The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 1551

[Let’s all move forward]

Chilling dry ice smoke spreads beneath the bridge. A halved village bus separates soldiers and civilians.

Soon, a solid shield pushes forward, reaching its climax.

Hailo watched the play with his arms crossed.

Seeing ‘Rock’ from behind the stage, specifically from the side, gave a different feeling. In fact, it was an unfamiliar spot, only accessible to those involved like the cast and staff.

Also, the expressions, movements, and voices of the actors were more noticeable than from the audience seats.

It felt like being a third party within the play.

Like a reporter observing real people living their lives, or a young child who will live in the world they create.

Hailo closed his eyes and listened to Jungwoo’s song.

During the five months of performances, Jungwoo’s guitar skills had improved remarkably, making it hard to call him a beginner, and his vocals were still great.

‘The song, huh?’

‘Of course, it’s good.’

Whose song is it, after all.

Finally, Jungwoo collapses on the floor, marking the end.

The moment someone clapped, applause flooded the audience like a tidal wave. They didn’t seem to care about their hands hurting, giving the best cheers they could.

The story of ‘Rock’ has ended, but it’s not completely over yet. Until now, it has shown the story of Jungwoo and the Dragonfly Band, but now it’s time to show the actors.

On the right side of the stage, those who played the civilians came out, took off their hats, and bowed. On the left, those who played the soldiers stomped and walked out, saluting. Then, as if to say they had worked hard, the first soldier and civilian to come out shook hands and lightly embraced.

People smiled at the sight of those who had conflicts on stage reconciling after time had passed.

The reporter, who had lightened the heavy atmosphere with jokes and humor, walked out comically, drawing laughter. And when the club rock band that had introduced rock to Jungwoo came out shaking their instruments wildly, the audience whistled.

And soon, the Dragonfly Band appeared.

Hyelim, Minseop, Suil. When the main actors came out, people cheered! Hooted! Welcoming them more enthusiastically. The last to come out was Jungwoo, wearing a crumpled and blood-stained shirt.

Right, left, center. Park Hyuk, who had bowed, bowed together with the main actors.

‘No Hailo really isn’t coming out, huh.’

So it was just a rumor.

The audience applauded the actors’ passionate performances, thinking that it seemed likely. Even if reporters were present, the audience didn’t really expect him to come out.

Usually, in musical curtain calls, they might call out a special actor, but it’s rare to call out the composer.

As it was the last performance, it was time for the actors to personally greet the audience.

They couldn’t express gratitude to teachers, parents, and everyone else as much as in an awards ceremony speech, but the emotions they felt while performing were enough to make hearts flutter.

And finally, the microphone is handed to Park Hyuk.

Park Hyuk, who was the lead actor and was said to be irreplaceable in ‘Rock,’ gave a slightly longer greeting, and then, finally-.

“And I would also like to thank the composer who created the great numbers.”

He mentioned the composer with a meaningful look.

Of course, except for the very front row of the audience, it wasn’t very visible, and most people didn’t notice it because ‘Rock’ was successful because of the numbers [musical pieces].

As the stage darkened again, the applause grew louder. Everyone knew that their performance would follow.

Since the musical ‘Rock’ is about a band, they gave a curtain call that resembled a concert.

Usually, they would sing the musical’s opening number, and each cast member would sing their representative number.

But this time it was a little different.

When the accompaniment was heard,

“Ah!”

People who involuntarily exclaimed hurriedly covered their mouths.

It was a song familiar to many, and even those who heard it for the first time could tell what song it was from the first accompaniment.

It was Jungwoo’s signature song and the last number they had just heard. .

A small light on the stage turned on, illuminating the civilians who had already come to the front of the stage.

They began to sing the first verse.

And the next verse was passed on to the soldiers.

It wasn’t Park Hyuk’s , but everyone’s .

Everyone says that no one can pull off Park Hyuk’s , but everyone singing one verse each of had a different meaning, stirring the heart.

It felt like everyone’s will was united as one.

Perhaps it was more emotionally stimulating because it felt like everyone who had been sacrificed was being resurrected, like the title of the song.

