Chapter 59 : Government Support Project(6)

The marketing method that Hwi-seok explained to Ha Su-yeon and the kids was as follows:

1. First, pre-release the OST song.

At this time, the singer, composer, and session are kept secret.

Regarding this, Hwi-seok said:

“We’re going to use a famous singer anyway.

Because it’s already decided.

Why would you use a famous singer if it’s undisclosed?

Even if it’s released as an undisclosed OST, if you listen to the tone and voice, you can tell who it is.”

Hwi-seok’s words were like this.

For the fans, it creates anticipation, like, ‘What will happen when our singer’s identity is revealed?’

This makes them do voluntary promotion, and it gives the public the fun of guessing the singer and composer.

But would there be people who would guess the composer if they guessed the singer?

Would there be people who are curious about the composer and performer?

There might not be such people.

To the kids’ questions, Hwi-seok answered:

“Normally, of course not.”

“Then are you saying it’s different now?”

“Do the public really wonder about the things they wonder about because they’re curious?

No.

The public’s curiosity is created by the media.

If you keep talking about something that no one asked about, saying, ‘You’re curious, right??’, most people will become curious.”

Despite Hwi-seok’s pretentious rambling, his words pierced through the essence of mass media to some extent.

In the 21st century, and even before that, people live in a society where they don’t see what they truly want to see, but what the media and its creators want them to see.

“That’s why we’re going to keep dropping hints about you guys.

The drama that’s being made now isn’t a huge deal, but it’s getting quite a bit of attention.

Then people can’t help but react.

First, we reveal the singer, and the singer says that the band they recorded with was really good.

Then people will react like, ‘What’s so good about them?'”

1. Release the OST and the singer, and use that momentum to release a making-of video of the four-member high school girl band, plus other things.

“If you were under our company, it would have gone really smoothly…”

Hwi-seok said with genuine regret.

A golden opportunity to shoot OST making-of videos, band life videos, reality programs, etc.!!

Debut as a celebrity!!

Hwi-seok dangled all of that in front of their eyes as if it were an opportunity they could grab if they just reached out, and the other kids seemed to be tempted by it… but Ha Su-yeon had no such thoughts.

‘Something’s not right these days.’

A KakaoTalk message that came a while ago.

It was from a kid who had apologized for something related to ‘Ha Su-yeon’s past, and the content was as follows:

[Ha Su-yeon]

[Yeah?]

[I heard you’re doing something related to a band these days?]

[How did you know?

Yeah, I’m doing some kind of support project]

[Be careful]

[Other kids too, and someone recently asked me about your past]

[I said I didn’t care, but I don’t know about the others]

When she heard that, Ha Su-yeon thought that the time had come.

Of course, she had made preparations.

She had apologized to the kids, and except for ‘Ha Su-yeon’s memories, Da-in, Chae-rin, Ha Su-yeon, and other friends, or the victims who didn’t remember – it might seem a bit hypocritical, but she had been doing volunteer work consistently.

And she had laid the groundwork for Ha Su-yeon past with the music industry seniors she had met (Ha Su-yeon thought this expression was very subtle), and she had talked to the kids who were drinking with her during the ‘Ha Ha Su-yeon kickboard incident’.

But despite that, she couldn’t erase the fact that ‘it happened’.

And most importantly, the existence of ‘Seong Ju-hee’ was the biggest stumbling block.

‘I matched the stories as much as possible…’

With the help of the three friends from school who seemed to be well-versed in the internet, she had somehow prepared countermeasures and organized the data.

Still, Ha Su-yeon didn’t want to create a mess by joining a ‘record label’ and getting the company involved.

If she wasn’t careful, she could be accused of ‘hiding her history of school violence, joining a company, and ruining the company!’

She was already struggling with something she didn’t even do – waking up after death to find herself in the body of a school bully, what was she supposed to do?

If she got accused of that too, she would really go crazy.

Ha Su-yeon looked at the screen with her chin resting on her hand.

Anyway, things were progressing like that.

