A Blank Slate Regression for the Idol That Lost His Original Mindset - Chapter 414

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

A Regression Guide for Idols Who Lost Their Initial Intentions Episode 414

* * *

“Alright, you all know we’re working with G1 Producer tomorrow, right? His style is different from mine, but he’s just as strict as I am, so stay focused. Don’t think you can slack off just because I’m not the one directing you.”

The night before recording with Jiwon hyung, I briefly explained Jiwon hyung’s style to the members in advance.

Of course, I didn’t think our members would slack off, but since I wouldn’t be the producer, I said it just in case their guard might drop.

Previously, even Ryu Jaehee had told me that when he was in that special group with just the youngest members, the producer was too easy-mode compared to me.

I wasn’t sure if that producer wasn’t originally strict with his work, or if Jaehee’s standards had shot up because I had worked him so hard.

“Hyung, you’ve worked with G1 Producer before, right? During that special stage when five groups were grouped together, didn’t G1 Producer handle the leader group’s producing?”

“That time too, and even before that was when we did the featuring for Seo Raon sunbae’s ‘Some Ending’ right after our debut, I think?”

Just the fact that Kim Junbeom recommended me for the featuring and connected me with Jiwon hyung was reason enough to listen to his networking boasts.

Now he was asking me to go easy on him during judging since he’d be appearing on DTB Season 5, but unfortunately I wouldn’t be judging Season 5.

April, when DTB Season 5 preliminaries and filming would begin, was right before our comeback when we’d be extremely busy, and DubNet hadn’t given any hints either.

And if DubNet had even the slightest intention of using me as a DTB Season 5 producer, Jiwon hyung would have told me first, even if indirectly and confidentially.

“I heard about it. From a friend who worked with G1 Producer before. He said it’s completely brutal and strict. And when he gets angry, it’s really scary. Like, spine-chilling scary.”

Kim Dobin quietly spoke up. But despite the content coming from his mouth, his expression showed no signs of tension or fear at all.

The moment I wondered why this guy who should be making a huge fuss about what to do tomorrow was so calm.

“And then he told me he was jealous that I have a member who produces for me. He said even though he got harsh criticism, he couldn’t make a peep. So I showed him our behind-the-scenes content with our recording process, and he said I won.”

Kim Dobin voluntarily revealed the reason without me even asking.

“So you’re saying G1 Producer has a lower difficulty level than Yoon Eden?”

Seo Yehyeon let out what seemed like a sigh of relief with an openly relieved expression.

I told such Yehyeon the cold reality.

“Still, it’ll be high for you, hyung. The guide recordings I gave you are directional suggestions, not perfect answers, so I don’t know how Jiwon hyung will set his directing approach either.”

Then Gyeon Hajun opened his mouth with a surprised expression.

“But Doby, you have friends in other groups too…?”

It wasn’t about Jiwon hyung’s producing being strict, but about something else.

“Our group has too much of an isolationist policy. Our agency doesn’t even have direct seniors, so we need to at least interact with other groups to survive. Eden hyung’s connections are all in the hip-hop scene.”

“Hey, I have plenty of other idol members’ numbers. I just don’t meet them privately that often.”

I lightly waved my phone in response. Ryu Jaehee also chimed in.

“I have friends too. Some friends and hyungs I’ve known since TK debuted after leaving TK. I also have a few same-age friends I became personally close with.”

“Anyway, both of you be selective with your friends. Don’t befriend people who’ll drag you down with them.”

At least my connections were filtered based on my pre-regression memories, but these guys don’t know who might cause trouble in the future.

Even if I sound like a nag, I should check on their friends sometime soon. It doesn’t hurt to be careful.

Gyeon Hajun was really good at drawing boundaries and Seo Yehyeon was very wary, so I wasn’t particularly worried about these two.

Anyway, with that warning given in advance, we started recording under Jiwon hyung’s producing.

“What’s with everyone’s good expressions? I get that Dobin’s naturally cheerful, but Yehyeon, I was pretty strict with you? This is my first time getting this kind of reaction, so I’m confused?”

After Kim Dobin and then Seo Yehyeon came out of the recording booth with peaceful faces, Jiwon hyung pushed up his signature yellow sunglasses and said something that sounded like confusion or admiration.

Jiwon hyung, who was supporting me from the side, looked at me and nudged me with his elbow as he asked.

“Just how hard did you work them for this? Even kids who did three sessions in a row with me weren’t like this. They still flinch thinking I’m going to cut the INST whenever I open my mouth or slightly raise my hand.”

“Work them hard? They just grew strong on their own, strong.”

I just wanted the members to meet my expectations, so I feel wronged. Anyone listening would think I was really harsh with them.

Kim Dobin nodded and added a comment.

“Yeah, that’s right. Eden hyung always speaks nicely to us.”

“Eden does? Well, he wasn’t strict during the DTB group music mission either. But how does speaking nicely make everyone’s mentality this solid?”

“Um… When he speaks nicely, let’s do this properly. When he speaks nicely, let’s do it again. When he speaks nicely, don’t get on his nerves and stay sharp. And then if you grit your teeth and do it…”

As if trying to maximize imagination, Kim Dobin intentionally deleted the rest of his words.

