novelraw Chapter 100 : The Sound of Singing Began
Chapter 100 : The Sound of Singing Began
Chapter 100 - The Sound of Singing Began
A few days later.
Baek Yeon-ah brought the music file with the arrangement completed.
“Then I will play it, Aunt.”
When he pressed the play button, the melody of a keyboard instrument flowed out immediately.
The wistful melody seemed to continue calmly, then harmonized with the tone of string instruments, causing the emotions to become rich.
Even though no vocals were added yet, he felt as if he could hear a sad singing voice.
That didn't mean it was an overly emotional song appealing to sorrow while crying one's eyes out.
Instead, a deep emotion that made one choke up inside was being expressed.
And in the climax part where that emotion was sublimated, he felt a catharsis as if a long-knotted sorrow was being untied.
It was a refreshing sense of liberation, as if escaping from long-standing pain.
“……”
While listening to the song, Baek Hyeon-woo thought of the character Wolhwa played by Kim So-yeong in the drama.
It was a song that properly expressed Wolhwa, who was trying to seek a new path while agonizing over how to live.
However, it was not a song limited only to the individual Wolhwa.
Because it was music of anguish and pain that anyone could experience if they were human.
And because it was music of liberation, trying to escape from such pain and walk one's own path.
This was a song for Wolhwa, a song for Baek Yeon-ah, a song for Kim So-yeong, a song for Newstarz, and a song for everyone.
————
[Journey (Yeoro)]
Mass Appeal: A
Lyricality: S
Addictiveness: D
Completeness: A
– Affinity with Newstarz (Main Vocal: Yoo Jeong-ah) is 65%.
————
Mass Appeal A, Lyricality S.
As a ballad, it was a song with no flaws to be found.
If the completeness is raised a little more from here, it will become a much better song.
The problem is that the affinity comes out as 65%.
No matter how good the song is, if the compatibility with Newstarz is bad, it is useless.
However, Baek Hyeon-woo did not get disappointed and closed his eyes.
And, the moment he opened his eyes again.
————
[Journey (Yeoro)]
Mass Appeal: A
Lyricality: S
Addictiveness: D
Completeness: A
– Affinity with Newstarz (Main Vocal: Kim So-yeong) is 95%.
————
An information window assuming Kim So-yeong as the main vocal was displayed.
The affinity visible right now is a whopping 95%.
If more effort is put into the arrangement going forward, it could approach 100%.
It was proof that Baek Yeon-ah understands the singer named Kim So-yeong better than anyone else and possesses the ability to create a song that fits Kim So-yeong perfectly.
‘Right, this is her real skill.’
All this time, Baek Yeon-ah had been thinking that her musical capabilities were lacking.
But that was a huge misconception. The reason Newstarz's debut album didn't achieve great success was because it was created assuming Joo Ga-hee as the main vocal.
If Baek Yeon-ah had produced with someone else as the main vocal from the beginning, she would have obtained much better results.
“Aunt.”
Baek Hyeon-woo opened his mouth while looking at Baek Yeon-ah.
“I’ll go with this song.”
“Is it really... okay?”
In front of Baek Yeon-ah asking with an anxious expression, Baek Hyeon-woo answered with a composed attitude.
“This song is the best.”
He didn't speak at length.
No matter how much Baek Hyeon-woo praised her in the language of an amateur, Baek Yeon-ah’s confidence would not be restored.
There was only one way for Baek Yeon-ah to regain her confidence.
It is only by achieving successful results.
And it must be a massive success that can make her completely forget the failure of Newstarz's debut album.
“You don't need to worry, Aunt.”
Baek Hyeon-woo spoke in a gentle voice.
“This song will definitely be a big hit.”
……
“Today's filming is all done! You worked hard!”
“You worked hard!”
When Baek Hyeon-woo was about to leave the set with Kim So-yeong after finishing the drama filming, Writer Seonu Hyeok approached.
“So-yeong-ssi, you were very good today. You acted out Wolhwa's internal conflict very well.”
Seonu Hyeok had a very satisfied expression.
“You know the viewership rating surpassed 10% this time, right? We can probably expect 12% from next week, and So-yeong-ssi’s contribution to this is very large. You are really doing well.”
“Thank you!”
In fact, it was no exaggeration to say that Kim So-yeong was carrying this drama.
Although distinguished veteran actors like Lee Dong-jae were showing good acting, Kim So-yeong could be called the undisputed top in terms of buzz on the internet.
Despite it being the first acting role for an idol-turned-actress, she continued to show a cool image that shattered preconceptions, receiving rave reviews from people every time it aired.
“……”
Just then, Lee Ha-eun, who played the female lead, passed by.
She glared at Kim So-yeong as she passed, but there was no strength in her gaze, so it wasn't scary at all.
After injuring her ankle, Lee Ha-eun’s screen time decreased as she was alienated from action scenes.
Since she is the female lead, Seonu Hyeok is somehow creating screen time for her, but the opportunities to show an impressive image were gradually diminishing.
