The Road to Glory

No one knows when this gathering first started.It’s only natural that people with similar minds would gather together and form a group anywhere, anytime.This gathering was like that too.It was formed gradually as they ate together one by one, introduced friends one by one, and gathered together.At first, there were no special restrictions or conditions.Anyone could come for friendship.However, as people started approaching with other motives and causing issues, an implicit invitation rule was created – that the person who invited a guest would be responsible for them.After this implicit rule was made, members changing or being added became less frequent, and only the regular members remained.There was Hwang Ryongpil, called the symbol of Korean popular music, and legendary artists.Liv, the queen of digital music, alongside Shin, Na, Park, and Lee, who are considered the top four vocalists in Korea.Entertainment company bosses and famous producers.Popular idols and actors.From the outside, it could only be seen as a gathering of the real ones, but internally, it was no more and no less than a casual gathering.‘It’s when people with nothing to do gather.’‘It’ll be fun.’‘A party? Something like that?’Halo wondered what kind of gathering it could be.The first thing that came to mind with the phrase ‘people with nothing to do’ was a party full of debauchery. Even if the world or time were different, such parties would exist everywhere. However, the puzzling part was:‘He didn’t seem like the indulgent type though.’Sin Joohyeok didn’t seem like someone who indulged in that kind of thing. He couldn’t detect any signs of his signature impatience, impulsiveness, or timidity.Han Rayeon, who was nearby, seemed to roughly understand what kind of gathering it was. She didn’t explain to him what kind of gathering it was, but just told him to definitely go.To go and get himself invited too.‘It’s probably not a strange place.’But this wasn’t important right now.Halo checked his schedule and stretched.He was getting busier and busier.The radio show ‘Han Rayeon’s Music Classroom’ had been quite successful.Requests for appearances kept pouring into the label’s official email, and there were more and more radio shows.There were also many requests for ‘alternate versions’, ‘covers’, and ‘arrangements’.This was probably because of the content he had done with Sin Joohyeok.While radio shows might not have as much impact as TV broadcasts, ‘Han Rayeon’s Music Classroom’ was a quite well-known radio show.It wasn’t the number one radio show on terrestrial channels, but ‘Music Classroom’ was the number one program in its time slot and for the 18-49 age group.As the generation that uses SNS the most actively is 18-49, it was spreading rapidly online at a terrifying speed.[‘Music Classroom’ Sin Joohyeok “After listening to Heetae reprise, I got the urge…”]On ‘Today’s Corner’ segment of the afternoon broadcast of KDS Cool FM’s ‘Han Rayeon’s Music Classroom’, guests included Sin Joohyeok, famous for the OST of the drama ‘From Today On’, and Roh Haeil.Sin Joohyeok admitted that after listening to the Heetae reprise, he felt he could have sung it better, and proposed that Roh Haeil, who sang the ‘Heetae reprise’, do an alternate version of his new song. Roh Haeil agreed, saying he wanted to sing his senior’s song.[‘Music Classroom’ Sin Joohyeok’s ‘Another Day’ vs Roh Haeil’s ‘Session 33’](Han Rayeon reaction.jpg)(‘Why don’t you do rock?’ Sin Joohyeok.jpg)A clear win or loss. Contrasting emotions of joy and sorrow.-Are you f*cking crazy?? Comparing Roh Haeil to Sin Joohyeok???  Sin Joohyeok just went easy on him└ Didn’t watch the video? Sin Joohyeok and Han Rayeon genuinely praised him a lot└ I’m someone who watched it live, Sin Joohyeok’s version was really good too, but Roh Haeil’s Session 33 was just… Please do a collabThe provocative article claiming a newcomer outperformed a senior singer’s song led to an increase in video clip views.Additionally, hundreds of comments were immediately posted on the radio channel’s uploaded FULL video and arrangement version.[That scratching was crazy][Sin Joohyeok was like wow as expected, but this kid what the…my mouth is watering;;;][Is this really the vocals of someone singing rock for the first time?]└Doesn’t seem like the first time└Saw the full version, based on his laughing, it’s notThe reactions spoke for themselves.Of course, there were also doubters.It was certainly hard to believe the performance of a newcomer they were seeing for the first time.