Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 404



Only Noblemtl

Episode 404

“Sexy? You mean you’re going to emphasize sexuality? Everything from the lyrics to the mood of the song?”

When Seongpil asked seriously, Baek Seol-ha also shook her head vigorously in embarrassment.

“I, I know that that doesn’t work anymore… … .”

Baek Seol-ha started liking idols around the time when the second generation of idols began to rise.

In fact, she has been a living witness to the history of K-pop, excluding the first generation.

The sexy concept, which was once strong even among the fandom called ‘uncle fans’, was almost completely forgotten by the third generation of girl groups.

“First of all, visually.”

Snow White showed me the photos she had saved on her phone.

It was a fashion pictorial featuring hot pants and cropped styles in a cool sky blue color reminiscent of summer.

Only then was Seongpil able to let go of his worries.

“We’ve never, you know, taken everyday clothes that are really just everyday clothes as stage costumes.”

“Yes. Tailored clothing like uniforms were the main style. Even though it was a casual style, it felt a bit heavy.”

“And also… … .”

Snow White showed the following pictures.

It was the kind of cheerleader outfit you’d see on an American teen drama. The flowing skirt and brightly colored top caught my eye.

“I want to try wearing a skirt too.”

“Because the Girls’ League didn’t wear skirts much.”

Seongpil looked through the costumes that Baek Seol-ha had found as reference once again.

Now I know the definition of ‘sexy’ that Baek Seol-ha is talking about.

“Our members work out really hard. I think we can use that. Even Hayang became a hot topic for his muscles and was even a real-time search term.”

“Sure, our kids have more appeal than just being idolatrously skinny.”

If the clothes that Baek Seol-ha used as an example are like this, they will naturally suit the members.

Until now, the Girls’ League has not had an opportunity to proudly display the physical efforts they have accumulated.

Their costumes had to fit the Girls’ League worldview, and physical attractiveness was not a consideration in their worldview.

“I have personal ambitions.”

“What kind?”

Snow White spoke loudly.

“I really want to try pop music once.”

“Real pop music? Ah… … .”

Seongpil caught Baek Seol-ha’s story right away.

By the third generation, boy groups had increasingly moved away from the popular genre.

Instead, they focused on musical achievements aimed at fandom and K-pop fans. In other words, they went in a direction that only they could consume and understand.

‘Because boy group fandoms are so loyal. And most K-pop fans are women, the trend of boy group music becoming fandom-ized is commercially right.’

Although boy group music has distanced itself from the general public, it has achieved commercial success that cannot be compared to girl groups.

In the long run, this could have resulted in reducing the overall K-pop fan pie.

But that didn’t only lead to bad results.

Boy groups rely on their loyal fans and continue to attempt musical innovations that would never have been possible if they had only looked at the general public.

Paradoxically, musical challenges and changes that could be described as violent have attracted overseas fans and become a catalyst for the growth of K-pop.

‘The Girls’ League was like that too.’

After three generations, girl group fans also show strong solidarity and loyalty like boy group fandoms.

Girls’ League was also able to ride that wave and present performance-oriented challenging songs like ‘Long Four’ and ‘Arabesque’.

Plus, it was a popular success, so it was the perfect choice.

But Snow White was hoping to make a turn in that direction.

“Music that tops the charts?”

“Well, if you say it like that, it sounds a bit materialistic… … .”

“What’s so vulgar about wanting to be number one on the charts? It’s about wanting to be successful. Well, then what does Seol-ha think ‘real popular music’ is?”

“When I was still a student, there were songs like that. Idol songs that everyone in the country knows. I want to make something like that.”

“I’m talking about songs that are easy to listen to and addictive.”

“Don’t go too light.”

“A song that guarantees musical perfection and sophistication, while also being addictive, popular, and likely to be a hit?”

At least Sungpil could hardly recall such a song.

I was curious and worried about what kind of opinion Seongpil, the producer of Snow White, would give.

She only looked at Seongpil’s lips.

After a while, Seongpil said.

“So, you want to create a Seol-ha syndrome? You want to make a song that the whole nation can sing, like when Seol-ha was young.”

“Yes, yes. Can’t I… … ?”

“No way.”

“ah…….”

“The reason it was possible in the past was because the television media had such a strong influence. Since culture was transmitted through a single window, if something became a hit, it spread to the entire nation.”

