Chapter 299
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 299
Chapter Title: The First Fan Meeting
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“Yes. Yes. His aggressive tendencies are too strong. I think he needs to be hospitalized.”
With the nurse's final line, the curtain fell.
Even though they knew the twist and had seen it several times, the fans, who had been lost in the moment, came to their senses and cheered wildly.
Slowly, the curtain rose again.
The actors, standing in a line with Seojun at the center, bowed deeply to the audience. Cheers and applause poured out for the performers who had delivered such a wonderful play.
“Actor Lee Seojun.”
Holding a microphone, Seojun announced his name and bowed deeply.
“And Yang Juhee, Kang Jaehan, Park Siyoung, and Jeon Sungmin.”
As Seojun called their names, each of them faced the audience and bowed. Amid the applause, Seojun addressed the fans.
“Please wait just a moment. I’ll change quickly and be right back. My hair is a mess right now…”
Seojun gave a small, shy smile as if embarrassed by his messy hair, and laughter erupted from the audience. Shouts of “You’re cute!” and “It’s okay!” could be heard from all around.
The stage curtain fell, and Seojun and the other kids went backstage.
Seojun looked at his friends. Their faces were all flushed, still caught in the afterglow of the play. Seojun beamed.
“Thanks for coming today.”
“Don’t mention it. We got paid.”
“Thanks to that, I can finally buy that figurine.”
Kang Jaehan’s comment made Seojun and the others burst into laughter.
“Well, have a great fan meeting.”
“We’ll get going now!”
“See you at school tomorrow.”
After seeing his friends off to the dressing room to remove their makeup and change, Seojun quickly changed his own clothes. A stylist approached him and, with swift hands, tidied his hair and touched up his makeup.
Meanwhile, the staff cleared the stage. Soon, only a single chair remained on the neatly tidied stage.
Seojun, now looking neat and wearing a yellow sweatshirt, returned and sat in the chair.
* * *
“Wow, there’s such a huge difference between watching a video and seeing it in person…”
“I would’ve been so upset if I couldn’t make it today.”
As they chattered about the play *Mirror*, the wait didn't feel long.
The curtain rose again, revealing Seojun sitting in the chair. The same dark eyes that had just been glaring at the audience with a chilling intensity, radiating a sharp aura, now held a gentle warmth.
Witnessing this switch from his character to his real self right before their eyes left the fans in awe once more. Cheers and applause erupted. This person, this actor, was the one they adored.
Seojun scanned the audience as if trying to see each and every fan’s face, then smiled and spoke.
“Did you all enjoy the show?”
-Yes!
-It was great!
Impressions of the play flowed from all corners of the room. Hearing their reactions with his own ears and seeing them with his own eyes, Seojun smiled warmly.
* * *
“The next segment is a quiz. The questions were submitted on the fan cafe by the Sprouts who couldn't attend the fan meeting.”
Seojun burst out laughing as he read the cue card.
“They wrote in the comments, ‘You’ll never get this right.’”
Laughter broke out in the audience as well.
It seemed they were jealous of the Sprouts who were here. And it was understandable. They were so happy, they couldn't stop smiling.
“The company staff only selected questions with verifiable answers. For example…”
Seojun chuckled as he read the cue card.
“‘In the drama *Naeuiwon*, how many times did Grand Prince Seongnyeong call for Royal Physician Heo?’ Wow. Did someone really count all of them?”
Song Yujeong and Im Yena, who had been confident they could answer any question, let out an involuntary sigh.
“That’s insane…”
“They counted all of them?”
Just then, they heard Kang Taeyoung, who was sitting next to them—wait, was that really actor Kang Taeyoung?!—muttering something. *Sev… Seventy-four?*
“The answer is supposedly 73, but I’m not sure if that’s correct. For a question like this, you’d have to watch the entire drama—though, of course, Grand Prince Seongnyeong dies partway through, so you’d only need to watch a few episodes, but it would still take time to check. We won't be asking questions that take that long to verify.”
At Seojun's words, Im Yena and Song Yujeong stared at Kang Taeyoung in surprise. He was off by one, but they hadn't expected him to come up with such a close answer.
Kang Taeyoung looked at Seojun with sad eyes.
‘It’s not 73, it’s 74…!’
