[Today’s Praise Review
Oh
Wow… ㄷㄷ
Wow… shit!
This episode’s review can be replaced with that
Last week, when Yeonwoo collapsed, I predicted his death, so when the body bag appeared, I was amazed at my foresight.
Honestly, the protagonist not dying and waking up is a common cliché, right?
Praise also couldn’t abandon the typical drama structure and went for a happy ending, so I was a bit disappointed but still!!!!!!!!!
Honestly, this might mess with child actors’ mental healthㅇㅇㅇㅇㅇㅇㅇNo, really ㅂㅠㅓㅏㅓㅣㅏㅓㅣㅜㅑ(It looks like this.)
Seriously, watch today’s episode twice or three times
It’s the first time I’ve gotten chills from an actor’s performance… I started questioning what I was doing at that ageㅋ큐ㅠ
└ For real, Suhyeon’s eye-acting is amazing ㄷㄷ. Honestly, it’s better than most actors;
└└ Why can’t you even get the spelling right? It’s ‘most,’ not ‘must’ ㅋㅋㅋ.[1]
└The struggle to survive was heart-wrenching, showing it alongside Kichan was truly epic… What was I doing at that age?
└A meme of Suhyeon’s eye-acting came out www.cafe.thumb.net/Suhyeon1004/109372
└It’s private, how do I see itㅠㅠ?
└Recruiting for a broadcaster blackmail party. (1/100000) Filming ended yesterday? Why not release it till the end? We’ll pay, so release it for a fee!!!!!!!!]
Even though the drama had wrapped up, Suhyeon remained busy.
In fact, he became even busier after the filming ended.
There are more calls than I thought.
Praise had found a good niche.
Viewers were tired of endless love stories.
The queen of makjang, Wife’s Secret, had yet to be aired.
The three major terrestrial broadcasters focused on entertainment shows during the same time slot, leaving a vacant time slot.
The drama, which did not end in tragedy like a real event, but rather concluded with a happy ending, received much attention for its gentle warmth amidst a dark backdrop.
It’s not bad, but it’s tough.
Suhyeon, who played the protagonist “Yeonwu,” was no exception to this attention.
In fact, some preferred the talented “young” him even more.
As a product boasting the best cost-effectiveness, it was bound to be popular.
It’s a filthy world that discriminates by age instead of fame, where being young makes the price cheap.
Suhyeon grumbled at his slightly rising value and picked up the audition script for Shadow Road.
He enjoyed following along with the script even while memorizing it.
Because he could feel the memorized portions in real-time, it was a quite helpful habit, and by getting into the fun of increasing page by page, he would soon have memorized the whole book.
Surely the first audition is short, and the acting won’t be that difficult.
The audition for Shadow Road was divided into the first and second rounds.
The first round involved a light camera test and checking musical instrument skills, while the second round focused on serious acting and image checks.
It was the director’s intention to have the real audition after filtering out the unqualified ones.
Playing a violin solo…
The movie Shadow Road starts with the protagonist, who was abandoned in an orphanage, playing a donated violin with the sound that always came to mind.
The piece played by the protagonist was music made solely for the child by their parents.
It was also a clue that helped the protagonist find his parents throughout the movie.
Of course, it was important, and the actor playing the protagonist had to be able to play the main part of that piece without a stand-in.
Knowing Director Eulhong’s perfectionist nature, she might even make the actors record it… No way, even Director Eulhong wouldn’t make an amateur do that, especially when the protagonist is a child actor.
Suhyeon dismissed the unlikely possibility and stared at the mirror placed in front of him.
After the drama wrapped up, any remaining night shoot schedules completely disappeared.
Although he was busy, it wasn’t as intense as during filming, and his skin gradually glowed more.
Having such beauty that doesn’t require extra care—just good sleep and food—is amazing.
Unique beauty fills you up without eating and never gets old no matter how many times you see it.
Moreover, it boosted his confidence.
Yes, who could refuse such a cute child pleading like this?
He closed the script and walked to the desk.
He needed to prepare to execute the idea he’d had since yesterday.
* * *
“…So, I want to learn the violin!”
It was after dinner.
Suhyeon handed Jiyeon and Hochan five pieces of paper with scribbled letters saying “One Free Massage Coupon” as a gift.
And he proudly declared what he wanted to do.
“…Was this bribery, my son?”
“Dad is a civil servant, so he can’t accept such favors.”
The couple showed their surprise at their son’s cunning behavior.
Jiyeon felt sorry that Suhyeon was already tainted by the secular world, while Hochan made a boring joke about how such a solicitation would get him caught.
However, neither of them gave up the massage coupons in their hands.
“Is it because of the audition this time?”
“Yes. They said I have to play the violin for the first round of the audition! Since Suhyeon practiced a lot at home, he will be good at playing a real instrument too!”
Suhyeon played the toy violin he had brought from his room in advance.
It was more of just moving a plastic bow back and forth on a rubber part rather than actual playing, but it looked decent combined with the automatic tune.
“We originally planned to teach him one sport and one instrument….”
“Isn’t it too early? He’s only six years old.”
“Since he doesn’t go to kindergarten, it’s good for him to meet peers. The timing is also somewhat right.”
Jiyeon and Hochan talked seriously with solemn faces.
They worried if the tight schedule would overwork him, if it would be too harsh even if he wanted it, and if he might get hurt…
They seriously pondered over it as if Suhyeon’s life would be decided by this one choice.
Suhyeon sat quietly and listened to their conversation.
I could have decided on my own…
He was different from other kids who had no financial capability.
Money earned from dramas and commercials was accumulating in his personal account, and since it was a choice related to acting, he could have proceeded after reporting to them.