It seemed like Hwi-seok’s experience in the broadcasting industry wasn’t for nothing, as the curiosity about the band of the pre-released OST was gradually increasing, just as he said.

= As expected from Ha Su -yeon  His voice is a f*cking weapon…

= Wow, what is this jazz genius…

=ᄉᄇ This b*stard is good-looking, sings well, and makes good songs.

Why is the world like this?

It’s so unfair.

ᄂ It’s funny how the words are harsh but they’re all praising Ha Su -yeon 

=Hyeon said on Instagram that the band that made this song is really something to look forward to.

Does anyone know?

ᄂ2222222

 I’m so curious・・・ I asked on Instagram, but they won’t tell me

It wasn’t as much attention as the singer was getting, but it was true that the interest was increasing.

“How is it?”

“Well, it’s going well, like that guy said.”

While looking at the MacBook in the practice room, Lee-seo spoke.

Ha Su-yeon took her eyes off the laptop screen.

“If this is released and the video comes out, can we become something like an idol band?”

“That’s a stretch.

Well, maybe it’s possible…

But as you know, I have some things in my past.”

A few months ago,Ha Su-yeon had told the band members about her past.

Anyway, she didn’t remember her past well, but there was some issue related to school violence, and because of that, there could be talk about the band, and so on.

Lee-seo, who knew ‘Ha Su-yeon’ well, took it in stride, but the other two were quite surprised.

What stood out in particular was Hyun-ah, who said, “Was that not a real thing?” and told the rumor that ‘Ha Su-yeon’ had lined up her juniors and slapped them.

I mean, would she have done that, logically speaking?

Of course, she didn’t.

When Ha Su-yeon heard that rumor, she was so shocked that she investigated it, but it was just an exaggerated rumor.

But logically speaking, a minor wouldn’t get drunk, ride a kickboard, and die, so Ha Su-yeon just gave up trying to understand ‘Ha Su-yeon’.

“Anyway, the release date is coming up.

After that’s released, we’ll have to prepare for the offline performance.

Then we won’t be able to practice as leisurely as now.”

“Ugh.”

At Ha Su-yeon ‘s words, Lee-seo pretended to die.

While recording for the OST, she felt the second coming of Ha Su-yeon from Hyun-ah, who she thought would be more relaxed than Ha Su-yeon, and she was quite distressed.

And now they were going to start that hellish practice again.

Lee-seo’s future looked bleak…

“Hello~”

“Oh, singer-nim.

It’s been a while.”

“Wow~ Professor, it’s nice to see you again.

Has it been a year?”

A conference room in Hongdae with a sign that says [2024 Band Pioneer Judging].

People who hadn’t seen each other in a long time greeted each other by bowing and shaking hands.

“How will it be this year?”

“Well…

I think most of the bands have already received awards.

I don’t see any strong contenders this year.”

“Wouldn’t that make it more competitive?”

There were four judges.

The leader of a famous rock band, a music college professor, a famous producer, and a music show PD.

Two of them had been judging for several years, and two were new to the judging panel.

The judging process was simple.

They each scored according to the set format and standards, and if there were ties, they would discuss and reach a consensus.

If they couldn’t reach a consensus until the end, they would decide by majority vote, but it rarely came to that.

Because they could tell just by listening.

They weren’t judges for a typical tax-money-splitting contest, but judges for a project that had been going on for quite some time.

As people who had both feet in the music industry, their judgment was rarely wrong.

“I heard that there’s a strong contender for the win this year.”

“Really?

I haven’t heard…”

“It’s a mixed-gender team, and they seem to have imported the trend from J-pop.

I heard their album this year was a hit.”

“It seems like new juniors have appeared.

That’s why the band scene is so interesting.”

While they were talking, someone looked through the documents and spoke.

“Ah, I also heard something.

An interesting story.”

“What…?”

“There’s a disciple of guitarist Ha Su-yeon .

They started a band this time.

Ha Su -yeon  went to the memorial concert and praised them a lot.”

“Ah, that friend.

I hate to say it, but I met her too.

She was a pretty bright girl…….”