Chapter 98

098. Preparation (1)

Sound Film Studio.

The students' eyes widen at the large sign on the building.

"Much bigger than I thought..."

"Yeah, I knew it was one of the top companies in the film industry, but I didn't expect it to be this big."

"Plus, it's where Mentor Han Seoho is. He was already famous, and with the success of his album and the revelation of Brinner, he's probably the top in the industry now, right?"

"Probably. I wonder if I can get a part-time job here when I go to college?"

"To do that, you'd need to be an exceptional performer. Since one person can participate in multiple film scores, the competition to work with a company like this is higher than even major competitions."

Major competitions.

For the students, these competitions are those with a well-known history and reputation in the industry. Thus, students without a record of winning such competitions feel disheartened.

"Then, where do ordinary performers make a living? Winning a competition is a dream, and you need to be really good to do film music. Most of the teachers are from the Korean National University of Arts, right?"

"Did you call me? Why?"

"Ah, Teacher. It seems I didn't catch the right wave in life, huh?"

"What? You were so excited about meeting Mentor Han Seoho, why are you like this now?"

Mr. Kim Kihun, who was checking the students' attendance, looked puzzled.

"Since everyone is here, let's go in. We mustn't disturb the staff. Got it? And be sure to greet them properly."

"“Yes!”"

However, it was impossible for the students to remain quiet when shown the recording studio, especially one equipped with the best facilities in the country.

As soon as they entered, exclamations of amazement burst out from all directions.

"Hey, look, there's a wind coming from the walls?"

"Oh, there's a lounge. All the vending machines are 100 won?"

"I'll just have a cup of coffee while waiting for my recording time. Wow, that would be great~."

"Probably not."

"What's wrong with you? Why are you so down?"

"I just got hit with a fact."

"What did they say?"

"Don't ask. You'll get depressed too."

"Quiet, everyone!"

Mr. Kim Kihun quieted the students who were distracted by the lounge and met with Manager Kim Yunju, who had come out of the office.

"Hello. Is Jihoon not here?"

"Yes, he's in a meeting. He should be here when the lecture ends."

"Understood. Then, where should we go...?"

"Please go to the main recording studio at the far end."

Manager Kim Yunju led the way, crossing the corridor and opening the door.

"Thank you—"

The students entered one by one, and Mr. Kim Kihun followed.

Suddenly, a puzzled voice came from inside.

"Huh? Who are you?"

The students blinked at the person who greeted them in the recording studio.

It's a mentoring session with Han Seoho. Naturally, they expected Han Seoho to be there.

"Is this the main recording studio...?"

"Yep."

Mr. Kim Kihun answered as if he already knew and entered. He greeted the large man who welcomed them.

"Hello. You're the performer for the first class today, right?"

"Ah, yes, haha. I'm Yoon Tae-hwan."

"???"

---

"I'm here."

"Oh, sister."

Shin Soo-a opened the door and entered the workroom.

She was to take the second class of the mentoring session.

She approached me and looked at the desk. Sheet music was scattered everywhere, as I had been separating the parts for the conductor's score.

Shin Soo-a asked, looking at the title.

"The largest instrument? Is this the one you made in the practice room during the performance preparation?"

"Yes."

"Is this going to be uploaded to SoundCloud too?"

I had thought about it.

Whether it was good enough to be polished and included in an album, or if it should be uploaded to SoundCloud as a practice piece.

In the past, this piece would have been a keeper.

But perhaps my standards had risen, and I felt it was lacking. As a result, I had to reclassify all the pieces I had kept. With higher standards, many of them were moved to the practice category.

"Probably, it will."

"I see..."

Shin Soo-a nodded and added.

"Listen well."

"Huh?"

"Listen well. To SoundCloud."

She blinked and then smiled.

Perhaps feeling embarrassed about the compliment, Shin Soo-a looked away with a strange expression.

"How is Ho-chan doing these days?"

"He's doing great. The SJ Cultural Foundation is working with SJ Entertainment to take care of him until evening. He's learning Taekwondo and piano, which he always wanted to learn. He's also getting a scholarship for swimming."

"Then, he can return to school now?"

Shin Soo-a nodded slowly. She seemed more relieved than conflicted about being able to focus on music again.

"I'm thinking about it for next year. Until then, I'll save some money."

Good.

I nodded and checked the time.

I was checking how much time was left for Yoon Tae-hwan's 30-minute lecture. Seeing this, Shin Soo-a said with a slightly worried look.

