WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Potter
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ My Fired Uncle Is a Genius Guitarist? ◈
Chapter 41: I Have to Hear It Before I Decide
──────
I stared at the smartphone screen in my hand.
‘What is this, some new kind of spam?’
But I thought they said something about a band...
Cha Sion, walking beside me, glanced over.
“Who is it?”
“No idea. A weird call.”
Just as I casually answered and tried to put my phone in my pocket, it vibrated again. It was the same number from before.
‘Why are they so persistent?’
After thinking for a moment, I pressed the call button.
“Hello.”
“Don’t hang up! This is Moon Hyunwoo from After Rain!”
“I heard that earlier.”
“So you know now?”
“No.”
“...”
The line went quiet for a moment. I heard several breaths, then a voice trying hard to remain calm.
“Then, um... are you the composer One Dragon who gave songs to Muri?”
“Ah.”
So that was what this was about. I slowed my pace and asked,
“That’s right. How did you get my number?”
“I got it from CEO Hwang Insoo of Loop Sound. They repeatedly told me to only talk about songs... so I’ll only talk about songs!”
“Go ahead.”
“I listened to the songs you gave Muri, and they were really good. We’re preparing our second album right now, but we’re two tracks short. So I wanted to ask if you could write some songs for us too. If possible, it’d be even better if we could use one as the title track.”
“If you want songs like the ones I gave Muri, then no.”
I drew the line without hesitation.
“What? Why?”
“Those songs were written from the start to suit their vocalist’s voice. They weren’t made for someone else to sing.”
“Then... you’ll write new ones for us?”
“No. I’ll listen first.”
“What?”
“You said you’re After Rain, right? Send me your latest album, along with any songs you’ve been working on for this album, by email. I need to hear them before deciding whether I’ll write for you or not.”
“Ah... yes! I’ll send them right away! But, um, what about the fee...?”
“What fee? There aren’t even any songs yet.”
“Ah, yes. Sorry.”
“But I think I’ll charge more than I did for Muri. Is that okay?”
“What? Why... only ours...?”
“Muri got the promotional rate.”
“...”
On the other end, I heard him fumble around, unable to find anything to say. I only repeated that he should send the materials by email, then ended the call.
Cha Sion, who had been quietly listening beside me, spoke.
“...After Rain?”
“You know them?”
“They’re famous.”
So I was the only one who didn’t know again. I really needed to study this world’s music scene more seriously.
#
The moment I opened the door after heading down the rehearsal room stairs, Yun Taerin sprang out as if she had been waiting.
“Uncle! Why are you so late! ...No, what were you doing with Sion? You two! Why?”
“Hello...”
Behind Yun Taerin, Bae Somi gave a small bow. I pushed my overly eager niece aside with one hand and pointed to the folding chairs.
“Sit down first. I’ll tell you.”
“Hey, Cha Sion. Why are you empty-handed? Where’s your guitar?”
“I didn’t know we were practicing today.”
“What? Then what are we supposed to do about rehearsal?”
“We can just sing.”
Cha Sion calmly unfolded a chair and sat down. Yun Taerin sat beside her with a dumbfounded look, while Bae Somi carefully took a seat as well.
“So! What secret were you two talking about?”
“It’s nothing. I just went to see Sion’s dad for a moment.”
“Sion’s dad? Why?”
Yun Taerin’s eyes widened. Bae Somi also looked at Cha Sion in surprise. Cha Sion spoke calmly.
“My dad’s going to America.”
“What?! Then what about you? Are you going too?!”
“I’m not.”
“Ah... what? You scared me...”
Yun Taerin, who had been clutching her chest in relief, suddenly lifted her head.
“Wait. If only your dad is leaving, what about you? Are you living alone?!”
“Yeah.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?! Since when did you know?”
“I wasn’t going anyway, so why would I?”
“What about meals? Cleaning? Laundry? Who’s going to do all that?”
“I can handle it myself.”
Yun Taerin was about to snap at her again, but Bae Somi asked first in a hesitant voice.
“...Is it really okay for you to live alone?”
“There’s a condition.”
When I stepped in, all three pairs of eyes turned toward me at once.
“I met Sion’s dad today and sorted that out. If she wants to stay alone, there has to be an adult she can reach immediately in an emergency. So I said I’d act as something like a guardian.”
“You, Uncle?”
Yun Taerin looked me over suspiciously. Was I really that unreliable? I clicked my tongue lightly and answered.
