La Campanella's Requiem for the Mediocre
December, when even the slightest puff of breath turns to mist with the chime of bells. The season when carols were starting to fill the air. The Hide Dream set, however, seemed defiant against the cold. The staff sipped their instant coffees, blowing on them to cool them down.
"What're you all doing for Christmas?"
"What can staff like us do? If we're unlucky, we might have to come in."
"No way?!"
"Why so surprised, kid? Hide Dream airs early to mid-January. You think we'd get Christmas off?"
"The PD and director have probably already decided to work through it."
The usual light chit-chat before shooting began. A few minutes of casual small talk. Naturally, the topic shifted to today's shoot.
"Today's Naje's final scene, right?"
"What's with calling it 'final scene' on set? Kids these days and their abbreviations. It's the last shoot."
"These days, they even shorten five-letter words."
"Aigoo, the end times, I tell ya."
They glanced around. No reporters, but the set was packed with people filling their shoes—high school arts academy folks.
"Did we break any school equipment or something?"
"Nah."
"Then why are so many academy reps here?"
"You really don't know? Oh, right, you were sick that day."
"Huh? What'd I miss?"
"Naje—no, Naje. Actor Kim Donghu's piano performance."
"Yeah, missed it."
The senior staffer slurped the last of his instant coffee and continued.
"Everyone who saw it last time is here to see Kim Donghu play piano again."
"Th-that good?"
Actors who could play piano that well? Enough to draw academy people? The senior smirked and shrugged.
"You'll see."
+++++
At the same time, Edward Park, principal of Galaxy Arts High, was glued to the school gate.
"Principal, you think staring like that will make the actor hurry? You'll scare him off."
"Hmm, was I that obvious?"
"Honestly, you look a bit like a creepy peeper."
"Pfft!"
The vice principal's blunt words made the piano teacher behind them spit out their coffee. Ever since Edward Park witnessed Kim Donghu's performance, he'd been raving about a must-recruit talent for the academy. That's why so many arts high teachers had gathered. Sure, the principal was a bit pervy, but his eye for talent was unmatched. Praise from that pervy principal? Curiosity was inevitable.
"But shooting starts in two hours. Is it right to wait this early?"
Edward Park nodded at the vice principal's question.
"Kim Donghu's super diligent. They say he usually arrives two hours early."
"Whoa, for real? That dedicated?"
"And this is something you guys missed, but he's insanely handsome."
To me, he looked like the handsomest guy in the world.
As everyone laughed at Edward Park's enthusiasm, a food truck slipped through the academy gate. An unscheduled vehicle. Staff and academy folks hurried over, and the driver, noticing the crowd, rolled down the window.
"Fish cake truck! Sent by actor Kim Donghu. This the Hide Dream set?"
On this chilly winter shoot day, Kim Donghu's fish cake truck descended like manna.
"As expected of Kim Donghu! I've known your character since Kyarruk Doctor!"
Sudden praise for Kim Donghu erupted. Then, a black van pulled in behind it.
Who could this be? As they wondered, the door opened.
"Hello! I'm Kim Donghu, playing Naje."
Just like his first day, the ever-humble actor Kim Donghu appeared.
"Donghu! Donghu! Aigo, you're so handsome, what do I do!"
Kim Youngmo PD rushed out to greet him like he'd been waiting. No one found it odd. The fish cakes were piping hot.
+++++
Starting with Kim Donghu, actors began arriving at the set one by one. Hide Dream members, Jang Geonho as Principal Wang Ho, Kim Yuryeon as Chairwoman Maria, and more. All the leads and supports gathered. Today was the shoot for Mirinae performance, Hide Dream's main stage.
Known as the underdogs, Hide Dream kicked off boldly. Due to Principal Wang Ho and Naje's scheme, they performed first. After Naje's final solo at the end, the audience demanded an encore, leading Hide Dream to close the show. That's the plot.
So the Hide Dream members, performing twice, tuned their instruments diligently.
"You all practiced a ton?"
Everyone nodded at Jin Suhyuk, leader of Hide Dream and Song Cheolsu, the first male lead.
"It was seriously brutal."
"I forgot I was an actor and thought I was a real band member."
"First time I've gone this hard for immersion."
"Tell me about it."
They vented about their efforts, minds flashing back to why.
Kim Donghu.
That day. When Kim Donghu, as Naje, struck the piano keys laced with disgust. Everyone was shocked. And realized: they had to surpass it. That was true Naje. So they practiced like mad. To protect Hide Dream, for superior acting. Rehearsals deepened it. Each play immersed them more. Why they craved victory, why Naje went last. What to show first. Emotions swirled. When they snapped back, cameras watched.
"Cue!!!!"
The director's signal. Tap, tap, tap, tap! Drum sticks set the beat. Boom, boom, boom. Bass and guitar join. Keys add sweetness. Vocals, months in practice, chase perfection.
♪♩♪♩♬♩♪
A song praising youth. Cheering to never lose dreams, you can do it. "Hide Dream! Spread your wings!"
In the small opera hall unfit for a band, dreams and hope rang out. Hide Dream's theme, the drama's core, recreated masterfully.
"They really practiced hard."
"Yeah, impressive kids."
Kim Youngmo PD and writer Lee Minha smiled warmly. That massive stimulus? Peak performance.
"Cut!"
OK sign dropped; unanimous applause.
"So cool!"
"Woo! Handsome!"
"Hide Dream rules!"
Amid staff cheers, Hide Dream actors descended, beaming proudly. Extras and guests followed. Then, the curtain fell. For regrouping, the finale.
Swoosh. Curtain rises again. Multiple times. But this felt heavier. What youth band? What free spirits? You're just props to highlight my talent. The black grand piano entered all sights.
+++++
"If we slack, he'll lap us."
Jang Geonho, as Principal Wang Ho, muttered; Kim Yuryeon chuckled softly.
"Right? Acting that good, and prepping band for the role."
Chairwoman Maria agreed deeply. Juggling both? Tough. Amid Hide Dream praise, the grand piano turned Jang Geonho to Wang Ho, Kim Yuryeon to Maria.
...He's coming.
Heard he changed the piece without rehearsal.
Originally Moonlight Sonata from practice. But Kim Donghu suggested better. They agreed; writer Lee Minha backed it. No rehearsal. Everyone heard it first now.
"Alright, action! Cue!!!"
Kim Donghu—no, Naje—emerged from wings. Concert tailcoat. Slicked-back hair. Overwhelming handsomeness evoked a young noble. But disgust marred his face. Ashamed to perform? Loathing to prove talent? The twisted noble approached the grand piano.
Swoop. Brief bow to audience pre-play. All held breath for Naje's turn. First piece spread contempt, announced genius. What now? Set swallowed gulps in anticipation.
Dong, dong, dong, ding, ding, ding. Bells toll. Not carols. Doomsaying for inferiors. Naje's fingers danced emotions. No more disgust. Pure scorn. Contempt beyond equals.
1838. Score born from devil-pacted violinist. Intro: pinnacle technique, radiant genius, grave for the talentless.
"La Campanella..."
Gasp amid awe. Naje whispered: Will you give them chances? Think trash wins? Die. No dreams. Die. To all: Change the story. No chances for inferiors. Don't imagine my loss. Flower bloomed on disgust-fed soil.