The Genius Idol is a Joseon Scholar - Chapter 3
What in the world is an “audition”?
Despite being taken aback by the unfamiliar word, Gunja soon chuckled and picked up his smartphone. Madam Jo Yeonsoo had told him about this. For unfamiliar words, you could use this magical scroll to search for their meanings. He had also learned a bit about how to use this magical scroll.
“A…u…di.., hmm, where is the ‘tion’…”
Though still somewhat clumsy with the smartphone, Gunja had made significant progress compared to his first attempt. In just 1 minute and 20 seconds, he managed to complete the word ‘audition’.
Thanks to this, Gunja now understood that an ‘audition’ was a practical test for selecting singers or actors.
“As expected, the systems of the past are in place!”
‘That’s right then..’ Gunja chuckled and slapped his knee. Not only were there civil service and military service exams, but there were also exams for the arts (ye-gwa)! Truly, this was a world that had been set right.
However, his curiosity wasn’t satiated. The term ‘Idol Training Simulation,’ spanning ten Korean characters, posed a new challenge for his smartphone abilities.
“Hmm…”
Well, as they say, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. There’s no harm in taking it slow and steady, right?
“Ah… i… dol… train… ing? swimula… No, that’s not it! It’s not ‘Idol swimming’ or ‘Idol sensation’!”
But contrary to his intentions the smartphone offered an unrelated sentence, throwing Gunja off track. He had only grasped how to use the keyboard, but he had no knowledge of the autocomplete function.
Thanks to that, he ended up watching some idol’s swimming program.
“Ten characters are quite the challenge. This won’t be easy even for someone who’s skilled.”
It seemed searching for ‘Idol Training Simulation’ would be difficult. He would probably have to ask someone else directly.
Now, only one last question remained:
[Reward: 1 point]
This reward piqued Gunja’s curiosity. As he pondered, the status window transformed again, displaying new information:
[User: Yu Gunja]
[Appearance: B]
[Singing: D]
[Dancing: C]
[Charm: A]
“Hmm?”
What are these peculiar characters again? As he was perplexed by the unfamiliar symbols, the nurse he had mistaken for an assassin entered his hospital room. Yes, perhaps she might know the answer.
“Ready for your injection?”
“Miss assassin-… I mean, Nurse.”
“Yes?”
“Today, I’ll bravely take the injection today.”
“Oh, what a welcome sound in the midst of what I usually hear.”
“Could you teach me just one thing in return?”
“Hmm? What is it?”
Instead of answering, Gunja traced the shapes of the character on his palm with his finger.
“Do you happen to know what this symbol is?”
“Yes?”
“Well, even to an assassin, this might be…”
Gunja’s attempt to convey his message using the alphabet seemed apparent to him, yet the nurse struggled to understand his intentions.
“Is it the alphabet?”
“The alphabet?”
“Oh these characters? A, B, C, D, E, F, G!”
“!”
Taken aback by the nurse’s fluent recitation of the alphabets, Gunja’s mouth hung open in shock.
“I… I’ve never met someone so knowledgeable.”
The nurse blushed and appeared modest, but Gunja shook his head. Knowing the script of this new world, was impressive! This wise person must be right. Perhaps she knows even more.
“Then, do you happen to know about the ‘idol training simulation’?”
“Oh, of course, I know about it.”
Gunja felt elated. As expected, this was undoubtedly a wise person! He thought that meeting someone so knowledgeable in a hospital was surely fate.
The nurse generously shared her knowledge.
According to her, the ‘idol training simulation’ was a kind of audition held at a place called the ‘broadcasting station.’ Those who pass this audition receive various forms of support and can embark on a career as idols. In a way, the ‘idol training simulation’ was like the ultimate grand entrance for becoming an idol.
“So, it’s similar to becoming a student at Sungkyunkwan University, isn’t it? Like that kind of comparison?”
“Oh, uh, is that so? I suppose it’s something like that?”
If that’s the case, then this is indeed an amazing opportunity. Now Gunja finally understood the mission of the status window. As expected, the window had never given him a meaningless instruction.
She also kindly taught him about the types of alphabets. Alphabets are a set of twenty-six characters that make up writing. For Gunja, who had already memorized thousands of Chinese characters, memorizing a few more characters was no big deal.
“Woah!”
With the understanding of alphabets, it all made sense now. The characters that appeared in the status window were clearly ratings for his singing, dancing, and more.
While he was confident in both singing and dancing, he was particularly skilled in singing. When he sang folk songs or performed on stage, everyone would stand up and applaud.
If a song was rated as a D, then it must mean that the better ratings come as the alphabet goes further.
“Oh Miss nurse, may I ask one more question?”
“yes?”
“Then, the best rating when evaluated using alphabets would be…?”
