Chapter 267
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 267
Chapter Title: The Ripple Effect
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From 0-Years-Old to Superstar Chapter 267
[Play-Novel-Play! A Summary of the Hidden Clues in the Play ‘Mirror’!]
[A Moviegoer’s, No, a Playgoer’s Analysis of the Play ‘Mirror’]
[The Novel ‘Mirror’! Sold Out Everywhere!]
[You Only Watched the Play? You Haven’t Truly Seen It Until You’ve Read the Novel!]
[The Real Kim Woo, The Fake Kim Woo! Actor Lee Seojun’s Portrayal of a Dual Personality!]
[Turns Out, There Was Another True Protagonist!]
[Real Symptoms of Schizophrenia? Let’s Delve into the Symptoms in ‘Mirror’!]
-…It was a story of shock and horror.
=This. Both the play and the novel were shocking.
-To think such an interesting book was on the verge of being forgotten…!
-I’m losing my mind. The truth about the stethoscope, which I paid no attention to, was so shocking that I’m rewatching and scrutinizing every single prop;;;
=Same here. I’m picking apart every prop in the background.
=Same x3. The music too. I’m analyzing everything from the titles to the composers lol.
=Same x4. I’m also reading every single sentence of the novel carefully lol.
-I really want to see this in person.
=Me too. I want to see the scene where the two personalities fight and the one where the identity is revealed!
=I want to see the scene where the Fake Kim Woo acts terrified.
=He seemed so pitiful at first, but knowing he was the Fake Kim Woo made it so scary;;;
=Arghhh!! I want to see it all!!!
-I was only planning on watching Lee Seojun’s play, but I had no choice but to buy the book.
=This. I wasn’t going to buy it, but I couldn’t not read it.
=Same x3. Lee Seojun’s sales power is incredible.
-‘Mirror’: The story of a patient who doesn’t know they’re a patient.
=But if the delusions are that well-realized, it would be hard to know you’re a patient.
=Right? Seeing hallucinations and hearing auditory ones.
=Exactly. For Jung Chaewon, that *was* ‘reality’.
-Hmm… what if I’m living in a world like that too?
=Suddenly I’m getting anxious lol.
***
KBC Broadcasting Station, Entertainment Department.
The manager of Cocoa Entertainment’s girl group, Red Crown, had come to meet with an entertainment department PD to discuss Red Crown’s appearance on a variety show.
After some discussion, they decided to proceed with the schedule, excluding only the main vocalist who had injured herself after falling on stage during an event. The manager, who had been busy adjusting schedules due to the unexpected accident, let out a heavy sigh.
“Manager Jung!”
Just as he was about to report to Cocoa Entertainment and head to another broadcast station, the manager turned his head at someone’s call. When he looked back, a man was standing there with a broad smile. It was the PD of a cultural program Red Crown had appeared on.
“Ah, PD Park. It’s been a while.”
“To meet in a place like this, what a tre. men. dous. co. in. ci. dence!”
The cultural department PDs and writers who had followed PD Park and were hiding here and there cringed. What were they going to do about that terrible acting?
“Hahaha. Things must be going well for you these days! Red Crown is popular, and you’re doing a lot of events…?”
PD Park, who was about to add, ‘And actor Lee Seojun’s play did well too!’, stopped short when he saw the writers in the distance, their faces horrified, making X’s with their arms.
“Ah, one of the members got injured…”
At the manager’s words, PD Park squeezed his eyes shut. Preliminary research. He should have done his preliminary research.
“Ah… I see.”
After a moment of pondering what to say, the cultural department PD decided to just go for it.
“We have a program in our department that introduces books, and don’t you think actor Lee Seojun’s play would be a perfect fit?”
“Ah.”
The manager, now understanding why the cultural department PD had called him over, nodded. Well, this wasn’t the first or second time, so the response came out automatically, like a recording.
“Actor Lee Seojun’s affairs are handled by Team 2. If you contact our company…”
“Haha. They seem to be incredibly busy over there too.”
He wasn’t sure if they were even reading their emails, let alone answering phone calls.
Just as Red Crown’s manager, who had no authority over Lee Seojun’s affairs, was about to refuse, another voice cut in.
“The time slot for a cultural program probably won’t be very good.”
The startled cultural department PD looked toward the source of the voice. An entertainment department PD was walking over from the parking lot, a smirk on his face.
“Manager Jung. We have a variety show where the theme changes every two weeks. This time, the theme is ‘plays,’ and don’t you think it would be a great fit for actor Lee Seojun’s play? The Baram Theater Company, which is connected to him, is scheduled to appear as well.”
“We can arrange a special broadcast!”
