The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 1871

< 187. I've Rested a Long Time Too >

Halo finally woke up past noon.

The encore concert that had heated up the dawn ended much later than scheduled, and since it was long past everyone’s dinner time, they had a late dinner with the staff and parted ways.

The boy, after returning to his hotel, fell into a deep sleep behind blackout curtains, waking up around two or three in the afternoon.

It was about time to start getting ready again.

If last night was a wrap-up party with the concert staff, today was planned as an after-party with many associates and acquaintances.

The venue was the sky lounge restaurant where he had his birthday party the year before last.

He was told to bring anyone he wanted, whether he knew them or not.

In other words, it was a chain invitation where those invited could invite others under their responsibility.

As a result, the party grew larger than he had anticipated.

While nominally a concert after-party, it also became a meeting place.

Just as Halo was meeting his acquaintances after a long time, his acquaintances were also seeing the boy after a long time.

Acquaintances who had a lot to say about how the boy had been living and what he would do in the future responded to the invitation, as did people who didn’t know much about the boy but wanted to become friends, people who wanted something, or people who simply wanted to expand their network.

Also, since the self-proclaimed ‘meeting of people with nothing to do,’ also known as the ‘meeting of the real ones,’ hadn’t been held since Hwang Ryong-pil’s retirement announcement and the youngest’s coming out, they decided to meet up as well.

Over there were actors who were busy with dramas and commercials these days.

By the window, the CEO of a large agency who was creating a new group was visible, and on one side, a director filming a movie in the United States was chatting with actors.

As the best party host in his past life, it was a familiar sight, but since he hadn’t planned the party in advance, he didn’t expect so many people to come.

Usually, only the usual people came.

Well, it’s not like there’s only one or two parties. Even if it wasn’t Halo, there were plenty of stars who enjoyed meeting people and having glamorous fun. Almost every day, there were parties with various names, whether it was a home party, a comeback party, or a songwriting party. So, in the end, only the usual people came.

But today was different.

In fact, it was natural that many people participated in the sudden party.

There was no one who wouldn’t be curious about the top star who was making headlines in the media.

Rather, they hoped to build close relationships.

Moreover, among those curious about the boy were other stars, so they couldn’t miss the opportunity to expand their network.

“Congratulations on your first world concert.”

“You’ve worked so hard. I really wanted to go to the concert, but I failed to get tickets…”

“But is Halo planning to produce a watch separately…?”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll invite you next time.”

“Well, there might be good news soon.”

The people who entered the sky lounge first came to him, the host, and showered him with friendly words, thanking him for the invitation. Whether they were genuinely friendly or not, no fool would reveal their true feelings in a place with so many eyes watching.

Of course, sometimes, if they were known to have a bad relationship, they might reveal it. But in this life, he hadn’t seen anyone reveal their emotions to that extent yet.

Unlike his past life.

-Why? Am I not allowed to come here? I’ll leave if you’re uncomfortable.

Back then, instead of renting out restaurants like this, he mainly held home parties at ‘Cheongnyeon’s’ mansion. His house was a three-story mansion in London, and from his mansion, you could see the beautiful night view of London.

Cheongnyeon, who enjoyed meeting new people and used the entire first and second floors as a party venue with little space restriction, always allowed chain invitations. It meant that people without invitations were also welcome.

However, there was an uninvited guest for him.

To be exact, it was a bit of a nuisance.

A guy who appeared everywhere he went and picked fights.

He didn’t pay much attention to him because his actions were just ridiculous, but one day, he showed up at his party.

He came in nonchalantly, wearing a smiling mask and greeting him.

The attention towards them grew.

It was well known that the guy, whose name he couldn’t even remember, hated him, so they seemed curious about how Cheongnyeon would react.

-Of course not.

Cheongnyeon soon smiled gently.

Cheongnyeon, with shadows cast by the lights above his head, was a living sculpture in himself. His appearance, which sometimes didn’t seem human, softened with gentle curves, and the women who came with the guy stared at him as if possessed, and sighs arose around them.

-Have fun.

The guy lost his smile.

He seemed to be trying his best to smile, but his muscles were twitching.

The guy opened his mouth to say something, but then a new person entered the mansion, and Cheongnyeon’s gaze scattered. He greeted the actor from a recent hit movie in a friendly manner.

-I heard you’ve been busy lately. Is it okay for you to come like this?

