The Road to Glory

“I don’t think this will work as it is.”The 3rd and 4th broadcasts of Rendezvous covered the artists’ work process. Being the early stages, it showed the process of building the foundation, such as the artists’ harmony and conceptualizing the songs they would work on.Also, there were interviews interspersed throughout.“Which pair concerns you the most?”“Well…”This could be seen as PD Jang’s method of adding tension even without a survival element.“Other teams mentioned Sin Joohyeok and Liv as the pair they’re most conscious of. What do you think about this?”“Not Team 1, but us?”Liv blinked, pointing at herself.As if she hadn’t expected it at all.Sin Joohyeok also thought it was an unexpected answer.And for good reason, as there was another even more formidable combination.The VJ found their reaction surprising.Although the other artist teams were also well-known in Korea, Sin Joohyeok and Liv present here were the true queen and king of digital charts. There weren’t many digital powerhouses who could line up not only their title tracks but also their album tracks on the charts, except for these two.Moreover, they were a young man and woman in their early 30s.They matched well visually, and their vocal tones complemented each other well.It was also well-known that they were close friends, but because they had pursued different music genres until now, they had never collaborated, not even for a duet or featuring. This was undoubtedly the collaboration fans had wanted the most.“What did they say about Teacher Hwang Ryongpil and Roh Haeil-ssi’s team?”Sin Joohyeok asked, arms crossed.Liv, sitting next to him, nodded.She also wanted to know why other teams had chosen their team instead of Team 1.The VJ rolled his eyes before answering.“There was a lot of talk about Team 1 too.”It couldn’t be said to be negative.It was just that.“They said they weren’t sure.”They answered that they couldn’t quite imagine what kind of music would come out. Although both were excellent musicians, people couldn’t imagine what they would show as a duet.If it had been a featuring or solo performance, they would have been the team to watch out for.“I see.”Sin Joohyeok nodded vaguely.Well, he was so curious about what kind of music they would make that he had visited them personally.And he found out.Even if delicious food plus delicious food doesn’t necessarily taste better, the combination of two geniuses can somehow produce amazing results.“The other teams don’t know much yet.”Liv said. The VJ tilted his head and continued.“It seems Sin Joohyeok-ssi and Liv-ssi are most conscious of Team 1. Can you tell us why?”This answer was broadcast in Part 1, that is, Episode 3.Liv honestly said that she had listened to the song, and that they had “completely overhauled” their song, saying “this won’t do.”[Is that all?][What on earth are they doing?]Viewers who watched Episode 3 were curious about what kind of song Team 1 was preparing. Since Part 2, Episode 4, hadn’t been aired yet, Team 1 hadn’t appeared in a single scene.[When will Episode 4 air?]└Probably next weekWhat kind of amazing song were they creating?And how much effort were they putting into it?Well, were they really putting in effort?The camera spins around.The reality show camera angle captures the two people.If a VJ or staff member had been there, they might have said something like this:So when are you going to start working!There’s no mention of the half-finished song they had played for Sin Joohyeok and Liv. Since then, they’ve talked about all kinds of music, suddenly got inspired and played guitar, sang in relay, and suddenly poured out some melody, doing everything musical except for their collaboration.Just like now.After coming to Hwang Ryongpil’s house, the boy who discovered a xylophone played it, tapping away.It wasn’t an existing song, but rather playing out a musical idea that suddenly came to him.“It’s a bit disappointing.”Halo, who had created a fresh song that would have made anyone’s eyes widen if they had heard it, put down the xylophone, saying it was disappointing.Around that time, Hwang Ryongpil returned after finishing his phone call.“They said they’ll be a little late due to traffic. But they’ll be here within thirty minutes.”“That’s soon.”Halo shrugged.They were currently waiting for Hwang Ryongpil’s band. The session musicians for their collaboration song.These were the people who always played band music whenever Hwang Ryongpil had concerts or live performances, said to be the best in the country.“Shall we continue our unfinished conversation?”“Yes, where were we?”“Let’s see… Was it about the third album?”They weren’t just killing time.They were just doing activities unrelated to the broadcast, but there were many interesting aspects just from the reality show.Composition methods, lifestyle, conversations. And Hwang Ryongpil was opening up about the behind-the-scenes of his album collections.