Raising a Neglected Singer-Songwriter - Chapter 103



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Raising a Neglected Singer-Songwriter Episode 103

103. Breaking the seal

There is a famous saying from a famous foreign soccer coach.

SNS is a waste of life!

That legendary quote sounded an alarm to many people who were wasting their time all day long on social media, and at one point it had such a huge impact that it even caused an anti-SNS syndrome.

However, this phenomenon did not last very long.

It was because of an unexpected disaster.

covid-19.

An unprecedented respiratory disease has brought social media back to the world!

People were forced to stay indoors to avoid infection.

So, in the end, the only things you can do are TV, computer, and cell phone.

Which of these is the easiest and most accessible?

Of course, it has to be a cell phone.

In the apocalypse where the epidemic is rampant.

For people who have become homebodies, their only point of contact with the world is through their cell phones, and especially through social media, where countless people’s diverse stories and stimulating content are gathered.

As SNS has become established as a means of communication, celebrities have also begun to actively use SNS as a space to communicate with their fans.

They share their everyday lives that are ordinary to them, but special and glamorous to fans.

Or, you can post photos of a new movie that is about to be released, a new album that is about to be released, or an advertisement for a brand that you have been selected as a model for.

The latter is actually closer to a promotional marketing campaign than a communication campaign.

And the effect was more enormous than you could imagine.

For example, the number of followers on the official Instagram of a certain Hallyu star actor who rose to fame through the Flexnet series exceeds 9 million.

As expected from a global star, the comments include flags and languages ​​from all over the world.

Although he doesn’t post that often, he consistently receives attention, averaging 1.5 million likes.

During the time when COVID-19 was sweeping the world, the KF94 mask advertised by the actor was called the mask with the actor’s name on it, and there was even a rumor that fans around the world were inquiring about purchasing it.

Anyway, the influence of celebrity SNS has grown enormously.

It has now become a must-have for almost all celebrities.

one side,

The reason Sungjun didn’t use SNS was simple.

I just don’t really care and I’m not interested.

But now it has become necessary to operate it even though it is cumbersome.

Because I became a singer.

I’ve already talked to the marketing team about how to operate it.

Cut the weight of everyday photos in half.

The remaining half is planned to be used for advertisement photos of herself as a model, as well as photos and videos for album promotions, events, etc.

All uploading and photo selection was left to MXM Entertainment.

I tried to minimize the amount of effort I had to put into social media.

However, the actual opening was still on hold.

“I’m looking at the best timing. Please wait a little longer.”

Just like when we released the press release about the last MXM Entertainment recruitment,

The marketing team is preparing for the right time to make a splendid SNS debut.

It was Sungjun who believed in their plan.

“Well, our marketing team is known throughout the industry for their great work. Oh, and they all came.”

Seongjun gets out of the car at Oh Hae-soo’s words.

The destination was the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Grand Theater.

This is the very place where the musical ‘The Laughing Clown’ starring Hong Kwang-woo is being screened.

“I’ll help you check your tickets.”

Sungjun, wearing a hat pulled down low and a mask, hands over the ticket he received as a gift from Hong Kwangwoo.

I thought I would never be recognized, even with my horn-rimmed glasses on.

“Excuse me… are you singer Sungjun…?”

The ticket-checking staff asked cautiously.

No, how do you all know that 70% of the face is covered?

To that question, Oh Hae-soo would always answer, “How do you hide your celebrity aura, hyung?”

At times like this, I sometimes wonder if I raised the [Force] level too high.

Fortunately, it wasn’t that surprising since celebrities like Sungjun frequently visit musical theaters.

I was able to be guided to my seat without much fuss or commotion.

(Of course, I secretly signed the paper the staff member handed me.)

“This is it. This is a really nice spot.”

This is the VIP seating on the first floor.

I looked up the price and it was around 150,000 won.

Since it’s Chapter 2, Hong Gwang-woo donated 300,000 won.

“But, brother, I feel sorry for something. For coming with me for no reason.”

“What are you talking about? Haesu, you should enjoy some cultural activities too. You’ve been going through a lot because of me. Let’s hang out like this more often.”

“Sigh, brother… I want to take care of you for the rest of my life.”

Oh Hae-soo’s eyes widen as if he is touched.

By the way, it had actually been a long time since Sungjun had been to see a musical.

I’ve only been there when I was young or with my parents.

I don’t even remember which show I saw.

