The Road to Glory Chapter 189 - In the Name of Halo

A rookie singer who attended the 2033 Daon Awards recalled this moment later.

That this was already a predetermined game.

“Hey, it’s Halo.”

“Where?”

“It’s really Halo. He came this time.”

The heads of people gathered among themselves started turning.

They spotted the group that entered the awards ceremony and whispered among themselves. Though they didn’t stare openly, their gazes never completely left.

It’s not that they didn’t know Halo could come to Daon.

Since they were awarding based on 2032 data, Halo’s name would certainly be among the nominees.

Of course, that alone couldn’t guarantee the boy’s attendance. In fact, the boy had been absent from last year’s ceremony.

Still, everyone was uncertain because last night, the Daon Music Awards had announced the list of ceremony attendees.

Among the group names and stage names, the name ‘Roh Haeil (HALO)’ stood out more than any other.

[What? Halo’s coming to the ceremony?]

[Is he really coming?]

[Daon must be giving him something lol]

└ They’ll probably give him an award

There was a small commotion among viewers as well.

There had been early discussions about whether he would show up this time or not.

Especially when the ticketing opened.

But since there was no way to ask, the commotion faded away without resolution.

Most just assumed he wouldn’t come.

However, when news broke that he would attend, there was brief excitement last night, and as soon as the boy set foot in the Olympic Stadium where the ceremony was being held, camera flashes erupted.

Instead of a classic suit, the boy wore Arbor’s hanbok silk damask, for which he serves as an ambassador. He seemed to have come with his members, and immediately drew attention.

“Instead of rookies greeting them, the seniors are going to greet him.”

Cold Brew, approaching their 10th year, made the first move to acknowledge the boy.

Cold Brew’s lead vocalist Wonder warmly embraced the boy.

“Is he really… a rookie singer?”

“Halo debuted in ’31. Three years makes him a rookie.”

“But you know what?”

“What?”

“Halo has more albums than Cold Brew seniors. Even counting singles and minis, Halo has more.”

“…wow.”

It hadn’t really sunk in, but when put that way, it was an unbelievable number.

Especially considering that all his albums were successful, really…

“Shouldn’t we go there too?”

Before they knew it, Liv was sitting next to the boy.

They seemed to be having some conversation, with Cold Brew occasionally agreeing, and veteran senior artists sitting behind were also in that group.

To the rookie singer’s eyes, it looked like only successful insiders were gathered there.

Though they had already greeted in the waiting room, somehow it felt like they needed to go greet again to be successful. The camera exposure was the same. One camera was just openly focused on the boy.

As expected with the boy’s attendance, this year’s Daon Awards seemed to exist just for him.

And it was actually like that during the awards too.

Artist of the Year Digital Category:

December HALO –

February HALO –

March HALO –

An unprecedented event occurred where one boy’s name was printed three times among twelve categories.

Though it was a rare case, originally he would have had to give acceptance speeches three times.

However, since he was likely to receive more awards, Daon replaced it with a combined acceptance.

It wasn’t that they arranged it this way worried it might get boring due to acceptance speeches.

From Daon’s perspective, more exposure would be better even if he gave the same speech three times.

So this was just an arrangement for the boy, by the boy.

‘Still, he’s receiving fewer than I expected.’

The rookie singer thought after returning to their seat following their acceptance speech.

They thought the boy’s name would keep being called, but after the digital music integration, the boy’s name hadn’t been called even once. Regardless, cameras captured the boy calmly conversing or applauding for award recipients.

The rookie singer soon realized.

The reason why the boy’s name wasn’t called much in Part 1.

If Part 1 was mainly composed of rookies, the real game was Part 2.

World Hallyu Star Award

Before the award name was fully visible,

That is, when only the word ‘World’ was called, cameras sought the winner, and people around looked at one person.

Composer of the Year Award

As the presenter nodded while looking at the card, everyone prepared to applaud towards one person.

Popular Singer of the Year Award

This too was predetermined.

Though Daon tried their best to prevent one person from monopolizing awards, since it was data-based, they couldn’t manipulate the winners. So Part 1, where they awarded as many people as possible, was Daon’s best effort.

[This is just Daon by Halo, of Halo, for Halo]

[How many are left?]

[Album Production Award and Adult Contemporary are last, so soon]

[But the International Music Award hasn’t come out yet]

└ Unusually pushed back or maybe not giving it at all?

└ Don’t tell me this is Halo too?

└ Halo is a Korean singer LOL

└ Since Halo’s music distribution is through Veil, international music would fit, but they probably won’t give it since he’s received so many

└ But isn’t it weird not to give it when Halo is clearly superior?

While watching the middle performance of Part 2, viewers calculated how many awards were left.

Like counting Olympic medals, they also calculated how many awards Halo would receive at this ceremony.

That’s when discussion turned to the International Music Award and International Rising Star Award.

These were awards given to international music and artists that gained popularity domestically.

Since they usually don’t come to receive the awards in person, these weren’t very significant awards.

[If not Halo, who would get the International Music Award?]

[Halo’s impact was the biggest, who else is there]

[Is there any music that did as well as Halo’s in our country]

“Next up are the International Music Award and International Rising Star Award.”

Around the time netizens were divided between those who thought Halo should receive it and those opposed, Daon finally announced the International Music Award without further delay. Even singers who had stood up to congratulate the boy before awards were announced in Part 2 now leaned back comfortably in their chairs.

Since it was an award for international music, they could applaud but wouldn’t need to stand.

“For the International Music Award category.”

The presenter opened the card, and her eyes first caught the letters.

