The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 1711

< 171. Tardiness >

The photo splashed across the top of Korean internet news sites the next day wasn’t of a notorious criminal, nor a politician or business tycoon.

It was a picture of a cruise ship in the distance, the audience pointing towards it, fireworks illuminating the night sky, and a boy watching it all from the stage.

It was just a shot of his back, but most people knew who he was.

The article’s title made it clear who the boy was from the start.

And as you scrolled down, a flood of related articles appeared.

Outdoor advertisements on subways and buses, donation amounts, acquaintances’ Instagram posts—the sheer scale of the celebration for the boy’s seventeenth birthday was staggering. And the cost of renting that cruise ship was also detailed.

Some articles simply posted photos without any substantial content.

One person even joked that it resembled a fan cafe community page more than a news site, given how much the boy’s articles dominated the day.

Follow-up articles appeared rapidly.

Overseas, they were also celebrating November 14th, and concurrently, the boy’s birthday. I could imagine the situation on overseas portals without even checking.

Among the photos, the most striking was the one capturing a single drop of water forming on the boy’s cheek as he was being sung ‘Happy Birthday’.

[Halo, Tears of Emotion at Fans’ Celebration]

The high-definition water droplet, caught between the raindrops streaming down his face, moved even those who hadn’t attended the concert. Perhaps it was because the boy in the photo looked genuinely happy.

Of course, it was soon revealed that the water droplet was a raindrop, not a tear, but for the fans, anything was enough.

[Nohaeil’s Fandom Really Prepared with Gritted Teeth: LED Candles, Cruise Rental, Fireworks]

[Seoul Concert is Legendary, Wow…]

[Wow, It’s So Touching Even Without Seeing It]

[I went to the concert yesterday and was rained on all day, but I wasn’t cold at all and felt amazing ㅠㅠ Haeil, let’s just do concerts forever]

[To those who went to the concert yesterday, you all worked so hard]

It was a little disappointing that the boy didn’t cry, but he wasn’t usually one to shed tears anyway, and simply eliciting that kind of reaction was enough to thrill Korea.

Of course,

[We Can Do Better]

[It’s Not Over Yet, Look Forward to the London Concert]

[Definitely Bigger Than Korea In Hongkong]

[Celebrate Next Year’s Birthday in America, We’ll Show You ‘Big Money’]

└ Don’t you know his second hometown is England?

└ You don’t even have anything to eat in your country

[Leaving Baby Sun in Such a Cold Place, Is Korea Crazy?]

└ I also don’t like that the most.

Overseas fans expressed their jealousy, claiming they could do better.

They knew the boy’s hometown was Korea, but birthday celebrations could be held in any country.

Next, attention shifted to the merchandise.

Halo’s merchandise had already generated considerable buzz, and this time, with numerous exclusive items, it was naturally a hot topic.

Not to mention the watch that came with the golden ticket,

This time, those who didn’t receive the raincoats and hot packs were especially envious. Even if it was just from a convenience store, they’d feel bad that Halo gave it to them, but it wasn’t just any raincoat.

[Mom told me to bring a raincoat, I love you Mom♡♡♡]

[That’s why I can’t quit being a fan. Ah… Really giving hot packs so we don’t get cold, and raincoats too… I love Nohaeil]

[You don’t have this at your house? Hehehe. Winter raincoat is delicious]

[I kept it without using it because they gave it to me, but when I checked at home, there’s a moon marking ㅅㅂ I’m crazyㅠㅠㅠ Someone threw away a torn one on the street, so I picked it up, I did a good job, the merch is being copied]

└ I also searched the trash cans and bathrooms as soon as the concert ended, just in case, but couldn’t find it…

└ Isn’t it normal to throw trash in the Han River Park? I wandered around after the concert, but no one was throwing anything away… Throw something away…!

└ It’s merchandise

The raincoat that Halo wore on stage had a crescent moon printed on the back. Giving out raincoats made sense, given the outdoor performance in rainy weather. But the words ‘limited edition’ fueled the desire even more.

But actually, what’s being talked about even more than the raincoat—.

[Halo Taking Off His “Used” Hat and Putting It on a Fan “Directly”…JPEG]

The photo and video of Halo, walking to the extended stage, taking off his cap, and placing it directly on a fan in the front row, went viral.

People who were there at the time, and those catching up later, felt like they were losing their minds.

[Ah, I was also getting rained on]

[If I knew he was going to put a hat on me, I wouldn’t have worn a raincoat. Ha, I struggled to tear it open, what a waste]

[I’m so jealous I’m so jealous I’m so jealous]

[By the way, did that person get home safely?]

└ I don’t know, it was a mess back then? There might have been a fight on the way home

[I’m not jealous of the watch… No, I really want it, but the hat is real!!! Ah, I also have a head to wear a hat on!!!]

People analyzed Halo’s lip movements frame by frame. A whisper that the microphone hadn’t picked up at the time.

‘Why are you standing in the cold like that.’