Jiwon hyung burst into laughter saying he knew it, and patted my back hard.

In what was a fairly bright atmosphere by our standards, Ryu Jaehee also finished recording quite smoothly, and now it was Gyeon Hajun’s turn.

Under my producing, he was the undisputed TOP 1 who finished recording faster than anyone, a perpetual recording honor student who never heard “again” more than five times.

Everyone seemed to have firm faith that Hajun and I would finish recording quickly and come out, so the members who had finished recording were discussing what to do during dinner time.

But that was only for a moment…

The INST was cut for the fifth time.

“Again. I feel like I keep saying the same thing. Why do you keep ignoring my direction and trying to go your own way?”

Jiwon hyung’s quiet voice made the frozen recording studio atmosphere even more deadly. The warm atmosphere had long since disappeared after several previous corrections.

Jiwon hyung, resting his chin on his clasped hands, let out a deep sigh and asked.

“Does directing have any meaning like this? Is your interpretation that important to this song?”

“I’m sorry, I’ll go again.”

Hajun, who apologized politely, looked down and then raised his head again. The always confident Hajun in the recording booth was nowhere to be found, only a dark-expressioned Hajun stood in front of the microphone.

The unexpected obstacle was Gyeon Hajun. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who had gotten comfortable with my style.

How was Hajun before regression when recording?

I couldn’t remember how Hajun was when I wasn’t producing. All I could remember was,

‘If I produced, I could showcase your vocals and your tone much better than this song.’

‘Jun, your solo song, I’ll…’

‘You… like that… I…’

[Wrong approach!]

My head suddenly throbbed like crazy at the blurry voice brushing through my memory.

What’s with the wrong approach again? As I held my forehead and frowned while lowering my head, Jiwon hyung asked in a worried voice.

“What’s wrong? Should we take a short break?”

“Yes, let’s take a brief break.”

Jiwon hyung led me outside saying let’s get some fresh air. He gestured to the members to rest comfortably and I followed Jiwon hyung out.

Jiwon hyung, who had a vitamin stick in his mouth instead of a cigarette, was silent for a moment, then exhaled smoke and spoke.

“That friend, Gyeon Hajun was it? His habit is too firm.”

“Hajun’s style is pretty strong.”

“Did your taste coincidentally match that kid’s habit, or did you adapt to fit him?”

After thinking for a moment, I shrugged and answered.

“…Well, half and half?”

Jiwon hyung let out a deep sigh and exhaled vitamin stick smoke again, clicking his tongue.

“His tone is really good though. You know Altair’s Cha Yeonho. His tone is good too. Looking at it, he’s about the same level.”

“Come on, Hajun is better than Yeonho sunbae.”

I said it playfully to Jiwon hyung, but I meant it. It’s not like there’s no comparison, but? Of course, Yeonho’s tone fits my aesthetics pretty well too, but? Still, Hajun is better, honestly.

“Fine, let’s say his tone is better. But his skills are lacking. His personal habits are too strong. It’s not that he doesn’t have the will to match the direction, but he lacks the ability to do so.”

Pretty harsh criticism poured out.

“What’s his name, Yeonho, your main vocalist, yeah, he’s much more lacking than Jaehee too.”

“That’s why Jaehee is the main vocalist.”

I nodded and replied nonchalantly. Jiwon hyung’s words were harsh, but there wasn’t really anything wrong with them either.

“That kid does acting too, right.”

Did I mention that too? When I nodded, Jiwon hyung flicked the vitamin stick between his fingers and advised.

“Tell him to fix it. Having a strong personal style isn’t good. Not in vocals, not in acting. How can having only one path be a good thing?”

“But if your style is solid, doesn’t it become your identity?”

When I said this with a light laugh, Jiwon hyung lightly flicked my forehead.

“Just think about yourself during DTB. Was it the second round of the finals? When you almost got properly blocked by G-TE, what would have happened if you didn’t have the option to switch rap styles?”

“As expected, it would have been big trouble if I hadn’t worked with you, hyung.”

Listening to Jiwon hyung’s words, I vaguely remembered. Before regression, the producer, no, the producers didn’t particularly like Hajun’s style, so Hajun had to change his vocal style every time.

I almost buried even Hajun’s acting skills.

“Wait a minute…”

Jiwon hyung, who had paused, looked at me and asked.

“Don’t tell me that kid is included in your wanting to do some comparisons?”

“I just happened to realize that the direction I’ve been sticking to all this time wasn’t necessarily the right answer, so I wanted to check on the other members too. Whether there’s a better way.”

Maybe it was because he was smoking something cigarette-like next to me, but I touched my lips with my particularly bored mouth and chuckled.

“But I didn’t expect to get caught on an unexpected part. I guess mannerism has set in after all.”

Both Gyeon Hajun and me.

Anyway, after finishing everything I had to say to Jiwon hyung, I returned to the recording studio with him and tapped Gyeon Hajun, who was sitting on the sofa with a dark expression.

“Jun, let’s talk for a moment.”

To think he’s this dejected, it seems I’ve been raising him too preciously in a greenhouse.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————