The Road to Glory

The Midday Show (MIDDAY SHOW) – HALO SpecialTo talk about this, you first need to understand the phenomenon happening across the United States.The phenomenon people are calling the HALO phenomenon or HALO effect starts with a certain blogger who targeted a faceless singer.A blogger who suspected chart manipulation with the title [Who is HALO?] and a singer who dispelled those suspicions with music.And as that singer’s song [I AM HALO] reached #23 on the Billboard Hot 100, HALO became known across America in earnest.Billboard #23 might seem like a very ambiguous number. In a world where new stars are born and their songs reach #1 on Billboard.But how many singers in the world could reach Billboard and achieve #1 on digital streaming platforms including Spotify, competing solely with music as a faceless singer without any marketing?Well, there are not a few views that see it as marketing as a ‘faceless singer’, but at least no one could ignore his musicality.People who listen to HALO’s music start to think:If this singer can casually release songs of this quality once a month, he must be a singer they already know.He must even be a musician who has already reached the top.Who among them could it be?Ordinary people living their daily lives became curious. Who on earth is doing such an interesting thing while hiding their identity? Deducing and searching for HALO’s identity became intriguing.And so, around when I AM HALO reached Billboard #23, that is, around March:Movements with hashtags like #Who is HALO or #Are you HALO? slowly arose.What responded to those movements was the public.And above all, those who instinctively follow trends and hope to be frontrunners.Yes, the stars led this HALO phenomenon.[He’s as hot as his music][I prefer three over two] – cryptic phrases implying they know him well[I have some separate work going on recently]└ # Are you ···?└ Well 😉There were also singers who subtly aroused suspicion and interest.It was clear that the name HALO was a hit product across America right now.Even without necessarily lying or cheating, people took interest in that name alone.In particular, a certain wrecker’s content that tracked down people suspected of being HALO one by one and dug into their activities became a huge hit.Though that wrecker became embroiled in controversy over ‘How is what you’re doing any different from stalking?’, ironically their content rose to the surface.Not just talking about NuTube.It became content for broadcast programs that adopted a gentler approach – in ways that didn’t break laws.What actively utilized this were major talk shows considered to be The Tonight Show, and as the ‘HALO Special’ they did jokingly with celebrities became successful, it spread to all talk shows.The Midday Show HALO Special also rode the tail end of the wave.“I’m Helen, a writer for The Midday Show. Nice to meet you, Mr. Roh.”“Nice to meet you too, Helen.”“I know Korea is quite far away. Were there any inconveniences?”“Well, I did want to go on a picnic instead of filming.”“Haha, that’s right. The weather was so nice today. I got scolded for not wanting to come to work.”The writer giggled.“By the way, your English is really good. I didn’t know you’d be this fluent since the cover was in Korean. I’m honestly surprised.”The HALO cover they requested from the boy drew quite a lot of attention due to Hollywood star Belle Morrison’s mention. If it weren’t for Belle Morrison, they probably wouldn’t have known about this boy’s existence either.North Americans are generally unfamiliar with subtitles and Korean – to the point of feeling aversion – but still, the mood of the song was sufficiently conveyed.At least all the staff of ‘The Midday Show’ agreed.The writer briefly regretted not asking the boy for an English cover as well, but then realized that cover singers don’t get much stage time.“Please give us a good performance today.”The last greeting was the usual line.The boy raised the corners of his mouth and nodded.:And what the writer guided him to was the dressing room.As soon as he entered, gazes turned.From the makeup artist in the middle of doing makeupTo the guest (presumably) receiving unidentified makeupAnd the small cameraman filming them.“?”Halo tilted his head slowly as he looked at them.It’s not a problem that there are a lot of people.It’s just, how should he put it. There was an unexpected sight.Someone wearing a sunflower or starfish on their head.Someone with their hair fixed in spikes with wax,Someone standing like Jesus in a long tunic that looks like it’s from a Greek demon. They looked more like they were about to do a circus act than a talk show.“Hey, are you the last NuTuber?”The man who approached from the side is relatively normal.Wearing an elegant classic suit, he too seemed to be a NuTuber holding a vlog camera.“I’m Bacchus. I mainly do cover activities on NuTube. While making my own music too, of course. Would you say hi here?”“Hi.”“Oh, more cynical than you look. I like it. So friend, what concept are you planning to dress up as?”“…Do I have to?”Bacchus’s eyes widened at his question.You’re going like this?The boy is just dressed casually.Well, very teenagerish, but-.“You don’t have to.”However, he’ll be buried among people trying to look like the sun somehow.When there are many guests on a talk show, attention inevitably gets divided.“What about you?”At the boy’s question, Bacchus looked down at his own outfit.Himself in a classic suit unlike the others.Bacchus looked at his brand-name suit contentedly and replied:“I’m wearing what best shows who I am. It’s what my subscribers are most familiar with.”At those words, the boy shrugged and answered:“Me too.”