“Yeah. I come to the rehearsal room often. But that alone isn’t enough.”
“Then?”
“Taerin, come home with me later.”
“To our house? Why?”
“There’s something I need to ask your mom.”
Yun Taerin’s eyes moved for a moment before she clapped her hands.
“Ah! You want Mom to look after Sion?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay! Let’s go! Right now!”
I grabbed the hood of the kid’s sweatshirt as she jumped up to run for the door and made her sit back down. Beside her, Bae Somi quietly looked at Cha Sion’s profile, then murmured with a small sigh of relief.
“...That’s good. You don’t have to go.”
Cha Sion said nothing. Instead, the tips of her ears turned a little red.
#
Around dinnertime, I followed Yun Taerin into my older sister’s apartment. The smell of soybean paste stew rushed over from the kitchen, as though she had been preparing dinner.
“Mom! I’m home! Uncle’s here too!”
“Uncle? Hey, what are you doing here?”
My older sister poked her head out from the kitchen, eyes wide. As I took off my shoes and went inside, I casually said,
“Sis, feed me.”
“What, did you leave a meal on deposit here?”
She said that, but naturally took out another set of utensils and placed it on the table. Then a large man watching television from the living room sofa rose to his feet. It was Yun Seojin, Yun Taerin’s father and my brother-in-law.
“Oh, brother-in-law. Long time no see.”
My brother-in-law, built as big as a bear, approached with a warm smile. With his kind face and gentle tone, he had always been the same, both in my past life and now.
“Have you been well?”
“Of course. Come eat.”
It did not take long for the table to be set. The bubbling stew was placed in the middle, and the four of us gathered around.
After taking a spoonful of stew, I carefully started the conversation.
“You heard from Mom, right? Dad’s medicine is covered by insurance now.”
“I did. We can finally breathe a little easier.”
“Then doesn’t that mean you don’t have to work anymore either?”
“I should still keep working. We have to send Taerin to college too.”
At my older sister’s answer, Yun Taerin suddenly lifted her head.
“I’m not going to college.”
“What?”
“I’m not going to college. I’m going to be in a band.”
“If you don’t go to college? You think you’ll make it with a band?”
“Of course. I’m going to be a rock star. Right, Uncle?”
Every gaze at the table turned toward me at once. Their eyes clearly said they thought I was behind their daughter’s declaration that she would pursue a life in a band.
I cleared my throat and quietly looked away.
“You were the one who told me to join a band.”
“I didn’t tell her to give up college for it.”
“That’s for her to decide. Taerin isn’t some little kid.”
“That’s right! I’m all grown up!”
Beside my older sister, who let out a hollow laugh in disbelief, my brother-in-law chuckled and joined in.
“What’s the big deal? Let Taerin do what she wants.”
“Oh, honestly... Fine, do what you want. Your grades aren’t good enough for college anyway, so it’s better to do something you’re good at.”
“Hehe.”
It did not even sound like praise, but Yun Taerin grinned happily anyway.
I quietly swallowed another bite of rice before speaking in an even tone.
“Sis.”
“What?”
“You’ve worked hard all this time, helping with Dad’s medicine costs.”
My older sister’s chopsticks stopped in midair for a moment. Then she stared at me and frowned.
“...What’s with you all of a sudden? That’s creepy.”
“Nothing. It just came to mind while we were eating.”
“What hard work? Was I the only one doing it? Our whole family did it together.”
That was all. The heavy burden from those past years could be cast off now.
As dinner was winding down, my older sister gathered the empty dishes and spoke first.
“So what was the real reason you came today? You didn’t come just to mooch off us, did you?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
“If you’re here to borrow money, just leave.”
“...It’s not money.”
“Then what is it?”
“You know Sion from Taerin’s band, right? The girl who sings.”
“I know her. The girl who sings well.”
“Her dad has to go to America for work. He says he’ll be away for a few years. He originally wanted to take Sion with him, but she insisted on staying because of the band.”
“Alone? A high school girl?”
“Yeah. So I met her dad today. There’s one condition. He says there has to be an adult she can contact immediately if something urgent happens. I can’t do it alone. So... could you take on that role too?”
“Did her dad really agree to this?”
“He said he would if you’re okay with it.”
“What about meals? Who’s going to make sure she eats?”
“Sion’s a good cook! She made kimchi fried rice before, and it was really good!”
When Yun Taerin cut in, my older sister clicked her tongue.
“How good can a high school student be?”
Then she held out her hand toward me.
