I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 233

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 233
Min-guk approached the empty space.
The Staff Member followed behind him with a puzzled expression.
“There’s no schedule today….”
In that moment, the sight that unfolded before Min-guk’s eyes was nothing short of miraculous.
Michael Jackson was listening to music alone.
Of course, there was a massive Bodyguard standing at the door.
The Bodyguard blocked their path the moment he saw Min-guk and the Staff Member.
“No entry.”
“Ah, I’m Liz, the marketing manager for Sony Music.”
“Still, no entry here.”
At that moment, Min-guk called out to Michael Jackson in halting English.
“Michael! Michael Jackson! I’m a huge fan of yours. I came from Korea!”
The Bodyguard quickly tried to stop Min-guk, but then a familiar voice rang out.
A delicate and beautiful voice.
“Wait a moment….”
At those words, both Min-guk and the Staff Member froze.
Had Michael Jackson just said wait a moment?
Thump-thump.
Min-guk clutched his chest and waited. For Michael Jackson to appear.
And finally, Michael Jackson revealed himself.
Min-guk simply stood there with his mouth agape, looking up at Michael Jackson.
“Hello. You came from Korea?”
“Yes… Michael.”
Min-guk couldn’t even tell what he was rambling about.
* * *
Howard Page, the investment manager at Sony Music, had a stern expression.
He was smiling, but it was clear he was wary of me.
“To meet the famous Sung-guk in person—it’s quite an honor.”
“The honor is mine to visit Sony Music directly.”
“According to your profile, you were in New York as well. You’ve never been here before?”
[He’s already finished his background check on me.]
I smiled faintly and took my seat.
“When I was in New York, I was too young. After that, I was too busy with work to do more than pass by Sony Music.”
“I see. Not many people can enter this place, after all.”
Howard Page carried himself with considerable pride.
“But… Sung-guk, you came to visit us today because of ‘FaceNote’, correct?”
[Playing dumb, are we.]
I had already sent an official notice to Sony Music requesting investment to revitalize YouTube. Yet Howard Page brought up ‘FaceNote’ as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
That meant YouTube was truly in dire straits right now.
“Howard, I told you I was coming to discuss YouTube investment with you. Did the materials go to the wrong place? Or did you simply not bother to review what I sent?”
“Ah… of course I reviewed it. It’s not laziness—anyone can see that Sung-guk’s main stage is FaceNote.”
“I’m looking to shift my primary platform now.”
Howard Page shrugged with an amused smile.
“To be honest, FaceNote is worth investing in, but YouTube? I’m not convinced.”
“What if every music video from Sony Music artists could be streamed on YouTube?”
“We don’t need YouTube for that—we have plenty of music channels already.”
“But those channels require you to watch at specific times or wait for reruns, don’t they? YouTube is different. Once a video is uploaded, I can watch music videos whenever I want, on any date and time, infinitely. That’s the real advantage.”
“But YouTube doesn’t currently offer that level of streaming capability or video quality.”
“That’s exactly why I came all the way to New York—to make that service a reality.”
I pressed the point boldly, and Howard Page’s lips curved into a subtle smile.
Powerful people always showed interest when their counterpart matched their intensity.
* * *
Michael Jackson spoke to his bodyguard.
“We still have time before the appointment… I’d like to talk with this young man for a bit.”
“Of course, Michael.”
Michael’s face brightened the moment the bodyguard agreed.
“Come on in. I was supposed to meet Howard today, but we rescheduled because of investment matters, and I ended up arriving early.”
“Michael, does that mean you can spend time with me?”
“Spend time? I’m not sure about that, but I can talk.”
“Michael, that’s more than enough for me!”
Min-guk’s hand shot up enthusiastically.
“I’ll grab some drinks. You drink water, right Michael?”
“Yes.”
“And Min-guk?”
“An iced Americano, please.”
The staff member left the office, leaving only Min-guk and Michael Jackson facing each other.
Michael gazed at Min-guk with a shy smile.
“What’s your name?”
“Min-guk. Jeon Min-guk.”
“Min-guk. That’s a strong name. What brings you here, Min-guk? Are you here for some record deal?”
“Actually, I…”
Min-guk’s expression darkened.
He was afraid that if he admitted he’d run away from trainee life and followed his brother here, Michael Jackson would only scold him.
“Min-guk, speak freely.”
“Well…”
Min-guk took a long breath before continuing.
“I’m a trainee in South Korea, preparing to become a singer.”
“What’s a trainee?”
“It’s a term for aspiring singers who train and prepare before officially debuting as professional artists.”
“South Korea has things like that too, huh.”
Michael found Min-guk’s story fascinating.
“But why did you come here?”
“Well, the trainee program was just too hard, so I ran away to my hyung, and he said he had business here, so I tagged along.”
“Geez….”
Michael genuinely worried for Min-guk.
“Min-guk, do you hate being a singer?”
“Not exactly… Michael, have you ever hated being a singer?”
At Min-guk’s question, Michael’s face seemed to drift into the past. He paused thoughtfully before speaking.
“Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever hated being a singer.”
“Really?”
“More precisely, no one ever let me dream of any life other than being a singer.”
From that point on, Michael began sharing his past.
Min-guk listened intently, his ears perked up.
“There was no such thing as choice in my house. From the moment I started speaking, my father forced me to become a singer.”
