The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 122



Only Noblemtl

122 two results

* * *

“Wow. “It’s annoying.”

Heo Seong-ho, assistant manager of the Performing Arts Headquarters, scratched his head.

In the end, the little boy did not accept the offer to perform.

He only repeated the request for a little more time to think, and calmly declined all offers.

“Anyway, everything that is good is good.”

If it had been another performer, I might have bowed profusely and said, “Thank you.”

The symbolism of the Seoul Arts Center in Korea is enormous.

For Korean musicians, it is seen as a ‘dream stage’.

So, usually, if you have studied abroad or won an international competition, you will hold a return recital at the Seoul Arts Center.

At this time, the performance was not performed with profit or loss in mind.

Holding a recital like this at the Seoul Arts Center in itself provides a ‘good resume’ in the future, which is why many people make such choices.

If you look at the recruitment notice for members of a certain orchestra, there is a condition of ‘more than 00 recital experiences’.

To become an instructor at any music school, experience performing on a large stage is essential.

That’s why many performers spend their own money to hold solo concerts at the Seoul Arts Center.

‘And that too with my own money.’

Unless the performer is quite famous, the audience does not pay a lot of money.

Therefore, ticket prices for these concerts are usually set at around 10,000 to 20,000 won.

On the other hand, the stage rental fee is in the 10 million won range.

To put it simply, it was a deficit performance.

Nevertheless, many performers make this choice.

‘Because it is beneficial in the end.’

There are people who see this and talk about the dark side of the Korean classical music world, but that is the reality.

In this situation, the Seoul Arts Center Performing Arts Headquarters offered to rent the stage to the child for free.

In addition, they offered a performance guarantee of 150,000 won.

A pretty great proposal made thanks to special instructions from the general manager.

However, the child said he didn’t like it.

“Even if you do as much as you can, there’s nothing left to say.”

Well, eventually the kid will accept the offer.

Even if the local response was good due to the victory in Ettlingen, it was only in a foreign country.

The awareness of this child in Korea is significantly low.

A few Internet articles and brief reports on the news do not change the price of the child.

“If you come to Korea, you must follow Korean laws.”

Anyway, what was good was good.

And to be honest.

“If your playing skills were truly outstanding, would you possibly return to Korea right away? If that were true, I would have received 100 offers to perform on tour. “Everyone is making a fuss.”

Deputy Heo Seong-ho judged this situation that way.

The Seoul Arts Center is the stage where the world’s great artists compete to stand.

It seemed so outrageous that a 14-year-old would turn down an offer just for a few pennies.

‘What are you going to do?’

Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho chuckled as he thought about that.

* * *

“hmm······.”

I looked again at what I had written during my conversation with Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho.

Among them, there were some amazing sentences.

– Isn’t everything good a good thing? –

Almost an all-purpose sentence.

In addition, Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho told me something similar to shallow abuse of power.

‘Do you know anything else? If the relationship between our Performing Arts Headquarters and Seolhwa improves thanks to you, you and your friends will have more and more opportunities to go on stage. So don’t just refuse too much…’

What he said to me in an overbearing manner.

Thanks to this, I almost got a little annoyed.

“It was surprising that a ‘kid’ in the first year of middle school would pawn his friend…”

Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho’s words sounded as if he would impose sanctions on the performance of Seolwha Ye Middle School students if I did not accept the proposal.

I wondered if he would actually go that far, but it was true that it was ridiculous.

Of course, in reality, I was a proper ‘adult’, so I didn’t show any irritation or make an impression on the spot.

I decided to keep things as simple as possible.

Although we haven’t met in person yet, I asked ⌜Schmid⌟ Korea manager Kim Su-ho a favor, and he promised that he would take care of it.

Anyway, I’m tied to a contract with ⌜Schmid⌟, so I can’t perform as I want.

In fact, the performance proposed by Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho overlapped with the Carnegie Hall performance, so it was not possible to schedule it.

But thanks to the embargo, I can’t even talk about Carnegie Hall.

