The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 69



Only Noblemtl

69 I will take your place

* * *

Early Wednesday morning.

Saebom-dong ⌜Star-counting night⌟ flower shop.

“Seojin, just leave it alone. Mom can do it, but why bother…”

“I’m just helping with cleaning. And anyway, I have to go to the academy when I have time.”

For the past few days, I have been helping out at the flower shop my mother runs.

Every year around this time, flower shops are very busy.

A time when graduation and enrollment are concentrated.

According to my mother, a significant portion of the year’s sales come from this time.

Thanks to this, there were quite a few part-time ladies at the flower shop, but I also came out whenever I could to help with cleaning.

This made me feel at ease.

“You are a good son. “It was a good thing.”

“How can Seojin remain the same every year? “It’s so pretty I’m dying!”

“I heard that this year, folk tales were even honored?”

“oh. I heard the kid next door to us fell. Seojin is amazing, isn’t he?”

“Seojin’s mom, you don’t have to eat anymore. “Are you just saying I’m going to be full?”

The ladies’ chatter.

My mother smiled shyly but told me to go quickly.

“Once you enter school, you won’t have much more time, so just play now. huh? Seojin, you were very busy not long ago.”

“I just wanted to do that…”

“Sweet! Don’t talk nonsense! Stay still. Mom will at least give me some pocket money today. “She said she was meeting her friend in the afternoon, right?”

“yes. But he has a lot of money…”

“Sweet! “Mom said she would give it to me!”

“······.”

I can’t say anything. In the end, I was almost kicked out of the flower shop after receiving 50,000 won in pocket money from my mother.

I heard that my mother was busy and my father was out of his mind because he was away from the publishing company for a long time on a trip to Europe.

Because of that, the time to go see ⌜13th Month Story⌟ with my family was postponed a little.

This was the decisive reason why I went to see a movie with Ha-eun today.

‘Because it would be better to go with a friend rather than alone.’

While Lee Ha-eun was in the middle of taking piano lessons, I took a German class at a language school.

Before school started, I devoted most of the morning to classes, and thanks to this, my listening and talking skills were improving little by little. I hoped that everyday conversation would be possible before the competition.

After the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd period classes, I went outside the academy. An alleyway in a downtown area bustling with people. The meeting place was in front of this statue, a little away from there.

‘I’ll just have to meet you at the academy.’

Lee Ha-eun is definitely unique.

Today was a day with many demands.

After waiting for a while, a small shadow began to appear in the distance. Still, it was a bit big. Just as I had grown by about 7 to 8 cm in half a year, Ha-eun seemed to have grown that much as well.

‘Well… so in the end it feels the same.’

It seemed like Ha-eun had finally found me. He hurries towards me.

“Did you wait long?”

“no. She didn’t wait long. And you’re not late. “I came quickly.”

Haeun sighs.

“phew. “Then I’m glad.”

“But didn’t our language school end at the same time? “What were you doing at the academy?”

“Uh… wait… I had something to ask the teacher.”

“You always asked me, right?”

“Well, it was like that, right?”

“however?”

“······.”

A slightly embarrassed expression.

But the answer that followed was rather confident.

“Hmm! Anyway, there was such a thing! “What are you so curious about?”

“Because artists have to live with curiosity, right?”

“······ okay. This is Han Seo-jin. But for now, let’s turn off that artist mode for a moment. “We were going to see a movie.”

“I think it would be better to understand movies if you look at them from an artist’s perspective.”

“Seojin. The perspective of the general audience is also important. Actually, it’s hard for musicians to look at their music objectively, right? But wouldn’t today be such an opportunity? “If you put your mind to it.”

“······.”

“how is it?”

“······.”

For some reason, Lee Ha-eun started speaking in a slow-moving manner. But then again, it wasn’t completely wrong and I easily accepted it.

“That is correct. Try changing your perspective. “That was a good point.”

“yes?”

“Then today… I’ll try turning off the artist mode you mentioned.”

“good. That’s how you do it. “It’s getting better.”

“······.”

I told Ha-eun that I created the music for this movie. After the preview, before the name MJ became known to the public.

