93: Chapter 94 T-ARA's New Song Recording

Qian Xu took the document and opened it. Inside was a business analysis report for Gangnam District. The handwriting was neat, and the data was clear.

"What time did you finish last night?" "Three in the morning." Eunjung smiled. "I couldn't sleep anyway. Might as well do something productive."

Qian Xu looked at her. There were faint dark circles under her eyes. "Ms. Eun-jung, you're pushing yourself too hard." "I have to." Eunjung shook her head. "Lotte Mart could strike back at any time. We need to plan ahead."

Qian Xu nodded. "You're right. Let me look at the site selection for Gangnam District." He turned to the second page. There were three site proposals. The first was near Gangnam Station. The second was Apgujeong Rodeo Street. The third was Samseong-dong. Each proposal included detailed foot traffic analysis, rent comparisons, and competitor distribution.

"You did a great job." Qian Xu closed the file. "But this isn't urgent. Let's finish T-ARA's Korean album first. The Comeback Show just ended. We need to strike while the iron is hot."

Eunjung was stunned for a moment. "A Korean album?" "Yes." Qian Xu nodded. "The Chinese version of 'a little happiness' was just a warm-up. The real comeback needs a Korean title track to establish a foothold in the Korean market."

Eunjung's eyes lit up. "You already have a plan?" "Mhm." Qian Xu smiled. "Representative Kim has contacted a few producers. We start recording tomorrow. Get yourselves ready."

Eunjung stood up. "Okay. I'll go notify them right away."

The next morning, at a recording studio in Apgujeong. By the time Qian Xu arrived, all six of them were already there. Kim Min-jun was standing at the entrance. "Mr. Qian, the producer has arrived. He's one of the best in the industry. He's written songs for BTS and BLACKPINK." "Good." Qian Xu nodded. "Let's go in and see."

Inside the recording studio, a man in his forties sat in front of the mixing console. He wore glasses and had a serious expression. "Mr. Qian, this is Producer Park," Kim Min-jun introduced. "Producer Park, this is Chairman Qian of Yunmengze Entertainment." Producer Park stood up and shook his hand. "Chairman Qian, it's an honor. I watched the Comeback Show. It was spectacular." "Thank you." Qian Xu smiled. "I'm counting on you today." "It's my duty." Producer Park nodded. "I've listened to the demo for the title track. It's very suitable for T-ARA, especially the lead vocal parts." He glanced at Park So-yeon. "Her voice is very distinctive." Park So-yeon blushed. "Thank you, Producer Park."

The recording began. The first song, the Korean title track "Again." The intro started playing. The six of them stood in the recording room, wearing headphones. Eunjung started first; her voice was powerful and had a strong sense of rhythm. Boram was second; her voice was soft but very steady. Park Hyomin sat on a chair. Her ankle hadn't healed yet, but her voice was in good condition. Lee Qri and Park Ji-yeon worked well together, and their harmonies were very harmonious.

It was Park So-yeon's turn, the lead vocal part. She took a deep breath and began. Her voice was clear, and the high notes were steady and filled with emotion. Producer Park was stunned. He took off his headphones and looked at the mixing console. "This voice… it's too perfect." Qian Xu stood to the side, watching Park So-yeon in the recording room. She had her eyes closed, completely immersed in the music. Her voice echoed throughout the studio.

After one take, Producer Park pressed the talkback button. "Ms. Soyeon, come out for a moment." Park So-yeon took off her headphones and walked out. "Producer Park, what's wrong?" "Your part just now," Producer Park looked at her, "record it again. But this time, use the feeling you had when you sang 'a little happiness' at the Comeback Show. Put emotion into it. It should be like you're telling a story." Park So-yeon nodded. "Okay." She returned to the recording room, put on her headphones, and closed her eyes. The intro played. She began to sing. Her voice was gentle and emotional, as if she were telling a story—a story about waiting, a story about reunion.

Inside the recording studio, everyone went silent. Eunjung stood to the side, her eyes red. Boram covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes. Park Hyomin sat on the chair, her hands trembling. Lee Qri and Park Ji-yeon looked at each other and both started crying.

Qian Xu stood in front of the mixing console, watching Park So-yeon in the recording room. She had her eyes closed. Her voice was trembling, but it was steady. The high notes were clear and bright, as if she were singing out all the grievances of the past six years.