“Michael, that wasn’t what you wanted?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe when I was young, I enjoyed having people listen to my songs and praise me. And since I was making money, my family was happy….”
Michael looked at Min-guk with eyes that seemed to trace the past.
“I just stood in front of people because I was good at singing, but at some point, I became so famous that I couldn’t even handle it myself. After that, I honestly don’t remember how my life unfolded. I just sang like a madman, performed on stage after stage… and lived addicted to the roar of the crowd.”
“Michael… wasn’t that difficult?”
Min-guk looked at Michael with worried eyes.
“There were actually times when it was incredibly hard. Fame and money… of course they’re necessary and important. But when you have so much of them, I couldn’t figure out what I was even doing anymore. I already had enough money to spend for the rest of my life, so why was I doing this? Why was I standing on stage singing again? I even lost my voice for a while because of those thoughts.”
“Michael, I’ve never heard you talk about this before.”
“My slump is managed by the company too. There’s nothing I can do freely.”
Michael’s expression grew melancholy for a moment.
“Michael, I’ve always thought you were a truly great singer. In pop, there’s Michael Jackson. In rap, there’s Eminem.”
“Thanks, Min-guk.”
Min-guk took a moment to collect himself, then asked with courage.
“Michael… could you tell me how you overcame that slump?”
“How I overcame the slump….”
Michael thought for a moment, then looked at Min-guk.
“It was one day when I was wandering aimlessly because I was so tormented. A day when I had my face wrapped up so no one could recognize me. I was just sitting on some shabby bench when I noticed a homeless man on the next bench listening to my music. So I gathered my courage and asked him: Do you like that singer?”
“And then?”
“Then that homeless man told me that Michael Jackson’s voice heals him.”
Min-guk’s eyes widened.
And Michael continued.
“Until then, I thought I was singing only for my family’s wealth and glory, but I never considered that someone might hear my voice and find healing in it.”
Michael took a sip of water.
“I carefully asked the homeless man: Why does this music heal you? This person lives a hundred times, no, a thousand times better than you. And then the homeless man laughed. He said of course it heals him—shouldn’t the person who heals others also earn well?”
“Michael, is that person really homeless? Isn’t he a saint?”
“Looking back on it now, I wonder if he wasn’t actually a saint. Because that’s what he said—everyone is born with at least one talent. If that talent can comfort others, what greater gift could there be? And… the singer who performed this song, he said he possessed that same gift of consolation, and if he ever met them, he’d give away his entire fortune. A homeless man said that…”
Michael’s eyes glistened with tears as he spoke.
“Michael…”
Min-guk couldn’t find any more words.
Today, Min-guk too had received comfort from Michael Jackson and found courage.
* * *
I was having my final confrontation with Howard Page.
Howard Page seemed to wonder what kind of future playing music videos on YouTube could possibly offer.
But this future was about to begin very soon.
“Howard, if you don’t invest in YouTube now, this opportunity may never come again.”
“Sung-guk, I have no regrets about such things.”
[Then, that’s it!]
I stood up from my seat.
There was no point talking to someone who didn’t recognize my value or my company’s worth.
“Howard, that was your last chance. It’s a shame. Well then, take care.”
I left the office.
And headed to the 16th Floor where Min-guk was.
* * *
“Michael, then… if someone could find comfort in my voice, that would be something truly wonderful.”
“Min-guk, haven’t you ever felt that way listening to my songs?”
“Of course… many times. Michael Jackson’s music has comforted me so much.”
“Min-guk, if you were born with a voice and talent that can comfort others, as that homeless man said, then that’s the greatest fortune of this lifetime.”
“Michael… I think I understand what you mean.”
Min-guk nodded repeatedly.
Just then, the door opened and my older brother Sung-guk entered.
* * *
“Min-guk…”
I was momentarily startled seeing Michael Jackson.
“Michael Jackson? No, I’m Min-guk’s older brother.”
“Ah, so you’re the older brother who had an appointment here today.”
“Yes, Michael…”
I stopped, too astonished to move.
In truth, Michael Jackson was a hero to me as well.
I quickly looked at Min-guk.
“Min-guk, what were you two talking about?”
“Michael told me so many wonderful things.”
Michael smiled warmly.
“Min-guk is such a sharp fellow that he understands everything I say.”
Just then, Michael’s Manager entered and looked surprised seeing us.
“What are you all doing here?”
“Teddy, don’t be upset. Everyone here came for business.”
“Still, we shouldn’t discuss things carelessly!”
Michael exhaled a low sigh. Then he spoke to Min-guk.
“Min-guk, never forget that fame demands constant vigilance, and there’s always a price to pay when you make a mistake.”
“Yes, Michael. Michael, could we take a photo together?”
The Manager stepped forward, blocking the way.
“We’re in the middle of important business. Photos aren’t possible.”
That’s when Michael stepped in.
“Teddy, I want to take a photo with this kid. He might become an even more famous singer than me someday, who knows.”
“Michael, but….”
“I’ll take full responsibility.”
With that, Michael took a photo with Min-guk and me.
Click—the shutter sounded, and Michael quickly left the office.
Min-guk was bouncing up and down while looking at the photo.
“Hyung, I really took a photo with Michael Jackson, right? This isn’t a dream, is it?”
[Of course it’s real. Do you know how much money I spent to get Michael Jackson here! Jeon Min-guk!]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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