Chapter 97
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Master Class Lottery
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Has everyone sat with their partners?”
“Yes—!”
“Good. Your seats for this semester’s master class are now fixed.”
The lottery results had paired me with Song Ha-na for the master class.
In that instant, a chill ran down my spine.
Looking around, Moon Woo-hyuk and Woo-sik were glaring daggers at me.
What could I do? It was just a draw.
I ignored them.
“Now that partners are set, let’s begin class with the remaining time. Just so you know, there’s no written exam, so feel free to relax and listen.”
Even on the first day, there were no gaps in the lecture.
With a name like Moon Kang-hyun, he must give talks everywhere.
That explained why it felt so thoroughly prepared.
Without delay, Moon Kang-hyun launched into a lecture on current trends and the future of modern musicals.
It turned out to be directly related to our assignment.
In simple terms, it boiled down to there being no one right answer in musicals.
Perhaps because it was Moon Kang-hyun, he could make statements like that without backlash from anyone.
He kept emphasizing the future of musicals, and the content clearly showed he was ahead of the curve.
“As I mentioned earlier, we need to get used to performing for cameras now. Vocal power matters, but over time, tones and techniques optimized for mics will become crucial.”
These were realizations I’d only grasped after living one life, yet Moon Kang-hyun spoke as if he’d learned them the hard way already.
Even an actor at the top of his game thought that way.
No wonder he was a superstar.
Coming from the future, it felt like a pilgrimage to a legendary lecture from the past.
“Who should I pick... Ah, Kim Sun-woo, please stand up.”
Kim Sun-woo shot to his feet at Moon Kang-hyun’s call as he scanned the room.
“You know what today’s piece is, right?”
“Of course.”
“Give it a go?”
Today’s piece.
It was a super famous number that any musical student would know.
Even with the sudden request, Kim Sun-woo got into position and sang right away.
“Remember this day—”
I’d been focused on the lecture, listening without much thought.
But the moment Kim Sun-woo sang the first line, I was stunned.
Had he always been this good? Something felt different.
It didn’t match the vibe from his performance last semester.
His signature clear tone was still there, but his vocal technique and resonance had changed.
I couldn’t analyze deeply from just one short line of one song, but it was undeniably much better.
His throat and vocal cords felt incredibly sturdy.
And he’d sung it cold, without warming up.
What happened?
While I was admiring Kim Sun-woo’s improved voice, Moon Kang-hyun joined in as a duet during the song.
“To-day, don’t forget, remember—”
No more, no less—just one line.
Yet it had the charisma to overwhelm Kim Sun-woo’s volume.
It was like he had a dozen mics on.
Moon Kang-hyun conducted with his hands, then signaled to stop.
At the cue, both Kim Sun-woo and Moon Kang-hyun halted simultaneously.
“After I joined in as a duet, did anyone hear Kim Sun-woo’s voice?”
No way.
Moon Kang-hyun had come in later with such massive projection—there was no hearing it.
You’d believe Kim Sun-woo hadn’t sung at all, drowned out by that projection.
Separate from Kim Sun-woo’s improvement, Moon Kang-hyun’s technique was jaw-dropping.
“Of course not. I overwhelmed his volume with my massive projection.”
It couldn’t just be showing off his power.
“But was that the right move?”
No.
Some kids looked intimidated by Moon Kang-hyun’s voice, like they’d given up thinking they could never match it—but they didn’t need to.
Musicals were team performances.
Bigger volume didn’t always mean better.
I shook my head without realizing it.
That’s when Moon Kang-hyun spotted me and pointed.
“Lee Do-hyun. Can you explain why not?”
I hadn’t expected to be called on twice in one class.
He glanced at me and nodded reassuringly.
“In musicals, the team nature means overwhelming your partner and standing out alone ruins the show.”
The students gasped at my sharp, unhesitating answer.
It basically called out Moon Kang-hyun for showboating and tanking a performance.
“So, was my projection wrong?”
Moon Kang-hyun asked calmly, his expression neutral—no anger, no joy.
“Well, no, I don’t think so. On a big stage or outdoors for a solo, nothing beats the overwhelming power you just demonstrated, Teacher Moon Kang-hyun.”
You couldn’t acquire Moon Kang-hyun’s volume just by wanting it.
His innate projection couldn’t be wrong.
It was just...
“I think the right projection depends on the situation and content.”
Different situations call for different advantages.
Before my regression, I’d blindly craved that big voice without thinking about such things.
“Haha. Exactly.”
Moon Kang-hyun laughed out loud, visibly satisfied.
“No wonder you’re top of the class.”
He clapped, and the kids hesitated before joining in.
No, that wasn’t why I said it...
“Exactly. Projection suited to the content is key. The one that just ate up Kim Sun-woo’s voice? Wrong for this moment, at least.”
Moon Kang-hyun hadn’t demoed that for nothing.
It was to drive home the point about developing projection for content—something that might seem out of left field to aspiring musical actors.
“When working on your assignments, really think about what projection fits the content. How can you make it enjoyable?”
