The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 731

This is Life

< Episode 73: This is Life >

Sunlight poured in through the large window.

Floating dust motes and the scent of sunshine.

The old man standing by the window absorbed the sunlight with his whole body.

“It’s so cozy.”

A sweet voice filled his ears.

The spring sunshine was warm, but that wasn’t all he was referring to.

“I didn’t know you could make music like this.”

The old man’s eyes fluttered open.

His eyes were as blue as those of any young man.

The melody that had traveled from the other side of the world was completely different from what he had expected.

It didn’t sound like the music of the sun.

But the music was soft and possessed a different kind of power than before.

Like soft silk, it would slip through your fingers and into your embrace in an instant.

“What kind of change has occurred in the meantime?”

Music of the opposite extreme.

If the music of the sun dominated and infected emotions,

this music gently caresses someone’s feelings.

Could this be called the music of the same person?

The old man felt a thirst.

An unexpected and surprising change in his favorite artist.

What on earth happened?

He wanted to watch from the sidelines and savor every moment.

If he didn’t have a position to protect, he might have already boarded a plane.

The old man, August Veil, turned and looked at the monitor.

His computer displayed the latest articles, social media posts, and music reports.

Since the contract, all these materials commonly mentioned the name ‘HALO,’ his nickname ‘Sun,’ and, as a side note, ‘The Nameless One’—because they didn’t know his real name.

But now it was different.

On the other side of his monitor, along with dozens of articles, a new name was written.

‘Noh Hae-il.’ The name he had seen on the contract.

[BELLE] Did you guys see this?

I think he’s clearly the son of the Sun.

“Son? Hahaha.”

From the hot HALO cover stage tagged by top star Belle Morrison to the video of a boy enjoying the stage more than anyone else in the dark.

He loved the music of the sun, but he also liked the gentle moon-like music.

August Veil watched the boy’s performance like a man in love.

And then.

Two people peeked at such a boss through the blinds.

“The boss is so engrossed in someone else’s music, not HALO’s. How many months has it been?”

“I guess so…”

The young man who came in as Caroline’s replacement said with wonder,

Caroline, one of the two people at Veil who knew HALO’s face, defended him.

“And it’s an Asian singer. It’s a bit unexpected. Ah. I’m not saying anything, it’s just that it’s hard to find Asian music to listen to. Not even the K-pop you often hear.”

“…”

Caroline didn’t say anything, but the young man hurriedly emphasized that he wasn’t a racist. And he quickly continued.

“Of course, I understand. The boss is a huge fan of HALO, so maybe he feels affection for the singer who covered it so well. Have you seen it? The one Belle Morrison tagged?”

“There’s no way I wouldn’t have seen it. I’m in charge of him, after all.”

“That’s right.”

The young man’s eyes sparkled at Caroline’s words.

Caroline was already tired.

From the moment the young man knew that Caroline was in charge of HALO, he became a question mark killer [someone who asks a lot of questions].

‘So you’ve met him in person. Is Mr. HALO as expected?’

‘But how did you sign a contract with HALO? None of the other employees knew.’

‘Does Mr. HALO not appear on TV?’

‘HALO’s next album-.’

He would pour out his questions until she shouted, ‘Jason, stop!’ Fortunately, the young man didn’t list questions about HALO.

He just rattled off reviews of the HALO cover video he had recently been impressed with.

“What really surprised me was that his voice was a bit similar. Not much, just a little bit? For about 1.5 seconds, I really thought he was singing. If it wasn’t dubbed, I might have been completely mistaken.”

“I see.”

“‘Son of the Sun’ is a bit of an exaggeration, but he’s a promising singer. Does the boss have plans to recruit him since he’s so engrossed?”

“Well, I don’t know.”

Caroline repeated the verified phrases ‘Really?’ ‘Wow, that’s interesting’ ‘And then?’ to let the young man’s words flow by.

“But, Caroline.”

“Yes.”

“Did HALO see this cover too?”

Yes, I was wondering why you weren’t asking.

Caroline smiled gently-.

