NOVEL WEB Chapter 26
Kim Donghu was a hidden card for Haidream, as far as Lee Jae-yi was concerned. They had tried to keep it under wraps even in making films or reporters’ articles.
But no matter how much they tried to hide his looks, they were clearly too stunning to miss. Just a glimpse of him lit up the comment section with fiery enthusiasm.
“Is there really such a handsome guy?!”
“Who is he, not even Jin Su-hyuk?”
“But if such a good-looking guy isn’t getting proper exposure, he must be an ordinary person, right?”
People were going wild with questions like “Who is he?”, “Is he coming out?”, “What’s his name?”, and “What role is he playing?” Despite the burning curiosity in the comments, there was no satisfying answer to cool their heads.
Haidream was just happy to have something buzzing out in the open. After all, the scariest thing is disappearing without a trace. In that sense, such buzz was welcomed with open arms.
“The editing is wrapping up soon, and it’s almost time for the main broadcast,” they thought.
December was just around the corner, and before they knew it, it would be January. Since Haidream was scheduled to air in early to mid-January, there was just over a month left.
Glancing around, PD Kim Youngmo took a break from editing to check the calendar. Time was ticking away so fast, yet he had something lurking in the back of his mind.
“There are only about two days left to shoot with Kim Donghu.”
Haidream would have a total of 16 broadcasts, and Kim Donghu had a role in about 5 of them. He couldn’t even guess what ripple effect these 5 episodes would bring.
If his appearances skyrocketed in popularity, generating buzz like the comments on the articles, wouldn’t that just shake up the story of Haidream?
Then there would be extra shoots and edits to scramble through again, right?
“Ugh, just imagining that is terrifying.”
Yet, a smile lingered on PD Kim Youngmo’s face as he thought that.
++++++
On the day of the script reading for “Endless Frontlines,” people felt curious about the new spot that had been added to the table.
“Whose seat is that?”
“Yeah, it just says ‘Student Soldier Role’ without a name…”
“I heard Director Park cast him in a hurry?”
“Someone joining the schedule like this is really fresh.”
Everyone else had their character names and actor names written on the table, while that single spot stood alone marked only as “Student Soldier.”
People wondered who the owner of that seat could be, and especially Han Tae-geon, who was cast as the lead in “Endless Frontlines,” boldly asked the director.
“Director, there’s a new actor joining, are you not going to tell us anything?”
With a friendly smile, Director Kang rolled his eyes around. The truth was, even he didn’t know that much.
“Director Park insisted that it had to be him, so I just acknowledged it.”
“I got it in one go.”
In truth, I had never really seen proper acting, so it was hard to say anything definite.
What I could say for sure was that he was ridiculously handsome.
But I knew that couldn’t be the answer to that question.
“Well, we’ll be meeting soon anyway.”
“I heard it’s a newbie, but he’s a bit late, isn’t he?”
At Han Tae-geon’s playful comment, Director Kang chuckled lightly.
“Oh my, have you turned into an old-timer?”
“Come on, you know I’m just kidding.”
“I purposely told him to come a bit late; it’s his first time, so it wouldn’t hurt to get some attention.”
Otherwise, I’d have heard he’d come two hours early, you know.
At his follow-up, Han Tae-geon just rolled with it and got up from his seat.
‘So, they’re trying to get a rookie who joins in the middle of filming all nervous on purpose.’
An unknown presence that piqued everyone’s curiosity.
The question of why they had to add the role of the [Student Soldier].
They were creating a proving ground to confront that head-on.
As the script reading time slowly approached…
“Hello! I’m Kim Donghu, who will be playing the [Student Soldier]! Nice to meet you!”
With his booming voice, the once mysterious figure appeared.
At first glance, he clearly looked very young.
With a face that looked like he was just on the verge of being a high schooler.
But more than that, there was something that stood out the most.
“Wow… what a face!”
It was just an outrageous appearance.
It felt like a divine masterpiece was walking right in front of me.
It was the feeling of witnessing an ideal beauty.
Silence hung briefly over the script reading just because of his looks.
Thump, thump.
Despite just walking, the way he moved felt like a photoshoot moment.
This silence continued until Kim Donghu greeted several senior actors and the director and took his seat.
Everyone was momentarily dazed by his unrealistic appearance.
“Fi-finally, all the images I wanted have gathered.”
Wait, but that wasn’t edited?
Glancing.
Even while continuing to talk, Director Kang was watching Kim Donghu’s face.
In an era where altering one’s look with Photoshop had become trivial, and considering how many people on social media looked different in real life compared to pictures…
Could there really be someone whose actual looks were better than their photos?
What on earth had he eaten and grown up on to look like that?