A drama department PD appeared from the opposite side of the entertainment PD. He seemed to have rushed over, as he was panting for breath.
“Entertainment, cultural affairs, you’re all just thinking of slotting him into existing programs, but our drama department will give him a dedicated time slot!”
“Hey, we can arrange a special broadcast too!”
The drama department PD scoffed at the entertainment PD’s words.
“Our drama department director even told me to ask if there’s a time he prefers. From the day of the week to the time slot, Cocoa Entertainment can have whatever it wants!”
“You can’t! PD Jung! Call the director, now!”
The broadcast station lobby was in an uproar.
Red Crown’s manager was stuck, unable to move an inch, all because of actor Lee Seojun.
***
Two days after the play ‘Mirror’ was uploaded to N-tube.
The ‘Mirror’ team gathered again in Practice Room 5.
“Pizza’s here!”
“Chicken! They said it’s at the school gate. I’ll go get it!”
“Are the kids who went to buy drinks and snacks back yet?”
“They’re on their way now!”
Everyone was excited, spreading newspapers on the floor and busily preparing for the after-party. Juhee, who was leading the preparations, checked the time. They had gotten permission from the teacher to use the room until 5 o’clock.
“We can only use the practice room for two hours, so let’s party hard!”
“Two hours is more than enough time to have fun!”
“But where’s Seojun-sunbae?”
“I’m here.”
Seojun, who had just arrived, answered as he placed the box he was carrying on the floor. At the heavy thud of the box, the second-year students scampered over and surrounded it.
“Sunbaenim, what’s this?”
“Can we open it?”
“Sure.”
A second-year from the art department, who was holding a box cutter, sliced the tape and opened the box.
“Ooh!”
“Is this from that hotel?”
“Yeah. I tried it the other day and it was delicious. I just bought a bit of everything.”
“As expected of Sunbaenim!”
“As expected of Lee Seojun!”
The eyes of the ‘Mirror’ team sparkled.
From snacks to chicken, pizza, and even hotel cuisine.
The kids beamed at the after-party filled with all the food they could want. The boisterous atmosphere made Seojun laugh cheerfully as well.
“Sunbaenim, did you see the Moviegoer’s review?”
“I did. It was insane. I thought not many people would notice the two meanings behind the costume colors.”
“Right? I didn’t know either until you explained it.”
“But it really seems like the Moviegoer is a fan of yours, sunbae.”
“I know, right? What if he’s secretly joined the fan cafe?”
The music team leader’s words made Seojun and the others burst into laughter. The topic of conversation was the play ‘Mirror,’ the novel ‘Mirror,’ and people’s reactions.
“Did you see that?”
“What?”
“The morning show. The edited version was uploaded to N-tube. Hold on.”
Park Siyoung from the acting team took out his phone. He went on N-tube and clicked on a video.
A man in a white gown appeared. Their eyes naturally drifted to his neck, and Jeon Sungmin from the acting team couldn't help but laugh.
“Now, whenever I see a doctor, I check for a stethoscope first.”
“Me too! Doesn’t your gaze just go to their neck automatically?”
“Same here.”
The kids erupted in laughter. Park Siyoung, laughing along, pressed the play button. Sound flowed from the phone’s speaker.
[Now, let’s meet with the professor of psychiatry.]
The doctor on screen bowed, and the sound of applause followed.
The kids staring at the phone screen tilted their heads.
“…This seems familiar somehow.”
“You’re right.”
“It’s like that thing! *Naeuiwon Plus+* and *Yeok Plus+*!”
At those words, the ‘Mirror’ team’s eyes widened.
“Oh, right!”
A brief silence fell before the practice room filled with laughter.
“Wow. This is really amazing.”
“I know. I never thought a show like this would be made.”
“Me neither. I knew Seojun’s influence was huge, but for a show like this to come out in just two days!”
The kids gathered around the phone, looking amazed.
[First, before we talk about schizophrenia, I’d like to discuss eating disorders. Eating disorders are, more than you might think…]
The professor on the phone screen went on and on.
“After eating disorders, will it be multiple personalities?”
“Then sociopathy, and finally schizophrenia, I bet.”
“Isn’t this a bit too on the nose for a broadcast?”
The kids chatted with the doctor’s explanation as background noise.
“It’s interesting, though.”
“It is. I’m learning quite a few new things.”
“Watching the play or reading the book again after seeing this broadcast would probably give a different feel.”
“As expected. KBC is great at making these kinds of shows.”
After watching up to the part about dual and multiple personalities, the kids lost interest in the video and reached for the food again. They chatted while munching on their favorite foods.
“By the way, I heard the novel became a bestseller?”
