Chapter 225: This Is Why They're Called Trash Reporters
At a pub in downtown LA.
The Korean reporters who had covered the Academy Awards had gathered for an after-party.
As they reminisced about the day's events, they couldn't stop expressing their amazement.
“Wow. It's truly an honor. We actually got to cover Stay winning the Oscar for Best Original Score!”
“This is something I'll be bragging about for at least ten years.”
“Ten years? I'll be bragging about this for the rest of my life.”
“Hah! When I die, I'm having them engrave it on my tombstone.”
Hahaha.
The pub echoed with cheerful laughter.
Their long trip to LA had been more than worthwhile.
Moments this glorious didn't come often in a reporter's career.
“His acceptance speech was wonderful too.”
“Exactly. If life is music... I still can't get that line out of my head.”
“The KW Group probably wrote that speech for him.”
“I don't think so. It felt... genuine somehow. Ah, why are you looking at me like that? Let's have another drink.”
Clink—
It was a satisfying toast.
At a moment like this, a little national pride was perfectly acceptable.
“His voice was pretty incredible too.”
“Didn't it sound familiar somehow?”
“...Now that you mention it, social media's already gone crazy. They're saying Stay might actually be DJ Blackhole.”
“So what if he is, or isn't? What's important is that Korea produced an Oscar winner for Best Original Score.”
“Hahaha, exactly!”
The alcohol tasted especially good today.
Everyone felt the same.
Except...
'Hm... He's almost too natural. That makes him even more suspicious.'
Park Gyuseok couldn't laugh.
Something about everything that had happened today felt strangely unfamiliar.
The Academy Awards.
Stay's appearance.
His acceptance speech.
Even the media's reaction.
Everything had unfolded flawlessly.
Without the slightest flaw.
It was so perfect that it almost felt unnatural.
Quietly swirling his drink, Park Gyuseok muttered.
“But seriously. Doesn't anyone else think it's strange?”
The reporter beside him laughed.
“Oh, come on. Reporter Park Gyuseok's back with another conspiracy theory? What are you unhappy about this time?”
His eyes were smiling.
But there was an edge to his words.
“What else? Stay. He's just... too perfect. Doesn't that strike you as suspicious?”
The table instantly fell silent.
Everyone stared at Park Gyuseok with wide eyes.
“Oh, come on... He showed up himself, accepted the award, gave the speech, and there are already official press releases. What are you even talking about?”
“Seriously. I know you're suspicious by nature, Reporter Park, but today of all days...”
“This is exactly why people call reporters like you trash reporters. Just congratulate someone when something good happens.”
No one took his side.
Naturally.
There was a limit to how much you could ruin a celebration.
Even the foreign press wasn't making an issue out of it.
Yet here was a Korean reporter, unable to simply celebrate a fellow Korean's achievement.
“We're not ordinary people.”
Park Gyuseok's words instantly chilled the atmosphere.
“Huh?”
“What do you mean...?”
If reporters weren't ordinary people, then what were they?
“Aren't all of you looking at this far too positively? We should be used to rumors. There are already tons of people questioning it.”
Rumors?
There weren't any.
Suspicion?
Maybe a handful of trolls.
One reporter sitting quietly at the end of the table clicked his tongue before pulling out his tablet and searching for something.
Then he held it out.
“Are you talking about this? It's obvious bait.”
Displayed on the tablet was an online community post.
Someone was making absurd accusations.
[ Stay is seriously suspicious... Where are there composers this young and this handsome? Is that guy really Stay? Seriously? Am I the only one who thinks something's off? ]
↳ That's exactly why he's amazing.
↳ My score: 3 out of 10. If you're going to troll, at least make it entertaining.
↳ Yeah, he is suspicious. Suspiciously holding an Oscar.ㅋㅋ
↳↳ LOL.ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
↳ Don't feed the troll. Not worth replying.
↳ Get a clue, kid.
↳ Yep. You're the only one who thinks that. Bye.
Just like the comments beneath that ridiculous post...
“Oh? I saw this too.”
“It just means people are interested.”
“You'll always find people like this.”
No one agreed with Park Gyuseok.
Everyone was too busy celebrating.
“Oh dear. Reporter Park must've had too much to drink.”
“Seriously. You should head back.”
“Your hotel's nearby, right?”
