Life is Easier If You’re Handsome

Kim Donghu’s consecutive wins at the boxing tournament were

being mentioned to some extent this time, unlike last time.

『 Main job as an actor, side gig as an athlete?! Kim Donghu wins high school TKO in record time – “Truly a king” 』

“Whoa… I watched the video, and it’s on another level?”

“Yeah, but his style feels like he’s intentionally going for an inside fight.”

“What the…?”

“I can’t say for sure, but it feels like he’s charging in to get it over quickly?”

“Reading the comments, that seems to be the case.”

“It feels less like he’s throwing punches and more like he’s shoving;”

“Yeah, right? With actual striking, it’s hard to get that airborne.”

“So does that mean the main job actor is holding back in the boxing tournament so the opponents don’t get hurt?”

“Yup…;;”

“Geez… But I mean, when he runs on his hands, come on;;”

[Pushman!] hit a staggering 30% viewership right after.

Kim Donghu further solidified his fame in South Korea.

His refreshing, unrestrained demeanor naturally garnered goodwill.

But on top of that, he’s good at sports?

“Kim Donghu is just the perfect son-in-law…”

“No, he’s the kind of perfect son-in-law that even other perfect sons would envy…”

“That perfect son-in-law who makes even the other perfect ones jealous is just exactly Kim Donghu…”

“Whoa, but how does he suddenly pull a 30% viewership like it’s nothing, isn’t this just a drama?”

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“Before this, it was just barely at 13%, and now he’s more than doubled it?”

“Still don’t know? Still need to prove it? Kim Donghu = Box Office, just memorize it, okay?”

“Seriously, lol.”

People wanted to know more about Kim Donghu and see more of him.

And this moment was crucial.

Excessive attention could lead to trouble,

so it was necessary to manage it properly.

That’s why…

“Hmm… Donghu, I’ve checked all the ads that have come in, and I’ve sent you the list, okay?”

– Yes, yes.

“There’s a project in the works as well, but how can we increase your activities? There are a fair number of variety show requests coming in.”

– I think now is a good time. I’ll check the CFs and get back to you.

“Right, good thinking. Honestly, I also recommended that direction; anyway, don’t worry and rest well.”

– Yes, thank you.

Thud.

Kim Donghu coordinated his schedule,

and Choi Seok-ho happily adjusted his own schedule too.

Like this,

most people were feeling good about their connection with Kim Donghu.

However, there was a nearly singular presence feeling uneasy.

“Why… why did you leave me behind?”

That was Ryu Jaerin, the center and visual of Bloom Bell.

Jaerin felt really good when the [Pushman!] ads first came out.

There was excitement about seeing Donghu on TV again after a long time.

But…

“How does she keep getting tied to him?”

When she learned that Su-jin was going to appear with him,

her expression couldn’t help but show her fury.

‘While I’m working, this is just too, too crossing the line.’

Why is she playing around with someone else’s husband?

‘Because I’m busy!’

Honestly, looking at the environment to become close, Jaerin had the upper hand over Su-jin.

Su-jin was in a different grade, but Jaerin was in the same class.

So if they stuck together,

it would have been possible to always hang out.

Unfortunately, the schedule of a newly debuted idol was practically murderous.

From university performances to cosmetics ads and various events,

there was no way to go to school.

Of course, Kim Donghu was in a similar situation.

He hadn’t attended school for about 8 months while preparing for a play,

so the time spent away was similar.

But…

“…Why is it not enough that she’s always with him, now they’re even appearing together on variety shows?”

The real problem was that while she couldn’t be with him,

Kim Su-jin spent that time with Kim Donghu.

-“Yeah, for sure. Su-jin is cute and pretty.”

“….”

Hearing the words she didn’t want to believe coming from Kim Donghu,

Jaerin tightly closed her eyes.

‘We live right next door and even shared meals with Grandma.’

Is there a limit to how close they can get?

Isn’t being personally close supposed to be the endpoint?

‘Why do I have to feel like I’m falling behind?’

While thinking about that, Jaerin glanced at the plan she had made.

With a password secured on Word, a thorough security measure,

the title of the first line in that plan.

【♥Joint project for Donghu and me to appear together in a virtual marriage♥】

Seeing that, Jaerin steeled herself.

“This is something I can’t yield.”

Even if it’s virtual, officially marking a marriage

is as effective as there is in any world, she was sure.

++++++

Time quickly passed to the end of October.

Today, I woke up slowly from bed while checking my schedule.

‘First script reading, huh.’

Today was the day for the first script reading of [Traitor: The Bud of Corruption].

As the schedule went on like this,

there weren’t many chances to go to school.

‘So this is why they keep calling it Daejong High, Daejong High.’

In a typical situation,

it should’ve been a case of failing a year, and yet they acknowledged attendance.

I didn’t have to worry about repeating a year while engaging in broadcasting activities.

‘But it seems I’ll be coming out a bit later than expected.’

[Traitor: The Bud of Corruption] was divided into a total of five acts,

with each act introducing characters and how events unfold.

The stories neatly bound together formed a narrative.

It borrowed a very loose style of an omnibus format.

‘But if I’m being called from the first read, does that mean we’ll be doing the entire thing today?’

Or will it start from a scene in the later half where everyone is matching their cues?

‘I guess I’ll find out once I go.’

