The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 901

< Episode 90. Today's Music >

[Is something wrong?]

[Me: What do you mean?]

[Never mind.]

“…”

Halo closed his eyes at the bland message that seemed unfinished.

Dark studio. Everyone had left, and he blinked in the empty building.

He knew what that message meant.

This was the second time, after all.

Not long after HALO released his 7th album, he received a call from Professor Hwang Ryong-pil late at night.

He had asked how he was doing with similar content, and they hung up after a cheerful conversation.

[What happened to him? HALO 7th album Requiem for the dead peter]

[What does the dead Peter Pan signify?]

[HALO’s 7th album, a lament for the late Tomato Paprika?]

[HALO’s narrowing identity… a long-standing connection with Hollywood?]

Similar articles had appeared when his 7th album was released before.

Now, it was a song released in just a month, but back then, it was released after two years, so more attention was focused on it.

Moreover, since his every move was known to the world, reasonable speculations abounded.

Ex-lover, a friend who committed suicide, a manager who quit.

From stories of cutting ties with parents to common controversies surrounding rock stars, everything seemed to be dredged up.

It was just a dream he had one day.

A dream of becoming Captain Hook, killing his eternal nemesis Peter Pan, and liberating Neverland.

As befitting a requiem [a mass for the dead], the first verse was in Latin:

[Grant them eternal rest.]

Lyrics longing for and mourning Peter followed.

You were a brave person – lyrics like that.

He didn’t know who the dead Hollywood star was, but it wasn’t wrong to see it as a mourning song.

Anyway, he didn’t expect such a big reaction this time either.

Except for the main title track, the B-sides had a light atmosphere.

The theme of this song isn’t fairy tales, requiems, or mourning, but

‘Dreams.’ A collection of dreams he actually had.

So, it might become a song with a lot of room for interpretation for someone.

“I want something like this. I think this number would be good with this kind of atmosphere, what do you all think?”

And now.

It’s the music work meeting day for the original musical [Rock].

The reason why Halo suddenly thinks about his 7th album in an office in Chungmuro [a district in Seoul known for its film industry] is,

“Why are you talking about Halo’s song in the musical?”

“No, don’t you feel this restrained yet sad mourning? It was the atmosphere needed for the number where Jungwoo loses his friends one by one. Ahem.”

Professor Kim, who majored in classical music, also works as a professor of composition, and was currently invited as a composer and lyricist for the original musical [Rock], replied as if it were obvious.

“Analyzing the song of HALO, a singer who is currently very popular overseas, the classical education and framework are outstanding. What we should refer to is this classical dignity.”

“…”

“Ahem, of course, I listen to Noh Hae-il and Shin Joo-hyuk’s songs well, but I think Korea lacks classical awareness, so we need to supplement and grow more.”

It’s true that many musical composers majored in classical music, but it’s been a while since he met a human who openly praised classical music like this at a meeting. Well, it wasn’t bad.

However, it was unexpected that HALO’s song had a classical framework.

‘I’m hearing this for the first time.’

Halo was genuinely impressed.

He never thought he would hear a sound he had never heard when he revealed his face here.

And he makes eye contact with Shin Joo-hyuk sitting next to him.

Shin Joo-hyuk is just covering his mouth with his hand and resting his arm on the desk.

Especially since Professor Kim started subtly putting them down, the pop music singers, by quoting HALO and questioning their qualifications, he couldn’t hold back his twitching lips, and he had been covering his mouth until now.

“Let’s start the meeting now.”

Thirty minutes of classical praise as soon as he arrived.

And Music Director Park Jung-ho shook his head as if he was fed up with Professor Kim, who overwhelmed the atmosphere with twenty minutes of Halo praise.

He apologized for not being able to stop him and winked at the boy and the young man.

“That guy is a bit stubborn, but he’s capable.”

During a short break, Music Director Park Jung-ho called the two.

“Thanks for letting it go. Ugh, that guy. I don’t know how much he opposed when I said I would call a pop singer for a rock musical. I didn’t know he would do that here.”

“Well, I understand. It’s a work that’s getting a lot of anticipation.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Just as Shin Joo-hyuk said kindly, unlike himself, as soon as the sound check started, Shin Joo-hyuk looked at Halo and threw a word as usual.

“There are people who seem to have lived in the 60s and 70s, so the historical research will be good.”

“!”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“It’s nothing.”

Shin Joo-hyuk didn’t know that a frog could be hit by a stone thrown without thinking [an idiom meaning someone can be unintentionally hurt by a careless remark].

After the break, Professor Kim came back and opened his mouth again, saying what he had heard from other colleagues.

“You all know, right? I’m saying this to help.”

“I know, then shall we listen to Hae-il’s song last?”

Music Director Park Jung-ho hurriedly cut him off, but the sermon continued like flowing water again.

