Manager Kim Ki-baek, who had been looking down at the diary, slowly raised his head. In front of him, the ridiculously handso Kang Rojun wore an indifferent expression, while Kim Ki-baek blinked his eyes.
"You’ve already finished writing the lyrics for 'GreenBee'?"
Rojun nodded calmly.
"Yes."
"...You gave the song 'GreenBee' on Monday."
"That's right."
Today was Wednesday.
"Then, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. You only had three days, and the lyrics are already done?"
"They're done."
"......"
Kang Rojun knew why Kim Ki-baek was surprised.
‘Was it... a bit too fast? Well, unlike the other songs, the lyrics for ‘GreenBee’ just flowed out so smoothly.’
It was because the lyrics for the song ‘GreenBee’ had been completed too quickly. In fact, Manager Kim Ki-baek was freaking out inside.
‘...Three days? You finished all the lyrics in just three days?? No, it hasn’t even really been three full days.’
The speed was just too fast.
‘The song ‘GreenBee’ itself was created in less than ten days, and now the lyrics are done even faster than that?’
Even for Kim Ki-baek, who had long been steeped in the entertainnt industry, this kind of speed was sothing he had never seen or heard of.
‘He’s a real monster.’
The word “monster” held many anings. How could soone like this exist? Not only was his face divine-level, but his skills matched that level too.
‘And what’s more, as ti goes on, he keeps producing more.’
Kang Rojun was already operating at a superhuman level, yet his remaining potential seed endless. Manager Kim Ki-baek kept his slightly widened eyes and asked,
"If both the lyrics and composition are done, then ‘GreenBee’ is complete?"
"That’s right."
"And you're satisfied with it?"
"Yes. Fairly satisfied."
If the artist was satisfied, then as the supporter, Kim Ki-baek had nothing more to say.
"...Ha- Honestly, it’s a bit hard to adjust. Everything feels like it’s just whooshing by in the blink of an eye."
"Maybe because ‘GreenBee’ is my own song, the lyrics ca out quickly. Would you like to see them?"
"Absolutely."
Manager Kim Ki-baek quickly closed his diary and added another request.
"Um- while we’re at it, how about we look at the lyrics while listening to the ‘GreenBee’ lody?"
"Sure."
As if it was no issue, Rojun played the ‘GreenBee’ track stored on his tablet. Soon, the sa 'GreenBee' they had heard earlier in the large conference room filled the air again.
-♬♪
Kang Rojun rotated the laptop screen so it was easy for Kim Ki-baek to see. Naturally, the lyrics to ‘GreenBee’ were displayed. Manager Kim Ki-baek viewed the lody and lyrics of ‘GreenBee’ quite seriously. Just then, the song entered the first verse, and the part of the lyrics he was reading matched the section.
Instinctively matching the lody and lyrics to the first verse, Manager Kim Ki-baek realized sothing.
‘The lyrics, they seem divided by parts. Like four people……’
In that mont of insight, Kim Ki-baek reflexively let out a cough and made eye contact with Rojun.
"Don’t tell ... did you write the lyrics from the beginning with each mber’s part in mind?"
"Yes. I did that during ‘Produce That 100!’ too."
Even without realizing it, Manager Kim Ki-baek was getting visibly excited.
"...That’s why the tone of each lyric felt slightly different. I asked because the texture varied by section-"
Is that weird? During ‘Produce That 100!’, Rojun had mostly written lyrics while imagining the mbers, so Kim Ki-baek’s surprise felt more odd to him. On the other hand, Manager Kim Ki-baek’s widened eyes remained.
"Usually, the lyrics are written first, and then divided among the mbers afterward."
"Is it not common to do it from the start? I find it more comfortable that way. I consider each mber’s personality, voice, role, and so on when writing. I can also control the pacing better."
"It’s not that no one does it that way, but it’s not easy. Lyricists usually don’t worry about all that, and even if they do, it’s not that in-depth. It’s practically a different genre."
Manager Kim Ki-baek replied.
‘What are you talking about like it’s nothing?’
He let out a silent laugh.
‘What you’re doing is called producing.'
That sa night, at the ‘Vanguard’ dorm.
After a hectic day, the mbers of ‘Vanguard’ had gathered at the dorm. Having already received the news of their confird debut song, the mbers had thrown a wild celebration, and had only just now cald down. Among the four currently spending ti in their respective rooms, the lights were still on in Rojun and Si-hoo’s room.
Kang Rojun and Si-hoo sat on their beds, each with a laptop on their thighs.
