“Wow…”

When LIL’s face appeared on the laptop screen, the members, who were gathered in one place, all stared at the screen, mesmerized.

KK’s face didn’t seem to have appeared on LIL’s side yet because LIL was looking blankly at the camera.

Next to LIL was the planner from his management agency who planned this collaboration album.

“Is that truly LIL? The real LIL?”

“What the..are you making rhymes right now?”

Ahn Hyung Seo made an awkward joke to Kim won, who was muttering as if he couldn’t believe it. Ahn Hyung Seo was also nervous about LIL for the first time, his shoulders completely stiff.

Collaboration means drawing on each others’ strengths and creating a synergy, so it had to be something that would benefit both KK and LIL.

To adequately demonstrate the strengths, it was important that they knew each other well.

Of course, collaboration does not necessarily mean active exchanges between the people involved. If they consider themselves just business partners, they simply receive songs through a producer and even record them separately.

However, if it’s considered a musical exchange and not just a business partnership, and there is an emotional connection, it will definitely improve the quality of the song too.

“It might be good to do a video call so we can see LIL’s face.”

Because of the actual distance, they couldn’t meet right away and talk face-to-face, but Do Wook thought that it would be better to say hello and at least talk through video rather than entering the song production without even a meet and greet.

They’d probably continuously message each other or talk on the phone soon to discuss the song, but talking while looking at each other’s face and expression would be good for future communication too.

It was Do Wook who suggested a video call, and LIL also happily accepted the request.

Due to LIL’s schedule and the time difference between Korea and America, it was not easy to schedule a video call, but thanks to Team Leader Lee Dae Young arranging it, they created an opportunity to have introductions like this today.

-Hello!

It finally connected properly and LIL greeted the KK members as he waved his hand.

There was a slight lag, but it was vivid to the point that you’d forget it was from a place that’s a 14-hour plane flight away.

Despite his beard being unkempt and wearing comfortable attire with a beanie, LIL had a charisma that made even that look cool.

Actually, LIL was about a year older than Jung Yoon Ki, who was the oldest of KK. Even though there wasn’t much of an age difference, LIL looked like he was in his 30s. He wasn’t a very old person, but compared to Asians, Westerners definitely looked older.

LIL was definitely thinking that the KK members looked like high schoolers.

“Hello. I’m Lee Dae Hyung, who is in charge of KK. I’ll introduce the members.”

As the person in charge of KK, Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung was there with them.

Album production was Team Leader Shim Joon’s domain, but today it was a simple meet and greet and Team Leader Shim Joon’s English skills were not at the level of conversing with locals.

Do Wook had seen it many times during New York Fashion Week, but the other members briefly admired Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung’s fluent English.

But the admiration was brief. The members hurriedly said their name and gave a greeting. They were feeling impatient, but they awkwardly gave a short ‘Hello, Hi, Nice to meet you’ greeting with smooth pronunciation.

It was so smooth that it was almost weird that none of the members asked ‘How are you?’ like in the textbooks.

The members looked like shy girls as they said their greetings.

“Umm…I am Hyung Seo.*”
(TL Note: He said “I am Hyung Seo” in English)

Ahn Hyung Seo’s introduction was the last of the introductions from those who couldn’t speak or understand English well.

Do Wook gave LIL the greeting he had prepared.

“I’m Do Wook. I’m so happy to work with you like this. Thank you for this great opportunity.”

LIL spoke to Do Wook, his eyes opening a little wider.

“Oh…Do Wook! Are you the composer of LAST DANCE? It was very impressive. I hope the song we’ll be working on together will be like that too.”

Do Wook was already aware because of the email Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung had sent previously, but getting praised from LIL directly made it hard for him to hide his joy.

It wasn’t as if they themselves were complimented, but the members spontaneously smiled wide and had a proud expression when they heard LIL praise Do Wook.

“It’s a good opportunity for me, too. Let’s have fun working together!”

Do Wook nodded his head energetically at what LIL said.

The last person left was Kim Won, who would be playing a big role in the exchanges between the members and LIL. He was the only one among the members who could talk to a native person without any problems.

Flustered, Kim Won said his greeting very quickly.

“I’m Kim Won! I’m KK’s rapper. I’m a big fan of LIL. I’ve only heard your music. To think that I’d be talking to you like this…it’s like a dream. The way I feel right now, I feel like I could even fly in the sky.”

LIL replied, waving his hand with a joyful expression,

“Please let me know if you end up flying in the sky. I think we could make even more money with that.”

Kim Won laughed at LIL’s joke.

Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung also laughed along as he let go of his worries. Honestly, when he had requested a video call, he had kept in mind that LIL’s people might’ve refused.

To Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung’s knowledge, a pop star with a good reputation was as hard to find as a needle in a haystack.

He had heard that there were several pop stars who, despite having a good image on the surface, thought they were better than others when you talked to them and always had an arrogant tone.

Rather than a personality issue, it was inevitable to get caught up in receiving attention from numerous people around the world and living a more extravagant life than anyone else, being treated as a goose that laid golden eggs.

At the same time, because they had to continue laying golden eggs to maintain that lifestyle, they inevitably became touchy.

However, despite being a global star, LIL’s tone wasn’t arrogant, so he never offended the KK members.

It was not because LIL was pleasant to everyone, but because he acknowledged KK’s music to some extent and was treating them as an artist he needed to work with.

It was true that LIL, who swept the world in just one year, was as arrogant and sensitive as other pop stars.