‘That’s a bit strange.’Bacchus maintained a smiling face as he slowly moved away from the boy.He pretended not to know the boy, but he actually did know.Of course he had to investigate when appearing as a guest together.He had already found out what kind of channel he does, what his concept is, how skilled he is, and what song he’ll cover.This boy is definitely below him.In fact, he probably has the fewest subscribers among the people gathered here.If there’s anything unusual, it’s that he’s doing broadcast activities in Korea.Even so, in terms of recognition, maybe Z-class?This is America, not Korea after all.And skill-wise, hmm. C grade?The boy uniquely sang in Korean, not English, so it was hard to understand. If it were English, he would’ve given him an A- to B, what a shame.The boy covered Please, lead me not into temptation, and fortunately it didn’t overlap with his at all.‘Wait, fortunately?’Bacchus’s face stiffened for a moment.He couldn’t understand why he thought it was fortunate.He was quite good, but it’s not like he himself is lacking.Plus, the boy’s song overlaps with another influencer’s.Whatever the case, he was in an overwhelmingly advantageous situation.Bacchus loosened his stiff face and turned his head slightly.The boy with a distinct posh accent was leaning against one wall, looking around the dressing room.Relaxed and nonchalant.Not sure about the stage, but attitude-wise, hmm, he’d give him a B+. As their eyes met, Bacchus smiled and said:“Let’s do well today, Mr. Gentleman.”#[O God]Nam Gyuhwan blinked.Moon Seoyeon sitting next to him also blinked.“He sings well.”“It’s nothing special.”“I think it’s pretty good.”Han Jinyeong added.They were sitting in the audience seats watching ‘The Midday Show’.Their boss had given them freedom, but in the end what they chose was the American broadcasting station where they might someday perform.Unfortunately they couldn’t appear this time, but they hoped to perform in front of cameras someday.The reason they couldn’t appear this time was simple.The broadcasting station only cast Roh Haeil, but they also could only cast Roh Haeil. For a very simple reason.“They said there were no session spots, and really, there’s nothing but piano.”“Well, it’s originally a talk show studio, not a music studio.”“But Moon Seoyeon, didn’t they say they’d prepare a spot for you?”“I quit piano.”Everyone nodded blankly at Moon Seoyeon’s words.Meanwhile, the cover performance ended.People seemed satisfied as they rose from their seats and cheered. Those who hadn’t listened properly because they were chatting also clapped along.It’s not a lie that there are many guests, so each person’s portion isn’t very long.The performance took place right after the usual talk.The most interesting was the talk with someone called Bacchus. While others came out with concepts that didn’t match Korean sensibilities.Bacchus, who came out in the neatest and most likable classic suit, had a gentle baritone voice and witty, sensible speech.“What is Halo to you?”“If I say HALO is…Me, no one would believe it, right?”“Of course, definitely. I recommend changing your vocal cords before coming.”Then Bacchus’s performance followed.“Oh he sings pretty well.”“It’s nothing special.”“You’re going to say everything except Halo singing is nothing special, aren’t you?”“I’m being objective.”“Are you going to say boss’s performance is nothing special too?”“…If it’s nothing special, I should say so.”Moon Seoyeon made a disgusted expression.This crazy HALO fanatic.Anyway, what Bacchus covered was HALO’s 2nd album When we meet again.As it was the song with the least polarizing opinions, the reaction was the best.“But is boss singing in English too?”“Probably not?”“Then in Korean? Is that okay? There are only foreigners here, wouldn’t it be better to sing in English?”Moon Seoyeon, who had been watching the cover performances for a while, was a bit worried.After all, if it’s in Korean, there will be less reaction and the delivery will be lacking. Since he’s good at English, wouldn’t it be better to rearrange it in English and sing it?“Haeil said it’s fine.”“Is that so?”Moon Seoyeon adds that it’s just like the boss.Han Jinyeong briefly recalled his conversation with Haeil.‘I won’t change songs because they’re hard to convey. Good songs are conveyed well regardless of language.’He had no desire to stop Haeil, who was burning with fighting spirit while casually calling his own songs good.Because as usual, he believed he would do well.Finally, the boy appeared along with the emcee Lucy’s lines.:“This is the youngest singer among our guests today! Nice to meet you.”“Nice to meet you, Lucy.”“!”Lucy blinked.The distinct posh accent was unexpected.The posh accent has been trending (?) again since the HALO phenomenon, but this kind of accent wasn’t something that could be casually faked.“I really love your voice, Roh. And you speak English so well.”“It’s better for us to talk directly than to have an interpreter, isn’t it?”“Oh my. Goodness, look at this kid. If only I were ten years younger, it would’ve been great.”Lucy, not ten years but twenty years!Lucy burst out laughing at some audience member’s shout.“Alright, I like you the most among the friends I’ve seen today. Your voice too.It’s as if. If he were 17 years old, he would have such a voice. Mr. Roh, just keep aging like this.”The boy chuckled at those words.“Before we start the performance, I’ll just ask a few things.”“First, why do you like HALO’s music? Ah, of course I hope you like it since you’re here.”Well, this is obvious.“Because it’s perfect.”