Siblings Work in Business (88)
After the same chorus, the song transitioned into the bridge.
The cymbal faded, leaving only the thumping 808 bass to lead the song.
The most distinctive characteristic of Senior Ji Ye-chan’s songs was the minimal use of instruments, requiring the vocals to fill that role.
In a way, it made the rhythm sound a bit monotonous, but on the other hand, it highlighted the vocals.
And although I couldn’t play any instruments, I was confident in my ability to control my voice.
The cymbal, along with its friends, returned, synced to the second beat of the click track.
The climax, now more dynamic with the added drums, followed.
Pretending hides your flaws, but it’s not perfect
I had initially written these lyrics thinking about the seniors.
But reading the first verse, I realized I could relate to it.
Before the regression, I also gritted my teeth and established myself, even though I couldn’t reach the top.
When the thin veil shatters, the shards will fly towards you
Only those without sin can cast stones
People often say that, but how many of those who cast stones are truly without sin?
Is casting stones truly not a sin?
Everything you say and write remains.
‘And it remained with me too.’
I smiled, remembering the time I became a scapegoat.
‘They wanted to see me break more than anyone. That was their entertainment.’
If you ask if I forgave them, I couldn’t, unlike Lee Eun-ji.
I had too much baggage to easily forgive like her.
I pushed away those who begged and pleaded for forgiveness.
And in doing so, I became known as ‘ruthless.’
Why was I considered ruthless for making them pay for their sins?
Even if you cover your ears, close your eyes, and shut your mouth…
The only person I treated sincerely in my life was Lee Eun-ji.
I always doubted others and never fully trusted their kindness.
But I pretended to be kind and cheerful.
And the more I pretended, the more I hurt others, and those wounds came back to me like a boomerang.
What you hear, what you see, what you say…
Besides the wounds from pretending, hurting and being hurt by others was quite common.
Lee Eun-ji and I were also hurt by our classmates before our debut.
Sometimes by strangers, by family, by those called parents.
We had been hurt a lot, even without malicious commenters.
Sometimes out of kindness, out of burden, out of selfishness – “I was hurt, so you should be hurt too” – or simply for fun, or by mistake. There was always a reason, or an excuse.
Three monkeys dancing above my head
Evening will soon greet you
But was I truly just a victim?
Weren’t we all throwing stones of insults, neglect, and violence at each other?
Didn’t I also cast stones at others, unconsciously making excuses, because I was hurt?
Three wise monkeys
The wise monkey reaches out its hand
For a moment, you take it
And foolishly believe things will be okay
Let’s be careful with our words and actions, and be considerate, because I’m not always right.
I still don’t know what the right thing to do is.
But if I live cautiously, I can live wisely.
If I cause less pain, maybe I’ll receive less pain too.
The wise monkey reaches out its hand
Who knows, maybe it will be okay
I’m sorry
Actually, I’m not okay
I was hurt.
We were hurt.
So hurt that we didn’t even know we were hurting.
There are too many people in this world to believe in poetic justice, and even pure evil might be a good person to someone.
But they will eventually pay the price for their words and actions.
We already carry too much baggage to live a life filled with only jealousy and envy.
So, “Wise” is a song of comfort.
Let’s try to be a little wiser, so we throw fewer stones at each other.
For those who are hurting, were hurt, or will be hurt because of someone.
For those who are hurting, were hurt, or will be hurt because of me.
And for me, hurt by you, and for the future me, who might be hurt by you.
The Toxin members initially wondered why Eun-ho wasn’t starting the song.
“He asked me to leave his part for him.”
Eun-ji’s explanation made sense.
But they still felt a sense of unease as time passed.
Three monkeys dancing above my head
Then, as Eun-ho started singing, Ji Ye-chan smiled.
The maknae line turned their attention to the lyric sheets to see where their parts began.
Perhaps because of their high expectations…
Eun-ho’s singing sounded ordinary at first.
One verse.
Another verse.
But like drops of ink spreading on hanji (Korean paper), staining it and then seeping through to the surface below…
By the second verse, the initial assessment of “ordinary” became meaningless.
Everyone was holding their breath.
「“I’ll switch one of you with Song-min or Seung-yeon if Hyun’s not feeling well, so all three of you should be familiar with the lyrics.”」
Meanwhile, Oh Hyun, listening to the song, was thinking about Ji Ye-chan.
Perhaps because it was almost his turn…
He was wondering ‘why?’
And Eun-ho’s singing answered his question.
The wise monkey reaches out its hand
Who knows, it might be okay
I’m sorry
Actually, I’m not okay
Ah…
「“As seniors, we can’t be shown up by rookies, can we?”」
I swallowed my doubts and insecurities, telling myself it was okay.