-Originally, it wouldn’t be, but if you’re going to play with me, I might stay a little longer.

Cheongnyeon nonchalantly passed a glass to her after sharing a kiss.

And he gave the guy a look that said, ‘Aren’t you gone yet?’

The guy, belatedly realizing, greeted the best actor of this era.

-I enjoyed the movie. But it seems like the movie didn’t capture all of your beauty.

-Oh my. Is that so?

The actor giggled as if she was in a good mood, and the guy looked at Cheongnyeon and the actor.

-By the way, you two seem close. Perhaps-.

The actor slightly narrowed her eyes and stroked Cheongnyeon’s shoulder.

She didn’t seem to dislike this misunderstanding.

-We’re good friends. Right, honey?

-My favorite friend.

It was just a simple word, but the actor’s face turned red.

At that moment, Cheongnyeon noticed the fire burning in the guy’s eyes.

Suddenly, stories that someone had shared came to mind.

The rumors were mainly about who was interested in whom.

Was he also in there?

Whatever it was, it was true that the guy was very interested in the actor, and it seemed like he had misunderstood the relationship between Cheongnyeon and her.

However, Cheongnyeon had no intention of clearing up the misunderstanding.

He was annoyed by the guy, not in a relationship where he would clear up misunderstandings.

-You seemed to be having a hard time lately, so I’m glad.

It was a sudden remark.

-What?

Was I having a hard time? As Cheongnyeon tilted his head, the guy carefully added.

-I liked it, but I don’t know why everyone else is like that. I’m getting scared of releasing an album. Well, I was lucky that people liked me.

It was around the time he released his fourth album.

The guy, who released an album around the same time, surpassed him for the first time.

He eventually reversed it by making it a long-term hit, but anyway, the guy’s performance was higher at the time.

-If you’re worried, tell me anytime. As a fellow singer and composer, it would be good to share help, right?

-Help? What help?

Cheongnyeon asked with pure intention, but in fact, it was enough to be heard as a nuance of ‘You helping me?’

-Anything. You might get stuck while composing. We all experience slumps. I have quite a few drafts saved up? I might give you a few.

The guy, who naturally thought he would get angry or annoyed, couldn’t control his expression at the words that followed.

-Ah, no thanks. Your stuff isn’t my style.

-!

-But do you ever get stuck while composing?

He had never experienced a slump, so he was genuinely curious, but it seemed to stimulate some point of the guy. The guy swore and grabbed his collar. Their relationship was always like that.

A relationship where if the guy threw a punch, he would also throw a punch.

It was clear that he hated him, but he was a really strange guy who copied his music or band.

“Halo, so anyway.”

Halo returned to reality.

In front of him were Shin Joo-hyuk, Liv, and Lee Seong-rim. People commonly known as Hwang Ryong-pil’s division. They were his acquaintances and people who had treated him well from the first time he met them.

In the first place, they were people who had their own music, so they didn’t need to copy his music, and they were already shining on their own.

“I was wondering if you have any separate schedules after the concert.”

“Why?”

“The teacher is retiring soon, you know.”

Ah, he remembered something he had forgotten.

Hwang Ryong-pil, who had suddenly mentioned retirement last year, said that he would retire after the concert in February.

The boy, who had been invited as a guest early on, naturally agreed, and after saying goodbye, he couldn’t meet him because of the world tour.

“We were talking about it and came up with the idea.”

Halo, who thought they were planning some kind of event, soon opened his eyes wide.

“How about making a song for the teacher?”

“The people gathered here are all people who said they would do it. So, little one, except for you.”

No wonder they said they were gathered.

He thought they had just gathered because they were happy to see people they rarely saw.

“I’ll do it.”

“We haven’t done anything beyond talking, but since we’re gathered, something will come out.”

“We’ve already done it once.”

Those who participated in Rendezvous agreed with Liv’s words. On the other hand, those who didn’t participate patted each other, saying that they were only agreeing among themselves. Even though they didn’t actually work together because it was a duet song.

“We’ll see you soon, but there’s one most important thing.”

Shin Joo-hyuk zipped his mouth.

There was no way not to know who he was talking about.

Hwang Ryong-pil’s retirement was in February. National tour concert.

Until then, they would make a song without the teacher knowing.

“First of all, let’s not make anything boring like ‘Teacher’s Grace’ [a traditional Korean song expressing gratitude to teachers].”

