Chapter 58
Chapter 58: Disciple of a Gayageum Cultural Asset
Translated by POWERPUFF
As Han Deokrye approached the studio where the sorrowful gayageum melody was coming from, she tilted her head in confusion.
“This… isn’t Jina.”
Every instrument carries the individuality of its player.
Having lived with the gayageum for 60 years since the age of six, Han Deokrye could identify a performer just by the sound.
At first, she thought it was Sung Jina, but there were subtle differences.
“Who could it be?”
The performer was fascinating.
The technique resembled Jina’s, yet there was something extra—
and in terms of emotional expression, it had already reached maturity.
In fact, the emotional depth alone rivaled her own.
Curious, Han Deokrye opened the studio door.
The court-style gayageum used 12 strings.
Its sound was soft, elegant, and deep.
It matched the tone Baek Seungchan wanted, but had limitations in producing diverse notes.
The 25-string modern gayageum, however, was different.
Ting—
With more strings, it was harder to play, but it allowed full expression.
“Now this feels right.”
Baek Seungchan began playing the melody in his mind.
“….”
Baek Seunghee and Sung Jina, still stunned from earlier, were shocked again.
This performance was on a completely different level.
They could vividly imagine lovers parting in sorrow.
After about three minutes, the performance ended.
“….”
Silence filled the room—
until applause broke it.
Clap, clap, clap—
They turned toward the door.
Han Deokrye stood there in a hanbok, smiling kindly.
“That was a wonderful performance.”
“Grandmother, you’re back.”
Sung Jina rushed over.
“Hello.”
Baek Seunghee greeted her as well.
“Why are you back so early?”
“Something came up. But who is this?”
Her attention was on Baek Seungchan.
“Hello, I’m Baek Seungchan.”
“Ah, the actor I’ve heard about.”
“I didn’t know you played gayageum this well. When did you start?”
“I learned today.”
“…Today?”
For the first time in a long while, Han Deokrye was shocked.
“Jina, did I hear that correctly?”
“Yes, he really started today.”
“Don’t joke with me.”
Naturally, she didn’t believe it.
But seeing their serious expressions—
“…Is it true?”
“Yes.”
“….”
She was speechless.
Now that she thought about it, there were slight rough edges in his playing.
“…Could it really be his first day?”
Then—
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“If it’s not rude, may I hear you play once? I want to learn.”
Though bold, he spoke directly.
“Learn? It sounds like you think you can learn just by watching.”
“I tend to learn quickly.”
“…Very well.”
She agreed, curious.
“I’ll play ‘Imisiyo,’ a piece about longing.”
As her performance began—
Ting—
The room filled with sound.
The three listeners felt chills.
Baek Seungchan, having reached mastery in many fields, understood its depth even more.
“It’s on another level.”
Her technique was flawless.
Her music touched the heart.
He observed everything—
her hands, breathing, habits.
When she finished, they all praised her.
“That was incredible!”
“Truly amazing!”
“Thank you.”
She smiled, then turned to him.
“Did you learn anything?”
“Of course. A lot.”
Her eyes gleamed.
“Then show me.”
“I will.”
He didn’t hesitate.
“Use the same piece.”
“Imisiyo? Do you know it?”
“No, but I have good memory.”
“You memorized it in one listen?”
She was intrigued.
“Go ahead.”
He picked up the same gayageum.
Ting—
The melody began.
“…!”
Baek Seunghee and Sung Jina widened their eyes.
It had changed—
for the better.
It now carried depth like Han Deokrye’s performance.
But the most shocked was Han Deokrye.
“How…?”
The technique and even the sound resembled hers.
Yet—
“…similar, but different.”
The emotions were different.
While most young players lacked depth,
Baek Seungchan’s emotion rivaled hers.
“What kind of life has he lived?”
His longing felt even deeper.
She became absorbed in his performance.
When it ended, silence returned.
Then—
“Will you become my disciple?”
The room froze.
But—
“I’m sorry.”
He refused.
“…Why?”
“I don’t intend to pursue gayageum for life.”
He only needed it for composition.
“Then there’s no obligation. I just want to teach you more.”
“…Then I’ll learn.”
He accepted.
Thus, Baek Seungchan became the disciple of a gayageum cultural asset.
At Dream Entertainment—
Ji Pyeongsan frowned.
“Same day, same time…”
A competing drama was scheduled.
It starred top actors Kim Jaewon and Shin Mikyung.
Even the genre was similar.
“Is this a battle of a giant and an ant?”
Yet—
“I think the ant might win.”
He smiled.
“All we need is strong promotion.”
Just then—
Baek Seungchan arrived.
And once again—
“...You’re performing at the Memorial Day ceremony?”
Ji Pyeongsan was shocked.