Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 343



Only Noblemtl

Episode 343

“Well, that’s true.”

Seongpil stopped his useless imitation of Rika.

“Oh, is it Sister Hayang? Sister!”

Rika came close enough to Seongpil’s face to make contact and put herself in the camera angle.

She waved her hand wildly, saying she was happy to see me, but since it was not a video call, there was no response.

“Hey, it’s not a real conversation! I want to see your face, unnie! Can I change it to a video?”

[I’m going to hang up now.]

“It’s spicy!”

[Rika, don’t drink too much.]

“What do you think of me (Atashi)! I’m an adult! Please control your drinking capacity… .”

[Shooting party.]

“That is… … .”

Rika was drunk even after waking up. She had to force herself to vomit to come to her senses.

[Wouldn’t you have known if someone carried you back then? Be careful.]

“Ha, hi (yes).”

Somehow, Jang Ha-yang’s tone of voice was so intimidating that Rika unconsciously responded intimidated.

[When you finish drinking, take a picture and send it to me. If you don’t prove that you’re okay, I’ll keep calling you.]

“That much?! How unreliable am I… … .”

[Ahaha, kid… … .]

“……joke?”

[No kidding.]

After the call ended, Rika slumped her shoulders. She whined pitifully.

“As time goes by, I feel like the members don’t trust me… … . Is it because of my childish way of speaking… … ?”

“First of all, it’s not that I don’t believe it, it’s that I actually don’t believe it. It’s not ‘childish,’ it’s childish.”

“This is too much!”

Rika patted Seongpil on the shoulder with a tearful face. But she soon regained her composure and shook two bottles of Scotch whiskey with the same air as when she came in alone.

“It’s Scotch whiskey that you drink in Scotland! It’s the country of origin!”

“Oh, so Scotch means Scotland?”

“Scotch itself means Scotch whiskey!”

When the opportunity arose to explain the English she had learned to a Korean, Rika’s pride grew even higher.

“The adjective for Scotland is Scottish! It would be rude to use Scotch to mean ‘of Scotland’! Another adjective is Scott… … .”

“Wow, Rika is so smart.”

“Please listen to me! I want you to acknowledge the results of my studies!”

“I meant you were really smart. Isn’t it worth subscribing to The Economist?”

It had nothing to do with my subscription to The Economist.

However, it was knowledge I heard from Han Gu-in when I was filming ‘No’ a long time ago. Han Gu-in taught me not to be rude to Scottish people.

“… … Of course! I’m smart!”

But Rika didn’t reveal the truth.

Because I wanted to wash away my reputation, which had been tarnished by the 600,000 won subscription to ‘The Economist’, little by little.

“But why alcohol all of a sudden?”

“We’ve come to the birthplace of Scotch, so it would be a shame not to try it! Come on, hurry up!”

Rika pushed Sungpil’s back to the second floor where his room was. As soon as she entered the room, she checked out the atmosphere.

“It’s a single room… … so luxurious!”

“What should I do if there are no rooms left?”

“Shouldn’t we be considerate of the artist in times like these!”

“Then, you write here and I’ll share a room with Yui?”

“It’s impure!”

Rika tried to create the most realistic atmosphere possible by adjusting the brightness of the stand lighting.

As he watched Rika running around the room, Seongpil couldn’t help but smile, reminding himself of a small dog running around the house.

“Okay!”

Rika has completed the setup.

In the room where the main fluorescent lights were turned off, only a soft orange light illuminated the surroundings.

In the middle of it all, an antique chair faced a small round table.

Knowing how to locate it, Rika took two whiskey glasses from the cupboard and placed them on the table.

“You’re just drinking without any food?”

“I prepared everything!”

Rika took a small box of dark chocolates out of her back pocket.

“Director Han said, ‘Chocolate goes well with Scotch. Sonna Bacana (that’s stupid)?’”

When I opened the box, all the chocolate was melted.

On a summer day, the chocolate in Rika’s back pocket melted as it could not withstand the heat.

“My perfect plan… … .”

“Let’s just eat it. It tastes better when it’s melted.”

Seongpil took out a piece of melted chocolate and put it in his mouth. Naturally, it got sticky on his hands.

I was going to wipe it with a tissue, but Seongpil just licked it and ate it.

“Etch (obscene)!”

“Everything is so edgy.”

