Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 117

117.

While working on the OST with sound director Lee Ye-ji, we received the script for ‘The Pomegranate Will Bloom Again.’ So, we gathered at my studio, our official hideout, to check the OST’s reception and do a script reading.

“Hyung, why is there a pomegranate in the title? Does it have some symbolic meaning?”

Actually, I don’t know either. Pomegranates generally symbolize prosperity and abundance because of their many seeds. Or it might evoke the myth of Persephone. The reason for eating the pomegranate varies slightly in each version, but Persephone’s consumption of the pomegranate led to the cycle of nature, so the pomegranate also signifies the cycle of nature itself.

I explained it at length, but the point is, I don’t really know. Both are hardly related to a story about a bastard becoming emperor. It’s even harder to interpret because it’s a material that can be used simply because the protagonist was born in the season when pomegranates grow.

Chaemin, who was listening to us, suddenly clapped his hands and shouted.

“Oh, I know that! It was written in the tarot introduction book! In tarot, the pomegranate symbolizes the power of a female figure!”

Go away, superstition believer. I don’t know how you can be so opposite to me in every way, you damn rabbit.

“Oh, Hyung, are you studying tarot?”

Lee Hyun-jae’s eyes twinkled slightly, showing interest. I couldn’t help but worry. You can learn astrology or iconography through tarot, but I hope my disciple doesn’t adopt the concept of seeing fate with it.

“Yeah! But it’s really difficult. I even asked Dong-hwa to help me interpret it last night while reading.”

I nodded. It was a book that seemed helpful for studying iconography.

“But guys, when are we going to do the script reading?”

As the story went off on a tangent, Ryu Iden stepped in to mediate.

“So, what are our roles?”

“Right. The team leader said that everyone would show their faces, even though it’s mainly about Chaemin.”

“I—I hope it’s something easy to act—”

The script was distributed. I was about to open it right away, but I stopped when Ryu Iden suggested we open it together after counting one, two, three. It’s nothing much, but it’s a necessary ritual to enhance the group’s emotional bond.

Opening the script, I saw the actor’s names written in parentheses next to the rough role names. I quickly scanned it to find my name, which would be the most important. I hope it’s not there if possible. I have many shortcomings to set foot in the new realm of drama.

“Oh, I found Dong-hwa hyung’s name.”

Damn it. At Lee Hyun-jae’s words, I turned my head to check the page number. …Well, I don’t know why I got this role.

“Wait, Dong-hwa and Ha-min’s roles seem to have a lot of weight?”

“According to my statistics, it seems to be directly proportional to the number of mentions?”

“As expected, I’m proud of our kids’ popularity.”

This is, really, a big problem.

* * *

‘The Pomegranate Will Bloom Again’ filming set.

It’s a short scene, but still a role with more than 5 lines. I’ve acted before, but this is my first time appearing in an actual drama. I guess the atmosphere of the filming set will be different. They say drama is a fight against time.

“Dong-hwa, I’m nervous.”

“…Um, me too.”

Chaemin looked at my face quietly at my words and nodded.

“Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you nervous. I’ve never seen you nervous except for the day before your debut stage.”

By the way, I’m really curious how this guy knows when I’m nervous. There’s no difference on my face even when I look in the mirror.

After getting makeup and costumes, there was a waiting time for the previous scene to be filmed. And finally, when the previous scene ended,

“Oh! Our junior artists are here again!”

Jane’s loud voice echoed through the set. Jane, dressed in stylish clothes that were more casual and common than befitting royalty, waved her hand.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you since Detection [previous project they worked on]. I did a radio show with Kyun-hwon oppa [older brother/male friend], though.”

Jane said with a sly smile. It seems like she’s teasing us playfully. We all stood up and bowed deeply.

“To be blooming, we are Blossoms!”

Jane’s eyes widened and she clapped at the voice that was as loud as hers.

“This must be the idol spirit. Amazing, really. I don’t think rookie actors have this kind of vibe.”

“It’s been a while! Senior artist!”

Chaemin, who is good at making friends, greeted her first, and Jane smiled and accepted it. Director Lee arrived and welcomed us.

“You’re here! Ah, personally, I’m looking forward to your acting!”

It hurts my heart to have the burden placed on me so gently.

“Then, my tutor and servant, please take care of me today?”

Jane said to Chaemin and me. For reference, I’m the tutor.

* * *

The first scene is a scene where Jane and I are filming in a room with an oriental feel. The lines and emotions aren’t difficult, so I think it’ll be okay. However, the problem is this part in parentheses.

Young tutor (Ji Dong-hwa): (Nagging Hara for not concentrating on the lesson, fade out with music)

I don’t know what this nagging is. It seems like I can say anything, like when I filmed Jun-seong’s music video last time. Fortunately, I received the script in advance this time, unlike last time.

