GIJS

Chapter 76 We have it.

Even amidst the haze of alcohol, Gunja's brushwork remained flawless.

Swish, swish—

The thin brush moved across the white paper with great energy. It was a drawing show that started without any preliminary sketching.

"Wow..."

Those watching couldn't help but marvel. After performances in dance, music, calligraphy, archery, and equestrian skills, now it was painting.

"Seriously, what kind of life has he lived?"

"...Could he really be from the Joseon era...?"

"Even if he were, wouldn't it be odd? Not everyone from Joseon was that skilled."

"...That's true..."

"He must have been a genius even in Joseon."

As Tae-woong speculated, Gunja smiled softly. It was not uncommon to be mistaken for coming from the Joseon era, but it was the first time someone suggested he might have been a genius even back then.

Well, now that he thought about it, he had heard similar stories a few times.

Recalling old memories, Gunja shrugged his shoulders.

The painting depicted the scenery of a remote valley, but the main focus was on people, not nature. There were scholars reciting poetry and practicing martial arts in the valley.

Even someone unfamiliar with painting could tell. This was not a landscape painting but a genre painting.

Seeing Gunja's painting taking shape, Tae-woong asked,

"Gunja, isn't this a genre painting?"

"Oh, Tae-woong knows a bit."

"But did high-ranking scholars also paint genre paintings?"

"Oh, Tae-woong knows one thing but not another."

"What now?"

Tae-woong, making a squeaking sound, was met with Gunja's gentle smile as he began to explain.

While scholars mainly painted the Four Gracious Plants or landscapes, they did not exclusively paint genre scenes.

The most well-known artist for landscape paintings, Gyeom-jae Jeong Seon, was also a master of genre painting. Although it seems less known in modern times.

Of course, the Moon family was somewhat of an exception. Uncle Yoo Hyung-won had a strong aversion to genre paintings.

Getting punished for dancing, singing, playing the gayageum, and painting genre scenes...

It was indeed a troubled era. In contrast, how happy was this time, freely drinking and painting with friends?

As they chatted, Gunja's painting was completed. The genre painting depicted seven scholars enjoying their leisure time.

"Wow..."

"The painting is amazing."

"Hyung, can you explain it to us now?"

"Yes. How is this painting related to the new song?"

The members and even Leon seemed curious. Gunja, standing in the middle of their curiosity, began to explain while holding a fine brush in one hand.

The worldview of the group 7IN originates from 'Seven Scholars'.

To establish the concept of 'Seven Scholars from Joseon', a new song that literally conveys that the members came from the past is needed.

In other words, a new song that introduces their origins and fundamentals is required.

But just saying they came from Joseon would not resonate with people.

How wonderful would it be if there was a medium connecting Joseon and modern-day Korea?

At that moment, Gunja saw a painting by the current master Shim Saem-jeong in [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques>.

The moment he saw the painting, he thought, "This is it."

The old painters' works were like miniature versions of Joseon.

Once he got the hint, the idea quickly evolved.

What if the concept was not just 'coming from Joseon,' but 'the seven scholars emerging from the painting'?

What if a single painting could explain the origins of 7IN?

Even members who were initially puzzled by the painting started clapping as Gunja continued his explanation.

"Scholars emerging from the painting? I like it!"

"Gunja, when did you come up with this idea?"

"Ha ha, seeing the painting in [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques> was decisive."

"If we had gone instead of you, we would never have thought of this."

"Of course. Even if you had the idea, how would you paint something like this?"

As the members patted Gunja's back, producer Hyun-su was once again immersed in a sea of inspiration.

"Um, hmm..."

"Ah, Hyunsoo-hyung, do you have an idea too?"

"Hey, let us in on it. What is it?"

"... [Geunbon>."

"Huh?"

"How about naming the new song [Geunbon> with the subtitle 'Origin'?"

Gunja explained the concept of the painting and the 'seven scholars emerging from the painting' theme.

When Hyunsoo suggested the title [Geunbon (Origin)> for the new song, the members' understanding of the concept became clearer.

"Oh, that makes it more impactful."

"Gunja! Are you going to show us the Geunbon rap this time?"

"Hold on, shouldn't we sketch out the song first?"

As Hyunsoo pulled out his laptop to open the composing program, Leon stopped him.

"Wait, don't get the laptop out."

"Ah, should we do it later?"

"What do you mean?"

Leon abruptly stood up, flung open the soundproof studio door, and stretched his arms.

Inside were the top-spec composing workstations, a sound system worth thousands, and a fully equipped recording studio—everything needed for composing.

"This is our studio!"

"!"

"Forget the MacBook!"

"Hyung—!!"

The seven inebriated members and Leon rushed into the studio, working on the new song with fervor. The work continued until all eight of them could no longer stay awake and collapsed on the sofa.

* * *

The next day.

Gunja and the members slowly got up and began quietly cleaning up. They found themselves in an awkward situation.

"... Does anyone know where Leon-hyung is?"

"I don't know either. Maybe he left early."

"Didn't we act really chummy yesterday?"

"Seems like we did."

"Yuchan, Hyunsoo. You didn't drink yesterday, right?"

"Yeah."

"How was it yesterday?"

"Hmm, I don't know."

Only Siwoo, who had a high tolerance for alcohol, remembered anything.