Since everyone who was participating in the project had gathered, even if serious discussions were to be held later, opinions came out one by one.

“Exactly. I’d rather sing ‘Wrongful Encounter’ [a famous Korean song].”

“Let’s make it a diss track.”

“Who? The teacher?”

“How about twerking?”

“Wow. The teacher might cancel his retirement while grabbing the back of his neck.”

“It’s all good, but who’s going to do it?”

They were mostly silly jokes, but Halo really imagined it and burst out laughing. So it seems like brainstorming was done properly.

I don’t know if this should be called a conclusion,

They made a promise not to sing depressing songs and scheduled when to meet.

And somehow the conversation flowed strangely.

Everyone gathered in front of the piano.

It was when those who were bored or met people who agreed with them left the party.

“Let’s see who’s better at composing.”

While talking about the tribute song for Hwang Ryong-pil, it seemed like it became a battle of pride over who was better at composing. The context of people’s conversations with alcohol in them was incomprehensible.

An ad-lib battle unfolded in a corner of the sky lounge.

Not a rap battle, but a songwriting improvisation battle.

Halo, who somehow became the judge, turned on the alarm bell sound while thinking about what theme to give.

The bell rang for about 10 seconds.

The battle was to create music longer than 30 seconds using this bell sound. Any repertoire could be used, but it had to be music containing the alarm bell sound.

A person who had been contemplating for a while tried playing the piano and soon said he could do it and started playing.

As expected of a ballad singer, a sweet ballad song came out.

And another artist who was listening quietly raised the corner of his mouth.

As a rapper, he poured out rap only with the rhythm of the alarm bell sound.

And they both said they did better and asked for a judgment.

“Oh, Sun [Sunbae – Korean term for senior/elder].”

He was definitely drunk.

One person put his hands together and took a reverent posture towards Halo, who was much younger than him.

“I succeeded in ticketing for both the Seoul concert and the Nanji concert. I just want you to know.”

“No, you went to both? You told me you failed. Don’t tell me you have the Halo watch too?”

“That’s…”

The rapper, who was a ticketing winner but not a gacha winner [referring to a lottery-like system], knelt down.

The ballad singer, who failed to get tickets, said that he couldn’t go to the concert because of that guy, so he should be punished instead. He was a traitor who violated the principle of one concert per person.

He didn’t know when Korea became communist.

Halo smiled faintly and tried to hold the hand of the more loyal fan.

At that time, someone stroked Halo’s head.

“But, shouldn’t we check the qualifications of our judge first?”

“…That’s true?”

“The judge must show their qualifications!”

Shin Joo-hyuk, who overturned the table [meaning he disrupted the situation], giggled, saying it was fun.

“Wait, if it’s Halo’s composition, we need to find something more difficult.”

“That’s right. Let’s find something he can never make.”

“We have to win even at times like this.”

The situation is very interesting.

Halo, who had been listening quietly, chuckled.

“Are you sure you can win even at times like this?”

“!”

At that moment, sparks flew.

It was so annoying that he wanted to punch him.

However, the results speak for themselves.

Those who couldn’t refute it gnashed their teeth and tried to find strange sounds.

“How about this?”

At that time, someone shouted.

Another person frowned and then changed his expression.

“What is it?”

Judging from his expression, it was clear that it was unusual.

Halo, who was listening to the sounds they were playing, soon had to laugh in vain.

“No.”

He gave them a proper melody even for the alarm bell sound.

What they were playing was not such a melody, but the sound of animals.

Eeeeeeeee.

Even the sound that all humans hate.

A mosquito.

“Try making something with this.”

Everyone’s expression is sly.

They were looking at him with expectant faces.

Not expecting in a good way.

‘This is difficult for you too, right?’ It was an expression that he could never make it.

That was enough to stimulate Halo quite a bit.

A mosquito sound.

It would have been easier if there was a guitar.

The sound most similar to a mosquito sound was, after all, a stringed instrument.

However, all that was in the sky lounge was this grand piano.

Halo wiggled his fingers.

He closed his eyes and focused on the sound.

Even if it’s not a stringed instrument, there are many ways to express it.

In fact, the mosquito sound is not a cry.

The sound of a mosquito’s wings vibrating the air. In other words, it would be closer to the sound of wind.

The sound of wind.

Halo suddenly remembered that he could create music even without an instrument.

