52: Chapter 53 Chinese Single - Tailor-Made

In the meeting room.

Park So-yeon stood up.

"I want to serve as the lead vocal director."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"Lead vocal director?"

"Yes."

Park So-yeon nodded.

"Tiger Oppa is writing the song."

"It needs vocal cooperation."

"I can help the members."

"Adjust their singing techniques."

"Guide their pronunciation."

"Make the recording go more smoothly."

Qian Xu thought for a moment.

"Okay."

"You will be the lead vocal director."

"You'll get extra pay."

Park So-yeon was stunned.

"Mr. Qian, I didn't mean..."

"You are."

Qian Xu interrupted her.

"You've waited for six years."

"You deserve this."

"Not a cent less."

Park So-yeon's eyes turned red.

"Thank you, Mr. Qian."

After the meeting ended.

Qian Xu returned to his office.

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Tencent Music.

"President Qian, here are the Chinese lyricists and composers you requested."

"We have contacted a few."

"Sending their profiles for you to see."

Qian Xu replied.

"Good."

A few minutes later.

A file was sent over.

Qian Xu opened it.

Three names appeared on the screen.

The first: Wang Ping.

Representative works: "a little happiness", "Those Years".

A gold-medal Taiwanese lyricist and composer.

The second: Lin Chen.

Representative works: "The Chaser of Light", "The Wind Has Risen".

A new-generation songwriter from the mainland.

The third: Chen Yu.

Representative works: "Chengdu", "Nanshan Nan".

Originally a folk singer.

Qian Xu looked at these three names.

The lyricist and composer of "a little happiness".

Wang Ping.

He smiled.

He dialed Tencent Music.

"Teacher Wang Ping."

"Can you contact him?"

"Yes."

The other party answered.

"Teacher Wang Ping is currently in Taipei."

"We can arrange a video conference."

"Good."

Qian Xu nodded.

"The sooner the better."

"Tomorrow morning at ten."

"Video conference."

The next morning.

Apgujeong, Yunmengze Building.

Qian Xu stood in the meeting room.

On the projector screen.

The video was already connected.

On the other side of the screen.

A man in his fifties.

Wearing glasses.

His hair was a bit gray.

Wearing a white shirt.

He looked very refined.

"Teacher Wang Ping, hello."

Qian Xu greeted in Chinese.

"President Qian, hello."

Wang Ping smiled.

"Tencent told me."

"You want to write a Chinese song for a Korean girl group."

"I am very curious."

"What kind of group is it?"

"T-ARA."

Qian Xu said.

"A top Korean girl group."

"Debuted in 2009."

"Have had many hit songs."

"Now preparing for a comeback."

"Want to sing a Chinese song."

Wang Ping raised an eyebrow.

"T-ARA?"

"I know them."

"'Roly-Poly'."

"'Bo Peep Bo Peep'."

"I've heard them."

Qian Xu smiled.

"That's great."

"I would like to invite you."

"To tailor a Chinese song for them."

"What style?"

Wang Ping asked.

"Youthful."

"Warm."

"Inspirational."

Qian Xu said.

"T-ARA has been through a slump."

"Now starting over."

"This song."

"Needs to sing their story."

Wang Ping thought for a moment.

"'a little happiness'."

He spoke up.

"The melody of that song."

"Is very suitable for a girl group."

"But the lyrics need to be changed."

"Changed to their story."

Qian Xu's eyes lit up.

"Are you willing to write it?"

"I am."

Wang Ping smiled.

"It's rare for a Korean girl group."

"To want to sing a Chinese song seriously."

"I support it."

The two chatted for an hour.

Determined the direction.

The melody of "a little happiness".

Rewrite the lyrics.

Theme: Rebirth, Gratitude, Companionship.

Wang Ping said.

"Give me a week."

"I will write the lyrics."

"Good."

Qian Xu nodded.

"I look forward to your work."

Hung up the video.

Qian Xu walked out of the meeting room.

Park So-yeon was standing in the hallway.

"Mr. Qian, how did it go?"

"It's decided."

Qian Xu smiled.

"The melody of 'a little happiness'."

"Lyrics rewritten."

"Teacher Wang Ping will write it himself."

Park So-yeon's eyes lit up.

"'a little happiness'?"

"That song is very good."

"I've heard the Chinese version."

"It's very moving."

"That's good."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"Wait for the lyrics to come out."

"You try singing it first."

"Me?"

Park So-yeon was stunned for a moment.

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"You are the lead vocal director."

"And also T-ARA's lead vocalist."

"This song."

"You sing it for me first."

Park So-yeon took a deep breath.

"Okay."

"I will definitely sing it well."

A week later.

Apgujeong, Yunmengze Building.

Qian Xu was sitting in his office.

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Wang Ping.

"President Qian, the lyrics are written."

"Sending it to you to see."

Qian Xu opened the file.

Lines of Chinese lyrics appeared on the screen.

"a little happiness" (T-ARA Chinese Version)

Lyrics: Wang Ping

Music: Wang Ping

Once thought the night had no end

Until you reached out a warm hand

Led me out of that long cold winter

Told me I could dream again

The wounds from those years

The tears from those years

All turned into the courage of today

Let me fly forward bravely

You are my a little happiness

Appearing when I needed you most

Give me strength

Give me hope

Let me believe tomorrow will be better

You are my a little happiness

Accompanying me through the wind and rain

Waiting for the rainbow with me

Having you along the way

Is the best time

Qian Xu finished reading.