"But, no matter how I think about it, I don't seem to be the right person for this class. It might have been better to give it to Kang Joon-seo."

"Why?"

"What can I say to the students... I was the top violinist in high school, but I didn't live up to the expectations of my teachers."

"Someone has to tell them the reality. But that's not the end of your story, right? We don't know what will happen in the future."

"Will the students accept that?"

"Then, someone has to tell them a different story."

I smiled and continued.

"Everyone is working hard."

Shin Soo-a tilted her head to the side.

"Everyone?"

---

A few days ago, during my meeting with President Yang Gaho.

He laughed at my words.

"You might gather people? That might be satisfying, but it seems like someone else will do it."

"Who?"

President Yang Gaho laughed deeply at the question.

"Last time, when I was talking with the chairman, Vice President Baek Sun-hwa came in. She said she would help SJ Entertainment. I thought her expression was unusual, and it seems she's planning to expand on a larger scale."

"Expand?"

"Her plan is to create the largest agency in Korea that covers all art fields. She seems to be starting with classical music."

He looked at me.

"And who she thinks will lead this... you know, right?"

I stood up from my thoughts, holding the stack of prints I had asked Manager Kim Yunju to prepare.

The time had already passed, and Shin Soo-a's class was over.

I went straight to the main recording studio. Shin Soo-a nodded at me as she came out of the recording studio.

"Thank you, sister."

"I don't know if it was good... I'm going now?"

"No, I have to meet the team leader. He said he's working on another movie OST."

"You're working hard."

I smiled and passed by her.

As I slowly opened the door and entered, the students' gazes fell on me. I smiled and stood facing the mixer, looking down at the students. They greeted me with enthusiastic reactions, but their expressions were not particularly good.

The reason was easy to guess.

"Did you all listen well to the previous lectures?"

"Yes..."

As expected, a weak response.

I smiled and asked.

"How was it?"

A few students replied, "I'm depressed."

When I asked why, they immediately answered.

"Even graduates from the top Korean National University of Arts struggle if they don't get support. Most of us will probably have it even harder."

Hearing this, I clenched my fists.

Actually, it wasn't my problem to answer.

But I kept wanting to answer. I wanted to encourage and support those who aspire to be musicians, like I used to.

I pondered for a moment and then answered.

"Please wait a little. Many people are working hard."

Not just President Baek Hangil, Vice President Baek Sun-hwa, and President Yang Gaho.

The faces of Professor Yoon, pianist Lim Jin-gyu, and myself flashed through my mind.

And, me.

In the past, it was just because I wondered if my father was still making music somewhere.

But the sense of responsibility I felt from the influence I had in New York was growing day by day.

So,

"It will change."

I answered.

I spoke about the future, saying it would change.

How can I be so confident?

Is it a responsible statement?

I don't know.

But one thing is certain.

I've done it before, so it's possible.

I've already changed the entire European social scene.

Mr. Kim Kihun and the students looked at Han Seoho.

Each of them had their own thoughts.

"We've lived similar lives..."

"He's just a young student..."

How can he say such things?

He wants to change the classical music scene.

But his words can't be dismissed as absurd because of the value of the name Han Seoho.

He has already dominated several charts with classical music, made flowers bloom in a barren land under the name Brinner, and brought the world's top maestro, Albert, to Korea. He even requested it himself, saying he wanted to conduct!

It might already be changing.

Looking back, both Yoon Tae-hwan and Shin Soo-a listed their struggles but ultimately said they would keep moving forward.

As these thoughts took root, Han Seoho seemed satisfied and placed the sheet of paper he was holding on the side. It was the list of questions he had received in advance from Mr. Kim Kihun.

"Okay, the first question is answered like this."

"..."

"Right?"

Han Seoho's gaze stopped at one spot. The students turned to look.

Lee Ji-a, who had asked a question that represented the current mood of the students, nodded with a bright smile.

"Then, the next question is... 'Next semester's performance evaluation is a piano and violin duet. How can I get a good score?' Who asked this?"

"It's me. But... it was a rather short-sighted question."

I recognized her.

The girl who said she couldn't reveal her practice piece.

I shook my head at her embarrassed look.

"Such questions are necessary. If you can't solve the immediate problem, it's meaningless to plan for the future."

I pointed to the recording booth, which could easily fit the 30 or so students gathered here.

"Everyone, please go into the booth. I need to explain while you perform."

It was perfect.

The violinist who had worked on the Neil Hauzer exhibition was still at the company.