The Road to Glory Chapter 123 - Suffering Eternally

[Roh Haeil, you son of a b***h]

Until now, reactions this strong had not occurred.

Even for anti-fans, the harshest words were usually just calling him a “devil bastard”.

But this time, even fans couldn’t hold back.

The 830 seats for the concert followed by 1,050 seats for the fan meeting were enough to make people angry, but the fan meeting reviews and merchandise really set them off.

Among the unique concept, live performance, Q&A, and autograph sessions, what really catalyzed everyone’s reaction was the physical merchandise.

Someone posted photos of the merchandise including a video of the music box on their blog or NuTube, and soon the current situation ensued.

[That Welcome to My World music box is too much]

Even if the quality of the music box was poor, or the design was lacking, or the sound and music were subpar, it would still be unfair given that it’s Roh Haeil’s merchandise.

Who knows how much they spent, but the music box was more intricate than most music boxes. It was clear the production cost of the music box was higher than the ticket price.

The boy sitting against a red brick wall,

And the crowd circling around him. The melody of “Welcome to my world” filling this small world was definitely worth collecting, and even music box enthusiasts who weren’t fans of Roh Haeil wanted to have it.

The problem was the quantity of Roh Haeil’s merchandise. The fact that it was only released to the 1,050 people who attended the fan meeting. Since most of Roh Haeil’s fans would keep it, the quantity released to the secondhand market would barely reach double digits.

[Someone listed the fan meeting special for 89 on the secondhand market, seriously considering it]

└ 900,000 won??? No, that’s not right

└ How can the price of a music box be comparable to a smartphone;;;

└ OP: I’ve bought dozens of albums to try to attend fan meetings before, so isn’t 100 worth it for the merchandise?

└ This bastard’s head is seriously messed up

└ They wouldn’t really only make a thousand music boxes, right? They’ll probably sell them in the merch shop later

└ I think so too, just wait a bit longer and they’ll release more

└ OP: If Roh Haeil had an agency I wouldn’t go this far. Anyway, I decided to buy it

└ This guy’s a sucker

└ For real, he’ll regret it when he sees next month’s credit card bill

[Is anyone willing to sell even just the hologram postcard?ㅠㅠ]

└ It was pretty seeing the crescent moon become full, even though it was overshadowed by the music box

└ Wasn’t the full moon too bright? The night suddenly became day

└ I heard the cafe president suggested this idea, give them credit

Roh Haeil’s shocking merchandise had a big impact, but the fan meeting reviews themselves were no less impressive.

[Writing down what I remember]

1. Roh Haeil members came out as MCs, but none of them seemed like teachers (e.g. what kind of school principal has an afro?) and it was really funny when they rushed to play their instruments during the session LOL
2. Fans who couldn’t forget Roh Haeil’s smile at the festival brought all kinds of cheesy lines and jokes to make him laugh, but… that smile didn’t come out.
3. The difference in how Roh Haeil talks to female fans vs male fans is also noteworthy lol. He smoothly responds when female fans act cute, but he’s very formal with male fans. e.g. “I listen to your songs well” – “Thank you”

Roh Haeil Antoinette;;

MC: What will you do if you fail to get tickets?

Roh Haeil: Just get them for a different date<<?????

:

1. He promised to have a concert at Seoul Arena next year, thankfully (We all died after saving up for the all concert~)

P.S. Oh right lol. Some bastard mentioned the long-gone Halo theory and the mood got weird

From people who left reviews of impressive scenes, to stories about the setlist, to points of disappointment (opinions about the number of seats and fan meeting time were by far the biggest), reviews written from various perspectives were interesting to read, but there was one thing commonly mentioned.

Well, besides the overall system of the fan meeting in terms of concept or theme, it was about the person who brought up an unnecessary topic to the boy at the end.

[What exactly did they say?]

└ Exactly: “What do you think about being called Halo?”

└ Who is this bastard to speak informally?

└ Why bring up an old story?

Fans of Roh Haeil, or those interested in him, keenly noticed that he was one of the journalists loitering in front of Roh Haeil’s label.

[As if there weren’t already too few seats at the fan meeting]

[Honestly, isn’t it worth bringing up? Everyone was cautious about it, but Haeil must have heard it before, right?]

└ Is hearing about it the same as bringing it up at an official event?

└ I just really don’t like that a trash journalist came to the fan meeting

And while some people cursed about the journalist’s presence or rudeness, others focused more on Roh Haeil’s answer.

[Am I the only one bothered by Haeil’s answer?]

└ Why? I thought it was an appropriate response

└ You mean, why would he say such a thing? What was he thinking?

[I was honestly a bit bothered too. He could have just said no, but “what do you think?” is open to interpretation, isn’t it?]

└ No, think about it. If someone said something ridiculous to you like asking if you’re The Sun. Wouldn’t it be strange if you asked “What do you think?” in that situation?

└ It’s not strange, but wouldn’t that be plausible even if the real The Sun said it?

[What was Roh Haeil’s expression like then?]