As a result, Kim So-yeong was standing out more than Lee Ha-eun, the female lead.
Consequently, naturally, an atmosphere of prioritizing Kim So-yeong was forming on set as well.
“Keep doing well like this in the future too. The broadcast extension has been decided, and I'll put in many good scenes in the latter half as well.”
“Yes, understood! I'll try my hardest!”
Seonu Hyeok smiled seeing Kim So-yeong’s enthusiastic attitude.
Because of this attitude, differentiated from stuck-up established actors, the production team was treating Kim So-yeong more favorably.
“Writer-nim, then we will see you on the next filming day.”
“Team Leader Baek, you worked hard as well. Get home safely.”
After exchanging greetings with Seonu Hyeok like that, Baek Hyeon-woo left the filming set with Kim So-yeong.
“So-yeong-ah.”
“Yes?”
“Could you listen to a song for me?”
On the way back in the van, Baek Hyeon-woo played music through the car audio.
“We're going to record this soon. And you'll be singing the main vocals.”
“What?”
Kim So-yeong opened her eyes wide.
A few months ago, Kim So-yeong had stepped down from the main vocal position that didn't fit her aptitude.
Thanks to that, she was able to lift the burden from her shoulders and venture into the new world of acting.
But what on earth was this about all of a sudden?
“Ah...”
However, Kim So-yeong couldn't say a word.
It was because she was captivated by the beautiful melody that continued to flow out.
Before she knew it, Kim So-yeong was completely immersed in the song.
“Oppa, this song is...”
“It’s a song CEO Baek Yeon-ah made. It will be included as an OST starting from the latter half of the drama.”
“……!”
Hearing Baek Hyeon-woo’s words, Kim So-yeong understood why she was so immersed.
Because it was composed with the premise that Kim So-yeong would sing it herself, and as a song that suits her role in the drama.
Since Baek Yeon-ah wrote the song with that in mind, she was able to fall into it instantly.
In that case, I must sing this.
It is a song that I, and no one else, must sing.
Kim So-yeong was convinced of that.
“Oppa.”
Focusing on the melody continuing to play, Kim So-yeong opened her mouth.
“Who is supposed to write the lyrics for this?”
“It hasn't been decided yet.”
“In that case...”
Kim So-yeong spoke cautiously.
“May I write the lyrics?”
Hearing those words, Baek Hyeon-woo smiled.
It is Kim So-yeong who understands the character Wolhwa even more deeply than the writer, Seonu Hyeok.
Kim So-yeong would be able to write lyrics that properly express Wolhwa's feelings.
Kim So-yeong's lyrics, as part of the drama's narrative, will make ‘Unshakeable Dynasty’ an even richer drama... and will imbue Newstarz’s first drama OST with a sincere narrative.
“Then it's even better.”
The pieces to complete the puzzle called a ‘mega hit.’
They were gathering one by one.
……
The OST work proceeded quickly.
Baek Yeon-ah and the A&R team worked together late into the night, raising the song's completeness to the limit.
They urgently called in Tae Jong-su to give Kim So-yeong vocal training and began full-scale recording.
“Articles have been spread everywhere stating that the new OST will be inserted starting from this week's broadcast.”
“The reaction is quite good. They seem to be looking forward to it even more because it’s a song sung mainly by Kim So-yeong, who plays the role of Wolhwa.”
“Since it’s the first new song since ‘After girl,’ it’s becoming a hot topic among the Newstarz fandom as well. Everyone is going crazy saying they’ll tune in to the live broadcast.”
Haram Entertainment also went all out on promotion.
Originally, the plan was to release a full-length album after ‘After girl,’ but since things turned out this way, they had no choice but to release the OST track first.
They had to utilize the drama’s buzz to achieve the best possible results.
“Everyone, feel free to eat and drink comfortably.”
“Thank you for the food, CEO!”
And finally, the day arrived when the OST would be inserted into the drama for the first time.
The employees of Haram Entertainment stayed at the company to watch the live broadcast.
While they waited tearing into fried chicken, the drama started on TV.
“I still can’t get used to calling drama insert songs OSTs. In the past, OST just referred to the background music album.”
“Nowadays, they just call any song related to a work an OST. They say they even call webtoon image songs OSTs.”
While Choi Tae-hyeong and Park Yeong-ho chatted over beer, Baek Hyeon-woo checked a message on his phone.
“I got a message from PD Park.”
When he announced that a message had arrived from PD Park Jong-hun, everyone’s gaze focused on Baek Hyeon-woo.
“He says the real-time viewership rating is 13.6%.”
“Wow, awesome...!”
Originally, viewership ratings could only be known the next morning.
This was because they calculated the ratings by analyzing the day's data during the early morning hours.
But now, thanks to advancements in survey technology, real-time ratings are also available.
“Did you say 1% rating corresponds to about 300,000 people these days?”
“Then are 4 million people watching this?”
