NOVEL WEB Chapter 14
Looks aren’t just about the face.
It’s about the hairstyle, expression, posture, and way of speaking.
The way you walk and what clothes you wear, too.
It’s a blend of what you’re born with and what you cultivate.
That’s what makes up one’s appearance.
And this appearance isn’t just for show.
It creates an aura and vibe around a person.
‘…What’s up with that guy?’
In that sense, Lee Minha felt like she was back in a high school classroom.
It wasn’t anything special.
Just a boy in a school uniform walking by.
But that alone gave Lee Minha a refreshing feeling.
‘He’s noticeable.’
With the top two buttons undone, a glimpse of collarbone peeking out.
He wasn’t wearing the jacket but slung it over his shoulder, adding a rebellious touch.
His hair, casually pushed back, gave off a wild vibe.
His slightly furrowed brows and a frown made it look like he was dissatisfied with the situation.
‘He stands out.’
This bad boy younger guy was running amok in the fantasy.
He relied solely on his looks and talent, never practicing,
But with just a bit of effort, he could soar higher than anyone else,
A brilliant being, the lazy genius.
That name is none other than…
“Kim Donghu!!!”
Bam!
Kim Youngmo couldn’t hold back and jumped up from his seat.
Five years old.
The first time he witnessed that brilliant talent was when he was five.
So honestly, as much as he was excited, there was worry.
He knew how far behind an actor who hadn’t acted in a long time could be.
Especially a newbie without any experience who hadn’t done anything for about ten years.
That five-year-old brilliance might be lost forever.
But seeing him in person.
“Of course, it’s you!”
The worries were unfounded; Kim Donghu was still Kim Donghu.
No, he had evolved even more since he was five.
With maturity being added to the mix, Kim Donghu was unparalleled.
He showed up like a catfish that came to eat all the fish in the river.
Of course, Kim Donghu, who was receiving all this hot attention, was actually…
‘Wha-what’s going on, why is everyone like this?’
He was flustered.
+++++
A few minutes before entering the audition.
I was waiting to audition with the other kids.
“There are so many people.”
Three thousand applicants.
My waiting number was 444.
Even though it was a relatively early number, I had a four-day wait.
“But that number is ominous; why 444 of all things…”
“It’s good, it means you’ll win, it’s a killer number!”
Min-hyuk glanced at my number tag, and Kang-sik hurriedly responded.
The party involved doesn’t seem to care, though—what a surprise.
“Why are you guys making such a fuss?”
I’m the only one who’s even allowed to skip school.
Min-hyuk naturally followed me.
Kang-sik insisted he would definitely come, waiting right in front of my house from the start.
Then there’s Shin Ye-rim.
“I’m 1562,” she said, sighing heavily as she looked at her number tag.
Not long after I applied, Ye-rim told me she had submitted her application.
“I checked a few places, and they said most people just act according to the script and face rejection. They might need a little seasoning!”
“Seasoning?”
“Yeah, Dong-ho, I think you have to… share in the pain of creation to build your character.”
Min-hyuk seemed to have scoured the internet, throwing out random bits of information he had picked up.
But somehow, it actually sounded somewhat plausible.
“Hmm, should we maybe create an image?”
“Image?”
“We need some character traits, right?”
“Yeah! That’s what I wanted to say!”
“Wow, Min-hyuk, you’re actually helpful!”
“Ha! Of course! I’m your road manager, after all!”
Oh, so you’re sticking to that claim, huh?
As soon as I praised Min-hyuk, Kang-sik adjusted his glasses.
“Uh, I found the information. I did.”
I figured as much.
Honestly, there’s no way we could easily obtain such high-quality info.
It was all possible because Kang-sik was the best with computers among us.
“Thanks, Kang-sik.”
“What about me?”
“Ye-rim, you… uh, thanks.”
What’s with everyone wanting praise like starving puppies?
I chuckled softly while checking the script in my hands.
Typically, audition times last about 2-3 minutes.
The script was short to match that time frame.
“There’s definitely room to change the script.”
There were about three lines for self-introduction.
The rest was talking about what school life is like or what kind of person you are.
In simple terms, the script is basically a self-introduction letter.
To introduce yourself out of the blue and act for a role within 2-3 minutes is quite the challenge.
“So couldn’t you just start acting from the get-go?”
The key is impact.
I immediately changed into high school uniform and unbuttoned the top two buttons.