After she finished, the studio was silent for three seconds. Then, Producer Park stood up and applauded. "Perfect. This is the best lead vocal part I've recorded this year." Park So-yeon took off her headphones and walked out, her eyes red. "Thank you, Producer Park." "Don't thank me," Producer Park shook his head. "You sang it well yourself. You haven't sung in six years, yet you can still maintain this kind of state. You are a born singer." Park So-yeon lowered her head, tears falling. "Thank you…"

Eunjung walked over and hugged her. "So-yeon, you did it." Boram also ran over. "Unnie, you sang so well!" Park Hyomin sat on the chair and gave her a thumbs up. "A lead vocal is a lead vocal, after all." Lee Qri and Park Ji-yeon also gathered around. The six of them hugged each other and cried.

Qian Xu stood to the side, watching them, feeling warm inside. He walked over. "Ms. Soyeon." Park So-yeon looked up, her eyes red. "Hm?" "You sang very well." Qian Xu smiled. "Even better than I imagined." Park So-yeon looked at him, tears falling again. "Thank you, Mr. Qian. You gave me the opportunity to sing again." Qian Xu shook his head. "It was your own effort. I only gave you the stage." Park So-yeon lowered her head. "I will continue to work hard. I won't let you down." "I know." Qian Xu nodded. "I believe in you."

Producer Park coughed from the side. "Um… Chairman Qian, should we continue recording the rest of the songs?" "Yes." Qian Xu smiled. "Finish the title track today. We'll record the B-sides tomorrow. Let's complete the whole album within a week." Producer Park nodded. "Okay. Then I'll continue with the preparations."

At 3:00 PM, the title track recording was finished. The six of them walked out of the recording studio, exhausted. Boram slumped on the sofa. "So tired… even more tiring than rehearsing." Eunjung sat next to her. "But the result is very good. Producer Park said this album is of very high quality." Park Hyomin nodded. "Yes, especially So-yeon's lead vocal part. It's definitely the highlight of the entire album." Park So-yeon blushed. "Stop praising me… I'll get arrogant." "Let yourself be arrogant." Park Ji-yeon smiled. "Unnie, you have the right to be arrogant. You are T-ARA's lead vocal. You sang it well." Park So-yeon looked at her, her eyes reddening again. "Ji-yeon…" "Don't cry, don't cry!" Park Ji-yeon panicked. "Did I say something wrong again?" "No." Park So-yeon smiled. "You're right. I am T-ARA's lead vocal. I should be proud."

Qian Xu stood to the side, watching them, and smiled. His phone vibrated. It was a system notification. He tapped it open. [T-ARA Korean album title track recording complete] [Song quality rating: S-rank] [Park So-yeon lead vocal part score: 98 points] [Estimated album release date: two weeks later]. He smiled and put his phone away. "Let's go. It's my treat tonight to celebrate the completion of the title track recording." The six of them cheered in unison. "Yay!"

At 7:00 PM, at a barbecue restaurant in Hongdae, the seven of them sat around a table. The table was filled with pork belly, soju, and kimchi stew. Boram raised her soju glass. "Mr. Qian, this first glass is a toast to you. Thank you for letting us sing again." "Thank you." Qian Xu also raised his glass. "The second glass is a toast to you all. It's because you were hardworking enough that you were able to stand up again." The six of them raised their glasses together. "Cheers!"

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively. Park Ji-yeon's face was flushed red from drinking. "Mr. Qian, I have a question I want to ask you." "Go ahead." "Why did you help us?" Park Ji-yeon looked at him. "We, T-ARA, have already been blacklisted in Korea. No one dares to touch us. Why do you dare?" Qian Xu put down his chopsticks. "Because I'm not afraid." "Not afraid?" Park Ji-yeon was stunned. "Not afraid of being blacklisted?" "Not afraid." Qian Xu smiled. "I am Chinese. Korea blacklists me? Then I'll just go back to China to develop. The Chinese market is ten times bigger than Korea's. What do I have to fear?" Park Ji-yeon was dumbfounded. "So… you thought this through from the very beginning?" "Yes." Qian Xu nodded. "Helping you make a comeback is just the first step. The second step is to let you establish a foothold in China. The third step is to let K-pop serve C-ulture." The six of them were stunned. Boram looked at him. "Mr. Qian, your ambition is huge." "It's not huge." Qian Xu smiled. "I just want Chinese people to live with dignity in Korea. That's all."

Inside the recording studio, the lights dimmed. Park So-yeon stood in front of the microphone, wearing headphones, and closed her eyes. The intro played. She began to sing. Her voice was gentle, as if she were telling a story—a story about waiting, a story about reunion. Qian Xu stood in front of the mixing console, watching her, feeling warm inside. This girl was truly shining.