For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 51

Chapter 51

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“You want me to recommend a violinist?”

The flower petal floating in the teacup trembled.

“Your eye for talent is excellent, so why ask this old man in the back room?”

“Old man in the back room? You are the eternal maestro, Gustav.”

“It feels strange to hear such words from the Lion of Berlin Phil.”

The Lion of Berlin Phil, Yuri, showed an embarrassed expression.

“If you’re trying to fill the associate concertmaster position, couldn’t you promote a performer you’ve been keeping an eye on? Berlin must have many talented enough people.”

“Unfortunately, there’s no one currently capable of handling that position.”

The Berlin Philharmonic was considered the world’s finest orchestra. Living up to that reputation, its members boasted the highest level of skill. It wasn’t for nothing that each member was praised as a master in their respective countries.

“How about among the new talents?”

“Maestro, forgive my boldness, but you know this isn’t a position for chicks. I have no intention of accepting someone who can’t even properly hold a bow as a member.”

“What if they were capable enough?”

For a moment, Yuri doubted his ears. But Gustav’s eyes remained unchanged. Wasn’t he drinking warm Earl Grey with a mysterious smile?

“Whether in Moscow, Juilliard, or the Royal Academy, I couldn’t find the new talent you spoke of, Maestro. Even for two instruments to form an ensemble, mutual understanding and respect are necessary, not to mention musical knowledge. You know how immense the weight is for an orchestra where dozens of instruments harmonize. I feel like I’m lecturing a master, saying this.”

“That’s fine, continue.”

“Unless Mozart, Jascha Heifetz, or Eugène Ysaÿe have come back to life, what new talent could withstand such pressure?”

Moreover, this was the Berlin Phil.

“Have you heard the rumors about Queen Elisabeth?”

Ah, could he be talking about that absurd rumor? The story that heated up the classical music world. But Yuri wasn’t even interested. Just a fourteen-year-old child – surely talented, but clearly packaged with media exaggeration.

“That child is the real deal.”

*

Gulp―!

His Adam’s apple bobbed greatly.

While prosecutors called the 90s the era of fraudsters, the business world called it differently.

‘The Golden Age.’

Wasn’t it a time when everything soared after passing through the turbulent 80s? Like a horse with loose reins. When the government introduced the policy to build 2 million housing units to calm the overheated real estate market, market funds miraculously turned to the stock market. No wonder they said the pride of Yeouido stock traders rivaled Wall Street’s securities district.

“Son, how would Hyun know about such things?”

Grandfather?

“Well, I was just joking out of boredom.”

Even Chairman Wang?

Well, it is strange for a young child to know about domestically listed companies. Moreover, if the companies the child picked kept recording daily surges, it wouldn’t be strange to appear in the media. Though disappointing, what could be done? This wasn’t Go where one could give advice.

“After the era of three lows ended, we entered the era of three highs. Stock prices are recovering and soaring daily, but no one knows how long this run will continue. Moreover, the current account is recording a deficit. It’s fair to say the red light is on.” There was a reason he was called a business world giant.

‘Indeed, Chairman Wang.’

Wasn’t he seeing through everything as if foreseeing the future?

As the stock talk was ending.

“By the way, what’s been decided about Hyun’s school? Prestigious music academies must be competing to accept him?”

I quietly sipped orange juice, pretending to know nothing. Son Yu-ha was nodding off during the continued economic talk. It must have been more boring than a lullaby for a young child. Meanwhile, I was getting restless. It wasn’t just once or twice that I wanted to jump into the conversation between grandfather and Chairman Wang.

Should I just recommend foreign companies?

“I’d like to send him to study abroad, but we have to listen to the boy.”

“What a relief, I was worried Yu-ha might insist on following along.”

Whether it was Moscow, Shanghai, Juilliard, or the Royal Academy calling, none were welcome. The time I could spend with grandfather had become something I wouldn’t trade for anything.

“Study abroad?”

It was Yu-ha’s single comment, who had suddenly woken up.

* * *

“Have you ever tried kimchi?”

Spencer narrowed his eyes at the bizarre question.

“I tried it once.”

He had been served it during a previous visit to Korea, but it wasn’t to his taste. The current interview was similar. With the Korean tour just a week away, interviewing with a journalist from the host country was one of the customs. If it weren’t for the tour, given his prickly personality, he wouldn’t have done the interview at all.

“We heard you declined an offer from Japan and chose Korea instead. Is this true?”

“It is.”

The interviewer startled and pulled out a notepad. Some said the Korean classical music scene had lobbied the London Symphony. Otherwise, there would be no reason to choose Korea, a classical music wasteland, over Japan, Asia’s classical music powerhouse.

“I’m curious about your thoughts on Korea.”

“My older brother served in the Korean War as a navy man. I can’t forget the land where his blood was shed. I consider it a brother nation.”

A war veteran!

The pen moved faster at this previously unheard story. Though a recorder was running, jotting down thoughts in the notepad was much more helpful when organizing later. Already, headline-worthy phrases were coming to mind.

“Maestro, do you know any Korean musicians?”

“I know of past pianists, and I’ve heard of pianist Baek Jung-hoon who won second place at the Chopin Competition.”

