Pianist's Village

Kim Ji-ye sat on a bench in a corner of the Warsaw Conservatory, leaning her head against a pillar.

She also wanted to help Soo-hyun like Lee Chan-ho, Han Ji-hye, and Professor Lech. When the child was first discovered in Switzerland and brought to Korea, Soo-hyun was a child who couldn't do anything without Kim Ji-ye.

'A child who needs care from beginning to end. In fact, at first, it was a bit annoying.' 'But as time went on, I grew fond of him and now consider him a true younger sibling.' 'But after seeing Soo-hyun collapse and the artists react, I realized that I, being ignorant, was no help to Soo-hyun, who was about to become an artist.'

Kim Ji-ye, who had lightly hit her head against the pillar, murmured in a self-deprecating tone.

'Yes, I have to go back to Switzerland anyway after Soo-hyun gets into school.'

She tried to comfort herself. However, the desire to help Soo-hyun grew in her heart.

At that moment, she heard some gentlemen passing by with coffee in their hands, speaking German in a place where only Polish could be heard. She, who spoke fluent German because she worked at the Swiss embassy, slightly raised her head.

An older gentleman and an even older gentleman. Two men, all elegantly dressed in tuxedos, were talking while holding a cup of coffee.

"President Joseph. Where can I contact to request sponsorship for Nam Soo-hyun?"

"Hehe, I don't know. Of course, there must be a sponsoring company, so I should ask them. I'll let you know when I find out."

"You have to let me know. If you only support me secretly, I'll get very angry."

"Haha, this guy loves it."

"Isn't it obvious? It's the first time in my life a performance has moved me so much."

"Hehe, huh, I guess I should say second."

"Oh, really? Who's the first?"

"It was May 1965. I still can't forget that performance at Carnegie Hall in the United States."

"If it was 1965… no way?"

"Haha, yes. Vladimir Samoylovych Horowitz. It was his concert."

"Wow! It's the first time I've envied an older person. I never thought you'd see Horowitz in concert. You were so young back then."

"Haha, I was about to turn 20. After seeing that performance, I fell in love with classical music. In fact, my father forced me to go. I wanted to see a Major League game more."

"Hahaha! There was such a time."

'This is Soo-hyun's story.'

Furthermore, the conversation was in German, a language Kim Ji-ye could understand, and they were people who were considering sponsoring Soo-hyun.

Kim Ji-ye reflexively stood up and followed them, listening carefully.

"It's the final round. Will Soo-hyun do well?"

"I'm sure he'll do well. It's a bit unfair for a child like that to participate in a children's competition."

"That's true. Since there's no competition, this contest feels like a solo recital by Nam Soo-hyun. Are there any variables?"

"The final round is a piano concerto. It will be with a large orchestra. If there are any variables, I would consider the chemistry with the orchestra and the audience's reaction."

"What about the audience's reaction?"

"Didn't you know? From the final round onwards, anyone can attend as a spectator. Of course, except for VIP seats, they are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis."

"I know, but does the audience's reaction affect the judgment?"

"Of course. Judges are human too. It's natural for them to re-examine a contestant who has thrilled the audience."

"Well, I see. But wouldn't it be fine if it was Soo-hyun?"

"It's a minor flaw, but that child plays perfectly, but doesn't move. Do you see? He doesn't move his body once while playing. He straightens his back and barely moves his wrist. He's a child who only plays with his fingers."

"Is that a disadvantage? It's said that Chopin himself played it that way."

"Oh dear! Chopin was sick. He died of tuberculosis at 39. He suffered from physical weakness his whole life. If he had Rachmaninoff's energy, he would have broken dozens of pianos."

"I see… Then we need action that captivates the audience."

"Well, maybe, maybe not. If flashy action makes it difficult for the child's perfect performance, it would be worse than not doing it."

When the two gentlemen entered the men's restroom, Kim Ji-ye's footsteps stopped because she could no longer follow them and eavesdrop.

'Flashy action? Do audience reactions influence judges' decisions?' 'This information could be important. I should share it with you.' 'But as the two men just said, if it affects your performance, it could actually be detrimental.' 'Should I tell him? At Soo-hyun's age, he attracts everyone's attention just by playing perfectly, even if he doesn't perform any actions that involve feeling emotions with his body. Wouldn't it unnecessarily confuse him if I told him?' 'After his wrist was grabbed while trying to play Soo-hyun at the hospital, he started to be cautious about everything.' 'I think it would be a good idea to consult with Professor Lee Chan-ho. Let's go to Soo-hyun first.'

Kim Ji-ye looked at her wristwatch.

'Orchestra rehearsals start tomorrow. Soo-hyun is scheduled to be discharged from the hospital this evening.' 'It's also time for him to go back since he has to go through the discharge process.'

Kim Ji-ye, who was about to lower her wrist and take a quick step forward, stopped due to the sturdy men blocking her way.

Four men in sunglasses and black suits. They gave an ominous and rough impression, but seeing their perfectly styled hair, they didn't look like people who would do anything bad.

"Do you have any business with me?"

She had black hair, but since they were in Poland, she asked in English. But, surprisingly, the answer she received was in Korean.

"Are you Kim Ji-ye?"

"Ah… yes, that's right."

When she revealed her identity, the men split into two groups, revealing the white-haired gentleman who was behind her.

A gentleman who seemed pleasant at first glance, but who had the charisma of being incredibly terrifying when angry, stepped forward and spoke.

"This is Park Ki-jun of Geumhwa Asian."

'Kumhwa Asian? It's a famous Korean company. Park Ki-joon? Where have I heard that? It sounds like news… Huh! Chairman Park Ki-joon! That's the director of Kumhwa Asian, Chairman Park Ki-joon!'