There was no need to waste my emotions on something I couldn’t solve on my own.

Even Uncle Miller said that when something complicated happens, you should be good at asking others for favors.

I faithfully accepted my uncle’s advice.

‘I’m sure the manager will take care of it.’

It takes the power of many people to create a stage.

It goes without saying, but musicians are intertwined with many people and many interests.

However, whenever a problem arises, if the musician tries to solve it himself, it may lead to a conflict between the audience and the audience.

If a musician runs a business, who will do the music?

That’s why you need an agency.

The musician only focuses on the music, and the agency handles the rest.

This allows musicians and agencies to share profits.

Very basic structure.

It may have been a good opportunity to find out what kind of company ⌜Schmid⌟ signed a contract with me was.

After practicing for quite a long time at a Korean music studio, I came out.

On the bus returning to Saebom-dong, I planned the repertoire to be performed at Carnegie Hall.

At home, I composed music on an acoustic guitar with a mute on.

After eating with my family, I started shooting midi on the computer late into the night.

Then, I laid down in bed and wrote down the lyrics on my smartphone before going to sleep.

I thought this was what I needed to worry about.

Other than this…

Tiring!

At that time, a message arrived.

[Lee Ha-eun: Are you sleeping? (Eye shining emoticon)]

[Me: No. why?]

[Lee Ha-eun: Huh! That’s it. I happened to see discount information on the internet, so I shouldn’t be able to pass it up. It’s not that I specifically thought of you. Sooyeon went through a lot of trouble this time, right? The discount is only available for up to 3 tickets, so for now…]

“······?”

A long message that covers the entire smartphone screen.

When I was halfway through reading it, I remembered my last promise.

[Me: That’s right! After the competition, I decided to go to an amusement park with you. I was so distracted that I forgot.]

[Lee Ha-eun: Huh! More than that promise, I wanted to play with Suyeon. Normally, at that age, you should be playing a lot. is not it?]

A chat that clearly shows intent.

Thanks to you, I laughed.

‘Still, you even take care of my little brother, thank you.’

I sent a positive reply to Lee Ha-eun, and Lee Ha-eun replied with (Good. Just as planned. Hehehe emoticon).

okay. Even these little things were very important to me.

Compared to my childhood, when I only wanted music and only cared about music, my music actually got better after I learned to relax from Uncle Miller.

‘He told me to learn music in life.’

The things that are important to me now are clear.

Music and the small happinesses given to me.

I thought that was all I had to worry about.

I connected my phone to the charging cable and looked at the ceiling in the dark room.

Even in this quiet place, I could hear music inside me.

Meeting with musicians and friends.

And the times spent with family and Uncle Miller are intertwined with music.

Very beautifully.

I miss you a little.

I quickly fell asleep listening to the sound inside me.

* * *

next day.

Seoul Arts Center Performing Arts Headquarters Team 1.

“⌜Schmid⌟? “Why are they suddenly looking for you there?”

“uh······. well?”

Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho tilted his head, and Manager Lee, a member of Team 1, frowned slightly.

“Did you make some mistake? I heard that we had a meeting once last month or so. “You didn’t do anything disrespectful there?”

“No way. I am also a person who knows how to discern between interests and interests. And I have never seen Manager Kim Soo-ho yet.”

“okay? Well, since they are calling me, I have to go. While you’re gone, why not catch a few performances? Aren’t there artists scheduled for Japan? It’s not a big deal for those people to transit through Korea, so please at least mention it. okay?”

“yes. All right.”

“And what happened to that? Seojin Han. “Have you got a schedule for his performance?”

Heo Seong-ho scratched his head.

“For now, we decided to hear the final answer by tomorrow. You’re a minor, right? “You need to give yourself time to discuss it with your parents.”

“oh. “Do you also have a sense of consideration?”

“Sure. “My brilliant speaking skills also played a part in that.”

“okay. This matter has been specifically instructed by the head of the department, so it must be handled carefully. “It won’t be good for you or me if we get lost in the middle for no reason.”

