GIJS

Chapter 99 A Title That Truly Pleases the Heart

A few weeks before the filming of Sing Along Duo, PD Kim Seok-hoon called for a second production meeting. Since the meeting was about discussing the direction of the competition and stage setups, all participating teams were present with their partners.

Park Young-jae was also there with Hye-jin, the main dancer of the girl group 'Veritas.'

However, only one team, 7IN, appeared at the meeting without their partner.

"7IN has come without their partner?"

"Yes. Our partner's schedule didn't allow them to come, so it's just us."

"I see..."

The news that a partner had not come caused a minor stir in the meeting room. Park Young-jae nodded and smiled as if he expected this.

As expected. Finding a mixed-gender partner isn't easy.

"It's tough to find a partner, isn't it, juniors?"

"..."

"Well, it's not easy for rookie idols to do a mixed-gender performance."

"..."

"But what can we do? This program's concept is a mixed-gender competition. If it continues to be difficult, let me know. I can help you find one."

Park Young-jae's condescending attitude toward 7IN caused Hye-jin's expression to stiffen as well.

"Oppa, why are you..."

"What? I'm just offering help."

The atmosphere in the meeting room grew chilly due to Park Young-jae's provocations. With the right experience, solid support, and three years of track record, no one could outmatch him in a war of nerves.

However, the 7IN members, who were actually the targets of the provocation, remained relaxed.

As if Park Young-jae's words didn't bother them, Gun-ja smiled harmlessly and spoke.

"Thank you for your concern. But we already found a partner."

"..."

"We didn't fail to find a mixed-gender partner. They just couldn't attend today due to scheduling issues."

"Oh, I see."

Gun-ja's claim of having already found a partner seemed like mere bravado to Park Young-jae.

Look at this guy.

Seeing the changed Gun-ja, who was entirely different from his memories, Park Young-jae felt a sense of how times had changed.

Is this really Yu Gun-ja? The Yu Gun-ja who used to flinch at just a raised eyebrow. Seeing the changed Gun-ja, Park Young-jae found himself chuckling.

"But Gun-ja."

"Hm?"

"Isn't it a bit rude to use informal language in a formal setting?"

"Ah..."

"After all, I'm a senior who debuted three years before you."

"..."

"I didn't mention it before because of the circumstances, but I would like you to observe such manners."

"...Yes, understood."

At Park Young-jae's insistence on manners, Gun-ja immediately spoke more formally and bowed his head. Park Young-jae found it satisfactory. If he looked up, his fresh face would probably turn into a displeased one.

However, Gun-ja's expression remained cheerful. In fact, he gazed at Park Young-jae with even brighter eyes than before he bowed.

"What are you looking at?"

"I'm looking at you, Senior Park Young-jae."

"So why..."

"Since you wanted to be treated as a senior, I was wondering if you would now show what a true senior should be."

"So until now, I didn't seem like a senior?"

"Haha, interpreting a senior's words in a twisted way is the attitude of a petty person."

"...Are you trying to fight?"

"Why would I?"

"Then what is it?"

"As a junior, I am now trying not to be a fake junior who only praises and flatters."

"So this is the attitude of a true junior?"

"Yes. A true scholar is one who gives honest advice even if it means risking their life before the king."

"So you're prepared to die now?"

"No?"

"What? Why again?"

"Honestly, you're not exactly a king..."

"Hmph."

The more the conversation continued, the more Park Young-jae felt he was being thoroughly thwarted. Whatever he said, Gun-ja countered with his own pace.

The once chilly atmosphere in the meeting room was now turning into a challenge to hold back laughter. Especially the 7IN members looked like they were struggling to contain their laughter.

"Ahem, ahem."

Unable to stand the mess any longer, PD Kim Seok-hoon cleared his throat and intervened.

Though the meeting was meant to be about the production, the aim was to get the participants acquainted. If left as it was, a fistfight seemed imminent.

"Alright, after the meeting, why don't the two alumni have a drink together? For now, let's get to the necessary discussions. For those who brought their partners today, can we assume the partners are fixed?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Then, have any of you come with ideas for the competition song concept or performance?"

At Kim Seok-hoon's question, Park Young-jae confidently raised his hand.

"Yes, we have prepared somewhat."

"Oh, can we hear a bit?"

"Of course."

As Park Young-jae connected his smartphone to a portable amplifier, a sample beat created by Noel began to play.

Although it wasn't a beat created specifically for this competition, Park Young-jae had brought along a sample beat that Noel had previously made. He thought it was crucial to demonstrate preparedness at meetings like this.

Standing out right from the production meeting, Park Young-jae knew that catching the PD's eye would lead to good editing and ample screen time. His plan was clear.

The beat by Noel was clean and elegant. Despite being thoroughly defeated by Ji Hyun-su in the previous season of Ayuksi, Noel was still a producer well beyond the standard of a trainee.

