I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 39

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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 39
The auditions had concluded.
Director Kwak came out personally to greet the parents and children who had participated in the audition.
“Thank you all for coming from so far away. Today we’ll be selecting one main model and three sub-models from the audition. First, for the main model position: Jeon Min-guk.”
“Yes!”
Min-guk’s hand shot up the moment his name was called. The waiting room erupted in laughter.
“That’s right. You’re the main model, Min-guk.”
Jae-hee’s mother’s face was openly displeased.
“Next are the sub-models: Kim Seo-jun, Choi Da-hae, and Lee Jae-hee. The assistant director will contact the candidate models separately.”
Only then did Jae-hee’s mother’s expression shift to satisfaction as she looked at Jae-hee.
“Jae-hee, you made it.”
Jae-hee glanced at me sideways and winked. It seemed to be his way of saying thank you.
[Pleasantries aside. Let’s see how well you endure in this industry going forward.]
I quietly waved back at him.
“Hyung!”
Min-guk tugged at my sleeve.
When I turned my head, Min-guk was grinning widely.
“Hyung, pay up now.”
“Min-guk, what are you talking about? Pay up? What does that even mean?”
[Mom, Min-guk’s saying I owe him a meal.]
Director Kwak approached and looked at me with astonished eyes.
“Sung-guk, when did you grow so much?”
“Our Sung-guk has grown quite a bit, hasn’t he?”
“Director, you’re not going to cast Sung-guk in child roles anymore, are you? He looks ready for dramas now.”
[Director Kwak, I’m too busy studying.]
“Sung-guk has become quite interested in his studies.”
“Director, Sung-guk also speaks English and French.”
Kim Mi-young boasted on my behalf instead of Mother.
“Really?”
“Director, bragging is embarrassing.”
“What’s embarrassing about it? The Samjeon Group even promised to sponsor Sung-guk.”
“That’s truly impressive, this kid. I always knew he was sharp from a young age, but I didn’t realize he’d be this intelligent. Sung-guk, if you succeed, don’t forget about me.”
[Of course not, Director Kwak. You’re the one who gave me my first debut. I always repay my debts. So just stay healthy.]
Director Kwak ruffled my hair and broke into a hearty laugh.
“I wish we could share a meal together, but I have a prior commitment today. Let’s all have dinner together after filming wraps.”
“I’ll keep my schedule open.”
Kim Mi-young replied.
* * *
“Alright, your hyung is going to train you starting today.”
I sat Min-guk down in front of me and spoke with firm resolve.
“Hyung, okay!”
“That’s right! From today on, you only listen to me. Min-guk.”
“Yes!”
Min-guk raised his right hand high.
I had already memorized the entire storyboard that Mother received.
The detergent commercial was straightforward. Three child sub-models would come out covered in various stains—food, sweat, dirt—on their clothes. Lim Sun-mi would frown upon seeing them.
Then she’d remember the detergent, toss the stained clothes directly into the washing machine, and add the product.
After washing, the clothes would be spotless. And finally, it would be Min-guk’s turn.
He’d roll around on those clean clothes, bury his nose in them, and fall asleep.
Lim Sun-mi would approach the sleeping Min-guk, smile, and whisper, “It’s clean.”
[This commercial is a breeze. I just need to practice the rolling and sleeping pose first.]
I looked at Min-guk with a stern gaze.
“Min-guk! Stay right there.”
“Yes, hyung.”
I quickly dashed to the master bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and pulled out thin blankets by the handful. I spread them across the living room floor. I pointed at the blankets with my finger.
“Min-guk, come on up.”
“Yes.”
Min-guk toddled up onto the blankets.
I climbed onto the blankets too.
“Min-guk, now copy exactly what hyung does.”
“Okay!”
I recalled my days as a top model and rolled across the blankets. The crucial element was my expression—the natural, innocent laughter of a child delighting in rolling on clean clothes. That’s what viewers wanted.
I rolled across the blankets, my face radiant with joy, laughing brightly.
