Chapter 290
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 290
Chapter Title: A Glimpse of Spring
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Yeoul Arts Middle School practical exam number, 275.
Mirinae Arts High School practical exam number, 541.
And now,
Mirinae Arts High School, Year 1, Class 2, Kim Hawoon.
Having been accepted into the school of his dreams, Kim Hawoon looked around with an excited face.
Along the straight path, Mirinae Hall was on the right and Mir Hall was on the left. He could see students and parents saying their goodbyes.
“Kim Hawoon! Mom and Dad are heading out now!”
“I hope you end up in the same class as Lee Seojun!”
After seeing his parents off as they entered Mirinae Hall, Kim Hawoon walked along the straight path. He saw a few other students who looked like freshmen. As he walked, a wide field and a large school building came into view at the end of the path.
“So this is Mirinae Arts High…!”
Clutching his pounding heart, Kim Hawoon headed toward the group of students gathered at the school gate.
“Yes! Same class as Lee Seojun!”
“Aww, I’m in Class 2.”
“Seojun’s in Class 1.”
“Jiho and Jukyung are in Class 1, too.”
Just from the conversations, he could tell who was from Yeoul Arts Middle School and who was from other schools.
Kim Hawoon looked at the temporary notice board.
‘Acting Department, Class 1…’
The names were listed in alphabetical order, but Kim Hawoon’s name wasn’t there.
“…Ah, I’m in Class 2.”
Though disappointed he wasn’t in the same class as Lee Seojun, Kim Hawoon soon headed to Year 1, Class 2 with a cheerful heart.
After greeting his new classmates, Kim Hawoon followed the teacher’s instructions and went to Mirinae Hall. He saw students who looked like they were from Class 1 and searched for Lee Seojun among them, but he was nowhere to be seen.
“Looks like Seojun is the freshman representative again.”
“I guess so.”
He overheard Yang Joohee, who played the detective Jeon Seongmin and the female lead in the play *Mirror*, and Kang Jaehan, who appeared in *Escape*, talking.
Freshman representative.
Come to think of it, he thought he’d read about it in an online review. As Kim Hawoon was trying to recall, an announcement marking the beginning of the entrance ceremony echoed through the hall.
[We will now begin the 14th entrance ceremony of Mirinae Arts High School.]
The freshmen, the second and third-year students, and the parents all applauded.
Starting with the opening address from the principal of Mirinae Arts High School, the ceremony continued with introductions of distinguished guests, including the chairman of the ATR Foundation, the pledge of allegiance, and the declaration of admission.
[Next, we will have the freshman representative’s oath.]
[Freshman representative. Acting Department, Lee Seojun.]
The mere mention of his name changed the atmosphere in the vast Mirinae Hall. It had been quiet before, but now it was a silence filled with even greater focus and anticipation.
*Tap, tap.* A student with a radiant aura walked out from the side of the stage.
The amplified energy from the opened door of the Advanced Library enveloped Seojun, creating a shimmering aura.
A storm of applause erupted at Seojun’s appearance.
After bowing to the principal, Lee Seojun turned to face the audience. He unfolded the entrance oath he was holding.
“Oath.”
Kim Hawoon stared blankly at Lee Seojun on the stage.
This was on a completely different level from the two times they had briefly crossed paths.
“We, the 120 new students, solemnly swear to faithfully abide by the school regulations, to study diligently, and to do our utmost to achieve our dreams.”
Lee Seojun’s voice resonated throughout Mirinae Hall.
The stage was brightly lit without a single shadow, yet it felt as if only Lee Seojun, facing the audience, was highlighted. It was impossible to look away or not to listen.
“Freshman representative, Lee Seojun.”
As Seojun finished the short oath and bowed, a mix of regretful sighs and applause broke out.
He lifted his head and smiled warmly, and it felt like he was right in front of him. It was different from seeing him on television or a screen.
‘…That kid is the superstar, Lee Seojun.’
Truly,
He was a perfect fit for the spotlight.
* * *
Mid-March, a time for getting used to the new school life.
Song Yujeong, who had become a fan after watching Seojun’s practical exam video just days before the college entrance exam and had barely scraped into her desired university and major, met up with Im Yena at a cafe. Im Yena, having witnessed Yujeong’s close call, had sealed away the exam video until after her own exam was over.
“I still break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it.”
Having barely survived the exam, Song Yujeong quickly began her life as a fan of actor Lee Seojun. With her experience as an idol fan, she was confident in everything.
Someone once said,
A high school senior who’s finished their exams is invincible.
She rolled up her sleeves and dove into being a fan of actor Lee Seojun. But soon, Song Yujeong had to wear a frown.
“What on earth do actor fans live on!?”
Im Yena, who had come to the cafe with her, laughed.