When the band members sang in turn, it evoked memories of the ‘Dragonfly’ days, stimulating tears, and when it finally reached ‘Park Hyuk,’ chills ran down the spine.

It was as if they were reborn in the future they had wanted and reformed as ‘Dragonfly.’

Park Hyuk sang one verse, and now it was time for everyone to sing together.

Then suddenly the lights on the stage went out and the accompaniment stopped. Just as the song was about to reach its climax.

Rather than being disappointed, it was strange, and an odd excitement settled in. By stopping the music before the climax, expectations began to rise about what would happen.

Thump.

Footsteps are faintly heard.

Soon, a person walked out from the side.

Only the silhouette was faintly visible.

Could it be Dokgo Young, who was double cast [alternating in the same role]?

Is Dokgo Young coming out because it’s the last performance? Then, shouldn’t the other Dragonfly members come out too?

“Our song calls forth wind and rain.”

But when a voice was heard unaccompanied in the dark, a hiccup-like sound briefly echoed as if holding one’s breath.

“The blood and tears that soak this land will bloom into flowers of hope. We shall bloom.”

The lights illuminated the entire stage again, brightly. In the center of the stage was a boy holding hands with Park Hyuk.

A white shirt and dress pants like Jungwoo.

Park Hyuk looked a little more disheveled from acting, while the boy’s clothes were cleaner, making the boy look brighter in the light.

Like the sun.

Soon everyone’s chorus was heard.

[The flag we planted will greet a new day.]

Hailo smiled faintly as he made eye contact with Park Hyuk and looked back at the audience. The lights were blinding, but he made eye contact with a few people in between.

Ah, it’s been a while since I felt this.

[Behold. That dazzling dawn]

Maybe it’s because I’m in a good mood, but the low notes seem easier to sing.

[All these things]

Everyone raised their hands together.

Live forever!

Ta-da!

As the chorus ended, cheers and applause erupted warmly. The final performance of the musical Rock was still successful.

#

It was no joke.

It was natural because of the popularity of ‘Rock’ and because it was the last performance, but there was even more enthusiasm here.

Even though the curtain call was over, the audience didn’t leave the theater in case they came out, and the lobby was even more so.

Even when the staff said the performance was over, they lingered and wandered around the lobby.

The same was true for the reporters.

I don’t know how many times I had to chase them away for trying to enter the staff corridor recklessly. In front of the parrot [likely a figure or mascot], they shouted the name of a boy towards the staff corridor.

The name of a boy who was neither the lead actor nor the director at the last performance.

Well, it was what everyone expected.

Even the actors were surprised to see the boy when they gathered for the chorus rehearsal, and they gathered around out of curiosity, and some enthusiastic fans shook hands with him, feeling excited as if they were having a *ssum* [a Korean slang term for a romantic vibe or connection] for a few days.

It was cute when the child actor did that, but it was really unsightly from the perspective of a colleague when an uncle with hairy chest – who could be believed to be the boy’s father – shook hands and liked it while trembling.

Anyway, in the midst of the lobby being in chaos as if a war had broken out, Park Hyuk’s waiting room was quiet.

“What are your thoughts?”

“I finally get to hear what I couldn’t hear during the first performance.”

The general director, who came to the scene for an interview, was dressed in his unique style.

Park Hyuk pretended not to hear the general director’s words and looked at the boy, and Hailo showed a thumbs up without saying anything else.

“How was my acting?”

“Didn’t you just···sing?”

Was he acting? Park Hyuk’s pupils shook, but he soon realized it was a joke when he saw the boy’s playful face.

“You were a little lacking compared to me.”

“Oh, dear.”

“I can give you feedback if you want.”

“I heard it last time and it was scary, so I’ll try not to listen.”

Park Hyuk burst into laughter, recalling the time when he gave Joo Yeonwoo strict feedback.

Everyone knew.

He says that, but the boy has no intention of acting at all.

Of course, No Hailo didn’t try to become Jungwoo while singing.

He sang like himself, and thus a Jungwoo with a completely opposite personality was created.

Opposite means this.

