The Reincarnated Idol Hard Carries an Indie Band - Chapter 77

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A Former Idol’s Indie Band Hard-Carry
Chapter 77
“He really is handsome…….”
Park Min Ji, a part-time worker at ST Studio, had been watching the CCTV feed for over an hour now.
Oktatop was on the screen, after all.
“These days, Kim Ji Hu seems to catch my eye more than Seo Ha…….”
Though the screen was small, Kim Ji Hu’s cold gaze was sharp and clear.
“No, actually, Heo Jun Sung is amazing when he’s on broadcast…….”
Heo Jun Sung was playing, absorbed in something the way he always was on air.
“So cool….”
Then she caught sight of Kang Min nodding along, absorbed in Heo Jun Sung’s performance.
“But then again, when it comes to pure masculine charm, it’s gotta be Kang Min…….”
When Heo Jun Sung’s playing reached a certain peak, Lee Do Young, who’d been sitting in the back, stood up and applauded.
“Ha, Lee Do Young’s so cute. This is ridiculous, seriously.”
But then she thought that if she kept changing her mind like this, Cha Seo Ha might feel hurt.
“Seo Ha, I’m sorry…. Just a moment…….”
“Sorry for what?”
“Oh geez! You scared me!”
“What? ‘Geez’ to the boss?”
“Oh, you startled me.”
Jo Hyun Seop, who’d stepped out briefly, had arrived back at the studio.
“Where have you been?”
“Had a meeting with a talent agency.”
“A talent agency? Which one are the kids signing with?”
“It’s not that. Look, are the kids making good progress on their songs?”
“Yeah, they’ve definitely improved a lot. Seo Ha isn’t finding fault with anything anymore.”
“Right, their skills have shot up since they started filming.”
Jo Hyun Seop had been watching Oktatop’s growth in real time.
As someone who’d been with them from the beginning until now, he was the one who could most accurately observe their progress.
Usually, when artists appear on broadcasts like this, their skills naturally improve.
Oktatop’s skills were certainly improving in real time as well.
But the real surprise was Cha Seo Ha.
“So that kid had more room to grow…….”
Cha Seo Ha’s vocals had become far more solid than before appearing on broadcast.
His stage performance improved day by day, and while his songwriting sense remained the same, his speed had increased.
Most artists reach a point where their growth plateau becomes visibly slower.
But Cha Seo Ha’s rate of improvement hadn’t diminished yet.
Which meant.
“He’s still only manifesting a fraction of his latent potential…….”
It was a thought he had always, but Jo Hyun Seop wanted nothing more than to witness their future with his own eyes as soon as possible.
“Min Ji. It’s time. Tell the kids to come out.”
“Yes!”
* * *
We stopped working on our composition and headed to K-Net with the president.
Today was a meeting day with the broadcasting station staff.
The Top 9 bands that made it to the Finals had to sign additional contracts, and today was the meeting to finalize them.
A cold, sterile conference room with gray walls.
At the table sat our members and President Jo Hyun Seop.
Across from us were PD Lee Jong Myung, the head writer, other production staff, and two people who appeared to be from the legal team.
“Thanks for coming. Have you eaten yet?”
PD Lee Jong Myung greeted us with a warm smile.
Well, of course he would.
He’d given us such favorable camera angles on the broadcast.
President Jo Hyun Seop and I exchanged formal greetings.
This was the first time seeing him up close since we’d run into each other the day we appeared on Jo Hyun Woo’s Gift Box.
After we sat down, it took quite a while before we got to the main topic.
PD Lee Jong Myung went on about how the broadcast was doing well thanks to us, how the competition songs we’d shown were excellent, and so on.
Watching his excited demeanor, I could see what kind of person he really was.
“Well then, let me get to the main point.”
The legal team sitting next to him handed us the contract.
Since we were all minors, in principle we needed our parents as legal representatives to sign.
But having President Jo Hyun Seop, who knew this industry well, bring a Power of Attorney and Seal Certificate was more advantageous.
Before we signed, the legal team explained the contract terms.
Typically, finalists on audition programs like this are subject to the broadcasting station’s control regarding management contracts and scheduling after the broadcast ends.
The clause about Broadcasting Appearance and Management Delegation.
I already knew this well, but there was one thing different: the “Winners Only” clause.
Usually, all teams that made the Finals, or all teams that made the Semifinal and Final rounds, would be included.
But managing a group this size would be stressful for the company.
Plus, bands aren’t currently a mainstream genre.
So offering contracts with a guaranteed fee for managing artists over a short period wasn’t necessarily a sure bet to turn a profit.
That’s why they only included contractual clauses for the winner.
Of course, that didn’t mean non-winning teams had no restrictions at all.
“Next is the clause regarding First Right of Negotiation.”
The legal team began reading the next section.
A clause that applied to the two teams that made the Final round besides the winner.
First Right of Negotiation.
There’s no obligation to adjust schedules or sign contracts at the broadcasting station’s behest.
But when signing with a management company, the broadcasting station has the right to negotiate first.
Even secret contact with other companies is forbidden.
