NOVEL WEB Chapter 5
Child actors indeed make a fantastic launching pad for entering the entertainment industry.
Building up experience from a young age means you’ve got a solid foundation.
No doubt it helps significantly when trying to become an actor later on.
But.
“It’s 2001.”
The so-called age of romance.
It had just been 10 years since the war on crime was declared.
At this time, the shady characters were closely collaborating with the entertainment world.
“Jumping into the industry now is insane.”
Unless you have a solid backup, of course.
“Besides, I’m not planning to become an actor right away anyway.”
Just how far does the power of connections really go?
This was merely an opportunity to confirm that.
“And this is sort of an investment.”
They say childhood connections are futile, but that’s only because you’ve built connections of that level.
A quick glance.
I saw Kim Yu-ryun sneakily pulling out a business card behind the wide-eyed PD, Kim Youngmo, after hearing my rejection.
She probably intended to hand it to her mom.
“This will do.”
I confirmed my entertainment talent and even received the business card of a top star.
I could say I had achieved everything I could at this age.
If I were to ever enter the entertainment industry, that single card would be a massive opportunity.
Also, my connection with Kim Sujin would surely be a huge help.
“I never even had a chance in my past life.”
Seriously, he was good-looking, enough to make you wonder.
“Thanks.”
“Huh?”
Of course, I didn’t let it get to my head.
This opportunity was thanks to Sujin, so I made sure to express my gratitude.
“What are you thanking me for?”
“Thanks to you, I got to appear with Dr. Kka-ru-rr, and not just anyone can do that.”
“Then, hold my hand.”
Feeling like she was on top of the world, Kim Sujin immediately switched to princess mode.
Seeing moments like this, you could tell she was a born entertainer.
A tight grip.
As soon as I took her hand, Kim Sujin burst into a delighted giggle.
Watching her, I briefly fell into thought.
“How differently could I live now compared to my ugly past life?”
The only thing changed between my past and present life was my appearance.
It had changed drastically, but I was still curious.
Just how far could I soar?
+++++
After firmly rejecting Kim Yu-ryun’s offer to take me home, my mom and I hopped into a taxi and zoomed straight home.
“My son is appearing on TV! And getting so much praise!”
It had been ages since I had seen my mom smile like that.
I didn’t see much of it in my past life.
They say even hedgehogs think their babies are cute.
But without that hedgehog around, how could the baby ever receive love?
“Is there really no way you can do it?”
“But really, you’re sure you don’t want to do it because of your mom and dad, right?”
“No, really, I’m fine.”
Getting into the entertainment industry can wait until later.
Once YouTube really takes off, the power of personal media will skyrocket.
What I should do right now isn’t to obsessively dive into one specific field.
It was more about stacking up various builds like an octopus’s tentacle.
‘Strangely enough, it feels like I’m playing a game.’
Maybe it was because I had played [The Sims – Real Life] for so long.
Even though I had been reborn, I was understanding my current situation like a game route.
Maybe this was also part of a 천의 재능, a heavenly talent.
Controlling emotions and analyzing situations could also be considered a talent.
“My mom is so proud of our son… earning appearance fees too.”
Saying that, my mom handed me a thick envelope.
Since it was a time before 50,000 won bills were released, it felt different in thickness.
“I don’t want you to pay me back later when you grow up, since this is the first money you’ve earned splendidly.”
Suddenly, my mom seemed overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes turning red.
Now that I think about it, my mom was really an emotional person.
I held her hand tightly and used my other hand to peek inside the envelope.
‘What the heck.’
I had a hunch about the thickness, but the amount was insane.
It’s not like child actors usually earn a lot at this age.
‘Thirty? For a five-year-old who just made one appearance?’
Rubbing it.
I couldn’t believe it, so I touched the outer part of the envelope, but there was something that felt different from the bills.
Swoosh.
As I opened the envelope a bit more to check, it was a business card.
‘It’s Kim Youngmo PD’s business card.’
This wasn’t just an appearance fee; it was a kind of investment.
Since I’m this much involved, if you’re interested, feel free to contact me anytime.
‘But is that for me?’
I knew the atmosphere was good.
But that’s different from judging how well the overall broadcast would do.
‘Well, I’ll figure it out when the show airs later.’
And just like that, time flew by, and two weeks later.
The broadcast day for [Dr. Kya-Ruk!] had arrived.
+++++
[Dr. Kya-Ruk!] usually starts at 7:30 in the morning.
During that busy time when parents have to drop off their kids.
It was a show that parents would put on to briefly divert their children’s attention.
At the same time, kids do exercise and learn general knowledge.
Not putting it on would seem foolish.
‘It’s definitely convenient.’
I’m not too keen on letting kids watch TV from a young age.
But Kim Seongha was holding the remote for his smooth morning preparations.
He heard it.
In order to relax before the busy morning routine, it was an unavoidable choice.
“Son, let mom catch her breath for a moment.”