It was infuriating that he put a hat on them, but he also made eye contact and spoke to them.

As always, a rare act of kindness creates intense feelings of deprivation for those who don’t receive it.

They can’t hate Halo. Therefore, the target can only be that kindness.

This was all Halo’s fault.

He stirred up envy again with the raincoat or hat, but there were also many positive discussions about Halo’s setlist, fancams, and photos. The scene of singing with the audience in the rain, a scene straight out of a movie, was brought to life.

[Dancing in the Rain in the Rain]

[I Am Halo, my favorite song, he sang that in Korea]

[I also like that he sang Nohaeil’s song during the encore… Ha]

[He looks really happy. So I’m happy too. I’m also looking forward to the London concert, but-.]

On the other hand, alongside the romance, there was also considerable worry.

Even though he’s over 180cm tall (5’11”), he’s just turned 17. And his slender physique, often compared to K-pop idols, and the clothes clinging to his body…

The boy in the photo looked like he’d been rained on for too long.

He was wearing a raincoat, and he didn’t slip, but it was November. Even if the temperature wasn’t that low at the time, early winter was still early winter.

[It looks like he got rained on too much]

[I admit it’s a pretty picture if you only look at the picture. But this isn’t a movie, it’s reality, how much rain did he get? It’s November now]

[It’s perfect for hypothermia. The audience had hot packs, but it doesn’t look like Taeyang has hot packs]

[Look at his face and hands turning pale]

[People who are admiring the well-taken photos, aren’t they forgetting that Taeyang is still young?]

Perhaps it’s because of the typically youthful appearance of East Asians.

People perceived him as younger and weaker than his actual age or physique, leading to many expressions of concern.

[My friend likes getting rained on like that and got pneumonia]

[Singing while shivering in the rain is perfect for getting vocal cord nodules]

Like the internet search bar that suggests cancer when you search for painful symptoms, many people brought up serious illnesses.

“Haeil.”

“Manager. First, say ah.”

Haeil, who had ventured into the rain and improvised, was thoroughly scolded by the members after the performance. Even Nam Gyuhwan, who rarely said anything to him, called a doctor immediately with a desperate look.

After hearing that he had been rained on for several hours, August Veil also contacted him frequently, and August Veil’s secretary and current manager – though he didn’t show it – was definitely reprimanded by Veil.

The staff was also in an uproar.

They wiped off the rain in between songs, and he changed his clothes before the encore, but he had to wrap himself in a thick blanket and sit in front of the heater until the doctor arrived after the stage.

Thanks to these people, he didn’t get pneumonia or vocal cord nodules, but…

“…”

It seemed like he caught a cold.

Instead of a sore throat, he had a fever, and Haeil was confined to his parents’ home.

The fever, which had risen above 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit), was now a mild 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5 Fahrenheit).

Fortunately, there was some time before the London concert.

His mother and father couldn’t bring themselves to be angry at their sick son, but they were clearly suppressing their frustration, and Shin Juhyuk also sent a text message filled with anger [Are you crazy? Are you only going to do one concert and never do it again? Or are you trying to retire?].

He received additional get-well gifts alongside his birthday presents.

“Are you going to go out again next time, or not?”

Also, he was asked the same question by quite a few people.

Ad-libs are good, but his acquaintances were worried about him, telling him not to do those kinds of ad-libs.

But unfortunately, he couldn’t promise that.

He didn’t like catching a cold, but he didn’t regret his ad-libs on the concert day, and even felt a sense of pride in his actions.

If he hadn’t gone out to the extended stage, he wouldn’t have known there were such gifts.

He will always do his best on stage, as always.

He was going to sing like the world was going to end tomorrow.

“I won’t catch a cold next time.”

Inevitably, people sighed at this, or shook their heads as if they couldn’t help it.

“Then I’ll go outside next time too.”

“Huh?”

“Joint responsibility. Good idea?”

Then, Nam Gyuhwan suggested a Solomon-like solution.

Questions followed about how the percussion could go out, but Han Jinyoung and Moon Seoyeon, who had lost their rational judgment, said they would go out too.

“Should we book the next concert venue as a hospital?”

Inevitably, Veil, who seemed to have aged a few years, sighed with a look that saw them as birds of a feather [meaning they were all alike in their recklessness].

#

And so, three days passed while he recuperated.

While his temperature fluctuated between a mild fever and normal, as he was nearing the end of his cold, they decided to depart. Considering the rehearsals, departure was essential unless the concert was delayed. Delaying the concert was never an option, so they decided to leave the next day.

“Manager, we’re leaving tomorrow, so you should rest well until today.”

“Oh my, kids, why don’t you sleep over today?”

“No, Mother. It’s okay. We’ll come tomorrow. Get some rest.”

The members watched Haeil with suspicious eyes but left him in the care of his parents and returned. Until then, Haeil smiled harmlessly and greeted the members.

“See you tomorrow.”

Waving his hand casually.

After the members left, Haeil faced his mother’s sulky face.

