Chapter 255
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 255
Chapter Title: Mirinae Arts High School
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Hollywood Actor Lee Seojun, Returns to Korea!]
[The Brand Chosen by Actor Lee Seojun, 'REDDEN'! An Astronomical Advertising Effect!]
[REDDEN, "A Design Just for JUN!"]
-Seojun’s back!
-I thought he’d wear Aresis again, but it’s Redden this time.
=Redden’s official social media is full of Lee Seojun’s pictures lol
-Redden… should I buy something?
=lol The advertising effect is already kicking in lol
* * *
After returning from the United States, Seojun took a day off to adjust to the time difference before going to school the next day.
From the morning on, every student he met congratulated him. When he went to the practice room after all his classes were over, the members of Team Mirror welcomed him.
“Seojun, congratulations on the award.”
“Sunbae, congratulations!”
“Thanks.”
Even the first and second years, who had once felt that Lee Seojun was a distant senior, congratulated him with sparkling eyes. Seojun smiled and handed out the snacks he had brought from America.
Seojun and the others gathered around, eating snacks and chatting.
“The third years must have been busy with entrance exams, but what have the first and second years been up to?”
“The music department has been practicing songs for background music!”
“Uh… the background team has been looking for props!”
A second-year from the music department answered Seojun’s question energetically. A second-year from the art department followed right after. The third-years from the music and art departments spoke with a smile.
“I don’t know why slacking off is so much fun when I’m supposed to be practicing for the practicals.”
“Me too. I keep coming here to watch over the younger students.”
“Still, the practicals are more important. You guys have your practical exams this month too.”
“The acting department has it worse than us.”
With dark circles under their eyes, the third-year acting majors of the acting team—Kang Jaehan, Yang Juhee, Jeon Sungmin, and Park Siyoung—vacantly popped a piece of snack into their mouths, as if they could barely taste it.
“Who knew the competition for Mirinae Arts High School’s acting department would be this fierce?”
Recalling an article he had read in the U.S., Seojun gave an awkward smile at the third-year music student's remark.
[Arts High School Entrance Exam Season, Which School Will Actor Lee Seojun Choose?]
[Mirinae Arts High School, part of the same ATR Foundation as Yeoul Arts Middle School, sees a competition rate of 13.55:1 for its acting department!]
[Mirinae Arts High School receives 542 applications for its 40-student acting program!]
[Arts high schools across the country consider allowing multiple applications in response to Mirinae Arts High School’s application numbers!]
<As the number of applicants for Mirinae Arts High School, the first to begin its admissions process among arts high schools, was revealed, other arts high schools have fallen into a dilemma… (omitted)... Talented aspiring actors from all over the country are flocking to Mirinae Arts High School, and those who are rejected will likely apply to other schools that allow multiple applications. This deepens the concerns of schools that do not permit multiple applications. Should they stand by and risk losing students, or should they change their policy to allow multiple applications… (rest omitted)>
-Oh. Is it already arts high school entrance exam season?
-Do you guys really think Lee Seojun will go to Mirinae Arts High School?
=It’s highly likely. A lot of kids from Yeoul Arts Middle School apply to Mirinae.
-Is Mirinae Arts High School good?
=It’s amazing. It was established by the ATR Foundation in the same year as Yeoul Arts Middle School. It offers more autonomy and better support than Yeoul. The tuition is cheap too, heh.
=22 It’s very popular. They say if a production is good enough, they’ll stage it for a paying audience. At the Galaxy Center, no less! They also hold exhibitions for paintings and sculptures, and concerts for music.
=But it’s not easy to get that chance.
-There are a lot of actors, idols, and artists who graduated from Mirinae Arts High School. Lee Dajin and Choi Soyoung are alumni too.
=And now Lee Seojun will be joining them.
-Wow… the competition is insane.
=It’s been insane there for two years now. Because when they become third-years, Lee Seojun might be a first-year.
=Nah, the competition rate for university acting departments is almost 150:1, so 13:1 is nothing.
