In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

Translator: MarcTempest

Editor: Rxel

Chapter 283

While the staff continued their conversation with New Black, some other people entered the conference room.

They were the composers who participated in the fourth album.

Yoo Changseok, who used the stage name ‘Saltman’, sat down with a salty expression on his face.

“I heard the news and came up. Is the title song finished?”

“Not quite.” Woojoo explained with a smile, “Our concept is explosive fun, right? I wrote the song with a rough idea of what kind of vibe we should go for.”

“Already?”

“Ah…”

He nodded at Woojoo’s words. But he still had doubts in his mind.

‘He already made it…?’

It hadn’t been long since they were told to prepare their own title songs, and he had already completed it.

But he was more curious than suspicious.

He knew how high the other’s musical standards were.

-Woojoo, this is good enough. There aren’t many albums with this quality even in big agencies. It’s really well-made.

-Really? I feel like the sound is a bit empty here.

-That’s, that’s enough…

-No, it’s not. I have to fix this.

Woojoo was never satisfied with anything less than perfect.

He usually laughed and joked, but when it came to music, he changed completely.

He looked like a madman obsessed with music.

He paid attention to the details as if he was looking through a microscope, even while keeping an eye on the flow of the song.

It was like he cared about the shape of the elevator buttons when building a building.

The composers who applied for the project soon realized what the secret of New Black’s success was.

…It was perseverance.

-Aren’t you going home? It’s 1 a.m.

-I’ll do a little more and go. You go ahead.

The next day, when they came to work, they saw someone staring at the monitor and mumbling in the same position as yesterday.

It was scary.

At the same time, they thought, ‘Well, he has to succeed if he does that much.’ And they were convinced without knowing it.

That was why the composers’ ears perked up when they heard Woojoo’s words.

‘How well did he do?’

As Yoo Changseok watched the puppies behind Woojoo puffing up their chests, Na Sangyoon spoke.

“Can we listen to it?”

“Yes. Just a moment.”

Woojoo connected his laptop to the conference room speaker.

Meanwhile, Junghyun walked up to the wall and pressed his ear against it, then made a serious face and gave an OK sign.

The members nodded their heads confidently at the sign that the security was perfect.

“The title is Nine, meaning the number nine.”

Woojoo explained the meaning of the song to the composers again.

“Oh…”

“That’s a good meaning. It suits the explosive concept.”

“What’s the genre?”

Woojoo clicked the mouse and answered, “I went for trap.”

“Ah. Trap.”

It was a genre that wasn’t very popular in Korea yet, but it was gaining popularity overseas, replacing dubstep.

The composers exchanged glances.

‘That’s tricky…’

Trap wasn’t a major genre in Korean idol music yet.

But New Black’s position in the music market was ‘the only boy group with mass appeal in the third generation.’

Most of their previous title songs were chosen by the public, so they wanted to continue that trend in their fourth album.

The problem was that the public didn’t like unfamiliar genres.

“You’ll find it hard to define the genre when you listen to it. I also added some futuristic sounds.”

“…”

“There’s a feeling of woo-woo-woo in the background, you know.”

The more he explained, the more it felt like he mixed everything together, and the composers couldn’t hide their dubious feelings.

“Then, here’s the first version of ‘Nine’.”

The song finally played.

“…Wow.”

As the sound of a roaring engine filled the background, an impactful intro started from the beginning.

Soon, the main lyrics flowed out.

Meat meat meat

I can’t eat meat anymore

I’m on a diet (so sad)

Jiho sang the first verse with a deep voice.

His tone was cool.

‘But what’s with the lyrics…?’

The composers and the A&R Team gasped as the youngest member mouthed ‘I just slapped some lyrics on’ with a bright smile.

They all felt a pang in their chests.

After Jiho, Rihyuk took over the part.

I can’t lose meat

Do you have meat? I’m here

I dream of (meat?)

We meat again (meat!)

On the opposite side, someone was covering their face with both hands and spitting fire from their ears.

The other members said ‘This time, we wrote the lyrics’ and smiled proudly.

The A&R staff smiled warmly.

‘Never write lyrics again. You guys.’

‘If they write lyrics one more time, we’ll be ruined.’

‘Thank goodness it’s just a guide…’

Then, Woojoo’s part came out.

