The Road to Glory

“The spotlight…hmm…sorry. Let me try that again.”As expected, he still lacked practice.Halo watched Jang Jinsoo with his arms crossed.Beyond the glass, Jang Jinsoo looked a bit frozen.“Got anything to say?”Kang Yeongmin, also watching Jang Jinsoo, asked.Halo shrugged his shoulders.He was surprised Jang Jinsoo missed a note on such an easy part, but he had no intention of dwelling on it. This song had already left his hands. Besides, judging by how Jang Jinsoo kept glancing at him…“Can I sit down too? I feel like my presence is making things worse for him.”“Sure.”Kang Yeongmin gave some kind of direction to Jang Jinsoo via the mic. Halo went to grab a plastic chair from the back and heavily sat down. Surprisingly, his body blocked the computer monitor from view.The recording started again.Glancing at the digital clock, it was Sunday afternoon, 12:42 pm.It had been almost an hour since he arrived at the HY Studio.Halo thought it was fortunate at least that the recording was going smoothly. Exactly two hours ago, he was wondering if he should just record on his phone.Sinking back deeply into the plastic chair, he remembered the chaotic morning that felt like the calm before the storm.#“Uh, what should I do?”Jang Jinsoo looked back anxiously.The audition application deadline was Sunday at 11:59:59 pm. Less than 24 hours remained.They had to finish recording the file and submit it, but had hit an obstacle.“I searched all day yesterday, but everything is fully booked.”The issue wasn’t just that it was exam season. Truthfully, it was difficult to find a studio that had availability for tomorrow, or even same-day.“Should we just film it with a phone and submit it?”Jang Jinsoo shivered.The application guidelines did permit .mp4 or .mov formats, so it would probably be acceptable. He knew quite a few people actually submitted phone recordings.As long as he could demonstrate his abilities, what did the file format matter? But that was only true for those confident in their skills. If there was the slightest flaw, he wanted to create a proper file.“Let’s keep looking until lunch. We still have some time.”Kim Deoksoo also put down his comic book and picked up his phone. He had already contacted people he knew. They were happy to hear from him but helpless when it came to same-day booking.Amidst the chaos, a vibration sounded from somewhere.“Hey, it’s yours.”Jang Jinsoo pulled up on Halo’s jacket.A cutting-edge smartphone heavily dropped onto the sofa.Jang Jinsoo motioned for him to hurry up and answer, his pale face immersed in reviewing his lyrics.010-####-####He thought it would be Roh Haeil’s mother, but it was an unknown number.[Hello? Ah]A voice mixed with mechanical sounds.Somehow familiar yet unfamiliar.[Student, Roh Haeil?]“Who’s this?”[Student! It’s me.]At the moment the man’s vocalization sounded familiar, the man on the phone said:[HY Studio. We met on Wednesday.]“Ah.”[Remember me now? I sent you files by email but you didn’t confirm so I called.]Only then did Halo recall the man he first met when he came here. The producer, or rather, the studio owner engineer.He remembered the Roh Haeil situation with the song and everything that followed in quick succession. With so much going on, it had completely slipped his mind.That’s right, as soon as he arrived here, he did one recording.[So why didn’t you check the email? I stayed up all night perfectly mixing and mastering…]In that very clean and comfortable recording studio.Though he hadn’t witnessed the man’s skills, it had left an impression of a good working environment. That image came back to him.Halo let Kang Yeongmin’s words fly by and opened his mouth.“By any chance, is the studio open?”[Huh?]Kang Yeongmin’s voice cut out for a moment before coming back.[Are you saying you want to re-record it? Why? What didn’t you like about it? There’s one that got canceled today so there’s an opening but…]“What time is it open until?”[2:30. Is it enough?]Halo checked his watch.It had just turned 11:30 am.“Plenty.”[Wait, hang on student what’s going on here]“I’ll explain when I get there.”And that’s how it happened.Kang Yeongmin seemed to have a lot he wanted to say to Halo, but was holding back because he was occupied with work recording with Jang Jinsoo.Exactly since he received the MR.“Is this a submission song for Soyou?”“Huh? How did you know?”“One look and I can tell. But isn’t the deadline today? Why are you recording it now?”“Long story…I switched songs halfway through.”“Hmm, I see.”That was the last bit of small talk before getting down to business. As a professional engineer, Kang Yeongmin gripped Jang Jinsoo tightly.