Remained silent.

This song.

It's not about love.

It's about gratitude.

It's about companionship.

It's about rebirth.

It's T-ARA's story.

It's also his story.

He dialed Wang Ping's number.

"Teacher Wang Ping."

"The lyrics are wonderful."

"Thank you."

Wang Ping smiled.

"I hope they like it."

"They definitely will."

Qian Xu said.

"I will have the lead vocalist try singing it."

"Record it and send it to you to listen."

"Good."

Wang Ping nodded.

"I look forward to your version."

Hung up the phone.

Qian Xu walked out of the office.

Walked to the second-floor practice room.

Pushed the door open.

All six people were there.

"Ms. Soyeon."

Qian Xu beckoned.

"Come here for a second."

Park So-yeon stood up.

"What's wrong?"

"The lyrics are here."

Qian Xu handed her his phone.

"Take a look."

Park So-yeon took the phone.

Looked down at the screen.

The practice room went quiet.

The other five people were all looking at her.

Park So-yeon looked at the lyrics.

First line.

"Once thought the night had no end."

Her eyes turned red.

Second line.

"Until you reached out a warm hand."

Her tears fell down.

Third line.

"Led me out of that long cold winter."

She covered her mouth.

Her shoulders were trembling.

Jeon Bo-ram stood up.

"So-yeon unnie, what's wrong?"

"The lyrics..."

Park So-yeon choked up.

"The lyrics are about us."

"It's our story."

Ham Eun-jung walked over.

Took the phone.

Finished reading the lyrics.

She also fell silent.

Then.

She handed the phone to Park Hyomin.

Park Hyomin finished reading, passed it to Lee Qri.

Lee Qri finished reading, passed it to Jeon Bo-ram.

Jeon Bo-ram finished reading, passed it to Park Ji-yeon.

All six people.

All cried.

Qian Xu stood at the door.

Looking at them.

"This song."

"Is yours."

"Sing it well."

Park So-yeon wiped away her tears.

"Mr. Qian."

"I want to try singing it now."

"Now?"

"Yes."

Park So-yeon nodded.

"I want to sing it for you."

"Good."

Qian Xu smiled.

"I'm listening."

Park So-yeon walked to the recording equipment.

Put on the headphones.

Turned on the accompaniment.

The intro played.

It was the melody of "a little happiness".

She closed her eyes.

Took a deep breath.

Opened her mouth.

"Once thought the night had no end."

Her voice.

Gentle.

Clear.

With a hint of trembling.

"Until you reached out a warm hand."

"Led me out of that long cold winter."

"Told me I could dream again."

In the practice room.

It was quiet.

Everyone was listening.

Park So-yeon's voice.

Echoed in the room.

"The wounds from those years."

"The tears from those years."

"All turned into the courage of today."

"Let me fly forward bravely."

Her voice.

Getting higher.

Getting firmer.

As if declaring.

T-ARA is back.

"You are my a little happiness."

"Appearing when I needed you most."

"Give me strength."

"Give me hope."

"Let me believe tomorrow will be better."

The last line.

She sang it very softly.

As if saying thank you.

Finished singing.

She opened her eyes.

Tears slid down her cheeks.

In the practice room.

It was quiet for three seconds.

Then.

Applause rang out.

Jeon Bo-ram clapped first.

"Unnie! That was so good!"

Ham Eun-jung also clapped.

"So-yeon, you sang that so well."

Park Hyomin's eyes were red.

"This song."

"It will definitely be a hit."

Lee Qri nodded.

"The Chinese pronunciation is also very standard."

"Much better than I imagined."

Park Ji-yeon rushed over directly.

"Unnie! You are amazing!"

Qian Xu stood at the door.

Looking at them.

He smiled.

"Ms. Soyeon."

Park So-yeon looked up at him.

"Mr. Qian."

"This song."

"You sang it very well."

Qian Xu said.

"Chinese pronunciation."

"Emotional expression."

"Both are very good."

"But there is still room for improvement."

Park So-yeon nodded.

"I will continue to practice."

"Good."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"In a week."

"Official recording."

"I want the best version."

Park So-yeon took a deep breath.

"I will definitely do it."

Qian Xu turned to leave.

Jeon Bo-ram chased after him.

"Mr. Qian!"

He turned around.

"What's wrong?"

"This song..."

Jeon Bo-ram looked at him.

"Did you specifically write it for them?"

"No."

Qian Xu shook his head.

"It was written by Teacher Wang Ping."

"But the theme was decided by me."

"Rebirth."

"Gratitude."

"Companionship."

Jeon Bo-ram looked at him.

Her eyes turned red.

"Mr. Qian."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Go back and practice."

"Okay."

Jeon Bo-ram nodded.

Turned and walked back to the practice room.

Qian Xu stood in the hallway.

Listening to the singing coming from inside.

Park So-yeon was practicing the song.

Over and over again.

He smiled.

His phone vibrated.

It was a system notification.

[Korea's favorability towards China: 27.6%]

He was stunned for a moment.

It went up again?

He tapped on the details.

A line of text popped up on the screen.

[Cultural Export Event: T-ARA Chinese Single Project Launched]

[Influence: +0.1%]

Qian Xu smiled.

A song.

Not even finished recording yet.

And it had already started affecting favorability.

He put away his phone.

Looking at Seoul outside the window.

The sun was nice.

The parasol tree leaves rustled.

Tomorrow.

It would be another new day.