The Road to Glory Chapter 214 - [Side Story] Chapter 16. Sketchbook Without Staff Lines

“Is he famous?”

Gyeowool thought he must be famous.

At least more than that person.

-Then, won’t you teach me how to sing?

It was just something they casually asked.

Gyeowool knew well that he was someone who would soon return. Someone who would leave someday, unlike the islanders.

Just like the teacher who taught them do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do. Just like their father who took a boat and never returned.

They just thought he seemed like a nice person, so they gathered their courage to ask.

-No.

To reject it so firmly.

Gyeowool, who had been dumbfounded at the time, now regretted just coming back.

Bad person!

He said he was a singer in Seoul, but they definitely thought he wasn’t a famous one.

But-.

Gyeowool closed their mouth while looking at the materials shown by the PD from the broadcasting station. Actually, words like award winner, first Korean, and such didn’t really register with them.

However, seeing PD Na and the writer excitedly talking about how famous and amazing this person ‘Halo’ was, they could tell he was more famous than they had thought.

Once again, that person’s words echo:

-No.

Gyeowool pouted their lips.

They would learn from someone a hundred, no, a thousand times smarter and cooler than him.

Later, when they become an incredibly amazing person, and if that person begs them to teach him, they’ll say the same thing.

They plan to show him that they can say such things too. Though maybe they’ll forgive him after he begs three times?

-Am I strange?

-No, it’s just that-

-It’s too ordinary.

That smiling face as he said those words resembled their mother’s kind face from long ago.

Gyeowool knew he wasn’t a bad person.

Still, so unfair!

“Um… who’s more famous?”

PD Na Hyejoo was at a loss for words.

Though the answer was obvious, her instincts told her not to be honest with that combative look.

“Well… they’re in different categories… Um. And we’re not supposed to reveal who the mentor is, but this unni will tell only Gyeowool early. But you must keep it a secret.”

When PD Na Hyejoo spoke, Gyeowool nodded firmly.

“It’s Kim Sunchul-ssi.”

“?”

As Gyeowool tilted their head, PD Na Hyejoo listed his famous songs.

“Ah!”

Gyeowool finally recognized one.

It was an old hit song called “At Hwagae Market.”

PD Na Hyejoo was surprised that Gyeowool knew that song, but looking at it differently, it seemed recent pop songs weren’t well-known in this village.

“Kim Sunchul-ssi is a veteran singer who has released seven full albums, actively appears on broadcasts, and also lectures at universities. Gyeowool, do you know ‘Spring Again’? He appeared on Team B there.”

Na Hyejoo realized belatedly that the variety show title came up later in Halo’s album, but fortunately, Gyeowool shook their head with clear eyes.

“No.”

“Ah, I see.”

“How many full albums has that person released?”

“Huh?”

PD Na Hyejoo recalled Halo’s first full album “Shape of Love” (plus 13 EPs and 1 single album).

“Full albums… One? Or should we count it as two?”

Since he released once under Roh Haeil and once under Halo, you could say he released full albums twice.

“But he’s released quite a few EP albums.”

Hmm.

Gyeowool thought about the two albums.

He didn’t look that old, so they couldn’t tell if that was a lot or not.

“Okay.”

Gyeowool answered. PD Na Hyejoo asked hopefully:

“Will you appear on our program?”

“Yes! If I go on there, I can become a singer quickly, right?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“Become famous quickly.”

“It’s better than not appearing.”

“Then earn lots of money too.”

“Yes, this unni isn’t someone who cheats with appearance fees.”

PD Na Hyejoo tried to high-five Writer Do Minhee.

“I’ll release more albums than that person after going there!”

“?!”

Their palms missed and hit each other’s shoulders instead.

“Huh?”

That might be a bit difficult.

Their mumbling didn’t reach Gyeowool as they burned with determination.

“I’ll release one more album than him at the same age and definitely beat him!”

At that moment, Halo felt his ears itching.

#

“Grandmother, what are all these jars for?”

Things you don’t see when you have time become visible when you don’t have time.

Halo discovered the jars lined up behind Nam Gyuhwan’s grandmother’s house.

Some were broken, some had holes, and some were covered in cobwebs.

They clearly didn’t seem to be in use.

“Grandmother, why haven’t you thrown them away?”

Nam Gyuhwan asked about the damaged jars after opening a lid and closing it again due to the rotten smell.