“We watch what we’ve already seen, over and over. Still, Seojun’s breaks are short, and he posts N-tube videos every now and then, so there’s more content to enjoy compared to other actors.”
“But he doesn’t do L-App or social media, right? Idols are on music shows several times a week, but actors don’t have programs like that, and there’s no new content.”
As an idol fan who had gotten her fill of seeing her idols on screen, Song Yujeong was growing impatient with the lack of content outside of his projects.
“Actor fans… they’re amazing.”
“You’re an actor fan now too. Hehe.”
“I guess so. I’ve rewatched his stuff so many times I’ve memorized the lines.”
“Mm-hmm. Very good.”
Im Yena smiled, satisfied with this display of a model actor fan.
“Anyway, *Spring Has Returned* starts airing in two weeks. Just wait a little longer.”
“Right, that. Why aren’t they promoting it?”
“They’ll probably start soon.”
Just as the pro actor fan, Im Yena, had predicted, the promotions for the MBS special project dramas *Spring Has Returned* and *Tomorrow* began the very next day.
[MBS Special Project Drama Trailer, Tomorrow at 9:55 PM!]
[*Spring Has Returned* Trailer, Scheduled to Air Tomorrow!]
[*Spring Has Returned* & *Tomorrow*. Trailers Finally Airing!]
- …Do they usually release articles for trailers?
= Not usually.
= Is this the power of Lee Seojun?
- Is this really something worth waiting to watch?
= ?? I’m gonna watch it.
= 222 Me too.
- But during *Naeuiwon*, Seojun didn't even appear in the trailer for a single second.
= …I’m getting nervous…
- *Tomorrow* looks like it’ll be fun too.
= It’s a thriller and only 4 episodes, so it probably won’t drag on.
= My heart’s going to be pounding haha.
- This is going to get a ton of ad placements.
= Seems like it. They probably thought of this two months ago lol.
- Ads attached to a trailer… how novel haha.
= Well, I might not know about the drama, but the trailer will be over in a flash. You have to wait a few minutes beforehand.
= 22 Then you’ll naturally watch the ads before it.
= The effect will be huge.
And so, on Thursday evening, at 9:55 PM.
Song Yujeong and Im Yena watched television from their respective homes. Their eyes were glued to the screen, so they were on a phone call.
- I can’t believe I came home less than two weeks after moving out.
“My TV at home is bigger than the one at my place, so I had no choice.”
- That’s true! It’s better to watch on a big screen!
Song Yujeong nodded in agreement.
It wasn't time for the drama yet, so she was able to hold onto the remote. Her mother watched her with a peculiar expression. Why was she sitting in front of the TV just to watch a commercial? Seeing her daughter unchanged even after starting college, her mother shook her head.
‘Then again, it’s not the first or second time she’s done this for a commercial with an idol in it.’
Watching Song Yujeong with a jaded eye, her mother also sat on the sofa to watch the 10 PM drama.
“Switch it to channel 7 right at 10.”
“Okay. Mine will be over quickly anyway.”
The mother-daughter conversation flowed through the phone.
- Hello, ma’am! It’s Yena!
“Oh, Yena. It’s been a while. Are you watching TV too?”
- You should watch too, ma’am! It’s going to be really fun!
“…The commercial?”
Song Yujeong was inadvertently impressed by her friend’s ability to chat so naturally with her mother. Im Yena, the pro promoter, was trying to rope her mom in too.
Her mother, waiting for the 10 PM KBC drama, Song Yujeong, who was a new fan of an actor, and the pro promoter Im Yena. Three pairs of eyes were fixed on the television.
- Is it starting?
= Nope, not yet!
= I never thought I’d live to see the day I’d be waiting for a trailer.
- But what if Lee Seojun really isn’t in it?
= …If he’s not, I’m raiding the MBS website. lol
= 222 They even put out an article, so there must be something.
- Oh, it’s starting!
= It’s starting with *Tomorrow*.
The trailer for the thriller drama *Tomorrow* began to play.
- Ooh. Looks like a time loop story?
“A time loop? What’s that?”
- A single day repeats over and over. Until the problem is solved, tomorrow never comes. I guess that’s why it’s called *Tomorrow*!
“This looks interesting too.”
- It does. PD Kim Jinmyeong is good at this kind of fast-paced stuff. It could get boring since it’s set on the same day, but with his direction, it should be fine.
…Excuse me? We were talking about the drama, and suddenly you’re talking about the PD?
Song Yujeong and her mother tilted their heads at Im Yena’s words coming from the phone.
- Hmm. The writer doesn’t seem to be a complete rookie. They have a few works. And it looks like they don’t end their stories with a strong start and a weak finish. The writer and director are good, and while there are some newcomers, the cast combination is good too. I think it would have been fine if Seojun had filmed this one!
