Snow Lady.
+++++++++++++
“Hmm. I was being too naive.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No. You don’t need to be sorry.”
Youngchan waved his hand at Na-eun, who didn’t understand, and pondered how to solve this.
The recording of “Snow Lady” was not going smoothly.
It couldn’t be Youngchan, who had collaborated with legends and countless others, so the problem was Na-eun, who kept apologizing throughout the recording.
Or, more precisely, the problem was that Na-eun couldn’t easily meet Youngchan’s demanding standards.
What Youngchan wanted wasn’t just blending melodies and rhythms together.
‘I might as well sing it alone if that’s all I wanted. Why bother singing together?’
Youngchan believed that a duet was about sharing each other’s inspiration.
By doing so, they could create a synergy effect, materializing inspiration and expressiveness that would be difficult to achieve alone.
To do this, their hearts had to be in sync.
They needed to connect, and to achieve this connection properly, their emotional lines had to flow similarly.
The problem was that this was difficult for the current Lee Na-eun.
“I was too complacent.”
Youngchan admitted his mistake.
He realized belatedly that the problem was assuming [he was dealing with] Lee Na-eun from the other world.
In any case, Lee Na-eun from that world was already solidifying her position as a top solo female singer even at her current age.
That meant she had accumulated considerable experience navigating her own difficult battles.
In comparison, the Na-eun in front of him might have deeper musicality, but her experience was almost zero.
In game terms, she was still in the tutorial, regardless of her abilities.
However, Youngchan’s expression wasn’t entirely dark.
It wasn’t as if there was no solution to this.
“There are two ways to handle this.”
The first method is to guide her to accumulate experience easily. In fishing terms, it’s like a professional fisherman teaching her how to fish through one-on-one instruction.
This method is usually used because it only has advantages.
However, Youngchan had to exclude this method.
Because it takes quite a bit of time. Since it’s a carol for promotion, there’s no point in releasing it if it takes that long.
So, he had to consider the second method.
“It has some side effects, though…”
If the first method is teaching hunting skills, the second method is a bus driven by a high-level player [a metaphor for quickly leveling up in a game by being carried by a more experienced player].
Simply put, it’s forcibly injecting experience points.
The side effect is that dependence on Youngchan may increase in the process. Fortunately, it will disappear over time, but it’s not recommended for long periods as it could lead to gaslighting.
“Above all, this was difficult because the conditions were *kkadaroun* [demanding], but thanks to Director Hong Euichan, I can try it.”
Muttering to himself, Youngchan approached Na-eun, who was taking a break.
“Euch….”
Na-eun, hearing Youngchan approaching, tried to get up energetically as if she hadn’t been resting, but then froze.
She felt Youngchan approaching was too unfamiliar.
It wasn’t that his appearance had changed. However, the atmosphere emanating from him, his aura, had changed.
Youngchan, looking at her with intense charisma, made her feel like a rabbit in front of a wolf for a moment.
Even amidst her trembling like a rabbit, Youngchan’s aura gradually changed.
-gulp-
And in the end, she swallowed hard at Youngchan, who even showed a hint of decadent beauty that didn’t feel like someone from this world.
Her face became hot enough to burn, and the strength in her legs gradually weakened.
-Thump, thump!-
Her heart was pounding loudly, and Na-eun felt her ears go numb from the sound.
“!!”
Youngchan seemed surprised at Na-eun, who had become *neogeul noeun* [넋을 놓은 – stunned or mesmerized] for a moment.
He didn’t expect the atmosphere to be so well-captured.
‘It seems a bit excessive… I should finish this quickly.’
Since the suggestion would not be good for the person being subjected to it if it was too long, Youngchan hurried to proceed with the work.
“who will remember me? I’m a nobody~…..”
In the duet that began with the suggestion, Lee Na-eun showed a different side than before.
Unlike before, when she hesitated to express her emotions due to her introverted personality, she was now expressing her emotions more intensely than ever.
Her *moseup* [appearance/presence] was so intense that even her heyday couldn’t keep up.
