The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 641

< 64. Not a Bullfrog >

“Is there any singer you’d most like to collaborate with?”

That was the first thing he heard after being called into the interview room as soon as he arrived at the studio.

Halo tilted his head, unsure who else would be on the program besides him and Hwang Ryong-pil.

Regardless, the VJ pointed the camera at him, and the writer smiled, encouraging him to say whatever he wanted.

Halo, who had been about to say the name of the person he had already decided on, suddenly grinned. He realized there was no need to single anyone out.

“I want to work with someone who recognizes me.”

And if I say it like this, they’ll understand.

Since the introductory performance involved wearing a Hahoe mask [traditional Korean mask] to hide one’s identity, it sounded like a plausible answer.

Of course, the writer had hoped that a rookie with little broadcasting experience would accurately name someone to create a buzz.

But what came out was a completely unprovocative answer.
The writer, not realizing it was directed at anyone, regretted that it wouldn’t generate any buzz.

Thus,

Jang PD’s [Production Director] carefully crafted <2030 Sing Festival - Rendezvous> began filming.

#

「2030 Sing Festival – Rendezvous

Our music is not dead.

The best singers in Korea, all together!

The collaboration of my singer that everyone has wished for at least once.

A fantastic duo that you couldn’t see anywhere else!

12 artists form pairs to create duet songs.」

According to this concept, the first step of the program was to form pairs, and the participants couldn’t know the other participants until they showed their performances.

However, it was impossible not to know.

Starting with Hwang Ryong-pil, who was known from the beginning, it was revealed bit by bit.

Some participants didn’t mean to reveal it, while others made it obvious.

For example, some rappers openly followed certain participants’ accounts or tagged them in posts out of the blue, and some idols left meaningful messages like, ‘Nervous…! Gotta work hard,’ without mentioning other participants.

Also, there was time to greet each other while waiting to film.

“So, you were here.”

Halo turned his head at the familiar voice.

Although he was wearing a scholar’s mask, he could already tell who it was from his voice and physique.

“There are a lot of familiar faces.”

A very thin man was seen bowing and greeting from afar. Seeing him, Shin Ju-hyuk said,

“Coldbrew Wonder.”

Then he pointed to another person.

“Liv.”

“Seong-rim hyung [older brother/male friend].”

Halo’s expression became strange.

Except for a few, they were all familiar names.

He had met them at that gathering not long ago, so there was no way he wouldn’t know.

“I need to stay sharp. I could get buried here. Did you hear the broadcast format properly?”

“Somewhat.”

At Halo’s answer, Shin Ju-hyuk continued.

“Jang PD used his head well. He said it’s not a survival show, but he put the survival elements in like this.”

It wasn’t a survival show.

Because no artists were eliminated here.

However, everyone watches the performances and chooses their pairs.

Pairing up when both want each other sounds appealing, but it’s idealistic.

There could be an asymmetrical structure where many people want one person, and conversely, some artists are not chosen by anyone.

Well, since the number of artists is even, pairs will be formed, but if this is shown on the broadcast as is, the artists will feel like they’ve been eliminated from a survival show.

But even this was idealistic.

The format of the show is to decide on pairs based on the musicality and style revealed on stage, but the reality is that everyone already knows each other.

People who know each other might have secretly agreed behind the scenes, or even if they didn’t, they would have already picked their pairs in their minds.

The most disadvantaged in this situation are the artists who are lower in the lineup. No matter how hard they prepare, their introductory performance could become meaningless.

And Shin Ju-hyuk thought that No Hae-il seemed to be the most disadvantaged among them.

‘It’ll be okay since he’s supposed to collaborate with Teacher [Hwang Ryong-pil].’

Nothing is certain in this world.

Hwang Ryong-pil might see a better performance and choose to collaborate with that artist.

Who would refuse to pair up with Hwang Ryong-pil among them?

“Do well on stage.”

Shin Ju-hyuk didn’t bother mentioning these concerns. He just ruffled the boy’s hair as always, encouraging him.

He’s definitely talented, so he’ll do well.

“If you do well, I might apply to be your pair.”

“Hmm.”

“Hmm? You brat. Don’t regret it.”

Regret what? Halo raised the corners of his lips.

He’s talking like he’s going to do me a favor, but I don’t need it.

The person he collaborates with will be the one he chooses.

With that, the interviews and rehearsals of the twelve people ended, and the main filming began.

#

Jang PD, as a specialist in survival programs, had a cruel sense of planning. This was evident in the order of the first performances for the introductions.

He didn’t choose a stage format that put rookies in the front and highlights in the back.

What he followed was the law of capitalism and power.

The haves don’t wait.

Just as first-class passengers board first and economy customers board last,

Jang PD gave the first performance to Hwang Ryong-pil.

Everyone already knows who he is, but Hwang Ryong-pil comes on stage wearing a nobleman’s mask.