The unfamiliar sensation naturally makes you look around.

The overall atmosphere in the audience is quite different from that on stage where the singers stand.

What should I say, a more calming feeling?

The fact that the performance takes place indoors,

And because the genre characteristic of musicals, which include acting and narrative, makes the audience ‘appreciate’ the stage more focusedly.

As I sat there waiting with a refined mood, the musical soon started.

First of all, the Overture announced the start of today’s performance.

An overture is an overture that consists of only a melody and no lyrics. It is performed in a medley format with the ‘numbers’ in the piece to help the audience understand the overall mood of the piece. Number 1 is an overture.

And here, ‘number’ means ‘all the songs that appear in the musical.’

The English word ‘Number’ as we know it means numbers.

If you look at the musical script and sheet music, there are numbers written in front of each song, and those are the numbers.

A musical has a clear story line, and songs are added to the story to further progress the story.

Also, the lyrics of each song are the actors’ lines. If the order of the songs is changed, the story changes.

Soon a familiar face wearing medieval costume and wig appeared on stage.

Today’s protagonist, Hong Kwang-woo, has his lips torn like the Joker’s.

‘It’s Gwangwoo Oppa!’

‘Crazy, so cool!’

As he appears, there is a hushed uproar throughout the audience.

As it was their home ground, their popularity was immense.

This is something I found out later when I looked it up.

It is said that Park Hye-shin took on the lead role in the premiere of ‘The Laughing Clown’.

And the role was taken over by the next generation musical star, Hong Kwang-woo.

It seems that the ‘successor’ of the four heavenly kings of vocals had quite a big meaning in the musical world.

It is no different from being chosen as someone who can be compared to Park Hye-shin’s vocals.

It was thanks to Hong Kwang-woo’s deep voice and his handsome visuals.

Well, anyway, back to the ‘laughing clown’.

If I were to summarize the story of ‘The Laughing Clown’, which was based on a novel by a great French author, in three lines, it would be like this.

A man whose mouth was torn in an accident and who came to hate the world and people.

I was living as a clown in a circus, taking advantage of my looks.

You realize true love when you meet someone who sees you for who you are inside, not just your ugly exterior.

In some ways, it’s a cliché story.

However, the acting skills and vocals of the actors who appeared in ‘The Laughing Clown’ elevated the predictable narrative into art.

In particular, the overwhelming vocals of Hong Kwang-woo, who played the lead role, took on the role of hard carry.

“Now close those eyes! See through the truth with only your heart!”

Hong Kwang-woo passionately sings the most famous representative number of ‘Laughing Clown’, ‘Close Those Eyes’.

It’s the same song that was sung at street karaoke.

‘Oh my, you sing so well and thrillingly.’

At that time, the place was on the street, so the sound was scattered.

Listening again in a concert hall with surround sound, the depth of the vocalization is felt even more clearly.

At the same time, through this intuition, I was experiencing the difference in vocalization between musical actors and singers who sing popular songs.

No, it would be more accurate to say that the ‘grammar’ is different for each genre.

Since pop songs must show more musical characteristics and individuality, they tend to be quite free in pronunciation and enunciation.

On the other hand, in the case of musicals, accurate delivery of lyrics is of the utmost importance.

Hong Kwang-woo’s songs also seemed to focus on making the audience understand each and every word of the lyrics accurately, regardless of whether the lyrics were low, mid, or high.

However, for the sake of various acting and expressions, sometimes he sang closer to a pop song and sometimes closer to a vocal music.

When showing anger, the vocal cords were not released even when the breathing pressure was maintained strongly.

When acting sad, it was impressive how he maintained his pronunciation so that it sounded clear even while holding his breath.

To sum up,

Rather than simply focusing on one song, it felt like the goal of the song was to connect the drama from beginning to end so that the audience’s immersion would not be lost in the middle of the play.

‘Even when I first saw him, he was a vocal monster…’

I’ve grown a lot since then.

Previously, it felt like he was only interested in showing off his outstanding vocal skills.

Watching the stage today, I could clearly see that in addition to that, he had the skill to communicate with the audience and control the tension.

I didn’t even realize that I was the one who had triggered that.

So the long runtime that started with Act 1, intermission, and continued through Act 2 ends.

A curtain call was held featuring the actors who gave passionate performances.

As the lead and supporting actors who sang each number walked to the front of the stage holding hands and greeting each other, the audience erupted in warm applause and cheers.

