Chapter 1024: Ms. Cheon (2)

I offered, "Five hundred million won as a signing bonus. Three full albums and three mini albums guaranteed, with at least three overseas releases among them. Bang Seon-Woo will produce the songs. The contract will run for six years, with an automatic two-year extension option. For the first three years, net profits will be split sixty-forty between the company and Ms. Song-Hee. For the final three years, it'll be forty-sixty."

Director Jo Jae-Kyung and Director Hong Ah-Yoon's jaws dropped. The terms I had offered were on the level of recruiting a star singer, incomparable to what they could offer when they had only come looking for a ghost singer. On top of that, I had included overseas album releases, leaving even Cheon Song-Hee unable to close her mouth.

Hong Ah-Yoon was so flustered that she eventually pointed a finger at me. "Hey. Are you insane? I know you don't want us stealing her, but how dare you try to scam her?"

I shrugged. "Scam her? Unlike you, I came here intending to debut her as a real singer."

"This is unbelievable. A five hundred million won signing bonus? Fine, let's say that's possible. A single full album costs a billion won to make, though, so three means three billion! Even if each mini album costs five hundred million, three more means another one and a half billion! You're saying you'll spend a total of five billion won on a ghost singer? If that isn't a scam, what is? Huh?"

People really did see only what they wanted to see.

"Maybe that's all Ms. Cheon Song-Hee is worth in your eyes. In mine, she's a brilliant gem worth every penny. And whether an album costs one billion won or ten billion is something we'll find out when we make it."

As one shocking statement followed another, Cheon Song-Hee began to tremble.

That was when Hong Ah-Yoon spat out something vicious. "What a joke. A gem? What kind of gem is a woman who can't even go onstage because a birthmark covers half her face?"

'How dare she say that about someone who's going to become my singer?'

I glared at Hong Ah-Yoon and warned her. "Watch your mouth unless you want to be sued for insult."

"Y-You..."

After shutting down Hong Ah-Yoon's vicious remarks, I gave Cheon Song-Hee hope. "I've already found the hospital best suited to treating your birthmark. If you sign with us, we'll cover the full cost of your treatment as well, and you should be able to stand onstage in about a year."

Cheon Song-Hee spoke in a trembling voice. "The terms are so good that even I can't believe them, but I have to ask you this. What if the treatment doesn't work? I've been treated at dermatology clinics all over Korea since I was a child, and every attempt failed. If the treatment fails again and I can't go onstage, like Ms. Hong said, will I have to pay all that money back?"

I shook my head. "No. Unless you deliberately refuse to fulfill your obligations, you'll be exempt from liability, so don't worry."

"Really?"

"Yes. I've also checked with a doctor. They said the condition can be completely treated using equipment developed in the United States. We've already confirmed a case more severe than yours that was fully treated over seventy weeks."

When I told her exactly how long her treatment had taken before my regression, Cheon Song-Hee could no longer hide her excitement and eventually closed her eyes. Having her birthmark treated and debuting as a singer must have been something she had only ever dreamed about.

A moment later, Cheon Song-Hee opened her eyes and spoke to Hong Ah-Yoon and Jo Jae-Kyung in a trembling voice. "I'm sorry to Ms. Hong and Mr. Jo since you came first... but I think I'll have to sign with Mr. Jung's side."

I immediately placed my tablet on the table. "Then let's sign."

At that moment, Hong Ah-Yoon glared at Cheon Song-Hee and shrieked. "You bitch... I treated you nicely, and this is how you treat me? Huh?"

After hurling the abuse, Hong Ah-Yoon grabbed her phone and called someone.

Cheon Song-Hee sensed something ominous and asked, "Why are you doing this?"

"Why? You dared to play games with us, so now you'll pay the price!"

"What price?"

"Don't play dumb. I'll expose everything that bastard brother of yours did and get him expelled from school!"

"Ms. Hong! Even for you, that's going too far!"

"You should've signed the contract when I asked nicely. Why the fuck did you have to come here and screw it up? Huh? I called you Ms. Cheon a few times, and you actually started thinking we were on the same level. I'll use this chance to pound some sense into that thick skull of yours."

Cheon Song-Hee looked at me in a panic. She wasn't frightened by the harsh words. She was worried about what might happen to her brother.

I smiled and reassured her. "Don't worry. They can't do anything to your brother."

"How?"

Then, Hong Ah-Yoon shouted at the person who had answered her call. "Hey, Attorney Park. You're at the stationery store right now, aren't you? Tell the owner not to settle under any circumstances!"

