While Hyunseung was deep into work on his solo album, Manager Kim arrived at the studio.
“Coffee delivery.”
The moment he entered, a childlike grin spread across his face, clearly excited.
“Hyunseung, want to see something fun?”
Without waiting, he whipped out a tablet already cued to a video and went, “Ta-da!”
What could he possibly be showing…?
Hyunseung nodded half-heartedly, feeling he should play along.
“You know The Moon beat Jaeyi for first place on the music show yesterday? Oh, maybe you don’t.”
Not wanting to raise expectations, Manager Kim nodded humbly and continued.
“Anyway, this is their first-place speech.”
“Why should I watch that?”
“It’s really funny, just once, trust me.”
Before Hyunseung could object further, the clip began.
“Now, who will be week-four champion on Music Core, The Moon or Yoon Jaeyi?”
“Congratulations, this week’s number one is…”
The male MC paused, looking at his cue card.
“The Moon.”
With a pop, a giant balloon burst and confetti rained down.
At the same time, Ahn Jiho collapsed like a newborn foal, then struggled upright on wobbly legs.
“What is he doing now?”
“Keep watching.”
On screen Jiho gripped the mic with shaky hands though his face tried to stay calm.
“First, ah, thank you to our CEO and our manager… and to our All-Night fans. Because of you The Moon has held on until now.”
His voice trembled through the speakers; beside him the members lifted their heads to blink back tears or bowed to hide them.
“Well, well,” Hyunseung chuckled.
“And to composer HS who gave us the great song ‘le seul’ when we were nobodies, thank you as always… thanks to your Eung-heon we won first place.”
Hearing his own name, Hyunseung sighed quietly, embarrassed by their sentiment.
“We will work even harder. Thank you.”
It would have been funnier if he cried again, but Jiho finished calmly then bowed ninety degrees.
Scroll scroll.
⤷ Folks, you are witnessing the birth of Foal-Jiho. (2,431 likes)
Skimming the comments, Hyunseung muttered, “Foal-Jiho?” and shook his head.
⤷ Lol crazy, Foal-Jiho
⤷ That joke is killer, so funny
⤷ After Eungheon-Jiho now Foal-Jiho, secretly a comedy character
⤷ Foal-Jiho, sending Eung-heon~!
His eyes look sharp enough to kill, yet he always slips at odd moments.
Scroll scroll.
⤷ The gap between Jiho’s face and actions is wild, looks like a husky but acts like a maltipoo
⤷ Seeing The Moon tear up is touching, three years unknown then first win, how must they feel
⤷ They fight so hard, I hope they walk only a flower path from now on
⤷ Maybe Jiho really can’t pronounce “won” and says “heon” instead?
After a moment Hyunseung closed the tablet with a tap.
“That should be enough.”
“Funny, right?”
“Foal-Jiho is amusing.”
“The kid is clumsy.”
“Anyway, how’s the casting?”
Manager Kim shrugged.
“Why ask the obvious?” He flipped his notebook. “Lee Young-ah, Kang Hajun, even Teacher Moon Beom-jae all said yes without hearing the songs. But didn’t you say five tracks?”
“One is still on hold and for the last one I asked personally, but there’s no reply.”
“You asked personally?”
“Yes. Maybe because it’s the title track they feel pressured.”
Manager Kim tilted his head, surprised both that Hyunseung asked and that the other party hesitated.
“So who on earth is it?”
Kim Gwang-jin sat in deep thought.
Reject? Accept?
The loop never ended.
It had been years since he released music or stood on stage, and age made singing hard. Being the sole feature on HS’s title track felt daunting; many younger singers fit current tastes far better. His voice might even ruin the song.
Dragging his feet without refusing was pure greed.
While hosting K-Singer Star, he had seen HS’s genius and secretly wanted to sing one of his songs. How could he not feel greedy when HS asked first?
Still, he should step aside for younger artists.
He closed his eyes, planning to rest briefly then reply.
Ding.
A message from HS: [Regardless of featuring, I would value your opinion on the song. Could you visit my studio sometime?]
If he asks this much, I should at least listen… though it will torment me again.
Next day, Kim Gwang-jin went to LS Entertainment to find HS’s private studio.
Each step tightened his nerves.
“Here, I think.”
After wandering he reached a door labeled HS.
Ahem.
He knocked lightly.
Creak.
As if expected, the door opened.
“Sir, welcome.”
A man he had never seen stood there.
“Are you HS?”
“Ah, it is your first time seeing my face.”
Indeed, it was his first time seeing HS without a mask. Rumor said he was handsome; the rumor was true, a perfect idol-worthy face.
“May I come in?”
He decided not to mention looks and stepped inside.
“Coffee or tea?”
“Water, please.”
“Make yourself comfortable.”
He sat, eyeing the room. The studio matched HS, simple and cool, yet the gear showed heavy use and the instruments were neatly lined up. A family photo on the console caught his eye. They looked close.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“When else could I see a top composer’s studio? I should thank you.”
“Someone like you would be welcomed by any composer.”
After brief pleasantries, HS began.
“I plan to release this album under a different pen name, not HS.”
“May I ask why?”
“Every song I release charts well. Even if I put out garbage, people would listen because of the name HS.”
Kim Gwang-jin listened quietly.
“Of course I wouldn’t make garbage, but I wonder if success is purely my skill.”
“That thought is natural, though your songs deserve success.”
“I am not worried,” HS said firmly. “Since you might feature, I wanted to tell you. I will not lean on the HS name, please trust me.”
Kim Gwang-jin hesitated. His concern was not the name or sales.
HS seemed to sense it. “Feel free to speak.”
“I actually came to decline,” he began. “It has been a long time since I held a mic on stage. Singing feels heavy now. I should yield to a younger singer who can handle it better, especially on your title track.”
HS fetched a microphone and handed it to him.
“Sir, how did you feel holding a mic in your youth?”
Clutching it, memories returned.
“It felt great, like grabbing a bundle of cash. The thrill made me lose myself.”
“Have you wished to go back?”
“Of course.”
“Then I will take you back.”
“What do you mean?”
HS played a track.
♪ ♪ ♪
Kim Gwang-jin soon nodded to the melody, absorbed. A simple tune without lyrics, yet longing rose in him. He missed the friends who had burned their youth with guitars on street corners.
“This song is called Blue Spring. It captures youth when new buds sprout green.”
“No wonder it felt nostalgic.”
“I believe you are the only instrument that can convey its meaning.”
Silence followed the outro.
“If you are willing…” He clenched his fist. “May I sing this song?”
“I would welcome it with open arms,” HS said, extending his hand.
“I am counting on you.”
“Likewise.”
Their clasped hands shook lightly.
“Don’t go easy because I am old.”
“Not a chance.”
“Haha, I feel strangely nervous.”
Kim Gwang-jin, called the father of the music scene, had just decided to return to the days of youth.
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