High drama ratings don't mean money comes into Haram Entertainment.
However, high ratings mean that many people are watching Kim So-yeong's acting.
Furthermore, today is also the day Newstarz's new song, featuring Kim So-yeong as the main vocal, is revealed for the first time.
Being able to promote a new song to 4 million people... everyone couldn't help but be excited.
“What did you say was the highest rated among historical dramas recently?”
“The romance historical drama that aired on SBC was probably 15.2%?”
“If this goes well, won't we surpass that today?”
Since not everyone watches a drama from beginning to end, viewership ratings fluctuate constantly.
Many viewers change the channel if they find it a bit boring and then come back a few minutes later.
So usually, the highest ratings tend to come out during the drama's climax part.
“Kim So-yeong is appearing a lot today.”
“It seems her screen time is increasing as time goes on.”
Sharing such conversations, the employees watched the drama.
When about 30 minutes had passed, Park Jong-hun sent the ratings update to Baek Hyeon-woo again.
“He says the instantaneous rating is 15.1%.”
“Wow, amazing...!”
“Then are 4.5 million people watching right now?”
“Ah, I wish just 0.1% more would come out!”
Since the SBC romance historical drama peaked at 15.2%, if it rises just 0.1% more, it will record the highest rating among recently aired historical dramas.
Setting such a record will result in more press coverage, and the promotional effect will increase accordingly.
“Hey! Everyone, send messages to people you know! Tell them to turn on HBS right now!”
“We just need 0.1% more!”
The employees went wild.
Encouraging acquaintances to watch right now wouldn't have much meaning, but everyone was swept up in the atmosphere and making a fuss.
“……”
Leaving those employees behind, Baek Hyeon-woo left the room.
Baek Hyeon-woo’s destination was the CEO's office.
“Aunt.”
Baek Yeon-ah was watching the monitor in the CEO's office.
Unlike the other employees who were watching the drama while enjoying fried chicken and beer together, she was quietly appreciating it alone.
“Shall I massage your shoulders?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“You don't have to decline.”
Baek Hyeon-woo went behind Baek Yeon-ah and started massaging her shoulders.
Perhaps because the OST work was very exhausting, her trapezius, scalene, and sternocleidomastoid muscles were stiff and hardened.
“So-yeong is acting well with her eyes.”
“Right?”
The drama was proceeding towards today's climax.
It was the scene where Wolhwa, having finally betrayed the organization, was being chased by pursuers.
Wolhwa was bleeding from all over her body, but her gaze did not waver.
It was the gaze of one who had hardened her resolve to do what she truly had to do.
“Oh, Hyeon-woo, you can stop now. Your hands must hurt.”
“Just a little more.”
Baek Hyeon-woo felt that Baek Yeon-ah was starting to get nervous.
Because it was now about time for the insert song to flow out.
Baek Yeon-ah's first song made after her return in three years was about to be heard by 4.5 million people.
“Hyeon-woo-ya.”
In the drama, Wolhwa was hit by an arrow in the back.
Watching her fall in a wretched state, Baek Yeon-ah opened her mouth.
“Honestly, I still don't know. If this is the right thing.”
Baek Yeon-ah's voice trembled slightly.
It was due to the burden of letting millions of citizens hear her comeback work.
“Wouldn't it have been better to just get a suitable song from a publishing company and use that... I keep thinking that.”
“Aunt.”
To Baek Yeon-ah, who was voicing words of regret, Baek Hyeon-woo spoke in a calm voice.
“I heard PD Seo Dong-cheol said this to CEO Seol Woo-myeong last time.”
“What?”
“A PD is alive only when making broadcasts, a singer is alive only when singing... and a composer is truly alive only when composing.”
“……!”
Baek Yeon-ah flinched in surprise.
“What about you, Aunt?”
“Hyeon-woo, I...”
“You were a producer, Aunt. Then you are alive only when you are producing.”
It is not that Baek Yeon-ah neglected her duties as the company representative all this while.
However, Baek Hyeon-woo hoped that Baek Yeon-ah would resume her duties as a producer as well.
Because only Baek Yeon-ah can produce Newstarz's new album.
“Don't agonize over whether this is right or not. You just need to do what you want to do, Aunt.”
“……!”
Hearing those words, Baek Yeon-ah gasped.
The work she wanted to do.
The work she wanted to do by quitting a large agency and setting up her own company.
The moment she tried to recall that thing she had forgotten for a long time.
[Park Jong-hun: Instantaneous rating came out at 15.5%!]
A message announcing that it had reached the number one viewership rating among recently aired historical dramas arrived on Baek Hyeon-woo's phone.
And Wolhwa, who had fallen while covered in blood in the drama, stood up using her broken sword as a cane.
Matching that timing, the melody of a keyboard instrument flowed out. Soon, the tone of string instruments was layered on top.
While everyone held their breath and watched.
As if Wolhwa herself in the drama was singing, finally, the sound of Kim So-yeong's singing began.