Chapter 107
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: The First Lesson
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A short while later, a call came from Director Sarah Rothe. Her face filled the laptop screen.
-It's good to see you. I'm Sarah Rothe.
“Hello. I'm Seojun Lee. Please call me Jun. And please, speak comfortably.”
At Seojun's words, Director Sarah Rothe smiled and nodded.
-Alright. Jun, have you read the script?
“Yes. It was incredibly fun.”
As Seojun talked about the parts of the script he liked, Director Sarah Rothe nodded repeatedly. He was an actor who looked good no matter what he did, and his actions were just as endearing.
-Good. Jun, have you ever played the violin?
“A little, a long time ago.”
He had learned to play the violin he received from his Imo Nara as a gift for entering elementary school.
Two years had already passed, and the time he'd spent learning was short. He had diligently learned things like Taekwondo and horseback riding, supplementing his efforts with his abilities because he thought they would be helpful for filming, but he never imagined he would be in a movie about the violin.
‘I learned the piano diligently, though.’
-Then could you practice until the shoot? You don't have to play perfectly. Just learn how to hold the violin, how to grip the bow, and the basic posture.
“When is the shoot?”
-We're just in the initial stages, so I think we'll probably start filming around next year. There are outdoor scenes, so maybe around spring or summer when the weather warms up?
It was August now, so he had about nine months. It was more than enough time just to practice the posture for playing the violin.
“I understand.”
-I'll send you the sheet music for the parts you'll be playing. You can practice the sequence with that, and later, once we've cast a violinist, I'll send you a video of the performance so you can match the timing.
“Okay.”
Director Sarah Rothe continued speaking after that. Seojun perked up his ears and listened intently.
-We're planning to commission a few pieces, so we don't have the sheet music for those yet, but I'll send them as soon as they come in. I'd like you to practice them. Hmm. Is that too much?
“No, it's fine. It's easy if I think of it as a script and memorize it.”
If he practiced one piece a month, he could learn nine of them. Besides, most were short performances. It would be easy enough to memorize them, but if he found a suitable ability in the Library of Life and practiced, he could play them even more easily.
Director Sarah Rothe nodded at Seojun's words. True, it would take a long time to play like a real violinist, but what she wanted from Seojun was a ‘plausible posture.’
-If it's too hard to memorize all the violin fingerings, just make sure the timing of raising and lowering the bow is accurate. The fingers won't be that noticeable unless we do a close-up. Still, memorize it if you can.
“Okay.”
-Also, we might have about two weeks of lessons before filming starts. Can you come to the US? We plan to call the other child actors who have violin scenes as well. I think it would be better to learn while getting to know the other actors rather than practicing alone.
Seojun nodded at Director Sarah Rothe's words.
“As long as nothing urgent comes up, I'll definitely be there!”
-Okay. I'll contact the agency as the music comes in.
On the laptop screen, Director Sarah Rothe hesitated for a moment before speaking.
-Jun. Let's make a great movie together.
“Yes!”
Seojun beamed.
***
First, he needed to find a violin teacher. While pondering how to find one, Seojun suddenly realized. This must be the kind of thing the agency handles.
Being considerate of An Daho, who would be busy communicating with Marine Company and King's Agency, Seojun contacted Seo Eunchan instead.
-You want to learn the violin?
“Yeah!”
-Seojun, didn't you learn a few years ago? I think I saw a video your nuna took a few times.
He remembered him being quite good at it, too. Seojun answered Seo Eunchan's question.
“I can play a little, but I want to play more naturally. I have to read the sheet music and match the timing of the performance. It's hard to do on my own.”
Hearing that, Seo Eunchan, who was on the phone, rubbed the back of his neck. He had read the script too. There were quite a few violin-playing scenes, but honestly, he had thought Seojun would do fine with just a little practice.
-Right. I get it. A violin, huh...
Seo Eunchan fell deep in thought.
-If it were guitar or piano, I could ask the singers Brown Black knows, but a violin... Wouldn't Soohui-nuna know someone?
“...You're right.”
Seojun blinked at Seo Eunchan's words. He hadn't even thought of Choi Soohui.