“yes.”

“Go ahead. “Wrap up everything you shared with ⌜Schmid⌟ and hand over the minutes to me.”

Heo Seong-ho glanced at the manager’s gaze and then laughed.

“Is it okay if I give you the minutes of the meeting by lunch tomorrow? “The meeting might be late.”

“young. Are you going to leave work right away? i get it. “Do it.”

“thank you!”

“Go see.”

“yes!”

Manager Lee was looking at Heo Seong-ho’s grumpy back.

Manager Choi of Team 2 appeared next to him.

“hey. He’s not going to cause trouble like that, right? “Are you feeling uneasy about something?”

“Still, he’s a kid with good performance. ”

“Is it okay to just have good performance? “It seems like rumors are circulating among artists these days.”

“rumor? “What kind of rumor?”

“They say they treat us differently by class or something. Anyway, watch carefully. “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“No worries. And how many ‘artists’ are there that we should care so much about? is not it?”

“What on earth are you going to do with your mouth? Are you telling me that if you mess with Team 1, you could end up in the barrel? Learn some humility. Be humble! “Don’t brag just because you work under the direct line of the general manager.”

“That’s it. Manager Choi, please take care of yourself.”

Manager Choi clicked his tongue as he watched the Manager of Team 1 go to the bathroom and leave.

And I whispered in a very low voice.

“It looks like the head of the headquarters doesn’t know what he’s been doing. Plus…”

Manager Choi glanced at his smartphone.

An email sent from a friend in Germany.

The information about the contract between ⌜Schmid⌟ and Han Seo-jin was written in German.

A picture was drawn, at least roughly, on Manager Choi’s head.

‘Well, there’s no need for me to tell you this. If that honorable team 1 disappears, wouldn’t our Seoul Arts Center be a little better?’

Manager Choi thought about that and walked lightly.

* * *

⌜Schmid⌟ An office in Korea’s headquarters building.

Manager Suho Kim was speaking on the phone in German.

“yes. Please. I don’t think it will go that far. Even if the situation changes, we are ready. yes. yes. All right. thank you.”

Suho Kim put down the phone and took a deep breath.

‘That’s it. Still, I was fortunate that there were many artists who knew that child.’

Preparation is over.

Now it seemed like all I had to do was look at the person who created this situation.

It wasn’t until 5 minutes before the appointment time that I received a call from the secretary.

A man is currently waiting in the conference room.

Kim Su-ho gathered his documents and moved to his seat.

Inside the conference room, a man wearing thin glasses was waiting for Kim Su-ho.

He got up from his seat and bowed his head.

“hello. “This is Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho of Team 1 of the Performing Arts Headquarters.”

“hello. “This is Suho Kim, manager of ⌜Schmid⌟ Korea.”

As soon as we exchanged business cards and took our seats, Heo Seong-ho grinned.

“I guess there was something to plan for the performance. But how did you know me so that you contacted me directly? Did any artist personally recommend me? If not…”

Kim Su-ho had no intention of continuing to listen to what he said.

‘It’s not a waste of time.’

He got straight to the point.

“ha. Winner of this year’s Ettlingen Competition. Graduated from Seolwha Yejung. Seojin Han, pianist. “You know that, right?”

“yes?”

“I’ll just get to the point. That kid, don’t bother me any more with performance issues. Don’t even call me about performance issues. “Don’t come to me with performance issues.”

“······.”

“Do you understand?”

“······?”

Heo Seong-ho was dumbfounded.

This is because I couldn’t understand Kim Su-ho, who endlessly brought up Han Seo-jin’s story.

However, since Heo Seong-ho was not a completely clueless person, he immediately asked Kim Su-ho a question.

“So that kid was from ⌜Schmid⌟?”

“Little one?”

“iced coffee. That ‘child’. I didn’t know because he didn’t say anything when talking to me. For some reason, they just turned down the offer to perform. It looks like the pay wasn’t enough. ⌜Schmid⌟ If she had belonged, she would have said something a long time ago. “Then can we start with the guarantee negotiations again?”

