The Genius Composer Starts Again - Chapter 55

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The scent of wine lingered around my nose. I swallowed a sigh inwardly, then looked at Jeong Do-hyun and answered.

 

“It’s a good proposal.”

 

First, I expressed my honest feelings.

 

Objectively speaking, there couldn’t be a more tempting offer than this. Other people would have signed the contract immediately without looking back.

 

“But it’s not the kind of sponsorship I want.”

 

When I spoke bluntly, Jeong Do-hyun chuckled.

 

“You don’t need to be so wary. I don’t want the copyright. Of course, I have no intention of sharing the profits from the songs either.”

 

It seemed Jeong Do-hyun thought I was being cautious out of fear.

 

Generally, sponsors also want to earn profits proportional to their investment, unless it’s volunteer work.

 

In other words, it’s similar to receiving investment funds in advance in exchange for company shares.

 

But since it ultimately involves dividing future profits, many people don’t prefer this arrangement.

 

That’s why Jeong Do-hyun was kindly explaining.

 

That what he wanted wasn’t money.

 

“I have no intention of owning the songs, nor do I plan to commission you to make specific songs I want.”

 

Money was something Jeong Do-hyun had in abundance anyway.

 

Music royalties would be nothing more than pocket change to him.

 

“As I mentioned, I simply want you to focus on composing.”

 

“Yes. I understand.”

 

I spoke once more.

 

“But I still find it difficult to accept that proposal.”

 

At this point, Jeong Do-hyun seemed to realize I was serious.

 

Rather than surprise, he looked more puzzled, wondering ‘why.’ Because it was clearly a profitable deal for me.

 

Jeong Do-hyun wasn’t asking for quarterly performance reports from me. Frankly speaking, it meant I could accept now and slack off for several years without consequence.

 

Of course, if such signs appeared, the sponsorship would be cut off. But being able to use Jeong Do-hyun’s wallet freely for even just one year was truly an enormous benefit.

 

Nevertheless, the reason I was declining this proposal was this:

 

“It’s a matter of creative control.”

 

Jeong Do-hyun’s gaze shifted with interest.

 

“The moment I receive someone’s sponsorship, music becomes closer to a product. Speed, completeness, revisions… In every aspect, I would strive to meet expectations.”

 

“I won’t interfere with your creative work in any way.”

 

“But sponsorship ultimately comes with conditions, doesn’t it? It might be fine for the first few times, but if I fail to create songs you like for 5 or 10 years, would you continue the sponsorship even then?”

 

“…”

 

“You wouldn’t, right? Because then it wouldn’t be sponsorship but charity.”

 

In that case, it would be better to increase Korea University scholarships instead.

 

“You would evaluate my songs, score them, and decide whether to continue sponsorship based on that. Then I would end up trying to write songs that suit your taste.”

 

Jeong Do-hyun couldn’t say no.

 

Even if he didn’t say a word about my songs, I would inevitably have to read his mood due to the structure.

 

I looked straight at Jeong Do-hyun and said this:

 

“I want every sheet of music and every note that comes from my fingertips to be entirely mine.”

 

This was less a noble conviction,

 

and more like my greedy stubbornness.

 

The thought of not wanting to lose even a single thing manifested this way. Perhaps it was because I had lost too much before.

 

“That’s why I cannot accept this sponsorship. I’m sorry.”

 

I bowed my head in apology.

 

I knew very well how much countless composers dreamed of Jeong Do-hyun’s proposal.

 

I had watched from the closest position to Mun Ah-rin, seeing how successfully she was advancing. I knew that if I took Jeong Do-hyun’s hand now, I would walk that same path.

 

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t tempted.

 

I wanted to become a shining star composer like Mun Ah-rin. How envious I had been of that situation where entertainment companies lined up waiting to receive songs.

 

‘But this isn’t right.’

 

I steeled my resolve.

 

Jeong Do-hyun was looking at me with eyes as if seeing something interesting. He picked up his wine glass and asked.

 

“Is there really a need to think that deeply? Let’s think positively. We’re using each other.”

