NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29
When Miro showcased her ability to flawlessly copy another member’s drawing during a collaboration, it naturally became a hot topic in the community.
[Real-time “Copy Ninja Miro”]
(Miro replicating the drawing style she’s seen before)
(Maho, shocked at the results from the Galctic Phone)
What the heck, is this even possible? LOL
Maho’s expression after having her style copied, haha.
– Her expression, LOL
– But seriously, is this not a prank?
Yeah, no… Miro just totally nailed the copy.
[Miro, what are you?]
(Comparison of a drawing by Miro and one by Maho)
What in the world, how did that punchline surpass the original in just a few minutes?
– I couldn’t believe it while watching the live broadcast.
– It’s honestly impressive how well she can draw, haha.
– Wait, what? Both are drawn by Miro?
No, no, no, the one on the right is drawn by Maho, and Miro drew the next one after looking at it.
Huh? What kind of nonsense is that?
I’m serious, don’t be a dunce.
– What can’t this girl do, really?
[Miro’s initial terrible drawing reason]
(Miro’s first drawing during the Galctic Phone collaboration)
This kid definitely has done some drawing before, yeah.
She probably just scribbled it to avoid embarrassment and then copied the next member’s drawing.
– Yeah, definitely.
– Seems like she’s done something related to drawing, for sure?
– Hey, detectives in their rooms, what are you doing? Hurry and figure this out!
– What was her past life to hide this well?
Well, in her past life, it’s supposed to be hidden, you dimwit.
[But what’s the point of drawing well?]
(With not enough time to finish writing the answer)
(Haru is shocked looking at the incomplete answer)
I can’t write, LOL.
– Hahahaha.
– But that fits perfectly, haha.
Are you serious?
Yeah, seriously, LOL, she was wasting time observing the drawings and couldn’t finish writing it, but she has a knack for guessing by talking.
[Why I feel betrayed by Miro]
(Miro’s avatar smiling brightly)
I thought she was just a sweet girl with a nice voice, but nope;;
She sings well… draws well… is pretty… just has it all, seriously…
– Pretty? Nah, she’s just a pig, so no worries.
– LOL, you really think that voice could come from someone fat?
– If she was pretty, wouldn’t she have a boyfriend? She’s just holed up at home watching anime and drawing all day.
– Don’t bring facts into this, you fool…
– Seriously… she’s just the GOAT…
– She talks well, for real.
– I mean, isn’t she just talking about whatever she wants? She just says whatever she likes.
– Well, being able to ignore the crowd is a talent too, yeah.
[But how the heck does she copy a drawing just by looking at it?]
How good must her skills be for that?
I really want to see the drawings Miro made.
– Yeah, there’s just such a level difference.
– It’s like a pro in LoL effortlessly copying the moves of a bronze player.
– I asked through donations but she didn’t want to draw out of fear of being exposed.
Why’s she dodging? Is there something really there?
Yeah, it definitely seems like there’s something!
– Is Miro going to fall from grace? LOL
[Real-time Maho fainting, haha]
(As Miro shows her drawing process in a flash, Maho falls backward)
Info: Maho has been drawing as a hobby for 10 years.
– LOL, she looked like she was about to die.
– 10 years as a hobby, LOL, and Miro at just 21 ^slayed^.
– Maho can draw well too.
– It’s just the difference between an amateur and a pro, yeah.
With all the attention drawn to Miro’s drawings, the fan conflict I worried about before the collaboration didn’t happen.
After the collab ended, Miro, who was ego-surfing, went on to comfortably close her eyes and sleep.
***
The day after the collaboration.
I had been practicing the part from “Wonderland” and sent the recording to Hyeon-su.
With a mix of anxiety and anticipation, Hyeon-su received the recording right away, and feedback arrived an hour later.
(Hyeon-su): I listened well. First off, I think you should lower the tone from ~ to ~ a bit and try to bring out a more inner confession feeling. Also, it’s good to gradually raise the pitch from the end of the ~ part to the beginning of the ~ part, but rather than stepping up like stairs, try to leap a bit more…
“…What is he saying?”
I received a long feedback that was utterly incomprehensible.
I understood the inner confession vibe he wanted.
But the difference between stepping up stairs and leaping just left me dumbfounded…
Is this genius?
Does he have feelings that can’t be explained in words?
Regardless, I decided to find the vocal teacher and we both put our heads together, trying our best to meet Hyeon-su’s demands and recorded again to send it back.
But…
(Hyeon-su): Thank you for considering my feedback. However, about ~ part here and… after that…
Once again, I received a lengthy feedback.
So I recorded with the vocal teacher again and sent it.
(Hyeon-su): It’s really good but… at the start…
Another lengthy feedback came through, and with even more requests than before, I felt dizzy. Showing it to the vocal teacher, she just laughed and said,
“He’s young and inexperienced, he knows he wants a feeling but isn’t sure exactly how, so every time I give feedback, something feels lacking.”
“What do we do then?”
“Well, a perfectionist rookie singer should just record the part until he’s satisfied in one go.”
“But that’s why I’m in this situation!”
“Or… maybe it’d be easier to get real-time feedback until you get it right?”
