The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 160



Only Noblemtl

160 Through him

* * *

Grant looked at Han Seo-jin blankly and had no choice but to admit it.

‘I guess I guess all my guesses were wrong…’

A child who is probably only in his mid-teens.

Just by comparing that child’s age with the time when Mark Miller experienced the AC162 accident, he could see how wild his guess had been.

‘There’s no way that child learned music from Miller when he was a toddler.’

In that case, Miller’s music may not have been ‘directly’ connected to MJ.

‘I was probably influenced by his music. But does that make sense?’

In fact, that was also surprising.

Listening to someone’s music and expressing their music?

I wouldn’t know if I copied the melody or track.

You can’t create a song with a completely different development and still have the same power and direction of the music.

No matter how hard you listen to Beethoven’s music, there is no composer in the world who can create a completely new song with his tone.

No matter how hard you listen to Miller’s music, there is no composer in the world who can create a completely new song with his tone.

I thought so.

But this boy was doing it.

This young boy, who may not have even met Miller in person, was carrying on Miller’s music.

This was something that gave me goosebumps.

Besides that.

‘Even Mark Miller was able to give this feeling to his songs only after he was over 40…’

Grant was truly amazed that this boy could write a song like this even though he did not learn music directly from Miller.

On the other hand, I was so excited that I couldn’t express it in words.

Grant has met countless producers and songwriters in the United States.

Those who are achieving remarkable results on Billboard.

However, there was definitely no composer as young as MJ.

Moreover, if they were as young as MJ, they wouldn’t have even dared to make a song as good as the ones MJ has released so far.

MJ has released a total of 6 songs so far.

Among them, not a single song was written in vain, and all of them showed quality above standard.

In Grant’s opinion, these were songs that might have charted on Billboard if MJ and an American singer had collaborated.

The child’s current skills are amazing, but he also has infinite potential.

‘It’s ridiculous at that age. ‘He is an unexalted genius.’

When Grant was organizing those thoughts.

Han Seo-jin, who was sitting across from me, opened his mouth again.

“Director Grant. But my age has nothing to do with it.”

“······!”

Could it be that this child learned mind-reading from somewhere?

It was a while before I had such a question.

Han Seo-jin calmly continued speaking.

“The director has been silent for over three minutes now. I guess he guessed my age and had a lot of thoughts. Most of the people I have met so far have shown similar reactions to the director. So I was able to understand the director’s thoughts.”

“······.”

A child who has perfect English pronunciation and yet uses difficult vocabulary without any hesitation.

Amidst endless surprises, Grant struggled to calm his mind.

What that boy is saying.

Because it contained the core.

The boy says exactly what Grant was expecting.

“I have no intention of being at the forefront while promoting as MJ. At least for now. The reason is as you might have guessed…”

“You don’t want to be used for publicity?”

The boy nods.

“yes. Someday my identity will be revealed, but ‘now’ is not the time for that. So it won’t matter whether MJ is 10 years old or 50 years old.”

“So that was why you remained anonymous.”

“Actually, I have more things to focus on right now. In that case, the story that the director and I need to talk about is about ‘music.’ About the ‘music’ we need to do ‘now’. “What you were thinking about a moment ago has no meaning.”

“······.”

“Yes?”

“······.”

Grant looked like he had been punched by the boy.

Grant, who had been working in the music industry his entire life, felt like he wanted to hide somewhere for a moment.

genius. fallow year.

I lost my focus on such things and lost the essence.

The reason Grant met MJ now was to suggest that they do music together.

then.

I had to talk about the singer, ask what kind of song they were making, and talk about the conditions.

But Grant didn’t say anything and just spent time in a daze.

Grant apologized sincerely.

“I’m sorry. I think I instinctively felt that way too. “When I saw your young age, I just thought it was surprising that you would be an ‘unknown genius.’”

“no. Because it happens often. It’s not that I feel bad. Rather, I am thankful for it. “Because they think favorably of me.”

“Still, I should apologize properly. I think I was rude to you. “I apologize again.”

“······.”

The child quietly looks into Grant’s eyes.

A child’s clear and clear eyes.

Grant felt that this boy was clearly different from other children his age.

‘So you were able to make that kind of music?’

Only then did the child smile slightly.

“Then, Director Grant. “Before we get into the main topic, may I ask a question first?”

“okay. It’s okay to ask anything. “I will answer honestly within the scope of what I know.”

The child took out a business card from his inner pocket.

Grant’s business card that he wanted to give to MJ through Manager Park Hoon.

The child pointed to the letter Mark and asked its meaning.

Grant answered honestly.

“It meant ‘Mark’ from a composer named Mark Miller. “I thought you might have something to do with Miller.”

