Chapter 20

020. When asked about the rise and fall of the film (1)

"Is Seoho doing well?"

Manager Kim Yun-ju rolled her pen and asked.

At her words, the employees, who had become increasingly relaxed as the end of the workday approached, began to gather their heads together.

It was an intriguing topic, especially since Team Leader Park Jae-hoon, who had gone out to check, had been out of touch for 30 minutes.

"I don't think he's just sitting there without saying a word, right?"

An employee took his hands off the keyboard and asked casually.

"Who knows? Is he?"

Manager Kim Yun-ju, who was organizing the notes left by phone from the film company, frowned.

This time, a male employee across from her spoke up, crunching on ice.

"All the other composers were the same at first. Even if they didn't like it, they couldn't say anything and just fidgeted. Besides, Seoho is still a high school student, so it's probably even worse."

"Maybe... Is that why Team Leader Park is late?"

Indeed, the reason Team Leader Park went to the recording studio was to prevent Seoho from just saying everything was good, as he did in the meeting room, which made the situation quite plausible.

At that moment, the sound of a door opening came from the end of the corridor, and the sound of footsteps approached.

Team Leader Park Jae-hoon appeared in the office, and the employees' gazes fell on his peculiar expression.

"How was it?"

"Huh?"

"The atmosphere inside. Is Seoho doing well? Is he just keeping his mouth shut and saying everything is good?"

Manager Kim Yun-ju, curious, asked, and Team Leader Park Jae-hoon nodded as he sat down.

"Well... He's not exactly talkative."

It was an expected answer, so the reactions of Manager Kim Yun-ju and the employees were calm.

However, Team Leader Park Jae-hoon continued, looking at the murmuring employees.

"He's showing it through his actions."

"Huh?"

"Seoho played the violin. In front of the violinists, no less."

As he spoke, a chuckle escaped his lips, as if he found it hard to believe himself.

"But, the funniest part is that everyone was stunned."

"Why, why?"

"Because he played so well."

One of the employees' expressions changed. He rolled his eyes and tilted his head.

"But, how long has Seoho been learning the violin...?"

"Only three weeks. Still, the kids who started playing the violin before they even started elementary school were shocked."

He's really a prodigy, a prodigy...

Muttered Team Leader Park Jae-hoon.

His tale of heroism further stirred the already excited atmosphere.

Manager Kim Yun-ju, who had been listening with her mouth agape, suddenly asked him.

"I don't get it, but were there kids like Seoho when you were in school, Team Leader Park?"

Unlike the other employees, she was a layperson in music and needed a point of reference to understand how remarkable Seoho was.

"There were a few at Seoul National University."

"A few at the top university..."

"Add the ones who went to study abroad at prestigious schools, and there would be quite a few."

"Still, it's impressive that Seoho is a high school student, not even a college student."

He really is amazing.

Impressed, she listened as Team Leader Park Jae-hoon added, as if he hadn't finished speaking.

"Or so I thought?"

"Huh?"

"But now, my opinion has changed."

Team Leader Park Jae-hoon looked around the room, his chest puffed out.

"I've never heard of or seen anyone like him."

#

I conveyed the musical ideas that came to me at the moment through the violin or keyboard to the performers.

The performance I had envisioned in my head was recreated through their hands, and the recording proceeded smoothly, like a car on a clear highway.

"Thanks to you, the recording went well. Thank you."

I properly thanked the performers as they took deep breaths after leaving the recording studio.

Junsu Kang waved his hand and placed it on my shoulder.

"Thanks to you, we had it easy. Working with a producer who only talks about their own ideas without understanding the bowed string instruments is really tough. But with you demonstrating like a teacher, it was so much easier. Right, Sua?"

Junsu Kang turned to ask Sua.

I also turned my gaze. Sua, who had been tying her hair, stopped and looked at me.

She slowly nodded.

I smiled widely, and she quickly averted her eyes.

"By the way, whenever we record with Seoho, it always finishes quickly. With others, it takes 2-3 hours just for practice."

Violinist Sohyun's words were tinged with thorns, and cellist Youngtae Kim, who had been half-asleep, chimed in.

"Seungjae? Is he not going to record with us anymore?"

"He can't, out of embarrassment. Sua really gave him a good one. Hey, maybe we should team up with Seoho from now on?"

Listening to their conversation, Junsu Kang suddenly put on a serious face and shook his head.

"Seoho is busy composing. What for?"

"Why not, I'm fine with it."

"I like performing too."

"Really?"

"Today, I was itching to get into the recording booth."

Composing is great. It's amazing.

But there's something that can't be fulfilled by composing alone.

That's performing myself.

It's something that can't be replaced by anything else.

Junsu Kang, who had been speaking on my behalf like a guardian, beamed.

