The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 1981

< Road to Glory - Episode 198 (End) >

The player clicks, and the music begins.

Soon, piano music fills the air.

A melody like gentle ripples on a still lake.

The sound grows louder, drawing everyone in the bookstore to listen intently.

A sorrowful, fragile piano accompaniment begins. Delicate, as if about to break at any moment, with long pauses.

Yet, the sound persists, joined by subtle ambient noises.

Children’s voices, conversations, and laughter subtly blend in like white noise.

Finally, a boy’s monologue rings out.

A small, slow voice, unlike his usual self.

“May this world that I love be a warm world for you.”

But there was a deep resonance.

“So I hope you can love this world.”

It was the monologue version of “Love this World,” the title track from HALO’s first full-length album, or his fourteenth album, “Shape of Love.”

As the monologue ends, the piano melody that had been playing in the background swells, and a regular rhythm is added.

It is the boy’s voice that completes the already beautiful melody.

The voice of a boy singing about love for the first time echoes throughout the world.

A ripple spreads through the once still lake-like heart.

And with it, a quiet stirring in the stomach.

In this moment, people stop what they are doing and listen to the boy’s song.

Critics remarked that the 14th album, “Shape of Love,” was not HALO’s usual music.

That it wasn’t the music they had expected.

Some even said that HALO had revealed his true colors and changed.

And indeed, that was the case.

Until HALO’s 13th album, there was a connected story.

From the 1st to the 13th album, HALO’s music contained the passage of time, the life of a person.

People talked about his joy and despair, enjoying losing themselves and immersing themselves in his emotions.

His music was him, and he was the sun, sucking in all the planets.

Some say that the atmosphere of the songs changed from the 13th album onwards, but even though the number of instruments decreased, there was definitely something in common. Like a star at its peak trying to end everything. Like the end of a star’s time, causing a supernova [a star that suddenly increases greatly in brightness because of a catastrophic explosion that ejects most of its mass]. Quite a few people believed in the HALO retirement rumors.

One year has passed since then.

He went on a world tour and collaborated with others, but some thought HALO was going through a slump.

Releasing an album every month is something that is unbelievable to others, but HALO has shown that it is possible. For such a person to rest for a year, it could only be seen as a slump.

When he made a bet with Jason Dyke, some considered it a rebuttal to the slump theory and noise marketing.

In any case, many people were paying attention to HALO’s next album.

Whether they were HALO fans, people who wanted to assert their claims, or just people who liked to talk about others, it was practically true that the world was paying attention.

Finally, March 21st arrived.

The day HALO had foretold.

The one who opened the curtain on that day was Jason Dyke.

00:00 California time.

Right as it turned March 21st, Jason Dyke released an album after a long time, and the quality was excellent, as if he had prepared for quite a while.

Especially two songs.

As soon as it was released, the title track, whose only flaw was that it was too short, pierced the tastes of the easy-listening crowd with its singing rap, addictive beat, and lyrics that seemed to be speaking to the ex-lover who had shaken him.

On the other hand, another hip-hop song didn’t specifically name anyone, but anyone who knew Jason Dyke’s story could guess who it was about.

People were enthusiastic about the diss track [a song primarily intended to disrespect or insult another person or group] that said he would be eaten up after being so confident.

Of course, some of HALO’s fans thought he was shameless for impersonating him, but hadn’t the person himself cleared up the impersonation issue?

It became a song with a lot of talk and a lot of popularity.

Meanwhile, there was no news of HALO’s album until that evening.

Since it was already the 22nd in Korean time, critics began to say that HALO had admitted defeat.

That Jason Dyke’s song was of higher quality than expected, and that he was taking time to counterattack after seeing his sniper song.

A heated debate ensued between fans and haters.

Harsh words were exchanged, enough to cause an accident if they actually met.

Then. HALO’s album appeared on the music charts.

Along with the announcement of pre-orders for physical albums (CDs).

HALO’s fans played the hot new song they had been eagerly waiting for, and so did others.

If you want to say something, you have to listen to it first, you have to know it.

Thus, HALO’s first full-length album.

The 10 tracks were heard day and night in someone’s home, at work, on the street.

The least HALO-like music.

However,

[ (Title) Love this world ⎪ HALO 1st Album ]

The story of a man who never compromised with the world coming to love the world,

-May this world that I love be a warm world for you.

Also, his wish was enough to make people cry.