“Give me the numbers. Hers and her father’s.”
“...You’ll do it?”
“What’s so hard about keeping an eye on one kid? I can make a little extra food while I’m making side dishes.”
“Mom, you’re the best!”
Yun Taerin threw her arms into the air, while my brother-in-law merely laughed with his usual friendly expression.
“Thanks, Sis.”
#
On the subway home, I texted Cha Sion’s father.
< This is Lee Han Yong. My older sister says it’s fine. I’ll pass her contact information to you through Sion.
The reply did not take long.
Sion’s Dad> Thank you. Please take good care of Sion.
That settled Cha Sion’s issue. Now she could just focus on singing without a worry.
#
The next morning, as soon as I got to work, I poked my head over the partition and asked Assistant Manager Kim,
“Assistant Manager Kim. Do you know After Rain?”
Assistant Manager Kim, who was chewing a breakfast sandwich, widened their eyes.
“Of course I do. Don’t tell me you don’t know After Rain?”
“No. I first heard of them yesterday.”
“Wow, are you really a rock musician? They’re the hottest new band in the scene right now. Their first album came out last year, and they blew up. Their vocalist is famous for writing all their own songs too.”
Assistant Manager Kim put down the sandwich and began passionately explaining. Moon Hyunwoo’s vocal tone, this festival’s lineup, and more. I nodded at appropriate moments and took in everything they poured out.
“But, Manager, why After Rain all of a sudden?”
“They contacted me to ask for songs.”
“...What?”
“Yesterday. The vocalist called me himself.”
Assistant Manager Kim’s mouth slowly fell open. They flinched and glanced around once, then lowered their voice and leaned close to the partition.
“After Rain... asked you... for songs?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s insane. No way. Really?”
“Why would I lie to you?”
“Wow... So are you going to write for them?”
“I’ll listen to their songs first. I told them to send them by email, but I need to give them a proper listen before deciding.”
“Wow...”
Assistant Manager Kim could not speak for a while, then murmured with a deeply moved expression.
“If it’s Muri and After Rain, Manager, you could really make a career in this field now.”
“Keep it down. We don’t know what’ll happen yet.”
“Ah, yes.”
Assistant Manager Kim blankly put the sandwich back in their mouth and started chewing again.
#
I quickly finished lunch, returned to my desk, and put in my earphones.
The email Moon Hyunwoo sent was a sight to behold. One large-file attachment link, then another, then another, with no end in sight. Their full first album, debut EP, even the demos they were working on. I started with the debut EP.
‘...They are good.’
Assistant Manager Kim had reason to make such a fuss. Their playing was solid, and the parts fit together well. The melodies were not bad either. It seemed the claim that they were the hottest new band in the scene was not an exaggeration.
There was far too much to finish by the end of lunch, so I continued with the remaining tracks on the subway ride home. But as I moved on to their first album, something slowly began to bother me. Only after listening through all the second album demos did I understand what it was.
They all sounded similar.
Each track was good on its own, but when I listened to them in a row, it was hard to tell them apart from the previous one. They had taken the style that received a good response on the EP and pushed every later song in that direction. They could not let go of their successful formula, so they were effectively rewriting the same song again and again.
‘No wonder the second album is stuck.’
There was also a bigger issue with the vocals. Moon Hyunwoo’s real strength was a weighty low-mid range, but every demo was built around high notes. They were songs that undercut the strengths of his own voice.
‘He doesn’t know the strengths of his own voice.’
It made sense, since he wrote the songs himself. Sometimes, when you heard your own voice every day, you could not recognize its strengths.
When I got off work and headed down the rehearsal room stairs, the quiet sound of drums leaked through the metal door. When I opened it, Yun Taerin was playing the drums, while Bae Somi and Cha Sion were each absorbed in practice.
“Uncle! You’re late!”
“Don’t worry about me. Keep doing what you were doing. I have some work to do.”
“Writing songs?”
“Yeah.”
“Ooh!”
Even as I sat at the desk and turned on the laptop, they kept firing questions at me. With recording so close, they were more excited than usual.
Only after nine did I finally send them home, telling them it was late. Left alone, I played the remaining demos. By the time I finished the last song, the clock had already passed ten.
I opened a new project file.
‘They said they needed two songs.’
The cursor blinked over the empty screen.
‘I can’t just send two songs and tell them to choose.’
After thinking for a moment, I placed my hand on the mouse.
‘...If I send about four, they should be able to get two out of them.’
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried
