Chapter 116

Small cameras installed all around the clean workspace.

The staff of [Infinite Challenge] were preparing for a shoot in the monitoring room right next to the workspace.

“Oh, so this is how observation variety shows are filmed… interesting.”

Ha Eun, who had just arrived at Hwang Ji-hyuk’s workspace, looked around at the bustling scene.

It wasn’t long before she was handed a filming microphone by the writer in charge of her.

Thanks to having stopped by a makeup shop early in the morning for filming makeup, she didn’t need any additional makeup.

Strictly speaking, the makeup she received was just a light touch-up of her bangs and eyebrows.

“Yoon Si-hyeok will probably arrive in about 15 minutes,” said PD Lee Seung-hwan, who would be in charge of filming Ha Eun and Yoon Si-hyeok for the day.

Continuing to listen to PD Lee’s words, Ha Eun ultimately found herself waiting for Yoon Si-hyeok inside the workspace with Hwang Ji-hyuk.

However, since PD Lee requested that Ha Eun and Hwang Ji-hyuk have some small talk captured on camera, she started a brief conversation with Hwang Ji-hyuk.

“Um, why does your face look so stiff?”

“I-I guess it’s because it’s my first broadcast on public television. I’m super nervous.”

“You’ll gradually get used to it. Or, would you like to wash your face and come back now?”

Ha Eun began a casual conversation with Hwang Ji-hyuk, who looked somehow even more nervous than during the live finals of [SIT ON THE MONEY].

Either way, if Hwang Ji-hyuk wasn’t nervous, it would allow for smoother collaboration between Ha Eun and Yoon Si-hyeok on their song.

Since they had to meet quite frequently for the performance song for [Infinite Challenge], she wanted to set the first button correctly.

In that context, she requested to hear the melodies that she and Hwang Ji-hyuk had previously sketched out.

Rather than just sitting there nervously, it seemed that focusing Hwang Ji-hyuk on his main work would help relieve his tension.

“I’ve heard you enjoy Yoon Si-hyeok’s songs. There’s no need to worry too much.”

“Who? Yoon Si-hyeok?”

“Yes. You said it was your style.”

So, continuing to chat with Hwang Ji-hyuk, they began to enjoy the melodies from the sketch phase.

Since each melody had a different atmosphere and emotion, the range of choices was broad.

Thereafter, instead of sitting quietly, Hwang Ji-hyuk started manipulating the audio equipment in the workspace, gradually shedding his nervousness.

Thanks to that, when Yoon Si-hyeok arrived at the workspace, Hwang Ji-hyuk could greet him calmly as a veteran musician rather than a nervous variety show rookie.

“Hello. I’m Hwang Ji-hyuk, whom you spoke to last time.”

“Oh, nice to meet you. I’ve been enjoying your music.”

Right after the warm greeting between Yoon Si-hyeok and Hwang Ji-hyuk was completed, Yoon Si-hyeok approached Ha Eun, who was standing right next to Hwang Ji-hyuk, and showed his friendliness.

“When was the last time we met on a broadcast? About 7 or 8 years ago?”

“Yeah, it must have been that long.”

“Wow, time flies. We first met when you were in elementary school, and now you’re already in high school.”

His voice seemed slightly emotional.

He added that she had grown beautifully.

“You were pretty in elementary school, but now you’re like a total queen. It’s clear that those who stand out from the start grow up differently.”

“Thank you. By the way, congratulations on having a son.”

The conversation continued for a long time since it had been a while since they had last met, making it inevitable for them to have a lot to say to each other.

Thus, they ended up discussing memories related to [Don’t Stop People] and Yoon Si-hyeok’s personal reflections on [The Moonlight Cut by the Clouds].

The first discussion about the performance song for [Infinite Challenge] started immediately after that.

“♬──♪──”

“♪─♪──♬♪♪”

As Ha Eun and Yoon Si-hyeok’s discussion kicked off, melodies filled the workspace.

