The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 991

< For Glory >

August 9th, five days after the featuring recording.

[HALO 8th Album No one was there] is released.

Coincidentally timed with the Premier League, HALO’s 8th album, which stirred up soccer fans, actually had nothing to do with soccer.

Rather, HALO’s 8th album focused on another theme of summer: ‘Horror.’

The 8th album, with its terrifying illustration cover, might remind one of children’s songs or ballads when just listening to the melody, but the lyrics were a different story.

The album’s title track, [(Title) No one was there], was generally a horror poem reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven.’

However, if ‘The Raven’ makes one feel fear of the unknown beyond the door, HALO embodied the fear of disappearance and loss.

A fireplace and a warm blanket.

Friendly conversation and cheerful laughter.

A turkey on the table, and a few candles, etc.

The warm and soft evening dinner is paused with someone’s knock – implemented as dissonance.

When the door is opened, there is nothing outside. So, when they return inside, everything that was inside has disappeared like a mirage. That was the lyrics of the first title song.

In fact, if it had only gone this far, there would have been speculative issues like something happening to HALO, like with the 7th album.

However, unusually, there was another title track on this 8th album: Double title [(Title) HOLY X DAY].

[HOLY X DAY] humorously expresses horror clichés – a cursed doll wakes up in a house where a child is left alone and sets the table, and a ghost crawling out of the blanket whispers, ‘Good morning, honey, it’s nine AM on Monday’ – creating a cheerful atmosphere.

This [HOLY X DAY] had a bigger impact, surpassing the first title song and taking first place in all digital streaming charts.

[O Sun!]

[Father, please embrace us warmly]

[Looking at the lyrics, I wonder if he turned dark because of soccer? Doesn’t ‘nothing was there’ allude to the championship trophy?]

[Sun, maybe Myeong···?]

└ Get out!

└ Only the Sun knows the path of the Sun, but that’s not it…

[IloveyourselfIloveyourselfIloveyourselfIloveyourself]

└ This guy’s been like this for months

└ Is it a girl?

└ …Whether it’s a girl or a boy, both are scary

└ When I listen to Tae Yang’s songs, I feel like I’m in heaven, but when I see guys like this, it’s just hell

└ So, these are the guys who would smash cars and set fires if a fake HALO appeared, right?

[HALO’s musical exploration – rebellious and resistant avant-garde, realization of the idea using metaphors, reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem ‘The Raven’-]

└ What are you talking about?

└ I don’t know lol. Even the critic who wrote this probably doesn’t know what it means

└ Roughly, it’s awesome

└ Aha, that’s the same as what I understood

└ Is HALO the only one critics praise?

└ HALO is really the only pop singer who doesn’t get criticized! But isn’t HALO among those criticized people?

└ Critics would want HALO’s identity to remain a secret the most lol. Otherwise, the karma will come back.

As always, praise.

Fans’ praise is understandable, but HALO crossed his arms, looking at the critic’s review.

To be honest, it gives me goosebumps. I just heard the name Edgar Allan Poe for the first time…

How can the reviews be so different when releasing the same song?

Of course, there were critics who criticized HALO’s music. However, they were few, and most tried to find artistry in his music somehow.

Singers are also called artists, but HALO, who has never thought of himself as doing any great art, felt goosebumps from those fancy words.

It seems to be more so because they are words I have never heard before.

On the other hand, Noh Haeil’s evaluation was different.

The division between the public and critics was exactly what he had been thinking. Even the way they anticipated and made a fuss every time he tried to release an album was the same.

The world is small, and secrets are bound to be revealed someday.

It’s surprising that people haven’t recognized his name yet. Other secrets were revealed early.

He also unofficially recruited featuring artists, and it was sparsely seen here and there, so it was inevitable.

[Noh Haeil, currently producing a full-length album?]

Information that singer-songwriter Noh Haeil is producing a full-length album is rapidly spreading online. The main basis is-.

The rumor that he is making a full album.

And it quickly spread that his music this time is rock, not acoustic or ballad.

[If he’s not visible, he’s really working on music]

[Dal’s first full album!!!]

[You son of a journalist, when is the comeback]

[Other singers make a comeback maybe once a year, but Noh Haeil has made three comebacks if you include his debut. Judging from the fact that it’s still August, he might even make four. Crazy]

Up to this point, the reaction is normal, but there were people who were hyping up this genre.

[Noh Haeil is doing rock???]

[Did he really hear that he was a genius and get artist disease?]

[Did Shin Ju-hyuk make it for him?]

[Noh Haeil and rock don’t really match;;;]

[lol Noh Haeil is famous for not writing English lyrics, but is rock without English lyrics even possible?]

The reaction wasn’t just from the general public.

[Excessive greed leads to bad endings. Wouldn’t it be better to just do his own music?]

