The Rap Star [EN]: Chapter 55

< Verse 8. Jeonju Worldwide Indie Music Festival (End) >

***

L&S had prepared a total of 6 songs, with Sanghyun contributing 3—or rather, 2 songs and 1 verse. The verse had been used on the first day.

Now, there are 2 remaining songs featuring Sanghyun.

One of them was “Run This Town,” which had forged the connection between L&S and Sanghyun. The difference now was that the verses were entirely rewritten in Korean, and a vocal part was added.

Of course, the song became even better with the new lyrics and arrangement.

‘With “Run This Town,” we should easily pass the round of 16,’ Sanghyun thought.

This thought was shared not only by Sanghyun but also by the members of L&S. And when the draw for the round of 16 was announced that morning, Sanghyun couldn’t help but feel like it was a cruel twist of fate.

-L&S VS Golden Finger

Golden Finger.

The team Lee Kyungmin played bass for.

L&S was going to compete against Golden Finger, whom they had met with animosity at Sejong Instrument Store.

To the Gwangju band fans, it seemed unfortunate that the only two Gwangju bands were engaging in a fratricidal battle, but Sanghyun actually liked the matchup.

Lee Kyungmin had stirred up negative public opinion during the Show Biz incident.

He was even suspected of having initially posted the article criticizing the 888 Crew on the hip-hop bulletin board.

The 888 Crew members speculated that the ID “BassLee” referred to bassist Lee Kyungmin.

‘I’ll send you home,’ Sanghyun thought, a grin spreading across his face.

The members of L&S and Sanghyun confidently awaited their turn. They went on stage and put on an exciting performance.

Walk this way!

Walk this way-!

Quite a few people sang along to the chorus. Also, some of them got excited and jumped together.

Golden Finger’s performance, based on melody and vocal ability, was also decent. But Sanghyun was sure that L&S had won.

After the performances of both teams, the five judges began their reviews. Among them were the vocalist and drummer of Under Kidd.

“First of all, L&S’s performance… was really exciting,” said Kim Woonggak, the drummer of Under Kidd.

All the judges nodded in agreement.

“A band doing rap metal is rare in Korea, but it was like watching Linkin Park and Jay-Z’s Numb/Encore [a famous collaboration song],” Kim Woonggak continued.

Linkin Park & Jay-Z’s “Numb/Encore” was a huge hit in Korea, having been used in many commercials.

Hearing the great praise, Sanghyun clenched his fist inwardly.

But strangely, the expressions of the L&S members were not very bright.

“However, the problem is that you guys don’t have as much experience as Linkin Park or Jay-Z. The drummer barely kept the beat, and he was too excited, and the balance between his hands and feet was broken. When the ghost notes [subtle, quiet notes] die, the groove dies completely. You know it yourself, right?”

Hwang Insoo nodded heavily.

“The same goes for the guitar and bass. It’s good to play an exciting song, but the performers get too excited and overswing, so the performance becomes shaky.”

The judge continued.

“The rapper rapped well, but he seems to lack a lot of understanding of real sound. If you don’t recognize the difference between virtual instruments for computer composition and real sound, you can’t fully show your skills on stage. Lastly……”

Cha Inhyun swallowed hard.

“The only one who was flawless seems to be the vocalist. The vocal range wasn’t high, but it seems he is learning how to give catharsis even with a low vocal range.”

With that, L&S’s review ended. The following review of Golden Finger was that the song was good, but the execution was lacking. However, their practice was evident, so the basics were solid.

‘Could it be……?’

Sanghyun had a bad feeling.

The five judges voted. A score of 3 to 2.

“The advancing team is……!”

The host paused for a moment, building suspense.

Sanghyun clenched and unclenched his fists as if urging the host to hurry.

“Golden Finger! Congratulations! Golden Finger will advance to the next stage!”

Golden Finger came over and exchanged formal handshakes with the L&S members. Lee Kyungmin passed by Sanghyun and sneered.

“Go home and get some rest, it’s hot.”

Anger bubbled up at Lee Kyungmin’s mocking expression. Sanghyun said as soon as he came down from the stage.

“Hyungs [older brothers/male friends]! Isn’t this because the Under Kidd people don’t like us? How could we lose to Golden Finger!”

“Sanghyun-ah.”

“It doesn’t make sense!”

“Lee Sanghyun!”

Bang Minsik scolded Sanghyun in a strong tone.

“The judges judged fairly. I also thought we lost while watching Golden Finger’s performance after our stage.”

“But… the audience liked our stage more. The response was different, wasn’t it?”

“That’s inevitable. We were just trying to show off, all five of us. The energy must have been overflowing.”

Today’s L&S performance is like serving alcohol and snacks at a cooking competition. People will enjoy the beer and snacks, but strictly speaking, it’s not cooking.

L&S made the audience enthusiastic, but musically it was too shaky.

“……”

Sanghyun closed his mouth at Bang Minsik’s stern expression.

Sanghyun doesn’t know much about music except for the rap he’s been listening to for over ten years. So he thought he had won. Frankly, he was arrogant. Golden Finger was originally the most popular band in Gwangju.

“You’re losing in music for the first time, right? You’ve won everything so far, right?”

Cha Inhyun suddenly spoke to the silent Sanghyun.

Sanghyun was surprised because Cha Inhyun, who usually never talked to Sanghyun, was speaking to him.

“But I’ve been losing for years. There were small victories, but I lost more often.”

“……”

“Of course, I don’t want to lose. I can’t lose anymore. There’s no turning back.”

Sanghyun was reminded of the story that Cha Inhyun’s family affairs were quite complicated. That he had given up a lot to continue his music.

“So I can do anything. Because I want to win now. But you’re losing for the first time, right?”

“……Yes.”

