The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 1121

< 112. Nothing Will Get in the Way >

The painting of a tree with coolly extended branches radiated intense heat. The tree, not yet in leaf, didn’t seem to be withering away but rather absorbing the water and nutrients needed for growth, waiting to bloom at any moment.

HALO stared at the cover for a moment before turning the page of the album. It contained the history of Arbor’s founding, her vision, and subsequent chronicles.

The next page featured photos of Arbor’s past fashions and fashion shows. As he flipped through the pages, time passed, leading to the present day. The album also included pictorials of past ambassadors, seemingly indicating the image Arbor was pursuing.

After skimming through it, HALO closed the album.

“You don’t have to be so nervous.”

Perhaps she misinterpreted his attitude, but Seo Yeon-i whispered as she handed him clothes. Despite her words, Seo Yeon-i’s pupils couldn’t stay still for even a moment.

Nam Gyu-hwan was also unusually quiet today. He stood still with his arms crossed, while Han Jin-young went to distribute red ginseng.

“Everyone is friendly, and they said you just need to follow the director’s instructions well!”

Following Seo Yeon-i’s words, Nam Gyu-hwan nodded earnestly.

‘What’s the big deal?’ HALO thought. It wasn’t even them being photographed, but they seemed the most nervous.

“Everyone has a first time, so it’s natural to be nervous. So… fighting!”

Realizing she was rambling, Seo Yeon-i quickly wrapped it up.

HALO chuckled as he looked at them.

It was absurd how they were more nervous than him, the one doing the photoshoot. But he didn’t dislike it.

How could he dislike the members who, despite being given a vacation after the hard work of recording their ninth album, disguised themselves as staff to come to the photoshoot studio for him, who didn’t have a manager?

HALO was about to head to the dressing room when he suddenly turned back and asked,

“Since you’re here anyway, should I ask them to take a group photo at the end?”

“Really? Would that be okay?”

“We can always ask. They usually do it.”

“Really?”

“If I do well in the shoot.”

The light in the eyes of the two people, which had been shining, faded at his added remark. It seemed they didn’t expect him to do well at all.

HALO twisted his lips.

He wasn’t planning on slacking off anyway, but their attitude stimulated him quite a bit.

The two hurriedly added excuses, but it was already too late.

:

In fact, it wasn’t just his members who were worried about Noh Hae-il’s photoshoot.

The photographer, who had a terrible experience with someone’s first photoshoot, had cleared his schedule in advance, and experienced staff also felt PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder] at the words ‘first shoot.’

The Arbor Japan Korea representative felt the same way. Approaching the photographer and talking for a long time, he seemed intent on instilling the image Arbor wanted.

He had shown Noh Hae-il Arbor’s photobook, but professional directing would be better than trusting a rookie’s instincts.

Especially since Noh Hae-il wasn’t just a rookie model, but a rookie singer. With no experience in commercial shoots.

He had stage and broadcast experience, but it was a completely different field.

The photographer initially listened well to the representative’s words but now looked completely fed up. If he weren’t the representative, he would have shouted, ‘Shut up.’

“Let’s start the shoot.”

Barely suppressing his annoyance, unable to curse, he spoke, and the representative finally realized he had gone too far and took a step back. Then, he began to follow the subject with his eyes.

‘Not bad,’ he thought.

At first, he thought his clothes looked good on him. Noh Hae-il, much bigger than in his debut photos, walked forward with his long legs.

‘Barely 180? It would be better if he were taller.’

He had grown so far, and since Noh Hae-il was still 17, there was potential. The marketing manager was now observing as keenly as a photographer.

‘And…’

The atmosphere made him think that the creative designer’s recommendation wasn’t for nothing.

Yes, the marketing manager admitted it honestly. Like the rumors that he was a genius in Korea, there was a unique atmosphere.

Uniqueness and freedom. And even genius.

There was one more desired atmosphere, but since he still had a youthful look, it couldn’t be helped.

The boy with the atmosphere Arbor wanted most had a charm that captivated people’s attention.

Now, the representative just hoped Noh Hae-il would do the basics. Then, the professional photographer would capture everything.

A slightly noisy studio and cold air.

And harsh lighting.

While the director and photographer discussed the composition with the camera, HALO leisurely came out and looked around the props.