“I don’t know.”

She didn’t give him the answer he wanted.

“It’s a hot video these days, so he might have seen it or he might not have, right?”

“Didn’t you ask him?”

Maybe this young man thought she had casual conversations with HALO. Well, there are employees in Veil who are close to their assigned artists, so it’s not strange.

“Well, you know, he’s a busy person.”

“Ah, that’s true. The album will be out soon. And there are requests coming in from everywhere.”

Caroline tried to change the subject, and the young man responded with a delighted expression.

He probably didn’t even realize she was changing the subject.

“Everyone wants him.”

Caroline was in charge of the inquiry emails, so she knew how many places wanted him, but the young man was certain.

The legend’s practice and revival, the composure as a faceless singer.

From his music to his every move.

Gossip about him poured out from all over the place.

As interest in him grew, it was natural that all sorts of places wanted to scout him.

And what they chose was Veil, the only communication channel with him.

Even though Veil was a music distributor (Aggregator) [a company that distributes music to online retailers and streaming services], emails and calls poured in just because they were connected to him.

Not to mention the industry and broadcasting stations, it seemed that companies and organizations all over the world were looking for him at least once.

As the scale grew, the smaller ones fell off,

and what remained were the giant corporations.

Especially after the release of the 5th album, Addiction. The industry that sought HALO the most was the one where sexual image was important.

In other words, the luxury industry, commonly referred to as fashion, jewelry, watches, and perfumes, was looking for him.

Usually, it was a request for his music or voice, and the form was diverse, such as inquiries about launching products under the name HALO.

Some companies even wanted to use him as a model, no matter what he looked like or what kind of person he was.

A request to just have a meal was like saying good morning.

There were also requests to appear at events and festivals directly hosted by companies.

For example-.

“Do you know that listeners are clamoring for HALO to appear at Coachella [a large music festival in California]? I don’t know who said it, but the rumor that HALO is coming to Coachella keeps circulating.”

“Those who want him, I guess.”

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

HALO was constantly receiving inquiries to perform at North America’s largest festival, which features a variety of music by prominent musicians every year, such as Oasis, Coldplay, and Lady Gaga.

“So, Caroline, how about meeting with HALO in person? Isn’t it an opportunity we don’t want to miss?”

At that moment. Caroline was startled by a word that pierced her ear and immediately became serious.

“Jason.”

“Yes.”

As her voice subsided, the young man instinctively realized that he had said something wrong.

It was a reaction that he didn’t know what it was.

She understood.

He was a former employee of August Records and clearly hadn’t completely escaped from it.

“Veil is not August Records.”

“…”

“That means we’re not a record label or a management company. We will convey the requests, but the artist’s autonomy comes first. We have no right to force or persuade him. Please keep that in mind.”

That was also why HALO chose Veil.

Caroline said firmly, looking the young man in the eye.

“We are a distributor (Aggregator).”

#

Meanwhile.

The person who made someone’s heart flutter, worried someone, and became a star overnight, was currently more at peace than anyone else.

Who wouldn’t be at peace with dessert and a sofa in front of the television?

HALO was eating ice cream and monitoring the stage he had performed the day before. No, three days before.

The large television conveyed some of the thrill, though not as much as it did then.

He shook his head, recalling the thrill of that time.

He tapped his feet.

He wanted to perform again.

Now that the addict had tasted the stage, it was hard to get out.

He wanted to do a stage just for him this time.

He was very greedy and didn’t want to give up the stage to anyone.

Of course, collaborations were fun to some extent.

Still, he liked the time he dominated from beginning to end.

‘If I can just manage my stamina well.’

The day that felt so far away felt near.

The more he did, the more things he needed to prepare came to mind.

HALO thought it was time to do what he had been putting off.

‘Now that my body is getting complete, it’s time to find my hands and feet.’

He could perform, but he couldn’t create a concert alone.

So it was time to find the hands and feet to move with his body.

The ‘session’ [session musicians] to create the stage with him.

The band he met at Hwang Ryong-pil’s house came to mind.