My outfit is a suit, round glasses, and hair parted in a 2:8 ratio. It’s a neat impression, but I’m wearing old-fashioned customs all over my body.

Although specific settings didn’t appear in my script, it seems that the protagonist is struggling between the desire to live like an ordinary person and those who are trying to suppress her because she is not legitimate in the imperial family.

If so, I, as a tutor, am trying to make this person, who is still of royal blood, live with the dignity of royal blood as much as possible, while also having a bit of human pity for the treatment in the imperial family.

The imperial family keeps telling me to teach roughly, but I can’t do that because of my personality. A human who has to make this bratty woman of royal blood to be satisfied.

That’s why I harden my expression. With the most determined expression, to follow the education.

“Okay, Dong-hwa, I’m 5 years younger than you! You’re 5 years older than me, but you’re smart, so you joined the imperial family and got dumped as a tutor! Concentrate!”

Jane shouted while sitting across from the desk. It seems that the intention to relieve tension is strong.

“It’s not a big deal to get cut two or three times anyway, so you can just do it roughly at first as a practice!”

“Jane! It’s better to cut it in one go if possible!”

Director Lee shouted at Jane’s words, but Jane just laughed.

“Okay, let’s start filming!”

The moment he shouted, Jane’s eyes changed. With an expression that she’s annoyed to death, she picks up a pen and starts drawing something on top of a humanities book. I also take a deep breath and make an angry expression.

And then the director’s cue sign follows. After looking down at Jane over my glasses for about 5 seconds, I mutter in a voice that chews something.

“What are you doing.”

A much more eerie voice than I thought. Jane leans back without paying attention to it.

“Ah! Teacher. What’s the point of studying for a bastard who doesn’t even have to stand in public?”

I’m about to feel a little sorry, but I don’t like the student who doesn’t follow the study properly. If the situation is the problem, I can consider growing up and facing it first, or shining brilliantly even in the mud so that others can’t help but see the light, but I don’t like the student who is full of laziness and gives up everything in advance. Because I feel sorry, the anger burns even more.

However, I’m a human who has etiquette ingrained in my body to express anger. I don’t even sigh out loud. I take a deep breath and slowly digest it.

“…Intelligence can be a powerful weapon for humans. People need wisdom, and studying can be a bridge to reach that wisdom. Ultimately, when a wise human dreams of power, history will change.”

That’s why I indirectly tell her that the current study can be a hidden dagger in the future, or it can be a whetstone to sharpen the dagger.

“Hey, you can just learn that while living, why so boring! Okay, let’s just do puzzles together? That’s also knowledge study!”

And realizing that this young student is too stupid to understand these words, I take off my glasses, rub my forehead slightly, and put them back on. I can’t sigh or grab my head and scream without formality, so I express it a little.

“……Where did your childhood dreams go?”

At those words, Jane, who was burying her face in the paper and mumbling, stops.

“Has the ridiculous idea of becoming an emperor all disappeared?”

I feel that my back is stiff and there is a little strength in my hands. I think I can understand the emotions of this role to some extent.

“It was just a joke when I was a kid, teacher.”

Jane replies in a drooping voice. A world that tries to trample on her dreams, and a student trampled on by dreams that are unlikely to come true. In the end, this scene is just a scene to show the protagonist’s powerlessness. But, for some reason, I don’t want the protagonist to collapse. A student I’ve taught for 3 years. I can’t just watch his downfall.

“Jokes are often the starting point for great inventions.”

I take a deep breath and smile a little awkwardly. Hoping to look warmer. Jane looks a little surprised at my smile.

“So, what you said as a joke when you were a kid may become a prophecy that will remain in the history of the Korean Empire in the future.”

The prepared lines are up to here. But now I know my feelings. A little expectation. I feel a slight expectation. That she might get a glimmer of hope from this one word I said as a teacher.

But.

“Ah, teacher, I just don’t want to study!”

At Jane’s scream, the expectation collapses. I frown slightly. An informal act that I would never do normally comes out physiologically. I open my mouth.

“If you are a bastard, if the limitations of your status are too much, become so great that no one can ignore you because of your status. Have the wisdom suitable as the ruler of the Korean Empire, and coldly recognize the flow of the political situation, and warmly recognize the hearts of the people. Although you can’t stand in public, your words, which have the blood of the emperor flowing, will eventually create influence, and those who gather that influence will eventually make you great. Then, back to the beginning, no one will care about the limitations of your status. Your greatness is too great compared to a minor flaw.”

I lower my slightly raised tone, calm my slightly busy breath, and return to a calm gaze. And I meet Jane’s eyes, who has surprise, embarrassment, and a little excitement in front of me.

“So, do you feel like studying a little bit now?”

And Jane’s head slowly nods. Still dumbfounded and not knowing why she’s nodding.