Chapter 110
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: The Actor's Violin
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"Let's just do the shortest piece today. I've recorded Jason's performance. When I give the signal 'one, two,' you have to start right away to get the timing right. One, two. Snap! Got it?"
"Yes!"
Professor Benjamin taught Seojun and Catherine the name of the piece and handed them the sheet music.
While the two children looked at the sheet music, recalling what they had learned, Director Sarah Rothe called Paul over and handed him a camera.
"Let's practice shooting from over here."
"Okay!"
Paul, who had been wondering what to do while his friends were playing, excitedly took the camera. Seojun and Catherine appeared on the camera's screen.
"This side would be better, don't you think?"
"This side?"
"Yes. Understanding the mindset of the person filming will help you with your own acting, Paul."
Paul's eyes sparkled, having never expected to receive such an explanation from a film director. He decided he would learn diligently and apply it to his acting.
"Alright, let's start with Jun. Let's try matching the pre-recorded performance."
"Okay."
Seojun took his violin out of its case. Without a moment's hesitation, he rested his chin on the chin rest and held the bow in his right hand. His proficient display made Benjamin Morton's and Jason Moore's eyes sparkle.
Once Seojun was ready, a hush fell over the practice room.
"One. Two."
Snap. Benjamin Morton gave the signal and started the music.
Seojun lowered his bow. As it drew across the strings, it created a beautiful sound.
He pressed the violin strings firmly with his left fingers and moved the bow with his right hand. The sound flowing from the strings resonated throughout the practice room.
Jason Moore's performance and Seojun's posture were a perfect match. Both of them strictly followed the instructions on the sheet music. Thanks to that, the tempo and the order of fingering were correct. The timing was good, and the sound was clean.
Yes, as if the sound were truly coming from the violin...
"?"
The people who had been nodding along while watching Seojun's performance now stared at him with surprised eyes.
'There's no way the sound could be this clean, right?'
As long as he was mimicking the act of drawing the bow across the violin's strings, the friction between the bow and strings was bound to create some noise. While one could learn a plausible posture in a short time, it was difficult to learn how to produce such a clean sound for a piece.
'No, for a short piece like this, it might be possible if he's become somewhat accustomed to it, but...'
Hearing Seojun's violin produce a sound without a single off-key note, Professor Benjamin's and Jason's eyes widened.
Professor Benjamin turned off the speakers. And yet, the beautiful music continued.
Vivaldi's Four Seasons, "Spring," 1st movement.
A performance on par with a professional was flowing not from the speakers, but from Seojun's violin. There wasn't a single person in the practice room who wasn't astonished.
The section of "Spring," 1st movement, to be filmed was short, and after playing to the end of the sheet music, Seojun stopped his bow.
Everyone applauded the result, which had exceeded all imagination. Director Sarah Rothe, who had been clapping enthusiastically, suddenly remembered something and gasped.
"Oh, wait a minute."
All eyes turned to Director Sarah Rothe.
"Professor. May I ask how Jun's posture is?"
"It couldn't be better. You could say it's textbook perfect."
Professor Benjamin said with a satisfied smile. It was such a standard posture that he wanted to show it to his students right away.
Unlike the pleased Benjamin Morton, Director Sarah Rothe was fidgeting.
"That won't do! Jun. You know the character's setting, right?"
"Yes. I know."
Seojun replied and picked up the violin again. His posture was different from before. Director Sarah Rothe, Catherine, and Paul tilted their heads, thinking, "Huh?" The most surprised were Benjamin Morton and Jason Moore.
"Like this, right?"
It was a posture the two of them knew very well. The awkward stance unique to someone holding a violin for the first time. Seojun's perfect posture had transformed into the perfect posture of a beginner.
Seojun moved the bow. Two strings, pressed under the bow, let out a screech—a horrible sound. And yet, the performance continued.
Vivaldi's Four Seasons, "Spring," 1st movement.
A sound so disastrously messy flowed from Seojun's violin. Everyone in the practice room stared at Seojun with dumbfounded expressions.
'Is this performance and the one from before really by the same person?'
No one would believe it.
"...Could you play it again like you did the first time?"
At Sarah Rothe's words, Seojun corrected his posture. The performance that had sounded like a scream from hell transformed back into a heavenly melody. Benjamin Morton was at a loss for words. Jason Moore swallowed hard.
Catherine and Paul watched Seojun with curious eyes. It was an even more amazing sight for Catherine, who had only practiced with good posture from the very beginning.