“Do you know the violinist Kang Hyun who won the youngest grand prize at the recent Queen Elisabeth Competition? I heard you wrote him a letter of recommendation.”

It was a rumor going around – that Spencer had written Kang Hyun’s recommendation letter. Though the truth couldn’t be verified, Spencer nodded without hesitation, as if to resolve that doubt.

“Know him? Of course.”

“Pardon?”

“Violinist Hyun is the main reason I decided on this Korean tour.”

It wasn’t a lie.

The interviewer visibly swallowed in excitement.

“Maestro, if you were recruiting members in Korea, would you consider bringing violinist Kang Hyun into the orchestra?”

It was a question expecting mere lip service. No matter how talented Hyun was, he was still only fourteen. Moreover, this was the world-renowned London Symphony. Everyone was very curious how Principal Conductor Spencer would answer. But then.

“I’ve already made the offer.”

The interviewer nearly jumped from his seat. Hyun was already hot news from the documentary, and now such negotiations had been happening behind the scenes. What followed was even more unbelievable. “But I was rejected.”

“A-am I hearing this correctly? Are you saying violinist Kang Hyun rejected your offer to join?”

Spencer nodded briefly.

How could he forget – it had been the most meaningful day of his life.

*

“Hyun, have you thought about studying abroad?”

Grandfather had been mentioning studying abroad repeatedly these past few days since visiting Pyeongchang-dong.

After all, there weren’t any proper music academies in Korea to learn violin.

“I haven’t thought about it yet.”

Five years. That’s how much time grandfather had left.

“But grandfather, are you getting regular health check-ups?”

“Why are you changing the subject? Your grandfather gets check-ups regularly, don’t I? They said everything was fine this time too. Maybe because of all the good things happening thanks to you lately, even my blood pressure has stabilized quite a bit.”

I wonder if the butterfly effect is real.

“But grandfather, what have you been looking at?”

Wasn’t grandfather intently studying some documents at his office desk?

“Yu-ha’s grandfather gave it to me. Would you like to see it?”

Grandfather, probably remembering the incident with Director Jeon, handed me the stack of papers. These were the materials grandfather had requested from Chairman Wang. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it contained a summary of all of Korea’s trends, from real estate to stocks. The stack looked imposing, like facing a masterpiece of calligraphy written in one stroke.

‘This part is wrong.’

Oops, I almost found myself making corrections with my pen. These documents were probably prepared by Jeil Group’s Strategic Planning Office. In my past life, that department had been in charge of such work. But there was a clear difference between predicting the future and actually knowing it. Like heaven and earth. Just as I was deep in thought.

Knock knock.

The secretary came in to announce that the executive meeting was ready. I had no choice but to return the stack to grandfather and sit on the sofa. Until the executive meeting ended, it was essentially free time for me. What should I do meanwhile?

That’s when.

“Hyun, would you like to come to the meeting room together?”

What?

*

“Chairman, having Hyun in such a place is… The other executives probably won’t be too pleased either.”

Big Uncle occasionally glared at me with sideways glances.

What does he expect me to do? It’s not like I came here because I wanted to. Who would voluntarily attend a boring executive meeting?

However, the other executives seemed pleased to see me. Having met them often in grandfather’s office, it wasn’t awkward. Moreover, hadn’t my face been appearing frequently in newspapers and TV lately? Some even patted my head like their own grandchild.

“Director Yu, just focus on your own responsibilities.”

At grandfather’s single comment, Big Uncle stepped back with tightly sealed lips.

Every company has its own meeting culture. But that only developed later – how much more conservative must it have been in the 90s? It was almost one-way communication. In that sense, Dongju was quite forward-thinking. Perhaps because the meeting’s presider had an open mind.

“Director Kim, share your opinion as well.”

He listened to all the executives’ opinions on each matter. Usually, those in chairman positions rarely attended meetings, let alone showed their faces at the end. But wasn’t grandfather still leading meetings? Indeed, he was a diligent businessman. This must be why the founding members were still together.

“The next agenda item is about the new material ‘Graphene’.”

Graphene. The carbon-based new material that saved Dongju. It was remarkable enough to help avoid the foreign exchange crisis. But grandfather still seemed worried. Probably because of the high initial development costs. Even I was surprised by the enormous costs when I researched the failed Dongju from my past life.

In a way, it was as innovative as Chairman Wang’s venture into semiconductors. No wonder foreign capital eagerly absorbed Dongju.

“Chairman, how about stopping graphene development now? Wouldn’t it be better to put more effort into the circuit materials and photosensitive plates we’re currently expanding? The new material development seems premature no matter how you look at it.”

What?

“That’s right, Chairman. As Director Yu said, wouldn’t it be better to focus more on circuit materials and photosensitive plates? While electronic products see increasing demand year after year, I think it’s too much to pursue new material industry in our country right now.”

Grandfather’s furrowed brow clearly showed his deep concern. Surely the butterfly effect hasn’t occurred here too?

No, grandfather. You must proceed! Push forward!

Ah, should I stand up and tell them that graphene is the key to saving Dongju?

“Hmm.”

At that moment, grandfather’s eyes met mine, sitting in the last seat.