└ He was just smiling

└ How was he smiling? Explain in detail

└ Smiling is smiling, what else can I say? It was just Roh Haeil’s usual expression

[What did the trash journalist say in response?]

└ He just stammered

└ Journalist level lol. Look at how he lost his subjectivity after always copying and pasting

Some people tilted their heads, trying to know more details about Roh Haeil’s words, expressions, and actions at the time, regretting not being there.

[Did everyone know Haeil participated as a composer for the musical ‘Rock’?]

└ ???

└ Is this really Roh Haeil?

└ Official announcement please

December 1st, which seemed like it would pass quietly during Roh Haeil’s break period.

The day after Roh Haeil’s fan meeting, an article was posted.

[K-pop stars Sin Joohyeok, Roh Haeil, etc. recruited as composers for hit musical ‘Rock’ numbers]

[Do K-pop stars really qualify as musical composers?]

[Musical world abuzz. Which numbers did Sin Joohyeok and Roh Haeil compose? Pros and cons of nepotism recruitment]

This was clearly an article that would cause a stir in the already bustling fan community and affect the upcoming musical ticket sales.

[??? Sin Joohyeok Roh Haeil? The Roh Haeil I know???]

└ Damn. They’re burying an idol in what was supposed to be a promising work

└ Who’s an idol? Sin Joohyeok? Roh Haeil? Since when were they idols?

└ Isn’t Sin Joohyeok fine since he’s a rocker?

└ No problem if the songs are good

└ Look at the name of Rock’s music director. Can’t you see the nepotism? This sucks

└ These days idol-turned-actors act quite well, so I’m positive about it. Of course, I’m not sure about them as composers, but we’ll know when we hear the numbers. More importantly, don’t Sin Joohyeok and Roh Haeil have pretty big fandoms? Is this okay;;;

The musical community immediately erupted into chaos.

This was because the creative musical ‘Rock’ was the work musical enthusiasts were most looking forward to recently.

While it might have been different in the past, creative musicals rather than licensed ones have been quite successful lately, and the musical ‘Rock’ had a winning combination of an award-winning script, a lineup of “reliable” actors in the casting, and a famous director, so musical fans couldn’t help but be excited.

Above all, ticket sales were just a few days away.

When the previously undisclosed staff list, specifically the composer lineup, was revealed, public opinion was split in half as reported in the articles.

There were those who said to wait and see, and those who said this was just marketing greed for a work that was already marketing well.

Given that the genre was ‘Rock’, some people thought it made sense to call in a rock band vocalist, while others saw it as just using the name to appeal to the fandom.

Of course, they weren’t actors but just composers, so fandom appeal might not work that much. However, judging by the current Roh Haeil fandom’s reaction, it didn’t seem that way.

In a way, it was a matter of timing.

Roh Haeil’s “no communication” policy, picketing, and merchandise had already angered fans, and interest and longing had been steadily increasing.

If Roh Haeil had appeared on broadcasts more often, done more events, and not prepared merchandise so diligently, they might have listened to the numbers uploaded to music streaming platforms with a more relaxed attitude.

[…How long must I suffer?]

As someone living as a Jaws by day and a musical enthusiast by night lamented, the date for musical ticket sales was approaching.

#

“Good work everyone on the fan meeting!”

“Even fan meetings aren’t easy.”

“Please just let me be a session musician next time.”

They’re not sure how the atmosphere can be so different under the same sky, but unlike the fans who were bursting with anger, the mood inside the label was harmonious.

Their satisfaction doubled as it was a fan meeting where everyone contributed ideas and participated together.

Of course, it’s uncertain whether they’ll do the same kind of fan meeting next time.

There was a lot to prepare, and it was tiring too.

The members thought the same in various ways.

“How did you find this fan meeting, boss?”

Moon Seoyeon, who had enjoyed the fan meeting the most, asked Halo with a bright smile. Like the music box placed by the window, Halo was sitting on the sofa holding a guitar.

“It was fun, but.”

Halo thought.

This world’s fan meetings seemed to focus more on conversation and communication, rather than simply meeting him or his music. It was like directly shaking hands, talking face to face, and having a party with fans.

“I guess you’re not cut out for school after all.”

Han Jinyeong chuckled, recalling how the boy had subtly shown discomfort with the school uniform.

The fan meeting itself wasn’t bad.

The reactions and interactions with fans who liked him.

But if they’re going to do it like this, rather than maintaining distance like watching television, it might be good to more actively close the distance.

For example, fishing together on a boat, or having a campfire on an island.

“Oh! I agree!”

“That would be fun.”

“…I think even 83 people would be difficult, let alone 830.”

Moon Seoyeon muttered quietly as she watched Nam Gyuhwan unconditionally agree with Halo’s opinion and Han Jinyeong concur.

That’s not a fan meeting, it might not even be possible for a fan signing. If they did it, fans would really go crazy.

“More importantly, the reaction for the merchandise is good. As expected.”

Moon Seoyeon quickly changed the subject.

