The Road to Glory

“Is this your studio?”Halo discovered a familiar old man and a camera crew following behind him.Led by Hwang Ryongpil, the VJ looked around curiously.Since Hwang Ryongpil walked slowly, the VJ tilted his whole body, trying to quickly film the inside of the studio.“Oh.”Hwang Ryongpil let out a short exclamation of admiration.He had heard it was a personal label and personal studio.It was wider than expected – not just an office, but using an entire floor – and well-designed.It wasn’t an exaggeration, it really looked like a newly opened studio. After touring the lounge area, recording room, and mixing and mastering room, Hwang Ryongpil was genuinely amazed.It didn’t seem like a newly debuted label.“Wow, this is really nice.”Not knowing how good the equipment was, the VJ was amazed by just the facility itself, thinking it must cost a lot in rent and maintenance fees, as they filmed those new machines with their camera.“This is…”Then Hwang Ryongpil noticed an LP record placed next to the turntable. It was familiar to him.Without realizing it, Hwang Ryongpil picked it up and turned to look at Halo with a very surprised expression, showing it to him.After all, that LP was one of Hwang Ryongpil’s old albums released before the young man was even born.“This is one of my most cherished albums.”Halo nodded, meaning it was right for him.Hwang Ryongpil’s 3rd album was the first Korean music he listened to after coming here. Halo recalled a memory that seemed recent yet quite old.Back then, he first listened to Hwang Ryongpil’s “Emergency” and felt the beauty of the Korean language.He thought it would be good to make songs in such a language.And he was glad to know there were people doing similar music in other countries.He had thought he wanted to meet him someday.But he didn’t expect to meet him this soon.And for the purpose of joining forces with HALO.“It must have been hard to find.”“It was a gift from the person who first played this album for me.”“Oh, whoever it was, they must be a good person.”Hwang Ryongpil chuckled, calling them a good person just for gifting his album.“Are you going to start working now?”After a long chat, the VJ who had been thoroughly filming the studio approached and asked.“Hey now, take it easy. We haven’t even had a proper break yet.”“But… Yes…”Unlike other teams, this was a team that they didn’t just leave behind a reality camera, but had a VJ come in person.However, the VJ couldn’t say anything to the legend of South Korea, so they inwardly grumbled and quietly sat on the couch across from them.Although they weren’t actually collaborating, the conversation between the two was enjoyable. How should it be said? Despite the generation gap, their ages and generations didn’t really feel that noticeable.It just seemed like a conversation between two musicians.The VJ, who initially thought it was an odd pairing, changed their mind. The two, chatting away while one played the guitar, looked like close friends, except for the “work” part.As the VJ spaced out, Hwang Ryongpil glanced at him. They had gotten so engrossed in their fun conversation that they lost track of time, but it wasn’t polite to have the VJ, who was being paid for their job, wait meaninglessly.“It seems our friend here is getting tired, so let’s slowly move on to talking about the work.”“Yes, did you have a genre in mind?”“Well, of course I did. What about you?”Hwang Ryongpil seemed to have something he wanted to say but was subtly probing Halo’s reaction.Did he want to try a rather obscure genre?Actually, Halo thought any genre would be interesting, so he didn’t mind.“You go first.”Hwang Ryongpil nodded without declining.“Didn’t you say you were trying something new?”“That’s right.”“I’ve also done a lot of thinking since then. Whether I’m still challenging myself instead of being complacent with reality, like you. It seems different from when I was young, but these days I’m not so sure. Well, maybe it’s because I’ve tried so many genres so far.”Rock, ballads, trot, folk songs, children’s songs, etc.If someone asked what kind of music Hwang Ryongpil did, no one could specify a particular genre.After pondering, someone would eventually answer:‘Hwang Ryongpil’s genre is Hwang Ryongpil.’“I also thought I’d try something new this time. There’s a genre I haven’t challenged yet.”Halo nodded with a smile.Challenge was always something he loved.He respected the old man’s challenge as well.But what genre could Hwang Ryongpil have not tried?Just as Halo thought he might be trying a song in a foreign language, an unexpected remark came.“What? A cheer song?”It wasn’t Halo who exclaimed this.The VJ, who had been quietly listening to the two’s conversation, shouted out.It was an unexpected genre, after all.Hwang Ryongpil calmly continued as he looked at them.“I may have a long career -“That was true.Having debuted as a teenager, Hwang Ryongpil was certainly the longest-running singer in the current K-pop scene.“But I’ve never actually made a World Cup cheer song before. I’ve sung them, but our show’s finale is a song festival, so there’s a stage, right?”“That’s right.”“I want to make a song that everyone can enjoy as much as I enjoy being on stage. Not necessarily a cheer song, but a song that everyone can sing together.”In a way, it was a difficult request.A song that everyone could sing along to meant having a melody that wasn’t too difficult to sing, while making people want to sing it.On top of that, if it was a cheer song, it would need to instill excitement in people.However, Halo nodded, indicating it was okay.A song that could move others’ feelings aligned with his musical philosophy that he was exploring with Roh Haeil.Although it was a genre he had never tried before, it would be a good attempt.“I don’t think I’ve ever made a cheer song either.”