Chapter 135 : Solid and Reliable, the Background
Chapter 135: Solid and Reliable, the Background
These days, more and more people had started asking me about KIM Entertainment.
First, my hyung.
“KIM Entertainment, what do you think about it?”
“The CEO used to be one of those producers who splashes money everywhere or something. They’ve got heavy backing.”
“Hmm... I see.”
He said that and holed himself up in his room.
Sometimes pulling his hair out, other times staring blankly at a video.
I didn’t ask what he was doing.
He didn’t look like someone resting. More like someone being chased by something.
“But hyung, what have you been up to lately?”
“Gotta get a job.”
“Why not rest a bit more?”
“I’m sick of it.”
How could someone get sick of resting?
Anyway, he kept talking about trends, the state of the industry, and so on.
The way he was repeating himself, it looked like he was thinking of getting back into an entertainment company.
“Where do you think I should go?”
“Wherever... they’ll take you?”
“You’ve worked with all the big names. And not just barely worked with them… aren’t you close with the CEOs?”
“What do you mean by close?”
“Dude! Like eating together! Going to the sauna! Having meetings!”
The sauna part was probably a joke.
But it’s true—I had quite a few meetings with CEOs or chairmen. Got treated to expensive meals too.
Take Tomorrow Family, where hyung was, for instance.
Manny, ToMe, and even KIM Entertainment.
From all those experiences, I’d come to one clear conclusion.
Executive producer. Meaning, even the top folks in a company really worked hard.
Hard enough to meet directly with a lowly composer like me.
When I told him that, he responded with a serious face.
“No way.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Those high-ranking folks? They don’t care about composers. Or rather, they can’t afford to.”
“But I…”
“You’re you, though.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re Stay, aren’t you? The industry’s rising star, Stay. I’m not even joking. Keep grinding, man.”
I just nodded quietly in response.
I had worked hard and produced good results.
And I’d continue to give it my all.
I had confidence in the musical side of things.
“But Taeyoon, while working with KIM Entertainment, have you ever run into Lumière?”
“No?”
‘Lumière’ was a girl group under KIM Entertainment.
Not quite first-tier.
But too big a fandom to be considered second-tier.
If I had to put a label on it, maybe tier 1.5?
I wasn’t well-versed in idol groups, but I had consumed all of Lumière’s albums and videos.
Sometimes CEO Kim Minsoo and Director Yoon Seonghan would talk about Lumière.
To be blunt, they had presence, but lacked impact.
In other words, they didn’t have a ‘kick’.
For idols, you need that one defining punch to break into the top tier.
Lumière didn’t have that right now.
“But why Lumière? Are you into girl groups now, hyung? You’ll get scolded by Yeonhee-noona.”
“Yeonhee likes girl groups even more, you know?”
“Then go ask Yeonhee-noona.”
“Uh...?”
It was just the usual kind of conversation.
Like when we were kids, we talked about our thoughts on songs, guessed what concept would suit best.
And when they actually released a concept we’d predicted? Man, that felt great.
“You know better than anyone. Girl groups run on female fandoms these days. I think it leans too much into male listener tastes, honestly.”
“Wait a sec, female fandoms… Why didn’t I think of that? I didn’t need to look far. Yo, Seo Taeyoon. Thanks, man.”
…What was he on about?
My hyung snapped his fingers like he’d had a revelation and made a fuss.
I had no idea what it was, but if it helped, that was enough.
After that, he didn’t ask anything more.
The problem was Do Gibong.
It happened while we were talking about the Double Line session.
He suddenly asked me what it was like working with KIM Entertainment.
“How’s KIM Entertainment?”
“Hyung, you know better than I do.”
He’d said it before.
If I ever signed with an entertainment company, KIM Entertainment would be the best.
He used to advise me like some industry sage—so why ask me now?
Especially since he was working with them too?
Hey, look. I’m just a composer, an arranger, but you’re an artist, you know?
“I haven’t worked with them from a composer’s angle.”
“They’re very accommodating. Pay’s good. Royalty split’s fair. They’re laid-back. Treat me to great food. Oh! They give lots of compliments too, no weird ego trips...”
