Become A Music Monster Overnight! [EN]: Chapter 30

10. Snow Lady.

“Wow, seriously! You really didn’t know? It was pushed back for the international release, but there’s also a domestic version.”

As soon as the youngest writer finished speaking, she opened the Lemon app and played the Korean version of “Snow Lady.”

To capture the atmosphere of a carol, the lyrics included some English, but it was definitely a carol sung in Korean.

“Personally, I like the domestic version better. Unlike the international version, which emphasizes the female vocals, this one really focuses on YC’s vocals.”

“Hmm. I think I know what you mean.”

The head writer understood what the youngest writer was saying.

The reason she mistook the international version for foreign pop was because YC’s vocals sounded like a top international pop singer.

If you didn’t know better, you might think it was sung by a Black artist. His unique, soulful voice was the hidden gem of this carol.

That’s not to say the female vocalist didn’t sing well; she did, making the duet with YC seamless.

“YC Entertainment. They’re going to be huge.”

“Oh? PD-nim [Production Director]! When did you get here?”

“I just arrived. Filming is mostly done, but we might be able to fill some more airtime.”

As part of the specials to extend the four-part series, they were filming a documentary about the daily lives of the bands that made it to the top 8.

The idea was to include a narrative, so even PDs from other programs were traveling around the country.

This was because only three teams out of the top 8 were in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas.

Thanks to this, they had to work even harder on their already tight schedule, but it wasn’t all bad, as they could capture a variety of scenes.

However, even with this, they could barely fill two parts, so they had to figure out how to fill the remaining two.

Maybe they should bring in some top singers and create a collaboration special stage.

But that was something they should only do as a last resort.

‘It could end up being a waste of effort.’

The buzz that should be focused on the performers in ‘Legends of Rock’ could be shifted to the top singers.

If that happened, not only the bands appearing but also the potential season 2 could be negatively affected.

The revival of the rock genre was the core of this program, but the top singers they would invite were from a different genre.

Lee Ki-chan PD, who was concerned about this, perked up after hearing the youngest writer’s story about YC.

“Tell me more about YC, from your perspective.”

“Oh… okay.”

The youngest writer, who had brought up the story casually, became a little nervous at Lee Ki-chan PD’s words and began to list everything she knew about YC.

She mentioned “Snow Lady,” information from YC’s YouTube channel, and what she had heard from the G1 band she was in charge of.

Lee Ki-chan PD showed interest in the debut-related information the youngest writer mentioned last.

“So, they’re debuting this month?”

“Yes. I heard from the G1 kids that they were originally going to debut with a full-length album next year, but it seems they’ve moved it up to a mini-album because Jiwon mentioned it and it became a hot topic.”

“Where did you say they were performing?”

“…Do you know the Que Sera Sera branch in Hongdae? It’s super popular these days because YC is performing there.”

“Ah~. Que Sera Sera. It’s been a while since I’ve been there.”

“If you’re going, can I come with you? I’m the one who brought it up.”

“Me too, me too.”

The two writers jumped at the chance to escape the office.

Lee Ki-chan PD chuckled at their eagerness and agreed to let them come along, hoping his intuition was right.

“Wow~. There are even more people than I heard!”

“I know. We almost couldn’t get in.”

“I’m getting a good feeling about this.”

Even though they arrived at 4 p.m., with the show starting at 6 p.m., they barely made it inside; it was packed.

It seemed like everyone who was anyone in Hongdae was there, which was surprising considering that rock is currently a niche genre.

-snow lady. snow lady~

Just then, “Snow Lady,” the song YC worked on, started playing, and many people in line were humming along like a chorus.

Lee Ki-chan PD’s eyes widened as he saw them perfectly singing the lyrics to the international version.

‘Is it really this popular?’

These were the actions of true fans, so he became even more interested in YC.

The three of them managed to get into the Hongdae branch and find seats.

But they quickly shook their heads at the menu.

“This is crazy. Even bars in Gangnam aren’t this expensive. 20,000 won [about $15 USD] for a bottle of beer?”

“Even with the ticket price included, this is too much.”

“Who cares? We’re paying with the company card anyway. Order as much as you want.”

“Wow!”

Lee Ki-chan PD smiled at the youngest writer’s antics and swiped nearly 200,000 won [about $150 USD]. It was his revenge against the broadcasting station for all the trials they had put him through.

Two bands performed before them, both good enough to have competed in the Rock Battle finals.

The audience’s reaction was decent, but they were really waiting for something else.

“Wooooo!”

At 9 p.m., a shout echoed from the entrance.

Lee Ki-chan PD, who had been listening to the silly stories of the youngest writer and the head writer (both slightly drunk), smiled broadly at the sight of the figure in the distance, accompanied by the cheers.

