Chapter 217 : The Truth Was, It Was Madness
Chapter 217: The Truth Was, It Was Madness
When I signed the contract to become Club Lunatic's main DJ, the conditions I proposed weren't particularly demanding.
They were already giving me compensation and equity generous enough to make me feel undeserving, so I didn't ask for anything financial.
There was only one thing I absolutely couldn't compromise on.
That was "planning."
It was something I made perfectly clear from the very beginning.
"Something like this should be possible, right?"
"Of course. You're the main DJ."
Using the word "planning" made it sound grand.
But in reality, it wasn't anything complicated.
I would decide the performance Set List.
Since Club Lunatic belonged to the hotel, specialists were assigned to every position.
As someone who had never worked at a company before, the organization was so detailed that I even found myself wondering, 'Can they really afford to pay all these people's salaries?'
Compared to this, it was almost miraculous that Sierra had functioned as well as it had.
The Production Team, PR Team, Planning Team, Operations Team...
There were even several departments whose names I'd never heard before.
Club Lunatic was incredibly thorough.
There were so many discussions that it almost seemed like they spent all day in meetings.
Every tiny detail.
For example, even the air freshener placed in the restroom and the location and scent of the hand soap all had carefully considered reasons behind them.
As opening day approached, I attended every meeting without exception.
To the point that CEO Kim Minsoo started worrying about me.
Inside the conference room, they projected a huge screen while discussing everything from using this season's Pantone colors for the lighting, organizing SNS hashtags, analyzing audience traffic flow, sales data showing which alcoholic drinks sold the most during which hours, and even comparison charts with competing clubs.
"Taeyoon, if you're busy, you don't have to come. Practicing is already keeping you occupied. Just attend the Planning Team meetings."
"I want to participate anywhere I'm allowed to."
"...Aren't meetings boring?"
"No. They're fun."
I meant it.
Outside of planning, I was just a DJ with no influence over anything.
But witnessing the process where budgets worth billions of won and countless people came together to make decisions was undeniably meaningful.
It almost felt like I'd become one cog inside the massive machinery of a major corporation.
More than anything...
The reason I enjoyed those meetings so much...
Was because, even within such a meticulous system, I received a firm guarantee that music remained my domain.
Of course, there was no denying that I'd learned and grown alongside the Planning Team.
"The DJ lineup has been finalized. Please review it."
"Yes. Everything looks correct."
Reviewing the Set List was also my responsibility.
"So this is how you'd like to proceed?"
"Yes."
"However..."
Once the DJ lineup had been completed and the Set List finalized...
Opinions became divided over DJ Etica.
The reason was simple.
"To be honest, her image is what it is. Of course, she's a popular DJ, and I understand that there must be a reason why Mr. Blackhole personally chose her."
The cushion was thick.
But he eventually reached the main point.
"However, Etica has been involved in the Hand Sync controversy before... Considering the club's prestige, I believe we need to carefully consider whether her image aligns with the brand. Since this is our opening performance, not only the quality of the music itself but also the artist's image is extremely important."
The Planning Team Leader carefully chose his words.
"Considering that this is KW Hotel's grand opening performance, if her negative image resurfaces, it could also become a burden for the brand. If there's anything that might be misunderstood at an official event, it could develop into an unexpected risk later on."
He spoke at length.
But his conclusion was simple.
DJ Etica was considered too rough to represent a "five-star hotel."
That was when I first realized this wasn't going to be an easy place.
At the same time, I knew that if I backed down here...
Then from now on, no matter which DJ I recruited, what Set List I created, or what performance I planned...
I'd constantly be shaken by polite words that concealed sharp daggers.
With smiling faces, they'd keep presenting "hotel image" as the reason for opposing everything, supported by data and case studies.
That was the moment I understood.
This wasn't about whether Etica should be invited.
It was my first test.
A test of whether I could protect my own stage.
I had no intention of losing control from the very first performance.
I slowly opened my mouth.
"Lunatic..."
"It's... the club's name."
"That's... right?"
"The reason I named it Lunatic... was because I wanted to express something that appears beautiful like moonlight, but in truth possesses madness."
The Planning Team Leader's expression changed.
"If that madness doesn't exist..."
"Wouldn't it just be a quiet lounge bar instead of a club?"
No one answered.
Honestly...
That was probably for the best.
Someone like me, who wasn't good with words, might've stumbled if someone immediately argued back.
"If all we do on opening day is put on a safe performance, then Lunatic will remain ordinary forever. If your goal is to build an ordinary club, then you don't really need Blackhole in the first place."
No one raised their head.
To be honest, I could've brought up the contract and argued that this wasn't what we'd agreed upon.
Or...
