I Became the CEO of an Idol Company in a Game Chapter 9

<Episode 9> 

 

“As I said yesterday, I signed a composer.”

Han Suseok nodded slightly and replied, “I’m aware.”

“And starting today, she’ll be using the office with us.”

“Using the office together? Why?”

“Yeah. I hired her as an in-house composer.”

“Excuse me? What did you just say?”

Han Suseok looked at me with a shocked expression, clearly expecting a more detailed explanation.

“I listened to the song, and it was just too good. I thought someone who could write something like that absolutely had to be secured. So I went ahead with it. Honestly, you know how hard it is to get songs from outside, right? Even when we go through all that trouble, half the time what we get isn’t even usable.”

Because we were an unknown company, that kind of thing happened all the time.

We’d go out of our way, flatter composers just to get something decent, only for them to hand us tracks completely different from what we wanted.

But we couldn’t openly complain. If we got on their bad side and lost access to future songs, that would be an even bigger problem.

“And if we have an in-house composer, then whenever we get songs from outside, we’ll have an expert inside the company who can evaluate them objectively. That’s a huge advantage.”

Han Suseok’s mouth slowly began to open.

“Suseok, once you hear the song, you’ll understand why I did it. So let’s listen first, then talk.”

Han Suseok pressed his forehead and shut his eyes tightly.

“CEO! The composer has arrived!”

A staff member’s voice rang out from outside the door. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

“Ah, she’s here. Let’s go. We should listen to the song.”

I pulled Han Suseok along and stepped out of the office.

“Ah… hello.”

Han Youngjoo, standing awkwardly, spotted me and greeted me brightly.

Seeing a familiar face among strangers seemed to put her at ease.

“You’re here even before work hours. Didn’t I tell you it’s fine to come only when needed, unlike the other staff?”

“You did… but I couldn’t just stay home. What happened yesterday still doesn’t feel real. I thought maybe if I came here, it would feel more real.”

“In that case, you came at the perfect time. I was just about to explain everything to the staff. Everyone… this is Composer Han Youngjoo, who wrote Spade Joker’s comeback title track. Let’s skip detailed introductions for now and listen to the song together. Is that alright?”

“Of course! I worked on it more last night.”

Han Youngjoo started rummaging through her bag, looking ready to play the song immediately.

“Let’s not do this by the entrance. Let’s go inside.”

“Ah, right.”

Realizing she had gotten too excited, she blushed slightly in embarrassment.

“The meeting room’s too small for everyone, so let’s listen from our desks. We’ll have a concept meeting this afternoon, so listen carefully.”

“Yes.”

The staff quickly returned to their seats.

“Composer, your desk is over there. I had to put up a temporary partition, so it’s not ideal… I’m sorry. But I made sure to get you a good headset.”

Originally, she should’ve had a proper studio, but there hadn’t been enough time to prepare one.

“I’ll get your workspace properly set up soon.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. Really.”

It was basically just a desk against a partition, so I felt a bit apologetic, but she waved her hands, insisting it was fine.

“Alright, let’s listen to the song.”

Han Youngjoo began moving busily.

I glanced around.

‘As expected, no one seems to have any expectations.’

Before, they had heard the demo of [I] before the contract, so there had been anticipation.

But now, with no prior information, they probably just assumed it would be better than something the members composed themselves.

‘Once they hear it, their expressions will completely change.’

“Then I’ll play it.”

“Yes.”

As her finger moved, an upbeat drum sound filled the room.

Knock knock.

A faint knocking sound followed by the creak of a door opening.

‘This is different from before.’

This wasn’t something I had predicted.

Even the smallest changes could alter the future.

But some things never changed.

One of them was the song.

Concepts, styling, stage effects… those could shift.

But the song itself had never changed before.

‘What’s going on?’

I thought things were going smoothly.

‘And then this happens.’

I shook my head lightly and focused all my attention on listening. I needed to carefully check what had changed.

[If I look around, there’s nothing but darkness

I can’t see anything]

It seemed she had even added lyrics overnight.

‘Did she stay up all night?’

[A pitch-black view

I see myself buried deep underground]

After that, nothing seemed different.

Maybe I had just been overthinking.

I relaxed and continued listening.

[Look around]

I glanced at the staff.

They were nodding along to the rhythm, their expressions bright.

But Han Suseok was different.

He had a serious face, his fingers moving quickly as he wrote something in the small notebook he always carried.

I couldn’t tell exactly what he was writing.

[Something falls down

Pressing me down

But I won’t sink]

A bright, refreshing melody paired with slightly wistful lyrics.

[A small light ahead of me

That’s all I hold onto]

Another thing I liked, barely any English.

[Toward the sky

Woo Woo hoo

Toward the sky

Woo Woo hoo]

The highlight is layered falsetto harmonies.

[I’ll go all the way]

The first verse ended, and the second began immediately.

[Say hello

Breaking through the hard soil for the first time]

If verse one was about struggle underground, verse two was about the trials after emerging.

[I’m happy

I believe nothing can stop me now]

No matter how many times I heard it, it fit Spade Joker perfectly.

This song would give them a nickname:

“Hope-dol.” (Idols of hope.)

Idols are meant to inspire dreams and hope… the name fit perfectly.

‘And once their identity is established, planning future album concepts becomes much easier.’

[I’m anxious

Harsh winds and scorching sun

Everything brushes past me]

The drums grew louder. The tempo slightly increased.

[I gently close my eyes

I need to become stronger]

Boom boom boom boom!

The song built toward its climax.

[Toward the sky

Woo Woo hoo

Toward the sky

Woo Woo hoo]

Same chorus, but a different feel.

The first chorus felt delicate and beautiful, the second felt stronger and more resolute.

Stronger drums, stronger guitar, and instead of layered harmonies, a unified chorus of voices.

[That once fragile child

Now stands on everything]

Then came the so-called “fairy part”, a soft, delicate section.

That had to go to the maknae, Leejoo.

In the previous timeline, clips of that moment had exploded all over social media.

‘The atmosphere, the tone… Leejoo is perfect.’

[I’m gonna be harder]

Then came the high note climax.

It might seem difficult for a male idol, but with Zen, there was nothing to worry about.

He could belt out female songs without changing the key.

‘Thinking about it, Spade Joker’s base stats are actually very high. Well, makes sense… I built them with high-ranking members.’

What mattered was how I used them.

That would determine success.

[Toward the sky

Woo Woo hoo

Toward the sky

Woo Woo hoo]

[I]

From there, continuous backing vocals filled the song, keeping it rich.

[I’ll become stronger and stronger]

The song ended.

Silence filled the room.

‘What? Why is no one saying anything? The song can’t be bad.’

Their reactions had been good, so why the silence?

Just as I was about to speak…

“Singer… no, Composer, thank you.”

Han Suseok’s voice broke the silence.

He bowed deeply, 90 degrees, to Han Youngjoo.

She immediately stood and bowed just as deeply.

“Thank you for giving me such a great opportunity.”

It was a heartwarming scene… but neither of them moved.

‘Are they competing over who’s more polite? At this rate, their backs are going to break.’

I waited a bit longer.

Still no movement.

This could go on forever.

“…Alright, that’s enough. Both of you, please stand up.”

Only then did they straighten up.

“Alright. Now that we have the song, things are going to get busy. Let’s push forward so Spade Joker can make their comeback as soon as possible.”

“Yes, understood!”