Chapter 66 - Will You Meet Me?

“Hyeon-woo-ssi, are you okay?”

“What happened?”

Fortunately, this time he was able to regain consciousness quickly and stand up.

However, the recording was temporarily suspended, and people surrounded Baek Hyeon-woo.

“I'm sorry. The recording was suspended because of me.”

“It's not something to be sorry about.”

PD Seo Dong-cheol crossed his arms and examined Baek Hyeon-woo's complexion.

“Is your health really poor? Shouldn't you go to the hospital?”

“No. I stayed up all night yesterday... I just dozed off for a moment.”

Hearing Baek Hyeon-woo's excuse, Seo Dong-cheol chuckled.

“No, you just dozed off?”

“I'm truly sorry.”

“It's okay. This is the first time you've shown this side of yourself, Hyeon-woo-ssi, so it's a bit fresh, haha.”

Fortunately, the atmosphere was not one of criticizing Baek Hyeon-woo.

Because they remembered the good sides Baek Hyeon-woo had shown until now, the atmosphere was one of letting an incident of this level slide.

“Still, it'll be a problem if this happens again, so go sit and rest over there where you can't be seen.”

“Yes, I'll make sure this doesn't happen again.”

Baek Hyeon-woo bowed his head and apologized not only to Seo Dong-cheol but to the other people as well.

He apologized one by one to the performers on stage as well.

“Manager-nim, are you really okay?”

Seo Na-eun, who had run off the stage after seeing him collapse earlier, grabbed Baek Hyeon-woo's arm.

“Yeah, you don't have to worry.”

“But last time too...”

“I was fine after a moment that time too. Don't worry and just focus on the recording.”

Baek Hyeon-woo said, meeting Seo Na-eun's eyes.

“Na-eun-ah, if you worry like that, you're actually putting more of a burden on me. Right now, I'd like you to show yourself doing your best for the program.”

“……”

It was Seo Na-eun who had her mouth shut for a good while, but in the end, she nodded.

“Yes, I understand.”

“I'm counting on you.”

Baek Hyeon-woo also sent a gaze to the other members, asking them to do their best.

Perhaps because they had confirmed that he was okay, everyone's Mental Condition was in a good state.

‘It's a relief it's not a live broadcast.’

Thinking that, he went and sat in a corner.

It was a seat from which the stage was not visible, but for now, it was right to be holed up in a corner as Seo Dong-cheol had said.

“Alright, then the time to select today's mission song has arrived.”

The recording resumed, and the MC's voice was heard.

It was a position from which he couldn't see the stage, but could hear the sound well.

“Now, the first song is...!”

A dance track that began with a refreshing guitar sound, like before, flowed out.

‘Come to think of it, I lost consciousness while I was contemplating whether that song would suit Newstarz well.’

As Baek Hyeon-woo was blankly having such thoughts.

Suddenly, he felt a zapping sensation.

“……!”

This time, he didn't lose consciousness.

Strength didn't leave his limbs, and his sense of balance was fine.

Instead, something strange appeared before his eyes.

————

[HUMBY BUMPY]

Public Appeal: B

Lyrical Quality: D

Addictiveness: C

Completeness: B

Affinity with Newstarz (Main Vocalist: Yoo Jeong-ah) is 75%.

————

He almost stopped breathing.

Because something different from the status windows he had seen until now was appearing.

“The first song is HUMBY BUMPY! It's a song by the popular 90s group, N.BOYZ! Then the next song is...!”

Without even a moment to understand the situation, the next song was heard.

And soon, a new string of text was displayed.

————

[I Am Your Dream]

Public Appeal: B

Lyrical Quality: C

Addictiveness: A

Completeness: C

Affinity with Newstarz (Main Vocalist: Yoo Jeong-ah) is 35%.

————

There's no doubt.

The letters that had suddenly started appearing before his eyes were information about the song he was hearing now.

‘Public Appeal, Lyrical Quality, Addictiveness, Completeness... what do they each mean?’

After listening up to the third and fourth songs, he was able to roughly get the gist.

Public Appeal, as the name suggested, seemed to mean a song that could be a popular hit.

After quickly checking on his phone, it certainly seemed that the songs with high Public Appeal had been bigger hits.

Meanwhile, Lyrical Quality seemed to mean the charm of touching people's heartstrings with a melody that stimulates the emotions.

An openly sad ballad, or a song that stimulates people's emotions in some way, would probably have a high Lyrical Quality.

And Addictiveness seemed to mean the possibility of becoming a hit as a so-called 'hook song'.

Wouldn't the Addictiveness be high if the charm of addicting the listener by continuously repeating and emphasizing a simple phrase was strong?

Conversely, Completeness would be an item that indicates whether it's worth receiving high marks from critics for its high-level composition.

