CHAPTER 123

Cherry Blossom's New Song (1)

Ding!

The elevator door on the basement's second floor, where Lee Dong-Min was, opened. Recording studios 1 to 6 were positioned along the fairly wide corridor, and at the end of the hallway was a door leading to a small theater that could accommodate about 150 people watching a performance.

'The land value of this place alone must be in the hundreds of billions, especially considering it's in Apgujeong.'

Seeing this reminded me that our company was quite wealthy, a fact which I often forgot about.

That was when I heard the sound of two people arguing coming from Recording Studio 2.

"Mr. Lee! Why don't we just leave it to Jee-Tae? You know he's been on a roll lately!"

"No, we're going for an S-class songwriter this time. How many times do I have to tell you?"

"Ah, do you think S-class songwriters are crazy enough to give a song to Cherry Blossom? Jee-Tae is more than enough for them, don't you get the situation? Everyone's refusing to give them songs!"

The people fighting in Recording Studio 2 were Lee Dong-Min and Kang Shi-On, the idol group producer. The latter was from the Seoul National University of the Arts and was the main contributor to the creation of Golden Road. However, he was also the one who messed up Cherry Blossom's first and second albums.

The man who was mentioned in their quarrel was Choi Jee-Tae, the composer of 'Ba-Bam-Ba!'—a somewhat popular track from Golden Road's album. To no one's surprise, he was also from the Seoul National University of the Arts.

"If you keep this up, we might not even get Jee-Tae's song. Are you going to compose their song yourself then or what?"

"Hey. Mind your own business and take care of Golden Road! I'll handle Cherry Blossom."

Their heated argument made me wait outside for a moment. Soon, the noise subsided and the door opened.

Click!

Kang Shi-On came out with a frown.

"Hello. How are you, sir?"

"How am I? How do I look to you right now?"

'Why am I getting the backlash?'

"Hey. Star Jung. Talk some sense into Mr. Lee, will you? Does he seriously think it's okay for someone to come back to the industry after a hiatus of five years to make idol music with their old-school sensibilities?"

I found his remark ridiculous. Kang Shi-On was the one who brought Cherry Blossom down to this state, and now he was criticizing Lee Dong-Min.

"He'll do well. His class is permanent."

My response didn't seem to please Kang Shi-On as his eyes grew even more hostile. "Nonsense. What do you know about music anyway?"

Not wanting to say more, Kang Shi-On waved his hand dismissively. Then, he headed toward the elevator with an annoyed expression.

After he disappeared, I opened the door to the studio.

Creak.

Lee Dong-Min was leaning back in a chair and looking at the lit recording booth. With his disheveled hair and untucked shirt, he looked like he hadn't been home for days.

"Mr. Lee."

"Ah, what now... Oh, Yoon-Ho?"

Lee Dong-Min was about to show annoyance as he thought Kang Shi-On had returned, but soon made an awkward expression when he realized it was me who entered the room.

"When did you get here?"

"Just now. Anyway, I heard about the issue. Are the composers really not giving us any songs yet?"

Lee Dong-Min sighed. "Shall we talk over a can of cold coffee?"

"Sure."

The chair was pushed back with a squeaking sound when Lee Dong-Min stood up from his seat. We left the recording studio and headed to the break room right in front of the small theater.

Click.

I took a Let's Bee coffee from the vending machine and took a sip.

'Ah, it tastes bad.'

"Tastes bad, doesn't it?" Lee Dong-Min asked.

I immediately hardened my expression and replied. "No, it's delicious!"

"Delicious, huh? Stop lying. I heard your coffee is the best. But what can I do? I need to simulate the old days to hopefully think of something to make this work."

Lee Dong-Min was trying to live exactly like he did when he first started his career as a producer to recall those times and get back on track. He said he had lost several kilograms due to this lifestyle.

"Are you eating properly, sir?"

Lee Dong-Min laughed as he shook his can of Let's Bee coffee. "I can't seem to swallow anything but noodles due to stress. My meals are three cups of instant noodles a day. This coffee is like a supplement."

'He'll die if he keeps this up. I died once because I didn't take care of myself.'

I frowned and opened my mouth. "Mr. Lee, does your wife know you're living like this?"

"Hehe, kiddo. Don't worry. I won't be able to keep this up longer than a week anyway. I guess I'm washed up now. S-class, my foot. Once you're old and lose your touch, it's all over."

"Oh, come on, Mr. Lee. Don't talk like that. But why aren't the composers giving us songs?"

Lee Dong-Min looked just as clueless while tilting his head. "I have no idea. Can you believe it? Even after offering up to 40 million won for a song, not a single person is willing to give us their song."

'What? We offered double the usual rate and there are still no takers? What's going on?'

"Epil K, Genos, Bambi, Kim Woon-Sik, and even Changee. All of them said the songs they made already have owners."

The names of S-class composers in South Korea came up one after another.

"But that's just unbelievable..."

"Exactly."

Composers would usually create new songs when requested. Normally, they always had at least one or two extra songs ready. But now, all of them were saying they didn't have any songs.

Even the experienced Lee Dong-Min looked puzzled.

"I might have to accept Jee-Tae's song at this rate."

However, he clicked his tongue as if he recalled how Cherry Blossom's second album was a total flop because of Jee-Tae.

At that moment, I suddenly remembered a major girl group debut happening around this time.

'Girlfriends7 should be preparing for their debut around now.'

I left Lee Dong-Min pondering and started scanning through my planner.

[Everyday V10]

[Date: April 18, 2020]

-07:00 PM (Report) Ace Entertainment, Girlfriends7 KBC Music Stage debut songs, 3 tracks. Protested to the AD.

Ace Entertainment's new idol—Girlfriends7—became strong contenders for the number one spot upon debut, starting a three-way girl group battle with Petite More and Golden Road. I recalled a rumor that Ace Entertainment had hoarded all the S-class composers' songs for Girlfriends7's debut.

I immediately shared my thoughts with Lee Dong-Min.

"Mr. Lee, did you hear about Ace Entertainment preparing to launch a major girl group?"

"Heard about it? I went and saw them myself. They're good and have great looks too. If they get good songs, they'll rise to stardom in no time. Wait…wait a minute."

Lee Dong-Min's eyes widened with a sudden realization as he made a dumbfounded expression. "So, are you saying that Ace Entertainment hoarded all the good songs?"

'Bingo.'

"Yes."