When I Opened My Eyes I Was a Superstar - Chapter 50

# 50

Rendez-vous (4) 〈End of Volume 2〉

Of course, it was an excellent performance. It moved freely between low and high notes. The splendid technique produced by the quick movements of the hands aroused admiration in the listeners.

The rhythmically performed parts to ‘Song for Apollon’ composed by Dowook also stood out.

Do-wook once again played the file sent by Kwon Hyul.

‘Of course it’s good. It’s good, but… it’s not a performance that you want to listen to over and over again, only to be impressed by something.’

Do-wook thought as he stared at Kwon Hyul’s message asking him to listen to the performance and contact him.

Naturally, classical pianists and jazz pianists, who both play in an orchestra and play from a sheet of music, have different personalities.

Although jazz pianists also perform in concert, Hul Kwon was a pianist who especially insisted on playing solo. He was the type of person who could fill a song by himself. It was rather surprising that he joined this project.

‘I’d rather listen to it separately. It doesn’t go well with the song…’

I continued to worry about whether it would be good to convey my feelings honestly. There was no immediate solution that came to mind, and I didn’t want to confuse Kwon Hyul with a vague review.

‘Your self-esteem will be great. ‘You can only go against your will.’

It was soon dinner time, so the members were coming out of the practice room one by one to have dinner.

Jeong Yoon-gi gestured toward Do-wook.

“Do-Wook! What are you doing there? let’s go eat!”

“Ah yes!”

Dowook answered and stood up.

However, I couldn’t just say it was good. Everyone was working with passion to demonstrate and combine their talents separately from advertising revenue.

‘Giving a dishonest review can actually be an act of deception.’

Do-wook followed the members, writing a message to Kwon Hyul with one hand.

Seok Ji-hoon and Park Tae-hyung were still singing because they were so into the a cappella version of ‘Windy Day’. It was nice to see them walking together in harmony, even from behind.

“It’s a part I used to sing alone with accompaniment, but I think it’s different and better if you sing it with harmony without accompaniment.”

Taehyung Park also nodded at Seok Jihoon’s words. Seok Ji-hoon looked at Do-wook, who was following him, as if asking for consent.

“huh. “I see.”

“I wish it had been included on the album.”

“Because the condition was to include unreleased songs.”

Dowook paused for a moment while answering.

‘Yes, it’s harmony too!’

Dowook even sent a message to Kwon Hul.

[I heard it well. This performance is included in my song.

I think I will have to modify the song a little to match the performance.

See you in the studio]

***

The second official meeting and filming of the ‘Rendezvous Project’ at the studio.

Dowook, who had no schedule, came first and waited for the other project members.

The promotions for ‘Windy Day’ swept first place on all music shows and ended a short two-week period. Although the activity ended, the music chart ranking did not drop due to the promotional effect through Apollon and continued to hover within the top 10.

Do-wook said hello to Director Hong, the commercial and music video director.

He was a director who shot some of Korea’s leading music videos. Do-wook treated Director Hong with only the necessary level of courtesy.

‘He may be the best music video director now, but he cannot continue to be as successful as he is now.’

Director Hong’s reputation as a music video director will reach its peak after this project. However, it went downhill on its own.

This was because he gradually lost his place in the industry after causing a stir by sexually harassing students at the university where he taught.

Personality was character, but there was also the problem of skill itself. Although he was a director with commercial potential, he was a director without the will to create his own style or work.

After saying hello to Director Hong, Do-wook looked around the studio.

According to the storyboard I had received in advance, a grand piano was placed in the center of the studio. A professional tuner was checking the piano’s tuning status.

There was a large monitor floating on the wall behind the grand piano. The monitor connected to the laptop was the monitor that would display the video of Naeunsu Na, a graphic designer.

And a stand microphone was set up. The surrounding space was decorated with skateboards and lacquer spray to represent a place where B-boys dance. There were torn performance posters on the walls.

The project member who arrived at the studio after Do-wook was Kwon Hul. Do-wook greeted Kwon Hul who was approaching.

“hello!”

“yes. hello.”

Even though it was their second meeting and they exchanged messages, Kwon Hul still gave off an aura that was difficult to approach.

As soon as Kwon Hul arrived at the studio, he sat down in front of the piano and began to relax his hands.

Kwaang – I pressed the key once and pointed out the note. Even though I was just moving my hands as I wanted, it felt like a musical performance.

Dowook, who had already relaxed his neck in the car, stood in front of the microphone and checked its sound.

“I’m going to start filming now, so feel free to give me your opinions!”

Director Hong shouted.

The staff moved around busily and found their places. A total of about 12 cameras were mobilized. There were about 4 CCTV cameras attached to the ceiling and walls, a piano microphone monitor, and an additional 4 cameras, one each in front of the stage for dancing.

There are 4 cameras remaining. Four cameramen, carrying cameras on their shoulders, surrounded Do-wook and Kwon Hyul and filmed them.

“After listening to the performance, I modified the song.”

“…is it a crystal?”

“yes. “This is probably a version of the arrangement that is more suitable for performance.”

Dowook naturally took out the new Apollo model from his pocket. And then the rearranged ‘Song for Apollon’ was played. It was an MR without a guide recording version.

Kwon Hul, who was sitting on the piano chair, quietly closed his eyes.

Considerable section. The section that was most modified and worked on was this section. It was also a section where Kwon Hyul’s fast playing was added.

Kwon Hul, who had been listening for a moment, suddenly opened his eyes and started playing.

