The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 71

# 7 If You’re Not Confident, It Can’t Be Helped

“It’s different from yesterday.”

The first day here, with the situation as it was, I couldn’t properly take it all in. Halo was occasionally lost in wonder at the novel sights.

Nothing felt familiar. This neighborhood, on my second visit, felt different from yesterday.

Scratch what I said about New York.

If New York gives a strong impression of being grand, glamorous, and orderly, this place is overflowing with vitality and emotion rather than glamour. Youth, people, passion, music—raw yet beautiful things caught my eye.

Shops and markets lined both sides of the street.

On one side, young people were preparing for busking [street performing].

Halo couldn’t easily take his feet off the ground.

He was glad for this energy, so different from parties or award ceremonies.

“Hey, Noe-hail, what are you doing? Hurry up. Is this your first time in Hongdae [a vibrant district in Seoul known for its arts and music scene]? You said you wanted to do something, too.”

“That’s true, but…”

It didn’t seem like something I had to do right away.

Jang Jin-soo, unable to watch his turtle-like pace any longer, urged him on.

“Hurry up, before I leave you behind.”

Such an impatient bastard.

Even if he hasn’t been here often, if he’s a musician, he can’t help but be moved by this atmosphere.

Jang Jin-soo strode ahead like a soldier. *These days, kids really have no sensibility*, I thought.

Halo alternated between looking at Jang Jin-soo and the people on the street before giving up his lingering feelings. Now that he knew how to get here properly, he planned to come alone next time.

“Hi, Jin-soo’s friend? I see you again.”

“Hello.”

We found Jang Jin-soo’s ‘hyung’ [older brother or male friend] in front of the entrance to the hideout. Discovering countless cigarette butts on the ground, Halo realized where Jang Jin-soo’s smoking rumors came from.

I didn’t realize it inside the hideout, but the ‘hyung’ were serious chain smokers.

“When do you hyungs go to work?”

When Jang Jin-soo asked, looking around at them, two faces brightened, and only one darkened.

“I’m off today.”

“I’m unemployed.”

“…Damn it.”

“Looks like only Gong-hak hyung is going to work. Hehe.”

“Is that funny?”

A man with a buzz cut, who looked more like a soldier or a health trainer than a group member, retorted. Despite his intimidating size, Jang Jin-soo burst into laughter.

“It’s funny now, right? Your turn is coming soon.”

“Hyung, I’m going to be a high school student soon, you know?”

“That’s all you are?”

Another person calmly flicked off his cigarette ash.

“Hey, they were born when we were in middle school.”

“Wow. You’re really babies.”

They took turns looking at Jang Jin-soo and Noe-hail, marveling anew. Then, they extinguished their cigarettes for no reason. They felt guilty, like they were smoking in front of newborns. Their conscience was pricked.

“Okay, let’s go in. Let’s welcome our jammin’ friends. I don’t think I heard it last time, but what’s your name, Jin-soo’s friend?”

“…Noe-hail.”

*What’s a ‘jammin’*? I wondered.

Judging by the nuance, it wasn’t a pleasant word, and when I raised an eyebrow, a man with dreadlocks raised the corner of his mouth. He clearly had a look of looking at a child, and I didn’t like it.

“I’m Han Jin-young. You can call me Jin-young hyung. I’m a DJ at Hongdae First, and, um… That’s about it for my introduction. What did our Hail friend come here for?”

“…”

Instead of answering, Halo stared intently at Han Jin-young’s fingers. His fingers were long and slender, with blunt tips and calluses. It was a familiar hand to him.

“Guitarist?”

“Huh?”

“You seem to handle the bass too. What’s your main instrument?”

“Well… the bass, of course.”

Realizing that Halo was staring intently at his hands, Han Jin-young clenched his fists. It wasn’t like his hands were stained with blood, but he looked like he had done something wrong.

“Is the group just the three of you?”

“Group? You mean the band? Yeah, it’s just the three of us.”

