Chapter 109
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Reunions and Introductions
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Jeong Yiseul's violin lessons, which Seojun had thought would end with the new year, continued well into spring. After practice, Seojun and Jeong Yiseul would often sit in the practice room, eating snacks and chatting.
“I don’t know if I’m teaching you or just playing with you anymore.”
“Ahahaha.”
“You think so too, right? Maybe a professor would have more to teach, but I’m still a student, so there’s a lot I don’t know.”
“This is more than enough. Thank you, teacher.”
Jeong Yiseul smiled at Seojun’s words. The time she spent teaching Seojun had been beneficial for her as well.
It taught her that there were geniuses in the world you could never imagine. And that there was much to learn from a genius.
Playing the violin with Seojun, Jeong Yiseul's skills grew by leaps and bounds. She couldn’t wait to go back to school and perform in front of everyone.
Watching her, Seojun also thought that his teacher was a truly good person.
Jeong Yiseul had been briefly discouraged by Seojun's exceptional ability to learn, but she quickly recovered and used it as positive motivation.
“I read the script, but I couldn’t even begin to imagine how it would turn out. Is this what it feels like for a non-musician to read a score? When you read a script, Seojun, can you picture each and every scene?”
“It depends on the director’s style, but I can get a general sense of it. In music terms, it’s like how every conductor has a different feel.”
“Oh, I see. Still, the script itself was really interesting. Will this become a movie exactly as it is?”
Seojun shook his head at Jeong Yiseul's question.
“It could, or the script or direction might change along the way, giving it a different feel.”
“Really? I’m so curious to see what kind of movie it’ll be.”
Perhaps because she had listened to Benjamin Morton’s music before reading the script, the melody flowed through her mind the entire time she read.
With the music and script fitting together so perfectly, Jeong Yiseul was eagerly waiting for the movie's release. The only problem was that filming hadn't even started yet.
“So, when does filming start?”
“I heard from the director. I think we’ll probably go to the US sometime in May. They said we’ll practice for two weeks and start filming in June.”
“May… That’s not far off now, is it?”
“Yeah. I wish May would come sooner.”
Seojun’s eyes sparkled. It was the first time he’d had such a long practice period.
He’d had opportunities to film other projects in the meantime, but Seojun, already completely engrossed in this one, didn't give them a second thought.
*‘Ah. I can’t wait to start filming.’*
***
[20th University Film Festival, Kim Soohan Wins Gold!]
[Director Kim Soohan, Known Fan of Najin (Lee Seojun), Wins Award!]
-Ah, this guy lol. The first Najin fan who got his autograph lolol.
-So he became a director. I guess becoming a fan of Lee Seojun just from his voice means he has a good eye.
-What's the movie about? Is it at the Blue Dragon Film Awards?
-Nopelol It's a horror movielol
-Lee Seojun hasn't been active for a year and a half already ㅠ
=Come back soon!!
“Seojun, did you see this?”
“Yeah. Soohan hyung. Looks like he became a director.”
“I know. You never know what life has in store. Maybe he'll work with you on a project someday, Seojun.”
“Ahahaha. I might end up in a horror movie then. Dad wouldn’t be able to watch it.”
At Seojun's words, Lee Minjun, who had come to see them off at the airport, looked glum. It would be his son's work, but a horror film… He really wasn't sure if he could watch it. Seeing his expression, Seojun, Seo Eunhye, and Seo Eunchan laughed.
“Daho will be coming in a few days. If you need anything in the US, contact him.”
“Okay.”
Seojun nodded at Seo Eunchan's words. Lee Minjun hugged Seo Eunhye and Seojun tightly.
“I’ll take some vacation days and visit sometimes. Take care of yourselves. And Seojun, do well with the filming.”
“Okay! You too, Dad.”
“We should get going.”
Seojun, his black cap pulled down low, and Seo Eunhye disappeared into the departure gate, pulling their suitcases. Soon, a plane bound for LA took to the sky.
***
“Hi!! Seojun.”
“Hi, Nara imo!”
“You’re filming in LA this time, so we’ll be able to see each other often!!”
“Yeah!”
