The Genius Idol is a Joseon Scholar - Chapter 2

Yu Gunja’s response was a given.

“Of course, absolutely!”

A world where singing and dancing were appreciated instead of being mocked – if such a place existed, he would embrace it, even if it meant venturing into the depths of hell.

As his answer trailed off, a gentle light began to emerge from his right forearm’s sangtaechang. Gradually, the radiance enveloped the room, a situation that even Gunja who knew how to control the sangtaechang had not seen before.

“What on earth…”

For a prolonged moment, he stood entranced by the light until the urgent sounds of footsteps reached his ears.

“Did someone say light is pouring out from the back room?”

“Yes! I saw it clearly with these very eyes!”

“If that’s a lie, you won’t escape unharmed.”

“Hyik-.”

The servants always behaved this way, as if they had to see things with their own eyes to make others believe them.

Gunja couldn’t fathom what was happening, but he had a premonition. If his stepfather opened this door right now, it wouldn’t be good for him.

“Chang, take me anywhere!”

In his urgency, he raised his voice.

Whaaaa…

A brilliant light enveloped his entire body, and simultaneously, his body began to float gently.

“Uwaaa—…”

As if falling into an endless abyss, Gunja’s consciousness drifted far away.

* * *

…

…

‘How much time had passed?’

Feeling something warm envelop his hand, Gunja finally regained consciousness.

Struggling to open his eyes, he saw someone holding his hand. A middle-aged woman he had never seen before. But why was she shedding tears like this?

“Son, wake up…””…”

“You’re really going to leave your mother behind like this?”

“…”

“Then how is your mother supposed to live, huh?”

“…”

Only then did Gunja realize the significance of the tears. It seemed this lady’s son was in a dire condition. But why was she saying this to him?

In any case, it was truly a heart-wrenching situation. A son departing before his parents – can there be a more tragic person in this world?

Although she was just a stranger, he wanted to console her. With hands so warm, she must be a kind person.

“Auntie, please don’t be too sad.”

“Sob…”

“Your son must be wishing for your happiness as well.”

“Sob, thank you for saying that… huh?”

However, her reaction was a bit different from what was expected. Rather than a comforting expression, her face seemed more like that of encountering a ghost or something similar.

“Hahah, why are you…”

“E-e-e-eek!?”

“My, my eardrums are going to fall out!”

“Ho-Ho-Honeyyyyyyyyyyy—!!”

* * *

The 15th-generation descendant of the Munwon Yu family, Yu Gunja, transcended 300 years of time and arrived in Joseon of the year 2022.

His soul possessed the body of Yu Gunja, the only son of Yu Sangheon and Jo Yeonsoo, with the same name as him.

It took a full day for him to realize this reality.

At first, it was Jo Yeonsoo, his body’s original owner’s mother, who screamed, but then it was Gunja who started screaming. When he finally regained his senses, he realized that the world had changed drastically from what he knew.

Throughout his journey of being accompanied by the sangtaechang, Yu Gunja had experienced various things, but such a mysterious event was a first even for him.

‘Could it be true that the sangtaechang sent me to Joseon 300 years in the future?’

There was no sign of his former world here. There were no familiar servants from Chungcheong Province, nor his ill-tempered stepfather. Instead, there were unfamiliar individuals, an aunt and an uncle.

Yu Sangheon and Jo Yeonsoo, or rather, the parents of the body’s original owner, seemed to believe that their son had been resurrected from the brink of death. However, the current Yu Gunja was not the Yu Gunja they knew.

He had to figure out how to explain this. Yu Gunja decided to be honest about it.

“Please listen without being too surprised. I am really not your child.”

“…”

“I come from Joseon 300 years ago. I am Yu Gunja, the 15th-generation descendant of the Munwon Yu family.”

“I see!”

“Do, do you believe me?”

“No!”

However, it seemed that neither of them had any intention of taking Gunja’s words seriously.

“Haha, what if he’s a little crazy!”

