I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 115

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 115
Han So-ri explained in her characteristically sharp voice.
“I was testing whether you’re genuinely committed to being a trainee or just doing this for fun.”
[Master Han So-ri, your test has left my heart absolutely shattered.]
I could only nod weakly, unable to muster any response.
“I don’t know all the details, but they say you’re incredibly smart, right? You worked hard enough to get into Harvard, and these kids work just as hard to debut. That’s why I was so tough on you.”
[Please take back what you said about me being tone-deaf, Master.]
“And honestly, Sung-guk, you don’t have much talent for singing.”
[Wow, you’re really driving the knife in twice.]
Han So-ri handed me a drink.
“Have this and cheer up. We’ll do vocal training twice a week. I’ll give you assignments each time, so you need to practice diligently. I’ve trained even tone-deaf singers to perform on stage. If you work hard, you won’t hear anyone say you can’t sing.”
“Yes, Master.”
* * *
Bang Mu-hyuk patted my shoulder.
“Han So-ri doesn’t mess around, does she?”
“No… I was completely terrified.”
“If they’re not scared, the trainees won’t practice properly. Honestly, when you’re in your teens, there are so many other things you’d rather do. Motivation is important, but to actually stand on stage, you need to practice, and practice some more.”
“I understand.”
I was experiencing firsthand what it meant to be a South Korean idol trainee.
“Should we go meet the dance instructor now?”
[I’m not confident about dancing….]
I nodded blankly, my mind elsewhere.
“The dance practice room is one floor down.”
[My legs are already shaking.]
I pulled myself together.
I was born into poverty and made it to Harvard—I can’t lose my nerve over something like this!
* * *
The dance instructor was Lee Seo-rin, famous for her tough, no-nonsense personality.
She was a choreographer who would later become a regular on various television audition programs.
“Today I’ll do a simple test to see what your basic skills are like.”
[I don’t have any basic skills….]
“First, let’s warm up your body following me.”
“Yes.”
I followed Lee Seo-rin’s lead as we warmed up.
Even the warm-up was meticulous—it seemed designed to assess my fundamentals.
“Sung-guk, now follow my movements. This is the basic wave technique. Push your head forward. Then your chest, your stomach, your hips—think of it that way. And reverse it—stomach, hips, chest, pull your head back!”
“Think you can do it?”
“Yes!”
“That’s some confidence. Do it slowly, following me.”
Lee Seo-rin fluidly connected the wave movements from her head down to her stomach with effortless grace.
[Head, chest, pelvis, abdomen….]
I recalled the sequence and began undulating fluidly from my head downward.
“Sung-guk! Head, chest, pelvis. Abdomen!”
“I-I did it that way.”
Lee Seo-rin burst into laughter.
“Right now you’re moving as one solid block. The wave has to be precise—head, chest, abdomen. Each section of your body needs to move independently.”
[I’m not a Lego set. How am I supposed to move different parts of my body separately, Master Lee.]
Heh.
I heard Bang Mu-hyuk stifling his laughter from behind.
[Everyone’s being too harsh. Way too harsh.]
Still, Lee Seo-rin wasn’t nearly as intimidating as Han So-ri.
“Sung-guk, everyone’s like this when they first arrive. Don’t worry too much. If you just follow my lead, you’ll get better. I can see the potential in you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I wiped away the sweat pouring down relentlessly.
* * *
Vocal: D
Dance: D-
[What’s this? She said I had potential, then gave me an even harsher score than the other teacher! People really can’t be trusted.]
I accepted the evaluation sheet with a bewildered expression.
A D grade—I’d never seen one before….
My mind felt like it was spinning.
“PD Bang, where does my score rank among the trainees? Are there any trainees who debuted with scores like this?”
“I’ll be honest. Don’t be shocked.”
[Is there really more shock left for me to endure in this situation?]
It felt like the dark circles under my eyes had sunk all the way to the ground.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a score this low among trainees. But since at least one of the two evaluations is usually strong, everyone gets cast as a trainee anyway. You’ve got exceptional looks, Sung-guk. But from what I’ve seen working with many trainees, the most important thing is really effort. Tone-deafness can be fixed, and being uncoordinated is absolutely no barrier to becoming an idol.”
“Thank you for the encouragement.”
Bang Mu-hyuk patted my shoulder.
