The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 161



Only Noblemtl

161 Just with sheet music

* * *

The story is over.

Before I knew it, the heavy snow had stopped.

As you pass through the snow-covered alley and emerge onto the main street, the neatly maintained road catches your eye.

Many people were walking busily along the sidewalk there.

Is he in such a hurry because he has something to do?

It may be so, or it may not be so.

We were not much different from them.

“Then I’ll talk to ⌜Moolgwang⌟ tomorrow. “I will only be able to receive songs from you if there is a contract between you and ⌜DreamSounds⌟.”

“yes.”

Manager Park Hoon of ⌜Wolgwang⌟ decided to personally handle my contract.

I just relayed the story to Director Grant at the cafe.

I heard a lot of stories today.

From Director Grant’s point of view, this is a story from the past.

But it was the first time I heard it, and it was today’s story.

On the desert island, Mr. Miller didn’t tell me much about himself.

He always focuses on me.

They cared about me, my family, my friends, and my music.

I was young at the time and couldn’t pay attention to Uncle Miller.

There was a time when just thinking about my parents brought tears to my eyes. What could I do?

But now…

At that time, I thought about what it would have been like if we had shared more stories about him.

It was more like a kind of regret rather than regret.

Uncle Miller is still an inspiration to many people.

A person who made really great music.

Even as he is slowly being forgotten, there are still people who remember his name.

In Europe.

in America.

and.

Even here in Korea.

As long as I’m around, you don’t have to worry about him being forgotten.

I learned music from him.

That’s how his music came to dwell within me.

Because I plan to make music for the rest of my life.

I stood in front of the railroad crossing with Director Grant.

When I refused to take him by car, he said he would at least see me off at the subway station.

“On days like today, the subway is much faster than the car.”

“I guess that’s worth it.”

The road was slowly starting to clog up due to snow.

Director Grant, who was looking at the roads of Seoul, asked a question.

“But you said you had more things to worry about ‘now’. “Can I ask what that is?”

I answered right away.

“The piano. “I got to participate in the competition again this year.”

“piano? “This year too?”

“yes. Who do you think you are walking a similar path to?”

“······.”

At that time, the traffic light changed.

People waiting at the crossing begin to cross the road.

Still, Director Grant stood there and looked at me.

Thanks to this, I also had to stand still.

5. 4. 3. 2. 1.

The number count under the traffic light ended and the red light came on.

“I’m going to the Queen Elizabeth this year. We won in Ettlingen last year, so we have to move forward again. Because I am a person who is greedy for music. So I can’t give up anything.”

“······.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind signing a contract with me like that?”

A story that has already ended at the cafe.

But I asked the question again.

Director Grant looked at me and eventually burst into laughter.

“You really are trying to follow a similar path as Miller.”

“that’s right.”

“But it is very difficult to succeed at just one thing. The closer you get to the top, the more difficult it becomes. “Can you still do it?”

“yes. “I can do it.”

“······.”

Then, the traffic light changed again.

This time, I started to cross the crossing first.

I felt Director Grant following me from a little behind.

I looked back.

The number count under the traffic light was now going below 20 seconds.

Time left at leisure.

There was plenty of time left.

Director Grant looked at me and continued speaking.

“I think I know why you can make music similar to Miller. You look like him. “It was as if I had been taught by him.”

“······ is that so.”

“At least that’s how it seems to me. What a strange relationship. “You and Miller.”

“······ Maybe so.”

Director Grant said he really wanted to help me.

Not as a director of ⌜DreamSounds⌟.

As Grayson Grant, I would like to support a musician named Han Seo-jin.

“We are people who make music. So you don’t have to worry too much about other things.”

“I know. “I am already doing that.”

“okay. “Then let’s do better in the future.”

Grayson Grant reaching out to me.

I held his hand lightly.

* * *

next day.

The contract with ⌜DreamSounds⌟ has been finalized.

It was a contract with ⌜Moonlight⌟, ⌜DreamSounds⌟, and MJ just as I wanted, but the profit distribution was a little more favorable to me.

From ⌜Moongwang⌟’s perspective, he seemed to be interested in the unexpected expansion of his base and the lost income that would be generated in Korea when MJ became successful in the United States.

⌜DreamSounds⌟ was satisfied with obtaining the North American copyright to MJ’s song.

Overall, MJ was satisfied with the increase in profit sharing.

Win win win.

Fortunately, no one was greedy.

As soon as the contract ended, I delivered the ‘unfinished song’ file to Director Grant.

He said he needed the unorganized sheet music, so I transferred it to a sheet music program and handed it over to him.

The song’s composition has been completed, but some arrangement and lyrics work remains.

It was a song that could be completed if only time was invested.

Director Grant listened to this song about three times and gave his evaluation.

