The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 591

# 59 Have You Ever Tried Rock?

‘Han La-yeon’s Music Classroom’ is one of KDS’s flagship Cool FM programs, known for launching the careers of numerous star DJs, from singers to models and actors.

Since the start of 2030, actress Han La-yeon has charmed listeners with her warm, positive conversations, excellent music selections, and engaging chemistry with her guests.

In fact, Han La-yeon couldn’t contain her excitement upon learning who her guest would be this week. And finally, the day arrived.

She gazed warmly at the man sitting calmly and the boy looking around with curiosity, and began her introduction.

“I’ve been really enjoying a certain drama lately. I wasn’t the most diligent student back in the day, but watching it brought back so many memories. It felt like revisiting my happy and painful youth. How about all of you?”

The viewers’ responses flooded the monitor.

The moment she mentioned the drama, they seemed to know exactly who had come.

– Shin Ju-hyuk!!!!

– I heard he released an album!

Surprisingly, some viewers didn’t recognize the other guest.

Well, he doesn’t appear on TV often, so they might not have expected him.

Still, there were plenty of comments mentioning Hee-tae. It’s understandable, since he’s such an impactful character in the drama. Some of them must have seen ‘Lee Hwan-hee’s Sketchbook’ too.

Han La-yeon was confident everyone would enjoy this radio show.

“Also, what comes to mind when you think of ‘From Today On, We’? That’s right, the theme songs. It was a rather unique approach for a drama, wasn’t it? Creating theme songs for each character. I really wanted to participate myself. If only I could sing a little better….”

She feigned sadness before smiling brightly.

“Instead, we’ve invited the main musical forces behind the drama here. We had the actors from ‘From Today On, We’ last week, right? This week, we have the hidden protagonists of ‘From Today On, We’.”

The main OST [Original Soundtrack] of ‘From Today On, We’, Guardian, began to play. A masculine, solid, and powerful vocal filled the studio.

“Please welcome Korea’s representative rocker and owner of a solid vocal range, Shin Ju-hyuk.”

“Hello, everyone. This is Shin Ju-hyuk.”

Next, Han La-yeon turned her attention to the boy sitting beside him.

When their eyes met, the boy smiled, his eyes crinkling. He didn’t seem nervous at all.

“…And, the voice behind the theme song that made viewers weep, a singer who burst onto the scene like a comet with a sweet tone and unbelievable talent! Please welcome Noh Hae-il!”

A calm voice responded.

Han La-yeon thought his singing voice was exceptional, but his speaking voice was also captivating. It sounded youthful and clear, yet somehow relaxed.

I heard it’s his first time doing radio.

He doesn’t seem like someone doing it for the first time.

“I heard it’s your first time on the radio.”

“…Yes, it is.”

“Thank you so much for appearing. I’ve been listening to Hee-tae’s song non-stop these days. I’m a real fan.”

Han La-yeon said, clasping both of his hands.

The boy smiled faintly and nodded.

“Now, we can’t avoid talking about the OST, can we?”

Along with the greetings, the OSTs of ‘From Today On, We’ played in sequence. Han La-yeon intentionally highlighted the subtle dynamic between the rookie and the established artist, kicking off the first part of ‘Han La-yeon’s Music Classroom’.

At first, they discussed their reasons for singing the OST, sharing introductions and anecdotes about the songs, flowing smoothly with questions from viewers.

“That’s right. The music director mentioned in an interview that Hae-il created Hee-tae’s Reprise on the spot. Can you tell us more about that? Like the arrangement process. Everyone’s curious.”

“Ah.”

Hae-il paused, thinking.

There wasn’t any special arrangement method.

Still, since she asked, Hae-il elaborated on ‘Change’ as much as possible.

“I felt like Hee-tae’s story shouldn’t end there.”

“Huh?”

Han La-yeon widened her eyes and repeated the question.

“People, everyone moves forward, right?”

“That’s right.”

“So, I thought Hee-tae should too.”

“Oh, oh. That’s true. But-.”

Han La-yeon tilted her head.

She wasn’t a singer, so she couldn’t grasp how what the boy just said translated into an arrangement method. Viewers also typed question marks (?) as if they were equally confused.

The boy’s explanation was missing the ‘how’.

“So, is that why you erased the repeat sign and introduced dissonance?”

At that moment, Shin Ju-hyuk interjected and asked.

“That’s right. Since you can’t easily erase the repeat sign-.”

“To break the mold decisively.”

“Yes.”

The two singers exchanged a look and nodded.

‘What kind of conversation is this?’

