Chapter 95
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Moon Kang-hyun's Master Class
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The dreamlike weekend had fully passed, and Monday was back.
Today marked the start of the second-semester special master class for the first-year musical theater majors.
Ji-woong waited in the teachers' lounge with a stern expression, anticipating the instructor's arrival.
Just then, the door slid open with a rattle, and the teachers reacted immediately.
"Oh my! Actor Moon Kang-hyun!"
"Teacher! He's an actor. Now he's a teacher."
Amid the delighted reactions from the teachers, Moon Kang-hyun appeared with a hearty laugh.
"Hello, everyone. It's been a while."
"Oh, you remember me?"
"Of course. Didn't we take a photo together last time?"
"Oh, right! You remember things like that."
Just like before, Moon Kang-hyun was instantly surrounded by the teachers.
Han Hyo-jin, who entered the lounge a bit late, approached in surprise upon seeing the scene.
"Sunbae! You got here early."
"Ah, Teacher Han."
"Haha. Calling me Teacher Han feels awkward."
Moon Kang-hyun politely addressed the group of teachers who showed no signs of parting.
"I'm sorry, but I have class today, so I need to speak with the homeroom teacher. I'll be coming here often from now on, so I look forward to your support."
The teachers stepped back with smiles at his courteous words.
"Of course, of course."
"Go ahead and prepare for class. Actor Moon—no, Teacher Moon could teach the kids right now if he wanted."
Finally free, Moon Kang-hyun gave the teachers one last smile.
He strode straight to Ji-woong's desk without even glancing his way.
"Hello. Teacher Huh Ji-woong. I'm Moon Kang-hyun, the instructor for this master class."
That's right.
The special instructor for Cheongyeom Arts High's first-year musical theater master class this semester was none other than Korea's most famous musical actor, Moon Kang-hyun.
Moon Kang-hyun extended his hand for a shake with a smile.
Ji-woong looked back at him leisurely, pretending not to see the offered hand as he muttered.
"What's with the formal introduction."
Ji-woong grabbed the attendance book and stood from his seat.
"For a precious and busy person to grace our humble school. Must not have much work these days."
"You think I'd do this because I have no work? It's all for the musical dreamers."
Moon Kang-hyun lightly parried Ji-woong's sarcastic remark.
"I've heard the first-years at Cheongyeom Arts High have been making waves lately. How could I stay idle with my alma mater in the spotlight?"
"What?"
No idea when he'd started paying such keen attention to the freshmen.
Surely not a doting father suddenly concerned because his son enrolled.
Moon Kang-hyun grinned as if reading Ji-woong's thoughts plain on his face.
"I've heard this year's first-year musical theater class is exceptional. From Principal Lee Won-cheol."
"Ah, yeah. Something like that."
The principal who'd watched the tryouts had been beaming, so word must have spread that far already.
"And I'm curious about student Lee Do-hyun too."
Ji-woong flinched at Do-hyun's name popping up.
"Curious if my boy is doing well. Ah! Of course, I'll evaluate fairly and thoroughly."
Moon Kang-hyun said it with shameless flair.
Ji-woong brushed past Moon Kang-hyun toward the lounge door, as if he had nothing more to say.
"Class starts soon. Follow me."
At Do-hyun's curt words—no, Ji-woong's—Moon Kang-hyun bid farewell to the lounge teachers and followed.
***
Hanging out with the school-representing chaebol kids for volunteer work, then watching a musical alone with Chae Si-hyun.
The start of the first-year second semester wasn't ordinary either.
"Hey, Do-hyun. Know who our special lecture teacher is?"
Today was the first master class.
The classroom buzzed with anticipation ahead of the master class.
"How would I know that."
"Come on. Doesn't the top student get special intel?"
"No such thing. It's the same for everyone, top or not."
"Hmm. Really?"
Led by Woo-sik, the kids were hyped since they had no clue who the instructor was.
Truth be told, I knew but kept quiet.
Not because I was top student with insider info, as Woo-sik put it.
It lingered in my memories from before the regression.
Seeing Woo-sik with those sad puppy eyes, he started teasing me again about what was wrong.
Better not to get hopes up.
The master class featured a veteran actor retired for 20 years.
Impressive, sure, but the kids had been majorly disappointed back then.
I was too, but this time was different.
Unlike before the regression, there'd be plenty to learn, so I planned to squeeze every drop.
"Quiet down, you lot."
With the first master class period, Ji-woong entered first to introduce the instructor.
The room fell silent in an instant at the homeroom teacher's entrance.
"You all know what time it is."
"First day of master class!"
"This isn't playtime—it's class. Got it?"
"Yes."
As the excited kids quieted, Ji-woong said dryly.
"Come in."
The door slid open, revealing a tall man.
My eyes widened before anyone else's.
Huh? Why's he coming out there?
A different master class instructor from before the regression had appeared.
Moon Kang-hyun... for the master class?
None other than Korea's premier active musical actor, Moon Kang-hyun, stepped through the front door.
"Woooah! No way!"
"Hey! Is this real?"
"Cheongyeom Arts High class! Moon Kang-hyun as special instructor?"
The kids erupted in fervent cheers at the sight of him.
Moon Kang-hyun stood at the podium with a relaxed smile, as if he'd expected this level of reaction.
Ji-woong at 178cm wasn't short, but next to Moon Kang-hyun, he looked downright small.
