Ch.27Bell Sound

December, when even the slightest breath creates visible vapor.

A time when the carol atmosphere is gradually spreading.

The <High Dream> filming set seemed determined to overcome such cold.

The staff were sipping their instant coffee with little blows.

“What are you all doing for Christmas?”

“What can staff do then? If we’re unlucky, we might have to come to work.”

“What?!”

“Why are you so surprised? High Dream airs in early to mid-January, so you think we’ll rest on Christmas?”

“The PD and filming director have probably already decided to come in.”

The usual light conversation before starting work.

A few minutes of casual small talk.

Their conversation topic naturally led to today’s filming.

“Today is Lee J’s last shoot, right?”

“What’s with this ‘last shoot’ abbreviation? Just like the younger generation, always shortening words. You should say ‘final filming.'”

“These days, even five-syllable phrases get shortened.”

“Good grief, the world is going to ruin.”

A quick glance around.

The staff looked around.

There were no reporters, but plenty of people filling their places on set.

“Did we damage any school property?”

“No.”

“Then why are there so many arts high school officials here?”

“You really don’t know? Ah, right. You were sick that day, weren’t you?”

“Huh? What did I miss?”

“Lee J, no no, I mean Kim Donghu. That actor playing the piano.”

“Right, I didn’t see it.”

The senior staff member finished the last of his instant coffee with a slurp and continued.

“Everyone who saw it last time is here to see Kim Donghu play the piano again.”

“Is, is he that good?”

Is there an actor who plays piano well enough for arts high school people to come watch?

At those words, the senior staff member smirked and shrugged.

“You’ll see.”

+++++

At the same time.

Edward Park, the principal of the arts high school, had his gaze fixed on the school gate.

“Principal, staring won’t make the actor arrive any faster. He might run away if he sees you.”

“Hmm, was my gaze that obvious?”

“Honestly, you look a bit like a perverted raccoon.”

“Pfft!”

The piano department teacher standing quietly behind them spat out his coffee at the blunt expression from the vice principal.

After Edward Park witnessed Kim Donghu’s performance,

he caused a commotion, insisting there was a talent who absolutely needed a special admission to their arts high school.

That’s why quite a few teachers from the arts high school had gathered here.

Frankly speaking, he might seem like a perverted raccoon,

but his eye for talent was second to none.

Such high praise from this perverted raccoon—no, the principal?

It naturally aroused curiosity.

“But is it right to wait this early, two hours before filming starts?”

Edward Park nodded at the vice principal’s question.

“I heard Kim Donghu is extremely diligent and usually arrives two hours early.”

“Wow, really? That’s quite dedicated.”

“And this is something you haven’t seen yet—he’s incredibly handsome.”

I think he’s the most handsome person in the world.

While everyone laughed at Edward Park’s excitement,

a food truck slowly entered through the arts high school gate.

A vehicle that wasn’t pre-arranged.

The staff and arts high school personnel quickly went over to check,

and the food truck driver, noticing people approaching, quickly rolled down the window.

“Fish cake soup truck here. Kim Donghu sent us. Is this the High Dream filming location?”

On this cold winter filming day,

the arrival of a fish cake soup truck sent by Kim Donghu.

“That’s Kim Donghu for you! I recognized your good character since Hehe Doctor!”

An untimely praise session for Kim Donghu began.

Just then, a black van followed behind.

While everyone wondered who it might be.

“Hello everyone! I’m Kim Donghu, playing the role of Lee J!”

Like it was his first time.

Kim Donghu, an actor who always maintained his beginner’s mindset, appeared.

“Donghu! Donghu! Oh my, you’re so pretty, what should I do!”

As if he’d been waiting, PD Kim Youngmo immediately ran to greet him.

No one found it strange.

The fish cake soup was extremely warm.

+++++

Starting with Kim Donghu, actors began arriving at the filming location one by one.

The High Dream members, along with Jang Geonho playing Principal Wang Ho, and Kim Yuryeon playing Chairwoman Maria, and others.

All the main and supporting cast of High Dream gathered in one place.

Today was the filming day for Mirinae performance, High Dream’s main stage.

The bold stage start of High Dream, known as a group of inferior students.

Due to the scheme of Principal Wang Ho and Lee J, they perform first.

After that, Lee J’s performance concludes the show.

The audience keeps requesting an encore from High Dream, and eventually High Dream decorates the truly final stage.

That was the planned progression.

Because the High Dream members had to perform twice,

they were diligently tuning their instruments.

“Did everyone practice a lot?”

At the words of Jin Suhyeok, who played Song Cheolsu, High Dream’s leader and the first male lead, everyone nodded.

“It was really tough.”

“I felt more like a band member than an actor!”

“This is the first time I’ve done so much to immerse myself in a role.”