“Yeah. It was number one for three consecutive months: October, November, and December.”
“Wow!”
Applause and cheers erupted at the success of the original novel. Seojun, who had been celebrating with the others, remembered something.
“Oh, right.”
As Seojun suddenly opened his bag, the ‘Mirror’ team looked at him with curious expressions. In Seojun’s hand was a crisp envelope.
“I was going to tell you later, but I think now is a better time.”
“What is it? A letter?”
“Yeah. It’s a letter from author Choi Daye. She said it’s for the ‘Mirror’ team.”
“Ooh!”
“What does it say?”
“She said thank you for creating such a wonderful play. That she couldn’t take her eyes off it for a single moment. It felt like she was truly seeing Jung Chaewon’s world, and that the play was even more magnificent than her novel.”
“Woooow!”
“She cried because the acting was amazing, of course, but the background, props, and music were so wonderful too.”
The kids, moved by the heartfelt letter from author Choi Daye, mumbled in awe. The more sensitive ones even had tears welling up in their eyes.
Seojun smiled and continued.
“And she said if you give her your names and addresses, she’ll send you signed copies of the book. Send them to me on BananaTalk. I’ll make copies of the letter and hand them out.”
“Okay!”
“I’ll send mine right away!”
The kids excitedly picked up their phones.
“And…”
Seojun’s story wasn’t over. The kids, who had been typing in their addresses, looked up at the sound of his voice. With a mischievous look, Seojun dragged out the moment before speaking.
“Evan and Richel said they really enjoyed the play. They said you’re all great actors.”
“…Ahhh!”
The acting team, belatedly understanding Seojun’s words, let out screams of joy. The appearance of Hollywood actors made the music and background teams’ eyes go wide as well.
Seojun grinned.
“Director Ryan and Director Sarah said they enjoyed it too.”
“Oh my gosh! Director Sarah too?”
“I thought she might see it, but I can’t believe she actually did! Ugh. What do I do! I’m so happy!”
The acting team chattered with flushed faces. Even the normally calm Jeon Sungmin’s eyes were sparkling, unable to contain his excitement. The music and background teams rejoiced along with the acting team’s reaction.
“Wow. Hollywood actors and directors watched your play!”
“That’s amazing!”
Seojun’s gaze then turned to the music team. The music team members blinked at his stare.
“Jason and Professor Benjamin saw the play too. They said the performance fit perfectly.”
“Whoaaa!”
The students majoring in violin let out a roar. Though their instruments were different, the other students were also visibly delighted by the praise from the famous musician.
“Professor Benjamin recommended it to his friends, too. They said they also enjoyed it.”
Seojun listed the names of Professor Benjamin’s friends one by one. When the name of her most respected pianist came from Seojun’s lips, the music team leader, Kim Chaeyeon, screamed, and the other kids’ jaws dropped.
“That’s insane…!”
“They really heard my performance?!”
“I should have practiced harder!”
Watching the excited music team, the background team kids looked at Seojun. At their sparkling gazes, Seojun scratched his cheek. Unfortunately, Seojun had no connections in the art world. At most, it was with the special effects makeup team.
‘But Professor Benjamin and Jason’s acquaintances aren’t just musicians.’
Having been active all over the world for a long time, they knew a lot of people.
Painters, sculptors, designers, and more.
As the names of their role models flowed from Seojun’s lips, even the background team kids cheered. Although they hadn’t showcased their skills like the acting or music teams, this was enough to make them truly happy.
Seeing the joyous kids, Seojun also smiled brightly.
It was a delightful after-party.
***
[A new year has dawned! Wishing everyone good health this year!]
[Year-End Awards Show Ratings! Hit an All-Time Low!]
[‘Mirror Syndrome’: Is This My Delusion, or Reality?]
-Happy New Year!
-Can’t believe it’s a new year already!
-Time flew by so fast watching Lee Seojun’s play lol.
=Seriously, it feels like the time just zipped by while I was absorbed in the play.
-I didn’t even care about the awards shows.
=Same. The play, the book, and the analysis articles were way more interesting than the awards shows.
-The awards show ratings are abysmal.
=This is why the broadcast station execs were so desperate to get Lee Seojun.
=Right? There's a rumor that Red Crown's manager was surrounded in the K Broadcasting Station lobby lol.
=Red Crown? They’re from the same agency, but why go to a different manager?
=Because Cocoa Entertainment is already in chaos… it’s too hard to even get a word in.
=…Are you an insider?
=…Heh.
-Mirror Syndrome, lol. I’ve started checking for stethoscopes whenever I see a doctor’s gown, too. Heh.
=LOL, I went to the doctor’s and glared at their stethoscope lol.
#