Chapter 64

064. Memory (3)

"Wow, it feels like we're looking at a celebrity."

The youngest-looking actor stared at me and said casually.

The other actors chuckled and nodded in agreement.

Although the supporting actors, who met the condition of 'singing' in addition to acting, were not particularly famous, I didn't expect to be called a celebrity by them...

"I really watched all your performances!"

"Who isn't? Everyone watched it like the World Cup. Right?"

"Huh? Uh..."

"You didn't, did you? You didn't. Wow, this guy sang two lines. Composer."

"No, that's not it..."

The actor, flustered, glanced at me, while the others wore playful expressions.

I laughed at the sight, and my eyes met those of the middle-aged actor, the most familiar face among the actors here.

There are always actors like that. You definitely recognize their face, but can't remember their name. And they often play versatile supporting roles.

In a moment, as I thought this, the middle-aged actor spoke first.

"...I really enjoyed both 'The Boy Who Became a Wolf' and 'Yoonchar'. I was amazed by the music while watching, and it's really surprising to meet you in person. It might sound a bit old-fashioned, but I thought you would be someone with a deep understanding of films and a certain level of experience."

"Haha, thank you. I was surprised to see you sing, too. Your voice is really good."

My compliment made the middle-aged actor hesitate, then he smiled awkwardly.

"Is that so? I've only sung in karaoke or choirs before, and this is the first time I've properly learned..."

His singing scene in the movie was very short, just one line. But I knew from Director Park Dong-jin that he had prepared for a long time by attending a vocal school for that one line.

The other actors, standing nearby, looked at me curiously.

"What about me? How was I?"

Before I knew it, it had turned into a feedback session.

I smiled and said,

"Everyone was great. I was anxious about the concerto because I couldn't focus on it, but all that worry washed away."

Of course, it's natural to see some shortcomings in non-vocal majors. But it's excellent that amateurs can perform to this level.

After all, it's a movie. It's better to have a slightly less skilled singer than a poor actor.

Moreover, their roles in the film weren't great opera singers...

'Director Park Dong-jin made the best choice.'

After a while, one of the actors raised a question.

"By the way, why are you here?"

"Right, I should have asked that earlier. I'm so glad to see you."

"Well, it's... "

Just as I was about to speak, seeing the actors' curious expressions,

"Sorry, I have something to tell the staff. Oh, Seo Ho is here too?"

Director Park Dong-jin burst into the waiting room, saw me, and smiled.

Then he quickly sat down and began to explain to the actors.

Starting with the concept of the end credits in the form of an epilogue and curtain call.

To the small epilogue story that would bring a smile to the audience as they leave the theater.

The actors' faces gradually lit up as they listened.

When their expressions turned to one of anticipation, the youngest actor asked,

"Then, will we each sing one more line?"

Director Park Dong-jin looked at me instead of answering.

It's better for the composer to talk about the song, he had said.

"Everyone will sing the same amount."

"Oh, the parts will be evenly divided?"

"Hold on, won't we sing less than one line? If all the lead actors sing too..."

"Why are you so greedy for singing? We're actors, not opera singers."

"You'll regret it someday."

I shook my head, correcting the misunderstanding.

"Everyone, including the lead actors and Han Se-kyung, will sing the same amount."

"..."

With a puzzled look, I recalled...

After the orchestra's performance to build up the song...

"Everyone will sing together."

The chorus that will burst forth.

"I didn't expect such a positive reaction."

Director Park Dong-jin, slightly surprised by the reaction, said. I nodded in agreement, and he turned to ask,

"How's the song composition going?"

"Yes, it should be fine by the deadline."

I nodded calmly, and Director Park Dong-jin chuckled.

"Reliable."

Then he added subtly,

"Once the choral piece is released, won't you be called the second Beethoven instead of the second Mozart?"

I shuddered at his playful words.

That must not happen...

As we left the set, Director Park Dong-jin approached his car and said,

"If you're going home or to your studio, I can give you a ride. It's close from here."

"No, I have to go somewhere today."

"Is that so?"

As Director Park Dong-jin asked casually, a car appeared.

He turned his head naturally to see the car entering the set.

"Who's driving such a luxury sedan? No one was supposed to come."

Just then, the car stopped, and the driver's window rolled down, and the driver waved.

"Seo Ho!"

It was Chairman Baek Hangil's driver.

"..."

Director Park Dong-jin turned to me sharply. Then he muttered,

"I heard good things, but... Sound Film is doing really well, isn't it?"

It seems there's been a misunderstanding...

#

"Thank you."

I got out of the car in front of Chairman Baek Hangil's mansion.

Following the path from the garage, I saw Park Manager waiting in front of the elevator.

"It's been a while."

"Yes, it has. How have you been?"

"I'm always fine."

I got into the elevator with Park Manager, who smiled softly.

As we ascended, I asked,

"How is Chairman?"

The pain that stiffened his body must have visited him frequently, and it couldn't have been easy for an elderly person to endure it.

Even knowing the future, I couldn't help but worry.

"He's been well. Watching your concerto."

Park Manager smiled contentedly, and I felt relieved.

"That's good."

We talked about various things as we reached the top of the mansion, in front of Chairman Baek Hangil's study.

When Park Manager opened the door, the familiar study came into view.

And I saw two people.

"You're here."

