Chapter 12: Taeyoon’s Savior
Gathering around a new project and everyone gossiping and grinding away at it was an age‑old tradition in Korean companies.
Even in the entertainnt industry it wasn’t different.
Coffee ti served as a front for backtalk.
It was the only comfort and the lone pleasure in their office lives.
Like birds pecking at feed, they attacked without rcy.
Today’s “feed,” sadly, was Han Yujin.
“Yujin’s recording today, right?”
A woman wearing red lipstick slurped her coffee and broke the silence.
What she really ant was, “You all probably have so much to say about Yujin’s new song too, right?” It didn’t matter – if she pretended, they’d follow suit.
“Yeah, that’s right. But did you hear it yet?”
Exactly like that.
“What? What is it?”
Then one by one they chid in, as if they had been waiting.
“They’re doing another rookie this ti, right?”
“Even though they got burned last ti, they’re doing it again?”
“CEO is so harsh. Are they hoarding songs or sothing? I didn’t think that of them.”
“Yujin is surprisingly stubborn, you know. What did A&R say?”
“Well, I heard the song was picked well? I really wanted to hear it. They say the beat’s art. Yujin should do well this ti.”
“But a rookie’s still a rookie.”
The red‑lipstick woman, who had been nodding quietly, sumd up the employee chatter in one line.
So……. they’re saying Yujin is releasing another album with a rookie composer’s song?
She made a forlorn expression as she drove the point ho.
“I feel so sorry for our Yujin. If this goes wrong, it’s going to be a real ss. Last song was sloppy, and this one will be too. Rookies are way too risky, right?”
Then she took another slurp of coffee. Louder than before.
Criticism disguised as concern.
A familiar form of hypocrisy.
Everyone smirked awkwardly, though they all knew.
In the art team, ranking was determined by lipstick color, and hers was the reddest.
No need to draw attention or add comnts—only to invite sharp stares.
Just as the backtalk session was winding down with the desired remarks, it collapsed…
“Thank you for your concern.”
A crisp voice ca from the side.
It was Han Yujin.
Skillfully filling ice and pouring coffee, she continued.
“I didn’t expect Director Jung to worry about so much—what an honor. You never care about other people’s business.”
Oh dear, this isn’t a K‑drama cliché.
The subject herself was in the lounge, hearing and grinding her teeth?
This is the ti you dodge out.
Those not yet on her radar quietly slipped away.
If you get caught trash‑talking an artist, you won’t look good.
They could dismiss it as concern at this point… but it’s too awkward when the person is right there.
“But just one thing.”
Han Yujin’s cool voice cut in.
I could endure insults directed at .
Being told I can’t sing, or I lack variety sense, or I can’t dance—that’s bearable. Acceptance, even.
But….
“Aren’t people who haven’t even heard the song making overly wild guesses? The A&R team wouldn’t have leaked the new song demo, right?”
You can’t insult my song!
After writing one myself, I learned.
How fiercely composers and lyricists agonize when working.
And this piece… Taeyoon had written it solely for .
It wasn’t so trendy, half‑hearted tune thrown together to chase a fad.
To speak nonsense to this custom‑made song? Absolutely unacceptable.
“The song doesn’t deserve bla. It’s the singer who failed to deliver properly. Though I think… that singer might have changed a little?”
Toward the employees who fell silent as if honey had been poured over their mouths, Han Yujin delivered her final blow and departed.
With her back straightened, she exited the lounge; the red‑lipstick director just stared blankly at her retreating figure.
Han Yujin… she really grew up, didn’t she?
“How does it feel to record for the first ti?”
“Feels like a dream becoming reality.”
Ah. Was that line too cheesy?
Still, no regrets—because it was the truth.
I need to banish the word “cheesy.”
That word kills all emotion.
Luckily, Team Leader Park seed sentintal enough. He nodded along and empathized.
“That’s great. Having your dream beco reality—never easy. Congrats.”
“If you’re congratulating already…”
“Because beginnings are always special. The longer you work, the more you lose it. Sotis I can’t even rember what I was like—I find that a bit frustrating.”
I sat in a corner of the recording studio where the producer hadn’t arrived yet.
Team Leader Park and I chatted about this and that.
Hyung said that the A&R team leader was a master who knew everything.
Having experienced it, that was right.
Even now, I felt it.
“So I brought this,”
He produced a box.
“What’s this?”
“Nothing special. A diary and a pen.”
“Uh…”
My face ward.
I’d been the type to scribble notes in any random notebook, tearing pages out and bringing them.
Even before this, I’d done it.
I grabbed so pen lying around—but since it didn’t write well, Team Leader Park subtly lent his pen.
“Open it. The diary belongs to the company so no cost to you. The pen isn’t expensive, so feel free to use it.”
“But, team leader…”
I peered into the shopping bag.
TO Entertainnt.
Inside was an impressive diary with the company na in gold foil—and also…
“Why did you give so many pens?”
It was a whole box of pens.
“Pens get lost all the ti, right? No matter how minor the eting, always bring your diary and pen. You don’t want to appear flustered over sothing trivial.”
What can I say?
Providing for soone without awkwardness—this is a high‑level skill.
Showing through action, not nagging, is truly team‑leader style.
I’d seen him many tis, but nervousness kept from really knowing him.
But now… he was soone with so much to learn from.
He was sharp enough to almost read my mind sotis.
“You seem less nervous than expected?”
“Surprisingly calm.”
“Try giving your hand.”
“Why my hand?”
Yet I instinctively extended my palm.
With a light high‑five, Team Leader Park smiled and answered.