Because I was the leader.
The one who took responsibility for them, who brought them here.
It had been like that for over 10 years.
「“You want a solo song? Can Hyun even write lyrics? I have a song that might suit you, but can you write lyrics for it? I can write them for you if you can’t.”」
I received the song.
But that was just the beginning.
「“No! It’s ‘No matter how much I scream in pain, no one will hear— I set myself on fire, flames rising—’! Hyun, are you struggling with this?”」
During the recording of my single, “Cistus.”
「“You did well last time. Why are you so bad this time?”」
I couldn’t fix the part he pointed out, not even by the end of the recording.
The flawed part wasn’t even auto-tuned; it went straight to mastering.
「“Well, it can’t be helped if you can’t actually sing it.”」
It was his suggestion.
And so, “Cistus,” created out of my ambition, was never mentioned by fans when they listed must-listen songs.
Neither positively nor negatively.
「“You’re too sensitive. Don’t worry so much. It sold well, that’s all that matters.”」
The CEO of TaKa said that when I subtly asked if I had done something wrong.
「“You sometimes read too much into hyung’s casual remarks. Don’t dwell on it. Leave studio matters in the studio and forget about it.”」
Seung-yeon said that when I told him that Ye-chan’s words often bothered me.
But I couldn’t, and my relationship with Ye-chan became strained after the “Cistus” recording.
If I had spoken up earlier, would things have been different?
It was too late now.
「“Very. They were on par with the maknae line back then, they must be even better now, right?”」
Lee Eun-ho.
I had seen him perform properly during hyung’s “Co-Sign” showcase, where I was the MC.
I acknowledged his skills, but…
I could do that too, if I tried.
It was pathetic to feel jealous of a junior.
I felt disgusted by my own jealousy, yet at the same time, I longed for his praise, even just a simple “Good job” or “Well done.”
“Senior!”
Just as Oh Hyun was lost in thought…
Eun-ji looked at him.
He was sitting on the sofa, head down, as if he had done something wrong.
‘What’s wrong with him?’
She was curious, but she dismissed the thought, not wanting to overthink it.
And as always, she was straightforward.
“I’m a bit… excited.”
“Huh?”
Oh Hyun, startled by Eun-ji’s sudden appearance, looked at her with a bewildered expression.
“I, um, I’m a big fan of your solo song, Senior Oh Hyun.”
“Oh? My song?”
“Yes!”
“You’re not talking about ‘Cistus,’ are you?”
“That’s the one! ‘No matter how much I scream in pain, no one will hear, I set my body on fire, flames rising,’ that one!”
Eun-ji casually sang a line from Oh Hyun’s solo song.
It was just a single line, but it meant something different to Oh Hyun.
“She…”
“Eun-ji.”
“Yes!”
Ji Ye-chan called out, and Oh Hyun flinched and closed his mouth.
He wanted to talk more, but it seemed like Eun-ho’s recording was over, and it was Eun-ji’s turn.
Ji Ye-chan also looked at Oh Hyun with a complicated expression, then turned back to the recording booth.
Eun-ji, inside the booth, made an OK sign with her hand, signaling she was ready.
Ji Ye-chan played the track.
Eun-ji, seemingly having memorized the lyrics, closed her eyes and immersed herself in the song.
Careless words become chains that bind him
Will these words choke you? Will they strangle me someday?
Eun-ji missed a beat and looked at Ji Ye-chan apologetically.
Ji Ye-chan calmly stopped the track, pressed the talkback button, and asked,
“Let’s go again.”
“Yes! I’m sorry!”
“It’s okay. I get to hear you sing again. Let’s start from the beginning of the verse.”
“Yes! I’m sorry!”
Oh Hyun, watching Ji Ye-chan’s kind demeanor, couldn’t hide his bitter feelings.
「“Why do you make these small mistakes, Hyun?”」
It was because of Ye-chan’s tone, so different from when he was recording.
Will they strangle me someday?
I smile because I’m afraid of the daggers you throw at me
I force a smile for you, who wants me to cry
This time, she sang flawlessly, and Eun-ji focused on Eun-ho’s pre-recorded vocals playing through her headphones.
(Three monkeys dancing above my head)
What are you doing now?
(Evening will soon greet me)
She sang the second verse perfectly.
Your careless words become daggers
Will these words choke me? Will they strangle you someday?
Everything must be easy for you since it’s not your problem
You cry, crumbling at my thoughtless words
Ji Ye-chan clapped, praising Eun-ji’s performance.
Hear no evil
See no evil
Speak no evil
Three wise monkeys
Then, Choi Tae-hyun’s relatively short recording, emphasizing his deep, resonant voice, ended.
It was Oh Hyun’s turn.
“Hyun, let’s do this.”