“We'll cover the bill. Just go rest. If you get drunk in a foreign country, you'll end up sleeping on the sidewalk.”
He hadn't gained anything.
Almost pushed out of the pub, Park Gyuseok stood up.
'Have they all been hypnotized or something?'
This was supposed to be the place for discussing the story behind the story.
Instead, all he heard was blind praise.
Well.
Fine.
Stay was extraordinary.
But the doubt still wouldn't leave him.
'Ugh. American food is awful. Korean food is the best.'
Using Google, he headed toward a nearby Korean restaurant.
Seriously.
Everyone's gotten far too complacent.
I'm sure there's something going on.
Thinking that...
Standing in front of the Korean restaurant.
Park Gyuseok almost froze when he unexpectedly ran into Taeyoon.
'This is my chance.'
Quickly regaining his composure, he spoke.
“Excuse me... it's you, right?”
“Hm?”
Refined features.
Deep eyes.
An unreadable expression.
The moment Park Gyuseok met that expression, he remembered how he'd been dismissed back at the pub and blurted out.
“You really are Stay, aren't you?”
Taeyoon tilted his head.
Realizing what he'd just said, Park Gyuseok hurriedly corrected himself.
“Ah. Don't look at me so suspiciously. Here, this is who I am.”
As he offered his business card, Taeyoon politely accepted it and looked it over.
“Ahem. You see...”
He hadn't intended to stalk him.
He'd simply wanted Korean food.
He'd searched for a quiet Korean restaurant.
By pure coincidence, it happened to be the same restaurant where Taeyoon's group was eating.
And just as luck would have it, Taeyoon had stepped outside.
“Ah, what a coincidence. Composer Stay, first of all... congratulations on your award.”
Park Gyuseok awkwardly opened with what sounded almost like an excuse.
'I hope he doesn't misunderstand because of what I said earlier.'
Had he wanted to meet Stay?
Of course he had.
But not like this.
His plan had been to return to Korea, politely request an interview, and carefully unravel every question one by one.
Still.
Maybe this was better.
Park Gyuseok carefully studied the young man before him.
The longer he looked.
The more suspicious he became.
'No matter how I look at him... he just doesn't seem like Stay...'
His doubtful gaze settled on Taeyoon.
Truthfully.
A little earlier, he'd practically clung to the restaurant window like a cicada, secretly watching Taeyoon's group.
STaY.
His presence was undeniably extraordinary.
And somehow.
That extraordinary presence only made him more suspicious.
'...It's not like he's been starving for days.'
As he'd watched.
Everyone else had been chatting excitedly, drinking soju like water while celebrating the Oscar victory.
Meanwhile.
Stay had simply kept eating pork.
As though none of it had anything to do with him.
Didn't that make him even more suspicious?
Park Gyuseok swallowed nervously.
Taeyoon still hadn't said anything.
He was only looking at the business card.
Then.
Grrrrr—
Ah...
The irresistible aroma of grilled pork belly drifting through the restaurant door...
His stomach shamelessly growled.
Did he hear that?
Probably not.
It had been so quiet.
But Park Gyuseok had no way of knowing.
Taeyoon's hearing was practically superhuman.
Either way.
He couldn't waste an opportunity like this.
Just as he was wondering how to catch him slipping.
“If you haven't eaten yet... would you like to join us?”
“...Huh?”
Park Gyuseok stared blankly.
Taeyoon replied matter-of-factly.
“You looked hungry.”
Taeyoon's innocent response left him speechless.
'What?'
Had he noticed my suspicion and decided to test me?
Or...
Was he planning to intimidate me with all those people inside?
Countless thoughts raced through his mind.
Meanwhile, Taeyoon smiled brightly and continued.
“You came here for Korean food, didn't you? We're eating grilled meat too. Come join us. The kimchi stew here is seriously amazing. It washes away all the greasy food.”
Park Gyuseok was completely caught off guard.
Normally.
Someone handed a reporter's business card would either proudly declare, 'Yes, I'm the Oscar-winning composer Stay.'
Or they'd become cautious and ask, 'Why is a reporter here?'
Whether he was really Stay or not.
Whoever this young man was...
He was inviting him to dinner.
“Uh... I don't mind, but... why invite me...?”