The funny thing was, they were both wearing earphones.
"......"
"......"
Silent Rojun and Si-hoo were listening to each other’s songs. Si-hoo was listening to Rojun’s 'GreenBee', while Rojun was listening to Si-hoo’s song. Among the two who were listening to the song selected as Vanguard’s debut track, the first to speak was Si-hoo.
“...Hey, Rojun.”
At the movent, Kang Rojun lifted his eyes and took out one earphone.
“Huh?”
“Rojun, this 'GreenBee' is insane??”
“It’s okay?”
“It’s way beyond just okay! It’s so good?? I’m listening to it for the third ti now... the more I hear it, the more it sticks in my ears.”
“Good.”
Good? Si-hoo was dumbfounded by Kang Rojun’s light reaction. And understandably so.
‘Wait- he improved his composition skills this much already?’
Compared to the first ballad Rojun had composed not long ago, ‘Song No. 1’, his skills had improved to an unbelievable degree.
‘This isn’t just improved, it’s miles better.’
How long had it even been since ‘Song No. 1’ was completed? The situation was so incomprehensible that Si-hoo was experiencing cognitive dissonance. Especially because the song 'GreenBee' was just that good. As Si-hoo’s mind swirled in chaos, Rojun gave him a complint too.
“Your song’s killer too, hyung. As expected of Si-hoo hyung.”
“R-Really??”
“Of course. That’s why it got confird for the debut album right away.”
Once the praise was delivered, the shock that had been rippling through Si-hoo’s head began to fade into the distance. It might seem simple, but that was also part of Si-hoo’s charm. Soon, with a faint smile, Rojun tapped his laptop with his index finger.
“Should I handle the lyric part assignnts like I did with ‘Survival 100’ or ‘Bold’?”
“Yeah, yeah, of course.”
“Shall I start writing the lyrics?”
“Yes, please do, Lyricist Rojun-nim.”
Kang Rojun nodded, put his earphone back in, and played Si-hoo’s song again.
-♬♪
The intro began with a drum solo. After the flashy drum section ended, the lody joined in. As Rojun slowly closed his eyes.
“......”
A flood of lyrics was swirling through his mind.
The next morning.
The 'Vanguard' mbers arrived early at GN Entertainnt. Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung jumped straight into training with no major changes, but Kang Rojun got even busier.
'Today, let's complete the mission first.'
As soon as he arrived at the company, Rojun headed straight to the gym and finished the mission. Before heading alone to the practice room, he checked his stats and proceeded with enhancent. Once he confird the numbers, Kang Rojun arrived at the practice room and laid out multiple materials. He studied and reviewed vocal, rap, and dance. On top of that, he added acting practice. His study material: the scripts of 'Rental Lover'.
Even just that took up half a day.
After having lunch with the mbers, most of Rojun’s afternoon schedule was spent in the studio. Sitting in his familiar seat, Kang Rojun powered on his laptop.
“Phew- let’s do this.”
He imdiately started typing. There was a lot to do today. But what he began with first was writing the lyrics for Si-hoo’s song.
Naturally.
-♬♪
Si-hoo’s song was playing in his earphones.
While Rojun was fully imrsed in his work in the studio, elsewhere in a eting room at GN Entertainnt, Manager Kim Ki-baek and several staff mbers were present. All were departnt heads or higher. On the main monitor in front of them.
-[“Hello, this is the Post Production Team from Netflix Japan.”]
Japanese could be heard.
“Hello, I’m Manager Kim Ki-baek of GN Entertainnt. You’re interested in casting our Rojun, I hear.”
The reason why Manager Kim Ki-baek and the staff were having a eting with Netflix Japan was to discuss casting actor Kang Rojun for 'Like a Kaleidoscope', a project written by Writer Rojun and now confird for production.
In other words, it was a video conference.
A fairly in-depth conversation was expected, and Manager Kim Ki-baek spoke Japanese with a weary smile. He was quite fluent.
“Shall we start by discussing the terms?”
About a week later.
Ti lted away. Before anyone realized, Christmas had passed and Wednesday, December 30th had arrived. Tomorrow would be the last day of 2020, the 31st. The world was basking in the year-end spirit, but GN Entertainnt was busier than ever. This included all departnts and mbers of 'Vanguard', Kang Rojun among them.
《[StarTalk] ‘Vanguard’ surpasses 3.5 million subscribers on their YouTube channel, when is the official debut date?》
《Looking through Vanguard’s YouTube channel… Just as many Japanese fans as Korean ones / Photo》
Currently, the ‘Vanguard’ mbers were seated in the large conference room. By the window of the ㅁ-shaped table. Around Rojun and the mbers were Manager Kim Ki-baek and the managent team, while across from them sat the executives of GN Entertainnt.