“Hold up, hold up!”
“Yes?”
“Did CEO Kim Minsoo pay you off or something?”
“Well, he did pay me. I worked.”
“…What am I even doing talking to you.”
If I had to break it down, they were the easiest to work with.
Same went for the Double Line album project.
They always adjusted to my schedule.
Plus, being able to use the backstage as a work base was a major perk.
Honestly, it felt just like home...
“But why are you asking, hyung?”
“I’m thinking of joining KIM Entertainment. Not sure if they’ll take me, though.”
“Gasp!”
That was a bit of a shock.
“Why are you surprised?”
“Don’t you have a contract?”
“It’s ending soon.”
“Someone like you could take their pick, though.”
“Same goes for you, doesn’t it?”
I was puzzled.
This was Busan Goblin we were talking about!
It’s not like he was just grabbing the opportunity while it lasted.
Was he planning on signing as a singer and as a composer?
When I asked, he gave a simple answer.
“It’s comfortable.”
It was exactly how I felt.
“With KIM Entertainment… I liked how they weren’t desperate. They weren’t rushing anything. Other agencies felt... frantic. Like people constantly being chased.”
“They’ve got investors. And results matter.”
“Whoa, you sounded like a real veteran just now.”
Come on, I’ve been around the block a few times.
I said to the grinning Do Gibong, keeping it straight.
“CEO Kim Minsoo is a good man. Truly.”
All other things aside—
I just plain liked Kim Minsoo, and KIM Entertainment.
First of all, Sierra was where I started music, where I first wanted to share my music with someone.
To put it emotionally, maybe it’s just that I grew attached.
“Yeah. But... sigh. I feel like I’ll end up stirring trouble.”
“Trouble? What kind?”
“There’s this one persistent old geezer. Makes life real tiring. You be careful too.”
“Huh? Me?”
Why was the arrow suddenly pointing at me?
“Yeah. You’ve probably ended up on Old Man Park’s radar too. So don’t jaywalk, and don’t throw trash around either. You got nothing shady going on, right?”
What are you even talking about.
Before I could respond, Do Gibong blurted something else.
Sometimes it’s impossible to keep up with this guy.
“Someone like CEO Kim Minsoo feels like he could shield us from the rough waves.”
…Of course he’d be a creator.
He had moments like this where he suddenly got all profound.
Still, this much I could say for sure.
“CEO Kim Minsoo really looks out for his people.”
“Okay! Nice.”
Back then, I still hadn’t imagined it.
That this Park guy or whoever would end up poking at me.
He was a name I’d never even heard before, and with the final stages of the Double Line album, I had no time to pay attention to anything else.
Time passed.
Double Line’s debut was just around the corner.
“I’m so nervous…”
“That’s normal. It’d be weird if you weren’t. Don’t let the nerves get to you—just focus on rehearsing. Don’t waste energy trying to diet right now. You’ve been taking care of your throat, right? Did you bring the propolis I gave you?”
“Seo Taeyoon, are you a T?”
“Yeah. I am.”
“Ah, figures.”
Honestly, it was a nerve-wracking moment.
But even so, me freaking out alongside him going, “Oh no, you must be so nervous!” wasn’t going to help anything.
So I expressed my support in my own way.
“Hey. Baek Junhyun.”
“Huh?”
“I can’t promise you’ll become a top star. That’s up to the public. And I’m not gonna butter you up with nonsense like ‘You’ll be rolling in money.’ Anyone who says that? A hundred percent con artist.”
“Why are you suddenly saying that…”
Baek Junhyun looked at me, surprised.
It wasn’t the kind of face that said This isn’t what you promised. I only believed in you…
Quite the opposite.
His expression actually softened more than before.
“But this one thing I can promise. That during your time as an artist, I’ll do my best to make sure you feel, ‘I’m glad I became a singer. This is fun. I’m enjoying this.’ I really am doing that already.”
“Seo Taeyoon…”
“As a composer, as a producer—that’s what I’m here for. I’ll back you up stronger than anyone. I’ll take responsibility so you can do everything you can and want to do.”