It might be a factor that isn't directly connected to its success as a hit, but in any case, if the Completeness is high, it will be called a good song a lot.

‘However, what's important right now is the last part.’

Affinity with Newstarz (Main Vocalist: Yoo Jeong-ah) is XX%.

The part that came out like this was the most important.

Right now, it's important to perform the mission song well and get a good score from the judges.

Therefore, the song with the highest affinity with Newstarz would be the best.

While Baek Hyeon-woo was having such thoughts, the last, fifth song flowed out.

————

[Lonely girl]

Public Appeal: B

Lyrical Quality: A

Addictiveness: B

Completeness: A

Affinity with Newstarz (Main Vocalist: Yoo Jeong-ah) is 90%.

————

‘That's the one!’

Baek Hyeon-woo clenched his fist.

An affinity of 90% was the highest number among the five songs.

The other stats are also at a decent level, and if Newstarz chooses that song, they will be able to produce a good result.

‘Wait, what about for the other groups?’

For example, what would happen if Choux-pop, with Joo Ga-hee as their main vocalist, sang that song?

As he had that thought, a change occurred in the string of text he was seeing.

It wasn't an ability that was limited to only Newstarz.

————

[Lonely girl]

Public Appeal: B

Lyrical Quality: A

Addictiveness: B

Completeness: A

Affinity with Choux-pop (Main Vocalist: Joo Ga-hee) is 95%.

————

‘95%?’

Sweat flowed down his back.

If Choux-pop chooses that song, they will be able to become today's main character.

Since the remaining songs have an affinity of less than 80% with Newstarz, it's very unlikely they'll be able to beat Choux-pop.

‘Since Choux-pop, who was 2nd place last week, gets to choose before Newstarz, who was 3rd, if Choux-pop chooses that song, it's over!’

While Baek Hyeon-woo was contemplating, the fifth mission song ended, and time was given for each group to discuss.

“Then we will start with N.A.N choosing their song. Wi-hyeon-ssi, have you decided?”

“We will take on the first song, 'HUMBY BUMPY'.”

The leader of N.A.N, Wi-hyeon, chose the first song.

When he heard the first song, he hadn't been able to check what N.A.N's affinity was.

Will N.A.N really be able to perform that song well?

“Choux-pop, who was 2nd place last week, can choose from the remaining four songs. Hae-won-ssi, have you decided?”

“Ah, we were going to sing the first song too.”

When Baek Hyeon-woo stealthily came out from his corner seat and peeked his head out, he could see Seong Hae-won acting cute with a bubbly smile.

‘She's a bit chilling.’

In any case, if Choux-pop chooses the fifth song, it's game over.

Baek Hyeon-woo waited for Seong Hae-won's choice with bated breath.

“We'll go with the second song, 'I Am Your Dream'. I liked its sweet flavor.”

“Oh, an excellent choice!”

Phew.

Baek Hyeon-woo felt a wave of relief.

What Choux-pop chose was the second song, which had the strong characteristics of a hook song.

‘I don't know what Choux-pop's affinity with the second song is, but surely it's not over 95%.’

Now what's left is Newstarz's choice.

Right now, Baek Hyeon-woo can't go up on stage and tell Seo Na-eun to pick the fifth song.

Isn't there a way to convey his opinion?

“Next is Newstarz. Na-eun-ssi, have you decided?”

“Actually, we were also going to do the second song.”

Hearing Seo Na-eun's answer, Baek Hyeon-woo's heart sank.

The affinity between the second song and Newstarz was only 35%.

It was a situation where he had to be grateful to Choux-pop for snatching the second song first.

“That's a shame. Then which one will you choose among the remaining songs?”

“Among the remaining songs…”

Right at that moment.

The gaze of Seo Na-eun, whose eyes were moving with a contemplating expression, turned to the area outside the stage.

She had discovered Baek Hyeon-woo, who was supposed to be resting in the corner but had crawled out before she knew it.

“……!”

The moment their eyes met, Baek Hyeon-woo raised his hand.

He spread his fingers wide and expressed the number five.

Will the intention really be conveyed?

As Baek Hyeon-woo held his breath and waited, Seo Na-eun slowly opened her mouth.

“We'll do the fifth song, 'Lonely girl'.”

“Good! Newstarz will be singing 'Lonely girl'!”

Yes!

Letting out a sigh of relief, Baek Hyeon-woo quickly returned to the corner.

Because there was a risk of getting caught by the PDs and being nagged.

‘This should do it.’

Baek Hyeon-woo tried to calm his excitement.

It was an urgent situation, but he was able to make them choose the fifth song as he had wanted.

‘Now I just have to watch and see if the result also comes out as I predicted.’

Why did I get this new ability?

It's probably for a similar reason to when the Silhouette ability appeared.