“Exactly! The important thing is that he’s alive!”

“No, I’m not crazy. I am the 15th-generation descendant of the Munwon Yu family, Yu Gunja…”

“You still remember your name, That’s a relief!”

In the end, Yu Gunja had to give up on convincing them.

Furthermore, there were piles of things that seemed more important than persuading them now.

The world of 300 years later grew more peculiar and unfamiliar the more he observed it. Everywhere he looked was filled with things he didn’t recognise. In times like these, having someone he could trust would’ve been nice. And there was only one name that came to his mind immediately.

While his parents were briefly absent, he quietly called out the name of the Sangtaechang in a low voice.

“Chang, are you there?”

 …Uuuuung…

Though he had transcended a long period of time, the Sangtaechang was still by his side. However, its form had changed a bit. The Sangtaechang that had been above his right arm now floated in the air like a will-o’-the-wisp.(status window).

“Oh, so you’ve come too!”

Though unfamiliar, the new appearance was much simpler to read. Moreover, its functions had been enhanced.

The status window that floated in the air provided explanations for everything his gaze lingered on.

[Refrigerator]

[A small-sized icebox. It can keep food cold.]

“Oh.”

[Coffee Machine]

[Anytime tool for dispensing and enjoying Modern beverages. You can savor twenty-four different aromas.]

“Oh.”

[Smartphone]

[A magical scroll containing information about everything. Highly addictive, so use it in moderation!]

“Ohh!”

Thanks to this, he could understand this world much more swiftly. Though he couldn’t fathom why there were no brushes and rice paddies in a world with small iceboxes and magical scrolls.

“This world is a bit strange, but it shouldn’t be difficult! Hehe.”

Of course, that was Gunja’s misconception.

[Injection]

[Hollow instrument for injecting medicinal substances directly into the body for treatment.]

“W-what is that?”

“Are you Mr. Yu Gunja? It’s time for your injection.”

A large needle attached to a semi-transparent syringe. It was three times thicker than the acupuncture needles Minister Kim had left.

Chang, this time you’ve got it wrong. Treatment? Isn’t that undoubtedly an assassination tool!

“Are you saying you’re going to stick that into my body?”

“Yes, of course. It’s an injection.”

“They say the body is a temple! How could you do something so brutal…”

“Well then, let’s start with disinfection.”

“Wait a moment! What is this! It’s so refreshing!”

“Oh my, it’s just disinfection.”

“Disinfection? Wait, if it’s ‘??’ in Korean, doesn’t it mean ‘a little poison’!?”

Just when he was about to object, a loud scream echoed through the room.

As they watched Gunja receiving the injection, his parents quietly sighed.

“It seems you’ve lost your memory, haven’t you?”

“I’m just glad you only lost your memory.”

“Something does seem a bit off about you now…”

“Honey, It feels like it’s more than just a bit…”

Meanwhile, the struggle between the nurse and Gunja continued.

“You, you dare to assassinate me… Aaargh-!”

Certainly, Gunja’s appearance had changed quite a bit.

From the way he spoke to his attitude, it wasn’t the image of their son that Yu Sangheon and Jo Yeonsoo remembered.

However, Jo Yeonsoo soon unfolded her previously furrowed brow and smiled.

“What about being a bit different? After all, you’ve come back to life.”

“That’s right.”

“Honey, I thought I’d never get to talk to our Gunja again.”

“Me too.”

“How much I regretted nagging him once he was gone…”

“Who wouldn’t.”

The image of Gunja they remembered was that of a lazy loner, spending his time idly in a corner.

He had no friends at school or private academies. After classes, he would always rush home to play games, shutting himself in.

His parents didn’t pressure him. They patiently waited, hoping he would break out of his shell and come to his own realization.

However, it wasn’t until he was on the verge of becoming an adult that Gunja left his room. Eventually, it was his parents, Yoo Sangheon and Jo Yeonsoo, who took the initiative.

“Gunja, you can’t stay locked up in this room forever.”