“You really aren’t nervous.”
“Excuse ?”
“Your palm is utterly dry… good…”
Expectation outweighed nervousness.
They say the first button is key.
I wanted to show my resolve to Team Leader Park.
“I’ve prepared like this—how is it?”
I shared the directing notes I’d stayed up to organize last night.
Soone said…
The most important thing in making a song was directing.
To had assigned an excellent producer.
I only saw him briefly during the guide recording, but he was calm and ticulous.
I thought he might give a hard ti since I was a beginner, but he didn’t.
So I tried preparing sothing.
Since the composer knows the song’s direction best.
I was the one who translated the beats and lodies that ca to mind from looking at Han Yujin into a track.
This much should help with the directing.
“You’re thorough. I like it.”
Team Leader Park read through the paper with curious eyes.
He didn’t forget to add so reactions like “Oh?” and “Hmm.”
Then he looked up from the paper and asked .
“Who taught you this?”
Who else? I just picked it up here and there.
It’s not sothing you have to be taught to know, is it?
We’re all here to do well together.
I just wanted to prepare sothing that would help with the recording, as a composer.
And I organized it into a visible docunt.
“I had various thoughts, but once I got into the real thing, I couldn’t rember well. So I just organized it.”
“I like this kind of attitude. Looking at you, Writer Seo, I’m really hopeful. But, well…”
Team Leader Park hesitated a mont before speaking again.
“The Owner has high expectations. That’s why our main producer has changed too.”
“In a good way?”
“In terms of career, yes. You know The Green, right?”
Of course I do.
They’re the top idol group at To.
“Of course. I like their songs too.”
“He’s The Green’s main producer.”
“Oh, what an honor.”
To think such a famous producer would be handling my song.
I was lucky. I had to learn a lot, I thought as I looked around the recording studio.
“Is it really an honor, though?”
“Sorry?”
“There’s… well.”
Just a mont ago, he looked at like hearts were about to fly out of his eyes.
But now, his gaze had drooped.
What’s up with that?
Shouldn’t we be happy about a famous producer?
“I’m fine with whoever cos.”
“Oh, confidence?”
“In the end, it’s Han Yujin who performs it. I’m not worried. No matter who cos.”
When the scheduled ti arrived,
People started appearing in the recording studio one by one.
The first to arrive was Han Yujin.
She saw Taeyoon and greeted him cheerfully.
“Oh, Writer Seo. Nice to see you. I practiced a lot before coming.”
Her determined expression was a bonus.
She clenched her fist to her face and pursed her lips.
Taeyoon greeted her with the sa pose.
It really gave energy.
And then the next person to appear…
“Huh?”
An unexpected figure—it was Lyricist Oh Jisoo.
Taeyoon sprang up from his seat and bowed deeply.
The table scraped forward with a clatter.
“Hi, Writer Seo? It’s even nicer to see you after so long.”
“Hello.”
He hadn’t done anything wrong, but seeing Writer Oh made Taeyoon feel awkward for so reason.
Noticing the vibe, Han Yujin trotted over.
She gave a bunny-like smile and whispered.
“Do you know?”
“Know what?”
“That Lyricist Oh really looked out for you.”
“Excuse ?”
“I also overheard in the Owner’s office. Apparently, she insisted you be properly paid for your song. Said she wouldn’t tolerate anyone treating you poorly just because you’re a rookie lyricist. She really looks after her juniors.”
“Ah…”
Taeyoon looked at Oh Jisoo.
Noticing his gaze, Oh Jisoo t his eyes and winked before slowly walking over.
“I thought you’d be trembling like a leaf, but you seem calm.”
“It’s thanks to your care.”
“Care, huh. Curious why I’m here today?”
Taeyoon nodded quickly.
It’s unusual for a lyricist who lost the pitch to show up at the recording site.
People might worry she ca to cause a scene and flip the table.
But this was Oh Jisoo.
She’d long moved on from those antics.
Today…
“I ca to direct the lyrics.”
She declared herself Taeyoon’s savior.
“Ah…”
“Dance songs are like that. No matter how good the lyrics are, they can feel off when sung. Yujin’s great at expressing them, but after hearing the demo, there were so awkward parts. With a few tweaks, it could really co alive.”
Oh Jisoo smiled gently and continued.
“Even just a particle or an ending can change the flavor. You’re my first student, so I figured I’d drop so golden tips. Do well today. Can’t let people say the lyrics that got picked are sloppy, right? What’s with that look? I’m not asking for credit. Today’s just a favor for a junior.”
Even as Oh Jisoo spoke casually,
Taeyoon just listened with a serious expression.
“Um… I’m so honored that I don’t know what to say.”
He ant it.
Team Leader Park, Writer Oh—
These incredibly busy people ca all this way just to help him… It was deeply touching.
“At tis like this, just say thank you and be happy. I don’t show up just anywhere. Right, Yujin?”
“Totally right. Our Writer Oh doesn’t care about others’ business, so I was surprised she ca today.”
“What, did you think I’d cause trouble?”
“Oh no, unnie. Don’t say such upsetting things.”
Thanks to their warm exchange, the studio atmosphere softened.
“Thank you. Really. I’ll do my best.”
Taeyoon’s first recording.
He thought it would unfold in this warm, encouraging mood.
He was sure of it.
“Oh, Producer Nam’s here.”
But the mont the producer arrived yawning like his jaw would split, a strange chill filled the air.
“Newbie?”
Instead of greeting, Producer Nam just held out his hand, and Taeyoon shook it thinking—
This won’t be easy…
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