Music and Nonsense

Lee Sooman took a deep breath, trying his best to suppress his temper. He knew Jihoon was only joking, but somehow, the young man always had a way of getting under his skin.

After a moment of processing his frustration, he exhaled sharply and said, "Alright, enough fooling around."

"You mentioned two OSTs for your film? What genres are they?"

"Because if we're talking about vocals, BOA's voice is both powerful and versatile—she can hit the high notes effortlessly while delivering a strong vocal presence."

"On the other hand, Taeyeon has similar strengths, but her emotional expression is more refined and well-delivered compared to BOA."

After gathering his thoughts, Jihoon responded with a more composed tone. "Both songs are ballads, though one has a lighter feel."

"The first track, 'Maria,' demands strong, dynamic vocals, and based on your suggestion, BOA noona would be the ideal choice cause of her powerful voice and commanding stage presence is prefectly fitting the song."

"The second song, 'Byul,' requires a more delicate emotional expression, which perfectly suits Taeyeon's ability to convey deep, heartfelt emotions through her voice."

As Jihoon wrapped up his explanation, he noticed Lee Sooman and BOA were completely absorbed in the sheet music, carefully analyzing every detail.

Seeing an opening, he shot a playful wink at Taeyeon, as if silently demanding some credit for securing her a spot in the OST lineup.

Taeyeon, still a rookie, knew better than to peek at the notes before her director and senior gave her permission.

But when she caught Jihoon's mischievous expression, she had to bite back a giggle.

Deep down, she was touched by his effort to create this opportunity for her—but did he really have to look so smug about it?

With a dramatic eye roll, she feigned annoyance, secretly appreciating his help while pretending he was just as insufferable as ever.

As Jihoon and Taeyeon exchanged playful glances, the atmosphere remained light, but the real weight of the moment was settling in elsewhere.

Lee Sooman, a seasoned music producer with decades of experience, effortlessly ran the melody through his mind.

Without even needing an instrument, he could already hear how the song would unfold, each note fitting seamlessly into place. His sharp instincts told him immediately—this was no ordinary composition.

BOA, a veteran artist and one of SM Entertainment's most respected vocalists, examined the sheet music with the same level of expertise.

With just a glance, she could identify the strengths and weaknesses of a song, instantly recognizing its potential. And what she saw in Jihoon's work was nothing short of remarkable.

There was no doubt in their minds—these songs had the power to leave an enormous impact. Once released to the public, the response would be overwhelming.

The melodies, the lyrics, and the emotions woven into each note would resonate deeply with listeners. Not only would this benefit the singers performing them, but it would also bring massive success to SM Entertainment.

As one of the film's key investors, the company would reap the rewards not just from the box office, but from record sales as well.

And beyond the financial gains, this OST could solidify SM Entertainment's position as South Korea's number one entertainment company.

With a hit like this, their dominance in the industry wouldn't just be maintained—it would be undeniable.

Lee Sooman took a deep breath, gathering himself before slowly turning his chair around to face Jihoon.

The moment he locked eyes with the young man, his frustration deepened.

Jihoon, completely unfazed, he is still pulling the most ridiculous face—his tongue stuck out, eyes rolling dramatically as if he were teasing a small child.

Lee Sooman blinked.

Then, with a weary sigh, he turned his gaze toward Taeyeon, the supposed target of Jihoon's antics.

She sat across from him, her expression unreadable, calm yet utterly speechless at the absurdity of the moment.

With a hand to his temple, Lee Sooman rubbed his veins as if trying to soothe the headache forming beneath them. "What kind of people am I working with?" He thought.

There was no denying Jihoon's talent—his compositions were nothing short of genius—but his childish antics could make anyone's blood pressure spike.

Sensing the old man's growing exasperation, Jihoon immediately wiped the smirk off his face, schooling his expression into one of perfect innocence.

As if nothing had happened, he leaned closed to him and asked, "So, Uncle Lee, how's the song? Do we have the green light to start recording?"

Lee Sooman stared at him for a long moment, nothing more than utterly speechless.

Finally, he exhaled sharply and muttered, "Sigh.. Yeah, go ahead. Record the songs as you suggested."

" I'll leave you guys to it... Honestly, maintaining professionalism around you is nearly impossible."

With that, he pushed himself up from his chair and walked out of the room, too drained to engage in Jihoon's nonsense any further.

It wasn't as if he could treat him like one of the company's trainees—he couldn't scold him, couldn't discipline him, and certainly couldn't lay a hand on him.

The best solution? Avoid him entirely.

Sure, Jihoon's projects would bring immense benefits to the company. But at his age, Lee Sooman wasn't sure he had the patience—or the heart strength—to keep up with the young man's nonsense any longer.

As soon as Lee Sooman stepped out of the room, Jihoon's entire demeanor shifted. The exaggerated antics vanished, replaced by a calm and collected expression.

His goal had been achieved—driving Lee Sooman away. After all, the last thing Jihoon wanted was for the seasoned producer to catch on to his growing interest in Taeyeon.

What better way to keep him from noticing than by ensuring he spent as little time around them as possible?