If the boy was the real Jungwoo, Jungwoo probably wouldn’t have had any internal conflicts from the beginning.

Judging from the intense fighting spirit in the song, he would have already rushed into the fire, regardless of the safety of his family or his own safety. That’s neither Jungwoo the hero nor Jungwoo the ordinary criminal. It’s beyond that, something that ordinary people can’t even understand-.

Yes, the boy would have been just like a boy.

Everyone calls him a ‘genius.’

While working as a musical actor, Park Hyuk heard the word genius a lot, but he didn’t think of himself as a genius. He is just a hard-working actor.

“Director! Please prepare for the interview, and please ask Park Hyuk to come too. Ah, but.”

“I got a call asking if Hailo···No Hailo could also be interviewed···is that possible?”

“No, that wasn’t planned.”

The general director stepped forward first.

He had only asked for the curtain call for the last performance, so he didn’t want to make him do anything else. Whether it was ordered from above or requested internally, the general director cared more about the boy in front of him.

“What’s going on all of a sudden?”

“Ah, it’s because of the release of the number, it would be good publicity if No Hailo could say just one word-.”

“Isn’t that enough with us?”

The general director was about to suppress his anger and refuse firmly, saying that he was making a busy person do something trivial.

“Is it okay if I just say one word?”

“Yes? Yes! If you just say one word, we won’t want anything more.”

The face of the PR team employee brightened.

Conversely, the general director’s expression became strange at the unexpected words.

“Can’t you go first? You’re a busy person.”

“It’s just one word, what’s the big deal.”

The boy shrugged.

He didn’t seem to care, unlike someone who doesn’t usually do interviews.

“And-.”

The boy smiled brightly.

“Rather than going back around.”

“···.”

“I’m just going to go forward.”

To go back around, you have to go around and around to the parking lot.

If you go forward, it connects directly to the outside, and he wasn’t a criminal, so why should he go back around?

“Okay. Please.”

The director thought, ‘as expected,’ and replied gently.

The employee was a little upset because he was about to get angry just a moment ago, saying why he was bothering him, but he easily moved on because good things are good.

:

And the lobby.

After a long time, when the actors and the boy were not seen, some people thought they had left and went back.

“Mr. Hailo!”

“Mr. No Hailo! Please look here!”

When the general director and the lead actor walked out, the reporters rushed in, and their eyes turned to the boy who followed.

After that, it became like this.

The interview venue was an interview venue, but an atmosphere reminiscent of a fan meeting bloomed. Even in a situation where it was not clear whether this was a musical’s last performance interview or a No Hailo interview,

The boy stood leisurely and waved his hand once.

Then the beasts started howling, Hailo!!!

Hailo then slowly lowered the hand he had raised.

In response, the beasts, or rather the reporters and some people who were clearly impersonating reporters, lowered their voices.

“Hmm, hello. I am Nok Jidam, the general director of the musical Rock.”

The general director, who winked at the boy to thank him, started the interview. After finishing a simple greeting, thanking them for loving the musical, and Park Hyuk also finished his greeting, the gaze turned to Hailo.

They had faces that wanted the boy to make a comment too.

There was a determination to write down his comments word for word.

“Hello, I’m No Hailo.”

But as always, the boy, who only fulfilled half of their wishes, made them anxious. Is that all? He didn’t even say he was a composer, or how the performance was, or how the actors were. If he just said one word, articles would pour out. The views would be enormous. The boy, who clearly seemed to know but pretended not to know, cruelly lowered the microphone.

That’s how the Q&A interview began.

“When is the musical soundtrack release exactly scheduled for?”

It was a normal interview that started with prepared comments.

It was clearly an interview that would have ended with a friendly Q&A-.

The reporters asked questions to the general director, but their eyes were on No Hailo. They were as eager as baby birds looking for their mother bird, but the answers were always given by the general director or Park Hyuk.

“Um, I have a question for Mr. No Hailo.”

Eventually, one of the reporters swallowed hard.

He was told to only ask related questions, so he could be fired if he made a mistake.

