A singer can draw attention just by being skilled at playing various instrunts.
A moderately popular mid-level singer can suddenly garner all the public's attention. The reason might be playing the piano at an exceptional level on a variety show. Or a rapper who has established a codic character could suddenly change their image by masterfully playing the violin.
To a singer, instrunts possess the power to captivate the public completely.
It was no different for idols.
Recently, the Korean idol market has beco so saturated that good looks are a given, and charm and talent have beco default expectations. Amid this, being outstanding at sothing, such as various instrunts, composition, or lyric writing, becos a clear ans to stand out among many mbers.
However, there aren't many of them.
A small number ans few have truly mastered instrunts.
If it's just at a basic level, it's difficult to beco a topic of conversation. The skill needs to be groundbreaking and far beyond expectations for the discerning public to start talking. And now, Kang Rojun had chosen the guitar as his first instrunt to learn.
“Then should I pick up the guitar too?”
At Kang Rojun's words, laced with a faint smile.
“Huh?”
“What?”
PD Woo Han-suk and 58Si-hoo paused for a mont. A brief silence. After about five seconds passed, PD Woo Han-suk, who had taken off his glasses, asked again.
“...Rojun-nim, can you play the guitar?”
Following that, 58Si-hoo, eyes widened, chid in.
“Didn’t you say you didn’t know how to play??”
Their expressions were quite different.
Of course, the current Kang Rojun didn’t know how to play the guitar at all. He was completely clueless. But overturning the situation wasn’t difficult.
‘Though I'll have to use microtransactions.’
Rojun, who thought for a mont, brushed his black hair.
‘At this timing, saying I have experience with the guitar sounds natural, right?’
Having reached a conclusion, he answered them suitably.
“I used to play it a bit as a hobby.”
PD Woo Han-suk smiled before he knew it.
“Why are you only telling us this now. You sure have a lot of secrets, Rojun.”
“As I said, it was just at a hobby level.”
“Haha, you call it a hobby and then flip everyone out again?? Anyway, can you play it for us once?”
Curiosity seemingly bursting, 58Si-hoo also urged him.
“Yeah, just show us briefly. You can borrow my guitar.”
Having accepted 58Si-hoo’s guitar almost involuntarily, Rojun answered, pretending to be composed.
“Sure, I’ll give it a try.”
PD Woo Han-suk and 58Si-hoo’s eyes widened. As their focus heightened, Kang Rojun suddenly stood up.
“Before that, I need to use the restroom.”
“Ah-”
PD Woo Han-suk let out a hollow laugh, his strength drained.
“What is this, are you doing a proper mid-comrcial break like ‘I’ll be back in 30 seconds!’ Just go quickly.”
After exiting the eting room, Kang Rojun entered the restroom on the sa floor. Fortunately, it was empty, and he settled into an unfamiliar stall and imdiately pulled out his phone. Naturally, he accessed the ‘AI Simulation’ app.
‘First, I should learn the acoustic version of ‘Survival 100.’’
Rojun tapped the ‘AI Automation’ button displayed on the main screen. He had already learned both the Korean and Japanese versions of the original ‘Survival 100'. So he thought the spin-off acoustic version would be cheaper. And that was correct.
-[AI Analysis in progress... Analysis complete!]
-[To obtain the desired results, 10 Coins are required.]
Learning the acoustic version of ‘Survival 100’ was possible with 10 Coins.
‘Definitely cheap, probably because I already learned the original version.’
Ten Coins was a total bargain. Even though it’s an acoustic version, the vocal atmosphere was completely different, and the track itself was released separately from the original. So it could be considered a new song learned for just 10 Coins. Smiling at the corners of his mouth, Kang Rojun pressed to approve the Coin usage. After seeing the familiar phrase, a brief tingle was felt on his wrist.
He slowly closed his eyes.
In his mind, in his senses, the acoustic version of ‘Survival 100’ was vivid. It felt like he could burst out into a passionate performance at any mont. Confidence. Certainty. After completing the first learning session, Kang Rojun.
-Swish.
Moved his finger again.
This ti, he pressed the Inventory button on the main screen of the ‘AI Simulation’ app. One item imdiately appeared.
-[1] 50% Discount Coupon for AI Automation
When he tapped the discount coupon, the ‘AI Automation’ prompts appeared again.
-[Through ‘AI Automation’ analysis, the desired outco can be achieved. What would you like to achieve? (Only options related to the desired occupation: Idol)]
This ti, he was going to learn the guitar.
‘Hmm- if I only learn the guitar for this acoustic version, it might be a bit cheaper, but if I’m going to learn it anyway, I might as well learn it properly like the languages, even if it's a bit more expensive.’