-Doesn't this mean all the talented third-year middle schoolers in the country are gathering at Mirinae Arts High School?
=There have been signs of that for the past two years, lol.
-I was getting a bit tired of seeing the same familiar faces in movies and dramas lately, but it’s going to be wild when these kids become adults.
-lol Is this the golden generation?
=You could call it that (serious)
=The third-years at Yeoul Arts Middle School are great actors. Kim Jukyung from *One Step* has a drama coming out next week.
=I work in the broadcasting industry, and a lot of the child actors who pass auditions are third-years from Yeoul Arts Middle School.
=222 I heard some directors specifically look for third-years from Yeoul.
=Child actor agencies and parents all know how incredibly skilled the Yeoul third-years are. It's actually weird that the competition rate is only 13:1.
=Wow…….
-To have enough influence to change the rules of other arts high schools;;;
=222 Seojun’s influence is no joke;;
-Will they upload the practical exam videos to N-tube again this year?
=Mirinae Arts High School does it just like Yeoul Arts Middle School. If the student gives permission, of course.
=Seojun will definitely give permission!
=I want to see it!
-But what if it ends up like *Yeok* again?
=lol I’d love that!
=22 We’d love it lol
* * *
Ahead of the practical exams, the teachers of Mirinae Arts High School's acting department gathered. It was a meeting to decide who would judge the exams, but it was abuzz with a different topic.
“He’s really coming to our school. Lee Seojun.”
“I know. I’ve never seen him in person. I never dreamed I’d get to see him like this.”
“Mr. Jung, you taught Seojun when he was a first-year, right? What was he like?”
Jung Siwoon, who had judged the practical exams at Yeoul Arts Middle School and taught Seojun acting in his first year, shrugged.
Since Yeoul Arts Middle School and Mirinae Arts High School were both under the ATR Foundation, teachers were sometimes transferred between the two schools. Jung Siwoon had come to the high school a year ago through such a transfer.
“It’s a bit much to say I taught him. He was already a great actor before that.”
“An actor, not a student?”
“He’s too good at acting to be just a student. Even when I was teaching him as a first-year, I couldn’t find anything to correct and just ended up engrossed in his performance. He’s probably even better now, two years later, don’t you think?”
The other teachers nodded in agreement at Jung Siwoon’s words.
Indeed, what could they possibly teach an actor who had won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award, something no other Korean actor had ever achieved?
“Phew. Teaching is going to be difficult.”
A shadow fell over the teachers’ faces.
“Mr. Jung. Do you have any tips?”
“We can’t just sit there mesmerized by Seojun’s acting all the time.”
“It’ll be easier if you think of it as exchanging opinions rather than teaching. Treat him as a fellow actor, not a high school freshman.”
“…Can we really exchange opinions with a Hollywood actor who’s won an Academy Award?”
How on earth were they supposed to treat him? Everyone’s expression turned serious. Seeing them reminded him of himself three years ago, and Jung Siwoon said with a smile.
“It’ll be fine if you just treat him as a very talented actor. Outside of acting, he’s quite ordinary.”
‘Though he’s terrifying when he acts.’
That was something they would have to experience for themselves.
As they each worried about how to handle Seojun (no one even considered the possibility of him failing), the conversation shifted to the acting department's entrance exam, which had easily surpassed all previous competition rates.
“Oh, by the way, it would be best to have Seojun take the exam last.”
The teachers, who had been sighing at the thought of watching over 500 students perform, tilted their heads at Jung Siwoon’s words.
“Huh? Why?”
“Once you see Seojun’s acting, you won’t be satisfied with the performances of the kids who come after him. They might be good for their age, but Seojun’s impact is so extraordinary that you’ll only notice their shortcomings.”
“Ah…”
“During the middle school practicals, I tried my best to score as objectively as possible, but I can’t say Seojun’s performance had no influence at all.”
The high school teachers nodded.
“That happens quite often. I bet it’s the same at other schools.”