The two sat across from each other and poured drinks into each other’s glasses. As soon as they clinked their glasses, Rika poured the scotch into her stomach in one shot.

“Ugh, ugh… … Is this the taste of the mainland!”

“I really decided to shorten the name.”

Who knew, Rika drank the alcohol in one gulp.

He pours straight liquor with no hesitation, no matter how strong the alcohol content is.

I’m really worried about the future.

Seongpil sipped the scotch slowly, but it didn’t taste particularly good.

“Rika, how much is this?”

“20,000 won for one bottle!”

“You can drink this in Korea too… … .”

I thought he had chosen something expensive, but it was one of the cheapest ones.

“I gave you my wallet. Since you’re already abroad, buy something nice.”

“You’ll have to pay it all back when you get your bills paid later! One of the directors said that people who spend their credit cards recklessly don’t look good!”

“Aha, I’m a credit card?”

“and…….”

Rika poured herself another glass and took another sip. Her cheeks were already starting to turn pink.

“Is the price of alcohol the problem? The person you’re drinking with is the problem!”

“Oh, you’re saying something so plausible that it’s unusual for you?”

“The person you drink with is the ‘problem’!”

Seongpil laughed loudly.

“Are you really Japanese? You even play with words in Korean so easily.”

“It’s nothing! I’ve lived in Korea for over 4 years!”

Rika, who had been confidently boasting about her foreign language skills, suddenly had her expression harden as if her joy had been cut off.

“It’s been over 4 years… … .”

Seongpil emptied his glass and reached for the bottle.

But Rika was faster, and before she knew it, she had filled Seongpil’s glass.

“It’s okay.”

“I want to fill it up too!”

“Rika, do you have anything to discuss?”

“……lol.”

Rika answered with a loose smile. Then she crossed her arms and pretended to be thinking about it.

You probably already decided what to discuss before coming into this room, so you’re wasting time.

“Well, sir!”

“huh.”

“What do fans want from us at the concert!”

“I’m seeing you guys in person.”

Why would fans go to concerts?

It’s to see idols in person, something I’ve only ever seen on TV, iTube, or live broadcasts.

To feel the aura of the original.

“Is that all?”

“Is there anything else?”

“We are… … artists.”

It is a job that satisfies the public through creative works.

So, artists have to create something that exceeds the quality that the public expects.

At that point, Seongpil was able to figure out Rika’s worries.

“Are you worried about whether your performance will satisfy your fans?”

“… … Hi (yes).”

“To be exact, Rika’s solo DJ stage?”

During a meeting with Atlas CEO Jo Jin-man, Rika actively insisted on DJing on stage.

It’s the Kawaii Bass song ‘Love Mirror’ that was included in the Japanese album.

Jo Jin-man answered him with a serious expression.

‘Ms. Rika, Kawaii Bass is fundamentally different from other EDM.’

Modern EDM has long established itself as an art form in its own right, establishing its own domain.

However, it is not completely accepted as an art genre. The fundamental reason for the creation of EDM, no matter what anyone says, is to shake one’s body in a club.

‘EDM was made for dancing. In comparison, Kawaii Bass is for appreciation. It would be too risky to perform it at a concert. Above all, demonstrating Kawaii Bass on stage to an audience is unprecedented… . . . ‘

To Jo Jin-man, who said that, Rika showed a performance video of herself DJing Kawaii Bass.

‘Why is this here…?’

What Rika showed me was an event called Comic-Con in the US. There, a Kawaii Bass DJ was invited and was DJing while receiving cheers from the audience.

After that, Rika continued to enthusiastically persuade Jo Jin-man and the production team of Garo Enter, who were showing reluctance.

‘The world is truly wider than I thought… … .’

With a relieved expression, Jo Jin-man eventually allowed ‘Love Mirror’ to be included in the set list.

At that time, Rika was so happy that she almost jumped for joy… … .

“Are you scared now?”

“… … .”

Rika couldn’t answer.

Because it felt like Sungpil was urging her. But of course, Sungpil wasn’t urging her or making fun of her.

“You want to do it. You want to show that performance as an artist. Aren’t you sure about it?”

“… … I also have some faith.”

Rika was acting crazy.

“I have faith!”

She blew away the gloomy atmosphere and raised the tension again.

For courage, Sungpil poured more alcohol than what was in his glass and drank it in one shot.

“People like our music, but they also like us!”

