GIJS

Chapter 77 Today's Quiz

"You're saying you have a new song?"

Yang Mi-hyun, who had been eating a sweet red bean jelly, stopped mid-bite at Gun-ja's confident remark.

"Something other than '[Concept: Loyalty]' or '[The Unmannered Ones]'?"

"Yes, that's right."

Yang Mi-hyun was not the only one surprised. Seo Eun-woo and Lee Yong-jung also looked at Gun-ja with astonished expressions, as they too had not heard of any new song.

Seo Eun-woo lowered his voice and whispered to Lee Yong-jung.

"Did you hear anything about Ji Hyun-su writing a new song?"

"No, I didn't. I check Hyun-su's work daily, and there was no mention of a new song up until yesterday."

"Really?"

Of course, Gun-ja wasn't the type to speak nonsense. However, it seemed implausible that a new song could appear out of nowhere in just one day.

While it's possible to create a new song in two hours with sudden inspiration, there hadn't been any time for work...

It appeared that Yang Mi-hyun decided to test Gun-ja.

"Can we hear that new song now?"

"Yes. Would you like me to perform it live?"

"What? Haha—"

Gun-ja's absurd suggestion of performing the song live elicited laughter in the otherwise cold conference room.

"I meant, do you have a recorded version?"

"Oh..."

"Your live performance sounds good too, but we can listen to that later."

Realizing his mistake, Gun-ja, with red ears, exited the conference room.

A little later, Gun-ja returned with Hyun-su. He carried a MacBook and a small speaker set.

"The working title is '[Origin]', with the subtitle 'Origin'."

"Oh, you already have a title?"

"Yes. Although it's still in the sketch phase, it should be fine to assess the song's mood and structure."

Hyun-su pressed the play button, and the new song began to play as the horizontal play bar moved.

Ding, ding-ding—

The introduction featured an Eastern-style virtual instrument, which had already been heard several times in 'A-yuk-si'.

The catchy melody immediately caught Yang Mi-hyun's attention, causing him to nod slightly.

'Seems like they did well.'

However, if the song had this kind of mood, wouldn't '[The Unmannered Ones]' be better?

At that moment, as the first loop ended, the song's mood dramatically shifted.

Doom, doo-wung, doo-wung—

Maintaining the Eastern-style instrument's top-line melody, it was filled with modern bass in the lower range.

It wasn't a song that drenched in Eastern aesthetics from start to finish like '[The Unmannered Ones]'. Instead, it had an Eastern vibe but was based on modern electronic pop.

'It's polished off really well, isn't it?'

Honestly, it was hard not to acknowledge. With a little more refinement, it could easily serve as a title track or follow-up for any tier 2 idol group.

But it wasn't without 7IN's own unique characteristics. The main instrument driving the song's flow was still Eastern-style.

Moreover, the dance break in the bridge part added a significant amount of Orientalism for impact.

"That's right, this is it."

Listening to the song, Yang Mi-hyun found himself murmuring softly.

Balancing clichés while retaining uniqueness is no easy feat. A slight imbalance could turn it into a clichéd song or one that is overly obsessed with its concept.

From this perspective, '[Origin]' was a well-centered song, just like its title suggested.

Even without lyrics or performance, it already had a money-making vibe. Both Seo Eun-woo and Yang Mi-hyun seemed to catch that scent.

It was clear that the survival audition 'A-yuk-si' had rapidly leveled up producer Ji Hyun-su.

As the song ended, applause spread through the conference room, starting with Yang Mi-hyun.

"Great song!"

"Th-thank you!"

Hyun-su, visibly happy at the recognition of his effort, bowed deeply and smiled broadly. However, Seo Eun-woo knew that Yang Mi-hyun was a typical interrogator. A barrage of questions was about to follow.

Sure enough, Yang Mi-hyun spoke again.

"I've listened to it well, but I'm curious about the intention behind this song."

"..."

"Could you explain it to us?"

Explaining the concept of the song is a simple but always challenging question. However, Hyun-su's response was smooth and confident.

"The main concept of '[Origin]' was to tear through the wind-painting, and depict the seven scholars emerging from it. This concept was the core idea."

"Wind-painting?"

"Yes. The wind-painting represents the world of scholars, that is, Joseon. The seven scholars emerge from that world and sing and dance on stage."

"And that represents you guys?"

"Yes."

"This is just like your new worldview, right?"

"That's right."

Only then did Yang Mi-hyun, the head of the department, understand the structure of the song.

The first loop, which is strongly influenced by Eastern style, probably depicts the world of a 'pungsokdo' (a genre of Korean painting).

But the moment the scholars from that pungsokdo appear, the song transforms and blends with modern instruments, showcasing a well-executed arrangement of the song's background setting.

With the excellently produced sketch track and the precise planning intentions, Team Leader Seo Eun-woo couldn't help but be impressed.

When did they come up with something like this?

And who came up with the idea of using pungsokdo as a medium?

"So, the pungsokdo concept was also Hyun-su's idea?"

"No, it was Gun-ja's idea."

Hyun-su, with a fan-like expression, looked at Gun-ja and pulled out the pungsokdo he had drawn in Leon's practice room.

"Where did you get this?"

"I didn't buy it. Gun-ja drew it."

"Gun-ja drew this?"

"Yes."

"Wow..."

Before Gun-ja arrived, Yang Mi-hyun had been dominating the meeting room. But after the new song was revealed, the atmosphere in the meeting room completely changed.

With such a fantastic new song, Team Leader Seo Eun-woo, who was part of the 'new song faction,' felt invigorated.

"Head of the department, can we consider this a viable alternative now?"

"Hmm, I suppose so."

