Translator: Synopsis

  – I never thought I could live – without you – but day by—-

  A song from the male idol group, ‘Twain’, who sung nightclub-style songs a lot, started flowing out into the store. However, it was different from the original’s electric beat. An acoustic guitar, drums, and bass produced a rich sound and emphasized the voice.

  “Wow, isn’t this ‘Monsoon’? Was there such a version?”


  “The song is so good.”


  The female customers reacted first. Twain was very popular originally, but this kind of a song was a first. Normally, they would not think about a song they heard while shopping, but they noticed it when they heard such a characteristic song.

  The reaction from the male customers wasn’t so bad either.

  “This is a decent song. Aren’t these guys the ones that always hop around on stage?”


  “I know, right?”


  The reactions from couples were good as well. Of course, the man’s side showed slight jealousy sometimes. The customers inside the store enjoyed their time picking shoes while listening to the music. Even the people who came in relaxed and closed their eyes to enjoy the music.

  “The reactions are quite good.”


  When Owner Gu YoungSoo rejoiced at the reactions of customers, KangYoon also agreed, However, he was heaving a sigh of relief inwardly. He had a hard time because he couldn’t see musical notes or light. However, he had brought about a good result through detailed information and trends analysis. This was worth his effort.

  The list of songs completely finished, and Twain’s song started being played again.

  “Huh? There it is again.”


  “You’re right.”


  The customers who were looking around for shoes for a long time reacted again. The long-time shoppers immediately realized the song. The store started being filled with new customers and the customers that didn’t leave. Although the number of customers had increased over the past few days, it couldn’t be compared to now.

  “Excuse me.”


  “Yes! I’m on my way.”


  Thanks to that, the employees had a hard time. Even some of the customers who purchased some items didn’t immediately leave and kept looking around. The employees sweated despite it being in the middle of winter, but they tried their best to provide good service.

  Owner Gu YoungSoo couldn’t hide his surprise after looking at this scene.

  “It’s the first time I see so many customers since the opening of the store….”


  KangYoon only smiled while looking at the store that was becoming full.

  ***

  Even when the store was nearing its closing hours, there was a considerable number of customers. In the end, only after the employees guided them out did they leave reluctantly.

  “Let’s clean up after eating.”


  “Thank you!”


  Owner Gu YoungSoo treated the employees to some pizza as they had a hard time today. Today’s sales were immense. Thanks to the treat, the employees also felt as though their fatigue was drained down.

  “Please have some.”


  “Thank you.”


  KangYoon also had some pizza. He didn’t even have time to eat dinner properly as he had to observe the store all the time. He could hear his stomach resenting him.

  Owner Gu YoungSoo smiled after lifting the pizza and cola in his hand.

  “It’s the best day of my life. I wish it could be like this every day.”


  “It will only become better and better.”


  “Of course, of course.”


  Owner Gu YoungSoo was the type to get swept up by the mood. He toasted with the coke and raised the morale of the employees. He even gave them some bonus for today’s work.

  KangYoon fell into thought after looking at today’s sales.

  ‘So, it’s time to advertise now; that the song can only be heard here.’


  Seeing Owner Gu YoungSoo smiling at the profit, KangYoon’s head spun around to calculate many things.

  ***

  – What is this person – I can’t stop – the love –


  Professor Choi ChangYang was currently watching a band video on his phone. He put his earphones on and paid attention to each of the melodies.

  The video ended, and he gave the phone back to Lee HyunAh.

  “The song came out well. I like it.”


  “Thank you, professor.”


  “At this level, I think you can record it now. I feel good about it. It’s very leisurely, but still, doesn’t drag out.”


  Lee HyunAh felt good after hearing Professor Choi ChanYang’s compliment. Although he was always gentle, he always spoke what had to be spoken.

  “I’m planning to record soon. I still have some of the money from the prize, and the members also like the song.”


  “And there’s someone to do the producing?”


  “Not yet…. Would it be a bother for you to do it, professor?”


  “Okay, if it’s my student’s request…. But not for free, okay?”


  “Thank you.”


  Lee HyunAh rejoiced. The renting of a studio was a problem, but hiring an engineer was also incredibly expensive. Professor Choi ChanYang’s help was a great deal.

  “Invite Mr. KangYoon when you record.”


  “Yes. I was going to invite him anyway. It’s my first work, of course, he has to be there.”


  “He’ll probably like it.”


  Professor Choi ChanYang made a satisfied smile while looking at Lee HyunAh’s music score.

  ***

  KangYoon, Composer Loin, and another MG-exclusive composer Won HeeJin were currently sweating due to last-minute work.

  “The feel isn’t right….”


  Composer Loin felt quite distant about Composer Won HeeJin’s rearrangement and commented on it. Composer Won HeeJin deleted the original number 231 sound and added number 430 sound to mix it again, but the reaction was still the same.

  “It doesn’t come alive. HeeJin, why don’t we go for a fancier sound?”


  “To make it feel ampler?”