Clap, clap, clap. Min-guk applauded.
“Hyung, you’re the best!”
[Min-guk, you don’t know this yet. There was once a time when South Korean commercials came in only two varieties: ones with Jeon Sung-guk and ones without.]
I shrugged and looked at Min-guk.
“Min-guk, try it like this.”
“Okay, hyung!”
Min-guk rolled after me.
But his expression twisted as he rolled.
“No, no. That’s not it.”
I demonstrated the rolling again for Min-guk, this time with a naturally effortless smile.
“Min-guk, the key is the smile. Got it?”
“Yes!”
Min-guk clenched his fists and began rolling across the blankets with a smile. But it still felt awkward.
“Min-guk, again!”
Min-guk rolled across the blankets once more. With each roll, I could see him improving slightly.
I stood with my hands clasped behind my back, watching Min-guk like an instructor.
[Hmm… His talent is far inferior to mine, but he has perseverance.]
But I wanted perfection.
Opportunities didn’t come often, and Min-guk needed to establish himself as a child model through this one.
“Min-guk, again!”
“Yes!”
Min-guk rolled across the floor once more, breaking into a smile.
That made twelve rolls.
With my coaching, Min-guk finally mastered the perfect rolling technique and smile.
“Min-guk, stop!”
“Brother, we’re done?”
“You did great.”
Min-guk’s face lit up with a bright smile at my single word of praise.
“Let’s call it a day and continue practicing tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
I pulled out the banana milk I’d hidden behind my back and handed it to Min-guk.
Apparently parched, Min-guk gulped down the banana milk eagerly.
Jeon Min-guk. My younger brother, two years my junior.
Though his face wasn’t as striking as mine and his intellect lagged behind, he possessed remarkable grit—a stark contrast to my previous life’s brother, Jeon Tae-guk, who gave up easily and grew bored just as quickly.
I stroked Min-guk’s head.
His face had grown gaunt from just a few rolls.
I hurried to the kitchen and tugged on my Aunt’s pants.
“Sung-guk, are you done playing with Min-guk? Do you need something?”
“Min-guk needs a snack.”
“Is Min-guk hungry?”
“Yes!”
“Got it. I’ll bring the castella cake and banana I bought this morning. Go back and play with Min-guk.”
Shortly after, my Aunt returned with castella and banana, which I pushed entirely toward Min-guk.
Min-guk swallowed hard and glanced at me hesitantly.
“What about you, brother?”
“I’m full. Go ahead and eat, Min-guk.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Eat up.”
“Okay!”
Min-guk filled his hungry belly with castella and banana.
Unlike me, Min-guk had less baby fat. Child actors needed those round cheeks to look adorable on screen—that’s what viewers wanted.
The next day and the day after that, Min-guk and I practiced repeatedly to master the script perfectly.
Finally, the long-awaited filming day arrived.
Since kindergarten was closed for the weekend, I accompanied them to the film set.
The film set was in Namyangju, where I’d shot my first commercial.
Mother and Min-guk entered the Waiting Room first, while Kim Mi-young and I followed slowly behind.
“Sung-guk, don’t you want to film something too?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“Did you dislike standing in front of the camera?”
“No.”
“Then you don’t want to do this again?”
“Studying is more fun.”
I had already brought two English novels to read while waiting on the film set.
“Sung-guk, if you ever want to do this again, just tell your aunt anytime.”
“Okay.”
I gave a brief reply.
[That won’t happen, Director Kim. The IMF crisis has only about a year left. There’s so much I need to study in that time!]
Proper investment required proper studying first.
* * *
The filming began.
Everyone around held their breath as Min-guk’s solo shot commenced.
Over the seven days we spent together, Min-guk had rolled and laughed every single day, grinding away with relentless effort for this one scene.
Director Kwak shouted while watching the monitor.
“Min-guk, let’s do great. Alright, action!”
With a brief command, the camera rolled.
The Assistant Director, who was coaching Min-guk’s performance, demonstrated the actions in front of him, but Min-guk already knew the storyboard perfectly. All of this, of course, was thanks to me.
