The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 1931

Glorious Tide- Episode 193

It’s dazzling.

HALO squinted for a moment.

He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight.

But the light was too bright to be blocked by his palm.

HALO gave up and whistled a long, soaring tune.

The bird-like whistle rode the cold wind.

It was the day before Hwang Ryong-pil’s final concert.

On the rehearsal stage.

[Follow the Light of Hope]

Flames erupted from the stage.

Even though only the staff were present, it felt as if the screams of a crowd could be heard.

[Spread Your Broken Wings]

He snapped his fingers to the beat.

[For a Brilliant Tomorrow]

A majestic rhythm.

And as the staff stomped their feet, ‘Hero’s Song’ was completed. HALO recalled the Rendezvous from two years ago and jumped onto the stage.

[We Never Stop]

“Espresso, sir?”

“Thank you.”

After the rehearsal, HALO drank the espresso that Hwang Ryong-pil’s manager, Team Leader Park, had brought.

To be exact, he should be called the former manager.

With Hwang Ryong-pil’s retirement, Team Leader Park had lost his position. Deemed too old to manage other celebrities, he was relegated to office work, but he insisted on participating in Hwang Ryong-pil’s last concert as a manager.

Quietly watching the singer he had cared for for so long from the audience seats, Team Leader Park seemed deep in thought.

“Team Leader Park, you didn’t have to come. You have so much work.”

“How could I stay away? It’s your concert, sir. Since it’s your last stage… I wanted to support you.”

“You’re something else.”

Hwang Ryong-pil couldn’t dissuade his former manager any longer.

He simply turned his gaze to HALO, who was savoring the espresso.

“Thank you for coming, Hae-il.”

HALO smiled faintly and put down the cup.

He thought the thanks were a bit redundant since he had already been greeted.

“How’s your condition?”

“Fitter than ever.”

Hwang Ryong-pil’s eyes crinkled into crescents as he stared at the empty stage with HALO.

“It feels like we’ve gone back to the Rendezvous days.”

“It’s only been two years, though.”

“Has it only been that long?”

It felt like five or ten years had passed.

So much had happened during that time, and the scale of events that had occurred in those two years was significant.

Hwang Ryong-pil looked at HALO, who had risen to the top of the world in just two years, with a fresh perspective. Unlike during the Rendezvous, HALO had grown into someone you could call a young man.

Well, no matter what, HALO would never admit it, but he was still young, as his fans called him ‘Baby Sun’.

“By the way, everyone’s been up to some fun things, did you know?”

HALO knew this kind of story would come up.

He brazenly shook his head.

“I was surprised too.”

“Oh, you were surprised.”

Hwang Ryong-pil didn’t seem to believe it at all, but HALO nodded nonchalantly.

“You’re not planning to show anything here?”

What HALO sang on the rehearsal stage was only the duet with Hwang Ryong-pil, ‘Hero’s Song’. That was the same for the other guests before him.

They all denied having any tribute songs—the guests, the session members, everyone. But in the end, they held a tribute song event on the day of the concert.

“I showed you everything just now.”

“Hmm, really?”

“Yes. Or should we prepare another stage?”

When HALO brazenly asked if there were any other songs, Hwang Ryong-pil’s eyes narrowed. However, he couldn’t ask someone who said they didn’t have a tribute song to perform one, so Hwang Ryong-pil soon shook his head and let it go.

“You’re not planning to leave quietly, are you?”

“I’ll do as I always do.”

Team Leader Park, who had been watching the two from behind, chuckled at HALO’s statement, knowing he had never failed to shake the world.

And 28 hours later.

Hwang Ryong-pil, his voice hoarse, lamented.

“You said you didn’t prepare anything…”

#

“Will you join me? HALO.”

The guest for Hwang Ryong-pil’s retirement concert’s final stage was, in the end, HALO. Those who had been eagerly waiting for HALO to appear responded with thunderous cheers, and the audience, who were long-time fans of Hwang Ryong-pil, found significance in the ‘last’ guest being HALO.

Until now, Hwang Ryong-pil’s stage had been filled with numerous guests.

The retirement concert began with Lee Sung-rim, and since then, Korea’s leading singers and entertainers with deep ties to Hwang Ryong-pil had taken their places. The ‘Hwang Ryong-pil’s Retirement Concert’, which also featured a band that had previously worked with him as session members, was a stage for Hwang Ryong-pil to look back on and reflect on his time.

That the last guest of such a stage was HALO was quite meaningful.

Even the phrase introducing HALO was quite special from the fans’ perspective.

-He made me laugh at my arrogance in my younger days

Confessing frankly

-What would it have been like if we had met when I was younger?

-How wonderful would it be if I were born later and could enjoy it for a long time?

The meaning was close to high praise.

When had an arrogant singer ever praised another singer like this?