After Ha Eun and Hwang Ji-hyuk played all the melodies they had envisioned, Ha Eun asked Yoon Si-hyeok which melody he liked the most.

“Can I be honest?”

“Yes.”

“I like them all. I want to do them all!”

Then came Yoon Si-hyeok’s not-so-inner monologue, “I’m really struggling to decide…”

Eventually, after Yoon Si-hyeok requested to hear them again, Hwang Ji-hyuk quickly moved his hands to replay the sketches of the melodies.

About 20 minutes later, the final decision was made.

“I personally think we should go with the second one. What do you think, Ha Eun?”

“I think it would be good. The tempo seems just right.”

To be honest, it didn’t matter much to Ha Eun which melody Yoon Si-hyeok chose.

She was confident that she could manage any melody well, and Yoon Si-hyeok also had a decent level of singing ability.

Thus, she wanted to decide on the melody as quickly as possible and allocate more time to the subsequent stages.

Among those stages, the part she wanted to invest the most time in was the lyrics.

“I want to write something meaningful rather than something too funny.”

Anyway, [Infinite Challenge] is the most popular variety program in Korea.

Naturally, the special broadcast [Infinite Challenge Music Show] would draw immense interest from countless people.

The performance venue, Gocheok Sky Dome, also boasts a large capacity close to 30,000 people.

That means nearly 30,000 live audience members and many more viewers of [Infinite Challenge] beyond the TV screen would hear Ha Eun’s song.

“I want to avoid lyrics that are too light-hearted. Is that okay with you?”

“Of course that’s fine.”

She didn’t want to write lyrics with a too light-hearted feeling.

Personally, Ha Eun wanted to write lyrics that contained her aspirations toward becoming a big star.

“The thing is, it’s important to capture the overall theme when writing lyrics. How about we decide on a working title first?”

Hwang Ji-hyuk’s suggestion that establishing a preliminary title would make the lyric writing process easier prompted Ha Eun to ponder various words.

Although Yoon Si-hyeok, who was sitting directly across from Ha Eun, also suggested several ideas, it turned out that Ha Eun’s suggestion aligned perfectly with Yoon Si-hyeok’s preferences, so he accepted it immediately.

“What about ‘Trend’? It means fashion.”

“Trend? Like you and I lead the trend of the world, that feeling?”

“Uh, um… In a way, that could also be true?”

“Good, good! You really have a good sense, Ha Eun.”

Thus, their performance song’s tentative title was decided as ‘Trend.’

Afterward, they spent a few minutes concretizing the melody Yoon Si-hyeok had chosen into the next sketch phase.

Sounds like bass, drums, and guitar, which Hwang Ji-hyuk began adding while still seated in front of his audio equipment, fleshed out the melody.

With feedback coming periodically from Ha Eun and Yoon Si-hyeok, the melody was refined with more detail.

The second recording of [Infinite Challenge Music Show] was fully wrapped up about two hours later.

“Great work, everyone. I’ll see you at the next recording.”

Seemingly satisfied with the smooth filming, PD Lee Seung-hwan ended with his praise and exited the workspace with the other staff members.

The small cameras installed around the workspace were left in place for the next recording.

“I’ll invite you to the chat room, so if you think of any punchlines or good lyrics, let me know anytime.”

“Okay~.”

After inviting Yoon Si-hyeok into the chat room that had just Ha Eun and Hwang Ji-hyuk, she said her goodbyes to him.

However, for Ha Eun.

“Personally, I have something to record, so can I use the recording studio for a moment?”

Because she had to record a guide vocal for Yena’s cover song, which was now in the final stage.

“Of course. I’ll be watching while you record.”

“Thank you.”

She had to stay in Hwang Ji-hyuk’s workspace for another 30 minutes.

The problem was that Hwang Ji-hyuk, who was outside the recording studio listening to Ha Eun’s singing, inadvertently asked about the purpose of the recording.