But what’s really amazing is Youngchan, who is accepting her without difficulty.
His *moseup* of leading her so that her inspiration doesn’t *kkeuneojiji* [끊어지지 – get cut off], beyond simply *gyogam* [교감 – emotional exchange], was reminiscent of an absolute being’s *joyul* [조율 – tuning/adjustment].
Perhaps that’s why the work on Snow Lady was able to end earlier than Youngchan’s expectations.
“Hmm. I think this is enough. Good job.”
“Ah…”
Na-eun showed great disappointment at this.
Her brain had been receiving tremendous stimulation from endorphins throughout the work.
Endorphins are released when you feel a sense of accomplishment in creative activities, and she had tasted a level she had never imagined in her life, albeit briefly.
Of course, the sense of accomplishment would be enormous. Considering the amount of endorphins commensurate with that, her head would be literally *jeolyeojin* [절여진 – pickled/soaked] in endorphins.
Although not to the extent of Na-eun, Youngchan was also disappointed.
‘This is more effective than I thought.’
Not only the suggestion but also the synergy felt through the duet exceeded his expectations.
After all, Youngchan, who had an *gagingdoen* [각인된 – imprinted/engraved] experience of tasting hundreds of times more *ilban* [일반 – ordinary] dopamine than a person could feel, had no limit to the inspiration maximized by the synergy.
Thanks to this, he was able to *dameul* [담을 – contain/capture] inspiration at a level he hadn’t felt even when he collaborated with legends in the other world.
“Still, I don’t think I’ll do this twice.”
Youngchan scratched his chin, looking at Na-eun, who was still sitting blankly on the sofa even after the recording was over due to the short but intense experience.
“The *pajang* [파장 – ripple effect/aftermath] will be bigger than I thought.”
And Youngchan’s prediction soon became *hwaksin* [확신 – conviction].
-who will remember me? I’m a nobody~….. snow lady-
The Snow Lady *eumwon* [음원 – sound source/music file], released with a YouTube video, began to gain explosive popularity day by day.
The song of Snow Lady was heard everywhere trying to create a Christmas atmosphere, whether on the streets or in cafes.
On the fourth day, it topped the charts on various music sites such as Lemon.
Surprisingly, the overseas version of the two versions of Snow Lady’s song was more popular.
It seemed to be because the carol itself had a pop feel.
And around that time, reactions to Snow Lady began to appear little by little overseas.
Considering that it was a carol targeting the special demand of the year-end season, and that the song itself was well-made and the recording showed the *jeongjeom* [정점 – peak/zenith] of the duet, it would have been more strange if there was no reaction.
“It’s a bit disappointing. I think it could have *jaedaelo heureumeul tal su* [제대로 흐름을 탈 수 – properly ride the wave/gain momentum] if it wasn’t a carol.”
Youngchan was disappointed that the popularity would decline like a lie after Christmas, given the nature of carols.
However, the disappointment is only *jamsida* [잠시다 – temporary].
Because it was originally a song for promotion, and such carols can shine brightly next year as well.
It wasn’t for nothing that the word ‘carol *yeon-geum* [연금 – pension]’ came out [referring to carols generating consistent income year after year].
This *heunghaeng* [흥행 – box office success] Snow Lady created another unexpected *pajang*.
‘Legends of Rock’ finally exceeded 10% in viewership.
Since it was a program that started with many *wuryeo* [우려 – concerns] from the beginning, the *jejakjin* [제작진 – production team] of ‘Legends of Rock’ *keuge hwanhohamyeo deultteohaetda* [크게 환호하며 들떠했다 – greatly cheered and were excited].
But their *hwanho* was not very long.
Because a *kkeumjjikan jisi* [끔찍한 지시 – terrible order] was *naeryeowatda* [내려왔다 – handed down] to the *jejakjin* of ‘Legends of Rock’.
It was an order to *neullida* [늘리다 – extend] ‘Legends of Rock’ by four more episodes.