“Well, typically it’s an A, right?”
“!?”
At the nurse’s response, Gunja was shocked. What does this mean? The song section that he was most confident in received the lowest rating?
He couldn’t understand the criteria for this evaluation. Could it be that the evaluations on the status window are even harsher than the eyes of the general public?
He decided to ask the nurse about his appearance too. Even if nothing else, the appearance should be something a knowledgeable person can evaluate adequately. Determined, Gunja approached her.
“Um…”
“There’s one last thing I’d like to ask.”
“Uh, sure, go ahead.”
“When evaluated using alphabets, how would you rate my appearance…”
“Appearance?”
Gunja’s face was right in front of the nurse’s nose, startling her a bit.
“Uh, rating one’s appearance is a bit…”
“I’m asking you, please evaluate it.”
Due to spending a long time as a hermit, his appearance wasn’t really at its peak. Yet, his refined and well-defined features, coupled with his clear complexion and balanced facial proportions, exuded a distinct potential that anyone who observed him could recognize. In truth, even in his current condition, his appearance was undeniably striking. After a brief moment of hesitation, the nurse finally managed to open her mouth and answer.
“S-S grade, definitely S!”
“!?!?”
‘No way, did she actually say S?’ Gunja was taken aback.
A, B, C, D… S …It’s hard to keep track. How many steps apart are these rankings? His energy seemed to drain from his body. Even though Chang said he was a B rank, reality was much harsher. It turned out that Chang’s evaluation had been lenient.
“Understood…”
“Yes, then, um, I’ll be leaving now.”
Left alone in the hospital room, Gunja spoke to the status window with a melancholic expression.
“Chang, you’re the only one I have…”
…Sigh…
The status window resonated as if responding. But there was no need to be constantly melancholic. If he completed the missions, his singing and dancing skills would improve. Hadn’t he already experienced that in Joseon 300 years ago?
“By accumulating points, I can improve my singing and dancing skills, right?”
…Uuung…
“Good, even if I lack in appearance, I can still impress people with my skills.”
…Uuuuung…
“…Still, I’m feeling a bit down, huh…”
On his last day in the hospital room, Gunja made up his mind to become a skilled singer.
* * *
It didn’t take long until he was finally discharged from the hospital. All the doctors called Gunja’s recovery a “miracle.” Since there was no further treatment needed, there was no reason for him to stay at the hospital.
On the day of his discharge, all the nurses gathered at the hospital entrance to see him off. They all seemed genuinely sad to see Gunja leave.
“Take care, Mr. Yu Gunja!”
“You need to stay healthy!”
“You know, your appearance is more like SSS-grade now, not just S!”
…Even with just one S, it’s frustrating, but SSS?
To judge someone solely based on their appearance until the end—what a truly whimsical person she was.
“Alright, let’s head home now.”
–
After leaving the hospital, they got on a peculiar-looking vehicle and headed towards the home of Mr. Yu Sangheon and Mrs. Jo Yeonsoo. Although the hospital had its own share of oddities, the streets were twenty times more astonishing. Everything passing by was like a whole new world.
After a while, they arrived at the residence of the couple. Just entering the complex, Gunja’s eyes widened. “What on earth is this? A grand entrance this big is a first for me!”
“A grand entrance? Haha.”
“Gunja, this isn’t a grand entrance, it’s the entrance to the apartment complex.”
“Really?”
“Things like grand entrance gates like you mentioned aren’t around anymore, so don’t worry about it.”
Gunja felt relieved at Jo Yeonsoo’s explanation. Even though he had lived in the past 300 years ago, he had found the “Grand entrance” system quite irrational. Knowing that it wasn’t a Grand entrance put his mind at ease. Passing under it felt liberating. It was truly a world that seemed to have become right.
Finally, after getting off the carriage and stepping out of the box that made his ears ring, he arrived at his new home. It was an unfamiliar place for Gunja, but the warm yellow lights and welcoming atmosphere seemed to embrace him.
As soon as they arrived, Yu Sangheon and Jo Yeonsoo started preparing a meal.
“How about we all have a meal together for the first time in a while?”
At Yu Sangheon’s suggestion, Gunja cautiously nodded his head.
Eating together…what a wonderful idea!
However, upon reflection, Gunja realized that he had never eaten a meal with adults since being adopted by Yu Hyeongwon. He had always waited for Yu Hyeongwon to finish eating, and whatever was left would become his share. Living like that for over 10 years had made the leftover meal a natural part of his routine.
He had nodded his head without much thought, but now he was anxious. He didn’t remember the etiquette for dining with adults. What should he do? Chang, help me out here!
Amid Gunja’s panic, the dining table was filled with food.
“Alright, let’s eat!”
“Gunja, eat a lot.”