“At that time, it was hard to understand, but now it has all become a good experience. Wasn’t it the same for you when you sang that OST?”“It was an interesting experience.”Still, he had no intention of including songs composed by others in his album. If someone said he was greedy, he would agree. He wanted to fill his album entirely with his own songs.“How about giving them away instead?”“Giving them away?”“Soon enough, there will be an overflow of people wanting to receive songs from you. Have you thought about giving them away? I’m not just talking about completed songs. You have a lot of practice pieces, don’t you?”And judging by the way he blinked in a direction where the camera couldn’t see well, it didn’t seem like he was just talking about songs as Roh Haeil.“I haven’t considered it yet.”“I’m not just talking about singers. There are numerous companies in the world, and they might request songs from you. For example, they might ask you to create an OST, or to make advertising music.”Halo thought for a moment and then shook his head.“I think I’ll focus on my own music for the time being.”Hwang Ryongpil nodded as if he understood.Knowing that he must be twice as busy as others, he thought he probably wouldn’t have time.“It’s good that you have some free time this month, though.”At Hwang Ryongpil’s words, Halo raised the corners of his mouth.It meant he wouldn’t be able to do other work due to the collaboration.Well, if he had to start from composition, there’s a high chance he wouldn’t have been able to do it.“Is that really so?”“…!”Hwang Ryongpil turned to look at him with wide eyes.Hwang Ryongpil naturally thought that since HALO’s last album came out on February 28th, he wouldn’t be able to release an album for a while.However, the boy was smiling and speaking meaningfully.“When did you…”Conscious of the camera, Hwang Ryongpil couldn’t finish his sentence.PD Jang or the staff who later check this reality show footage won’t understand what they’re talking about.At most, they’ll think that other work is also occasionally in progress.Ding-dong.The doorbell rang just then.Hwang Ryongpil’s band had arrived.As Hwang Ryongpil passed by the boy, he muttered softly.“Not a genius, but a workaholic. I see.”Halo grinned.He wouldn’t deny it.Then Halo discovered an amazing coincidence.The name of HALO’s 5th album that he was currently preparing happened to be ‘Addiction’.“Hello, teacher.”It wasn’t just Hwang Ryongpil’s band members who came to Hwang Ryongpil’s house. Hwang Ryongpil’s manager, who had been on vacation, came with various gifts. From fruit juice to red ginseng, supplements, and various other presents.“And this is-““Wasn’t Team Leader Park on an overseas trip?”“I checked on the way here. You must be Roh Haeil-ssi, right? Nice to meet you.”As Hwang Ryongpil was elderly, his manager was also middle-aged and quite old. Nevertheless, the manager bowed deeply to the much younger boy in greeting.“This is my manager, Park Byeongcheol. You can call him Team Leader Park.”Halo greeted him as well.While watching the two greet each other with satisfaction, Hwang Ryongpil introduced the session musicians standing behind. Bass, synth, percussion.As he led them inside,Hwang Ryongpil, who was the last to walk in, tapped his manager beside him and said,“Take care of that friend instead of me for a while.”“Pardon?”“Anyone would take good care of me. But that friend might still find many things unfamiliar, so I’d like you to look after him.”“Ah, it’s not a difficult request, but…”Team Leader Park whispered as if surprised, glancing at the black-haired boy walking ahead.“This is the first time you’ve made such a request, teacher. Is that boy that special?”Hwang Ryongpil smiled faintly at the words ‘that special’.That special, huh.In fact, he had already surpassed the level he could judge, so it was amusing to say anything. But still, at the bright age of seventeen.He thought he had the right to speak about the countless days that would unfold before that child. As a colleague working together, a friend, and a fan waiting for that day.“He’s the leading figure who will lead the era.”“Should I consider him as the successor to follow in your footsteps, teacher?”What successor?“Don’t say such nonsense and just take good care of him.”At least until the music festival is over.He’ll surely do well, but it seems there will be humans blinded by the fragrant scent before then.#Not long after that. The artists from the 6 teams gathered again in the studio. A few days before Episode 4 was to be aired, they agreed to proceed with filming for a midterm check of the music.Of course, there were teams that fought over the concept of the song, and teams that had already progressed to just before recording.In any case, today’s filming content was to play the music in order and proceed with feedback.And the first stage was Team 1, Hwang Ryongpil and Roh Haeil’s stage.