The movie was being filmed in LA. Looking for a place to stay, Seojun and Seo Eunhye decided to stay at Nara Kim's house, who lived in LA. An Daho also arranged to rent a room.
Nara Kim's home, a two-story mansion with staff, was no less comfortable than a hotel. The staff all tilted their heads at the sight of Seojun, then looked at Nara Kim with surprised faces.
“See? Told you so.”
“It’s true! Ma’am, your connections are really…”
They all shook their heads in disbelief. Seojun and Seo Eunhye tilted their heads, confused. Nara Kim laughed cheerfully and led them to their rooms.
“I told them I was close with Seojun Lee, but no one believed me. They said no matter how well-connected I am, there's no way I'd know Seojun Lee. And I even changed his diapers!”
“Imo!”
“What? It’s true, isn’t it?”
“It is, but… it’s still embarrassing for me, you know?”
Seojun glanced around. The mouths of the staff members carrying their luggage were twitching. *Sigh.* Seojun let out an internal sigh.
“Instead of the diaper story, can’t you say you fed me baby food?”
“Saying I fed you baby food just doesn’t have the same impact, does it?”
“Then, um.”
Seojun seriously contemplated the possibility of her blurting out “I changed Lee Seojun's diapers!” in an interview somewhere. Seeing his grave expression, Nara and Seo Eunhye smiled. Since he disliked it so much, they decided not to bring it up again.
“You can just say you introduced me to the audition. If it weren’t for you, Imo, I wouldn’t have even played William.”
“…That’s true, isn’t it?”
“I might have started with a different role someday, but I doubt it would have left as much of an impact.”
Everyone nodded at Seojun’s words. Nara Kim smiled and patted Seojun’s head.
“You should know it’s all thanks to your imo.”
“No, it’s not. It’s because I’m a good actor.”
Seo Eunhye burst out laughing at the two of them bickering.
After unpacking in their rooms and taking a short break, the three decided to have dinner. They went out to the yard, where a barbecue grill was set up, and grilled the food themselves.
Delicious meat, grilled sausages, and other dishes. Seojun watched the beef cook deliciously on the grill. It was large and thick, typical of American beef. *Can I eat it all?* Seojun decided to trust the slime in his stomach.
Holding beer glasses, Seo Eunhye and Nara Kim reminisced while grilling the meat. When a piece of meat was placed on his plate, Seojun quickly picked it up and put it in his mouth. *Chew, chew.* It was delicious. Seojun beamed and ate heartily.
“We used to hang out like this in the old days. Right?”
“It would be perfect if Minjun and Jack’s family were here.”
“Jack started playing baseball, right?”
“Yeah. He’s pretty good. So it looks like he’s thinking of pursuing it seriously.”
Seojun couldn't help but smile at that. The little boy who used to cry his eyes out if you didn't give him a monster doll was already at an age where he was thinking about his future.
“Seojun, you’re going to keep acting when you grow up, right?”
“Yeah! I’ll do it for a long, long time.”
“Being able to do what you love for a long time is a wonderful thing. Keep up the hard work.”
Nara Kim, who had risen to the position of president at King's Market and was working hard, said with a smile.
***
Two days later, Seojun and Seo Eunhye headed to the practice room prepared by Whale Studios. It seemed they had arrived early, as only Director Sarah Rothe and Assistant Director Emily were in the room.
“Hello, Director!”
“Hello.”
“Welcome, Jun! A pleasure to meet you, ma'am.”
Emily quickly prepared some chairs.
“Did we come too early?”
“No. We were just about to get started.”
True to her word, Emily set up three more chairs in addition to theirs.
“The other child actors you'll be practicing with and the professor who'll be giving the lessons will be here soon. The professor's student, who will be Jun's musical double, is also coming. The other child actors will also be stopping by so you can all meet. Ma'am, you can wait in the waiting room during practice.”
Seojun and Seo Eunhye nodded at Sarah Rothe's words. A short while later, two child actors and their guardians arrived. Emily escorted the guardians to the waiting room.
Director Sarah Rothe introduced the three children sitting in their chairs to one another.
“This is actor Seojun Lee, who will be playing the lead role of Gray.”
At her words, the two children gasped. No one had told them who was playing the lead until now, and it was Seojun Lee!
