DLMS 17

Chapter 17

Hyung, I applied. Just letting you know, but when you go for an audition, they usually give more points if you bring an original song rather than a cover.

[That’s from the ones who said they were preparing for idol auditions.]

“Yeah, sounds like he knows a bit about auditions.”

I’d unexpectedly gained some useful information.

• Ah, I see. I was already wondering what kind of song to bring. Thanks.

• And, they look at visuals too, and showmanship as well. Of course, those are just bonus points—what really matters most is the music. Keep that in mind when you apply.

I sent message after message of thanks before turning my attention back to the application form.

[That guy seems to know what he’s talking about.]

“Yeah, anyway, I’m really grateful for the help….”

[Good guy. Anyway, just like he said, we’ve gotta make a song.]

“Yeah, let’s start.”

The application only asked for simple personal information.

The most important part was the music.

To make that music, I sat down in front of the computer.

“Hm….”

[Genre?]

“Yeah.”

[…]

“Hm….”

[Instruments?]

“Yeah.”

[…]

“Hm….”

[Hey.]

“What?”

[Are you kidding me?]

“No, it’s just… it’s actually hard.”

[Hard? Making music is hard? Excuse me?]

“No, not the making itself. That part’s not hard.”

Leaning back in my chair, I looked toward the wardrobe.

The t-shirts and pants I wore every day.

And the different clothes I’d started wearing just two days ago.

“I’m stuck wondering what fits me.”

When I was younger, I’d just make music however I wanted, upload it, and if someone liked it, I’d sell it.

At JH Entertainment, I worked within the mold they set for me.

After that, I only made music to fit the clients’ tastes….

Even the remake I did for the festival was just a popular song I knew people would like.

But a song that suits me, that reflects my own colors, something wholly mine?

I wasn’t sure what that was.

[Hmm… yeah, I remember you used to worry about your musical identity.]

“Yeah, honestly I was gonna go for a walk to think about that yesterday, but I ran into Lee Jong-in….”

[*Right, until now you only made what that bastard CEO Kim Junghyuk told you to….]

“Don’t say his name….”

[Hm… how about we talk while watching something fun.]

“That’s sudden.”

[Yeah, I wanted to tell you yesterday but Lee Jong-in showed up out of nowhere.]

“Oh? So what do you want to watch?”

[Bwahahahaha! That idiot! I’ll never get tired of this! Hahaha!]

“What… is this….”

At the demon’s request, I found the video and played it.

It was some old program from who-knows-where. Judging by the broadcast date, it looked like it was from the 70s.

“It’s all black and white.”

[Ahahahahaha!]

“And I don’t even know what language this is….”

On the screen, middle-aged—no, elderly—men in suits sang songs, and sometimes got silly punishments.

It was all in a foreign language, so I couldn’t understand a word, but it felt like some kind of variety show.

The problem was, to me, it wasn’t funny at all.

“Hey, are you seriously making me watch something only you understand? Why?”

[Look, see that gray-haired old man in the middle?]

“The one in the gray suit?”

[Yeah. Before I came to you, I was inside his body.]

“What—no way. Whoa! Then you’re in this video too?”

[Exactly.]

“Wow! You were even on TV?”

[That’s not the point.]

I didn’t know who he was, but one thing was clear: he was a musician.

[He was the most unpredictable person I ever lived with.]

“How so?”

[He never stuck to one genre seriously for even a moment.]

“Oh….”

[Of course, that’s why he never became a global star.]

“So he ended badly?”

[No. Out of everyone I’ve been with, he earned the least money and fame, but he lived the happiest life. Ah, though in his own country, he was pretty popular.]

“Hm….”

On the screen, the man smiled as he sang, even with a giant cream pie smashed on his face.

“He sings really well….”

[He had an incredible gift.]

“What kind of gift?”

[Listen carefully—what do you feel when you hear his singing?]

“He’s… really good.”

[Not that.]

“Then what?”

[Doesn’t it make you feel good?]

“Oh! Yeah! How did you—ah, of course you knew.”

[He didn’t just sing and play well. He had the power to enchant people’s hearts.]

“That’s amazing….”

[So don’t overthink it. Just make the music you want to make right now.]

“Ahh… I see.”

Turns out the demon didn’t just play the video to laugh.

[You’re happiest when you make the music you want—and that happiness spreads to others.]

“Yeah, I get it.”

[Later, that won’t always be possible. But right now, it is. Isn’t it?]

“Yeah. Thanks. I think I’ve found my way!”

I thanked the demon for the insight.

• Click.

Then I turned off the video to get to work.

[Hey! No! I was enjoying that! Are you insane?!]

“Ah… you really wanted to keep watching?”

So maybe the video wasn’t just for giving me insight.

“Huh. Guess it really is funny to you….”

After returning to school, I suddenly had a lot to juggle.

Of course I needed to keep making music for my future, and study while attending classes.

Until recently, I’d been preparing for the inauguration performance.

Yesterday, I had to make a song for the club audition.

And today, I’d promised to go to karaoke with Taehun and Seolhee.

Before long, I also had to meet Kim Jong-pil.

For others, these small things were just everyday life.

But for me, unaccustomed as I was, it felt like a packed schedule.

“Okay, exams are coming up, so make sure you prepare. That’s all for today. Bring your assignments next time.”

[Hey, asshole! You think we only take your class? We’ve got a ton of assignments already!]

