For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Damn it!
I wanted to shut up Big Uncle’s mouth. Things were going well these days, he said. Who would’ve thought he’d bring up the proposal to stop new material development? He’s so enthusiastic, not even knowing he might be tightening the noose around his own neck.
“That’s enough from Director Yu. Director Kim, let’s hear your opinion about graphene development.”
The tension descended like a game of Russian roulette.
“It’s true that research costs for new material development are high right now. However, I agree with developing Dongju’s own unique carbon material to prepare for the upcoming millennium and the development of the fourth industrial revolution.”
Finally, a breath of fresh air.
“Director Kim’s point is valid, but who can guarantee graphene’s success? Looking at our competitors, countless cases have failed in new material development, ending up neither here nor there. I believe now is the time to strengthen our foundation.”
Oh really?
“That’s right. Not to disparage the new materials development team, but even foreign chemical companies have failed with this material. Even if successful, there aren’t many industries that can use graphene. In Dongju’s current situation, wouldn’t this be nothing more than a white elephant?”
Big Uncle wore a faint smile.
The company is like a jungle, and office politics is like the moss that forms the jungle – inevitable and an unspoken rule. The executives who held Big Uncle’s lifeline pushed for circuit materials and photosensitive plate expansion. The reason was obvious. Big Uncle was in charge of circuit materials and photosensitive plates.
“Hyun-ah, why don’t you say something too?”
That was Grandfather’s word. The executives looked at me as if watching a child’s play. But they’re all overlooking something. If Dongju is a jungle, the path I’ve walked in my past life was nothing short of hell. The final trigger was given to me.
“Everyone seems afraid.”
A child’s statement. One without any political flaws.
“Just look at Yuha’s grandfather. Everyone said the semiconductor industry would fail, but it succeeded. Even if it fails, there will surely be something to gain, but everyone seems to be taking too many steps backward. If we keep postponing because of high costs, won’t we eventually become obsolete?”
It was like being too scared of maggots to make soy sauce. The executives’ faces reddened at the child’s straightforward words. Turning the meeting’s atmosphere around is simple.
“Isn’t Dongju a chemical company?”
“That’s right.”
All you had to do was touch on the fundamental issue at the heart of the matter.
“Then why are you trying to run it like a chemical factory?”
*
Dmitri frowned at the taste of the ssanghwacha, both sweet and bitter. Trying it because it was a traditional Korean tea was his mistake. Who would have thought it would taste similar to mulled wine made with cinnamon? It would be a miracle to finish this. Moreover…
“Is the taste not to your liking?”
“No, it’s fine.”
There’s even an egg yolk floating in it.
“I didn’t expect all the members to be so young. Actually, I imagined performers with graying hair.”
There were certainly members with gray hair, but an orchestra consumes a lot of energy. Moreover, isn’t this Spencer’s orchestra? Without considerable stamina, it’s hard to keep up with his obsession and madness. No wonder the soprano who performed with them complained about losing weight.
“All seats sold out instantly. Honestly, even we didn’t expect such a hot response. There haven’t been many cases of such famous orchestras touring Korea before. Even the third-floor box seats with limited visibility are completely sold out, with many unable to get tickets. If you don’t mind, may I ask one question?”
“Please feel free to ask anything. I’m here today on behalf of the maestro. The maestro sends his sincere apologies for not being able to meet the chairman in person.”
“No, that’s fine. I just wonder if the conductor is considering any collaborations. For instance, there are excellent musicians in Korea as well.”
Dmitri shook his head without hesitation. “As you know, Chairman, the London Symphony’s maestro is quite sensitive. We did consider pianist Jeong-hoon Baek, but concluded that his repertoire doesn’t match our symphony’s style. An awkward collaboration would only end up ruining the harmony.”
The Arts Center Chairman rubbed his dry lips. Though he graduated in English Literature and wasn’t well-versed in classical music, he had heard enough about the London Symphony’s reputation. Moreover, with the public’s growing interest in classical music these days, the London Symphony’s visit to Korea was truly the pinnacle. If only rising maestro Jeong-hoon Baek could perform with them.
“Ah, what about that person? The violinist Kang Hyun?”
“I’m sorry, Chairman, but collaborations don’t happen so suddenly. From the start, we need to match styles, decide on repertoire, and spend a long time building ensemble harmony. That delicate balance can crumble in an instant.”
With barely a week left, finding a performer to collaborate with the London Symphony? Unless a miracle happened, it was impossible.
“Of course, I’m curious about that violinist too.”
“Then is that article true? About the conductor making an offer to join?”
It was because of this morning’s article.
Along with a sensational headline, Kang Hyun and Spencer’s faces were prominently displayed. Dmitri took a sip of ssanghwacha.
“The maestro doesn’t lie.”
The egg yolk in his ssanghwacha had disappeared.
* * *
“Old man, did Hyun really do that?”
Chairman Wang’s eyes filled with curiosity.
“Tell me more about it.”
Chairman Wang’s eyebrows twitched like a child listening to a folk tale. Just as when he heard about the new material development incident, he couldn’t hide his amazement as the story unfolded. While the perspective seemed like a child’s pure view, each statement was precisely interconnected. The final words were especially masterful.