The music containing the wish of the most beloved boy in the world swept through people’s hearts like a spring breeze.

Perhaps it was similar to the music that Noh Hae-il had made.

Because people remembered the world that was warm to them while listening to the song.

But it wasn’t exactly the same.

“Love this World” is ultimately the story of a boy, filled with ardent love for the world.

People sympathized with the boy’s story and recalled their own stories.

Someone was shedding tears before they knew it,

Someone is staring at the inscription on the CD.

Someone said it wasn’t like HALO,

Someone said it was music that only HALO could make.

The love of the most beloved person in the world arrives to them.

The result was immediate.

[ 1. Love this world – HALO ]

HALO chuckled at the message sent by his ex-lover, “Did you really have to do this?”

While Jason Dyke talks about his love and disses HALO, saying he is better, HALO sings about the world and the people he loves.

Listening to music that doesn’t even acknowledge him, Jason Dyke felt empty.

Their bet will not be on people’s minds.

Under this music of “Love this World,” everything is forgotten, and only love remains. It was a complete defeat.

On the other hand, HALO felt relieved.

It was like he had put down some baggage.

He still has the burden of Noh Hae-il, but HALO seems freer than ever.

After releasing the new album, he hasn’t heard from his acquaintances yet.

He wasn’t too worried. He thought they would come in due time.

That’s because.

Moon Seo-yeon sniffles.

Nam Gyu-hwan’s voice is still hoarse,

Han Jin-young seemed to be deep in thought.

The members who created “Love this World” with HALO had been in this state all along.

It wasn’t a song made to make people cry.

I think the members are particularly sensitive.

“It’s definitely not a sad song, but why am I crying?”

“Well, you won’t be able to rest and will be busy from now on?”

When HALO joked, Moon Seo-yeon opened her eyes wide and soon burst into laughter.

“It’s okay, CEO. Please roll me a lot [Korean slang for ‘give me a lot of work’].”

“Really···. You won’t regret it?”

“!”

“I. I’d be happy to go to hell if I could be with you.”

Moon Seo-yeon closed her mouth at the meaningful expression, but Nam Gyu-hwan’s oath of allegiance followed.

“Then, please roll me moderately, a lot.”

“Are you really okay?”

“! …Then, a little more?”

In the heated atmosphere, Han Jin-young reluctantly smiled and fanned himself with his hand.

“It’s hot, it’s hot.”

“Jin-young hyung [Korean term for ‘older brother’] is for elderly care···.”

“Gyu-hwan.”

“Yes.”

It’s a story from a day in March.

That’s how perfect spring came.

“You’ve decided on the ending?”

HALO belatedly received a call from BB.

BB, who was slowly entering pre-production, said that the actors had already started working behind the scenes.

I don’t know how they knew that the movie adaptation of HALO’s music had not been announced.

From men and women to various races, they applied for the role of HALO.

HALO didn’t care who played his role.

BB will cast him. He was only curious about one thing.

“What kind of ending is it?”

BB didn’t say that he knew the answer after listening to his new music.

Because you can see it when you see the ending of the movie.

So the answer is the same now.

“You’ll see it when you see the movie.”

“It’s my story, don’t you have any intention of telling me secretly?”

“Because I entrusted the ending to you. If you regret it-.”

HALO laughed and shook his head at the words that he would have to make a new ending if he regretted it.

“Instead, I’ll show you this. It’s a preliminary sketch of the movie poster-.”

BB revealed a top secret as if he had made a great concession.

Soon, HALO saw the poster BB sent and laughed hahahaha.

On the surface, it was an ordinary poster with an electric guitar illustration and the movie title and casting board written on it.

But that casting board···.

—

CAST

HALO – HALO

MRS. HALO – HALO

RIVAL – None

DIRECTOR – HALO

WORDS & MUSIC- HALO

PRODUCER- HALO

BASED ON TRUE STORY

—

It was all decorated with HALO.

It was so crude and scribbled that the people involved would grab the back of their necks if they saw it.

It meant that HALO liked it very much.

He laughed for a long time and the curiosity about the ending disappeared.

It wouldn’t be too late to watch it when the movie comes out later.

HALO imagined watching his movie in a rented movie theater.

The film is being projected in a dark and quiet movie theater.

HALO will hold popcorn and watch the movie.

He’ll drink Coke because he’ll be thirsty sometimes.

Before he knew it, he would be immersed in the story, shed tears, and sometimes laugh frivolously.