Critics who were already criticizing him for self-replication and

[Did I see wrong? Rock???]

[Dal is doing rock…?]

Even the fandom expressed concern and worry.

Of course, it’s not like Noh Haeil hasn’t shown anything.

He once switched songs with Shin Ju-hyuk on his first and last radio broadcast.

At that time, Noh Haeil arranged Shin Ju-hyuk’s rock [Session 33] and performed it charmingly.

Also, there is talk about what genre [Song of the Hero] is, but art-pop and pop-rock are genres that are always mentioned.

The same goes for [HALO 4th Album] arranged by Noh Haeil.

However, these three songs had something in common.

It cannot be said that they were completely composed by Noh Haeil. In particular, Shin Ju-hyuk’s [Session 33] and [HALO 4th Album] were arrangements, and [Song of the Hero] was Noh Haeil’s own song, but Hwang Ryong-pil, a master of rock and pop music, was also included as a composer in the joint composition.

The songwriting process was revealed on the broadcast, but it was only a part, and it was mostly seen that Hwang Ryong-pil made it.

Well, it could be a joint composition this time as well, and he could receive producing or arrangement.

However, the important issue is that Noh Haeil has never put another name on the composition, lyrics, or arrangement except for [Song of the Hero].

Inductively, there is a high possibility that it will be the same this time.

In fact, fans were very proud that no one else’s name was listed on Noh Haeil’s album information.

Composition, lyrics, arrangement by Noh Haeil.

How simple and wonderful is that.

Even all the songs on the album were like this.

Originally, many names are listed for composition, lyrics, and arrangement. Numerous composers’ names were listed on the album information in the process of subdividing the song, such as melody lines, hooks, choruses, and bridges.

Even if it is a self-composed song, there is always an arranger, and there are many cases of joint composition.

Collaboration has developed in the 21st century. Someday this rule will be broken, but for now, fans are proud of the present.

So they didn’t think that such a characteristic would be poison.

[They’re going to tear him apart if Dal’s results aren’t good]

[Looking at the number of antis Dal has these days, it’s 100%]

[No singer has every album succeed]

[How good were they when they were 17 that they’re tearing him apart?]

They are worried about the slump when the results are not good. However, the biggest reason is that the crazy antis [anti-fans] these days will bite, tear, taste, and enjoy their singer’s downfall.

[I wish the agency would respond]

There are already more than one or two posts saying that the song will fail.

I wish they would block all malicious posts, including antis, but Noh Haeil was still silent.

Just like the news of his full album.

#

Meanwhile, Samseong Station, where many office workers come and go.

Instead of K-pop, movie, or game advertisements, an advertisement for a luxury brand was unusually displayed on the large electronic display in the center of the COEX building.

It was an advertisement that would be on television rather than on the COEX electronic display, but no one thought it was strange.

A man enjoys revelry, exuding an attractive scent. Alcohol, hazy smoke, and parties.

While a sensual beauty turns to him and reaches out her hand, the melody of the title song [Like a Heroin] from HALO’s 5th album ADDICTION is heard.

The bodies of men and women overlap, and then blackout.

A phrase appears in a deep blue background.

We will find you

For glory

“Wow…”

A woman who stopped on the street to watch the advertisement exclaimed.

A woman in a casual summer suit slowly took out her cell phone and searched for the perfume.

It was a men’s luxury perfume from brand C, targeting men in their 30s and 40s, and its name was ‘For glory.’ It is an expensive perfume with a heavy and subtle masculine scent.

Moon Su-yeon, who was scrolling down her phone because she had no one to give it to, opened her mouth wide at an article.

The advertisement that was now on the COEX electronic display was not just being shown in Korea.

It was being played on electronic displays all over the world. In landmarks around the world, such as Times Square in the United States and Dotonbori in Japan!

The advertisement was placed to deliver their message to someone.

There is no need to ask who he is.

‘Glory’ That phrase alone was enough.

“Cool. Our boss…”

Moon Su-yeon, who inadvertently exclaimed, quickly covered her mouth with both hands.

‘D, did anyone hear me?’

She looked around like a criminal.

Fortunately, no one paid close attention to her words.

Rather, they just looked strangely at her, who was suddenly looking around. Moon Su-yeon was embarrassed and started walking back to the meeting place.

“Oh my gosh, Su-yeon?”

“Su-yeon, how have you been?”

“Everyone, hello. It’s been a while.”

Moon Su-yeon waved her hand.

A classmate from Korea National University of Arts, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, was there.

Moon Su-yeon, who is a practice bug [someone who practices excessively], left the studio to meet them and congratulate a friend who had a recital.

“Su-yeon is doing well these days, too?”

“I know. I heard you’re in Noh Haeil’s band. I saw the article.”

As soon as her friends saw her, they greeted her with delight. It seemed that quite a bit was known. If the kids know, then the whole school must know.