“Then who’s the vocalist?”

“Our friend seems very interested in the band?”

It’s not strange that there are only three people in the group. Whether it’s three, four, or five, the number doesn’t matter when it comes to making music.

But I couldn’t see anyone here with the solid voice and presence of a typical vocalist.

So, when I was about to ask, Han Jin-young cut me off and quickly moved towards the storage.

*Why is he avoiding it?*

It seemed obvious to everyone that he was trying to avoid my question.

*Did he quit? No, if that were the case, he wouldn’t still have the studio. Then did they disband?*

It’s not an unusual occurrence. Rock groups disband all the time.

Especially if there are no contracts involved, a group can fall apart today even if they were having fun yesterday.

Even the closest friends can have disagreements, so wouldn’t it be the same for a group of people with strong personalities?

Han Jin-young, who didn’t want to talk about his group at length, was typically in the state of being after a group disbanded, or right before disbanding.

*He doesn’t seem to be in a serious mood, though.*

Except for his ambiguous attitude, everyone seemed comfortable. I didn’t sense the precarious atmosphere typical of right before a breakup.

Besides, Jang Jin-soo, who had known these guys for a long time, was talking to the man he called Gong-hak hyung.

His expression brightened and dimmed like a light as if he was getting feedback on a recording.

If they were about to break up, an outsider wouldn’t be hanging around here.

*Well, it might not be them who broke up.*

“Hail, do you know this?”

Han Jin-young, who had been digging around in the storage, grabbed an album and held it up.

Looking closely, it was from after the 1980s. Quite an old album by today’s standards.

“What is it?”

“What do you mean, what is it! It’s the first edition of Hwang Ryong-pil’s third LP [long play record]!”

“…”

“Don’t kids these days know Hwang Ryong-pil? It’s really rare. It would be worth a fortune if you put it up for auction!”

I don’t know who Hwang Ryong-pil is, but judging by the reaction, he seems to be a famous singer. Halo, who had received the album from Han Jin-young, soon discovered something unusual.

“This is divided into parts.”

There’s no rule that albums have to be like this, but it was rare to release them divided into parts. In other words, *Why bother?*. Especially since there were more than just one or two songs.

“There’s a reason for that. It’s probably combined on the CD, but originally it was divided into side 1 and side 2.”

“Why?”

“Um. Rather than for a specific reason, it’s because it wasn’t common for singers to include their own songs on albums back then, so it was structured like this. The agency… it’s kind of an adult thing.”

“Ah.”

I understood right away. It was a familiar situation.

In short, the record company opposed self-composed songs, and as a compromise, they structured it into side 1 and side 2.

“So, side 2 is the real album the singer wanted?”

“That’s right.”

*I think again. The world is similar everywhere you go.*

It seems that interference from record companies is quite extreme here too, to the point where singers can’t make their own self-composed albums.

I don’t know why they try to get involved so much when I’m just trying to make my own music.

If it were him, he would have fought like hell over side 2 and everything else. His album with someone else’s songs instead of his own? Unacceptable.

*Of course, I fought a lot more over genres and formats than album structure.*

*My music is unfamiliar, it sounds like kids’ songs, the music is too long. What’s with the classical music in pop music?*

He was the one who succeeded without help, but why were there so many things that weren’t allowed? They tried to mess with his songs as they pleased. They lectured him.

There was no one on his side in the world, and he had to fight alone. After going through that ordeal, it got a little better.

“Where did I put the turntable? Hey, Gong-hak, where’s the turntable?”

Han Jin-young was looking for a turntable to put the LP on, especially to play the first edition.

“I don’t know. Under the sofa?”

“Why would it be there? Anyway. Is there anything you want to listen to? A title you like or something.”

“Hmm.”

What I wanted to hear the most was, of course, side 2.

From the fact that it was the album the singer originally wanted to the song titles, everything was to my liking.

1. For You Who Left

2. Takeoff

:

6. Freedom from the Great

Maybe this person would be a good match for him?

