Don’t touch the composition.
“Your face might be decent with some grooming, but… your singing and rapping are mediocre.”
“Your age is… a first-year middle schooler? Maybe some lessons would help?”
That was what Lee Joo-hyuk heard when he auditioned for a planning agency for the first time after dreaming of becoming an idol.
“Well, let’s give it a try.”
That’s how Lee Joo-hyuk signed with a small agency and continued his trainee life while listening to the disdainful words of the agency staff.
“Joo-hyuk, are you satisfied with your skills?”
“I guess my rapping and dancing have improved a bit, but…”
“To be honest, I can’t debut you like this.”
Lee Joo-hyuk wasn’t good from the start. He thought he would get better if he learned from his lack of skills after signing a trainee contract, but his confidence soon disappeared.
‘Am I not talented?’
Around that time, he received a notice that he was dropped from the debut group.
“I’m sorry, Joo-hyuk. You’ll miss your debut timing if you stay here.”
“How about this company instead? You can join the debut group right away there.”
Lee Joo-hyuk refused the offer to connect him to another agency and went to audition elsewhere. He had a feeling that he wouldn’t be able to debut even if he went to that agency.
“Joo-hyuk, do you know Black Rush agency?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“They’re recruiting trainees, do you want to go with me?”
“If I go with you, won’t I get rejected?”
With half doubt and half hope, he entered the audition hall, where he met Seo Su-ryeon and Lee Byung-hun, who looked at him with shining eyes.
“I like the vibe.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you. Your name is… Lee Joo-hyuk.”
He thought his friend would get picked because he was good, but Lee Joo-hyuk was surprised by the unexpected proposal.
“Do you want to sign today?”
That’s how he became the first trainee after Black Rush.
Lee Joo-hyuk didn’t know why BHL Entertainment chose him, but he brought his parents and signed the contract before Seo Su-ryeon changed her mind.
This company was different from the previous one. They had systematic vocal, rap, and dance classes, as well as character education and foreign language education. Among them, the most interesting thing was the composition lesson.
“Why don’t you try producing? Like composing or writing lyrics.”
“Producing?”
“Yeah, you have a good ear, don’t you? Don’t take it the wrong way. It’s trendy to have a producing member these days.”
That’s how Lee Joo-hyuk found his aptitude under the systematic education and devoted himself to studying composition.
He had been told that he wouldn’t be able to debut at this level by his previous company, so he had a compulsion that he wouldn’t be able to debut unless he reached a certain level in composition.
“Hello, hyung.”
And then Park Jin-hyuk joined as the second trainee.
“Wow, hyung, you’re composing too. Can I join you?”
And Lee Joo-hyuk never forgot the first time he worked with Park Jin-hyuk.
‘Jin-hyuk enjoys it so much.’
The random beat he made while smiling sounded amazing.
‘He writes good songs too. And his rap lyrics are great.’
Lee Joo-hyuk, who had been trying to do anything to debut, felt a bit of inferiority and pure admiration when he saw the talented person for the first time.
‘Can I do that too?’
He achieved his long-awaited debut and even won the title, but he hit a wall again. It was Kim Ju-young.
“Wouldn’t it be better to go with this vibe here, hyung?”
He casually pointed out the problem that he couldn’t find, and Lee Joo-hyuk felt a slight jealousy and genuine awe.
‘The truly talented people are different.’
Lee Joo-hyuk whipped himself as he looked at Kim Ju-young, who had no self-esteem despite having the ability he had always envied.
‘I’m different from him. I have to work harder.’
And he pushed himself relentlessly.
‘This is not a catchy title.’
‘I wish it was better…’
‘It doesn’t seem very appealing.’
Lee Joo-hyuk sighed deeply.
‘Am I enjoying this at all?’***
Ian, who was lying on the bed for a while, looked at Lee Joo-hyuk’s back, who was lost in thought in front of the monitor.
“What’s up, are you done resting?”
Kim Hyun, who saw Ian jump up, awkwardly raised his upper body.
‘Something that is complete in its clumsiness…’
Ian was still thinking about Lee Hyuna’s advice.
“Hyung, can you take a look at this?”
Ian showed him the song he composed with Kim Hyun and said.
“Let’s just go with this.”
“As it is? Don’t you want to follow the mentor’s advice?”
Kim Hyun raised his voice in surprise.
“A song is not complete with just the composition. It needs lyrics to be finished.”
Ian had a feeling that this would be fine. He played the song on repeat and quickly scanned the lyrics that were densely filled on the paper in front of Lee Joo-hyuk.
“But hyung, why did you think of these lyrics?”
“The concept is… something like a consolation song for the people who are struggling.”
“Oh, that’s nice.”
Ian muttered as he recited the lyrics.
‘Well, it seems like you’re not talking to the people who are struggling, but to yourself.’
Ian had a vague idea of why Lee Joo-hyuk wrote these lyrics.
‘Did he get burned out or something?’
Ian didn’t understand. Lee Joo-hyuk was doing well enough.
‘I don’t know if I can deliver these lyrics well.’
Ian put some strength into his voice.
“It’s okay to be clumsy
It’s okay to be imperfect
It’s okay not to try hard
It’s okay not to be okay”
The recitation turned into a single note. It was something that Ian’s subconscious created.