"Jun. How about something in between?"
At the words of Director Sarah Rothe, who was now filming Seojun with the camera, Seojun nodded.
"I can do it."
His posture changed. Oh. Professor Benjamin finally let out a gasp of admiration. It was a posture similar to that of the students he was currently teaching.
A sound emerged. It was fascinating. The performance was wonderful, but there were mistakes here and there. From mistakes only Benjamin Morton and Jason Moore could notice to ones that even Director Sarah Rothe and the children could pick up on.
"Oh. Jun. Back to the first posture."
Once again, they heard a perfect "Spring." If Benjamin Morton hadn't misheard, it was a flawless performance. Which meant... that meant...
"You were even acting out the mistakes?"
The gradual improvement from a beginner. The numerous mistakes that slowly diminished. The hunched posture that became one worthy of a textbook. The grating noise that became music one wanted to hear again.
Everyone was aghast at the frightening transformation.
"So this is Seojun Lee..."
Catherine, Paul, and Director Sarah Rothe were speechless. Seeing Seojun Lee's acting in person was more shocking than anything they had seen in his works.
After a moment of thought, Benjamin Morton spoke. He couldn't just listen to Seojun play all day. There were two children Benjamin Morton had to teach.
"Catherine, you're next."
Catherine jumped in surprise at Professor Benjamin's call. *No way, you want me to perform after seeing that?* Catherine's eyes wavered intensely.
"It's alright. Just do what you've been practicing, comfortably."
"B-But..."
In the end, Catherine couldn't bring herself to pick up her violin. Neither Benjamin Morton nor Director Sarah Rothe blamed her. They hadn't expected Seojun to perform so brilliantly either, so they understood why Catherine felt pressured.
"You just need to practice until the shoot. You can do it, Catherine."
"...Yes!"
Catherine nodded at Director Sarah Rothe's words.
***
In the car on the way home, Professor Benjamin asked Jason.
"Wasn't that incredible?"
"...Playing according to the sheet music... I could do that in less than a year, too."
Professor Benjamin smiled and glanced outside at his student, who still seemed displeased at being called away from his busy preparations for his first solo recital.
He had to smile, seeing how the boy, who usually sped when driving alone, was now dutifully observing the speed limit because he was in the car.
"Not the playing. The acting."
"..."
Jason didn't say a word. Professor Benjamin recalled what had happened in the practice room.
Seojun's acting, changing at Director Sarah Rothe's command. Professor Benjamin rubbed his arm, which still had goosebumps.
"I suppose that's what a genius is. His name was Seojun Lee, wasn't it? I'll have to look up his works when I get home. Would you like to watch with me? It would be great if you could stay for dinner, too."
"...Yes."
Although he needed to practice for his recital, Jason Moore couldn't bring himself to refuse his teacher's invitation and ended up having to watch a hero movie that wasn't to his taste, followed by a hearty dinner.
***
The next day.
Director Sarah Rothe and Professor Benjamin, who had arrived at the practice room early, were talking.
"If he can play everything, it would be fine to use Jun's performance as is."
"Do you think so?"
Sarah Rothe was tempted by Professor Benjamin's suggestion but also worried.
"But like you said, Professor, his playing is too by-the-book. I'd prefer a performance that reveals Gray's genius, even if it deviates from the score."
"That's something he'll have to learn from now on."
Professor Benjamin thought about the movie he had watched yesterday. Jason had connected to Plus+ on the television, and they had watched Seojun's works.
They skipped the children's play where only his voice was heard and *Shadowman 1*, where he had a small part, and watched *Shadowman 2*.
It was a brilliant transformation that left even Benjamin Morton and Jason Moore, who knew nothing about acting, in awe.
"A boy who can act like that will be able to do it in no time."
"You're right, Jun will do well. Let's ask him then."
Director Sarah Rothe asked Seojun, who had just arrived. Seojun's eyes widened at the unexpected good news, and he beamed, nodding repeatedly. It would be a lie to say he hadn't been hoping for this.
"Yes! I want to play!"
"Then you'll have to practice even harder for the next two weeks, okay?"
"Yes!"
The second practice was dedicated to listening to Catherine's playing and Seojun's other pieces.
Catherine, who had diligently reviewed her practice at her lodgings, demonstrated a posture that satisfied both Professor Benjamin and Director Rothe. Of course, there were a few spots that didn't match the music coming from the speakers.
"I see some areas that need fixing, but we should be able to finish within two weeks."
"That's a relief."