Based on a minor melody with a Latin flair, the beat made PD Kim Seok-hoon nod and smile slightly.

"Sounds good."

"Thank you. It's a beat made by Noel from our company."

"Oh, Noel? The one from Ayuksi?"

"Yes, that's the Noel."

The name Noel was familiar not only to PD Kim Seok-hoon but also to Gun-ja. It was the name of the contestant who competed against Hyun-su in the second round! Gun-ja, pleased to hear the name, used his nickname for the first time in a while.

"Ah, the lecherous young man?"

"Lecherous young man?"

"Lecherous? So, Gun-ja, you seem to know Noel well."

"Not exactly well. I've just seen his face a bit."

"Face-reading? Gun-ja, you can read faces too?"

"Yes, a little."

"Oh, then can you read mine too?"

"Haha, I'll do it after the meeting..."

"Oh, right. We're in the middle of a meeting."

Park Young-jae, who had momentarily taken the spotlight in the meeting with Noel's beat, couldn't hold it for long.

Seeing the people gathering around Gun-ja to read faces after the meeting, Park Young-jae shrugged his shoulders.

"Hye-jin, you don't believe in face-reading, do you?"

"Well, I don't really..."

"Why does everyone get so obsessed with things like that?"

However, his partner Hye-jin seemed to think differently.

"Hey, oppa, do you want to leave first?"

"Huh? Why?"

"I want to get my face read."

"What? I thought you didn't believe in it?"

"Just for fun..."

"Alright, then go ahead."

"Yes, oppa! See you at practice next time!"

Soon, Gun-ja was buried among people with a bright smile. He looked completely different from the Gun-ja Park Young-jae remembered.

* * *

The next day, at the Solar system conference room.

The returned Yeonguijeong, secretly back in Seoul, was sitting at the table eating sweets like yanggaeng and yukwa.

"Ah, maybe it's because I'm getting older, but these things taste good now."

"Yeonguijeong!"

"Oh, Gun-ja. Long time no see!"

For Gun-ja, this was a heartwarming scene. Although his colleagues dismissed his tastes as 'grandfather's preferences,' the Yeonguijeong was different.

Of course, someone like the Yeonguijeong would recognize real taste.

Soon, all the members entered the conference room. Despite the long separation, the Yeonguijeong welcomed them warmly as if they had just seen each other yesterday.

"Hey, did you guys get even better-looking? You're already like celebrities after debuting? You were just cute little kids when you came to Jeju."

"Hehe, thank you!"

"Busy as usual, huh? The time right after debut is always the busiest and toughest. Here's Eun-woo... No, now it's Team Leader Seo, right? Yes, you should be whining a lot to Team Leader Seo."

"Yes!"

"Oh, but don't trouble him too much. When I was a newbie, I complained so much to Team Leader Seo that he ended up crying in front of me."

"Wow, Team Leader Seo?"

"Yes. I don't know about now, but back then he was a real crybaby."

"Haha."

"When a handsome guy was crying, I did feel a bit fluttery."

"Oh, did you date him!?"

"No. At that time, the CEO said, 'If you break up, who will drive? Will you, Yeonguijeong?' It really snapped me out of it. I failed my driving test five times."

"Wow, seems like driving isn't for you."

"Yeah, if I had dated Team Leader Seo back then, it would have been a disaster."

After the enjoyable snack time filled with nostalgic stories, the main meeting began.

Today's agenda was the concept meeting for the competition song.

The production meeting was essentially Gun-ja's solo show, but Park Young-jae's preparedness could not be ignored. He had recruited a hot girl group member and even had a beat prepared in advance.

In contrast, 7IN and the Prime Minister were still unprepared.

"Did I waste too much time? I should have asked my husband to write a song."

"It's alright, nuna. As guests, it's our responsibility to prepare."

"Really? Then quickly come up with a concept. I can handle whatever it is."

The Yeonguijeong's confidence was not boastful. She was a singer who could handle everything from intense EDM dance music to smooth R&B and ballads.

However, her wide range of skills was now causing her trouble.

Being able to do everything meant she was unsure of which genre and concept would be best.

"Hmm, what concept should we go with?"

"I prefer dynamic stages over static ones. Like what you did in Ayuksi."

"We agree. Do you have a preferred genre or concept, nuna?"

"Well, I'm not sure. Maybe I should refer to my songs?"

With that, the Prime Minister entered her name on the music platform. Soon, a playlist of her songs filled the large screen in the meeting room.

"Wow."

"There's so many..."

What was surprising was that more than half of the songs were familiar enough for the members to hum along.

However, to Gun-ja, the list was somewhat unfamiliar. He had learned about [10 minutes> on Jeju, but other songs were all from a previous generation.

Nevertheless, there was one name that caught Gun-ja's attention.

"Oh, that's..."

[Confucian Woman]

Ah, Confucian Woman!

Seeing the pleasing song title immediately made Gun-ja's heart race.