Chapter 99

God of Music Chapter 99 . Spreading the Broken Wings (5)

“HyunAh, where are you going?”

Asked Lee ChaHee, but Lee HyunAh left with a vague answer .
She rushed to the entrance of the office in fear of being late .
KangYoon was waiting for her at the entrance .

“Let’s go . ”

Lee HyunAh suppressed her jubilance and stood next to him .

“Where are we going?”
“Wait a moment . There’s one more person . ”
“What?”

As soon as he finished his words, a car stopped near them and the windows went down . It was Lee HyunJi’s luxury sports car . She spoke from within the car .

“Huh? You’re going too, HyunAh?”
“…… . ”

Lee HyunAh looked at KangYoon with a strange expression . However, that only lasted a moment . Thinking back, it was her fault that she assumed that the two would go alone . KangYoon didn’t seem to know what she was thinking and opened the door to the front passenger seat and got onboard . Lee HyunAh got onboard the back seat .
The three departed to Hongdae like that .
Inside the car, KangYoon and Lee HyunJi spoke about many work-related matters . These included their future plans, fund management, as well as employment of other staff .

‘Wh… . What the heck? Why am I here?’

Why was it that she felt fluttered just before? Lee HyunAh momentarily felt that she was a fool . It only took an instant for her excitement to fall to the bottom .

“…Our current budget… . ”
“With the pay we get this week… . ”

Lee HyunAh wanted to participate in that conversation, but there was no way to . Their talk regarding money was something completely clueless to her . She only felt that the scale of the money was big, but nothing felt realistic to her . Of course, she knew some things about copyrights fee, but building usage fees, other singers, as well as other administrative matters were like an alien language to her .

‘…I shouldn’t have come . ’

While Lee HyunAh looked out the window with a frown, the car stopped . It was a shared parking lot in Hongdae .

“The parking fees are expensive here… . ”

When Lee HyunAh said that in a worried tone, KangYoon received a ticket from the parking lot’s agent and shook his head .

“Spending money here is much better than looking for an empty space on an alleyway to park .

Time was money . Agreeing with his opinion, Lee HyunAh followed behind him .
The three-headed to a nearby concert venue, Sweetpins . When they entered, a female staff in clean clothing greeted them .
KangYoon said that he had made an appointment and the female staff called the office to confirm . Soon, a man came out from the office and greeted them .

“Are you Mr . Lee KangYoon? Welcome . ”
“Hello . ”

After a light greeting, the male staff leads KangYoon and company to the office . They drank the coffee that the concert venue gave them and looked through the guide leaflets, the prices, and the materials about other concert teams .
Looking at those materials, Lee HyunJi asked the staff .

“How many people can it hold?”
“Up to 200 . If we go with standing seats, we can go with twice that much . ”
“So around 300… . ”

Lee HyunJi judged that the staff was exaggerating and drew her own conclusions . The staff became awkward and turned his gaze around to KangYoon .

“We have done a remodeling recently and have replaced all the sound and light equipment to the latest ones . ”
“How high is the ceiling?”

When KangYoon asked an unexpected question, the staff couldn’t reply easily . When KangYoon saw the papers, the height was there . He turned his gaze around to the papers .

“…Not that low . Looks like there’s no need to worry about the sound . ”
“…… . ”
“According to these, you seem to be using the Allen series of speakers . Those are quite strong in the highs, so I’m worried that there may be unwanted noise . Is there sound dampening on the ceiling?”

The staff sweated hard . These people were very picky . As an office worker, how was he supposed to know the special traits of speakers? It wasn’t easy to answer those questions . The staff members back became damp with sweat . He still tried to answer to the best of his abilities using the papers .
Fortunately, KangYoon’s questions weren’t limitless .

“…Thank you for the coffee . I wish to see the venue now . ”
“Th… this way please . ”

After KangYoon’s barrage of questions, the staff immediately led them to the concert hall . The hall was right in front of the 1st floor lobby . When the staff opened the door, there was a wide stage as well as a large clearing .

