Do Wook determined that with his English skills it would be difficult to convey his thoughts without any misunderstandings, so he said them through Kim Won.
“I think it’d be good to sing it more calmly without flair. I’m not saying to sing it in a dull way…the song itself has such a sweet vibe that it could be too cheesy if the vocals are sweet too…”
“Mmm…”
“And I’d like him to sing with a little more sincerity…”
Kim Won and Album Production Team Leader Shim Joon, who were listening, nodded their heads.
LIL and Dan Wilson, who did not know Korean at all, looked at Do Wook and Kim Won, curious what they were talking about.
Kim Won alternated between looking at Dan Wilson and LIL and conveyed what Do Wook said.
He explained that the synergy between the sweet melody and the sweet song was too strong, so it would be good to take out the flair and feelings a little bit. He also emphasized that the lovers in the lyrics are ‘true lovers’.
After hearing what Kim Won said, Dan Wilson briefly had an expression they couldn’t really figure out before smiling lightly at Do Wook.
On the other hand, LIL frowned and turned on the microphone.
“The way I interpreted it, I think this is the right way to sing the song to bring the song to life. It’s a love song.”
In response to LIL’s rebuttal, Do Wook made a slightly troubled expression.
Of course, the way LIL just sang was not bad. It was good. However, the exaggeration of vocals was not much different from the way LIL usually sang his songs.
It wasn’t the best way for the song Do Wook made.
“Then….”
Do Wook was about to suggest to sing it the way he sang it before and then again in the way Do Wook suggested.
Dan Wilson, who was sitting next to him, called out to LIL.
“I think it’d be better to go with what Mr. Kang is saying.”
LIL’s eyebrows immediately furrowed at Dan Wilson’s words. Dan Wilson made LIL who he was today.
LIL knew that Dan Wilson demanded new challenges and growth from him. That was the reason behind this collaboration album from the beginning.
The way he had been doing it was more than adept enough, but it was a situation where you could become complacent just as easily. Dan Wilson didn’t want LIL to give up already and end up a coward who can’t change when he really needs to.
‘Did that young oriental producer think that far ahead? That can’t be…’
With that thought in mind, Dan Wilson had no choice but to nod his head.
Of course, Do Wook hadn’t had that specific thought. However, the method that Do Wook would work, increasing KK’s part by tackling a completely new genre, was completely in line with Dan Wilson’s goal.
In that sense, Dan Wilson was surprised when he heard the song Do Wook had sent, and was surprised again now by Do Wook’s point.
Do Wook was accurately pointing out the parts LIL needed.
‘Currently, LIL is relying a ridiculous amount on his technique. Even his expression of emotion is honestly not out of empathy but simply one of his techniques. If he sings songs like this for too long, he’ll simply become a machine that’s good at singing.’
While Dan Wilson was thinking, LIL prepared his throat again.
The people outside the recording studio waited patiently for LIL to give a new interpretation of the song.
In the tension-filled recording studio, the KK members recited their parts with their eyes and ears.
LIL soon started singing again.
“Where is the love? I’m sailing through the light―”
It was definitely more simple and without flair this time.
Once the flair was removed, LIL’s original voice was revealed. A husky voice reverberated faintly throughout the recording studio.
It was a voice that really seemed to miss their lover in a distant star.
LIL’s singing made everyone’s eyes widen. No, actually, it was a voice that made you want to close your eyes. Everyone’s expression brightened up, but LIL couldn’t see those reactions. He was lost in the song.
‘This is it! He’s probably feeling it too as he’s singing it,’
Do Wook thought. In reality, even LIL was thinking that the song was much better to listen to now.
LIL naturally closed his eyes as he savored the song. He was getting more and more lost in the song as he sang.
In many ways, it felt comfortable to melt into the song. To loosen up and let go of the embellishment that took effort. Of course, letting go of the flair he used out of habit was uncomfortable, but emotionally it was comfortable.
It didn’t feel like singing, it felt like talking about two loving partners. So he got lost in the song and, although he was singing calmly, you could feel the strong emotions.
LIL, who was briefly lost in the song even after his part was over, came out of the recording studio.
Dan Wilson smiled, satisfied, and showed an expression indicating, ‘see?’. LIL had always trusted his producer, but he was surprised once more.
LIL looked at Dan Wilson once, then Do Wook once, and said to Do Wook,
“It’s a beautiful song.”
“Your song made it into a beautiful song.”
LIL smiled happily at Do Wook’s response. He also said it’d been a while since he had had such a fun recording session.
***
Afterwards, the recording proceeded smoothly.
As always, the one who was the slickest was Kim Won. Kim Won finished his recording in just two tries.
Before they came to America, the members were worried about Jung Yoon Ki’s not-so-short English rap part, but he did well too. Since he also practiced with foreign songs a lot when practicing rap, his English pronunciation when rapping was quite good.
Thanks to practicing pop songs a lot, Ahn Hyung Seo also had no trouble singing his part.
Honestly, Suk Ji Hoon and Park Tae Hyung’s part was less than two lines, so there wasn’t even room for issues.