I felt like I would be disappointed if I found out later.

Ha-eun always supported what I did. Not only recently, but also in the past.

When I got an unremarkable grade in a competition, he bought me a drink and talked to me often. At that time, it was actually me who didn’t respond.

As I spent more time with him, old things that I thought I had forgotten came back to me.

Even the little things.

‘Now that I think about it, he was quite an old friend…’

Haeun started walking slightly ahead of me. Still, she chatteringly talks about what happened today.

A story about an ugly cat I saw on the street this morning.

The story of the girl in the seat next to me who was snoring and sleeping while taking class.

And they even said that they were really looking forward to the movie.

As we chatted excitedly, we were able to quickly arrive at the building where the movie theater was located.

Before entering the first floor of the building.

I watched Ha-eun speak and asked her indifferently.

“But this is your first time seeing your hair down?”

“······ uh?”

“Normally, you tie it tightly at the back. “Why did you solve it today?”

“······.”

Lee Ha-eun rubbed her head for no reason, perhaps because of what I said.

“Do you know this now?”

“no. I knew it from the beginning, but we kept talking about different things. “I’m just asking now.”

“······ I see.”

“Your hair is longer than you think?”

“any. “It’s uncomfortable when I play the piano, so I usually tie it up.”

“also. I think it was because of the piano. But you look good with that hair too.”

“······ Yes? “I see.”

“Let’s go now. We have a lot of work to do. You should bring pamphlets, buy popcorn and nachos, and try churros and hot dogs. “I asked you to spend your time watching a movie instead of eating, so you should feel secure.”

“I’m fine.”

“If you don’t eat, you could die. “Don’t take any risks.”

“······.”

“For your information, I’m going to shoot everything today? You bought tteokbokki last time. Plus, I even received pocket money today. “You can’t say anything else today?”

“Well, how can you do that!”

“also! also! Whatever. Because it was decided from last time. I will definitely live today. Understand?”

“······.”

Lee Ha-eun looked at me, wiggled her hands like a pianist, and then nodded.

“······ okay.”

.

.

.

The movie theater was quiet around lunchtime on Wednesday.

There were a few people near the ticket booth and concession stand, but it seemed like there were virtually none.

Thanks to this, there was no problem buying snacks.

Especially the sweet-tasting caramel popcorn.

Ha-eun carefully picked up the popcorn I was holding and ate it, then exclaimed.

“and! delicious!”

“This is always true. “But is this your first time eating this?”

“That’s not true, I just think it tastes better today.”

“It actually tastes better when you eat it after a long time.”

“hmm. is it?”

Meanwhile, all the nachos, drinks, and churros I ordered came out.

After a while, admission to the movie theater began.

I uploaded the ticket information from the movie theater app and showed it to the staff. But the staff member comes out and Ha-eun looks at her face.

And he.

“I’m sorry, sir, but you didn’t come with your guardian? then···”

He asked us the expected questions.

I confidently cleared my throat once, and Ha-eun naturally brushed her hair. He also wanted to be a little more bossy. That wasn’t polite.

We immediately showed our youth ID to the staff. This is a youth ID card that was useful when participating in competitions.

The movie ⌜Story of the 13th Month⌟ was intended for ages 12 and up.

If you are under the age of 12, you must be accompanied by a guardian to see this movie.

But to us, this wasn’t a big deal.

The staff member who was checking the youth ID smiled and greeted us.

“Then have fun. “Guests.”

On the way into building 7, Ha-eun spoke to me in an excited state.

“To be honest, I was nervous! Amazing, Great! “It’s been a few months since I turned 12, and I’m still excited!”

“I heard you felt that way for no reason?”

“But if they did an ID check on us… does that mean we look young? Is it good? “Is it bad?”

“It depends on what you think. Lee Ha-eun, you were young.”

“Tsk tsk. okay. Seojin, I think you look young too.”

As we talked about something unusual, we soon arrived at building 7.

There were already a few people sitting in the movie theater seats, and they were chatting.

Building 7, Row J, Numbers 9 and 10.