It was a dance-like part that had a stylish vibe.

As they listened, they could imagine Woojoo dancing energetically in the center with the members’ backup.

It’s 9AM right now

Morning pork belly

I’m eating five servings by myself

Don’t mind the other customers’ eyes

Don’t care (don’t care)

The owner is happy

Next, Bijoo’s part came out.

He sang softly and then scratched his voice a bit to create a strong atmosphere before the chorus.

The important thing is meat

You must remember

Meat

That’s all we’ve got

While the song was playing, Bijoo, who was sitting across from Woojoo, shook his upper body with an improvised dance.

It was unnecessarily high-quality.

Then, in the explosive part of the chorus, Junghyun’s voice held the chorus firmly.

‘Trap is all about the tone, and he nailed it.’

Even though it was the first version, the members’ voices and the parts that matched their performance characteristics were perfect.

It felt like they were seeing the best answer to their constant dilemma of ‘Who should do this part?’ when they worked on the songs.

As a listener, they started listening lightly and the first verse ended, and the eyes of the A&R Team and the composers deepened.

One thing was certain.

‘They did a good job.’

There was no disagreement on that.

The quality was good enough for a test version, even though Woojoo, who was a perfectionist in music, willingly let them listen to it.

If they just fixed the lyrics, they could release it right away.

It was a draft, so there were parts that needed to be fixed, but that was a problem that could be solved slowly.

“Wow…”

On the other hand, what they admired was the point of the song.

It was a style that adjusted the strength and weakness and burst into the chorus, and it made them excited.

It was literally a blast of fun.

As they listened, they felt their inner dance sense twitching.

It also matched well with the musical characteristics that New Black had made so far.

They didn’t know if it was for people who liked calm things, but it seemed to fit well with the general public’s taste.

“Meat, meat…”

Before they knew it, the composers and the A&R staff who were humming meat and tapping their chins looked at each other.

‘It’s a hit.’

‘It’s a hit…!’

As soon as they heard the unfamiliar song, they hummed along, which was a sign of a hit.

The A&R staff glanced outside the conference room, worried that someone might take the song away.

The composers praised their own choice, saying ‘I’m glad I participated in the New Black album.’

“Wow…!”

“Dance break. Dance break.”

The third verse that blew everything up.

The atmosphere that had been gradually building up from the first and second verses exploded.

The dance break part.

Just listening to the song, they could imagine the fireworks going off on the stage and the members of New Black moving their bodies like crazy.

Even the composers who had been listening with serious faces lifted their heads and said “Ah” as New Black smiled brightly.

Except for someone who smiled sadly, thinking about the future where they would have to dance intensely.

After the song ended.

“…”

The composers and the A&R Team looked at each other.

They exchanged awkward smiles that said ‘You too?’ ‘Yeah’ and lightly clapped their hands.

Woojoo asked, “How is it?”

“Well.”

“Well…?”

“Let’s not write lyrics anymore, except for Rihyuk. Guys.”

At the A&R Team leader’s words, everyone burst into laughter.

In the relaxed atmosphere, the team leader smiled, showing his gums.

“Isn’t it really good? Hey, where did you get this from?”

“I had some help from young friends.”

“Well, Jihoo has a bit of a new generation vibe, so he has that kind of sensibility.”

“Hahaha…”

Woojoo and the members who avoided his gaze laughed shyly and embarrassedly.

“Anyway, we’re less worried about the title song now. Let’s proceed with this right away.”

“Really?”

“We’ll have to hear the opinions of the composers, but we are…”

The other staff members, including Seo Pilgeun, looked like they didn’t need to say anything.

“I can’t imagine any other title than this. Now.”

“That’s right. Meat. Meat. Meat.”

“What about the composers?”

The composers also answered in unison.

“We like it too.”

“When I first heard the explanation, it felt like all kinds of genres were mixed, but after listening to it, I think it was really well chosen.”

“What was the title? I was so excited that I forgot. Ah… Nine.”

Then, Na Sangyoon, the composer, said in a faint voice, “There’s a part in the middle that feels like EDM that elementary school students would like, which bothers me a bit…”

When the New Black members flinched, he said with a smile, “It’s okay, I’ll adjust the tone. I really like it. Honestly, I want to get involved in any song.”

