The Road to Glory

“Oh, it’s Roh Haeil.”

At someone’s exclamation, the heads of the people gathered for the script reading turned simultaneously. They had gathered here as the ‘Korea University team’ to do script reading from morning until 3 PM.

And although it wasn’t originally scheduled for this time slot, the ‘Red Dragonfly (band)’ team, that is, some of the lead actors, were also present.

Including actor Park Hyuk, who plays the lead role of Jeongwoo, Kim Heeju and Joo Yeonwoo who play the keyboardist Hyerim, and Seo Dohyun who plays the guitarist Minseop – despite the loose schedule, they came to practice, making the script reading room more formal.

However, they could whisper and chat now because the general director was away, and above all, it was break time.

“Wow, we’re seeing Roh Haeil here. Ah, maybe he came to see Yeonwoo? They did a featuring together.”

Joo Yeonwoo has been looking at the script in the same position for a while now. She’s not wearing earphones, so she must be hearing the sounds, but she doesn’t seem to care.

“More than that, it might be because of the numbers. There’s a widespread rumor that Roh Haeil created the musical numbers for our show.”

As another person added, actors who were late to the news opened their eyes wide.

“Really? I mean, I haven’t seen it in the news yet. Which numbers? The ones we’re singing?”

“Well… as far as I know, it’s Jeongwoo’s number.”

It meant they wouldn’t be singing it.

At the mention of Jeongwoo’s number, people’s gazes turned towards the lead actor and senior, Park Hyuk.

What was most unexpected to them was Park Hyuk’s presence. He was Korea’s top musical actor. Although he was famous for being as hardworking as he was talented, he was known for usually practicing alone with experts in the early stages of musical preparation, so it was unexpected to see him here.

Park Hyuk was intently studying the sheet music with his AirPods in. No one was going to disturb the practice of a senior colleague and Korea’s top musical actor, so the gazes soon scattered.

Curiosity is not easily quenched.

After all, Roh Haeil wasn’t someone you could see easily (?) anywhere, and this place was what it was.

As they were marveling, Halo also looked inside the reading room. Through the transparent glass, people were reading scripts or listening to music.

What they’re listening to now is probably the musical numbers, right?

He was a bit curious about how the numbers made by other composers would sound.

It’s a bit different from drama OSTs.

As the numbers are connected as part of one musical, and through the story, he naturally became curious about the other numbers that would form the before and after of his music.

Well, if he asked the director, he’d probably be happy to let him listen. But he didn’t want to hear it badly enough to ask.

He came here solely to complete his music.

“Did Dokgo Yeong-ssi not come today? Park Hyuk-ssi, do you have a moment?”

The producer called Park Hyuk inside, and Park Hyuk, taking out his AirPods, brightened up when he saw Roh Haeil.

“Nice to meet you, Roh Haeil-ssi. I begged the producer to let me meet you, thank you for coming.”

The gentle yet heavy atmosphere of the script reading loosens up a bit with the smile. The actors who had been intimidated by him – Korea’s top musical actor and his inhuman (?) aspect of coming to practice even when it wasn’t his team’s practice – briefly murmured at seeing that smiling face.

It’s not that Park Hyuk suddenly showed fan enthusiasm towards Roh Haeil. He directly asked Roh Haeil about questions that arose while receiving the sheet music and guide track, and also asked for Roh Haeil’s views as a band member, vocalist, and guitarist.

Looking at the script, it wasn’t hard to predict what kind of conversation was taking place.

“Is it to that extent?”

At that moment, someone in the practice room muttered.

“Roh Haeil is a pop singer, but he doesn’t have a rocker sensibility, does he? Right, Yeonwoo-ssi?”

“I don’t know.”

Joo Yeonwoo cut off the conversation as if telling them not to talk to her.

“He’s not such a great expert that Senior Park Hyuk would need to get feedback from him, is he?”

Yet, the words of Seo Dohyun, who plays the guitarist Minseop, continued. He apparently didn’t realize that “I don’t know” wasn’t really meant as not knowing, but as a hint to shut up and read the script.

