The Road to Glory – Chapter 152 – The Crazy Ones Things

Author: Dawn

had gotten big.

No, they were getting bigger in real-time.

The fact that Spring Again Roh Haeil, Paris Edition, was being rebroadcast as a Christmas Home Alone special didn’t even count as part of the expansion.

The sudden expansion referred to the company building.

Originally, they were planning to find a suitable property in Seoul.

Since the main house was no longer in Jamsil, and Halo had his own preferred location, they were planning to purchase a decent building nearby and renovate it.

There were quite a few buildings that had been used as entertainment companies or studios, so it didn’t seem like it would take much time.

That is, when they were only considering renovation.

August Veil was serious and wanted to create the best facilities. If the boy wanted, they were thinking of building the best studios wherever he desired.

And it wasn’t strange that the first studio would be in Korea.

One thing he overlooked was that The Sun’s followers were everywhere in the world, and they were clever to the point of being obsessive about one person.

He was thinking of hiring a capable architect, but one day there were emails from renowned architects. They even added desperate content saying they wanted to build it themselves. There was even an architect who “threatened” with age, saying he wanted to build a temple before he died.

This was like when they were looking for an illustrator for Halo’s album cover.

No, it had gotten even worse.

They didn’t even say it was Halo’s company building. It seemed that with just two keywords – ‘request location is Korea’ and the client is ‘Veil’ – the news that the building would be a label and studio for someone had spread widely in the industry. As if they had been waiting for it.

Maybe they really had been waiting. At least considering the current labels in Seoul.

From architects who had just graduated from college to world-renowned architects.

They had sent requests in reverse.

Saying they wanted to build it.

Clearly, some of them were people he knew who would snort dismissively even if you chased them for months or years begging them to build, unless it suited their taste.

There was even an impatient person who sent a proposal saying they wanted to make a building like this, which was quite bewildering.

It was a beautiful building.

It wasn’t out of place, as if they had already researched Seoul’s environment with many high-rise buildings. It was in the form of a company building. However, judging by the details of the sculptures describing the outer wall or each window frame, it didn’t seem much different from a cathedral.

Did they want to build a Sagrada Família disguised as a company building?

To reveal it after Halo’s death?

Caroline thought that Veil and that architect weren’t much different, but she didn’t bother mentioning it to her employer.

“Still, some of them aren’t bad.”

Halo wanted to create a small performance hall in the basement.

He also mentioned a rooftop garden and swimming pool, but Veil knew what Halo wanted most.

Veil selected those who had experience building opera houses or concert halls, and soon asked Halo if he’d like to build a new company building in reverse.

The architects he mentioned.

There were some names they had heard of, and for those they didn’t know well, when they searched the internet, portfolios and news articles popped up in the top results, surprising the members.

They thought they could get high-end furniture, but the scale kept growing.

“It’s fine. Please go ahead.”

Despite the suddenly increased scale, Halo calmly agreed with August Veil’s judgment while looking at the proposal.

No one would dislike a new building.

However, there was one thing that bothered them-

“How long does it usually take to build a building?”

“Usually a year. Even if it’s fast, it takes at least a few months, right?”

Moon Seoyeon’s pupils shook, having thought it would take 3 or 4 months at most.

They were still practicing in the hideout, but it wouldn’t be as comfortable as the label. There, they even had the advantage of being able to use instruments that the boss regularly bought for them whenever they wanted.

“… Then what about practice-“

Although there were no special activities yet, Moon Seoyeon wanted to practice as usual. To be able to perform anytime.

“Ah, I almost forgot.”

Halo smiled at Moon Seoyeon, Nam Gyuhwan, and Han Jinyeong, who were blinking their eyes. The construction of the company building was unexpected, but it seemed okay in a way. Because they had something to do in the meantime.

Of course. It was just in the planning stage, but the members needed to know.

“We’ll practice outside.”

“Outside?”

“Are we going on a trip?”

“Abroad?”

As the members smiled brightly, imagining something like August Veil’s villa, Halo added calmly as if suggesting kimchi stew for lunch.

“On stage.”

“…!”

There was no way they wouldn’t know what that meant.

If they weren’t fools.

Foreign stage. There was only one thing that could mean.

“B-boss, isn’t this progressing too fast?”

World tour.

Of course, to reiterate, he hadn’t decided on locations or times yet. He had only told August Veil he wanted to do it, it was still in the planning stage.

