The Road to Glory

Halo walked out of the mastering room.It was early dawn. No, precisely dawn as the sun was rising. The studio was quietly settled.His slippers slowly tapped the floor.He threw himself onto the couch in the break room.There was a warm scent of fabric softener from the aroma warmer his mother had brought.Dazzling sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains.He murmured softly, blocking the sunlight with his hand.“…It’s done.”He reported the progress of HALO’s 6th album work, which he had been working on without rest.In fact, if he hadn’t gone to LA, he would have finished it earlier.But he doesn’t regret it.He was satisfied with the cheeseburger he ate after a long time, the Los Angeles weather, and the scenery that wasn’t much different from his memories.Halo closed his eyes and was about to fall asleep when he picked up his phone. Messages had piled up on the phone he had turned off for a while.From his mother worrying that he’s not coming home just like his father, to acquaintances.There were people asking if he really appeared on an American talk show, but mostly they talked about his music.To summarize, they said they listened well, the songs were good, and congratulations.As an extra, one guy-.[Isn’t that thing coming out this time?][Are you releasing an album?][No, no, you’re not a magazine]He wondered why they were asking then.Halo then went into the Watermelon app.And he realized why his acquaintances had congratulated him.The chart entry of the music released at midnight the night before.[46. Lighthouse of the Night │ Roh Haeil- Lighthouse of the Night (1st Single Album]Halo fell asleep while reading fans’ reactions to the song.And when he came to his senses, he found three people who had already “come to work” at the studio, chatting at the table next to the refrigerator.They waved at the awakened boy, asking if he was up.#Roh Haeil’s MINI album [Another Life], released on February 28th, had relatively few reviews or evaluations compared to its peak performance of 2nd place on the music charts.Until then, he was just a rookie who had just debuted. While there were people who reviewed rookies’ songs, reviews from “experts” called “critics” couldn’t be found.The boy caught the public’s eye at the Rendezvous Music Festival.Numerous critiques were attached to ‘Song of a Hero’, which he sang with Hwang Ryongpil.Roh Haeil’s fans waited for reviews of his pure song – with 100% purity, having only the name ‘Roh Haeil’ in lyrics, composition, and arrangement.Of course, they knew.That critics’ reviews were sometimes not popular and there were some strange ones.Nevertheless, it was the fans who wanted their singer to receive good evaluations from professional people.Also, even for non-fans, critical articles served as the best reference in evaluating and criticizing a singer’s song.The long-awaited reviews didn’t inflate the fans’ hearts… but rather, set them on fire.@Critic Kim Junseok: 3.5 /5.0This is a song that had a lot of talk even before its release.There were many sayings that he caught HALO disease (a disease of imitating the foreign singer HALO who releases once a month), but he stubbornly released a single album.Wouldn’t it have been better to make a full or mini album professionally, even if it took a little more time…Of course, the composition and atmosphere of the song prominently show ‘Roh Haeil’s’ own musical world. The dreamy atmosphere brought out the mood of foreign music in his own color.└ So why 3.5??└ Are you saying it’s disappointing as a single for a song that broke into the top 10 in less than a day after release?└ Don’t you know Kim Junseok is famous? He gives at most 3.5 for Korean singers’ songs, but praises and gives 5 points to HALO or Lady Justin lol└ How does one become a critic? I think I could critique better than this bastard└ Are there no other reviews?Of course, there were many positive reviews too.@Pop music critic Lee Jiae: Despite the familiar acoustic-based introduction, the composition of synthesizers, the rich sound from actual sessions rather than MIDI sounds, the storytelling of introduction-development-turn-conclusion, and the fantastic atmosphere are impressive@Music critic Park Hyunsoo: The clear-toned vocals and dreamy, fantastic musical composition match perfectly. He brings out his own charm in the exact opposite feeling of the foreign singer H, famous for his boyish voiceHowever, one bad word is usually more memorable than a hundred good words. The fans were more worried about the singer who would see this article than about their own upset feelings.At that moment, an article was published.[Roh Haeil, Confirmed for First Terrestrial Music Show Appearance]A member excerpted the article and posted it on the cafe bulletin board, and an office worker who had been stressed about Roh Haeil impersonation spread his arms.[Riding the Wave] Moon music show next week (Show! Music World) schedule confirmed!!! It’s Saturday, May 31st!└ Came! Saw! Conquered!└ Wow, if it’s Show! Music World, will he get 1st place on his first appearance?