“······.”

“I also know what kind of company ⌜Schmid⌟ is. Isn’t this a place that brings in the best performers and puts on the best performances? Of course, you want to make the most profit. If you had heard about the 150,000 won offered as a guarantee, you would have naturally felt bad. “I completely understand.”

“······.”

Kim Su-ho pressed his temple.

It was because I had no idea where to start.

Kim Su-ho asked Han Seo-jin about the most absurd part of what he heard.

“Can I ask you one question?”

“yes? Oh, as much as you want.”

“To a 14-year-old child… I heard you asked her to perform by mortgaging her friends? Even though the child calmly explained that it was difficult because of the schedule, it was difficult. “But how can she threaten you like that?”

“yes? Threats? Me? “No way!”

“Here’s what I heard. “I heard you secretly talked about the relationship between Seolwha Yejung and Yedang.”

“Hey, did that kid do that? That’s 100% a lie! “You are playing with that child.”

Heo Seong-ho’s exaggerated movements.

However, Kim Su-ho did not blink an eye.

“word. “Don’t do it that way.”

“No, I’m being unfair, right? And Manager Kim, do you completely believe what that child says? From a kid who’s only 14 years old? “He’s only in the first year of middle school…”

“word. I told him not to do it that way. Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho is talking to me right now. Don’t get me wrong.”

“······.”

Kim Su-ho’s cold words continue.

Heo Seong-ho frowned slightly.

‘No, so what are you asking me to do?’

Kim Soo-ho looked at Heo Seong-ho’s expression and continued speaking.

“I’ll give you the best option in this situation. First, apologize to your child. It would be better if I went with your direct supervisor. I’ll be happy to go with you then. Also, I hope you will create a plan to prevent something like this from happening again in the future and let us know about it to ⌜Schmid⌟. I think that’s enough.”

“yes?”

“You heard everything. For reference, this is my final suggestion. “I hope you don’t take up any more of my time.”

“······.”

‘Is this guy crazy? Who is asking whom to apologize? ‘Have you forgotten we have a concert hall?’

No matter how successful my agency is, what do I do?

In the end, you need a stage to perform.

If you perform on the street, no one will pay that much money for a ticket.

Heo Seong-ho felt great pride in belonging to the Seoul Arts Center.

We are directly creating the center of performance in Korea.

But he’s not some kind of virtuoso.

⌜Schmid⌟’s manager is talking to the 14-year-old and asking him to apologize.

‘It’s ridiculous.’

Heo Seong-ho stared at Kim Su-ho and then opened his mouth.

“I haven’t done anything wrong right now. Rather, I just suggested something helpful to the kid. Is this a problem that warrants an apology? “I think the manager should actually apologize to me.”

“great.”

“······?”

‘You’re going to apologize this easily?’

But think about that for a moment.

Kim Su-ho did not mean to apologize, but said ‘Good’ in the sense that the last proposal was over.

“The person who threw away the opportunity was Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho. For your information, we at ⌜Schmid⌟ will not have a single artist at the Seoul Arts Center in the future. I don’t think there’s any need to work with a concert hall where someone with a mindset like Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho works. That is ⌜Schmid⌟’s judgment.”

“······ What do you mean? Are you saying we won’t have ⌜Schmid⌟ artist in our concert hall? “I understand there will be two teams just next month?”

“Just cancel everything and that’s it.”

Seongho Heo snorted.

“Do you know how much money is at stake in that performance? “Do you think that’s something you can do under your authority as manager?”

“It’s not within my power.”

“under. I thought so. And then what…”

“But it is within the musicians’ authority.”

Kim Su-ho showed the document file to Heo Seong-ho.

Heo Seong-ho opened his eyes wide as he read the contents, as if he were suspicious.

“Should we change the concert hall to Jamsil?”

The tallest building in Jamsil.

