The Road to Glory

How nice it would be if everything could be made as easily as HALO’s album.However, collaboration is not something that can be finished quickly, especially when there are many heads involved and the larger the scale of the project.Even a composer in charge of a number, unless they are the director, cannot be at ease.Unlike his music, there was a story, and lyrics extracted from that plot had to be matched to the rhythm.Also, no matter how good a song is, there is a difference between popular music and musical music, so it had to go through an arrangement process.The good thing was that no one stepped up to say they would arrange or produce his songs.Even the overall director, who majored in composition, listened to the second number just once and added, “Hmm… we shouldn’t mess with this one.”“Why? The song seems simple.”“You think this is simple?”“Yes.”“That’s why you’re still an assistant. Try to look at the song properly.”“What’s so special about it?”“The structure is too dense. I don’t know what kind of pervert made it… should I say the notes are intertwined like a spider web? Have you ever touched a spider web?”“Suddenly a spider web? Well, yeah. I used to catch ants and put them in spider webs, and it got stuck on my hand once.”“Did you manage to remove it without disturbing the web?”“How could I not disturb it when I already touched it? It collapsed the moment I touched it.”“That’s what I’m saying. Only the original composer can touch this freely.”Park Jeongho, the music director who had been quietly listening to their conversation, raised the corner of his mouth.“Director Park, who made this song? I don’t think there are many composers who can create this kind of structure.”“You’ll be surprised if you hear it.”“The way you’re saying it, I guess it’s someone I know?”“It might be… hard not to know?”Just because a composer makes a song doesn’t mean it’s immediately adopted.The composer probably knows this already, but there are many cases where pre-made songs can’t be inserted into musical scenes. Even if it’s a good song, if it doesn’t fit the musical, it can’t be included.That’s why when composers make songs, they do a fair blind test with other production teams.“How is it?”The overall director looked at the music director with eyes that said he was asking something obvious.The music director had played more than thirty songs, and there were also songs by people who weren’t composers he had personally brought in. It’s common to receive songs from various places. So the overall director couldn’t know the composers of the songs whose names were hidden.But even if he knew the names, it wouldn’t change anything.As long as words like ‘not needed’ or ‘it’s trash’ didn’t come out of his mouth, what was decided was decided.“They’re good at composing, but it seems they haven’t done much musical composition.”“That’s right.”There was no need to say more, so the overall director started playing twenty questions with the music director.“Looking at the structure, it seems they’ve been composing for quite a while.”“That could be.”“Seems like someone who’s been doing popular music for a long time.”“That could be.”“Do you think they can arrange it into musical music?”What’s important is not the identity.It’s whether they can handle this densely structured song.There are people who make good songs but can’t touch them anymore.“I’ve set up a meeting.”“So it’s possible. I don’t know who it is, but it seems you really trust this person, Director Park.”“That’s right.”“Then let’s continue. By the way, how’s the last number coming along? There weren’t any good ones among the songs you played.”“That might take some time, but my hope is to give it to the same person.”“The same person? The composer of the second number?”“Yes.”“Can they make that kind of song too? The atmosphere is quite different.”“That person might even be better at that kind of thing.”“Then why did you say it would take time?”“Well…”The music director recalled his conversation with Roh Haeil.When he ordered him to create a song filled with the han of the protagonist Jeongwoo, and the youth who lived through the 60s and 70s, Roh Haeil slowly tilted his head and asked.‘Han?’‘Is it difficult?’‘Rather than difficult…’He didn’t say it, but he just looked like he didn’t know what han was. Well, he’s 17, so that’s possible.“He seemed to not really know what han is.”At Park’s words, the overall director tilted his head.“What, is he a foreigner?”Park laughed, saying it wouldn’t be strange to think that way either.Anyway, for that reason, Halo had quite a few meetings scheduled, and he got to see the process of creating a ‘musical’ from the side.He had many occasions to meet with Sin Joohyeok, who hadn’t finished making all the songs yet, and other composers.“Ah, it’s difficult. When I make one, another seems better, and when I make that one, this one seems better.”The number Sin Joohyeok was requested to make was the first performance after the protagonist Jeongwoo formed a rock band. A passionate stage shown in a dark live club, in a place unseen by the military authorities.Sin Joohyeok put in quite a lot of effort as it was his first musical composition request, and it showed.“But haven’t you already finished everything?”“I need to arrange it. And I got one more request.”“Request? Don’t tell me they asked you to make one more song?”When Halo nodded calmly, Sin Joohyeok marveled.“At this point, doesn’t Director Park know something?”He was more amazed at Park, who requested two songs from Halo, than the fact that Halo received two songs. Even if someone is open-minded, they would usually have prejudices against a rookie 17-year-old boy, but to request another number from him.Sin Joohyeok suddenly thought.It doesn’t seem far off until people know this kid’s true self.What kind of commotion will occur when the musical is revealed then?