The Genius Idol is a Joseon Scholar - Chapter 1
Yu Gunja, the 15th-generation descendant of the Munwon Yu family, possessed innate talents in both dance and singing. Whenever he performed dances or sang songs, people from the neighborhood would cheer without any regard for social distinctions. However, this very adoration became the reason for Yu Gunja’s seclusion behind closed doors.
* * *
‘My son, you must not engage in dancing.’
‘You must refrain from singing as well.’
‘Strive to become an upright scholar and lead a life that reflects the principles of a true gentleman, just as your name ‘Gunja’ suggests.’
‘That should be the sole purpose of your life.’
These were the recurring words of his grandfather, Yu Cheong-won.
At the age of six, Yu Gunja, orphaned after the death of his parents, was adopted by Yu Hyeongwon, who was his paternal uncle. Shortly after the boy’s biological parents passed away, Yu Hyeongwon seemed to have been waiting for this to happen and then quietly adopted Gunja almost as if he couldn’t wait to do so.
His sole purpose was to break the dreadful curse that had plagued the Munwon Yu family for generations, passed down through Yu Gunja.
The men born through the Yu lineage were uniformly handsome and beautiful like flower boys (Hwarang), exceptionally intelligent, and strong beyond compare. Yet, without exception, not a single one of them lived past the age of thirty.
The cause was a disease that erupted on their arms during adolescence, quickly spreading throughout their bodies—an ailment known as Changbyeong (an ancient term for a skin disease). After its onset, it persisted without respite, growing to an enormous size that it could soon cover the entire body. In the Yu family, this skin ailment was referred to as “Sangtaechang”, a term that encapsulated the curse that had befallen the clan.
Even skilled doctors couldn’t manage the symptoms, and all sorts of supposedly effective herbal remedies were futile. Not even a single one proved successful. Even Yu Gunja’s father, Yu Juwon, couldn’t escape death’s grasp.
The death of his elder brother, Yu Juwon, was a shock to Yu Hyeongwon.
‘Wasn’t Juwon, who was regarded as the most exceptional talent in the long history of the Yu lineage, affected as well?’ The Changbyeong, with its color akin to fireflies, spread across Juwon’s body too. The image of his elder brother, who couldn’t even muster a voice in his final moments, was something that Yu Hyeongwon could never forget.
From that day on, Yu Hyeongwon’s obsessive preoccupation with the curse began. The curse had originated from generations past. Even though they were born into a noble family, the 2nd-generation ancestor, Yu Ye-seong, took his own life in exile after losing his government position and mingling with commoners. It’s said that the curse preventing male members of the family from living past thirty started after him.
If that’s the case, isn’t this an issue of accumulated misfortune within the Yu lineage? To break the curse, an impeccable and noble scholar must be produced — That was the conclusion Yu Hyeongwon had reached.
However, unfortunately, Yu Hyeongwon was already entangled in various forms of corruption, he was a far cry from being an upright figure. Recognizing this fact himself, he took in his nephew, Yu Gunja. Unlike Yu Hyeongwon, Yu Gunja was like a blank sheet of paper untouched by any impurities.
To mould Yu Gunja into a perfect scholar and through him, dispel the curse on the family, seemed a rather convincing plan by Yu Hyeongwon. After all, Yu Gunja’s brilliant talents were evident from his childhood, embodying the embodiment of a prodigy.
Before even reaching the age of ten, he had mastered the Four Books and Five Classics, and by the age of thirteen, he was at the forefront of falconry, riding horses and leading in hunting expeditions.
In the realm of the “Four Arts,” there was no peer in the whole land, and his attractive appearance and graceful bearing were captivating to all. Watching Gunja grow day by day, Yu Hyeongwon couldn’t hide his pride.
Occasionally, Gunja showed interest in entertainers like courtesans and jesters, but it wasn’t a major concern. Well, wasn’t that a natural inclination for boys of his age? They just needed to infuse a bit of strength in him, and then simply repeat the same phrases as if brainwashing him.
‘Son, you must not dance.’
‘You must not sing either.’