[Isn’t this fabricated? He arranged it in just a few seconds? Sin Joohyeok must have made that arrangement version to sing][The whole ‘let’s do an alternate version’ was a joke to begin with, how could it be fabricated][Sin Joohyeok wouldn’t arrange his own song like that for a kid he just met, lol I’m leaving][Are they from the same company?]└Doesn’t seem like it, why would Sin Joohyeok arrange a song for someone[Ah I remembered where I heard Roh Haeil’s name before, he was listed as a co-composer and arranger for the Heetae themeHe’s acknowledged for his sense of drama music and his vocals are no joke either, but his real talent might be something else]└Apparently he’s actually 17 years old?? CrazyAnd on the other hand, some suspicion briefly arose behind the scenes.[I feel like I’ve heard vocals that make you shudder like this somewhere before]I didn’t notice with the new song, but the rock part sounds really similar, at 00:49 the pronunciation and voice in Session 33 is like that person’s -abbreviated- (dislike 666)└ ?└What’s the provocation lol. He probably just got influenced lol. These days people say every dog and cow is similar lol. It’s not unusual to resemble the music style you often listen to[Not just the style, but the voice too? And come to think of it, the name Roh Haeil, isn’t the English name just Haeil No?]└LMAO└With that logic, does every Roh Haeil in the world mean they’re “The Sun” lol, you fell into your own trap└More ridiculous than the flat earth theory lol. I’ll give you 10 trillion won if you prove it lol└I’m just saying the voices sound a bit similar[Who even said that? They just said it sounds similar]└Yeah lol└Where are you going with this└If a high schooler who can kinda sing sounds similar, how similar does he have to be for you to associate him with The Sun└Why are you kids so pissed, the pronunciations and vocals are kinda similar, it does seem influencedRegardless, his arrangement version caused quite a stir in various ways. It was certain that Roh Haeil’s first radio appearance was successful.However, there was one thing that bothered him.Halo clicked his tongue while looking at the digital music charts.[15. (Title) Session 33 | Sin Joohyeok][18. (Title) Another Day | Roh Haeil]They say if a cover song becomes popular, the original song also benefits.Roh Haeil’s arrangement version of Session 33 became a hot topic and was reflected on the Watermelon chart.Even though he had done better, the other guy was reaping the benefits. He was extremely displeased.Right then, a vibration came.Apparently, the other person wasn’t being gracious either. As soon as he checked the Katalk message, a captured photo of the Watermelon chart caught his eye.“This brat…”The sender was Sin Joohyeok.[Sin Joohyeok: LOL. Do you see this? You’re still far from me]Halo chuckled sulkily.[Looks like it rose thanks to me?][Sin Joohyeok: Oh come on lol][Sin Joohyeok: It’s because the original was great lol][Sin Joohyeok: In situations like this, you’re supposed to say the senior’s song was excellent lol]At least he didn’t deny the influence of the arrangement version, showing a shred of conscience.Halo leaned back in his chair, alternating between looking at the Katalk and ignoring it. The sound of Hwang Ryongpil’s third album, which he had put on the turntable, came through. He was taking a break from working on a MIDI.[Sin Joohyeok: Do you have any schedules these days?][Sin Joohyeok: The gathering got scheduled earlier than expected][What gathering?][Sin Joohyeok: Didn’t you already forget? I told you it’s where people with nothing to do gather][I’m busy][Sin Joohyeok: Lol, sure]Just like before, he had the personality of not listening to others at all.[Sin Joohyeok: You don’t need to prepare anything special, just come casually dressed][Sin Joohyeok: The teacher is coming this time too, so you’ll have a lot to learn and you’ll be grateful to me][Teacher?]Halo tilted his head.He wondered who this guy could be referring to as “teacher.” Surely he hadn’t failed to graduate for ten years.Then, Halo doubted his own eyes.[Sin Joohyeok: Teacher Hwang Ryongpil]“!”Unconsciously, he turned his head to look at the turntable. At that very moment, Hwang Ryongpil’s “Emergency” was playing.If it wasn’t just a coincidence of having the same name, it would definitely be that person.