Halo put his hand on the piano and counted the beats.

Three, two, one.

He didn’t press the piano right away.

The first word was a whistle.

Whether people’s eyes widened or not, Halo, who whistled, then pressed the piano keys.

A cheerful and exciting music in 4 beats was heard.

There is only a piano now, but if drums, bass, and guitar are added here, stronger energy will be added.

The repertoire of music continues without interruption.

However, as he continued to create the song in his head, he ended the performance in exactly 30 seconds like a rule, and soon the sighs of dazed people were heard.

“Ha.”

“Did he make this in advance knowing we were going to have a competition?”

“Let’s release it as it is.”

Boring reactions continued as if the alcohol had worn off.

Halo raised the corners of his mouth and made a comment to heighten the reaction.

“Isn’t there anything more difficult?”

“!”

“Wow, this bastard-.”

As expected, the reaction should be like this.

The adults were angry, but they couldn’t say anything and grabbed the back of their necks.

He’s annoying, but the reason why they don’t have bad feelings is probably because only those who live and die for music are gathered here. They might want to forget about work in a place they came to play, but seeing them talking about music and making music again, they must be truly crazy about music.

“I can’t do this, I have to show the dignity of a senior. Halo, step aside.”

As Halo willingly vacated his seat,

He suddenly started playing a more complete song than before.

And even singing.

“What, suddenly.”

I thought he was awakened by getting angry.

Halo also admired and listened to his song.

At that time, a middle-aged man jumped in from among the people watching. He was the representative of a label with some name.

“That’s not allowed, Shin-jae!”

“I’ve already leaked it once, so what does it matter.”

“Hey, it’s not allowed!”

No wonder it was so complete.

Those who realized what was going on started laughing one by one.

I wondered what he was going to do if he leaked a song to be released because he didn’t want to lose.

Of course, it was a song that had already been leaked on V Live [a South Korean live video streaming service].

“When are you making a comeback?”

“In mid-February.”

“It’s soon.”

It was January, a third of the way through, so there was only a month and a week left.

“I’ll meet you too.”

“Huh?”

The eyes of the person who first heard Halo’s words and wondered what he was talking about gradually widened.

“Wait, could it be.”

The president next to him suddenly seemed to wake up from his drunkenness.

“Are you making a comeback, Halo?”

That one word spread like a tide.

Actors might not care about the news of someone who always affects the music charts, but singers couldn’t help but be concerned.

“When are you doing it?”

The person who was speaking informally suddenly spoke politely.

“March.”

“March?”

He didn’t say whether it was early March, mid-March, or the end of March, but people seemed to take it that he was making a comeback on March 1st.

“President, shouldn’t I just make a comeback tomorrow?”

“Should we?”

The president and the artist were joking with serious faces.

“I’ve rested quite a long time too.”

The surroundings became quiet at the boy’s added words.

A guy who just finished his world concert yesterday said he rested for a long time?

He released an album every month the year before last, and released his 13th album in March last year.

After that, he also participated in a song that ranked first on Billboard in the summer, and that’s a long rest?

Then have I retired?

People who had a lot to say but couldn’t say it were gaping.

The after-party ended in shock and horror.

Halo’s comeback announcement didn’t take a day to spread.

It wasn’t just the Korean entertainment industry.

Because there were many people who came to the after-party, Halo’s comeback date spread all over the world.

It might have been a premature declaration in a situation where the songwriting was not finished. However, Halo had no special schedule other than interviews and the teacher’s tribute song.

With the title song decided, Halo decided to start songwriting in earnest. That meant he was stuck in his room.

It was a familiar thing to everyone.

It was a tight schedule, and it wasn’t the first or second time Halo had disappeared.

However, there were also people who couldn’t accept it familiarly.

“I don’t think he’ll come this time either.”

Daon Awards.

A music awards ceremony hosted by Daon, the only nationally recognized music chart in Korea. The faces of the Daon Awards organizers, who award major awards based on music and album services, darkened.

There’s no other way.

Because last year’s biggest winner didn’t attend, it became a half-baked award. They couldn’t suffer the humiliation of the person who was expected to be the biggest winner this year not showing up either.

If HALO was a foreigner, it would be understandable, but now that it has been revealed that HALO is Korean, who else would receive the award if not him?

In a situation where viewers are also asking if Halo will not be coming this time, the Daon Awards decided to go directly to him.