Fortunately, he had no idea that Ha Eun’s song was a guide vocal for a Virtual YouTuber cover song.

“Are you participating in Masked Singer? Or Immortal Songs?”

“Oh, no. I’m just recording at the request of an older sister I know.”

Ha Eun couldn’t explain what song she was singing in the recording studio and for what purpose.

She also couldn’t mention that the song she sang would eventually be released as a cover song by the Virtual YouTuber Yuna.

***

Starting from the second recording of [Infinite Challenge Music Show], Ha Eun’s daily life became busy once again.

Days when she would either leave school early to head to the filming set of [The Sunshine] or attend the final class began to increase gradually.

This was because the timing of scenes featuring Kim Jeong-hyun in [The Sunshine] varied dramatically.

Sometimes the backdrop would be a late evening just before sunset, while other times it would be a midday scene with the sun high in the sky.

Of course, since this was part of the process to create what would later be called a masterpiece drama, she had no complaints.

No matter when they shot, she would always do her best to portray Kim Jeong-hyun.

Eventually, the filming for [The Sunshine] was also progressing smoothly without any significant delays.

The relatively calm atmosphere of the early shooting was nearly complete.

However, since Kim Jeong-hyun transitioned from a one-dimensional character as the “daughter of a rich family” to a more complex character in the second half, Ha Eun scheduled a meeting with the scriptwriter, Hong Su-eun, for more immersive acting.

“Although I already know what some of the scenes are…”

The scenes Ha Eun remembered from [The Sunshine] were just the ones conveyed through the TV.

While she could follow the lines and actions from her recollected memories, she couldn’t convey the intentions or meanings hidden within those lines or actions.

Therefore, she wanted to meet Hong Su-eun, the person who birthed the character Kim Jeong-hyun, to hear various explanations.

She aimed to clearly understand what choices were inherent in Kim Jeong-hyun’s many decisions.

So, on the day they ultimately decided to meet, she rang the doorbell, holding a small gift for Hong Su-eun, just like when she first visited Jee Hye-min’s home.

– Ding-dong.

“Oh, Ha Eun. I was waiting. Please come in.”

Following Hong Su-eun inside, Ha Eun was greeted by a very tidy interior.

Even though there were no luxury goods or famous paintings, there was an air of sophistication all around.

Soon, they arrived at Hong Su-eun’s personal study.

The wooden table and black-painted wooden chairs exuded a neat aura.

Just as Ha Eun was about to speak the various questions she had prepared about Kim Jeong-hyun, she caught sight of a notebook on Hong Su-eun’s desk.

More precisely, it was the title on the cover of the notebook that caught her attention: [Goblin].

Thus, the first question Ha Eun brought up wasn’t about Kim Jeong-hyun but about the notebook resting on Hong Su-eun’s desk.

As Hong Su-eun picked up the notebook at Ha Eun’s cautious inquiry, she slowly began to speak.

What Ha Eun heard was a story that matched her memories perfectly.

That meant the story in the notebook also aligned with her recollections.

“The female lead is a high school student like you, Ha Eun. Can you share a few thoughts from a high school student’s perspective?”

Nodding at Hong Su-eun’s suggestion that she could help complete the still-unfinished story, Ha Eun felt that [Goblin] was one of the works she definitely wanted to participate in.

Most of all, the impact [Goblin] had in Ha Eun’s memory was nothing short of a social phenomenon.

She believed that to achieve her dream of becoming a big star, she must seize the opportunity of [Goblin].

Eventually, today’s goal of deeply understanding Kim Jeong-hyun in [The Sunshine] was supplemented by the objective of [Goblin].

Somehow, this led to Ha Eun delaying her return home by a few more hours, but she didn’t mind.

She wanted to seize both the chance to delve deeper into her role and the serendipitous opportunity she had stumbled upon.

Having experienced death once, she understood all too well that opportunities do not come easily.

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