[Sin Joohyeok: Didn’t I tell you? The teacher is the one who started this gathering]“Why is he telling me this just now?”Halo grumbled unnecessarily.[Sin Joohyeok: So you’re finally realizing my deep intentions]Outsiders sometimes call it the Hwang Ryongpil cult as well, but Sin Joohyeok didn’t bother mentioning it.There was no need to know, and it wasn’t really a cult either.He just wanted to have them meet.The boy would have a lot to learn, and the teacher would surely enjoy it too.‘He’s a bit cheeky, but the teacher will surely like him.’Sin Joohyeok never thought about his own behavior.Well, putting aside other things, the boy’s talent and passion were genuine.[Sin Joohyeok: How about it?]At the highlight of “Emergency” playing the lyrics “For me, for this world, love everything,” Halo made up his mind.He didn’t care about Sin Joohyeok or the people with nothing to do;he really wanted to meet the singer who sang this music.#“You really did come dressed casually since I said to dress comfortably.”Halo nodded his head.He had dressed warmly enough since the weather hadn’t fully warmed up yet.Carrying his usual guitar with him.“By the way-.”Halo looked around.Since it was called a gathering, he had expected a hotel banquet hall or club, but it was just someone’s house on the outskirts of Seoul.It seemed the party they spoke of was a house party.“Of course. Why would I go to a hotel and get gawked at? There are too many eyes watching.”“…”“What’s with that look? I do care about managing my image. There are people who need to manage their image even more than me.”He soon realized who he was referring to.As soon as they entered the house, the atmosphere changed.At the same time Halo felt their gazes on him, he noticed them.Actors from dramas his mother watched.Extremely thin models and idols he had glimpsed in passing.Inside the ordinary home were people he couldn’t see anywhere else.Ah, the people with nothing to do.“Joohyeok-hyung.”“Joohyeok is here?”As they went inside, Sin Joohyeok’s close acquaintances waved or approached them, looking at Halo with curious eyes. Halo didn’t know, but it was Sin Joohyeok’s first time bringing someone to this gathering.“Is the teacher here?”“Yes, he’s in the back.”“I see.”Among the unfamiliar faces, Halo spotted a familiar one. The student, no, the actress Lee Sora in her 30s, whom he had seen on the ‘From Today On’ filming set.“Hello? We meet again.”She waved and smiled at them.She didn’t approach, but gave Sin Joohyeok a meaningful look. As an actress, she was skilled at facial expressions.“Didn’t I tell you?”“Tell me what.”“That you wouldn’t believe me.”She alternated looking at Halo and Sin Joohyeok, then spoke to Halo.“I watched the radio show. You were much better than Joohyeok.”“Thank you.”“!”Without declining the compliment, the boy simply nodded as if it was obvious. Lee Sora remained silent for a moment, then burst into laughter.“You two really are alike.”“?”It was a remark he couldn’t understand or acknowledge.However, before he could press further, Sin Joohyeok headed inside to introduce him to the teacher.The atmosphere changed as they went deeper inside.When they had first entered the house, it was quiet with light jazz playing, but as they walked down the hallway, the jazz faded into silence.“No need to be tense. They’re all good people. Although their age might make it a bit difficult.”He wasn’t tense at all.Seeing his honest face, Sin Joohyeok thought he had worried unnecessarily.As they neared the closed door, the previously quiet atmosphere started becoming noisy again. It was the sound of people conversing from inside.“-I can feel the wall now.”Those words made Sin Joohyeok, who was about to open the door, pause.Unaware of their presence outside, a rather gloomy conversation continued from within.“It feels like the music I’ve been doing my whole life is being denied. I was once called a genius, but as soon as I heard it, I realized. ‘Ah, I was nothing but a trifler.’ Still, I also thought I wanted to make music like that. I got inspired and even recorded it… But I just couldn’t release it.”“Because of the music charts?”“Well, that’s part of it. But mainly because I’d be ridiculed. Compared to his music, my music is just too amateurish.”“Let’s go in.”Halo, who had remained silent, spoke up.There was no need to eavesdrop on this conversation secretly.As the door opened, people’s gazes briefly turned toward them.People sitting around on the sofas.They were all familiar faces. There was even a judge he had seen on the program Jang Jinsoo had appeared on.The people who noticed Halo and Sin Joohyeok resumed their own conversations.