Seeing them, he wanted to have his own band again.

‘How did I meet them before?’

At first, the record label seemed to have found the sessions, but they mostly broke up due to frequent conflicts and friction, and he seemed to have met them a few years later. At parties, bars, streets, etc.

Of course, he wasn’t walking around trying to find sessions, it was just a product of chance.

A blank expression is reflected on the darkened screen.

HALO wondered if he should start wandering around Hongdae [a district in Seoul known for its indie music scene] pubs and streets from now on.

But before that.

“Where are you going?”

“To the studio.”

“Without resting?”

Park Seung-ah was startled.

Her son, who had been sleeping like a dead man for two days, was leaving as soon as he finished eating.

As a mother, she thought she should object first.

“I’m going to play.”

“-.”

She couldn’t stop her son from smiling so beautifully.

She was worried and also pleased.

Park Seung-ah hesitated with mixed feelings and eventually nodded.

What could she do? They say no parent can win against their child.

She should make him more delicious food and love him more.

HALO, unaware of his mother’s heart, casually put on his hat.

He thought he should fix the album he was going to release in May to take a break.

Finding sessions would be a long-term task, and more than anything, there was something he wanted to do.

It wasn’t just HALO’s 6th album that needed work.

“Then wait a little bit? Mom will take you.”

“I can take the subway.”

“You’re going to take the subway all the way to Seongsu [another district in Seoul]?”

His mother’s puzzled reaction.

Ah, right.

HALO nodded a beat late.

He was so used to Noh Hae-il’s life that he had forgotten HALO’s life.

If he went out now, he wouldn’t be able to move an inch surrounded by people.

If the people who couldn’t get into the apartment across the window were there to find him.

HALO would push through with force and just go by car.

Noh Hae-il had no strength and no license.

“Is it time to get a license?”

“Unfortunately, you can get a license from the age of 18.”

“!”

The mother, who discovered the shocked expression, smiled and shook the car keys.

Quite a few calls rang while going down the elevator.

It started ringing from the moment he turned on the discharged cell phone.

It wasn’t just one or two people calling, and other residents were glancing at him.

HALO roughly pressed the rejection message at the top and postponed the call.

He sent a message, so that should be enough.

[Driving, I’ll call you later]

[Shin Joo-hyuk: lol, are seventeen-year-olds also juvenile delinquents?]

[Han La-yeon: lololol Driving Hae-il, shall we go for a drive with your sister?]

It was just meant to mean wait, but some people replied after seeing the insincere message.

:

He wasn’t surrounded by people in the Lake Palace parking lot, but there was another problem.

“Oh, you’re here…”

“Oh.”

He couldn’t have just come home.

HALO admired the people gathered in front of the label.

Three, no, four people?

“Shall we go back home?”

“No. I’ll just go in.”

“Go in? Hae-il!”

There were fewer people than at home, so he had to push through.

Before his mother could answer, HALO opened the car door and went out.

“Oh, it’s Noh Hae-il!”

“Mr. Noh Hae-il, please look here!”

The camera flashed.

If he were a seventeen-year-old boy as he appeared, a rookie who had just gained popularity for the first time, he would have been embarrassed and scared.

But HALO was here.

HALO calmly raised his hand.

“Good morning.”

“It’s lunchtime now?”

“Ah, yes.”

HALO then turned around and waved to his mother in the car.

The reporters, who recognized his parents and were watching, soon brought the microphone like hyenas.

“The reaction to the stage was hot-”

“How do you feel about becoming a star overnight-.”

“Have you checked the music charts?”

All sorts of questions flew in.

It felt like not four, but about thirty people were asking questions.

HALO watched them quietly and opened his mouth.

“I’ll only take two questions.”

“Uh-.”

They all shut their mouths at the same time and looked at each other.

The gazes seemed to be talking.

He’s a rookie. But the reaction isn’t that of a rookie?

Why does he look so skilled?

Then one person opened his mouth as if playing an eye-guessing game.

“Have you checked the music charts? Hae-il’s music is currently ranked 1st and 2nd. What do you think is the reason why this was possible?”