“It’s not encouragement—it’s the truth. Remember when you were debating whether to eliminate that girl Ye-jin? You told us that groups need outstanding members, but they also need members who blend in seamlessly without standing out.”
[I really did say something that wise back then.]
“Now let’s go introduce you to the first-year trainees. You’ll continue private vocal lessons, but from now on you’ll be training with this group in dance. They’re all gathered in the Conference Room, so let’s head over.”
“Yes, PD. But… do they know about me?”
“I just told them you’re a friend studying in the United States who’s coming in as a trainee during your break.”
“I’d prefer if you introduced me just like that for now.”
“Are you feeling burdened? If someone searches your name online, related articles will probably pop up. Recent photos might show up too.”
“When they find out, they’ll find out. Until then, I’d like to live like a normal teenager. Make friends my own age too.”
“Understood.”
* * *
As the Conference Room door opened, about nine trainees—a mix of male and female—were seated inside.
They ranged from my age to what appeared to be young adults.
Bang Mu-hyuk introduced me to the trainees.
“This is Jeon Sung-guk, who’ll be training with us starting today—I mentioned him before, right? He goes to school in the United States, but he’s here for break. Sung-guk, say hello.”
“Hello, everyone. I’m Jeon Sung-guk. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Applause erupted, followed by the murmur of excited voices.
“Wow, isn’t he the best-looking male trainee here?”
[Hey, everyone can hear you.]
Still, being called the best-looking offered some consolation for the shock of receiving the lowest scores in singing and dancing earlier.
“Feel free to ask anything you’re curious about.”
At Bang Mu-hyuk’s words, questions erupted from all directions.
Bang Mu-hyuk quickly stepped in to mediate.
“You’re all so curious. Let’s just go clockwise, one question at a time. Alright, Jung Mi, start.”
“How old are you?”
“I’m fourteen in Korean age.”
“Wow, how tall are you?”
“I’m not exactly sure, but probably around 175 centimeters.”
“Which school do you attend in the United States?”
“Cambridge, Massachusetts.”
“Sounds like a suit commercial.”
The boys snickered.
Next, a girl with notably pale skin asked a question.
“What’s your special talent?”
“My face.”
In that instant, the conference room erupted in laughter.
“Pfahahaha.”
“He said his face is his talent.”
“That’s hilarious!”
[Why are they all like this? I was just stating a fact… This is strange.]
* * *
“Sung-guk, let’s start formal training tomorrow. But it seems the trainees don’t know much about you. Don’t they know about Jeon Sung-guk from 【Five Men and a Baby Carriage】…?”
“Everyone was crawling around with me during that show. At best, they were just toddling.”
“That’s true. Guess I’m the only one getting older. Are you hungry?”
“A little.”
“I need to meet with a singer. Wait here for a moment while I go talk to them.”
“Alright.”
I sat down for a moment in the Rest Area set up between the practice rooms.
The Rest Area displayed albums, bromides, and autographed photos of singers who debuted through JP Entertainment. Among them, Just naturally took center stage.
Rumble.
Then I remembered the chocolate Min-guk had stuffed into my pocket this morning.
I quickly pulled out the chocolate and ate a few pieces.
“Um, excuse me…”
I heard someone calling me quietly from behind.
Who was it?
When I turned around, I saw two female students—one with a distinctly pale complexion whom I’d seen in the conference room earlier, and another who had been sitting beside her—watching me with bright, curious eyes.
“Hi, I’m Lee Yu-mi.”
“Hi, I’m Seo Jin-ah.”
The pale-faced one was Lee Yu-mi, and the one beside her was Seo Jin-ah.
[I had a feeling I’d see both of them in some group later on….]
I tilted my head slightly.
After being selected for the debut lineup, their appearances would continue to evolve, so honestly, it was difficult to recognize them now.
Some used their real names at debut, while others adopted stage names.
In my previous life, I’d stopped following girl groups after Fin.K.L and SOS, so I didn’t remember much beyond the most famous groups.
Though I had occasionally met actors who debuted as idols.
“Oh, hey.”
“Sung-guk, we’re both the same age as you. We’re both turning fourteen this year. We’re starting middle school.”
[So what? Are you suggesting we drop formalities? These kids barely have any experience.]
Instead of answering, I pressed my lips together firmly.
It was true that since dropping out of elementary school in first grade, I’d had no reason to interact with my peers, so I was genuinely confused about how socialized middle schoolers were supposed to behave.