Yu Sangheon and Jo Yeonsoo picked up their utensils first.
“Let’s enjoy our meal.”
However, even though he greeted them with a bow, his arms didn’t move easily. It seemed like he might forget how to use chopsticks at this rate.
But then, something caught his eye. Both Yoo Sangheon and Jo Yeonsoo had tears welling up in their eyes. It was obvious that they were wiping their eyes with their sleeves. It was a clear that they were crying.
“Are you alright?”
“oh, yes.. We’re fine.”
Baffled by their sudden tears, Gunja’s concern grew. Did his table manners displease them? He cautiously said, “Um, if my table manners are bothering you…”
“What? No, absolutely not!”
Gunja’s confusion deepened. They were shedding tears, yet they seemed to dismiss the importance of using chopsticks skillfully. Was there some underlying meaning he was missing in this peculiar exchange?
“We just… want to cherish this meal with you.”
“What?”
“Perhaps you don’t recall, but it’s been quite some time since we sat down together like this.”
“…”
“Son, We’re truly grateful for this moment.”
“Could we keep having meals together like this in the future?”
It was astonishing. Jo Yeonsoo’s words relieved him, but he felt like a revelation had struck him, leaving him as stunned as if he’d been hit by a gong. Why would tears flow from the joy of sharing a meal? The impact of this realization resonated within him.
Honestly, he barely had any memories of his birth parents. But that gentle and soft feeling still lingered in his heart.
Throughout the ten years he lived with his foster father, he never once experienced such warmth. Yet, these people managed to evoke that long-lost sensation in just a week.
“…Thank you.”
“Don’t thank us, we should be more grateful.”
“Let’s start eating before everything gets cold.”
Upon Jo Yeonsoo’s words, he cautiously scooped some broth with his spoon and tasted it.
“Wow!”
It was delicious. It was so good that it made his eyes widen in surprise.
‘Are there such wonderful flavours in this world?’ It was evident that both of them possessed adept culinary skills. Unconsciously, Gunja found himself smiling widely as he looked at the two.
“It’s delicious!”
“Absolutely, eat to your heart’s content.”
In response to Gunja’s smile, Yu Sangheon and Jo Yeonsoo smiled back. At that moment, Gunja felt a heavy sinking feeling in his chest.
Maybe that smile wasn’t directed at him, but rather for the original owner of this body. Although he didn’t mean to possess this body, he couldn’t help but feel an unnecessary sense of obligation.
Since things have turned out this way, perhaps it was a good idea to embrace the role of a family member, as their son.
As long as these two are okay with it.
“Um…”
“Yes?”
“Can I address you both as Mother and Father?”
“Why is that even a question? Obviously you can!”
Both of them nodded happily.
For Gunja, who had been an orphan, this was the moment he gained new parents.
* * *
Yu Sangheon and Jo Yeonsoo had become the parents that Gunja had been given.
For their son who had suffered from memory loss, they were willing to go to great lengths—except, of course, when it came to purchasing a motorcycle.
Thankfully, Gunja didn’t seem to harbor any interest in motorcycles. Instead, he approached them with an bold request for an allowance.
“Mother, Father.”
“Yes, son?”
“I need some allowance, please.”
Money, well, that’s it. As long as it’s not the amount needed to buy a motorcycle, they could provide whatever he asked for.
“Sure, how much do you need?”
“Hmm, nine thousand five hundred…”
“Nine, nine million five hundred thousand won?”(7100USD)
“No.”
“Huh?”
“I just need nine thousand five hundred won.” (7USD)
“Just 9500?”
Although it wasn’t clear what he would do with that money. His father still retrieved the money from his wallet and handed it to Gunja. His face lit up with joy and gratitude, as he gave them a deep bow.
“Thank you!”
A grand bow for a mere nine thousand five hundred won.
–
Suddenly, the two were taken aback by how cost-effective their son had become.
“What could he possibly do with that money?”
“Well, maybe he’s planning to go to an internet cafe.”
“We’ll find out if we wait.”
“Yes, let’s be patient with him this time.”
“Exactly. That’s the way to go.”
And then, the very next day, the mystery of what Gunja had done with the 9,500 won was revealed.
- 1 Sungkyunkwan University was a university established in the 1300s in Korea. All students were male and women were forbiddden from entering the university. Only sons of the ruling class families (yangban) were allowed to study there. There were two ways to be accepted into Sungkyunkwan. Either the students had to pass the two admission exams, Saengwonsi (???) and Jinsasi (???), or take the other two examinations, Seungbo (??) and Eumseo (??). If they passed these examinations, they were given the opportunity to be accepted.
- Hi, Translator here, I hope ya’ll post good reviews for our Idol on Novel Updates.??
Translator