Rojun typed the instructions into the blank field. It felt similar to when he learned English or Japanese. The response ca quickly.
-[AI Analysis in progress......Analysis complete!]
-[To derive the desired result, 380 Coins are required.]
-[Would you like to use the item ‘AI Automation 50% Discount Coupon’?]
380 Coins. Kang Rojun thought it was cheaper than expected.
‘Maybe it’s due to the stat enhancents?’
It seed the musical foundation and knowledge he had gradually accumulated had helped. If he had attempted this earlier, it would have likely cost more. In any case, with the 50% discount, it ca down to 190 Coins.
‘Learning an instrunt with this level of investnt is really a steal.’
Without hesitation, Rojun pressed ‘Approve’.
-[Applying......Application complete!]
Once again, he felt a tingling sensation on his wrist. This ti, it was twice as strong.
“Ugh.”
The stinging sensation traveled from his forearm all the way to his brain. Soon, unfamiliar knowledge began to flood Kang Rojun’s mind. Specialized terms that were clearly new to him beca familiar, musical scores and chords beca vivid, and with just a bit of imagination, the lodies of countless guitars echoed in his ears.
He stretched out both hands.
There was nothing in his arms right now, but when he closed his eyes, a guitar appeared. His left and right hands settled on the guitar. Slowly, as instructed by his mind, his fingertips began to move. The acoustic version of ‘Survival 100’ played gently. The restroom was quiet, but it sounded vivid in Rojun’s ears.
That was when it happened.
-Bzzz.
-Bzzz.
His phone vibrated a few short tis. It was a ssage from the ‘AI Simulation’ app.
-[You’ve completed the Title Mission ‘My First Instrunt!’ A reward of 30 Coins has been granted.]
-[The title ‘Instrunt Master’ has t its conditions and will now be applied!]
-[With the title ‘Instrunt Master’ applied, a bonus Coin has been added to the mission reward.]
These were familiar phrases he had seen before. A 30 Coin reward.
‘An instrunt-related title?’
Quickly returning to the main screen of ‘AI Simulation', Kang Rojun saw several changes. As expected, a new title had been added.
-[Title: Side Job Tycoon 3 / Recognition Monster 3 / Global Genius 2 / Instrunt Master 1]
Just like Side Jobs and Global Languages, ‘Instrunts’ was now added in his status.
-[Instrunts: [1] Acoustic Guitar]
Since he already had experience, Rojun predicted the future.
‘This 'Instrunt Master' title probably enhances each ti I learn a new instrunt.’
Just how many more titles could there be? There must be an endless amount. Anyway, what Kang Rojun had to do now was to rise higher and higher using the ‘AI Simulation’ to its fullest.
“Ah, from now on I’ll earn 14 Coins from Daily Missions.”
A little later.
When Kang Rojun returned to the eting room, PD Woo Han-suk stood up as if he had been waiting.
“Was it a big one?!”
Rojun chuckled and replied.
“Yes, my stomach tends to twist up when I’m nervous.”
“Nervous, my foot. You soar freely even in front of thousands of people.”
As Kang Rojun turned his gaze, 58Si-hoo, who t his eyes, handed him the guitar he was holding.
“Here. It’s already tuned.”
At that mont.
“Wait a mont, Rojun. Any acoustic guitar is fine, right?”
“For now, yes.”
“Hold on.”
PD Woo Han-suk rushed out of the eting room. About ten minutes later, he returned, slightly out of breath as if he had run.
“Here!!”
He held another guitar, who knew where he found it. And now, including Kim Se-hee, several female writers had joined.
“Why the sudden guitars?? I found one because PD-nim asked to- but wait? Don’t tell both of you can play??!”
Writer Kim Se-hee shouted with high tension. In an instant, the writers’ eyes were filled with curiosity and interest. Receiving the guitar from PD Woo Han-suk, Rojun confird the power of the instrunt.
‘Well, it’s traditional. A guitar is perfect for captivating won’s hearts.’
Then, as PD Woo Han-suk sat down, the writers lined up behind him, and PD Woo Han-suk made a request to Rojun and 58Si-hoo.
“Since we’re at it, try playing together. Just like a rehearsal. Would it be too sudden?”
The reply ca quickly from 58Si-hoo, who had arranged the acoustic version of ‘Survival 100.’
“It’s not that hard-”
He turned to Rojun, who was tuning the guitar beside him.
"Can you do it right away? The acoustic version, guitar or vocals."
The only ti Rojun had heard the arrangent was once, when Si-hoo played it. Yet he nodded without concern.
