GIJS

Chapter 193 Hunting Time

"So, what? Hunting?"

At Tae-woong's question, Gunja nodded with a satisfied expression.

"Yes. Don't you think it would be okay to make a song with the concept of 'hunting'?"

As he spoke, Gunja played a video on YouTube. It was the most famous scene from the film The Face Reader', featuring the appearance of the character Suyang Dae-gun.

"Oh, I love this scene!"

"Yeah. I'm not really into historical dramas, but this one is so cool."

"Oh, Tae-woong, you don't like historical dramas either?"

"Huh? Gunja, you don't like them? I thought you would."

"Ugh... Watching poorly researched historical dramas stresses me out."

"Oh, really..."

"Okay, okay, let's stay on topic. We're thinking of using 'hunting' as a concept for the song, and also incorporating this kind of costume concept for the stage, right?"

"Yes. The armor and fur decorations might be a bit much, but how about creating a stage costume concept based on this scene?"

The armor and black fur worn by Suyang Dae-gun in the movie certainly had a powerful presence. The other members also seemed to quite like Gunja's suggestion.

"I think it would really suit Woong-i and Hyuk-hyung if they wore something like this."

"I think the hunting concept is great too. There are moments when you need to hold your breath while hunting, and other moments when you have to chase frantically. It's perfect for adding dynamics to the song."

"...Hmm, I think a hunting jacket would also be a good costume concept..."

"Oh, right. If the concept is hunting, then a hunting jacket makes sense."

"Hunting jacket? What's that?"

"You know, one with lots of pockets and a belt to cinch the waist..."

"Oh, I think I get it."

"So, what do you think about the choreography team's ideas?"

"Yeah? Sounds good."

"No, I mean, be more specific."

"With hunting, there are certain movements we think of, like loading and shooting a gun, pulling a bowstring, or sneaking through the bushes... We can base the choreography on these movements."

"Okay, you explain it well..."

"Oh, hyungs! I already have a vision of the stage!"

"We need to start working on this idea right away."

As the idea started to branch out, Hyun-su immediately opened his laptop.

"I'll play the sketches again. Let's listen to them with the 'hunting' concept in mind."

Even though they had already listened to the sketches, the music felt much better with a clear concept.

"Oh, this part where the beat becomes minimal really fits the moment of lying in wait during a hunt."

"Right. And if we layer more instruments in the latter part, we can heighten the tension and give a sense of pursuit."

"But what are we hunting? Deer? Roe deer?"

"This might sound random, but it feels a bit uncomfortable to hunt animals... Is there something other than animals we could hunt?"

"Hahaha, it sounds random, but I get it."

"Yeah. I wouldn't want to shoot an arrow at a pretty, cute deer..."

"Hmm... How about pests? Nutria?"

"Ha-ha, hunting nutria seems too trivial."

"True, haha."

"Or how about legendary creatures? Listening to this beat, I can also picture chasing mythical beasts through a sea of flames."

"Oh, let's go with hunting creatures like dragons or phoenixes."

"...I think that sounds good."

"Yeah, it fits well with our team's concept and would be interesting if we use an Eastern style for the mythical creatures."

"If it's a sea of flames, it would be the Zhuque (Vermilion Bird)."

"Hahaha, an idol hunting the Zhuque! That sounds quite meaningful."

In just two hours, the title track meeting made considerable progress. Producer Ji Hyun-su seemed quite satisfied with the day's discussion.

"Phew, what I was struggling with alone for a week got resolved in just a few hours of meeting."

"Sorry about that. You must have had a lot on your mind."

"It's fine. No need to apologize. I'm actually more grateful for the help."

"But hyungs, remember this isn't the end. We decided on double title tracks for this release."

"Right. We need to come up with another one."

"Speaking of which, how about we approach the second title track like this?"

"Oh, what's the idea?"

"This time, something with this kind of atmosphere..."

***

The two preliminary title tracks completed by the boys were also approved by the Solar System's management team.

Now that the title track and all the other tracks on the album were over 90% complete, it was time to ramp up preparations for their comeback, including producing the music video and preparing for the showcase.

"This showcase will be different from the last one. We're planning to hold a showcase combined with a solo concert at the Sky Dome, which has a capacity of 30,000."

"...Th- thirty thousand..."

The number seemed to surprise the members, but soon they composed themselves and nodded in agreement.

"Then we'll finally meet our fans through a solo concert."

"Yes, it's a solo concert combined with a showcase. Since it's our first concert after skipping the world tour, we will prepare thoroughly with all our capabilities. The schedule might be tight until the comeback showcase, so you all need to pay extra attention to your condition."

"Yes, team leader!"