All the composers in the room agreed and laughed.

The meeting atmosphere was very upbeat because of the excitement about the song.

The A&R Team was busy unpacking their stuff in the conference room, exploding with ideas for the album production and concept.

The composers were also excited and talking about the improvements for the song.

When the meeting atmosphere that had been heated up gradually calmed down, Woojoo asked, “By the way, you said you were looking for other songs, right?”

“Yeah. But you made the song so fast that we didn’t have time to look at the other songs.”

“Oh…”

“Now that we have a good title, I don’t think we need to bother looking at anything else.”

At the A&R Team’s words, Woojoo nodded and looked at the composers as if to say ‘What about you?’

They also shook their heads.

“We didn’t really do anything either.”

“With this speed and quality, we need to be like Director Jo…”

“Anyway, we can’t beat this no matter what we do. Haha.”

At that, Woojoo laughed modestly. Then he finished preparing to leave the conference room with the members.

“See you tomorrow. We’re going to go down and fix the parts you just told us.”

“Okay. Go ahead.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

They waved their hands to the members who bowed politely and smiled.

They left with light steps, but only for a moment.

-Kyarruruk!

-Junghyun Hyung. King bong. Bring the king bong. We have to celebrate this. Hurry up and do the firefly dance…

-I’m a dung beetle~ I’m good at composing~

They laughed at the various flattery that came from outside. One of the staff members asked curiously, “Why do they try to manage their image in front of us? They can’t last for 3 seconds.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

As the laughter outside gradually subsided, the A&R Team and the composers turned on their laptops with a bitter smile.

“We did look for some songs, but…”

“We did make some songs, but…”

The two groups spoke at the same time and looked at each other. They soon realized what was going on and smiled sympathetically.

“We were preparing to surprise you. We had found some good songs…”

“We had a little dream too.”

“What dream?”

“The dream of becoming the title track of New Black’s album.”

“Oh…”

The A&R staff said.

“It was the same with their debut album. We had everything ready, but then Woojoo showed up…”

“Really?”

“We had a nice snack party, but Woojoo brought a song like a hotel buffet.”

They hadn’t experienced it, but they could imagine.

It felt like they had lost even though they were on the same side.

But on the other hand, they were also happy. It was like boarding a ship to the new world.

If they did well here, they could leave a mark on their career. The composers’ eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

‘I have to do my best.’

And while they were immersed in hope,

The A&R Team, who had been waiting for the right timing, sprinkled some work like ice cream toppings.

“Come on, one, two! One, two!”

“Okay! Wow. You’re so cool! Right on!”

A studio in Gangnam.

The excited photographer was taking pictures of them.

“Be more graceful!”

Bijoo, who was sitting on the car hood, raised his hand to his mouth and crossed his legs. Then he smiled at the camera.

“Bijoo, you look like that right now.”

“What?”

“Like a queen mother in a historical drama.”

“What…”

Jiho added, “You look like you’re looking down on us. Relax your lips a bit and your eyes… Oh, yes, like that.”

Bijoo changed his expression according to their feedback and took the shot.

Today’s shooting goal was the concert poster and the concept photo for the event.

The studio was full of primary-colored props, such as a red sports car, or yellow or blue.

They posed in clothes like teenagers in a high-teen movie.

They said they would use some effects or synthesis.

Woojoo heard it would look like a retro movie poster when it was finished.

The theme of their first concert poster was an amusement park.

“I want to go there every time I see the set.”

Woojoo agreed with Junghyun’s words.

It was a set of an amusement park that looked like it would appear in an American movie.

It was dark as if it was open at night, and the lights were twinkling.

When they filmed the VCR, there was Junghyun, who was holding popcorn and smiling brightly in front of a green popcorn machine car.

Or Jiho, who was walking with a strawberry shake. The background was unfamiliar but colorful and pretty.

It felt like memories that didn’t exist were created.

“It would be nice if this was a real amusement park. Right?”

“Yeah. It would have been nice if we could all play together…” Bijoo said with a face full of regret. “Let’s go to the amusement park later. Hyung.”

“Hmm? Hyung. You have a fear of heights, don’t you?”

Bijoo smiled at Rihyuk’s question.

“You can go to the house of mirrors.”

“…Can you find the way?”