“But, can we just listen from the beginning?”

However, Halo decided to save side 2 for later.

It wouldn’t be too late to listen to it after seeing how great side 1, which the singer was forced to include, was.

#

[Someday, for you

I will become the wind and lift your wings

I will become the clouds and drive the rain and wind

So that you, who have lost your way, can fly again

I will become the Big Dipper and light up the darkness

For me, for this world

Please love everything]

If he had mainly listened to music in familiar languages until now, he now felt that he didn’t need to be bound by language.

Or is it because it’s a language that his body remembers?

‘Takeoff’

The song with the title that I had casually dismissed at first contained the singer’s true worth. The solid vocals that came after the rhythmic prelude. The head voice and falsetto naturally transitioned, and the crucial muting left a deep lingering feeling.

Numerous senses could be glimpsed in one song.

Among them, what was definitely certain was that the owner of this album was someone who knew how to caress sound well. His sense of sound was so outstanding that he had to learn from it.

Moreover, the dramatic composition of the song, which ultimately sang of hope in a frustrating and difficult environment, was vaguely similar to his music, which made him feel strange.

*There’s someone making the same music as me in a very distant land.*

It’s hard to explain what this feeling is like.

It was like meeting a really welcome friend and sharing a satisfying meal.

“Isn’t ‘Takeoff’ really amazing? I still get goosebumps every time I hear the quartet.”

“Quartet?”

“You know, the part where they doubled from true voice to falsetto. Like acapella.”

“I know what you’re talking about, but it’s not a quartet.”

I wondered what he was talking about when he said quartet.

“It’s a quintet.”

“A quintet?”

“Yes.”

“Not a quartet?”

Han Jin-young couldn’t argue with his overly confident attitude.

*I’m pretty sure it’s a quartet, though.*

I’ve listened to it so many times.

Han Jin-young, wanting to be sure that it was a quartet, immediately turned on his phone.

When he typed [Hwang Ryong-pil Takeoff Quartet], the results came pouring out.

*See, I’m right.*

He shrugged his shoulders and reflected on being intimidated.

*How many years have I been doing music, and I was intimidated by a jammin’s confidence.*

Then he saw a review.

It was a review by a famous critic who majored in vocal music.

[Above all, Hwang Ryong-pil’s singing ability cannot be left out. The chorus quintet harmony is Hwang Ryong-pil’s voice layered and doubled-]

“Wait, a quintet?”

Unable to believe it, he searched for quintet.

Traces of keyboard warfare remained on the internet, with people fighting over whether it was a quartet or a quintet, and whether it even mattered.

The answer was that it was a quintet.

“You’re not listening to this for the first time, are you?”

“Yes.”

“You got it right after listening to it once?”

Noe-hail answered nonchalantly and listened to Hwang Ryong-pil’s song again.

*Am I worse than a kid who’s only heard it once?*

He was stunned by the shock, but he tried to understand it somehow.

“Hail, you have a good ear.”

“It’s just that I can hear it if I listen carefully.”

“Haha, is that so?”

*I can’t agree.*

I’ve been listening to it on and off for twenty years, and I’ve never once thought of it as a quintet.

Suddenly, I thought of the member who left the band. That unlucky bastard who ran away, saying he couldn’t succeed with us. I couldn’t understand it at all back then, but looking at it now, he was a wise guy.

“Hail, would you like to learn music properly?”

He said it impulsively because he seemed to have a good ear and was interested in music.

I expected a positive or questioning response. But the reaction was strange.

It was a very reluctant look. As if saying, *You?*

I felt insulted, as if he was looking down on me.

“Even though I’m like this, I’m a successful DJ. I was in a band for quite a long time when I was young. Is there any instrument you know how to play? You seem interested in music. I’ll teach you specially because you’re Jin-soo’s friend.”

*What is he saying to me right now?*

Halo shook his head. He wasn’t at the stage where he would learn something from someone, and he already knew how to play the guitar and bass.

“I’m okay.”