“…Okay, that was the clearest answer. I like how honest it is.”While others used every adverb and adjective in the world.Lucy didn’t dislike this plain answer.“Is there a favorite song among HALO’s music? Also, why?”This is a difficult question.All the songs were good for their own reasons.After pondering for a moment, he said this:“The 6th album that’s coming out soon.”“Oh!”An unexpected answer. But it was clearly a good answer.The audience here also applauded, saying it was an answer they liked.“But we don’t know when it’ll come out?”This is ad-lib.“Alright, let’s say the 6th album coming out in May.”Wow! People who were clearly HALO fans cheered at the boy’s correction.There are some groups saying that the trend of releasing songs every month is coming to an end. The reason they can’t easily refute those opinions is because everyone knows it doesn’t make sense to release an album once a month.Some will surely mock the boy’s words, but it still felt like a satisfying scratch for an itchy back.Lucy’s face brightened too.The previous influencers were interesting too, but how should she put it.It felt good to see genuine fan sentiment without unnecessary exaggeration.“If it weren’t for the performance, I would have continued talking. This is so fun right now. You all feel the same, right?”But the end of the talk was approaching.Lucy introduces the boy’s performance with a half-regretful face.“This performance is HALO’s 4th album. Please Lead Me Not Into Temptation.”Knowing it was a duplicate name, the audience murmured for a moment. But they applauded for the boy they had briefly taken a liking to.Well, he’ll sing decently enough.What they expected was the average of the previous 4 performances.Since it was already a song they knew, they didn’t have high expectations.After all, HALO’s music doesn’t suit anyone but HALO. His music reflected one person’s life, so even if you try to imitate someone else’s life, it’s not something you can easily imitate.The familiar organ sound was heard.And conversely, an unfamiliar sound.“O Lord”For a moment they murmured that the language wasn’t one they knew. They instinctively listened more closely to the unfamiliar language.“Father said to love everyone”Ah, so this is what it means.Since everyone already knows the song, the meaning reaches them a beat late.Someone thought.Not bad?Above all, the sound came across beautifully.It feels very different from English, which made it more mysterious.Next, the boy’s clear voice reached their ears. A new voice was overlaid on top of the organ melody that should have disappeared.Dazzling light coming through the cathedral windows.And the warm touch felt through that light.The unknown language arrived like the voice of God. The more it did, the more they tried to interpret it, and somehow yearned for its meaning.Also, because it’s the voice of God, they naturally can’t understand it.“Father…”Someone clasps their hands together and whispers softly.This is not HALO’s music.They said it was a HALO cover, but HALO disliked God if anything, he wasn’t someone who caressed like this.In a way, it may have torn apart the life HALO showed in his music.‘This is… blasphemy against The Sun.’Some HALO fan thought that way.But at the same time, they admitted that they didn’t dislike this song as much as expected.The warm touch wasn’t bad.… What would HALO think if he heard this song?Comfort brought by a young boy.A song for the lost lamb.Soft keys touch the clasped hands.The pianist’s hands stopped, and with that the performance completely ended.Lucy, who had to make closing comments, was at a loss for words.“Wow…”Meanwhile.The guests who watched the boy’s performance from backstage.The expression of the guest who sang the same song as the boy was distorted, and the guest known to be a devout believer was clasping their hands with teary eyes.On the other hand, Bacchus still had a smiling face.Just, his lips trembled ever so slightly.‘Still, I won in delivery.’He can’t admit that a corner of his heart feels warm.He is a hot man like The Sun.‘It wasn’t bad. It would have been better if he sang in English.’The audience shown as the camera switches.No one was clapping.Such cruel humans.If it was decently okay, they should have given the boy some encouraging applause. They’re just putting their hands to their eyes for no reason.Bacchus turned his body sharply and walked towards the door. There’s nothing more to see.The loud applause heard from behind must be from the kind dressing room staff. The cheers heard faintly in the distance, well, a NuTuber should know how to act out some murmuring.“That’s all… for ‘The Midday Show’.”The faintly heard ending line.Lucy’s voice, which had been cheering for him, was very hoarse.#A day passed since then.“Talk shows are the same everywhere.”Halo stretched and walked forward.On this morning when all the members who had been showering him with congratulations and praise were sleeping off their alcohol,Halo went out alone to the streets he knew best. As always, with just a guitar case slung on his back.He looked around.Just as his hometown hadn’t changed as much as he expected, he hoped this place would be the same.Time is overlaid on the streets he remembers.Someone approached the boy who was crouching down and staring at the crosswalk for a long time.“Are you here for the first time? Would you like me to recommend some tourist attractions or restaurants?”“No, it’s okay. I already know this place well. I’m just trying to revive some memories.”“Ah, you must be back after a long time.”Halo chuckled and replied:“It has been a while, I suppose.”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)!