Before her mouth opened, her mind instantly recognized all the letters.

“Oh,”

Did she read it wrong? She briefly lifted her head then lowered it again.

In that moment she looked at the singers’ seats, but no one seemed to find it strange.

“Congratulations. Frau Dwen’s-.”

As the presenter read the song name, the song’s photo and information appeared on the electronic display.

Along with it, applause rang out.

People slowly recognized the letters.

[The Last DaY]

Right, this song existed.

Released in summer, it reached #1 on Billboard and Korean music charts.

It became a topic for various reasons, with its impressive collaboration and music video.

Particularly noteworthy were Halo’s yodeling and the dance at the end of the music video.

…Wait? Hold on.

Soon people’s eyes widened one by one at the names of the participating artists

[Frau Dwen, Jason Dyke, Michael, Dick Grayson, HALO].

Singers who had been applauding mindlessly started hurriedly looking back one by one.

Should they stand up? Or should they stay seated and applaud since Frau Dwen was the winner?

And by the way, it seemed Daon was determined to give even the International Music Award to Halo.

Fortunately, Daon provided clarity.

“We’ll hear the composer of The Last Day’s acceptance speech, and Mr. Halo will receive the award.”

A recorded video of Frau Dwen, the composer of The Last Day, appeared on the electronic display.

“Morning.”

Presumably it was morning when recording, as Dwen casually greeted and expressed his gratitude.

“Above all, I’d like to dedicate this honor to those who created this song together – Jason, Michael, Dick, and my dear friend, Halo. Thank you, friends! It’s all thanks to you. Let’s work together again next time.”

Every time Halo’s name was mentioned, the camera excitedly captured the boy’s faint smile.

The acceptance speech that seemed about to end continued.

As if Daon had prepared properly, this time it was Dick’s speech.

He also left a heartwarming message.

“Ah, and there’s one misunderstanding – I’m not a mama’s boy.”

Due to Michael’s part ‘Dick says he’ll eat the pancakes his mom made’

Dick took this opportunity to explain to Korean fans.

With laughter, the video transitioned, and Michael left his acceptance speech in a hip manner.

Though his speech wasn’t long, his greeting in Korean was sufficient.

Finally came Jason.

Unlike his actual personality, he expressed his gratitude very politely.

Halo smiled, thinking it was boring.

Just as he was thinking he should send a message after the ceremony ended.

Suddenly Jason said “And” and called him.

“And, Halo.”

At the sudden call, people’s and cameras’ gazes simultaneously fell on the boy.

The boy was then looking at Jason who was trying to say something to him.

“It’s March 21st.”

People couldn’t understand what he was saying.

But Halo, who smirked, seemed to know.

“Remember.”

The electronic display turned off with this interview that could have been either an acceptance speech or a personal message.

People’s murmurs grew as they wondered what Jason Dyke had said and why Halo was smiling.

At least seeing him smile like that, it was clear they had planned something between themselves.

“Mr. Halo, please accept the award on behalf of Mr. Frau Dwen.”

Halo, who had laughed haha, only went forward when the presenter called him again.

“Hello, I’m Roh Haeil.”

Who knows how many times he’d given this greeting.

“This song is quite special to me too. Actually, I wasn’t planning to do it at first-.”

From the mouth of the boy who said he hadn’t properly prepared his speech for his first award because he didn’t expect to win, acceptance speeches kept flowing even at his nth award. His attitude was also unusually relaxed for his first awards ceremony. Though it was known he didn’t get nervous on stage, aren’t award ceremonies different in many ways? However, the boy’s attitude was the same whether on stage or at award ceremonies.

“Mr. Halo, congratulations again.”

As the boy was about to leave after finishing his speech, the presenter stopped him.

“Could I ask what conversation you had with Mr. Jason?”

“Ah.”

It seemed like a question passed down from the ceremony production team.

Don’t exclude us, let’s all know together.

Halo stopped and looked around.

Everyone had curious faces.

Halo, contemplating how to explain that they’d bet on music performance against the fake Halo,

“It’s nothing special, just. We agreed to make a bet in the name of Halo.”

“Pardon?”

The boy who had whispered into the microphone shrugged and smoothly descended from the stage.

What kind of bet did they make?

Though it was confusing, in fact, not many people were unaware of Jason Dyke’s situation.

There was a time when many people pretended to be Halo, and Jason Dyke was a prominent figure among them.

It had already caused a stir when they collaborated, and now they’re even making bets.

And betting his name with someone who pretended to be him.

While people captured on camera carefully hid their expressions, viewers watching online couldn’t.

[????]

[What’s he talking about?]

[Isn’t Jason that liar who pretended to be Halo before?]

[So they’re betting on who’s Halo?]

[LOL does the winner become Halo?]

[What are they betting on?]

[There’s only one thing Halo and Jason would bet on, right?]

[But are they really friends? Can you be friendly with someone who gained popularity pretending to be you?]

[Fake Halo VS Real Halo this is legendary]

[Wow holy shit this is Hollywood LOL]

Since it was such a shocking event, the fact that Halo received the Album Production Award again passed naturally.

There was no time to feel resistance about Halo dominating the Daon Awards.

After the ceremony ended, Halo’s performance followed.

He energetically beat drums in a traditional Korean music arrangement of HALO’s 13th album “Until dawn comes”,

Then The Last DaY’s stage was set up like a musical, highlighting each member, ending with Halo who ‘dreamed of world destruction’ waking up and stretching.

“Good morning.”

Whether it’s a good morning or not is unclear, but it seems it’ll be a morning as lively as Line 1 subway.