“Just. I’m worried if Shin Joo-hyuk and Hae-il, who is only 17 years old, properly understood the historical background of this musical. The spirit of that time cannot be said to be the same as the childish rebellion of today’s kids. Don’t you think?”

“Is it that different?”

“Of course, it’s different. The spirit of struggle in the 60s and 70s and what do you call it these days? YOLO [You Only Live Once]? Generation Z? How can that be the same?”

Shin Joo-hyuk couldn’t stand it and asked back sarcastically, and Professor Kim realized the sarcastic nuance and answered sarcastically. The music director covered his forehead.

It’s all his fault.

On the other hand, the boy, who should be the most angry person in this situation, was making an unknown expression.

He seemed interested, and he seemed amused.

The music director decided to stop the meaningless argument before the boy, who would be an unusual personality, exploded.

“Then I’ll play it.”

The gesture of another composer to hurry up and play it.

The music director pressed the space bar before Professor Kim opened his mouth.

And soon the song came out.

The story of a young man who lived in the 60s and 70s.

The story of a college student who watched the public opposing the military regime from a distance, either because he was scared or because he wanted something, began.

If the first number was a song of the public opposing the military regime, the second was Jungwoo, a student at Korea University, and Halo was asked for that part.

In fact, Halo didn’t understand it well.

He had never suppressed his desires,

He had never turned away from the present for any reason.

When his passion for music blossomed, he immediately struggled and ran away from home. So, he didn’t understand ‘Jungwoo’, a Korea University student who was hiding his desires inside from afar.

But what about this, Hee-tae from [From Today On, We]? He was so different from them that he couldn’t understand anything.

But he decided to try to understand.

Once. These people.

Just as the original owner, Noh Hae-il, who couldn’t understand, chose a pretty good way of reconciliation with his parents. He tried to understand the heart of college student Jungwoo by watching documentaries.

I don’t know what the right amount is.

Music is different from ginger tea, so you can’t tell the color with your eyes.

There may not be a classical framework that Professor Kim liked so much.

Without adding a session, he expressed it gently with an electric guitar like today’s kids. A fragile youth that will bloom someday. He was going to use an acoustic guitar at first, but he chose an electric guitar because Jungwoo’s passion seemed to go well with a deep red color.

Fragile, but with passion inside.

Selfish yet loving the world.

“How is it?”

Halo raised the corners of his lips, staring at Professor Kim, who had his mouth open.

“Today’s music.”

:

It was Shin Joo-hyuk who said he would take the boy who had no license or manager.

Well, it’s not just taking him, it seemed like there was a point.

Shin Joo-hyuk, who was laughing, asking what Professor Kim’s expression was like for a while, suddenly threw a word.

“It’ll be revealed soon at this rate.”

“Well, it’s not a huge secret.”

“If it’s not that big of a secret, you should hire a manager and a bodyguard first.”

If it’s revealed, he won’t be able to go around as freely as Noh Hae-il now.

Wouldn’t people be gathered in front of his house, in front of his office, just everywhere in Korea?

But the boy didn’t look like he was listening carefully at all.

“But maybe it won’t be revealed.”

Shin Joo-hyuk muttered, staring at the front.

“Why? It’s rock.”

I can feel the confidence that he is saying that rock is the music that he does best and expresses himself best.

Shin Joo-hyuk wasn’t surprised that the boy was showing that confidence.

He didn’t know at first, but it was natural from the moment he knew his identity.

“I felt a different feeling even though it’s the same rock.”

“A different feeling?”

“A bit.”

There are many opinions on the musical characteristics of HALO, but what it all boils down to is talking about himself.

His emotions, his anecdotes.

If countless musicians on Earth talked about the world or about humans, HALO only talked about himself. As if that was enough. Actually, it was more than enough.

However, the music he heard this time was not like HALO.

Rather, it was somewhat similar to Noh Hae-il’s music.

Well, it’s not lacking, or particularly very different.

“Hey, you said HALO’s song is a practice piece, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then that must be it.”

“What.”

As he saw the nonchalant expression in the mirror, the words that were about to come out disappeared.

‘Anyway, these days kids.’

Shin Joo-hyuk had old-fashioned thoughts and stared at the front again.

He was going to say something nice like, ‘You’ve improved too,’ but he should think about it again.

“How boring.”

“!”

The impudent word that came back then.

That bastard. A guy who hasn’t even had his blood dry and hasn’t gone to the army yet tends to think of him as a peer. He should take a day and show him the taste of being a *kkondae* [꼰대 – a Korean slang term for an older person who is condescending or preachy].

#

It’s July, the season when ants and grasshoppers live passionately.

However, this time can be the most awaited holiday for someone.

Because all universities are on vacation, and elementary, middle, and high schools are on vacation.

Of course, only a few can really rest during the vacation.

Looking at the people who are preparing for the future in academies and university libraries crowded with students, it seems that ‘rest’ is something that only the chosen can enjoy.