Han La-yeon, unable to understand, stopped talking, glancing back and forth between the two men.

The DJ’s silence was a broadcasting faux pas, but the air wasn’t empty.

From the moment the two men, who had been quiet until now, began their incomprehensible exchange.

“Then, the role of the semitone is-.”

“Ah, that’s-.”

I don’t know what they’re talking about.

Whether it’s because they’re singers or singer-songwriters who also compose. In any case, Han La-yeon, who was musically ignorant, looked bewildered as the technical jargon increased.

– ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ [laughing sounds]

– Her shaking eyes

– Professorㅠㅠ The progress is too fast

– Is nuna [term of endearment for an older sister or female friend] being ostracized?

Viewers watched her through ‘Visible Radio’ [radio broadcast with a video component] and teased her. She suspected the viewers were equally lost, but they didn’t say anything, simply chuckled.

When Han La-yeon turned her head and looked at the PD [Producer] and writer, those outside the recording studio gestured for her to continue, indicating it was entertaining.

There was no one on her side here.

“Um, excuse me? Everyone?”

She carefully interjected.

Meanwhile, Shin Ju-hyuk and Noh Hae-il were dissecting Hee-tae’s Reprise. Shin Ju-hyuk nodded, asked clarifying questions, and Noh Hae-il answered casually.

It’s as if only Han La-yeon’s voice was muted.

“Can’t you hear my voice?”

I don’t know if they can’t hear it or if they’re not listening.

At least, it’s clear that the boy, despite his kind first impression, is quite set in his ways. So much so that he gets along well with Shin Ju-hyuk.

“Warriors! Can you hear my voice?”

Only when she acted like a character from a cartoon she had seen did the boy react. And, ‘Ah, you were here too?’ Shin Ju-hyuk’s expression flashed by for a moment.

“Include me too! Everyone!”

Han La-yeon shouted, clenching her fist, feeling overwhelmed.

Along with that, the music for the second part started playing.

It was Hee-tae’s Reprise that they had been discussing so intensely.

Hae-il enjoyed the brief respite while drinking water. He had expected to simply promote the song on the radio, but it was turning out to be fun.

Yeah, when I think about it, Hae-il always enjoyed these kinds of gatherings.

Talking about each other’s songs, and critiquing what was lacking if they didn’t do well. There’s no definitive answer. So, they argued until the end, each insisting they were right, but it was still enjoyable.

It felt like it had been a while since he had been in a place like this.

“I heard that both of you recently released albums.”

Han La-yeon realized that the moment she had been waiting for had finally arrived. First, Shin Ju-hyuk’s ‘session 33’ played.

A rock ballad commemorating his thirty-third birthday.

It surpassed HALO’s previous album track on Watermelon [Korean music streaming service] and rose to 21st place.

“How did you release them at the same time? It’s like you made a promise.”

And Noh Hae-il’s ‘Another Day’ was heard. Han La-yeon smiled as soon as she heard the intro and hummed along for a moment. It was a melody that even she, who couldn’t sing well, wanted to sing along to.

It’s in 22nd place on the Watermelon chart.

The two songs were always together, as if they were twins.

“Actually, you two have competed once before, right?”

It was more of a sensation that a rookie broke through HALO, but before that, there was talk about the critics’ comments and music scores, suggesting that the main OST was lacking compared to the rookie’s theme.

“Now that you two have met again, can I ask for your opinions on how it will turn out this time?”

In fact, if it were another singer, they might have felt uncomfortable about the blatant comparison. But this is a broadcast. Even the comparison became broadcast content. Even if they felt bad, they had to smile and participate.

But these two didn’t actually seem to mind. They were rather smiling.

One is Shin Ju-hyuk, so it’s understandable. But the boy also doesn’t seem to care. Both of them have surprisingly similar expressions.

“Of course.”

“I will.”

And with the same expression, the two people who gave the same answer stopped talking and glared at each other.

Han La-yeon laughed because it was amusing, then rephrased her question.

“Then how about this? We can’t know the music scores on Watermelon right away, but in this place with viewers, can’t we determine the superiority even a little?”

[Okay]

The viewers and the PD both gave a thumbs up.

“How about singing it once?”

When Hae-il nodded, Han La-yeon looked at Shin Ju-hyuk as if asking for his opinion.

“It looks fun. But.”

Shin Ju-hyuk also agreed. However, he doesn’t sing right away and raises his hand.

“How about this? If we just do it, it won’t be any different from Watermelon.”

“What? Should we bet something?”

“Not that.”

Hae-il found the following words interesting. That’s because what he said was.