  “You know, the song sounds like it’s dragging out. The time this song will be played is at noon on weekends. We can’t make them listen to such a slow beat in the middle of the day. Let’s raise it a little more.”


  “Okay.”


  Composer Won HeeJin kept looking for a sound. However, she couldn’t avoid being lectured by Composer Loin.

  KangYoon watched the women’s work quietly. Rearranging a perfectly good song to make it feel different wasn’t easy. The perfectly white sound from before the rearrangement was turning into a gloomy gray.

  “This is no good even to you, is it?”


  “You’re right….”


  They were doing this for a few hours now. However, they were squeezing their brains since they couldn’t find a satisfying song.

  “What about this?”


  Composer Won HeeJin eventually put sound number 500 and asked with a tired expression, and Composer Loin nodded saying this much was fine. However, the next boss was waiting for the two.

  “Isn’t there another sound? This sounds uselessly grand to me.”


  “…….”


  Composer Won HeeJin felt like crying. However, KangYoon also had his reasons.

  ‘It’s slightly gray.’


  KangYoon thought that the bare minimum was bright white light. A song like this was doomed to fail.

  Composer Won HeeJin felt her body lagging as more time had passed. She had heard that KangYoon’s team had strict work standards. However, she didn’t know that he would be so strict.

  “Should we rest for a little?”


  Even so, KangYoon declared rest at suitable times. It was the exact time when she thought that she needed some water. KangYoon went up to the rooftop, and the two composers were left on their own in the studio.

  “I did hear the rumors, but it sure is tiring to work with Team leader Lee.”


  Composer Loin sighed while gulping down the cold coffee in one shot. She disagreed with her junior’s words.

  “It is indeed tiring, but this place is the greatest bonanza in MG.”


  “I know that…. But it’s still hard.”


  “Where is easy work? But all of that feeling would go away once you see the money on your bank account at the end of the month.”


  Thinking about the upcoming salary, Composer Won HeeJin decided that she would put her best effort again.

  KangYoon came back down from the rooftop and work began again. The process of looking for sound started again. Even Composer Loin, who had observed in order to educate her junior until now, participated in the work.

  “How is this?”


  KangYoon shook his head after listening to the organ-like sound that Composers Loin and Won HeeJin had arrived at. The two women kept looking for a new sound and eventually found a suitable one. At a glance, it sounded like a piano, but a splendid music came out when played with the rearranged music.

  “Let’s go with this.”


  KangYoon finally approved. It was way past work hours. The two composers hugged each other and rejoiced.

  After the work was over and they made the music source file, their boring work had finally finished.

  “Thanks for your work.”


  KangYoon left the studio first. Composer Loin stayed behind in the studio saying she had to teach her junior a little more using the music they made today. Composer Won HeeJin grabbed on to KangYoon asking for help, but she immediately succumbed after seeing Composer Loin’s glare.

  When KangYoon left, it was already deep into the night. Just as he hurried to the station, he received a message. It was a message from Lee HyunAh.

  – The song is finished. *^.^* Please give me your e-mail address.

  She wanted to give him the score through e-mail. KangYoon sent her his e-mail address.

  After returning home, KangYoon turned on the computer and had a look at his inbox. HeeYoon was next to him.

  “A video?”


  HeeYoon showed great curiosity and stuck next to KangYoon. When he played back the video, Lee HyunAh and the band started playing the song. Although the resolution wasn’t that good, the audio was not that bad. HeeYoon showed interest at the girl’s voice in the video.

  “That’s a nice song. What’s it called?”


  “It’s titled ‘Do you have some time?’. The girl that’s singing made the song.”


  “That unni did? Hm? I think I saw her somewhere before. It’s the unni from the College Pop Festival, isn’t she?”


  “Yup. She sent me a song she made herself. I helped her a little.”


  “Really? You helped her make that song?”


  HeeYoon’s eyes flashed. KangYoon was surprised to see her interest in composition but still replied.

  “Yeah, why?”


  “Nothing. Are you composing already, oppa? That’s amazing.”


  “I only gave her a few pieces of advice. She practically did all the work. Is the song good?”


  “It’s really good. Are they making that into an album?”


  “She’ll probably send a recording to a management company or something if she wanted to make an album. I’m thinking that she’ll probably act in ‘Under’. You know, like Hongdae.”


  “Ooh.” (T/N: Under is underside, basically where indie bands play their music)

  HeeYoon seems to be incited by the video as she played the video repeatedly. When KangYoon stood up from his seat, she even sat down in his place and focused on the video.

  ‘Was HeeYoon interested in things like this?’


  KangYoon was surprised to see HeeYoon’s intense concentration. However, he did know that his sister was showing interest in music lately. However, he seriously considered letting her sister do music properly since she was so interested in it.

  The night flowed like that for the siblings.

  ***

  The day finally came.

  KangYoon headed to DRO mart with the final selection of his songs. Today, President Lee HyunJi was with him. When they arrived, Owner Gu YoungSoo even personally brought them coffee to greet them. His attitude was completely different to when they first brought the song selection.