In a typical script reading session, I should be preparing from now, but for some reason, the time was slightly delayed, so

I had a quick breakfast before lying back down in bed.

On a day I could legally skip school,

it was really hard to resist sleeping in.

+++++

At the same time Kim Donghu was napping, at the [Traitor: The Bud of Corruption] script reading venue.

The place was bustling preparing for the script reading,

“Don’t leave that there! And, take out the green tea for Jin Yuseong, he likes green tea instead of water.”

“Since it might get hungry in between, prepare some snacks.”

“Should we just do toast or something?”

“Hmm, there are actors managing that, so let’s coordinate with the managers so it doesn’t get out of hand.”

“Got it.”

It was busy all around.

“There’s about three hours left, so let’s hold on a bit longer!”

“Yes!”

About three hours remained until the script reading.

This was a timeframe that was noticeably different from what Kim Donghu knew.

“Did you convey the info properly to Kim Donghu?”

“Yes, I deliberately said it late.”

“Good, that works. Did you inform the other actors as well?”

“Yes, I told them in advance that Kim Donghu would be arriving late for his appearance.”

“Right, that way there won’t be any unnecessary chatter, and Kim Donghu won’t get blamed.”

The director of [Traitor: The Bud of Corruption], Yoon Seong-bin, nodded in satisfaction.

‘The seating arrangement is very much to my liking.’

The shape of the desks looked like the letter “P”.

He would sit in the center,

while on the left were more than five chairs,

and on the right were only two chairs.

It had the appearance of being in opposition with a judge in the middle.

This was also the seating arrangement that Yoon Seong-bin intended.

“Right away, it should be clear who is on whose side to enhance immersion.”

[Traitor: The Bud of Corruption] was a movie that clearly split good and evil.

‘It’s a kind of morality tale.’

The struggle of the oppressed wielding swords against the corrupt nobility.

So it was necessary to establish some competitive dynamics through this structure.

As soon as the neat setup of the script reading venue was completed,

not long after, the actors began to make their appearances.

“Jang Geonho! Haha, it’s an honor to work together again.”

“An actor working with the director? Why would it be an honor? I’m grateful for being invited.”

Starting with the experienced actor, Jang Geonho,

a lineup of actors whose appearances guarantee box office success came forward.

They had quite a brilliant production team as well.

Among them, making a prominent entrance was,

“Am I the last one?”

Jin Yuseong appeared.

If Kim Donghu represented the handsome youth of his teens,

then Jin Yuseong was the handsome figure of his twenties.

He inherited the role of the second generation of handsome men before Kim Donghu,

and that was precisely Jin Yuseong.

With a beautifully refined appearance and pale skin,

his sharp gaze and jawline exuded masculinity.

There’s a saying that “flower boy equals Jin Yuseong.”

Even when standing still, it feels like flower petals are fluttering around his face,

and as soon as he arrived, the reading venue brightened instantly.

“Looks like everyone’s mostly here.”

Confirming that the remaining actors besides Kim Donghu had taken their seats, Yoon Seong-bin said,

“Then let’s get started on the reading immediately.”

There was no need to waste time since the camera setup was nearly complete.

“We’ll start from around Act 3.”

Act 3 was when the story began to develop in earnest,

where the oppressed people and the corrupt nobility confront each other for the first time.

“You rascals…! Aren’t you afraid of the heavens?”

With Jang Geonho’s powerful voice acting starting off,

the atmosphere of the script reading space was locked in instantly.

“Heavens? If we were afraid of the heavens, why would we be living like this? Just go ahead and kill us all.”

The reply came from the ever-reliable actor, Joo Seong-hwan, with his natural dialectical performance,

which painted the scene vividly in the reading venue.

“How can these things talk so much; it’s truly disgusting.”

And with a scowl, looking like a true noble,

Jin Yuseong’s response filled with disdain marked a turning point,

as the intensity of the script reading deepened.

The actors slowly began to focus on one spot,

‘Is it finally my turn to come out?’

‘Though it’s supposed to be a dramatic entrance, isn’t it a bit forced?’

To be assigned the task of charging in during a script reading was honestly a role that could disrupt the atmosphere.

Sure, it could be seen as dramatic, but at the same time, it could be considered a cringey entrance.

Regardless, the actors continued reading with hope.

“Why! How can this be! Between our own people!”

“Because we’re of the same people, that’s why this is all that remains. Out of my goodwill, I’ll even let you be my servant.”

With the ambiance getting more intense,

there was now no turning back, as

emotions escalated swiftly to a peak.

“…As I came, I see fleas bugging around.”

As if casually walking through the bushes,

someone entered the reading venue through the door slowly.

“Your Grace, haven’t you heard that mingling with the lower classes for long turns one into a fool?”

Merging into the role of corruption from [Traitor: The Bud of Corruption],

“Don’t bother talking; just kill them all.”

As Kim Donghu appeared, everyone’s eyes widened.

‘…I definitely called for Kim Donghu, but why….’

Could the character Lee Tae-seong from the movie breathe life?

Director Yoon Seong-bin couldn’t help but be astonished.

It wasn’t even about who acted well or poorly.

Merely,

‘He’s a real person.’

In bringing the character into reality,

everyone held their breath and gazed at Kim Donghu.

The bud of corruption had blossomed.