“So… instead of getting angry, understand the opponent and look back at yourself. You still have many opportunities.”

Cha Inhyun only said that much and left the waiting room. Bang Minsik, who had been listening quietly, added.

“Inhyun’s words are disorganized. He’s trying to act cool, but he’s very upset inside.”

Minsik put his hand on Sanghyun’s shoulder.

“Like Inhyun said, you can learn from defeat. Instead of getting angry, understand the hardworking Golden Finger and look back at your shortcomings. Do you understand what I mean?”

Sanghyun bowed his head and could only answer yes.

Thus, L&S was eliminated in the round of 16 at the Jeonju Worldwide Indie Music Festival.

Verse 9. Twisted World

“We came all the way to Jeonju, shouldn’t we have a bowl of assorted pancakes [Jeon] and makgeolli [Korean rice wine] at a famous restaurant before we leave!”

Bang Minsik, who had regained his energy, suddenly shouted while eating lunch. He had already found a very famous assorted pancake and makgeolli restaurant in downtown Jeonju.

“Are we going back to Gwangju tomorrow?”

“We can use the accommodation longer, so it’s okay, right?”

“I’m in!”

Miju shook her index finger and shouted.

“Oh, our poor high schoolers can only eat pancakes?”

“Well, you guys wouldn’t know the taste of alcohol.”

“Hyung [older brother/male friend], you can’t drink well either!”

Junhyung got angry at Yongjun’s words.

The atmosphere returned to its usual lively state. Sanghyun also accepted the defeat and acknowledged Golden Finger. They didn’t cheat; they lost with skill.

Surprisingly, the most depressed one was Woo Minho.

“We did so well, why did we lose……? Ah! Maybe my joining the team brought negative energy…….”

“Hyung, I’m sorry. I made you carry heavy equipment for nothing.”

“Huh? Absolutely not. I really liked today’s stage. Especially your rap… what should I say? It was really love…….”

“Woah, woah, that’s enough.”

It was Woo Minho who started talking casually with Sanghyun while eating.

“Still, there’s quite a lot of footage worth saving. The people responded a lot too. If we keep it, we can use it anytime.”

“That’s a relief.”

“By the way, who is this person?”

Hwang Insoo cut in between Sanghyun and Minho’s conversation. Sanghyun belatedly realized that he hadn’t introduced Woo Minho to L&S.

“He’s our video director. He just joined the crew.”

“Video director? Are you guys making a music video?”

“Yes.”

“For what song?”

“We’ll have to think about the specifics while releasing the mixtape. We’re planning to shoot at least three songs.”

“Three songs? Where are you going to broadcast that?”

Currently, music videos are relatively uncommon for indie musicians. Music videos are usually shot as part of a company’s promotion after musicians go through many twists and turns and join a company.

But in a little while, the power of video clips will become important regardless of broadcasting. Digital media linked to large sites like Google will give power to video clips.

It is also a common occurrence for unknown artists to release an album (mixtape) and create a decent video clip to become stars.

“I believe it will be useful someday.”

However, Sanghyun couldn’t explain the future in detail, so he had to gloss over it.

Woo Minho exchanged greetings with the L&S members.

Bang Minsik shook hands with Woo Minho and envied Sanghyun’s drive. He doesn’t know if video clips will have great value. But he envies the drive to firmly believe in his judgment and recruit a video director.

‘I should have been a little more reckless,’ Bang Minsik thought.

Although he has a pleasant personality, Bang Minsik’s complex is that he becomes overly cautious when making important decisions.

‘I can do better next time. I’m still young.’

Bang Minsik, who had made up his mind, jumped up.

“We haven’t even been to downtown Jeonju because we were practicing, right? Shall we go downtown and do a street performance?”

“Let’s eat first.”

“We can snack on the street.”

“Hyung, it’s too hot right now.”

“Heat doesn’t matter!”

He shouted, but it’s hot.

“Then shall we eat shaved ice after eating?”

Sangmi, who was drooping from the heat, shouted.

“I’m in!”

With L&S and 888 moving together, there were a lot of people. They took three taxis to downtown Jeonju. Bang Minsik rode in a taxi with Cha Inhyun and Hwang Insoo.

“Guys, you’ve worked hard.”

“No, hyung worked harder.”

“Hyung, you’ve worked hard.”

Strangely, Cha Inhyun’s expression was bright. He had been incredibly dark for the past few days, especially since coming to Jeonju.

“Your expression has gotten better?”

“I feel refreshed after being eliminated. I don’t have to do things that bother me.”

“Things that bother you?”

“It’s personal. I’ll tell you next time if I get the chance.”

Bang Minsik nodded at the word personal.

“Hyung, I think you’re getting a call?”

“Huh? Me?”

As Insoo said, a call was coming in. There were three missed calls from a number he had never seen before. Bang Minsik answered the phone.

“Hello?”

While Bang Minsik was on the phone, the taxi sped along. He only repeated the words “Yes…….”, “Yes?”

Cha Inhyun looked at the summer scenery outside the window and thought it was better to be eliminated. Then Bang Minsik, who hung up the phone, said to Cha Inhyun and Hwang Insoo.

“Inhyun-ah, call Yongjun. Insoo, call Sanghyun.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Tell them to turn the taxi around. Let’s go back to the gym.”

“Why are we turning the taxi around?”

Bang Minsik smiled.

“Our team was selected as a judge’s wild card. They want us to prepare for the round of 8 tonight!”

“……Huh?”

Hwang Insoo shouted, “Jackpot!” and tapped his phone. At Bang Minsik’s urging, Cha Inhyun also picked up his phone.

Shortly after, the three taxis running on the open road simultaneously made U-turns.

< Verse 8. Jeonju Worldwide Indie Music Festival (End) > End

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