“Oh. Right.”

Woojoo laughed at the second’s story that he always played with the teacher’s hand on the elementary school trip.

Rihyuk looked around the set and said, “Well, I guess it wouldn’t be bad to go together later.”

“Yeah. Let’s go when we have time.”

They smiled warmly and imagined the future of going to the amusement park together in their heads.

-Wow!

-Hey! Hey! Is that New Black? New Black!

-Awesome! Did you take a picture? Let’s take one!

Their beautiful future shattered in their minds.

They got off the carousel and found themselves surrounded by a crowd of people.

“…We, we’re too successful.”

“I forgot about that. We’re doomed because we’re too successful…”

“What about abroad? Can’t we go to a foreign amusement park?”

Maybe by then, the foreign Soufflés won’t be shouting ‘New Black! Photo! Photo!’ at them.

For now, they don’t have time to play, whether it was an amusement park or anything else. It just felt like a faint dream.

Rihyuk said something as if he remembered something, “Do you remember when we filmed our debut music video? We said we’d go on a trip to Eulwangri then.”

“Did we say that?”

“Hey, Wang Jiho. You were the most excited then.”

“I always say anything when I’m in a good mood. I’m sure you guys heard it right.”

“Don’t you remember what you said then?”

“Nope.”

They looked at each other and immediately reached out to Jiho.

“Jiho. Where’s the 1 billion won you said you’d give me?”

“You said you’d give me a gold bar.”

“Hmm~ Where’s my car key~?”

“Ah, really! I said… no, I did. Really?”

They laughed at the youngest who looked suspicious because he couldn’t remember.

Soon he realized they were teasing him and made a sly expression.

Woojoo smiled and put his arms around his brothers.

“Let’s go on a trip together when we have time after this album promotion.”

“Yeah. Let’s grill some clams too.”

“We can also do mudflat experience. Right, Hyung?”

“Let’s do whatever we want. Everything.”

“Will we have time?”

“Hey. We won’t have no time to play.”

They talked about travel and other things during our break.

They were already excited and running around, even though they hadn’t made any plans yet.

Jiho asked with a sparkle in his eyes, “How long should we go? 4 nights 5 days?”

“Hmm, if we go for 4 nights 5 days, won’t we lose the feel for practice? I feel a bit guilty whenever I take a break from practice…”

“Then let’s reflect Bijoo Hyung’s opinion and make it 3 nights 4 days~?”

Rihyuk checked the schedule and said, “There’s no empty slot for 3 nights 4 days in a row until the end of this year.”

“Then 2 nights 3 days!”

“Oh, that’s reasonable. 2 nights 3 days.”

While they were laughing and getting along, Rihyuk, who was checking the schedule, swallowed his dry saliva.

“None?”

“…”

He nodded and said, “None. There are three consecutive empty slots.”

“…”

“Wait a minute. I’ll look for 1 night 2 days too.”

But as he flipped his fingers, Rihyuk’s expression gradually became hollow.

“…None of that either?”

“No. There is, but. The days before and after those are pretty important schedules.”

They all checked the schedule.

There were a lot of days with one slot empty, but there were no days with more than two slots empty.

There was always a small schedule or a feeling that a new schedule would come in around that time.

Considering the concert and the Asian tour schedule, the schedule was practically set until the end of this year.

And there were also those unknown small schedules.

“Who said we should be the judges for this event?”

“Me.”

“What about this game event?”

“Me…”

“Sweet potato eating contest panel? Junghyun.”

“It’s sweet potato, Hyung.”

“What about this meeting with foreign composers… It’s me. Me.”

Woojoo remembered the times when Seokhwan Hyung said ‘Are you guys okay? Are you really doing this?’ and they boasted.

“…”

“…”

While they all realized that they were screwed in real time, Bijoo asked, “Hyung. Can we play?”

"No."

"No?"

"No… it's not possible…"

They stared at each other blankly.

It was their own fault. They had laughed and crammed their schedules with things they wanted to do.

"I guess we're meant to work, not play."

"Work is all we have left."

"Right. When will we ever have time to have fun?"

While the others were busy picking grapes, their youngest said with a bright smile, "They say you get your foot chopped by someone else's axe, but we chopped our own feet with our own axes."

It was a fitting proverb for their situation.