“I’d like to have a rough discussion about the song that’s going to be on the album…that way I’ll be able to start working on it.”

When Do Wook stutteringly said that in English, the planner sitting next to LIL, who was wearing horn-rimmed glasses and was expectedly a Caucasian gentleman, replied instead.

“There are many other singers besides you guys in this album. It’s a collaboration album, but in general it’s LIL’s album. We can’t have LIL’s color die. No matter who it’s with or what song it is, the concept of this album is to showcase LIL’s color based on LIL’s unique tone. That’s it.”

Do Wook nodded his head slowly.

In a way, it was a great deal of confidence.

‘To think that the album concept is the singer himself. It’s possible because his color is distinct.’

LIL’s husky yet comfortable tone made it possible. Do Wook was both impressed and jealous. KK, as well as Do Wook himself, always hoped they could be that kind of singer too.

In the back, Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung quietly and clearly translated the conversation to the other members so they could keep up with it to some extent.

“The kind of music LIL wants to do with KK is clear. He wants to do sophisticated yet exciting music. He enjoyed KK’s energy. If you’re just talking about the vibe, it’ll be a similar vibe to LIL’s ‘IN THE DARK’. I mean that I’d like to emphasize the funky rhythm.”

“I see…”

Do Wook nodded, inputting the important keywords into his head.

This video was being recorded anyway, so he could rewatch it later as he worked on the song, but Do Wook still wanted to get as much information as possible while on the call.

‘If it’s bad they would just pay us the labor fee and cancel…I can’t let that happen.’

LIL, who was sitting down, added his opinion.

“I was very impressed with the build up of the harmony in LAST DANCE. You could say I felt the power of being a group compared to a soloist.”

Do Wook’s eyebrows narrowed slightly at LIL’s words. However, it was not enough to be noticeable on screen.

Do Wook was able to grasp at once what style of song LIL and the planner wanted.

“Thank you. Um…hearing your explanation, I think I know the overall color of the song LIL wants.”

LIL smiled brightly as he gave a thumbs up.

“Just as I’ve heard. You’re an amazing producer. I look forward to the results.”

“Mmm…I’ll make sure to send over a guide of what I’ve worked on as soon as possible.”

The planner also responded with a “sounds good” to what Do Wook said. Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung, who had been in the back, wasn’t sure if things were going well, but he thought it was a relief that Do Wook at least seemed like he had an idea of where to start.

As the discussion of the song wrapped up for the most part, Kim Won asked LIL, trying to lighten the mood,

“LIL, may I ask you one last question?”

“What is it? If it’s something I can answer, I will,”

LIL replied readily.

“The broach on your chest, where did you get it? It’s so stylish that I want one, too. Where can I buy it?”

LIL’s expression was completely different from before and glowed when Kim Won asked. Everyone looking at the screen could feel that it was a sincere smile, not a business smile.

“Hard to believe, but the only one who cared about this broach is you just now. And, unfortunately, you can’t buy this.”

It was morning in Seoul, but it was late at night where LIL was. LIL’s voice, which had been a little down even though he had a joyful expression, rose an octave as he explained the broach.

“What did you say your name is? Won? Like one in ‘only one’?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

LIL was delighted by Kim Won’s answer, saying that he was the only ‘Won’ who noticed the broach.

LIL had designed the broach himself. One of the hobbies LIL, who was very interested in fashion, had was designing fashion accessories. If you get to LIL’s level, you’re bound to be surrounded by acquaintances who produce it exactly how you want if you draw a rough sketch of the shape you want.

Kim Won knew because he had looked up LIL’s hobbies ahead of time.

When he saw the shabby but eye-catching, uniquely-shaped broach, he thought it definitely must have been made by LIL.

As he listened to them giving the song production details to Do Wook, Kim Won was also able to grasp what kind of song LIL wanted to a certain degree.

Furthermore, Kim Won was also one of the people who knew Do Wook pretty well now.

He could easily foresee that Do Wook was not the kind of person who would just be pushed around even by people like LIL.

That was why he thought it’d be good to be more in LIL’s good graces. After all, when working together…the more someone is favorable towards you, the more likely they’ll listen to you.

After LIL said he wished the recording day would come soon so that he could hug Kim Won and personally give him a broach, the call ended.

After the call ended.

Do Wook thanked Kim Won. It was clear that Lil’s image of KK got better thanks to Kim Won.

“No need to thank me. I really like LIL too…but the song LIL wants is…”

Kim Won chose his words carefully.

The members, who couldn’t properly hear the translation because the conversation was moving too quickly, signaled that they wanted to know what was discussed, their eyes shining.

“That’s right. LIL will be the absolute main and we will be the backing. Of course, to a certain degree I expected it, but it’s more than I expected. They’re practically using us as the chorus.”

‘IN THE DARK’, which was used as an example, was entirely LIL’s song. It meant LIL’s songs were ones you couldn’t imagine anyone but LIL singing. LIL’s loud voice naturally resonated in the ear even just by the title.

“We probably need to proceed that way, right?”

They were certainly the top singers in Korea, but they clearly couldn’t compare to a worldwide singer. The size of the market was different.

Kim Won asked carefully.

As expected, Do Wook shook his head.

“Of course it’s LIL’s album, so it’s right that he’s the main. Whether it’s chorus or whatever, we might need to consider it an honor just to have our name on it. But…”

Do Wook racked his brain.

“I’m not going to do that. I need to make it change. So that KK won’t be ashamed to have its name next to LIL.”

—

Next chapter: Do Wook thinks of how to change the collaboration situation.

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