Chapter 43: The Day Love Cutie Took Its First Steps

The A&R team’s lunch gathering at Daphne Entertainment, which started around noon.

It ended quickly.

Originally, they had planned to continue the party until evening, but due to one person’s constant complaints, it fell apart in no time.

That person’s name was Kwak Daesu.

He kept picking fights with what me, Eunbyeol, and Ahn Hyeji said.

Perhaps feeling the discomfort from that.

Nam Seungha ended the gathering early, and the A&R team members returned to the recording studio or their respective homes.

Because of one troublemaker, the harmonious atmosphere was ruined.

As a result, everyone dispersed with somewhat unsettled expressions.

I felt unpleasant as well.

So, when Eunbyeol and I got home, a text came from Ahn Hyeji.

She said that Kwak Daesu was originally like that, and he gets even more sensitive right before a new song launch, so don’t mind it, and that neither I nor Eunbyeol were at fault at all, so don’t worry about it.

Perhaps thanks to her thoughtful message.

My mood lightened to some extent.

Of course, Eunbyeol was always bright and cheerful, both during the gathering and after coming home.

As time passed and the unpleasantness toward Kwak Daesu began to fade.

We laid out cakes and various foods, and started our own celebration party.

“Eunbyeol! Congratulations on launching your new song!”

With those words, I popped the champagne.

As the cork flew off with a cheerful pop sound, Eunbyeol giggled delightfully.

“Champagne is just for the mood, Eunbyeol will have orange juice. Okay?”

“Yes! I love orange juice! It’s even better because it’s 100% orange!”

Eunbyeol said with a beaming smile as she watched the orange juice quickly filling up.

“Our Eunbyeol really worked hard. It must have been tough making the song?”

“Hehe, nooo. Like I told the composer uncle, it wasn’t hard at all? It was just fun!”

“Come on, it was hard. You came home late at night sometimes, and there were times you stayed up all night. The recording was repeated too.”

“Umm, I was a little sleepy then, but it was still fun! Composer life is the best! I want to do it for a long long time! Make lots and lots of songs!”

Eunbyeol said, spreading her arms wide.

Eunbyeol, with her milky-white, chubby cheeks jiggling as she smiled.

She was so adorable that I smiled warmly.

“Yeah, got it. Anyway, you worked hard. I’m proud of you, my daughter.”

“Hehe, proud! Eunbyeol is a proud daughter!”

Eunbyeol shouted brightly and picked up a pink ‘fat macaron’ to eat.

Eunbyeol crunching on the macaron was incredibly cute.

Our Eunbyeol is really debuting as a composer.

I smiled again watching Eunbyeol munching on the whipped cream cake this time.

It started from a humming song recorded on a phone video—the dream of becoming a composer.

Who would have thought it would actually come true.

And not at some small or mid-sized agency, but debuting as a composer at Daphne Entertainment, the top agency in the country.

This felt even more surprising than me joining the Myth Guild.

As we spent time eating various foods and desserts.

Finally, the time came.

The time when girl group Daisy’s album would be released.

“Oh, Eunbyeol. It’s almost 6 o’clock now?”

“Ah! It’s finally starting! Daddy, let’s do a countdown! Countdown!”

“Haha, let’s do it. Alright, then…”

I said that and turned on the clock that showed seconds.

And when about 10 seconds were left, I shouted.

“Shall we start? 10! 9! 8!”

“7! 6! 5! 4! 3!”

“2! 1!”

“Ding!”

With Eunbyeol’s bright “ding” sound, we entered the Melon chart.

There, girl group Daisy’s album was on the main page.

With the ‘NEW’ label attached.

“Oh! It’s up! Eunbyeol, it’s up!”

“Wowww! It’s up! It’s out! The song Eunbyeol composed is out!”

Eunbyeol let out a cheer.

I was overjoyed too, and we high-fived with clap clap clap sounds, sharing the happiness.

We clicked on the flashy album cover and found Eunbyeol’s song <Love Cutie>.

“Wow, it really says ‘title’ in red next to it.”

“Wowww! For real!”

“Ha, the song our Eunbyeol made is the title track. This is really a huge hit. Haha.”

“Exactly! Huge hit! Daddy, but can we listen to the song quickly? Eunbyeol wants to hear it right now!”

“Yeah, let’s listen. Haha.”

I said that and clicked on the official audio for <Love Cutie>.

-A♪♪.

As soon as I pressed play, a soft accompaniment flowed out.

The melody, like a gentle breeze, made my ears feel comfortable.

On this path we’ve walked together.

It’s filled only with happy smiles.

Reflected in your eyes.

Everything about me is love.

The lyrics flowing with the soft accompaniment.

Listening to it, I felt like my ears were suddenly cleared.

Wow, after mixing and mastering, the quality has increased several times.

I had heard the completed version after sound engineering, but listening to the official release brought a new wave of emotion.

How should I put it.

It felt like blocked ears were suddenly unplugged.

That’s how much the official release of Love Cutie moved me—on a truly transcendent level.

Even if spring comes, if I’m with you.

All the flowers will sing.

Forever by your side.

The flower of our love will bloom.

The continuing lyrics.

With the melody like flowers blooming in spring singing together, I unknowingly swayed my head side to side.

Eunbyeol seems to like it too.

Eunbyeol also closed her eyes gently and swayed her head side to side.

Seeing her genuinely enjoying the music, I smiled warmly.

As the heart-thumping lyrics and melodies stacked up emotion layer by layer.

─You’re my love cutie.

─You’re my love cutie.

─You’re my love cutie.

─You’re my love cutie.

In the chorus, the emotion exploded.

