< For the Music Genius - Episode 243 >
“Billboard chart?”
Im Hye-ra doubted her ears. It was news she had heard from America for the first time in a long time. At that time, Kim Mi-hyeon showed her the fax that had come from America as if to confirm it.
“Sir, I heard that the songs from Hyun’s album entered the Billboard single chart at midnight yesterday in American time. In particular, Gang Hyun Symphony No. 1, which was arranged as an orchestral symphony, has already entered the top 30 of the chart!”
It was an unbelievable story. Has there ever been a Korean singer who has decorated Billboard before?
Moreover, it was not the Billboard classical chart but the single chart. Even famous classical musicians who sold millions of albums worldwide had a hard time getting their names on Billboard.
This is a result that can only be achieved when the three factors of fame, perfection of the song, and commerciality come together.
“What the hell is going on?”
“According to rumors coming from the US, not only Hollywood and broadcasting officials but also teenagers are spreading rumors about Hyun. For example, there are even rumors that Hyun is a mysterious boy genius or the reincarnation of Mozart. As a result, Hyun’s album, which was officially released in the US only a few months ago, is becoming so popular that it is sold out.”
“Among the students?”
Im Hye-ra also studied abroad during her youth. However, no matter how much she looks back, even in Vienna, Austria, known as the city of music, there were not many students who enjoyed listening to classical music.
What about classical music in America, where pop and hip-hop are mainstream?
Are you concerned that someone may have manipulated the charts through private trading?
Arthur, such manipulation only works in Korea. If the American music market is a giant market, the Korean music market is so small that it could be described as a neighborhood hole-in-the-wall store.
There is a saying that if you rank high on the Billboard singles chart, you will have enough to feed three generations. That is how close to impossible it is to manipulate the Billboard singles chart.
“Oh, didn’t Hyun say she was recording a program in the US today?”
Kim Mi-hyeon nodded briefly in response to Im Hye-ra’s question.
“Yes, sir. It’s called the Elnon Show and is hosted by Elnon Fox. It’s a pilot program, but I heard that the ABA has put a lot of effort into it.”
“But it’s just a simple talk show, so appearing on it this time won’t make you more famous, right?”
“Since it’s the first broadcast, it won’t be that strong. Even among music critics who study the Billboard charts, the prevailing opinion is that Hyun’s album won’t last more than a month at most once it enters the charts. Still, since it’s an unusual event for a Korean, newspapers and news will probably start reporting on it starting today.”
Im Hye-ra also thought that Kang Hyun’s Billboard entry could be a fleeting event. That’s why she didn’t make a fuss about it.
In the first place, American teenagers do not like classical music that much, and although Hyun appeared as a guest on a TV program called Ellen Show, I wondered if Kang Hyun could really stimulate the emotions of Americans. This was because there was a clear difference in humor between the East and the West.
Even if the talk show recording is completed successfully, it won’t become a huge topic of conversation. However, there was something that Im Hye-ra overlooked.
In a way, it was natural. It was a fact that no one except Kang Hyun knew. If you look at Kang Hyun’s past life, he had lived abroad for as long as he had in Korea, and he was also an avid viewer of the Ellen Show, so he couldn’t help but know the emotions they wanted.
* * *
‘Didn’t you say this was your first talk show?’
Ellen was secretly amazed. The reason was simple. Kang Hyun was the perfect person for filming a broadcast.
Even if it is a talk show, only a typical, abbreviated question-and-answer script is provided.
Moreover, as a comedian, Ellen values liveliness, so the talk show also values the sincerity that comes from the other person’s heart. In that sense,
‘Are you a broadcasting genius?’
Kang Hyun had such great talent in broadcasting that he could be called an all-rounder entertainer.
It was as if he had filmed a hundred broadcast programs, including talk shows, and he had a skillful and relaxed atmosphere, and his ad-libs heated up the audience, making it feel like you were having a conversation with a veteran entertainer.
“Ellen, there were definitely people in England who looked down on me at first, especially since I was Asian and young. One day, I was walking down the street and this punk I didn’t even know made a gesture of tearing his eyes out with his fingers and said to me, ‘Hey, Yellow Monkey!’ So what do you think I did?”
“How did you do it?”
“I showed my upturned nose and said, ‘Hey chimpanzee!’ The other person’s nostrils were quite large. Then he suddenly charged at me. At the time, I think he thought he could win in one blow because I was small. But he got really scolded by me that day. He might be watching this broadcast now. Chimpanzee, I’m sorry I made fun of your nostrils that day. But if you ever make a racial remark again, I’m going to make you walk on all fours like a chimpanzee.”
Aren’t sensitive racial issues around the world also being glossed over?
That wasn’t all. Ellen couldn’t hide her surprise at Kang Hyun’s considerable humor skills, to the point where she wondered if he had such a great sense of humor. Thanks to that, there was constant laughter in the audience.