“I know, right?”

Everyone chimed in about how hard they had worked.

They also recalled why they had worked so hard.

‘Kim Donghu.’

That day.

The day Kim Donghu became Lee J and touched the piano keys.

Everyone was shocked by the music filled with contempt.

And simultaneously realized.

That they needed to overcome that.

That this was the real Lee J.

So they practiced like crazy.

To protect High Dream, to deliver a more outstanding performance.

That feeling intensified during rehearsals.

The more they played, the deeper they immersed themselves in their High Dream roles.

Why they wanted to win so badly, why Lee J was last,

what they needed to show in their first performance, and so on.

Numerous emotions swirled around.

When they came to their senses, cameras were watching them.

“Cue!!!!”

The director’s signal to start filming.

Tap, tap, tap, tap!

Following the beat of the drum sticks marking the beginning.

Boom, boom, boom.

The bass and guitar move,

the keyboard adds sweetness on top.

And then, the vocals practiced for months pursue perfection.

♪♩♪♩♬♩♪

A song celebrating youth.

A song encouraging not to lose your dreams, saying you too can achieve anything.

“High Dream! Spread your dreams!”

A small opera hall unsuited for a band.

A song about dreams and hope spreading from there.

The core theme running through the drama is recreated at a high level.

“They really practiced a lot.”

“Yes, it’s very admirable.”

PD Kim Youngmo and writer Lee Minha smiled contentedly watching the scene.

Perhaps because of one tremendous stimulus, it was truly the best performance.

“Cut!”

So as soon as the director gave the OK sign, everyone applauded with one heart.

“So cool!”

“Wow! So handsome!”

“High Dream is the best!”

Amid the staff’s applause, the High Dream member actors came down from the stage with satisfied smiles.

After that, performances by extras and externally recruited performers continued.

Finally, the curtain falls.

For reorganization, to rush toward the finale.

Swoosh.

The curtain rises again.

A curtain that has risen many times.

But the weight was different from other stages.

What youth-singing band?

What free spirits?

You are merely devices to make my talent shine brighter.

As if saying that.

A black grand piano enters everyone’s view.

+++++

“If we don’t work hard, we’ll be overtaken.”

At the words of Jang Geonho, who played Principal Wang Ho of Eunha Arts High School, Kim Yuryeon laughed softly.

“I know, right? He acts so well, and even prepares band performances for his role.”

Kim Yuryeon, who played Chairwoman Maria, also spoke in a very sympathetic tone.

Doing both must be really difficult.

While they continued praising the High Dream members,

the grand piano that came into view instantly transformed Jang Geonho into Wang Ho and Kim Yuryeon into Maria.

‘…Is he coming?’

‘I heard he changed the piece after separate discussions.’

Originally, he was supposed to play Moonlight Sonata on the main stage as he did during practice.

But Kim Donghu suggested something better and proposed a new piece.

There was a condition attached—he wanted to perform without rehearsal.

Normally, this would be unacceptable,

but writer Lee Minha, who was listening, actively agreed.

Everyone thought there was no harm in it, so the rehearsal was skipped.

Everyone here would be hearing Kim Donghu’s performance for the first time.

“Alright, let’s begin. Cue!!!”

As if waiting for the director’s signal,

Kim Donghu, no, Lee J appears from backstage.

A neat formal suit worn for competitions.

Hair neatly swept back.

His overwhelmingly handsome appearance, now dressed up, naturally evokes the image of a young noble.

But that noble face was filled with deep contempt.

As if even appearing on such a stage was shameful.

As if proving his talent was displeasing.

The distorted noble approaches the grand piano.

Swoosh.

A brief bow to the audience before playing the piano.

Everyone holds their breath waiting for Lee J’s performance.

The first performance that spread contempt everywhere and announced his talent.

What would he show in his second performance?

Just as everyone at the filming site forgot even to swallow their saliva while waiting,

Dong dong dong, ding ding ding.

Bell sounds are heard.

Different from carol bells.

Bell sounds announcing the end of inferior beings begin to spread.

Emotions spread with every movement of Lee J’s fingers.

There is no longer contempt there.

Only disdain.

Contempt that finds it unpleasant to even consider others as equals.

The year was 1838.

A score inspired by the performance of a violinist who made a deal with the devil was born.

Introduced as a transcendental etude,

the pinnacle of performance technique,

brilliant genius,

And the grave of those without talent.

“La Campanella…”

Amid someone’s admiration, Lee J asks.

Do you really intend to give those people a chance?

Do you think it’s right for such worthless beings to win?

Die.

Don’t even dream, just die.

He whispers to everyone.

Change the story,

Don’t do the worthless act of giving opportunities to inferior beings,

A picture where I lose,

Don’t imagine it,

The flower nourished by contempt blooms fully.