Second Try Idol

Chapter 265: First Full Album (1)

In the YMM Entertainment conference room, our fatigue from a prolonged business trip to the US lingered despite one day of rest. However, work awaited us. Preparation for the first full album of a rapidly rising group had been methodically progressing. Now it was time to experience the final product with my own ears and eyes.

“The title track is called ‘Phantom Spirit.’ It’s a serene and dark composition. Let's give it a listen first," said Supervisor Kim. He signaled to Hye-Ri, who then played the song.

‘...’

As soon as the song started, I could tell this wasn’t a pop hit like “Joy.” Instead, it was a concept track likely to appeal to those who were either fans of idols or had some interest in KPOP. It was a niche song akin to “Chronos” or “Parade,” rather than “Blue Room Party” or “Joy.”

However, it was more to my taste than any song we had worked on before, and I loved it.

“Is this the final choice?"

“Yes. We decided while you were away. I’m sorry."

“Oh, no, it's okay."

I realized that, since Joo-Han's compositions were not listed as candidates as usual, this album would largely be shaped by the company’s decisions rather than ours. After all, the first full album of Chronos was not only crucial for us. It was also a significant release for YMM.

“Wow."

Supervisor Kim continued to describe key points of the song as it played.

“We're nearly done with the choreography concept. We are just waiting to finalize the parts."

“But, Supervisor, does this track also fit into the Chronos universe?" Jin-Sung asked.

Supervisor Kim paused, smiled broadly, and nodded. “Yes, it's a highlight of your first saga."

“...So there’s multiple universes?"

“Jin-Sung, if we stick to one narrative, we can't experiment with various concepts. This title is the highlight, and the following songs will serve as an epilogue."

“Oh, I had no idea we were working with such a well-defined concept."

“Speaking of which, could you explain the story to us?"

“The story? Oh, you mean for the music video?"

Our writer, whom we affectionately call the Assistant, shared the overarching narrative of the album. “Throughout several iterations, the protagonist has changed. It was Joo-Han in ‘Joy,’ and Jin-Sung in ‘Parade.’”

“Oh, I was the protagonist in ‘Joy?’" Joo-Han asked.

Supervisor Kim chuckled. “I’m sure I told you."

Goh Yoo-Joon couldn’t help but interject incredulously. “You probably didn’t even realize how much screen time you had in the music video, right? Isn’t that right, Mr. Joo-Han?...Ouch!"

Joo-Han playfully smacked Goh Yoo-Joon on the back and told him to quiet down. “You’re annoying."

“Anyway, the protagonist of the first full album’s title song is Hyun-Woo."

Jin-Sung wiggled excitedly in his chair. “Oooh, are we finally going to uncover Hyun-Woo's secrets?"

‘I’m the main character?’ Considering the number of hints about Goh Yoo-Joon in the last music video, I had thought he would be the next lead. It seemed the story was advancing to highlight me sooner than anticipated.

The writer provided detailed explanations about the storyline. "Hyun-Woo's secrets will be revealed. While previous albums focused more on the members in the fantasy realm, this time the narrative will revolve around those set in the modern world."

We didn't know much about the story until now and could only guess it would be something like this from the music video storyboard. Thus, everyone was surprised, listening with wide-eyed astonishment while the writer described the details and twists of the story.

“Just keep one thing in mind," Supervisor Kim said as the discussion wrapped up. “The music video's plot is also being planned based on this story, and the choreography will be designed to match it. However, it won't be too tightly aligned with the world of the story. It will be prepared with choreography that you all will like, so don't worry."

“Okay!"

“How much of the choreography is done?" I asked.

Supervisor Kim shook his head since he was unsure. “Apart from the large formation, it's sporadic, and it can only be completed once the individual parts have been decided on. You guys, ah, right, the parts. Before we start recording, we will decide on the parts after consulting with Producer Do."

Jin-Sung hesitantly raised his hand. “Umm, supervisor?"

“Yeah, Jin-Sung, go ahead."

“I’ve been thinking for a bit... Could I just rap on this track?"

“Just rap?"

“Yes."

Jin-Sung hesitantly proposed his idea, but his desire to focus solely on rapping seemed firmly planted.

“Why now? Joo-Han, has he always had a passion for rap?"

“Oh, lately Jin-Sung has been into Kim Jin-Wook."

“Ah."

“Ah, hyung!"

Joo-Han laughed. Recently, Jin-Sung's love for Kim Jin-Wook had been growing. It started with “Once Again,” when he admired Kim Jin-Wook's rapping and even got his phone number. Now, it seemed he wanted to switch to being a rapper like Kim Jin-Wook.

Jin-Sung was teased by Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Supervisor Kim. He pouted and looked at me. You are so lucky to be best friends with Jin-Wook hyung.”

“Ah…”

‘Best friends? That’s ridiculous. How can we be best friends when we don’t actually interact?’

Right now, the only best friend I had in this situation was Goh Yoo-Joon.

“Jin-Sung, do you want to take over as Jin-Wook hyung's best friend?"

“Really? Nah… But what if it's too much for him?" Jin-Sung replied, clearly overwhelmed. I couldn't help but chuckle at his fan-struck expression before I turned away.

