Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 107

Soon, he received a call from director Sara Roth. Her face filled the laptop screen.

Nice to meet you. Im Sara Roth.

Hello. Im Seo-jun Lee. You can call me Jun. Please feel free to talk to me.

Director Roth nodded and smiled at Juns words.

Okay. Jun, did you read the script?

Yes. It was very interesting.

Jun told her what he liked about the script and director Roth nodded repeatedly. He was a handsome actor who looked good no matter what he did.

Good. Jun, have you ever played the violin?

A little bit, a long time ago.

He had learned to play the violin that he received as a gift from his aunt Nara when he entered elementary school.

It had been two years since then and he had learned for a short time. He had diligently learned activities like taekwondo or horse riding that would help him during filming, but he never expected to star in a movie about violin.

I learned piano well, though.

Then, can you practice until the filming? You dont have to play perfectly. You just need to learn how to hold the violin, how to grip the bow, and the basic posture.

When is the filming?

Its still the first stage, so I think well film next year. Theres outdoor filming too, so maybe in spring or summer when the weather gets warmer?

It was August now, so he had nine months left. He had more than enough time to practice the posture of playing the violin.

Okay.

Ill send you the sheet music for the parts of the playing scenes. You can practice the order and then Ill send you the playing scenes when the violinist is cast, so you can match the timing.

Okay.

Director Roth continued to talk. Jun listened attentively.

Some of the songs, Im thinking of commissioning them, so theres no sheet music ready yet, but Ill send them to you as soon as they come in. I hope you practice them. Um. Is it too much?

No. Its okay. I think of it as a script and memorize it. Its easy.

He could practice one song a month and that would be nine songs. And most of them were short plays. He could memorize them easily, but if he found a suitable ability in the Library of Life, he could play them more easily.

Director Roth nodded at Juns words. Well, it would take a long time to play like a real violinist, but what she wanted from Jun was a plausible posture.

If its hard to memorize all the violin fingering, just make sure you raise and lower the bow at the right timing. The fingers wont show much unless its a close-up. But if you can, memorize them.

Okay.

And before the filming starts, theres a lesson for about a week, can you come to the US? Im going to invite other child actors who have violin playing scenes. I think its better to learn with the actors and get along with them than to practice alone.

Jun nodded at director Roths words.

Ill definitely participate if I dont have anything urgent!

Okay. Then Ill contact the agency as soon as the songs come out.

Director Roth hesitated a little and opened her mouth.

Jun. Lets make a great movie together.

Yes!

Jun smiled brightly.

First, he had to find a teacher who could teach him the violin. He wondered how to find a teacher and suddenly realized. This was the job of the agency.

Jun contacted Seo Eun Chan, considering Ahn Da Ho, who was working with Marine Star and Kings Agency.

You want to learn the violin?

Yes!

Didnt you learn it a few years ago, Jun? I think I saw a video that your sister took a few times.

He remembered that he did well. Jun answered Seo Eun Chans question.

I can play a little, but I want to play more naturally. I have to read the sheet music and match the timing and playing. Its hard to do it by myself.

Seo Eun Chan scratched the back of his neck at his words. He had read the script too. There were quite a few scenes of playing the violin, but he honestly thought Jun would do well with a little learning.

Okay. I got it. The violin, huh

Seo Eun Chan thought for a moment.

If it was guitar or piano, I could ask the singers that Bubble knows, but the violin Wouldnt Soo Hee know that better?

Right?

Jun blinked at Seo Eun Chans words. He hadnt thought of Choi Soo Hee.

Choi Soo Hee, who was Kim Hee Sangs wife and Juns aunt Soo Hee, had worked as a pianist in Europe and settled in Korea a few years ago. She was teaching college students now. Jun quickly called aunt Soo Hee.

Hello. Jun.

Hello. Aunt!

Heong?

He heard a babys voice from the other side of the phone. It was Kim Subin, who had turned one a few weeks ago.

Subin babbled. Choi Soo Hee switched to video call with a smile. The baby was holding a slime doll in his arms and tilting his head.

Yeah. Its Jun, your brother.

Heong?

Kim Subin smiled brightly and leaned his face toward the camera.

His blinking eyes, chubby cheeks. Jun burst into laughter. Subin also laughed loudly and squealed when he saw his favorite brother laughing.

Hi, Subin.

Heong! Hi!

Subin, lets talk with Mom and brother.

No!

Kim Subin seemed to grab the phone, and the camera went dark. Choi Soo Hees voice came through. Jun laughed and said.

Aunt, I can hear your voice well, so you can just tell me.

Haha. Okay. I got it. Whats up?

Do you know anyone who can teach me the violin?

The violin?

Yes. My next work is a musical movie. I have to play the violin. The filming will start next spring or summer. I need someone who can come two or three times a week and teach me until then.

Heong? Me! Me!

Yeah. Hi, Subin!

Hi!

Subin, who was leaning his face on the phone, laughed at Juns greeting.

Choi Soo Hee thought for a moment. She recalled the faces of the people she knew. That person was abroad, and this person was busy.

Dont you have to learn from a famous person for a movie shoot?

No. Theyll hire someone else to teach me later. I just need to learn the basics until then.

Then it doesnt have to be a professor, right?

Yes!

Then I know someone. Hes still a student, but hes done some tutoring and he can teach well. He came to Korea not long ago and hes looking for a short-term job. He might leave the country next year. You might not be able to learn from him next year, is that okay?

Yes. I can find another teacher next year.

Okay. Then Ill contact him. Oh dear. Subin is upset.

Heeng! Subins whining mixed with crying came from across the phone, and Jun and Choi Soo Hee burst into laughter.

