Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 844

844. The Empire’s Daily Life (3)

The songs ‘Maiden Boatman’ and ‘Soyang River Maiden,’ which Yi Hyang had taught to the courtesans when he was the Crown Prince, were sung throughout the Empire.

However, the people eventually grew tired of them. The *Gagi* [female entertainers] and singers, realizing this, tried to adapt by changing the lyrics.

However, this was only a temporary fix, as the melodies and lyrics often clashed. They attempted to subtly modify the melodies, but this only made things worse.

“In conclusion, the answer is a new song….”

The *Gagi* and singers wore troubled expressions. It was an obvious conclusion, but they were at a loss for how to achieve it.

This was because the *Sinjaps* [new-style songs] were completely different from the folk songs they had learned and memorized orally.

This was also the case for Anpyeong, who had been criticized by Yi Hyang.

“Your Majesty, are you instructing me to create a new *Sinjap*?”

“That is correct.”

Anpyeong’s decision was swift in response to Yi Hyang’s answer.

“My abilities are insufficient. Please withdraw your command!”

Anpyeong refused without hesitation, but Yi Hyang didn’t back down.

“Doesn’t the work you’ve already accomplished prove your ability, Duke?

‘Cavalry of the Frontline,’ ‘Soldiers of the Wilderness,’ ‘Battle Cry,’ and finally, ‘Imperial March’ were all created by you, were they not?”

Anpyeong had played the biggest role in adapting the theme song of the ‘Dollar Trilogy’ and the ‘Imperial March’ into Korean traditional music.

Of course, Yi Hyang had provided guidance on the melodies and offered advice, but it was Anpyeong who transcribed them into sheet music, tuned them, and created the final product.

“However….”

“There is no one but you, Duke.”

At Yi Hyang’s firm words, Anpyeong had no choice but to bow his head.

“I shall obey your command.”

* * *

Anpyeong, having received Yi Hyang’s order, pondered the matter repeatedly but couldn’t achieve a satisfactory result.

“This isn’t it either!”

Anpyeong, who was writing down the melody that had just come to mind in the *Jeongganbo* [traditional Korean musical notation system], shouted and threw away the notation he had been working on.

“It sounds exciting in my head, but why does the excitement vanish when I write it down! Why! Why! Why!”

Anpyeong writhed in agony, shouting with a frustrated expression.

“I don’t have much time as it is!”

‘Time’ was Anpyeong’s biggest obstacle.

Because his duties as the Head of the Royal Entertainment Office hadn’t lessened, Anpyeong had to divide his time between his regular work and composing.

“Hoo~. I have to admit what I have to admit.”

Taking a deep breath, Anpyeong turned his head towards Gyeongbok Palace.

“I have to acknowledge that my older brother’s abilities were extraordinary. He managed to do everything he was required to do, and everything he wanted to do in between… He’s definitely not an ordinary person….”

Although he acknowledged Yi Hyang’s excellence, Anpyeong’s expression remained sour.

“Just because he’s like that, does he think everyone else is like him! If you give me a job, you should at least reduce the other work! Even a cow would collapse if you made it do this! I can’t stand it!”

Anpyeong jumped up from his seat and ran straight to Gyeongbok Palace.

“…So, either reduce the workload, or give me more time!”

Yi Hyang, looking dumbfounded at Anpyeong’s whining, asked.

“I never gave you a deadline, did I?”

“Huh?”

Anpyeong, with a blank expression at Yi Hyang’s question, carefully retraced his memories.

“There really wasn’t… Ah, damn it! I’ve been anticipating a deadline every time… Aish!”

Anpyeong, unable to utter curses aloud, pounded his chest in frustration. Yi Hyang slyly inquired at the sight.

“Shall I offer a little help?”

At Yi Hyang’s words, Anpyeong bowed deeply and answered in a loud voice.

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

* * *

A few days later, notices were posted in the Royal Music Academy and government offices across the country.

-The Royal Entertainment Office announces.

-We are seeking new *Sinjaps*.

-Only those with melodies and lyrics distinct from existing *Japs* [popular songs] will be recognized as new *Sinjaps*.

-The composer and lyricist of the *Sinjap* registered with the Royal Entertainment Office will retain intellectual property rights to the *Sinjap*.

-The composer and lyricist will receive a share of the profits based on the number of times the *Sinjap* is played in general entertainment venues.

(Omitted below)

Many people began to stir at the official proclamation issued by the Royal Entertainment Office.

“Should I give it a try?”

“You? That’s right! You can carry a tune!”

Those who were known to have some singing talent in their neighborhoods and those who knew how to play instruments began to respond to the Royal Entertainment Office’s proclamation.

Interestingly, it wasn’t only the people of the Empire who reacted.

Among the scholars and students staying in the Empire, those who knew how to play instruments or had knowledge of music also took interest.

“I might be able to make a name for myself through music….”

And so, people with notation and sheet music of the *Sinjaps* they had created began to gather one by one at the Royal Entertainment Office in Seoul.

Anpyeong, who received the report, muttered with a dumbfounded expression.

“The results come out quickly only when money is involved….”

* * *

Although new *Sinjaps* began to appear in this way, it took more time for *Japs* to become as popular as the songs spread by Yi Hyang.

“Hey, there’s only a melody, no lyrics?”

“Yes, I lack literary talent….”

“It can’t be registered with only a melody, so take it back and add lyrics.”

“Then, can’t I just add the lyrics from an existing *Jap*?”

“Have you forgotten the condition that it will only be recognized if it has a different melody and different lyrics from the existing *Jap*?”

Composers who were rejected for not having lyrics soon traveled around to find lyrics that suited their *Japs*.

The first people they looked for were those who were rumored to be good at writing poetry in their neighborhoods.