#And today was the day.-When should we eat together.The day when his mother set the appointment at his father’s words.“Oh my.”His mother exclaimed softly.Along with her, Jang Jinsoo appeared, scratching his now tamed hair.It felt like a reunion after almost half a year.“Jinsoo, hello. Have you been well?”“Hello, mother.”As if trying to show that he was studying, Jang Jinsoo had put away all the attire that made him look like a bully to his middle school friends.He wore his school uniform with all the buttons fastened tightly, and there was no sign of permed hair or piercings. Plus, he had a bag on his back.Halo was surprised, like his mother, not knowing people could change this much.“Will you stay with Haeil for a bit, Jinsoo? Haeil’s father hasn’t arrived yet. Are you very hungry?”“Ah, no, it’s okay. I’m fine eating later.”“But how did you lose so much weight? Are you studying too hard?”When his mother looked at Jang Jinsoo with upset eyes, Jang Jinsoo just smiled faintly. In the time they hadn’t seen each other, Jang Jinsoo had grown like Roh Haeil, making him look thinner.“Let’s eat something delicious today. And I’ll pack some snacks for you. Take them with you.”“It’s okay… Thank you.”Then Jang Jinsoo took something out of his bag.The Essence of Mathematics. And a workbook. Halo frowned at these words that were not at all familiar to him.“Why are you studying that?”However he understood those words, Jang Jinsoo kindly explained.“Even though K-Arts focuses on practical skills, they still look at school grades, so I have to study math. I need to even more because I don’t have the basics.”“Do you really need to go to university?”“…Yes.”When he spoke so firmly, there was nothing to say.There were exactly many things he wanted to say, but as he focused on the workbook, he couldn’t say anything.“You’re not thinking of going in the future?”Suddenly a voice was heard.Halo nodded naturally.Jang Jinsoo said that was like him, and started to focus again.Halo also picked up his notebook.The word ‘Han (恨)’ was written large in the middle of the notebook.He stared at the word blankly and muttered.“What is han?”“Huh?”The guy who had his nose buried in the math workbook suddenly raised his head.“Are you perhaps preparing for the high school equivalency exam too?”“No? Why does that suddenly come up?”“Because you said ‘han’. That’s a word that always comes up in Korean textbooks.”“Really?”Jang Jinsoo rubbed the back of his head as if to say never mind.Whether he studies hard or how he dresses, his timidity doesn’t go away.“What does it say about han in that Korean textbook?”Halo asked what he was most curious about.Then Jang Jinsoo’s head tilted.“You already know, don’t you?”“Just tell me.”“Didn’t you study hard until middle school?”It was a question asking if the middle school textbook wasn’t enough. But since Halo had never properly looked at even a middle school textbook, he demanded an answer. He didn’t think it would be very helpful, but there was no harm in listening.“I might be wrong, but the textbook sometimes describes han (恨) like this. A lump.”“A lump?”“It could be sadness or regret that arises from desperately wanting something but not being able to do it, or it could be a desire that still remains. And above all, the word han is a word that came about when our country was going through hard times. During the Japanese colonial period or the military regime.”“…”“So it’s also the heart that yearned for independence and sought to win freedom.”“!”The eyebrows of Halo, who had been listening quietly, twitched.That was a word that made him recall an aspect of his life.The longing for music and the desire for freedom.However, when sadness, regret, and history were added to it, it felt quite complicated.“It’s difficult.”“Right? I don’t really know either. I just memorized it.”It’s difficult because what the word is trying to express is too broad.A melody expressing regret,A melody holding sadnessHow can melodies of longing and desire be expressed at once? Even if they can be expressed, the song length is likely to exceed 10 minutes like classical music.Should he emphasize ‘sadness’ or ‘pain’ more since it’s a painful history?Halo tapped his notebook, lost in thought, and Jang Jinsoo looked at him curiously.The curiosity of ‘So this kid has things he finds difficult too’.And soon he quickly concluded, ‘Ah, everything is difficult for me. I should just study.’ and buried his head in the math workbook again.It was an hour later when Professor Roh Yunhyeon returned home.“Hello.”Professor Roh Yunhyeon glanced at the scattered workbooks and guitar in the living room and smiled faintly at Jang Jinsoo. Since the first impression of Professor Roh Yunhyeon was from when they had a big fight over the college issue, Jang Jinsoo was quite uncomfortable.However, there was no such suffocating conversation.Natural conversation that could happen between father and son.Moreover, since neither Professor Roh Yunhyeon nor Halo were talkative, the conversation was mainly led by the mother or Jang Jinsoo.“Isn’t studying very difficult?”“Uh, it is difficult, but it’s natural since I haven’t worked hard until now. And it’s fun to see my grades improving.”“Oh my, that’s fortunate. That’s the most important thing when studying. A sense of achievement. Are there any subjects you find particularly difficult?”“Um… math and English are difficult.”Math is difficult because he had neglected it for a long time, and English is difficult because it’s a foreign language. But well, aren’t these the two subjects that Koreans find most difficult?Park Seungah, who had once enthusiastically prepared for her son’s college entrance, nodded in understanding.