The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 1291

< 129. The Beautiful Blue Danube >

The youngest director wiped his sweaty hands on his pants.

“Schnitzel. Takeout, please.”

While ordering in awkward English, his eyes were fixed on the boy at the center of the crowd.

At this local restaurant, in the most humble and ordinary setting, the youngest director felt that every passing second was precious.

Just by having different amounts of water in the glasses, a clear sound resonated. It was like the breath of the wind kissing the meadow. The deep jazz guitar formed the dense, vast earth and trees, and the flute, like the chirping of birds, added life to the forest. The out-of-tune organ occasionally produced dissonant sounds, but even this did not detract from the quality of the performance.

Above all, the boy standing at the center of this stage, bringing spring,

[Ah, the sound of spring comes to me as warmly as my own home]

seemed to be receiving a spotlight without any lighting or reflectors.

Eyes widened, some forgot to drink, others frozen in place, even the audience reacted by shedding tears at the size of the invisible emotion.

It was perfect in itself, beautiful in itself.

The youngest PD felt that every second was precious.

Knowing that this natural yet touching scene was the very scene the Spring Again team was trying to capture.

It wasn’t something a director should say, but he wanted to broadcast this scene as it was, without any editing.

Showing it as it is, without any subtitles or sound effects.

If he had to add something…

Yes, how about the title of this program?

Spring Again.

Again, Spring.

The youngest director didn’t understand the original Korean lyrics of ‘Sound of Spring’ that Nohaeil was singing, but he understood it nonetheless.

‘Music is the language of the gods. Unlike human language, which cannot be understood without background knowledge, it is understood naturally. With the heart and soul.’

Just like the purpose of the Spring Again program.

As the song ended, the time he wished would stop began to flow again.

Bravo!

Bravi!

In Vienna, the city of classical music, the best exclamations were showered upon the boy and his band who sang ‘Sound of Spring’ in front of the discerning citizens of Vienna. They jumped up and applauded. No one was sitting still.

The youngest director, witnessing the Viennese citizens rushing to shake hands with the boy, felt like his insides were turning as a director. He was deeply moved and excited by the scene unfolding before him.

He had done quite a bit of filming in Vienna, but such an enthusiastic response was rare. Well, of course, it could be more passionate because the boy sang the famous song ‘Sound of Spring’.

‘When is my senior going to see this?’

The youngest PD quickly opened his phone.

He hoped that his senior director would reply quickly.

He had sent a message to the general director, PD [Production Director] Park, but as he was in charge of Spring Again A team and currently filming in England, a quick reply was impossible.

The youngest director took a deep breath and recited the code of conduct for the Spring Again team.

Spring Again was currently divided into two teams with two themes, so PD Park instilled the code of conduct into B team in his absence. From the director who would lead B team to the youngest director, no one was an exception.

What he was memorizing now was Article 10 of the code of conduct.

In case of meeting a VIP while traveling, prioritize taking action first and reporting later.

The youngest director glanced at Nohaeil again.

Nohaeil, who had become an idol in this small shop, was skillfully conversing in German. He was truly a talent specialized for Spring Again, no, busking [street performing].

Soon, the youngest director received the packed lunch and steeled himself.

Code of Conduct Article 10. Take action first, report later.

He couldn’t let this VVIP [Very Very Important Person] go.

“Hello, Nohaeil! Oh my goodness! I’m so glad to see the band members too. It’s an honor to have such a precious person in this humble place!”

The youngest director approached Nohaeil, saying words that he was glad the owner couldn’t understand.

“We met in Seongsu-dong before. It’s an honor to see you again here!”

“Ah.”

Nohaeil then remembered.

Talking to a broadcasting station employee at a cafe in Seongsu-dong.

Naturally, he recalled the promise he made with them.

-If our team and Nohaeil happen to meet somewhere by chance

The boy’s smile deepened.

It couldn’t be helped.

He thought there was almost no chance of meeting, but they ended up meeting. And not in a famous landmark, but in a small local restaurant.

-How about performing together then? Even if it’s just for a moment.

At that time, did that PD really think they would meet?

Well, unless he knew his schedule, he wouldn’t have thought so.

His travel schedule wasn’t even decided on the day of. Moreover, even that didn’t go as planned due to August Veil’s hijacking.

Halo thought the world was small and also enjoyed it.

Yes, as someone had arranged, they ended up meeting.

“If it’s not too much to ask… Would it be okay to join you for a moment?”

The youngest director, who was there, asked cautiously.

Since it was just a verbal promise, the youngest director was prepared for Nohaeil’s refusal.

The youngest director explained to him even the parts he didn’t know about the program. For example, Spring Again is divided into two themes, A team and B team, A team is filming in England, and B team is filming in Austria. And the main PD Park is in England with A team, including his personal opinion that PD Park would be really disappointed, and eventually made an appointment.

