Chapter 22: An Irreplaceable Person

Lyricist Oh Jisoo.

She was a person with many modifiers.

That’s usually the case.

The more money one makes, the more famous they are, the more they show their face on broadcasts, the more people clamor around them—the more so.

Oh Jisoo was someone who fit all of those.

Some called her cunning, others said she had it easy thanks to her natural talent, and some criticized her success as sheer luck.

That much she could accept.

But.

[ “Didn’t Lyricist Oh Jisoo debut through lobbying back in the day?” ]

↳ “What lobbying?”

↳↳ “What do you think? That kind of stuff exists.”

↳ “No way, seriously…”

↳ “If you look at her first lyrics, doesn’t it feel a bit off?”

↳↳ “All debut works are like that.”

↳ “Looking at her old photos, it’s understandable to be suspicious.”

↳↳ “She’s still pretty for her age though.”

↳ “Honestly, every person who shoots up like a comet has some weird scandal.”

↳ “Idiots, seriously, stop that BS. She’s just a genius. Lyrics come out easy like she’s picking her nose.”

↳↳ “Exactly.”

Crude speculations that popped up every other day.

Fine, she could even put up with that.

‘The public only looks at the results.’

But dragging down the effort hidden behind the name Oh Jisoo—that she couldn’t tolerate.

They didn’t know.

How many words had to be erased for the sake of one perfect line.

Talent? She couldn’t say she had none.

But was talent everything?

Of course not.

In this industry, most people who rely only on talent end up crashing and burning.

Probably the same for those blabbering here right now.

‘Come to think of it, it’s really been a while... since I saw someone who uses their talent well.’

Oh Jisoo leaned back slowly in her chair.

There was something more important than talent.

Bloody effort, bone-cutting endurance.

She wasn’t trying to preach tired clichés like those.

It was about how to handle talent.

That was what Oh Jisoo believed to be the key point.

‘Seo Taeyoon. I want to see him again.’

It had been a long time since she met someone who wielded talent freely.

An attitude that didn’t overestimate one’s gift.

A cool-headed self-assessment of the output.

Talent was just the beginning. The real battle was in how you honed it.

She played “Super Ride.”

She had been listening to it every day, in secret.

She thought of Yujin, who expressed herself freely, and Writer Taeyoon, who seemed ready to devour the recording studio with his focus.

Nod, nod.

“Even if it shines dangerously. Man, this part is really well written.”

She nodded her head and sang along.

Thinking once again that, indeed, the composer should write the lyrics.

“This is good.”

While Oh Jisoo lay sprawled on the bed, lost in the music—

Bzzz—

Her phone, left beside her head, vibrated.

She checked the caller nonchalantly, but stood up abruptly at the sight of a familiar name.

“Hello?”

“Hello, this is Seo Taeyoon. I hope I’m not interrupting your rest. If so, I’m sorry.”

“No, no. It’s fine. You’ve been well, right?”

How polite.

She hadn’t realized it when hearing him directly.

But that calm baritone over the phone was quite pleasant to hear.

“Thanks to you, I’ve been doing well.”

“Thanks to me? I didn’t do anything.”

“Thanks to your help during recording, the song turned out well.”

“Help? What help did I give?”

Even though she knew, she wanted to hear it.

She could pretty much guess what he would say.

That she refined it to be easy for the singer.

That he was grateful for her support.

Or maybe...

That it was an honor to get help from a top lyricist?

Oh Jisoo smiled faintly.

Whatever it was, she didn’t mind.

Let’s hear what our brilliant rookie composer has to say.

As she swallowed a bit in anticipation, waiting for Taeyoon’s words—

“Do you remember what you said about becoming an irreplaceable person...?”

“Hmm...?”

Oh Jisoo stuttered like she’d glitched at the unexpected reply.

Was that really such a moving thing to say?

Whether he knew how she felt or not—

Taeyoon revealed his hidden thoughts.

“I couldn’t show it, but I was really nervous.”

Unexpected.

Was he being modest? He looked so confident though... she thought of saying, but stayed quiet and waited for him to continue.

“Wherever I looked, there were only incredible people. Seeing people I only saw on TV working so impressively, I felt like maybe I wasn’t needed.”

“You did more than well. You don’t need to think that way.”

“No. That’s really how I felt, at least until you said that to me.”