“It’s a good song.”After listening to Jang Jinsoo’s music for a while, Kang Yeongmin interjected. Halo’s mouth corners perked up.“Do you think my song will pass, boss?”Jang Jinsoo, sipping water, looked elated. Right now it seemed he didn’t care what anyone said.“Can’t say for sure. But I think you’ll at least pass the first round. The song is just that good.”“What about my skill…”“Skills are important too of course, but however good the song is sways people’s hearts more. This is the student’s song?”“Uh-”Jang Jinsoo’s gaze slowly shifted.Roh Haeil seemed to indicate just take care of it.Roh Haeil had added that he reworked Jang Jinsoo’s song as a base. But this was a completely new song.Jang Jinsoo rolled his eyes around, pondering.“Well…”“Well, what does that mean? What if someone asks later?”What would he say…After thinking it over for a long time, he opened his mouth.“A friend polished it up for me…”“Friend? Who?”Jang Jinsoo’s eyes moved. Kang Yeongmin’s eyes followed in turn.“Don’t tell me that student made this song too?”Discovering Roh Haeil, Kang Yeongmin was shocked once more. In that moment the words ‘polished it up’ were already forgotten from memory.He had heard Roh Haeil’s song before.He knew his composing skills were outstanding as well as his vocals. So he was convinced, then shocked again regarding the song’s origin.“This?”The genres were completely different now compared to that ballad back then after all.“No, this is a completely different genre.”What’s more, that one had a sort of innocence.There was a sense of innocence in the lyrics and melodies one would expect from a student composition.But listening to this song after just a few days,It didn’t recall that ballad whatsoever. It was trendy and intricate to the point where it seemed like it was composed by a completely different songwriter. There were no traces or tendencies reminiscent of the same composer.In other words, it was like listening to a song made by an entirely different composer.“…So this is why you didn’t check your email.”Kang Yeongmin somehow convinced himself about Halo simply forgetting. He was impressed once more.“I guess that could happen.”He still couldn’t believe a kid like this composed such a song. But now he thought it was possible.Yes, if he was a young genius who could whip up a song in fifteen minutes, variations like this might be feasible as well.“Alright, let’s start again.”Kang Yeongmin sent Jang Jinsoo back into the recording studio. To finish by 2 pm, the schedule was packed. He mentioned switching songs halfway through so lack of preparation was visible, necessitating an even tighter schedule.Drawing out someone’s full vocal potential was an engineer’s capability. Getting through the second round and beyond was the student’s responsibility now.#“Just for today I’ll make a special exception, but from next time on I definitely won’t budge. Okay?”“Thank you so much.”Exactly 2 pm.After the frenzied recording finished, Jang Jinsoo was exhausted. He staggered around like a zombie, his face drained of every last bit of oxygen.“Make sure you get into Soyou, student. If you succeed, let me know later on, got it?”Jang Jinsoo smiled weakly at Kang Yeongmin’s words, bobbing his head up and down. Right now he seemed not to care what anyone said.“I rarely say this, but good luck.”“Yes sir! I will definitely get first place!”After Kang Yeongmin warmly encouraged him, he glanced to the side.What he wanted to say to Jang Jinsoo was done. Now to get to the main point.Kang Yeongmin still had a lot he wanted to say to Roh Haeil that he was holding back for work reasons. Now there was time.“What’s your plan, student?”“Me?”“Your friend Jang Jinsoo is auditioning for Soyou. Don’t you have any plans?”“Oh.”Halo nodded.Yes, he had things to do as well.Jang Jinsoo’s situation was far more urgent. He only made allowances because he was involved. His own tasks were just beginning now.All obstacles to recording his album with MIDI were resolved, the remaining issue was the album production itself. Something he still hadn’t solved.‘This guy’s an industry insider, maybe he knows more.’Kang Yeongmin persistently waited, seeming to say anything would do. Rather than answering, Halo opened the conversation with a question.“How do people normally release albums here?”“You want to release an album? Whoa!”As if he had been waiting for it, Kang Yeongmin was delighted at the non-answer question. Halo had no idea why this guy was so pleased. Kang Yeongmin soon realized Halo had asked a question rather than responded. The confident Kang Yeongmin seriously pondered.