"Come on, Chairman!"

"Haha, you know me?"

"Oh, that's impossible. Oh, no, I've seen you on the news several times."

"Thank you for your attention."

"No, there's no need to thank you… But, what's wrong…?"

Chairman Park Ki-joon spoke as he brought out the black cane he had been hiding behind his back.

"Mr. Nam Soo-hyun. Where can I meet you?"

Kim Ji-ye showed a bewildered expression. 'Why would the chairman of a major Korean company look for Soo-hyun?'

"So, are you Soo-hyun?"

Professor Lech, who visited Soo-hyun after hearing the news of his discharge, said as he watched Soo-hyun change his clothes and prepare for discharge.

"Have you thought about what song you're going to play in the final round?"

Soo-hyun took off his gown and folded it so that the corners were even. He unfolded it and refolded it several times as if he didn't like it.

"Piano Concerto No. 1."

'In the final round of the main competition, he will play either Piano Concerto No. 1 or No. 2.'

Professor Lech nodded and asked.

"Why?"

"Because the level of completion is higher."

"...?"

"The number is 1, but he actually composed No. 2 first, then No. 1. That's why the introduction is more complete."

A look of surprise crossed Professor Lech's eyes.

"Did Professor Lee Chan-ho tell you that?"

'If so, Professor Lech will have to re-evaluate him. At a much higher level than he thought.'

But Soo-hyun shook his head.

"No, sir."

'I wanted to ask this last time. Who is the old man Soo-hyun talks about? Last time he said Frederic Chopin was his teacher, but it's impossible for the deceased Chopin to appear to a child and talk to him, right?'

"Who are these gentlemen…?"

But Professor Lech's questions didn't end because Professor Lee Chan-ho opened the hospital room door and entered.

Professor Lee Chan-ho bowed his head upon seeing Professor Lech and spoke to Soo-hyun.

"Soo-hyun, we have a guest."

Soo-hyun tilted his head.

'He only knows a few people, so he wouldn't call them guests.'

"Who are you?"

"He's the chairman of Kumhwa Asian Group, a sponsor of Korea University's Talent Music Education Center. He came all the way to Poland to see you."

'What is Gold Asian? Doesn't Asian refer to Easterners? Since it says it's a sponsoring company, I guess it's a company name.'

Soo-hyun, who knew nothing, simply thought there was someone who wanted to greet him.

'That's because I remember that even at the Warsaw Conservatory, people with difficult names competed to introduce themselves.' 'Of course, no one remembers their names.'

"Should I go?"

"No, you came here."

When Professor Lee Chan-ho stepped aside, Kim Ji-ye and Chairman Park Ki-jun entered the hospital room.

Park Ki-jun smiled brightly at Soo-hyun, but then rushed to him with great surprise when he saw Professor Lech's face.

"No! Aren't you Professor Lech?"

Professor Lech's eyes widened as he stared at Park Ki-jun's face.

"No! Chairman Park Ki-jun!"

"Haha! We meet here, Professor!"

Professor Lech stood up and shook his hand, saying.

"When did you arrive in Poland? If you arrived, could you at least give us a heads-up?"

"Haha! I just arrived."

"Really? If I had known in advance, I would have gone to see you off. Thank you for supporting the charity concert last time. I want to express my gratitude, albeit late."

"Hey, don't you know I'm not sponsoring you to hear things like that?"

"Haha, it's thanks to someone like you, Chairman, that musicians can dedicate themselves to music. I don't know if I can represent him, but I thank you on behalf of the musicians."

When Soo-hyun saw that the chairman who had come to see him was only talking to Professor Lech, he began to pack his clothes again and continue his work. Chairman Park Ki-jun kept looking at Soo-hyun while talking to Professor Lech after seeing that scene.

Professor Lech noticed this and said with a kind smile.

"You didn't come to see me today, did you? You should talk to Soo-hyun. We'll talk later. When I was young, I thought time passed quickly, but now that I'm old, I only have time left. Sometimes I purposely take detours to go for walks. Hehe."

Chairman Park Ki-jun smiled awkwardly, nodded, and then approached Soo-hyun, who was packing his bags.

"Mr. Nam Soo-hyun?"

Soo-hyun looked at Chairman Park Ki-joon, who was finally speaking to him.

'I still didn't like the angle of the folded hospital gown, but I learned that it's not polite to talk while working.'

Soo-hyun straightened up and stood in front of Chairman Park Ki-jun.

"Hello, I'm Nam Soo-hyun."

Soo-hyun spoke politely, but he never bowed his head in greeting.

Park Ki-jun smiled and understood, remembering that Soo-hyun had spent seven years in Switzerland.

"Yes, I flew all the way to Poland to see Nam Soo-hyun."

'Should I then be grateful? I don't know, sir. That's the expression on his face.'

When it seemed those words were truly about to come out of Soo-hyun's mouth, Professor Lee Chan-ho quickly intervened between Soo-hyun and Chairman Park Ki-jun and said with cold sweat.

"Hey, let's eat and chat. Our Soo-hyun hasn't had lunch yet."

When Park Ki-jun smiled and turned around, the secretary who had been observing the inside through the slightly open door quickly entered.

"Let me find a restaurant. A place that prepares food with the best ingredients."

"Yes, sir."

'Would the food taste better if it were made with the best ingredients? I'm not sure.' 'Right now, all Soo-hyun is thinking about is that he doesn't like how the gown looks. Would it be rude to ask if he folds it well?'

In Soo-hyun's eyes, as he observed the situation, he could faintly hear Kim Ji-ye saying something to Professor Lee Chan-ho, and Professor Lee Chan-ho's quiet response as his expression hardened after hearing her words.

'Stage action? Could that be a disadvantage? Who says so?'