The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 351

# 35. The Sun is Originally One

The world is like an ocean.

Water pours in constantly, 24/7, 365 days a year, creating waves, but overall, it remains calm and serene.

It remains consistently tranquil, largely unaffected by external stimuli.

To create even small ripples, new things emerge from all over the world every day.

New fashions and new art forms.

New cultural trends and new music genres.

New faces appear in the media as the new generation embraces trends, creating new stars.

In this ever-changing world, the culture of the ‘old era’ can quickly become a forgotten legacy.

But there’s a saying: ‘Culture goes around in circles.’

Humans aren’t hamsters running endlessly in a wheel.

Everyone desires change and novelty in their lives.

Driven by these desires, new cultures are born, and trends emerge.

Yet, even the newest culture becomes familiar eventually. Then, people begin to long for the things of the past.

Perhaps it’s because ‘old things’ feel new again.

In the fashion industry, there’s a concept called a ‘trend cycle.’ It’s a statistical model that defines the recurrence of trends, but it’s also applied in the broader cultural business.

The trend cycle is usually divided into three categories.

For fleeting trends, the cycle is about 1 year; for more significant trends, it’s 5-10 years; and for mega-hits, trends return in 20-30 year cycles.

There’s ample evidence to support this.

However, some might argue:

Isn’t that a bit vague?

The range in the cycle is too broad.

Anyone can claim a trend will return sometime between 1 and 30 years. It’s like predicting an epidemic will occur within the next decade.

Besides, even if a trend seems poised for a comeback, it might not happen, while a trend you thought was ‘still far off’ might reappear unexpectedly.

At that point, a fervent believer in the ‘trend cycle’ theory would say:

In the first case, that person’s intuition was wrong.

In the second case, it’s a highly unusual occurrence.

They’d explain this unusual case in one word: 「Shock」

Usually, trends follow a cyclical pattern, but sometimes something disrupts the trend cycle.

No matter how calm the sea, dropping a massive bomb into it will cause an anomaly.

But usually, shocks are temporary and localized.

Regardless of the bomb’s size, the water calms down once you move beyond the immediate impact zone.

However, not all shocks are the same.

What if it’s not just a bomb, but a shock caused by tectonic shifts?

Then it won’t end with just a shockwave.

It will create fissures in the seabed, leaving permanent scars.

Furthermore, what if the earth’s crust was already unstable?

For example, imagine this: it’s not yet time for a particular trend to return, but people are already craving it.

If it appears even slightly, they might pay excessive attention.

If the crust is already heating up in anticipation of a future trend, an unimaginably huge tsunami will engulf the landscape in an instant.

August Veil understands the desires of those around him: the longing for the glory of the empire that once dominated the world. He knows they yearn for the culture of that golden era.

In particular, there’s a strong thirst for traditional Britpop and rock and roll in this region.

Given the right opportunity, a torrent of water will burst forth and breach the dam.

August Veil isn’t someone who actively seeks to cause change.

It’s not that he never loved music, but unfortunately, he lacked musical talent.

Fortunately, God was generous and bestowed other talents upon him, allowing him to dedicate his life to music.

He provides the music he loves to the public and creates a strong support system to protect the artists he cherishes.

He sat in a sunny cafeteria, observing the people coming and going.

Holding an espresso in one hand and savoring it, he resembled an old man enjoying his retirement after a successful career.

Few would suspect that this seemingly idle figure is actually the founder of the global label, August Records.

Of course, he has transferred management rights to a trusted professional CEO and is enjoying his retirement with only ownership.

“I’ve been looking for you for a while.”

August Veil lowered his sunglasses.

A familiar face pulled out a chair and grumbled.

“How am I supposed to find you if you just say ‘there’?”

“Why are you complaining when you found me just fine?”

“My employees are suffering because of you.”

The sturdy man who once blocked his sunlight had become a middle-aged man concerned about his receding hairline.

“How have you been, Elder [term of respect for an older person]? I haven’t been able to reach you lately, so I was starting to think I should call a lawyer.”

“Haha, a lawyer? I’m still in my prime.”

“You seem to be taking good care of your health.”

“I still enjoy life, so I have to take care of myself.”

After exchanging playful jabs, the conversation began.

“Well, I heard you’re deeply immersed in your ‘hobby’ these days.

I keep hearing stories. If you ever tire of your hobby, please let me know anytime. I’ll take over responsibly.”