As I sat down, the screen came into view at a glance.

There was an advertisement going on, and I saw a familiar face among them.

Ha-eun is surprised and whispers to me.

“You’re the singer Kwon Seol-ha, right?”

“huh. I heard you filmed a cosmetics commercial last time. “He was doing well.”

“Amazing, Great···. You’re so pretty… Sophisticated…”

“But when I actually see him in person, I get worried because he seems like a very foolish person. Should I say that it is like a child released into the water? “She is my older sister, but she is only older.”

“okay? “That’s surprising.”

“huh.”

‘There was an incident in the waiting room last time…’

I meant this

Ha-eun also briefly asked me about ⌜13th Month’s Story⌟. I focused on the interpretation of ⌜The Unreachable Letter⌟ rather than the content of the movie.

What major and minor scales were used?

What kind of feeling did you have when creating the song?

What was my intention?

Ha-eun lowered her voice even further and answered.

“There’s something amazing about being able to hear explanations directly from the composer.”

“There is no need to keep paying attention to the music because it only appears in the last scene. “Just watch the movie comfortably.”

“With artist mode turned off?”

“That’s it.”

After about 10 minutes, the lights in the movie theater began to dim.

The title finally appears on the screen.

A movie that I only saw through the script and pre-edited footage.

⌜Story of the 13th month⌟.

The curtain has risen.

.

.

.

‘Uh-huh.’

Meanwhile, Lee Ha-eun couldn’t tell whether the cola was going into her nose or mouth.

‘Is it because it’s dark?’

Maybe so.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to the movie theater.

* * *

The movie was a story about the main character, Gyeongtae.

Gyeongtae has dreamed of becoming an actor since he was young.

However, due to his father’s successive business failures, he was unable to receive proper support, and has worked part-time since high school to make his dream come true.

My father felt sorry for Gyeongtae.

My family’s situation is not good, but I feel like I’m only causing trouble, so I unintentionally get angry.

Gyeong-tae does not give up on his dream even though he is at odds with his father.

At a house in a small town, I go up to the roof alone at night and practice acting.

All I have is an old smartphone.

That was the only educational material available.

However, the world was not easy.

I made a mistake on the practical exam for my university’s theater and film department and had to retake the exam.

Gyeong-tae, who started working part-time at a cafe, meets Seo-hee, a senior who attends the university of his choice.

Seo Hee dreams of becoming a writer.

The two find out what they have in common and little by little their love begins to blossom.

Wishing each other happiness.

Wishing each other success.

Just as a tree eventually bears fruit after a long period of hardship, Gyeong-tae succeeds in getting lucky all at once.

The world was beautiful.

I felt like I had everything.

School life was fun, I was happy with Seohee, and I felt like I had everything in my hands.

at that time.

Gyeong-tae’s father dies in an accident.

Without any warning.

Due to a traffic accident at a crosswalk.

Death was so absurd that I didn’t even have time to say hello to my father.

My father was working at various jobs. He worked 18 hours a day to avoid passing on the debt he owed from his own failed business to his family.

Menial labor, designated driver, delivery service.

My father, who had carried the burden alone for years, reduced his debt from hundreds of millions of won to 15 million won, and passed away just as the end was in sight.

And that day, he receives a breakup notice from Seohee.

I couldn’t even ask why.

Since it was a brief story sent through text message, and even school was closed, there was no other way.

The moment I thought I had everything in the world, everything was taken away by the world.

All Gyeongtae had left was his university student ID.

Dreams and hope are gone.

Gyeongtae goes to the army.

A place where you can throw away material things, relationships, and spirit.

Gyeong-tae actually feels comforted by his life there.

After returning to school, Gyeongtae continues to challenge himself.

He participates in all auditions, and doesn’t even hesitate to take on extra roles.

At this time, all of my father’s debts, which would have been resolved by giving up the inheritance, are paid off. In the meantime, interest accumulated and the principal amount doubled, but it didn’t matter.

He moved on to forget the loss.

I tried because I couldn’t lose the only dream I had left.

The opportunity came from a random place.