‘Singing each other’s songs.’

It was about competing as vocalists rather than battling as composers. If the song sung by the other person is worse than the original, then a judgment can be made.

“Oh, I know that the two of you have very different genres. Are you okay with that? I think it’s very good, but….”

It would be great to just have them sing the songs, but competing by singing each other’s songs was a novel idea. It would be a performance that wouldn’t be seen anywhere else, so it would naturally be interesting to the public. The area outside the recording studio was already in chaos. They were begging to do it.

[Just sing it]

[Why bother?]

Shin Ju-hyuk, noticing some dissenting voices, revealed his true feelings.

“Actually, I became greedy after listening to Hee-tae’s Reprise.”

“Are you saying you’re going to sing Hee-tae’s Reprise now?”

“No, not that. But, I would have sung it better if I had sung it. That kind of thing?”

“Ah ha. Good! What do you think, Hae-il?”

Hae-il raised the corners of his mouth.

“I also wanted to sing senior’s song, so it worked out well.”

“Have you ever tried rock?”

Hae-il smiled without answering Shin Ju-hyuk’s question.

Shin Ju-hyuk didn’t know how to interpret that smile, but it was too obvious to Hae-il. Although the languages are different, isn’t it ultimately the same genre?

“Well, I’ll try it first. Play ‘Another Day’ MR [Music Recorded].”

“Everyone, we are now with Shin Ju-hyuk and Noh Hae-il, who are very hot gamblers.”

As Han La-yeon’s interlude ended, the melody of ‘Another Day’ was heard.

#

The acoustic ballad instantly transformed into a rock ballad.

Shin Ju-hyuk’s specialty is a low and solid voice, but he also handles high notes well. Hae-il was honestly impressed with the decent arrangement. Oh!

He was a bit put off when Shin Ju-hyuk made a face as if he was drunk on his arrangement, but overall the arrangement was well-made. Shouting, solid vocals. It was clear how much Shin Ju-hyuk’s vocal had honed his voice.

“How is it, yo.”

Shin Ju-hyuk looked at the boy and asked, then realized he was on the radio and used honorifics. Hae-il didn’t answer and stood up.

“Now, it’s my turn, right?”

Han La-yeon belatedly looked at the boy worriedly.

Looking at ‘Hee-tae’s Reprise’ or the genre of the current new song, it was hard to imagine the boy singing rock.

She was a little worried that he was being forced to do it because of the atmosphere or the pressure from his seniors(?).

However. Just one verse.

When the boy scratched his clear voice and pierced through the MR.

“!”

Han La-yeon and Shin Ju-hyuk,

Viewers who turned on the radio and were doing other things,

The PD, writer, and staff outside the recording studio all gaped.

I thought it was a voice that wouldn’t suit rock.

I thought it was a tone that would suit hymns or ballads.

The scratch made with that voice stimulated the peripheral nerves.

It’s like a faithful young man during the day riding a motorcycle and speeding on the road at night. The sense of betrayal that comes from there. A thrill came. I want to hear more, I’m going crazy. A feeling that my breath is tight. My fingers and toes are wriggling. Hurry, quickly-.

“I’ll stop here.”

“Ah, ah… why….”

“I’m managing my voice.”

The habit of playing with Lee Hwan-hee on ‘Lee Hwan-hee’s Sketchbook’ didn’t disappear. Unlike Shin Ju-hyuk, who sang all of the first verse, the boy ended decisively without singing a few verses.

He said he was managing his voice and drank water, so I couldn’t say anything, but the viewers and Han La-yeon let out regretful noises.

I understood why Lee Hwan-hee begged so much.

She didn’t know about the viewers, but she got goosebumps right next to her.

‘Come to think of it, Shin Ju-hyuk is-.’

Shin Ju-hyuk is the original owner of this song.

She got goosebumps, so how would Shin Ju-hyuk, who is musically talented, feel?

Han La-yeon glanced at Shin Ju-hyuk.

Shin Ju-hyuk was staring at the boy without saying anything.

“Have you ever tried rock? No.”

Before hearing the answer, Shin Ju-hyuk asked again.

“Why don’t you do rock?”

Broadcasting or whatever, when he asked in a suddenly lowered voice, Han La-yeon thought he was angry.

“I want to do various genres right now.”

“‘Right now.’ So you can do rock in the future.”

Shin Ju-hyuk nodded.

Han La-yeon, who roughly assessed the situation, clapped her hands.

“I enjoyed it so much. Both of you sang so well that the atmosphere seems to be a bit overheated. And it’s become difficult to determine superiority. Wow…. Is this what the world of real musicians is like? What do you all think?”