Next, it was Seojun's turn. Everyone looked at him with expectant eyes.
As everyone anticipated, Seojun delivered a wonderful performance that was faithful to the sheet music. Both Professor Benjamin and Jason, who had come along again today, nodded as they listened to Seojun play.
"Shall we listen to the last piece?"
"You mean 'Over the Rainbow'?"
At Seojun's words, Jason Moore's and Sarah Rothe's eyes lit up. Catherine and Paul also looked at Seojun with anticipation.
Over the Rainbow.
Composed by Professor Benjamin Morton, it was the song that would adorn the finale of Seojun's next film, *Over the Rainbow*.
"Yes. Can you do it?"
"Yes!"
Seojun placed the violin on his shoulder and rested his chin.
Seojun contemplated. Should he play faithfully to the score as he had been, or should he give them the performance he would show during the shoot?
After a moment of thought, Seojun smiled at the expectant faces and activated his ability.
[(Good) Goblin Violinist's Melody has been activated.]
[(Good) Goblin Violinist's Melody - Intermediate-Low Grade]
The one and only goblin violinist.
Taught himself how to play the violin.
Raw emotions flow through the melody.
Conveys a portion of the performer's feelings to the listener.
The one and only goblin violinist of that world.
He was cast out from his group for falling in love with a violin left behind by humans. Yet, he never let the violin leave his hands.
With a genius talent he never knew he had and sheer effort, the goblin drew out a magnificent performance.
He conveyed his emotions through music, influencing and subduing his enemies.
'Of course, since it's a monster's performance, it's completely raw.'
It was rough and wild. But there was no better way to play for the character of 'Gray.' The bow in Seojun's hand slid along the strings. A violent tone filled the practice room.
***
Seojun played the violin. With a clumsy posture, he played a raucous tune. But no one in the practice room was fooled.
At Professor Benjamin's words, Seojun corrected his posture. In an instant, beautiful music flowed out.
"There's no beating that."
"Were you trying to win?"
Paul chuckled at Catherine's comment as she took a short break from practice to catch her breath.
Paul Oden attended the lessons even though he didn't have practice. Director Sarah Rothe was busy with filming preparations, so she and her assistant director, Emily, took turns stopping by. The occasional advice they offered was helpful. Plus, watching Seojun act was entertaining.
"It's just an expression. I feel stupid for being so intimidated by his performance that I couldn't act."
"That's true. If you get so overwhelmed by his acting that you can't perform, it'll be hard to become an actor. I'm sure there are other actors who can act as well as Jun..."
"Hmm. Do you think so?"
"There must be at least one somewhere, right?"
Paul shrugged at Catherine's words.
"Softer, a little softer!"
Seojun's playing was heard, followed by Jason Moore's voice. Jason Moore, who was supposedly busy preparing for his first-ever solo recital, had started dropping by the practice room occasionally to offer Seojun advice on his playing ever since hearing his "Over the Rainbow."
"Use your fingers more. Press down harder."
Benjamin Morton, who had intended for Jason to relieve some of the pressure from his recital by helping with the movie, smiled.
He had hoped his student would take a breather by playing a different piece, but he had become completely engrossed in Seojun's performance.
Though it wasn't what he had intended, he was satisfied to see his student's frayed nerves calm down.
Seojun's playing changed according to the two's teachings. The two teachers, who had forgotten they were preparing for a film shoot and were now completely absorbed in teaching a brilliant violinist, helped Seojun's skills improve day by day.
'There's definitely a difference in teaching styles between my teacher and the professor.'
While Jeong Iseul's teaching, at Seojun's request, had been faithful to the sheet music and textbook posture, Professor Benjamin encouraged a more liberal form. Moreover, it was fascinating to feel his playing become more refined even while using [(Good) Goblin Violinist's Melody].
'The emotion is still conveyed just the same, but the sharp tone is disappearing.'
Excited, Seojun continued to play.
Catherine and Paul watched the three of them.
"...This doesn't look like preparation for a movie shoot, but practice for a violin recital."
"For that one song, Jun is probably the best in the world."
"I know, right? Ah, today's the last lesson, and the shoot starts the day after tomorrow."
"Ugh. I'm nervous. I wonder what Jun will be like on the actual set?"
They had a good idea. Catherine and Paul looked at Seojun. They say a person looks cool when they're focused, but Seojun was practically sparkling.
"I don't know for sure, but I bet he won't be any less amazing than he is now."
The practice room filled to the brim with the sound of "Over the Rainbow."