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“Regarding the music video production….”

The man I thought was merely the leader of the team turned out to be a real leader after all.

Ahn Jung-hwan, who introduced himself as the team leader, nodded eagerly when I mentioned I wanted a music video, continuing right away.

“Well, you’ve come to the right place, then. This is our specialty.”

“Is that so?”

“You saw our work, didn’t you?”

His confident words dripped with pride for his team and their projects.

Well, I did come here because I saw their skills….

I quickly glanced around.

The desks were all messy, and there was some trash lying on the floor.

No matter how skilled the professionals were, who would believe they worked in these conditions?

The stellar track record earned through their brilliant careers was overshadowed by the state of the office.

“Haha… there’s a reason for this.”

Ahn Jung-hwan seemed to know the place was messy.

After all, he himself looked like he had blended into the chaos.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, normally we could call a cleaning lady, but….”

He said this while picking up a piece of paper from the floor to show me.

I had thought it was just trash, but upon closer inspection, there were drawings on it.

“We sometimes draw spontaneously on paper like this. It helps later.”

Hmm….

So you’re saying that trash and inspiration are rolling around together in this environment?

It would indeed be troublesome if a cleaning lady came and accidentally threw something away.

I was about to say that it would be fine if they just kept things tidy, but… I decided to respect their ways.

As long as they did their job well, that was what mattered.

“I see… I think it’s quite unique.”

“Haha… thank you for looking at it positively. Shall we talk about work?”

“Sure.”

Work talk… right, that’s what I came here for.

“But where should I start?”

Truthfully, even though I had come here, I had no idea how to begin.

“Excuse me?”

“I’ve never made such a request before.”

Well, I should have some experience with this.

I came here with the intention of discussing things face-to-face.

“Do you perhaps have any concept ideas in mind?”

“Pardon?”

“If you share your concept idea in detail, we can reference it for the video.”

“Ah.”

Thinking about it, it wouldn’t make sense for a music video to just magically appear upon request.

Concept ideas for the song….

Though I hadn’t thought about that part, I had been consistently listening to the new song, and many ideas had been popping into my head.

Of course, normally it wouldn’t be possible to form a concept just from a few thoughts….

“Would it be okay if I drew it for you right now?”

“Draw it?”

I’m not exactly your average case, am I?

“Yes, it seems easier to explain with a drawing.”

I was in the top 1% of artists who could express their thoughts on paper.

“Could I borrow someone’s tablet?”

And this place was filled with equipment I could use.

“Are you sure?”

“I’ll draw it well.”

With that, I rolled up my sleeves, ready to draw after a long while.

Let’s see what I can do!

***

“Oh no.”

As I began to grab the fan and draw, exclamations of amazement erupted from around the room.

“Wow… your lines…”

“You draw well, but your speed is really incredible…”

Given that these people had worked on tracks in the Celestial Realm, they must have known I could draw to some extent, but it seemed they hadn’t fully realized how good I was until now.

From the looks on their faces, at least.

“So, what are you drawing? It looks more like a scene than a concept idea?”

“Oh, I’m just lightly sketching out some music video scenes. It might take a little time, but is that alright?”

Since I arrived early, I still had time to spare.

If I could at least sketch out some ideas for the music video, it would make things easier for them, right?

I was happy because the music video was materializing along the lines of my thoughts, and these folks would find it easier to work.

It truly was a win-win situation.

“Scenes, you say?”

“I mean, your speed is fast, but can you manage it?”

As industry professionals, they were well aware of how long this work usually takes, and their concerns were valid.

“Don’t worry.”

I was confident.

Feeling inspired, I thought I could finish it quickly.

Maybe it was because I had been away from drawing for a while?

But now that I was really focusing on it, my inner artist was ignited, and I was drawing like crazy.

I thought I was doing even better than usual, quickly sketching out scenes.

“Are you sure you’re not better than me…?”

The girl responsible for the original artwork in the team muttered, but I pretended not to hear.

I mean, I’m good at this!

Plus, I was working faster than usual, so it wasn’t surprising for them to be impressed.

Regardless, I continued my work amidst their amazed gazes.

By the time I had sketched as many scenes for the music video as I wanted…

“Wow, did you time that?”