These were standard clauses applied to all finalists on audition programs, with nothing unusual.
Looking over at President Jo Hyun Seop, his expression was neutral.
Nothing to worry about, that look said.
Kim Ji Hu and Lee Do Young understood the content to some degree, while Kang Min and Heo Jun Sung looked half-asleep.
I reviewed the contract faster than the legal team could read it.
Everything favored us.
What really mattered to us right now wasn’t this piece of paper or a signature.
It was PD Lee Jong Myung, watching us with that pleasant smile.
I couldn’t figure out what he was thinking at all.
“Well then, we’ll step outside while you all talk this through. Just call us when you’re ready.”
Once the contract explanation was done, the production staff and legal team left the room.
There were no cameras or recording devices inside the conference room.
“Is there anything unusual about the contract?”
The moment the production staff left, I asked President Jo Hyun Seop.
“No, there’s nothing outrageous and it’s all pretty standard. Signing shouldn’t be a problem.”
So we held a quick discussion among ourselves and decided to sign.
“I’ll go call the production staff.”
As I was getting up, Lee Do Young grabbed my sleeve.
“Seo Ha.”
“Yeah.”
“Handle it well…….”
“Don’t worry.”
* * *
After the meeting with Oktatop, PD Lee Jong Myung sat at a table outside the conference room, making small talk while waiting.
“Oktatop or Maruru will probably win.”
“That’s likely, right? Have you heard from any entertainment companies yet, PD?”
“A few have called, but nothing’s confirmed yet.”
Once the meeting seemed finished, Cha Seo Ha opened the conference room door and stepped out.
“All done?”
“Yes, we’re finished.”
“Okay, let’s head back in.”
“Ah, PD? If you don’t mind, could I talk to you for a moment…….”
“Just the two of us?”
“Yes.”
PD Lee Jong Myung was curious what this kid wanted to say, so he moved to a quieter spot.
“Alright, what is it, Seo Ha?”
“I… didn’t realize we were supposed to use songs from the producer for the Finals. I have a song I prepared, and it’s actually a song I wrote for Do Young.”
The way he scratched his head and stammered reminded me of looking at a nephew.
“Ha ha, so? You want to use that song?”
“Yes, and Do Young is already getting scolded by Judge Jung Hyuk for lacking in skill. This song has a really excellent bass part!”
“I see. So when would you like to use that song?”
“I’d like to use it in the Semifinal.”
“The Semifinal, huh…….”
Hearing Cha Seo Ha’s words, it occurred to PD Lee Jong Myung that Do Young’s narrative had been completely absent so far.
Right now, only Kang Min and Cha Seo Ha’s narratives were too prominent.
If one member’s growth narrative runs deep, it strengthens Oktatop.
And that’s good for broadcasting.
The timing Cha Seo Ha mentioned — around the Semifinal — was perfect.
And if he could add something more to this, it would be perfect.
If he could add something more…….
After thinking it over briefly, PD Lee Jong Myung concluded there was no reason to refuse Cha Seo Ha’s proposal.
“Alright, but we’ll need Producer Park Chul Hwan to refine the song a bit. Having it be entirely your own composition might look unreasonable.”
“Yes! That’s more than enough! Thank you!”
“Sure, understood.”
“Thank you so much, PD!”
Before returning to his seat, PD Lee Jong Myung watched Cha Seo Ha bow respectfully with satisfaction.
The kid was clever enough to create his own broadcast narrative, which was admirable.
“You’re doing really well right now. I’m looking forward to more from you going forward.”
“Oh, thank you! I’m looking forward to working with you too!”
PD Lee Jong Myung returned to the conference room with this well-mannered kid.
* * *
Oktatop signed the Finals contract and left.
PD Lee Jong Myung called for writer Kim Da Young and spent time with her in the PD Office.
“Da Young, remember when I met Cha Seo Ha earlier?”
“Yes.”
“He said they’re going to use a song they made for the Semifinal. Said it’s one that will make Lee Do Young stand out.”
PD Lee Jong Myung relayed the conversation he’d had with Cha Seo Ha to writer Kim Da Young.
“Hmm, that’s good. A growth narrative is always needed.”
PD Lee Jong Myung gave a different look to writer Kim Da Young, who was nodding in agreement with his words.
“No, that’s not it.”
“Sorry?”
“It’s not a growth narrative.”
Writer Kim Da Young looked confused.
“It’s a story of succession. Do you remember Lee Do Hyun?”
“Yes, the one you mentioned before. That…….”
“Right, that kid who died unfairly because of malicious commenters. Lee Do Young is completing his brother’s music. On the stage I’ve created for him.”
PD Lee Jong Myung believed Lee Do Hyun’s death was entirely due to malicious commenters.
And that was his genuine belief.
He didn’t think it was wrong for a broadcasting PD to edit the broadcast to their liking.
“Pack Do Young’s narrative thick. From the Finals onward, it’s Do Young’s stage.”
“Yes, understood.”
PD Lee Jong Myung was already intoxicated with the thrill of another artistic work being born from his hands.

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