But a moment later, Hong Ah-Yoon's expression stiffened. "Wait. What the fuck are you talking about? The stationery store owner misunderstood? You said he'd stolen three hundred thousand won worth of stuff and the owner even reported him to the police! What do you mean that never happened?"

A flustered Hong Ah-Yoon grimaced and looked at me. I smiled brightly and shrugged, making her face twist with rage.

"Jung Yoon-Ho! Was this your doing too?"

I asked back with a shameless expression, "What are you talking about?"

"Argh! You bastard!"

Furious, Hong Ah-Yoon picked up the small vase from the table.

Jo Jae-Kyung hurriedly grabbed Hong Ah-Yoon from the side and held her back. "Ah-Yoon, stop! You know what happened when I messed with that bastard before! I ended up in the news! If you touch him, we're the only ones who'll lose. That bastard's practically a professional injury scammer!"

Jo Jae-Kyung had once messed with me and gotten caught up in an assault controversy, forcing him to pay out a hundred million won. Remembering what had happened back then, he warned her, and Hong Ah-Yoon finally smashed the vase onto the floor instead of at me.

"Fuck!"

The vase shattered with a crash. Hong Ah-Yoon glared at us, breathing heavily, then turned to leave.

However, I called after her. "That vase looks like it's worth at least three million won."

"What?"

"I'm saying you should pay for the damage before you leave. Otherwise, as Ms. Cheon Song-Hee's talent agent, I'll sue you for threats and destruction of property."

"You fucking bastard. How the hell is that worth three million won?"

"You're quite creative with your insults too. Maybe I should add criminal insult to the charges."

Jo Jae-Kyung stopped her again. "Ah-Yoon, stop! Stop! I'm telling you, if we get involved with him, it's over!"

Hong Ah-Yoon screamed as if she were having a fit. "You expect me to let this go?"

"Yes! That bastard's vicious!"

There was no greater compliment for a talent agent.

I smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment."

Jo Jae-Kyung's face began trembling too. Still holding Hong Ah-Yoon, he opened his wallet with one hand and dumped its contents onto the floor.

Thud, thud.

Several one million won checks piled up on the floor.

"Hey, that's five of them. Happy now? So don't say another word! Got it?"

"Looks like there are a few more than five."

"Keep the change!"

"Yes, yes."

Jo Jae-Kyung immediately shoved Hong Ah-Yoon toward the door, and the two fled as if they were escaping.

-Hey. Just wait. I'm never letting that bastard get away with this.

-I know, I know. We'll deal with him later. Later! Okay?

After everything they had already been through, they were still promising themselves a next time. At this point, I could only feel sorry for them.

As their voices faded into the distance, Cheon Song-Hee stared at me in shock. "Mr. Jung. What just happened?"

"Just a moment."

I immediately called Chief Kwak Moo-Hyuk of the legal division and put him on speakerphone. Kwak Moo-Hyuk's low voice came through.

-Hey, Chief Jung. I settled with the stationery store owner for three million won. When I was leaving after we finished, though, I saw a lawyer from HK going in. That was close.

"So what happens now?"

-It's all over. Once the stationery store owner goes to the police and signs a non-punishment agreement, that's the end of it. I'll make sure everything's finished and call you again.

"Thank you for your hard work."

-Sure. I looked into what happened, and it turns out the kid only stole the stuff because some older bullies threatened him. The stationery store owner knew that and put up with it for a while, but the losses got too big, so he finally reported him to the police.

I finally learned why Cheon Song-Hee's younger brother had gone astray before my regression.

"I'll take care of that."

-All right. By the way, the terms in that electronic contract were incredible. Is this Ms. Cheon really that good?

I called out loudly so Cheon Song-Hee could hear. "She's the best female vocalist there is!"

-Well, if Chief Jung says so, then she must be. I'll handle the rest, so good luck!

Kwak Moo-Hyuk hung up. I ended the call and smiled at Cheon Song-Hee.

"It's all taken care of. I'll also deal with every one of those bullies harassing your brother, so don't worry about that either."

Cheon Song-Hee trembled, then removed her hat, mask, and sunglasses one by one. She clasped her hands together and bowed politely.

"I'll never forget what you've done for me. And from now on, I'll sing any song you ask me to." Tears welled in Cheon Song-Hee's large eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

I handed her a handkerchief. "I'll only give you the best songs, so don't worry. The movie's original soundtrack you'll be singing this time is also a very good song. For now, though, I'd like you to come to the broadcasting station with me. I know you hate being a ghost singer, but this is urgent."

Cheon Song-Hee dabbed away her tears with the handkerchief and answered, "All right. By the way, Miss Yoo-Jin looked like she was singing well in that photo earlier. Why are you looking for a ghost singer?"

