Chapter 4

Spotlight on the天才Vocalist Chapter 4

Chapter 4. Until Sunset

Chulho... So this is what you meant by a gift.

I could understand that friend's feelings.

People forget people.

It's the way he constantly pursues.

That's why he must have taken me to the hunting bar with care.

"Ah, it seems my friend gave it to me. I don't plan to meet anyone..."

"Hah..."

A long sigh came from the phone.

Why are so many people sighing today?

"I must not have explained it properly, causing a misunderstanding... I want to take your voice with me."

"Me?"

It was a somewhat husky voice.

As various thoughts crossed my mind, the woman on the phone continued.

"Um... Do you like bands?"

"Bands?"

I repeated briefly.

I was taken aback by the sudden question.

Bands, all of a sudden?

I couldn't even remember the lyrics I sang yesterday very well.

"Yes, bands. I heard you sing yesterday. It was amazing!"

I had to think for a moment at the woman's question.

Bands, all of a sudden?

Suddenly, I recalled the conversation I had with Park Chulho yesterday, which was just a joke.

Did those words about wanting to join a band reach this far?

My head throbbed from the hangover.

Isn't this too sudden?

Everything seemed to be going too smoothly.

But on second thought, this was an opportunity.

At least, it was a chance to start something new.

I didn't want to miss another opportunity that I had missed during my trainee days.

You have to try something to get results.

I no longer wanted to run away from music.

"Can we talk about bands? Is it okay if we meet around dinner time?"

"...Ah, yes. Do you have a place in mind?"

"Ah, um... It doesn't matter where, as long as the voice shines through."

Was my voice really that impressive?

Is it really that good?

I wanted to confirm it.

"Yes, that's fine."

I was intrigued by the sudden proposal.

It felt like when I received a casting offer on the street in the past.

"Then I'll see you then. By the way, my name is Song Dasom. What's yours?"

"Kang Baram."

"Ah, yes. Then let's meet at 6 at Hongik University Exit 9."

"Yes."

The call ended there.

I felt like I was under a spell.

It must be because the alcohol hasn't fully worn off.

I pressed my throbbing head hard.

"Hah... I don't understand what's going on."

I leaned back on the sofa.

The TV was showing a boring popular program.

Most of them were divorce-related shows that I didn't understand why they were popular.

Does divorce make things easier?

Actually, it does.

The first few months were tough, but over time, I got used to it.

When I started throwing away the two-person cups, toothbrushes, and clothes in the closet.

When I started removing the frames on the walls decorated according to my ex-wife's taste.

It felt a bit better.

"Ugh..."

I clutched my chest with a weak hand.

My heart was racing from the recent call.

A certain energy rose up and stopped at the back of my throat, just like yesterday.

It wasn't from the alcohol.

"...But where is Hongik University Exit 9?"

It was a young-sounding voice.

It sounded like a code, so I picked up my phone to search.

It was a word too difficult for a middle-aged man like me.

* * *

It was chilly in early spring.

My breath didn't form clouds, but a low chill lingered around my feet.

"Where is it...?"

Was my face swollen from drinking, making it hard to recognize me?

Just as I was thinking about calling again, I heard someone calling me from a distance.

"Mr. Kang Baram~"

A woman greeted me.

Indeed, her voice had a certain color.

A somewhat husky gray, perhaps.

People around us turned to look.

Her hair was blonde at the tips, gradually turning black at the roots.

It had a two-tone feel.

She had deep-set eyes, a dark lip color, a cross earring in one ear, and a leather jacket.

She gave off a cold yet beautiful impression.

However, her expression remained the same.

She smiled brightly and waved at me.

"Ms. Song Dasom?"

"Ah, yes, that's me. I'm a bit late, sorry. I had to wait because of my part-time job..."

She smiled slightly as she spoke.

It was about 6:01.

Not that late.

"First, where should we talk?"

I guessed she was the lead vocalist from her voice, so why was she looking for another vocalist?

"Is it okay if we talk at our practice room? It's between here and Yeonnam-dong."

I nodded.

Having a practice room isn't bad.

The practice room was about a 10-minute walk.

We passed a famous telecom building, a franchise burger place, a low-cost brand shop, and a large fortune-telling shop. It took about 10 minutes.

We passed many places.

It was a street lined with karaoke bars and bars.

"Here it is."

Just when I thought it was a bit far, Song Dasom went underground.

The faint neon sign and signboard revealed that this was 'Ulmang Practice Room.'

"Boss, we're here for our reservation!"

"Sure~"

Song Dasom spoke confidently.

"Is this the vocalist who came for the interview?"

The middle-aged boss looked at me carefully.

"Ah, yes, something like that. I'm here to talk with Ms. Song Dasom."

"Alright, do your best."

He smiled warmly and led us in.

At his words, Song Dasom looked at me with a slightly disappointed expression, but there was nothing she could do.

We were still strangers until the contract was signed.

"Do you know there's no separate microphone?"

"Ah, yes, I know, boss~"

The boss, who had a few more words with her, left.

It seemed Song Dasom was a regular here.

Following her lead, we entered a room with slightly worn soundproof walls, a few amplifiers, and guitar cases.

Indie bands were unfamiliar to me.

I wondered if all indie bands practiced in places like this.

It felt a bit lonely.

"Let's wait a bit for the other members to arrive, okay?"

"Sure."