The music of a certain female singer who reigned before Hwang Ryong-pil’s era flowed out.

Although there wasn’t much arrangement, Hwang Ryong-pil’s head voice and falsetto made it seem as if the song was his.

The three MCs [Master of Ceremonies], who were brought in to prevent the first broadcast from being boring, immediately shouted ‘Teacher’ and deduced his identity in one go, guiding him to the best seat.

A seat where the upcoming performances would be most visible.

The MCs’ deduction show.

And the artists who fill the seats one by one talk about the ‘stage’ and reveal their desire for a pair.

Yes, the introductory performances were thoroughly considerate of the earlier performers. Allowing them to finish their performance first and comfortably evaluate the other artists’ performances.

The stage would be exposed to the broadcast camera more often than the waiting room.

Perhaps that’s why.

The later the performances, the more unique and flashy they became. It seemed like a struggle to make an impact.

However, among them, there were also artists who left disappointing performances because they went too far beyond their usual style.

The imagination that humans can have is limited within the bounds of not overlapping concepts, and it was bound to be burdensome in front of the great seniors who dominated Korea.

Still, since it wasn’t a broadcast to eliminate someone, there were no provocative comments that belittled or regretted the performances. If there were any, it was just jokes where close friends teased each other.

They mostly praised certain aspects of the performances, so viewers didn’t feel uncomfortable.

“Fighting!”

“…Fighting.”

Halo returned the gesture when the man in front of him raised his fist.

The man, who seemed a bit nervous, nodded resolutely and started to go on stage. The VJ followed him. Shin Ju-hyuk said that the skinny man was Wonder from Coldbrew.

Halo watched Wonder’s performance on the television in the waiting room. He was an artist with flashy performances rather than vocals. Perhaps that’s why it was clearly different from the previous performances. Unique and fun.

“Aren’t you nervous?”

The VJ, looking at Halo wearing the Imae mask [another type of Korean mask], opened his mouth.

Unlike the other artists who had broadcast-friendly reactions, the boy just stared at the television. Unlike other masks, the mouth part was open, but there was nothing to film compared to other people.

I understand since he’s a rookie. At this rate, the already small amount of waiting room scenes might be edited out.

The VJ continued, looking at the boy.

“You’re going to decorate the last stage, can I hear a word of determination?”

A word of determination.

Just then, Wonder’s performance ended, and other people cheered. Soon, the MCs’ interviews followed.

‘The last person must be nervous.’

‘Yeah. In fact, all the performances that could come out have already come out.’

‘But when do we choose pairs?’

There wasn’t exactly a reaction that anticipated his performance.

Halo smirked at the screen.

“Everyone will have fun.”

Only the corners of his mouth are visible.

Strangely, the VJ thought that something was about to happen.

#

“Is it the last stage now?”

Only one seat was empty.

That meant that the last stage was waiting.

At the sound of ‘last stage,’ the people who had become tired due to the long filming time became distracted. They stretched, drank water, and couldn’t keep their eyes on one place.

When the camera was pointed at them, they reacted more actively than anyone else, but when the camera turned away, they closed their eyes tightly or chatted with the person next to them.

The reason why they became less interested in the stage as it went on was that everyone had already chosen their pairs in their heads.

“Wait a moment! Can I ask a question in the middle?”

“Haven’t you already asked a question in the middle two or three times?”

“Maybe their choices have changed.”

Of course, there were people whose minds had changed after seeing the performances.

That was because the person performed exceptionally well, but rather because of a calculated judgment that a collaboration or image would be a good fit.

“I have to decide after seeing the last stage.”

At Hwang Ryong-pil’s answer, everyone’s eyes turned to him.

Most of the artists thought he was just saying it out of courtesy.

That’s because a singer of Hwang Ryong-pil’s caliber would have already picked someone.

“How about the scholar’s mask who hasn’t said anything since earlier?”

The MC, who had stubbornly heard the same answer from each person, finally pointed to Shin Ju-hyuk. The scholar’s mask shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m still waiting too. There’s a stage I’m waiting for.”

“?”

If there are any stages left, there’s only one left.

Is he bluffing that he didn’t like any of the performances, or is he really waiting for the last stage? The person sitting behind him tilted his head.

The MCs realized that Shin Ju-hyuk already knew the protagonist of the last stage, but they turned the conversation around due to the broadcast setting.

“It seems like you saw something in the waiting room!”

While they were talking, the last stage was prepared.

The MCs also didn’t know what kind of stage there would be because they hadn’t heard anything. But what they didn’t expect was.

Crazy high notes

Tight vocals

Chilling rapping

God-like emotional expression and performance, etc. All the performances that could come out had already come out. There would be no more impact than this.

Surely, that would be the case…

But the moment the accompaniment flowed out.

“Uh…”

One of the MCs unconsciously exclaimed, and the other two MCs openly tilted their heads.