"Ahaha, Gunja and Taewoong were crazy yesterday~"

"Really? What happened?"

"You guys made a palanquin and carried Leon-hyung around~"

"A palanquin?"

"Ahaha, the Jangwon-gupje palanquin~"

"!"

At that moment, Gunja's memories came flooding back. The new song sketching session, all the conversations with Leon—what a wild night it was.

"Ugh, why did we do that..."

"I don't know. Let's clean up quickly and get out. Good morning, hyung!"

As they saw Leon walking in through the door, the seven boys bowed their heads deeply. Even Leon, who had been so high-spirited last night, was now calm and subdued.

Leon, who looked at the boys with an ambiguous expression, waved his hand and bowed his head simultaneously.

"... Oh, right..."

In that moment, the boys realized Leon was also in an awkward situation.

'He's using formal language again...'

'Did he just bow and wave at the same time?'

'Looks like he's in the same situation as us.'

Taewoong carefully asked Leon.

"Hyung, do you remember everything?"

"... Of course. I remember everything."

"So, what about the Jangwon-gupje palanquin..."

"A palanquin?"

Seeing Leon's blank face, the boys realized again.

'He doesn't remember.'

'Turns out he's a fun hyung after all.'

'Let's leave quickly...'

After promising to meet and hang out again, the boys left the Lunatic studio.

Seeing Leon in such a predicament was quite amusing. Although they couldn't have done that in their right minds, it was a memorable experience.

Feeling closer than ever, the seven scholars returned to their accommodation.

The first thing the members checked upon returning home was Hyunsoo's MacBook.

They needed to verify if the demo tracks from the previous night were properly saved.

"Hyunsoo, did you save it correctly?"

"Not sure. We'll find out when we open it..."

"What? How can you say something so irresponsible?"

"Hmm... Since it's my habit to save things, let's trust that habit."

"Please, please..."

After a long wait, the demo audio file finally opened. They still couldn't verify if the audio was properly saved.

"Shall we play it?"

When Hyunsoo pressed the space bar, the project file began to play.

* * *

The next day, in the Solar System conference room.

The meeting, which had started in the morning, was still going on by lunchtime.

The cause of the delay was the clash between Team Leader Seo Eunwoo and Head of Department Yang Mihyun.

Team Leader Seo Eunwoo was in charge of the planning and activity schedule for 7IN, while Yang Mihyun was the superior overseeing everything at a higher level.

Seo Eunu insisted that, as a completely differentiated group from previous idols, 7IN's planning and promotion should also be unique.

However, Yang Mihyun took a conservative stance.

Since 7IN had already attracted massive attention, it should follow the formula for success.

Although they interpreted the situation similarly, their approaches differed, leading to their disagreement.

This time, they were at odds over the title track for the debut album.

"Let's make the title [Concept : 忠> and [The Unmannered Ones>. Leon said [The Unmannered Ones> should be re-submitted. Isn't that fine?"

"I initially thought that was the best option."

"See! You agreed with me. It's a song that the public has already reacted to, and the performance is all set. What could be a more perfect double title?"

"Director, 7IN is a newly debuting team. They are debuting in the most fresh way among all idols in history. This team is about embracing challenges. Filling the album with recycled tracks does not match the team's identity at all."

"Team Leader Seo, why are you like this? Wasn't it the same with [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques>? Were you always this challenging?"

"That time, the results were good, weren't they?"

"Is that your argument? It was fortunate the results were good; what kind of idol does their variety show debut on [Masterpiece Genuine Antiques>?"

"Being an unprecedented idol means walking an unprecedented path."

"Wow, you really don't concede."

Yang Mihyun slammed the documents down and glared at Seo Eunwoo, but Seo Eunwoo showed no signs of backing down.

"Fine. Do you have any alternatives?"

"Alternatives..."

"I'm asking if there are any songs that can replace [Concept : Loyalty> and [The Unmannered Ones>."

"..."

"Did you just get angry without any alternatives?"

"If you make a decision, I will find alternatives."

"What?"

"We can't just demand songs without compensating the producer."

"Ah, you're quite the scholar!"

As soon as the phrase about being a scholar was said, the conference room door creaked open.

Creeeak-.

"Excuse me for a moment."

Gunja, carrying a large tray, walked in with a bright smile and handed out one piece of yanggaeng each.

"Haha, I thought the meeting was getting heated, so I brought these..."

"What's this?"

"It's yanggaeng. A popular delicacy among young people these days."

Seeing this, Yang Mihyun's mood softened a bit. Although the sudden intrusion into the meeting was annoying, the purpose was to support the team.

Taking a bite of the yanggaeng, Yang Mihyun thanked Gunja.

"Thank you. But we're in a meeting right now, so could you leave that here? We'll share it ourselves."

Gunja nodded and set the tray down but didn't seem to be leaving.

"Director."

"Yeah, what?"

"I'm sorry, but I accidentally overheard some of the meeting content."

"...What?"

"Actually, I didn't eavesdrop; I just heard. Your speaking voice is as impressive as Trainer Jang Minhyuk's."

"Huh?"

"You're quite remarkable."

At that moment, Manager Lee Yongjung had to stifle a laugh. However, Yang Mihyun's poker face remained intact.

"So what? Are you here to compliment my speaking?"

"No. That's not all."

"Then?"

"The alternative you mentioned, a new title track."

"...?"

"We have it."