The Road to Glory

The artist named ‘Roh Haeil’ certainly seemed special.Not only Lee Hwanhee, who looked ready to devour any artist he liked, but also the audience watching the boy from afar felt that way.The boy casually sitting and chatting with Lee Hwanhee about music was overflowing with passion. It wasn’t just a passion that ended with ‘liking’ something, but a sparkle of someone believing in their own talent.But that wasn’t all.The boy’s true charm was something else.When the boy’s gaze changed as he grabbed the guitar, everyone felt it.People who live passionately are certainly charming. But can they simply call this passion?As the boy strummed the guitar with his pale hands, someone sitting in the very front unconsciously placed their hand on their chest.The gentle taste unique to an acoustic guitar.A tingling melody layered on top.It seemed like something was about to happen.A good song, they say, is one where you want to keep listening after just the first verse. Yes, the audience who thought they wanted to keep hearing this melody after the first verse hoped this moment would never end.[It’s a day no different from anyone else’s]But the boy who sang one verse into the mic, grinned and put down his guitar.“No.”There should be more.Of course, he was asked to play just one verse, but to tug at people’s heartstrings like this and really end it with just one verse?The audience let out a silent scream.Lee Hwanhee also wanted to scream like the audience.It wasn’t a heart-wrenching ballad.Even if it bounced along, the emotional line itself was plain.Yet, his heart fluttered like someone just starting to fall in love. Lee Hwanhee felt like he was going crazy from the fluttering feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time.It felt like being allowed to taste just one spoonful of sweet caramel pudding before it was snatched away.“Is that really the end?”Lee Hwanhee, who was licking his lips, asked incredulously.Instead of answering, the boy replied with a smile.Toying with people’s hearts and acting oblivious. It wasn’t infuriating, but he did make hearts restless.“No way.”Lee Hwanhee pleaded without realizing it.“It’s too short. Don’t you all think so? I asked him to sing one verse, but he really only sang one verse. Can’t you play a bit more for us?”“Did you like my song?”The boy asked innocently, as if unaware of the anxious and restless feelings.“Did I like it? It was too good! It was so good that please, play more for us! Everyone! Can anyone else tell him? Am I the only one who wants to hear more?”No! We want to hear more!One verse more, no, two verses more…!Sing more for us!Amidst the high, thin voices, a man’s hoarse voice could be heard. It sounded so sincere that the audience and Lee Hwanhee burst into laughter together.After laughing for a while, the boy said firmly,“I’ll come back and sing again next time.”“…What did you just say?”So in the end, they have to wait until the release.Lee Hwanhee, who was feeling disappointed, soon realized the meaning and his eyes widened.“Are you already making plans to see me again? You’re coming back soon? Did everyone hear that? Director, you must book Roh Haeil!”As the writer held up the Drawing Book that said ‘Come anytime!’, Lee Hwanhee gave a thumbs up.“Or maybe we could eat separately – ah, sorry everyone. Of course, we should meet here.”Lee Hwanhee quickly changed his words amidst the audience’s jeers.“But really, you won’t play any more for us?”He still couldn’t let go of his attachment.The boy just brightly laughed it off as a joke.But Lee Hwanhee was serious.If the scheduled time hadn’t ended, he would have held the boy back and listened somehow, no matter what.He wanted to go outside and see him off if he could.But he also wanted to talk, and the next artist Sin Joohyeok was already waiting backstage for his turn.Human nature is strange, though.Even though Sin Joohyeok was an artist Lee Hwanhee really liked, he couldn’t help but want to hang out more with this new friend he just met.Lee Hwanhee clicked his tongue, savoring the taste, and waited for the next opportunity.“You have to come back. Let’s make plans together. Next month?”Holding out his pinky to the boy, Lee Hwanhee suddenly thought of Sin Joohyeok waiting his turn in the waiting room.‘Come to think of it, Joohyeok must have heard him too.’If he was in the waiting room, he would have seen this friend’s performance.He’s not the type to be late, so he definitely heard it.‘I wonder what he thought.’It must have been quite stimulating.#“Today was so great, Roh Haeil-ssi!”