“Yes, this round is done….”

“Wow, you did it even faster than before. You’re really good.”

“Here, Miro, have some coffee.”

Their eyes were filled with goodwill.

“Ah, thank you.”

Feeling satisfied with my drawings, I stood up to accept the coffee, and the previously gathered people moved in front of the monitor to take a look at what I had just drawn.

“Wow… I guess I have nothing left to do?”

“Right? Then Ji-yeon, you’re off this project.”

“Do I just pack up and leave?”

“Yeah, come back for the next job.”

Although their remarks were a bit strange, it seemed they genuinely liked what I had drawn, which was a relief.

While I was watching the crowd, Ahn Jung-hwan approached me to speak.

“You’re really amazing.”

With a quick thumbs-up in praise, his earlier awkward demeanor had completely vanished.

Only goodwill filled his eyes.

“How is it? Is it okay?”

“Okay? It’s really good.”

Ahn Jung-hwan couldn’t take his eyes off the original pieces I had drawn.

“I can’t wait to start working.”

I wondered why he was so eager, but seeing that piece, it seemed like he was itching to get started.

After all, even though their deadlines were usually late, they were people who genuinely cared about quality. They must love this work.

“That’s good news for me.”

If he wanted to speed things up, maybe the final product would come out sooner than expected.

“Ah, by the way, when do we need to finish this?”

“Uh, we haven’t even signed a contract yet?”

Since he was asking about deadlines before we even signed a contract, it seemed like this project was a sure thing.

I had drawn all this, and I had been slightly worried about them rejecting it, so I felt relieved.

“Aren’t we working with you?”

“Of course. But about the deadline…”

Naturally, I was keen to work, so I pondered for a moment.

What timeframe should I suggest?

They were renowned for missing deadlines.

Typically, I would either set a loose deadline or an extremely tight one to keep things in check, but….

Was there really a need for that?

“I won’t set any deadlines.”

“Pardon?”

“Just go ahead and do what you want.”

I wasn’t pressed for time anyway, and besides, they had their new song coming out soon, so even if they wanted to rush, they couldn’t.

Since Lee Kang-jun had provided the track quickly, I thought we could release it right away, but given the circumstances, it made sense to go flexible.

And the longer it took, the better the music video would turn out, right?

They were truly serious about the music video production, so I didn’t think they would bail on it entirely.

“Wow, the line work is….”

“Doesn’t it feel stable compared to other art pieces?”

Looking at how they were all gathering around the original pieces I drew, they would likely prioritize my work.

And how long could it really be delayed?

At least they would finish it by early next year.

“Really?”

“Yes, show us your skills.”

“Alright.”

Seeing their delighted expressions at the lack of a deadline, Ahn Jung-hwan looked genuinely moved.

How much had they suffered?

But honestly, it’s their fault for being unable to finish quickly after already signing a contract.

They seemed a bit indecisive, not that their skills were lacking.

I was reminded of how I had only received Ahn Jung-hwan’s contact a week before visiting this office because they had postponed dates.

…Recalling that made me feel somewhat uneasy, but I quickly pulled myself together.

They’ll do well.

If things got too late, I’d just have to push them when the time came.

“I’ll send the contract via email.”

“Oh, that would be appreciated.”

Having successfully completed the request, I was just about to leave and head home when…

“Um, Miro?”

“Yeah?”

Ahn Jung-hwan, who had been quietly receiving my farewell, suddenly called out to me.

I wondered if something was up, and when I looked over, he seemed a bit nervous to speak.

“Would you consider working with us? Your skills are just too good.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll make sure you’re treated like the best in the industry. Of course, it won’t interfere much with your broadcast….”

“Oh wow, don’t say such things.”

What kind of absurdity…? Have I lost my mind?

Work here?

Sure, it’s fine for a business partner’s workshop, but the state of this office makes it impossible for me to work in.

Even if the office were spotless, there wouldn’t be a chance I’d join this team.

“No, really, your skills are just incredible, so please….”

“Thanks, but I’ll be going now.”

I understood they were keen on my skills, but I was Miro, the idol of the masses.

I simply didn’t have the time to produce music videos like this.

Turning down Ahn Jung-hwan’s disappointment-laden offer, I escaped home.

 

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