I could've smiled politely and spoken in circles just like they did.
But I didn't.
In my own way...
This was me doing my best to survive corporate life.
"Well..."
"If there are no objections, we'll proceed as planned. However, please note that the Set List may still change. As always, thank you for reflecting everyone's opinions."
In the end...
I had to leave before hearing anyone's response.
Executive Director Kim Jinsoo's secretary had come looking for me in a hurry.
Then, several hours later...
I heard from CEO Kim Minsoo that Etica's performance had officially been approved.
"Taeyoon. Did something happen today?"
"No?"
"The Planning Team Leader asked me to tell you he thinks he unintentionally crossed the line. He said he'll be more careful in the future and wanted to apologize."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. Apparently he watched Etica's old performances afterward and was shocked. He asked if she'd be showing that side of herself at Lunatic too. I had no idea what he was talking about."
"I wonder."
He'd find out when he saw it himself.
CEO Kim Minsoo asked with his usual exaggerated excitement.
"Hey, Taeyoon. Seriously, what happened during that meeting?"
What did I even say?
"I didn't really say much."
"No way. The moment I heard it, I was like, 'What? Taeyoon did what?'"
"...Why? What did they say?"
"They said you're a quiet fighting rooster."
...Oh.
I guess I needed to work on my image.
Anyway.
That was how I ended up inviting Etica.
Which was why...
I watched her performance with greater anticipation than anyone else.
Just as she'd done during my performance...
From the second-floor VIP Floor, where the stage could be viewed most comfortably.
Etica slowly rose onto the stage aboard the Lift.
Very slowly.
Her silver hair glittered brilliantly beneath the lights.
"WAAAAAAAAAAH—!"
The cheers were there.
But compared to Taeyoon's or Guldan's...
They sounded more like polite applause.
However...
When she had risen halfway...
Both the audience and the livestream viewers immediately noticed the change.
She...
Had changed?
First of all...
Her appearance.
[ Is that really Etica? It looks like her face, but she's dressed like she's about to compete on a hip-hop survival show. ]
↳ What's with that black Adidas tracksuit?
↳ She looks like an unemployed neighborhood bum. LOL.
↳ Guys, the tracksuit isn't the issue. Who wears a luxury necklace over a jersey jacket?
↳ Isn't that sponsored?
↳↳ I think so. But what is her stylist doing? Is this really intentional?
↳ Did she seriously do that on purpose? There's no way an Adidas jersey matches that necklace. LOL.
↳ Honestly, going all-out with "THIS IS A SPONSORSHIP!! LOOK AT IT!!" isn't the worst idea.
↳↳ I searched for that necklace. It's worth fifty million won. Etica's pretty incredible.
↳ Somehow I'm looking forward to this. Feels like Etica's about to go Super Saiyan.
↳↳ Aren't female characters supposed to get stronger the less clothing they wear?
↳↳↳ Nope. Etica's the opposite. The more she wears, the stronger she gets.
Etica didn't regret her impulsive decision even in the slightest.
If she was going to commit...
She might as well do it properly.
Which meant...
The first thing she had to deal with was those damned clothes.
Normally, she would've worn a revealing top with short shorts.
But setting aside whether they were revealing or bold...
Trying to perform properly while wearing them was distracting.
She didn't have time to change.
So?
She simply threw something over them.
Just putting on a black tracksuit made her feel as though her combat power had increased by ten.
That didn't mean she could ignore the sponsored necklace.
'What should I do?'
What should she do?
Wear it over the top.
A platinum necklace worn over a black jersey.
Didn't that actually make it stand out more?
Clunk—
The Lift rose completely onto the stage.
The signal came telling her she could step down.
She carefully walked toward the Turntable.
Ah.
She'd been so distracted that she'd forgotten she was still wearing high heels.
Shoes?
There weren't any replacements.
So?
Take them off.
She casually kicked off her high heels and stood before the Turntable.
When she raised her hands...
Her long hair became annoying.
A hair tie?
She didn't have one.
Instead, she picked up a pen lying beside the Turntable and stuck it through her hair like a hairpin.
To the audience...
Every single one of those actions looked like intentional performance choreography.
"I heard Etica was good at performing. Every movement looks so natural."
"Using a pen like a hairpin is cool. She looks like she'd win in a fight."
"Taking off the high heels was even better."
On the other hand...
There were also people saying something different.
"Doesn't she look like she came up here fully prepared?"
"Oh! I thought the same thing."
"Like she's saying, 'Today's different.'"
"Even her clothes are different. I've seen Etica at a lot of DJing Festivals, but she looks the prettiest today. Her expression looks much more relaxed too."
The Turntable couldn't carry the audience's conversations.
