Beyond the Spotlight | Volume: 1

17

H O O N G J O O N G

Back in Seoul, Hongjoong and his group were buzzing with anticipation as they prepared for their first major comeback, five months after their debut. The energy in the studio was electric, and the pressure was palpable. Everyone knew this comeback had to be perfect.

In the vocal recording booth, Wooyoung was finishing his take. His voice was clear, but there was a slight edge of nervousness.

Hongjoong: "Wooyoung, that was good, but let's try to relax a bit more. We want the emotion to come through naturally. Imagine you’re singing to someone really special."

Wooyoung nodded, taking a deep breath before stepping back up to the microphone. He closed his eyes, visualizing the scene Hongjoong described, and sang again. This time, his voice was softer, more sincere.

Producer: "That’s it, Wooyoung. Much better. Let’s do one more take just like that."

Meanwhile, Yunho and San were sitting on the couch, listening intently and occasionally throwing in their own suggestions.

Yunho: "Hey San, for your part, I think it would sound amazing if you added a bit more power at the end of the line. Give it that extra punch."

San: "Yeah, good idea. I’ll try that."

When it was San’s turn, he stepped into the booth with determination. He sang his lines with the added power Yunho suggested, and it made a noticeable difference. The producer gave him a thumbs up.

Producer: "Perfect, San. That added intensity really brings out the emotion."

Next up was Yeosang, who was working on perfecting his harmonies. Hongjoong stood beside him, offering support and guidance.

Hongjoong: "Yeosang, your harmonies are sounding great. Just make sure to blend well with Wooyoung’s part. It should feel seamless."

Yeosang: "Got it. I’ll focus on that."

As Yeosang recorded his harmonies, Hongjoong listened closely, nodding approvingly. The blend was smooth and harmonious, exactly what they needed.

Producer: "Excellent, Yeosang. That’s exactly what we need."

While Jongho was up next, the youngest member of the group was focused and ready. His powerful vocals had always been a standout feature of their songs.

Hongjoong: "Jongho, remember to control your breathing. Your power is amazing, but we need precision too."

Jongho gave a confident nod, and as he sang, his voice resonated with clarity and strength. The producer looked impressed.

Producer: "Wow, Jongho. That’s phenomenal. Just one more take for safety, but I think we’ve got it."

As the members took turns in the booth, Wooyoung and Mingi were discussing the rap sections. Mingi had a knack for rhythm, but he always sought perfection.

Mingi: "Wooyoung, for your rap part, try emphasizing the beats more. It’ll give it a sharper edge."

Wooyoung: "Good point. I’ll focus on that."

When it was time for the rap recording, Wooyoung and Mingi were in sync. They delivered their lines with precision and energy, bouncing off each other’s flow.

Producer: "Great job, both of you. That synergy is exactly what we need."

Finally, it was Hongjoong’s turn. As the leader, he felt the weight of responsibility to set the standard. He stepped into the booth, his mind focused on delivering his best.