prove it • stray kids

33 | solo practice

nyla asher

[korean]

The final mission is quickly approaching. Soon enough, we will be doing our live broadcast to decide who will debut. The mission requires us to be prepared for performances of any number of people.

The three of us feel prepared for our performance together, and we have each practiced pretty well for duets we may have to perform, so now we are working on our solo performances.

For my solo performance, I figured I should make a new song and sing it. Out of dancing, rapping, and singing, I feel most confident in my singing and least confident in my dancing.

That brings me to where I am now: sitting in a studio, working on the song I will sing. The conversation I had with Suwei and Riley recently made me want to make the lyrics about finding a path in life and choosing between difficult choices. I need the melody of the song to match that feeling of both the curiosity and anxiousness that one experiences when encountering a situation like this, but I have been struggling to create a chorus that would fit that feeling.

"Need some help?" I notice two figures sit down on either side of me.

I identify the figures as Jisung and Changbin and reply, "You guys don't have to keep helping me."

Jisung smiles, "We like making music and helping people."

"And you're already less shy around us since we keep helping you," Changbin adds.

I slightly nod in agreement, "In that case, I can't make a melody to match the feeling of this song."

Grabbing the paper in front of me, Jisung looks over the lyrics to understand what type of energy I want for this song.

"Sentimental," he says after reading the lyrics, "I like these kinds of songs."

Changbin listens to what I have produced of the song so far and comments, "Towards the end we should add more of a build up to express how the feeling of not knowing an outcome of a situation can be somewhat exciting."

Jisung nods, "I like how the beginning is balanced with piano and other beats that do not overpower the piano. I think that consistency should stay through the choruses before the build up."

Taking their advice, I add some sounds to the ending part to create a more positive finish. We keep working at the song until I have a full draft made.

"I feel like I should be giving producer credits to you guys on these songs," I relax in my chair after saving all the progress we made on the song.

Changbin chuckles, "We have only helped you on a few songs, and they are mostly made by you and Riley."

"Still," I note, "There are so many little things that I wouldn't have learned or changed in my songs if it wasn't for your help. Thank you for everything."

"Awe that's so sweet. I think this is the perfect time for a group hug!" Jisung exclaims with his arms opened wide.

The boy stands up and comes in between me and Changbin, pulling us into his embrace. Changbin reluctantly hugs the other boy back, a smile tugging at his lips.

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all jisung wants is a hug from changbin