“I can’t believe it.”
Chairman Wang expressed his admiration openly.
“But why didn’t you bring Hyun?”
“There was a visitor looking for Hyun, so it couldn’t be helped. Ah, you’ve met him too. The London Symphony’s conductor. By the way, here, take a look at this too.”
Chairman Yu pulled out a bundle from his briefcase and handed it to Chairman Wang.
“Isn’t this the material I gave you before?”
“Look at it again.”
Chairman Wang’s eyes widened as he reread the bundle. There were faint red pen dots here and there. Like traces of hesitation.
“These are points Hyun unconsciously marked with a pen. I couldn’t make sense of it, so I thought you might know.”
“Ah, I think I understand.”
The Strategic Planning Office had been operating for nearly ten years. It’s considered a core department of Jeil Group. However, it doesn’t always provide definitive statistics. Market trends sometimes flow unpredictably.
“Only marked the low probability ones. Not all, but the first few are certainly that way. With so few dots, I wonder if we can call this coincidence.”
Since the marks were faint, it could have been unconscious pen movements. After all, it’s nonsensical to think a child could surpass the Strategic Planning Office’s intellect. But perhaps because of today’s story, these faint dots seemed significant.
Chairman Wang recalled his own proposal. The impossible condition of making Dongju one of the top 7 chemical companies by market cap. It was clearly impossible. Yet why…
“Old man, they say when coincidences keep happening, it becomes destiny.”
It feels like we might lose the violin.
*
Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall, a place I frequented in my past life.
The differences were that in the 90s there was no pipe organ yet and the design wasn’t perfect. Though it had spacious seating for 2,000 people, was it due to poor design? There were seats with poor stage visibility and areas with acoustic issues. While improvements came with time, right now it’s still not fully refined. “Mister, come back in about an hour.”
With the help of Driver Kim, I came to meet Spencer. I knew he was touring Korea, but I didn’t expect him to want to meet on rehearsal day. With less than a week until the performance, it was a sensitive time.
As expected.
“It’s been a while, Hyun.”
His deep eye sockets and raised eyebrows were even more sharply honed. Completely different from when I saw him in Brussels.
“Follow me.”
After just a brief greeting, he started walking right away. Throughout the way to the concert hall, Spencer’s cheek twitched.
“If the architect who built this place was in front of me, I would’ve kicked their behind. I’m tolerating it only because of you, Hyun. Otherwise, I would’ve returned to England immediately.”
He clearly doesn’t like the concert hall.
“Hyun, you brought Fantasia, right?”
“Of course, Maestro.”
How could I refuse his request? After all, didn’t I get military service exemption thanks to his letter of recommendation? Like with Hirose, I was indebted to both masters.
“Good, there are some friends who want to see you.”
“Pardon?”
As the concert hall doors opened wide.
Friends?
I could see people sitting in the audience.
“These are members of the London Symphony. Everyone, say hello. This is violinist Hyun whom you’ve all been so eager to meet.”
The members looked at me with curious eyes. The reaction wasn’t much different from the Belgian Symphony Orchestra. Some marveled at my age, while female members exclaimed about how unexpectedly cute I was, and others burst out in amazement at seeing the Maestro’s muse in person. It was quite uncomfortable, as they looked ready to pinch my cheeks for being cute.
Then Spencer’s deep-set eyes fixed on me.
“Hyun, I’ll be direct. I want to perform with you during this tour. I trust you haven’t forgotten the recommendation letter I wrote for you before. Of course, this doesn’t mean you won’t be compensated, so don’t misunderstand.”
What is this about?
Spencer’s proposal was as bold as when he previously offered me a guest member position. But this was even more surprising. This was the prestigious London Symphony. Who would refuse to perform with them? But the collaboration with the Belgian Symphony Orchestra still felt like yesterday, and now another collaboration? My heart was racing wildly, but my mind became rather calm.
“Maestro, it might sound presumptuous, but isn’t it difficult to achieve harmony in such a short time? Moreover, this isn’t a competition but a formal performance. I’ll consider just the offer itself an honor.”
It’s the orchestra’s principle that an imperfect stage shouldn’t be shown. Moreover, haven’t they sold tickets for money? Showing a sloppy collaboration would be an insult to the audience and tarnish the orchestra’s reputation. Even if the Maestro insisted strongly, the proud members wouldn’t stand for it. I didn’t want to see the Maestro troubled because of me.
“I’m not suggesting we collaborate without preparation. I’ve already spoken with the members. The solution is simple. You just need to satisfy everyone here.”
Really.
The members sitting in the audience were looking at me with piercing eyes.
“I apologize for not telling you in advance. Improvisation is crucial for collaboration with this orchestra. If you can’t show a performance that satisfies everyone here right now, I’ll drop my lingering attachment immediately. No pressure. Everyone here wants to hear your solo. What do you say, are you confident?”
At that moment, my hand gripped the violin case tightly. How could there not be pressure? It was essentially asking me to present a dish that would satisfy all these fastidious gourmets. Spencer smirked at my heated appearance.
This old man really makes surprising proposals every time.