LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 4
Kim Su-jin was a child born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
She was the daughter of Kim Yu-ryun and entered the entertainment industry at an early age.
If she set her mind to it, she could shoot commercials all over the place.
But Kim Yu-ryun didn’t want her young daughter to work so hard.
“Let’s keep it just at a reasonable level.”
In that sense, [Doctor Gyaru-ruk!] was the perfect program that Kim Yu-ryun wanted.
A viewing platform for children, with perfectly appropriate attention that wasn’t excessive.
A set atmosphere without pressure or stress.
There couldn’t be a better condition as a stepping stone for her to gradually get used to the entertainment industry.
The problem was that Su-jin was adapting faster than expected.
Could it be that blood cannot lie? Her daughter quickly took control of [Doctor Gyaru-ruk!].
She had a presence strong enough to stand out among numerous child actors.
Her daughter had that talent.
But recently, she began to show an incredibly childish side.
Yu-ryun had worried that her daughter seemed to be growing up too fast and knowing the world too soon.
“Mom! Am I not pretty?”
“Huh? What are you talking about? Our daughter is the prettiest!”
“But why doesn’t she like me? Even I think I’m the prettiest.”
“Our Su-jin isn’t liked? Who said that?”
At that moment, Kim Yu-ryun’s heart sank, thinking her daughter might be bullied.
However,
“Dong-ho!”
“Dong-ho?”
“Yeah, he’s my partner. I want to hold hands, but he always says something and doesn’t.”
“Oh really? What does he say?”
“He says I’m annoying…”
“Then the princess can just ignore him, right?”
“No way.”
“No way? Why?”
“Because Dong-ho is really handsome.”
As soon as Kim Yu-ryun learned the details of the incident, she couldn’t hold back her laughter.
Her daughter, who received princess treatment everywhere, was starting her first crush.
And it was all based on looks!
“Our daughter must have seen so many handsome guys that her resistance would be strong.”
Given that she had met numerous actors since she was a baby.
Of course, she had seen a lot of high-quality appearances.
And yet, she disregarded all that and exclaimed, “He’s really, really handsome.”
Curiosity sparked, and it was quickly satisfied.
“I can see it.”
Even within her young appearance, a strong aura emerged.
It wasn’t just about her looks.
Starting from how she walked and her breathing style.
The position of her hands and how gently she waited for those around her.
And her daring words paired with shining eyes.
Kim Yu-ryun witnessed the young boy in front of her as someone who would devour the entire entertainment industry in the future.
So, she slyly nudged him.
She wanted to see how he would react.
But lo and behold?
“Waaah!”
Just a little poke and he immediately made her daughter burst into tears.
As though telling him not to play tricks like that.
Moreover,
“Don’t cry.”
He had gone from making her daughter cry to gently holding her hand and comforting her.
“Ugh… sob… sniff…”
Yet, her daughter completely fell for it and stopped crying.
What on earth was this situation?
“Well, I guess this part is understandable.”
But what about inside the program?
When the cameras were rolling and when they weren’t.
When it wasn’t time.
The difference is huge.
Even the most natural person turns stiff because of the camera.
“Dr. Ggarruk! is a jungle-like program.”
Since Dr. Ggarruk! is mainly a children’s program, the main MC’s involvement was quite minimal.
In reality, Dr. Ggarruk had very few lines and even wore a mascot costume.
If you had to pin it down, it felt like there was one authoritative judge in the middle of a personal exhibition.
In that jungle-like place, what talent would that kid show?
Kim Yu-ryun was very curious.
+++++
“Did you know a new kid came today? His name is Donghu.”
“Donghu? Donghu…”
Spinning around.
Park Chang-jin, who plays the role of Dr. Ggarruk, tilted his head.
“I’ve never heard that name before… Oh, is he Su-jin’s boyfriend?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Dr. Ggarruk was supposed to listen to a lot from the kids in that role.
A few writers, including Park Chang-jin, already knew about this kid named Kim Donghu.
Thanks to all the information Su-jin had shared.
“So, I guess the meeting went well?”
“…You were in the same room, weren’t you?”
“I didn’t have much of a say anyway, so I was just thinking about random stuff.”
“Anyway, today is all about gymnastics, so it should wrap up quickly.”
“Oh, right. We decided to keep the first part short and add some educational content in the second part, right?”
“Yep.”
Hearing the writer’s reply, Park Chang-jin put on the mascot costume.
“Alright, shall we all call for Dr. Ggarruk together?”
As soon as he said that, a standby signal came from the studio as if they had been waiting.
“But no matter how good-looking he is, isn’t he basically similar in the program?”
As he entered the studio, that thought suddenly crossed his mind.
You can’t ignore the so-called ‘experience.’
Isn’t that why society loves experienced people?
At this rate, one day we might see a terrifying hybrid of ‘experienced new hires.’
By then, maybe I’ll stop doing this.
Muttering to himself, as Park Chang-jin stepped into the studio, an amazing scene unfolded.
“Why aren’t the kids playing?”
Usually, Dr. Ggarruk! has the children do the opening separately.
They introduce themselves and engage in light daily conversations to create a sense of closeness with the viewers.
But today, the atmosphere felt unusually quiet.
To be precise, it was an active atmosphere but had a strange tension about it.
Why is there tension in a space with only kids?
Just as he was about to question it, Park Chang-jin’s head naturally turned.
“Oh.”
At that moment, he figured out the reason.
The newly arrived eel was making the entire stream its territory.
+++++
Before Park Chang-jin entered.
“I’ll guide you well.”
Before the program’s opening, Kim Su-jin stayed right next to Donghu.