Of course, he had no intention of completely interfering with his personal trip, and he said that he would only like him to stop by briefly when filming as he was a guest. He would like to eat together and appear on camera for a long time, but the youngest director didn’t even expect that far.

He just wished he could get one great scene like this.

Nohaeil’s expression became subtle when he heard about the filming location, but anyway, he said he would appear as a guest, so that was it.

Anyway, the youngest director held the cold schnitzel and happily saw Nohaeil and his band off. And belatedly, he discovered that his senior director had left a message and a missed call asking what the target was.

Even dog poop can be used as medicine [Even the most useless things can be valuable in the right situation].

What’s the point of contacting me after everything is over.

The youngest director had arrogant thoughts and slowly approached the Korean students.

“Hello, I’m Kim Seunghwan, a director from JTC Broadcasting Station…”

“Yes? Us?”

The students’ pupils shook.

The appearance of a broadcasting station employee made them think that they were being filmed. The youngest director smiled broadly.

“Could I possibly get the video?”

#

“Hey, since when could you do something like that?”

The way back to the hotel was more enjoyable than ever.

Everyone was excited about busking.

There were some regrets. Like the organ being out of tune, or being weak in classical music.

Each had their own regrets, but nevertheless, their performance was pretty good, so they enjoyed it.

Seoyeon Moon twirled around on the street where the sun was beginning to set.

She was talking a lot about the stunt that Nam Gyuhwan had shown.

The performance of playing music with the amount of water left in the glass.

The excellent improvisation shown in the absence of drums or percussion was admirable.

“It’s nothing.”

Nam Gyuhwan, who said that, couldn’t hide the smile that made him proud of himself. This time, Seoyeon Moon tolerated and ignored his annoyingness.

“By the way, when is the filming?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

“The day after tomorrow? Where are we doing it?”

“By the Danube River?”

“!”

Seoyeon Moon’s eyes widened, and Jinyeong Han added calmly.

“It’s in front of our hotel.”

“That’s right.”

That was why Halo had a strange look on his face.

Well, thanks to that, we don’t have to go far, so good is good.

“I’m sad to go in like this, so shall we go ride the Ferris wheel?”

“Why? Aren’t you going to see a performance today?”

“How can people watch concerts every day.”

Nam Gyuhwan, who had been watching classical performances every day since he came to Vienna without lying, had a lot to say but didn’t. Even so, his steps were heading towards Prater amusement park.

Prater Park (Wurstelprater) in Vienna, Austria, was originally used as a royal hunting ground, but was opened to the public. However, it began to gain fame in Europe in earnest from the movie , which was released in 1995. The place where Jesse and Celine, two young men and women who met on a train, shared their first kiss was on the Ferris wheel in Prater Park.

Of course, Nohaeil’s band didn’t kiss on the Ferris wheel.

However, in the Ferris wheel with only an old couple, Halo took out his guitar and played ‘Come here’, the OST [Original Sound Track] of Before Sunrise, which he had heard while coming to Prater Park – he didn’t sing it because it was a love song -.

The sunset sat in the city of Vienna.

In front of it, the boy’s hair and guitar, holding a guitar with an H pattern, were dyed red.

Click-.

The old man among the old couple who rode the Ferris wheel together took a picture with an old camera. He heard that he worked as a photographer in Vienna, but now he has retired and runs a small photo studio.

“Whether it’s a professional disease, I always carry a camera, but I don’t take pictures of people well. What kind of whim is it.”

“It’s okay.”

“Come and visit when you’re in Austria, this guy is good at taking pictures. I got married after seeing that.”

He made a playful joke, but the old woman’s gaze towards the old man was as warm as the sunset.

“Celine.”

The old man called the old woman’s name.

“Patience. Let’s go, let’s go. See you again, young man.”

The old woman greeted softly and approached the old man.

They enjoyed the relief train – a round-trip train and other rides – after the Ferris wheel. Three adults and one boy rode the merry-go-round with the children. Halo, who was led by the members and got on the children’s toy with a sullen expression, did not let go of his expression until he got off. – This is taken by a Korean tourist passing by and is preserved on the blog –

In that way, the time in Vienna flowed like the sunset seen from the Ferris wheel. Halo, who checked his pad after a long time, checked the date and emails.

Since traveling, he hadn’t turned on his pad and smartphone unless it was an important call, so quite a few emails were piled up.

Among them was one from Coachella [a famous music festival in California].

The content was to confirm within January.

Halo, who hadn’t decided yet whether he wanted to participate as Nohaeil or Halo, tapped the table and put it down.

There was still some time left until January.

“How about Venice for our next trip? I saw that they’re having a festival from the end of January.”

“Heok! Jinyeong oppa!”

“Why? Is it not good?”

“No! It was the best idea. Come to think of it, it’s almost the masquerade festival!”

