Memorial for the Guitarist
Guitarist Seo Myeongjeon Memorial Concert Notice
The guitarist Seo Myeongjeon, who was also active as a Mulein, passed away quite some time ago. Since we couldn't even have a proper time to mourn his passing, we're holding this memorial concert now, albeit late, to send him off with music.
Location: ~~
Time: ~~
Admission: Free
Lineup
~~~
~~~
As one human being and one guitarist who left his mark on Korean session music history, we ask for your interest in Seo Myeongjeon teacher's memorial concert.
Thank you.
'Dude, just because you play guitar well doesn't make you a person, ffs~~!'
My friend handling direction and I were chatting outside the studio like that, and then he starts recording—whoa~~! His skill just melted away all the anger. And we weren't even thinking about it, but he went ahead and recorded extra tracks we might need, which blew us away.
Whenever we drink with that direction friend, he'd get drunk and go, "Hey, remember that time~!" But now this happens out of nowhere... Gonna drink a lot tonight .
Myeongjeon sank deep into the cafe sofa, slurping his iced cappuccino through the straw. It gurgled hoarsely as it rushed into his mouth, sucking in air with it.
"Hungry? Have more coffee."
"Nah, not that bad."
It was the band's first regular meeting since the performance. Held at their usual cafe, nothing major on the agenda, but... Myeongjeon just couldn't focus. His nerves were all tangled up in one direction.
"Something wrong?"
"Kinda, yeah..."
At Hyeona's question, Myeongjeon brushed back his hair vaguely. How the hell was he supposed to explain this?
'My past self died, so they're holding a memorial concert, but it has nothing to do with my current self anyway, still bugs me.' No way to say that without sounding insane.
"I know why she's upset."
"Why?"
"Guitar teacher's memorial concert, right?"
Myeongjeon crunched his ice hard and spat it out. Pfbt! Ice scattered across the table amid cries of "Eww, gross!" and squeals from the high school girls. He wiped his mouth with the tissue Hyeona handed him, wondering how the hell Iseo had figured it out.
"C'mon, search our band and it's all Suyeon stuff. Dig deeper, it's all 'Seo Myeongjeon teacher's disciple!' How could you not know."
"Whoa..."
Myeongjeon let out a sigh. Leaving him be, Hyeona turned to Seoha. "Who's Seo Myeongjeon teacher? Famous?"
"Famous session guitarist. Anyone older into guitar or pros making albums knows him. I knew too."
"Sounds familiar..."
"Session guitarist. Can't say much with the man himself here."
Seoha glanced at Myeongjeon, who waved it off like it was nothing.
"Don't worry about it."
With that, Seoha began explaining softly to Hyeona.
Session guitarist Seo Myeongjeon. Started playing in his teens, Korea's unrivaled technician. But composition skills lagged behind his technique—that was the consensus. Most well-received songs of his were covers or written by others.
"Insanely technical guitarist. Like Guthrie Govan, Jason Richardson, Shawn Lane. People who've seen him say he was on that level."
Myeongjeon pretended disinterest but eavesdropped slyly. Who doesn't like praise?
"Problem is, those guys transcended technique with their own style, proven in originals or solos... but Seo Myeongjeon teacher couldn't. Great guitarist, but as a musician, a bit lacking."
"That so..."
His good mood plummeted. Well, couldn't avoid that talk. It was true, after all.
"Oh, Namuwiki page too."
While Seoha and Hyeona chatted, Iseo piped up from her phone screen.
Namuwiki? That site that pops up in searches.
"Says here. [One of Korea's top session guitarists. Lags behind some monster on acoustic (...), but unrivaled on electric.] ... [Composition doesn't match guitar skill; most albums poorly reviewed.]"
"...Not most, right?"
Myeongjeon didn't care about his dead self's rep. He was dead. And yeah, many albums got bad reviews. But not most—some were decent.
"But it says so. [Critics say many plain performances relative to fame, or copying later guitarists' styles.]"
"No...!"
"Suyeon. I get you're upset 'cause it's bad stuff about your guitar teacher, but..."
Iseo's calming words nearly made Myeongjeon yell at her for the first time since taking this body. Total slander! Sure, he lacked creativity, but his comps were at least average...
Just look at album 3...! His third album got decent critic reviews. [Would've been well-received from any other guitarist]—objectively good, right?
"Can't be helped."
"What can't?"
Myeongjeon rose resolutely from the sofa, pulling out his phone. He'd planned to skip, but this defamation? No way.
"You guys come to the concert too."
"What concert?"
"Seo Myeongjeon memorial concert."
"They doing a full memorial??"
Ignoring their wide eyes, Myeongjeon KakaoTalked Junhong.
As the disciple of 'Seo Myeongjeon', he'd show them what 'Seo Myeongjeon's' music was truly like with all his heart... Even if it involved some 'creation' or 'exaggeration'.
Myeongjeon entered the concert hall, guitar slung over his shoulder, amid bustling preparations. Famous for top-notch sound and gear.
Bet renting this cost a fortune...
Rather than touched, he wondered why bother. Not like breaking a leg with funeral feasts after death.
No point thinking like that.
Everyone mourns their way. As the deceased, he felt a bit wronged, but the organizers did nothing wrong.
Sighing, he headed backstage.
"Oh, you came?"
Junhong greeted him warmly. Handshakes exchanged as familiar faces sidled up...
All known faces.
Unlike his thoughts, plenty showed for the performance: Park Sung-ho, Son Young-cheol, Jeong Yi-su, Lee Sang-hoon... Some old contacts, some lapsed, some recent.
"This girl's Myeongjeon's disciple?"
"Yes. But don't call her a 'girl', Sang-hoon teacher—big trouble these days. Some weird law'll nab you."
"Hey! You can say that to me, but Myeongjeon would've slapped you."
Not at all.
Myeongjeon stared incredulously at the baseless rumors. Slander much, even without the man here?
"Anyway, glad you came. Must be tough, but thanks for the courage."
"Uh... sure."
Handshakes all around. Blessings from some, sly old grumps griping. He shot the latter a dirty look.
"How much did you learn from Myeongjeon?"
"Can you show us teacher's guitar?"
Such questions flew, then one grabbed attention:
"Any unreleased tracks from Myeongjeon teacher? Late recordings or something?"
Quiet fell; someone muttered, "Doubt it..."
"Well... something like that exists."
Myeongjeon smiled and nodded. Oooohs rippled. Amid excited chatter, 'Ha Suyeon' thought: I didn't lie...