Episode 57: A Self-Inflicted Disaster
The moment the piano notes from Gong Jiu’s phone cut through the gentle classical guitar ambiance of Café Taleia, a small wave of aversion rises within me.
‘Ugh, I hate this.’
I didn’t even realize it at first.
“No matter how much this world hurts you,
No matter how unbearable these times may be…”
But hearing Gong Jiu’s guide vocals flow with the piano melody, I have to admit it.
‘I really don’t want to admit it.’
In this era, no one matches Lee Heekyung’s eye for talent.
‘Well, whatever.’
That eye won’t benefit Starlight anymore.
“Don’t worry.
Far away,
It’s surely
Waiting for us.”
Gong Jiu’s singing isn’t spectacular, but it’s not grating either.
He nails the song’s key points, fulfilling his role as a guide vocalist.
“Our blue spring.”
Blue spring—청춘.
A word that, no matter the era, stirs the heart.
The bass slap that follows, like a racing pulse, shifts the song’s mood.
Though the tempo slows slightly for a solo, I recognize it instantly.
Late spring 2026, Altair’s final Starlight album’s title track, ‘Blue Poem’.
The “blue verse” that breathed new life into Altair’s worn-out image after a decade.
‘He made this… now? Is that right?’
It’s appeared before me, a full year and a half ahead of schedule.
‘And he’s giving it to me.’
The chorus opening the intro to spark anticipation, starting with piano, shifting with bass slaps, and culminating in guitar riffs and synths that embody youth itself—Blue Poem is a song no singer could dislike.
“No need to hear more.”
I pause the track before the chorus restarts after the verse.
“See? Too sloppy, right?”
Gong Jiu scratches his head, saying something absurd.
‘What’s he talking about?’
Excessive humility is toxic.
If this is “sloppy,” what kind of masterpiece was he planning to bring?
But my expression—soured by thoughts of Lee Heekyung—and cutting it off mid-play could’ve caused a misunderstanding.
I quickly clarify.
“No, I meant the intro alone sealed the deal. I’d only pass on this if I lacked the skill to sing it. Rejecting it otherwise would just show poor taste.”
“Huh?”
“As much as MyWay respects artists’ wishes, I’m still under them, so we can’t bypass the company. I stopped it because I’d regret it if I heard more and couldn’t sing it.”
“Oh…”
Gong Jiu’s face finally brightens.
“You don’t need to worry. I made this for you.”
“Still, a good song getting its due recognition is a separate matter, composer-nim.”
So soft, as expected.
This whole ordeal was about securing that recognition, wasn’t it?
It’ll take time for that truth to sink into him.
‘In that sense, MyWay’s a great choice.’
Compared to Starlight’s treatment, it might fall short, but from what I’ve seen, MyWay doesn’t undervalue talent.
That’s just for now. If my plan works, MyWay will become a company that treats not just artists but staff with top-tier respect.
In the long run, this is the better path.
‘Though… Seo Yoonje might not retire anytime soon.’
I give Gong Jiu, sipping his cooled vanilla latte, a moment before continuing.
“If you can give me a good time, I’ll set up a meeting with our A&R team leader.”
“Tomorrow works for me.”
“Great. Honestly, this song’s got me fired up too.”
I take his phone, input my number, and hand it back.
“Call me when you get to MyWay, anytime.”
I’m always meeting Ailee for ‘Shooting Star’ anyway.
MyWay’s A&R team is starving for new song variations, so—
‘They’ll probably roll out the red carpet.’
Knowing Ailee, she’d cling to Gong Jiu’s leg to get him to MyWay after hearing ‘Blue Poem’.
“See you tomorrow, then.”
“Yes, Yujin-ssi. Tomorrow.”
Sending Gong Jiu off, I look up at the night sky.
The city lights drown out the stars, but one cloud has clearly taken its place.
***
“Composer Gong Jiu-nim? Have you shown this song anywhere else?”
As expected, Ailee’s eyes go wide hearing Blue Poem.
“No, Yujin-ssi was the first, and today’s the second.”
“I see… No plans to send it elsewhere?”
“Right. I made it for Yujin-ssi to sing.”
“Tch, figures…”
I get Ailee’s disappointment.
Gong Jiu’s focused on me now, but Ailee has to think beyond just me.
‘Even if Taeoh’s set to sing First Step…’
Not every MyWay artist, like Lee Ahjung or me, writes their own songs.
With Blind Singer’s momentum, Park Juan and others like Ko Yo-han are waiting for songs that suit them.
In a situation where neither MyWay’s in-house publisher nor their external partners have songs that satisfy, Ailee must feel uneasy about me claiming Blue Poem.
