Superstar From Age 0
Chapter 255

Chapter 255

[Hollywood actor Lee Seo-jun returns to Korea!]

[Actor Lee Seo-jun chooses ‘REDDEN’! Astronomical advertising effect!]

[REDDEN, “A design only for JUN!”]

-Seo-jun is here!

-I thought he would wear Aresis again, but he chose Redden.

=Redden’s official SNS has a lot of photos of Lee Seo-junㅋ

-Redden, huh… Should I buy something?

***

Seo-jun took a day off to adjust to the jet lag after returning from the US and went to school the next day.

Everyone he met in the morning congratulated him. 

After all the classes were over, he went to the practice room and was greeted by his mirror team members.

“Seo-jun, congratulations on your award.”

“Senior, congratulations on your award!”

“Thank you.”

The first and second graders, who had felt distant from Lee Seo-jun, also congratulated him with sparkling eyes. 

Seo-jun smiled and handed out the snacks he brought from the US.

Seo-jun and the kids sat together and ate snacks while chatting.

“What did you guys do while I was away? The third graders must have been busy with the entrance exams.”

“The music department practiced songs for the background music!”

“Uh… The background team was looking for props!”

The second grader from the music department answered Seo-jun’s question cheerfully. 

The second grader from the art department followed right after. 

The third graders from the music and art departments smiled and said.

“I don’t know why it’s so fun to do other things than practicing our skills.”

“Me too. I keep coming here to watch the kids.”

“But skills are more important. You guys have skill tests this month too.”

“The acting department has bigger problems.”

The actor team, the third graders from the acting department, Kang Jae-han, Yang Joo-hee, Jeon Seong-min, and Park Si-young, who had dark circles under their eyes, stuffed a piece of snack into their mouths with a blank expression.

“Who would have known that the competition rate for Mirinae High School’s acting department would be so fierce.”

Seo-jun recalled the article he read in the US at the words of the third grader from the music department.

[Which school will actor Lee Seo-jun attend during the entrance exam period?]

[Mirinae High School’s acting department, which belongs to the same ATR Foundation as Yeoul Arts Middle School, has a competition rate of 13.55:1!]

[Mirinae High School, 542 applicants for 40 seats in the acting department!]

[Art high schools across the country are worried about overlapping applications due to Mirinae High School’s application status!]

<As soon as the number of applicants for Mirinae High School, which is the first among art high schools to start its schedule, was revealed, other art high schools fell into trouble…(omitted)…All talented aspiring actors across the country flocked to Mirinae High School and those who failed later would go to other art high schools that allowed overlapping applications. This deepened the worries of art high schools that did not allow overlapping applications. Should they let go of their students or change their rules to allow overlapping applications…(omitted)>

-Oh. Is it already time for high school entrance exams?

-Do you think Seo-jun will really go to Mirinae High School?

=There is a high possibility. A lot of Yeoul Arts Middle School students apply to Mirinae High School.

-Is Mirinae High School good?

=It’s very good. It’s a school established by ATR Foundation in the same year as Yeoul Arts Middle School. It has more autonomy and support than Yeoul Arts Middle School. And it’s cheapㅎ

=It’s popular too. If you make a good work, they will put it on stage for a fee. And that’s at Eunhasu Center! They also hold exhibitions for paintings and sculptures and concerts.

=But it’s not easy.

-There are many actors, idols, and artists who graduated from Mirinae High School. Lee Da-jin and Choi So-young are also from Mirinae High School.

=Now Lee Seo-jun will join them too.

-Wow… The competition rate is insane.

=It’s been insane since two years ago. When we were in third grade, we knew that Seo-jun might come in as a freshman.

=ㄴㄴㄴThe competition rate for college acting departments is almost 150:1, so 13:1 is like pharmacy.

-Aren’t all the talented actors among the third graders in the country going to Mirinae High School?

=There were signs of that since two years agoㅋㅋ

-I was a bit bored because all the actors in movies and dramas were familiar faces, but it will be crazy when they become adults.

-ㅋㅋThe golden generation?

=You can call them that (serious)

=The third graders from Yeoul Arts Middle School are good at acting. Kim Joo-kyung from One Step Ahead is going to be in a drama next week.

=I work in the broadcasting industry, and there are many third graders from Yeoul Arts Middle School among the child actors who passed the audition.

=222 There are even directors who only want third graders from Yeoul Arts Middle School.

=The parents and agencies of child actors also know how good the third graders from Yeoul Arts Middle School are. It’s weird that the competition rate is only 13:1.

=Wow…

-They have the influence to change the rules of other art high schools;;;

=222 Seo-jun’s influence is no joke;;

-Will they show the skill test on YouTube again?

=Mirinae High School also shows it like Yeoul Arts Middle School. Of course, if the student agrees.

=Seo-jun will agree for sure!

=I want to see it!

-But what if it’s like the opposite again?

=ㅋㅋㅋThen I’m happy!

=22 We’re happyㅋㅋ

***

The teachers of Mirinae High School’s acting department gathered before the skill test. 

It was a meeting to decide who would judge the skill test, but it was more noisy with other topics.

“He’s really coming to our school. Lee Seo-jun.”

“I know. I’ve never seen him in person, but I never dreamed of seeing him like this.”

“Mr. Jung, you taught Seo-jun when he was in first grade, right? How was it?”

Jung Si-woon, who had judged Yeoul Arts Middle School’s skill test and taught Seo-jun acting when he was in first grade, shrugged his shoulders.

It was common for teachers to move from Yeoul Arts Middle School to Mirinae High School or vice versa, as they belonged to the same ATR Foundation. 

Jung Si-woon also came to Mirinae High School a year ago.

“It’s hard to say that I taught him. He was already a good actor before that.”

