The Genius Idol is a Joseon Scholar - Chapter 4

There are certain things that are absolutely necessary for a scholar.

For example, the four treasures of the study (paper, brush, ink stick, and inkstone).

There was nothing missing in this grand palace-like house. Thanks to that, wherever Gunja’s eyes reached, the status window had to diligently do its job.

However, there was no four treasures of the study in this house. This was truly fatal for Yu Gunja who had lived his life as a virtuous person.

He always woke up at the hour of the rabbit (5-7 a.m.) and started his day with neat calligraphy.

He endured it tightly only at the hospital, but he couldn’t write brush calligraphy even at his home. It was an unimaginable situation.

Fortunately, there was an ample supply of paper. Although it was a slightly different material from the paper he was used to, it seemed sufficient to write brush calligraphy.

The brush was also clearly visible. Although it was a small writing brush suitable for writing on small pieces of paper.

However, strangely enough, his mother had scribbled on her face with that brush.

“No, what on earth is this…”

He couldn’t understand it, but if it was his mother’s hobby, he could accept it. After all, even street performers often put on makeup on their faces. He was rather satisfied that he had no prejudice against his mother.

However, nowhere could he find an ink stick or an inkstone.

“Mother.”

“Yes, what’s the matter?”

“Could I ask if we have an ink stick at home?”

“Ink stick? Hmm, we don’t have anything like that.”

Indeed, there was no ink stick. The disappointed scholar asked the next question.

“Well then, do we have an inkstone?”

“Inkstone? Whose inkstone are you talking about?”

“Mother, either of our fathers would be fine.”

“Oh, well, there used to be an inkstone from your father.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, that’s why we fought a lot because of it.”

“Wow…”

Gunja couldn’t help but admire it, as they had even fought over inksticks. It was clear that his parents also had calligraphy skills.

“Then, where is it now…?”

“Oh, well, we don’t have it now.”

“I see.”

“Of course, if that guy had an inkstone now, it would be a big trouble!”

It seemed that his parents had stopped doing calligraphy. If that was the case, he had no choice but to buy the four treasures of the study with some allowance money.

Fortunately, his parents gave him the money without saying anything. Holding 9,500 won in his hand, the virtuous person felt like he had everything in the world.

“Chang, now I can finally live like a true scholar!”

As soon as he received the money, he headed to the nearest stationery store. He didn’t know the way and there was no map drawn on the paper, but it was alright. He had learned to use a smartphone to some extent by now.

“Excuse me.”

He opened the door energetically with a light greeting. He had already finished researching the prices of the four treasures of the study on his smartphone. If he bought rice paper, ink stick, inkstone, and brush at the lowest price, he could purchase them for 9,500 won.

He could see the four treasures of the study in the distance. His heart fluttered at the lovely sight of brushes tightly packed together.

“Hehe, it’s been a while.”

Now all he had to do was pick up the items…

[Calligraphy brush: 10,000 won]

“No way.”

The virtuous person was disappointed at the unexpected price tag.

Ten thousand won for one brush! Didn’t the magic scroll say it would cost only 4,000 won? This couldn’t be happening. This couldn’t be real.

[Inkstone: 8,000 won]

[Inkstick: 4,000 won]

It was a series of shocks. The total price was 22,000 won, which was twice as high as he expected. How could he afford calligraphy supplies now?

“Excuse me…”

“?”

“Are you looking for calligraphy supplies?”

At that moment, a woman who appeared to be the shopkeeper approached Gunja and spoke to him. Gunja responded disappointedly…

“I found the items, but I’m a little short on money.”

“Oh, what did you find?”

“This brush, ink stick, and this inkstone…”

“Oh, just take them!”

“Excuse me?”

What is this? Just take them for free?

The shopkeeper continued speaking to the bewildered Gunja.

“I’ll give them to you as a gift.”

“A gift? Why?”

The shopkeeper, who had been fidgeting and avoiding eye contact, finally spoke with a red face.

“Because you’re so handsome…”

“What?”

Gunja was touched. The shopkeeper was truly kind-hearted. Perhaps Gunja’s appearance or attire looked shabby, so the shopkeeper gave him the items for free.

However, if he said that, he might hurt her feelings, so he made up an excuse.

“Thank you. I will definitely repay this favor.”

“You don’t have to do that. Just come back often, hehe.”

Gunja decided to accept the kindness and keep the items. He needed them for calligraphy after all.

After bowing to say goodbye, Gunja left the stationery store. He felt his heart pounding at the thought of facing another scholar-like morning.

“But what sentence should I write?”

He was tired of copying the Four Books and Five Classics. Besides, writing in Hangul seemed better than in Chinese characters, as Hangul was used much more frequently in this world.

“Hmm…”

After a brief moment of contemplation, Gunja suddenly clapped his hands and smiled.

“Yes, I can write that!”

From that day on, Gunja’s day began at 6 a.m. every morning.

He first got up and made his bed, then straightened himself up.

After ten minutes of meditation, he greeted his parents in the morning.

“Mother, Father, are you doing well today?”

“Uh, yes, Gunja.”

After bowing deeply to his parents, he began his calligraphy practice.

If it were 300 years ago, he would have written in Chinese characters. However, he no longer wrote in Chinese characters.

Instead, he decided to write while listening to music.

“When I see you, my throat gets dry and thirsty-“

Water, Water, I Need Some Water- (actual English)

“I’m thirsty for you right now-“

Water, Water, Give me Some Water-

“Hmm, the top line is simple but the bottom is not.”