Choi Soohui, Kim Heesang's wife, whom Seojun called Aunt Soohui, had been a pianist in Europe before settling in Korea a few years ago. Now, she was teaching university students. Seojun quickly called his Aunt Soohui.
-Hello, Seojun.
“Hello, Auntie!”
-...Hyung-ah?
An infant's voice came from the other side of the phone. It was Kim Soobin, who had just had his first birthday a few weeks ago.
Soobin's babbling could be heard. Choi Soohui laughed and switched to a video call. A baby appeared, holding a slime doll tightly in his arms and tilting his head.
-That's right. It's Seojun-hyung-ah.
-Hyung-ah?
Kim Soobin beamed and pushed his face toward the camera.
Blinking eyes, chubby cheeks. Seojun burst out laughing. When his favorite hyung laughed, Soobin also grinned widely and squealed.
“Hi, Soobin.”
-Hyung-ah! Hwi!
-Soobin. Let Mommy talk to Hyung for a bit.
-No!
The camera went dark, as if Kim Soobin had grabbed the phone. Only Choi Soohui's voice could be heard. Seojun said with a laugh.
“Auntie. I can hear you clearly, so you can just talk.”
-Ahaha. Okay. I get it. What's up?
“Do you know anyone who could teach me violin?”
-Violin?
“Yes. My next project is a music film. I have to play the violin. They said filming starts next spring or summer. I'm looking for someone who can come teach me two or three times a week until then.”
-Hyung-ah? Me! Me!
“Right. Hi, Soobin!”
-Hwi!
Soobin, who had his face pressed against the phone, giggled at Seojun's greeting.
Choi Soohui fell into thought, recalling the faces of people she knew. That person was abroad, this one was busy.
-If it's for a movie, shouldn't you learn from someone famous?
“No. They said they'll bring in a different teacher later on. I just need to learn the basics until then.”
-Then it doesn't have to be a professor, right?
“Right!”
-Then I know someone. She's still a student, but she's tutored a few times, so she'll teach well. She just came back to Korea not long ago and is looking for short-term work. She might be leaving the country next year, though. Is it okay if you might not be able to learn from her next year?
“Yes. I can just find another teacher next year.”
-Okay. I'll contact her then. Oh my. Soobin's pouting.
Hiiing! Hearing Soobin's whimper from the other side of the phone, Seojun and Choi Soohui burst into laughter.
“I was wondering why it got so quiet. Bye, Soobin!”
-You have to say bye-bye, Soobin.
-No! Hyung-ahhh!
“Come visit again later, Soobin.”
-Okay!
-He sure understands the words ‘come visit’ perfectly. Well, see you next time, Seojun.
“Okay!”
The call ended with Soobin's cries and Choi Soohui's laughter. A moment later, a photo of Soobin hugging the phone with his slime doll arrived.
>Soobin's just looking at the phone and calling for his hyung hehe
Seojun burst out laughing.
***
Seojun fell asleep. When he opened his eyes, he saw the firmly shut Library of Life. Opening the library's door revealed many bookshelves and books.
The books of abilities he had used so far, the books he had read, and the countless books he had yet to read.
When he wasn't filming, he would read a little each day, so there were still many books he hadn't read.
He could have just skimmed through them and picked a good ability, but whenever he looked at the book of a life, faint memories from that time would surface, and he would get lost in sentiment, soon finding it was time to wake up.
“Still, I should find an ability first today.”
Seojun first scanned the titles of the books on the shelves.
The Library of Life was organized by the type of monster. Any kind of slime was on the slime shelf, any kind of elf on the elf shelf.
To find a book related to the violin, he had to search every single bookshelf.
After passing three bookshelves and picking out only two candidates, Seojun pondered seriously.
“...Should I reorganize this?”
Music with music, art with art. There were many other ways to classify them, but Seojun couldn't do it. The only beings who could influence the Library of Life were those with abilities on par with the lives that had created it.
It was impossible for Seojun, who could only use low-to-mid-tier abilities.
“To exert power over the Library of Life, I'll have to open the very last library door, won't I?”