Since it was his first time in front of the camera, it was natural to feel nervous.
But.
“Can’t you just introduce yourself and play?”
“Huh?”
“I’m the last one to come in, so I can go first, right?”
Bowing.
“My name is Kim Donghu. I’m from Rainbow Kindergarten and Su-jin’s buddy. What I like is Suk-suk gymnastics.”
“I graduated from Rainbow Kindergarten, and I’m Su-Jin’s partner. My favorite thing is Suksuk gymnastics.”
Bright and cheerful tone, with a beaming smile.
Plus, he never strays from his mark when the camera’s rolling.
Kim Donghu flawlessly executed everything without a hint of nervousness.
If someone saw him, they’d think he’s been on TV shows countless times.
In fact, this was all thanks to a special perk Kim Donghu had.
His genius talent made him shine brightly in any situation.
His knack for nailing the program blossomed instantly.
However, the others who didn’t know were left flabbergasted.
Even his parents, Lee Yoo-hyun, were dumbfounded.
‘Did our kid… have such talent?’
They didn’t know. No, it’d be more accurate to say they had no way of knowing.
She was a novice in this area, but one thing was certain.
‘He’s definitely different.’
His presence was on another level.
Despite standing at the very back as a last-minute addition, he couldn’t help but draw attention.
Eventually, due to a positional adjustment, he claimed a central spot.
As if it was always meant to be, he was naturally filming right in the center.
‘Why is he so at ease with the camera?’
Especially Kim Yu-ryun, who had been in the broadcasting industry for a long time, was flabbergasted.
Child actors inevitably face the limits of being a child actor, no matter how high you praise them.
Just like everyone has their tadpole days.
In the end, they can’t outshine a frog; in this regard, her daughter was a tadpole.
But then—
Suddenly, a bullfrog even bigger than that appeared.
If her daughter, Kim Sujin, was just stepping into the professional world…
‘He’s just a pro.’
What’s the difference between a pro and an amateur?
It’s whether they’re aware of the camera or not.
Amateurs are awkward because they’re aware of the camera.
Pros are natural, as if the camera isn’t even there.
This difference is hugely significant, and it’s more apparent the less experience you have.
‘Looks like PD Yangmo made a blunder.’
Did he drop in a kid via parachute? No problem.
But this parachute was carrying a huge eel.
“I, I’m Jeon Sang-moo…”
“Uh, I, I am!”
Except for Su-Jin, who’s at least related to him.
Everyone else felt awkward.
Just last week, the kids were chatting smoothly, but now their words felt like a Korean textbook.
That vibe was always there, but once a pro showed up, the contrast was painfully obvious.
“So, what do you like?”
“Me? I like everything, but if I had to choose, I’d say reading.”
Are you really five? How do you speak like that?
Everyone was staring at Kim Donghu like he was some kind of prodigy.
His mature word choice was beyond what one would expect for his age.
Before any territorial disputes from the newcomers even kicked in, Kim Donghu had everyone feeling intimidated just by his presence.
With the mood slightly deflated, the opening wrapped up.
– Now, shall we all call for Dr. Kkarluck together?
♪♩♬
With cheerful music, the program officially commenced.
“Dr. Kkarluck! Please come out!”
“Dr. Gyaru-Loo, come out!”
“Gyaru-Loo! Haha! I am Dr. Gyaru-Loo, who knows all the fun in the world!”
In this situation, what choice does the MC, Dr. Gyaru-Loo, Park Changjin, have?
“I hear a new friend has arrived? Then shall we dance a new dance together with Dr. Gyaru-Loo today, hoho?”
“Yes, sounds good!”
Without changing the atmosphere, let’s just push through.
If I care too much about the lagging kids, the whole shoot might flop.
Better to go straight to the point.
‘I’ll finish it with Su-Jin and Donghu as a duo.’
Fortunately, today would end with just a few exercises, so if we can get through this moment, there will be no problem.
“Just follow my exercise well, and you’ll grow tall and strong! Healthiness guaranteed!”
♪♩♬♪♪♩♩
The exercise begins with the song.
“Gyaru-Loo! Now, it might be difficult since it’s the first time, but with the doctor’s guidance, it’s easy!”
Although it’s called exercise, it’s actually half dance.
If it feels too much like exercise, it loses its appeal.
A dance made of the most mild flavors.
But even this level of difficulty should be quite challenging for young kids.
No, it had to be high difficulty.
‘…Why is everyone doing the moves, but you’re the only one choreographing?’
Kim Donghu started stirring the mud again.
No matter how simple the moves are, they’re unfamiliar to five-year-olds.
At that age, everything is awkward, so how could they suddenly master a newly learned exercise?
But Kim Donghu was doing well.
He moves exactly like the choreographed moves he saw once.
He truly flipped the stage upside down.
+++++
After [Dr. Gyaru-Loo!] Part 1 ended.
‘It’s fun, indeed.’
Even though my mind is still the same, my body is in a young one, so just hearing the rhythm makes me want to move and get excited.
“Did you have fun, my son?”
“Yes.”
As soon as I step out of the studio, my mom hugs me as if she was waiting.
“How was it, did you enjoy it?”
This was not my mom speaking, but Kim Youngmo, the PD.
He appeared out of nowhere, sparkling eyes matching mine.
Honestly, it was a bit burdensome and creepy.
“Yes, it was a really good experience. Thank you, PD.”
“Haha, no need to mention it. So, we’ll be seeing each other often from now on, right?”
Kim Youngmo PD smiles brightly, as if he already knows my answer.
“Eh? No, I don’t want to do this anymore.”
I said it was fun but didn’t say I wanted to do it more.