That’s why idols always include a corner where they can show off their charms at concerts or fan meetings.

Like wearing animal pajamas and doing a cute dance.

Or wearing clothes that completely change your character.

‘That’s the point where idols are different from artists, who are required to have a consistent attitude.’

To put it bluntly, fans are the ones who can go crazy and be happy if an idol just talks on stage for a dozen minutes.

“That’s right, the people will like whatever Rika does.”

“But, but, thinking like that and going up on stage… … .”

Isn’t it too soft?

I don’t know about idols, but…

“For an artist to go on stage without confidence and concerns about his or her own achievements… … .”

He decorates the solo stage with Kawaii Bass DJing. It would be quite a successful performance for an idol.

But will artist Ishikawa Rika be able to gain recognition on that stage?

“Atashi (I) sometimes think. I wonder if I have lost my mind because I have received so much love that is beyond my capabilities… … .”

“Rika… … .”

“That’s right!”

Rika acted even funnier, as if trying to make herself the main character of a comedy.

“I’m a K-pop idol and I’m making kawaii bass! I put it on my album! I proudly go around saying that it’s a song I made! The genre is… … I like it… … but it’s not a genre that gets much attention… … .”

In short, Rika is struggling between her own taste and popularity.

I somehow pushed through and won the legendary stage of Kawaii Bass DJing, but as the day to actually perform approached, I lost confidence.

‘You must be scared.’

When I actually started DJing, I imagined the audience’s expressions as they were dumbfounded and didn’t know how to react.

It would be so scary to return to silence.

It’s a completely different situation from a fan meeting where only a small number of people gather and DJ.

“Maybe what I’m trying to do is similar to a jazz session appearing at a K-pop festival, or a rock band appearing at a jazz festival… … .”

“What was the jazz band thinking when they came to the K-pop Festa?”

“……yes?”

“How did it come to this?”

Questions began to swirl in Rika’s eyes.

“Why did you come out? And why didn’t you refuse?”

“… … .”

“Maybe they thought they could convey it. With jazz, with the music they loved, even if there were unwanted audiences lining the seats… … .”

I think it’s because he thought he could convey his feelings through music. He believed in his music that much.

At that, Rika opened her eyes wide as if she realized something.

“Rika, you said that before when you made ‘Love Mirror’. That song contains your Kokoro (heart) and intensity. Director Jeong Ho-hwan and Mr. Elric also told you that, but have you already forgotten?”

“Music is the transmission of heart and will… … .”

“That’s right. The heart and will want to be conveyed. That’s why it was born in the form of music. It could have been written words, or it could have been a picture, but in the end, it was born as music.”

Because that’s what Rika wanted.

“You shouldn’t be ashamed of the child you gave birth to.”

“I’m not embarrassed!”

“then?”

“I’m so proud! I can’t believe I made this… … .”

“Yeah, I’m proud… … .”

Seongpil dragged his words as if demanding an answer. Rika answered with much more confidence than before.

“I want to show you!”

“If it was a song that was embarrassing to sing on stage, you wouldn’t have asked me to put it on the album in the past. I wouldn’t have allowed it either. Okay, let’s do some image training for the last time!”

Rika’s eyes were drowsy, perhaps because she drank too quickly.

Seongpil clapped his hands to get Rika’s attention. Her eyes widened.

“Rika, you’re going to the rock festival. Anyway, you’re going. There are a lot of people. What are you thinking?”

“Umm… … .”

“What if people curse at me? What if they throw stones at me or jeer at me? Did I come out for nothing? Should I run away now? Do you think so?”

“no!”

Never do that.

When it comes to getting on stage, there’s only one decision in Rika’s mind.

“I will give a perfect performance!”

Since you will have believed in your own song from the beginning, the question is whether you can perfectly perform that song.

“Our Rika has become an artist.”

“What’s important isn’t the stage! Even if it’s in the middle of a battlefield, I’ll show you a performance that will touch people’s hearts! If you’re afraid of bullets, you won’t be able to focus on the performance!”

“You’re an idol of the battlefield. Yes, that’s the kind of mindset you have.”

Since she was a fan of the Girls’ League, she would be cute no matter what she did. Rika had no intention of going up on stage with such a soft heart.

Once I got on stage, I was determined to completely satisfy the audience. I prepared my DJ performance with that determination and confidence.

“Director Park is like a painkiller! When I talk to Director Park, my anxiety goes away!”

