#th:solo

[vldhyunjae]

사랑이 어떤 느낌인지 — ★

it was the day that he had been waiting for. for years now, this was it, the dream. or at least, that's what he used to call it because that's what people usually call what they've always aimed to do, right? but none of it felt real, even when they were being briefed about deadlines, expectations, and how run-throughs are supposed to go. it was a long shot but not impossible. regardless, everything else was tuned out, even when the staff meeting resumed with the usual topics up for discussions, hyunjae could only think about the project that was up for grabs. he only need to reach out and take it.

there was a lot to consider and a lot of ideas came in and out as he was looking over the material he was given. it was straight forward, and the fact that he is somewhat handed freedom to crafy this track however he feels suited was tempting enough. oddly enough after going over the group's recent releases -- not that he'd ever missed the updates, he felt that it was appropriate not to do any drastic changes in their sound. the bright melody had to be there, along with the uptempo dance beat that fans anticipate, and maybe a new element, subtle but weaved in those layers that had aims to become his signature style.

hyunjae starts playing around with the synth, some quirky sounds here and there as it builds up. he thinks it would be a disservice if there wasn't any percussions in those growing layers. he added, removed, and returned elements countless of times, four hours later, the electro-pop started to have a retro feel that started to grow on him. after a quick listen at what he had so far, it sounded like something that the group would release. although hesitant at first with how this track was becoming a pastiche of previous tracks released, he continued to work on it. similar but not the same is what it was, it was far more streamlined than before. the kind of structure that he wanted to hear before, and here he is given the chance to make that possible.

he listened to the track over and over, eyes closed and being meticulous about every single element that trudged. this track was now a reminiscent of the past songs, the glitchy digital elements and the diminishing 'bubbliness' of the backing track made room for a cleaner sound. it was a step back from the heavy and loud elements looped in their circa 2017 and 2018 releases, but still within their music style. he was satisfied with the sound he had created today, and he had a feeling that when the recordings are done, when the final mixing had to be done, the song will sound even better.

[vldhyunjae]

별 꽃 축제 열린 밤 — ★

he liked the idea that he did it right the first time. and while it was too early to assume that he knew exactly what to do, he still took second opportunity as a nod of approval from the higher-ups. he was testing the waters at his first project, trying to see if he really did know the sound of the group he had followed and supported for years. the reception was a heavy mix of criticisms and support, and fortunate for him, he didn't take anything to heart. nonetheless, his process would have been the same for any other song he was entrusted with. he always believed that he had to learn the rules like a pro, so he can break them like an artist.

hyunjae remembered telling himself that if given another chance to work on an iota track, he'd take bigger risks for a change. if he was called out for it or his work was scrapped completely, the company would, at the very least, know they could retain the image and sound without sacrificing their musicality. fearless was an understatement to describe how he felt when left at the studio to work on the song. the possibilities were endless on how this could go wrong and right. but first, he really wanted to adjust that bpm the group's tracks were always on. the modified percussive, breakbeat rhythm, and the sliced & stretched elements of the genre would still be there for a reminiscent of their trademark sound though.

it gets a little complicated from there, the verses were getting too heavy on the layers with the the irregular patterns meant to complement the rhythmic structures underneath at a tempo playing around 120bpm and below. the chorus had to stand out, was what he thought of as he sat in the studio, heaving a sigh as he came to, what he assumed to be, a roadblock. most, if not all the tracks released by the group so far had engaging builds and heart thumping drops. the pressure to produce a unique summer and group sound started to build up. hyunjae started to feel that this will be the turning point of his career in summit despite having been employed for a significant amount of time already.

he takes a quick smoke break, clearing his head before coming back to continue working on the track. he figured he's overthinking the whole thing, putting too much on his plate when it could be... simple. he chews on his bottom lip, holding back an amused smile as he starts playing with the sounds again. "it doesn't have to be so complicated, hyunjae..." he mumbles to himself as he builds a set of sounds from a pounding bass, a string of synths, and it can't go wrong with horns. by the end of applying this spur of the moment idea, the song was no longer 100% compliant to the iota formula. but it still sounds equally inviting as any of the group' tracks. this lived up to beingeffervescent -- a word meticulously pointed out to be the song's main point during the briefing.

[vldhyunjae]

task 2 : a fine spring day

it was very unlikely of han hyunjae to come home to their childhood home, especially on the promised sunday family days. to everyone's surprise, he shows up, flowers and cake at hand, and willingly went inside to join the family for dinner. he was not stupid -- or deaf, so he knew the shock his appearance brought. he could hear his step mom and sister-in-law's whispers in the kitchen and how it stopped abruptly as soon as he volunteered to help prepare the food. they were kind enough (and perhaps caught off guard that he showed up after countless times of having rejected their calls) to let him do as he pleased. he wouldn't have thrown a fit if they insisted on doing it themselves -- even if he practically lived in this kitchen when he was still living there.

"how is it working for summit media, it's summit media, right?" his brother's words pulls him back from his silence. he looks up from the small bubble he created around himself, letting only his twin nieces for short adorable conversations. hyunjae hums, nodding as he takes a sip of water, "yes, it is. it's been great... more hours logged in the studio." he replies with a small smile. his friendly response and equally harmless expression shocks his brother too. after all, for years, he had nothing but snarky remarks and sarcastic rebuttals.

"weren't you planning to become an idol?" his step mom adds, hesitant but clearly trying her best. hyunjae could tell everyone was holding their breath; his eyes looking from his dad and then his brother. if this was a dinner he attended a year ago, everyone on this table had every reason to be afraid of her speaking up and talking to him. but han hyunjae is in a much better place now. he had learned to forgive himself for all the things he did and didn't do, and in turn, he had learned to forgive others too. "i was.." he replies with an amused smile, "but i don't think i'd be a very good one. i'm not good with people. i mean, i could be... but i'm not fond of crowds. i like my circle... small." the charming han hyunjae that only ever made appearances outside the confides of their household was sitting there in that dinning room table, and he had just made the whole table smile. "small but meaningful," his brother adds, raising a glass.

at the end of it all, hyunjae had to admit that he was looking forward to next weekend. "the food was great..." she tells his stepmom as he helped clear the table. but perhaps he had reached the limit of interacting because he was not prepared to console the happy tears that were forming in her eyes so he makes an excuse of needing to pick up yejun. his dad, too, does something he has never done in their years of living together -- at least, not since his mom was still alive. he walks him out and gives him a manly hug, a lingering one. "thank you for believing in me, dad." it's been long since he had spoken any of those words that both of them stiffen and broke the hug awkwardly.

his dad smiles at him though, nods his head an ruffles his hair. "thank you for not giving up, and waiting for me to come back."