“Lucky me? I didn’t know I’d get to see not only YC but also the Black Tiger team.”

Soon, a band wearing classic black leather clothes came on stage amidst the growing cheers.

“Wow. He’s handsome.”

“…..”

Unlike the youngest writer, who was impressed by the vocalist’s looks, Lee Ki-chan PD was speechless.

With his keen instincts, he sensed an aura from YC that he had never seen, even in top celebrities.

“Am I drunk?”

That seemed too absurd, so he wondered if his alcohol tolerance had decreased.

While he was pondering this, Young-chan, enjoying the cheers of over a thousand spectators, slowly brought his index finger to his mouth as soon as the stage was set.

Then, as if by magic, the cheering stopped.

-Doo doo doo doo!

Just when the entire venue was submerged in silence, “Old Soldiers Never Die” (a popular song from the 90s) began to play, with the drums exploding as if they couldn’t be contained any longer.

-!!!!-

That’s how Lee Ki-chan PD experienced something akin to heaven for a full 6 minutes and 20 seconds.

Contrary to his intellectual appearance, Lee Ki-chan PD had once been crazy about rock.

If he had had more confidence in his talent, he would never have become a PD. Like any other rocker, he would have just been obsessed with music.

Because of that past, it might have been natural for him to create the program ‘Legends of Rock’.

But was it because it had become a job? Or had his love for rock faded?

The rock that he had loved so much no longer moved his heart.

He began to evaluate rock bands’ music in a businesslike manner, edited it, and forgot his dream.

Now, he was back to his younger days, when he was crazy about rock.

“….Damn it!”

Lee Ki-chan PD, who never thought he would experience those nostalgic days again, had to wipe his eyes long after the song was over.

Fortunately, no one saw him shed tears.

While not as intensely as him, the head writer and the youngest writer were also momentarily transported by the legendary rock music.

Black Tiger played three more songs and finally came down from the stage after playing “Old Soldiers Never Die” (90’s) again as an encore.

But the show wasn’t over.

Apart from the members of Black Tiger, who were exhausted, Young-chan looked down at the audience with a lively face, as if he was just getting started.

-Woooooooo!

At the sight of him, the audience screamed.

Unintentionally, Young-chan, fueled by adrenaline, was radiating an incredible aura.

After that, a one-hour stage unfolded that was met with enthusiastic cheers.

Young-chan, who had driven people into a frenzy, finally showed a satisfied peace sign and left the stage.

-Doo doo doo doo!

As if sensing the audience’s disappointment, a video of them playing in the past was playing on a huge projector screen that no one knew was there.

-Sniffle!

Lee Ki-chan PD was so moved by the sound of the drums at the start of “Old Soldiers Never Die” (90’s) that he staggered and turned around.

“Sniffle. This is driving me crazy. This is too much.”

Unable to resist their music, he became a true fan of YC’s Black Tiger.

His next move was obvious.

“I’m making a Black Tiger special.”

“Will, will the higher-ups allow that?”

“What’s not to allow? We just have to do it.”

But unlike his confident self, Lee Ki-chan PD faced more resistance than he anticipated.

After all, it was impossible to feature a band that hadn’t even debuted yet as the main focus of a special on a major program that the broadcasting station was promoting.

“Even if you’re angry, how can you try to sabotage the program?”

“I told you that’s not what I’m doing! Besides, you said you’d support any plan I put forward!”

“Hey! There’s a limit to everything. Haa~. If you really want to do it, give up on a solo special and feature them as a guest.”

“…..I knew it! I’m an idiot for believing you!”

Lee Ki-chan PD couldn’t hold back his resentment and grumbled but eventually accepted the director’s offer.

However, instead of just being a guest spot, he planned to make the entire second part a Black Tiger special.

The director, having already compromised, didn’t say anything more.

“….That’s how I got the call.”

“What are you so confident about?”

Young-chan shook his head, looking bewildered at his manager’s words.

There was no denying that ‘Legends of Rock’ was a big deal. Even established singers were trying to get on the show, and now they were going to feature an unknown band that hadn’t even debuted yet.

Unlike Young-chan’s thoughts, the manager didn’t seem surprised.

“Isn’t skill everything in this industry? With Black Tiger and you, CEO, it’s not surprising.”

Ultimately, overwhelming skill trumps everything.

But Young-chan didn’t completely agree. He thought skill was important, but luck was just as important.

“I’ve never considered myself lucky. Why do I seem to be getting luckier as I go down this path?”

It was as if he was as lucky as he was in that other world. Young-chan felt strange, as if he was becoming like that again.

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