Chapter 17: The Composer Duel

“Okay!”

In the recording studio of Daphne Entertainment.

Nam Seungha, the composer who was on the phone there, shouted loudly.

The reason he was so happy was simple.

Seo Juwon’s daughter, Seo Eunbyeol.

Because that child had expressed her intention to become a composer.

“It worked out! It really worked out!”

Nam Seungha stood up abruptly and did an uppercut celebration.

Even though he was over 50 and indifferent to most joyful events, right now he was rejoicing like a child who received a Christmas present.

“This is huge! Completely huge!”

Nam Seungha felt endorphins flooding his chest.

He was happier than when he debuted, even happier than when he first hit number 1 on the music charts.

The reason was simple.

Because he had preempted a child with genius talent.

“If Miss Eunbyeol joins, our Daphne Entertainment will grow several times more than now!”

Seo Eunbyeol.

That child truly had jewel-like talent.

Nam Seungha himself had truly remarkable talent, but Seo Eunbyeol had an even more shining talent.

“What’s more important is that this is just the beginning.”

Seo Eunbyeol truly had tremendous talent.

The song she made to prank her dad, of course, and the melody she hummed impromptu in front of Nam Seungha were truly perfect.

What was even more amazing was that this was merely the start.

“If taught properly, she will really become the best in Korea, no, the best composer in the world.”

Seo Eunbyeol with astonishing talent.

What if she were taught modern composition methods.

Wouldn’t a legendary composer who would be recorded in music history be born?

Not just conquering Korea, but dominating the world market?

Imagining Seo Eunbyeol’s tremendous potential exploding, Nam Seungha felt his chest grow hot.

“I should tell the team members quickly.”

With a satisfied smile, Nam Seungha returned to the conference room.

To deliver the news that a child with monster-like talent was joining the Daphne Entertainment A&R team.

Arriving at the conference room with quick steps, Nam Seungha opened the door and said.

“Sorry. The call took longer.”

Nam Seungha, chief composer of Daphne Entertainment and team leader of the A&R team.

He sat at the head of the conference table with an apology.

“I have something to tell you all.”

“What is it, Teacher?”

At Nam Seungha’s words that he had something to say, the nearly 10 team members all looked at him at once.

Receiving their gazes, Nam Seungha smiled contentedly and said.

“You remember the child I mentioned last time? Seo Eunbyeol. That child accepted my proposal.”

“Huh? Really? She’s really going to be a composer?”

“Yes. I just got confirmation from the child’s father.”

“Oh, amazing! That’s great!”

At Nam Seungha’s announcement, the team members clapped and rejoiced.

They had no choice, because they had all listened to the humming uploaded on <Music Engine>.

That was when it happened.

“Teacher!”

While everyone was rejoicing, one man spoke up.

The name of the man whose mouth corners drooped alone even while others smiled was ‘Kwak Daesu’.

Nam Seungha, who had been smiling at his words, answered.

“Yes. What is it?”

“About that kid, are you really bringing her into our team?”

At the voice full of dissatisfaction, Nam Seungha answered immediately.

“That’s the plan. Is there a problem?”

“Of course there’s a problem. Last time it wasn’t confirmed so I stayed quiet, but still, this is a bit much, isn’t it?”

“I’d appreciate if you could tell me exactly what’s too much.”

Nam Seungha said with a serious expression.

The other team members remained silent as well.

Kwak Daesu said.

“Of course the song is good. But it’s still at a child’s level. It’s not pro level. And what? Five years old? No, how do we work with a kindergartener?”

“Age isn’t the issue. It’s about skill. Isn’t that right?”

“No, still this is too much. If she joins our team, that means collaboration, but what conversation and what work do we do with a five-year-old kid? Will communication even work properly?”

Kwak Daesu raised his voice in protest.

Nam Seungha remaining silent.

In his place, other team members said.

“Daesu, why are you like this.”

“That’s right, Kwak Daesu. Communication can just be adjusted as we go.”

“I think the same. Teacher Nam must have thought it through and brought her in.”

“Daesu oppa, I don’t think your thoughts are wrong, but still, as long as the songs are good, isn’t that enough?”

“Hyungnim, cautiously, I agree too. Even if other parts are immature, she produces insanely good songs. Isn’t that enough?”

The team members agreed with Nam Seungha’s opinion.

It wasn’t because Nam Seungha was the team leader or a famous composer.

As the best composers in the country, they were words recognizing Seo Eunbyeol’s skill.

However, Kwak Daesu had no intention of backing down.

“Everyone wake up. Is it all about the song being good? Don’t you have any pride?”

“Pride?”

“We are the Daphne Entertainment A&R team. Said to be the best among the teeming entertainment agency A&R teams.”

“Just that? Handled instruments from a young age, graduated from arts middle and high school, music college. And entered Daphne Entertainment after producing songs without promise. But take in a kindergartener as a team member? A kid who hasn’t even taken entrance exams? No, is this place that easy?”

“But the song is good…”

“It’s still at a kid’s level? She does well for a kid’s level. But it’s not pro level. Everyone gasping and such, it’s because she’s a child. If thought of as an adult and did a blind test, absolutely wouldn’t have picked it?”

At Kwak Daesu’s intense remarks, the team members couldn’t say anything.

It was partly because of Kwak Daesu’s rough personality, but also because Kwak Daesu was the second-in-command in skill after Nam Seungha.

That was when it happened.

“Then how about a test.”

Nam Seungha, who had been listening silently, opened his mouth.