"Really? If Seoho says so, I'm all for it~."

"What are you, anyway?"

"Me? Seoho's teacher."

"Teacher? He'll catch up soon."

"Hey... Don't say that in front of Seoho."

Laughing at the bickering performers, I noticed Sua, who had been unusually quiet and hadn't said anything to Junsu Kang, looking at me.

"But, why don't you perform in concerts?"

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I blinked.

Concert? Oh...

"Are you talking about competitions?"

Her small head nodded.

Looking at her ponytail, I tilted my head.

Did I ever say I never participated in competitions?

Or did she assume that because I'm in a regular high school?

"Just... it's..."

I hesitated.

What should I say? Should I say it's disappointing?

But that would sound too arrogant. Most importantly, competitions mean a lot to these people.

I can't just dismiss them lightly.

With that thought, I answered.

"It's just... difficult."

"Difficult...?"

She asked, and I nodded.

It wasn't exactly a lie.

Even as a mere elementary school student, I still remember it clearly.

The day I went to a competition with Professor Yoon.

The participants stepping onto the stage as if it were a guillotine, their faces flushed. Pouring out the pieces they had practiced so intensely, but ultimately receiving incomprehensible results.

The participant who performed the best didn't win any prize. The sight of him blaming himself and collapsing was truly...

"That kind of atmosphere... is difficult for me."

"..."

Sua's serious expression without a response made me wonder if I had suddenly sounded too gloomy, so I forced a smile.

It didn't seem to help much.

A little while later, Junsu Kang packed his things, saying the bus would stop soon.

The performers hurried out of the company.

"See you next time!"

After bidding them farewell and returning to the company, I headed straight to the recording studio instead of the production room or my father's office.

The engineer was working hard on the final editing, surrounded by countless sound waveforms.

I handed him a can of coffee I had brought from the break room and asked.

"Can I get a separate file of the audio when the editing is done?"

"Of course. But why?"

I smiled at the engineer's question.

"Because I want to play it for someone."

#

Seoul Arts Center.

Seeing the dome-shaped roof after a long time gave me a strange feeling.

I used to think it looked like a crashed UFO.

Smiling, I continued walking.

I stopped by the cafe where I first met Professor Yoon to listen to Franz's "The Devil" and got a to-go coffee.

Then I climbed the small stairs and entered the building.

Following the narrow corridor, I arrived at Professor Yoon's room.

Approaching to knock on the door, I noticed it was slightly open.

I tilted my head and peeked inside. Professor Yoon was reading a book and looked up when he saw me, taking off his reading glasses.

"Hello~."

"Why are you here so early?"

"I thought the road would be congested on a weekend, but it was better than expected."

I smiled as I entered the room.

It's still the same here. Books everywhere, speakers taking up one wall, and...

Swish.

I ran my hand over the heavy grand piano and sat in front of Professor Yoon.

His desk was still messy.

Unfinished books and a half-drunk coffee cup. And stacks of letters piled up on one side.

Noticing my gaze, Professor Yoon grumbled.

"Why are you sending so many letters, you young brat? I have a phone and know how to text, you know?"

"I know. I just like it."

His thick eyebrows arched.

"Huh? You like letters?"

"Yes, I like letters."

"...You're a consistent weirdo."

He twisted his lips and brought the coffee I had brought to his side, stirring it.

"So, what do you suddenly want to play for me?"

"Ah, this."

I held out a USB with a meaningful expression. Professor Yoon frowned as he took it.

"Is this a recording?"

"Yes."

"Did you perform it?"

"No."

"Then what?"

Finally, I revealed it.

"I composed it."

This is my music.

He paused.

Professor Yoon's eyes lowered. Looking at the USB in his hand, he asked in a different tone.

"So, this is... your music? What you wanted to do?"

"Yes, that's right."

Professor Yoon took a few sips of coffee in quick succession. He put the cup down with a thud and stood up, heading to the largest speaker.

He plugged the USB into the player and returned to his seat, holding a remote control.

"How many tracks?"

"Four."

Huh...

As the moment to play the tracks approached, tension rose.

I moistened my dry lips and asked.

"Do you want me to give you some background information?"

"No need. I'm not a director, and why would I need that to listen to music?"

He pressed the remote control indifferently.

The OST of "The Boy Who Became a Wolf," which had been fully edited, began to play.

Thankfully, the speakers were excellent, and the sound quality was as good as in the recording studio, just as I remembered.

Professor Yoon closed his eyes.

I fixed my gaze on his wrinkled face and waited quietly.

Anticipating the impression my music would leave on him.

...A little while later.

Professor Yoon slowly opened his eyes.

Swallow. I swallowed involuntarily.

The sound from the speakers gradually faded, and in the quiet room, Professor Yoon looked at me.

"How was it?"

