The Road to Glory Chapter 129 - Beautiful Blue Danube

The youngest director wiped his sweaty hands on his pants.

“Schnitzel. Take-out, please.”

While ordering in awkward English, his eyes were fixed on the boy at the center of attention.

At the local restaurant, in the lowest and most ordinary stage, the youngest director felt that every minute and second passing by was precious.

Just by the difference in the amount of water in the glasses, a crystalline sound resonated. It was like the breath of wind kissing the meadow. The deep jazz guitar composed the vast earth and trees, and the flute, like birdsong, added life to the forest. The out-of-tune organ occasionally produced dissonance, but even this couldn’t detract from the quality of the performance.

Above all, the boy who brought spring to the center of this stage,

[Ah, the sound of spring comes to our home so kindly]

seemed to be in the spotlight without any lighting or reflectors.

Even the audience’s reaction – eyes widened, forgetting to drink, frozen in place, tears welling up from invisible emotion.

It was perfect in itself, beautiful in itself.

The youngest PD felt every minute and second was precious.

He knew that this natural yet moving scene was exactly what the Spring Again team had been trying to capture.

Though it wasn’t something a director should say, he wanted to broadcast this scene as it was, without any editing.

Without any subtitles or sound effects, just showing it as is.

If anything had to be added…

Yes, how about this program’s title?

Spring Again.

The youngest director didn’t understand a word of “The Voice of Spring” that Roh Haeil was singing in the original language, but he understood nonetheless.

‘Music is the language of the gods. Unlike human language, which cannot be understood without background knowledge, it is naturally understood. With the heart and soul.’

Just like the purpose of the Spring Again program.

As soon as the song ended, the time they wished would stop began to flow again.

Bravo!

Bravi!

The highest words of admiration flew to the boy and his band who sang “The Voice of Spring” in front of the demanding citizens of Vienna, the city of classical music. They stood up abruptly and applauded. No one remained seated.

Witnessing the scene of Vienna citizens rushing to shake hands with the boy, the youngest director felt his stomach turn as a director.

Though they had done quite a lot of filming in Vienna, such passionate reactions were rare. Well, of course, it could be more intense because the boy sang the famous song “The Voice of Spring”.

‘When on earth is the senior director going to see this?’

The youngest PD quickly opened his phone.

He hoped the senior director would reply soon.

He had also contacted the main PD, PD Park, but since he was currently filming in England as the head of Spring Again Team A, a quick response was unlikely.

The youngest director took a deep breath and recited the code of conduct for the Spring Again team.

Since Spring Again was currently divided into two teams with two themes, PD Park had instilled the code of conduct in Team B in his absence. From the director in charge of Team B to the youngest director, there were no exceptions.

What he’s reciting now is Article 10 of the code of conduct.

When encountering a VIP at a travel destination, prioritize action first and report later

The youngest director glanced at Roh Haeil again.

Roh Haeil, who had become the idol of this small shop, was conversing fluently in German. He truly was a talent specialized for Spring Again, no, for busking.

Soon, the youngest director received the lunch box and steeled himself.

Code of Conduct Article 10. Action first, report later.

There was no way he could let this VVIP slip away.

“Hello, Roh Haeil-ssi! Oh my! It’s so great to see the band members too. Such precious people in this humble place!”

The youngest director approached Roh Haeil, shouting words that fortunately the boss couldn’t understand.

“We met before in Seongsu-dong, right? It’s such an honor to see you here again!”

“Ah.”

Roh Haeil then recalled.

The conversation with the broadcasting station employee at the cafe in Seongsu-dong.

Naturally, he also remembered their promise.

-If by chance our team and Roh Haeil-ssi happen to meet somewhere

The boy’s smile deepened.

He couldn’t help it.

He thought the chances of meeting were almost zero, but they ended up meeting after all. And not at a famous landmark, but at a small local restaurant.

-How about performing together then? Even if it’s just for a moment.

At that time, did that PD really think they would meet?

Well, unless he knew his schedule, he wouldn’t have.

Wasn’t his travel itinerary decided on the day? Moreover, even that didn’t go according to plan due to August Veil’s hijacking.

Halo thought the world was small, and also found it enjoyable.

Yes, they ended up meeting as if someone had arranged it.

“If it’s not too presumptuous… Would it be alright if I join you for a moment?”

The youngest director who was there asked, watching their reactions.

Since it was just a verbal promise, the youngest director was prepared for Roh Haeil’s refusal.

The youngest director explained parts of the program that he didn’t know about. For example, that Spring Again was divided into two themes, Team A and Team B, with Team A filming in England and Team B filming in Austria. And the fact that the main PD, PD Park, was in England with Team A, including his personal opinion that PD Park would really regret this, and finally set up an appointment.

Of course, he had no intention of completely disrupting his personal trip, and since he was a guest, he said it would be great if he could just stop by briefly during filming. It would be nice to eat together and appear on camera for a long time, but the youngest director didn’t even hope for that much.