“Seeing how he brought in the CEO of an overseas distribution company like August Veil or whatever, it seems like he just brought him to show off.”

“He didn’t seem like someone with such low self-esteem.”

He’s neither someone lacking in talent to the extent of needing to borrow someone else to brag about himself, nor someone who doesn’t know his own talent. They had only met once, but that much was certain.

“Shall we go over this part again?”

Joo Yeonwoo cut off the useless chatter and for a moment, glanced out the window.

Senior Park Hyuk talking with Roh Haeil. Even she found Park Hyuk difficult to approach and respected him, and he was smiling while doing the interview(?). Looking at them like this, the two seemed so far away.

‘That person probably won’t play the keyboard, right?’

Thinking that, Joo Yeonwoo then recalled Roh Haeil’s keyboardist whom she had met on the featuring day.

Although she was already receiving private lessons and getting help from the band, she thought meeting a female keyboardist of the same gender would also be helpful. Not expecting coaching, just a few things as a band member and keyboardist.

‘I should ask later.’

Thinking that, she started reading the script.

#

Meanwhile, at 1 PM.

As the people in the practice room were about to go for lunch,

Halo, having escaped Park Hyuk’s barrage of questions, found August Veil, who had been waiting in the lobby as a manager, with a stiff face.

“Did something happen?”

“I thought I had dropped it. But one bug managed to stick.”

What he showed then was an article that had just come out on the internet.

[Which K-pop star is receiving love calls from Veil, the overseas music distribution company with The Sun?]

The photo inside was a very fresh scene of Roh Haeil and August Veil sitting side by side in a car.

The article was written about how Veil, the music distribution company that HALO is affiliated with – which is actually a misreport as he’s not affiliated – is showing interest in K-pop stars.

They’re not sure why it was written, but the names of famous idol groups and singers were also mentioned, and among them, the reporter’s personal guess was that Roh Haeil was the first candidate.

HALO’s nickname, The Sun.

‘Overseas’ music distribution company and K-pop star – these strong aggro titles were enough to create a strong attraction.

└So it means Roh Haeil’s songs are also popular overseas? For Veil to do this much

└ But the Veil CEO is driving for him?

└ Maybe because Roh Haeil doesn’t have a license?

└ Imagine Lee Jae-yong personally driving to take someone somewhere

└ Wow, I get it right away. I hit my forehead. It’s really amazing

As August Veil’s face became increasingly serious, Halo calmly added.

“It’s nothing special.”

“Are you alright?”

“Yes. It’s not like it’s the first or second time I’ve been photographed.”

And since they’re going around together, he thought it was natural for photos to be taken.

The old man, who had been quietly looking at the boy, realized that he really didn’t care and nodded.

“Still, I think I need to clear away the bugs. I’ll be back shortly.”

It was the same walk as usual, but you could see the hurry in his retreating back.

The practice room left behind after declining the offer to eat together is quiet. Halo leaned against the window, about to listen to music.

At that moment, long hair spread to the side.

“Hello, Roh Haeil-ssi.”

“…Hello, Joo Yeonwoo-ssi.”

Halo smiled faintly at the familiar face.

Joo Yeonwoo was dressed more comfortably than during the featuring.

“Aren’t you having lunch?”

“No, I’m planning to eat when I get back.”

By now, the members should have woken up.

Joo Yeonwoo nodded and was about to leave, but stopped.

The boy left alone in the practice room.

She seemed to be contemplating something, then as if she had made up her mind, she opened her mouth.

“If you have nothing to do right now, would you like me to show you around?”

Joo Yeonwoo was quite a friendly guide.

She explained about the process of musical practice and above all, about the chorus practice and recording that the boy was most curious about. After touring the entire floor they were using, Joo Yeonwoo, who had returned to the lobby, raised her index finger as if there was still something left.

“And there’s still my favorite place left. I think Roh Haeil-ssi will like it too.”

She spoke with such confidence that he was curious.

A place that he would like.

Joo Yeonwoo pressed the lowest basement level in the elevator.

And when she opened the door at the end of the corridor after getting off in the basement, Halo let out a short exclamation at the scene that unfolded.

