The Echorec Reunion
The taxi driver frowned as the unexpected pile of luggage came tumbling in. Ignoring the old man's grumbling, Myeongjeon climbed into the cab and changed the destination.
Suddenly facing a long haul, the driver's attitude did a complete 180.
"So, where we headed?"
"Gangnam."
Myeongjeon gave a curt reply to Iseo's question, then dialed Lee Hyein.
Yes. I'm on my way to Gangnam right now for something. Yes. You're coming to pick me up? No need for that. I'll let you know once I see it. Okay.
"Mom?"
"Yeah."
"She's really looking out for you~"
"Sometimes it's a hassle."
At Myeongjeon's grumble, Iseo looked a bit taken aback.
"Hey, come on. Isn't calling it a hassle a bit much when she's worrying and taking care of you like that?"
"Being grateful for the worry and care is one thing. It being a hassle is another. They're different."
Never seen such a cheeky kid... The taxi driver muttered to himself. But the two high school girls kept chatting away.
"Still, she's doing it out of worry, right?"
"Yeah. You don't find moms who look after you like that often. Mine doesn't give a damn. My dad neither..."
Iseo trailed off mid-sentence, clamping her mouth shut. From the rumors she'd heard, Suyeon's dad had passed away when she was little. She didn't know the exact timing, but talking about dads in front of Suyeon was pretty much taboo. Not that Suyeon was one to flip out over it, but still— it felt wrong in front of someone who'd lost family.
But Suyeon looked totally unfazed. Even peering closely for any hidden sadness behind the blank expression, there was nothing.
Is it because she lost her memories?
Father, huh...
Unlike Iseo's concern, Myeongjeon didn't give it a second thought. It was someone else's dad, after all. She hadn't been close to her own father back in the day—hell, nobody was in those times—and there was no reason to fret over a dead stranger in this borrowed body.
Digging into this girl's past just brings up vague memories anyway.
Recalling Ha Suyeon's early childhood, it seemed like a pretty harmonious family. But after he died, things turned cold. Was that why Lee Hyein and 'Ha Suyeon' had fallen out? Eh, not a big deal. Myeongjeon figured it was just something to note and move on from.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Chae Hogun, professor at Ho-in Arts University."
"Hello. Ha Suyeon, guitarist for Group Sound."
"A-ah, hello! Choi Iseo, bassist for Group Sound..."
In a Gangnam studio, Juhong greeted them and showed them in. The room felt like an old-fashioned office. A stubborn-looking elderly man peering at his computer welcomed them.
"Come on in, have a seat everyone. You all know Im Junhong here, right?"
"Yes."
"Uh, first time meeting me, actually..."
Myeongjeon shot Iseo a raised eyebrow. In a situation like this, you just play along with a nod. She might act bold, but the kid still lacked life experience.
"Oh? Then introduce him now, Junhong."
"Yes. I'm Im Junhong, session guitarist..."
Sudden awkward skit unfolding. Myeongjeon sighed inwardly. Iseo and Junhong stumbled through their intros. Hogun waited for them to finish, then spoke up.
"I caught your performance the other day, Miss Suyeon. It was great."
"Ah, thank you."
"Seo Myeongjeon, that guy... such a shame he went. If I'd known his health was that bad, I would've reached out."
"Professor Hogun, were you close with Teacher Myeongjeon?"
"Did I not mention it?"
Junhong shook his head—nope, not at all.
"With Myeongjeon... hmm, not some grand 'friendship' or anything. We met a lot on the job, and a few times at drinks otherwise?"
Myeongjeon remembered it similarly. A handful of drinking sessions didn't mean deep talks, mostly work-related. He'd done a ton of sessions for Hogun's solo albums.
"What was he like, Teacher Myeongjeon?"
"Well... hard to say with his direct connection here."
Junhong's sudden question left Hogun looking awkward. But before he could backpedal, Myeongjeon jumped in.
"It's fine by me. I'm kinda curious about his rep myself."
"Fair enough. Nothing bad to say anyway. Guitar skills top-tier—but you all know that. More like... he felt kinda locked in his own world."
Hogun took a sip of coffee and continued.