The explanation poured out as if she had researched it all beforehand.
“…You’re kind of scary.”
- Hehehe. Actor fans tend to care about these things. Besides, even though it’s in a different time slot, it’s part of the same project, so they’re bound to be compared. You have to research what kind of project it is.
Im Yena continued with a laugh.
- Isn’t it the same for idol fans? Like, wishing a certain person would compose a song, or produce? Hoping they work with someone who’s a good fit for the idol. That kind of thing. Plus, you check out the other groups making a comeback at the same time.
“Okay. I get it.”
Song Yujeong nodded.
Her mother watched Song Yujeong and the laughing Im Yena with narrowed eyes. She had no idea what they were talking about.
- Oh. It’s over. I think ours is starting now.
At Im Yena’s words, Song Yujeong and her mother’s gazes returned to the television. Under the title *Tomorrow*, the air date, day, and time appeared.
[MBS Special Project Drama]
[Tomorrow]
[Airing Mondays at 10 PM!]
- Looks like *Spring Has Returned* will air on Tuesdays.
“Yeah.”
Soon, the words *Tomorrow* faded, and the screen turned black before lighting up a moment later.
A familiar window appeared on the black-and-white screen. Buildings and signs flashed by outside the window. Raindrops trickled down the glass, as if it were raining.
- Are they on a bus?
“Looks like it. The camera seems to be from the main character’s point of view.”
- Black and white is an interesting choice.
“Is there no sound?”
At her mother’s question, Song Yujeong turned up the volume with the remote.
Only then could she hear a faint noise, like the ambient sound inside a bus. It seemed the sound wasn’t off, just playing very quietly.
Before she could ask if it was a broadcast error, the bus screeched to a halt.
Two people were standing at the bus stop. A female student with a folded umbrella got on the bus, and a male student followed her from outside, walking toward the camera. The male student, who had a bright expression, lowered his umbrella to the side, as if a gust of wind had blown.
The screen filled with the umbrella.
And then,
♬
A sweet melody began to play. Because they had turned up the volume, it was crystal clear. At the same time, color began to appear from the edge of the umbrella that filled the screen.
For some reason, the atmosphere of the video seemed to change at that exact moment.
From the center of the black-and-white screen, the color yellow began to spread like watercolor paint. Song Yujeong, her mother, and Im Yena on the phone all stared blankly at the screen.
The yellow umbrella was slowly lifted.
A hand holding the umbrella came into view.
A neat school uniform appeared.
The color that had been spreading across the screen now saturated it completely.
The yellow umbrella went up.
A shoulder with a backpack.
A sleek jawline.
And lips curved into a gentle smile.
And then,
And then, the title appeared, written in elegant calligraphy.
[MBS Special Project Drama]
[Spring Has Returned.]
[Airing Tuesdays at 10 PM!]
Song Yujeong, who had been watching with bated breath, her eyes wide open, screamed at the text that appeared on the screen.
“No! Why stop there!?”
- Why does it have to end there!?
Im Yena’s voice came through the phone like a shriek.
* * *
- They must be crazy. Why stop there!? Why end there!?
= 22 If you’re going to show us, show us everything!!
= 333 I was holding my breath watching that!
= 4444 I was so focused!
- With *Naeuiwon*, they didn’t show him at all, and now they’re only showing half of him…
= I’m relieved. He’ll probably be in the next trailer!
= …You’re really optimistic.
= It’s better than him not appearing at all.
= 222 I agree with this. Half is better than nothing.
- But it went by so fast.
= 22 It was really over in the blink of an eye.
= When is the next trailer coming out?
= Hurry up and upload it to N-tube, MBS! Get to work, MBS!
= Upload it quickly, so I can rewatch it until the show airs!
= 22 I’m so happy to have a new video to watch!
= I’m gonna watch it 294,207 times!
- Are trailers normally like this!?
= They’re probably just showing off because they cast Lee Seojun.
= 22 This will all turn into buzz and get more people to watch the actual show.
= MBS is smart lol.
- *Tomorrow* looks fun, and *Spring Has Returned* looks fun too.
= Looks like the MBS drama department finally did some work.
- My god… Seojun’s presence is… lol
= Just his jawline radiates handsomeness lol.
= Even with the umbrella covering him, I felt like I knew who was behind it lol.
- I love how the screen gets color as soon as Seojun appears.
= 222 I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
= The music too. At first, the sound was so low I thought it was a broadcast error, but it wasn’t. The sound became normal the moment the color appeared.
- It’s a romance… so does it mean, ‘My world only moves when you’re here’?
= Ooooh. I like that.
= (memo) My world only moves when you’re here.
= Can I use this phrase for the From the Sprout banner?
= ㅇㅇㅇㅋ
= Thank you!
= OMG. User Heuk-heuk changed the banner already lol.