There were still many closed doors in the Library of Life. He had to open all of them to get to the last one, but who knew when that would be. Seojun let out a deep sigh and walked to the next bookshelf.
“Sigh. I'll just have to search hard.”
***
A few days later, the violin teacher Choi Soohui had introduced, Jeong Yiseul, arrived at Cocoa Entertainment. Clutching the strap of her violin case with both hands, Jeong Yiseul stood awkwardly in front of the building.
There were a few people who looked like fans of celebrities. Drawing attention with her unusually conspicuous violin case, Jeong Yiseul didn't know what to do.
An Daho, who was waiting in the lobby, spotted Jeong Yiseul with the violin case and came outside.
“Ms. Jeong Yiseul?”
“Ah, yes. Hello.”
“Nice to meet you. Let's head inside.”
Guided by An Daho, Jeong Yiseul entered Cocoa Entertainment. She received a temporary pass from him.
“I'm An Daho, actor Lee Seojun's manager.”
“Hello. I'm Jeong Yiseul.”
“Seojun's practice room is this way.”
Jeong Yiseul gripped the strap of her case tightly. It was her first time in a celebrity agency, and she found the celebrity photos everywhere fascinating.
The practice room An Daho led her to was a dedicated space for Seojun, created by Seo Eunchan as soon as Seojun joined the agency, since he couldn't make loud noises or run around practicing his acting in his apartment.
“Tap your pass here, and it'll open. Please, give it a try.”
“Ah, yes!”
At An Daho's words, Jeong Yiseul pressed the pass hanging around her neck to the machine. With a *beep*, An Daho opened the door.
The practice room was spacious and clean. One entire wall was covered in mirrors. As she looked around, fascinated, a bright voice called out. It was Seojun.
“Hello!”
“Ah, hello.”
Jeong Yiseul quickly greeted him back. An Daho left the practice room, and Seojun guided Jeong Yiseul to a chair.
In a corner of the practice room, there was a small table and chairs. There were also cameras for filming, a large monitor to review the footage immediately, and a refrigerator stocked with snacks and drinks to soothe a hungry stomach.
“Please sit here, Teacher.”
“Ah. Thank you.”
“Please speak comfortably. I'm Lee Seojun.”
“...Nice to meet you. I'm Jeong Yiseul.”
“Yes, Teacher Jeong Yiseul!”
Seojun skillfully took out two glasses.
“We have green tea and coffee. There's orange juice too. What would you like?”
“Hmm. Can I have juice?”
“Sure.”
Seojun poured orange juice into two glasses and placed one in front of Jeong Yiseul. Thirsty, she gulped it down. After taking a breath, Jeong Yiseul spoke.
“I heard from the professor that you don't need to perform, just match the music and timing. Is that right?”
“Yes. The director sent me the sheet music. I just need to practice the posture for that piece until the next one arrives.”
“I see. I heard you learned violin a few years ago. How much did you learn?”
“Um. For a few months.”
“A few months...”
Jeong Yiseul fell into thought. Learning for just a few months several years ago... that was no different from not having learned at all. Unaware of Seojun's ability to improve quickly after just a few months of learning, Jeong Yiseul decided to teach him from the very beginning.
“Then should I teach you from the beginning?”
Seojun nodded at her words. He remembered learning from a teacher at a music academy near his school, but his mindset was different now. For the sake of his acting, Seojun decided to learn properly from the start.
“Yes!”
“Then shall we pick up the violin?”
At Jeong Yiseul's words, Seojun took the violin out of its case. It was a rather expensive one that his Imo Nara had bought for him. It had seemed a little big a few years ago, but now it was the perfect size.
As he was taking out the bow, Seojun paused and looked up.
“Teacher. Is it okay if I film this?”
“Film?”
“Yes. I've been filming my practices because it might help with my acting.”
“Ah, that's fine.”
Jeong Yiseul nodded. If it helped his acting, of course he should film it. Seojun put down the violin and set up cameras in front and to the side. The way he adjusted and focused them made it seem like this wasn't the first or second time he'd done such a thing.
A red light on the camera turned on, and Seojun picked up the violin again.
“Then shall we start with your posture?”
Seojun's violin lessons for his next movie had begun.
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