Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 369



Only Noblemtl

Episode 369

For Girls’ League, Son Hye-bin’s representative song was ‘Crown’. For some reason, it was deeply engraved in the members’ minds.

For some reason.

‘It was more than 10 years ago. That’s when this song came out. I think that was the birth of K-pop. There were so many agencies at that time. It was a difficult time, but it wasn’t just because there were so many companies to compete with. The agencies had to think about what K-pop was. What kind of genre should K-pop be? How should it show something new? How can it make K-pop unique? They had a mission to establish their own territory while being influenced by American pop and J-pop. What would people like? How should we be known? At the end of those worries, countless songs poured out. New styles, new genres, new fashions, new technologies… Of course, there were many flaws. There were strange English lyrics that didn’t match the grammar, strange costumes that were ahead of their time or beyond it, and the performances were similar. The lyrics were similar. But I think that K-pop is what it is today because of those efforts. Even if I listen to my sister’s song ‘Crown’ now, it’s just one of those weird old songs. When I first heard this song, I was almost out of my mind. I’m not exaggerating. The music video was on TV, and I just blankly watched it. It was amazing. I heard later that my sister was into American pop and paid attention to the sound and music video. Of course, it might sound weird from my perspective now. But it’s a song that really shows the worries and efforts of Korean artists at that time. My sister’s ‘Crown’ was one of the flower buds that formed during the early stages. It’s thanks to my sister that the flower is now in full bloom. So when I listen to it… … I miss it. I can’t tell you how happy I was when I first became my sister’s road manager. After that… … .

When Jang Ha-yang was first recruited as a trainee, Son Hye-bin visited Garo Entertainment.

At that time, the members saw Sungpil’s face turn red as he was excitedly playing Son Hyebin’s ‘Crown’.

The story of that day was legendary in some ways, so even Shin A-reum, who later entered Garo Enter, could not have been unaware of it.

‘Director Park said this!’

Rika has a habit of writing down in her diary the stories that Sungpil tells her that touch her heart.

Of course, the story of the day he met Son Hye-bin was also written down. Rika read it out loud.

‘Hmm, really?’

There was no way Shin A-reum would just let it pass.

I immediately looked for Son Hye-bin’s ‘Crown’ music video. However, I didn’t get the heart-pounding feeling that Sungpil had been talking about.

‘what’s this?’

Shin A-reum’s reaction was similar to the other members who saw the ‘Crown’ music video for the first time.

From Shin A-reum’s perspective, living in the present, it was something that could not be said to be good at all.

It was a gap in tastes that arose from the difference in times.

And because of that, the concert cover stage was made into Son Hye-bin’s.

Even Son Hye-bin herself decorates the stage with a song that she is embarrassed by. Even more perfectly than the original author Son Hye-bin.

‘You say there’s nothing I want to do? So what?’

Shin A-reum will repay the past embarrassment she felt in front of Seong-pil in this way.

‘Director Son, look carefully. You can shine even if you don’t have the desire to express yourself.’

More than Son Hye-bin.

* * *

Yoo Yong-tae’s nose became tingly.

Shin A-reum’s crown made it so. If it were usual, it would have been because of the performance of her favorite Shin A-reum, but this time, the emphasis was on the ‘crown’.

This song reminded Yoo Yong-tae of his childhood.

‘I’ve heard this a lot.’

Music has the deepest influence on human memory.

Yoo Yong-tae fell into a cross-section of memories that he no longer remembers well, between elementary school and middle school.

I borrowed 100 won from a friend and bought junk food to eat.

I’m sick of my mom nagging me to make sure I’ve packed my supplies.

Every morning, I would turn on the music video channel on the television and prepare to go to school.

A cross-section of my childhood appeared before my eyes.

‘It brings back memories. Back in the old days, they used to sell Son Hye-bin bromide posters at stationery stores.’

A bittersweet nostalgia took over the concert hall.

Those in their mid-20s gaped in amazement at Shin A-reum’s performance. The magic of memories pulled up the corners of their lips.

“Honey, do you know this song?”

Lee Sun-joo didn’t seem to have much interest in the cover stage. The same goes for those who are similar to her age or younger.

“Yeah, I know. I watched the music show live too.”

“Music show? Were you a fan of it when you were young, oppa?”

“I’m still young, right? I didn’t do any fan activities. Back then, everyone watched music shows.”

Lee Seon-ju, who lives in the present generation, may not know that time well.

It was a time when you couldn’t even have a proper conversation with your friends unless you watched entertainment or music shows on TV.