The members were spreading out maps and travel pamphlets on a long table and deciding on a destination. In fact, there were many candidates. There were many beautiful cities in Austria besides Vienna, and it bordered many countries such as Germany and Switzerland.

However, no city could beat the romance of the masquerade festival.

“Boss! Are you going to film now?”

“Yes.”

“Huh? You’re not taking your guitar?”

The boy was not carrying the guitar case he carried every day.

Halo shrugged. The PD said that there was already a guitarist on the Spring Again team, so he wouldn’t be playing the guitar. He’s just going out for a while and coming back, so he’s leaving it behind.

If the guitar with the H engraved on it came out on the broadcast, it would have become a hot topic with its appearance. Seoyeon Moon shook her head. There would be plenty of time to show it anytime, so there was no need to rush.

Halo came out to the lobby and unconsciously cast his eyes on the sofa. New travelers were sitting and whispering stories. There were no familiar faces.

Halo walked out of the hotel and walked towards the Danube River without realizing that he was looking for someone.

A busking of a larger scale than a typical busking.

Moreover, there was a filming team with cameras, so it couldn’t help but stand out.

Besides, the sound of singing could be heard from afar.

After the era of Hwang Ryongpil, he dominated the Korean music scene, existing established singers and young singers, and even actors who were known to sing quite well.

The busking scale was bigger than expected.

Halo slowly walked towards where the filming was taking place.

The youngest PD, who was looking at his phone, glancing at when the boy would come, not even knowing that a tall boy was approaching, was startled by the touch from behind.

It was a relief that he didn’t scream.

“Nohaeil!”

The youngest PD, who whispered as quietly as possible so that the sound wouldn’t be caught by the audio equipment, informed the senior director of his presence. The director, who was sitting with the cameraman, greeted his presence brightly.

And he told him to wait a moment.

He said he would introduce him as soon as this song was over.

“Um, Nohaeil.”

As he was listening to the song, the youngest PD spoke again.

“I’m just saying this just in case, but Kim Seoncheol has not been in good condition recently.”

Kim Seoncheol. Only then did Nohaeil match the title of this song and the singer.

“I don’t think he’ll do anything to his junior, Nohaeil, but he might say something.”

The youngest PD kept beating around the bush. When he looked at him as if asking what he meant, the youngest PD sighed deeply and whispered in his ear.

“He’s originally famous for having a bad personality. He doesn’t like filming in the dorm, and he’s a bit… how should I say it. He’s a bit like that.”

The youngest PD had a tired and weary face.

“I told him in advance that Nohaeil was coming as a guest.”

The youngest PD recalled Kim Seoncheol’s appearance, who threw a word, ‘Who is he to come and not say hello or practice?’ Kim Seoncheol didn’t practice well either.

“Anyway, you came especially, so I’m really sorry.”

He hadn’t done anything yet, but the youngest PD even apologized as if he was about to do something. Well, Halo didn’t care much because he actually knew more artists with bad personalities.

Rather, he raised the corners of his mouth, anticipating what he would do.

He wasn’t a good person either.

And soon, Halo faced a trivial act of seniority.

Because Kim Seoncheol, who greeted Nohaeil brightly as a junior on the broadcast, nominated the song. There was a song they had practiced in the original language for the audience in Vienna.

A famous classical song from Vienna, not their famous song.

In fact, it was a song that no one could sing unless they had practiced it.

No one dared to say anything to Kim Seoncheol, who was the most senior.

Even when he was advised to do it later, Kim Seoncheol didn’t listen. He seemed to want to set up his junior, who hadn’t come to greet him in advance, like a scarecrow.

But.

“I think I can do it.”

The youngest PD and the director widened their eyes. They had heard so much from the main PD that they should treat Nohaeil as a priority, so they tried to stop Kim Seoncheol somehow.

“I know the song.”

“Oh, really?”

He stood next to Kim Seoncheol.

Instead, he said he would go in when he wanted, so everyone told him to do as he pleased. Kim Seoncheol didn’t care, and the others had really sorry faces. One senior even added that he would give him everything for free if he came to his store in Korea.

It was a song he had heard at the concert that Seoyeon Moon had taken them to for almost a week. Just like he knew ‘Sound of Spring’, he knew this song well too.

It was the first time he had sung it, but he wanted to sing it once.

Halo smiled brightly.

“Please take care of me, senior.”

Johann Strauss II’s masterpiece.

There is one more famous song as ‘Sound of Spring’.

If ‘Sound of Spring’ was made for soprano, this song was originally made to be sung by a male choir.

The audience didn’t know, but the broadcasters started playing to suppress the precarious atmosphere.

The Beautiful Blue Danube sung in front of the Danube River. Whatever the intention, he thought he had chosen a good song. Because there is no place where this song fits better than this.

The boy’s mouth slowly opened.

And with him, Kim Seoncheol’s vocalization was completely buried.