novelraw Chapter 98 : This Person Must Be Crazy!
Chapter 98 : This Person Must Be Crazy!
Chapter 98 - This Person Must Be Crazy!
“Are you saying you want to include a Newstarz song as an OST?”
“Yes, you got it.”
OST is an abbreviation for Original SoundTrack.
Originally, it referred to an album collecting songs used in movies and the like, but these days, individual songs included in a specific work are simply called OSTs.
This was a change that occurred as people began listening to OSTs on music streaming sites rather than as physical albums.
“As you must have heard, Team Leader Baek, it’s becoming increasingly common to collaborate with singers and adopt an OST strategy when making dramas these days.”
Park Jong-hun explained slowly.
“Just announcing that a certain singer has decided to participate in a certain drama’s OST causes a flood of articles to be released immediately. And that singer’s fans take an interest in the drama, too.”
“The promotional effect must be substantial.”
“From the singer's perspective, they can promote their song through the drama, so it’s a mutual gain. It becomes a win-win strategy.”
Dramas have much higher viewership ratings than music shows.
While the usual viewership rating for music shows is less than 1%, dramas can exceed 10% if they do well.
If you can let millions of citizens hear the song through TV, you can gain a massive promotional effect.
“Kim So-yeong is going to rise even more in the future. Even more so if we extend the broadcast. So, for our part, we want to utilize that to the fullest. Because it will generate much more buzz than entrusting the OST to a singer who has no connection to the work.”
“I understand what you mean.”
Baek Hyeon-woo nodded.
“It seems like a good opportunity for us as well. If you leave it to us, we will prepare it well.”
The viewership rating for ‘Unshakeable Dynasty’ this week is in the 8% range.
It means more than ten times the number of viewers of Music World’s average rating are watching.
Since a 1% viewership rating today is estimated to mean about 300,000 viewers, one can consider the viewers of ‘Unshakeable Dynasty’ to be around 2.5 million.
How much would one have to spend on promotional costs to let 2.5 million people hear a song twice a week?
I don't know the exact amount, but for a small-to-medium agency like Haram Entertainment, it would be a very burdensome sum.
However, if inserted as a drama OST, they can let people hear the song for free without spending a single penny.
Furthermore, if the viewership rating of ‘Unshakeable Dynasty’ rises in the future, the promotional effect will increase by that much.
If the rating is 10%, 3 million people; if 15%, 4.5 million; if 20%, 6 million people can hear the song.
Of course, since this is strictly based on terrestrial broadcast ratings, if people watching through OTT services and the like are included, the number would be much higher.
“By the way... do you want a solo song by Kim So-yeong?”
“It doesn't necessarily have to be that. It doesn't matter if it's under the name of Newstarz.”
Park Jong-hun shook his head and said at Baek Hyeon-woo’s question.
“However, there is one important thing. It has to match the drama well.”
“Of course, we must do that.”
You can't suddenly play a bubbly dance song in a historical drama with a serious atmosphere.
“Usually, we tend to entrust these things to ballad or trot singers. Since those genres suit dramas better anyway.”
“Then we’ll have to prepare a song like that, too.”
Girl groups tend to be active mainly with dance songs, but they don't release only dance songs all the time.
Sometimes they release sad or wistful songs too.
As it happens, Newstarz is scheduled to release a full-length album next.
It would be good if about one song in the album was that kind of song.
“The problem is that we don't have much time to spare.”
Park Jong-hun spoke cautiously.
“I’d like it done as soon as possible; when do you think it would be possible?”
“I’ll need to discuss that a bit with the A&R team.”
Baek Hyeon-woo answered in a composed voice.
“However, I will make sure to prepare it without delay.”
“Team Leader Baek, I can trust you, right? It would be difficult for us if you just bring any random song and ask us to put it in.”
“You don't need to worry.”
In front of Park Jong-hun who was expressing concern, Baek Hyeon-woo spoke with conviction.
“I will bring you a proper song.”
……
A seminar center located in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
Arriving there, Laura and Kanade looked around and conversed.
“It really is mostly idols.”
“Indeed.”
Today, the two came to attend a lecture called ‘Big Sound Camp’.
Big Sound Camp is a composition lecture hosted by the famous producer Park Cheol-woo, and it is not aimed at the general public but at singers who are already active in the music industry.