She could only guess from their eyes...
And their expressions.
No matter what people whispered about Etica.
No matter what expectations they had.
It didn't matter.
Because on this stage...
She wasn't Etica.
She was Han Youngseo.
She was Skippy.
'This feels comfortable.'
The fingertips raising the Fader felt strangely light.
She wasn't afraid.
Woooooooo—
The first track began.
Normally...
The moment Etica's opening track started, the audience's cheers would grow even louder.
But...
"...?"
"What is this?"
This wasn't the kind of song Etica usually opened with.
The unexpected sound silenced the Dance Floor.
The lights slowly dimmed.
Etica's fingertips glided gently across the mixer.
Lane 8 - 《Midnight》.
It was a selection perfectly suited to this night...
And this atmosphere.
Soft kicks and clean Synth Riffs soaked the Dance Floor like moonlight slipping through a window.
"..."
The audience's atmosphere was completely different from her usual performances.
But...
Etica didn't rush.
She gently pushed the Fader upward.
Slowly shaved away the highs.
Creating space.
Watching from above, Taeyoon thought,
'She's mixing here? Whew... This is such classic Skippy recklessness... No, this is truly unpredictable mixing.'
Little by little...
He stopped seeing Etica.
And began seeing Skippy.
Into that empty space...
The pads from Yotto - 《Nova》 quietly seeped in.
The instant the two tracks overlapped...
The audience's expressions changed.
"Wow..."
"Something's... different."
Nova's signature warmth wrapped around Midnight's cold atmosphere, making the entire space feel clean and refined.
The kick remained.
But the bass line became noticeably more elastic.
Right then.
Without realizing it...
The audience began swaying their shoulders.
"Oh?"
"This feels fresh."
Even the sarcastic comments on smartphones gradually transformed into admiration.
[ W-WHAT??? ETICA'S INSANE????? ]
↳ She was capable of mixing like this???
↳ Seriously, she awakened or something.
↳ Holy crap. So putting a pen in her hair and throwing off her high heels wasn't the performance?
↳ This isn't the time to chat. She's already going into another mix.
↳ This is crazy...
With a slight variation to the kick...
The gentle theme from Ben Böhmer - 《Beyond Belief》 quietly settled over the room.
The familiar tranquility deepened into something far more moving.
As the Effect opened wide...
It almost felt as though waves were rippling across the entire Dance Floor.
The warm mood became even more solid.
As the lighting dimmed another shade...
The audience's expressions disappeared into the shadows.
Etica's fingertips remained calm.
Without unnecessary gestures.
Only exactly what was needed.
Yet...
She never once lost the flow.
Slowly.
Smoothly.
Yet unmistakably.
[ I seriously want to beat up the version of myself from ten minutes ago who posted, "Why are they throwing Etica into an already perfect Lunatic?" ]
↳ I repent. I repent...
↳ I had no idea she was this kind of person.
↳ ??? Seriously, I don't get it. Why did they treat a DJ this incredible like some idol doll????
↳ Rediscovering Etica.
↳ Her agency should reflect. Her agency should reflect. Her agency should reflect. Her agency should reflect. Her agency should reflect.
A little more strength entered Etica's fingertips.
It was time for the second Drop.
But this time...
She didn't fully open the Fader.
The audience instinctively held their breath...
Waiting for the next sound.
'Now.'
Her ears followed the beat.
Her eyes swept across the Dance Floor.
The lighting remained low.
The sparkling lights of smartphone cameras shone on her like stars.
Gulp.
Etica picked up the microphone.
Then she shouted loudly.
"Lunatic—!"
"WAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
The audience erupted into thunderous cheers.
She had definitely received cheers like these before.
Applause.
Screams.
But they had come for the wrong reasons.
Accompanying meaningless mixing.
Today...
It was different.
She was leading the performance exactly the way she wanted.
Then...
Wouldn't it be alright...
To be just a little greedier?
Carefully, she shifted her gaze.
Her eyes landed on the still-unrevealed second-floor VIP Floor.
Where Taeyoon stood.
After taking a brief breath...
She whispered into the microphone with the faintest smile in her voice.
"DJ... Blackhole."
At that instant—
"Huh? Up there!"
"Isn't that Blackhole?"
"There was a stage on the second floor?"
Everyone looked upward and discovered Taeyoon.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
"BLACKHOLE!!"
The audience exploded with excitement.
Even before the beat had fully opened...
Their cheers burst forth first.
Meeting Etica's eyes, Taeyoon gave a slight nod before adjusting his mask.
Then...
'Ah... There's no way I can resist doing a joint performance with Etica... no, Skippy.'
He immediately sprinted down the stairs.