It was a skillful wrap-up.

The viewers didn’t seem to have any intention of determining superiority anymore, and just wrote strings of letters that weren’t even sentences because they were so excited.

The production team quickly played refreshing and lively music for refreshment.

However, perhaps because they heard such excellent performances, the excitement was not easily suppressed.

Rather.

[Hahaknlreongeoryeongmnwieou] (gibberish expressing excitement)

[Please release the song…] (pleading for a release)

[Wow sbal what is it] (vulgar exclamation of surprise)

[Who is making my heart so tight with this voice…] (expressing emotional impact)

[Shin Ju-hyuk’s Another Day is good too, but…] (comparing the two performances)

[Crazy crazy please ah really is it over?] (expressing disbelief and disappointment)

[What’s this person’s name?] (asking for the boy’s identity)

The chat was going wild.

It was chaotic, but Han La-yeon laughed heartily because it meant the radio show was a success, and Hae-il simply found the real-time chat amazing.

And, Shin Ju-hyuk crossed his arms and agreed with one viewer’s opinion.

‘It’s definitely a similar feeling. Is that possible?’

He glanced at the boy.

As the refreshing girl group song ended, Han La-yeon said that since things had escalated, let’s continue the heated atmosphere.

“I’ve been thinking about it, and I think Noh Hae-il’s version was better. Shin Ju-hyuk, how about just giving this album to Hae-il altogether?”

“Han La-yeon, I sense a bit of your personal feelings today?”

“Hoh ho ho, personal feelings? What scary words. What do you think, Hae-il?”

To Han La-yeon’s question, Hae-il said as if it were natural.

“I also think I’m doing better-.”

“Wait a minute. Come here.”

“Oh oh, Shin Ju-hyuk! You shouldn’t bully your cute junior!”

Laughter bloomed on the faces of those watching the DJ and the two special guests.

Viewers who initially felt repulsed by the attitude that was not like a rookie recognized an unknown charm, and fans who discovered their singer’s rare sociable(?) side were happy and produced memes.

The friendly radio show ended like that.

Hae-il felt his energy drop as soon as the radio show ended.

Yeah, he did an unexpected live performance, and the radio show continued without a dull moment, so it was natural for his weak body to be exhausted.

Still, Hae-il thought it was fun.

“Can I really call you Hae-il? It’s so good. Contact me anytime, nuna will buy you delicious food. Ah, and the song you sang earlier was really good. Sincerely better than Ju-hyuk.”

Han La-yeon gave him her phone number and praised the live performance she had heard earlier for a long time.

From some point on, she felt a great liking for the boy in front of her.

As a human being to a human being.

It may be because he hasn’t been exposed to enough of the entertainment industry yet, but she liked the child who had no darkness and was not duplicitous. And what should I say.

The unique calm and relaxed attitude was not unpleasant or obnoxious, but it felt so natural that it was amazing. He was only younger, but I also thought he was actually the same age.

In fact, even if that’s not the case, he’s a friend who has nothing to lose by becoming close. If you’re not covering your eyes, everyone will know. That he’s a very special friend.

Even Shin Ju-hyuk, who is subtly picky about people, is already talking comfortably and playing well.

“You can speak comfortably too, kid.”

“Okay, Ju-hyuk.”

“! Ha, this cheeky kid….”

Shin Ju-hyuk widened his eyes as if embarrassed, then soon laughed and stroked the boy’s head.

“He’s a fun guy.”

Hae-il also smiled.

Shin Ju-hyuk gave the boy his number without hesitation, and even though he had made so much noise on the radio, he still seemed to have a lot to say.

I heard they met for the first time, but they got along so well on the radio. I understand.

“Hae-il. Do you have a lot of schedules in March?”

“A little?”

“There’s no way you’re busier than me as a rookie.”

“?”

Shin Ju-hyuk, who had no intention of listening to Hae-il’s answer, showed him the schedule table on his phone and said.

“Keep this time open.”

“Why?”

“It’s a place where people with nothing to do gather, so I’m telling you to come too.”

Shin Ju-hyuk said to Hae-il, who was tilting his head, retracing his words.

“It’ll be fun.”

Han La-yeon listened to their conversation and was startled.

March, gathering, people with nothing to do.

I realized what kind of gathering Shin Ju-hyuk was talking about.

I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard about it often, and it’s a gathering I’ve always wanted to go to.

“Is it a party?”

“Something similar?”

There is no special name for the gathering, but people who know the members of the gathering would say this.

It’s a gathering of real people.