“I should probably release some music soon.”“If I release it now, it’ll be a guaranteed failure.”“Didn’t Joohyeok release anything?”“He can’t even break into the top 10 right now.”At those words, Sin Joohyeok’s eyebrow twitched slightly.Sin Joohyeok scanned the gathering.He hadn’t realized. They were all unexpectedly plagued by a sense of defeat.‘This is a bit disappointing.’Weren’t these the people who each pursued their own music?While chart performance was certainly important, for even seniors to assume failure in advance was unbecoming.What did that make of his claim that it would be fun for the boy?This dejected sight was not what he had wanted to show the junior he took a liking to.“Joohyeok is here. And our new friend too.”Regardless, Sin Joohyeok greeted the teacher, who welcomed him warmly.“Hello, teacher. Have you been well?”“I told you to keep in touch, but you’ve been incommunicado as always. What am I supposed to do with you?”“Teacher, that’s something I said when I was young. Shouldn’t you have forgotten about it by now? The reason I couldn’t contact you wasn’t that.”Sin Joohyeok continued making excuses.Meanwhile, Halo made eye contact with the mischievous-looking elderly man.White hair and a wrinkled face. But the old man exuded a vigorous and powerful aura befitting the name ‘Hwang Ryongpil.’ Halo greeted the old man wearing a stylish hat and rider jacket, just like on broadcasts.“It’s an honor to meet you, teacher. I’m Roh Haeil.”Hwang Ryongpil’s eyes looking at him were full of curiosity.“So you’re that kid. I’ve been hearing about you here and there lately.”Hwang Ryongpil already seemed to know about him from somewhere.Only a few middle-aged singers nearby whispered to each other, asking who he was.After words like ‘From Today On’, ‘OST’, ‘Lee Hwanhee’s Sketchbook’, ‘radio’, and ‘Sin Joohyeok’ were exchanged, they finally let out an ‘Ah!’ in realization. ‘The noisy young genius these days?’“That’s right.”Hwang Ryongpil glanced around the gathering, then curled up the corners of his mouth.“So, you overheard the conversation we were having?”“…”“Did you think you wouldn’t be noticed just by standing outside the door?”Sin Joohyeok flinched, but Hwang Ryongpil didn’t bring this up to scold them.“I’m curious. What does our newly arrived friend think about the music charts? I heard you’ve released an album too.”People murmured at Hwang Ryongpil’s question.Some wondered why he was asking such a thing to a young kid, while others waited for the boy’s answer.In any case, these seasoned artists were always interested in new faces.Under the weight of countless experienced gazes, the boy silently listened to the question, then smiled faintly.His demeanor showed no signs of tension, anxiety, or fear.It seemed like an obvious question to him.“I…”Halo thought it was indeed an obvious question.“Will get number one.”Sin Joohyeok chuckled, thinking his consistency was admirable.In contrast, the gathering fell silent as if doused with water.These were people who regularly placed their names on Watermelon, received awards, and were recorded in history.Yet before them, a newcomer who had only just started making a name for himself boldly declared he would reach number one, despite the current crisis in the music industry that even they feared.Some naturally sneered in disbelief,some dismissed him,and some admired his youthful spirit.Though none of them truly expected a newcomer to get number one, most of the people present realized something.‘An extraordinary one has arrived.’Whether it was spirit, baseless confidence, or something else, the declaration of reaching number one before the legendary Hwang Ryongpil, an icon of South Korea, made this boy appear remarkable for one reason or another.“Hahaha! How refreshing.”Hwang Ryongpil also seemed to enjoy the answer he found satisfactory.After laughing for a while, Hwang Ryongpil’s face slowly became solemn.Those who remembered Hwang Ryongpil’s powerful aura thought he might scold or offer some advice.However, Hwang Ryongpil, who had been leaning back on the sofa, suddenly lurched forward.His eyes still shone brightly, as if there was more fire left in him.“Then, how about you catch that bullfrog that invaded Korea with me?”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)!