Also, it was said that MJ was assumed to be Miller’s colleague or student who learned music from him.

“Of course, this guess is completely wrong. “Considering your age, this is ridiculous.”

“······.”

A child who momentarily snaps his fingers.

But Grant didn’t see it.

“But don’t you know Miller? Even if you haven’t met Miller in person, I’m sure he was inspired by the music. In the end, he saw my business card with Mark written on it and asked to meet me. “I think so. What do you think?”

“······.”

The child did not answer right away.

I spent some time looking out the cafe window.

Seoul is snowing heavily.

People wearing thick coats were walking hurriedly, holding umbrellas held tightly behind them.

The child looked at them and suddenly answered.

“He was a great producer. “I would often listen to him sing.”

A word with many meanings.

The child expressed Miller in the past tense.

When asked if he was inspired by Miller, he answered in the affirmative.

so.

Because I heard that answer…

Grayson Grant looked out the window with his child and smiled.

“I see. Thank you for recognizing him and not forgetting him.”

“······ yes.”

“Miller, he was a great musician. It would really be nice if we had a little more time. He could have met you in person. “It’s a bit of a shame that the world can’t do that.”

“I’m a little…. That’s too bad.”

The child who was staring out the window endlessly looks at Grant.

The child asked Grant how he knew Miller.

Grant was lost in thought.

Because I needed time to recall old memories.

Grant, who had been talking for a while, quietly opened his mouth.

“I had a bit of a connection with Miller…”

.

.

.

There were many twists and turns today.

My car engine broke down and I had to try hitchhiking in the countryside. Fortunately, I met a kind lover and was able to get to the downtown area.

The metronome I gave to my lover in return for hitchhiking wasn’t anything special, but I hoped she would like it.

‘They said they don’t play music. If so, I wish someone would give it as a gift to someone who makes music. Otherwise, I feel sorry for the metronome.’

He was thinking a bit strangely and tried hard to estimate the location in the taxi.

When about 10 minutes had passed.

“thank you. Sir!”

“Yes, sir, take care~”

Mark Miller was able to arrive at the entrance to the venue.

Today’s stage was a relatively small outdoor concert hall.

‘I said the expected audience would be about 1,000 people.’

Considering the combination of Miller, who has just started his career as a producer, and a new singer, it was a pretty good performance.

Although it was an opening act (a performance performed to brighten the mood before the main performance).

Miller, who was performing for the first time as a singer on a stage of this scale, was extremely motivated.

Miller walked quickly.

Wearing the staff necklace, I greeted the staff eagerly and headed to the waiting room.

The singer’s waiting room was in a very corner.

The waiting room for today’s main performance, the band ⌜Desert 21⌟, was easy to find, large in size, and there were a lot of people around.

The waiting room of the opening act singer was extremely shabby.

As Miller opens the door and enters, the young man who had his head down suddenly looks away.

A young man who made eye contact with Miller.

He was startled and stood up.

“Oh. Producer! “How did you get here?”

“Did you come by car?”

“no. So what I mean is… I know there was a recording by another singer yesterday… how······.”

Miller chuckled.

“I drove all night. I think it took about 14 hours. “I had a hard time because the car stopped at the last minute.”

“14 hours? “With that junk car?”

“okay. I stopped the engine in the middle! I hit it and it came back to life. Although he died in the end. anyway. “That’s not important now, is it?”

Miller first checked the singer’s status.

A song that I had a particularly short time to practice for.

Still, since she was a sincere girl, she memorized the lyrics well and her vocal skills were good, so I didn’t think there would be any problem.

“Do you have any questions?”

“I am······. I was wondering why you would say something like this. Actually, it was a performance that I could have done on my own. “It was already decided to do so.”

Miller stared at him.

A singer in his late teens who is just starting to feel like a young man.

Miller answered while thinking back to his past self.

“Did I mention that I used to be a pianist?”

“yes. “I heard you said she was doing pretty well.”

“Hmm. At that time. There weren’t many people who cared about me. Everyone around me only had expectations of me. I also thought I had to just run. I actually did that. “At that time, I thought it wouldn’t have been better if someone was by my side.”

“······.”

“So, I think I should pay more attention to my singer. The person who completes my music is a singer. I am thankful for my singer. “That’s why we do it this way.”

“if······. “What if I don’t succeed?”

“That’s my lack of ability. Because I couldn’t make a better song for you. It’s none of your business. Ah, of course it bothers me.”

“······.”

“anyway. Don’t think about it too complicated now. Focus on this moment. It’s an hour, I don’t know if I can just focus on the music or not. We are musicians. “Other things aren’t as important as you think.”

“······ All right.”