“You scoundrel! You’re asking me to write lyrics that suit the *Jap* you wrote? What do you think you’re looking at!”

The problem was that most of these people were high-ranking *Sadaebu* [scholar-officials].

It was common to have salt or feces thrown at them, and in severe cases, they were even beaten with a straw mat.

Of course, the police intervened when such things happened.

After these hardships, the composers found an alternative.

Retired *Gisaengs* [female entertainers], especially those who were famous for writing poetry.

The lyrics written by the retired *Gisaengs* were often extremely mournful. The composers who obtained the lyrics revised the melodies accordingly and then visited the Royal Entertainment Office.

“It’s good. I’ll register it.”

“Thank you!”

“Thanks for what? Rather, I’m grateful. So, which entertainment venue will sing it and when?”

“That’s still….”

“That part must be certain in order to receive profit distribution later.”

“Yes, yes!”

The composer, after listening to the advice of the Royal Entertainment Office official, sought out the retired *Gisaeng* again after much deliberation.

The composer, who found a suitable *Gagi* through the retired *Gisaeng’s* connections, reported it to the Royal Entertainment Office.

* * *

When all these processes were completed, a bulletin board was posted in the entertainment venue in the *Gagi’s* hometown.

“Huh? Mae Wol is singing a new *Jap*?”

“The title is… Light Pink First Love?”

With the anticipation of hearing a new song, the residents visited the entertainment venue, and the audience seats in the stage prepared at the entertainment venue were filled with people.

After the song ended, people who liked the new song applauded and shouted loudly.

“Encore! Encore!”

“One more time! One more time!”

At the enthusiastic requests of the people, the *Gagi* smiled brightly and cleared her throat.

Meanwhile, next to the stage, an official from the Royal Entertainment Office meticulously recorded these reactions.

Of course, not all new songs received this kind of reaction. There were as many songs that received harsh reviews as there were songs that received favorable reviews. And the *Gagis* who sang the songs that received favorable reviews soon went on tour to nearby entertainment venues, and over time, to entertainment venues throughout the Empire – it was still too difficult to go to Shinji. [new territories]

However, since touring alone could not meet the demand, some *Gagis* visited the composers and negotiated to be allowed to sing their songs. If these negotiations were successful, a contract was established under the notarization of the Royal Entertainment Office official.

In this way, songs that received favorable reviews brought great wealth to the composer, lyricist, and *Gagi*.

Thanks to the entertainment venues being run by the country, the profit distribution was transparent, so there were no people with doubts or complaints. The composer, lyricist, and *Gagi* became happy as they made a lot of money, and the National Tax Service also became happy.

“Withholding tax is the best! Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

As people who made a lot of money in this way emerged, *Gagis* who were somewhat famous sought out famous composers and begged them to write songs. Also, those who thought they had literary talent began to pursue becoming lyricists. The same was true for composers.

Also, the same was true for the *Banga* families [families of entertainers] who raised *Gagis* in their families. They refined the skills of the *Gagis* they raised and scouted famous composers or lyricists to acquire songs.

As more and more new *Sinjaps* came out, it was a natural change to become more diverse. This was because there were as many tastes as there were people who listened to *Japga* [popular songs].

Thanks to this, not only *Gagis* but also *Sorikkuns* [male singers] began to take the stage.

The feeling of a love song sung by a woman and a love song sung by a man was different, and later, several *Sorikkuns* who received overwhelming support from women began to emerge.

As *Sorikkuns* were added to those who sang *Japga*, the title ‘Gain (歌人),’ which referred to those who sang these *Japgas*, became established.

The change in *Japga* was not just the addition of gender.

In the beginning, solo singing by *Gain* alone was the only option. However, as people from Europe worked as composers, *Japgas* using harmony and ensemble singing began to appear.

With the addition of dance, *Japga* became more and more diverse and splendid.

In addition, as more and more diverse people came forward as *Gain*, even those who contracted with them to manage their schedules were created.

The beginning was the *Giru* [entertainment houses] or families that took care of the *Gagi* (歌妓). However, over time, as people who professionally acted as agents for them emerged, proper companies appeared.

Of course, there were several disguised companies of *Milwi* [secret intelligence] among these companies.

Yi Hyang smiled bitterly and muttered every time he received a report related to this.

“Indeed, they are a people who would die without music and dance.”

As a side note, the general entertainment venue posted who was performing on the bulletin board every day there was a performance.

At this time, it was common to write the name of the most popular *Gain* at the top in the largest font in order to attract more audiences and to sell even one more related product – a portrait.

And, the Royal Entertainment Office tallied the popularity of the *Gains* and created a ranking chart once a month and posted it on the entertainment venue’s advertisement bulletin board.

And every time the ranking was posted on the bulletin board, there was a commotion.

“No! Hyangwol is 12th? That can’t be!”

“Oh my! My brothers are only 7th? No way! Hey, Malja! You have to come to the entertainment venue this time! Don’t miss it!”

In the future, it was the origin of the music ranking program.

* * *

As time passed and Wan succeeded Yi Hyang as Emperor, *Sinjapga* was no longer just for the Empire.

It was the students who came to the Empire to study abroad, or the sons and daughters of the students who jumped into the *Sinjapga* world.

The students mainly challenged the composition and lyric writing fields, and among their sons and daughters, those who were good-looking challenged the *Gain*.

This was because their appearance, which was different from that of ordinary imperial people, played a part in gaining popularity.

Among these foreigners, the most important people were those from Europe.

As mentioned earlier, European music, such as harmony, was completely different from the music of the Empire, so it evoked a different feeling.

As many foreigners came and went in this way, *Sinjapga* began to flow into Ming and Japan, as well as Europe and the Ottoman Empire.

———-

Author’s words.

I need to go to a big hospital. I think this is the limit now.

I hope it ends with the orthopedic department.