-The world calls this friendship

Just as someone called Hwang Ryong-pil’s guest stage a scene of generational change, Hwang Ryong-pil’s fans vaguely felt it.

It was as if the legend of the older generation was handing over everything to the singer representing the current generation—to the singer he most recognized and could entrust everything to.

This was a perfect retirement ceremony, with no intention of returning, and it became a viewing ceremony for a new era.

Whether as a long-time fan of Hwang Ryong-pil or as a fan of HALO, it was quite a touching scene.

Perhaps that’s why, during the duet, the audience sang with choked voices.

It wasn’t a sad song at all.

Rather, it was a cheering song that encouraged courage, but tears flowed.

And Hwang Ryong-pil knew that better than anyone.

Hwang Ryong-pil, once called the ruler of the stage, couldn’t possibly not know that the audience who came to his concert was sad.

However, Hwang Ryong-pil, who had no intention of retracting his retirement, continued the stage as if nothing was wrong, looking at HALO.

Even though he knew the atmosphere of the stage well, HALO enjoyed the stage as if he hadn’t noticed.

Hwang Ryong-pil was grateful to HALO for pretending not to know.

[We Never Stop]

Unlike the other singers, he was grateful that HALO didn’t cry in the end.

Until now, the singers who had been invited to the retirement concert would sing tribute songs and then cry, asking if he couldn’t not retire.

He understood. It wasn’t that he didn’t know how they felt.

But it wasn’t like he had a terminal illness; it was just retirement. Hwang Ryong-pil wanted everyone to end with a smile on his last stage.

Because that was more enjoyable.

Until now, the stage had become one where the singer and the audience cried at least once, but Hwang Ryong-pil felt relieved looking at HALO.

He thought he could leave the last stage of the last concert with a smile.

At that moment.

The sound of a whistle was heard from somewhere.

“Is it my turn now?”

HALO, who had been expressing his feelings to the audience after , suddenly smiled and announced.

It was also the moment the audience had been waiting for the most.

:

Until now, Hwang Ryong-pil’s tribute songs, with the exception of Shin Joo-hyuk and a few others, had been quite emotionally moving. He had told them not to sing sad songs, but the emotions of the ballad singers and the situation combined to make the audience cry, and the singers soon shed tears due to excessive immersion.

Then Hwang Ryong-pil would always pat them on the back, saying it was okay.

Whether it was a ballad or rock, the quality of Hwang Ryong-pil’s tribute songs had never been lacking. They were so emotionally or attractively well-made that fans cried out for them to be released.

The last of such tribute songs.

People were enthusiastic about HALO’s appearance.

‘That’ HALO.

HALO’s music had always held people’s emotions in its grip, leaving a deep lingering impression.

As much as HALO had rested for a long time, they were looking forward to HALO’s new song and wondered how he had made the tribute song.

In fact, since the theme was Hwang Ryong-pil’s tribute song, they thought a quite poignant song would come out.

But…

A whistle rings out.

The sound of a whistle with a cheerful and pleasant rhythm lingers in the ears.

And with the piano accompaniment,

[Do What You Want]

HALO nodded and matched the rhythm.

[I don’t know what you’re saying]

[I don’t want to hold on]

HALO smiled at Hwang Ryong-pil.

[I’m too busy to care about trivial things]

Hwang Ryong-pil’s eyes widened at the sound that was clearly directed at him.

The cheerful whistle rings out again.

This time, the guitar and drums matched the whistle sound, and people shook their heads together, erasing their gloomy expressions.

[I’m still dancing]

[Singing in the rain]

People who understood the lyrics realized it was a homage to HALO’s 6th album, “Dancing in the Rain.”

Or, it was reminiscent of the boy who sang in the rain at the Nanji concert on his birthday.

[Every moment time flows]

[The time of high tide is coming]

[I can’t hold onto the collapsing sandcastle]

[I don’t look back at the footprints left in the sand]

[I’m running even at that moment]

HALO rolled his fingers to the whistle rhythm.

It felt like a summer sea was unfolding before my eyes.

The rhythm was refreshing and cheerful, so it didn’t feel like a retirement tribute song.

[Do What You Want]

The hook came back again.

[I don’t know what people are saying]

[I don’t want to care]

[I’m too busy to care about trivial things]

Many people opposed and did not understand Hwang Ryong-pil’s retirement. Even on the previous stage, the guests ended up begging him not to retire.

But HALO told Hwang Ryong-pil to retire if he wanted to, without caring about what people say.

Hwang Ryong-pil could smile at his friend’s consideration.

[You’re winding an old tape]

[Listening to the first EP [Extended Play, a short album]]

But the lyrics changed, and Hwang Ryong-pil’s face slowly hardened.

[Every moment time flows]

[The moment of regret is coming]

[Holding onto fading memories]

[I don’t look back at the dreams I still cherish]

This time, HALO was not looking back at Hwang Ryong-pil.

He went to the very front of the protruding stage and continued the joyful whistle sound with the people.