“so. “Do you have any questions?”

“yes. At the end of the first song, first verse. “How can I express my emotions a little more…”

In a waiting room that is no different from a warehouse.

The two continued their conversation, focusing only on music.

Miller smiled as his vocalist’s voice gradually improved.

‘You can do it. ‘It might be a pretty good performance today.’

When I was taking a breather after successfully completing the rehearsal, a staff member came into the waiting room and informed me of the audience’s position.

The main performance, ⌜Desert 21⌟, could prepare a little more slowly, but the opening act had to move now.

The singer goes out on stage.

Miller followed him.

He stood in the middle of the stage and checked the singer’s equipment with the performance staff.

Miller glanced at the audience.

Since the headliner was a band, all seats were standing room only.

The atmosphere seems quite free.

The somewhat full auditorium was announcing the start of the performance.

“Wow~”

The audience who came to see ⌜Desert 21⌟ were cheering ‘out of courtesy’.

The treatment of unknown singers is always poor.

They tell me to go to a concert hall alone and perform alone.

The audience’s reaction was not that good either.

That’s why Miller went out of his way to come here today.

‘The country should do this too.’

The singer looked at Miller and nodded.

It means ready.

His eyes were suddenly filled with passion.

“okay. “That’s enough.”

“I can do well. “You will succeed soon.”

“okay.”

“Just wait and see. “I’m going to make everyone here my fan.”

“Good. “Then do well.”

“yes. All right.”

Miller and the crew came down from the stage.

but······.

It would be nice if everything in this world went as planned.

Not everything went as desired.

When the singer just started singing, the MR suddenly cut off.

Miller immediately asked the staff member why, but he just shook his head.

He said it seemed to be an equipment problem.

Since it is the opening act, he tells them to get off the stage first and that he will fix it up to the actual performance, without making a big deal out of it.

Music is difficult.

I couldn’t make music just by making music.

I wanted to play the piano, but my wrist wouldn’t listen.

I wanted to learn composition in college and become a singer as a producer, but the barriers in reality were high.

cotton.

A fruitless composer.

The popular music world felt more vulgar than the classical world.

But there was no reason to be frustrated over such trivial things.

Mark Miller was that kind of person.

“Is it only the MR playback device that is having problems now? “The microphone and speakers are working well.”

“Is that so?”

“Then I will do the accompaniment myself. “Please give me one more microphone.”

“yes?”

“Don’t you need time for maintenance anyway? We’ll take the time. “You can buy us food later.”

“······.”

The singer on stage hesitated for a moment and then started singing again even though there was no accompaniment.

Do your best.

He silently shows everything he has.

The audience looked at him indifferently.

Opening Act.

A singer just passing by.

On the stage where he is feeling lonely…

Mark Miller goes up, carrying a microphone and an acoustic guitar.

The singer sings without accompaniment and looks at Miller.

Miller settled down on the floor as if nothing had happened.

and.

He started playing guitar to the song.

‘My wrist hurts, but…’

It was more bearable than playing the piano.

Miller gritted his teeth and pointed out the guitar chords.

A song that used to be boring becomes lively.

The singer, who was quietly watching Miller’s accompaniment, smiled.

He began to sing at the top of his lungs.

⌜Beautiful Day⌟.

The vocalist’s emotions explode out along with the beautiful guitar melody.

The atmosphere of the concert hall changed in an instant.

“what?”

“Is the song good?”

“Suddenly the MR cut out and he started playing guitar? Was it staged?”

“and! Amazing, Great!”

The audience responds.

The sound spread to the stage.

Miller slowly closed his eyes.

The world goes on well even if I don’t jump in.

But the moment I jump in, the world is bound to change somehow.

Anyone who has made waves at least once in their life was bound to know that fact.

A belief that Miller always had.

As if to repay him.

“Waaaaaa!!!”

“oh my god!!! “Who is the singer?”

“Jack Walker? “Your voice is so good!!!”

“I think I’m young. “Aren’t you actually a genius singer?”

“I guess so! “I met a good singer today!”

The audience was cheering the singer enthusiastically.

‘This is enough.’

Miller endured pain in his left wrist and played accompaniment to Jack Walker’s last song.

Although I was okay with occasionally playing the guitar when composing, my wrists weren’t good enough to play comfortably.

still.

“It had meaning, right?”

“Producer Miller! It was awesome! “I thought you were a professional musician?”

“I mean.”

“Is it real?”

Jack Walker wasn’t the only one who offered encouragement to Miller.

The bassist of the band ⌜Desert 21⌟, who needed time to maintain the equipment, came to say hello as a representative.

After all the performances are over.

“There was a song in our performance that used MR as well. “I almost got into big trouble.”