“I was deeply impressed by Mr. No Hailo’s during the curtain call. I know that Mr. No Hailo sings high notes well, but I was also impressed by the low notes, so I’m asking this question. If there is a re-performance of the musical ‘Rock’ in the future, I would like to know if you have any intention of playing Jungwoo.”

Oh. An intern reporter behind him exclaimed and poked him in the waist.

“Um-.”

This is a question that no one else can really answer. It’s not an unrelated question, and the director was worried because he didn’t want to put pressure on the boy, so he looked back, but the boy raised the microphone as if he had expected it.

“If I ever get the chance?”

If he ever becomes interested in acting, he might do it, but he probably won’t, so it was a way of saying he wouldn’t do it.

The reporter didn’t even grasp that meaning, but it was clear that it was an ambiguous tone to write in an article. Besides, he naturally passed the microphone over, so it was difficult to ask anything more.

“I have a question for Mr. No Hailo!”

The reporters, who didn’t know how to give up, started a barrage of questions. The general director and Park Hyuk didn’t seem to be in their eyes.

However, to the reporters’ frustration, the boy mostly passed the questions on to the general director and Park Hyuk.

“Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve seen such a tenacious person.”

No Hailo, who cut off all unnecessary questions, had the general director do the important Q&A, and finally left only the answer that stimulated curiosity, saying, “You will find out when the number I composed is released,” and began to walk out leisurely.

No Hailo’s manager – August Veil’s secretary who was left behind – and the staff cleared the way. The reporters reached out with the mindset that they couldn’t let him go like this, but for some reason, there was a traitor among the reporters.

The reporters who didn’t stop him when he was asking questions, but subtly blocked him when he tried to touch the boy, all had sun necklaces around their necks.

“Mr. No Hailo! Please tell us just one thing! What are your future plans-.”

In that moment, the boy, who was walking out well, stopped at someone’s shout.

Hailo slowly turned around and smiled.

He looks innocent as if he doesn’t know anything.

“Soon. I am looking forward to meeting my fans.”

The words he threw were like throwing a rock into a quiet pond.

:

[Hailo Concert Announcement]

[National Tour About to Begin?]

The reaction happened immediately.

It had been quiet since Coachella, and it was what everyone wanted, so internet articles and communities immediately caught fire.

[I wondered why there was no album news, but he was preparing for a concert! Finally!!]

└ It’s only May, what album;;

[But Hailo, small theaters are not allowed this time, please no]

└ Know yourself, please know yourself properly.

└ So let’s just rent the Coachella stage like last time;;

└ Did you go there then?

└ lol

It’s a concert that they’ve been waiting for, and it’s exciting and anticipated, but they can’t just be happy because of No Hailo’s past records.

[But is the small theater the only thing we have to worry about?]

└ Oh right ㅅㅂ [Korean slang, similar to ‘damn’]

└ Where are the Westerners going in the country of Heungseon Daewongun [a historical figure known for his isolationist policies]?

└ Shouldn’t we just ban foreigners from entering the country?

└ It’s not Corona now, so would that be possible?

└ What about an epidemic or something?

└ Or how about travel restricted areas

└ Is there a war in our country?

└ Don’t you know that our country is in a truce?

└ Does the airline happen to be on strike?

While the fandom was trembling with half joy and half fear, the atmosphere was a little different overseas.

[The time has come.]

[I hope he does a world tour, but I don’t want the Sun to overdo it, what should I do?]

[How about carrying him on your shoulders?]

That’s because they had heard about the 830-seat small theater concert, but they didn’t really sympathize with it because they hadn’t experienced it themselves.

People who know a little about K-pop might know, but those who don’t even know how many people there are in Korea didn’t even think about the competition rate.

They just thought that doing it in a cafe-sized place of 830 was too much.

And isn’t the identity revealed now, even if they didn’t know it then? The boy would book the biggest venue, and they would definitely be there.

Since there is no official announcement yet, they who are hoping for a world tour did not even consider that they would not be able to get tickets.

[O Sun! Illuminate the world]

Thus, like the No Hailo fandom used to do, they were endlessly celebrating.