  In a small office inside the store, the three conversed lightly.

  “It will start for real today.”


  Last week was just a test. Owner Gu YoungSoo looked at KangYoon expectantly after hearing that this was the real deal.

  “The song that was only played in our store, it’s included in there, right?”


  “Yes. However, you must be cautious of one thing. Please play the music in the exact order, and educate the staff so that they don’t touch the music program.”


  “Understood.”


  KangYoon told him a few other words of caution. He also told him to send him the sales in units of weeks, as well as any other request if there were any. Owner Gu YoungSoo said that he was worried about the discount sales period that would begin the next Friday, and KangYoon relieved him by saying that he put that into consideration.

  “…That’s it.”


  “Good, very good. This is enough.”


  “Then I’ll have a look around the store.”


  When KangYoon left the office, President Lee HyunJi and Owner Gu YoungSoo were left on their own.

  “HyunJi, that guy’s work is no joke. I like how everything snaps into place.”


  “He’s a rising star in our industry. Wait no, I guess it’s too late to call him a ‘rising’ star now. Anyway, do you like it?”


  “Such a young man, and he’s so amazing. I can trust in him. Grab onto that guy, HyunJi.”


  “Of course I will.”


  “Oho, will I get an invitation soon?”


  “What the hell are you saying. I’ll kill you.”


  Perhaps he did it unintentionally, or maybe he did it intentionally, but either way, Owner Gu YoungSoo felt a threat to his life when President Lee HyunJi gripped her fist and backed out.

  KangYoon looked around the store where the final song selection was being played and saw various things.

  The reaction to the songs was very good. The number of visitors was increasing thanks to the fact that some bloggers had mentioned that this store had its exclusive song. Some of the nearby stores even put their own employees in disguise to feel them out.

  Today was the day when all three of the exclusive songs would be played. Today was Saturday when it became peak hours after 2 p.m., the first exclusive song played.

  “Huh? Isn’t this that song?”


  “I think it’s slightly changed. But it sure sounds good.”


  The song that was played in the store was a song from 3 years ago. ‘We are in love’. It was a very popular song sung by the three-member singer group, Sereny. However, it was rearranged a little, and it gave a slightly leisurely feeling than the fancy feeling from the original.

  “Sereny, these girls sing well. Did they put out an album?”


  “What are you saying? They disbanded ages ago.”


  People also sometimes talked about Sereny. All the people that visited the store talked about Sereny at least once. After a round of songs, the store-exclusive songs played again. And every time, at least a few people showed a reaction. There were even some people who stayed in the store to listen to the music.

  “Oho.”


  President Lee HyunJi and Owner Gu YoungSoo came out as well. They were happy to see the store full of people at peak hours; especially more so when they saw a line at the checkout counter.

  “Looks like I’ll earn some pretty sum today.”


  “You’re treating?”


  “Of course.”


  Owner Gu YoungSoo put his thumbs up.

  The staff had a hard time thanks to the onrush of customers at peak hours. Owner Gu YoungSoo handed out energy bars to encourage them. Like that, the second peak hours arrived.

  “It looks like you need to be there too.”


  “…….”


  President Lee HyunJi playfully pushed Owner Gu YoungSoo’s back. The store was so full of people that it was crowded. He even had the resting employees to work, but even they couldn’t fill in the gaps, so it was his turn to do the work as well.

  President Lee HyunJi headed to KangYoon who was at the counter.

  “How is it?”


  “I think the sales are alright. The song selection also doesn’t feel bad.”


  Said KangYoon while comparing the current sales and the sales from last week. The graph KangYoon was holding on to showed that today’s sales were higher than last weeks at the same hours. President Lee HyunJi switched the topic in satisfaction.

  “Is it because of the song exclusive to the store? The people aren’t showing signs of leaving.”


  President Lee HyunJi watched the people who were absorbed into the second store-exclusive song, ‘Look at only one’. This was a song from a male hip-hop duo from half a year ago. However, adding a few sounds after changing the beat faster made it a completely new rhythmical and exciting song.

  However, time still passed, and it passed very fast even while the customers called out to the staff here and there. The war zone like day had finally come to an end.

  “Uerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh…….”


  After locking the doors to the store, Owner Gu YoungSoo and the other staff all collapsed onto the ground.

  “Hey…. Go home. Forget about cleaning…. Let’s do it tomorrow….”


  “Yeees…….”


  Today was the highest record for the number of customers they had, so it was impossible to do any cleaning. Owner Gu YoungSoo told the staff to go home after finishing off the work with the POS device. Then, he had a look at today’s sales through the sales management table.

  “Whoa!?”


  And his jaws dropped. When KangYoon and President Lee HyunJi approached to see it, he hugged the two and shouted.

  “It’s…… the highest……. It’s the highest profit since ever!”


  KangYoon didn’t feel so great being hugged by a man, but for now, it was okay. He smiled in satisfaction of his work.

  ***