‘You, pretending to be nice, used your head well.’‘What?’‘I mean the interview where you deliberately drew attention to the teacher’s team.’Sin Joohyeok, sitting at the round semicircular table waiting for the stage, recalled the conversation they had briefly in the waiting room.‘Then was it you guys who said our team was concerning in the interview?’‘Well, it’s true, isn’t it?’‘Why didn’t the teacher’s team do an interview then?’When asked like that, she spoke as if it was obvious.‘At first, I was concerned. But the more I thought about it, the more ambiguous it became. What kind of duet stage could an old man and a minor show together? Especially as a male-male combination. They won’t be rapping. Singing separately in verse 1 and verse 2?’‘Oh.’Sin Joohyeok simply exclaimed.He thought it was a bluff, but it seems she really thought this way.‘Why not? What is there?’‘You’ll be surprised.’‘Ah! Surprise.’At that moment, Liv suddenly came in and said,‘Let me tell you one thing in advance, keep your time open today.’‘Why?’Liv smiled with a face devoid of any malice and said,‘Because we’ve become busy too.’Other teams who were secretly listening didn’t understand what she meant. From the interviews and nuances, it seemed like they had already heard Team 1’s song.Is it that amazing?It just didn’t seem easy to imagine.Sin Joohyeok thought, watching the stage as the lights began to come on.‘It must have improved since last time.’Hopefully, it would make those who were needlessly calculating and just watching busy.It would be unfair if only they had to overhaul their song.Snap.What pierces the thick darkness is a finger snap.4/4 time signature. It breaks the silence with a slow tempo.And layered on top of that, an a cappella humming.As expected of Hwang Ryongpil’s team, who handles sound well, each session is added one by one. The sound gradually becomes more majestic, and just when the finger snap seems to be buried, another sound is layered on.The percussion comes in, adding weight and grandeur.What Halo first imagined,The students in school uniforms are now wearing heavy armor.The freedom the students desire is contained in the flag,And the dash for freedom is replaced by clanging blades.In the end, what moves forward is the crescendo.There was no voice from the maestro.They only played the instrumental of the verse.But everyone knew where this music was heading.It’s impossible not to know when it’s so strongly imprinted in their minds.“!”When the boy’s humming ended and the accompaniment faded away,Team 1’s performance was over.“Uh…”With a loud reaction, all the artist teams who had the obligation to give feedback closed their mouths.“No feedback?”Clearly, until the performance started, even though it was the teacher’s team, those who were going to say what they had to say were now opening and closing their mouths.Feedback doesn’t necessarily mean only criticism.It would be enough feedback to say which parts were excellent or good.But the reason no one could express even that simple admiration,Was because they couldn’t think of a single word of admiration.“No…”Their minds were filled with their own songs.Not in a positive sense.‘Oh, if it’s like this… Our song…’‘Wait, we’re next? You want us to present our song after hearing something like that?’While PD Jang and the writer were gesturing to hurry and make them speak, the MC looked around at the group of artists awkwardly.Everyone’s expressions were blatant.“Everyone?”The MC quickly clapped as if to say, wake up.It wasn’t a live broadcast, but they were filming.They weren’t all rookies, but they were excessively stunned.“We can’t go on like this, can we…?”At that moment, someone muttered.Surprisingly, it was similar to what some team had said a few days ago.In the end, less than thirty minutes after the filming started, a break time was given. Of course, it doesn’t necessarily look like a break time.The artists who had been relaxed until they reached the waiting room were suddenly passionately doing something.Especially the team that was just about to record was suddenly having a serious conversation.Of course, they occasionally asked if they could skip the stage, but naturally, they couldn’t.“It seems like the artists are suddenly on fire.”“It looks like it was a good stimulus.”Well, after hearing a song like that, how could it not be stimulating?Even now, his heart was pounding. PD Jang closed his eyes, enjoyed the lingering feeling, and counted the days left until the May Music Festival.If this exciting feeling continues, a festival beyond imagination will be created.‘Perhaps.’PD Jang vaguely thought.It might become the greatest concert among the music festivals hosted by KDS.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)!