“On top of that, I was thinking, it’s not too grand, but what if we add some repetitive motions?”Hwang Ryongpil snapped his fingers, making a tapping sound as an example.“It’s just an example, it doesn’t have to be this. It would be hard to pull off on stage.”That’s true.While it would be fine for a recording, their ultimate goal is a stage performance.No matter how big the song festival will be, there’s a huge difference between a recorded track and a live stage.Unlike a recording where you can focus on small sounds, small sounds get buried on stage.But adding repetitive motions seems like a good idea.Music he had heard here flashes through his mind.The first that comes to mind is Queen’s “We Will Rock You” – a form of music where everyone participates by stomping their feet and clapping their hands.Even those who can’t sing can follow along,and the appeal was how the musicians and audience create the stage together.Halo suddenly thinks,‘The finger snap isn’t so bad either.’He recalls the finger snap Hwang Ryongpil had demonstrated.Snap.The sound was small but unique and nice. Wasn’t it a sound that could only be made by a ‘finger snap’?Of course, if done repeatedly, his fingers would probably catch fire,but well, burning his whole body has always been his way.‘Hmm.’Suddenly, it feels like a melody is coming to mind.With a pensive expression.Hwang Ryongpil silently watched the young man.Stopping the VJ who was about to speak, he put a finger to his lips.‘Stay quiet.’The VJ nodded and quietly filmed the young man with his camera.The young man, who closed his mouth mid-conversation and started fidgeting his fingers.Hwang Ryongpil gazed at the young man with a benevolent expression.As an outsider to music, the VJ realized something was happening.Snap, snap.Regardless, a certain rhythm passed through Halo’s mind. A repetitive sound. Other sounds layered over the finger snaps.Halo suddenly recalled the music made from finger snaps and surrounding sounds he had heard once before.The bookshelf in his mind flipped pages, and the score unfolded without needing to open any notes.An unfinished song.First, the clicking sound of an uncapping pen.The bass of an eraser rubbing against paper.Children’s footsteps and fidgeting movements.Then, the bell ringing, breaking the silence.Although an error bell, the children start their unsanctioned break time – loosening ties, true free time to run wild.The unfinished song he had felt unsatisfied with violently shakes.Snap. Snap. Snap. Snap. Like this.Halo finger-snapped with both hands.A decent framework was made.“This is…”If back then all eyes in the classroom had been on him, this time it was just the two watching him.“How’s this?”“What?”Halo played the sound on his guitar.Not a sound a guitar can make, but Hwang Ryongpil would probably understand what kind of sound he was trying to recreate.As Halo had felt since first listening to his album, he was a master at handling sounds.The sounds start forming a melody.Hwang Ryongpil closed his eyes.“And insert this here.”Snap, snap, snap, snap. Halo snapped his fingers.The finger snaps would create the rhythm.“But wouldn’t it get buried in a concert hall?”“Don’t worry about that.”If only they did it, it would get buried.The sessions they simultaneously thought of would drown out the small, frail sound.But if not just them finger snapping.“We won’t be the only ones.”“…Don’t tell me!”At those words, Hwang Ryongpil’s eyes shot open.There was no mistaking the meaning.Wasn’t he the one who first suggested it?A vision of what would happen next passed through his mind.Hwang Ryongpil felt a thrill run through him – the two musicians suddenly starting to layer sounds onto the unfinished melody like madmen.The VJ blankly watched the feast of geniuses, feeling like they were peeking into some divine realm they weren’t meant to see.‘Well, it kinda feels like I shouldn’t be here…’Hwang Ryongpil, who had thrown out the idea of a cheer song and finger snaps,and the young man who pulled out a melody in less than 10 minutes.Though the lyrics were still unfinished humming, to the VJ it already sounded like a completed song.Having witnessed a creation process, the VJ seriously wondered,‘…Should I get down on my knees now?’#An artist’s studio cannot be simply defined.A studio with a recording room and instruments prepared.A hideout where day and night are reversed.While for someone, a quiet space like a study room is their studio,for others, any space shared with alcohol becomes their studio.That’s why.The reason team 5 ordered draft beers and sat side-by-side at the chicken joint was, of course, an off-the-record state without any cameras brought.“How did we decide to determine the stage order later?”A man who had gotten drunk from drinking asked.“I don’t know. PD Jang hasn’t said anything yet. Why are you worrying about that already?”“No, with Teacher Hwang Ryongpil and that Roh Haeil guy, if we go on after them, it’ll be tough. Hey, I still don’t understand. How did they assemble such an unbalanced team?”They had certainly come out to do a collaboration, but as the alcohol hit him, the man lamented about the team’s balance. It seemed like mere words that there was no survival aspect, as it looked like they would get overshadowed by the other teams in terms of audience interest and music.“I’m not too worried about that.”Then, when the woman who was his partner muttered while peeling peanuts, the man looked up.“Why? Have you already forgotten the arrangement stage?”“How could I forget that? Especially that final stage, that arrangement… It’s absolutely unforgettable.”“That’s exactly why the balance is off. Teacher Hwang Ryongpil is also a composer, and they’ve put together people gifted at composing on one team. What’s the point?”On one side was an old singer-songwriter, on the other a newcomer who showed talent through just one arrangement. The problem was they were both all-rounders gifted at lyrics and composing. One side alone would have been tough enough.