"That was fake. Yoo-Jin is on the verge of developing vocal nodules, so she can't sing right now. They played a prerecorded track, and she only performed the reactions."

"I thought something seemed off. So that's why you needed a ghost singer."

"Yes. Anyway, we're in a hurry, so let's sign the contract and go. Everyone's waiting."

"All right."

I read the important terms of the electronic contract to her and received Cheon Song-Hee's signature.

Having successfully recruited Cheon Song-Hee, who would reach number one on the Billboard chart before my regression, I headed to MBS with her—with the 8 one million won checks Jo Jae-Kyung had thrown down in my hand.

***

After returning to MBS Sangam Open Hall, I took Cheon Song-Hee, who had pulled her hat low and hidden her face behind sunglasses and a mask, down to the recording studio on the second basement level. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

When we entered, Yoo-Jin, Ju Yung-In, Director Yeo Ik-Hwan, President Shin Jong-Ki, Managing Director Lee Eun-Joo, and President Ahn Yung-Hee were all gathered around a table waiting for us.

Ju Yung-In, who already knew her, was the first to greet Cheon Song-Hee warmly. "Ms. Cheon. Yoon-Ho oppa gave you good terms, right?"

Cheon Song-Hee nodded. "Yeah. It's all thanks to you, Yung-In. And I'm sorry I was so prickly with you."

Ju Yung-In greeted her and helped ease her nerves.

Then Shin Jong-Ki introduced himself. "So I finally get to meet the singer Chief Jung recommended. Nice to meet you. I'm Shin Jong-Ki."

Cheon Song-Hee hesitated, then removed her hat, sunglasses, and mask before greeting him. "I'm sorry for the late introduction. My name is Cheon Song-Hee."

Everyone else introduced themselves one by one. Perhaps because I had warned them beforehand, not a single person showed surprise at Cheon Song-Hee's face.

"All right. Now that the introductions are over, let's get the stage ready," I said.

Seeing that everyone treated her comfortably without pointing or staring, Cheon Song-Hee nodded with a slightly relieved expression. "Okay."

At that moment, Yeo Ik-Hwan spoke. "Ms. Cheon Song-Hee, you'll watch the monitor inside the recording booth and sing in sync with Miss Yoo-Jin's lips. If there's a problem, give us a signal and move away from the microphone."

"Understood."

"If there's anything else you need, please let us know."

"Could you install another monitor inside the recording booth? One showing only Miss Yoo-Jin's face, and another showing her full body."

"Why do you need a monitor showing her full body?"

"If I can see not only the emotions on her face, but also her hands, feet, and body movements, I can produce a better result."

"It really is different when a professional comes in. Oh, that was a compliment."

"Thank you."

"Then we'll get that ready for you."

Yeo Ik-Hwan instructed an AD to bring another monitor.

That was when Bang Seon-Woo spoke. "Hyung. I think the two of them need to practice together first. What should we do?"

"I played the song for her on the way here. Ms. Song-Hee can sing it right away, and they can match each other."

"Ah, okay. Then Ms. Song-Hee, please go straight into the recording booth."

Cheon Song-Hee entered the booth as instructed.

I gave Yoo-Jin an instruction as well. "Yoo-Jin. Go into the booth with her."

Yoo-Jin pointed at herself and tilted her head. 'Me too?'

"Yeah. Listen to Ms. Cheon Song-Hee's vocal power up close and feel that energy for yourself. Then you'll get a sense of how you should act onstage."

A professional singer's vocal power had an overwhelming force that ordinary people simply didn't possess. Experiencing it firsthand could greatly help her portray Lee Byul-Bit onstage.

Yoo-Jin nodded and followed Cheon Song-Hee into the recording booth, standing beside her.

Thud.

Once the booth door closed, Bang Seon-Woo pressed a button and spoke to them inside.

"The song you'll be singing is 'Dreams Come True.' It's the movie's main theme song, based on the story of Han Bit-Na, who falls into despair after her face is injured, undergoes surgery, changes her name to Lee Byul-Bit, and eventually reaches number one. Please do your best."

The moment Cheon Song-Hee and Yoo-Jin nodded, Bang Seon-Woo pressed the button. The intro to 'Dreams Come True' began to play. Cheon Song-Hee calmly closed her eyes and slowly drew in her breath. Everyone held their breath. Then Cheon Song-Hee began to sing along with the accompaniment.

At that moment, everyone in the recording studio froze. A voice so identical to Yoo-Jin's that anyone could have mistaken it for hers filled the recording studio.

『A tunnel with no end in sight.

I'm walking down a pitch-black road, but I know.

This darkness will end someday.

Light is waiting for me at the end.

