Chapter 28

028. Unfulfilled Dream

A new piano has arrived.

A Steinway.

It was a name I had never heard of before my regression, and the same goes for my previous life.

I first saw one in Professor Yun's office.

It was the piano that pianists loved and were passionate about. Famous pianists would even refuse to perform unless it was this piano. It was only natural for me to be intrigued.

In my previous life, I valued piano making so much that I referred to Thomas Broadwood as a musician.

Returning to the main topic, as I played Professor Yun's piano, I truly felt why it had such a great reputation.

It wasn't even a full-size piano in his room. It was the most common medium size. But knowing the unique characteristics of Steinway, it was more than enough.

'Rich and bright sound...'

In other words, a popular sound.

Some people might expect something incredibly special when they hear it's a good sound, but I didn't think that way. Thomas didn't either.

The ability to produce a sound that many people can enjoy and appreciate is like having a surefire weapon.

In that sense, Steinway's piano was an attractive weapon to me.

However, I heard that the price was exorbitant and it was very difficult to obtain, especially a full-size (concert) model.

The serial number ended in 318.

A masterpiece that possessed all the characteristics of Steinway and added a sense of dignity.

'I shouldn't go to the SJ Cultural Foundation, should I?'

That thought naturally came to mind.

Because this piano was being stored there.

Chairman Baek Hangil had collected all the masterpieces, and now the SJ Cultural Foundation owned them. But suddenly, the former owner (?) appeared and said, 'Give it to him.'

According to Park Manager, the foundation's representative, who was an even more avid instrument collector than Chairman Baek Hangil, sent it off with tears in his eyes.

Finally, the first thing I did with this magnificent piano was to harvest inspiration.

I pressed each key, concretizing the inspiration that poured out. This alone took quite a long time.

I had to draw so many scores.

After transferring all the inspiration,

The piano sound naturally adapted to my ears, and I became familiar with subtle dynamics and tonal changes.

'Maybe it's a two-for-one deal?'

Only then could I attempt to record.

Actually, I could have recorded right away in B Room. But I didn't, because I wanted to capture my composition with such a beautiful sound.

Fortunately, the company's engineers rolled up their sleeves to help, as it was a task I couldn't do alone.

The studio itself was well soundproofed, and the environment was perfect for recording a single piano, so although it was a bit cumbersome, the quality of the recording didn't suffer.

Moreover, the piano's sound, in layman's terms, was so powerful that it offset all minor issues.

─!

──!

─!

So, the waveform on the temporary monitor set up in the next room,

Had to be as perfect as ever.

Holding my emotions as I did at Chairman Baek Hangil's mansion, I began to play.

Meanwhile, in the room next to the studio where Han Seoho was performing.

Han Gijun, who was leaning back in his chair, seemed about to jump out of it.

...Is this really the same piece from back then?

I had already heard the dedication piece when it was completed, and this was the same piece being recorded now, note for note.

But why does it sound so different?

The piano might have some influence, but what's clear is...

Han Seoho is still growing.

In technique and expression.

Striving for perfect balance.

"Really, it's unbelievable."

This was not an exaggerated reaction but rather a calm one.

Some engineers were so moved that they fiddled with the mixer, almost in tears.

"Mr. President, from now on, we'll blame the instruments and the performers."

An engineer declared boldly.

"Even with the same recording equipment and methods, the results are so different. We have to acknowledge that the performers are just that good. The performers."

Han Gijun could only laugh awkwardly, unable to find a counterargument.

Then, the engineer, who had been staring at Han Seoho's unbelievable skill, said,

"But if all performers played like that... we'd lose our jobs. There'd be nothing to edit. No, we shouldn't. We might ruin it if we touch it."

"..."

This time, the bold engineer had nothing to say.

#

The audio was completed.

To a much more satisfying quality than expected.

If I listened to this through the large speakers in Chairman Baek Hangil's study... wow!

I called Park Manager, Chairman Baek Hangil's secretary, with a joyful imagination.

He was delighted and rushed to the company.

"It's been a while. Student Seoho."

Park Manager, approaching from the driver's seat, was a face I hadn't seen since the birthday party. Of course, we had talked a few times. There was still the matter of sponsorship, besides the audio.

I greeted him and handed over the USB containing the audio. Park Manager received it with a renewed look and carefully placed it in his pocket.