The channels through which people accessed the latest music were not music charts or internet communities, but rather music video channels and music broadcasts on television.

If anyone appeared on a music show, it didn’t take long for the entire nation to know about them.

Among them, Son Hye-bin debuted with ‘Crown’.

“Isn’t the song good?”

“hmm…….”

Lee Seon-ju looked at the stage with an ambiguous expression.

I like seeing Shin A-reum, but I don’t know if the song is good. The basic melody and chorus are okay to listen to.

“Well, it’s okay.”

It doesn’t really catch your ear like today’s songs.

I can’t express it honestly because it’s in front of Yoo Yong-tae, but it feels so old.

‘The choreography isn’t flashy. The movements are a bit static.’

Yoo Yong-tae immediately noticed Lee Seon-ju’s thoughts, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he smiled faintly and turned his gaze to the stage.

‘Yeah, this is getting old now.’

But for Yoo Yong-tae, it will always be on the same level as the latest music.

The only people who were as mesmerized by Shin A-reum’s performance as Yoo Yong-tae were those who were similar to her.

These are the people who do not accept ‘Crown’ as just an old song, but recognize it as one of the steps that K-pop has taken to reach the present.

‘I can’t help it.’

Yoo Yong-tae felt bitter about not being able to share memories with Lee Seon-ju. But he was also extremely satisfied.

Because his lover, Shin A-reum, is reenacting Yoo Yong-tae’s memories right before his eyes.

‘That’s great, beautiful.’

The response at the concert was split in half. Those who liked Yoo Yong-tae and those who didn’t.

And there was another kind of audience.

It’s not a division based on whether or not they know Son Hye-bin, but rather those who know how to analyze Son Hye-bin’s performance.

That’s right, it was an idol.

* * *

‘What is that?’

Kim Min-ju sat up straight and focused her eyes.

I was originally focused on Shin A-reum’s stage, but now I was so focused on the stage that I blocked out all the surrounding stimulation.

‘Is that an original performance?’

That’s what it looks like.

Although it was made in the present day, the atmosphere and techniques give it a distinctly old-fashioned feel.

“It’s difficult.”

Erica spoke as if speaking for Kim Min-joo.

“Is it difficult?”

When Kim Min-joo asked, Erica answered lightly as if asking why she was asking such a thing.

“The performance itself is difficult. I thought that meant the song was difficult to understand?”

“No… … Do you find it difficult too?”

“huh.”

Those who have not learned dance and vocals will only feel that the ‘Crown’ performance is crude.

Like museum visitors who admire the historical value of artifacts from the past but don’t give high marks to their craftsmanship.

However, the ‘Crown’ seen by vocalists, dancers, and dance singers was different.

“That solo… … .”

There was a human being who came out?

It was a time when practical music and dance training were not as developed as they are today.

To put it more bluntly, it was a time when Korea’s cultural infrastructure was significantly behind that of advanced countries.

To Kim Min-ju, Son Hye-bin’s ‘crown’ looked like a world bodybuilding competition winner born at a local gym.

‘This is really reckless… … .’

What was the agency thinking when they recommended such a performance to the artist?

Did you just send him out on stage because you ordered him to do it?

“That’s senior Son Hye-bin’s debut song.”

Jin So-yu said this while looking at her cell phone. Kim Min-ju was even more surprised by this.

‘Debut song? That for your debut?’

Then suddenly Ginger screamed.

“Didn’t you receive instructions to turn off your cell phone?! If you’re caught with your cell phone on, you could be ejected!”

“What’s wrong with using it all?”

As Jin So-yu said, there were quite a few people who took out their cell phones.

The staff who had been preventing people from using their cell phones in the hallway were now just standing there, perhaps tired of it.

“It’s amazing that it’s a debut song.”

Erica spoke in a firm tone, as if concluding.

“It’s amazing that you can do that solo.”

“Wow, Shin A-reum is amazing… … .”

“Not Areum. I’m talking about senior Son Hye-bin.”

As Erica laughed heartily, Kim Min-joo blushed and avoided eye contact.

* * *

Idols are used to showing strengths and weaknesses in their performances.

Because you have to learn the skill of knowing when it’s time to rest and when it’s time to pour out all your energy.

‘Even if idol songs have a high range of 3 octaves, it’s not that great.’

The member in charge of that is the main vocalist, and he would have saved up his stamina by performing leisurely before entering the 3-octave part.

All you have to do is shout it out properly for just a few seconds.

‘Even if you perform an acrobatic dance performance, it’s not that amazing.’