He thought the building was big, but he didn’t expect there to be a stage in the basement. A theater.

“This is supposed to be locked, but I found it open every Tuesday.”

Joo Yeonwoo gestured.

Halo followed her in, examining the theater.

In fact, if there had been a more moral person, they might have asked, ‘Is it okay for us to go in here?’, but there was no one to ask such a question in this place.

Red seats. And the stage.

Before they knew it, they had climbed onto the stage and turned around to check the theater.

It was similar to or slightly larger than the Yeonkuk University Concert Hall where he had performed.

“I thought you would like it.”

Yes, he liked it enough.

The boy quietly looking at the audience.

Joo Yeonwoo, having gained some leisure, was about to ask if she could get Moon Seoyeon’s contact information, when suddenly an interesting thought occurred to her.

Back then, he had dismissed her, right?

-Ah, so you can’t compose.

-It’s not that I can’t, I’ve just never tried it.

And she had counterattacked like this.

-Roh Haeil-ssi, have you ever thought about becoming a musical actor?

-No

-Why not? I think you’d be good at it

-I tend not to act

-But it’s not that you can’t?

Joo Yeonwoo turned to look at the boy on the stage. A playful smile appeared on her face.

Acting.

What would this person’s acting be like?

He said he doesn’t do it, but is it really that he can’t do it?

I hope he’s not good at it.

“Roh Haeil-ssi, can you help me with something?”

“What is it?”

“A practice partner.”

“!”

“You’ll do it, right? In return, I’ll grant you one wish. Since I’ve been stubborn too.”

“I don’t need…”

“Can’t you act?”

Halo only then realized.

This little one was holding onto what he had said.

“I said I don’t do it.”

“I don’t remember.”

Seeing her say that, there was nothing left to say.

And when Joo Yeonwoo really started to play the music, Halo remembered something he had forgotten. That he doesn’t know any songs except the ones he made.

At those words, Joo Yeonwoo looked at him suspiciously for a moment.

“Then can you do other songs?”

Joo Yeonwoo called out songs one by one.

Most of them were unfamiliar songs. Apparently, the music he had listened to since coming here was more focused on classical pop music than musical numbers.

Joo Yeonwoo looked at him more suspiciously as the “I don’t know” answers increased. However, they finally arrived at a musical that everyone would know.

“You must know this one, right?”

Instead of the title, Joo Yeonwoo immediately played the song.

A low and eerie introduction.

Intense organ, drums, bass, synthesizer, electric guitar.

It’s a familiar hard rock, but…

Halo muttered briefly.

“This isn’t a song we need to practice.”

Ignoring the boy’s words, Joo Yeonwoo twirled her body. Taking a step forward on the stage, she put on a white dress, and with a turn, she became Christine. (TLN: Just giving you an advice here, watch “The Phantom of The Opera” on YT for full immersiveness. Worth it, I tell you)

“In sleep he sang to me and dreams he came.”

That voice which calls to me and speaks my name.

And do I dream again? For now, I find.

‘You still won’t do it?’

She looked at the boy provocatively.

Finally, Halo chuckled and pushed his foot onto the stage. The boy in jeans and a cardigan reaches out his hand. He remained unchanged.

“Sing once again with me, our strange duet.”

A white face revealed without even wearing a mask.

The boy with platinum-dyed hair showed none of the Phantom’s characteristics.

Joo Yeonwoo thought as she continued singing.

‘He really doesn’t act.’

It wasn’t a matter of not being able to, he just didn’t.

He showed no intention of acting.

He had no thought of showing the Phantom’s past and present, the inner self he possessed.

He lacks the Phantom’s characteristic sinisterness, obsession, and fear.

However, strangely, a different Phantom appeared.

Not a Phantom hiding his ugly appearance and revealing sinister desires, but a Phantom full of confidence. A Phantom who knows his talent better than anyone and proudly displays his charms to others was there.

Instead of leading her to a dark underground with his clear voice, he guides her to the brightest place.

As if this is the most beautiful world he sees.

Truly, like a god of music.

Joo Yeonwoo suddenly recalled the curtain of this stage.