‘Well, what can you do?’
I wouldn’t mind if I weren’t greedy, but I really want to sing Blue Poem.
“So… Jiu-ssi, you don’t have a contract with any publisher, right?”
“Yes. No one seemed to like my songs.”
“Why not? Just hearing this, any publisher would’ve jumped at it. Do you have other songs we could hear?”
“One sec.”
At Ailee’s request, Gong Jiu opens his laptop.
Moments later—
“Hmm…”
Ailee lets out a small gasp, scratching near her eyebrow.
“…”
Gong Jiu silently lowers his head.
Both know the songs are underwhelming.
‘Figures.’
That’s why he posted the unnamed Rising Star original online for feedback.
Even that track, in modern terms, feels a bit… lackluster.
That’s likely Gong Jiu’s current skill level.
Frankly, there’s a clear gap between these songs and Blue Poem—like a missing link.
‘I’ve heard these before.’
The songs he just played jog my memory.
When I was studying composition and production, Gong Jiu and I exchanged ideas, using these as examples of “what not to do.”
‘Back then, that was his limit.’
But things are different now.
“Hold on.”
I pull out my laptop, something I wouldn’t need as just a singer, and select the second song he played.
“Slow the tempo a bit, swap guitar and synth for violin and grand piano for an orchestral feel. How’s that?”
It’s still frustrating, but thanks to Blind Singer, I’m more familiar with DAW.
As I input the melody note by note—
“Huh?”
“Whoa… How does it…”
Ailee and Gong Jiu’s eyes widen.
Just like the unnamed original became Rising Star, noname082 transforms into something entirely new yet perfectly fitting.
“Ailee, with good lyrics, don’t you think this suits Juan-I hyung?”
“Totally. It’s got that early-2000s ballad vibe but fits current trends perfectly.”
Even if I bridged a year-and-a-half gap, it’s only possible because Gong Jiu’s untapped potential was there.
‘Just needs a little push.’
In my past life, by the time Gong Jiu and I had the skill for such adaptations, his potential-filled references were outdated, becoming dark history.
But now, I can bring that potential to bloom early.
“I think you’re too stuck on band sounds, composer-nim. Take number 40 too—same agency, so it’s fine, right? If we sample AZ’s Sugar Talk and mash it up like this… see, it’s way sleeker.”
“What about 132, Yujin-ssi?”
“That one’s trickier… give me a sec. Got it—let’s go for an anime opening vibe. Speed up the tempo, emphasize the guitar riffs a bit.”
“Man, this is… Yujin-ssi, hold on.”
Did Columbus feel like this discovering a new continent?
Ailee, eyes glinting with mania, pulls out her phone to message someone—likely an A&R staffer to grab her laptop.
‘This guy…’
Gong Jiu isn’t the type to steal references, but he’s not signed with MyWay yet.
I wave my hands to stop Ailee.
“Not every song can be fixed. It works because the base is good.”
“Oh, really…?”
“Yeah. I’ve heard all the songs A&R has—none of them could do this.”
“Ugh… Still, wow. I knew you were talented, Yujin-ssi, but this much?”
Ailee sighs with regret but seems relieved by the three revamped songs.
Beside her, Gong Jiu stares at my laptop screen like he’s seen a ghost.
“So, Ailee, doesn’t this mean Composer Gong Jiu-nim should sign with MyMusic?”
“I’m all for it. I want to use these right now.”
Mentioning MyWay’s in-house publisher, MyMusic, makes Ailee nod vigorously.
“Wait… shouldn’t this be Yujin-ssi’s song?”
Gong Jiu, snapping out of it, protests.
“I said it’s because your base is good. No matter how skilled the arranger, a bad original stays bad.”
“Still… this is…”
He tries to back off, but I grab his shoulder and point to Blue Poem.
“Look, if you hadn’t done anything, maybe. But you can do this. What do you think, Ailee?”
“I see plenty of potential. Like Yujin-ssi said, you’ve proven you can do it with this song. If you’re okay with it, why not sign with our publisher?”
Her words are an invitation, but Ailee’s eyes, already contacting MyMusic, burn with determination not to let Gong Jiu slip away.
I quietly slip my laptop back into my bag.
‘Gonna be busy for a while…’
If I had to describe this, it’s like “carrying” in a game.
A self-inflicted disaster, but what can I do?
I decided to get serious, so I’ll handle this much.
****
TL Note: If you want to read 19 advanced chapters. You can read them on my Gumroad page.
Link: https://galeriakrish.gumroad.com/l/qvcevg
Or if you want to download the chapters you can download the pdf on my itch.io page.
Link: https://krishgaleria.itch.io/idol-regression
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