‘Just ignore it; after all, what matters isn’t appearance.’
Well, if I went into detail, appearance was important, but in the end, if he couldn’t act, it was all for nothing.
I just hoped he could at least grasp the basics; that’d be enough.
If I could just capture that face on camera, it would be a hit.
“Then let’s start the script reading. Since there are no cameras today, everyone, take it easy and don’t hold back.”
“I’m starting now. Today, since there’s no camera, everyone, let’s take it easy and not overdo it.”
Hahaha.
Director Kang’s words try to ease the tension, and the atmosphere lightens a bit.
“Then, without further ado, let’s begin with the Student Soldier part.”
“Scene 165: The Student Soldier kills comrades to survive.”
The moment Director Kang’s narration ends…
Wham!
The smile vanishes from Kim Donghu’s face.
+++++
Why does the Student Soldier have no name?
Because he lived a life where even names were a luxury.
In the midst of war, amidst the barrage of gunfire.
Is there anything as foolish as having a name in a world where you don’t know when you’re going to die?
Warriors gathered under the red flag to bring about a revolution.
They were bestowed with a great destiny, yet their treatment was abysmal.
Eating dirt and chewing on tree roots had become a part of everyday life.
“What the hell is this revolution for, anyway?”
An emotionless voice escapes from Kim Donghu, no, the Student Soldier.
A boy who picked up a gun after losing his entire family in his childhood.
The words that come from that boy are chillingly cold.
Looking down, he sees a comrade dying.
Just moments ago, that guy was yelling about how he stole his food.
What a useless fool; what does it even matter?
“Yeah, I ate it. But what’s the problem with that?”
Why can’t he take his comrade’s food?
There was no one to teach him that sense of morality.
After all, no one would know if he died; he was just a worthless life.
So, does it even matter who dies?
“If I’m going to die anyway, then the person who lives should eat more.”
I have to survive, not just for myself but for my sister’s share too.
Crick crack.
The sound of cracking the floor resonates like a breaking neck in the ears of those on set.
An emotionless killing machine, a weapon that kills only with the purpose of survival.
Everyone is overwhelmed by the appearance of the Student Soldier.
“What have you brought us, Director?”
Han Tae-geon, with a gentle smile, fixates his gaze on Kim Donghu.
Never once has he thought he would be outdone in acting.
But what in the world is he showing right now?
When those emotionless eyes scan the crowd, goosebumps break out.
The mouth of the monster born from war, from violence and gunpowder, opens once again.
“Others.”
Hoo…
A deep sigh stormingly sweeps over the surroundings.
Emotions compressed to their limit.
Dry emotions that have become dull.
The expression of a machine, which doesn’t blink an eye even while killing people, gazes beyond the battlefield.
“Sister, does it really exist in the world?”
Getting a bowl of spicy soup and rice is harder than expected.
An age where one can’t even show emotions at a middle school level.
Director Kang couldn’t take his eyes off Kim Donghu from beginning to end.
‘How can someone like that exist?’
The range of emotions doesn’t make sense.
While holding a deep affection for his sister,
He acts with no emotion when killing a person.
That was something only a machine could do.
Humans can’t just turn emotions on and off.
‘But he’s doing it? The newbie?’
And on his very first script reading.
With numerous actors and staff around?
The corners of Director Kang’s mouth instantly reached his ears.
Finally, he could complete it.
Not just 100%, but 120%.
The key was none other than…
‘Kim Donghu!’
It was all about Kim Donghu.
And at the same time, there was someone who was just as shocked as Director Kang—maybe even more.
‘Did I just sign with someone utterly absurd?’
That was Choi Seok-ho, Kim Donghu’s agency representative, building tenant, and manager.
He knew he was handsome; he vaguely anticipated he’d act well.
But what he’s showing now—what on earth is that?
‘I need to revise the plan again.’
A smooth path for Kim Donghu? That seemed meaningless.
Kim Donghu’s acting skills had the power to possess everything.
So what could he do from here?
After a brief period of contemplation, Choi Seok-ho quickly reached a conclusion.
‘I’ll create an agency tailored for Kim Donghu.’
Perfectly setting up a space just for Kim Donghu.
+++++
After the shocking script reading,
Choi Seok-ho and Director Park immediately signed a contract on the spot.
As a master of negotiations, Choi Seok-ho secured the best deal,
And for Director Park, who had no issues in taking care of a rookie actor, acted decisively.
Thus, the contract for [Endless Front Line] was finalized.
Time quickly passed, and it was December again.
“Today is the last day I’ll see Lee Jae-yi.”
Before he knew it, the final filming day for Kim Donghu’s [High Dream] was approaching.