Among the actors at their acting academy, Seojun Lee was an object of envy. Everyone, adults and children alike, wanted to be as famous as Seojun Lee and deliver such amazing performances.
“This is actor Catherine Miller, who will be playing Rebecca.”
Sarah Rothe pointed to a girl. The blonde girl, who was slightly taller than Seojun, gave a small wave.
“And this is actor Paul Orden, who will be playing George.”
A mischievous-looking boy smiled brightly and extended his hand. Seojun grinned and shook it.
“Hi. I’m Seojun Lee. You can call me Jun.”
“I’m Catherine.”
“I’m Paul. Nice to meet you!”
As Seojun and the children were shaking hands, Director Sarah Rothe's phone rang. The caller was Professor Benjamin Morton. Sarah Rothe stood up.
“Looks like the professor is here. I’ll go get him. Wait here.”
“Okay.”
After Director Sarah Rothe left the practice room, Catherine, who had been hesitating, spoke up.
“If it’s okay, could you give me your autograph later? I really enjoyed your movie.”
“Sure. Could you tell me which movies you’ve been in? I’ll look them up.”
“Umm. The movies I was in probably aren’t very good. They all bombed.”
Seojun smiled at Catherine's words and said.
“Even if the movie bombed, you still worked hard, right? I want to see your acting more than the movie itself. We’re going to be acting together from now on. I hope you’ll tell me too, Paul.”
It was much easier to understand your scene partner if you knew what their acting was like.
It might not matter for a simple role, but it was especially important since Catherine and Paul were set to work closely with Seojun from beginning to end.
Catherine and Paul nodded at Seojun’s words. *So this is what a famous actor is like. He really is different.*
“I see. Okay. I’ll tell you.”
“Let’s exchange numbers too.”
“Oh. I can have Jun’s number? None of my friends are going to believe this!”
Paul and Catherine excitedly took out their phones. Seojun laughed cheerfully and took out his as well.
A moment later, Director Sarah Rothe returned with two men.
The middle-aged man, presumably Professor Benjamin Morton, had salt-and-pepper hair and a lean build, but he didn't seem frail. With his neat attire and faint smile, he looked like a kind-hearted teacher.
The man who entered with him, who looked to be in his mid-twenties, had a stiff, hardened expression. His clothes were as neat as Benjamin Morton's, but his eyes were fierce. Intimidated, Catherine and Paul stopped their excited chatter.
“This is the man who created the music for our film.”
“Benjamin Morton.”
Benjamin Morton said politely. Catherine and Paul looked bewildered, not expecting such a formal greeting from an adult. Seojun greeted him first.
“Hello, Professor Morton. I’m Seojun Lee. Please call me Jun.”
“Yes, Jun. A pleasure.”
Following Seojun's lead, Catherine and Paul also greeted him brightly. When Benjamin Morton's lips curved into a smile, the atmosphere relaxed.
As if his kindness was contagious, Benjamin Morton initiated some small talk, and Seojun and the other children began to speak comfortably.
Amidst the friendly atmosphere, the other man stood alone, silent. His eyes were full of displeasure, but he seemed to be trying hard to hide it, and he appeared to be succeeding.
The only problem was that this was a room full of actors who had to act with their eyes and a director who could read those expressions and turn them into art.
Even child actors were still actors. Catherine and Paul poked Seojun, who was standing in the middle, in the back. Seojun gestured behind his back in return. It seemed they had all noticed without a word being said.
“This is my student.”
“Jayden Moore.”
But for some reason, the displeasure in Jayden Moore’s eyes quickly subsided. His newly polite demeanor was so stark a change that it even puzzled the director and the actors.
*Well, whatever.* Seojun shrugged. It would have been a bit awkward if he’d kept that attitude, but it was a relief that he’d changed.
Seojun extended his hand.
“I’m Jun. Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah. You too.”
The other children also greeted Jayden Moore. With a satisfied expression at the now reasonably relaxed atmosphere, Benjamin Morton spoke.
“Shall we start by seeing what everyone has practiced on their own? I need to see how comfortable you are to know how we should proceed with our practice.”
“Yes!”
Catherine and Seojun, who had to play the violin in the movie, answered.