A slightly delinquent image.
If I wanted to make a strong impression, this was the way to go!
As soon as I transformed my image and walked in, I could feel all eyes zeroing in on me.
“Kim Donghu, don’t forget me when you become popular later!”
Shin Ye-rim said seriously while scanning the room.
“Y-yeah, Donghu is really good-looking.”
“Donghu! I’m definitely becoming your manager!”
Kang Sik and Min-hyuk got equally serious.
“What’s with the jokes? What’s wrong with you guys?”
“Donghu, I’m not joking; you’re the best-looking one here.”
Min-hyuk whispered as if it were some kind of state secret.
“I’m really gonna have a high standard now.”
Ye-rim sighed, genuinely worried.
“Number 444!”
Then my number was called.
I had one thing to do.
‘As soon as I open the door, I’m gonna be a punk.’
Becoming the delinquent high school freshman, Kim Donghu.
Click.
As soon as the door opened, I saw the four judges.
I didn’t even greet them; I just walked confidently to stand in front of them.
‘Now I just need to spit out my lines.’
At that moment, trying to show pure delinquency—
“Kim Donghu!!! You’re the only one!”
A guy wearing a beret jumped up from his seat.
‘Kim Youngmo PD? Why is the PD here?’
That thought barely crossed my mind before intense gazes surrounded me.
Eyes that screamed to show everything I had.
Taking a breath in that heat, I calmly continued.
“What are you losers messing around for, banding together?”
Bam!
I kicked over a chair that was originally set for the auditioners.
The important part was the momentum. Once you hesitate, it’s over.
I had to deliver a perfect performance from start to finish for this first attempt to succeed.
‘My concept is the delinquent opposing the main character… high school punk.’
When the judges’ gazes shifted from the chair back to me, I continued calmly.
“Those without talent should just shut up; what’s gonna change with practice?”
“Probably just filling numbers to get a participation prize and then patting themselves on the back.”
“This is what talent looks like.”
I placed my foot on a chair and inhaled.
Now it was time to sing.
I couldn’t sing the whole thing, so just the highlights.
I cranked up the sound of the music file I had prepared in my pocket.
“Kim Donghu!!!”
As soon as the familiar guitar riff played, Kim Youngmo called my name out loud again.
What song could I sing in the realm of talent?
What songs can be summoned in the realm of?
I’ve pondered this countless times, and the conclusion came quickly.
“I’m going for rock.”
1991.
An album that shook the world makes its debut.
Nevermind.
The band that released that album was Nirvana, and the song I will sing is…
“Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
The only thought I had while singing this song was:
“I’ll kill it.”
+++++
“…That’s all.”
It’s the moment Kim Donghu’s audition ends, and time for feedback.
Lee Minha stared at Kim Donghu in silence for a while.
No, this wasn’t only for Lee Minha.
Everyone was blankly staring at Kim Donghu.
“That’s Kim Donghu!!!!! Kim Donghu!!!!!!!!!!”
“Where did this come from? I want to capture this on camera right now.”
“Oh… praise the day I accepted him.”
“…I found it.”
A 3-minute audition, at most.
In that brief moment, Kim Donghu set the audition room ablaze.
“Uh, no… Please leave.”
Lee Minha was about to say something but ended up ushering Kim Donghu out.
It was too unfortunate that she couldn’t hold him back longer, given the next act was coming.
“Yes, thank you.”
Clunk.
As soon as he heard to leave, Kim Donghu bowed and exited the audition room.
“They say we’ll take a 10-minute break, just a short rest.”
PD Kim Youngmo keenly blocked the next participant from coming in.
“Hooouu…”
After hearing that, writer Lee Minha exhaled deeply.
Her face was trapped in a dilemma of whether to say this or not.
Then, gathering courage to speak, she raised her head.
“I’m really sorry, but I don’t think I can watch any more auditions. Is it okay if I leave?”
“Excuse me?”
“Everyone’s taking a 10-minute break to cool off, but ah… I really just… want to write the script right now.”
Her fingers were itching.
Is there a greater agony than being unable to jot down as a character breathes life right in front of her?
She desperately wanted to transcribe the answers right before her eyes.
“…Honestly, I wonder if I even need to watch more auditions.”
“…”
At Lee Minha’s words, everyone fell silent.
They all knew in their minds already.
There wouldn’t be a candidate to surpass Kim Donghu.