Yang Mi-hyun nodded in agreement.

Although Yang Mi-hyun wasn't fond of risky attempts, the song "Origin" didn't seem risky at all.

Yang Mi-hyun wasn't the type to stick to his guns even in this situation.

"I also like 'Origin.' So, let's push 'Unmannered Ones' to a follow-up track and develop 'Origin' as the title track."

"Yes."

"However, the workload will double or even triple. We need to complete the song, write the lyrics, arrange it, mix and master, recruit the choreographers, film the MV... We'll be very busy going forward. Is everyone okay with that?"

"Yes!"

"Alright, if you're up for the challenge."

Yang Mi-hyun, with a satisfied expression, bit into a piece of yokan (sweet bean jelly).

"That wraps up today's meeting! Enjoy your lunch and get started right away."

* * *

While all the staff at Solar System were focused on preparing 7IN's debut album, the members diligently went around broadcasting stations to promote themselves.

7IN, which had achieved a crazy 30% viewership rating with "Masterpiece Genuine Antiques," showed its impact, though not all members were as prominent as Gun-ja, contributing significantly to the rising popularity of the programs they appeared on.

No broadcasting station wanted to miss out on 7IN. Even top-tier variety shows, which had previously been snobbish, were clamoring to book Gun-ja and the members. The choice was in the hands of Solar System and the members.

On one such day, while reviewing the long list of booking requests, Gun-ja noticed something.

"Team Leader Seo Eun-woo."

"Yes, Gun-ja."

"'Today's Quiz!' has the members of Favorite appearing."

"That's right."

Favorite. He heard they are an idol group making a comeback around the same time as 7IN.

The members of LunaTic and Veloce were known for their excellent character.

Although Gun-ja had been lonely in Joseon without any senior colleagues, he had always wished for supportive seniors.

The members of Favorite were likely great people too.

Moreover, He heard that 'Min Kang-hoo,' from that group, is the older brother of Min Kang-yeol, who appeared on "A-Yuk-Si2."

Since there was already an indirect connection, it would be nice to greet him. Isn't that a courtesy as a junior?

* * *

In the end, Gun-ja chose "Today's Quiz!"

In the car heading to the studio, Manager Lee Yong-jung earnestly instructed the two.

"Try not to run into the members of Favorite. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Even if you do meet them, just greet them briefly."

"Yes."

They replied eagerly, but their luck was poor from the start.

On their way into the studio, they ran into Min Kang-hoo, the main dancer of Favorite and the older brother of Min Kang-yeol.

"Oh no..."

They had been instructed to just greet them.

Gun-ja and Tae-woong, who quickly bowed and tried to enter the waiting room, were called over by Min Kang-hoo.

"Hey, Yoo Gun-ja."

"Yes, hyung."

While Tae-woong repeatedly gestured to move on, Gun-ja shook his head.

It was against the etiquette to ignore someone who had called you by name.

Since it had come to this, he had to at least have a proper conversation and greet him.

However, Min Kang-hoo didn't seem interested in chatting with Gun-ja.

"Who's your older brother?"

"Excuse me?"

"My younger brother doesn't even call me that."

"Oh..."

"I didn't expect to see you here. Did you come out because you saw my name? Are you planning to step on me like Kang-yeol?"

"···."

"Yeah, scary."

Min Kang-hoo's eyes clearly showed hostility towards Gun-ja, unlike Leon or Pael.

"Did your brother send his regards?"

"···."

Gun-ja had no response and just stood silently. Although he had done "A-Yuk-Si2" with Min Kang-yeol, they hadn't talked much. So, why would there be any regards?

"Don't you have anything to say to Kang-yeol?"

"Oh, we weren't that close, so..."

"What?"

"I'm sorry. If I think of something, I'll make sure to tell him."

"!?"

Gun-ja once again bowed and entered the waiting room. Tae-woong started making comments about how satisfying it was and other nonsense, but Gun-ja was in a bad mood.

He had hoped to build a good relationship with Min Kang-hoo as well.

Unfortunately, Min Kang-hoo turned out to be a small-minded person.

Even after the quiz show started, Min Kang-hoo kept glaring at Gun-ja. His disappointment grew each time he saw him.

'You're going to be screwed.'

His expression seemed to say that.

How could someone make such a small-minded face?

It's hard to maintain relationships with small-minded people. They tend to twist everything you say.

Min Kang-hoo would likely try his best to win this quiz competition.

But Gun-ja had no intention of holding back. Isn't it proper to compete with full effort?

If he held back, Min Kang-hoo, being small-minded, would only get angrier.

"Now, let's start the quiz show! 'Today's Quiz!' First question: 'Say it with a drawing!'"

The first quiz was a speed quiz where two people took turns drawing and guessing. The Favorite team, as the first players, had answered eight questions correctly. Now it was Gun-ja and Tae-woong's turn.

"Wow, eight..."

"Tae-woong, is eight a lot?"

"Of course. Getting five right is usually enough to be first."

"Then we just need to get nine right."

"Will we manage? You've never played this game before."

"Hmm..."

"Let's just avoid being last. Okay?"

"Alright, I'll do my best."

Gun-ja took out a brush pen from his pocket instead of a pen, preparing to draw.

His gaze was fixed on the LED screen above Tae-woong's head, where the problem would appear.

"Alright, the problem for 7IN team is..."

[Proverb]
"Ah, a proverb... This is going to be difficult!"

But contrary to the MC's disappointed expression, Gun-ja's face lit up as soon as the proverb appeared.

["A scholar after three years in the schoolyard can recite poetry."]
As soon as the first problem appeared, Gun-ja's fine brush pen began to move swiftly.