Moon Su-yeon laughed and sat down.

And she handed flowers to the elegant woman sitting across from her.

“Su-ah, congratulations on your recital.”

Su-ah was one of the close friends she made in college.

We ate together, stayed up all night, and studied. There was a time like that. Moon Su-yeon smiled faintly, recalling that time.

“Thank you for coming, Su-yeon. I really missed you.”

Su-ah also greeted her happily.

It’s been a while since they met, but it’s not awkward.

However, a wall was felt. It’s been a while since they met, and their paths have completely changed, so it’s natural.

Su-ah handed out recital tickets, and Moon Su-yeon looked at the location written on the ticket.

Wow, you’ve made it. Su-ah’s shy smile deepened at her exclamation.

“Su-ah, I’ll definitely go see your recital.”

“To have a recital at the Seoul Arts Center [a prestigious performing arts complex]. You’re so cool.”

“No, guys. I was just lucky.”

Su-ah replied shyly.

“And if Su-yeon hadn’t quit, this seat wouldn’t have been mine.”

“…That.”

Moon Su-yeon paused, and the other kids also stopped talking for a moment. As the atmosphere suddenly froze, Su-ah put her hands together.

“I didn’t mean to be sarcastic. Su-yeon, are you upset? I’m sorry.”

“…No.”

To be honest, it was a bit much, but Moon Su-yeon changed her mind. It didn’t seem like she said it on purpose, and she thought that she should let it go since she was living a happy life.

Isn’t it a good day?

“Hey, you would have played even if I was there. Have confidence.”

“Thank you, as expected, it’s our Su-yeon. Ah, …guys, I’m going to the bathroom for a second.”

Su-ah looked at her cell phone and got up from her seat.

As she walked away, the kids who waved goodbye to her rushed back to Moon Su-yeon.

“So, Su-yeon, what’s Noh Haeil like?”

“I was so curious.”

“He seems to have a strong ego on TV, is that true?”

“But he’s kind of attractive.”

They asked about the boss, shining their eyes.

It was a familiar thing, so Moon Su-yeon accepted it calmly.

They waited for Su-ah for a long time, but suddenly someone said.

“But Su-yeon. Aren’t you a little sad that you’re only doing sessions?”

“Huh?”

“You said you wanted to compose.”

One friend’s words were echoed by another friend.

“That’s right, you quit school because you wanted to compose.”

“If it wasn’t for that, you could have been in Su-ah’s place. You were better than Su-ah. Honestly.”

“…Guys. Aren’t we here to congratulate Su-ah?”

She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t know why she felt guilty. Moon Su-yeon glanced at the bathroom where Su-ah went and asked the kids back.

“Well, so what. Su-ah said that too.”

“Of course, we came to congratulate you.”

“We’re just worried about you. We think you shouldn’t remain a session musician, it’s a shame.”

“That’s right, you even dropped out of school to fulfill your dream.”

The kids looked at each other and started talking about how busy and poorly paid session musicians are. They brought up the story of some unscrupulous artist who doesn’t even allow personal activities and talked excitedly.

Moon Su-yeon felt more and more tired.

Nam Gyu-hwan said he would buy Papa John’s.

I thought I should go back before that pig eats it all. I just came to say hello anyway, so there’s nothing more to say.

“Guys, there’s no need to be sad. I’m really happy right now.”

First, Moon Su-yeon smiled brightly so that the nosy kids wouldn’t worry. In fact, she was happy, so she could smile brightly at any time.

“I’m learning a lot from the boss, and I’m composing steadily. I’m 200% satisfied, so don’t worry.”

The kids seemed to have nothing to say at those words, so they all closed their mouths and smiled at each other.

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“That’s great. You met a good boss.”

“You’re composing too, that’s great. I’ll definitely buy it when the album comes out someday.”

This kind of blessing was enough.

Moon Su-yeon, who was walking to the subway station after parting ways with her friends, stopped walking.

When she turned her head, she saw the perfume advertisement.

We will find you for glory.

It was still a cool phrase.

“Honestly…”

Moon Su-yeon pursed her lips.

“…I’m jealous.”

Moon Su-yeon was surprised and covered her mouth when the words in her heart came out.

However, the words that had already come out could not be swallowed again and returned to her ears as a sound.

“No. I like being with the boss. I like it so much.”

These are also the words in my heart.

Moon Su-yeon was so happy as a band session musician right now.

A cool and respectable boss.

Noisy but fun session members.

A pleasant environment and a solid bank account.

Everything is perfect.

Just vaguely.

I thought I wanted to live as a composer Moon Su-yeon, not as much as the boss, but still.

“I’ve already succeeded… I want to succeed even more.”

This was the most honest feeling.

#

Time passed.

A week after HALO’s 8th album was released.

Noh Haeil’s first full-length album [MY World] was released simultaneously offline and online.