As she spoke, a man entered.

"Hey, you're here?"

He entered with a slightly furrowed brow.

He wore a light cardigan and carried a long guitar case.

"This is our bassist."

Song Dasom introduced him as she pulled him over.

"I'm Kang Baram."

"...I'm Kim Hahjun."

He had a slightly wary look.

I nodded lightly.

I had more questions.

Song Dasom's voice was clearly suited for a main vocalist.

I needed to ask what role she had in mind for me.

"Let's relax a bit first. I'll be right back after a smoke~"

Song Dasom said.

I grabbed her arm as she was about to leave.

It was definitely out of place.

"Wait, the vocalist smokes?"

Her voice wasn't fully refined, but it was close to a main vocalist.

Smoking on top of that?

It was crazy.

Of course, I would have refused if I were in a band and not the lead vocalist.

"What? I'm not the vocalist."

She said this while slowly pointing at me with her opposite finger.

"You're the vocalist, right?"

My head hurt.

Then, what role did Song Dasom have in this band?

Leaving that voice behind.

"Maybe the keyboardist...?"

Song Dasom smiled at my puzzled expression.

"Guess."

Then she quickly went to smoke.

"...Sister, what should I do?"

Kim Hahjun, the bassist, seemed quite uncomfortable with me, a stranger.

Of course, his words to Song Dasom were like echoes in the wind.

"Mr. Hahjun, is this person the keyboardist?"

The awkward silence between the two men.

I tried to break it by speaking.

He was a young-looking boy.

With slightly round eyes and a rounded hairstyle.

From his appearance, he seemed like a diligent bassist.

"No, he's the guitarist."

Her voice as a guitarist...

It was rare.

Female guitarists were hard to come by.

I felt her forearm muscles when I grabbed her arm earlier.

She must have practiced a lot.

I couldn't see her palms, though.

"He's good. He's very skilled."

Kim Hahjun, perhaps not wanting his bandmate to be underestimated, spoke bluntly.

Yes, this was also a prejudice.

I quickly erased the thought.

To lighten the mood, I asked for a handshake.

"I'm sorry. Ms. Song Dasom's voice was so good, I assumed."

Kim Hahjun shook my hand firmly.

"Right. Her voice is good, but she insists on being the guitarist."

Her voice was indeed of good quality.

I felt calluses on his hand.

"Mr. Hahjun, you must practice a lot, too?"

"Sure, but I'm just a root note shuttle, you know."

Kim Hahjun laughed as he examined his hand.

A root note shuttle, laying down the basic bass for each chord.

It was a common self-deprecating joke among bassists.

Many people thought the entry barrier for bass was low if you had the basics.

But the bass wasn't as easy as it seemed.

It played a crucial role in setting the foundation of the song.

The downside was that, compared to guitarists in the band, bassists didn't get as much attention.

"But are you good at it?"

"I'm not sure."

"...What do you mean?"

Kim Hahjun's eyes widened in surprise.

"I don't know how others react to it..."

"Ah, yes. But if Ms. Song Dasom brought you, you must be skilled. Right?"

Kim Hahjun tilted his head, as if wondering how such a person could exist.

I couldn't give a definite answer because I didn't know how the live performance went yesterday.

But there was something rising inside me.

What should I call it?

It was a distinctly different feeling from when I used to sing.

A brief silence followed.

"How old are you?"

Kim Hahjun, unable to bear the silence, asked about my age first.

"31. How about you?"

"Really? I'm 19."

"How old did you think I was?"

"Maybe 24 or 25?"

"Haha, I'm often told I look young."

That was the end of the conversation.

After that, Kim Hahjun was busy with his phone.

I slowly thought to myself.

I wanted to hear their music first.

"What's that? A meeting today, and he can't come?"

Song Dasom's voice came from a distance.

She brought a man into the room.

"Why, Sister? Hyun Pil-jun can't come?"

"Ah, he has practice with another band today."

"That guy is really busy..."

Kim Hahjun nodded at Song Dasom's words.

"Definitely... We need a vocalist to get his focus here..."

She looked at me as she spoke.

"By the way, Mr. Baram. This is our keyboardist. Introduce yourself."

The new man, standing blankly next to Song Dasom, greeted me.

"Hello, I'm Lee Sungjin."

"Hello, I'm Kang Baram."

We nodded and shook hands briefly.

I looked him straight in the eye.

His bangs covered his eyes.

It was an unusual style.

Through the hair, I could see his bright eyes.

I suddenly became curious about their music.

It was a very unique band setup.

"Even though not all members are here, shall we proceed?"

First, I wanted to hear the band's name.

"Before that, what's the band's name?"

"Ah, our band is called Until Sunset."

"Nice name."

Until Sunset.

Does it mean singing about the darkest night before the sun rises?

Song Dasom continued.

"Do you know any musicians from Chang-dong?"

"Um... Not really."

I didn't know.

When I listened to music, I mostly listened to the top 100.

I only occasionally listened to indie music that surfaced.

"We won a competition hosted by them. They recognize us in this scene."

Kim Hahjun added to Song Dasom's words.

"Wow... Can I listen to your music?"

I wanted to hear it more than anything.

Their music, melodies, and any tunes that could move someone's heart.

I needed to know if I could entrust my voice to them.

"Sure, I'll play it for you."

Song Dasom confidently turned on her phone.