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“Anyway, since you promised to feature, I’ll send you the track.”

“Thanks…!”

I was really grateful.

This was Miro’s first original song.

Isn’t it a first for the Celestial Realm too?

Should we… produce a separate music video?

I need to have produced something before I can do anything, so I guess I should ask the manager once.

Since I’m taking the track, can’t you just make the music video?

Even if you can’t support it, surely you can introduce reliable people, right?

While I was happily imagining all this, Hyeon-su added,

“Oh, I’ll modify the track I promised to send too.”

“Um, I’d appreciate that.”

“You’ll love it. It matches perfectly.”

“Oh, is the theme narcissism?”

“Hahaha.”

I asked just in case, but Hyeon-su’s reaction was subtle.

“What’s the answer?”

“Just listen for yourself.”

Really? Ugh.

But I’m definitely not narcissistic.

I’m just speaking objectively about Kim Soo-hyun from the perspective of Kim Soo-hyun (Male).

“Just to clarify, I might admire my reflection in the mirror, but I’m not narcissistic.”

“…Do you happen to know the story of Narcissus?”

“Narcissus? Who is that?”

Is he some ancient guy? Just hearing the name sounds…

“He’s not special; apparently, he admired his own reflection in a lake.”

“Is he maybe the representative of narcissism?”

“Well, you could say he’s like Confucius for Confucianism, Mussolini for fascism, or Karl Marx for communism…”

“Stop!”

I immediately raised my palm and lightly tapped Hyeon-su’s forehead.

“Ugh.”

“This is violence. It’s the quickest medicine for correcting wrong thoughts.”

“Wow.”

Hyeon-su looked at me as if wondering what kind of person I was, but what could he say?

Who treats someone as narcissistic?

At that moment, Ah-young, who had been watching us, tapped my shoulder.

“Hey, Soo-hyun.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I post that on our Instagram?”

As she said that, her phone displayed the video of the conversation Hyeon-su and I just had.

When did she record that?

“I think it’ll get a great reaction if you post this.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Okay….”

Absolutely not. Am I trying to get beaten up by Slim Gold fans?

“By the way, when did you record this?”

“I pulled out my phone the moment you asked, ‘Is the theme narcissism?’.”

…How well did she catch that?

Was my dislike of the producer back when we filmed a variety show out of tribal hatred?

Rather, there’s something in the conversation earlier that’s bothering me.

“Hyeon-su.”

“Yeah?”

“But can songs really be modified like that?”

“Song modification?”

“You know, making things harder and better.”

Can modifications really elevate the difficulty and quality like that?

“Ah, no, actually, I made it a bit easier keeping Soo-hyun unnie in mind. You’re lacking in technique, right?”

“No, you little brat….”

I was a bit touched by that.

So he composed the song and arranged the featuring part with me in mind?

Of course, he didn’t ask for my approval, but still, that shows a lot of thoughtfulness.

No wonder he’s popular with industry seniors.

“Hyeon-su, let me know if you need help later.”

“A feature is enough, though?”

“Still, if you ask for more, I’ll listen.”

Honestly, I wasn’t planning to take advantage of just one feature.

I’m a decent adult.

Of course, I don’t know what help I’d even need from Hyeon-su, but I can certainly contribute in other specialized areas, right?

Like maybe in art, design, or other art-related fields.

“Then, well… I’ll graciously accept your offer.”

“Think of it as a favor and don’t worry.”

“Then for now, let’s listen to the songs and pick one.”

“Hmm… that’s a really difficult request.”

All the tracks are so good that it feels wasting to choose.

Surely if I don’t pick now, they won’t just disappear, right?

“But what happens to the tracks that aren’t chosen?”

Just to be sure, I asked, but it seemed he hadn’t thought about it. He paused for a moment, pondering.

“Well, I guess? You could sell them to other artists.”

“Ah.”

“Anyway, since I’ll be involved in the songwriting and composing.”

“But doesn’t that feel a bit wasteful? You could sing them yourself.”

“Those tracks weren’t picked by me. I’ll create even better songs later.”

Wow, Hyeon-su.

I don’t know why he turned out this way, but his confidence is overflowing.

I can feel the genius radiating from him.

Eventually, after having lunch in the middle, I listened to all twenty songs and managed to pick three that matched my taste.

“This one, this one, and this one’s totally my style.”

“Okay, got it.”

Whether it gets adopted or not, if it helps, that’s fine.

“Then I’ll get up now.”