“It’s a song that depicts a certain landscape. A sentimental yet beautiful song. However, it is not a song that fits the trend these days.”

“It’s a song I made purely with my emotions. If the director says he doesn’t like this song, I’m thinking of composing a new song. “If you ask singer Walker’s opinion, it will get better.”

“no. In fact, Walker will probably like it more because it’s a song like this. I really like it. A song that starts with sadness and longing and ends with happiness and healing. It’s a song with a narrative. “It’s really good.”

Someone who understands my intention just by listening to the song, which doesn’t have any lyrics yet.

Director Grant said he would try to persuade singer Walker with this song.

It is true that Singer Walker is a member of ⌜DreamSounds⌟, but it is not a situation where he has confirmed that he will sing my song.

But Director Grant told me not to worry because he was confident.

“But is it possible to write lyrics in English? Since this is a song that will be released in the United States, English lyrics are absolutely necessary.”

“In the past, I wrote more lyrics in English. So it might be more comfortable. “It is possible.”

In fact, when I learned lyric writing from Uncle Miller on a deserted island, I wrote all of it in English.

But Director Grant seemed even more surprised to hear what I said.

“Before? “If it were you before…”

“Even though I’m like this, I have quite a bit of experience composing and writing lyrics. “You could say that my debut was surprisingly late.”

“Hehehe. “When Seojin is talking to you, it’s full of unbelievable things.”

Director Grant said he would return to the United States immediately tomorrow.

There is some work to be done at ⌜DreamSounds⌟ headquarters due to a contract matter.

He said he would also meet singer Walker.

“You said ⌜DreamSounds⌟ headquarters is in LA, right?”

“okay. It’s always a warm place. “If you were to compare it with Korea, you can think of LA as having the weather of fall in Korea right now.”

“It’s good. “If I get a chance, I’ll have to go there.”

“Is it okay if you follow me this time?”

I shook my head.

“I thought it would be more convenient to finish the song in Korea. It takes quite a long time to travel back and forth to the United States. “Besides, as I said, there are things I have to do here.”

“i get it. Then I will be waiting for your song to be completed in America. “Only then will you be able to start anything.”

After chatting with Director Grant, I stopped by Hongdae for a moment.

It’s been a while since I wanted to play the guitar to my heart’s content.

⌜Let’s prosper⌟ The hyungs welcomed me like always.

“Hehe! Who is this? Aren’t you a big name in the Korean music industry? A composer and pianist who signed a contract with ⌜Moonlight⌟, received the blessings of ⌜Schmid⌟, and has now earned the shield of ⌜DreamSounds⌟!”

“Is it too grand?”

“But it’s a fact, right?”

“what······. “Yes, it is.”

“Tsk tsk. Look. It’s been a while, Seojin. But it seems like it’s gotten bigger again?”

“It’s adolescence where you have to grow up every day. “Of course it should be.”

“I first saw you in elementary school, but I can’t believe you’re already 15 years old… Hey. “You say you can’t believe it?”

Daesung hyung walks towards me with his arm around his shoulder.

Only after I hit my fist with my brother’s outstretched fist did he release me.

Hongdae was quiet.

But ⌜Let’s be great⌟ was no longer idle.

After ⌜Let’s Daeseong⌟ took over the recording of singer Hyunpil Jang’s session, he said that he was called to many places as word of his 6th album spread.

Today is a weekday so I’m just in Hongdae.

It is said that they are usually called to other performance venues on weekends.

He said that he often had to film for broadcasts.

“You know the music program called ⌜Empathy⌟ on EBC? You went out there last time, right? Thanks to you, Seojin, my older brothers became successful. “Good luck.”

“That’s because you guys are good at it…”

“No thanks? Anyway, thank you. ⌜Let’s prosper⌟ We’re the busiest we’ve been since our launch. “If I do well, Ilseong, Leeyeon, and Deuksu will be able to quit their part-time jobs.”

“Good for you.”

“Well, I guess it’s just you. I heard the Singapore concert was also successful? Congratulations. “We should go see your recital sometime.”

“Then I guess I should schedule a performance in Korea. “I want to invite my brothers.”

“young. “I mean.”

“Is it true?”

“done. Hey.”

I had already become very used to Daesung’s older brother’s crude way of speaking.

After spending some time at the Star Musical Instrument Store, we moved to the Star Live House.

Deuksu, Leeyeon, and Ilseong appeared in that order.

Although it wasn’t a regular performance day, the hyungs went up on stage to practice and be great.

I also took a seat in a corner of the stage.

I personally played the keyboard needed for the songs on Daeseongja’s 5th album.

They say they usually do it through MR, but today they got to perform all the songs live.

As it was an irregular performance, only a few people came to see it on time.

