The Road to Glory Chapter 235 - [Side Story] Chapter 37. Wise Island Life (Part 2)

Woooong.

A vibration rings.

What is it. Woooong.

Why won’t this alarm stop?

PD Kyung fumbled around for his phone.

Just as he found it, the vibration stopped.

He must have been in a deep sleep.

His mind is wide awake now.

PD Kyung, who opened his phone to check the time, jumped up when he discovered exactly 134 missed calls.

His KakaoTalk notifications even showed +999.

What happened?

Did something happen to the cast?

Since this level of alerts usually meant there was a problem with the program, PD Kyung hurriedly called the writer.

Despite calling 20 times, strangely, the writer didn’t answer.

Feeling uneasy, PD Kyung checked KakaoTalk.

As soon as he entered, the remaining 1 disappeared like magic.

At first, it was just casual chatter

[PD-nim, what is this?]

The issue was discovered when a PR team employee posted something.

[Did you really post this, PD-nim?]

[PD-nim, please answer your phone]

The PR team employee was in a panic trying to reach him, and the KakaoTalk chat looked like a disaster zone.

[Let’s delete it first]

[We deleted it, but it spread in a short time]

[The Director is here]

[Does anyone know where PD-nim is]

[Maybe he’s asleep]

A staff member who noticed he had seen the messages called.

Before that, the PD wanted to know how his post had spread.

The PD, who had abruptly hung up, opened the community.

And-.

[Even if I try to understand why he posted it… ‘More than anyone’ ‘Second OOO’ It’s clearly targeting Halo, can’t understand]

[I had to rub my eyes in disbelief;; Is this something a PD should post? Never mind the rest, but saying they’re the most suitable mentor means Halo isn’t, right? And don’t write ‘second whatever’? You guys put ‘Second Halo’ in your captions and milk Halo’s name whenever possible LOL Such hypocrites, fine I won’t watch]

[Current Me, Mento PD Situation Summary (99+)]

[I was enjoying both programs but why did this PD suddenly go crazy? Wouldn’t both win if he just stayed quiet? I grew attached to Dajung and Teacher Sunchul, but now I can’t watch…]

[Honest opinion. Dajung isn’t a genius or prodigy, for real. So definitely not Second Halo, that’s facts. The PD said the right thing]

PD Kyung’s face turned pale as he scrolled through the community.

[HOT⎪ Me, Mento PD’s Notice Interpretation.

Hello, I am Director Kyung Yoongi -> That’s me

Thank you for your interest and support -> I have something to say

Recently~ cases of comparison and criticism are increasing -> You guys keep comparing our cast with Wisland (presumably)?

Our cast has a lot of experience~~ -> Does Halo (presumably) have experience as an instructor how dare you compare with our Professor Kim Sunchul LOL

Young cast~~ -> Stop with the Second Halo crap

Such frequent comparisons and criticism~ please -> Got it, you tactless idiots?

Warm encouragement in the future~~ -> Shut up and just watch the show]

“F*ck, when did I ever say it like that.”

PD Kyung cursed, saying he’d gotten on the wrong side of Halo’s fandom.

But surprisingly, this controversy didn’t start in Halo’s fan community, but in a general variety show viewer forum.

[Me, Mento’s PD wrote a notice, did everyone see this? But is it okay to write like this?] Someone’s captured post spread across the internet.

Not only was the broadcasting station’s response slow, but since it was a post open to various interpretations, it easily spread to entertainment-focused communities.

Being a place with many viewers, the news reached Halo and Roh Haeil’s fandoms, and their reaction was predictable.

In one word: betrayal.

Because many of them were viewers who enjoyed watching ‘Me, Mento.’ Imagining if this was what Halo was like when he was young.

[Getting backstabbed by a show I enjoyed watching…. Wow…. My head hurts]

[Says they’re uncomfortable being compared to The Sun LOL Who should really be uncomfortable LOL]

[Nobody compared Kim Sunchul and The Sun, why did this PD suddenly go crazy? Even trying to understand, that ‘more than anyone’ <<< is clearly targeting The Sun, so I’m gradually getting angrier]

And contrary to PD Kyung’s thoughts, they were the ones who compared the least. Because they thought Halo experienced unfair treatment at a young age—for example, the UK CD collusion incident—they didn’t post anything that young kids might see, and honestly never thought about comparing.