As Team Leader Seo Eun-woo said, the schedule was no easy task, but the boys tackled each task step by step.

They began with recording the title track and other songs for the album.

Hyun-su, who was in charge of main production, had enlisted a top-notch engineering team to assist, and Team Leader Seo Eun-woo had them work in the studio.

Gunja, now quite comfortable in the closed recording booth, took his place.

"Oh, Gunja, you look good. Not nervous?"

"Yes, for some reason, my heart is as calm as a lake."

"Oh, you used to have a look like a dog needing to go out every time you entered the booth."

"I, I never—cough—"

"Hehe, just kidding. Shall we start with the first verse?"

Thus began the serious album recording. As soon as the recording lamp turned on, Gunja and the other members showcased their skills without reservation. The members' abilities had improved significantly compared to their debut, thanks to numerous competition programs.

The engineers were in awe as they watched Gunja sing in the booth.

"...Wow..."

"Mr. Yu Gunja, your pitch is incredibly accurate."

"It's been a long time since I've seen a singer with such precise pitch."

Each time a recording was completed, the engineers showered Gunja with praise. Their compliments were not empty; they had worked with many singers, but it was rare to find someone with Gunja's precise pitch and clear tone.

As Gunja received praise, Hyun-su, sitting as the main producer, shrugged his shoulders with a pleased expression.

"Ahem, ahem, our Gunja is quite good, isn't he?"

"Good doesn't quite cover it. He's on a level far superior to many male solo singers with strong vocal abilities..."

"Honestly, we thought Chillin's pitch correction in 'Dynasty' was heavily edited. The pitch was so clean during Chillin's stage that we assumed they must have done a lot of post-correction... But it turns out the singer was just that good."

"But did you know? Our Gunja might be able to do even better than this."

"Really?"

"Gunja, how about doing that verse one more time?"

"What? Are we redoing this one?"

Despite being overwhelmed by the praise, Hyun-su did not forget his duty as a producer.

His role was to draw out 120% of the members' abilities.

Having listened to the members' voices more than anyone else, Hyun-su knew they could do much better.

"Alright, let's try again."

Gunja, receiving Hyun-su's determination, steadied his voice and stood before the microphone. With Hyun-su's precise directing, Gunja continued to produce even better results.

"Okay! Gunja is done. Next, let's bring in Hyun-jae."

"Yes~"

Starting with Gunja, the recordings continued with Hyun-jae, Si-woo, Yu-chan, Tae-woong, In-hyuk, and finally, producer Hyun-su himself.

Throughout the recordings of the 7IN members, the engineers were constantly impressed.

"I've heard a lot about how great Yu Gunja is, but the other members are no joke either."

"True. Ha Hyun-jae hits high D with ease."

"I recorded with Seol Young-joo last week. He struggled with high D, but..."

"Is Seol Young-joo the only one? How many singers in Korea can hit high D like that?"

"Indeed... That kid could even do musicals after idol activities."

"I really liked the damping of the rapper members."

"Oh, yes. I thought Cha In-hyuk's voice had a compressor on it."

"Overall, the skill level is so high. I didn't expect it to be this good."

"Exactly. I think I'll become a fan. With singing and rapping like this, we'll hardly need to touch anything."

"Right. From our perspective, it's a total breeze."

"Great... I hope we get to work with them again..."

Amidst the engineers' high praise, the recording session concluded smoothly and efficiently.

The next schedule was the music video shoot.

To bring the hunting concept to life, Solar System prepared a large-scale set and perfect locations.

Since the first title track had a hunting theme, it naturally included many action scenes. The storyboard for the music video was prepared by the director, Hyun Si-woo. However, it seemed that the cinematographer, Kwak Young-joo, had concerns about the storyboard.

"Director, is this storyboard really okay?"

"Yes~ I think it'll be fine~"

Si-woo insisted it was fine, but the passionate cinematographer, Kwak Young-joo, seemed eager to resolve any issues.

"But if we use this camera work, the action choreography will become extremely difficult..."

"Yes~ It will be difficult~"

"If what the director says is true, then Yu Gunja and Ki Yu-chan will have to perform almost aerial acrobatics here and then fall and run forward again... Is this possible?"

"Hmm~ It should be possible~"

"Director, 'should be possible' isn't enough... If this doesn't work out, it could consume a lot of time."

"Uh~ If it doesn't work out, then that's what will happen~"

"Uh, aren't you being too nonchalant? With such a large set and location... Reshoots will be nearly impossible..."

Given it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Kwak Young-joo seemed to want to play it safe. However, the director, Si-woo, maintained a relaxed attitude.

"Ahaha, don't worry~ It'll turn out fine~"

"Umm... Alright, I understand..."