“Oh… then… I guess I’ll go. I was curious about the workshop too.”
Luckily, the vocal teacher, being a veteran in this field, quickly provided a solution, and I decided to visit Hyeon-su’s workshop to record.
(Hyeon-su): You’re coming to our workshop?
(Me): Yes, it looks better to go and get feedback as I record.
(Hyeon-su): Alright, I’ll let you know the location.
(Me): Then I’ll go tomorrow.
(Hyeon-su): Sure, that’s fine. Oh, just so you know, there might be some of our band members there, so keep that in mind.
Band members? Come to think of it, Slim Gold’s music was closer to a band style.
I thought it was all machine-produced sounds, so are there actual band members around?
(Me): I thought Slim Gold was just one person?
(Hyeon-su): That’s true, but those guys are there to help during recording.
(Me): Ah, got it.
So I got Hyeon-su’s permission and location, and the next day,
I visited Hyeon-su’s workshop.
“Hello.”
The workshop located in the underground of Gangnam was surprisingly spacious.
As a student, I had thought it was a cheap underground studio…
There was no dust, and the floor was clean.
Even the table, fridge, and various instruments were quite tidy.
“Ah, you’re here!”
Yet, there was no Hyeon-su inside, but a woman.
With heavy makeup, a red bob cut, piercings on both ears, and a tattoo peeking from a V-shaped area,
the woman, looking quite striking, smiled slightly as she guided me inside.
“Wow… you really are a beauty as Hyeon-su mentioned? I’m Kang Ah-young, the drumming noona who helps him.”
“I’m Kim Soo-hyun.”
“How old are you?”
“Ah, I’m 21.”
“Haha… do you want to call me noona then? I’m 28.”
“Oh, yes. Noona.”
Ah-young was quite a sociable person.
“Hyeon-su will be here shortly. Drink this.”
Following Ah-young’s lead, I sat on a plush sofa inside the workshop, and she brought over a bottle of fruit juice.
“I heard you’re recording the part from Wonderland, is that right?”
“Ah yes, I’m going to be recording it.”
“Wow… isn’t that pretty hard?”
“It is… that’s why I came to get feedback directly.”
“Is that so? Hyeon-su can be quite fussy, right?”
After exchanging some small talk, Ah-young sat across from me, sipping on her drink while explaining the workshop.
“See, over there is the recording studio… and that’s the practice room. Doesn’t the facility look great? And check out the clean restroom, there’s even a lounge!”
“Wow… this is impressive.”
That was pure admiration. The workshop was indeed spacious and clean, looking really good.
When I imagined an underground studio, I pictured spider webs in the corners, with a dusty smell… but it seems things have changed these days.
“Right? All of this is in Hyeon-su’s name?”
“Yes?”
“Hyeon-su is a rich kid; we’re just sharing this space to practice.”
Wait, really?
This studio looks expensive at first glance… and it’s all student-owned?
Our house isn’t that poor, but a true rich kid really is different…
“Surprising, right?”
“Yes… a bit surprising.”
“Thanks to Hyeon-su, it’s easy for the band.”
“But how did you end up working with Hyeon-su?”
I was kinda curious. She seemed to have spent a decent amount of time here, so how did a rich kid and a twenty-something musician end up together?
“Oh well…”
Just as Ah-young was about to satisfy my curiosity, the door suddenly swung open.
“Sorry for being late!”
The workshop door opened, and in walked Hyeon-su.
“Let’s stop here for now.”
Regrettably, as soon as Hyeon-su entered, Ah-young stopped talking and shrugged playfully.
“What were you guys chatting about?”
“Oh, nothing much~ just that a newcomer was here and this noona was entertaining her.”
“Oh… sorry about that, I finished late today.”
That’s when I finally noticed Hyeon-su who walked in through the door.
Wearing a school uniform, he looked like he hurried over as he was breathing heavily, sweat dripping down his face like rain.
Running in this hot weather… what a maniac.
“It’s fine. But you’re a student, where’s your bag?”
I pointed to Hyeon-su’s back.
If he came straight from school, shouldn’t he be carrying a bag?
“Oh.. I just left it at school; I need to work on this today.”
“Then why didn’t you just stop by home first?”
Couldn’t he have set the appointment a bit later, gone home, and relaxed before coming here?
“Whenever I work, I just stay in the studio.”
“Oh…”
If he’s a rich kid, his home must be nice… then why does he choose to stay in the studio instead?
Well, I suppose I can’t really say anything since I’m living away from my family too.
“Then… shall we start recording?”
“Sounds good. Let’s jump right in.”
So we headed to the recording studio inside the workshop to begin recording.
No matter how you look at it, how much the deposit must be for such a spacious underground space is beyond imagination.
“Alright, we’ll do it here.”
I was amazed at the spacious workshop as we stepped into the recording room, and the real recording commenced.
And as expected…
“Ah~ this part’s nice, but…”
“That part was good, but here…”
“Just now! That was good, but…”
“Can we do this just one more time?”
“Let’s change that part and do it once more…”
A never-ending cycle of recording began.
Is this how singers go through this process to release songs?
…I guess that’s how it is.
Please tell me I’m not the only one going through this.