"...It's good. Really good."

The praise, thrown out casually, felt quite weighty. His tone was infinitely serious, so I knew he wasn't just saying it offhandedly.

"It's a shame I can't show it to you with the visuals. It's not released yet, so I can't take it out of the company..."

"It wasn't necessary."

Professor Yoon dismissed it briefly.

Confused, I asked, and he added.

"When you first met me, you explained 'The Devil' in detail. I saw everything. The chase, the relief, the meeting, the sadness."

Then he muttered, "This is your music..." and smiled.

"Really... You're still on hold."

"What does 'on hold' mean? Isn't that a bad thing?"

"...There is such a thing."

Shaking his head, Professor Yoon simply drank his coffee.

I wanted to ask what that meant, but it didn't seem like he was going to explain.

After that, we just had a casual conversation.

We talked about my father's recent activities. When I mentioned that some of his old classmates had visited, Professor Yoon was indignant. He said they never showed their faces here.

Ahaha. I must have made a slip of the tongue. I didn't know they didn't come here.

After that enjoyable (?) conversation,

I gathered the USB I had brought and prepared to leave.

Professor Yoon, who said he could finally read some books properly, paused for a moment.

Then he asked an unexpected question.

"By the way, do you have any plans to do classical music in the future?"

#

Even after years of knowing him,

he was still an unpredictable child.

After a short moment of thought, he said,

"No. Not yet."

Professor Yoon nodded and sent Han Seoho off.

Sitting down, he sipped the coffee Seoho had brought.

It was sweet, as if he had added syrup to his taste.

The corners of his mouth twitched upward.

"Not yet..."

That was enough.

The child, who always felt a thirst for music like a bottomless barrel,

would, someday, for some reason,

become interested in classical music again.

That would be enough.

Then, it might be possible to expect the birth of a "real classical composer" in Korea.

Not the flashy modern music, but a composer like the geniuses who led the Classical and Romantic eras.

A composer who would create masterpieces that could be called "classics" in the distant future.

It might still be a distant story, but

Professor Yoon's heart raced as if it had already happened.

He picked up the book he had been reading.

"Classical Music is Dead"

Just as he was about to open the book with a title he didn't like, someone knocked on the door.

It was Professor Seo Mi-ock, who taught violin.

"Professor, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Ah, yes. Come in."

He closed the book again.

She entered with a smile and got straight to the point.

"Actually, I have a favor to ask."

"What kind of favor?"

"I was asked to introduce a composer. I immediately thought of you, Professor. You used to compose, and you have a wide network in that field. The request is... roughly..."

Professor Yoon listened silently to her.

The requester's father, the one who asked Professor Seo to find a composer, was having a 70th birthday party.

He was a well-known classical music enthusiast, and the requester wanted to have a piece composed and performed at the party for his ailing father...

At first glance, it seemed like a touching story.

Professor Yoon fiddled with his empty coffee cup, looking a bit puzzled. The kid. He should have brought a larger size.

Thinking that, he asked Professor Seo.

"...A 70th birthday party with a classical piece, composed and performed by professional musicians?"

The tone wasn't very enthusiastic, but Professor Seo nodded calmly.

"He's that kind of person."

Of course.

Professor Seo had used the term "requester" so far. It wasn't a common word to use here.

That meant the requester didn't want to reveal his identity, and at the same time, it meant he was famous enough for her to recognize him immediately.

It was a fairly common occurrence.

Rich families commissioning pieces for their parties.

Professor Yoon pondered for a moment.

He hadn't composed in a long time, but his expression relaxed as if he had an idea.

"Let's meet the requester first."

...This might pique the kid's interest.

#

I put the sheet music in my backpack.

That was all the preparation I needed.

"Seoho, come downstairs."

It was time to get ready for the shoot.

"Okay~."

I slung my bag over one shoulder and left the production room.

Father followed and handed a plastic bag to Mother, who was in the driver's seat.

"Eat on the way. These are gum to keep you awake. If you're sleepy, chew two... no, three at a time."

She must have raided the break room fridge.

It was a nice gesture, so I smiled and got into the passenger seat.

"By the way, I talked to Director Park Dong-jin a little while ago. He said the M&ACT CEO, investors, and writer Yoon Jart will all be at the set today. Don't be too surprised."

"Well, it's fine as long as Seoho is okay."

Mother glanced at me, and Father tilted his head to look at me too.

"Why are they coming?"

I chuckled and joked, and my parents burst out laughing.

"Hehe, right. What does it matter? Go and make their jaws drop."

Maybe it's because I've been so engrossed in composing lately.

Thinking about performing again after a long time, my heart was racing nonstop.

"Shall we go?"

I nodded cheerfully.

The destination was the set of Yoon Jart in Pocheon.

No, it's my stage.