“Don’t mind what others say
You are beautiful as you are”
Lee Joo-hyuk didn’t expect his lyrics to sound so different.
When he heard it like this, Lee Joo-hyuk realized something.
‘It’s not for the people who are struggling… maybe I wanted to comfort myself with this…’
Lee Joo-hyuk’s choked voice reached Ian’s ears.
“Ian.”
Lee Joo-hyuk’s hand had a phone that was recording.
“This is it.”
***
The members, who had a hectic day with the second song, were finally facing the last mentor’s visit.
“Everyone, the last mentor is coming soon… are you ready with your song?”
“Yes!”
PD Lee Jong-soo’s voice was trembling.
“But PD, you seem more nervous than us.”
“Of course, it’s Mr. Kim Hee-sang. He must really like you guys.”
“PD-nim, is this why you took charge of our program?”
Are you using your connection with Kim Hee-sang and AWY to indulge in your fandom?
The members looked at the PD with suspicion in their eyes. The PD did not hide his excitement.
“Oh! He’s here!”
Park Seo-dam shouted.
Just then, a luxury car slowly entered from the other side. The members ran to greet Kim Hee-sang.
“Hello!”
Kim Hee-sang, who stood up with a cane, smiled warmly.
“Long time no see, kids.”
***
The members went inside the house for a while, and Kim Hee-sang also had a pre-interview with the other mentors.“What made you participate as a mentor?”
“The kids asked me to come… What can I do? I had to come.”
“You must be very close to them.”
“Of course, I treat them like my sons.”
He knew that they had a connection through ‘Legend and Together’, but he didn’t know they were this close. The PD thought he should be nicer to the AWY members and swallowed his smile.
“Is there a team that you are most looking forward to?”
“Well… They are all so good.”
Kim Hee-sang touched his chin and grinned.
“Of course, it’s Joo-hyuk. I like kids who work hard.”
***
The first place Kim Hee-sang visited was the house where Lee Joo-hyuk, Ian, and Kim Hyun were.
“It sounds like a song that kids these days would like.”
That was Kim Hee-sang’s opinion after listening to the first song that Lee Joo-hyuk produced. Lee Joo-hyuk asked cautiously.
“Does that mean it’s ordinary?”
“No, that’s why it’s good. We are people who make pop music. Being popular is the best compliment.”
Kim Hee-sang clapped his hands.
“Anyway, it’s a good thing that you have a popular ear. It was a song that suited Joo-hyuk.”
“I… I’m not trying to compare what the other mentors and you said, but…”
Lee Joo-hyuk couldn’t find an answer.
“The other mentors said that my personality is too strong and that I should try something different. What do you think?”
Kim Hee-sang stroked his chin and pondered.
“Having a strong personality is a good thing, not a bad thing.”
“But I think there must be a reason why the mentor said that.”
“That’s true.”
Kim Hee-sang was silent for a few seconds. He was wondering how to say it without hurting the other mentor’s feelings.
“Maybe the mentor is worried that you might fall into self-replication.”
“Is that so?”
“Do you enjoy writing songs?”
“Lately… I don’t know.”
He was happy when he first found something he could do well. He learned more and more and it was fun. It was a good feeling when the song he worked hard on became the title track, and many people enjoyed listening to it.
But lately, he wasn’t sure.
Lee Joo-hyuk’s nickname was Buddha, and his caring nature meant that he was good at reading the mood. And having a producing member among the members meant that he had to bear a lot of weight.
‘Ah, this part would be better sung by Ian.’
‘This would suit Seodam better, right?’
‘If we want to do a performance, we should put a dance break here… Is that too random?’
He was so considerate that he wanted to bring out the strengths of each member.
‘But if this kid gets more parts, there will be a controversy over the part distribution… Should I change it like this?’
He tried to avoid any trouble by forcing it to fit, and the songs ended up sounding the same.
“What I can say is… Joo-hyuk, stop touching the composition after this song.”
“Really?”
Lee Joo-hyuk, the person in question, was listening calmly, but Ian and Kim Hyun were surprised and raised their voices.
“Why? There are plenty of composers who would give you songs. Or you could let Jin-hyuk or Ju-young handle it.”
Kim Hee-sang said casually, as if it was nothing.
“You’re losing your judgment because you only listen to your own voice. Listen to others too. Come to my studio when you have time.”
“Can I really do that?”
“Yeah, come and listen to various kinds of music. It might help you.”
Lee Joo-hyuk’s expression brightened. Kim Hee-sang’s words, that he would help him with his worries, felt like he had gained a reliable ally.
“Teacher, is it only Joo-hyuk hyung?”
Ian asked subtly.
“Ian, you’re busy, aren’t you? Do you have time to write songs?”
“I want to try it too. The next song is composed by Hyun hyung and me.”
“…Really? Let me hear it.”
Ian played the next song excitedly. It was a song composed by Ian and Kim Hyun.
“…All three of you, come.”
Ian and Kim Hyun smiled sheepishly. Kim Hyun also participated in the composition reluctantly, but he was very happy with Kim Hee-sang’s offer.
“But who wrote the lyrics?”
“Joo-hyuk hyung did.”
Kim Hee-sang looked at Lee Joo-hyuk silently and then patted his shoulder.