“You did?”

“Yes. An irreplaceable person. In other words, someone unique.”

As they say, interpretation can be better than the dream itself.

From a casual comment, Taeyoon had drawn all sorts of meanings.

‘Such depth.’

Even as Oh Jisoo thought that, Taeyoon continued speaking.

“Ah, right. I’m the one who made this song. What intention I had when writing it, how I wanted it to be expressed—only I would know that. That’s why I mustered up the courage. It’s late, but thank you so much. Lyricist Oh Jisoo, you’re really the best.”

Beyond the receiver.

Taeyoon’s image politely bowing his head came to mind.

“You did well. You’re already that kind of person. So it’s okay to be courageous.”

A brief silence passed.

Oh Jisoo.

When it came to sensing things, she prided herself on being top-notch.

Wait a minute. This, this... why does it smell like a setup?

She hated beating around the bush.

She asked directly.

“But Writer Seo. You didn’t call at this hour just to say thank you, right? What is it? Tell me. If it’s a request from our Writer Seo, I’ll do anything.”

This time, she could really guess.

He’s stuck on the lyrics and needs help!

Fine, she could help with that a thousand, ten thousand times.

“Really?”

“As if Oh Jisoo would go back on her word? Speak comfortably.”

“Wow. Then, Writer Oh.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s work together.”

They had worked together before though?

What’s the big deal?

“Of course. I’ll help.”

“No, not just help!”

“Huh?”

“Would you consider co-writing lyrics with me?”

With me? He’s proposing co-writing?

Have I ever co-written lyrics with someone?

Nope.

Of course, there were occasional special cases where co-writing happened.

Like for a project album or a charity compilation album.

But just up to that point.

Writing lyrics was the flow of emotions.

Even the most commercially minded lyricist couldn’t easily share those subtle feelings.

...What’s with him. Where does he get this confidence?

Still.

“Then let’s do this. Let’s meet first and talk. I need to hear what this is about.”

Intriguing.

Incredibly intriguing.

Wasn’t she getting curious about how and why this first junior came to her with such a proposal?

And along with that—

“Isn’t Oh Jisoo’s writing too predictable these days?”

“The lyrics are too full of self-praise.”

“Lately, they’re kind of cringe.”

“Honestly, I preferred when she used to write about love every damn day.”

This seemed like the perfect chance to try something new.

That vague sense of excitement made Oh Jisoo’s heart flutter.

He had worried she might be bothering her.

But surprisingly, Senior Oh Jisoo coolly agreed to the meeting.

In that case... wasn’t that already half a success?

Still, there was a minor issue.

He had never eaten alone with a woman who wasn’t family.

What should they eat?

Where should they meet?

He had no idea.

She said to choose a place comfortably, but he couldn’t take that at face value.

Hyung once told him something.

“For important business, the place matters. You’ve seen it on TV, right? There’s a reason why secret deals happen in fancy Japanese restaurants. You show from the start—‘I put effort into this for you!’”

When in doubt, the internet is the answer.

He searched with all sorts of keywords.

One title stood out.

[ Food Women in Their 40s Like ]

Okay. This is it.

After much agonizing between Western and Japanese cuisine, he reserved a pretty fancy Italian restaurant.

It would cost at least 100,000 won. Maybe even 200,000?

Who cares.

He was conducting business in his own way.

He confidently sent the reservation details.

[ Me: Hello! How about meeting here tomorrow? (link to the Western restaurant) ]

This should impress her, right?

But then—

[ Lyricist Oh Jisoo: Writer Seo, do you like Western food? ]

[ Me: Uh... I eat pretty much anything! ]

[ Lyricist Oh Jisoo: Then how about we go somewhere I found instead? ]

[ Me: I really wanted to treat you to something nice... it was hard to get this reservation... is it not good? ]

[ Lyricist Oh Jisoo: It’s not bad, but I think this place might be better. How about Japanese food? ]

[ Me: Anything is fine. ]

[ Lyricist Oh Jisoo: Okay, then let’s meet here tomorrow at noon. (link) ]

What came back was a tonkatsu restaurant.

...Well, that is technically Japanese cuisine.

Near Hongdae.

The promised location was a shabby basement restaurant tucked away at the end of a narrow alley.

‘The name matches, but...’

[ KITCHEN: BACKSTAGE ]

Backstage, huh.