August Veil told him to think carefully about which countries or regions they wanted to go to.

As if they would set up a concert even if he suddenly mentioned Mount Everest or the Sahara Desert.

Of course, he doesn’t have a hobby of going to such extreme regions and making fans suffer.

Rather, he loves those who love him.

Isn’t that why he prepared various gifts?

Have fun at the concert, and when you leave, take them in your arms. Because the aftermath of the concert, that feeling of emptiness after it ends, doesn’t just come to him, he wants to keep giving.

It’s a shame he can’t give watches to everyone, but well, this will also be remembered as an interesting element.

Halo looked forward to the joy of those who unexpectedly received this luck.

Halo left the hideout after a long time.

A secretary brought by August Veil drove, and he headed to Chungmuro after a long time.

It was almost the end of the musical ‘Rock‘ performances.

‘Rock‘, which started at the end of last December and continued until March, with extended performances until May, was undoubtedly a successful musical.

He didn’t expect to see the musical he saw at the end of the year again, but this time with a different lead, he was looking forward to it.

Originally, he was going to watch the afternoon performance to discuss the final performance curtain call of the musical ‘Rock‘.

This time, instead of the front row, he got seats on the side of the second floor.

Halo watched another Jeongwoo from the darkness, looking down at the stage.

With the double-cast Dokgo Yeong, he was curious how he would interpret Jeongwoo.

Halo, who watched until the last stage where Jeongwoo dies with his arms folded, thought it wasn’t bad.

Park Hyuk’s Jeongwoo left a stronger impression, but Dokgo Yeong’s Jeongwoo wasn’t bad either. While the musical industry acknowledged Park Hyuk’s singing skills a bit more, Dokgo Yeong had also practiced hard and had excellent skills.

However, what bothered him was, how should he put it.

This interpretation seemed familiar somewhere. Precisely, before he brought up the composition story to Park Hyuk, Park Hyuk also interpreted Jeongwoo like this.

If the early Jeongwoo valued his inner fears or his own safety more, towards the latter half he becomes a character who overcomes these fears and sacrifices himself. The catalyst is the world that has been broken. Didn’t everything disappear – his first love, his friendship, his band, his music – because he didn’t do anything and just stood by?

So it seems Dokgo Yeong portrayed Jeongwoo as a character who transforms from a selfish ordinary citizen into a sacrificing hero.

On the other hand, when Halo composed Jeongwoo’s songs, he didn’t think like that. To him, Jeongwoo is not a sacrificing character. He’s still selfish and an ordinary citizen. He just learned how to struggle.

Even if he jumped into the flames risking death, he didn’t want to die but wanted to live, and wanted to see the world he would create. Also, he wanted to prove that they were right.

Sacrifice? Jeongwoo is not a heroic character enough to do such a thing. Well, someone might have thought of Jeongwoo as a hero, but Jeongwoo wouldn’t have thought of himself as a hero.

Jeongwoo is just an ordinary citizen. A person you can see anywhere. Thus, a person anyone can become.

That’s the difference in interpretation between Dokgo Yeong and Park Hyuk.

To Dokgo Yeong, Jeongwoo is a – born – hero, and to Park Hyuk, Jeongwoo is someone anyone can become.

People might have different preferences, but Halo preferred Park Hyuk’s Jeongwoo.

Halo applauded.

He also enjoyed watching the following curtain call.

People kept waiting for the curtain call, and the actors seemed to have prepared quite a lot as they continued the curtain call.

And when the stage ended, he headed to the staff room with Veil’s secretary.

Since they had already informed that he was coming this time, the director Nok Jidam would be waiting.

“!”

“Roh Haeil…?”

“It’s Halo.”

People who made eye contact with him were surprised one by one at Roh Haeil’s appearance. No wonder, as it was the appearance of someone whose whereabouts had been unclear since Coachella. Halo calmly greeted those who were whispering and staring at him as he entered the corridor.

“I enjoyed the performance.”

“Th-thank you.”

There were even some people hurriedly taking out their Sun necklaces.

It was as if a miracle of Moses had occurred.

Just as the sea parted to make way for Moses,

The people who were chattering after finishing the stage saw him and made way.

“Haeil-ssi!”

And somehow knowing, the director suddenly opened the door and called him. Next to him were the music director and Park Hyuk and the lead actor who didn’t have a performance today.