“Well, to release an album, you’d typically join a company like an agency and create it. You probably need to link up with production, distribution, and an agency to some extent.”“Can you make it right away then?”“No.”The seemingly naive question caused Kang Yeongmin to regard Roh Haeil as a middle schooler after all.“In order to produce an album in the first place, you need to debut as a member. For some people that takes years.”“Can you make it right after debuting?”Kang Yeongmin sighed at the incoming question brimming with confidence, as if saying he would undoubtedly debut.“No, after deciding on the debut, you’ll prepare the album. It will take at least 6 months to a year, at least.”“That’s late.”“Late, yes, but at least half a year. It might take even longer.”Roh Haeil’s face darkens in an instant.Was there a reason to release the album urgently?Kang Yeongmin wondered what might be going on in this young student’s mind.“Any other options?”“Unless you go into an entertainment agency and debut, no.”Kang Yeongmin let out a sigh.Then Kang Yeongmin pointed to Jang Jinsoo standing idly beside them.“You have to audition like him. These days if you’re popular they immediately release your music after you audition.”“Audition.”“But I doubt there are many of those audition programs lately.”Jang Jinsoo’s expression gradually darkened as he listened in on their conversation. It was obvious what he was thinking.“How long does that take?”“Considering passing the first round, second round, anticipating appearing on TV, at least two to three months.”“Ah.”That was also too slow.“You wanna go on Soyou too…?”“No.”The way Jang Jinsoo asked in a fading voice despite having no interest whatsoever was quite something.Halo let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head.His pride wasn’t so nonexistent that food could be snatched right out of the kid’s mouth after all.“Any other way?”“If not, individuals would have to make it themselves directly probably. But basically, if you don’t sign with a record label in Korea they won’t distribute it, so you’d have to consider contracts.”Halo tapped the corner of his chair twice.Every single option was unsatisfactory.That damn contract.That damn record label.He didn’t want to get entangled but was continuously ending up entangled.Unable to provide any more solutions, Kang Yeongmin shrugged.“By the way, regarding that song we recorded on Wednesday, what are your plans for it? Would be a waste not to release it, no?”Kang Yeongmin brought up the main topic.Most of all, he was curious how Roh Haeil would utilize the recording he had worked on.He asked if Roh Haeil would only use it for personal archives or exam submissions.It would be nice if more people could hear such a good song.Kang Yeongmin wanted to let others listen to music he thought was quality.“You not gonna upload it on NuTube?”With those composing skills, the truth was word should have already spread. The reason it hadn’t was probably due to not publicly sharing any creations whatsoever. That’s what Kang Yeongmin wrongly assumed. So contrary to form, he pressed relentlessly.“NuTube?”“The one I told you about before. Remember?”Roh Haeil seemed not to recall at all, frustrating Kang Yeongmin.“NuTube.”Without realizing the frustration, Roh Haeil repeated as if confirming.At that moment, Halo recalled ‘NuTube’. Whereas Kang Yeongmin misunderstood Halo had no interest in NuTube whatsoever, that was inaccurate.The archive of music Halo had listened to was precisely NuTube. Without paying any costs there, he listened to beloved masterpieces from primordial times.A music library.That was how he had described ‘NuTube’.And on the other hand, previously Kang Yeongmin had described NuTube this way.Anyone can upload their work here, share it, and earn money.“!”Halo’s head snapped up.The albums piled high on Kang Yeongmin’s studio shelves glittered like shooting stars.‘Why was I fixated on album format?’He had assumed as a matter of course that square albums needed to be left behind.Since that was the only album format in his era.But this era was different.Even if he didn’t purchase square albums, albums were still real, and what’s more, anyone could listen.‘My objective isn’t simply releasing albums.’Albums were merely a means.His true goal was for anyone to listen to his songs and recognize they were his compositions.Eureka.Halo stepped forward.It no longer mattered who called out to him.With all conundrums solved, all he had left to do now was press onward.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)!