"Don't you have sheet music? I think it'll be fine anyway."
“...Really?”
“Yeah. It’s been a while, so you lead, hyung.”
58Si-hoo narrowed his brows slightly.
‘Picking up the chords after hearing it once is one thing... but the way he’s tuning that guitar, it doesn’t feel like it’s been a while??’
The sa went for PD Woo Han-suk and the writers.
‘Those familiar hand movents handling the guitar. Damn, now I’m really looking forward to this.’
anwhile, 58Si-hoo quickly pulled himself together.
“No, I’ve got the sheet music.”
If this were his first ti seeing such a scene, he might’ve gaped in awe, but up until now, he had seen so many of Kang Rojun’s insane abilities.
“Alright, for now-”
He soon pulled out the sheet music he had brought and showed his composer side.
“Splitting parts too finely right now would be complicated, so let’s just do a line each simply. Let’s do the chorus together. Up to the first verse only.”
“Got it.”
And just like that, a guitar duet performance between Kang Rojun and 58Si-hoo ca together by chance. Rojun, now with his tuned acoustic guitar in his arms.
-Swish.
He gently swept the strings with his hand.
‘Feels rough.’
A strange but familiar sensation ran through his veins. Just a few dozen minutes ago, he was completely clueless, but now he was full of sothing. How to describe it- it felt as if the guitar strings were calling to Kang Rojun. As though he could play any song.
‘Well, I’ll still need to study the new songs though.’
Anyway, this must be what it felt like to be able to play an instrunt. While Rojun was still savoring that rich emotion, PD Woo Han-suk and the female writers including Kim Se-hee were brimming with anticipation. So even covered their mouths with one hand, despite this being just the preparation stage.
At the sa ti.
“Rojun-ah.”
“Yes, hyung.”
From the right, 58Si-hoo gave a signal with his eyes. In both their hands were picks. Slowly nodding heads. A silent cue for the start. Soon, from the guitars in their arms.
-♬♪
A gentle guitar lody.
With no processed embellishnts, only the soft and fresh guitar sounds resonated. It was completely different from the original version of ‘Survival 100'. Before they knew it, the room filled with an atmosphere as if they were enjoying a cool breeze in peace.
A flawless intro.
While playing the guitar, 58Si-hoo glanced at Kang Rojun. A faint chuckle spilling out.
‘He’s good, as expected. It must be his first ti, yet he’s playing like it’s his own song.’
The writers whispered in excitent.
“...Wow- ‘Survival 100’ transforms like this.”
“That two-shot with the guitars is insane.”
“From the intro, it’s already lting my ears.”
Among the two playing the guitar, the first to open his mouth was 58Si-hoo. At the sa ti, he stopped his strumming hand. To focus on vocals. Supporting the guitar lody now was Kang Rojun. 58Si-hoo, seemingly relaxed, sang the lyrics written by Rojun.
There was a touch of a sweet tone.
Next was Kang Rojun. When he took his hands off the guitar, 58Si-hoo took over the lody. Rojun’s vocals carried a bit more strength. The two traded lines like this a couple of tis. Before the chorus, the vocal was 58Si-hoo, and Kang Rojun’s guitar performance included a slight ad-lib. He scratched, strumd. Calm but gradually building toward a climax.
In the chorus, the guitar lodies and the vocals of Rojun and 58Si-hoo blended together.
-♬♪
Though it wasn’t planned, their different vocal tones created a curious harmony.
Naturally, Kang Rojun and 58Si-hoo locked eyes.
Both paused their guitar playing for a mont. The clean vocals continued. It was a mont that gave the listener a sense of pacing and control. Even without the lody, nothing felt lacking. Then, Rojun and 58Si-hoo resud their guitar playing in sync with the timing.
After the chorus, both the guitar and vocals softened.
The tempo slowed down.
At that mont, the frozen writers, struck by this calm and delicate lody, each recalled their own past, present, and future.
‘Ha... the hair on my arm just stood up. Chills.’
‘What is this?? It’s cool and dreamy, can’t even think straight.’
So felt comfort, so were moved, so felt encouraged, and so were pierced by a tingling sensation.
‘I think... I like this more than the original. It’s easy on the ears. Really pulls in.’
‘Si-hoo is great, but that Rojun is sothing else. How can purity and decadence be mixed like that?’
PD Woo Han-suk, too, was completely absorbed in the duet performance unfolding right before his eyes, and in his mind, he recalled the originally planned order for the small concert that would attract many audience mbers.
‘This special performance. I was originally going to put it around the middle.'
He flipped the plan in an instant.
‘No, this... this has to be the ending performance, no matter what.’
*****
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