“No, you’re going to sing this?”

One of the artists said without realizing it.

Someone muttered, ‘Are you crazy?’ but fortunately, it was hidden behind the mask.

The shocking and terrifying MR [music recorded/backing track] was familiar to them.

Why wouldn’t they know?

Everyone here was a musician. People whose lives were music.

And even the MCs, who weren’t artists, knew this accompaniment, even if they didn’t know anything else.

It had topped the global digital streaming platforms as soon as it was released on February 28th and continued its run for several weeks, so there was no way they wouldn’t know.

Shin Ju-hyuk was also taken aback, not expecting No Hae-il to choose this. He knew that No Hae-il was talented, but if he messed this up…

No, not ‘if he messed up,’ he couldn’t just do well.

A scene of shock and terror. The only person smiling was Jang PD. If he wanted to make an impact, he succeeded.

Whether he sings it badly or sings it well, he will leave a big impression on the first broadcast.

‘But he went a bit overboard.’

Realistically, that’s what he thought.

He made a big mistake trying to make an impact. Anyone would have no choice but to think that.

Perhaps the original song will be displayed in the subtitles when it airs.

Please, lead me not into temptation │ HALO (4th Album O God)

The sound of an organ is heard.

A sacred and holy melody like a hymn.

But now everyone knows.

How unconventional HALO’s music will be from now on.

The church bell rings.

A church where light comes in through stained glass, and a man is seen kneeling and praying in front of it.

“Oh Lord.”

He slowly gets up from his seat.

Wine and the Bible placed in front of him.

Just when they thought it was a pious scene.

The organ melody suddenly stopped.

The dissonant sound shattered the pious atmosphere.

The notes were sporadically off-key, creating a precarious feeling.

The man raised his head.

“Father told me to love everyone.”

The atmosphere is reversed.

Intense electronic music covers the organ melody.

It’s the moment when the man doubts God.

Now everyone knew that the man would express anger and fear. The electronic sound that tightens and shakes the emotions is HALO’s specialty as a musician.

But someone thought.

The organ melody that should have disappeared was continuing weakly.

Small, but still warm, the organ melody was following him.

The man pours out his resentment to God.

He’s about to fall into the abyss.

Then, someone put their hand on the man’s head.

The man raised his head.

He couldn’t tell who it was because he was blinded by the light coming in from the ceiling, but it was warm.

“Tell me your story.”

A person, whether female or male, whispered to him. The man thought it was a priest.

“Father.”

The man grabbed his sleeve and asked.

And he reveals his doubts.

The priest often agreed, sympathized, and whispered to him with a benevolent smile.

The low voice of the man who doubted God and the high voice of the priest harmonize.

The traces of the original song, the fear, remained intact and bound his whole body, but now no one was afraid. Because the priest—or someone—next to the man would protect him.

People stared blankly.

An artist who sings as a man full of fear and anger confessing, and as a priest who benevolently listens to his story, on stage.

No one in this place didn’t know how difficult and demanding it was. But no one analyzed the stage wanting to learn.

They were just dazzled.

People were under the stage, not in the cathedral, but they were receiving the brilliant light pouring from the large window.

Someone raised their hand to wipe away tears, but their hand got caught on the Hahoe mask and they put their hand down.

The camera captured that scene in detail.

The accompaniment gradually fades.

Some thought it was a pity, and some thought that even this ending was beautiful.

And Halo closed his eyes in the center of the darkening stage.

‘I don’t think this is comforting.’

He wasn’t sad or depressed, so it was difficult to comfort him. Instead, he just wrote down the words he wanted to hear at the time.

It’s a bit funny that he, not someone else, is saying it.

‘But it’s okay.’

The warm organ melody.

The sunlight coming through the stained glass embraced him.

#

“Uh…”

The stage lights went out.

What followed was silence.

After a long time, someone breathed out.

It wasn’t just anyone, but the fact that he was covering HALO’s song was shocking. Now, a different kind of shock hit him.

There are so many things I want to say, but I don’t know what to say. Even the skilled MC is wondering what to say.

He put his hand on his warm chest for no reason, thinking of words.

From the completely natural Korean lyrics?

Or that crazy cover?

The vocals that skillfully went back and forth between high and low notes?

Tight vocals?

Where should I start?

In fact, the artists were most curious about something else.

‘Who is it?’

‘Just who is it that’s doing something so ridiculous…’

A battle of wits ensues.

They looked at each other, reconsidering their pairs.

The big picture that had been firmly in their heads just now collapsed. They hoped that the other person would be consistent.

It was then.

Shin Ju-hyuk heard a small laugh next to him.

“This… I made a mistake.”

Hwang Ryong-pil, wearing a nobleman’s mask, stared intently at the boy on the stage and said as if he was amused.

“Not a bullfrog, but a tree frog. No. Is it a Baekdu Mountain tiger?”