“The booth seems to be in a suitable place… . ”

KangYoon looked around and took pictures with his phone . Lee HyunJi also looked around in her own way .

“HyunAh . ”
“Yes?”

She, who was suddenly called out after all this time, was surprised by KangYoon’s call .

“Go stand on the stage . ”

At KangYoon’s request, she headed to the center of the stage . KangYoon stood in the middle of the audience area and looked at the stage; then asked the staff .

“Can we test the lighting and the speakers right now?”
“Please wait a moment . The engineers are on leave today… . ”

The staff showed an awkward expression . The engineers usually only came to work on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, where there were shows . This was done to save on human resources cost .

“Just open the door . I know my way around . ”
“If you say so… . ”

The staff didn’t dare to refuse a request from a potential customer . He brought KangYoon a set of keys from the office and opened the booth .

“HyunAh, stay still . ”
“Yes . ”

Lee HyunAh nodded her head .
KangYoon started fiddling with the lights in the booth . He controlled the lights with the light mixer and soon grasped how it was done . The staff watched KangYoon from behind .

“Can you switch the lights?”
“If you contact us prior to the show, then yes . ”
“Good . The lights here have too much blue tone . HyunAh doesn’t do well with blue lights… . ”

KangYoon fiddled with the lights for a few minutes before turning them all off . Then, he left the booth and turned on the spotlight . With one strong light shining down upon her, Lee HyunAh asked KangYoon in embarrassment .

“So, do I keep standing here?”
“Yeah . You’re going to be performing here in the future so have a look around too . ”

Lee HyunAh felt as though she had become a puppet . Before, with Greenlight, there was no prior testing due to time problems… . And this felt strange .
KangYoon went back to the booth again . He turned on all the lights and had a look .

‘Is he some kinda engineer?’

From what the staff knew, KangYoon was supposed to be the president of a company, but he felt more like an engineer instead . The way he controlled the lights with the light mixer was just like an expert . He would even believe it if KangYoon said he was an employee here . He had met various presidents until now, but someone like KangYoon was a first .
KangYoon controlled the lights for a while before turning off the light mixer .

“You said that we can change the light settings, right?”
“Yes, of course . ”

Asking the same thing made KangYoon quite the annoying customer, but the staff member was a professional . He never lost his smile, However… .

“Can we test the acoustics as well?”

When KangYoon said that he wanted to test the sound mixer as well, the staff’s eyebrows twitched . These people were very picky .

‘Ha…… . ’

At this point, the staff became absent-minded . However, it wasn’t like the customers were in the wrong or something . He permitted them with a slightly trembling voice .

“Yes . O… of course . ”

Normally, getting to know the stage was a very reasonable thing to do . However, other people usually looked for things like the location of the venue, the makers of the equipment, and other superficial things like that, but this person was completely different . He even went on to do some testing himself . This was the most frightening of customers out there . The staff clasped his hands in nervousness .
KangYoon told the staff that he wanted to borrow a mic . At this point, the staff had half-given up . KangYoon gave the mic to Lee HyunAh and HyunAh connected to the mic input .

“Ah, ah — mic test . Ah, ah–”

Listening to Lee HyunAh’s voice over the speakers, KangYoon checked the overall acoustics . It would be good if he had a music recording with him, but he didn’t have one on hand .

“HyunAh, can you sing a song for me?”
“A song?”
“Yeah, it’s for testing . ”

HyunAh seemed to be happy that she finally had something to do before she warmed up her voice and raised her voice .

“All day – my heart – is on top of that clock -”

HyunAh’s voice filled the hall . Observing the weak white light from the green note, KangYoon checked for the sound . This was the base test without any effects added to HyunAh’s voice .

‘It’s not really a satisfying sound . It feels murky . ’

That was KangYoon’s conclusion after considering the musical note, the light, and the sound he heard through his ears .

“Should I do more?”
“No, it’s fine . ”

KangYoon thanked the employee before turning off the power switch and leaving the booth .

“Thank you . Can you give me a business card?”

At KangYoon’s question, the staff gave him a business card . He was already sweating on his forehead .