In the past, an audition was being held at a broadcasting station based on a play written by Seohee, his girlfriend.

Rather than the fear of ‘What if I meet her again?’, I hated giving up on the challenge I was continuing.

Gyeongtae proudly passed the audition.

So I thought I would finally meet Seohee again.

However, Seo Hee’s script was no longer Seo Hee’s.

She had long since passed away due to a long-term illness, and a senior who missed her play began to turn it into a drama.

Gyeong-tae, who was cast as the main character, eventually takes on the work even though his mind is likely to be shaken.

Gyeongtae, who began to receive public attention, began to thrive.

It received attention from all media, and its popularity increases day by day.

The pain of the past faded away, and I became filled with new things and new encounters.

The world sees Gyeongtae as a happy person.

A top star who succeeded at a young age.

A rich person who earns billions of dollars a year.

So is he happy?

Or are you unhappy?

At that time, piano music plays.

At the invitation of a college professor, Gyeongtae’s steps as he went to give a lecture to freshmen were very light.

Many people recognize Gyeongtae at school.

They ask for autographs and want to shake hands.

The manager and security guards stop them, and Kyeong-tae enters the school.

Today was February 29th.

The anniversary of my father’s death comes once every four years.

A day when I remember my farewell to Seo-hee, who comes around once every four years.

Although I normally forget about it, many thoughts came to mind at this time.

The piano starts singing.

The softness that sings of spring changes into the loneliness of fall.

Gyeongtae treats people at university indifferently, but music represents his feelings.

Is he happy?

Or is it unfortunate?

Unless it is.

Do you miss them?

This day, which comes only once every four years, was so cruel.

Others may experience a day like this once a year.

Gyeongtae couldn’t even do that.

Gyeong-tae visits the club room where he and Seo-hee spent time.

Because it was still vacation, there was no one there.

Only traces of Seo Hee remained here and there.

Although there were no items of hers or anything written on them, Gyeongtae could see traces of her.

When I went to the school cafe, soft piano music was playing.

The musician, seeing the situation, suddenly stops playing.

He could not hear anything due to the noise of people around him, and the piano melody suddenly disappeared.

Just as Beethoven asked questions to the audience through the chorus, this music also asks questions.

indeed.

Is Gyeongtae happy or unhappy?

Are you full or full of longing?

If not, does it seem like you miss it?

at that time.

The piano playing progresses rapidly again.

The pianist at the school café, who had stopped playing to watch a celebrity, quickly starts playing the piano.

Gyeongtae didn’t say anything.

I was just being swayed around among the crowded people.

Only the piano lets the audience know how Gyeongtae is feeling.

Gyeongtae had a deep yearning.

I didn’t miss them.

I didn’t even miss those days.

It’s just that the ‘longing’ didn’t go away because I couldn’t even say a brief final goodbye to them.

That was the essence of Gyeongtae’s longing.

Everyone experiences loss.

Gyeongtae was not the only one who suffered a special loss.

Piano music continues to ask the audience.

What was your loss,

How did you solve that?

When there is longing,

What should I do?

When you miss them,

Is there a place to cry?

The sorrow of a day that comes once every four years,

Do you think you know?

The piano endlessly asks questions.

Human emotions are not simple.

You can be happy and unhappy at the same time.

You can miss it and still move forward.

After going through several major and minor keys, the piano melody returned to the first F major…

Sing the song of spring once again.

If there is a letter that ⌜cannot reach you⌟.

I will deliver the letter for you.

For all the sorrow in the world,

He said he would sing it again.

The movie ended like that.

One girl kept rubbing her eyes, as if she didn’t want anyone to see her tears.

One boy calmly listened to piano music.

The movie’s credit screen slowly rolled up.

The audience in the movie theater sat in their seats and stared endlessly at the screen.

That day, a famous film critic carefully writes a blog post.

Thank you to Director Cheon Hee-tae for his excellent screenplay.

Thank you to actor Jeong Hyeon-woo for his excellent acting.

and.

In the beautiful comforting music created by composer MJ…

For the first time in my life, I want to show respect.