Just like they had requested black hair for him – he wore a wig – the first concept seemed to be a restrained, ascetic atmosphere.

A single sofa and a low table.

Just as the director, having finished discussing the composition, was about to instruct him on something,

A thud echoed through the studio. As the noise subsided, silence descended, and everyone in the studio was now looking at the boy who had made the noise.

The boy, who had kicked the low table and was leaning against it, raised the corner of his lips as his gaze focused on him. As if that was what he intended.

And with the reaction of pushing the desk away, the coat fluttered, and the crane embroidered there momentarily soared, creating the performance someone had hoped for.

Click.

The photographer, impulsively pressing the button, exclaimed, “Oh! Great.”

And from then on, the boy’s solo performance began.

The director, who had planned to directly instruct the novice model on composition and even teach him facial expressions, closed his mouth, and the manager, who had been biting his nails, stared blankly at the boy.

Click, click.

The excited camera shutter and

“Keep going! It’s great.”

The photographer became one with the camera.

The boy seemed to instinctively know how to attract attention. Kicking the table wasn’t something anyone could do, and there was no need for further instructions.

Before he knew it, the boy was leaning back on the sofa, exuding a languidness that hadn’t been seen before the shoot, and his white face, illuminated by the lighting and the shadows created by his black hair, even looked decadent for a moment.

“…Wasn’t Noh Hae-il’s first photoshoot?”

“His first official commercial, I think?”

“But why is he so good?”

The staff whispered among themselves.

“Even if he has broadcast experience, there are so many celebrities who can’t do their first photoshoot well.”

Even if someone is born with talent, it changes depending on effort and experience. Even the models who are said to take legendary photos every time they do a photoshoot weren’t good from the start.

“Did he secretly practice beforehand?”

“Looking at Noh Hae-il’s band’s expressions, I don’t think so.”

All of Noh Hae-il’s band members, who had accompanied him under the guise of staff, were watching the shoot with their mouths wide open, as if they hadn’t expected it.

“Noh Hae-il seems to be born to be in the spotlight, though. Did you see when he kicked the table earlier?”

“He’s not an ordinary character. But if he’s strong-willed now, won’t it be a problem later? The power struggles will be no joke.”

“We don’t know about that.”

And it’s not necessarily bad to be known for having some personality.

Well, not everyone in this industry is kind and easygoing. Even if they treat you kindly at first, their future attitude depends on how you act in certain situations. If you seem docile, they ignore you, and if you seem strong-willed, they pay more attention. That’s how it is in this industry.

He didn’t cause any trouble, and it was just him putting his feet on the table, so it couldn’t be called an issue of character, and judging by the photographer’s reaction, a good cut came out.

Whether he intended it or not, they thought he was a cunning kid.

“And don’t you know that if you’re good at your job, you’ll be successful in this industry?”

“Some people don’t like that kind of style.”

“It doesn’t seem like those people are included here.”

“Who?”

The staff nodded towards the photographer and the Arbor marketing manager.

And if you add one more person, it’s the director who came to give posing instructions.

“Why did you call me?”

That’s what he grumbled, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Noh Hae-il. He was diligently watching Noh Hae-il’s poses and occasionally nodding, as if he liked it quite a bit.

“Does that friend have any thoughts of becoming a model? He just needs to be taller.”

Perhaps it was more than just liking it.

Noh Hae-il had a languid yet intense atmosphere. It was strange that a 17-year-old boy had the atmosphere of someone in their 20s and 30s.

The brand representative was grinning with his mouth open at the unexpected raw gem, no, jewel. He might drool in a little while.

The staff looked at the boy, who had taken off his wig and was back to being platinum blonde, to shoot the second concept.

The boy with the guitar exuded endless freedom. The staff thought about how much more amazing the boy would be when he got older before realizing it was meaningless.

“Anyone who sees him might think he’s been doing photoshoots for 10 years.”

Since he didn’t feel like he was 17 years old anymore.

“No, Hae-il, are you really doing your first photoshoot? I feel like I’m having an easy day today.”

The photographer, who had only said what he needed to say when he first met him, calling him Noh Hae-il-ssi [a polite honorific], showed him the cuts and expressed his friendliness.

Noh Hae-il with black hair wearing a coat and Noh Hae-il with platinum blonde hair wearing a jumper. Hae-il, who was looking at them seriously, answered casually.

“Actually, it’s not my first time, it’s been about ten years.”

“What? Hahaha, I knew it was too obvious. Shouldn’t you act a little more? You’ll get caught soon.”

The photographer, who took his words as a joke, laughed and retorted.

“Since there are cuts left, Hae-il, is there anything you want to do for the last one?”

“Um.”

It wasn’t for nothing that he said he would do anything if he did well. Hae-il remembered the promise he made with his members earlier.

“Is a group shot possible?”

“Oh, you said you came with your band members? Of course!”

And so, everyone gathered in front of the camera lens.

Two large men and one adult woman gathered next to the boy was strange yet well-matched.

Perhaps it was because the boy was looking at his members with warm eyes.

Not a mature man in his 20s or 30s,

A 17-year-old boy smiling happily was captured in the lens.

#

And finally, the day arrived.

Cameramen and anchors gathered at the international terminal of Incheon Airport. And as soon as the doors of the arrival hall opened, flashes burst.

“It’s Scorpion!”

“Scorpion! Look over here!”

“Do you know Kimchi?”

Although they were a minor metal band in Korea, they were a global band with a thick fan base. Also, it was their first visit to Korea, so the reaction of the fans and reporters who came to meet them in front of Incheon Airport was hot.

However, they were also watching the back of Scorpion. It was because of an old man who had joined Scorpion’s tour in Taiwan.

August Veil.

A shareholder of Augustus Records, one of the top four record labels in the world. The old man, who had disappeared from the social scene after passing Augustus Records on to John Leonard, had recently emerged as another issue.

As the owner of Veil, an aggregator, not a music production company.

In fact, there must be several reasons why Veil, a music distributor that would hardly be known to the general public, has become so famous. Such as the rapid growth of singers who have signed with Veil.

However, in front of the name of ‘one man,’ everything was meaningless.

HALO.

As someone who knew the identity of the Sun, August Veil was placed at the center of all media.

As I said before, people gave meaning to all his actions and believed that HALO would be at the end of it.

Knowing this, Veil may be distancing himself from HALO and associating with other singers even more.

Scorpion’s leader, Rill, twisted his lips as he noticed the reporters’ reactions, who were subtly peeking at their backs.

‘Damn old man,’ he thought.

He said he would show sincerity to him, but he handed over all the interviews and attention to him and ran away to the hotel first.

“Have you decided on a concert guest?”

“When did you start listening to Noh Hae-il, or Roh’s music?”

“Roh said he would consider your offer, have you contacted him since then?”

Rill lowered his sunglasses.

And stares intently at the reporters.

He was going to do an interview for the first time in a while, but he couldn’t.

He can’t stand the sight of that old man leaving him here and going to see the Sun first.

“Concert guest?”

The reporters stared intently at his mouth like baby birds waiting for their mother bird.

“Um, how did that go? Ah.”

As Rill snapped his fingers and opened his mouth, flashes burst.

:

And back to the studio again.

“Don’t those people get tired?”

Han Jin-young muttered towards the people under the scorching sun through the blinds. He didn’t know how many days they had been waiting there.

At that time, Seo Yeon-i, who was wondering how much syrup to put in her strawberry smoothie to make the most delicious juice, perked up her ears.

“By the way, who turned on the boss’s music?”

“No, it wasn’t me.”

“Is it coming from here?”

“Then where is it coming from?”

“…The stairs?”

At that moment, the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs made everyone turn their heads.

[Put your hand out the window and divide a cool breeze.]

The door opens softly like cool music. It seems they forgot to close it after opening it for ventilation. As Nam Gyu-hwan panicked and tried to block it, a man pushed the door open and came in.

He was a man who was somehow full of presence.

A piercing in his lip.

A small scorpion tattoo on one cheek.

And above all, the letters engraved on his neck.

SCORPION

Rill, who looked around indifferently, smiled when he found HALO leaning on the sofa.

“Hello, Sun?”

The song of HALO’s 9th album title track, which had not yet ended, rang from Rill’s cell phone.

[Nothing’s gonna get in the way]

“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

HALO said calmly as people’s eyes grew wider and wider.

“It’s been a while, Scorpion.”