Ding.
While thinking that, Kim Seongha turned on the TV.
Of course, the channel was Toon Train.
“Waaa! It’s Dr. Ggarruck!”
As soon as he turned it on, the kid who had been lying in bed came rushing over and plopped down in front of the TV.
How does he hear the TV from that far away?
It’s his son, but he really had no idea.
“Is this really that fun, son?”
“Yeah, huh? There’s a new kid!”
At those words, Kim Seongha paused his morning prep and briefly glanced at the TV.
New faces are always interesting.
On the screen, a boy naturally began his introduction.
“I’m Kim Donghu. I’m from Rainbow Kindergarten, and I’m Su-Jin’s partner. My favorite is Su-Su Exercise.”
A typical self-introduction.
Usually, you talk about your kindergarten, who you are, what you like, etc.
But at that moment, Kim Seongha couldn’t take his eyes off the screen.
First of all, he was good-looking.
But it wasn’t just that he was good-looking.
Did he have a magnet that drew people’s attention?
It was strangely captivating.
He didn’t say much.
Just a self-introduction, a bit of daily chat, and exercises with Dr. Ggarruck.
Even with just those three things, he made a lasting impression.
“Wow… Donghu is really cool.”
His son seemed to feel the same way, drooling as he watched the TV.
+++++
“…Is this really what I’m watching right now?”
“I can’t believe it either.”
Director Heo Sangseok asked back, dumbfounded, as he looked at the viewership ratings.
Kim Youngmo PD was equally stunned, standing there in disbelief.
“The viewership of a children’s program, especially one airing at 7:30, is 12%?”
That was an absurd figure.
Of course, this wasn’t talking about average ratings.
“When Donghu introduced himself and did exercises, the ratings shot up.”
“…Double our ratings, you mean.”
At the moment Donghu appeared, the ratings suddenly spiked and then returned to normal in the second half.
“Well, that’s something.”
Heo Sangseok turned away, looking exhausted.
– I’m Kim Donghu.
There was a loop of just the parts featuring Kim Donghu being edited and replayed.
“When we were desperately trying to raise the ratings, they never budged…”
So, in the end, what’s important in a children’s program was the children, huh?
Kim Youngmo, who belatedly witnessed this truth, slapped his forehead.
His expression was one of realization about where to focus moving forward.
“Shall we revamp the program?”
“What’s the plan?”
“First, let’s make Donghu the main star…”
“Stop it, we agreed not to.”
“Did you not get in touch?!”
Kim Youngmo made a face that screamed disbelief.
After providing the participation fee and even slipping in a business card, you mean to tell me there’s been no response at all?
“Right, no contact. What do you want to do about a kid who doesn’t want to participate? Go search their house? You’ll end up in jail!”
Was that whole ‘I’m done’ thing for real?
By now, they should’ve been a popular star at kindergarten, right?
This was a first for Kim Youngmo PD in his entire career.
When it comes to kids, who wouldn’t want to be on a TV show and hog all the spotlight?
There’s no way it makes sense to have received zero contact!
‘What on earth are they doing?’
Right now, the boy, Kim Donghu, who’s hogging the spotlight, is…
Blub blub blub.
“It’s tougher doing this after a while.”
He was vigorously swimming in the ball pit.
+++++
After the [Kya Ruck Doctor!] broadcast.
I had to endure a chaotic kindergarten life.
I knew it was a self-inflicted disaster, so I had to be patient.
“Is there really a person inside the Kya Ruck Doctor costume?”
“So, what’s it like outside? Is the broadcast station super big?”
“Did you see that, Yoonji? I really like Yoonji!”
“When you hear the Kya Ruck Doctor laugh for real, does it actually go ‘kya ruck’?”
“They say the broadcast station can transform into a robot—is that true?”
The relentless curiosity bombs of the kids were quite exhausting.
I thought it would end in a day or two and answered each question one by one, but…
‘I never dreamed this would drag on for a month.’
Had the kids forgotten the word ‘tired’? Whenever they found a break, they bombarded me with questions about [Kya Ruck Doctor!].
Normally, Sujin would step in to cut them off around here, but…
‘Guess it’s about time to move again.’
Sujin was busy in many ways.
As I recall, around this time she should be starting to look for an agency and getting ready for roles.
‘Now that I think about it, it’s almost time to graduate from kindergarten.’
Starting next year, she would be going into preschool.
‘So, I’m going to see that girl again…’
The girl who cried because she didn’t want to partner up with me.
Looks like I’m meeting her again.
While lost in such thoughts, before I knew it, dismissal time was approaching.
As parents began to arrive one by one to pick up their kids, an unexpected face came into view.
“Kim Sujin?”
Why is she here when she didn’t even show up for school?
As I stared at her in confusion, she exclaimed,
“Donghu!”
Our eyes met.
“Hey, if you have a moment, do you want to go hang out somewhere?”
Suddenly?