The Road to Glory Chapter 155 - Moving Forward

[Let’s All Move Forward]

Eerie dry ice smoke settles beneath the bridge. A town bus split in half separates the soldiers from the civilians.

At last, solid shields push in first, and the climax builds.

Halo watched the play with arms folded.

Viewing ‘Rock‘ from backstage, precisely from the side, gave a different feeling. In fact, it was unfamiliar, as it was a place where only cast, staff, and other personnel could be.

Also, the actors’ expressions, movements, and voices were more noticeable than from the audience seats.

It felt like being a third party inside the play.

Like a journalist observing people living their real lives, or a child who will live in the world they create.

Halo closed his eyes and listened to Jeongwoo’s song.

Over the five months of performances, Jeongwoo’s guitar skills had improved so much that it was now difficult to call him a beginner, and his vocals were still good.

The song,

‘Of course it’s good.’

Whose song is it, after all.

Finally, Jeongwoo collapses to the floor and it ends.

The moment someone claps, the audience is filled with applause like a wave of water. They send their highest acclaim, seemingly unaware of their aching hands.

The story of ‘Rock‘ is over, but it’s not completely finished yet. If they’ve shown the story of Jeongwoo and the Red Dragonfly band until now, it’s time to show the actors.

On the right side of the stage, those who played the civilians come out, taking off their hats and bowing. On the left, those who played soldiers come out, stomping the floor and saluting. Then, as if to say they’ve worked hard, the first soldier and civilian to come out shake hands and hug lightly.

People smile at the sight of those who were in conflict on stage seeming to reconcile as time passed.

When the journalist who lightened the heavy atmosphere with jokes and humor walks out comically, laughter is heard. When the club rock band that taught Jeongwoo about rock comes out shaking their sessions exaggeratedly, the audience whistles.

And soon after, the Red Dragonfly band.

Hyerim, Minseop, Suil. As the lead actors come out, people greet them more enthusiastically with “Wah! Woo!” The last to come out is Jeongwoo, wearing a crumpled shirt that seems stained with blood.

Right, left, center. Park Hyuk, who bowed, greets alongside the lead actors.

‘I guess Roh Haeil really isn’t coming out.’

It was just a rumor after all.

While applauding the actors’ passionate performances, the audience thought it was likely. Unless they were reporters, no one in the audience really thought he would come out.

It’s not common to call out the composer at a musical curtain call, unless they’re a special actor.

As it’s the final performance, it’s time for the actors to directly greet the audience on stage.

Although they couldn’t express gratitude to everyone like mentors and parents as in an awards ceremony speech, it was enough to make their hearts ache with the emotions they felt during the performance.

Finally, the microphone is handed to Park Hyuk.

Park Hyuk, the lead actor and called the irreplaceable top in Rock, greets a bit longer, and lastly-.

“And I’d like to express my gratitude to the composer who created these great numbers.”

He mentioned the composer with a meaningful face.

Of course, it wasn’t very visible except for the front row of the audience, and since it’s true that ‘Rock‘ succeeded partly due to its numbers, most people didn’t notice and moved on.

As the stage darkens again, the applause grows louder. Everyone knew that their performance would continue.

As the musical ‘Rock‘ is about a band, they gave a curtain call reminiscent of a concert.

Usually, they would sing the musical’s opening number, and each cast member would sing their representative number.

But this time was a bit different.

When the accompaniment started,

“Ah!”

People who involuntarily exclaimed quickly covered their mouths.

It was familiar to many, and even those seeing it for the first time could tell what song it was from the first accompaniment.

It was Jeongwoo’s signature song and the last number they had just heard. <Revival>.

As small stage lights came on, they illuminated the civilians who had suddenly appeared at the front of the stage.

They began to sing the first verse.

And the next verse was passed to the soldiers.

It wasn’t Park Hyuk’s <Revival>, but everyone’s <Revival>.

While it’s said that no one can handle Park Hyuk’s <Revival>, everyone singing one verse each had a different meaning that tugged at the heartstrings.

The feeling of everyone’s will coming together as one.

Perhaps it stimulated emotions more because it felt like everyone who had sacrificed was being revived, just like the title of the song.