Likewise, the main dancer can rest comfortably in the corner while the other members focus their attention on the front.

All you have to do is dance with all your might for a dozen seconds.

But it’s a completely different story when a solo dance singer performs them.

A soloist must continue performing without a break. There is no time to rest. Every minute and every second that the song continues, the audience’s eyes are focused only on the soloist.

‘This is absolutely ridiculous.’

I felt it during practice too, but it was incredibly difficult.

Shin A-reum burst into laughter because she was so dumbfounded. Because of that, her breathing became disrupted and she almost lost her rhythm.

Shin A-reum regained her concentration.

‘I understand why solo dance singers have disappeared from Korea.’

The cost-effectiveness is not right.

For over 3 minutes, you have to sing, dance, show facial expressions, and even dominate the stage.

How much time would it take to train one such person? It would take at least much longer than training one idol member.

‘No. When considering the lifespan of an appearance, you shouldn’t just consider the period of puberty.’

A shining talent is needed.

Only those who have talent that anyone can clearly see as ‘shining’ can stand as a soloist.

‘Director Son debuted at a similar age to me with this.’

1 minute 12 seconds.

The timing to move on to verse 2 after verse 1 ends.

Shin A-reum took leisurely steps and organized her path with the backup dancers.

A very short time, perhaps two seconds.

That was pretty much all the rest given to ‘Crown’.

‘amazing.’

Shin A-reum thought about this with respect for Son Hye-bin and then went back into the performance.

It was something she felt and reflected on every time she practiced, but Shin A-reum thought about it again.

‘That’s amazing, really.’

There was a time when ‘MR removal’ was popular during Son Hye-bin’s time. Because of that, many singers and idols suffered and became discouraged.

As AR became widespread, the atmosphere where lip-syncing was taken for granted began to shift to the atmosphere of MR live.

Despite the wave that swept over the music industry, Son Hye-bin was fine. She had been famous since long ago for her live singing that resonated through AR.

Even in a time when people were full of suspicious looks like, “Isn’t that AR?”, Son Hye-bin avoided suspicion as if it were natural.

‘It’s really great… … .’

it’s a shame.

Shin A-reum couldn’t give up on that thought.

What would it have been like if Son Hye-bin had debuted now instead of in the past?

If K-pop had debuted at a time when it had reached full technological maturity, rather than when its identity was unclear and it was not technically complete… … .

‘You have the ability to do this kind of performance so effortlessly, and yet you were active 10 years ago… … .’

Shin Areum declared.

If the past Son Hye-bin were to return to the present, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack to find someone in the idol world who could compete with her in terms of skills.

Son Hye-bin is a performer who was born in an immature era, but was more mature than anyone else.

She is Yevgeny Kissin, born before Franz Liszt.

She is Art Tatum, born before Jelly Roll Morton.

She is a virtuoso.

A genius born with talent that cannot be enhanced by time.

‘With such a crude dance.’

The gestures and steps could be described as ignorant compared to today. However, it is a dance that requires extreme fatigue from the performer due to excessive control of intensity.

Shin Areum danced like that.

‘With such a crude song.’

Because of the autotune that was haphazardly introduced as a new technology, the performer’s original strengths are not revealed at all, resulting in a primitive high note.

Shin Areum sang that song.

‘In an era where one cannot fully express one’s skills, Director Son lived as an idol.’

And yet.

‘You shined so brightly.’

Son Hye-bin.

A female solo dance singer representing the second generation.

Debut song ‘Crown’.

Shin A-reum finished the performance.

Standing on one leg, showing the side, with one leg bent so that the thigh is prominent. It’s a sexy pose that’s so blatant that it’s ridiculous.

That’s the ending pose.

Even the ending pose is ridiculously difficult.

‘Sigh, shit… … ‘

Shin Areum smiled bitterly, feeling defeated.

‘I lost.’

Shin Areum trembled with one leg. Then, the sweat on her chin dripped down to the floor.

‘Director Son didn’t waver at all in this position.’

Even in the concert performance, Shin A-reum lost to Son Hye-bin in the past.

But I also feel like there’s nothing I can do.

‘Because it was the peak.’

Shin A-reum apologized to Son Hye-bin.

When Son Hye-bin said something, Shin A-reum thought, ‘Who are you to say that?’ Thinking back now, it was incredibly arrogant.

‘Whether I wanted to do something or not, no matter what I heard, I was never the type of person to get annoyed by anything… … .’

Shin A-reum admitted defeat refreshingly.

But it wasn’t something that could just be overlooked even if defeat was admitted.

Shin A-reum doesn’t want to lose to anyone, even if it’s someone from the past who can’t return to the present.

‘If only I had done it differently.’

A small sprout sprouted in Shin Areum’s heart.

‘I wish the performance had been different… ‘

When I was trying to recreate the original version of the darkest story, ‘The King’, in Japan a long time ago, Sungpil gave me some advice.

‘How many people in the world have danced to The King? Including all the fan dance covers and idol event performance covers. Sure, there must be a lot. So who is the best among them?’

Of course it’s ‘Darkest’.

‘Arum, as long as the realm you belong to is pop, it is absolutely impossible to surpass the aura of the original. Even hundreds of years into the future, the only one who could most excellently portray The King would be Darkest.’

So, in order to have value beyond the original, a remake is needed. A remake that fits the performer’s personality and strengths.

Shin A-reum got angry when she heard that. She asked if he didn’t trust her.

Seongpil just smiled faintly.

‘Of course I trust Arami.’

That’s what I said.

At that time, I was only focused on reaching Seongpil’s utopia, so I didn’t have time to look around, but not anymore.

Until now, Shin A-reum’s heart was covered with frost.

The arrogance created by the talent bestowed upon her by heaven. It brought frost to her heart.

Shin Areum’s heart was hard, cold, and, above all, bleak. And now, just now, a sprout has finally broken through the frost and grown.

‘I wish it was a crown for me, not a crown for Director Son… ‘

Even though it was refreshing and clean, there was no need to admit defeat.

The sprouts were soon blown away by the snowstorm and became hazy.

Now was not the time to focus on that.

“Phew.”

Shin A-reum released her ending pose.

I took a deep breath and picked up the microphone. It was a short talk time that I had specially requested from Jo Jin-man.

“Yes, everyone. Did you see it well?”

There were unusually many shouts from men. They were probably those who remembered Son Hye-bin.

Shin Areum smiled faintly.

“Do you know that our company has Director Son Hye-bin?”

yes-!

Still, a strong answer came back. It seemed as if something was expected.

“I prepared ‘Crown’, but Director Son didn’t really force me to do it. He actually told me not to do it. He said it was his debut song and a dark history. He said he was embarrassed even when he saw it now.”

Laughter spread throughout the room.

Shin A-reum had just finished her performance and was dizzy, so she couldn’t find Son Hye-bin. However, she guessed that she was hiding her face because she was embarrassed.

“Actually, the reason I chose ‘Crown’ was to embarrass Director Son. In the past, Director Son gave me some advice? I didn’t take it very well back then. I had a very rebellious nature. I thought, ‘Really? Let’s see how great Director Son’s performance must have been to make him do that.’ … … .”

Shin A-reum’s smile disappeared.

“After trying it myself, I realized that I wasn’t the type of person who dared open my mouth. Phew!”

Shin Areum let out a still unorganized breath.

It was a performance with breathing techniques that idols are not used to, and the difficulty level was high, so it was much harder than usual.

“I heard that Director Son paid special attention to the sound of ‘Crown.’ He was into pop music at the time.”

Of course, it was not a level of perfection comparable to that of contemporary American pop music.

Shin Areum also knew. She didn’t add any more words and just politely placed her hands on her stomach.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Director Son and all of our seniors. We are able to perform ‘Ani’ and ‘Arabesque’ here because of the results of our seniors. Thank you very much.”

Shin Areum bowed deeply.

One or two people started clapping.

The number of applauders increased from dozens to hundreds and then thousands. They all bowed down to pay their respects to Shin Areum.

The respect was directed towards Shin A-reum’s seniors.

* * *

“Sister, are you crying?”

Son Hye-bin had her hat pulled down almost to her lips.

Biting her lower lip showed her determination not to cry, even though tears could not help but flow.

Seongpil patted her shoulder and said.

“Even if you have a dark past, there were many people who liked your songs. And A-reum says the same thing. Who knows? If you didn’t have me, there would be no Girls’ League.”

Maybe many idols never made it to the world.

There must have been someone in Korea who saw Son Hye-bin and decided to become her manager or producer. One of those people comforted his former idol.

“Hey, Mr. Imma… … .”

Son Hye-bin let out a tearful laugh.

“Even if you hear those words… … Your dark history won’t change… … .”

Son Hye-bin cried.

I cried because I was happy.

There were moments when she felt a sense of guilt, thinking that the years she had devoted to the music industry had gone to waste.

Because a popular singer loses his meaning the moment the public forgets him.

Even after quitting being a singer, I was so miserable because I thought I had worked so hard for a song that would only be popular for a few months.

I didn’t become a singer just to show my face on variety shows using my old fame…

“Even if it’s a dark history, it’s still history. I remember you too, and everyone else remembers you. We’ll never forget you.”

Son Hye-bin finally burst into tears.

I used to think that the glory of the past had turned to dust and was scattered across the empty lot. But now I see that the dust was supporting the cornerstone for the next era.

‘okay…….’

Son Hye-bin sniffled.

‘If there’s even one person who remembers me, and if there’s even one person who thanks me.’

Son Hye-bin raised her wet eyes.

Shin Areum was still bending over.

‘That was the meaning.’

Thank you, Arum.

* * *

The concert is coming to an end.

All of the Girls’ League members were wearing idol-like reformed suits.

Just like when I debuted with ‘Long Four’.

[3 minutes ago.]

Each member of the Girls’ League held their own instrument and played it lightly.

Snow White plucked the strings of her electric guitar, which was not connected to an amplifier. The feeble sound of the metal faintly entered Snow White’s ears.

I tried playing a guitar solo in that condition.

The electric guitar’s natural sound was absent, so it felt empty, but it was clear to those nearby that he was playing quickly.

When the sweat started to form on the fingertips of Baek Seol-ha who was holding the peak.

“I came to get the instrument!”

The members of the band ‘Debbie’ hurriedly entered the backstage. They each went to their respective positions and faced the members.

Kwon Dong-ha received the bass from Jang Ha-yang.

The vocalist received Shin A-reum’s guitar.

The drummer received Joara’s drumsticks.

Rika just needs to go out and play the piano.

And then, the guitarist reached out to take Baek Seol-ha’s electric guitar.

“Ms. Seol-ha?”

Snow White didn’t seem to have any intention of giving up her electric guitar. She gripped the fretboard with trembling hands and slowly handed the instrument over to the guitarist.

The guitarist bowed his head after receiving Baek Seol-ha’s guitar.

He also knows what it means to leave his instrument to someone else.

“I’ll check again.”

‘Debi’s leader Kwon Dong-ha once again explained to the members where they put their personal instruments.

In the first verse of ‘Long Four’, the Girls’ League comes to the band session after finishing their dance performance. And they were going to pick up their instruments and play.

Since the Girls’ League cannot use the instruments of the ‘Debbie’ members, each member’s instrument is placed in its own place.

“Then let’s do it like this.”

‘Debbie’ returned to her seat before the VCR finished.

The girls’ league members waited quietly for their turn. When the video finally ended, Baekseolha stomped Walker’s hoof on the ground.

The members took it as a signal to leave. They all climbed the iron stairs leading to the stage.

But only Snow White stood there blankly.

“Sister?”

Jang Ha-yang asked worriedly.

Baek Seol-ha said in a slightly absent-minded tone.

“Why did we… … decide to do something like a band performance?”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Araya, uh, just. Standing here, I’m curious. Who said it first?”

“Atashi (me)!”

Rika proudly puffed out her chest.

“I think I was the one who came up with the idea first! It’s time to show the Bremen Town Musicians what they can do! It’s a waste of practice!”

“I don’t like it.”

“Eek?!”

“I don’t like the reasoning that ‘it’s a waste of practice’.”

Baek Seol-ha’s clenched fist was shaking. I could tell she was nervous.

As soon as the band stage approached, everything felt absurd.

Why did they have to play unfamiliar band instruments? Why wouldn’t it have been enough to just have the dance and vocal performance that fans expected?

Such regrets are slowly creeping up on me.

“Isn’t it cool?”

Snow White flinched.

Joara spoke again.

“It’s cool. Isn’t that why you decided to do it?”

“… … .”

Snow White nodded her head several times and then smiled with satisfaction.

“That’s the reason I like the most.”

Snow White climbed the stairs.

“Let’s try to be really cool.”

Special stage.

‘Long Four’ band performance.

* * *

Snow White’s guitar let out a creepy, metallic sound.

Not only the members nearby, but even the audience opened their eyes wide in surprise.

Sweat ran down Baek Seol-ha’s chin as she lowered herself, caught in the gaze of thousands of pairs of eyes.

Snow White’s sweat and frustration seeped into her guitar.

Snow White gripped the fretboard so tightly that it seemed as if it would break. The friction caused the strings to make an eerie, creaking noise once again.

‘I can’t do this anymore… … .’

Snow White tightly closed her eyes.

The sweat that had been forming around his eyes ran down his cheeks like tears.

‘No more… … .’

Performance stopped.