It was a proposal to change the performance location to where Cheongwoon Group’s concert hall is located.

“The musicians who heard my story made this decision themselves. The story ended with Cheongun. “We are on the verge of signing the final signature.”

“now······. What’s going on because of that little girl? “Do you know what the manager is doing?”

“I want to return those words in kind. What’s going on because of the ‘little boy’ you’re talking about? “Are you having trouble understanding the situation?”

“······.”

“The ‘kid’ you are talking about is an artist signed with our ⌜Schmid⌟. “Are you saying you can’t even shamelessly apologize after forcing such an artist to perform with threats that didn’t work?”

“no······. that is······.”

At that moment, Heo Seong-ho felt that things were getting too big.

“For your information, I plan to perform with Cheongun in the next two months as well. The same goes for the performance in three months.”

“excuse me······. “There will be a penalty fee, right?”

Heo Seong-ho lowers his tail.

On the other hand, Kim Su-ho was very calm.

“We, ⌜Schmid⌟, will bear the penalty. Because it’s not that much money. And if this attitude continues, we plan to significantly reduce the number of artists visiting Korea. “I’m sure you all know that there are many countries that can replace Korea where you can perform.”

“excuse me······. I think you’ve gone too far. “There is nothing to do like this…”

“It wasn’t. “It was something that Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho brought upon himself.”

“······.”

Heo Seong-ho is sweating.

He said he had to go to the bathroom for a moment and left.

‘no way. It’s all a bluff.’

This is ridiculous.

It is not that easy to cancel a performance and move the venue.

Heo Seong-ho sat on the toilet and tried to make a phone call.

It was to check with the artist who was scheduled to perform at the Seoul Arts Center next month.

After several ringtones, the call was connected.

Heo Seong-ho continued the conversation in English.

“yes. It’s no different. Next month… yes?”

However, what Suho Kim said was right.

– I want to move the concert hall to Cheongwoon. I understand you have already finished talking with ⌜Schmid⌟?

“Is that so?”

– Talk to ⌜Schmid⌟ for more details. I’m busy…

“······.”

Sweat was flowing down my back.

‘You’re not lying?’

Heo Seong-ho quickly left the bathroom and returned to the conference room.

But there was already no one in the conference room.

“this.”

Heo Seong-ho came out of the conference room and asked his secretary the whole story.

“Oh, the manager has a meeting.”

“A meeting? “Where are you going?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Ah, that’s because there is one document I couldn’t give you. “Could you please tell me which direction you went?”

“I think you should call me and ask in person.”

“······.”

A dizzying situation.

Heo Seong-ho tried to make repeated calls on his way to the parking lot, but all of them only connected to voicemail.

“driving me crazy.”

Just as I was getting into the car, I received a call from the manager of Team 1.

– It feels like the meeting is slowly coming to an end. What’s going on?

“······.”

– hello? hello? uh? Is the phone not connected?

“Well, that’s it. Manager.”

– what? The phone works fine. Why are you doing that?

After thinking for a moment, Heo Seong-ho told his manager about what had happened in the conference room a little while ago.

It could have been a really big problem, so I thought I had no choice but to report it first.

Manager Lee, who was listening to Heo Seong-ho’s story, shouted so loudly that the phone went away.

– hey!!! What are you talking about!!!

“Well, first, I’ll go toward Jamsil. You said you were only waiting for the final signing with Cheongwoon, right? I can catch it before then. “I’ll try to convince you again.”

– @#$@!%$#^&&

“I’ll call you back in a little while.”

Heo Seong-ho hung up the phone and immediately started driving the car.

His mind turned white.

.

.

.

– Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho said he left the company a little while ago.

“All right. Thank you for letting me know.”

⌜Schmid⌟ Kim Su-ho, who was sitting in his office in Korea, stretched once.

‘It’s almost time to go to the real meeting.’

Before that, Kim Su-ho called several musicians again.

It was to express gratitude to the musician who may have received a call from Heo Seong-ho a little while ago.