He just wished for one great scene like this.

Roh Haeil’s expression became somewhat subtle when he heard about the filming location, but anyway, it was fine as long as he agreed to appear as a guest.

In any case, the youngest director saw off Roh Haeil and his band with a happy face, holding the now cold schnitzel. And belatedly discovered that the senior director had left messages and missed calls asking what the target was.

They say even dog poop can be used as medicine when needed.

What’s the point of contacting now when it’s all over?

The youngest director had this cheeky thought as he slowly approached the Korean exchange students.

“I’m Kim Seunghwan, a director from JTC Broadcasting…”

“Us? Really?”

“Excuse me, but you were filming earlier, right?”

The exchange students’ pupils shook.

The appearance of a broadcasting station employee made them wonder if they were being filmed right now. The youngest director grinned from ear to ear.

“Could I possibly get that video?”

#

“Hey, since when did you know how to do that?”

The journey back to the hotel was more enjoyable than ever.

Everyone was excited about the busking.

There were some regrets too. Like the out-of-tune organ, or being weak in classical music.

Each harbored their own regrets, but nonetheless, their performance was quite good, so they were happy.

Moon Seoyeon twirled on the street as the sun began to set.

She was chattering about the trick(?) Nam Gyuhwan had shown.

The performance of pouring water into glass cups.

The excellent improvisation shown in a situation without drums or percussion was nothing short of admirable.

“It’s nothing.”

Nam Gyuhwan, who said so, couldn’t hide the proud smile at himself. This time, even Moon Seoyeon endured the obnoxiousness and let it pass.

“By the way, when is the filming?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

“The day after tomorrow? Where are we doing it?”

“By the Danube River?”

“!”

Moon Seoyeon’s eyes flew open, and Han Jinyeong calmly added.

“It’s in front of our hotel.”

“That’s right.”

That’s why Halo had made a strange face.

Well, thanks to that, they didn’t have to go far, so it was all good.

“It’s a shame to just go in like this, shall we go ride the Ferris wheel?”

“Why? Not going to watch a performance today?”

“How can a person watch concerts every day?”

Nam Gyuhwan, who had been watching classical performances every day since coming to Vienna, without lying, had a lot to say but didn’t. Yet his footsteps were headed towards the Prater amusement park.

The Prater Park (Wurstelprater) in Vienna, Austria, was originally used as a royal hunting ground before being opened to the public. However, it really began to gain fame in Europe from the 1995 film <Before Sunrise>. The film, which deals with the love that unfolds over a day between two young men and women who meet on a train, featured Jesse and Celine sharing their first kiss on the Ferris wheel in Prater Park.

Of course, Roh Haeil’s band didn’t kiss on the Ferris wheel.

However, in a Ferris wheel cabin occupied only by an elderly couple, Halo took out his guitar and played ‘Come here’, the OST of Before Sunrise that they had heard on the way to Prater Park – he didn’t sing it due to it being a love song.

The sunset over Vienna’s downtown.

The boy’s head and guitar turned red as he played in front of it, holding the guitar with the H pattern.

Click-.

The old man of the elderly couple in the Ferris wheel took a picture with an old camera. From what he heard, he used to work as a photographer in Vienna and now runs a small photo studio after retiring.

“It’s a professional habit to always carry a camera, but I don’t often take pictures of people. What a whim.”

“It’s alright.”

“Come visit us while you’re in Austria, I’m actually quite good at taking pictures. That’s the one thing I married her for.”

Though he made a playful joke, the old woman’s gaze at the old man was as warm as the sunset.

“Celine.”

The old man called the old woman’s name.

“For patience. Let’s go. See you again, young man.”

The old woman gently said goodbye and approached the old man.

After the Ferris wheel, they enjoyed the Liliputbahn – a miniature railway – and other rides. The three adults and one boy even rode the merry-go-round with children. Halo, who was dragged onto the children’s ride by the members, kept a sullen expression until he got off – this was captured by a passing Korean tourist and immortalized on their blog.

And so, the time in Vienna flowed like the sunset they saw from the Ferris wheel. Halo, who checked his pad after a long time, confirmed the date and mail.

Since the trip, he hadn’t turned on his pad or smartphone unless it was an important contact, so quite a lot of mail had accumulated.

Among them was one from Coachella.

The content was asking for confirmation by January.

Halo, who still hadn’t decided whether he wanted to participate as Roh Haeil or Halo, tapped the table a few times and then put it down.

There was still some time left until January.

“How about Venice for our next travel destination? I heard there’s a festival from late January.”

“Gasp! Jinyeong-oppa!”

“What? You don’t like it?”

“No! It was the best idea. Come to think of it, the festival is coming up soon!”

The members were deciding on their destination, spreading out maps and travel pamphlets on a long table. In fact, there were many candidate places. There were many beautiful cities in Austria besides Vienna, and it bordered many countries like Germany and Switzerland.