“Then I shall contact you later . ”
“Please have a safe trip back . ”

After a handshake, KangYoon left the Sweetpins concert hall .
Heading to the car, KangYoon asked Lee HyunAh .

“How was the hall?”
“Hm… . ”

Lee HyunAh thought about it for a moment before replying .

“Honestly speaking, it didn’t feel that good . The sound was murky, and the lights weren’t too my style either . ”
“Really?”
“But if pre…ppa wants me to do it, then I’ll do it . ” (T/N: President + oppa, now in reverse)
“…Mind how you address me . ”
“Sorry . ”
“Anyway, so this place is no good . Let’s look at a few others . ”

Lee HyunAh seemed embarrassed about what KangYoon said and scratched her cheeks while looking away .
After that, the trio looked around a few more concert venues . The employees there all had a hard time due to KangYoon’s testing .

***

Late night music show, Hula .
This was a music TV programme done by Moon Shinhak who was an entertainer, musician, as well as an actor, and this programme was a music-specific programme that was broadcasted just after midnight . The motif of this program was to let famous singers sing to their heart’s content as long as it was within the studio inside the TV station .
Today, Kim JaeHoon was recording that programme .

“You didn’t forget anything?”
“Yes!”

The parking lot in front of the front gates .
KangYoon asked the band who were loading their instruments into the van . This was their first time appearing on TV, so they all looked nervous .

“I also want to go, but I have a lot of work to do . Damn…”

Lee HyunJi showed her disappointment . It was such a pity for her that work was dragging her feet .

“But it’s because of you, director, that I can leave the company without worries . ”
“Thank me more . ”
“T . h . a . n . k . y . o . u . ”

KangYoon replied in a prankful tone to Lee HyunJi’s grumbles .
Lee HyunJi turned around to Kim JiMin behind KangYoon .

“JiMin, you can’t go touching things just because they all look curious to you, okay? You can’t step on the lines either . ”
“Yes . ”
“Pfft, the lines are fine . Though, she might be electrocuted . ”
“Oh… . ”
“Hahaha, it’s a joke . ”

Kim JiMin shrank back at Lee HyunJi and KangYoon’s pranks . Thanks to that, their mood as they went to the TV station was very bright .
With the exception of Lee HyunJi, Jung HyeJin, and Lee HyunAh, who remained at the company to practice, everyone else was going to the TV station . This was an outing with a lot of members since the founding of the company .
Inside the car, Kim JaeHoon clasped his hands and closed his eyes . This was his first appearance on TV after a very long time . His heart pounded with nervousness .
Behind him, Lee ChaHee and Kim JinDae were fighting, while Jung ChanGyu and Kim JiMin were talking about serious things .

‘Looks like they are getting along . ’

KangYoon looked to the back seat through the rearview mirror . Seeing everyone get along, he felt joyous .
When they arrived, the assistant director came out to meet them .

“Hello, I’ve been waiting for you . ”

With KangYoon at the front, everyone followed the assistant director . The studio of the recording was on the 17th floor . When they arrived at the studio, the drums, mixer, guitar amp, and many other musical necessities were mostly set up .
While KangYoon greeted Moon Shinhak, the presenter, and the producer, Kim JaeHoon, the rest of the band started to tune their instruments . The drums were tightened to produce a suitable sound, while the electric guitar was controlled through an effector . The bass guitar was also tuned to match the rest .
Kim JaeHoon installed the microphone that KangYoon had gotten him and started to tune his voice .

“Love you — love you —”

Kim JaeHoon sang lightly to tell the requirements to the sound engineer . Today, there was no ear mic . Instead, there was a monitoring speaker, and Kim JaeHoon had asked the sound engineer to add the base sounds of the bass guitar, the drums, and the synthesizer .
A lot of time had passed, and the other members had finished setting themselves up . However, Kim JaeHoon was still in the middle of setting .

“It’s just as I heard . ”

Moon ShinHak narrowed his eyes . KangYoon asked from the side .