The director as well as the staff, including Yoosung Electronics marketing managers, exchanged surprised glances with each other at the outstanding performance that captivated the ears.

Kwon Hul’s performance was brilliant, no different from the file he had sent to Do-wook. At the same time, it harmonized with the song and made the listener feel ecstatic.

Dowook changed the melody of the interlude. The space left empty for the piano performance was filled with a low-pitched melody that perfectly suited the performance. High notes were removed.

The piano performance and appropriate midi melody combined to create an amazing harmony.

Kwon Hul, who was playing, soon noticed changes in the rearranged song. I immediately noticed Dowook’s intentions as well.

Kwon Hul concentrated horribly and created a new note. Although it was less flashy than before, it was a sound that I couldn’t help but fall in love with.

Dowook took the microphone and started singing. A low-pitched voice echoed through the studio.

Our Apollo resembles the passion of the sun – Apollo – Apollo –

Even though the lighting in the studio, which was deliberately made to resemble a shabby warehouse, was not very high, people somehow felt ‘dazzled’. It was truly dazzling. It really felt like Apollo from Greek mythology had appeared.

The cameraman standing in front of Dowook moved the camera and slowly zoomed in on Dowook’s face.

Obin and Naeunsu, who arrived late, watched their performance in fascination.

Naeunsu naturally trudged towards the laptop behind the piano. And then he played the video he had prepared.

Obin and Naeunsu had already met and filmed to work on Naeunsu’s video.

The dynamic scenes of Obin tumbling and head spinning were sequentially divided into 4, 8, 16 and 32 parts, moving frantically.

These were movements created by two people studying how to effectively express dynamism.

Black-and-white city photos were flipped with a crackling effect, followed by pages with intense colors.

When Kwon Hul playing the piano, Do Wook singing, and even the monitor video behind him were caught at one angle, it was already a scene from an advertisement.

Next to me, Obin shook his body to the rhythm. And in a timely manner, he showed off his b-boying tricks.

That’s how the song ended. Five seconds after the song ended… there was a lingering feeling in the studio.

Everyone stood quietly in their seats. The silence was broken by Director Hong’s applause.

Kwon Hul, who was deeply immersed in the afterglow of the performance, got up from the piano and went to Do-wook in front of the microphone.

“I guess my playing was terrible.”

“yes? Not at all. no. “It was great.”

“no. It wouldn’t have been suitable for collaborative performance. “Still a solo, self-righteous performance.”

Dowook kept his mouth shut at Kwon Hyul’s direct words.

“I participated in this project to stop self-righteousness.”

Only then did Do-wook fully understand Kwon Hul. Kwon Hul was a ‘true genius’ who worked hard. My current position would be sufficient, but I was constantly trying to improve myself.

“But Mr. Dowook actually modified the song.”

“Ah…”

“It’s still good, but I feel resentful when I only get help. “I will try harder too.”

Dowook smiled slightly and nodded.

I turned around and saw the video playing on repeat. It was a video that suited the song and clearly contained the theme.

I watched Obin’s dance while singing. These were dances that showed a completely different style of power and restraint from Park Tae-hyung. It suited the splintering rhythm of ‘Song for Apollon’ very well.

Director Hong and a marketing manager approached the four people.

“Ah… today was really good too. Do you think it’s okay to call what we did today the final result?”

The four people smiled faintly at the marketing manager’s words. Although I found some parts that needed to be slightly modified, it was clear that it was a very satisfying time.

“I really like the song better when I hear it live. I’m also looking forward to the music video. “Is it true that there was no problem with mine?”

When Naeunsu muttered, the marketing manager responded not to worry. Director Hong, who is well-versed in video, also came forward and praised the film.

“The day after tomorrow will be the final filming. “The location is on the rooftop of the studio.”

In addition to what the person in charge said, Director Hong explained the concept at length.

In short, an explosion of passion and energy. The explanation was that it would be good to show such things.

***

And two days later, the final filming, which took place on the rooftop, ended with more than smooth completion. Kwon Hul’s performance, Oh Bin’s b-boying, and Naeun-su’s video. And even Dowook’s song. Although only two days had passed, progressive modifications had been made. They fit together and became more harmonious.

It was so perfect that it was believable that they had formed a performance team a long time ago.

After director Hong’s editing, the ‘Rendezvous Project’ advertisement was released not only on prime time television advertisements across the country, but also on the electronic billboard in the middle of Gwanghwamun.

People seemed to be captivated by the eye-catching advertisements and stopped to look at them wherever they appeared.

Even the music video and making-of video were uploaded to the Internet through MyTube.

Project members meeting and exchanging messages with each other. Rehearsal for the second meeting. And even a performance on the rooftop.

‘Song for Apollon’ caused a huge stir among young people and not only entered the top of the music charts, but also won the Grand Prize at the Advertising Awards held a month later.

Dowook’s ‘Kiss Lucas’ t-shirt worn in the video and the earrings Obin was wearing were selling like hot cakes.

Hyul Kwon’s concert was sold out, and Naeunsu collaborated with Namjun Cheon, Korea’s best video artist.

Meanwhile, KK accumulated stage experience by touring fall festival events, led by Dowook, who had become an icon wannabe among young students.

Even activities such as album promotions and advertising modeling. I was thinking that everything had passed like a storm.

But after some time. KK will be nominated for the Best New Artist Award at the Music Awards.

And Dowook realized that the storm had not passed, but that it was the eve of the storm.