“Don’t you have anything to say?”

His mother, who hadn’t said anything while he was sick, finally spoke. Haeil hesitated and opened his mouth, knowing that his mother had been cooking porridge and taking care of him until today.

“I’m sorry.”

“Do you know how worried Mom and Dad were?”

Eventually, his mother, hearing the apology, stroked his head as if he had done well.

“Is there a gift you want?”

His mother asked now, having been too busy preparing for the concert.
Haeil was about to answer that he didn’t need anything in particular, but he smiled when something suddenly came to mind.

“There is?”

A wonderful mother noticed it right away.

“It’s not difficult, is it?”

“I guess you don’t like it?”

“It depends on how you think about it.”

Haeil shrugged.

His mother gave him a sharp look but eventually gave him what her son wanted as a gift.

As a result.

The sound of music and the laughter of noisy people.

“Come to the business school pub!”

“You two over there!”

Haeil stepped onto the grass, passing by people who already seemed drunk. There were many tents on the grass.

Haeil glanced at the booth selling cocktails,

“Can I see your ID?”

He gave up after seeing how strictly they were checking identification.

Tsk. He licked his lips and pulled his hat down low.

A 180cm (5’11”) student carrying an ordinary guitar case wasn’t very noticeable, as there was a music college nearby.

The smell of food and alcohol mingled in the air.

The sound of music and people blended together.

The grass crunched softly underfoot, and the wind was starting to get chilly as it was early winter.

Haeil passed by the booths, looking at the university festival with wonder.

When he came last year, he only performed and didn’t get to experience the festival like this. So this kind of university festival was a first for him, whether as Nohaeil or Halo.

The vitality and joy of young people washed over him.

He had thought that there was nothing to learn at school and that it was a waste of time, so he had dropped out, but he briefly considered that he would like to go to a university like this.

It might be a little strange to go because he wants to play, not because he wants to learn.

Like the freshness he first felt in Hongdae [a district in Seoul known for its indie music scene and youthful vibe], that kind of youth was here too.

Haeil recalled the process of coming to the Korea University festival.

Of course, he came to the Korea University festival by taxi, but that’s not what he meant.

The promise to come back again from last year.

However, a formal performance was impossible due to overlapping tours and schedules.

When he told them about this, the person in charge of the Korea University festival accepted it with regret.

But what bothered Halo the most was…

Even now, when he closes his eyes, the Korea University festival performance comes to mind.

Just like the doll they gave him is still somewhere in his house, the lingering feeling of the performance still remains in his memory.

Haeil hesitated and said that he might be able to go if he had time, or he might not be able to go. The Korea University side said that anything would be fine as long as he came.

Thus, he is here.

Not an official lineup, but unofficially.

Haeil ate ice cream in the dark and slowly went to the performance hall. If he didn’t know the way, he could ask.

“Oh, your voice sounds familiar? Don’t you usually hear that your voice is similar to Nohaeil, or Halo?”

“No, it’s the first time I’ve heard that. Is my voice okay?”

“Yes, yes! Your voice is really good. By any chance, what’s your major…? Ah, Beodeulgol [likely a location within the university] is straight ahead this way.”

Haeil, after a casual conversation, went in the direction he was guided and was greeted by an outdoor performance hall that had already concluded its scheduled events.

The singers who had energized the Korea University festival on the last day had left a long time ago.

To prevent falls, only small highlight lights illuminated the stage and the area around the front stairs.

It’s a performance hall where everything is over.

As today is the last day of the festival, there’s no need to keep the seats, and there will be nothing here tomorrow.

But.

Haeil found people still sitting in the audience seats of the performance hall.

Quite a few people were sitting there.

Leaning on the highlight lights of the stage, they were chatting or looking at the sky while drinking beer.

They might just be spending time.

That is, if his name hadn’t been mentioned.

“Halo, it’s okay if you don’t come, I just hope you don’t catch a cold.”

“It’s a shame. He got rained on too much. I hope he comes next year. It’s going to be harder and harder to see him.”

“Let’s go back when it’s twelve o’clock.”

Haeil went down the side stairs.

The people sitting there glanced at him and started talking again.

The people sitting below were talking about everyday things like not wanting to go to class.

Next to their butts were Nohaeil’s fandom cheering sticks.

He took another step down, and it seemed like they were playing a drinking game.

It was a subtle drinking game without alcohol, but someone lost and was getting hit on the back. The clothes he was wearing were Custom Stella’s tracksuit.

Whether they were waiting, or whether they were just spending time.

People who carried his traces were still there.

They saw someone go up on stage, but they didn’t think it was Nohaeil, who they were waiting for.

Not long after the concert ended,

Even if Nohaeil came, they thought he would just show his face at the festival and leave.

Waiting is just…

Commemorating last year’s memories.

It was really fun back then. I hope he performs next year.

Harboring small expectations.

At that time.

A voice came from inside the stage. In the darkness.

It was a voice they knew well, and the voice they were waiting for the most.

“Am I too late?”