77 - Upki Girl

< Hug Me by Up Key Girls > The 2015-2016 season was famously marked as the 'Girl Group Battle Royale Era (GBG),' where more girl groups debuted, succeeded, or failed spectacularly than ever before. Besides the buzz surrounding groups as a whole, numerous individual members caught the public's eye due to their unique charm and looks. Within girl group communities, these members were often referred to as the 'GBG Visual Trio' or the 'GBG Cutie Quintet,' making the girl group battles even more entertaining. During this GBG period, five groups were considered top-tier based on market buzz. These rankings were determined by Korea's largest girl group community, using criteria like digital performance, album sales, and public recognition. 1. Chaming Carpet (6-members) - Agency: Titan of traditional idols, KU Entertainment (where Yona was a trainee, and where CEO Kim Seok-won began his career). - Holding one of the 'GBG Visual Trio,' Ryujin, every member excels in singing, dancing, stage presence, and looks. Strong sales in albums and merchandise. 2. KGB15 (15-members) - Agencies: Various. - A dream team formed from the top 15 contestants of a public network's girl group audition out of over a hundred participants. The center is 'Lulu,' a Chinese member chosen by overwhelming fan votes. Known for her adorable Korean with a foreign accent, delicate features, and a surprisingly voluptuous figure, she's wildly popular in both China and Korea. 3. VNF (9-members) - Agency: HC Entertainment. - The first idol group produced by HC, home of singer-songwriter musicians. The only team to feature both a 'Visual Trio' and 'Cutie Quintet.' Their future unit 'HayeonXEunseol' hasn't debuted but is highly anticipated. Despite low music sales, their strong visuals and individual personalities gain them recognition in variety shows, acting, commercials, and events. 4. Lease Girls (5-members) - Agency: The Solution. - Debuted as the sister group to the 'Defensive Combatants,' a top-tier boy group, gaining instant fame. Initially ridiculed for not looking like typical celebrities, they turned this familiarity into a strength, hitting a jackpot with their debut album. Each release boasts chart-topping songs and broadcast rankings. 5. Red Shadow (4-members) - Agency: SSS Entertainment. - A monstrous girl group from SSS, who rose to the top of entertainment stock thanks to KU Entertainment's issues with their Chinese members' lawsuits. Notorious as a girl-crush group favored by female fans, they're actually popular with men, too. Known for cutting-edge music and skills, unlike the usual looks-first idols. Lead by 'Siha,' the last of the 'GBG Visual Trio.' Among these five, if one were to spotlight the trendiest group, it would likely be Red Shadow. Their fourth and first full album's title track, "Hug Me," set records for fastest K-pop idol music video views, reaching 10 million in 17 hours and 30 million within 100 hours. Naturally, it also claimed first place on music and broadcast charts, spawning numerous covers and parodies, solidifying Red Shadow's success streak and their breakthrough into Japan. When I returned to the present, "Hug Me" was one of the first songs I remembered alongside Happy Joy's "JOY" and VNF's "At That Place." When I played the hook of "Hug Me" for Yeom, he likened it to the popular foreign song "Marry Me," known for its use in card commercial soundtracks. He noted it wasn't plagiarism, more like an industry-standard reference borrowing... "Nananana, nananana, nananana, nananana, lalilala s’rarara..." I matched the lyrics of "Hug Me" to the falsetto humming of "Next-Door Lyricist" playing in my earphones. “Hug me, hug me, hug me, hug me, hold me tight like the first time…” It fit the pronunciation perfectly, like mustard adhering to a marble wall. It wasn't a delusion. Although a more polished production process was absent, the chord progression and melody undeniably belonged to "Hug Me." “Oh, did you just improvise those lyrics? Not bad. Looks like our Director Gwak has some talent for lyrics?” Even if the lyrics were simple, they flowed so naturally that even Eunbi acknowledged them. Next-Door Lyricist also seemed impressed, their eyes sparkling with approval. I reached for my phone to search ‘Red Shadow Hug Me’ on a portal. All I saw were related articles and blog posts containing the search terms, but no mention of a song titled "Hug Me" released under their name. Exactly. At this point, the "Hug Me" song I remembered from my past life hadn't been released. I racked my memory... Who was the composer of "Hug Me"? Though I got interested in girl groups because of Eunbi, I never memorized composer's names. But since it was an SSS-affiliated artist, I could make an educated guess. Their title tracks were typically handled by lead producer ‘Soul M.’ Searching confirmed that Soul M was also Red Shadow's producer, participating in writing and composing all their singles released thus far. It implied that Soul M likely had a hand in "Hug Me." But then, the question remained: Was Next-Door Lyricist a co-composer for the song, or did Soul M coincidentally come up with the same chord and melody? Listening to the end of the guide track by Next-Door Lyricist confirmed "Hug Me" as unmistakable, differing only in session and arrangement. They couldn't have plagiarized an unreleased song, increasing the likelihood of a joint composition... As I removed the earphones, I asked, “Uh… When did you create this?” “Hmm, about three days ago? Yes, three days.” "Where did you get the idea for the melody? Was there a foreign song you used as a motif or something?" "I just wrote what came to mind," they replied. "Oh, I see." There was no issue even if the idea had been inspired by the foreign song 'Marry Me.' After all, 'Hug Me' never faced plagiarism controversies. "Have you played it for anyone else besides us?" True to character, Next-Door Lyricist eagerly explained the details, even addressing parts I was curious about, with a slight touch of boastfulness. "I'm affiliated with SSS, but since I'm registered as a lyricist, I've never tried sending a composition. This is the first time I'm showing it to anyone." "Oh, you're with SSS? So, you're under contract with them?" "Well, not exactly affiliated in that sense... It's more like what's going on here at Humming." "Aah." Companies of a certain scale not only have trainees but also pools of lyricists and composers. When singers start album work, established names handle the title and follow-up songs, while the less significant tracks are outsourced. Though the chances of a rookie or aspirant composer getting their work approved are slim, they do get a shot, albeit without stable pay or responsibility from the company. Humming, like many others, employs this system. Introduced mostly through connections, aspirants like Next-Door Lyricist try their luck. I think they're a friend of Brother Hunmin's student. This understanding led me to speculate. SSS possibly called for songs for Red Shadow's new track, and this one got picked for co-production with Soul M. “You’re debuting as a lyricist with 'Open,' right? So, your focus is primarily on lyrics? Is this your first composition?” “Yes, but I didn’t officially major in lyrics. I studied Korean Literature in college, though career prospects there seemed bleak. So I asked a singing friend to introduce me to lyric writing. As I wrote, composing piqued my interest, leading me to self-study and dabble on Cubase over the past six months.” Babble, babble, babble... Too much talking, I swear... “…The director here mentioned preparing for a girl group, so I composed this for that context..." After a long tangent, they finally circled back to the main point, looking at me expectantly for feedback. "…How is it? The guide is rough, but it’ll change with proper sessions…" "You haven't shown it to SSS yet?" "No." "And what about friends or colleagues in music?" "No, none. Because I…" To cut off another lengthy explanation, I bluntly interjected. “I like it! Even as a guide, it feels promising.” “Ah… Thank you…” Their surprise suggested they weren’t expecting such praise. I assured them we’d listen to it with Yeom and the members once Yona’s recording wrapped up, suggesting we discuss it further then. “Can you play it one more time?” “Sure. Actually, let me just send the guide to your KakaoTalk. Can I get your number?” After exchanging numbers, I put on my earphones and gave the guide version sent via KakaoTalk another listen. This time, I visualized Up Key Girls performing it... Starting with Aliya’s solo dance intro, followed by lead vocalist Eunbi launching into the first verse. Then, sub-vocalist Yona and main vocalist Seowon. For the first chorus, it’s Eunbi, then Seowon. And the song's killer hook, “Hug me, hug me, hug me…,” first by Woori Hong, then Aliya. Woori Hong raps after the first verse. Second verse starts with Aliya… Gosh, it’s thrilling. I hadn't just been passively consuming girl group performances; I had studied them enough to instinctively allocate lines to each member in my head. “What’s up, Gwak?” “Oh, just talking with the lyricist. Why’d you come out, bored?” “No, just came to see where you were since you hadn’t come back in a while.” “Like I’d slack off.” “Never mind.” Recordings must have been tedious. Seeing Aliya emerge from the waiting area, she swept her gaze across Next-Door Lyricist like one might a bug. Luckily, they missed that. Aliya remained near but did not join; perhaps she was curious about our