that the 'part distribution itself' can't be changed, so doesn't that mean that other things can be changed?"
It's a sharp analysis.
Heo Yu-bin nodded with sparkling eyes.
"We can't change the amount of parts each team member takes. We can't change the quantity, but we can change other things."
"In short, it boils down to the idea that you should just go ahead and arrange it."
The moment I quietly concluded, everyone's eyes were fixed on me.
"The current problem is the mismatch between our team members' main positions and the original song parts. The bridge, which goes up high in falsetto, is the biggest obstacle. Therefore, if only this bridge could be transformed in a different way, the fundamental problem would be solved. For example, the bridge part could be transformed into a rap rather than a song."
"That's right! That's right!"
As soon as I finished speaking, Heo Yu-bin pounded the floor of the practice room hard and spoke loudly.
"The reason this false bridge came about is because the original song adjusted its pace on its own. In short, if the genre or style of the song changes, the mood and pace will also change. It doesn't matter if you modify the existing bridge to match the changed details! "
"Are you saying it's okay to put rap in here?"
"Yes! If you mix genres that rap fits well with and mix it into...…."
"The result will be one that maintains the dark atmosphere of the original song, but allows the focus to be on the performance."
It was a solution that was arrived at in an instant.
Ken Hashimoto, who had been watching Heo Yu-bin and I brainstorm with our mouths slightly open, slowly began to react.
"Wow, wow, that's amazing! That's so true; it gave me goosebumps! "
"No, this is something anyone can easily think of―."
"I'm glad we have Yubin, who knows how to compose songs! Thank you! "
Ken touched Heo Yu-bin's cheeks with both hands.
Heo Yu-bin, whose face had become round like a steamed bun, gave up trying to stop him and continued talking.
"When I first looked at the lyrics and melody, my first thought was that I definitely wanted to capture this dark atmosphere. And if I were to arrange it while maintaining the original melody line as much as possible, I think the synth-pop genre would probably be the best."
"If it's synth-pop, it's definitely a genre that exists in a lot of existing idol songs, so it'll be okay."
"If you want to give it a slightly different feel, you can add a guitar riff. Or you can even mix in some rock."
The story progressed quickly.
I nodded silently, looking at the characteristics displayed at the bottom of Heo Yu-bin's status window.
Trait 'Corner Genius Producer'.
Heo Yu-bin was probably able to easily catch momentary inspiration and ideas thanks to this characteristic.
However, there must have been special conditions attached.
For example, it only works in comfortable and confident situations, like composing music in a corner of his own home.
'As expected, Heo Yu-bin should definitely be taken care of by me. He has such great qualities, and also....'
Heo Yu-bin, whose eyes met mine for a moment, immediately smiled brightly and extended his fist in my direction.
"Karis hyung-nim! I finally accomplished something! I'm so proud right now! "
"Yes, didn't I tell you? Yubin, you should be confident enough. Only you could have come up with such an idea."
"No. Karis hyung-nim pointed out the important parts so I could remember them faster. It would have been impossible without him."
If Heo Yu-bin had a tail, it would be spinning like a propeller by now.
'...He follows me very well.'
The rough outline was concluded, and now it was time to distribute the detailed parts.
Park Jae-hoon picked up the L sticker placed in front of him.
"Then who should the leader sticker go to?"
"Since Yubin led the meeting this time, how about you taking the lead?"
"That's absolutely impossible! It can't be done! It can't be done even if the world is destroyed!"
"It's a shame."
Ken Hashimoto actively recommended Heo Yu-bin, but was blocked by the extremely extreme rejection from the person concerned.
Heo Yu-bin, who had been waving his hands diligently, turned his gaze towards me.
"I, I think Karis hyung-nim is okay too. He has always quietly taken care of us from behind the scenes and has even served as the center...."
"Oh, I think Karis nim is fine! First of all, you're so handsome! "
I don't know what visuals have to do with being the leader.
I slowly opened my mouth as I heard my two younger siblings actively recommending me.
"I don't mind being the leader. I have enough confidence and experience to lead others. Hmm, but...."
"But?"
I glanced at Song Hyeong-bin, voice trailing off slightly.
He kept a poker face, but I could feel a strange tension in his fingers and legs.
'I guess this is the right way to do it this time.'
I quickly put the words together in my head.
"However, I still feel that I lack the skills to be a leader in this position. Since ancient times, leaders need to take care of those who fall behind and have the ability to develop their skills. In that sense, I still can't handle the weight of a leader. Instead."
A narrative that has been broadcast so far.
The tension he is currently experiencing.
And the gaze that was subtly felt when Heo Yu-bin and I were exchanging opinions.
We need to take action by putting all of that together.
"I think it's right for Mr. Hyeong-bin, who has previous experience as a leader and has proven his skills, to take this sticker."
The moment I finished speaking, Song Hyeong-bin's fingers twitched.
Light began to return to the slightly dark pupils.
"I also like Hyeong-bin."
"Me too!"
"Thank you all so much for saying that. Actually...."
Song Hyeong-bin slowly opened his mouth.
"Actually, I also wanted to try being a leader again. But I felt like I didn't do a good job as a leader in the first team match, so I couldn't bring myself to say anything.... Thank you."
"No!"
"When I looked at it then, it seemed like it was Hyeong-bin who had the hardest time. Isn't it?"
"I'll definitely do better next time. I promise."
So the leader sticker went back to Song Hyeong-bin.
I laughed to myself as I applauded.
'Yes, this was also one of the scenarios I was drawing.'
But a few days later,.
I had no idea that this situation would arise the day before the judges' midterm review.
"Karis. Karis, are you there? "
"Yes, I am. Is there anything you need? "
Song Hyeong-bin spoke to me with a slightly hesitant expression.
"Can you help me? "
—