“We were lucky that we found it first. The ⌜Desert 21⌟ performance was really cool.”

“no. Singer Jack Walker’s performance was even better. Producer Miller, who ‘directly’ created the stage, also shined.”

The entire band of ⌜Desert 21⌟ said they watched the entire opening act performance.

They said there was a problem, so they came to check the stage and ended up watching the performance until the end.

“I didn’t know that learning guitar in my spare time would be put to use in something like this.”

“That was a great performance.”

“It may seem clumsy to a bandman.”

“ha ha ha. You are a cheerful person. “But is it true that you wrote all the songs Walker sang just a little while ago?”

“I wrote all three songs. “I only participated in arranging the remaining three songs.”

“Incredible. Especially ⌜Beautiful Day⌟, which was sung as the opening song. It was very impressive. “I only heard the second verse, though.”

“It’s still not enough. But it will get better.”

“yes. “I’m sure it will.”

“I hope we can work together next time if we get a chance. “If only we could make band music.”

“Then I will not forget that promise. “I also wanted to work with ⌜Desert 21⌟ at least once.”

The two exchanged contact information.

Miller greeted Grant.

“More than anything, I was grateful that they cared so much about Walker. The opening act of ⌜Desert 21⌟. “I’m sure Walker is very grateful.”

“It seemed like that. He’s a good singer. I have skills. “It will definitely take off soon.”

“yes. “I’m sure it will.”

“But did Producer Miller say he wouldn’t participate in the after-party? “I heard that from Walker.”

“Oh, I have to go to LA by tomorrow. “I think we should go to the airport right away.”

“You’re busy.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“Then, I’ll have to ask Walker any questions I have about Producer Miller. I was very impressed today. Singing too. Also playing guitar. “And the whole atmosphere of that stage.”

“I also had a lot of fun. “Music always seems to make me happy.”

Miller smiles lightly.

He shook hands with Grant and left the concert hall.

Grant talked a lot with Walker at the after-party.

From the story of the beginning of the relationship between Walker and Miller.

The story of how Miller came here today over the course of 14 hours.

He was said to be a great producer who takes care of singers despite his busy schedule, and I even heard people say that he takes good care of Miller.

From that day on, Grant had no direct involvement with Miller.

We were both busy, and each had clearly different things to do.

Jack Walker began to attract attention with ⌜Beautiful Day⌟ and continued his singing career.

When so many years passed.

Jack Walker proudly ranks 17th on the Billboard HOT 100.

However, the producer of that song was not Mark Miller.

The relationship between Jack Walker and Miller ends with the first album.

At that time, Miller was a freelancer who was called to various labels through an agency, and Jack Walker was also stuck at a label.

A common thing.

In the entertainment industry, I wasn’t able to do everything I wanted.

What is a little disappointing here is that Jack Walker’s 17th place on the Billboard HOT 100 was a career high.

You could say he was a one-hit wonder, but there were some who didn’t see him that way, wondering what kind of wonder he was with that level of performance…

As Walker learned from his producer in his debut year.

Until now, he has continued to quietly pursue his own music.

.

.

.

Grant looked out the cafe window.

The story that started during the day was already ending in the evening.

“Miller’s guitar playing and Walker’s voice that I saw on stage at that time remained somewhere in my memory. I didn’t know either. “They were all great artists.”

december.

Grant ran into Jack Walker at a small concert hall.

I convinced him and signed a short-term contract with ⌜DreamSounds⌟ last week.

When Walker was a rookie, his vocals were a bit awkward, and the song he received from Miller was also a bit awkward.

But the moment those two were together seemed to be the brightest moment of the performance that day.

Walker was a singer who was able to grow further because he was with Miller.

Last month, I met Jack Walker and it reminded me of the Mark Miller of that time.

Miller, who created healing music.

He was slowly being forgotten by the public.

and······.

MJ makes music similar to Miller.

Grant saw definite promise in all of this.

“I told you every single story about Miller who influenced you. This is all I know about the story. “Now all that remains is your answer.”

“······.”

“Agreement with ⌜DreamSounds⌟. Working with Jack Walker. “It all depends on your decision.”

“······.”

“So what are you going to do?”

At some point, the boy who had quietly closed his eyes slowly opened them.

“I also occasionally listen to singer Jack Walker’s songs on music sites.”

“so.”

“yes.”

A boy who listened to songs composed by Miller whenever he had time.

Seojin Han answered calmly.

“He is a singer I am already familiar with. “I’m sure a great song will be created.”

“then······.”

“I’ll try. “I want to do that.”

Through Mark Miller, who is not even here.

MJ and ⌜DreamSounds⌟’s first connection is finally in place.