To them, Halo was always the best, and no matter who they brought in, Halo was the best.

The Halo fandom that had been defending against comparison posts turned their backs with PD Kyung’s notice.

“That tractor guy… still haven’t found him?”

The Director was in chaos too.

The person who needed to take responsibility had disappeared.

“What should we do?”

“We’ll have to cancel this week’s broadcast and post an explanation. No, what was he thinking, throwing dirt on a program that was doing well.”

The senior PD who was close to PD Na opened their mouth in shock.

Though they had predicted he would be ruined by his mouth, they didn’t expect the prediction to come true so soon.

Maybe… did Na awaken? The senior PD muttered incomprehensible words, then soon raised their head and started making three wishes.

“I will win first prize in the lottery this week. The prize money is 12.3 billion…!”

PD Na who saw this giggled.

Sometimes weird but fun and kind senior.

“So PD Na, aren’t you going to counterattack?”

“Pardon?”

“The show was doing well so it probably won’t get canceled. Don’t you want to pour oil on the fire?”

“I’m busy editing right now.”

“Want me to do it for you?”

“Don’t you have your own show?”

“Urgh.”

The senior who was hit right in the weak spot groaned.

“I’ll just do what I need to do. Is there any need to step into something covered in shit?”

“Sometimes I think PD Kyung is lucky. Even after causing such trouble, since the show is doing well he doesn’t have to worry about cancellation. Just needs to explain well. The Director stepped in to handle it first too. And PD Na who could punish him is staying quiet. That bastard should be punished more.”

“So when is your show airing?”

“Urrrgh. Stop. Stop hitting me.”

The label would be upset, but when the broadcasting station explains ‘We’re not criticizing Halo’ ‘It was just a request not to compare,’ there’s nothing they can protest about. However, given it’s not just any label, they might make private contact.

Really wondering if heaven is helping PD Kyung.

The month approaches June.

As the weather forecast predicted the rainy season, dark clouds slowly approached from afar.

#

Despite some unpleasant incidents in between, Wisland’s ratings continued to soar thanks to the noise marketing.

While all cast members were nearly first-time variety show appearances, and as the PD’s debut work there weren’t high expectations for entertainment value, as time passed, the program became, how should they put it.

It gradually ripened.

There was no other way to express it.

Someone said it was a program where healing, music, and the cast’s charm had ripened

“Ah!”

The children were playing during art time and drew a line across Lee Sora’s shirt. Viewers who knew it was a luxury brand screamed together.

Lee Sora seemed surprised at first too.

But soon she smiled and said

“Didn’t teacher say not to play around?”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?”

“…”

“If you’re sorry, come here. Don’t feel down. Teacher will show you something fun.”

Lee Sora picked up a pen.

Then she added more lines to her shirt where the line was drawn, and dropped some paint.

Light blue spread across the fabric.

“What could this be?”

“A seagull?”

“Correct. Very good.”

A seagull carrying the sky takes flight.

It was an impressive scene for both the children there and the viewers. While her drawing skills being better than expected was one thing, more than that, her way of handling the child’s mischief touched people’s hearts.

[Wow seeing Lee Sora in a new light]

[Knew she was easygoing but]

People who only saw her sleeping well despite saying she couldn’t sleep except in her own room, seemed to understand Lee Sora’s charm.

And it was the same for other cast members.

Kwon Jaeik who gave children piggyback rides, carried them in both arms, and earned the nickname ‘Teacher Kwon who just transferred to elementary school’.

Lee Jeongmin’s unexpected charm with the appearance of a calm Korean teacher and the skills of a hundred-level housewife. And Halo who became the ‘singing man’ instead of the ‘Pied Piper’, always leading children around – as these four people who seemed mismatched gradually harmonized, the program’s charm came alive.

It wasn’t just the cast’s chemistry that was good.

What was more special was the drama filled with healing and music.