‘If anyone heard you, they’d think you actually did my assignments….’

With the professor’s closing words, today’s lecture was finally over.

I was exhausted after staying up all night yesterday writing music and submitting paperwork.

[You even dozed off in class today. Think you’ll have energy to hang out?]

‘Of course. It’s my first time hanging out with classmates since I came back to school.’

[Hm… yeah, I can feel how excited you are. Just enjoy yourself today, no worries.]

“Hyung! Let’s go already!”

“Yeah, just a sec.”

While I was still shoving books into my bag, Taehun was already ready to go.

“Let’s head to Sinchon. I know a karaoke place there.”

So I went with Taehun and Seolhee toward Sinchon.

My little secondhand compact car groaned under the extra passengers these days.

But somehow, my heart felt lighter.

“Damn, traffic’s bad….”

“Guess it’s because everyone’s just finished class at this time.”

“Hyung, what should we play? Any song you like?”

“Mm, just put on what you want. I like everything.”

Taehun, in the passenger seat, took on the role of DJ.

He chatted nonstop, almost painfully loud, but his energy was contagious.

“Hyung.”

“Yeah?”

From the backseat, Seolhee’s careful voice reached me.

“Did you submit your song yesterday?”

“Yeah. I stayed up all night making it, so I barely slept.”

“No wonder you looked tired….”

“I’m fine. Anyway, thanks for the advice yesterday. I’d been worrying about what kind of music to make, but it really helped.”

“Can I listen to it?”

“Huh, you want to hear it?”

“Yes, I’m curious.”

“Oh! Me too! You have the file?”

“Ah, it’s kinda embarrassing….”

“Come on, hyung! You’re good at music! Please, let us hear it.”

“Well, okay. Hold on….”

Since traffic was completely jammed near campus, I could play the song for them.

Both Seolhee and Taehun fell silent, full of anticipation.

“Man, why am I nervous?”

“Hahaha! You’re the same guy who performed live, right?”

“Feels like I’m being tested.”

And then, the car filled with the music I’d made last night.

A hi-hat tapping in 8-bit rhythm.

It was MIDI, but if it had been a real drum, the sound would’ve been slightly open.

After two hi-hat hits, my voice came in.

On the stage / Saturday night
Blinding lights and speakers / Stay calm, don’t get too hyped
Feels like I’ll collapse / under so many eyes on me…

The intro was filled with low, murmured vocals.

Above the hi-hat, piano played only the chords, while bass plucked out root notes.

“Mhm….”

Since it was just the intro, they didn’t react much.

But my real plan came after the intro.

The drums filled in, the bass turned rhythmic, signaling the true beginning.

The biggest weapon was the bass.

“Whoa! Whoa!”

“Ooooh! So cool!”

The bass held the groove as it carried the song.

The piano dropped out, replaced by acoustic guitar.

Drums and other instruments layered in, but the hi-hat kept ticking steadily.

After the short instrumental part came the first verse:

Let’s pretend I’m a star / Everything’s shining bright
The way you look at me…

It began in falsetto, shifting between falsetto and chest voice.

Seolhee nodded along, while Taehun cheered with weird noises.

[What is he, a fangirl now?]

Guess they liked it.

The first verse had two themes.

The first 8 bars were straightforward singing.

The next 8 bars were much more rhythmic vocals—closer to melodic rap, with more melody than typical.

I’m kinda plain / when I’m off the stage
But up here, I’ll be someone else
Imagine I’m on stage / burning with dance and song…

The rhyme on “ae” syllables gave the part extra punch.

“Whoa! Hyung, you rap too?”

“Ah, no, this is just….”

[Hehe, I helped with that part~]

“I’ve just listened to a lot, so I tried imitating. Hip-hop’s trendy these days.”

[He’s heard plenty from me, that’s for sure.]

‘You little….’

“Hyung, that was really good.”

Seolhee, who’d been quietly listening, added her praise.

“By the way, do you produce at home?”

“Yeah. You can tell it’s home recording quality, right?”

“Yes, the texture gives it away a bit, but it’s still amazing.”

“My gear’s cheap, so… haha.”

Since she made music herself, she picked up on the limitations of home production.

“I don’t know about that stuff, but hyung, you’re freaking awesome. Seriously!”

Of course, Taehun, who wasn’t a musician, just loved it.

“It sounds like American pop or something—I don’t know, but it’s exotic and stylish! Oh! Trendy! It’s got a trendy vibe!”

“Haha, stop exaggerating, you’re making me embarrassed.”

“But hyung, like, before the chorus, that slick instrumental and your vocals—did you put that there on purpose, expecting people to react?”

His question was clumsy, but since it was my song, I knew what he meant.

“Yeah, of course. Those spots are where I wanted to make an impact.”

“Wow, hyung. Seriously, you’re amazing!”

“Th-thanks….”

They kept showering me with praise, boosting my confidence.

“Did you write the lyrics too?”

Seolhee asked next.

“Yeah… honestly, that’s why I hesitated to show you. It’s my first time writing lyrics myself.”

“You imagined yourself as a star while writing them, right?”

“Yeah. That’s why the title’s Imagine.”

“That’s really cool. I love it.”

“Heh… th-thanks….”

It felt cheesy, but the compliments made me happy.

And at the same time—

Others were listening to Imagine as well.

Because inside that rising star’s music, a demon lives.