So I won't give up.......』

Cheon Song-Hee, the future number-one Billboard singer and the greatest ghost singer, had perfectly copied Yoo-Jin's singing voice after hearing her rehearsal song only a few times.

As the song continued, however, Cheon Song-Hee's imitation of Yoo-Jin's voice gradually began to reveal a difference. Cheon Song-Hee's rich vocal power made my heart race, while the deep emotion woven into the lyrics filled my chest.

For the next five minutes, Cheon Song-Hee's voice tore through our hearts, casting a spell that made us fall in love with her song.

Click.

The accompaniment ended, and the recording button popped back up. Swept away by the storm of emotions crashing over us, no one in the recording studio could speak.

That was when Shin Jong-Ki quietly shared his thoughts. "Chief Jung... has landed another big one."

Everyone immediately agreed and began applauding.

"You're right, Mr. Shin! I had my doubts, but Jung Yoon-Ho's picks really are something else."

"Looks like our original soundtrack is guaranteed to hit number one."

"Wow. That was art."

As everyone expressed their amazement, the recording booth door flew open and Yoo-Jin burst out. Her face flushed red, Yoo-Jin waved both hands wildly. Then she finally came to her senses and typed on her phone.

[Lovely♡Yoo-Jin: Oppa. That was seriously! Seriously! Amazing!]

Yoo-Jin was so excited that she even stamped her feet.

I nodded. "Yeah. Remember that feeling you just had, and bring it out onstage while you lip-sync and play Lee Byul-Bit."

Yoo-Jin nodded her head up and down furiously.

Behind her, Cheon Song-Hee came out, breathing heavily. "I think I might've gone a little overboard with the emotion while singing. Was that good enough?"

'Good enough? What's with that reaction as if she had still been holding back?'

Everyone looked dumbfounded, then immediately turned to Bang Seon-Woo, who was always critical when it came to music. They wanted to hear his evaluation.

That was when Bang Seon-Woo smiled and nodded. "It's a song that naturally gets intense. I actually think that was perfect."

Everyone's eyes widened once again. Not once had a singer ever gone without receiving a single correction on a set directed by Bang Seon-Woo.

And that meant I had been right to scout Cheon Song-Hee.

***

Bang Seon-Woo and Ahn Yung-Hee remained in the basement recording studio while I took Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin back up to the open hall.

Ju Yung-In, who played the top idol singer Yoo-Ah in the movie, had changed into a pink dress and luxury accessories and was already waiting at the MC station onstage. The four actresses playing Angel Wings, Lee Byul-Bit's rivals, were also onstage.

Now it was Yoo-Jin's turn. With her mask off, Yoo-Jin stood beside me in a pure white dress decorated with crystals and lace, steadying her breathing.

I waited for a moment, then spoke as Yoo-Jin took one final breath. "Yoo-Jin. When you're acting onstage, I think it'll be better if you match your performance to the emotions in Ms. Cheon Song-Hee's voice as much as possible."

Yoo-Jin nodded, typed on the phone in her hand, and sent me a Kk Talk message.

[Lovely♡Yoo-Jin: I know. Song-Hee unnie's life is Lee Byul-Bit itself.]

Cheon Song-Hee in real life and Lee Byul-Bit from She Was Beautiful were similar. One had a large birthmark and the other scars from a car accident, but both had suffered because their appearance kept them from standing before others, only to eventually achieve their dreams. That was why I believed Cheon Song-Hee could fully capture Lee Byul-Bit's emotions.

Yoo-Jin seemed to agree completely, perhaps because she had heard Cheon Song-Hee sing in person inside the recording studio. We really were on the same wavelength.

"Yeah. I'm counting on you."

Yoo-Jin smiled brightly. By now, I could tell without her saying a word that she was telling me not to worry.

At that moment, Yeo Ik-Hwan's voice came through the intercom on my head.

Crackle.

-Miss Yoo-Jin. Please come up to the stage.

It was finally time for Yoo-Jin to attempt lip-sync acting for the first time in her life.

"Jung Yoo-Jin. You can do it!"

Yoo-Jin smiled and handed me her phone. After taking a deep breath, Yoo-Jin immersed herself in the role of Lee Byul-Bit in the blink of an eye. Now fully transformed into Lee Byul-Bit, Yoo-Jin headed onto the stage with a solemn expression.

A short while later, filming for She Was Beautiful was ready to begin. Not knowing what kind of performance Yoo-Jin and Cheon Song-Hee would deliver, my palms began to sweat.

The moment the performance began, however, I realized how foolish I had been to worry. The stage the two of them created was a lip-sync performance for the ages, one where not a single person in the audience realized there was a ghost singer.