With a smirk, Jihoon stretched his arms and casually announced, "Alright, with the old man out of the way, we young folks can finally talk comfortably now."

Both BOA and Taeyeon stared at him, momentarily speechless. Then, unable to hold back, they burst into quiet laughter.

No one—absolutely no one—in the company dared to treat Lee Sooman with such blatant disregard. As the founder and director of SM Entertainment, he commanded authority, always wearing a strict expression that left trainees trembling in his presence.

Rumors had even circulated that, years ago, a trainee had openly defied him, and in response, Lee Sooman had allegedly smashed a mug on the poor boy's head, leaving him with a bleeding wound.

Whether the story was true or exaggerated, one thing was clear—no one had ever dared to challenge him again.

Yet here was Jihoon, casually dismissing him like an annoying supervisor.

Despite the initial shock, BOA and Taeyeon couldn't deny the relief they felt in his absence. The atmosphere in the room immediately became lighter.

For the first time, they could speak freely without the weight of formality hanging over them. At first, BOA, who wasn't as familiar with Jihoon's playful nature, struggled to keep up with his way of communicating.

But soon enough, the formalities faded, and they conversed naturally, finding an easy rhythm between them.

With that, the recording session officially began. Jihoon listened carefully, providing real-time adjustments to their singing, ensuring they hit the right notes and perfected the tone of each verse.

He wasn't just overseeing the recording—he was actively shaping it, refining every detail to bring the songs to life.

Time slipped away unnoticed. Morning turned into noon, noon into night. Lunch was replaced by hastily eaten sandwiches, and coffee became their only fuel. Yet, despite the long hours, no one was willing to stop. The energy in the studio was electric, fueled by the passion of creation.

Both BOA and Taeyeon contributed to the composition, adjusting the melody to better suit their vocal styles.

Their tweaks weren't just minor adjustments—they were artistic choices, refining the music into something truly exceptional.

However, even the strongest adrenaline rush had its limits. As the clock struck 11 PM, exhaustion finally caught up with them. Their bodies felt heavy, their minds dulled by the relentless pursuit of perfection.

Though they wanted to push forward, they knew that great music couldn't be rushed in a single night.

With a mutual understanding, they called it a day, deciding to resume their work tomorrow.

As they wrapped up their recording session for the night, the exhaustion in the room was undeniable. Jihoon stretched his arms, letting out a yawn, before turning his gaze toward BOA with a sly grin.

"Noona, as the eldest here, you have a responsibility to take care of the youngest," he declared dramatically. "Taeyeon and I haven't had a proper meal all day—just sandwiches and coffee!"

"So, as a sign of your wisdom and generosity, I believe it's only right that you treat us to some premium Hanwoo beef tonight."

BOA, who had just finished packing away her notes, froze mid-motion and turned to glare at Jihoon. "Excuse me? And since when was it my responsibility to feed you two?"

Jihoon pouted like an overgrown child. "Come on, noona. It's tradition! The eldest always takes care of the juniors."

"It's like an unspoken law in Korean culture."

Taeyeon, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally chimed in, her voice soft but teasing. "I mean… Jihoon does have a point."

"You are the sunbae here, and we are your precious hoobae." She clasped her hands together, trying to suppress her giggle. "I've always heard that BOA-sunbaenim is very kind to her juniors."

BOA narrowed her eyes at both of them, her arms crossing over her chest. "YA! so this is a conspiracy! You two are ganging up on me!"

Jihoon leaned in, resting his chin on his hand. "Noona, think about it."

"We're all hungry, exhausted, and in desperate need of good food."

"And what better way to celebrate our first successful recording session than with the highest-quality Korean beef?"

"Imagine it—juicy, perfectly marbled Hanwoo, grilled to perfection, melting in your mouth…"

"The meat melts on your tongue, bursting with rich, beefy goodness. Each chew releases more of that umami-packed flavor, and before you even swallow, you're already reaching for the next bite."

BOA rolled her eyes as Jihoon continued his overly dramatic description of their dream meal, complete with sound effects of sizzling meat.

Taeyeon, playing along, added, "Ahh… And a nice hot bowl of soybean paste stew on the side… Maybe some cold noodles to finish it off."

BOA glared at him, arms crossed, but her resolve was visibly crumbling. "You little brat… You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

Jihoon grinned, unfazed. "Oh my good and generous noona, I'm just describing what we're missing out on."

"But if you're okay with settling for another sad sandwich and convenience store coffee, I totally understand."

BOA's eye twitched, than she groaned and threw her head back. "Ugh, fine! I'll treat you both, but only because I don't want to listen to your whining anymore."

Jihoon and Taeyeon high-fived each other in victory.

"But!" BOA raised a finger, silencing them. "This is a one-time thing. Don't expect me to do this every time we work late."

Jihoon smirked. "Of course, noona. Just this once."

Taeyeon nodded innocently. "We would never take advantage of your kindness."

BOA sighed, knowing full well that she had just set a dangerous precedent. "Yeah, yeah. Come on, let's go before I change my mind."

With that, the three of them left the studio, the air filled with laughter and the excitement of a well-earned feast.

[Author's Note: Heartfelt thanks to Wandererlithe for bestowing the power stone!]