When the song guide and lyrics were completed, Dan Wilson worked directly with Do Wook regarding the part distribution.
As the producer, Dan Wilson was aware of the music style and skills of many singers LIL would collaborate with on this album.
He, who had over 10 years of experience as a producer, was able to immediately comprehend the individual style and skills for KK too after listening to just one or two songs, and distributed the parts accordingly.
Other than asking for slight adjustments, Do Wook didn’t have complaints about how Dan Wilson distributed the parts. This moment confirmed that his judgement was accurate.
The one thing that was a pity was that Suk Ji Hoon and Park Tae Hyung’s parts were relatively small. Honestly, the other members’ parts weren’t that big either.
‘Since it’s not KK’s album…’
Do Wook thought. One thing that made up for it was that there was a part in the second verse where the members came together to sing a harmony for the acapella version of ‘Windy Day’.
‘KK will have a definite presence through the rap and harmony parts.’
Do Wook had to direct the other members as the composer, so he was the last to go.
He was a little exhausted so Do Wook’s recording proceeded after an hour break.
During the break, LIL, who left early because he had another scheduled event, had his manager deliver handmade sandwiches and coffee to the KK members.
“Then, shall we go?”
Dan Wilson asked Do Wook, who had gone into the recording studio.
It was time for him to take up the role of a singer again. Do Wook nodded his head. He had given several pieces of advice to the members and even LIL, but this is not possible when he sings.
Even if he knew the theory, if it were possible to immediately put it to practice in his singing, then everyone could become a top singer.
Do Wook adjusted the headphones and started singing in sync with the accompaniment playing.
“Where is the love? I’m swimming in the river you’ve been―”
The part Do Wook was singing was a repeat of the melody that came right after the part LIL sang.
Dan Wilson focused on the song.
Again.
Dan Wilson asked Do Wook to sing again about five more times without much feedback. The recording time was getting longer compared to the other members’.
Because he didn’t give specific feedback on why it had to be sung again, Do Wook sang the same part in the same way over and over.
The seventh time he sang the same part, Dan Wilson finally gave the ok sign.
Do Wook let out a sigh of relief and looked at Dan WIlson.
“Good. You were nervous, right?”
“Ahh…Yes. Thank you.”
Do Wook realized that his anxiety that he hadn’t noticed had been conveyed in his voice. To bring out Do Wook’s unique, comfortable breathing, Dan Wilson had him keep singing. Once he understood Dan Wilson’s intention, Do Wook thanked him.
And even though the ok had already been given, Do Wook sang the same part one more time. He wanted to bring out his best voice.
“You’ve been―”
Do Wook finished the song by holding the last note for a long time.
Dan Wilson couldn’t help but be in awe. The mid-high pitched voice was charming in a completely different way than LIL’s.
‘It’s a perfect tone that would go well with any song. It’s perfect. Though, contradictory at the same time, there’s immense potential for development,’
Dan Wilson thought as he got up from his seat.
The recording of the song ‘Call you the love’ with KK, which would be included in LIL’s special album, was over.
‘This song may not take the world by storm…but I think it’d be able to steadily be loved by a lot of people.’
Dan Wilson shook hands with Do Wook, who had worked hard. Do Wook clasped the hands of world-renowned producer Dan Wilson.
***
Shortly after, LIL’s special album < Waterfall > was officially released in America and around the world.
A total of eight songs were included in < Waterfall >. One of the songs was ‘Waterfall’, the same name as the album, and it was a collaboration with Ray, the most beloved rapper in America.
Along with a heavy sound, LIL’s voice, which was refreshing like a waterfall, was great. Additionally, Ray’s ‘Level 999 rap skill’ made it even more complete.
‘Waterfall’ triumphantly ranked number 1 on the JTunes chart, the top rated music chart in America, and demonstrated LIL’s potential.
KK’s song, ‘Call you the love’, was the 5th track in the album, two tracks after the title song, and ranked 14th, the third highest from the album despite having many stars and collaborations.
The ranking, which was not very high at first, gradually rose to 14th place and then 10th the following week.
America’s local media recommended ‘Call you the love’ as the song in LIL’s album that had a fresh appeal.
Furthermore, American teenagers loved the song ‘Call you the love’, so it was in the spotlight and was shared on various social media channels. That’s how its ranking went up.
People who fell in love with ‘Call you the love’ were curious who KK was. The name of KK, which was entirely unfamiliar to Americans, was getting known more and more.
On top of that, the reaction in Korea was indescribable.
Despite being a pop song, it topped the entire music charts.
Do Wook smiled happily as he looked at ‘Call you the love’, which made it firmly onto the music charts. Do Wook and the members were back in Korea, resting and preparing for their next album.
Do Wook picked up the cellphone he had placed next to the desk.
‘Father’.
Do Wook found his father from his call list and called him.
-Hey, Do Wook
His father’s voice came through the phone. There was a time when calling him ‘father’ felt really awkward, but now he was used to it.
“Are you available to talk right now?”
-You’re calling about that?
“Yes, The thing I asked you to do…”
—
Next chapter: Do Wook takes action to prepare for the future.