I thought he was quiet. Take care, Subin!

Bye bye, say bye bye. Subin.

No! Heongaa!

Come and play again, Subin.

Yeah!

He understands the words come and play perfectly. Well, see you next time. Jun.

Yes!

The phone hung up with Subins scream and Choi Soo Hees laughter. A little later, a picture of Subin holding a slime doll and a phone arrived.

-Subin is calling for his brother while looking at the phone haha

<I have to go and play soon

Jun laughed.

***

Jun fell asleep. When he opened his eyes, he saw the tightly closed Library of Life. He opened the door of the library and saw many bookshelves and books.

The books of the abilities he had used, the books he had read, and the many books he had not read yet.

When he had no filming, he read a few books a day, but there were still many books he had not read.

He could skim through and choose a good ability, but when he read a book of a life, he remembered the faint memories of that time and was immersed in them until it was time to wake up.

But today I have to find an ability first.

Jun first looked around the titles of the books on the bookshelf.

The classification of the Library of Life was divided by the type of monster. Any kind of slime, slime was on the slime shelf, any kind of elf, elf was on the elf shelf.

To find a book related to the violin, he had to look around all the shelves.

He passed three shelves and barely picked out two candidates, and Jun pondered seriously.

Do I have to reclassify?

Music if music, art if art. There would be many other ways of classification, but Jun could not do it. The only ones who could influence the Library of Life were those who had abilities similar to the level of the lives that created the Library of Life.

It was impossible for Jun, who could only use low to medium level abilities.

I have to open the last library door to use the power of the Library of Life, right?

There were still many closed doors in the Library of Life. He had to open all those doors and open the last door, but he didnt know when that would be. Jun sighed and walked to the next shelf.

Sigh. I have to look hard.

***

A few days later, the violin teacher Choi Soo Hee introduced, Jung Ee Seul, arrived at Cocoa Entertainment. Jung Ee Seul, who held the strap of the violin case with both hands, stood awkwardly in front of Cocoa Entertainment.

There were some people who looked like fans of celebrities. Jung Ee Seul, who attracted attention with her eye-catching violin case, didnt know what to do.

Ahn Da Ho, who was waiting in the lobby, saw Jung Ee Seul with the violin case and came out.

Jung Ee Seul teacher?

Ah, yes. Hello.

Nice to meet you. Lets go in first.

Jung Ee Seul followed Ahn Da Hos guidance and entered Cocoa Entertainment. Jung Ee Seul received a temporary pass from Ahn Da Ho.

Im Ahn Da Ho, the manager of actor Lee Seo-jun.

Hello. Im Jung Ee Seul.

Juns practice room is this way.

Jung Ee Seul held the strap of the case tightly. It was her first time at a celebrity agency, and she was amazed by the pictures of celebrities everywhere.

The practice room that Ahn Da Ho guided was a practice room exclusively for Jun, which Seo Eun Chan made as soon as Jun entered the agency, because he couldnt make loud noises or practice acting in an apartment.

If you scan your pass here, it will open. Try it.

Okay!

Jung Ee Seul scanned her pass at the machine as Ahn Da Ho instructed. A beep sounded and Ahn Da Ho opened the door.

The practice room was spacious and clean. One wall was filled with mirrors. Jung Ee Seul was admiring the place when she heard a bright voice. It was Jun.

Hello!

Ah, hello.

Jung Ee Seul quickly greeted him. Ahn Da Ho left the practice room and Jun led Jung Ee Seul to a chair.

There was a small table and a chair on one side of the practice room. There were also a camera and a large monitor that could record and play back the footage, and a refrigerator filled with snacks and drinks to satisfy the hunger.

Please sit here, teacher.

Ah. Thank you.

Please speak comfortably. Im Lee Seo-jun.

Nice to meet you. Im Jung Ee Seul.

Yes. Jung Ee Seul teacher!

Jun took out two cups with ease.

Theres green tea and coffee. Theres also orange juice. What would you like?

Um. Can I have juice?

Yes.

Jun poured orange juice into two cups and placed them in front of Jung Ee Seul. Jung Ee Seul, who was thirsty, gulped down the juice. She sighed and said.

I heard from the professor that I dont have to play, but just match the music and timing. Is that right?

Yes. The director sent me the sheet music. I just have to practice the posture of the sheet music until the next one comes.

I see. I heard you learned the violin a few years ago. How much did you learn?

Um. A few months or so.

A few months

Jung Ee Seul thought for a moment. A few years ago, he barely learned for a few months. 

That was no different from not learning at all. Jung Ee Seul, who didnt know Juns ability to learn quickly even if he only learned for a few months, decided to teach him from the beginning.

Then should I teach you from the beginning?

Jun nodded at Jung Ee Seuls words. He had some memories of learning from a music teacher in front of the school, but his attitude was different from then and now. Jun decided to learn properly from the beginning for acting.

Yes!

Then shall we try holding the violin?

At Jung Ee Seuls words, Jun took out the violin from the case. It was a fairly expensive violin that his aunt Nara bought for him. It seemed a bit big a few years ago, but now it was just the right size.

Jun, who was taking out the violin bow, looked up and said.

Teacher. Can I record this?

Record?

Yes. It might help me when I act, so Im recording it.

Oh, sure.

Jung Ee Seul nodded. If it helped him act, he should record it. Jun put down the violin and set up cameras in front and on the side. He looked like he had done this kind of recording more than once as he adjusted and aligned the cameras.

A red light came on the camera and Jun lifted the violin again.

Shall we start with the posture?

Juns violin lesson for his next movie began.