Like confetti bursting at an entertainment award ceremony, the feelings exploded.

In that mysterious emotion, I felt a mystical sensation as if my whole body was floating.

Of course, it was probably just an illusion, but my mood really felt like floating lightly like a pink balloon.

This is the power of music.

Listening to the interlude transitioning to the second verse, I felt the preciousness of music.

Music.

It plays on the streets, when riding the bus, as BGM when watching TV.

Was this something so precious, valuable, and moving?

Was it this beautiful, heart-racing, and touching?

I newly felt the mystery of music that plays with human emotions.

When the second verse passed and it reached the outro.

I opened my eyes and looked at Eunbyeol.

“Eunbyeol, how was it?”

“Super love it! Really awesome!”

“Really? You really liked it too, Eunbyeol?”

“Yes! It came out exactly as Eunbyeol thought! Really love it! Daddy, is this really the song Eunbyeol made?”

“Haha, yeah. That’s right. The song Eunbyeol made. And you made it while humming.”

“Wowww! Song Eunbyeol made! Eunbyeol’s song! I have to brag at kindergarten!”

Eunbyeol jumped around in joy.

Eunbyeol’s smile, bright as if she owned the world.

Seeing that smile made me feel incredibly good too.

This will definitely be a huge hit.

Feeling the premonition of a big hit once again, I entered the Melon site.

The reason I went back to the Melon site was simple.

How did the bet turn out?

Eunbyeol and Kwak Daesu.

The two had bet on the music chart rankings.

Of course, it wasn’t based on the ranking at launch.

<Love Cutie> and <Ultra Marine>.

The two songs were to compete based on the highest ranking they reached.

Still, the initial performance is very important.

Even so, I checked the Melon chart with a tense heart.

Usually, music chart performance is mostly determined by the initial momentum, so the launch ranking was very important.

While Eunbyeol ate souffle cake, I looked at the TOP 100 chart.

But…

Huh?

My heart filled with disappointment.

The reason was simple.

<Love Cutie> was losing to <Ultra Marine>.

Our Eunbyeol is losing? Is this real…?

<Love Cutie>’s ranking was 27th.

<Ultra Marine>’s ranking was 12th.

Eunbyeol’s song was significantly behind Kwak Daesu’s.

Of course, for a rookie girl group’s song to reach 27th was already impressive.

But in a situation where initial performance is crucial, being almost double the score behind was a serious issue.

Ha, how could this happen?

I felt flustered.

Eunbyeol’s <Love Cutie> was really good.

Not only Ahn Hyeji, but Nam Seungha and Daisy’s members had all praised it highly—the atmosphere was great.

Even as her dad, I thought it was really good.

Yet it was losing.

To be so far behind Kwak Daesu’s song in score.

I somehow felt drained.

Eunbyeol will be disappointed.

I glanced sideways at Eunbyeol.

Eunbyeol nibbling on cake with white cream on her mouth.

Unaware of the news, Eunbyeol was still bright, but thinking she’d be disappointed soon made me feel uneasy.

Should I listen to it once?

With a heavy heart, I decided to listen to Kwak Daesu’s song.

The title was <Ultra Marine>.

I pressed it with great tension.

As soon as I hit play, an intense beat burst out.

It was a track I’d heard in the A&R meeting room, but the arrangement had changed a lot and was quite different.

Not that it got worse.

The quality had risen considerably.

It’s good…

As the lyrics came out and reached the chorus, I couldn’t help but nod.

<Ultra Marine>.

This song was really good.

I only had dislike for the person Kwak Daesu, but I had to admit about the song.

Kwak Daesu, as befitting the second-in-command of the A&R team, boasted considerable composing ability.

After <Ultra Marine> ended.

I closed my mouth tightly.

From <Ultra Marine>, I could smell the scent of a professional.

The fragrance of an elite who went through arts middle school, arts high school, music college, and even studied abroad.

The seasoned expertise of a veteran composer was strongly felt.

Perhaps that’s why.

I felt some inexplicable anxiety.

“Daddyy, why are you like thaat?”

At that moment, Eunbyeol said with cream on her mouth.

“Huh? Why? What’s with Daddy?”

“Your expression isn’t good? Whyyy? What happened?”

Oops.

Eunbyeol seemed to have sensed my dark expression.

“Haha, no. Nothing happened.”

“Really? Really no bad thing?”

“Yeah. No. What bad thing when the song is out—only good things.”

“Hehe, right? Ah, that’s right. How’s that Kwak Daesu uncle’s song? Who won the ranking?”

Gasp.

At Eunbyeol’s sharp question, I moved my lips.

“I-It’s similar. Almost neck and neck.”

“Ah, really?”

“Yeah. So we probably need to wait a bit more.”

“I seee! Got it! It’ll be good if Eunbyeol wins!”

“You’ll win. So don’t worry and eat your cake, Eunbyeol. Okay?”

“Yes! Hehe, delicious!”

Eunbyeol started munching on desserts again with a bright expression.

In contrast, I stared at the Melon chart with a stiff face.

Of course, the rankings hadn’t changed.

<Ultra Marine> was 12th.

<Love Cutie> was 27th.

The double score difference remained.

This can’t be. No matter how good Kwak Daesu’s song is, our Eunbyeol’s is much better.

I acknowledge Kwak Daesu’s skill.

His song turned out very well too.

But judging from this release, it was clearly Eunbyeol’s victory.

Kwak Daesu’s song is good, but Eunbyeol’s is better.

Even I, a complete outsider to the music industry, could tell that.

It will definitely reverse. For sure.

That’s why I waited for the moment.

The moment when our Eunbyeol makes a dazzling comeback on the music charts.