Song recording for debut single

April 9th, 2018;

Just like every day, he exercised for an hour, then, started making breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all at a time for his housemates.

Putting earphones in his ears, Daniel was quietly watching the Grand Finale of the Treasure Campus on his smartphone instead of television, thinking that Jun will be upset about it.

During the past few weeks, he never saw Jun watch a single episode of the program because it always reminds him of the incident where his mother passes away just three days before the finals.

Eunwoo already left at around 4 o'clock in the morning. He had a shoot for his commercial film, followed by a photo shoot for a magazine.

Suga came downstairs while staring at his phone. "Hmm, it smells good."

He looked in the direction of Jun, "Sung-Jun-ah, is that crab stew?"

"Yup," answered Jun while stirring with the ladle. He then added, "If I'm late for the dinner, you can have my portion."

"Cool…" Suga let out a smile and walked towards the couch, taking the seat. Lately, the dish became his favorite.

While they talk much, still, it's been more than six weeks since they are staying together. All of them are in the same age group too. They are bound to get closer and it's no surprise if they were on informal terms.

Upon finishing everything, he had breakfast without waiting for everyone to eat together and left the dorm along with the manager.

Both of them went directly to the chairman's office.

There, the CEO Hwang, Producer YG, and Choreographer Lee Jae Wook were waiting for him.

"Sung-Jun-ssi, you are here." The CEO welcomed him with a smile. In her eyes, he was a potential golden goose that will continuously lay golden eggs for the company. "C'mon, take a seat." "C'mon, take a seat." "You too, Manager Seon."

Jun greeted both of them and took his seat. The manager followed the suit.

CEO Hwang then spoke, "we are currently still looking for the personal manager but for now, please continue to stay by SungJun's side."

As Manager Seon nodded in understanding, CEO Hwang shifted her attention to Jun and said, "We are done with the rest of the arrangements but still, there are only 15 days till your debut date. So, by the end of this week, a video shoot, song recording, and photoshoot will have to be done. After that, we'll shoot a performance video. Be resilient and get through this hectic schedule. If everything goes smoothly, you'll have at least 4-5 days of break."

"I'll give my best," Jun replied with a nod. He understood the difficulties of Kpop idol and expected at least that much. So, he was calm.

CEO Hwang then pointed to YG, "Hyun-suk-ssi will look after your song recording and he will be the producer too. I guess you must have already heard the songs, long ago.

And CEO Lee choreographed both of the tracks. He mentored you for the past few weeks. So, I hope you will be comfortable working with him.

If you have any difficulties regarding the lyrics, choreography, hairstyle, or outfit, don't hesitate to speak up. Your manager will always be with you. So, you can say it to him. He will take care of the situation.

If an artist is uncomfortable with something, then, they can never give their 100%. Whatever the case, there's no need to feel stress or tension about your debut. Just focus on your singing and dancing and give your best. Everything else will be handled by the professionals."

After stating a few things in advance, she then asked whether he has any questions to ask.

Jun shook his head and simply thanked her.

Later, as Jun followed YG to the recording studio on the 37th floor where YG's cabin is also located, Manager Seon was busy making trips to the PR department, the X-academy, stylists, costumes, makeup artists, etc…

Jun was given the lyrics sheet for both of the songs. He was left alone in the corner for an hour before he finally stepped inside the recording chamber.

There was YG and some other staff member he doesn't know on the other side of the glass.

The 9 points in vocal stat made Jun memorize the lyrics as well as the composition perfectly but still, to be safe, he sang while looking at it.

"Okay, are you ready?" YG asked him.

Jun took a deep breath and nodded before he went closer to the mic, and opened his mouth as the music was played in the background.

Naega neomu nappaseo ('Cause I'm too wicked)

Ne mameul jeonbu ppaeatgo sipeojyeo (I want to take your heart)

Don't you worry

Eoneusae nega nae sesangeul gajingeol (So soon, you have my world)

You make me feel so

****

At first, Jun just sang without activating the passive skill as he felt he doesn't need to impress anyone here and unnecessarily draw out their emotions. The staff member appeared to be thrilled by his voice but YG isn't satisfied as he didn't get the same feeling from the busking video.

He wondered whether Jun wasn't giving his all.

Without knowing the exact reason, Jun kept repeating over and over a few times before YG finally asked, "Are you not in top shape, today?"

"Eh?" Jun was surprised by his question. He replied, "No, I feel good. Is there something wrong with the way I'm singing?"

The staff member also looked at YG in confusion. The song was fucking good and Jun's voice also appeared so sexy to even seduce a woman with just the song. What was YG's problem?

YG then furrowed his brows as he answered, "No, you sang it perfectly but this isn't your best. Your best performance will stir the hearts of the listeners. Right now, it just feels good."

"Ah!" Jun finally realized what YG was indicating. He immediately activated the song. "I guess it's because I'm not feeling the song and just singing it blankly. I'm sorry. Give me two minutes. Let me organize my thoughts."

Jun put up a front by closing his eyes and making it seem as if the special ability appears when he's emotionally connected to the song.

After about a minute later, he opened his eyes and nodded, "okay, I'm ready."

YG also nodded in response and gestured to the audio engineer.

Jun then started singing once again, stunning the audio engineer. YG let out a wide smile, "now, this is what I'm talking about."

Once the first song was over, he took a ten minutes break while playing the recording.

Jun was satisfied with the result. The audio engineer couldn't just stop smiling as he listened to it. Especially, the high note at the post-chorus struck him. "It's just like YG-nim mentioned earlier." He mumbled while rubbing his arms, feeling goosebumps.

All that is left is music production, where YG would shape it in a way that it becomes artistic as well as commercial. YG couldn't wait to finish it.

"The main track is done successfully. Now, shall we begin the second track?" YG asked Jun. "or do you need a break?"

Jun shook his head, "No, I'm fine with it. Let's do it."

He was actually excited about the second one since it is quite in contrast with the main track.

If the first song is a bit sexy and melodic, this one is energetic and cheerful.

Jun went in again and started the recording as the music played.

"Baksu…. Jun, Right here.

Gwaenchana gwaenchana ireon ildeul manchana

Kkoil daero kkoin ildeul

Jumeoni Earphoneinjul"

*****

They expected the recording will take a lot of time but barely in an hour, both of the songs finished just like that. Usually, song recording even one song takes several hours because the producers would want to perfect it over and over, and it's tough for artists to get the lyrics and melody correct but YG didn't have anything to even suggest Jun.

Just in case, he recorded the song a few times before deciding one of the versions that had the most impact on him.