Chairman Baek Hangil greeted me a bit gruffly.

"It's really been a while."

Vice President Baek Sun-hwa smiled.

"Even though you've probably heard it so many times, congratulations on winning."

In response to Vice President Baek Sun-hwa's words, I said,

"It's always good to hear compliments."

Vice President Baek Sun-hwa smiled, but Chairman Baek Hangil looked somewhat displeased.

Seeing her father's expression, Vice President Baek Sun-hwa's smile grew wider.

"Father, don't make that face. Seo Ho hasn't been here in a while."

"What's so special? You've been in Korea for a while, and you come now? You borrowed the Guarneri and used it all up."

"I had some overdue work to do. And I'm really grateful for the Guarneri."

I answered quickly, and Chairman Baek Hangil looked at me intently, then chuckled.

"If you're grateful, play the pieces you performed at the White Night Festival for me later. I'm dying to hear them, but the organizers are taking forever to upload the videos."

"Yes, I'll play them live for you."

Chairman Baek Hangil, satisfied, turned to Vice President Baek Sun-hwa.

Then Vice President Baek Sun-hwa said to me,

"Since Father called you, I asked to come along. I'm curious about the pieces you performed at the White Night Festival, and I also have some business to discuss."

"Business?"

When I asked, she nodded.

"First, we at SJ Entertainment want to host your recital. What do you think?"

It was something I had expected since the moment she mentioned business.

It's common for a concerto winner to have a recital when they return to their home country. Other companies had already approached me through Sound Film.

"Yes, I'll do it."

I nodded readily without hesitation.

It was also a way to repay the company for saving her father's business, but more importantly, there was no reason to refuse the support of SJ Entertainment, the top agency in the country.

Vice President Baek Sun-hwa looked at me with a surprised expression, and Chairman Baek Hangil's face was not much different.

"Is there a second thing?"

I asked innocently, and Vice President Baek Sun-hwa shook her head, then handed me a piece of paper.

"Royal Classic? What's this?"

"It's the top record label that has produced and distributed the best classical music albums. And..."

She smiled and added,

"It's also the label that will distribute your first album."

#

After playing the original piece I performed at the White Night Festival, 'Streets of Moscow,' for Chairman Baek Hangil,

I left the mansion and headed straight to the company.

My mind was filled with thoughts about my first album.

Despite the idea that I should prepare slowly, the songs I had composed over the years kept coming to mind, and I couldn't stop thinking about which ones would be best for the album.

Arriving at the studio,

"I'll start with what I couldn't do yesterday..."

I sat down and moved the mouse. The project I had recorded yesterday appeared.

It wasn't the soprano OST or a newly composed piece.

It was a piece I had composed long ago and finally completed.

With the Tchaikovsky Competition, the White Night Festival, and a few months of inactivity,

some people had even sent messages asking when the next piece would be uploaded.

Knowing that people were waiting for my music, I couldn't delay it any longer. So, I completed this piece while working on the soprano OST.

A piano piece that was a full 30 minutes long.

I exported the audio and connected to Sound Cloud.

[Uploading...]

As the upload started, I suddenly remembered the hardships of going to a Haydn concert.

In the late 17th century,

composers and performers of the time would debut their new pieces on stage.

It's like a showcase nowadays.

Since there was no recording back then, there were no albums, and music lovers would gather from far and wide to hear new pieces. Of course, people from Germany came too.

"Of course, no one came by sea in a wheelchair like me..."

Still,

I heard Haydn's new piece there.

It was filled with the scent of Wolfgang.

Suddenly, my thoughts circled back to sadness, and I pulled myself out of my reverie with a bitter smile.

And at that moment,

the screen showed that the upload was complete.

#

New York, Bard College.

Professor Celine was talking about an album in her office.

It had been four years since she last released an album. The constant back and forth between school and concerts left no time for an album.

But now, after four years, she had adapted to her school life.

She felt it was possible to release an album, and she had a meeting with the record label 'Royal Classic,' with whom she had worked on albums before.

After a long discussion about the album, the conversation naturally turned to the state of classical music in general.

It wasn't a bright topic.

It was a well-known fact that classical music was declining worldwide, and record labels were trying their best to attract public attention.

The representative, who was excited about Professor Celine's album, suddenly clapped his hands.

"Oh, right. We have a project that will soon attract public attention. I think you'll be interested in it, Professor."

"What kind of project?"

"We will be distributing the first album of a performer who is currently receiving the most attention from the public."

Professor Celine tilted her head.

A classical performer receiving a lot of attention...

A few names came to mind.

But most of them had already released albums.

After all, being well-known means being famous. For someone to release their first album, they must be a complete newcomer...

Professor Celine looked at the representative with a doubtful expression.

"Could it be... someone I judged this year?"

The representative's lips curved into a smile.

It was a silent affirmation.

The prodigy of Daeak, who can play both piano and violin at a professional level.

A genius whose composing ability is also highly praised.

Han Seo Ho...

As she adjusted her glasses and muttered to herself, her phone, lying face down on the table, buzzed.

"Excuse me for a moment."

Picking up the phone, she saw a badge at the top.

A notification that a new song by someone she follows on Sound Cloud had been uploaded.

Professor Celine, excited, tapped the badge, and the app opened, displaying the title of the song.

[Reflections on 88 Keys]

...It was Brunner's new song.