“What have you heard?”
“His perfectionism . Kim JaeHoon is known for being a perfectionist, isn’t he? Looks like the engineer fellow will suffer quite a lot today . ”

Just as Moon ShinHak had said, the engineer had a hard time doing the minute settings . To the others, like the band and the producer, it didn’t sound that much different, but Kim JaeHoon kept asking the engineer to retune it in dissatisfaction . A whole 20 minutes had passed since the rest of the band had finished their settings .

‘Oh no . ’

It was very rude to keep dragging time with setting in front of a senior like Moon ShinHak . Moon ShinHak was smiling in understanding since he was a musician as well, but who knows what would happen if they dragged for any longer . KangYoon headed to the engineer’s location before things got worse .

“Excuse me, but can I have a look at it?”

The engineer let go of the mixer with a blank expression at KangYoon’s words . Perhaps he thought that KangYoon would be good since he was the president of the company that Kim JaeHoon belonged to .

“JaeHoon, let’s do this quickly . ”
“Okay . Love you — love you—”

Yellow musical notes started appearing in front of KangYoon’s eyes . Soon, those notes started generating white light . KangYoon started controlling the mixer . As JaeHoon had requested, he minutely increased the bass and decreased the middles a little . Then, the light became stronger, albeit very little .

“Huh? Hyung . Put up the gain a little bit . ”

Kim JaeHoon was excited as though he had finally found the sound he wanted . KangYoon adjusted the sound per his request . Then, the white light became a lot stronger .

“This is good . Okay, thank you . ”

The settings were finally over . KangYoon said excuse me to the engineer and left the place .
Moon ShinHak showed interest in KangYoon .

“Are you an engineer as well, president?”
“I learned a little . ”
“Haha . Your ears aren’t ordinary . Kim JaeHoon, that fellow, is known for being very picky, but you got an okay in one go . The sound is definitely better too . Looks like there will be a good stage today . ”

Seeing KangYoon make an awkward reaction, Moon ShinHak told him that they should have a drink together sometime and stood up to get ready for the show .
After a band jam for the overall sound adjustment, the recording began .

***

“Can’t win against my loneliness – I wander through the night, drunk, looking for you–”

A quiet ballad filled the studio . The hefty, yet thin voice gradually became more powerful and made Kim JaeHoon’s own unique song .

“My hot love – is washed away by the rain –”

Contrasting to the bass that kept becoming lower, Kim JaeHoon’s voice kept going higher . Then, Kim JinDae’s drums halted for a moment before re-entering powerfully to heighten the atmosphere .

“Your promise to return – made me live on – but –”

Kim JaeHoon’s voice became gradually more powerful . KangYoon could already see a strong white light covering the entire studio . The white light seeped into everyone present and made them absorbed into the song .
However, KangYoon wasn’t as satisfied . He could see something different within the white light .

‘Is that from back then?’

It was similar to ‘that light’ that he saw from Lee HyunAh’s stage . It was silver light .
The more Kim JaeHoon’s song heightened the song, the stronger the light became . However, the silver light didn’t completely overwhelm the white light . It became stronger before going away and did that again . In Lee HyunAh’s case, the two lights were intermixed, but this time it was different .
The song ended like that . Everyone in the studio cheered and clapped .

“Fuu, thanks for your work, everyone . ”

Kim JaeHoon greeted everyone while sweating . Although this wasn’t a proper concert stage, he was happy to sing to his heart’s content . The band members also felt very happy that they were able to go with a vocal that was not HyunAh .

“Let’s rest for 30 minutes… . ”
“Wait . ”

Before the assistant director could declare rest, KangYoon stepped up .

“I apologize, but can we record this song just once more?”
“What?”

The producer did not hide his surprise . Kim JaeHoon’s song was one of the best he had heard . But why? Even Kim JaeHoon looked at KangYoon with a confused expression .
However, KangYoon was thinking differently from everyone else .

‘This song isn’t one that will end with just this . ’

While everyone looked at him in confusion, KangYoon was convinced .
He was convinced that he would be able to raise the power behind this song .

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