“Oh, nice to meet you.”
[Is this appropriate? Or not? Ah, right. Kids always like food.]
I offered them chocolate.
“Want some chocolate? My younger brother gave it to me. He said to eat it when I’m hungry.”
[This used to work on elementary schoolers.]
“We’re on a diet, sorry.”
Seo Jin-ah answered with a knowing smile.
[Hmm, that didn’t work.]
Dealing with peers my own age was definitely harder.
In the United States, I’d hung around with Mark, Dennis, Jessie, and others older than me, so I naturally didn’t act my actual age and instead carried myself maturely.
Lee Yu-mi asked with curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
“Sung-guk, how long did you live in the United States?”
“About five years.”
I’d moved there when I was nine, so it was just over five years.
“Wow, you must be really good at English. The PD keeps telling us to study English, but it’s so hard.”
[Sounds like you’re just not smart enough.]
Lee Yu-mi whined a bit.
[Whiny Lee Yu-mi. Sassy Seo Jin-ah. Same age.]
I mentally filed away their character profiles.
“Do you two take English lessons here as well?”
“Yeah. English lessons, acting lessons—everything. Sung-guk, you’re so lucky you don’t have to study English.”
At that moment, several female and male trainees passing by began to gather around.
“Wow, is this kid’s special talent just having a pretty face?”
“I’ll recognize you right away. You’re really handsome. And so tall!”
[This popularity of mine….]
Here too, I drew everyone’s attention.
“Since you came from the United States, don’t they show a lot of dating in movies for kids our age? Do you have a girlfriend? Blonde hair, blue eyes?”
“Movies are just movies.”
[In this life, I’m a chaste, lifelong bachelor.]
A tall male student looked at me and laughed. With his monolid eyes narrowed into slits, he had what they called a “JP look,” but he seemed rather tactless.
“Come on, movies are just movies. You don’t have friends there because you’re an Asian and got bullied, right?”
[I am magnanimous. I am Jeon Sung-guk, after all….]
I began mental conditioning myself internally.
“I do have friends. But I haven’t dated yet. I’m just not interested.”
“Tch, kids like this always cause trouble with girls later.”
[I am magnanimous. I am Jeon Sung-guk, and I’m forty years old….]
A female trainee stopped the tall male student.
“Geon-ju, stop it. You always tease the handsome ones when they join.”
“I really hate kids who brag about being exposed to foreign culture. Do you even speak English properly? You didn’t come from Koreatown, did you?”
[I am magnanimous. I am Jeon Sung-guk, I’m forty years old, and I was a dignified former conglomerate heir….]
I clenched my molars and held back.
But the male student continued to provoke me.
“That guy probably couldn’t study well and used the trainee excuse to come to Korea. It’s obvious. He’ll wash his image here, debut as an idol, and Koreans love anyone who can speak a little English.”
My magnanimity has a limit of three times.
And just now, that bastard touched the limit of my magnanimity.
“Right? You actually partied a lot in the United States, didn’t you?”
I clenched my fists tightly.
“What if you clench your fists? Are you going to hit me?”
“I’m not sure how old you are, but if you search ‘Jeon Sung-guk’ on any search engine, you’ll find out everything about me. My credentials are simply too impressive to describe.”
“What? Are you crazy? What credentials does a kid your age have?”
I saw Lee Yu-mi searching my name on the computer in the rest area.
“Oh my god!”
“What is it, Yu-mi?”
“In this article… Jeon Sung-guk. The young boy from 【Five Men and a Baby Basket】 became the youngest to be admitted to Harvard. Could that be you?”
[Finally, they recognize me. I was trying to stay quiet… but there’s no helping it.]
I shrugged my shoulders.
“No way. How does a middle schooler go to Harvard?”
“No, oppa, look at the article. It really says that. Jeon Sung-guk, the first scholarship recipient of the 【Junho Foundation】 from Hyojin Group, has been admitted to Harvard.”
At that moment, Bang Mu-hyuk walked down the corridor.
“Why is it so noisy over there?”
“PD! Is Sung-guk really a Harvard student?”
PD Bang Mu-hyuk looked at me without concern.
“Sung-guk, you’ve already been discovered?”
“It just happened that way.”
All the trainees stared at me with their mouths agape.
[I bet none of you have met a Harvard student before, have you?]
I shrugged my shoulders with a slight smirk.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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