“Then it can’t be helped.”

Han Jin-young didn’t seem to be upset by the rejection, as if it wasn’t a big deal. He just said one word with a smile.

“You’ll regret it later? How popular you can be with girls if you play the bass well.”

“Hmm.”

“Oh, you don’t believe me.”

Han Jin-young laughed heartily.

Halo was about to move on when he came up with a good idea.

“Well, if you show me once, I might change my mind.”

*Yeah, I wanted to see how well this guy played.*

Halo drove the wedge in at his flustered face.

“If you’re not confident, it can’t be helped.”

“You…”

Han Jin-young was flustered by the sudden provocation.

It wasn’t unpleasant. If it had been said by someone he didn’t know, he would have been upset, but a middle school student’s provocation was covered up by cute arrogance.

However, he didn’t expect to hear such a thing, and he wanted to punch him, but he also thought about showing him once.

“Puhaha!”

Laughter was heard from behind. Kim Deok-soo, with long hair, who was sitting in the corner reading something, laughed coolly.

“Hey, Jin-young, Jin-soo’s friend is looking down on you?”

“I know. It’s not like I’m at a level where I can be looked down on.”

“I can’t let this happen. Let’s go, leader, and give the jammin’ a lesson.”

He fanned Han Jin-young with a face that looked like he was watching something fun.

“Ah, should I show you once?”

Han Jin-young also rolled up his sleeves with a playful tone.

A tattoo in Latin was revealed.

[While there is breath, there is hope]

Halo put down the turntable and crossed his arms.

I could listen to this again later, and I wanted to see the skills of the arrogant young man who said he would teach him music.

Han Jin-young hesitated a little, but he couldn’t beat the atmosphere. He picked up the bass guitar and put his hand on the strings.

And then, he started playing.

No, he stopped before he started.

“!”

Halo raised an eyebrow.

*I didn’t think so, but it seems like it’s been a while since he played the bass.*

The trembling hands made even the people watching nervous.

Han Jin-young bit his lip as if he knew he was very nervous. Nevertheless, his hands were still shaking.

“I, I…”

*He’s terrible.*

It was the moment Halo was about to sigh.

Gurgle- An unexpected sound was heard.

The frozen atmosphere was reversed.

Han Jin-young and Kim Deok-soo turned their heads towards the sound, and Halo also looked at Jang Jin-soo.

“It wasn’t me?”

The culprit denied it with reddened ears.

“I’m telling you, it wasn’t me?”

*Yeah, if he says it’s not him to this extent, we should believe him at least once.*

Just as everyone was about to move on, the sound of an empty stomach was heard again, as if to confirm the kill. This time, it was hard to move on, so silence fell in the studio.

What should I say? It was like a skit.

Jang Jin-soo’s face was getting hotter and hotter.

“Jin-soo, you really.”

The first one to burst into laughter was Han Jin-young, who naturally put down the bass. Then, other people started laughing in succession.

“Jin-soo, are you hungry? Should we go eat something?”

“I’m not hungry…”

“What time is it now? It’s already six o’clock. No wonder I was getting hungry. Gong-hak, when do you go to work?”

“Soon. Let’s go eat.”

“Jin-soo, what do you want to eat?”

“I’m telling you, I don’t have to eat?”

“How about Hail?”

When I shrugged my shoulders, Han Jin-young scratched his cheek and said.

“Should we eat pork belly [a popular Korean BBQ dish]? I’ll buy it for you.”

“Oh! Hyung, I’ll enjoy the meal.”

A quick answer was heard.

“Jin-soo, but you said you weren’t hungry.”

“Even if I’m not hungry, I’ll eat free pork belly.”

“Cute guy.”

Everyone prepared to leave.

Jang Jin-soo, who came up to Halo, nudged him with his elbow. When I stepped back, feeling bad, the guy said slyly.

“Hey, you’re eating pork belly thanks to me.”

“…”

“You should be grateful.”

*This clueless bastard.*