“Which university are you planning to go to, Jinsoo?”At Professor Roh Yunhyeon’s words, Jang Jinsoo paused for a moment before hastily swallowing and answering.“Um… Korea National University of Arts.”“You’re not considering Korea University?”“Uh… Korea University is a very good university too, but.”Knowing that Professor Roh Yunhyeon is a professor at Korea University, Jang Jinsoo chose his words carefully.“The preparations for Korea University and K-Arts entrance exams are quite different, so I want to focus on just one.”“That’s a good choice.”Professor Roh Yunhyeon nodded contentedly and didn’t speak further.Jang Jinsoo, who had been watching carefully, had a pleasant conversation with Park Seungah, and Halo also answered occasionally, but mostly played the role of a good listener – in fact, he was only half-listening.It was when his son and Park Seungah went to the living room, turned on some broadcast, and were chatting cosily that Professor Roh Yunhyeon spoke to Jang Jinsoo again.“Math and English are very difficult, right?”“Yes, yes.”“Then, how about coming to our house to study?”“What?”“Together with Haeil. If Haeil takes tutoring, I’ll let you join.”“…”At those words, Jang Jinsoo’s speech, which had been greatly startled, slowly sank.“Haeil won’t take tutoring.”“Try persuading him. He might want to go to university. It would be more fun if you went to university together.”Professor Roh Yunhyeon glanced at his son and wife in the living room.“Do you want Haeil to go to university?”“It wouldn’t be bad if he did, as it would be a good fence for him.”Jang Jinsoo, who had quietly muttered the word ‘fence’, slowly turned his head. Roh Haeil, who had no idea what conversation was taking place, was watching television with a serious expression.Words came out before he could think.“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”Then he recalled the conversation from earlier when Roh Haeil said he had no intention of going to university.“I haven’t known Haeil for long, but I know he has no intention of going to university.”“Perhaps-“The uncle said ‘perhaps’, but in Jang Jinsoo’s view, Roh Haeil was definitely not the type to say one thing and do another. He’s also very stubborn.“Above all.”Jang Jinsoo honestly admitted that he was shaken inside.Tutoring would be much more helpful than self-study for English or math.However, he had no desire to persuade Roh Haeil, who said he had no intention of going to university, for that reason.“I don’t want to persuade Haeil because I want to take tutoring.”And.After pondering for a while, Jang Jinsoo said.“I was taught not to interfere in other people’s family matters, but still. I don’t think what Haeil needs right now is university.”Professor Roh Yunhyeon didn’t answer.But his expression and gestures seemed to be asking what he needed then. Jang Jinsoo could understand that without hearing the words, just like with Roh Haeil.Jang Jinsoo recalled the guy who once said he would leave home someday. And now, seeing how he had become closer to his mother than anyone else, he felt something.“I think he just needs solid support and encouragement. Someone who believes in him and cheers for him no matter what he does.”For anyone else it might be different, but for Roh Haeil it’s like that.Just like the musicians in history books who wanted to be trusted and cheered on by someone, he-“…He’s real.”Jang Jinsoo voiced what he had always thought.And suddenly he felt a pain in one corner of his heart.Saying ‘he’ is real means, in other words, that he himself is not real.Yes, he might be jealous of his friend and feeling inferior.No, he is jealous. He always tried to think that he wasn’t jealous of his friend, that he hoped things would go well for him, but he couldn’t help feeling envious.His friend’s talent, the future he had dreamed for his friend.And parents who love him more than anyone and try to do anything for him. Everything was so enviable that his eyes grew hot.At that moment, Professor Roh Yunhyeon realized it too.Blinded by the idea of university, he had made a big mistake with the child in front of him. And he thought.That Haeil was already making good connections on his own. There was no need to try to create a fence for him; he was already meeting good people and getting along well with them. There was no need to worry. He felt sorry but also relieved.The child habitually said he was sorry.Over that, the image of the old Roh Haeil, who was timid and weak, overlapped. It wasn’t the child who had done wrong, but the greed of the adult.So now it was time for the greedy adult to apologize.“No, I’m sorry.”“!”Professor Roh Yunhyeon slowly handed a handkerchief to the child with reddened eyes. Jang Jinsoo looked at the handkerchief with a dazed face. And with trembling hands, he received the handkerchief.Professor Roh Yunhyeon was sorry and wondered what to say, then recalled the workbook he had seen when entering the house.“Earlier… That problem you were solving was wrong. There’s a separate way to solve that one.”Jang Jinsoo looked up at Professor Roh Yunhyeon.He thought it was an abrupt statement, but he seemed to understand that it was the professor’s way of offering reconciliation.“I wasn’t lying when I said to come study. Come visit sometimes. If you’re okay with it… I can help you.”Jang Jinsoo listened blankly, and slowly nodded his head.He realized that just like his friend’s mother, his friend’s father was also a really good person. A smile formed on his face.“Yes!”Hi everyone, I've fully translated this series. If you love the series and wanted to binge read until the end, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. Instead of buying the advanced chapters one by one, you can buy them in one bulk (with discounted price too)!