“Am I crazy? To accept this. No, how can I *neullida* four episodes in a *gyeong-yeon* [경연 – competition] program where the schedule is already *jjayeojin* [짜여진 – set/arranged]? Don’t tell me you’re not planning on doing season 2?”
Even with the *dangdolhan haengdong* [당돌한 행동 – audacious behavior] of PD [Production Director] Lee Gichan, who skipped the CP [Chief Producer] and went straight to the head of the entertainment department, the head of the entertainment department *eoryeopge mareul kkeonaetda* [어렵게 말을 꺼냈다 – spoke with difficulty] with a *kkeung-kkeung alhneun moseup* [끙끙 앓는 모습 – groaning appearance].
“How can I not know your *maeum* [마음 – heart/feelings]? But this is a *jisi* [지시 – directive] that came down from the president’s side.”
“No, whatever the president’s *jisi sahang* [지시 사항 – instructions] is, what do you want me to do? Should I hold a *cheyukdaehoe* [체육대회 – sports festival] like the Idol *Yuk-sangdaehoe* [육상대회 – Athletics Competition]?”
“That’s also a *gwaenchanheun saenggagin* [괜찮은 생각인 – not bad idea]······.”
“*Gukjangnim* [국장님 – Director]!”
“*Eum*···.”
The head of the department, with a *gin hansum* [긴 한숨 – long sigh], said to PD Lee Gichan, who was *gyeougyeo u hwareul chamgo itdanun* [겨우겨우 화를 참고 있다는 – barely holding back his anger].
“Haa~. It seems the president is thinking of *chigo ollagal* [치고 올라갈 – surge/rise] the cable *jeomyul* [점유율 – market share] with this as an *gihoe* [기회 – opportunity]. Don’t you know? The dramas are all *juk ssugo* [죽 쑤고 – failing miserably], and even the *yeneung* [예능 – variety shows] that are *geunama allyeojin* [그나마 알려진 – somewhat known] can’t even *chaenggida bonjeon* [챙기다 본전 – break even].”
“What does that have to do with me?”
There was no *him* [힘 – strength] in the voice of PD Lee Gichan, who said that.
Because he also knows the *sajeong doraganeun hoesa* [사정 돌아가는 회사 – company’s circumstances] well, as he has been *gureugo gulleotdeon* [구르고 굴렀던 – rolling around/experiencing a lot] in society. In a broadcasting station that *maebeon natneun eomcheongnan jeokja* [매번 낳는 엄청난 적자 – constantly incurs huge deficits], attracting *tuja-jadeul* [투자자들 – investors] was important.
To attract this *yuchi* [유치 – attraction], the *jeomyul* had to be *nopaya* [높아야 – high], and in that respect, ‘Legends of Rock’ was like *danbi naerineun samak* [단비 내리는 사막 – rain falling in the desert].
*Geunama neullineun* [그나마 늘리는 – at least extending] 4 *bujak* [부작 – episodes] was also the result of the head of the department *ssaugo ssa-woseo julin* [싸우고 싸워서 줄인 – fighting and fighting to reduce].
“I’m going crazy. Really!”
“I’m sorry.”
PD Lee Gichan, who was also the first main PD who *chaenggyeojudeon* [챙겨주던 – taking care of] him when he was a *sinip* [신입 – rookie], bit his lip at the apology of the head of the entertainment department and *eoryeopge ibeul yeoreotda* [어렵게 입을 열었다 – opened his mouth with difficulty].
“Okay.”
“Really! Okay, you thought well. I······.”
“Instead! There are two conditions.”
“Tell me anything.”
“One is that you actively *mireojunda* [밀어준다 – push/support] whatever *gihoek* [기획 – plan/project] I do.”
“That’s not difficult. Tell me anything. I’ll *mireojuji* even if I have to *japda* [잡다 – grab] the president’s *myeoksal* [멱살 – collar].”
It was the *yeneung-gukjang*’s [예능국장 – Variety Department Director] *mal* [말 – words] that was not very *mideopji* [미덥지 – trustworthy], but PD Lee Gichan *neomeogatda* [넘어갔다 – went along].