“Are you leaving already?”

“I’ve been here for quite a while, you know?”

Sure, I came in the morning, so I did spend a fair amount of time in the workshop.

“Stay a bit longer!”

When I said I was leaving, Ah-young grabbed my arm.

It seems that since it’s just guys here, they appreciate having another girl around.

“Well… I’d like to, but…”

Like Ah-young suggested, I was tempted to stick around until dinner, but unfortunately, I already had another appointment.

“I have somewhere to go. I’ll come again next time.”

“Ehh… always leaving early.”

“Just think of me as a busy woman.”

“With no friends?”

“…I’ll go.”

With that, I exited Hyeon-su’s workshop and headed to the next location.

The place I was going was Kang Woo-hyeon’s workshop.

In truth, I had no recording plans, but since I was already in Hyeon-su’s workshop, I figured I might as well drop by, and I received a warm welcome.

Now, I walked through the familiar street scene until I reached the workshop building to enter the code and went inside.

Upon entering the lobby, the composer was right there, and a man was sitting across from him.

Maybe in his mid to late twenties?

I couldn’t tell exactly. I just knew he was young.

Is this a meeting place or something? It feels like there’s always someone here whenever I come.

“Oh, Soo-hyun, you made it!”

Once I entered, the composer and the man both looked my way.

The composer was still somewhat expressionless, while the man seemed a bit surprised to see me.

“Yeah, I’m a bit late. Who’s this?”

“Oh, this is Lee Kang-jun, who I’m working with this time. He came with gifts to discuss our collaboration.”

As the composer said that, he pointed to one side of the lobby.

A set of premium Hanwoo beef that looked expensive just by looking at it.

“Oh….”

Seeing the gift and the somewhat stiff man, I began to understand why the composer had such impressive connections despite always being in the workshop.

It’s unnecessary for him to move; connections come to him.

Like in ancient Qing or the Roman Empire, when neighboring nations would come offering gold to the emperor.

When you’re at the level of the composer, connections naturally come to you.

“You really have skills, composer.”

“Suddenly showering me with compliments—what’s the point if nothing comes out of it?”

The composer looked at me as if to say, “What am I supposed to do with your unexpected worship?”

“At least dinner will come out of it, right?”

“Pffft! Ha cough!”

As soon as I finished speaking, the man listening to the conversation beside us burst into laughter and started coughing.

And the composer chuckled while nodding.

“Certainly… dinner is guaranteed.”

“Then I should eat well.”

After all, today is also Director Kim’s holiday, so I should tell my parents to have a cozy dinner at home while I snag some dinner here.

“So, what’s your name?”

“Oh, I’m Lee Kang-jun.”

The man who introduced himself as Lee Kang-jun smiled brightly.

It was a smile like he thought I’d recognize him as soon as I knew his name.

Well, until now, other people might have acknowledged him, but… sorry, I don’t remember.

Though I’ve gotten somewhat familiar with names from the industry, considering I didn’t know before meeting actual idols…

“Ah… I’m Kim Soo-hyun.”

When I responded, Lee Kang-jun’s expression became subtle, as if he wondered if I didn’t recognize him.

“Don’t you go to karaoke often?”

“Huh? Not really?”

“Oh dear….”

When was the last time? I don’t remember why he’s asking about karaoke, but the last time I did go was when Tenshi came to Korea, and that’s all there is to it.

An awkward silence fell momentarily, and the composer stepped in to break the tension.

“Kang-jun just ranked number one on the karaoke charts.”

“Ah, congratulations!”

So… that means it’s a karaoke hit?

That’s pretty impressive.

I mean, any song popular enough on karaoke is well-known among regular karaoke goers.

But still… I’ve seen so many celebrities already, haven’t I?

After all, the composer sitting right in front of me has composed numerous annual number one hits.

Come to think of it, didn’t the composer have some songs featured during the K-pop World Cup on my broadcast last time?

…I really hope he didn’t watch my broadcast.

Wouldn’t it feel awkward for him if a rookie he actually knows was judging his song?

No way. Given his personality, he might just laugh it off.

“Hey, do you want to hear one of my songs?”

“Oh, if you play it for me, of course, I’d love that.”

I wonder if he wants me to acknowledge him?

Lee Kang-jun hesitated for a moment before pulling out his phone and playing his song.

Alright, let’s have a listen.

Could it be that I know this song?

And so it began, the sound of Lee Kang-jun’s confident track echoed through the lobby of the composer’s workshop.

 

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