Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 47

"Yes and no," I replied with a small smile, leaning back in my chair. "It's my first official client translation job, but I've actually worked as a translator in other ways before. 대학 시절에는 외국인 학생들을 위한 번역가로 파트타임으로 일하면서 수업이나 캠퍼스 생활 등을 도와주었습니다. 그리고 해외 봉사활동을 할 때면 현지인과 자원봉사자 사이에서 가교 역할을 자주 하곤 했어요.(During college, I worked part-time as a translator for foreign students—helping them navigate things like classes and campus life. And when I volunteered abroad, I'd often act as a bridge between the locals and the volunteers.)"

"That makes sense," he said, his tone contemplative. "나는 이것이 당신에게 완전히 새로운 것이라고 생각한 것 같습니다. 그러나 당신은 공식적인 제목 없이 이 일을 수년 동안 해온 것 같습니다.(I guess I assumed this was completely new for you, but it sounds like you've been doing this for years, just without the formal title.)"

I shrugged modestly. "I suppose so. It's not like I ever set out to be a translator, though. For me, it's always been more about connecting people—helping them understand each other, whether it's through language or culture. That's what I love most about it."

"나는 아직도 당신의 언어 전환 능력에 놀랐습니다.(I'm still amazed by your ability to switch between languages.) Here I am, struggling with English," he said, letting out a soft laugh, but there was a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

"Everyone has their own passion," I replied, smiling. "내 것은 언어이고, 당신의 것은 음악입니다. 솔직히, 음악에 대한 당신의 의지에 놀랐습니다. 11살에 연습생이 되기 위해 집을 떠나는 거요? 그 나이쯤에 한국어를 배우기 시작한 것 같아요. 저는 언어에 대한 열정이 있었지만 여전히 안전한 길을 택했습니다. 저는 영문학을 전공하고 성인이 된 후에는 전통적인 길을 따랐습니다. 이렇게 어린 나이에 이렇게 큰 위험을 감수하는 것은 상상할 수 없습니다. 음악이 당신이 모든 것을 걸고 할 수 있는 것이라는 것을 어떻게 깨달았나요? (Mine is languages, and yours is music. Honestly, I'm amazed by your determination for music. I mean, leaving your home to become a trainee at 11 years old? I think I was just starting to learn Korean around that age. Even though I was passionate about languages, I still took a safe path—I majored in English Literature and followed a traditional route after becoming an adult. I can't imagine taking such a big risk at such a young age. How did you realize that music was something you were willing to risk everything for?)"

His smile faded slightly as he leaned back in his chair, his expression contemplative. "나는 매우 엄격한 집안 출신이다(I come from a very strict family)," he began, his voice quieter now. "음악과 춤은 단지 낙담된 것이 아니라 금기시되는 것으로 간주되었습니다. 내 아버지는... 아무리 말해도 완고한 분이셨어요. 우리가 집에서 시청할 수 있는 유일한 것은 뉴스 채널뿐이었습니다. 영화, TV 프로그램, 예술적인 것 모두 금지되었습니다. 그는 그것이 사람의 성격을 손상시킨다고 믿었습니다.(Music and dance weren't just discouraged—they were considered taboo. My father was... rigid, to say the least. The only thing we were allowed to watch at home were news channels. Movies, TV shows, anything artistic—it was all banned. He believed they damage one's character.)"

I blinked, surprised by how restrictive his upbringing sounded. "정말 힘들었을 것 같아요. 그렇다면 음악에 대한 사랑을 어떻게 알게 되었나요?(That must've been tough. So, how did you even discover your love for music?)"

He glanced down at the table, his fingers lightly tracing the rim of his glass as if lost in thought. "학교에서 일어난 일입니다. 나의 선생님 중 한 분인 최 선생님은 내가 음악을 잘 듣는다는 것을 알아차렸습니다. 제가 노래를 부를 수 있을지 확신이 없을 때에도 제가 노래를 하도록 격려해 준 사람이 바로 그 사람이었습니다. 그는 나에게 학교 노래 대회에 참가하라고 권유했고 놀랍게도 내가 우승했습니다. 내 것, 내가 잘하는 것이 있다는 느낌을 받은 것은 그때가 처음이었습니다..(It happened at school. One of my teachers—Mr. Choi—noticed I had a good ear for music. He was the one who encouraged me to sing, even when I wasn't sure I could. He pushed me to participate in the school's singing competition, and to my surprise, I won. That was the first time I felt like I had something that was mine, something I was good at.)"