The drama that added a special spoonful to people’s daily lives seems to have created tears and comfort in living rooms.

While other programs criticized his ‘lack of professionalism’, the boy who always seemed free showed his teacher-like side exactly twice.

One was when he sang “Do-Re-Mi” while applying gesso on murals with the children.

And the second was…

The scene that gained the most views for a long time.

“What are you doing here?”

The story began when the boy found Gyeowool sitting alone in the music room.

“Aren’t you here to play piano? You’re not just staring at the keys to reflect, right?”

“Don’t know.”

“What don’t you know?”

While it was obvious the child was sulking, the boy seemed completely clueless – though people called him insensitive for a moment. The conversation between the child and boy continued.

“I don’t know. Nothing comes to mind. Usually I should have something I want to play but…”

Discovering the gloomy face, the boy said,

“Then want to play together?”

“Huh?”

Viewers felt a strange uplifting feeling from here.

Like the feeling of gently stepping on clouds and rising up.

“I’ll play with my right hand, you just play with your left.”

Acting uninterested but knowing Gyeowool was left-handed, the boy asks playfully.

“You don’t have to if you’re not confident.”

“No, I’ll do it.”

“Shall we try then?”

Da ra ran.

The boy started moving his right hand.

Gyeowool followed his notes.

That’s how the notes piled up.

Gyeowool struggled to follow the adult with her small fingers, and sometimes the camera caught the boy slightly slowing down while smiling at Gyeowool.

“Shall we try with both hands now?”

When the boy rolled up his sleeves, Gyeowool followed and rolled up hers too.

An impromptu melody. But people who were quietly listening teared up at the unbroken sound.

Even though it wasn’t a sad scene at all.

[Why…why am I crying?]

[Wow…. This is….]

[It’s like a movie ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

Both their mischievous appearance of hiding when the security guard grandfather approached, and then coming out to talk together afterward were nice. Of course,

“Do people usually do this in Seoul?”

“Yeah. When we’re bored we play like this.”

[?]

[???]

[Wait I was being moved but what?]

[Who? Us?]

[Do we… play like that…?]

[I’ve had upstairs neighbors come down while playing piano though haha]

[Originally Seoul people drink afternoon tea and listen to classical music when they wake up]

[Halo probably does play like that though…]

[Upload if you play like that!!!!]

[Up to here is the process of Halo’s fans getting high blood pressure]

For a moment, they almost fell out of the emotional waters, but fortunately, their conversation started and kept things from going off track.

“Hey. Am I weird?”

“Huh?”

“Why… Why only me? You taught others well”

Halo made a surprised face.

It was a face even viewers had never seen before.

“I just.”

Gyeowool is half crying.

Someone thought she looked like a water dumpling.

“I don’t like teaching music.”

“To me?”

“No. To everyone. I’ve never taught music to anyone. Because that’s just something you learn on your own-.”

The boy revealed his true feelings for the first time.

People who never doubted the boy’s abilities but thought he didn’t suit the teaching profession on the other hand.

“And you can do it.”

“!”

“You were already doing well on your own.”

Discovering Gyeowool’s eyes slowly opening, they thought.

Maybe-.

Even if it’s a bit different from the ‘teacher’ image they know.

“But I can help with that.”

“With what?”

“Your reason for doing music.”

“The reason why you do music.”

Maybe this kind of teacher would be fine too.

And someone thought.

If they had a teacher like Halo, what would their school days have been like?

Wouldn’t they have made the same face Gyeowool is making now?

“Then shall we start class now?”

“Yes!”

The perfectly timed end-of-class bell rings.

“…”

“…”

[LOLOLOLOLOL]

[Class is over LOL kids]

[It’s so funny in the middle of being touching LOLOL]

[Crying then laughing people on the subway probably think I’m crazy]

[It’s okay I’m the same]

[LOL A teacher who’s better at skipping class than anyone LOL]

For the first time, people came to think that they looked like quite good teacher and student, laughing “Wahaha!” while looking at each other.

And this realization leads to something PD Kyung didn’t want, bringing up the issue again. To be more specific, renewed comparisons.

And, accusations.