‘Strive to become an upright scholar, live a life like a true gentleman (Gunja), just as your name suggests.’
‘That should be your only goal in life.’
Gunja never knew rebellion. Whenever Yu Hyeongwon scolded him, tears as big as peas would roll down from his large eyes. Observing this, Yu Hyeongwon was convinced. This child no longer possessed a self. He is merely a marionette diligently following the path of self-cultivation to become an exceptional scholar.
With Gunja’s brilliance, passing the civil service examination was already within reach. Once he entered government service and gains recognition as an outstanding scholar, he could surely break free from this tiresome curse. Yu Hyeongwon’s conviction remained unshaken.
He believed he could soon part ways with the dreadful Changbyeong that had enveloped his body, until the day he witnessed Gunja dancing and singing in the dirty alleyways.
“Woah—!!”
Among the cheering audience were not only aristocrats but also commoners and even peasants. In front of them, Gunja’s exuberant dance and song were more joyful than anything the world had seen before.
For over a decade, Yu Hyeongwon had never seen such a face before him. In that moment, a flame of anger lit up in Yu Hyeongwon’s heart.
The wretched appearance, way beyond common decency, was no different from the image of the ancestor who marked the beginning of the Yu family’s curse, Yu Ye-Seong.
“Bring that child here.”
With a single command from Hyeongwon, the guards moved.
Amidst this, even though Gunja had managed to knock down three with his bare fists, he was no match for the combined strength of ninety-six guards. It marked the beginning of his agonizing torment.
This time, it wasn’t the wooden club, but a whip. Subjected to the whip until the flesh on his back and thighs burst open, Gunja was eventually confined to a small room, bruised and battered, by the orders of his servants. It was the year he turned seventeen.
Even as the heavy wooden door closed shut, Gunja continued to shout toward his Foster Father.
“Father, please listen to me!”
“Close it.”
“I know how to control the Sangtaechang! Just once…”
“What are you doing? Close it this instant.”
“Father!”
Thud.
Behind the closed door, Yu Hyeongwon whispered softly.
“Reflect on your actions.”
“…”
“I told you to think only of the path of a gentleman.”
“…”
“Everything else is a sin.”
“…”
“You must reflect thoroughly.”
As the footsteps beyond the door grew fainter, Gunja lowered his head. He already knew. No matter what he said, his Foster father would not listen. Not even if he succeeded in mastering the Sangtaechang, becoming the first in the family’s history to do so.
The Changbyeong etched on Gunja’s arm seemed to resonate, as if speaking to him. It was different from the affliction that spread throughout Yu Hyeongwon’s body. The color was the same, but it was much cleaner and more orderly. It was akin to fluorescent calligraphy written on his forearm.
“Chang…”
Gunja called it ‘Chang,’ but the name meant ‘song’ rather than ‘skin disease.’ It was a name with the meaning of singing (?). Among the things Gunja liked the most, singing was one of them. Unlike other adults in the family, Gunja had never ‘suffered’ due to Changbyeong.
The only difference between them and Gunja was one thing: Gunja enjoyed dancing and singing. Regardless of the audience in front of him, he willingly moved his body and raised his voice to entertain them.
This world labeled those who engaged in such activities as jesters and treated them as commoners. ‘Commoner’ referred to people even lower than peasants, akin to slaves. However, Gunja couldn’t understand this at all.
From a young age, he had read numerous books. The most frequently mentioned phrase was ‘benefit the people.’ It was said that every scholar should know how to benefit the people.
But what did it mean to be beneficial? Was it only about eating until full and sleeping warmly?
His thoughts were different. Making the people laugh, bringing them joy… Wasn’t that also a form of benefiting them? Without a doubt, it was as beneficial as anything could be.
–
One day, when he secretly slipped out to get himself a pastry, Gunja watched the jesters’ performance in the alleyways and became convinced. They were the true beings who brought benefit to the people.
Afterward, Gunja practiced singing and dancing in secret from his foster father. He was clumsy in the beginning, but his heart was full of joy. Reading good books and archery were enjoyable, but compared to dancing and singing, they were like fresh blisters on the feet.