“Hyun, I guess American comedians need to learn humor from Hyun. I never knew he was so good at talking.”
Kang Hyun waved his hand as if it was nothing.
It was the same after that. Since it was a talk show with various topics, there were many questions, but Kang Hyun answered even the tricky questions without hesitation.
Moreover, he knew the American sensibility so well that he sometimes surprised Ellen, leaving her speechless.
The same was true when there was a short break during the recording. Elnon had constant conversations with Kang Hyun while recording, but he felt a strong desire to talk even during the break.
“Ellen, how about adding this to the program content next time you record?”
Kang Hyun sketched out a short surprise program he had thought of on a white piece of paper, and Elnan looked at it with interest.
This was because it was quite interesting content even to Ellen, who was a comedian but also a famous broadcast writer.
“Now, this is definitely something Ghost PD would like!”
“Right?”
“I wonder where Hyun gets these ideas from. It hasn’t even been two hours since filming started today, and the PDs are already screaming with joy.”
At first, the broadcasting station staff thought that Kang Hyun, a violinist, might be static on a talk show, but soon realized that their worries were unfounded as soon as the recording began.
“Hyun, have you ever enjoyed watching American talk shows like this? Or are there a lot of these talk shows in Korea?”
“There are talk shows hosted by famous comedians in Korea, but I’ve never really watched them. The same goes for American shows. In fact, I came here today with the intention of not being too serious. If I answer too seriously, the talk show will turn into a documentary, right? Ellen, am I doing well?”
“Oh my gosh, is that what you call it? Hyun is one of the best talkers among all the celebrities I’ve ever met. I’m especially amazed at how he knows American codes so well. Hyun must have lived in America in his past life!”
“Not England?”
Kang Hyun was a jokester who never stopped joking until the very end. Seeing Kang Hyun like that, Ellen felt like her prejudice that his talents were limited to certain things was completely shattered.
Rather, he was like a fish in water, and he was so proactive that if someone who didn’t know him saw him, they would mistake him for Kang Hyun, the host of the Ellen Show.
No matter how much I thought about it, it was clear that Kang Hyun had an incredible talent for broadcasting.
* * *
-Hyun, aren’t you nervous?
This was a question Elnon asked Kang Hyun before the recording began. How could he be nervous? Instead, Kang Hyun’s eyes were filled with excitement that he couldn’t hide.
Of course, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t excited, since this was the first time I was a guest on a program I’d always enjoyed in my past lives.
“It’s a morning where I’m getting more and more curious about violinist Hyun.”
“Elnan, it’s night, not morning.”
“Huh? The recording time is still in the morning?”
“Wouldn’t the viewers watch Ellen’s talk show while they’re preparing dinner? Then our time is also night now.”
Since it was a program I had enjoyed watching in the past, I could tell how Ellen would conduct the talk show without even looking at the script.
But maybe it was because it was the first recording. Rather, it was the host, Elnon, who looked more nervous than Kang Hyun.
Kang Hyun served as a relaxant to relieve Ellen’s tension while also livening up the talk show.
“Hyeon, do you have a girlfriend?”
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“There is a saying in Korea: The quiet cat gets on the roof first.”
“What does that mean?”
Kang Hyun answered with a faint smile. As if he were a guest who had been on the Ellen Show for a long time, Kang Hyun couldn’t hide his comfortable feeling.
That would be the case, since she had been a fan of Ellen’s show in her past life. Although Ellen didn’t know, Kang Hyun was also familiar with her unique gestures. After that move.
Whaaak―!
Suddenly, a person jumped out from under the table in the center of the talk show. It was a surprise to tease the guest.
Kang Hyun already knew, but he pretended not to know and clutched his chest, acting surprised. The PD and Ellen’s smiles never left their faces because of how good his reaction was.
“Could you please play a short piece for the audience who came all the way to New York to watch today’s talk show and for the viewers who are watching on TV right now?”
“Ahem, I don’t like it.”
“Huh? Did you hurt your finger or are you not feeling well today?”
“No, I’m in great shape today. I just didn’t like what Ellen said just now. How did I get the honor of performing on stage as the first guest on the Ellen Show, only to have such a short performance? I’d rather have a concert here.”
The audience burst into laughter at Kang Hyun’s witty answer. Kang Hyun’s gaze changed in an instant as he climbed up onto the stage.
The face that had been full of smiles just a moment ago was now extremely serious, and the hands holding the violin and bow were more careful than ever. That meant that he did not take the Ellen Show stage lightly.
The violin posture became like flowing water, and Kang Hyun closed his eyes tightly.
The audience, Ellen, and the broadcasting station staff held their breath and listened intently. Only the camera director, with sweaty palms, was zooming in on Kang Hyun.
Ellen felt her heart flutter at the sight of the violinist’s strings.
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