The feeling is the feeling, but what’s the reason?

HALO thought it was a strange question.

But the reporters didn’t seem to think it was strange at all.

They were eagerly waiting for his answer.

The reason, isn’t it too obvious?

The boy smiled brightly and said.

Of course.

Because my music.

“-is good.”

“!”

The reporters suddenly got excited and wrote it down.

And the reporters poured out questions again.

It was clear that they had forgotten what HALO had said, whether it was dementia or not.

He said he would only take two questions, and they had only one question left to ask.

HALO, who didn’t say anything, took care of the situation one by one and decided on the question again.

“Then-. Can you tell us specifically what activities you will be doing in the future?”

HALO tilted his head.

He wondered why these people asked obvious questions every time.

“I’m going to do my music.”

“Yes? Do you have any planned advertisements or broadcasting plans? I’m sure a lot have come.”

“I’m preparing a new song.”

“!”

#

[Breaking News. Noh Hae-il Appears After Two Days]

[Rendezvous-Noh Hae-il “Because the song is good.”]

[Noh Hae-il’s Future Plans, Preparing a New Album]

The article that was uploaded as breaking news due to the appearance of the person concerned, who had been unresponsive for two days, spread quickly through the Internet. It went through fast-handed people and flowed into communities and various social media.

Thus, it didn’t take long for people who knew him to come into contact with him.

“Wow, Hae-il is so cool.”

“Looks like he’s doing well.”

The people who left only ridiculous talks after seeing the ridiculous comment that he was driving smiled at the news they first confirmed in the article,

“Hae-il is too fine?” [meaning he’s doing great]

“There was no need to worry.”

Four men in a corner of Hongdae had cool expressions.

The boy with a relaxed and normal face was clearly the Hae-il they knew.

“How’s the reaction?”

“Article reaction? It’s not bad. Mostly positive.”

The world is always kind to geniuses they see for the first time.

Many people viewed his confident attitude positively, and some people liked the fact that he was doing his main job rather than advertisements or broadcasts.

Of course, there were always malicious comments.

[What’s the point of being number one with Hwang Ryong-pil’s power lol The song is good]

[More than that, he just covered HALO, but he thinks he’s HALO lol A new song in a month]

[Looks like he has HALO disease]

[He’ll be ruined soon, whether it’s a personality controversy or school violence]

Still, there’s nothing to worry about.

Because they know that talent will eventually be successful.

Still.

Bae Gong-hak muttered.

“I hope Hae-il doesn’t just look at the malicious comments.”

“He’s not the type to be hurt by that kind of thing, is he?”

Jang Jin-soo, who was solving math problems, answered casually.

In front of him, Han Jin-young held the answer sheet.

“Jin-soo, 4 for number 3.”

“Ah! Isn’t it number 2?”

“He says it’s not?”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know?”

Jang Jin-soo, who couldn’t understand, and Han Jin-young, who was struggling in front of him.

Bae Gong-hak, forgetting his worries about Hae-il, approached them and giggled.

And Hae-il, who was living happily and well from afar.

“This is life.”

Kim Deok-soo looked around them and smiled contentedly.

The Road To Glory [EN]

The Road To Glory [EN]

A Tidal Wave of Glory Glorious Tidal Wave Glory Tide 영광의 해일로
Status: Completed Author: Native Language: Korean
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[English Translation] In a world yearning for brilliance, one soul stands poised on the precipice of destiny. 'The Road To Glory / A Tidal Wave of Glory' is the saga of a life ignited by unwavering resolve. Prepare to be swept away by a torrent of ambition as our hero embarks on a relentless quest, fueled by the burning desire to leave an indelible mark on the world. This is not just a journey; it's a glorious tidal wave, a relentless surge towards a destiny ablaze with triumph. Will they rise to meet the challenge, or be consumed by the inferno of their own ambition? Dive into a world where every moment is a battle, and every victory is etched in the annals of glory. Prepare for 'The Road To Glory' – a tidal wave that will leave you breathless.

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