Supervisor Kim laughed heartily and flipped through his notebook before shifting the conversation. “Let's wrap up the concept discussion here and talk about the direction of your schedule. We focused quite a bit on individual activities during our last song promotion.”

“Yes," we agreed.

“But the seeds we planted then didn't wither. They've borne fruit, Yoon-Chan."

“Yes?"

“Yoon-Chan, I’ve secured an audition for a drama role for you."

“…Really?"

“You wanted to act, right? Didn’t you tell that to Su-Hwan?"

“Well, I do, but… I'm focusing on team activities right now..." Yoon-Chan spoke quietly, glancing at the other members.

Supervisor Kim nodded, understandingly smiling. “It’s good to focus on team activities, but the other members are already gaining popularity with their individual ventures, you know? Yoo-Joon is also about to release a soundtrack. I think it's time for you to do something too, so I grabbed this opportunity for you."

Refusal wasn’t an option. The schedule was already set, and Yoon-Chan had to comply, albeit passively.

It was actually better to schedule Yoon-Chan's acting commitments this way. He wouldn’t bring up wanting to act unless we truly became big enough to hit the Billboard charts with Joo-Han's songs.

“It turned out well for Yoon-Chan."

When I brought it up, the other members also stepped in to encourage Yoon-Chan.

Yoon-Chan finally smiled and murmured quietly to Su-Hwan, “Hyung, thank you."

“No problem!”

“Oh~ how heartwarming~" Supervisor Kim mimicked a speech style older than his age, then he flipped another page in his notebook. “And how are the songs going, Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo?"

“I've already finished mine,” Joo-Han replied. “I will send it when I return to the dorm today."

“And Hyun-Woo?"

“Ah, I’m still..."

I hadn’t finished yet. Until yesterday, I had been frequently visiting Joo-Han’s room and Producer Do’s studio, working hard since it was my first time doing something like this. That was why things were going slower than expected.

“I’m not done yet. Please give me about an extra week."

“Can you do it? Should I ask Producer Do to help you out?"

“Ah, no. It's almost done. I will try to speed things up."

“I will help you. It will take about three days." Joo-Han put his hand on my shoulder and spoke.

“Okay. With Joo-Han and Producer Do around, it will be a great song."

“I’m sorry to make you wait."

“Hyun-Woo, since this is your first time, don’t rush and take it easy."

“Yes, Supervisor."

Supervisor Kim’s notebook finally closed after he kept flipping through it non-stop. “Shall we wrap up here? Let’s finish distributing the parts quickly and ensure the schedule is not delayed. Su-Hwan, can you talk to the broadcast station about the schedule and see if we can book a group variety show?"

“Yes."

“Oh, please do. Then, let’s call it a day!"

The first meeting for the first full album had concluded.

***

After the meeting ended, the members immediately returned to the dorm and collapsed on their beds. The fatigue hadn’t worn off yet, and they were still groggy from being dragged to the meeting room, so they were quite sleepy.

I, who usually slept the most, was ironically kept awake by worries about my song being delayed, so I started working in Joo-Han’s room after asking for his understanding. I frantically locked myself in the room for over five hours, but I realized that I wouldn’t be able to finish today given that I couldn’t focus properly, and eventually closed the program.

I sent three songs that resulted from my work to Joo-Han and Kim Jin-Wook.

Attached files:

Hyung.mp

Which_Version_Do_You_Like.mp

Anything_You_Want_To_Eat.mp

Joo-Han could be in a meeting with Producer Do, and Kim Jin-Wook tended to work at dawn, so he could be asleep.

Ding!

……The reply arrived immediately.

Attached file:

[Anything_You_Want_To_Eat.mp4]

Content: Coffee

It seemed the last file was the best, according to Kim Jin-Wook.

- Thank you.

(Coffee shop gift card.jpg)

I sent the reply and left Joo-Han’s room for my bed.

“Ugh…… ah……”

A groan naturally escaped my lips. I was so sleepy by that point that I almost crawled into bed and lay face down. I was about to fall asleep when…

“...Huh?”

I sniffed, my face buried in the pillow.

‘What is this?’

A strange scent came from the pillow. It wasn’t that of fabric softener, but unmistakably that of a perfume. However, it was different from any fragrance our members used as it was distinctly feminine.

I suddenly felt uneasy, so I inspected the pillow more closely. I ran my hand over its plain surface and glanced around the head of the bed. That was when I spotted something startling.

“Hair..."

But it was long, very long, and brown in color. How long did it take me to realize what happened?

In an instant, I got goosebumps, rendering me speechless from shock. Such hair couldn’t possibly belong to any of the members. It was long, seemingly a woman’s hair, clinging to my pillow. This indicated that someone had stealthily entered our house, this room, my bed, during our absence.[1]

1. OH MY GOSH!!!!! Obsessive fans are on a different level in Korea. They invade the privacy of celebrities, often going to extreme lengths to follow, watch, or interact with their idols, sometimes engaging in behavior that is considered stalking or even harassment. I used to be a big fan of EXO (a KPOP boy group), and they were suffering so much from such people. ☜