“Hahaha, you rascal. Are you trying to steal an old man’s livelihood now?”

“Reports are coming in that the growth rate is alarming. Please handle it with care.”

The middle-aged man sat across from him and drank coffee with a generous amount of whipped cream. His speech had become more CEO-like, but his taste remained the same.

He’ll be more careful next time to avoid diabetes. August Veil clicked his tongue.

“So, what did you want to see me about…?”

“Is there a special reason? I just contacted you because I was thinking about you.”

“Is that so?”

The middle-aged man gave him a look of utter disbelief. He had worked for August Veil for a very long time, growing up under his guidance, and knew the old man’s nature well.

“I’ve been thinking about you recently too, Elder.”

“Oh, really?”

“As I said, your hobby has gone beyond the level of a hobby, and now it’s even poaching artists that my employees were pursuing.”

The old man feigned ignorance at the pointed words, so the middle-aged man smiled broadly and spoke more directly.

“John Leslie, Michael. Need I say more?”

“No, how can you blame me for your employees’ shortcomings?”

“So, how long are you planning to continue your hobby?”

The middle-aged man came for that reason.

The music distribution company (Aggregator) ‘Veil,’ which August Veil had established as a hobby after retirement, had far surpassed the level of a hobby, to the point where it dominated the European indie distribution market beyond the regional scope.

August Veil didn’t know how long he would continue his hobby, but the parent company was August Records. The middle-aged man was starting to feel that August Veil’s company was becoming a threat, and he was also tempted by it. Threatening enemies often possess hidden strengths.

“A hobby never gets boring.”

“Then why did you call me?”

He’s getting annoyed by the sly old man.

Without realizing it, his old mannerisms from when he was a shoeshine boy resurfaced. The middle-aged man was annoyed, and August Veil finally got to the point.

“Well, is there anything special? I just wanted to chat about that talented friend of mine. As you know, when you get old, you don’t have many friends to talk to. This is also advice for you: treat them well when you’re young.”

“Where are your children, Elder?”

“Well, would they want to listen to me? They’d rather hear my will, wouldn’t they?”

The middle-aged man nodded at the somewhat bitter joke.

“He released his second album. Have you heard it?”

“Of course. I even left the first comment on that friend’s channel, you know?”

August Veil closed his eyes.

The sweet sound of spring slowly approached without him even needing to listen. Even after listening repeatedly, he naturally smiled when he focused on the song, and his eyes welled up for no reason.

They say men produce more female hormones as they age, leading them to do things they wouldn’t have done before.

But what he didn’t dislike was the feeling of returning to his childhood, when he viewed the world with innocent wonder, through that music.

It’s not for nothing that rumors are circulating in the industry.

As entertainers who must constantly monitor and lead trends, everyone lives with their eyes and ears open. Even if they appear graceful like swans on the surface, they have to work hard to survive.

So, if the music is truly exceptional, it will resonate with people even if it’s buried deep beneath the surface.

He also heard it from the producer he trusted the most.

It was the first time in a long time that he was so enthusiastic, so he pushed his aging body and opened YouTube. He played Struggle.

And he kept his eyes wide open until the music ended.

He thought a new star was emerging, but it was the return of a superstar who defined early rock and roll.

The industry is reacting sensitively for the same reason: they believe the superstar of that era is making a comeback.

With such incredible skill.

“Who do you think he is, Elder?”

“Who do you think he is?”

“Well – actually, the music style reminds me of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard.”

“You’ve just named all the founders of rock and roll.”

The old man laughed heartily.

The middle-aged man is speaking enthusiastically, even though he knows that’s not the case.

That meant he highly valued ‘Tae Yang’s’ song.

Certainly, ‘Tae Yang’s’ music is imbued with the spirit of that era. It’s not surprising that people guess he’s in his 50s or 60s.

“-Isn’t it?”

The middle-aged man’s words were close to an admission. He was also guessing that the person who created this kind of music was around that age.

“But isn’t his voice too young?”

The middle-aged man paused at the old man’s observation.

That’s right. The reason why people argue fiercely when they discuss ‘Tae Yang’ in the comments and with other artists is largely due to his voice.

Clearly, the music style, genre, and technique are reminiscent of a rock star who was beloved in the 90s, but his voice is too youthful. Also, it wasn’t just that his voice was young, but his breathing and vocalization were also unrefined.