Meanwhile, today was a ‘curtain call day’ where cameras were allowed to be used, and there was chaos everywhere with cameras in hand.

And the main character who received the attention of so many camera lenses,

Hong Gwang-woo was smiling with a very bright face.

At that smile, I suddenly remembered what Hong Gwang-woo had said.

– Come see a performance sometime. I’m sure Sungjun will become interested in musicals too.

‘It was true.’

This performance made me interested in musicals.

My heart races as I imagine performing in front of an audience on a new stage.

On the one hand, I think it would be fun to create a musical number someday.

I don’t know when that will be, but

Another challenge has been added to Sungjun’s ‘music bucket list’.

*

The reunion with Hong Kwang-woo was not a musical viewing day,

It happened a few days later at the broadcasting station.

A music variety show in which two people have confirmed their appearance.

It was a pre-meeting for ‘Begin One More’.

Hong Gwang-woo, who naturally sat down next to Seong-jun, greeted him.

“How was the performance that day?”

“Thanks to you, I really enjoyed it, senior. I was touched.”

“Are you a little interested? Oh, but when I glanced over, I saw you came with a guy. Why didn’t you come with your girlfriend?”

“I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“It’s not coming over. Hehe.”

Hong Gwang-woo lets out a snicker.

Meanwhile, in addition to the two, singers who were scheduled to appear on ‘Begin One More’ this season are starting to show up one by one.

They were all faces that were familiar from TV.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who have taken the time out of your busy schedule to be here. I am Byun Sang-woon, the main producer of ‘Begin One More’ this season. There may be some of you who are meeting for the first time, so let’s briefly introduce ourselves and then proceed with the meeting.”

A brief self-introduction followed, starting with main PD Byun Sang-woon.

The first order was, of course, the youngest (rookie).

“Hello, I’m singer-songwriter Sungjun. I’m honored to be able to have fun busking with such great people. Please take care of me.”

Seongjun’s greeting elicits exclamations from those around him.

“Wow, I got to see in person the most promising talent in the music industry, someone who is said to be hard to meet!”

“I acknowledge PD Byun’s casting ability!”

When it was Hong Gwang-woo’s turn, the production team’s reaction was also hot.

It was an effort to create a pleasant pre-meeting atmosphere.

Then, a female artist with a healthy beauty and tanned skin bowed her head and said.

“Hello, this is Sister Hyoryeon.”

‘Summer Queen’, the main vocalist of girl group Sisters, who releases a song that stays at the top of the music charts every summer.

It was Hyo-ryeon who was known for her singing skills that were on par with idols.

Sungjun also listened to Sisters’ songs so much in the military that they were stuck in his ears.

In the bathroom, in the barracks. Even the Gisong Sisters said it all.

It was a new experience to meet her in person, with whom I had such a great inner intimacy.

And then the next big thing stood up.

“I’m singer Haram. Nice to meet you.”

The most frequent guest on ‘Begin One More’.

It was singer-songwriter Haram, also known as the “Tteojwi Daegam.”

That’s right, that guy with the trademark bald head and horn-rimmed glasses.

Haram expressed his ambition to share the overseas busking know-how he has accumulated with his juniors.

Finally, the leader of this busking expedition appeared.

A veteran musician who will unite and lead young artists.

Ryu Young-seok had a wider musical spectrum than anyone else.

“Seongjun, I see you again.”

Ryu Young-seok winks and flies away.

He is not a singer,

He is in charge of coordinating opinions among the members, directing live performances, and playing the piano, which is his specialty.

Another session features all-round musician Haram on drums.

Sungjun will also be playing acoustic and electric guitar accompaniment.

Anyway, these are the five members of the advance party.

It is said that an additional four people will be added as a follow-up.

Then, PD Byun Sang-woon mentioned the members’ names, and each and every one of them was so awesome that it made us exclaim in admiration.

‘No, I’m not going to break a seal or anything.’

The elite of the elite. They formed the busking avengers.

It seems that PD Byun Sang-woon is determined to steal the viewer ratings from the same time slot.

“With this many members, we must be going to some amazing places to busk, right?”

When Ryu Young-seok asked with shining eyes, Byun Sang-woon smiled meaningfully.

“The country we will visit this time is···.”

He looked around the room, paused for a moment, and then opened his mouth.

“It’s America.”

[Begin One More: Music Road to America]

Broadcast confirmed!