Ch.217It wasn’t just simple confidence, but conviction based on actual skill?

“He said he can do it?!”

“Yeah, apparently he’s really good at it.”

“Really?! That’s amazing, he can act well, sing well, box well… and even play the piano!”

Unlike Evelyn who was excited about the collaboration.

“Indeed.”

CAE representative Mamila’s expression was indifferent.

‘Is our Evelyn really too naive?’

Does she really believe there’s someone who can do all of that?

In a world where being good at just one of those things is considered remarkable.

How can she firmly believe someone can do all of those things?

‘She doesn’t actually believe those materials, does she?’

Glancing over.

Mamila looked at the screen that was playing on repeat in the corner.

It showed Kim Donghu playing the piano.

Since checking the other party’s filmography was basic procedure.

Of course, she had searched through various works to verify his skills.

And among them, this scene had appeared.

‘La Campanella.’

To conclude, it was indeed a very high-level performance.

‘If he really played it himself, that is.’

If it wasn’t a stand-in.

But having seen countless such cases in Hollywood, Mamila.

Was convinced that scene was 100% performed by a stand-in.

‘It doesn’t make sense.’

And later when they actually shoot the music video.

Would she have to watch Evelyn be disappointed when his TV image was so different from reality?

She wanted to verify properly, but.

“This is so great! I’m really excited!”

She didn’t want to pour cold water on Evelyn who was jumping with joy.

Besides, with that kind of reaction, she calculated it would be faster for her to see and be disappointed firsthand.

People tend to believe only what they see with their own eyes.

And contrary to Mamila’s thoughts.

Somewhere on the opposite side of the earth.

“…Huh?! This feeling?!”

“Director, why are you suddenly acting like this?”

Someone with fancy permed hair suddenly stood up in the middle of a meeting.

“I can feel it.”

“What?”

Even though people around were confused by the sudden behavior.

The man called Director continued without paying attention.

“My most beloved student, my only favorite pupil, my eternal number one, the permanent number in my heart, the source of my inspiration, the undying sun in my heart…! Donghu!”

“S-suddenly Kim Donghu?”

“I can feel that Donghu is about to play the piano….”

“No, I don’t quite understand what you’re saying….”

“It’s coming! The heavenly performer! The demon king of the keyboard!”

Rather cringeworthy lines.

But no one dared to object.

When the director who held all authority in the school said so.

What could they do?

“This is no time for a meeting. After so long, to replay Donghu’s performance….”

“Ah, ah… should we end the meeting then?”

“Of course. And play my favorite video!”

“You mean the one where he walks in playing the violin at graduation, and then plays the piano again?”

“Exactly! Excellent! Precisely!”

At Director Edward Park’s words, the faculty members busily moved around.

They had no idea what wind had suddenly blown to make him act this way.

+++++

On the day of the music video shoot.

I checked the script I had received in advance once more.

“The script follows the song exactly.”

“Is it about not being able to forget a man?”

“Yes, it’s about a breakup. Very popular and mainstream.”

The song “Meet” that Evelyn would sing.

The lyrics are very simple.

How a chance meeting can make someone’s life so sad.

And in this process, by appropriately mixing hip-hop and dance pop genres.

It’s a song that secures popularity while highlighting parts that showcase vocal ability.

To summarize simply, it follows trends while maintaining its own strengths.

It clearly showed the effort poured into it, having been prepared for two years.

“But is there a piano part in such lyrics? It’s disco pop style.”

“I think they want the intro to be slightly classical, and anyway they can adjust it with programming.”

“Really?”

“Yes, they said there will definitely be two-shots at the beginning and end.”

A strategy of establishing weight with classical piano performances at the beginning and end.

And filling the middle with mainstream appeal.

I thought it wasn’t bad.

“So, you’re doing this because you think it will be a hit?”

“What?”

At Seokho hyung’s sudden question, I looked at him wondering what he meant.

“Everything you’ve been in has been successful, don’t you have a good feeling about this one too?”

“Come on, there’s no such thing.”

Previous works were all movies or dramas.

So I could know their success through Sims’ ratings.

But this music video had nothing like that.

Although I was given a script.

This was closer to an instruction manual.

Since music videos don’t really have stories.

But rather movements for good direction.

It was difficult to see any artistic value.

Therefore, not only ratings but even immersion didn’t function.

Of course, I couldn’t explain all this, so.