Actually, the lead actors didn’t need to come, but it seems they came out of a sense of responsibility for the last stage. Or maybe to see him.

“Hello, it’s been a while.”

When the director initiated a handshake first, he ended up shaking hands with other people too. Originally, greetings should come first according to seniority, but Halo was also used to handshakes, so he exchanged them casually.

“Haeil-ssi, look.”

As soon as the director saw him, he said he was sorry she couldn’t see the first performance, then immediately pointed to Park Hyuk.

“Do you know how much Park Hyuk-ssi looked for you that day, Haeil-ssi?”

“Director.”

“You should have seen Park Hyuk-ssi that day, Haeil-ssi. He was so disappointed.”

It was natural for someone who had always been friendly to him to whine about why he didn’t come. In fact, Halo didn’t know that he was quite selective about people. Since their first meeting, when he offered to be the general director, the director had remained a talkative and sociable person to him.

“Anyway, Haeil-ssi, did you have a good trip?”

Everyone must already know how Halo had been doing, but the director treated him as if nothing had happened. As if he didn’t know he was Halo, or as if it didn’t matter.

Halo nodded with a faint smile.

“I had a very enjoyable time.”

The expressions of the lead actor and music director, who knew well what he had done to the world during that time, became subtle, but the director nodded, saying it was good.

“Thanks to you, Haeil-ssi, I’ve been busy for five months. You heard our musical was a big hit, right?”

It’s not just a big hit.

Later, due to speculation that Roh Haeil might be Halo, they sold the license for a higher price, but the real success of the musical was ultimately due to its content and music. Whether Roh Haeil was Halo or not, if the music hadn’t been good, could the musical have been this successful?

Therefore, Roh Haeil’s identity wasn’t that important to the director. Of course, he might be more grateful for Roh Haeil’s identity in the future, but what was more important was the music Roh Haeil had created.

Since it was also decided to release the musical soundtrack, the director started talking about the final performance in earnest.

They gathered to discuss the curtain call for the final performance, and the composer of the last number would grace the occasion that day.

In fact, the director wanted to add one more day of performance to see Roh Haeil acting as Jeongwoo, but he didn’t want to burden him. If Roh Haeil had shown such a desire, he would have brought it up – even if Roh Haeil wanted to shoot a drama or movie in the current situation, investors would flock – but Roh Haeil seemed only interested in the curtain call chorus.

A born singer is always a singer, it seems.

Well, who would say Halo isn’t a singer?

“Um, Haeil-ssi. – Is it okay to call you that? Or, Halo?”

While the general director and Park Hyuk’s attitudes were casual, the other lead actor showed a somewhat difficult attitude towards him. The realms of musical actors and singer-songwriters were somewhat separate, and who would see that HALO as an ordinary singer?

“Please call me whatever you’re comfortable with.”

As a fan who liked Halo’s music, it was even more difficult.

Halo acted as usual, regardless of the reaction.

He was used to people treating him as usual,

And he was used to people who found him difficult or awkward.

Well, he was also used to people who suddenly showed greed,

And there were people who were rude at first and then suddenly became kind, so this was nothing.

If he had really been 17 years old, he might have had a hard time with the turbulent period of sudden changes, but Halo wasn’t really 17 years old, and since he had already experienced it, there was no reason to have a hard time.

After a short discussion, they decided to meet in the practice room to rehearse, with the schedule to be determined later. As Halo was heading to the bathroom, he stopped at a smell coming from somewhere.

“Wow, did you see? They say Halo is here now.”

“Why are you making such a fuss?”

The smell of electronic cigarettes wafted from the emergency exit, and voices of conversation could be heard through the slightly open door.

“No, it’s natural since Halo came-“

“That’s not even certain, you know.”

The secretary who understood Korean glanced at the boy.

Before he could say to leave, the boy raised his hand as if to say wait a moment. The instructions to take good care of the boy and to do as he wished conflicted with each other.

The secretary remained still for now because the boy showed no signs of being depressed or hurt. Rather, he was smiling more and more brightly. As if he was enjoying it.

The secretary actually already knew that there were such debates. Rather than doubting his voice exactly-

“Why? The voice is like that, and at Coachella-“

“Well, the voice could be similar. Okay, let’s say he sang on Halo’s account. But are you sure he wrote that song too?”

“What?”