When the band members sang <Revival> in turn, it brought tears as it reminded of the ‘Red Dragonfly’ era, and when it finally reached ‘Park Hyuk’, a thrill rose.

It was as if they had been reborn in the future they wanted and reformed as ‘Red Dragonfly’.

Park Hyuk sang one verse, and now it was time for everyone to sing together.

Suddenly, the stage lights go out and the accompaniment stops. Just as the song was about to reach its climax.

Rather than disappointment, it was strange, and an odd excitement took its place. By stopping the music right before the climax, expectations of what would happen next began to rise.

Thump.

Footsteps are faintly heard.

Soon, a person walks out from the side.

Only a silhouette is barely visible.

Could it be the double-cast Dokgo Yeong?

Is Dokgo Yeong coming out because it’s the final performance? Then, shouldn’t the other Red Dragonfly members come out too?

“Our song brings storms.”

But when a voice was heard without accompaniment in the darkness, a brief “Hic!” sound echoed as if holding their breath.

“The blood and tears that soaked this land will bloom flowers of hope.”

The lights came back on, brightly illuminating the entire stage. In the center of the stage was a boy holding hands with Park Hyuk.

Like Jeongwoo, white shirt and suit pants.

Park Hyuk looked a bit more disheveled from acting, while the boy’s clothes were cleaner, making him appear brighter under the lights.

Like the sun.

Soon, everyone’s chorus was heard.

[The flag we planted will greet a new day.]

As Halo’s eyes met Park Hyuk’s, he smiled faintly and looked back at the audience. Though dazzling from the lights, he met the eyes of a few people in between.

Ah, it’s been a while since I felt this.

[Look at that brilliant dawn]

Maybe because he felt good, the low notes seemed to be sung more comfortably.

[All of these things]

Everyone raised their hands together.

Will live-

Forever!

Dan!

As soon as the chorus ended, cheers and applause erupted hotly. The last stage of the musical Rock was still a success.

#

It was no joke, this heat.

As expected, given Rock’s popularity and it being the final performance, but there was even more fervor here.

Even though the curtain call had ended, the audience didn’t leave the theater in case someone might come out, and it was even more so in the lobby.

Even when staff said the performance was over, they lingered and wandered around the lobby.

It was the same for reporters.

They don’t know how many times they had to chase them away as they tried to enter the staff corridor recklessly. They shouted a boy’s name towards the staff corridor in front of the parrot.

The name of a boy who wasn’t the lead actor or the director, at the last performance.

Well, everyone had expected this.

Even the actors were surprised to see the boy’s presence when they gathered for the chorus rehearsal, and some crowded around him out of curiosity. Some passionate fans even shook hands with him, feeling excited for days as if they were developing a crush.

It was cute when child actors did it, but when a middle-aged man – who could be mistaken for the boy’s father – shook hands with trembling legs and showed excitement, it was really unsightly from a colleague’s perspective.

Anyway, in the midst of the lobby in chaos as if a war had broken out, only Park Hyuk’s waiting room was quiet.

“Your thoughts?”

“I finally got to hear what I couldn’t at the first performance.”

The general director, who came to the scene for an interview, was dressed in his uniquely distinctive outfit.

Park Hyuk pretended not to hear the general director’s words and looked at the boy, and Halo showed a thumbs up without saying anything else.

“How was my acting?”

“Didn’t you just… sing?”

Could it be that you acted? Park Hyuk’s pupils shook, but soon realized it was a joke when he saw the boy’s playful face.

“It was a bit lacking compared to me.”

“Oh my.”

“If you want, I’ll give you feedback.”

“After hearing it last time, I’d rather not listen out of fear.”

Park Hyuk burst into laughter, remembering when he gave strict feedback to Joo Yeonwoo.

Everyone knew.

Despite saying this, the boy had no intention of acting at all.

Of course, Roh Haeil didn’t try to become Jeongwoo while singing.

He sang as himself, and thus created a Jeongwoo with a completely opposite personality.

This is what it means to be opposite.

If the boy had been the real Jeongwoo, Jeongwoo probably wouldn’t have had any internal conflicts from the start.