Truly an imposing presence.
"As you all know, this is the great Moon Kang-hyun, whom you admire endlessly. He's agreed to be the special instructor for this semester's master class."
The kids cheered even louder at Ji-woong's confirmation.
"Actor...!"
"Hey, Min Woo-sik! Why're you climbing on the desk!"
Ji-woong slammed the attendance book on the podium.
Woo-sik, who'd excitedly clambered onto a desk, sheepishly ducked his head and slunk down.
"I said it's class time. I get the excitement, but focus up."
At Ji-woong's traffic control, the kids quieted in a flash.
Only then did Ji-woong step back, allowing Moon Kang-hyun to advance to the podium.
"Been a while."
The kids gave small cheers and applause.
"Haha. Looks like the homeroom teacher really is scary. Well... he's a scary sunbae to me too."
Right. Ji-woong was Moon Kang-hyun's sunbae.
I'd momentarily forgotten.
"Ooh, sunbae."
"Makes the teacher look cooler somehow."
The kids oohed at Moon Kang-hyun calling Ji-woong sunbae and glanced his way.
"Alright, listen quietly. Don't go bothering the next class when I leave."
Ji-woong ignored the kids' noises as usual, handed the podium to Moon Kang-hyun, and exited.
"What? You didn't know?"
Song Ha-na quietly asked Moon Woo-hyuk, the only one in class with a stiff face.
Judging by his reaction, he hadn't known. Did father and son not talk about stuff like this?
I'd always thought their relationship was cold, but not this much.
"Nah. Didn't know."
Moon Woo-hyuk truly hadn't.
But knowing his father wasn't one to report every detail, he had nothing to say.
A bit miffed, though.
Moon Woo-hyuk stared at the podium with a pouty face, noticed or not.
Moon Kang-hyun finished his brief intro and leisurely scanned the room.
"Hmm, shall I start with the lesson plan?"
"Yes!"
First time the kids answered that loud for a lesson plan.
"Love the energy. Let's begin."
Moon Kang-hyun launched his prepared PPT.
Did he make it himself? The quality was insanely high—hard to believe he had time.
Busy as he was, when did he prep this?
Made me admire him anew.
"The content will cover three parts: the future of musicals, musical theory, and vocal skills."
No clue why the master class instructor changed to Moon Kang-hyun unlike before the regression.
But one thing was clear: a golden opportunity to learn a ton.
What high schooler nationwide gets to hear about musicals' future and vocal skills straight from Moon Kang-hyun?
"It'll mostly be theory lectures, but I'll actively incorporate your opinions, so feel free to suggest anytime."
At that, Woo-sik's nostrils flared as he shot up his hand.
"Teacher."
Moon Kang-hyun gestured to Woo-sik.
"Oh, the kid from before. Nice to see you."
Gasp.
Woo-sik clutched his heart at Moon Kang-hyun's friendly tone.
He remembers me.
Seeing that, I secretly hoped.
Does he remember me too?
"Could I maybe get an autograph after class?"
Everyone wondered the same as Woo-sik voiced it, eyes locked on Moon Kang-hyun.
"Of course. If you focus on class?"
"Naturally! We'll give it our all."
Classic Woo-sik.
This attitude even before Moon Kang-hyun—he might really make it big.
I looked at him with newfound respect.
Though he was too engrossed in Moon Kang-hyun to notice.
Moon Kang-hyun, not hating Woo-sik's cheekiness, smiled back.
"Any other questions?"
Song Ha-na raised her hand right away, as if waiting.
No surprise anymore.
"Yes. Student Song Ha-na."
Naturally, Moon Kang-hyun and Song Ha-na already knew each other.
Everyone knew their families were close too.
The kids subtly envied him calling her name so casually.
"But isn't it unfair coming to the class with your son?"
The class collectively inhaled at her words.
Only Song Ha-na could pull that off.
Moon Kang-hyun, knowing her personality, smiled and replied.
"No worries. Evaluations will be strictly objective. The final tests counting toward grades won't depend on my subjectivity, so look forward to it."
No idea what tests, but with him saying that, nothing more to add.
Song Ha-na shut her mouth with a dissatisfied look.
Then Kim Sun-woo shot up his hand.
Rare for him to ask so much; Moon Kang-hyun's star power was real.
Moon Kang-hyun kindly nodded to the familiar face.
"Yes. Student Kim Sun-woo."
"It's an honor just to learn from you, Teacher."
Kim Sun-woo's beaming smile was heartwarming even to classmates.
The kind anyone would fall for.
But Song Ha-na scoffed beside him and glared.
"Cheater."
"Haha. Thanks."
Moon Kang-hyun chuckled warmly in return.
Nods rippled through the class at Kim Sun-woo's words, the mood warm and fuzzy.
Moon Woo-hyuk avoided looking at the podium, pretending to be elsewhere.
Maybe the disconnect from his home dad image.
Then, unexpectedly, Moon Kang-hyun called on Moon Woo-hyuk.
"You there, student Moon Woo-hyuk."
Moon Woo-hyuk jolted at the sudden call and looked up.
"Y-yes."
"Doodling costs minus one point."
The kids giggled.
"Just kidding."
Moon Woo-hyuk's face flushed slightly, but the classroom vibe was great.
And so, the master class—the highlight of the second semester—kicked off on a warm note.