freenovelworld Chapter 14 : Letting go of stubbornness
Chapter 14 : Letting go of stubbornness
Chapter 14: Letting Go Of StubbornnessAh, CEO Kwak appeared.
At Kwak Youngho’s entrance, Producer Nam flustered and quickly lowered his tail.
I was extremely curious to see how the big match between the two of them would unfold.
…it was exactly how I felt, as if I wanted to commentate.
I’ve never worked at a company, so I don’t really understand what kind of weight being a boss or subordinate carries. Even the owner.
I thought it might feel like a senior in the military, but that wasn’t it either.
It wasn’t just simple berating.
Perhaps….
“Our Producer Nam is finally trying to take responsibility, huh? Goodness, how do you expect to take responsibility by grabbing your junior like catching a mouse, let’s hear it?”
“No, CEO. That’s not what I meant…”
“Inside or out, I’m just too happy. I was wondering if I could put down that burden of responsibility thanks to Producer Nam. So how about I hand over the rank insignia? Want to be the responsible producer this time?”
Between the person who gives money and the one who receives it.
I guess such a clear superior‑subordinate relationship created this atmosphere, I just guessed.
And that responsibility must be related to money in some way, too.
Like a meerkat, I rolled my eyeballs around and quietly listened to their conversation.
“I thought Producer Nam wouldn’t do something like that. You rascal, before…”
“Ah, CEO, why are you bringing that up all of a sudden? Let’s stop this.”
“At least you realize it’s embarrassing in front of the kids, so that’s a relief. If a mere producer talks about responsibility, I feel slighted. Right?”
Producer Nam’s face turned bright red.
They didn’t have to embarrass him that much.
I felt like CEO Kwak was deliberately overdoing it to strike.
Honestly, let me be frank.
“Uh, Writer Seo. Don’t be nervous. This is how it’s always been here. Go ahead and continue what you were talking about. Where did we leave off?”
“Well, I—I haven’t said anything.”
“Hmm-hmm. Anyway, shall we listen to Writer Seo’s concept once more? Producer Nam, go out for a moment, drink some water, calm yourself, then come back in. You were too excited, buddy.”
Even though it felt like indiscriminately firing at Producer Nam, upon listening closely it felt like they were trying to soothe me.
“I’ll just step out to the restroom briefly.”
The moment Producer Nam left his seat.
CEO Kwak hurried beside me and asked.
“You were upset, weren’t you?”
“No, not really.”
“Then?”
“I was just wondering for a moment what responsibility really meant.”
“Oh dear. It’s really nothing. Our Writer Seo just writes songs and records them. You only need to do exactly what you’re supposed to, like now. I’ll take care of all that other stuff. Right, Team Leader Park?”he bridge is the killing part.”
Taeyoon smiled at Producer Nam’s words.
As the vocal tone shifted following Taeyoon’s advice, the whole mood of the song came to life.
Deadly charm. FATAL.
She expressed the album concept with her entire being.
‘How did he draw that out of Yujin?’
Producer Nam, not knowing the reason, could only speculate various things to himself.
But he couldn’t reach a conclusion just yet.
He would have to find out gradually.
Still, one thing was clear.
Han Yujin was finally wearing the perfect outfit.
Both the designer and the tailor.
They had let go of their pride and focused solely on the model.
Though it had been a little rocky, CEO Kwak just smiled warmly at the two, who were now slowly syncing.
“You worked hard today. Let’s meet again after mastering is done.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
At last, the Han Yujin title track recording party dispersed.
As if they had taken down a named monster, everyone looked triumphant.
Their trophy would be a perfect album.
CEO Kwak Youngho and Producer Nam Seonghyeon went up to the rooftop.
On the rooftop, where the sun was now slowly setting.
The two men, bonded more tightly through smoking than any academic or regional ties, exchanged feedback as usual.
Producer Nam spoke first.
“Wow, CEO, you were terrifying today. I was a bit hurt, honestly.”
“That’s what you get for throwing a tantrum over nothing with a rookie. Were you that upset about your song getting rejected?”
“It’s not that… ha, never mind. It’s fine.”
I thought he was just another punk riding high, acting cocky. Like those other guys.
…but he didn’t bother saying that out loud.
The ability had already been proven.
Saying such things now would only sound pathetic.
“Geez, idiot. Are you becoming like Producer Cha?”
“Why are you bringing him up out of nowhere?”
“You remember? That time you cried and said you were quitting music because Cha Producer was roasting you nonstop. CEO Kim from Tomorrow Entertainment and I barely calmed you down back then… sheesh.”
Producer Nam nodded silently.
It’s true. He had once been like Taeyoon too.
He’d suffered plenty of humiliation from senior producers.
He had vowed never to become like them—and yet, he was now acting exactly like that.
“I was nervous, you know. Worried that Writer Seo might run away saying he couldn’t do it. Do you even know how much effort we’re putting into Seo Taeyoon?”
“Stop wasting energy. It’s a lost cause.”
Producer Nam puffed on his vape and continued.
“Once Yujin’s album drops, people everywhere will be lighting fires to find out who that writer is. You think he’ll stay with us?”
“You always have to ruin things when they’re going well.”
“I’m just being honest. Writers follow the money. Can you pay as much as Tomorrow Entertainment? Can you support like Hero does?”
He wasn’t wrong.
He was painfully right.
Producer Nam looked CEO Kwak in the eye.
And realized—you really can hit someone with just your eyes. He flinched.
“Well, that’s up to fate. Not everyone moves based on conditions alone.”
“Must be nice. I used to be like that too. Guess it’s my time. Nam Seonghyeon…”
“Time for what? Just go home. Hasn’t it been over a week since you went home? What’s with your eyes? The way you’re looking, I’d say you’ll be doing this for another fifty years.”
Even while joking back and forth.
Both of their minds were full of Taeyoon.
One thought, “We have to lock him down no matter what.”
The other thought, “I’m so curious what’s going on inside that guy’s head.”
“You’re the industry senior, aren’t you? It’s hard to find a fresh sprout like that. Reach out first. Treat him to something nice, show support, and slip in an apology.”
“I already cleared it up earlier.”
“You’re so petty. That’s why you have no friends.”
They talked and talked.
It must’ve meant the day’s events left an impression.
“Alright, send him a message.”
“Hold on. Let me text him… huh?”
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Writer Seo Taeyoon just messaged me?”
“What?! Let me see.”
The two middle-aged men huddled over the small phone.
After reading the message, they looked at each other and chuckled.
[Seo Taeyoon: Sorry for being rude today. But I just couldn’t yield on the bridge part. As an apology, I’d like to meet you. I’ll treat you to something delicious.]