Judging by the intense struggle emanating from the song, he would have been the type to charge into the flames regardless of his family’s safety or his own. That’s neither the heroic Jeongwoo nor the ordinary criminal Jeongwoo. It’s beyond that, something ordinary people can’t even comprehend-.

Yes, the boy would have been exactly like the boy.

The one everyone calls a ‘genius’-.

As a musical actor, Park Hyuk has been called a genius many times, but he doesn’t think of himself as one. He’s just an effort-type actor.

“Director! Please prepare for the interview. Park Hyuk, we’ll need you too. Oh, but…”

“We’ve received a request to interview Hail… Roh Haeil-ssi as well. Would that be possible?”

“No, that wasn’t in the plan.”

The general director spoke up first. He had only asked for the final curtain call, so he didn’t want to impose anything else. Whether ordered from above or requested internally, the boy in front of him was more important to the general director.

“What’s this sudden request?”

“Ah, it’s because of the number release. We thought it would be good promotion if Roh Haeil-ssi could just say a word-“

“Isn’t it enough with just us?”

The general director was about to firmly refuse, suppressing his anger at asking a busy person to do something trivial, when-

“Is just one word enough?”

“What? Yes! If you could just say one word, we couldn’t ask for more.”

The PR staff member’s face brightened.

Conversely, the general director’s expression became strange at the unexpected response.

“Don’t you need to leave early? You’re a busy person.”

“It’s just one word, what’s the big deal?”

The boy shrugged.

For someone who usually doesn’t do interviews, he seemed unbothered.

“And-“

The boy grinned.

“Rather than going back-“

“…”

“I’d rather move forward.”

To go back, they’d have to circle around to the parking lot, but going forward would lead directly outside.

It would be closer if they just got past the reporters, and he wasn’t a criminal, so why should he have to go around?

“Then, please.”

The director thought, “As expected,” and responded calmly.

The staff member felt a bit wronged, as just a moment ago he was about to get angry for being bothered, but let it go easily, thinking it was for the best.

:

And in the lobby.

At a time when some people had left, thinking everyone must have gone as neither the actors nor the boy had been seen for a while.

“Halo-ssi!”

“Roh Haeil-ssi! Look over here!”

As the lead actor walked out with the general director, reporters rushed in, and their eyes turned to the boy who appeared behind them.

After that, it went like this.

It was an interview venue, but the atmosphere was reminiscent of a fan meeting. Even in a situation where it was hard to distinguish whether this was a musical closing night interview or a Roh Haeil interview,

The boy stood calmly and waved his hand once.

Then, with a cry of “Halo!!!”, the beasts began to howl.

Halo then slowly lowered the hand he had raised.

In sync with this, the beasts, no, the reporters and some people who were clearly impersonating reporters, began to lower their voices.

“Ahem, hello. I’m Nok Jidam, the general director of the musical Rock.”

The general director, after nodding gratefully to the boy, began the interview. After a brief greeting thanking everyone for loving the musical, and Park Hyuk also finishing his greeting, attention turned to Halo.

Their faces showed that they hoped the boy would also give a comment.

Determination flashed across their faces, as if ready to transcribe every word of his comment.

“Hello, I’m Roh Haeil.”

But as always, the boy who only half-fulfilled their wishes made them anxious. Is that it? He didn’t even say he was the composer, or how the performance was, or how the actors were. Even one word would have generated a flood of articles. The views would have been enormous. The boy, who seemed to know but pretended not to, cruelly lowered the microphone.

And so the Q&A interview began.

“Can we know exactly when the musical soundtrack is scheduled to be released?”

At first, it was a normal interview starting with prepared comments.

It should have been an interview that ended with everyone chatting amicably, but-

Even while asking questions to the general director, the reporters’ eyes were fixed on Roh Haeil. They were as desperate as baby birds looking for their mother, but the answers always came from the general director or Park Hyuk.

“Um, I have a question for Roh Haeil-ssi.”

Finally, one reporter swallowed hard.

They were told to ask only related questions, so a mistake could get them fired.