Grandmother answered:

“It’s wasteful.”

“What’s wasteful about it? We can’t use them anyway.”

And she added that there was nowhere to throw them and no one to take them away.

“Then you could have asked me.”

Time had quickly passed while they had a small celebration at the community center, singing old songs with the villagers and having a mini ensemble with the guitar, melodeon, xylophone, and other children’s instruments they had brought.

In the darkness that had fallen over the island, they couldn’t clean up the jars as they were planning to return tomorrow when the boat departed.

And the jars weren’t the only problem.

The stone wall with holes, for instance. There were things that needed repair everywhere. Actually, this wasn’t just a problem with grandmother’s house.

As everyone looked around with worried eyes, grandmother smiled gently and said:

“Don’t worry, it’s fine. Don’t feel bad, I had fun today. Do you all like sweet potatoes?”

Grandmother pulled out sweet potatoes from under the furnace with tongs. They sat on the wooden platform and ate the sweet potatoes while looking at the sky. The warmth of the freshly roasted sweet potatoes seemed to chase away the remaining cold.

“Get some rest after playing enough.”

After grandmother went in first, they lay down with their heads together, looking at the sky.

White breath rose to the sky.

“That was fun.”

“Time went by so quickly.”

“And it’s kind of sad.”

Someone said.

“I don’t want to go back.”

Halo answered without realizing:

“Me neither.”

Something felt like it might come to him if he stayed here, mingling with the people.

Actually, if he wanted to, he could stay longer, but he had set up a meeting with a professor from Korea National University of Arts in Seoul about an exhibition, and more importantly, there was no particular reason why he needed to stay here.

Halo looked at the star-filled night sky.

The remaining time was flowing like that.

#

“What? What did you say?”

In the dim dawn.

Writer Do Minhee opened her eyes at PD Na Hyejoo’s voice. Was it time to depart?

Originally they were supposed to return yesterday, but the sea was rough and the boat couldn’t sail, so the schedule was delayed by a day. Probably the same for Halo.

Writer Do Minhee pushed aside the blanket and got up.

Looking at the clock, it was eight in the morning.

“What… what do you mean?”

PD Na Hyejoo’s expression and voice were unsettling. Writer Do Minhee stretched while opening the door and feeling the strong air, then looked at her.

“My senior is taking over my program? What does that… Did they already have a meeting…? No, wait, Director.”

PD Na Hyejoo’s lips trembled.

“That’s just stealing it. When did I ever agree to give my program to senior…”

“…”

The situation was clear from those few words. Writer Do Minhee recalled how the broadcasting station wasn’t answering calls all day yesterday.

It felt suspicious, but she had let it slide.

The call ended shortly after.

“What happened?”

“Senior took mine.”

“Can they do that easily?”

“I don’t know, they said they already had meetings.”

“Who did they meet with? Gyeowool is here-“

“Kim Sunchul-ssi.”

“!”

“And they found another prodigy. You know, that kid we met in Gangnam.”

“Ah, the one with the scary parent.”

There were doubts about whether that kid was actually a prodigy, but more urgent than that was the mentor.

While some people get hotter as they get angrier, Writer Do Minhee was the type to grow colder. She thought it wasn’t too late yet.

“Kim Sunchul-ssi was originally supposed to work with us.”

“That’s why they stole everything.”

“Does Kim Sunchul-ssi know?”

“Huh?”

“He might not know about this. The PD change. Why don’t you try talking to him? You have his contact, right? No, you calm down. I’ll try.”

“Who knows? If we tell Gyeowool, he might willingly come back. If nothing else, Gyeowool is a real prodigy.”

Right. PD Na Hyejoo nodded.

Gyeowool was more special than any child they had met. PD Na Hyejoo, who had worked as the youngest PD on ‘Talent Scout,’ was certain.

Yes, if Kim Sunchul-ssi came back, everything could return to normal. Her senior’s program would fall apart, and it would become her program again.

Deciding to curse at her senior later, PD Na Hyejoo anxiously waited for Writer Do Minhee’s call.

“He’s more positive than expected?”

And an unexpected answer came.

“Huh?”

“He was trying not to mention internal matters, but it seems he already noticed. Well, the PD changed without any notice.”

“Wow, so he’ll come back?”

“Yeah, but-“

Writer Do Minhee tilted her head and then smirked.