I've taken on a new position, so I have to play a bigger role... every time he thinks that, a new ability appears.

‘In any case, now that I have this ability...’

As he was contemplating what he should do using this ability.

Seo Dong-cheol approached with a leisurely gait.

“Hyeon-woo-ssi, how are you feeling?”

“I've gotten much better. Thank you for your concern.”

“I saw you sneak out and go back in earlier.”

“Ah, I'm sorry.”

Baek Hyeon-woo bowed his head and apologized.

“I guess you were worried about which song Newstarz would pick?”

“Yes, I suppose...”

“It looked like you were earnestly appealing for them to pick song number 5.”

To think he saw that too.

Baek Hyeon-woo became a bit sheepish.

“I guess you liked that song?”

“I just got a good feeling about it.”

“Hmm…”

Seo Dong-cheol stroked his chin.

“I also think it's a song that would suit Newstarz. It especially matches the main vocalist's voice.”

“Is that how you see it?”

“Yeah, well, I did think it would probably suit Choux-pop's main vocalist well too.”

“……”

Choux-pop's affinity was in the 90% range, just like Newstarz's.

Perhaps Yoo Jeong-ah and Joo Ga-hee might be similar styles.

“Anyway, it seems you also have a discerning eye for songs, Hyeon-woo-ssi.”

“Not at all. I'm still in the middle of studying.”

“Is the Newstarz new song being prepared well?”

Seo Dong-cheol abruptly threw a question.

“I heard a bad rumor. That Artion Publishing is about to be dissolved.”

“……!”

Artion Publishing is the publisher that had provided Newstarz's song 'For you'.

It was also the place that had brought a result below expectations after they had recently requested a new song for Newstarz.

“As it is, the new song production is in a state of having a setback because of them.”

“I thought so.”

Seo Dong-cheol nodded.

“Have you looked into other publishers or composers?”

“I understand that the A&R team is currently contemplating it.”

“Shall I introduce you to someone?”

Baek Hyeon-woo inadvertently looked at Seo Dong-cheol's face.

“He's the composer of 'Lonely girl' that was just picked.”

“Is it the person who composed the fifth song?”

“Yeah, a very skilled friend.”

Seo Dong-cheol said, nodding.

“A long time ago, when I was directing 'Infinite Produce', that friend composed the official theme song. Have you heard of 'Come on'?”

“I know it. It was a hit song, to the point that it's still used in dramas and commercials these days.”

It was a song that was a huge hit, to the point that even Baek Hyeon-woo, who didn't know the music industry well, knew of it.

To think that the composer of that song was the same as the composer of 'Lonely girl'.

“But these days, he's taking a break from working.”

“He's taking a break?”

“No, to be precise, he's unable to work.”

Seo Dong-cheol made a bitter expression.

“Hyeon-woo-ssi, could you meet that friend once?”

……

The old part of town, where you can easily find culture and arts-related companies.

Paper Music, a publishing company that manages composers and their copyrighted works, had also made its home there.

They had remodeled a two-story detached house, putting the office on the first floor, and the company CEO's personal work studio and residence on the second floor.

However, currently, Paper Music was in a state of only managing the copyrights of their existing musical works.

This was because their flagship composer, CEO Seol Woo-myeong, was in a slump.

“Phew…”

In the second-floor work studio, Seol Woo-myeong leaned his back against his chair.

Until just a moment ago, the song he had worked on for several days was being displayed on the monitor.

But now, nothing remained.

Because Seol Woo-myeong didn't like it and had erased it all.

“I'm going crazy...”

A few days ago, a decent melody came to mind for the first time in a while, so he started to make a song.

However, as he sat in his chair and worked, his head gradually grew heavier.

It was as if his head was filled with fog, becoming hazy, and he couldn't concentrate.

“I have no idea why I'm like this.”

It had already been nearly half a year since he had been in this state.

In the past, he had worked energetically, but for the last half a year, he had been able to produce almost no proper songs.

He even had to cancel a song that he was commissioned to do through a past connection because he couldn't complete it properly.

Has my talent simply been depleted?

Is that why my head goes blank when I try to compose?

It didn't seem like it.

“Ugh…!”

He accidentally bumped his hand on the corner of the desk.

Feeling a severe pain, Seol Woo-myeong hunched his body over.

These days, he had become sensitive to pain. No, all his senses had become keen.

Perhaps because of that, it was also difficult to fall asleep at night.

His physical condition is poor overall.

However, he couldn't figure out why he was like this.

No matter what hospital he went to, they didn't give him a satisfying answer.

“Do I have to keep living like this...?”

Just as Seol Woo-myeong was clutching his head alone, overcome with frustration.

Bzzz.

Seol Woo-myeong's cell phone vibrated, announcing the arrival of a new message.