However, Suhyeon chose to leave the decision to them instead of handling everything alone.
Even though things could have gotten complicated if they had opposed, he still told them.
…I wanted to see them like this.
He realized this after following his unconscious instinct without a clear reason and watching their actions.
He wanted to see them worrying about him.
What he wanted was not permission born out of simple indifference, but a decision made after worrying for him.
Because they didn’t care about me.
Before the regression, Jiyeon, who divorced, was busy with her work and indifferent to the son she brought with her after the divorce.
There were no praises or scoldings.
She had never asked about his grades.
Even when he mentioned joining the army, all she said was, “I see. That’s sudden. Be careful and come back safely.”
Their emotional exchanges were minimal, and she believed fulfilling the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, and financial support was enough of a parental role.
Is that why I’m so thirsty for attention?
Suhyeon quietly watched the two chatting.
No matter how many times he experienced it, the changed reality was sweet and satisfying.
“Suhyeon, let’s visit the academy with Mom tomorrow. Let’s see if it’s really good, try out the instruments, and meet the teacher.”
Jiyeon, who had been chattering for a long time, suggested that Suhyeon join her in visiting the academy tomorrow.
Instead of just worrying, they seemed to have concluded that it would be best to visit first.
“Hooray!”
“Do you like it that much?”
“Yes!”
“If you like it, give me a kiss.”
As the conversation wrapped up, laughter filled the room again.
It was a typical scene of a harmonious family.
* * *
“Hello. I’m Kim Sohee, the director of Seyeon Music Academy.”
The next day.
Suhyeon held Jiyeon’s hand tightly as they headed to the academy near their home.
For a neighborhood academy, it was quite famous, attracting students from other areas due to its significant achievements in competitions and entrance exams.
Sangil, Suhyeon’s manager, accompanied them.
Since Sangil would be accompanying Suhyeon most of the time if he continued to attend, it was better for him to get acquainted in advance.
“Hello. I’m Lee Jiyeon. This is my son, Suhyeon.”
“Hello! I’m Kang Suhyeon! I’m six years old!”
“Oh, are you the one appearing in the drama now…? Oh my, oh my. Hello, Suhyeon. I’m Teacher Kim Sohee. Nice to meet you!”
Recognizing Suhyeon, Sohee introduced herself in a much gentler voice.
Afterward, Sangil greeted quietly, and the four of them, specifically Jiyeon and the director, discussed the lessons Suhyeon would receive.
“The private practice rooms are soundproofed, so…”
After finishing the conversation to some extent, she showed them around the academy.
In about ten rooms, children were practicing piano or violin, and occasionally, wind instruments like the flute could be seen.
Being a place quite famous for competitions and entrance exams, most students were older than Suhyeon.
“Let’s try it for today… Would you like to give it a go?”
Sohee handed a violin to Suhyeon.
The smaller-than-normal size fit six-year-old Suhyeon perfectly.
“The 1/8 size fits perfectly. You’ve never played an instrument before, right? Want to give it a try?”
She seemed experienced in handling young students, striving to make the first encounter with music more interesting than boring.
Handing over the instrument and asking him to play it was part of that effort.
Despite his awkward grip on the bow and the clumsy fingering, she didn’t point out a single mistake.
She gently informed him of the basic fact that the bow should be placed above the bridge and that using the left hand could produce different notes on the same string.
“Oh, you’re good! You have talent.”
While correcting his position little by little, Sohee’s compliments never ceased.
She was so good at flattering that Suhyeon felt a bit proud, even knowing they were empty words.
“Want to try it alone?”
As he got used to the strings, she left Suhyeon on his own.
It was very clever, making him realize his own shortcomings by having him play alone just when a child might begin to dislike adult interference.
This teacher is good at training.
Suhyeon nodded with a bright smile like a typical six-year-old.
As he started playing Do-Re-Mi, he felt an itch to try something more credible.
Having some background in music, he knew the scales of simple songs.
Hmm. It’s been a while, so I can’t remember well…
He placed his chin on the chinrest and pressed the strings with his left hand.
The 1/8 size violin required less force to press the strings compared to an adult’s violin.
Even with Suhyeon’s untrained grip strength, the basic notes came out easily.
Let’s try that.
Suhyeon playfully drew the bow a few times and wriggled his right hand, which was clenched like a fist.
He felt confident he could play “that song” despite his awkward grip and sore wrist.
Determined, he glanced at his reflection on the phone screen that appeared out of nowhere.
Then, like a maestro, he confidently drew the bow.
“Pfft.”
“Sangil.”
“I’m sorry.”
The slightly furrowed brows, the gently closed eyes, and the slow yet smooth movements resembled those of a violinist playing a complex piece.
If you ignored the sound coming from the violin, it was exactly that.
Mi, Re, Do, Re Mi-Mi-Mi… Re, Re, Re. Mi… Doing it after a long time gives me cramps… Oh shit, why am I holding it like a beginner…
Suhyeon played the nursery rhyme, Airplane, with all the form and poise he could muster.
Though it was a simple song made up of Do-Re-Mi-Sol, he tried his best not to make any mistakes.
He carefully felt the stickers on the fingerboard, pressing each note one by one.
“Phew. All done.”
“Well done, Suhyeon! What will we do with our Suhyeon being so amazing at everything?”
As the less-than-one-minute performance ended, Jiyeon enthusiastically praised her son.
But then—
“This child is a genius…!”
The director, who listened to Suhyeon’s performance, shouted with teary eyes.
[1] The original poster used “왠만한,” which is incorrect. The correct spelling is “웬만한.”