"Talking to him, he was sharp on trends, picked 'em up fast. But when it came to writing or creating his own stuff? He couldn't push past it. That song you showed me, Miss Suyeon—even with your tweaks, it was damn good. If he'd lived longer, he could've made some solid albums."
Not why I brought it up, though, Hogun muttered, then turned to Suyeon.
"You know why I called you here—Junhong told me you're collecting Myeongjeon's gear. I picked this up used recently."
He gestured to it: a Binson Echorec 2. The echo unit David Gilmour used recording The Dark Side of the Moon—world's second best-selling album, top rock album ever. Sure, Gilmour switched gear after '77, using modern delay pedals now, but Myeongjeon's main tone aimed straight for '70s Gilmour. Essential collectible.
"How'd I know it was his? Look—he wrote his name inside. Anti-theft?"
Did I? Myeongjeon had already confirmed it from the mods and repairs—she'd done them herself. But naming it? Vaguely rang a bell, yeah—to catch thieves pretending it was theirs.
"Bought it for my collection, but... effects are meant to be used. Since we're meeting, thought I'd gift it to a promising guitarist like you."
A bit premature for cheers. Myeongjeon zeroed in on that last phrasing—not "give," but "planning to."
"Planning to give it...?"
"You're hunting it, so you know—ain't cheap."
Junhong chimed in, Hogun replying. Yeah, not something you just hand over lightly.
Iseo nudged Myeongjeon. "How much is it?"
"Dunno the buy price, but used market? Few million won."
"That much??"
Iseo whispered in shock; Myeongjeon whispered back. Startling, but fair—'70s unique, irreplaceable, still working in 2024? Bound to be pricey.
"First, Miss Suyeon: I paid 6 million. I'll cover 2, can you swing 4?"
"Mm... no."
Myeongjeon thought of the Mipen Telecaster direct-shipped from Japan recently—a toy guitar, basically. If she hadn't bought that, she could've paid cash.
"Figured. Student and all. Second offer: thinking of Ho-in Arts? I could just hand it over."
"No, not at all."
Myeongjeon's firm no hardened Junhong's face a bit. Hogun looked like he'd expected the rejection.
"Just tossing it out there. As a teacher, can't help recruiting... How about this: session guitar on my album?"
The Echorec deal wrapped up neatly: full session guitar on Hogun's album, partial fee offset by the pedal.
Profit for me, Myeongjeon figured. Hogun still had name value. Sessions on his album meant cash and exposure as a guitarist.
"And Junhong mentioned your band... applying for that support program?"
"Yes."
Just a casual aside to Junhong, and it had spread here already. Chatty guy.
"I've judged similar contests... they stir up drama."
Hogun recalled the old days—cutthroat fights for a slim shot, fair or foul.
"Small-scale, government-run, so maybe not... but band vs. band? Go in bold. Some talented young ones besides your group. Plus, I heard you had some personal scandals?"
"Yes. Reflecting on it."
"Watch your step. Money on the line, anything can happen."
We've prepped for that much, Myeongjeon thought. If it went smooth, it'd be a win.
"Ready to play now?"
While Myeongjeon mulled, Iseo finished setting up.
"The kid who came along plays bass?" Hogun asked, landing Iseo suddenly playing bass for an arts prof.
"Go ahead. Something you're confident in."
Iseo noodled around. After a few minutes, Hogun queried post-song.
"Hmm... you two haven't known each other long?"
"Yes."
"Figures. Playing's rough, pushes too hard. Oddly, some parts neat like guided, others wild."
Iseo glanced at Suyeon hearing the critique.
She looks unbothered.
"Talent's there, though. Taking lessons?"
"Quit recently. Various reasons..."
"Hm... Jongno-gu resident? Contact this guy—my student's nearby, killer bassist."
Hogun handed Iseo a business card. She took it with a what's this? vibe, pocketing it awkwardly.
Not an ad, right...?
"Good luck with Band Pioneer. I'll contact for album schedule once set."
Myeongjeon nodded at Hogun's parting words, ignoring Iseo's suspicions. After a few rest days, time to hit the ground running again.