“An actor, not a student?”

“He’s too good at acting to be called a student. When I taught him in first grade, I couldn’t find anything to correct, I just watched him mesmerized. Now that two years have passed, he must be even better.”

The other teachers nodded at Jung Si-woon’s words.

Well, what could they teach an actor who won the Golden Globe and Academy Awards, which no Korean actor had ever received?

“Phew. It’s going to be hard to teach him.”

Shadows fell on the teachers’ faces.

“Mr. Jung. Do you have any tips?”

“We can’t just stare at his acting all the time.”

“Think of it as exchanging opinions rather than teaching. Not as a freshman student, but as an actor.”

“…Can we exchange opinions with a Hollywood actor who won an Academy Award?”

How should they deal with that? 

Everyone’s face turned serious.

It felt like they were looking at themselves three years ago. 

Jung Si-woon smiled and said.

“Just treat him as a good actor. He’s normal when he’s not acting.”

‘He’s terrifying when he’s acting.’

That was something they had to experience for themselves.

Everyone was worried about how to treat Seo-jun (no one thought he would fail) as they talked about various things. 

Then, the topic of the acting department entrance exam, which easily surpassed the historical competition rate, came up.

“Ah, by the way, it would be better for Seo-jun to take the exam at the very last.”

The teachers of the acting department, who were already tired of watching the performances of over 500 students, tilted their heads at Jung Si-woon’s words.

“Why?”

“If they see Seo-jun’s performance, they won’t like the performances of the students who come after him. He’s good for his age, but Seo-jun has a different impact, so they only see the flaws.”

“Ah…”

“I tried to be as objective as possible when I scored him in the middle school practical exam, but I can’t say that Seo-jun’s performance didn’t affect me at all.”

The teachers nodded.

“That happens quite often. It must be the same for other schools.”

“Right. It’s not like the order is based on skill, and we can’t tell them to do worse after seeing someone good.”

“It’s not just acting, but music and art too, right? If they see a performance or a work that is above the standard, the judges’ eyes will get higher and the criteria will collapse.”

“But we can’t push back the order of the good students either.”

“Well, it’s true that we have to judge as fairly as possible as judges…”

They all sighed.

“Seo-jun is out of the norm.”

If they do well within the expected range, they can maintain the standard, but if they do better than imagined, their eyes get higher and the standard crumbles.

“So it would be better to put Seo-jun’s order at the end.”

“I guess so.”

The teachers agreed with Jung Si-woon’s words.

“Now that you say that, I’m more curious about Seo-jun’s performance.”

“Me too. But there are only three seats for judges on Friday…”

This year’s practical exam at Mirinae High School was held from Monday to Friday, unlike the usual two-day exam due to the enormous number of applicants. 

Since three people couldn’t judge all the practical exams for five days, they decided to assign different judges for each day.

‘If Seo-jun is the last one… Friday!’

Friday was the only day when they could see Seo-jun’s performance in the five-day practical exam. The teachers’ eyes sparkled at the opportunity to see Seo-jun’s performance right in front of them.

“Then let’s decide now.”

Jung Si-woon, who didn’t participate in this practical exam because of his work experience at Yeoul Middle School, took out a box. 

There were neatly folded pieces of paper inside. The teachers took turns picking one and prayed fervently.

“Come on!”

“Ah…!”

“Sigh…”

The winners were three.

It was a very fair lottery.

***

Time passed and it was the last week of October, Monday.

Seo-jun looked around at his friends’ empty seats when he arrived at school.

The practical exam at Mirinae High School was held for five days from today. 

Many students skipped school altogether and went to Mirinae High School for their morning exams.

Kim Ju-kyung’s seat was also empty.

“I hope Ju-kyung does well.”

Jae-han said and Ji-ho nodded.

“Of course. She’s in a public broadcast drama now. She’s so good at acting that there’s no way she’ll fail.”

“She’ll do well.”

Seo-jun and Ju-hee also nodded.

Ju-kyung: Done with the practical!

Ju-hee: Good job!

<You did well!

Tuesday.

Ju-kyung came to school after taking her exam yesterday and Ji-ho was absent.

“Ji-ho will do well too.”

“He doesn’t seem to know what nervousness is.”

“That’s true.”

Seo-jun and his friends laughed cheerfully.

Ji-ho: Finished!

<Good job!

Ji-ho: But they recognized me lol

Ju-kyung: How could they not lol

Ju-hee: You know how many people watched Escape lol

Jae-han: lol

<lol

Wednesday.

Ji-ho came to school and Ju-hee and Jae-han’s seats were empty. 

Since Jeon Seong-min and Park Si-young from Mirror Team, who were actors as well, were taking their Mirinae High School exam today, the first and second graders prayed hard for their seniors.

“Please let all our seniors pass!”

“…Why are you doing this to me?”

“You’re the god of acting!”

The juniors prayed to Seo-jun with playful faces. 

Seo-jun smiled at the juniors who had become close enough to joke with him.

“Should I take a picture and send it?”

The third graders from the music and art departments giggled.

(A picture of the juniors praying)

Ju-hee: Done!

Jae-han: Finished!

Ju-hee: What is this lol

Jae-han: Tell them I’m really grateful!

<You both did well!

<(An emoticon of a bear holding a light stick)

Thursday passed and it was Friday.

Today was the day Seo-jun took his practical exam.

Seo-jun, who had his practical exam in the afternoon, decided to leave after lunch. 

As he packed his bag to leave early, his friends said to him.

“Seo-jun, do well and come back!”

“I don’t think you’ll fail, but don’t be complacent.”

“Do you think Seo-jun will ever act badly?”

“…Oh. Right.”

They all nodded at Ju-hee’s words. Seo-jun smiled and said.

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