Baek Junhyun met my eyes, his gaze damp.
He seemed a little touched.
It wasn’t anything that big, really.
But I didn’t look away.
I fully intended to become that kind of person.
A background—solid and reliable, more than anyone.
“…Thanks.”
Just an ordinary word, but it carried weight.
Still, we couldn’t just sit there basking in emotion.
Back to reality, Red Sun!
I added one last thing.
“No time to worry. Just focus on the stage. You’re the main vocal. No matter how much Gibong-hyung supports you, don’t forget—you’re the lead. Got it? Even if it’s hard, endure it. You have no choice.”
“…I almost got emotional. But it’s all gone now.”
I just smiled.
Because I understood exactly why he felt anxious.
Even if Gibong-hyung had stage experience—
Honestly… he wasn’t the most reliable type.
He strutted around like it was nothing, but Junhyun would know better than anyone.
That Gibong-hyung was more nervous than anyone.
So that’s why I knew it!
I prepared a session that both of them could trust and lean on.
If they found out, they’d probably faint from shock.
Clack clack clack—
A dark room filled only with keyboard sounds.
Bathed in the glow of the monitor, Seo Dongyoon was typing away intensely.
It was a proposal to send to the KIM Entertainment label.
“Yaaawn…”
He stood up and stretched.
How long had he been sitting there?
It was already nearly time for Taeyoon to clock out.
Maybe he’d drop by Sierra tomorrow.
Thinking that, he opened his browser.
It was like a habit. Every day, he scrolled through entertainment news to check the pulse of the industry.
No matter how terrifying rumors were, nothing beat an official announcement.
“This industry’s still the same, huh.”
Most of the articles were paid press releases from agencies.
No fun, no heart. Just junk flyers tossed around everywhere.
Rrrrrrrr—rrr—
He scrolled absentmindedly… until—
“…You’ve got to be kidding me!”
He stumbled across some jaw-dropping headlines.
They had gone up earlier that evening.
[KIM Entertainment recruits 'this group' as session for rookie male duo Double Line]
[Cheongseong as the session? “We’ll go anywhere there’s a stage”]
[KIM Entertainment did it! “Romantic Live—Cheongseong as the session?”]
[The story behind Cheongseong becoming the rookie group’s session, at the center: Stay]
[Still don’t know who Stay is? Meet Stay, the composer and producer]
Seo Taeyoon, you maniac.
Of all people, you seriously got Cheongseong to be their session?
I mean, okay. Thinking about it is one thing.
But Cheongseong… actually agreed?
That Cheongseong? Not just any group?
This wasn’t just a plot twist.
It was an event.
The articles and online communities exploded.
[Wait LOL did I read that right? Not even for a Cheongseong album—session for a rookie group LOL. Is this real? This is insane. Is Stay even human?]
↳ FR LOL how bold do you have to be to put Cheongseong in a backup role LOL
↳ Backup’s a bit much, maybe more like a cameo appearance?
↳ I support this combo…
↳ Wow, now I’m really hyped for Double Line. Must be insane if they’re doing live sessions from their first stage ㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ
↳ At this point, who the hell is Stay?? Doesn’t seem like just a composer.
↳↳ Of course he’s not just a composer. He’s a freaking genius LOL
And it didn’t end there.
Taeyoon seemed dead serious about this Double Line launch.
How could you tell?
[???????? Why is Cheongseong in the MV teaser?????? Mom, I’m seeing things!]
↳ Looking at the album credits, now I’m really curious LOL
↳ Whoa, they’re rookies but their credits are insane.
↳ Seriously;;; Stay, Cheongseong… Double Line is gonna blow up, huh?
↳ Already blowing up LOL
↳ Why’s Do Gibong so good-looking LOL. Busan Goblin used to be such a dork but that styling’s crazy LOL
↳ Is that Baek Junhyun next to him?? I think he’s even cuter LOL
Taeyoon didn’t stop at making Cheongseong the full session—they even appeared in Double Line’s title track <Crossing Tomorrow> music video…!