“What?”

“He wants to talk to Gyeowool first?”

“Of course they can meet Gyeowool. But what about the contract, is it canceled?”

“No, he wants to talk to Gyeowool now before the contract.”

“?”

Writer Do Minhee’s expression became cynical. It was her typical ‘I should have known’ expression. There was no way an entertainment figure would be like a shounen manga protagonist fighting against injustice.

“This guy is testing the waters.”

“Well, that’s natural. From Kim Sunchul-ssi’s position, there’s no reason to help me. I’m satisfied. Since Gyeowool is a real prodigy, he’ll come back. So when does he want to talk to Gyeowool?”

“He wants to connect via Zoom now.”

“Gyeowool would be sleeping now.”

“Since he says now is the only time, the contract must be right around the corner.”

PD Na Hyejoo jumped up, grabbed her pad, and ran out.

“Mother, hello! Gyeowool, help me just once!”

“Yes?”

“The person who will be Gyeowool’s teacher wants to see Gyeowool once. Can you talk now?”

Their messy hair had a cowlick.

Having just woken up, their face was puffy and still sleepy.

But as soon as Gyeowool said “yes,” PD Na Hyejoo got help from their mother to prepare a sketchbook, and put a coat on Gyeowool who had returned from washing their face.

They look cute dressed like this. PD Na Hyejoo then set up the pad on the table and connected the video call.

Though they only had cable TV, the signal must be good as it connected quickly.

“Hello, this is PD Na Hyejoo from MNC.”

[Oh, surprised me. Is that Gaeul?]

“It’s Gyeowool. Can we connect with singer Kim Sunchul?”

The somewhat laid-back manager was surprised, not sure if it would really connect, but soon left saying he would call the singer.

[How do you do?]

And when Kim Sunchul finally appeared, PD Na Hyejoo almost cried. The world does move in the right direction after all. If things had just gone back, they might not have been able to return, maybe even jumping off the boat.

[And hello Gyeowool?]

“Ah, hello.”

Kim Sunchul, connected through video call, smiled benevolently. A kind teacher and a prodigy grandchild raised only on an island. She could already see how to film the scenes.

[I’m a musician called Kim Sunchul, have you heard my songs?]

“Yes? Yes.”

[Really? Well, cutting to the chase, teacher will ask Gyeowool a few things. Answer honestly.]

Kim Sunchul turned the camera before hearing Gyeowool’s answer. There was a piano there.

PD Na Hyejoo was nervous because she knew this was an island and Gyeowool hadn’t received proper education. However, if it was a perfect pitch quiz, it should be fine.

Kim Sunchul really tested Gyeowool’s ear with piano notes. Though Gyeowool was a bit slow, PD Na Hyejoo internally rejoiced with each answer.

Then the notes started increasing.

2 notes, then 3 notes simultaneously.

Gyeowool, who had been answering well up to 2 chords, started hesitating as the keys got higher.

When they couldn’t answer, Kim Sunchul pressed again.

3 chords. As Gyeowool tilted their head again, Kim Sunchul closed the piano.

“Wait, just a moment, singer.”

Feeling a sense of crisis, PD Na Hyejoo hurriedly showed the sketchbook. It was Gyeowool’s sketchbook.

“The sound seems distorted due to transmission issues, could you look at this?”

[Open it up.]

As Kim Sunchul crossed his arms, PD Na Hyejoo opened to the part that had surprised her.

Gyeowool’s doodles. No, composition notes.

Though there were no staff lines, a veteran singer like Kim Sunchul should be able to read it.

[Could you bring the camera closer?]

“Yes, yes!”

He was clearly interested.

Kim Sunchul’s eyes scanned back and forth.

This was exactly Gyeowool’s work, and somehow it felt like their work was being evaluated.

At some point, Kim Sunchul raised the corner of his mouth.

Is this a green light?

PD Na Hyejoo waited for Kim Sunchul to open his mouth.

Then, one phrase came:

[…Don’t you think people use the word prodigy too easily these days?]

“What?”

[When a local kid copies something they’ve seen somewhere, they call them a prodigy, a genius.]

“What? No, Kim Sunchul-ssi, there seems to be a misunderstanding, this isn’t copied from somewhere, Gyeowool wrote this themself-“

[So what? It’s terrible.]

“What?”

[Have you tried playing it?]