“The quiz will be O/X only. If the answer is O, raise your right hand. If it’s X, raise your left hand. We’ll continue until only ten people are left. Here’s the first question!”
The Sprouts leaned in, listening intently to Seojun’s voice.
“In *Reinvestigation*, the license plate number the child testified to was 4812. Right hand for true! Left hand for false!”
Sighs could be heard here and there. They hadn't expected a question from a drama where he only had a cameo. This was clearly a question designed to weed people out.
Song Yujeong and Im Yena shook their heads.
“I’ll have to guess.”
“Same here.”
After a moment of debating whether the number was likely to be correct or incorrect, the two of them shot their right hands up. Kang Taeyoung also raised his right hand.
Seojun looked around the audience and said with a smile.
“The answer is O. All the Sprouts with your right hands up, you got it right. Please keep them raised.”
A mixture of disappointed groans and triumphant cheers filled the air.
“Now for the second question. In *Naeuiwon*, the name of the village where the plague broke out was Ogyeri. Right hand for true, left hand for false!”
At Seojun’s words, Song Yujeong and Im Yena immediately raised their left hands without a second thought. Kang Taeyoung did the same.
“I guess that one was too easy. It wasn't Ogyeri, it was Muulri. Left hand is correct!”
The questions continued until only 10 people remained. Im Yena and Song Yujeong, who had been neck and neck until the final question, were finally separated.
“Ugh. I’m so jealous. Have fun up there!”
Sent off by Song Yujeong’s envious gaze, Im Yena beamed and headed toward the stage.
With a bright smile, Seojun gave a tight hug to each of the ten fans who came up on stage.
* * *
Part one of the fan meeting ended, and it was time for a break.
Cocoa Entertainment staff began distributing snacks. As they received the boxed meals being passed down the row, Song Yujeong and Im Yena’s eyes widened.
“This is a snack?”
“It looks more like a full meal.”
A salad from a famous hotel, cube steak, various bite-sized fruits, and a drink were more than enough to fill the fans’ stomachs.
“This is delicious!”
While exclaiming in delight, Song Yujeong and Im Yena glanced at the person next to them. Lost in the excitement of the fan meeting, they had momentarily forgotten who was there.
Kang Taeyoung, who was diligently spearing cube steak with his fork, just chuckled under their gaze. Joo Yongjin had told him to go see Seojun immediately if he was discovered, but Kang Taeyoung wanted to enjoy the fan meeting from his seat a little longer.
“…Please keep it a secret.”
“Yes, we will. But aren’t you going to see Seojun?”
It was break time, so no one would notice if he slipped out, pretending to go to the restroom.
I would have, if I were him!
“I came here today as a Sprout. I want to meet Seojun as a fan.”
Somehow, that made perfect sense, and Song Yujeong and Im Yena nodded.
In that case, we should treat him as just another fan of Seojun!
“When Seojun first came out singing, I thought my heart was going to drop!”
“Right? Our Seojun is a great singer, too!”
“How did you know the answer to that example quiz question?”
“I watched it so many times that I got curious and counted. But it’s not 73, it’s 74. I counted twice.”
“I see.”
The casual chatter of three ordinary Sprouts continued.
* * *
Part two of actor Lee Seojun’s fan meeting began.
A box on the table caught the fans’ attention. It was a box they had seen before.
Holding the microphone, Seojun spoke with a smile.
“Everyone, you recognize this box, right? Yes. Inside are the questions you all wrote down as you entered. I’m curious to see what they are. I’ll draw one now.”
Seojun reached into the box and pulled out a slip of paper. All the fans’ eyes were fixed on him, wondering if their question would be chosen.
Seojun tilted his head as he read the very first question.
“‘Seojun, I want to make a light stick. What do you think?’ someone wrote.”
Ooooh!
The unexpected question sent a stir through the audience.
“A light stick!”
“Whoa. Yujeong, was that you?”
“Yeah! I can’t believe it got picked!”
Unlike the excited fans, Seojun tilted his head in confusion.
He had been to a few concerts for Cocoa Entertainment's singers, so he knew what light sticks were for. He had to admit, it was cool how they all lit up in the same color, controlled by a central system.
“But do actors have light sticks? I’ve seen them for the Brown Black hyungs, the White hyungs, and the Lec nunas… but they’re all singers.”