However, no city could beat the romance of a festival in Venice.

“Boss! Are you going to film now?”

“Yes.”

“Huh? Aren’t you taking your guitar?”

The boy wasn’t carrying the guitar case he usually carried every day.

Halo shrugged. The PD had said that there was already a guitarist in the Spring Again team, so he wouldn’t need to play the guitar. He was leaving it behind as he would be going out and coming back soon.

If the guitar with the H engraving had appeared on the broadcast, it would have become a topic of conversation in itself. Moon Seoyeon shook her head at that thought. There would be plenty of time to show it anytime, so there was no need to rush.

Halo came out to the lobby and unconsciously glanced at the sofa. New travelers were sitting there, whispering to each other. No familiar faces were visible.

Halo, not realizing that he had been looking for someone, left the hotel and walked towards the Danube riverbank.

A busking larger in scale than usual.

Plus, with a filming team holding cameras, it was bound to catch attention.

Moreover, singing could be heard from afar.

After the era of Hwang Ryongpil, those who dominated the Korean music scene, existing singers and young singers, and even actors known to sing quite well.

The scale of the busking was larger than expected.

Halo slowly walked towards where the filming was taking place.

The youngest PD, who had been glancing at his phone wondering when the tall boy would arrive, not noticing him approaching, was startled by a touch from behind.

It was fortunate that he didn’t scream out loud.

“Roh Haeil-ssi!”

The youngest PD, whispering as quietly as possible to avoid being picked up by the sound equipment, notified the senior director of his presence. The director sitting with the cameraman warmly welcomed his presence.

And asked him to wait for a moment.

He said he would introduce him right after this song ends.

“Um, Roh Haeil-ssi.”

As he was quietly listening to the song, the youngest PD spoke to him again.

“This is just in case, but Kim Sunchul has been in poor condition recently.”

Kim Sunchul. Only then did Roh Haeil match the title of this song with the singer.

“He probably won’t do anything to a junior like Roh Haeil-ssi, but he might say something…”

The youngest PD kept beating around the bush. When Halo looked at him as if to ask what he meant, the youngest PD sighed deeply, came closer, and whispered in his ear.

“He’s known for having a bit of a bad personality. He doesn’t like filming at the accommodation, and he’s just, how should I put it. He’s a bit… you know.”

The youngest PD made a tired and annoyed face.

“I told him in advance that Roh Haeil-ssi was coming as a guest.”

The youngest PD recalled Kim Sunchul’s comment, asking who he was to come without even greeting or practicing. Though Kim Sunchul himself rarely practiced.

“Anyway, you specially came here, and I’m really sorry.”

Even though nothing had happened yet, the youngest PD was already apologizing as if something was about to happen. Well, Halo actually knew more artists with bad personalities, so he wasn’t too concerned.

Rather, he raised the corners of his mouth, looking forward to what might happen.

He, too, wasn’t known for having a particularly good personality.

And soon, Halo was met with some petty territoriality.

Because Kim Sunchul, who warmly welcomed Roh Haeil as a junior for the broadcast, designated the song selection. They had a song they had practiced in the original language for the Vienna audience.

Not their famous songs, but a famous classical art song in Vienna.

In fact, it was a song selection that absolutely couldn’t be sung by someone who hadn’t practiced.

No one dared to say anything to Kim Sunchul, the most senior among them.

Even when they tried to persuade him to do it later, Kim Sunchul wouldn’t listen.

He seemed to want to make the junior who didn’t come to greet him beforehand stand there like a scarecrow.

But.

“I think I can do it.”

The youngest PD and the director opened their eyes wide. Because they had heard until their ears had calluses that Roh Haeil should be treated as a priority from the main PD, they tried to somehow stop Kim Sunchul.

“I know the song.”

“R-really?”

He stood next to Kim Sunchul.

When he said he would join in when Kim Sunchul wanted, everyone told him to do as he pleased. Kim Sunchul didn’t even pay attention, and the others looked really sorry. One senior even added that if he came to his store in Korea, he would give him everything for free.

An art song they had heard at concerts Moon Seoyeon had taken them to for almost a week. Just as he knew “The Voice of Spring”, he knew this song well too.

It was his first time singing it, but he had wanted to sing it once.

Halo smiled brightly.

“I look forward to working with you, senior.”

Johann Strauss II’s masterpiece.

There’s one more art song as famous as “The Voice of Spring”.

<The Beautiful Blue Danube>

If “The Voice of Spring” was created for soprano, this was originally composed for a male choir when it was first written.

The audience didn’t know, but to suppress the precarious atmosphere, the broadcasters began the accompaniment.

Singing “The Beautiful Blue Danube” in front of the Danube River. Whatever the intention, he thought the song selection was well done. Because there would be no place more fitting for this song.

The boy’s mouth slowly opened.

Along with it, Kim Sunchul’s vocalization was completely buried.