“We’ll see you again soon! Don’t forget us! You really have to come back!”Halo always felt this way, but people’s attitudes change like reeds no matter where you go.Popularity, skill, potential, etc. If you have just one of those things, enemies in this neighborhood can instantly become best friends.Having experienced it more than anyone, Halo accepted the staff’s suddenly friendly attitudes familiarly and greeted them together.As he went backstage, Halo fanned his body that hadn’t cooled down from the heat yet.He thought it’s because he’s still young.Or maybe it’s because he played too excitingly.His whole body was drenched in sweat.But fortunately, his stamina had greatly improved compared to the past. If it were like before, he would have collapsed like a drunkard.There’s nothing more unsightly than collapsing after singing just a few lines.It seems the effects of training are finally showing.Halo thought with satisfaction.At that moment, someone came walking leisurely from afar.It was a man with a rather fierce appearance.As he approached, the staff recognized him and greeted him.“Hello, Sin Joohyeok-ssi.”Halo didn’t know much about the artist ‘Sin Joohyeok’, but he knew he was the next performer on stage.When their eyes met, the man walking towards the stage slowly stopped. Sin Joohyeok had definitely recognized him too.For a while, the two stared piercingly at each other, lost in their own thoughts.‘She said that this brat is similar to me?’‘Why is this guy staring at me like that?’The staff were the only ones flustered, thinking this was some kind of battle of energy between artists.“Hello, senior. …I’m Roh Haeil.”It was only when Halo spoke that Sin Joohyeok finally answered.“I know. I watched your performance.”“Thank you.”“Sin Joohyeok-ssi, you should go in now.”There was no time for a long greeting.When a staff member urged that there was no time, Sin Joohyeok nodded his head.He was about to pass by when Sin Joohyeok stopped again.“May I ask about your album release schedule?”Though there was no need to really answer this question, Halo answered honestly.“Soon.”“Soon? Mine is coming out soon too.”Their gazes clashed again.This time, their thoughts aligned.“I guess we’ll meet again soon. But it’ll be a bit harder this time.”There was no mistaking what he meant.At the words hinting at being conscious of music chart performance, Halo raised the corners of his mouth. He had never once backed down from an impending battle.“I’ll greet you again then.”Of course, he would be the winner at that time too.Sin Joohyeok, who noticed Halo’s expression, countered with the same look.“Right.”#[Anyone watch Drawing Book today? I watched it because Sin Joohyeok was on, but who’s that newbie that came on before him??][Roh Haeil? Is that right? He sang really well, I thought the Heetae theme song was good but it was just him singing well][When I saw him I immediately understood the saying celebs are born that way. At first, he looked plain, but as soon as he sang, no, as soon as he played the guitar, he instantly sounded like a pro][My mom was going crazy at first like when is our Joohyeok-oppa coming out, who is this kid she’s watching, but when I casually said he looks ordinary she suddenly told me to look in a mirror and cussed me out]└She probably just wanted to cuss you outThe early broadcast of ‘Lee Hwanhee’s Drawing Book’ as an OST special drew quite a hot reaction.Related search terms like [Roh Haeil] [Roh Haeil new song] [Heetae theme] [Roh Haeil Lee Hwanhee] [Lee Hwanhee weirdo] etc. appeared, and the ratings were higher than usual.This couldn’t simply be attributed to the afterglow of the drama.The moment the ratings peaked was when Roh Haeil sang just one verse of his new song and ended it.[Wow cool][No why did he end it there???][Did Lee Hwanhee lose his mind for real to just listen to one verse?][When is the album coming out]And for reactions to the new song:[He’s a newbie???][He totally gives vibes of being in broadcasting for 10 years][But doesn’t his voice sound familiar? Any more info on this newbie?]The overall reaction to the artist Roh Haeil was significant.The PD happily monitored the viewer reactions while checking the ratings.And by chance, he stumbled upon one comment.[I thought I recognized Roh Haeil from somewhere, isn’t he a NuTuber?][Ah but can you even call him a NuTuber for uploading one video?][This guy is the one that sang Let It Be in Hongdae][?]The PD clicked on the address without thinking, and gasped in surprise.It was that busking video from long ago that was briefly mentioned in broadcasting circles.Although the phone video quality and background noise degraded the audio quality, there was no denying that the middle schooler in the video was the same boy he recently met.He looked a bit different, but had the same distinctive vibe.“Wow, I think teacher Lee Hwanhee looked for him several times too. And now it turned out like this.”Lee Hwanhee is a musician as well as a songwriter and producer.He’s someone who only gives songs to his favorite artists, and he looked for the child in the video because he wanted to give him a song. But ultimately couldn’t find him.The PD felt this was fate, going around in a circle to meet like this.It really seems there is such a thing as destiny in this world.The PD played the boy’s old video, lost in memories. The beautiful singing voice could still be heard.Even three months later, it still touched his sensibilities. Yes, just like the music Roh Haeil had sung.The boy had a special talent for moving people’s emotions to an unbelievable degree.