Min-guk rolled flawlessly, then opened his round eyes wide and broke into a radiant smile.
“Cut!”
Director Kwak looked at Kim Mi-young with a meaningful smile.
“Director Kim, is Min-guk receiving acting coaching?”
“We showed him the storyboard in advance.”
“This family must have acting talent running through their veins. It was almost a one-take wonder. Still, let’s do a few more takes.”
The camera rolled again.
Each time, Min-guk delivered a flawless performance, always wearing that same radiant smile.
[Hmm… He executes what he’s learned well, but anything beyond that is difficult.]
I evaluated Min-guk coldly.
Min-guk had perfectly replicated the rolling, the smile, and even the giggling sound I’d practiced with him, but there was no improvisation on set.
As his teacher, I assessed Min-guk with clinical precision.
The next scene was no different.
To Director Kwak and the staff, it was flawless, but to me it was merely perfect imitation.
“Alright, Min-guk is done. Let’s get the backup models ready.”
Min-guk looked at me and smiled.
Still, I gave him a thumbs up. I was proud that he’d come this far with his limited talent.
“Sung-guk.”
I heard Lee Jae-hee’s voice from behind.
Lee Jae-hee was wearing a pristine white t-shirt. Based on the storyboard, he was the child who would act out having ketchup splattered on his clothes.
“Jae-hee, is there something you wanted to talk about?”
“Help me with my acting.”
Jae-hee asked me for help with a hint of hesitation.
“I passed the audition because you taught me last time.”
It was my principle to embrace everyone who came to me with their head bowed.
I nodded.
“Sure. What do you need help with?”
“I’m not sure what expression to make at this part.”
Jae-hee was struggling with what kind of face to make when ketchup splattered on his clothes.
“Think about getting scolded by your mother when ketchup splashes on your clothes, Jae-hee.”
“Ah….”
Jae-hee understood immediately, and his face brightened considerably.
“Thanks, Sung-guk.”
“You’ve got this!”
“Yeah!”
Jae-hee dashed straight into the film set.
The daughter-in-law of Deokpung Paper Company stood there wearing the same outdated luxury clothing and handbag as before.
Because Jae-hee was timid in his mother’s shadow, my words would unlock his acting to its fullest potential.
I watched Director Kwak approach Kim Mi-young.
“Are you planning to continue with Min-guk’s modeling career?”
“I think I need to assess his condition after we wrap today. He’s still so young, and this is his first time.”
“If you’re interested, we’re looking for a three-year-old to play the male lead’s son in a weekend drama. If Min-guk’s family is interested, would you consider auditioning?”
“I’ll discuss it with Min-guk’s mother and get back to you.”
“The audition is next Wednesday, so please contact me by Tuesday at the latest.”
“Thank you, Director.”
Director Kwak waved at me and hurried back into the film set. There was still much filming left to do.
Min-guk toddled over and grasped my hand tightly.
“Big brother, did I do well?”
“Yes.”
I stroked Min-guk’s head.
* * *
Min-guk decided to audition for a child role in the weekend drama as well.
Min-guk had enjoyed the film set, and afterward, he kept following his mother around, repeating scenes from the commercial endlessly.
I turned on the desk lamp and opened the script for the weekend drama “Last Love.”
Min-guk was auditioning for the role of the secret child born to the male lead’s first love in the middle of the story.
The male protagonist, who has talent for painting but works in a factory due to his poor family circumstances, meets and falls in love with the female protagonist, a university student from a wealthy family.
When the female protagonist’s family learns of this, they hire gangsters to kill the male protagonist, but when the female protagonist leaves to study in the United States, their connection ends.
After parting with the female protagonist, the male protagonist gives up painting and starts working at a casino, eventually catching the attention of the owner and even promising to marry the owner’s daughter.
The female protagonist, who went to study abroad, returns when her family’s fortune collapses, but she has a young child born between her and the male protagonist.
[This is completely melodramatic.]

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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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