Yes, July. At a time when they should be rolling around in the air conditioner and blankets

The Korea University Student Council, which was called to school, thought so too.

“Why are we preparing for the November festival four months in advance?”

“You know it’s too late when the semester starts.”

It’s too late to decide in September.

Considering the schedules of celebrities, it’s the rule to decide in advance in July and August.

“Almost none of our school kids know when the festival is.”

“The president said he’s going to break the no-fun image this time. Just cooperate.”

“Ha, there’s nothing wrong with just admitting it.”

The Korea University Festival has been famous for being no fun for generations.

It’s so boring that even the students don’t know when the festival is, so they know it’s a festival if they see something they haven’t seen before. Also, they say it’s better to go to other school festivals than to go to the Korea University Festival. How much would it be.

So, this student council president summoned the student council in July to break the image that Korea University students only study.

To make the autumn festival perfect.

He posted a list of celebrity invitation fees found in the company in the group chat and started the meeting.

If it’s a student council, you might imagine a solemn image, but it’s just a gathering of students, and especially when it comes to festivals, there’s no need to keep a formal form. The meeting proceeded as if it were a late-night snack business.

“Okay, raise your hand and tell me one by one who you want to see.”

First, brainstorming(?)

The motto of this meeting is to write down all the opinions on the blackboard and then gradually eliminate them.

A returning student wearing a *gwajam* [과잠 – university jacket] raised his hand.

“Halo.”

“Wow. You crazy bastard.”

The president cursed and wrote the name on the blackboard.

“I’ll admit it if you get an invitation.”

“How much is the invitation fee for Halo?”

“We’ll have to pull out the pillars of our school, right?”

“If Halo comes, we can sell the tickets for two million won, right?”

“Wow… If we call Halo, we won’t hear the sound of no fun from our school in the future.”

“Ah, so who’s going to get the invitation?”

Everyone was just giggling and fantasizing.

At that time, a female student raised her hand slyly.

“Yes, Seulgi, tell me.”

“How about Coldbrew?”

“Oh.”

A male idol group.

“I will respect your opinion.”

I’ll just respect it.

The president wrote the name clearly.

Seulgi will know too.

There’s no possibility,

When you call a popular male idol, the invitation fee goes out as it is, but there’s a high possibility that you’ll only satisfy half of the gender ratio, so you don’t call them often. Rather, female idol groups are more preferred.

Because female idols are liked by both boys and girls.

“Hyung, Leave.”

“Wow, Leave is really pretty these days.”

“How about Shin Joo-hyuk?”

“Now you’re calling people who are a bit realistic.”

Whether it’s Leave or Shin Joo-hyuk, they’re actually A-class figures in terms of invitation fees, but after hearing Halo, everything sounded realistic.

“How about Hae-il?”

“Noh Hae-il?”

“It’s not bad?”

Other kids added their opinions to the student council president’s words.

“Isn’t it ambiguous? You have to sing a fun song at the school festival.”

“That’s prejudice. And you haven’t heard it, but Noh Hae-il’s live performance is so *jireonde* [지린데 – a Korean slang term meaning ‘amazing’ or ‘awesome’].”

“I don’t think you’ve heard it either.”

“So, I want to hear it this time.”

“Well, it goes well with our school. First place in the nation.”

The other kids laughed as if they agreed with that.

This is where there are as many number one in the country as there are sands on the beach.

Isn’t this Korea University?

“Isn’t scarcity good too? He’s almost disappeared now. It’ll be a hot topic if he appears at our school.”

“But what if Noh Hae-il doesn’t accept the invitation?”

“…”

I haven’t thought about that.

Everyone’s mouths were shut.

Come to think of it, isn’t Noh Hae-il’s will to be reclusive now?

There’s no reason why broadcasting stations or advertisements shouldn’t call Noh Hae-il.

“Is there anyone here who knows Noh Hae-il?”

“Would there be?”

There are no other opinions now.

The student council president looked at the blackboard and erased the ridiculous name.

HALO, yeah, no.

Trump? Would it work?

Sherlock Holmes, is this hoping to open Arthur Conan Doyle’s coffin?

In the end, what’s left is, as always, A-class figures who heat up the university festival.

The student council president, who is a fan of Noh Hae-il, seriously looked at Noh Hae-il’s name.

Looking at his recent moves, it seems like he’ll get bigger soon.

If we’re going to invite him, we should do it quickly.

“Meeting over. Now let’s go for a drink.”

“Call. President *oppa* [older brother – a term of endearment used by younger women to older men], what are we eating today?”

“Korean beef?”

“Don’t talk about Korean beef. Let’s go eat *gamjatang* [감자탕 – a spicy Korean pork bone stew].”

It’s right that these guys are not helpful.

The president took a picture of the meeting contents with a camera and thought vaguely.

‘But I heard that Noh Hae-il’s father is a university professor, is he going to that university?’