“A test?”

“Didn’t you say it, Kwak Daesu. That Miss Eunbyeol has no skill. She’s good but still at a kid’s level.”

“I did.”

“Yes, so how about a test. Like you said, a blind test.”

“What method are you suggesting?”

Kwak Daesu asked, narrowing his brows.

Then Nam Seungha answered immediately.

“We’re launching a rookie girl group at Daphne Entertainment this time.”

“Yes, that’s right. ‘Daisy.”

“Yes, and Daisy is preparing double title tracks, right. How about you and Miss Eunbyeol each write the top line for one of those songs. And launch the songs, and the one with better music chart performance wins.”

“Yes…?”

At Nam Seungha’s proposal, Kwak Daesu showed an incredulous reaction.

Betting with the rookie girl group Daisy’s double title tracks.

Honestly, he hadn’t expected the scale to grow this big.

“Why. Do you perhaps lack confidence?”

“Heh, no. It’s not that, it’s just strange to use the rookie girl group’s title tracks for something like this.”

“Anyway, Daisy’s title tracks have to be written by one of our team members. So let’s bet by each taking one of the double title tracks. There’s no better test than presenting the songs to the public. Isn’t that right?”

At Nam Seungha’s words, Kwak Daesu moved his lips.

Honestly, he hadn’t expected the stubborn Nam Seungha to go this far.

Then, another team member said.

“Um, Teacher…”

“Speak.”

“I think your words are correct. If done as you said, an objective test would be possible. However, there’s one problem with your proposal.”

“What is it?”

“Even if both double title tracks are good, they’re not the same track. There will clearly be a better track, and accordingly, the chart performance might differ, right?”

“I see.”

Nam Seungha nodded.

Certainly, even as double titles, there would be a slightly better track.

Nam Seungha said.

“Then let’s do this. Kwak Daesu, you choose first.”

“Yes?”

“You pick the track first. I’ll have Miss Eunbyeol use the remaining track.”

At Nam Seungha’s words, everyone including Kwak Daesu was shocked.

For a composer, choosing the track first was like starting 10 meters ahead in a race.

Nam Seungha said.

“What will you do.”

“Ha, Teacher. Are you that confident?”

“Not confidence, but certainty. Even pushed back in track selection, I think Miss Eunbyeol will win.”

“…!”

Kwak Daesu’s pupils trembled.

This was completely disregarding him.

However, Kwak Daesu had no intention of backing down.

“Ha, fine. Let’s do it. So, what if the winner is decided?”

“Let’s do this. If Miss Eunbyeol’s chart performance is higher, you agree to her joining our team. Recognize her as an equal colleague like the people here.”

“And if I win?”

“There will be no next contract for Miss Eunbyeol. Can’t immediately kick out a friend who joined as a formal composer.”

Kwak Daesu nodded.

A&R team contracts are in 6-month units.

In other words, even if she joins right away, if he wins the bet, she can be sent out after 6 months.

“Fine. Let’s do it.”

“Then. I’ll call right after the meeting ends and ask.”

“Yes.”

At Kwak Daesu’s clear answer, Nam Seungha smiled.

Of course, this bet only proceeds with Seo Eunbyeol and Seo Juwon’s consent.

In other words, if they oppose, neither bet nor test exists.

But if they agree.

If they just accept the bet.

She will definitely win.

Nam Seungha was certain that Seo Eunbyeol would definitely win.

Yesterday, I received a call from Nam Seungha.

And he explained very cautiously what happened in the conference room.

The opposition from a team member named Kwak Daesu, Nam Seungha’s bet proposal, and various matters regarding it.

Honestly, when I first heard the story, I was a bit flustered.

The bet was a bet, but it was flustering that there was someone inside the A&R team opposing our Eunbyeol.

So I asked for a little time to think.

And today.

Before putting Eunbyeol to sleep, I told Eunbyeol the whole story.

Very carefully so that Eunbyeol wouldn’t get hurt.

“…That’s how it is, what does Eunbyeol think?”

In the room with crimson lighting.

I said to Eunbyeol who was using my arm as a pillow.

“Uum, then Eunbyeol’s song will be on TV?”

“Huh? Well, yes. Regardless of the bet, both title tracks will come out.”

“Wowwww! Awesome! Then I wanna do it! Daddy, Eunbyeol wants to do that! The bet thing!”

Eunbyeol said with sparkling eyes.

“Re, really?”

“Woo! Definitely wanna do it!”

“What if Eunbyeol loses?”

“Eunbyeol will win! And even if lose, can give song to girl group unnies! So definitely wanna do it?”

“Yeah…?”

At my question, Eunbyeol nodded.

Eyes full of clear and transparent passion.

Eunbyeol really seemed to want to do that bet.

No, more than the bet, she seemed to want to give songs to the rookie girl group.

Well, if she just wins, everything will be perfect. That guy Kwak Daesu or whatever won’t be able to say anything else.

Still uneasy about the bet, but if she wins, everything is okay.

If she beats Kwak Daesu, who opposes due to age or experience, with skill, he clearly won’t be able to oppose Eunbyeol anymore.

“Okay. Then Daddy will tell Composer Nam Seungha that we’ll do it.”

“Woo! Got it! Waaa, exciting! Eunbyeol’s song on TV!”

Eunbyeol shouted with a big grin.

I gently stroked the adorably cute Eunbyeol’s face and imagined.

Eunbyeol VS Kwak Daesu.

Who would win in the composition showdown between the two.