 

He extended his glass toward me.

 

It was a gesture inviting me to toast.

 

“It’s a win-win strategy.”

 

Clink-.

 

I lightly clinked wine glasses while smiling bitterly.

 

“It might seem excessive, but I’d appreciate it if you could think of it as being cautious to protect myself.”

 

“Oh my. It seems you have no intention of changing your mind.”

 

“I’m grateful that you value my music highly.”

 

I spoke calmly.

 

“But if you simply like my songs… I’ll continue composing, and my songs will be released to the public, so there’s no need for you to sponsor me.”

 

After finishing my words, I lifted my glass and took a sip of water. My throat had been dry since earlier, perhaps from nervousness.

 

YULE’s songs can be heard on the streets and in neighborhood cafes.

 

Just like that, even without Jeong Do-hyun’s sponsorship, my songs would become available to hear anytime, anywhere.

 

Rather, wouldn’t sponsoring be financially disadvantageous?

 

“Well.”

 

Jeong Do-hyun tilted his head very slowly. Like someone mulling over my words.

 

He set down his wine glass.

 

“Seol. Do you know what led me to sponsor composers?”

 

“Well. Other than having deep knowledge of music, I don’t really know…”

 

I thought it might be passion for a path he couldn’t take himself. I hadn’t even considered there might be a specific trigger.

 

I had just regarded it as an expensive hobby of a wealthy family.

 

“It was when I was young. I was going through an extremely difficult time for personal reasons.”

 

Jeong Do-hyun’s eyes seemed to gaze at something far away for a moment.

 

“It was more than I could handle. I wanted to give up everything.”

 

He paused briefly, then traced the rim of his glass with his fingertips.

 

“Then I happened to hear a song. It was a song uploaded by some amateur. The moment I first heard it, I unconsciously held my breath. I was so absorbed that even the sound of breathing felt like interference.”

 

Jeong Do-hyun’s voice dropped low.

 

“I don’t know how many times I listened to it on repeat. Strangely, that song became a comfort to me.”

 

“…”

 

“There were no other songs uploaded besides that one. I remember counting the days, waiting for when the next song might be uploaded.”

 

To captivate the owner of such discerning ears in one go. I was curious about what kind of song it could have been.

 

‘Who could it be? There are countless famous composers who received Jeong Do-hyun’s sponsorship.’

 

I was listing the names of those who had become legends in the industry when Jeong Do-hyun continued.

 

“One day, they suddenly disappeared.”

 

“…What?”

 

“When I checked SAPL, they had taken down the song and left the site.”

 

I found myself gaping at the sudden development.

 

“I tried hard to find them but failed.”

 

Jeong Do-hyun said he had met with all kinds of composers, both famous and unknown, as well as songs available in the market.

 

But he could never find the composer he was looking for.

 

“They probably quit composing for some trivial reason. Either they needed money, or they mistakenly thought they had no talent.”

 

Jeong Do-hyun slowly swirled his wine glass. The red liquid slowly flowed down the glass walls.

 

“That’s why I started sponsoring.”

 

“…”

 

“I didn’t want there to be any more composers who quit for such reasons.”

 

His eyes, which had been wandering in the past, returned precisely to me.

 

“The moment I heard YULE’s song, I remembered that day. No music has given me such resonance since then.”

 

So that’s why he went as far as attending the School Scholarship Recital to arrange this dinner with me.

 

It wasn’t a place for someone like Jeong Do-hyun to attend, so I had found it strange. If he came knowing that I was the same person as composer YULE, everything made sense.

 

He raised his head.

 

“The reason I’m sharing such personal stories is because I want you to accept my sponsorship as simple goodwill. I understand your concerns, but I cannot just stand by and watch such precious talent.”

 

Jeong Do-hyun’s gaze was piercing. As if it would burn right through me.

 

“I’ll ask you once more. Seol, will you really refuse my sponsorship?”

 

The air suddenly grew heavy.

 

I took a breath in and let it out again. I closed my eyes tightly and opened them.

 

“I am….”

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