– Hehehe. It’s no big deal. They say it’s for the child, but isn’t this something they can accommodate?

“Thank you anyway. “I think there is a need to raise awareness.”

– okay. Sometimes you need to surprise the people involved in the performance. So where will my performance be held?

“You can do it at the Seoul Arts Center as usual. In the case of ‘that assistant manager’, if you leave him alone for a few days, he will self-destruct within the company. Of course, since we have actually finished talking with Cheongwoon, we can change the concert hall if you wish.”

– Nope. The audience may be confused, so I think it would be better to proceed as is.

Kim Su-ho only looked a few moves ahead.

It only made a strong impression on Heo Seong-ho by alerting him, but the situation did not change.

“By the way, this is just my curiosity… how did you know that child? “I heard he didn’t go to Ettlingen.”

– I heard from my colleague that it was Richter. He praised me so much that my mouth went dry. I really want to see my child the next time I go to Korea.

“If possible, we will try to arrange a place for you. “If the child’s schedule is okay.”

– Hehehe. That’s natural. Well then, I’ll see you later.

“All right. “I’m looking forward to the performance.”

After finishing his phone call with the musicians, Kim Su-ho came down to the parking lot.

And then I headed to Saebom-dong.

The important meeting today was meeting that child.

“hello. “This is Han Seo-jin!”

“My name is Kim Soo-ho, manager of ⌜Schmid⌟ Korea. I’m counting on you.”

The child who met Heo Seong-ho at school yesterday looked calm.

If it were a normal child, it would have been depressing or angry, but it seemed like nothing was wrong.

Even when Heo Seong-ho called directly, the child’s expression did not change.

“yes. yes. But I think you’ll have to talk to ⌜Schmid⌟ about that. That’s all I was told by my manager. yes. sorry. I have nothing more to say. take care.”

And then he hangs up the phone.

Kim Su-ho smiled slightly.

“You have a strong mentality.”

“yes?”

“Yes, you.”

“······?”

The child wondered what he was thinking on his own and then laughed.

“This is nothing. “There are things in the world that are much more difficult than this.”

“so.”

“Yesterday was like a passing wind.”

“That’s a good analogy. i think so too.”

Kim Soo-ho took his child to ⌜Schmid⌟’s practice room.

A space that any ⌜Schmid⌟ artist can use.

It was a place with three Steinway brand grand pianos.

The child looked at the piano with sparkling eyes.

“You can come practice anytime. “I heard you’re practicing at a Korean music studio now?”

“yes. Professor Yuhan Kang was so considerate. “I was using it well.”

“You are a grateful person. However, the piano quality is probably better here. So is the condition. “Anyway, you can do whatever suits you.”

“Is this a place that can be used 24 hours a day?”

“You can do that, but you have to go home at night too. If you run away here, I’ll be in trouble. do not do that.”

The child smiles slightly.

“I was just asking. I don’t know what will happen as the performance day approaches. “Then can I try playing it now?”

“However much. “You’ll like this piano because it was tuned yesterday.”

The child sat on the piano chair and adjusted the height.

I thought he was lightly caressing the keyboard and then closed his eyes.

After a rather long silence, the child suddenly started playing.

“······.”

Su-ho Kim stood silently and watched his child play.

A melody that tightens your heart.

An incredibly powerful melody filled the practice room.

Pianist Seojin Han, the artist that ⌜Schmid⌟ is currently watching closely, had the skills to match.

‘After Carnegie Hall, this kid’s performance guarantee will change significantly. Because America is a country that loves genius so much.’

Thinking like that.

Kim Su-ho had the luxury of watching the pianist play alone.

* * *

“I asked you to plan a performance for a child, and you brought ⌜Schmid⌟ and Chuck with you?”

“S-sorry.”

“Write a poem first! You bastard! If you do something wrong, you and I will both be cut off! know?”

“······.”

Assistant Manager Heo Seong-ho regrets his past and thought, ‘What are they going to do?’

I closed my eyes tightly.