Peninsula: Starting with the nation's first love, the white moonlight

Recording Studio 2, LOEN Company Building.

The recording studio was playing the upbeat tune of "Good Days," but the atmosphere in the entire control room was oppressive.

"I know I'm grateful."

The production manager reminded them, "Your schedule has been so packed lately, your voices haven't had a proper rest. Today we're just doing a simple sound check, so please don't push yourself too hard, understand?"

The director was genuinely scared. He didn't know why this little devil suddenly wanted to audition today, but he knew that if he ruined his voice, the president would definitely kill him.

"Director, don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Lee Ji-eun's voice sounded calm.

As the melody slowly unfolded, Li Luran also closed his eyes.

When the first line of lyrics came out of Lee Ji-eun's mouth, Park and several producers all breathed a sigh of relief.

As expected of a top female singer who is currently very popular, her live performance was incredibly stable.

Her voice was clear and sweet, and her pronunciation and breathing were very precise, without a single flaw.

As the song progressed, Lee Ji-eun's emotions began to build up.

In the recording studio, Lee Ji-eun closed her eyes, her brows furrowed slightly, and her body swayed gently to the rhythm.

We're about to reach the most crucial and challenging high notes of the entire song.

The first high note was almost soaring off the ground! The sound was extremely penetrating, clean and crisp.

Lee Ji-eun clenched her fists slightly, and in the second section, the scale rose steadily once again!

The producer and agent couldn't help but nod in approval; to them, it was simply too perfect.

During the final high note, Lee Ji-eun opened her eyes and looked at Lee Lu-ran.

Magnificent, soaring, and flawless.

As the last note fades, the accompaniment gradually disappears.

As the song ended, Lee Ji-eun let out a long sigh of relief, her chest rising and falling slightly.

Although she looked a little tired, her eyes were unusually bright.

"Clap clap clap clap!"

After a brief silence, enthusiastic applause erupted in the control room.

The manager, her face flushed with excitement, exclaimed, "That's fantastic! Ji-eun! This is absolutely your most perfect performance yet!"

The director also gave Lee Ji-eun a thumbs up: "Absolutely perfect! Pitch and breath control, all perfect. Ji-eun, thank you for your hard work."

Amidst the chorus of praise, only one person remained silent.

Li Luran remained quietly seated in his chair, slowly taking off his headphones and hanging them around his neck.

She slowly calmed her breathing, ignoring her agent's praise.

I watched the young man through the glass, who wasn't clapping.

"Director."

Lee Ji-eun's voice was a little hoarse, but no one paid any attention, assuming it was because she was too engrossed in singing.

"I'd like to hear what the planning department thinks. I heard they have a new intern, and he seems to have a good ear for people. I'd like to hear his opinion."

As soon as Lee Ji-eun finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Lee Lu-ran.

Old Park was kicking Li Luran's shoes frantically under the table, giving him frantic winks, meaning: Brother, just lower your head and say a few words of praise, and this will be over! She's Li Zhi'en, why are you arguing with her?

Li Luran seemed oblivious to everything, ignoring the unfriendly stares around him.

He stood up and faced Lee Ji-eun through the glass.

"The pitch is very accurate; the highest note of F5 is exactly the standard frequency," Li Luran gave his first evaluation.

Lee Ji-eun's lips curled up slightly.

She won! That arrogant guy finally bowed his head.

But then, Li Luran suddenly changed the subject.

"But that only fools laymen!"

These words caused an uproar at the scene.

Keep in mind that there were several professional producers present, including the production director. Li Luran's comment about "outsiders" was a blatant slap in their face!

Li Luran ignored them and continued:

"Lee Ji-eun-xi".

"You sang the first part perfectly. Your pitch and rhythm control were impeccable."

"However, when transitioning from the second high note to the third, you forced the high note up by squeezing your vocal cords, which caused a brief air leak before the end of the F5 note."

"Finally, and this is what I consider the most important point," Li Luran's expression began to turn serious.

"Your performance just now lacked any emotion. It didn't convey the girlish sentiments that this song should have, and you didn't capture that dreamy quality of a girl."

"All you can think about is how to use techniques to prove you haven't regressed, and how to win a ridiculous battle of pride."

"A soulless performance is of no use to you except for letting your fans have fun."

Dead silence! You could hear a pin drop in the recording studio!

Old Park covered his face in despair. It's over, this kid's dead today!

"Hey! What nonsense are you spouting, you brat?!"

The manager finally realized what was happening and pointed at Li Luran, yelling, "What do you know about music! You're just a lowly intern, what right do you have to talk about Zhi En like that?"

"Apologize! Apologize immediately!"

"Or get out of here!"

Li Luran didn't even glance at the agent; he kept his eyes fixed on Li Zhi'en.

Lee Ji-eun stood frozen in place, her face deathly pale.

He still saw through me! No matter how well I pretended!

In fact, her vocal cords were truly at their limit. She had been trying to use techniques to cover it up, and she had fooled everyone.

However, her pretense was completely shattered by Li Luran in front of so many people.

"I……"

Lee Ji-eun opened her mouth, wanting to refute.

"Cough...cough cough cough!"

A sharp pain shot through her throat, and she bent over in agony, clutching her throat and coughing until tears welled up in her eyes.

Everyone panicked.

"Ji-eun! What's wrong?" The manager was terrified and rushed into the recording studio.

The production director also hurriedly stood up and asked his assistant to pour warm water, and the entire recording studio instantly descended into chaos.

Li Luran showed no change in expression. He didn't dislike Li Zhi'en; on the contrary, he felt some sympathy for her.

Artists who are willing to work incredibly hard for their craft deserve a lot of respect.

But he would never tolerate such foolish behavior, which could, if not handled carefully, ruin her entire singing career.

"Lee Ji-eun, if you think it's worth ruining your entire career to maintain your current popularity and for some temporary applause and praise."

"Then you can continue singing like that."

"If you were holding a concert today and you were working this hard for your fans, I would respect you as a singer. But if you're damaging your vocal cords just to spite them..."

"I can't find any other word to describe it except 'stupid'."

After saying that, Li Luran slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out of the recording studio without looking back.

In the recording studio, Lee Ji-eun drank a few sips of warm water, and her cough finally subsided.

Her eyes were slightly red, filled with grievance and resentment, but she would never give up easily!

"An intern from China, right...?"

"Li Luran, I'll remember you!"