Among the participating departnts, the A&R team was also present.
The room was buzzing with murmurs.
At that mont.
-Slide.
A well-built man entered through the front door of the conference room, flanked by secretaries. It was CEO Ha Seo-hwan. At his entrance, the executives, staff mbers, Kang Rojun, and the rest of the mbers all stood up to greet him. After exchanging brief greetings, CEO Ha Seo-hwan pulled out the chair at the very front of the executives’ row.
“Let’s begin.”
Removing his suit jacket, CEO Ha Seo-hwan rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt. Rojun glanced at the CEO and marveled inwardly.
‘Whoa- look at those forearms. They look even more solid than before. He must be working out like crazy.’
Regardless of that, following CEO Ha Seo-hwan’s instruction, the female team leader of the A&R team stepped to the front of the room. As she operated the laptop, a projector lit up the screen, and after exchanging a glance with the CEO and the executives, she spoke.
“Then, let’s start by reviewing the final candidate songs for Vanguard’s debut album.”
As soon as the female team leader finished speaking, the supporting staff beside her operated the laptop. The screen being projected changed. Several lines of text appeared. On the very top line were the already confird songs by Kang Rojun and Si-hoo, and below them:
-Song Min-geun
-Pineon
-Jung Ji-ah
-Blue Coffee
-Kim Ha-neul
.
.
.
.
Ten composers who had made it to the final selection were listed in order. While Song Min-geun was familiar to Kang Rojun and the mbers, the other composers were mostly unfamiliar to Rojun. Soon, Si-hoo, seated next to Kang Rojun, let out a small exclamation.
“Wow- it’s still amazing that Composer ‘Pineon’ participated.”
Rojun asked,
“Why’s that surprising?”
The answer ca from Do-kyung.
“‘Pineon’ only gives songs to famous idols. He’s got a ton of hit songs. There’s no way he’d give one to rookies.”
Si-hoo picked up the baton.
“Which is why it’s surprising that he gave a song to us.”
Ah- so that’s what it ant? Sowhat understanding, Kang Rojun turned his eyes back to the screen in front.
“......”
A curious expression.
Soon, the female team leader at the front spoke again.
“Vanguard’s debut album will consist of four songs, and today, we will select two from these candidate tracks. First, let’s listen to each one.”
In short, today all the tracks for Vanguard’s debut album would be finalized. It was a much faster process than usual, largely thanks to CEO Ha Seo-hwan decisively confirming Rojun and Si-hoo’s songs earlier.
-♬♪
For several minutes, the lodies of top-tier composers rang loudly through the large conference room. Not just CEO Ha Seo-hwan, but the executives and all staff, including Manager Kim Ki-baek, listened attentively. Of course, so did Kang Rojun and the mbers.
Eventually.
“That’s the last one.”
As soon as all ten songs had finished playing, the executives began to speak.
“Song Min-geun’s still got it.”
“Right? Still produces amazing tracks. Song Min-geun really is the real deal. My picks are Song Min-geun and Pineon.”
“I’m glad to see even Pineon is showing interest in our ‘Vanguard’.”
“If you can’t read the trends, you can’t survive as a composer.”
“Did Pineon sharpen his knives for this? The quality is killer.”
The mood was narrowing down to Song Min-geun and Pineon. Overall, the executives’ opinions were mostly aligned. So was Kim Ki-baek’s.
‘Since these are final candidate songs, the quality across the board is high, but aside from Song Min-geun and Pineon, the others don’t quite match Vanguard’s vibe. Looks like it’ll be confird as Song Min-geun and Pineon.’
Soon, one of the executives turned to CEO Ha Seo-hwan, who had his arms crossed.
“What do you think, CEO-nim?”
After rubbing his cheek for a mont, CEO Ha Seo-hwan responded with a deep voice.
“Song Min-geun, Pineon, Kim Ha-neul are good. The rest don’t quite match with Vanguard’s style.”
“Then shall we proceed with Song Min-geun and Pineon?”
“......”
Just when it seed everyone was on the sa page, CEO Ha Seo-hwan turned his eyes to the mbers of ‘Vanguard’.
"What does 'Vanguard' think."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Kang Rojun responded.
“I’d prefer we not include Composer Pineon’s track.”
CEO Ha Seo-hwan’s brow twitched slightly.
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