Nowadays, cultural power is not concentrated in television. It is distributed across all kinds of legacy and new media, and no one has absolute influence.

“Just pick five employees from our company right now and check out the recommended videos on iTube. They all have different interests and watch different things. And they only watch things related to their interests. Maybe forever.”

The development of new media has not provided people with access to more diverse information.

That’s because of the algorithm.

Rather, people are trapped within their own walls, always enjoying only the interests that match their tastes.

“So, in order for a national hit to be possible… … .”

Baek Seol-ha, who had been gloomy, pricked up her ears.

Surely there is a way?

“It has to stay at number one on the music charts for more than two months.”

“… …More than two months?”

“At that level, it would be a song with real national recognition.”

“Of course… … .”

“What I’m trying to say is, you can’t write a song with the goal of ‘I want to write a song that will have national recognition.’”

“ah.”

“Seol-ha, when writing songs, your goal shouldn’t be to become popular. Your goal should be to write good songs.”

Snow White nodded her head.

“I got confused between the front and back… … .”

“Yeah. But the phrase ‘real pop music’ had a resonance.”

This is no different from pointing out the dark side of the idol world.

In the past, girl groups had to be known to the public in order to survive.

However, the current girl groups are enjoying the legacy of ‘fandomization’ passed down from their seniors.

Since the pie of K-pop fans itself has become so large, satisfying just them can generate huge profits.

‘If this continues, the market will stagnate. Just like a movie franchise that was a hit with the general public ends up producing series only for the deceased fandom.’

Of course, whether it’s a song for the fandom or a song for the public, the goal is to ultimately make a good song.

The two are not different.

However, Baek Seol-ha’s wish to ‘make songs that many people will like’ is not in vain.

“Okay, then shall we go find a song first?”

“yes!”

“Or should we consider the visuals first?”

“yes?”

“Or, since we’ve already set the concept, should we look for keywords in the lyrics?”

“yes yes……?”

Seongpil smiled faintly.

“Producer Seol-ha, what would you like to try first?”

Only then did Baekseol understand what Seongpil was asking for.

Seongpil asked Baek Seolha to set the direction as a producer.

Snow White hesitated for a while, but as expected, she chose the easiest option.

“Then, let’s start with the song… … .”

“okay.”

Seongpil took out his phone and contacted Jeong Ji-eum.

“The backbone of Garo Enter, the A&R team, gather together!”

* * *

A&R team gathering… … I wanted to do it, but the Girls’ League’s vacation isn’t over yet.

It would have been right to have the first A&R team meeting with all members participating.

So today, I first visited Seongpil, Baekseolha, and Jeong Ji-eum’s studio.

At that moment, Jeong Ji-eum and A&R team member Lee Jae-ho were having an in-depth conversation.

“Jaeho, isn’t it true that pursuing natural encounters is bad? It’s good to date when a good relationship comes along.”

Lee Jae-ho looked at the bookshelf in the corner of the studio. It was filled with all sorts of pure love comics, including “Glass Shoes,” which Jeong Ji-eum had been recommended to by Jang Ha-yang.

Perhaps, Jeong Ji-eum’s head is also a flower garden like those pure love comics.

“Yes, well, that’s right. But how are you going to have a natural meeting? You’re stuck here all day working.”

“that…….”

“Go out and play somewhere.”

“I’m still at an age where I need to build a career. I need to focus on work.”

“… … ???”

“Ji-eum-ah.”

As soon as he heard Seongpil’s voice, Jaeho Lee jumped up and bowed his head.

“Hello, Director Park!”

“Hello, Jaeho, too.”

“You said you weren’t coming because it smelled moldy in here, but why did you call me today?”

“Seol-ha and I will take a look around the ‘treasure chest’.”

“A treasure chest?”

There is one story going around Garo Enter.

In the basement of Garo Enter, where the genius producer sleeps, there is a treasure chest.

A dreamlike treasure chest filled with jewels waiting to shine and find their owner anytime, anywhere… … .

“Already? Isn’t ‘Our Producing’ officially starting next month?”

“Seol-ha said she couldn’t stand it because her body was so hot.”

“I didn’t say that!”

“I brought you here because I thought you couldn’t stand it anymore.”

“If Seol-ha’s body gets too hot and she can’t stand it, then there’s nothing I can do.”