It looked like a complete spy movie.

After handing over the dedication piece audio, I smiled sweetly.

"Please tell him I'm sorry for the delay."

"Chairman understands. He said quality is more important."

"Seems like it has to be of the highest quality, doesn't it? A bit scary."

I joked but was confident.

Then, I added with a chuckle.

"You'll see, but thanks to the piano you sent, the audio turned out really well."

"I'm really looking forward to it. It's not just Chairman who has been waiting for this audio. The performance that day is still vivid."

He showed a wistful look and then snapped his fingers, changing the subject.

"Oh, and the condition you mentioned in our last call."

I immediately understood what he was talking about.

There was no other condition I had mentioned.

It was my condition regarding Chairman Baek Hangil's request to occasionally come and perform.

To make that 'occasionally' fit my schedule.

Thinking about it now, it was quite unreasonable—

"Chairman accepted it."

"Really?"

I stared at him blankly for a moment.

Honestly, I had thrown it out with my eyes closed, expecting rejection, but it was accepted.

It wasn't that I would rush over whenever Chairman Baek Hangil wanted to hear a performance, but that I would set a date when I was available and go to the mansion. Was this deal really going through?

"Chairman said he can adjust to that since we'll be seeing each other for a long time."

Hearing Park Manager's words, I still felt dazed but slightly smiled.

Because Chairman Baek Hangil was starting to find motivation in life.

That was the most important thing. For that terrible disease that was slowly killing him.

I was the senior in that regard.

Feeling proud, I smiled, and Park Manager added one more thing.

"Also, he liked the reason."

"The reason?"

"Last time, when Chairman asked why, you said, 'I have too many things I want to do.'"

"Ah, right. I did."

"He liked that. Having many things you want to do."

I nodded slowly at his words.

And I said softly,

"I really have a lot of things I want to do."

In this life.

#

...Time passes quickly.

Especially for someone with many things to do.

My mother's worry about the cold at night faded and disappeared, and the sleeves of my school uniform, which I used to roll up once or twice, became insufficient, and I switched to a short-sleeved uniform.

Still, the heat was stifling, and sweat trickled down.

Summer had arrived.

"Phew-."

After splashing water on my face at the sink, I returned to the classroom. The cool air conditioning made it more bearable.

By the way...

When did they become so close?

Yang Hangil and Lee Hoik were sitting together, and across from them, Chae Iyeon and her friends had taken their seats.

At first glance, it might look like they were in a standoff, but unlike before the regression, they had become quite close during the spring and summer.

"Summer is for Spica!"

"What are you talking about? It's Hebit~. I actually saw them at the radio station. You'd drop your jaw if you saw them in person."

"I saw Spica in front of the agency. Their freshness can't be compared to Hebit's."

...They are fighting.

From what I could gather, they were arguing about which female idol group best represented summer.

The representatives of each team were Lee Hoik and Chae Iyeon...

I approached my seat with a chuckle, and Chae Iyeon, seeing me, tapped her desk.

"Hey, Seoho, you're just in time. Which side are you on?"

"Uh?"

I don't want to be on either side...

But Lee Hoik wasn't helping.

"Seoho is obviously for Spica. He's a Sebi fan!"

That was just to talk to you a bit at the graduation ceremony...

Then Chae Iyeon's eyes narrowed.

"Aha~ So that's your taste?"

What's with you?

"You guys fight. I'll stay neutral."

"Traitor. Anyway, Spica is the one for summer..."

"What are you talking about? It's Hebit for summer..."

The intense debate continued.

I found it interesting to listen to their logical arguments, but I eventually got sleepy and stood up.

Meanwhile, Chae Iyeon, passing the baton to a friend, asked,

"Where are you going?"

"To get a drink."

"Me too!"

We walked out into the hallway and headed for the water cooler. Suddenly, Chae Iyeon looked around.

Then she came close and whispered, her eyes darting around to see if anyone was listening.

"Did you hear? They set the date for the final shoot."

"Uh, yeah. Wasn't it the 7th?"

"Yep."

She fiddled with her hair.

Then she suddenly looked sad.

"Already the final shoot... I'm going to miss it."

"Me too. But it was fun."

"Right! Me too. I was just starting to get close to Senior Jeon Hyein and the other actors... and you too."