However, after listening a few times, he could figure out the answer. Gunja smiled brightly and wrote down his calligraphy practice.

Swish, swish-

“When I see you, my throat gets dry and I feel thirsty.”

“Water, water, I need some water.”

“My throat is dry, I need you right now.”

“Water, water, give me some water.”

“Oh, yes, it’s not difficult at all!”

An Insung, Kim Misung. I don’t know who they are, but it seems like they felt a strong thirst. But what is “woota”? It’s interesting.

All the songs were interesting, but there were many interesting ones among the idol songs.

Tonight is a crazy festival, hey- hey- hey-!

A festival to let loose and have fun, yeah- yeah- yeah-!

“Wow.”

This time it was a lively rhythm song. As soon as he heard it, he exclaimed in admiration and moved his brush. It was quite an easy problem.

“Tonight is a crazy festival, meeting- meeting- meeting-“

“A festival to let loose and have fun, etiquette- etiquette- etiquette-“

So, this “crazy festival” they’re talking about refers to the scholars having a heated debate over books.

However, even while enjoying this festival with abandon, they emphasize the importance of etiquette. They emphasize it three times.

What a song that encapsulates the spirit of a scholar!

As he listened to the music, he felt more and more immersed in the world of idols.

He wanted to show off his dance in front of people. He wanted to meet friends who would walk with him on the path towards becoming an idol.

However, there were concerns.

What should he do if his parents didn’t approve of this dream?

There are people who absolutely despise dancing and singing. Just look at his strict foster father in his previous life. There was no guarantee that his parents weren’t like that too.

He came to this world to fulfill his dream after 300 years. However, Gunja had decided to live here as the son of Yu Sangheon and Jo Yeonsoo.

For a scholar who must practice filial piety as naturally as breathing, going against his parents’ wishes was like committing a sin.

Gunja wondered if he could persuade his parents if their dreams didn’t align.

But it was a needless worry. He didn’t need to convince anyone of anything in the first place.

Before Gunja could even bring up the topic, his parents noticed him and approached him first.

That day, Gunja was engrossed in writing with his brush.

“Waiting for the king all night long-“

“Hold onto the king’s ears and fall asleep-“

“Gunja, you’re writing again today.”

“Mother, Father.”

“What song is it today?”

“It’s a song about a concubine waiting for the king all night long in the palace.”

“Oh, that’s what it was.”

Trying to hide their laughter, the two continued their conversation with a serious expression.

“It seems like you’re interested in idols these days.”

“Well, a little…”

“Gunja, do you want to be an idol?”

“!”

For a moment, Gunja’s expression turned to confusion.

“Looks like it’s true.”

“Y-yes…”

Looking quite flustered, Gunja blushed and bowed his head, but his parents just smiled warmly.

“Why didn’t you tell us about this?”

“Um, I thought you might not like it.”

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Huh?”

“We’ll support you with all our might, no matter what dream you have.”

Gunja’s heart swelled with warmth at his endlessly gentle parents’ words.

He had worried a lot about going against his parents’ wishes. But he had never thought that he could receive their complete support.

“Really?”

“Of course! We’re just so happy that you’ve found something you want to do.”

“And being an idol suits you perfectly. Our Gunja is tall and handsome, and he can rap well from head to toe…no, that’s not it.”

“You’re just kidding, aren’t you?”

“Anyway, we’ll support you. We’ll help you in any way we can. You’re our perfect son from head to toe.”

“Mother, Father.”

Feeling like he might start crying for no reason, Gunja approached his parents and hugged them tightly.

“Oh my, look at this big guy.”

“Thank you, thank you so much.”

“Hehe, what’s there to thank us for?”

“Son, if you need pocket money, just tell Mom. I’ll take it from Dad’s allowance and give it to you.”

“Honey, that’s a bit…”

It was indeed a blessing to have come to this wonderful world.

He even met such wonderful parents.

He wondered if it was okay to be this happy. How much happier would his parents from the previous world be if they were like this too?

“Mother, Father.”

“Yes?”

“If I become an idol, you two would be happy, right?”

“Of course! That goes without saying. We’d be so happy.”

“Whether you become an idol or not, you’re our proud son.”

“But if our Gunja becomes an idol…you’ll be bragging about it a lot, won’t you? Hehe.”

If I achieve my dream, I can become their source of pride.

For that reason, Gunja was determined to achieve his dream no matter what.

* * *

Time flew by, and the day of the public audition for “Idol Training Simulation” was approaching.

Despite the stage set up in the public hall and numerous ordinary participants with inflated dreams who climbed onto the stage…

[Contestant number 76.]

“I’m sorry. It seems difficult for you to go ahead this time.”

“Thank you-!”

“Next contestant, please come out.”

[Contestant number 117.]

“I’ll see you next time.”

“Yes, thank you!”

“Next contestant?”

[Contestant number 135.]

“Ah, it’s a bit disappointing.”

“Is there anything you’re good at in particular…?”

“Come on, let’s move on quickly.”

[Contestant number 339.]

“Sigh, this isn’t it-.”

*Sob*

“Don’t cry. Next contestant, please!”

And just like that no contestant managed to capture the judges’ hearts easily,

“[Contestant number 532, please come out – Yu Gunja.]”

“!”

“!?”

“!?!?”

The moment Gunja stepped onto the audition stage.

“Hello, I am Yu Gunja.”

Without singing a verse or dancing a move,

All the judges simultaneously hit the pass button.

“Pass! You’ve passed!”