“That’s right. The order isn’t determined by skill, and you can’t tell a talented kid to do poorly.”
“Isn’t it the same for music and art? When judges see a performance or artwork that exceeds the standard, their expectations are bound to rise.”
“But you can’t just move all the talented kids to the back of the line either.”
“Well, as judges, it’s our duty to be as fair as possible, but…”
Everyone sighed.
“Lee Seojun is in a league of his own.”
If someone was good within an expected range, the standard could be maintained. But if they were unimaginably good, it raised the bar and shattered the standard.
“So, it would be best to put Seojun last.”
“I suppose we’ll have to.”
The high school teachers nodded in agreement with Jung Siwoon.
“Hearing you say that makes me even more excited to see his performance.”
“Indeed. But there are only three judging seats for Friday…”
This year, due to the enormous number of applicants, Mirinae Arts High School’s practical exams would be held from Monday to Friday, instead of the usual two days. Since three people couldn’t possibly judge all the exams for five days, they decided to assign judges for each day.
‘If Seojun is last… that means Friday!’
The only day to see Seojun’s acting during the five-day exam period was Friday. The acting department teachers’ eyes sparkled at the chance to see his performance right before their eyes.
“Then let’s decide right now.”
Jung Siwoon, who was not participating in this year's practical exams due to his previous work at Yeoul Arts Middle School, brought out a box. Neatly folded slips of paper were visible inside. The teachers took turns drawing one slip each and prayed earnestly.
“Yes!”
“Ah…!”
“Ugh…”
There were three winners.
It was a very fair lottery.
* * *
Time passed, and it was the last week of October, a Monday.
At school, Seojun looked over at his friends’ empty seats.
Mirinae Arts High School’s five-day practical exams started today. Many students had skipped school entirely to go to Mirinae, as the exams began in the morning.
Kim Jukyung’s seat was also empty.
“Jukyung will do well, right?”
Jaehan asked, and Jiho nodded.
“Of course. She’s even got a major network drama coming out. There’s no way she won’t pass when she’s that good at acting.”
“She’ll do great.”
Seojun and Juhee also nodded.
>Jukyung: Practical is done!
>Juhee: You worked hard!
Tuesday.
Jukyung, who had taken her exam yesterday, was at school, while Jiho was absent.
“Jiho will do well too.”
“I don’t think Jiho even knows the meaning of the word ‘nervous’.”
“True.”
Seojun and the others chuckled.
>Jiho: I’m done!
>Jiho: Thx
>Jiho: But people recognized me lol
>Jukyung: How could they not? lol
>Juhee: Think of how many people saw *Escape* lol
>Jaehan: lol
Wednesday.
Jiho was back at school, but Juhee and Jaehan’s seats were empty. With Team Mirror’s actors Jeon Sungmin and Park Siyoung also taking the Mirinae exam today, the first and second-year students prayed fervently for their seniors.
“Please let all our seniors pass!”
“…Why are you doing this to me?”
“You’re the god of acting!”
The first and second-years prayed towards Seojun with mischievous faces. Seojun couldn’t help but laugh at his underclassmen, with whom he had become close enough to joke around like this.
“Should I take a picture of this and send it to them?”
The third-years from the music and art departments snickered.
>(Picture of the underclassmen praying)
>Juhee: Done!
>Jaehan: I’m finished!
>Juhee: What is this? lol
>Jaehan: Tell everyone thank you so much!
<(Bear emoticon holding a light stick)
Thursday passed, and Friday arrived.
Today was the day Seojun would take his practical exam.
Since his exam was in the afternoon, Seojun planned to leave after lunchtime. As he packed his bag to leave early, his friends spoke to him.
“Seojun, do well!”
“I don’t think you’ll fail, but still, you can’t let your guard down.”
“Do you really think Seojun would ever half-ass his acting?”
“…Ah. You’re right.”
Everyone nodded at Juhee’s words, and Seojun couldn’t help but laugh.