Christine, who abandoned her position as the Phantom’s prima donna and followed her first love, Raoul.

‘…How could she do that?’

At that moment, her immersion broke.

Because she could no longer empathize with Christine.

‘If I were Christine-. I wouldn’t have run away with Raoul, I would have stayed with this person forever.’

How blind must a woman be to make such a choice?

The music had long since ended.

But the girl was still blankly staring at his Phantom.

Halo looked at his phone once, then alternately at the girl who couldn’t leave the stage.

He soon smiled faintly and lightly tapped the girl’s forehead.

“Snap out of it.”

Ah.

He didn’t hit hard, but the girl was holding her forehead, exaggerating and looking up at him with round eyes.

“I didn’t hit you that hard.”

As the boy chuckled and whispered, the girl’s face turned red.

Feeling like she had lost somehow, she felt she needed to say something.

Just as she was about to ask why he was speaking informally, or say that it hurt, suddenly, the sound of applause was heard.

The two actors on stage turn to the audience in surprise.

And there was-.

“Gasp! Senior!”

“Bravo.”

Park Hyuk, who had entered at some unknown time, was sitting in the audience seats clapping.

At the sound of “bravo” from the neatly smiling senior, Joo Yeonwoo felt pleased yet embarrassed.

And for good reason, as her immersion had broken at the end, so she hadn’t shown acting that would satisfy the senior’s discerning eye. Moreover, Park Hyuk had even played the lead role in The Phantom of the Opera before.

Nevertheless, Park Hyuk smiled gently and came down to the stage.

“I enjoyed watching your ensemble.”

Expecting feedback soon, Joo Yeonwoo’s expression became serious, and Halo nodded.

The first one Park Hyuk addressed was,

“Joo Yeonwoo-ssi, I thought you were good from the first time I saw you, but the more I see, the better you seem to get. This time you really looked like Christine.”

“!”

“There was one thing that was a bit disappointing, but, well, you know without me saying, right?”

“Yes, I’ll show you an even better performance next time, senior.”

Joo Yeonwoo replied shyly.

And then Park Hyuk looked at the boy who had acted (?) as the Phantom.

“Roh Haeil-ssi, have you ever thought about becoming a musical actor?”

“No.”

At the firm answer, Park Hyuk nodded brightly with a smile.

“Haha, that’s a relief. If you had said you wanted to be a musical actor, I would have had to say something.”

It couldn’t have escaped his eyes.

The fact that the boy had not acted as the Phantom even once, and had no intention of acting. It’s certainly not the right attitude for a musical actor.

However, he couldn’t give feedback on the music itself. Because it was perfect as it was.

Park Hyuk honestly admitted.

That the Phantom the boy showed was certainly charming. If the Phantom had been born with that talent in the 21st century, he would surely have shown an appearance like the boy’s.

A Phantom born with an attractive appearance, loved by everyone. It might have been natural for Joo Yeonwoo’s immersion to break. What prima donna, what woman could leave such a Phantom for another man?

But that’s not the important thing.

To put it another way, the boy’s acting was disqualified.

However, having seen the boy’s live performance of hard rock, Park Hyuk thought that the boy shouldn’t be used merely as an advisor. What should be requested from such a singer who is also the composer of the number he would sing is-.

“Could you take a look at my song?”

Something like this.

Park Hyuk blurted out those words, half on impulse, half in earnest.

Translator note: By the way, if you don’t know what the two of them is performing is, it’s “The Phantom of The Opera”

And also, sorry for the sudden change of our MC. There have been many instances when the author hinting the name of our MC, but I’d been oblivious throughout, thinking like “our MC’s name in KR and in English is probably different”. So yeah, from now on, instead of No Haeil, I’ll use Roh Haeil.I’ve already changed our MC’s name in the previous chapters. Ah and also his father too.This announcement(?) only for those who bought the advanced chapter one.And for those who read this later down the line, you probably already know by now.I am really sorry for this, and for breaking the flow of the story by changing the name of our MC.Hi everyone, I've completely translated this novel! For those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until the last chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price!