Looking at HALO, the audience screamed and sang along.

It seemed like HALO’s stage, not Hwang Ryong-pil’s stage.

At that moment, Hwang Ryong-pil felt lonely.

It was as if he was the only one isolated.

[Do it if you want]

The hook was heard once again with the whistle sound.

[I don’t know what you said]

[I don’t want to care]

[I’m too busy to care about trivial things]

HALO, who turned around, looked at him and smiled.

[We’re still dancing]

[Singing in the rain]

HALO said once again, “Do what you want.”

Hwang Ryong-pil couldn’t possibly not know what that meant.

HALO, who said he didn’t care whether he retired or not, was talking about the time when he would regret it later.

He was saying he would turn a blind eye, so come back anytime.

[I don’t care what people say]

He was telling him not to care what people say later, even if he retired.

[We’re too busy to care about trivial things]

It wasn’t music that stimulated emotions.

HALO’s music was as refreshing as the beach scene, and everyone was enjoying it. There was no gloomy atmosphere left at all. It was exactly the scene Hwang Ryong-pil had been envisioning for his last stage.

But, watching such a stage, Hwang Ryong-pil felt lonely.

Contrary to the heart he had wanted until now.

He hoped people wouldn’t forget him, and he wanted to sing along with them in front.

[Every moment time flows]

[The time of high tide is coming]

Every moment time flows, aren’t you really going to regret it?

HALO asked.

[I can’t hold onto the collapsing sandcastle]

[I don’t look back at the footprints left in the sand]

There’s no time to look back.

[We’re running even at that moment]

At that moment, Hwang Ryong-pil heard something pop.

Like a tied string was cut, or like a hidden balloon had popped.

HALO, who had approached him, whistled.

[Do What You Want]

The song ended abruptly, and the audience became silent.

Silence flowed as if time had stopped.

It was clear that they were shaken by the lingering impression because the music was so good.

However, people began to murmur and shout something.

HALO in front of him blurred.

“Ah…”

Hwang Ryong-pil realized it then.

His throat was already very hoarse.

“You said you didn’t prepare anything…”

Tears were dripping down his cheeks.

The old man, who had been smiling faintly when everyone was crying for him not to go, collapsed at the words that he could retire if he wanted to and come back anytime if he wanted to.

The joyful and cheerful music he had wanted broke down the strong dam.

The staff hurriedly handed him a handkerchief.

Hwang Ryong-pil wiped away the steadily dripping tears.

The audience was waiting for his words.

Hwang Ryong-pil wondered what he should say to them.

Should he say it’s okay?

Or should he start the next stage as if nothing was wrong?

But without realizing it, a sound came out of his mouth.

“Thank you so much.”

Hwang Ryong-pil bowed to the audience, and the sound of applause was heard.

The sound of a joyful whistle passed by his ear.

#

In the end, the teacher did not reverse his retirement, even though HALO’s song gave him a deep resonance, even making him cry.

The teacher spoke 담백하게 [dambaekhage – plainly, simply], as if he had never cried. Along with the words of gratitude, he 풀어 냈다 [pureonaetda – unraveled, told] the story he had wanted to tell until now.

HALO had a subtle feeling as he watched him.

It’s not that he had any complaints about his decision.

In Hwang Ryong-pil’s tears, HALO saw hope that he could return someday.

To some extent, it could be said that the intention of the song was successful.

Besides, the depression he had seen on the teacher’s face was no longer visible.

It seemed like he would never have to recall Eddie’s dying face while looking at the teacher again.

HALO smiled faintly as he watched the teacher receive the bouquet and turn around.

After the concert, many calls came.

Other singers who belatedly heard his tribute song recognized that it was a song made at the after-party.

[Park Hyung-chan: Wow, you made this into a tribute song? Wow… you’re really amazing]

[Lee Sung-rim: I was going to ask you to buy the song, but you already used it, damn it ㅜㅜ]

The group chat stopped when Leeb, who had finished her schedule, posted a word.

[Lee Chae-won: In the end, Hae-il won the bet]

[Park Hyung-chan: !]

[Lee Sung-rim: !]

Leeb, who participated in the Hwang Ryong-pil tribute song project, couldn’t stand on stage due to schedule issues, but she decided to release the tribute song later. She smiled and announced that the bet was over, and everyone acknowledged that HALO was the only one who made Hwang Ryong-pil cry.

[The Emperor of Popular Music, Hwang Ryong-pil, Cries at His Last Stage]

[HALO Who Made the Old Man Cry]

[The Perfect Song That Decorated the End of Hwang Ryong-pil’s Tribute Song… So When Is It Being Released?]

[89% of Netizens – Please Release the Whistle Song]

For several days after that, foreign fans begged for an interpretation, and Korean fans strongly demanded a new song, asking for the song to be released.

Around that time, HALO was having his last interview with BB.