“I was deeply moved by Roh Haeil-ssi’s <Revival> during the curtain call. I knew Roh Haeil-ssi was good at singing high notes, but the low notes were also impressive, so I wanted to ask: is there any chance you might consider playing Jeongwoo in a future revival of the musical ‘Rock‘?”

Oh. An intern reporter behind him exclaimed in admiration and poked his waist.

“Hmm-“

This was truly a question that no one else could answer. It wasn’t an unrelated question, and the director, not wanting to put pressure on the boy, looked back worriedly, but the boy finally raised the microphone as if he had expected it.

“If the opportunity arises someday?”

It meant that he might do it if he ever becomes interested in acting, but probably not since that’s unlikely to happen.

The reporter didn’t fully grasp this meaning, but it was clearly an ambiguous answer that would be difficult to write about in an article. Moreover, the boy naturally passed the microphone, making it hard to ask anything further.

“I have a question for Roh Haeil-ssi!”

But the reporters who didn’t know how to give up started a barrage of questions. The general director and Park Hyuk seemed invisible to them.

However, much to the reporters’ frustration, the boy mostly passed the questions on to the general director and Park Hyuk.

“Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve seen such a maverick.”

Roh Haeil, who deflected all unnecessary questions, let the general director handle the important Q&A, and finally left only a tantalizing answer of “You’ll find out which numbers I composed when the soundtrack is released,” began to walk away calmly.

Roh Haeil’s manager – who is actually the secretary left behind by August Veil – and staff members who had appeared at some point cleared a path. The reporters reached out their hands with the mindset that they couldn’t let him go like this, but for some reason, there were traitors among the reporters.

They didn’t interfere during the questions, but when people tried to touch the boy, the reporters who subtly blocked them were all wearing The Sun necklaces.

“Roh Haeil-ssi! Please tell us just one thing! What activities are you planning in the future-“

At that moment, the boy who had been walking away smoothly stopped at someone’s shout.

Halo slowly turned around and smiled.

Looking innocently as if he knew nothing.

“Soon. I’m looking forward to meeting the fans.”

The words he threw were like tossing a rock into a calm pond.

:

[Halo Concert Preview]

[Countdown to Nationwide Tour Begins?]

The reaction was immediate.

It had been quiet since Coachella, and since it was what everyone had been hoping for, internet articles and communities immediately erupted.

[I wondered why there was no news about the album, turns out he was preparing for a concert! Finally!!]

└ It’s only May, what album;;

[But Haeil, please no small theater this time, please no]

└ Know yourself, learn to know yourself properly.

└ Let’s just rent the Coachella stage again like last time;;

└ Did you actually go there?

└ LOL

While it was the long-awaited concert, and it was exciting and anticipated, the reason they couldn’t be entirely happy was because of Roh Haeil’s track record so far.

[But is the small theater the only thing we need to worry about?]

└ Oh right, damn

└ Where do these foreigners think they’re going in the land of Heungseon Daewongun

└ Can’t we just ban foreigners from entering?

└ It’s not like it’s COVID now, how could we?

└ Isn’t there some kind of epidemic?

└ Or how about this, a travel restriction zone

└ Is our country at war?

└ Don’t you know our country is in a ceasefire?

└ Maybe the airlines will go on strike?

While the fandom was trembling with half joy and half fear, the atmosphere overseas was a bit different.

[The time has come.]

[I’d like a world tour, but I don’t want The Sun to overexert himself. What should we do?]

[How about carrying him on our shoulders?]

They had heard about the 830-seat small theater concert, but since they hadn’t experienced it directly, they couldn’t really empathize.

Unless they knew a bit about K-pop, those who didn’t even know how many people were in Korea didn’t consider the competition rate.

They just thought that 830 seemed too small, like the size of a cafe.

And even if it was like that then, isn’t his identity revealed now? The boy would book the largest venue, and they would surely be there.

Since there was no official announcement yet, those hoping for a world tour didn’t even consider the possibility that they might not be able to get tickets.

[Oh Sun! Illuminate the world]

And so, just as Roh Haeil’s fandom had done in the past, they were endlessly raising their glasses in celebration.