“Good occasions are better when more people are together, don't you think? Whenever I come to America, I always feel happy to meet another Korean.”
“N-No, I just happened to...”
Park Gyuseok's face instantly turned bright red.
He'd been thinking about interrogating him.
Figuring out how to dig up information.
Scheming all sorts of strange plans.
Meanwhile.
The other man was simply welcoming him.
“Then that's even more fun! Our CEO always says the most precious encounters all begin by coincidence.”
What was this?
Why did that actually sound convincing?
Having said that.
Taeyoon smiled.
“Come on, let's go.”
He grabbed Park Gyuseok by the wrist.
As naturally as though greeting an old friend.
Warmly.
Without the slightest hesitation.
“W-Wait...”
“Our CEO's loaded~ Reporter Park Gyuseok, buying you some pork is nothing.”
Maybe it was because he was young.
Taeyoon was much stronger than he looked.
Before he knew it.
Park Gyuseok had been pulled straight into the restaurant.
The atmosphere inside was warm.
The rich aroma of grilled meat filled the room alongside lively laughter.
Several familiar faces looked over.
As Park Gyuseok stood there awkwardly, Taeyoon introduced him first.
“I stepped outside for a bit to get some fresh air and ran into this reporter!”
The others reacted no differently.
They welcomed Park Gyuseok warmly.
“A reporter? Wow, nice to meet you.”
“Come have a seat.”
Everyone.
Except one person.
“......”
Director Oh Seungju.
“Oh! Since fate brought us together, have a drink! Tonight's on me!”
Cold sweat trickled down Park Gyuseok's back.
Surely...
They hadn't figured me out, had they?
Before he knew it, someone had placed a soju glass in his hand.
Taeyoon politely greeted him.
“Thank you for making the trip all the way to LA. I may have received the award, but it's reporters like you who share those moments with the world. I've always wanted to thank you if I ever had the chance... and now that chance came.”
Glug, glug—
Soju filled the empty glass.
Park Gyuseok stared at it blankly.
'Is... this right?'
His mind went completely blank.
Even as he picked up the glass, he couldn't bring himself to drink.
At this moment.
None of his suspicions mattered anymore.
“Alright! Cheers!”
Taeyoon lifted his glass with a bright smile.
Still bewildered.
Park Gyuseok clinked glasses with him before finally emptying his drink.
The sharp warmth of the alcohol flowed down his throat.
His glass was empty.
Still wearing a dazed expression, he picked up a slice of pork belly.
The perfectly grilled meat melted deliciously in his mouth.
He quietly glanced toward Taeyoon.
“Huh? Wait. Where'd the pork jowl I was saving go?”
“Eh? I ate it.”
“Aaaah! That one had perfect Maillard browning! I was saving it!”
“Oh... sorry.”
“Order four more servings of pork jowl!”
“Hey, I only ate one piece. Why four servings?”
“Reporter Park has to eat too! Reporter, you know how good pork jowl is, right?”
“Huh? Ah... yes. Of course.”
“Hurry up, CEO. Go, go.”
“Seriously, Tae...”
“Ah! Add another kimchi stew too!”
“Alright already!”
If this was an act.
It was far too natural.
If it wasn't.
It was unbelievably genuine.
'...Maybe I was forcing the issue too much.'
If someone were pretending to be another person.
Could they really make others feel this comfortable?
Could they really be this warm?
That smile he'd shown during the toast.
There was no way it was fake.
At least here.
Right now.
The young man before him wasn't pretending to be anyone.
Park Gyuseok slowly set down his chopsticks and stared at the soju glass.
The warmth flowing down his throat seemed to reach all the way into his heart.
'Why does this feel so complicated?'
If he were a genius composer who had just won an Oscar.
Wouldn't he naturally want to show himself off?
But Taeyoon simply grilled meat.
Poured soju for everyone.
Served delicious kimchi stew.
He was just an ordinary young man.
In fact.
The moment Taeyoon had looked happiest wasn't while talking about winning the Oscar.
“Reporter, it's cooled down a little, but try it first. It's seriously incredible.”
It was when he enthusiastically served him kimchi stew and insisted it was delicious.
At that moment...
Park Gyuseok seriously questioned his own judgment.
Taeyoon continued smiling as he naturally led the atmosphere.