Then he will finally see the ending.

I don’t know what kind of ending BB has prepared, but a satisfactory ending will come out.

Soon the ending credits will go up and his music will be played.

When all the films are cut off and the music is over, he will coolly leave the theater.

Throwing away the remaining popcorn and coke.

With the black screen behind him.

That was enough.

HALO finished chatting.

I scheduled a broadcast station to promote the new album.

It’s time to start today.

#

A car crosses a dark road.

While loud music spreads and excitement is exchanged, Ben entered the glamorous city.

It’s a beautiful night.

Commemorating the new year, the night was more splendid than ever.

“Grammy surrenders to HALO.”

The person reading the article chuckled.

“Grammy is nothing special either. After rebelling last year, they surrendered in less than a year.”

It’s a funny sight, but they had no choice but to surrender.

There was no music to resist, so Grammy couldn’t help it.

What music is stronger than music with a message of love?

“Why is that person in here?”

“I heard the car broke down.”

“An American pop singer got into someone else’s car because his car broke down? That’s suspicious. I think there’s another reason.”

When the members shouted with dissatisfaction, HALO chuckled.

He couldn’t understand Korean, but Jason, who was like a ghost, replied.

“I didn’t want to ride either?”

“Shall I drop you off now?”

Jason’s expression contorted.

He imagined people flocking and calling an Uber in the meantime.

Jason, who was wondering which one would be better, chose the lesser of two evils and turned his face away.

Music from another rookie singer, not HALO’s or Jason’s, was heard in the van.

HALO hummed along to the melody.

Then, the energetic members asked even though it was dawn.

“What are we going to do after winning the Grammy?”

HALO looked at them for a moment at the strange deja vu.

A bad heart arises in curious eyes.

Shall we play a trick?

HALO put a long-forgotten word in his mouth.

“Shall we retire?”

“···?”

“!”

The car became quiet in an instant.

HALO expected them to shout.

But the reaction was different from what I expected.

“Um, retirement.”

Han Jin-young didn’t take it seriously at all.

“If I can still be by your side.”

On the other hand, Nam Gyu-hwan was unnecessarily serious.

Moon Seo-yeon tilted her head alone and smiled brightly.

“Shall we all go on a trip after retirement?”

“Oh, that’s good. Where are we going this time?”

“A resort is good, how about Croatia?”

It sounds like we should go on a trip right away.

I was silent because of the unexpected reaction, and then the last guest muttered softly.

“Then am I the real HALO now?”

This bastard.

HALO’s lips curled up.

No way. I couldn’t have my name taken away like this.

“Hey, if you’re going to retire, why don’t you go to the awards ceremony and do it? Then the Grammy will be a mess.”

Jason Dyke imagined it for a moment and giggled.

He punched the seat cushion with his fist because it was so funny.

At one time, HALO also wanted to see the Grammy judges’ faces contorted, but he didn’t want to do what that guy wanted.

The more I thought about it, the more absurd it was, and I let out a snort.

HALO, who was trying to play a prank, was hit hard and turned his gaze out the window in the noisy atmosphere.

Small lights are shining like stars.

It looks like it’s shining on its own like a real star,

In fact, its true nature is a lump that cannot shine without electricity.

Like himself, who cannot shine without Noh Hae-il’s gift.

People call him the sun, but he, who cannot shine without someone’s help, will be like that light.

But it wasn’t in vain.

Just as small lights come together to form a galaxy,

He will also become one of the lights that make up the galaxy.

And the lights around him will shine together.

So that it doesn’t look shabby even in the daytime

So that everyone can understand even if that terrible reality is revealed

He will shine with all his might now.

HALO thought that if his life was a movie, the ending credits would be rolling now.

The coolest music he made will be played as background music

The casting board will go up.

The sentence ‘This movie is based on a true story’ cannot be left out.

And at the end, this phrase will come up

To be continued.

A cookie video [a short scene that appears after the end credits of a film] foreshadowing Part 2 wasn’t bad either.

HALO finished imagining and hugged the guitar that symbolized him.

The driver turned off the music and the members listened.

Love this world.

His music, which even made the Grammy love him, rings out.

It’s not the music he used to make, but it goes well with this night.

He continued the lyrics and turned his head out the window.

There is a banner hanging in the glamorous city.

Welcome to Las Vegas

And below that, a message to him.

Love this world

Love this time

And All of us Love you