Surprisingly, every time he sang and danced, the affliction on his arms transformed.
The firefly-like rashes that had spread all around his body, like a skin disease gathered in one place. It formed a square shape, resembling a manuscript, and even formed words, speaking to him.
“[Try practicing the gayageum.]”
“[Can you dance in the alleyways?]”
“[Surely something good will happen.]”
It felt as if he were possessed by a goblin. However, this wasn’t a dream or an illusion.
With each task completed under the guidance of the Sangtaechang, his singing and dancing abilities visibly improved. His once rigid body became flexible. The dissonant voice that had been produced turned beautifully harmonious.
Only when he felt this change did he realize: the Sangtaechang was not a curse but a blessing. If he could handle it properly, he could not only cure the affliction but also benefit many more people.
However, even this realization from Gunja was meaningless in front of his foster father.
Inside the narrow room, even standing straight was not easy. As Gunja managed to sit huddled, tears welled up in his eyes once again. It was different from the sorrow of enduring the whip. Now that he had the chance to express himself, he was confined within these walls and couldn’t do anything.
“Is there no one here?”
Pounding on the door and shouting, not a single servant appeared. It was only natural. They would have followed Hyeongwon’s orders.
Should he just offer a false apology to his foster father and then go out to show how he could control the Sangtaechang?
However, it was a futile thought. From the start, his foster father wouldn’t even lend an ear to Gunja’s words, and even if he were to witness it, he would likely dismiss it as the trickery of goblins or spirits.
Confucius didn’t mention supernatural powers in the Analects. The aristocrats who valued his teachings more than life itself might even deny the existence of such mystical things if they were to witness them.
“So, what should I do now?”
A heavy sigh filled the room. Even if he were to leave like this, he wouldn’t be able to live the life he desired. Most likely, he would end up following his foster father’s words and walk the path of a scholar.
‘Should he rebel?’ But Gunja quickly shook his head. He could knock down a few guards with his fists. With a sword or a bow, he could face off against a squad. However, in this country, an individual fighting against the power of the aristocracy was impossible.
Sadness enveloped his entire body. He could no longer feel his buttocks or thighs. Sitting huddled with his knees drawn close, Gunja spoke to the Chang.
“Chang, are you there?”
“…”
“Can I sing a song for you?”
*Buzz…*
As if suggesting he should give it a try, the Sangtaechang resonated.
Eventually, Gunja opened his mouth and began to sing. It was a mournful melody.
” Thinking of each other, meeting just in dreams, A reality elusive, or so it seems….”
” When I set out to find you, you sought me in return, In the realm of dreams, our fates intertwined to discern…”
A song with its own rhythm set to Hwang Jin-yi’s poem “Sangsamong,” sung freely.
” Could we venture beyond distant roads and moonlit skies, To unite on that path where hope never dies?”
The poem that sang of the decisiveness of parting resonated with a sense of longing for a dream that Gunja could never fulfill.
Hopefully, in his next life, he wished to sing and dance freely.
After singing the final verse with tears streaming down his eyes, he gazed at the Sangtaechang.
“…Hm?”
[Do you enjoy singing and dancing?]
What is this, another strange question?
However, Gunja already knew the power of the Sangtaechang. This fluorescent script never spoke in vain.
He quickly wiped away his tears with his sleeve and nodded, a new string of characters began to appear.
[There is a world where you can sing and dance freely.]
“Is, is there really such a world?”
[In that world, those skilled in dance are treated with great respect.]
“I hope you’re not lying Chang…”
[Called singers or idols, they receive the love of many people.]
Singers? Idols?
He didn’t quite understand the terms, but Gunja was excited. If those words were true, wouldn’t it be the right kind of world?
“Chang, where exactly is this world?”
[Joseon, 300 years from now.]
“Huh?”
[Shall I take you there?]
“W-what!?”
[Gunja, do you want to become a singer?]
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- 1Hi, Translator here, I hope ya’ll post good reviews for our idol on Novel Updates. This is my first korean TL so I hope ya’ll enjoy it. Please point out any errors so I can fix it. ??
Translator