Passing through the streets of Hongdae, the audience saw the sign and paid only the price of a drink.

Their number was only about 20 people.

Still, it was enough.

The drums that break the beat and the bass that plays the low notes.

Gorgeous electric guitar and keyboard.

And one vocalist fills the concert hall.

⌜Let’s do it⌟ After the performance, I was assigned a solo stage of about 30 minutes.

In front of the remaining 17 audience members and ⌜Let’s do our best⌟ brothers.

I played famous pop songs on acoustic guitar.

These are all songs I learned from Uncle Miller on a desert island.

The distance between the audience and the stage was very close.

I wore only one mask and revealed my voice without any addition or subtraction.

The music is getting more and more ripe.

Better than the song I sang on the desert island back then.

Even though it’s a little younger, the current song is better.

The guitar I learned the chords from Mr. Miller by fumbling.

I have become more proficient at playing guitar now.

Time goes by.

I played music there.

Daily.

Every single day.

That was enough.

The small audience cheered me loudly, and the promised performance time ended with a sad ending.

When the audience all left the venue, the ⌜Let’s Do It⌟⌟ brothers also went down the stage, saying they would clean up the live house.

Here, with a single pin light brightly illuminating the stage, I sat down on the stairs above the stage and tried to pick out the guitar chords.

B7 to B7/F#.

B7/F# to E7.

Listening to the chords of an acoustic guitar that feels a bit old-fashioned.

I tried humming to soothe the regret that remained in me.

A song that doesn’t have lyrics yet.

So, I tried singing the song in my mind.

The guys who were organizing the concert hall ⌜Let’s do it⌟ stand in a panic and look at me.

Silently and without saying anything.

It stays there until the moment the song ends.

“her. “What is he…”

“You mean it’s always surprising? “That’s a new song that Seojin is composing, right?”

“Maybe so? It’s amazing. “I got a little emotional.”

“I guess I came to Hongdae today because I wanted to play that song. Is that right, Seojin?”

Finally, Daesung answered his brother’s cry.

“that’s right. “I wanted to sing this song on stage first.”

The place where this song should truly be delivered was America.

LA, USA.

I hope my thoughts are conveyed well to the singer there named Jack Walker…

I hugged my guitar once again.

* * *

An empty concert hall.

An elderly man trudges towards the man sitting alone on the stage.

The man glanced at the older man and opened his mouth.

“Time flies so quickly. “It seems like only yesterday that I met bassist Grant.”

Grant looked at him and smiled slightly.

“okay. “It seems like that, seeing that a singer who couldn’t even get past the youth stage has suddenly become a sly guy.”

“What are you doing here? “Didn’t you say you were away on a business trip somewhere?”

“The job was done well. “So I came here.”

“Did you see my performance?”

“okay.”

“How was it?”

“You’ve definitely become more skilled than then. “You’re better than most vocalists in America.”

The man smiled and shook his head.

“The time when I thought I was at my best has already passed. A stage like this is enough for me. All you need is a stage where you can sing.”

“I thought you wanted to move forward again. “Isn’t that what it was?”

“Anyone who sings always keeps that feeling somewhere in their heart. But I signed a contract with ⌜DreamSounds⌟ because of such a grand dream.”

“then?”

“well. Maybe it was because of longing? I suddenly remembered that time too. That was when I was just starting my career as the opening act of ⌜Desert 21⌟. I didn’t really have an agency right now. Bassist Grant was trustworthy.”

“That’s why it’s bland.”

“Like always. “I may have been worn out, knowingly or unknowingly, while working in this industry.”

The man strummed his acoustic guitar lightly.

The transparent and clear sound of the guitar resonates to the end of the concert hall.

Grant walked right in front of the man.

And handed him the sheet music.

“What’s this?”

“Your new song.”

“I won’t sing anymore unless it’s a song I wrote. “You know bassist Grant well.”

“Even though it’s free to watch?”

Grant’s lame joke.

In the end, the man grinned and accepted the sheet music he gave him.

“Are you just going to watch?”

“You want to do whatever you want.”

“You seem confident.”

“Because it’s a song you might like.”

“There is no such thing in this world.”

“I guess we’ll see.”

After a bit of an argument, the man started looking at the sheet music.

slowly.

One word, one word at a time.

however······.

At some point, the man’s face began to change completely.

He looked at the score carefully with a slightly serious expression.

The man, Jack Walker, glared at Grant.

“Producer Miller’s score. “Where did you find this?”

“in korea.”

“yes?”

“A new composer has appeared. A composer who goes by the stage name MJ. “This is a song he wrote.”

Grant looked at Walker and asked again quietly.

really.

Are you saying you won’t sing unless it’s a song you wrote?

“······.”

Walker didn’t even answer Grant’s question.

I started looking at the sheet music again.