The simple signboard made him a bit suspicious.

Is this a tonkatsu place or a live music cafe?

He tilted his head and walked down the stairs.

“Oh?”

The posters on the wall weren’t ordinary.

A cool-looking man blowing a trumpet and gazing at the sky on a classic black-and-white poster, a Beatles album cover photo.

The posters on the wall weren’t just decoration.

He started walking faster.

No way...!

“Wow, this is insane. Wow... seriously. What is this place?”

A gasp of awe escaped me.

A ceiling fan that looked like it barely worked, walls plastered with faded posters, an interior that seemed frozen in the 1980s.

I wanted to see it all. Right now.

I wanted to take it all in with my eyes.

The wall full of LPs looked like a music museum. On one side, vintage guitars were hanging.

‘What’s with the drums now?’

In one corner, a slightly dusty drum set sat languidly.

I had only come down half a flight of stairs.

But it felt like another world had opened.

The place was quiet.

I was the only customer. The owner was nowhere to be seen.

But that didn’t matter.

All I could do was mutter, “Wow, wow,” repeatedly.

Behind the counter, black-and-white photos with familiar singers filled the wall.

Right in the center,

a photo—presumably from the owner’s younger days—was proudly displayed.

He was passionately singing on stage, holding a mic. It was quite an impressive sight.

So this amazing place could be summarized as, ‘a tonkatsu restaurant disguised as a music fanatic’s hideout.’

I looked around for a while.

To me, this was truly another world.

Seeing more records than most record shops made my heart race.

How much time had passed?

“Welcome.”

“……!”

I turned at the greeting.

That voice... it was good. Really good.

A deep yet delicate voice.

I was curious about who the owner was.

A voice actor? A singer?

Seeing my face, he asked politely.

“Are you here alone?”

“Oh, I have company. Seems she’s not here yet.”

“Then let me show you to your seat.”

As I sat down in the guided spot and looked at the menu—

The owner, who was peeking at me with a tilted head, asked with a smile.

A look that said he just couldn’t hold back his curiosity.

“Are you perhaps the junior Writer Oh mentioned?”

“Uh, yes. That’s right. I’m Junior to Senior Oh Jisoo.”

“She said junior, so I expected some big, rugged guys, but turns out there’s a handsome one too?”

That deep voice brushing past my ear. Plus, a compliment just polite enough not to be rude.

I realized why Senior Oh Jisoo chose this place.

No need for long explanations.

Even though it was my first time here, I felt oddly at ease.

I looked over the menu again, when I heard a familiar voice.

“I’m late, sorry.”

“Not at all. I just got here too.”

“You found it well, right? Nice vibe, huh?”

“Very much so.”

“Doesn’t look like much, but the food’s good here.”

“But this place...”

“Yes?”

“Oh, nothing.”

There were no customers during lunchtime.

I was worried. Trying not to sound meddlesome, I casually lifted my water glass.

“Our Writer Seo, are you worried?”

...What’s with her perceptiveness?

As a fellow music lover, I just hoped the business would do well. I hoped everyone got rich.

...That’s all I was thinking.

I couldn’t say it out loud.

So I asked back as if I didn’t understand.

“Worried about what?”

“It’s written all over your face. You’re thinking, ‘How do they make a living with so few customers,’ right? Am I wrong?”

I nearly spat out the water I was drinking.

“No, not at all.”

“But don’t worry. The owner owns this building.”

“Huh?”

We exchanged brief updates.

Then Oh Jisoo lowered her voice and asked.

“Did you see the owner?”

“Yes. He had a really nice presence.”

“Judging by your reaction, you don’t know who he is, do you?”

“Uh? Is he... someone?”

“You’re probably too young to know. There’s this guy, Moon Jungbae. He used to be a big deal. Wait a sec, I’ll go say hi. Combo cutlet’s okay, right? They serve spaghetti too.”

A Japanese restaurant with combo cutlet and spaghetti...?

Isn’t that more like Western-style?

As I tilted my head in confusion—

Oh Jisoo left the table without even waiting for an answer.

Now was the time.

I quickly searched Moon Jungbae.

[ Person Search: Moon Jungbae (Singer, former vocalist of Cheongseong) ]

Huh?

Seems like I’ve come to a tonkatsu place run by someone pretty incredible.

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