“Do you both want to be punished?!”

The still sound kicked the ground with his feet and pushed the wheels of the chair he was sitting on.

The still sound reached the front of the monitor in an instant, opened the bottom drawer, and took out a portable SSD.

Jaeho Lee looked at it in rapture.

“It’s finally time to write this… … .”

“Yes, Jaeho. It’s when the jewels we’ve been saving up while working hard and getting scolded by Director Han for spending money are revealed.”

The sound of the stop sign was connected to the SSD in the computer.

Inside, it was full of audio files that were linked to music production programs.

Additionally, tracks, melody line samples, etc. that Garo Enter had purchased from composers around the world were organized by type.

“My dear babies… … .”

Baek Seol-ha looked at the stillness as if it was ridiculous. How crazy or passionate must someone be about music that honey would drip from their eyes just by looking at the audio file?

Jeong Ji-eum came to his senses and asked.

“What are you looking for?”

“The keyword for Seolha is summer.”

“summer!”

The stop sound shouted as if it had been waiting.

“There’s a song I really, really want to push. Seolha, you’ll be really surprised when you hear it!”

“Is there such a thing?”

“Oh, if it’s Ji-eum’s fault, then I can trust it.”

He is now a slender man in his 20s who is obsessed with romance comics, but in his past life, as Seongpil remembers, he was a composer who was called a genius artist.

Jung Ji-eum, who has proven her genius with ‘Ani’, ‘Long Four’, and ‘Arabesque’. If she is this confident, it must be a great song.

“I was obsessed with this about three months ago!”

“You’re so stuck in the past.”

“Just listen to it. It’s not finished.”

“What’s the title?”

“It’s ‘Uparupa.’”

“Uparupa?”

Snow White placed both hands on her head. She wiggled her hands like a puppy’s ears.

“Uparupa… … This Uparupa?”

“Seolha, please stop flirting with me!”

“I’ve never done it before?!”

“It’s cute, so show it again. I need to record it as a video and keep it.”

“I won’t do it!”

At that moment, a cheerful sound spread through the speakers.

Even after listening to it for a moment, I could tell it was a sophisticated pop dance song.

Jung Ji-eum said excitedly.

“There’s no melody line yet, but I’ll just sing the highlights.”

Since there was no melody line, it wasn’t at the point where I could say the song was like this or that.

Seongpil and Baekseolha just felt the mood of the song.

As the first verse part ended, a few instruments dropped out as if to herald the highlight.

“I think it’s an AABC structure song.”

“huh.”

A(Verse) – A(Verse) – B(Bridge) – C(Highlight).

A song composed in this way is called AABC.

Most songs have this format, and naturally, many hit songs follow this structure.

“Here it is, here it comes, here it comes.”

Suddenly all sound disappeared.

The bridge is finished.

That time didn’t even last a second.

And then the highlight started. The instrumentation wasn’t much different from the verse, but the tempo sped up a bit, so you could tell it was the highlight.

“There’s nothing particularly special… … .”

Suddenly, Jeong Ji-eum jumped up from her chair and started singing.

“Uparupa uparupa! Uparupa uparupa! Rupa uparupa Rupa!”

I did it again.

He sang while moving his upper body in a bizarre way, probably dancing.

“Uparupa uparupa! Uparupa uparupa! Rupa uparupa Rupa!”

Seongpil and Baekseol were so entranced that they watched Jeong Ji-eum’s highlight performance.

Jung Ji-eum couldn’t contain her excitement and even dragged Jae-ho Lee into it.

Jaeho Lee suddenly stood in front of Sungpil with a stop sound. He closed his eyes tightly and danced awkwardly according to the music producer’s orders.

“together!”

Uparupa, uparupa!

Uparupa, uparupa!

Rupa uparupa rupa!

That’s how verse 1 ended.

Jeong Ji-eum wiped the sweat refreshingly and stopped the song.

“how is it?”

“… … .”

“… … .”

Seongpil and Baekseol looked at each other. They couldn’t read the emotions in each other’s eyes.

No, there were so many emotions mixed in their eyes that it was impossible to read them.

“ah.”

The silence of 10 seconds was understood.

“The lyrics I originally had in mind for the latter half were ‘Woo-pa, Woo-pa-ru-pa, Woo-pa!’ However, I thought that repeating ‘Woo-pa (right wing)’ might be controversial for the Girls’ League, so I changed it to repeating ‘loo-pa.’”

“Hey, good job, Ji-eum. Right, Jae-ho?”

“I think this is a good example of a music producer’s intuition being put to good use.”

“Yes. It’s a good thing the title isn’t ‘Right-Wing-Left.’ Changing the word ‘Right-Wing’ to ‘Lupa’ is truly a stroke of genius.”

“You’ve gotten a lot more joking around, hyung, haha.”

“Everything I said was a joke and sarcastic?! No one cares whether it’s Lupa or Ufa!”

“Sonna (that kind of)!”

“That’s not the problem… … .”

Suddenly, Seongpil’s movements stopped.

And his pupils dilated as if he was seeing something far away, something that ordinary people could not see. It was as if his brain had stopped working on more urgent matters.

When Seongpil became like that, Jeong Ji-eum called him in a panic and worried tone.

“Hyung? Hyung, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

At that moment, Seongpil opened his eyes wide as if he was regaining consciousness. He took a few rough breaths and grabbed Jeong Ji-eum’s shoulder.

“Ji-eum, you are right.”

“Are you being sarcastic again?”

“No. It was definitely controversial to repeat ‘right wing’, no, I think it will be. It was really well thought out.”

“Uh, yeah… … . That, that’s sarcasm, right?”

“No, you’re a genius! Your risk management skills are ridiculously high!”

“Stop teasing me.”

“I told you it’s true!”

Seongpil patted Jeong Ji-eum on the shoulder and expressed his sincere admiration for her insight.

“Still… … I think ‘Uparupa’ is a bit like that. The image change is too dramatic.”

“That’s true. Should I include it as a track?”

“Yeah, Uparupa… … .”

Uparupa.

Uparupa.

Rupa uparupa rupa… … .

“Rupa, uparupa… … .”

Strangely, it keeps lingering in my head.

‘Maybe this is a really good song?’

Seongpil felt like his brain was being torn apart.

Thinking rationally, this song is not suitable for the Girls’ League. However, the strange dance of the still sound and the lyrics ‘Uparupa’ keep floating around in my head.

I think I’ll think of it even when I sleep.

“Um, let’s stop now… … .”

Even when Baek Seol-ha came to Jeong Ji-eum’s studio, she was in a serious mood.

But when it came to the actual performance, all that was shown was a strange performance by Oni Jeong Ji-eum and a demonstration of a childish song called ‘Uparupa’.

I wanted to start talking seriously about producing.

“Ji-eum oppa, that song before… … .”

“It might be surprisingly okay?”

“yes?!”

“Right? It’s okay? It’s good?!”

The stillness was so great that it almost made her jump for joy.

It had to be that way. After all, I was acknowledged by Seongpil.

Park Sung-pil, the main producer of Garo Enter’s Girls’ League.

He is one of the best producers in Korea, having created the group Girls’ League from scratch.

The staff at Garo Enter have seen firsthand the enormous success Sungpil has created. His recognition carries a weight that cannot be ignored.

In other words, any song he says is ‘okay’ is like a free pass to success.

Jeong Ji-eum was extremely happy that Sung-pil acknowledged ‘Uparupa’.

“Both of you are serious… … .”

“Seolha, can you do an impromptu dance to ‘Uparupa’?”

“yes……?”

“Then I think I’ll get a better feel for it.”

“for a moment…….”

Before Baek Seol-ha could resist, the stop sound started playing the song. The highlight of ‘Uparupa’ started right away.

Snow White unconsciously placed her hands on her head. She wiggled her hands to make them look like puppy ears, and jumped low from side to side.

“Uh, uparupa uparupa. Rupa uparupa rupa.”

“More energetically! Express summer!”

“Uparupa! Uparupa! Rupa! Uparupa! Rupa!”

Snow White’s face turned red.

She made rabbit ears with her hands and jumped like a rabbit. She must have used her hands to express Uparupa’s horns, but they looked more like ears than horns.

“Uparupa… … .”

A stop sound stopped the song.

Snow White’s movements also suddenly stopped.

The three men put their heads together and whispered. After a short conversation, Seongpil said.

“This is real.”

“… … .”

“Seolha, this is real pop music!”

Snow White closed her eyes gently.

Tears fell like glass beads.

The real pop music you chose, hold on, Snow White!