It was an old debate about whether Halo wasn’t one person but a team. Of course, this emergency exit friend seemed to not even want to believe that Roh Haeil was Halo.

“Then who made it?”

“Well, other composers…! Who?”

Before the secretary could stop him, Halo suddenly opened the door and asked, startling the people smoking.

“Gasp, Halo… I’m, I’m sorry.”

The person wearing a white shirt, who might have been acting as ordinary civilian, was startled and bowed his head. On the other hand, the other friend didn’t.

At first, he was surprised, but his expression gradually became bolder.

“Did I say something wrong? It’s not even certain that Roh Haeil is Halo. There are so many people in the world with similar voices. And how do you know Coachella wasn’t fooled too.”

“Is that so?”

Halo asked back as if it was interesting.

There were such people in his life too.

Of course, in his past, there were no people asking if he was really Halo, but there were people trying to create controversy, such as asking if his composing skills were real, or if he had plagiarized or stolen someone else’s work, and there were also people who simply didn’t acknowledge his music itself.

Then, what did he do?

Did he just let it go?

Of course not. Rather, he enjoyed such disputes.

Halo took a step closer.

As his smile deepened, the man took a step back as if sensing danger. But as if he didn’t want to admit he was scared, he came forward again.

Actually, in times like this, isn’t it the more famous person who loses by fighting? He had nothing to lose. Unlike the boy standing on glass that could crack at any moment.

“You don’t think I’m Halo?”

Halo whispered.

When the rookie spoke informally, he also used informal speech, saying it was good.

“Y-yeah. You haven’t proven it yet. Prove it, that it’s really you!”

The man with nothing to lose shouted.

To that, Halo asked back with a smile.

“Why should I?”

“…What?”

“If you want to prove I’m not, you should prove it.”

“!”

“Who knows? If you look hard enough, you might find one piece of evidence.”

The boy, who casually spoke of his own downfall, didn’t seem to be in his right mind at first glance. The man, who had seen Roh Haeil’s music chart performance but hadn’t heard that Roh Haeil’s personality was crazy, was bewildered.

“Well, shall we make a bet? If you find evidence that I’m not, I’ll do whatever you want. But what if you can’t find it?”

Moreover, Roh Haeil wasn’t the type to stop easily.

Roh Haeil grinned like a madman. He seemed to be enjoying the current situation. The more he did so, the man thought he was looking down on him. He didn’t know Roh Haeil’s personality was like this, he was truly a crazy guy.

“Haeil-ssi, are you okay?”

Before he knew it, a colleague who had rushed out said something, and the general director came in person, only defending Roh Haeil, whom he adored so much. Even the lead actors who had been kind so far had cold eyes.

Roh Haeil calmly said ‘We were just talking’, and the general director gently replied ‘Is that so?’, but it was visibly getting colder.

While sending Roh Haeil off, the general director, who had been smiling all along, suddenly turned serious and looked at him.

“Your name?”

At that one word, his lips trembled.

It was just an insignificant conversation. Is this really happening?

He had nothing to lose, he shouldn’t have had anything to lose.

Sensing something was off, the manager of a supporting actor from the same agency came.

And made him bow without hesitation.

He hadn’t hit Roh Haeil or anything, he just had doubts. Is it to this extent?

After the manager said he would try to resolve it, he returned home, kicked the floor, and turned on the computer. He couldn’t just sit still, feeling wronged, he was thinking of posting today’s conversation on the community. Then Roh Haeil’s voice flashed by.

-You don’t think I’m Halo?

Arrogant kid.

As he clenched his fist, he thought of how to get back at him. That crazy fandom that appeared in the social section. If they turn their backs, Roh Haeil will be properly embarrassed.

Surely, there must be some Hellygans who can’t acknowledge Roh Haeil. (+) ^[1]

He couldn’t record the conversation with Roh Haeil, but when he entered the community after recalling what was said.

“!”

[Korea’s #1 in college admissions says it’s here Korea University he had a concert here last year and promised to perform again this year]

└ The Sun performed? And will do it again?

└ The Sun even took classes directly in the ‘Astronomy’ department

└ I can see why Korea University is #1

└ I just decided to go to Korea University instead of Stanford but how do I apply there?

At first, he thought he had come to The Sun’s community, not Helligan’s

They should have been the most suspicious ones originally.

[Gasp can someone get me more pictures of my little baby Sun?]

[Sixteen-year-old Halo is what I’ve been dreaming of]