“I’m just returning the favor for helping with the musical.”

“Right… they said it was unusual for someone to come up to the test site.”

Seokho hyung looked forward again with a slightly disappointed expression.

Still seeming disappointed, he turned his head toward me and muttered quietly.

“If this succeeds and breaks into Billboard, your face will be known worldwide… then we could also meet good producers and aim for a big hit.”

I wondered why he was disappointed about someone else’s music video success.

So that was his plan.

“But why are you speaking so quietly about this?”

“Just… just felt like I should.”

“Anyway, that’s why I asked, if you knew it would be a hit… it would be so good.”

While I was agreeing with Seokho hyung’s muttering.

The van soon arrived at the studio.

As soon as we returned to the studio, we received an incredible welcome.

“I’m a fan! A real fan! I still watch your Olympic videos!”

“I was really surprised when I saw you knock down your opponent at the Asian Games!”

“Seeing you in person… wow, you’re really cool!”

It was fascinating to see everyone maintaining exactly the right distance while sending praise.

Anyway, as we received these welcomes and moved to the center of the studio.

Evelyn, who hadn’t noticed our arrival, was startled.

“Oh, when did you arrive?”

“Just now, what were you looking at so intently that you didn’t notice me coming?”

“Ah, well… there’s a slight problem with the piano performance?”

“A problem?”

“Yes… well….”

Evelyn continued speaking while showing signs of embarrassment.

To summarize what she said:

Playing the piano in the music video was already confirmed.

But in reality, all the piano sounds would be deleted.

So actually, she just needed someone to pretend to play at an acceptable level.

This is why Evelyn requested collaboration with Kim Donghu rather than hiring a separate expert.

And why CAE representative Mamila didn’t make an issue of it.

But.

Plans changing on set is too common.

And variables always exist there.

After talking with the director, an opinion emerged that.

Rather than enhancing the classical part.

Why not keep the live piano sound for authenticity?

The problem is that this means one must ‘play well’ for real.

Not at a level achievable with three months of practice as mentioned earlier.

But at a level requiring a real professional.

‘And now she’s probably wondering why she called me.’

Not just an adequate level but needing a real pianist.

Having already invited someone to collaborate, the situation became awkward.

Of course, there was another option.

They could stick with the original direction.

‘But from the atmosphere, everyone feels that would be better.’

For a work’s success, one naturally wants to try everything.

I could understand that feeling 100%.

“S-so… I, I’m not trying to make fun of you… I need to say this… it was decided today….”

And knowing how wrong this was.

Evelyn was about to bow deeply as if prostrating herself.

The representative beside her was also lowering her body as if planning to kneel.

Tuk.

Tuk.

“No. I understand, it’s fine. I would have done the same.”

I grabbed their shoulders to stop them from bowing.

And smiled brightly.

“But you haven’t heard me play yet, have you?”

If I could play at that level, wouldn’t that change everything?

I smiled and said to them.

“Rearrange the plan.”

++++++

What is the charm of the piano?

It’s that the nature of the piece changes with each player.

With the same sheet music.

Sitting at the same piano to perform.

The person’s character jumps right out through the piano.

Showing a completely different style of performance for each person.

That’s why Choi Seokho doesn’t listen to other people’s classical music.

Once you hear Kim Donghu’s performance, other people’s classical music no longer satisfies.

‘It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve seen this too.’

In Choi Seokho’s eyes, Kim Donghu is seen sitting at the piano.

People think Kim Donghu’s performance will be very sweet.

Perfect appearance and excellent character.

Through these two things, they expect his performance to be the same.

But.

‘It’s completely different.’

Strictly speaking, Kim Donghu’s performance wasn’t played by Kim Donghu.

Lee J.

♪♩♬

A child playing on broken glass shards.

His performance is destructive, captivating, and takes your breath away.

The childish whim of a young child wanting only to be seen.

But that whim is never calm.

With an overwhelming presence.

Pressing down hard on the sounds to grip your heart.

A flower blooms after a long time.

On a completely different level from the past.

With each press of the keys, flowers bloom.

And those flowers fill the studio.

A garden of melody appears.

‘…What on earth is this?’

Mamila was bewildered by the suddenly unfolding situation.

It wasn’t a stand-in?

It was a real performance?

It wasn’t just confidence but certainty based on skill?

For the first time experiencing the shock of her common sense being shattered, Mamila’s mouth.

Clack.

Couldn’t close.