└ Isn’t it ambiguous? It’s a single and even released as a digital album└ The Indian rain dance finally succeeds *shiver*Broadly speaking, ‘music shows’ in South Korea would mean all broadcasts dealing with music, but narrowly, music show programs are commonly called ‘music shows’.There were about seven such show programs in South Korea, including three terrestrial and three cable, and each music broadcast had its own characteristics.Among them, Show! Music World, which Roh Haeil was confirmed to appear on, is known as the oldest existing music broadcast, with relatively good stage sound quality and live environment.Of course, there were issues with editing for unpopular singers and criteria for popularity rankings, but the former was actually the standard for most music shows, and the latter was improved by reflecting NuTube views.Thus, although the possibility was low, it wasn’t impossible for Roh Haeil to get 1st place.After all, Roh Haeil ranked highest on the Watermelon and other South Korean digital streaming platform charts.Still, what the fans were looking forward to was something else.The time had come to finally unveil the light sticks and slogans they had prepared. If they could safely overcome one hurdle, they could taste the sweet fruit.‘Though that hurdle is quite big.’It’s the battle occasionally compared to ticketing.Unless you can buy audience tickets, or if it’s a reservation system. Unlike other terrestrial programs, ‘Show! Music World’ has first-come, first-served entry.‘Taking a day off is the answer!’While fans were grinding their bones and teeth, May 31st arrived.This day is special for everyone.For fans, it will be Roh Haeil’s first music show and first public appearance, and also, though no one knows yet, it was the scheduled release date for HALO’s 6th album.“Oh, boss, your hair dye turned out well.”Halo looked in the mirror with his usual expression.He had his hair bleached and dyed at a place someone introduced — a hair management shop that celebrities often visit.Since he didn’t properly manage his first bleached hair while traveling back and forth to England, this time he decided to enjoy the full spectrum of colors.So, the color he dyed was blonde, matching <Lighthouse of the Night>.Without properly examining himself, Halo just briefly checked and headed straight to Yeouido.Most of those appearing on music shows might be idol groups, but people who arrived around the same time as him were also rookie idol groups.While 9 members were being captured on camera, their manager and staff moved.Halo greeted one of them when their eyes met.They greeted back awkwardly. Since they met in the broadcasting station lobby waiting for the elevator, not in the waiting room, an awkward silence flowed.Then, someone approached with a loud voice.“Who do we have here? Could it be our Haeil-ssi?”“…Ah, PD Jang.”The boy greeted with his usual calm attitude, neither excessively welcoming nor not, and PD Jang smiled brightly at him.Of course, he was the protagonist who successfully made the Rendezvous that he had planned.And the nine figures who were startled at hearing the name PD.“PD-nim, hello!”“Ah, you startled me. Yes. Ah, hello.”“We are- one, two, three, on the asteroid Rittle Prince!”At the name PD, the idol group bowed in greeting, and soon shouted their group slogan.Halo knew about Wonder as an idol, but it was his first time seeing them as a full group, so he found their greeting method interesting.And on the other hand, he thought they were working hard despite their young age.If someone ordered him to do that, he wouldn’t stand for it.PD Jang nodded and smiled formally.“Nice to meet you, I think I’ve heard the name before, which company are you from?”If he had heard the name, he would have known which company, but the one who seemed to be the leader among the idols explained with a bright face. PD Jang asks ambiguously only what he wants to know.“Ah, I see. But where’s your manager?”“He said he had something to do for a moment…”“Hmm. I see. Take care of your business.”PD Jang nodded once more, and soon completely lost interest.It’s not that they did anything wrong. It’s natural for PD Jang to become indifferent to rookie idol groups from a company he’s never heard of, where dozens of groups are created and disbanded even now, plus the absence of a manager who should add something more.Although it’s not right, that’s how this world was turning.PD Jang poured his attention on the boy with a more certain future.“I almost didn’t recognize you because of the hair dye. It suits you so well. You dyed it for the music show, right?”As the elevator door opened, PD Jang got on with the boy. It seemed like he had some purpose.“Do you have any schedule other than the music show?”Ah, so that’s it.Halo smiled faintly and answered vaguely, “Well…” PD Jang smiled back as if he knew everything.“I’m not talking about that, so don’t worry. The casting is all done.”“Ah.”By ‘that’ refers to Rendezvous Season 2, which hasn’t been announced to the public yet.“Of course, I’d be happy if you participated.”Halo smiled and expressed his intention to decline.Well, the collaboration was fun, but what he wants is his solo performance. PD Jang nodded as if he understood.This guy. If that’s not the main point, why is he following?At that moment, the long elevator doors opened, and they faced a man standing in front of the door.