And behind him, curse words could be faintly heard.

PD Na Hyejoo covered her ears, worried the child might hear. Though Gyeowool wasn’t the type of child who wouldn’t notice negative nuances.

The child’s eyes trembled unstably.

Regardless, PD Kim Sunchul shrugged his shoulders and opened the piano lid again. (+) ^[1] TLN: I think this is a mistake from the author. In the raw, it really says PD Kim Sunchul

Then he played exactly what Gyeowool had composed. PD Na Hyejoo unconsciously frowned while listening. It wasn’t proper music.

Just a plinking sound like someone who had never played piano before randomly hitting keys continued.

PD Kim Sunchul didn’t play until the end and closed the lid. Then he turned his eyes to Gyeowool and said:

[Kid]

“…”

[You’re just an extremely ordinary kid, so tell your mom and dad not to waste time on useless things.]

Click.

The camera cut off mercilessly.

Silence fell.

“What kind of crazy bastard.”

Writer Do Minhee cursed at Kim Sunchul’s rudeness.

PD Na Hyejoo, who had been shocked that Gyeowool wasn’t a prodigy, looked at Gyeowool.

Gyeowool’s eyes were trembling.

“Gyeowool.”

They were clearly hurt.

Whether Gyeowool was a prodigy or not, you shouldn’t say such things to a child. PD Na Hyejoo tried to comfort the child before her own mental state.

However, at some point Gyeowool gritted their teeth, then glared at her, or more precisely, at the sketchbook she was holding.

And it happened in an instant.

Gyeowool snatched the sketchbook and ran out of the house.

“Gyeowool!”

PD Na Hyejoo jumped up and ran after Gyeowool. It felt like she couldn’t leave things like this.

Because Gyeowool had done nothing wrong.

Whether Gyeowool was really a prodigy or not, it was Na Hyejoo who had called Gyeowool a prodigy, and it was Na Hyejoo who had made them talk with Kim Sunchul.

However, Baegun Island was quite complexly laid out. Houses and alleys lined up here and there.

Having lost sight of Gyeowool, PD Na Hyejoo put her hands on her knees while looking around.

“Oh my, you startled me.”

“Ma’am, have you seen Gyeowool?”

“Gyeowool? They were heading toward the harbor.”

“Thank you!”

After asking passing people and making her way to the harbor, PD Na Hyejoo finally found Gyeowool.

“Gyeo-“

As she was about to call out to the child, they bumped into someone and fell.

“Oh?”

“Little one, are you okay?”

“Oh no, the kid’s crying! Nam Gyuhwan, get down on your knees quickly.”

Halo and his members who were just loading luggage onto the boat.

The child who had bumped into Nam Gyuhwan sat on the ground unable to move. However, seeing the shaking shoulders, PD Na Hyejoo knew Gyeowool was crying.

“Are you okay? Does it hurt a lot?”

Moon Seoyeon held Gyeowool’s hand. The child revealed their pale face and sniffled.

“What’s wrong?”

Halo, who had been talking with the VJ, came out at the commotion and discovered the child.

The child looked at Halo for a moment.

And at some point, the sniffling turned into full-blown crying.

They cried so sadly while looking at Halo.

“Oh no. It must have really hurt.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Boss, please comfort the baby.”

“…Me?”

As Halo approached the child hesitantly at Moon Seoyeon’s request, he noticed a sketchbook at his feet.

“Give it back!”

The child reached for the sketchbook in surprise, but Halo had already seen it.

“I said give it back. It’s mine.”

The child grabbed Halo’s pants and cried loudly.

It seemed like they were begging him not to leave.

“What is this?”

“Don’t look.”

“Stop crying too.”

“That’s my business.”

“Then I want to look too.”

“How can you say that?”

“Right here.”

Where else in the world would you find such a childish conversation?

But since the child had stopped crying, it seemed to work.

Halo only looked at the opened part of the sketchbook.

Notes were playing freely without staff lines.

After quietly looking at the sketchbook, Halo smiled at some point.

“You should have drawn the staff lines properly. No one can read it like this.”

“!”

Halo returned the sketchbook to Gyeowool.

Gyeowool, who had expected harsh criticism like from Teacher Kim Sunchul, blankly stared at him.

“At least you did a good job.”

• 1. TLN: I think this is a mistake from the author. In the raw, it really says PD Kim Sunchul