Picking up another slice of pork belly.
Perhaps.
It wasn't Taeyoon he'd been unwilling to believe.
Maybe...
He simply hadn't wanted to accept someone like Stay.
Someone so perfect.
So young.
So sincere.
That was why he'd wanted to verify it.
“Composer Stay.”
“Hm? Yes?”
“There's something I'd like to ask.”
“Ah, sure. Go ahead.”
It had to be the alcohol.
If he'd been sober.
He never would've asked something so embarrassingly sincere.
“I've been wondering... How does an Oscar-winning composer define music?”
At Park Gyuseok's question, everyone's eyes turned toward him.
Then shifted toward Taeyoon.
It was a question everyone had wondered.
Yet no one had dared ask.
CEO Kim Minsoo.
Director Oh Seungju.
Even they quietly put down their chopsticks and looked at Taeyoon.
Surely.
He must have an extraordinary perspective on music.
At least, that's what they expected.
Yet even at such an important moment.
Taeyoon casually placed a perfectly grilled piece of pork onto Park Gyuseok's plate and answered as though it were nothing special.
“Music... isn't it something like this very moment?”
“...What?”
“We're all gathered together grilling meat, drinking soju, laughing and talking. We laugh over happy stories, and we comfort each other by talking about difficult ones. I think all of those moments are music.”
Clack.
Startled, Park Gyuseok dropped his chopsticks.
It was such a simple.
Down-to-earth answer.
“When you try to give music some grand meaning, it actually becomes less enjoyable. Music isn't something special. It's something everyone can relate to and enjoy. That's what music is.”
After beginning seriously.
Taeyoon continued with a playful smile.
Still wearing the same gentle expression he'd shown while inviting him inside.
He asked.
“Is music really anything that complicated?”
Turning his attention back to the grill.
Taeyoon picked up another beautifully browned slice of pork.
Adding more meat.
More garlic.
More ssamjang.
He wrapped everything into a large lettuce wrap before handing it to Park Gyuseok.
Then continued.
“This is music too, Reporter. This wrap is the same. It's filled with all kinds of emotions. The excitement from today... or even the confusion you're feeling toward me right now. Here. Open wide.”
Park Gyuseok accepted the wrap with a stunned expression.
It carried many different flavors.
Just like the music Taeyoon had described.
Complex.
Layered.
Deep.
For the first time.
True certainty settled inside him.
He no longer harbored any doubts about Taeyoon.
Only someone who genuinely created music could have given an answer like that.
'...That's incredible.'
As Park Gyuseok slowly nodded.
A faint smile passed across Taeyoon's lips.
I deliberately laughed even louder.
Because...
I already knew there had been a reporter who'd left the pub early.
I already knew that reporter suspected me.
I even knew what kind of articles he usually wrote.
And I knew exactly who he was.
The slight tremble in the hand holding out the business card told me it wasn't curiosity.
It was suspicion.
So I smiled more.
Welcomed him more warmly.
After all.
I'd learned many times before that sometimes it was much easier to overcome suspicion with kindness than by confronting it head-on.
“Would it be alright if I took a picture?”
“Of course! Feel free to use it in your article!”
After the gathering ended.
Less than an hour later.
Daily Ilbo published this article.
[ (Exclusive) Oscar Winner Stay Shares His Belief: “Music Is This Very Moment” ]
Following the glory of the Academy Awards in LA, Oscar-winning composer Stay's heartfelt remarks at a humble Korean restaurant have become a hot topic. During a chance meeting with one of our reporters, Stay shared his philosophy, saying, “Music is something like this very moment,” adding, “It's something everyone relates to and enjoys. That's what music is.” His humble attitude, free of pretension, along with his profound musical philosophy, has earned praise even among the international press...
↳ ??????? Since when did Daily Ilbo start writing articles like this?
↳ Isn't Daily Ilbo the paper that's always posting conspiracy theories?
↳ Wow. Even Daily Ilbo couldn't criticize the dignity of an Oscar winner. ㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ
↳ Haha, that photo's adorable. He looks completely different from when he was wearing the tuxedo.ㅋㅋ
↳ I'm so jealous. Drinking soju with Stay...ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
↳ I don't even know why, but I ended up smiling the whole time I read it.
At this point...
I'd say the operation was a success, wouldn't you?