“After drinking a bottle of Scotch, my anxiety goes away.”

“Ehehe, euhe, hehehe.”

In addition to feeling anxious, I felt like I had lost my mind.

Anyway, Seongpil felt good because his counseling seemed to be effective.

‘It’s my first concert, so it’s understandable that I’d feel pressured.’

You can’t share the burden of a solo stage with the members. Even if what you’re showing there is a self-composed song, and a performance and stage that you’ve personally directed.

All the burden falls on Rika alone.

It’s a heavy burden, but that makes me feel more responsible and makes me work harder.

“But I’m a little worried.”

“What are you talking about!”

“If you eat this much chocolate and alcohol, you’ll gain weight.”

“Ah! You shouldn’t talk about the human body so carelessly!”

“I’m saying this as a producer. How many calories are there?”

“I mean, that’s me!”

Rika insisted strongly with her tongue hanging out.

“I think that out of all the idols, he takes care of himself the most, the hardest! Look!”

Suddenly, Rika grabbed the end of her T-shirt and lifted it up.

Her firm stomach was clearly visible.

Seongpil was so surprised that he had no time to look away, and there was no need to look away.

Rika’s belly was always exposed whenever she wore idolized outfits.

“Do you see this ambiguous 11-letter number?”

“It’s kind of mediocre.”

“You’re saying that you’re maintaining this level during your inactive album period!”

“I have to keep it up because there’s a concert coming up soon.”

“The trainer didn’t spare his praise either! It’s not just the 11-pack abs that are clearly emphasized, but the volume around the navel and lower abdomen is still convex, and the well-trained muscles are supporting the flesh, so it’s soft… … .”

“Okay, I understand. Stop it now.”

“You have a body given by God! Especially, I think the pubic bone line is… … .”

“This is ridiculous.”

Seongpil burst out laughing.

As for how Rika looks now, she looks like someone who just started working out and is showing off to everyone.

This is the appearance of someone who seeks praise while appealing to their own efforts and changes.

‘Of course Rika has something to brag about.’

It is also true that it takes a lot of effort and will.

However, I just feel a little embarrassed about doing this while drunk.

‘How much I wanted to brag about it in the past… … .’

If Rika had been among the common people, she would have been able to brag about it to the point of being speechless.

But Rika is an idol.

Even the members who spend time together are like the crystallization of training, so there must have been few moments when they felt their own specialness.

Seongpil decided to respond to her desire.

“Rika, you worked really hard. You did great. I’m proud of you. You’ll go down in the history of Garo Enter.”

Rika was even more excited, and tried to show off her pubic bone.

“Atashi (me) who will be selected as a sportswear pictorial model… …!”

“Don’t go that far!”

Seongpil barely managed to calm Rika down and sit her down on the chair. Then, she suddenly frowned.

“What don’t you like?”

“When I think about it, it’s unfair. Why was I the only one to expose my body?”

“You did it yourself.”

“Director, please show me your belly too!”

“I’ll take a body profile picture in two or three months. I’ll show you then.”

“Oh, can I go to the filming set?”

I must never tell anyone.

The conversation went on for a long time.

Rika later laughed a lot, completely shaking off her burden.

“The members sometimes have this debate! Who do you think is the most popular with guys?”

“Honestly, it’s a matter of taste.”

“… … .”

“what’s the matter?”

“… …Who will be the most popular with other people!”

“Rika, I think your self-censorship is getting worse.”

Considering that the person who would like him would be a woman, I changed the word ‘man’ to ‘another person’.

“If the director had to marry one of us, who would it be?”

At that question, Seongpil’s fingers that were holding the glass trembled slightly. However, Seongpil did not show any sign of being agitated and instead maintained a cheerful tone as if it were a joke.

“Should we get married right away? That won’t work because of the big age difference.”

“Oh, then let’s say we’re the same age!”

“Am I in my 20s? Or maybe my 30s?”

“Hmm, 20s!”

Rika wet her lips with her tongue as if her throat was burning from the alcohol.

Even though my vision was spinning and blurry, for some reason my hearing was clear.

In this state, it seemed as if even the flow of air could be heard.

In a short while, my throat became rough again due to the alcohol.

Just as I was about to drink alcohol to soothe my sore throat and my shaking vision.

“Don’t say anything.”

Seongpil answered without hesitation.