"We see each other at school."

"That's true. But summer vacation is coming soon..."

Chae Iyeon, trailing off, suddenly turned to me.

While I was filling my cup, she looked at me with sparkling eyes and asked,

"So, what piece are you going to play for the final shoot? I'm really looking forward to it!"

#

Meanwhile, Director Park Dongjin, who was about to start the final shoot, headed to a hotel in Seoul.

Broadcasting equipment was set up in the plaza in front of the underground convention hall, and an interviewer was conducting an interview with a lively voice in front of an elegant fountain.

-Today's 'Short Interview' features pianist Lim Jin-gyu, who won an award at the Tchaikovsky International Competition, one of the world's top three competitions!

Director Park Dongjin watched the scene from a distance, with a hint of envy in his eyes.

How long did he wait?

The interview, which was not short at all, finally ended after the grand piano performance set up next to the fountain.

Director Park Dongjin approached Pianist Lim Jin-gyu, unbuttoning his sleeves.

Lim Jin-gyu, noticing him, waved with a wide smile.

"Director Park!"

"Your voice has improved. Is it better being back in Korea?"

"Sure is. I really don't fit in in Russia. It's too cold."

"It's scorching here."

"That's better than being cold. So, where are we going? For a drink? No more shooting after this, right?"

Excited, Lim Jin-gyu asked, and Director Park Dongjin chuckled.

"You never change, even as you get older."

"You've changed too much. Take better care of yourself."

"That's not what I meant... So, how about some pork belly and soju?"

"Так хорошо!"

"What?"

"Very good. Hehe."

The two, who hadn't seen each other in three years, started chatting as if they had just met yesterday.

After filling their stomachs, Lim Jin-gyu added more soju and casually asked,

"So, what was the favor you mentioned on the phone?"

"Oh, that? Yeah."

Director Park Dongjin, who had been flipping the pork belly with tongs, started talking as if it was no big deal.

After hearing the request, Lim Jin-gyu, with a mouth full of food, summarized it.

"So, you want me to make a cameo appearance?"

"Something like that. The final scene of the movie is the final round of the competition, and I thought it would be great if you were sitting on the jury."

"What piece?"

"Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1."

It was a very famous piece.

Influenced by Russian Romanticism,

A piece themed around 'nostalgia.'

"That's the one I played in the competition."

"And you won an award."

"How long ago was that? They always introduce it as if it happened yesterday, which is embarrassing."

Scratching his head, Lim Jin-gyu said, and Director Park Dongjin added,

"That's because it's a rare achievement in our country."

With a slightly calmer voice, Lim Jin-gyu laughed awkwardly.

"Maybe that's why. Anyway, it's a post-recording, right?"

"No. The actor will do a hand-sync take, and a stand-in will play properly. Then we'll cross-edit the two scenes."

"So, I don't have to react without sound?"

"No."

Nodding, Director Park Dongjin put down the tongs and asked,

"What do you think? Will you do it?"

Pretending to think for a moment, Lim Jin-gyu smiled and asked,

"If I do, will you pay for this?"

"Ha!"

Director Park Dongjin laughed, as if it was absurd, and picked up the tongs again.

"Of course. I'll even cook the meat for you."

"But you always burn it."

"Take what I give you, damn it."

Smiling, Lim Jin-gyu took a sip of soju. Then, with a wobbly smile, he said,

"I suddenly remembered when you said you were going to be a film director."

"You're already an old man, talking about the old days when you drink."

"Are we young men, then?"

"That's true. So, what? What are you thinking of?"

When Director Park Dongjin asked, Lim Jin-gyu put a piece of meat in his mouth and said,

"You said back then that you wanted to make a music film that would receive applause from people in the music industry."

"Did I? I guess I did."

Director Park Dongjin pretended not to remember.

But memories are like light; if you don't recall them, they remain dark, but once you do, they shine brightly.

Sigh.

It was just a personal desire.

Feeling sad and wronged for lacking talent,

I wanted to receive applause here.

Not just from the audience, but from those in positions I couldn't reach.

Something like that.

A lingering attachment to unfulfilled dreams...

"Let's cheers."

Trying to brush it off, Director Park Dongjin clinked glasses with Lim Jin-gyu, who asked,

"So, how's this one you're shooting now?"