“Oh, PD Jang?”“Where are you going, PD Han, at this time?”“I was about to go out for a bit. But why are you here, PD Jang?”“Me? Ah, I came to greet our Haeil-ssi. I’ve said hello, so I’ll be going now.”“Oh? Let’s go together, senior! Ah, and Roh Haeil-ssi, nice to meet you, I’ll be back soon so let’s greet properly later.”The ‘Show! Music World’ PD, who followed the star PD Jang onto the elevator, greeted the boy with friendly eyes and closed the door.PD Jang behind him winked and grinned.‘I helped you.’The tightly closed elevator.While Halo thought what a cunning person he was, the staff approached more favorably.#Halo conducted the rehearsal watching the darkened audience seats. Although they had seen him perform on stage before, the staff marveled anew. Of course, this was the first time they saw him in person.“Wow, as expected, Roh Haeil does well even in rehearsal. I thought he might not know much about music shows since he said he’d go with just MR, not LMR (Live Music Recorded), but he’s just good at live performances.”“How’s the situation outside?”“What do you think? It’s chaos because Thanos has come back.”“As expected, idols have the firepower.”Last week, a 4-year-old idol group returned a day earlier than Roh Haeil. The song they brought was decently popular, and soon quickly charted.The performance wasn’t bad either.However, rookie Roh Haeil’s single is ranking higher than them. Well, because the song is better.But they’re not sure how their fans will take it.They seemed quite exclusive.In fact, it might not be a big issue.If it was an idol group of the same year, they might have been more conscious, but Roh Haeil was classified as a singer-songwriter and was hard to see as an idol.Moreover, even if Thanos fans are conscious of the song’s performance, they won’t criticize other singers or throw water bottles.They’ll just… ignore and not react.It’s childish, but it’s a good way to break a singer’s will.“No way. And even if they don’t react, Roh Haeil’s fans will react, right?”“How many fans do you think came to see Roh Haeil at the public recording?”“Hmm-. Wouldn’t there be quite a few?”“More than Thanos?”“… Well, Roh Haeil isn’t an idol, so what would they be conscious of?”“Hey, do you know how upset they get when compared to a rookie’s song? And Thanos has been attacked many times for not being able to perform live, so their fans can’t help but be conscious. Especially since the order is Roh Haeil right before Thanos.”“Well, still.”The staff thought the order was indeed in a position easy to compare.But Roh Haeil is solo, and they’re a group, so it’s quite different. The FD’s words must be somewhat exaggerated.However, he soon found out.That the FD’s words were somewhat realized.Well, half of it.Halo felt a chilly atmosphere on the darkened stage. It felt especially so because quite a lot of people had responded to the rookie idol in the front part.He silently raised the corners of his mouth.Originally, there’s always a cold aspect before he warms up the audience, but unlike usual, it didn’t seem to be just because of the audience’s tension.‘Interesting, I like it.’It seems similar to the atmosphere when he held a concert the next month after his dating rumors broke. Ah, maybe not to that extent.But well, whatever.He was always ready to walk alone on the frozen lake.Alone was enough.Clearly it was, butWhen the acoustic intro started to play,“Haeil!”A pterodactyl-like sound pierced his ears.“I love you!”“!”Someone he doesn’t know at all.But that resonant voice flew to him.Since leaving home, he had always been called by the stage name HALO – even his lover didn’t know his real name –So being called by the name Haeil felt very strange.Without realizing it, his raised corners of the mouth were captured by the camera, and Halo opened his mouth pretending nothing happened.[Advancing into the dark night]Soon the stage lights came on,Halo discovered a few slogans directed at him.Not many, but people shaking their whole bodies as if to announce their presence to him.That was enough.He decided to sing for them.His song doesn’t grab someone by the collar and force them to empathize with his emotions.But they saw the rippling waves.There was no special cheering method.But the fans swayed their heads and sang along to important parts as if they had colluded.They became very skilled singers,And returned to being excellent fans during the instrumental.And finally[Following the voyage of the stars]When the most important keyword was heard, a bright light appeared somewhere in the audience.Soon another light flashed.The lights gradually spread.Eventually, the golden lights formed a shape.‘Ah.’He couldn’t help but recognize the fans’ efforts to create that light.The lights swayed along with his song,And when it finally reached its climax, the world lit up brightly.[I’ll shine as a lighthouse for you]Just as the Big Dipper guided lost fishermen,The Big Dipper created by the light sticks guided him to his fans.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)!