In response to Seojun’s question, voices from all over shouted that they did.
“When do you use an actor’s light stick?”
-At fan meetings!!
Right, it would be a bit strange to wave a light stick while watching a movie in a theater or at home.
“Would it be nice to have one?”
Seojun had never considered it before, so he wasn't sure if a light stick would be a good thing or not. Since the fans would be the ones buying and using them, he decided to ask them.
A unanimous answer erupted from the audience.
-Yes!
-Let’s make one!
‘If the fans want it, then we should make one.’
Seeing the overwhelming approval, Seojun smiled brightly.
“A light stick! Let’s do it! Since the hyungs and nunas have them, the company should know how to make one. Besides, the CEO is my uncle, so I’m sure he’ll agree if I ask, right? If that doesn’t work, I’ll try using my investor power.”
Seojun said with a mischievous expression. The fans burst out laughing.
An Daho smiled and picked up his phone to ask the singers’ management team about light sticks. The singers’ team worked weekends and weekdays, so someone was bound to answer. An answer came back almost immediately.
‘For the design… should we hold a contest?’
The efficient manager was already thinking about the design.
“Okay, next question! ‘What are your plans for this summer vacation?’ I’m planning to go to the US for summer break.”
Ooh.
Murmurs of admiration could be heard.
-Are you filming a Hollywood movie?
-A new project?
Seojun shook his head at the fans’ questions.
“No, it’s just a vacation. I’m going to meet up with some friends and relax for a bit before coming back. One of my friends plays baseball, so we promised to go see a game. Next question!”
Seojun answered the fans’ questions with sincerity.
There were questions about his favorite project, his most difficult role, and any memorable episodes. There were also questions about his personal tastes, like his favorite songs or movies.
“This one doesn’t seem like a question. ‘Seojun, do you know how to do a biting heart?’ I think I saw the Lec nunas do it. Is it like this?”
Placing the microphone on the table, Seojun cupped his hands together in a circle and then *nom*, bit down to form a heart.
As Seojun’s face filled the large screen, the fans screamed. Seeing their reaction, Seojun burst out laughing.
And so, the happy time for both Seojun and his fans flowed by.
“Wow, look at the time. I was having so much fun, I didn’t even notice it passing.”
A collective sigh of disappointment rose from the audience. Seojun felt the same way, but he just smiled even more brightly.
“It’s truly wonderful to meet all of you who love me so much in person. I hope you all had a great time, too. To all the Sprouts, thank you for always supporting me. Please continue to give me lots of love in the future. I love you all so much!”
A spotlight shone down on Seojun as he stood on stage.
With a huge grin, Seojun looked out at the audience filled with his fans and brought the microphone to his lips.
[(Good) Basic Elven Breathing has been activated.]
[(Good) Song of the One-Legged Harpy has been activated.]
With a final song from Seojun that resonated in the fans’ hearts, actor Lee Seojun’s fan meeting came to an end.
* * *
[Actor Lee Seojun, Lavish Gifts for Fans at Fan Meeting!]
[Actor Kang Taeyoung Posts Lee Seojun Fan Meeting Photos on Social Media!]
[Actor Kang Taeyoung, Certified Sprout!]
-I heard the fan meeting was fun?
=It was amazing! So much fun!
=ㅠ I wanted to go so badly ㅠ
=Let’s just read the fan accounts ㅠㅠ (Link)
-I hope I at least win the photocard lottery.
=222 I want to win even if I have to use up all my nonexistent luck.
-Did Kang Taeyoung go as an invited guest?
=Nope, fan accounts say he bought a ticket. He just watched from the audience the whole time.
=He survived the ticket war… He’s a true fan of Seojun’s haha
[Title: Brief Review of Seojun’s Fan Meeting]
There was no MC, so it just felt like we were hanging out with Seojun. It was so good haha
And Seojun, hosting for the first time, was so cute…! (I could die!)
+) To the Sprout who put the biting heart question in the box… I sincerely pray that everything you do goes well!
-Whenever he made a mistake while hosting, Seojun would just giggle, and all the Sprouts would melt lol
=222 It’s his first time, of course he can make mistakes!
-The biting heart lol. A mission disguised as a question lol. Seojun was so cute haha
=A biting heart…! Someone please post a picture or a video….