discussion. Her only verbal contribution was expressing she wanted coffee. Knowing she meant for me to get it, Eunbi promptly moved to intervene. “How about we go together?” “I bet coffee bought by Director Gwak would taste better…” “Want to start a fight, princess?” “No…” “Director’s busy talking. Let’s go now, okay?” Aliya, seeing it wasn’t a bad idea, smiled playfully. “Well, carry me then.” “Stand taller than me, yet you want me to carry you?” In the end, it was Eunbi who got carried. After gauging orders from those in the recording studio, the two ascended to the first floor with Aliya cheerfully carrying Eunbi. “Wow, Aliya’s strong.” Watching them depart drew a satisfied murmur from me, prompting the lyricist to inquire. “Is her name Aliya? Is she foreign?” “Yes, she’s Korean but mixed.” “And the one getting carried is Eunbi…” “Yes. Yoo Eunbi.” Confirming their names, he took out what looked like an idea notebook and jotted something. Whatever amused him, he kept chuckling. “Why’re you laughing?” “Aliya must really like you.” “Huh?” What a bewildering statement to come out of nowhere. “That can’t be true.” "It looked like she was trying to get your attention by bothering you, kind of like how boys tease girls they like." "Ah, I see what you mean, but that’s not the case with us." "Oh, come on, Director, you're missing it. I could tell right away." This from a guy who gives off major outsider vibes but talks like a dating expert. If he'd noticed how Aliya looked at him, he'd probably have run home by now. I couldn't bring myself to mention that Aliya has an aversion to men—that would’ve been a bit too much like speaking ill of the dead. Soon after, Seowon and Hong came out one by one and exchanged greetings with the lyricist, who jotted something in his notebook again. Seowon, glancing over his shoulder, asked cynically, "Why are you writing our names?" "Ah… for future lyric references. Who's the main vocalist?" I gestured to Seowon, and he added 'Main Vocalist' next to her name, then turned back to me. "Sorry, could I use those lyrics from earlier?" "Which ones?" "The hook part, 'Hug me, hug me.' The lyrics seem to match the members really well. Feels like they're asking you directly." He chuckled, satisfied with his interpretation, leaving my skin crawling. This guy just keeps surprising me today. Isn't ‘hug me’ what 1, 2, and 3 always tell me like a habit? "What were the next lyrics after 'Hug me'?" "Hold me tight like the first time." "Um… Sorry, could the main vocalist give it a try?" The lyricist played the guide track on his phone, and Seowon listened a few times until she got the rhythm, then sang the lyrics. "Hug me, hug me, hug me, hug me, hold me tight like the first time." It wasn’t bad, but since the section was closer to a rap than a song, it lacked impact. I suggested to Hong, "Could you try it with that slightly munching pronunciation? Like you're adding a little cuteness." "Uh… I’m not really good at that…” "Oh, come on, just give it a try. Think of it as practice." Hong seemed shy to perform facing us, so she turned to the wall and sang it in the exaggerated style I requested. "…hold me tight like the first time." Indeed, this part suited Hong perfectly. Unable to hide my satisfaction, I complimented her for her effort. "Hong, I really want to hug you." "Ah… thank you…" Seowon nodded in agreement that Hong was better for that part, and the lyricist applauded enthusiastically. "Wow, that was fantastic. I got goosebumps. I think the lyrics will come easily." He wasn't bluffing. Within less than an hour, he completed the lyrics for "Hug Me." While he wrote, the members chatted with him, and some of their inputs made it into the final version. Besides the hook, the lyrics diverged entirely from the “Hug Me” I knew by Red Shadow. When the lyrics were done, Seowon sang them in front of Yeom, who had also listened to the guide version. He responded positively and shared some suggestions. "Hmm… If we rearrange it with a moombahton vibe, it might really work well… Should we record a guide since we have some time left?" Since Yona's official recording wrapped in three hours, we had about 30 minutes left in the studio. Seowon entered the booth and quickly recorded a guide version with the lyrics attached. Thus, Up Key Girls' own distinct version of "Hug Me," differing completely from Red Shadow’s, took shape. With the proper lyrics and vocals, the song's energy truly came alive. Two days later, a polished guide version of "Hug Me," refined by Hyundong, was ready. Though it still had empty spots typical of a guide track, the response was overwhelmingly positive. "I think this could work as a title track. What do you think?" A show of hands resulted in unanimous approval. < End of Up Key Girls' Hug Me >