“What kind of merchandise do you want to do next?”

Following the handwritten letters, music boxes, and hologram postcards. With limited editions and good quality, it’s natural for fans to react positively. Some fans want to get the merchandise, but others also talk about what kind of merchandise will come out next.

Moon Seoyeon was curious too.

She couldn’t really imagine anything as innovative as the music box.

However, from the words she soon heard, Moon Seoyeon realized why she couldn’t imagine it. Her boss had a scale that ordinary people couldn’t approach.

“I’m thinking about a wristwatch.”

“W-wait, a watch?!”

Not a desk clock or a wall clock, but a wristwatch?

Judging by the quality of the music box, the quality of the wristwatch the boy wants is likely to be extraordinary.

Moon Seoyeon imagined the boy going bankrupt after getting a taste for merchandise, then suddenly realized his true identity.

At least he probably won’t go bankrupt making merchandise.

Unless fans cry out over a limited edition that never increases in quantity. Moon Seoyeon encouraged the fans who would suffer eternally.

Halo was playing his 11th album while chatting with the members when he saw an email that had come to him.

Monday is the day he checks the casting offers that come to him.

As he scrolled down, he found a familiar name.

He would have skipped it if it was just an entertainment show, but he clicked on [Spring Again], the name of HALO’s 2nd album.

And soon he realized, like the title he hadn’t read properly, that ‘Spring again’ was the name of an entertainment show named after HALO’s 2nd album title.

-Music is the language of the gods.

: Can our music reach across countries where language doesn’t communicate?

-We aim to depict the process of outstanding Korean singers spreading our songs widely by busking on foreign streets.

-Let’s spread our wings and fly freely! Our special journey of communicating and empathizing through music begins!

After quickly reading through this kind explanation, Halo paused at the word ‘journey’.

Unfortunately, he was planning to send a formatted reply saying it would be difficult to accept this entertainment show offer due to scheduling conflicts, but not right away.

He remembered something he needed to do immediately.

The next step after successfully completing the fan meeting.

While the plan to see HALO’s album and the musical premiere remains, there was something equally important.

“I have something to say for a moment.”

The members focused at his words.

Although he had said at the fan meeting that he would go on a European trip, he hadn’t properly notified the members about this part.

“As I said at the fan meeting, I’m planning to travel this winter. Although I don’t have exact plans yet.”

The departure date will be right after seeing the musical premiere, so it will be between late December and early January.

“However, I haven’t decided on the return date.”

Rather than setting a tight schedule, he intends to travel as much as he wants.

“Except for having to record HALO’s 13th album, there should be no schedules, so I want to give you all a vacation.”

He plans to give the members an indefinite vacation until he returns. After all, they’ve been so focused on his work activities that the members haven’t been able to rest properly, and – like Moon Seoyeon – the other members might have inherent desires for their own music.

-You only care about your own music, right?

As his former session keyboardist had once cried out.

-When did I?

-When have you ever properly listened to the music we made? You always sneered at it, saying it was trash.

-I said it was bad because it was bad. Are you telling me to sing your trash practice pieces?

-Maybe only you think that way! Other people’s reactions could be different!

-I don’t think so? And didn’t you ask me to be honest?

-I never thought that all music except your own looks like trash in your eyes.

-Me?

-Why don’t you stop talking about your trash songs as if they represent all music?

When he shot back after hearing such nonsense, forgetting all the feedback he had given, the keyboardist stormed out like that.

He doesn’t regret fighting with him even now. He still thinks he said the right thing.

However, he came to understand well that session musicians also have intense desires for their own music, just like him.

Halo wanted to help the members if they had something they wanted to do. Whether resting or working, letting them do what they usually couldn’t during the vacation.

“Then what should we do?”

“Whatever you want.”

“So we can take a plane or a boat as we please?”

“That’s right.”

“Can we come along too?”

“That would be good too.”

Halo didn’t expect the members to accompany him.

It’s not that he doesn’t want it. Travel is more enjoyable when there are people to share it with, after all.

However, as usual, he’s notifying them with less than a month left, so they might have their own schedules, and more than anything, as much as Halo wants to travel with them, he thought it would be good for them to rest fully.

But the reaction was, how should I put it.

They looked like they had a lot to say.

Halo asked, just in case.

“Do you want to travel together?”

The members exclaimed as if they had been waiting for this:

“Were you thinking of leaving without us?”

“Oh The Sun…”

“I’m a little disappointed, Haeil.”

He didn’t expect such an immediate response.

When Halo didn’t say “let’s go together,” they each looked at each other and started criticizing him.

“You said you’d look at my composition!”

Moon Seoyeon, who had never composed during trips from morning till dawn, made up a reason to come along.

“If I stay in Korea, what else would Gonghak do besides talking nonsense with Deoksoo?”

Han Jinyeong said something that would make Bae Gonghak and Kim Deoksoo feel wronged if they heard it, and finally, Nam Gyuhwan added seriously:

“Humans cannot live without the sun.”