The entire lecture tied into our assignment.
Checking the time, Moon Kang-hyun started wrapping up.
“Next lecture, we’ll cover what voices can convey... Oh, right.”
The kids perked up as he spoke like something had just occurred to him in the winding-down mood.
“The top team gets Broadway tickets as a prize. Shows you can catch over winter break.”
The students stared blankly, not quite processing the sudden announcement.
Broadway...?
What did Moon Kang-hyun just say?
And understandably so—Broadway musicals?
No way he meant the one in America.
“Broadway? Do you mean America? Or England?”
Good job, Song Ha-na.
I’d never been so glad she asked exactly what I was wondering.
“America.”
No way—actual Broadway in America?
That meant flying to the States.
And right away, a question popped up.
Probably no issue for Song Ha-na, but...
“Um, Teacher.”
I had to clarify this.
I didn’t know about that trio, but for regular students like me, it was a huge deal.
“Yes, Lee Do-hyun?”
“So... plane tickets? And living expenses...?”
Getting to America—and staying there—cost a fortune.
With so many rich kids here, surely he didn’t assume everyone could just go.
What good were tickets then?
You’d have to scalp them to cover flights and lodging.
“We’re covering flights too. Meals and lodging, all expenses paid.”
“Wow.”
The exclamation slipped out before I knew it.
The kids burst out laughing at my honest reaction.
I didn’t care right now.
This was an insanely tempting prize.
Only someone like Moon Kang-hyun could offer rewards on another level.
The others might want it too, but it meant even more to me.
I’d never been abroad—before or after regression.
And now this windfall.
A free overseas trip.
To see Broadway shows, no less.
My heart was already pounding.
Gotta get my passport this weekend.
***
After master class, instead of heading to the cafeteria for dinner, I bolted out the back gate.
Dad had texted that he was dropping off side dishes and soup Mom packed.
At the back gate, a familiar car came into view.
“Dad!”
Dad, waiting outside, turned at my call.
He beamed, waving big, and pulled containers from the back seat.
Seeing they looked heavy, I rushed over.
“I’ll take them.”
“Nah, it’s fine. Where’s your dorm? I’ll carry them.”
“It’s okay, I got it. Hand them over.”
I darted to the car and snatched the containers from his hands.
But when I turned, Dad looked a bit disappointed.
Come to think of it, he’d never seen the dorm. Maybe he wanted to.
Feeling like I’d stolen his chance, I asked casually.
“Wanna see the dorm before you go?”
“Yeah. I’d love to see how my boy’s living.”
His face lit up, like he’d been hoping for it.
I called ahead to Woo-sik in the room, then shouldered the containers.
“This way.”
Leading Dad to the dorm, I spotted a familiar silhouette.
That huge build—had to be Moon Kang-hyun.
Our eyes met, so I bowed politely.
But that wasn’t the end.
Suddenly, Moon Kang-hyun started walking toward us.
“Uh, uh!”
Dad beside me recognized him and freaked out.
Even a five-year-old would know Moon Kang-hyun—he was all over TV.
Not just famous as a musical actor, but as KH Foundation chairman, with tons of ads and shows, his face was everywhere.
“Why’s Moon Kang-hyun here...?”
“He’s our special instructor for musicals this semester.”
As I explained to Dad, Moon Kang-hyun approached with a smile.
“You must be Lee Do-hyun’s father?”
“Oh, yes. This is Do-hyun’s old man.”
“Haha. Nice to meet you. I’m Moon Kang-hyun, and I’ll be guiding your son this semester.”
Moon Kang-hyun extended his hand politely.
Dad grabbed it in a rush.
“Oh man, I’ve seen you so much on TV. Big fan. Haha.”
Dad laughed heartily, clearly thrilled.
“I hope Do-hyun’s doing well.”
He wasn’t even my homeroom teacher—how would he know? But parents gonna parent.
“I just started today, so I don’t know everything yet... but I could tell right away he’s a student everyone’s excited about. Especially since he topped last semester.”
Dad’s face swelled with pride at the stream of praise.
“And he’s in class with my son too—I have high hopes.”
Moon Kang-hyun patted my back, not stopping there.
Lip service on point, especially in front of my dad.
“Oh! Do-hyun told me. Said he’s classmates with your son now. Said the kid’s got real talent. Haha.”
Trying to talk more with my parents this life, I’d shared all sorts of school stories.
So Dad even knew about Moon Woo-hyuk.
Moon Kang-hyun seemed surprised Dad knew his son, glancing at me before saying,
“Really? I was worried, but sounds like they get along. My boy’s got such a prickly personality. Haha.”
“Oh come on. If he takes after you, Teacher Moon, his character must be top-notch. Hahaha.”
Our Teacher Moon...?
Dad wasn’t even an actor, but his charm was no slouch.
Matched Moon Kang-hyun’s vibe.
Mid-conversation with a smile, Moon Kang-hyun turned to me.
“From Lee Do-hyun’s view, what do you think of my Woo-hyuk?”
Well now.
What was I supposed to say to that?