Just being a singer doesn't mean anyone can take it; without connections, applying for the course itself is impossible.
Laura and Kanade were able to take the lecture with the help of CEO Baek Yeon-ah, who is a peer of Park Cheol-woo.
“Let's not loiter around for no reason and just go in and sit down.”
“Yes, unnie.”
Laura took Kanade into the seminar room to wait.
However, just before the lecture time, there was a small commotion.
“Phew, we were almost late.”
“It’s your fault.”
Seeing the two people seated next to them, Laura and Kanade widened their eyes.
It was Choux-pop’s Seong Hae-won and Joo Ga-hee.
“You guys...!”
“Ugh...”
“Huh? It's Newstarz.”
Seong Hae-won, noticing the appalled Laura and Kanade, spoke with a smile.
“Have you been well? We haven't had a chance to meet lately since we aren't going on music shows. You guys came to learn composition too?”
On the other hand, unlike Seong Hae-won, Joo Ga-hee frowned and showed an annoyed reaction.
“Tsk, how unlucky.”
“Hey, what did you just say?”
Laura jumped up from her seat in anger, but Joo Ga-hee grimaced and turned her head away.
“Seong Hae-won, let's move to other seats.”
“There are no empty seats right now.”
“There’s one seat left over there, so I'll go there.”
“Then you want me to sit alone?”
“Who cares.”
Joo Ga-hee tried to move to another seat like that, but the instructor entered right then, so she ended up sitting in her original seat.
“So annoying, seriously...”
“Hey, that's what I want to say.”
While Laura and Joo Ga-hee were engaging in a war of nerves, a skinny man stepped onto the podium.
“Welcome to Big Sound Camp Season 4. I am Producer Park Cheol-woo, who will be your instructor.”
Park Cheol-woo was a figure with exceptional fame for an idol producer.
Because the producer who created the globally popular K-POP number one group CVN is none other than Park Cheol-woo.
CVN is famous for all its members knowing how to compose, which was the result of Park Cheol-woo systematically nurturing them that way from the time the group was formed.
The reason so many idol singers gathered here today was also because of Park Cheol-woo’s career.
“I understand that most of the people sitting here are idols. Let me ask you one question.”
Park Cheol-woo scanned the seminar room and asked.
“Is there anyone here who dreams of churning out one amazing song and living off the royalties like a pension?”
At that question, Kanade inadvertently raised her hand.
However, her complexion immediately turned pale.
Because Kanade was the only one who honestly raised her hand.
“Huk, why only me...”
“Sigh, seriously.”
Laura sighed with an expression that said she was dying of embarrassment.
“There is exactly one person. I want to say this to that person.”
Park Cheol-woo said while fixing his gaze on Kanade.
“Wake up from your dream.”
“……!”
“There are countless professional composers who think about composition all day long. Do you think you can beat them? Do you think you can make better songs than professional composers while singing, dancing, going on variety shows, and doing all sorts of activities?”
As if telling her to really wake up, Park Cheol-woo continued in a cold voice.
“Anyway, you cannot create a complete song with your own strength alone. You have to receive help from producers or other composers. You want to complete a song entirely on your own from start to finish? Quit it. Spend that time practicing singing or dancing instead. I am giving you cold, hard advice.”
Saying that, Park Cheol-woo shrugged his shoulders.
“For your information, if you create a song with the help of others, the copyright royalties must also be split by the number of people. So don't think about playing and eating for the rest of your life on copyright royalties.”
Kanade made a tearful face.
She came here with the thought of living off copyright royalties like a pension, but she just found out that it was impossible.
On the other hand, Laura began to focus more on the lecture.
Because she liked that he coldly pointed out reality.
“Nevertheless, what is the reason you should learn composition?”
Park Cheol-woo threw out a question.
When everyone kept their mouths shut and stayed still, Park Cheol-woo spoke in a calm voice.
“It is to put your stories into your songs.”
“……”
“All works of art in the world are stories. Not only works with a story like novels or movies, but even things like music or paintings each contain a story. There is only a difference in the method of expression. It is not easy for you to create a song solely on your own, but putting your story into a song is sufficiently possible.”
At first glance, it sounded like vague idealism.
But this was spoken from a thoroughly commercial perspective.