“We can’t be responsible for your entire life, just like that.”

Was it the pressure from these nagging words that finally motivated Gunja?

Was it those constant nagging words that had triggered something in Gunja?

 One day, Gunja started riding a motorcycle. As if rebelling, he sped along the coastal road at top speed.

 At first, the sight of their son leaving his room was simply heart-warming. They regarded the motorcycle as a hobby to relieve stress. But before long, horrifying news of an accident struck them.

 Brain damage from a severe accident.

 The doctor’s words even suggested that he might never wake up. His parents cried out. They regretted, over and over, the words that had urged their son to leave his room.

 So, no matter what his condition was, they were just glad to see Gunja miraculously revived.

“From now on, I’ll really take good care of Gunja.”

“You’ve been doing that all along.”

“Well, I’ll do even better then.”

“Me too.”

“Even though you’ve been lazy, we understand son.”

“That’s right.”

“If you’re a little slower than others, it’s okay. We’ll help you.”

“Let’s do that, dear.”

Yu Sangheon and Jo Yeonsoo made a promise. Fortunately, they had enough resources to support Gunja.

Before they knew it, Gunja, having finished his struggle with the nurse, was lying down and diligently wiping himself with alcohol pads.

“Haha, getting a shot isn’t such a big deal!”

Comparing his overly confident attitude to his earlier resistance, his parents chuckled and approached him to start a conversation.

“Gunja, is there anything you need?”

“Anything I need huh?”

In response to his mother Jo Yeon-su’s question, Gunja hesitated for a moment before giving a somewhat unexpected answer.

“By any chance, do you know what an idol is?”

“Hmm? An idol?”

“I want to see an idol.”

* * *

Seeing an idol turned out to be easier than he thought.

 Yu Sangheon handed Gunja a large, flat stone tablet. Curious, Gunja peered at it, and within the stone tablet, images were constantly moving. It was truly unbelievable.

Ding, ding-ding-ding, ding-ding…

“Wow.”

People inside the screen of the stone tablet were dancing and singing.

They were all wearing splendid and colorful clothes, and their hairstyles were vibrant with shades of rainbow, as if made from overturned fruit juices.

Their appearances varied, but each one of them received cheers from the crowd. After each performance, screams of support followed.

“Unbelievable, truly unbelievable.”

Even just watching the screen on the tablet made his heart race.

“Are these blurry figures , the crowd that came to see them?”

When he saw the waves of the audience, his whole body trembled.

Singers, idols.

Chang, you were right this time too. The Joseon of 300 years later has truly become a better world!

During his week in the hospital, Gunja was completely engrossed in staring at the tablet. No matter how long he looked, he never grew tired of it.

“Wow, wow!”

At first, the dances that had seemed like flailing now revealed a structure and system. The songs he had heard repeatedly could now be hummed lightly.

Since coming to this world, Gunja’s dream had been predetermined.

‘I will become an idol. An idol who can make everyone happy with dance and song.’ Seeing these videos only confirmed it further.

Now he just needed to know the way. How could he become an idol? Were there exams like the past systems in Joseon? Or were there other ways?

At that moment, as if to resolve his questions, the status window appeared before his eyes.

[New mission.]

“!”

After a long time, a new mission appeared before him. Gunja’s eyes widened as he read it.

[Participate in the National Idol Audition <Idol Training Simulation>!]

[Reward: 1 Point]

“…What is this all about?”

Hi, Each chapter of this novel takes alot of time and effort so I really hope ya’ll enjoy this. I will be posting 2 chapters/week. I might stack extra chapters but they will remain locked and release according to their scheduled time. Readers can use salmons to unlock these locked chapters! 

-yours truly,

translator-san, curiosoth. 

Ps. Please tell me if there are any errors so I can fix them. And don’t forget to post good reviews for our innocent Gunja-ssi on Novel Updates.??

Also, should I include chapter titles? I feel like these titles kinda spoil you about the chapter and ruin the fun so I’ve been avoiding them for a while.