“Don’t you think that could actually be a bad thing?”“What?”The man tilted his head at the woman’s unexpected words.“They’re both gifted at composing. They might be clashing heads by now. It was fine when they sang their own songs. But they put these strong individualistic geniuses on one team. Do they even have differences besides music? The generation gap is probably huge too. Age-wise too, one’s a grumpy old man, the other’s a fiery youth – of course they’ll clash?”“That’s… true?”It did seem possible.“But if that side takes all the attention…”“That’s true too. For now at least the focus will be on that team for the first or second episode, since they would only be talking about Team 1. But that could backfire. You think adding a delicious food to another delicious food makes it even more delicious, but what if you get a kimchi cake instead?”“Ugh…”“The ones we should actually be watching out for are Sin Joohyeok and Liv. A similar age couple duet. They’re in the same position as us, but they both have massive fan bases. That’s an actually unbalanced pairing.”“Yeah, that’s true. How did those two end up as a pair?”“Well, isn’t it obvious? They probably requested it in advance.”Just like them, Sin Joohyeok and Liv were probably paired up that way too, the woman was certain.Then the woman muttered while looking at the TV playing at the chicken joint,“Speaking of which, the first episode airs today.”Just in time, today.While each team had been working on finding concepts and creating songs,the broadcast time for the first episode of <2030 Song Festival – Rendezvous>, henceforth Rendezvous, had arrived.#“Hello everyone.”As expected, the opening of Rendezvous’ first episode featured Hwang Ryongpil, who caused an internet sensation with his iconic nobleman mask look. Starting with him, the stages of the 12 artists were properly introduced.Those who tuned in to the first episode enjoyed the stages as fans of certain artists, but there was one thing they were really waiting for – the stage covering the current global #1 hit song by HALO.Half watched nervously, the other half folded their arms skeptically, wondering how well it would be done.And of course, the stage that drew the most aggro didn’t come out right away.Just by the third stage, it was easy to see that the order reflected their influence.After Hwang Ryongpil, Sin Joohyeok and Liv. From there, it transitioned from established to mid-tier artists, with some overacting and ruining their stages, causing viewers to lower their expectations.A man who seemed to be an idol at least presented a decent performance-focused stage without going overboard. Up until then had been eleven songs – the eleventh stage.In the end, all that remained was the HALO cover by the least influential artist.At this point, interviews with the other artists were shown.The interviews directly reflected the viewers’ minds.‘The last person must be feeling nervous.’‘That’s right. Basically all the stages worth watching have gone already.’‘But when will they announce the pairings?’The screen changed, and a man wearing a mask spoke.“Everyone will find it interesting.”Viewers who already knew he was covering HALO scoffed, while those unaware thought how interesting could it really be – it was just broadcasted words after all.The camera immediately switched to the stage.A familiar accompaniment flowed out that everyone recognized.[Wait, is this a HALO cover? He said it would be interesting, but is he really covering HALO?]└Didn’t you know? It was a huge issue in the previews└Yeah but I’m HALO fan… Oh please… Just don’t sing it“He’s really going to sing this?”Like the viewers’ thoughts, some artist also said the same. “Is he crazy?” Even comments assumed to be hidden by the mask were aired unedited.Along with the familiar organ sound, the original song’s name appeared in subtitles.Please, lead me not into temptation | HALO (4th Album O God)“Oh Lord.”The masked man who had brazenly said everyone would find it interesting opened his mouth.“You said to love everyone, Father.”At that moment, the scene of a crumbled church unfolded before everyone’s eyes.This was the space realized by HALO’s music.Some people denied that it was a decent cover, claiming it wasn’t the original cover singer’s.However, another voice rang out.“Tell me your story.”The whispering voice was gentle, frail yet warm – like a priest always listening to his voice from one spot.“Sister.”The masked man then sang HALO’s song again.“If I fall into hell, please take my hand.”Once again, she comforted him by becoming a gentle soul.Although it was clearly one person, two people were seen,And although there was only one light, a bright light and a dark light coexisted.And when they finally overlapped,Someone thought,Ah, perhaps the one we thought was the priestWas not a priest who came down to listen to a man’s story, but God themselves.The stage lights gradually dimmed.And with that, the first episode ended.There was no preview about the reveal of identities or announcement of pairings that people actually wanted to see. However, no one pointed out that there was no preview.The internet was already ablaze, unable to care about trivial things(?) in front of the massive meteor.[Wow][I watched with my mouth hanging open][This is why people believe in God…it was so warm][I thought I didn’t like opera arias, but apparently I did?]Starting from those comments, the servers began to fluctuate.[Please, someone give us information on who he is ㅠㅠㅠ][From the voice, isn’t it that guy? The newcomer called Roh Haeil these days? Oh but I knew he could sing well, but not to this extent;;;][A newcomer? This is a newcomer’s skill? It looks like a different singer no matter how I see it][I get the insane tone, but did he also do the arrangement himself????]└?_?

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