That improves in the second album, but the debate began with the first album.

“It’s one of two things: he quit music and took a long break, or it’s a ‘team.’ But seeing that he corrected his breathing and vocalization in just a month, he’s definitely a singer with experience.”

Unless you’ve done it before, you can’t improve that quickly.

“You don’t want to believe it’s a ‘team,’ do you?”

“Well, maybe.”

The middle-aged man honestly admitted.

“The sun is originally one, after all [idiom meaning the truth is singular and indivisible].”

August Veil nodded.

In fact, he didn’t think ‘Tae Yang’ was a team either.

Judging from the use of MIDI programs, it’s an individual, not a band. He may not have had a band from the beginning, or he may have disbanded.

“I’ve heard enough.”

August Veil put down his glass and took off his beret. The middle-aged man widened his eyes.

“Wait, what’s your opinion, Elder?”

“I think I have to go because something came up.”

“Are you suddenly doing this?”

The middle-aged man urgently took out 100 pounds from his wallet, placed it under the glass, and chased after August Veil.

“Did you pay, Elder?”

“That’s my regular place. The owner remembers on his own.”

“How much is your fortune, and you’re still running a tab?”

“You paid for me today. It’s okay.”

The middle-aged man looked back.

The owner of the cafeteria found the hundred pounds and was gleefully happy.

He is a businessman who pursues profit.

He canceled his schedule and came to this place not to pay off the old man’s tab and take a loss.

“Are you really leaving?”

“Have you ever known me to say something meaningless?”

It was absurd. The Elder boarded the tram quickly, ignoring his calls. He looked like a reckless old man running away to avoid paying for his coffee.

The middle-aged man, who didn’t have his Oyster card [London public transport card], stared blankly at the tram.

“Kyung.”

The bodyguards who had been standing back approached.

The middle-aged man’s face hardened, and soon a car was parked in front of him.

He thought seriously.

For what reason did that old man call him?

Given his nature, he wouldn’t have called him just to chat. He must have left suddenly because he had achieved his purpose.

Suddenly, one thing flashed through his mind.

The Elder said he wrote a comment for the first time, and he listened intently to his opinion about Tae Yang – the old man who usually only talks about himself.

“Could it be?”

The man opened ‘his’ channel on the pad in the running car. Among the praises for the six songs and four instrumental videos that Tae Yang uploaded, he saw fervent recruitment requests from several familiar labels and distributors.

Well, Tae Yang hadn’t revealed his contact information until recently.

The man scrolled down the comments.

And soon he found it.

What was the purpose of the Elder, who listened to his words for a long time and then disappeared?

The man laughed in disbelief.

The Elder was testing his intentions.

Whether he would join the competition to recruit ‘Tae Yang.’

And he must have left because he got his answer.

He also got his answer.

He ended up taking a loss in the conversation, but the war doesn’t end with just one battle.

“I won’t give up easily this time, Elder. I’m also interested in Tae Yang.”

And this is a favorable game for him.

‘Veil,’ which the Elder runs as a hobby, only provides distribution services for ‘independent’ indie artists.

It’s bound to be disadvantageous compared to major labels. If it’s a middle-aged or elderly singer who wants to regain his past glory, he will naturally choose a label.

#

Halo scratched his ear.

For some reason, his ear itches.

Is someone talking about him?

He’s been living very quietly compared to before, so no matter how much he thinks about it, there’s no one who would speak ill of him.

Halo tilted his head and focused on the email again.

Emails written in English were listed in a row.

Labels, distribution companies, advertising agencies.

None of them seemed to realize he was a Korean living in Korea. Fortunately, he was more fluent in English than Korean.

He might not understand abbreviations or slang, but those expressions wouldn’t be used in official documents.

Halo examined the official documents.

There were impersonal, formal documents, and there were documents that carefully explained why they wanted to recruit him.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t accept the recruitment offers from most of the labels. He had no intention of joining any label yet. However, a company that only handled ‘distribution’ wasn’t a bad option.

Looking at a distribution company that neatly outlined the contract terms in the email, Halo read the last sentence.

They wanted to discuss the contract in more detail face-to-face and said they could arrange a meeting immediately if he provided a date and address.

Or, if that wasn’t possible…

“Visit me?”

A proposal to book a flight and accommodation and visit the company directly.

The moment the company’s address came into view, Halo rested his chin on his hand.