Actually, Park Cheol-woo is a producer who achieved tremendous commercial success with this strategy.
“Idol fans do not simply consume songs. They also consume the narrative that the idol possesses. They are consuming the massive story called ‘the idol’. Then, it would be more effective if the songs the idol sings are also unified with that story.”
“……”
“Put your stories into your songs. If you can let fans hear such songs, they will become even more immersed and enthusiastic about your songs. And…”
Park Cheol-woo spoke emphatically from the podium.
“You will break free from being mass-produced idols stamped out like in a factory, and be able to grow into artists with your own narratives.”
An artist with their own narrative.
That coincided with what Baek Hyeon-woo expected from Newstarz.
……
One afternoon.
Baek Hyeon-woo asked Laura and Kanade for their impressions of Big Sound Camp.
“I know the lectures have progressed quite a bit... how is it?”
“It’s practical.”
Laura answered in a composed voice.
“It operates on the premise that it is difficult for an idol to complete a song alone from start to finish... So, they pinpoint exactly what points we need to focus on practicing if an idol wants to participate in composition.”
“It lives up to its reputation.”
Baek Hyeon-woo also didn't expect the members to whip up a song alone right away.
The goal for now was to get them to a level where they could proactively participate in the composition process.
“It’s too hard...”
On the other hand, Kanade spoke as if she was sick and tired of it.
“They give so many assignments, and the feedback is super strict.”
“It’s good if they give good feedback.”
If they weren't going to receive feedback, just listening to internet lectures would have been enough.
“You guys have songs you made yourselves, right?”
“Yes, for assignments...”
“Could you let me hear them here? I want to check what level you're at right now.”
Laura and Kanade looked troubled for a moment, but eventually, they played the songs they made.
Laura's was a fast-tempo dance song, while Kanade's was a very slow song.
“Is yours a ballad, Kanade? The song seems a bit slow.”
“I thought if the song was slow, I wouldn't have to think about the melody as much...”
“……”
To think she used a shortcut even here.
Even from the perspective of the person giving feedback, they would have had no choice but to give harsh criticism.
“Let me listen to it again for a moment.”
Baek Hyeon-woo checked the music information window while listening to the music once again.
————
[Assignment Song (Laura)]
Mass Appeal: C
Lyricality: E
Addictiveness: C
Completeness: E
————
– Affinity with Newstarz (Main Vocal: Yoo Jeong-ah) is 75%.
————
[Assignment Song (Kanade)]
Mass Appeal: E
Lyricality: C
Addictiveness: E
Completeness: F
————
– Affinity with Newstarz (Main Vocal: Yoo Jeong-ah) is 60%.
Looking only at the information window, Laura's assignment song was fairly decent.
If another composer tweaks it to improve its completeness, it might be possible to include it in an album.
On the other hand, Kanade’s was... honestly speaking, terrible.
Her Lyricality was a C, but that was likely only because she forcibly inserted a sad melody, claiming she was going for a ballad vibe.
‘However...’
Baek Hyeon-woo organized his thoughts.
It was time to execute the plan he had been contemplating all this time.
“Actually.”
Having checked the information window, Baek Hyeon-woo spoke slowly.
“You know the drama So-yeong is appearing in? We received an offer to include a Newstarz song as an insert song there.”
“An insert song?”
“Our song is going to be in the drama?”
“Yes, so we’re in a situation where we need to quickly prepare a song that suits the drama.”
Hiding his true intentions, Baek Hyeon-woo spoke with a nonchalant expression.
“But they said a genre like a ballad would suit the drama.”
“Huh?”
“So I’m thinking of putting this song Kanade made into the drama. What do you think?”
To use the assignment song Kanade made a mess of as the drama OST.
Hearing those words, both Laura and Kanade widened their eyes.
“Oppa, are you crazy?”
“Manager-nim, have you lost your mind?”
Even the creator of the song herself was appalled.
That was how nonsensical Baek Hyeon-woo’s remark was.
“No, I haven't lost it.”
Baek Hyeon-woo smiled in front of the two astonished girls.
“I’ll go play it for the CEO and get her permission right now.”
“……!”
This person has finally gone crazy!
The appalled Laura and Kanade grabbed onto his pant legs and hung on, but Baek Hyeon-woo paid them no mind and headed toward the CEO's office.