“He sings pop well too. I should have had him try it once.”He found out the boy’s identity(?) too late.The PD stomped his feet in regret, but then remembered he had arranged to meet the boy again next month. Although it was just a verbal promise with no guarantee he would keep it, there was a high chance he would come if he released an album.He should at least have him try something then. With that in mind, the PD cocked his head as The Beatles’ “Yesterday” started playing.Strangely, the voice coming through the grainy quality sounded familiar.“Well, I did just hear it recently, so of course it’s familiar.”The PD nodded in vague understanding.“I heard he’s releasing an album soon.”He briefly hoped it would do well enough to get good ratings.#Friday, February 28th.It was morning, right before the new buds pierced through to reveal themselves to the world.Park Seungah went on Watermelon before fully waking up and found Roh Haeil’s album uploaded to the ‘Latest Songs’ section.Unlike HALO’s album, Roh Haeil’s first full album had his photo printed right on it.The mini album with a total of six tracks including instrumentals was released not only on digital music sites but also in offline stores.She was in a hurry since she had to go buy the physical album today. She hurriedly got up from bed.-Originally, Halo wanted to give his parents physical albums, but didn’t due to his mother’s objection that she wanted to buy them herself and his father didn’t understand-As she went into the living room, her son’s door was slightly ajar. Despite releasing an album, her son who had no intention of resting had fallen asleep in an uncomfortable position with his guitar on his stomach.Although there was a boiler, worried he might catch a cold, she covered him with a blanket. The bulging part where the guitar was looked adorably like Winnie the Pooh.She gazed quietly at her soundly sleeping son, then headed for the front door. The parcel she had ordered the night before had arrived.As she was opening the salmon, Halo had already woken up and was wandering into the living room.“Salmon sashimi or salmon rice today?”“Okay.”Halo nodded.Just as there is excellent music in the world, there is excellent food. Even if he hadn’t tried it before, it was sure to be delicious.He then sat at the table and checked that the music had been uploaded.Roh Haeil’s first album was prominently displayed in the latest albums section.And right below it, HALO’s 4th album. What are the odds they lined up like this, Halo thought calmly.“Haeil, can you grab a lemon?”“Yes.”He opened the fridge with the music playing.HALO’s 4th album came on first.The 4th album that caused controversy in a different sense.A sacred organ melody that faintly evoked a church.Those who thought he had made a hymn would realize otherwise as the dissonant and electronic melodies approached.The Halo who sang ‘Struggle’ isn’t going anywhere.The precarious dissonance rang out. It made the listener uncomfortable, instilling a sense of dread that they might fall into an abyss at any moment. Yes, the theme of the 4th album was fear.Roh Haeil’s 1st album flipped that frightening atmosphere on its head.Roh Haeil’s 1st album consisted of songs that made you happy and gave you butterflies from the very first verse.He poured out his emotions into the music, creating tunes that could be produced acoustically without an orchestra or band.The loosely spaced notes influenced each other, creating beautiful sounds.Since the songs highlighted Roh Haeil’s voice as much as possible, they would give you even more butterflies when you heard them.“How can these be from the same person?”His mother was newly surprised.“But the voices sound similar, don’t they?”“Does it? I can’t really tell. Maybe it’s because of the different languages. But I like them both anyway.”His mother cocked her head, then soon understood.Thinking that as long as the songs were good, she liked them.Right as she was slicing the salmon, Roh Haeil’s 1st album ended.Halo had left his phone on autoplay. The latest songs started shuffling through.A decent ballad,A decent dance pop sound, drifted by.There were some songs where the production felt lacking, and some incomprehensible songs too.Then in that moment, a rock song he liked came on.It felt completely different from his own music, but he could tell it was well-made from the very first verse. A husky voice, focusing more on solid vocals than high notes.“Oh.”It’s pretty good, huh?Halo spun around and dashed to his phone.Whenever a song he liked came on, he always checked the album info so he could listen again later.“Who is this?”Halo chuckled as he noticed a familiar name.A voice saying they would meet again soon faintly flashed by.In the latest albums section,Above [Roh Haeil] was the newly listed name [Sin Joohyeok].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)!