“The second is to *chaenggyeojuseyo* [챙겨주세요 – take care of] our kids’ *boneoseu* [보너스 – bonus] separately and *neokneokhage* [넉넉하게 – generously].”
“Bonus?”
“Yes. If you’re *mireobutineun* [밀어붙이는 – pushing forward] to the extent of doing 4 *bujak*, you have to give a *boneoseu* so that they have the *him* to do it, right?”
“*Eum*. OK. I’ll *mireoboji* [밀어보지 – try to push] this within today.”
“Okay. Then, *ehyu*~ [에휴 – sigh]. I’ll try.”
“Thank you. Thank you.”
“You owe me one. You can’t *ddakeusimyeon ip ssak* [닦으시면 입 싹 – wipe your mouth clean/forget about it] later.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll *kkok gapeul teni* [꼭 갚을 테니 – definitely repay you].”
PD Lee Gichan had to *jeonhae jueoya* [전해 주어야 – convey] this *kkeumjjikan sosik* [끔찍한 소식 – terrible news] to the *jejakjin*, *dwiro han chae* [뒤로 한 채 – leaving behind] the *jangdam* [장담 – assurance] of the *yeneung-gukjang* that was still *mideopji*.
However, he *jeonhae jueonneunde* [전해 주었는데 – conveyed] this *sosik* the next day, because the *boneoseu* amounting to 200% that day was *kkophyeotda* [꼽혔다 – deposited] in their *tongjang* [통장 – bank account].
*Bonsi*, isn’t it true that *meogi* [먹이 – food] and *chae-jjik* [채찍 – whip] should be *beongal-a gameo sseoya* [번갈아 가며 써야 – used alternately] to reduce *bujakyong* [부작용 – side effects]?
In fact, there was *tudeolgeorim* [투덜거림 – grumbling], but *miri chae-wojooja bae deundeunhage* [미리 채워주자 배 든든하게 – filling their stomachs beforehand] with a *boneoseu*, there was not as much *jeohang* [저항 – resistance] as expected.
From this time on, they started an *aitem chatgi undong* [아이템 찾기 운동 – item-finding campaign] to *chae-ul* [채울 – fill] 4 *bujak bam-najeopsi* [부작 밤낮없이 – episodes day and night], and in the process, YC was *georeondoe-eotda* [거론되었다 – mentioned].
“YC producer that the G1 band kids call their *seuseung* [스승 – mentor]. How about *sewo boneun geubuneul mudae-e* [세워보는 그분을 무대에 – putting him on stage]?”
The main writer showed a *hwangdanghae-haneun pyojeong* [황당해하는 표정 – dumbfounded expression] at the *maknae jakga*’s [막내 작가 – youngest writer] *bareon* [발언 – statement].
“No matter how *hat* [핫 – hot/popular] the G1 band is, it’s a bit not right to *ollineun* [올리는 – put up/feature] a singer who hasn’t even *debut* [데뷔 – debuted]. You know. We can *ollineun su itneun tap gasudeul* [올릴 수 있는 탑 가수들 – feature top singers] if we want.”
“That’s true, but isn’t YC the most *hat* these days?”
“???”
The *maknae jakga* *ohiryeo danghwangseureopdaneun nunbicheuro malhaetda* [오히려 당황스럽다는 눈빛으로 말했다 – rather spoke with a bewildered look] as the main writer showed a *nunbit* [눈빛 – look] that was *domuji ihae andoeneun* [도무지 이해 안되는 – completely incomprehensible].
“No matter how *bappado* [바빠도 – busy], don’t you know the most *hat* ‘Snow Lady’ these days?
“…. *jamkkan*. Is that *kaerol song jejakhan* [캐롤 송 제작한 – carol song produced] from YC Enter? Not a *oeguk kaerol* [외국 캐롤 – foreign carol]?”
Since the overseas version is the most *hat*, there were quite a few people who thought it was a *oeguk kaerol* like the main writer.
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