LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 56
『[Endless Frontlines] first day audience hits 490,000, is the million-mark countdown a go?』
『What’s up with Kim Donghu’s character? Handing out snacks to staff before the stage greeting and even taking commemorative photos?!』
『War movies still work if made well? Deep dive analysis of [Endless Frontlines]!』
『Mise-en-scène four-time winner Kim Donghu catching eyes in commercial films?! The buzz in Chungmuro!』
『Is the million promise Kim Donghu’s rice bowl mukbang?!』
Don’t doubt the box office success of [Endless Frontlines]!
Articles keep dropping like it’s a hot potato.
Starting with the first-day audience numbers around 500,000, essential for hitting that million mark.
Critics are showering praise, and audiences are flooding social media with their selfies.
People are always thirsty for a new face.
They want to see actors who guarantee box office hits, but they also get tired of them the more they see.
Someone to lead the new trend in theater.
Audiences have always been looking for that someone.
“And that someone is our Donghu.”
Choi Seok-ho proudly laughed at the mountain of business cards and scripts piled in front of him.
“Wow, that’s a lot, for real.”
They were all connections wanting to link up with Kim Donghu.
So many people want Kim Donghu!
But there is one little drawback.
“The fact that we can’t take on more work here.”
Our Donghu doesn’t have two bodies,
And the current filming schedule alone is overwhelming.
[The Swordsman Baek Dong-su] is still shooting, and [Solar Eclipse] hasn’t even started filming yet.
Adding anything more would be stretching it thin.
“I guess his schedule will be packed until the first half of next year.”
If we pile on more work, the balance of rest will shatter.
It’s not about being a quick flash in the pan,
But if he wants to be a lasting symbol, proper rest is key.
“By the way, the trend is skyrocketing.”
Is it proper to say it’s the formula for a million-hit film?
From what we’ve seen so far, [Endless Frontlines] is applying that formula perfectly.
First day around 500,000,
First week about 2.3 million!
A whopping 1.3 million moviegoers on the weekend alone.
You could say all theaters are dominated by [Endless Frontlines].
And that dominance means sold-out shows.
Just browsing online, [Endless Frontlines] reviews are everywhere.
“Han Tae-geon’s acting has really improved a lot!”
“Han Tae-geon is one thing, but Kim Donghu is just insane; that dude’s crazy!”
“Feels like war, right?”
“How would you know that? You haven’t experienced it, lol. But the psychological depth is out of this world.”
“Thanks to that, I went straight to have beef broth with steamed rice after watching the movie, haha.”
“You too? Me too, lol!”
All anyone can say about [Endless Frontlines] is that it’s fun.
the filming atmosphere was alive with excitement.
“Just look at our Goong-do! Already a 5 million star!”
The number was soaring beyond 5 million.
+++++
On the final shooting day of [Swordsman Baek Dong-su].
‘Wow, it’s already the last day.’
Half relieved, half regretful, I slowly got out of the van.
Was it because I always showed up two hours early from the first shoot?
Now, it was a habit that made me feel comfortable.
‘Wandering around an empty set is actually fun.’
As I rubbed my eyes and adjusted to the chilly morning air, suddenly—
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Fireworks erupted, and all the crew members rushed out from the quiet set.
“Goong-do! Congratulations on 5 million! Let’s aim for 10 million!”
“?!”
Surprise?
I had zero preparation for this, so I was completely stunned.
The people seemed to enjoy my shocked expression, grinning happily as they continued.
“Our child actor has been promoting the drama all by himself. We can’t just stand here!”
“I’m promoting?”
“Of course, with your show airing now, everything you’re in is bound to be a hit.”
But wait, our drama’s premiere date conveniently falls around the 3rd week of [Endless Frontlines]?
As soon as I heard that, the situation clicked in my brain.
‘So, when they said I’m promoting, that’s what they meant.’
While my popularity is peaking, a string of dramas featuring my action scenes is coming out one after another?
There’s no way they could be ignored.
Of course, all that attention would translate into ratings.
In simpler terms, it meant a chain of hits was about to occur.
“See, our Goong-do is a lucky charm! That’s why we have to celebrate!”
But celebrating the drama’s success and preparing for a surprise just hours before filming were two different things.
‘I’m grateful.’
To hide the rush of emotions, I quickly bent down to express my thanks.
If I said anything more right now, I might just cry.
‘No crying here!’
Thank goodness I’ve acted a lot, so controlling my emotions was surprisingly easy.
In a heartbeat, I composed my expression and lifted my head.
When I didn’t know what to say, the classic line worked best:
“Let’s have a great shoot today.”
Nothing beats a textbook answer.
The cheerful atmosphere continued, smoothly transitioning right into filming.
Baek Dong-su and Jawan polished their skills,
Jawan honed his skills and joined the royal guard, the Imperial Guard.
There, they were ambushed by the Sword Forest, and key figures were slaughtered.
Only a handful survived.
Baek Dong-su was filled with rage towards the Sword Forest, while Jawan began to question the very Sword Forest he originally belonged to.
“Okay, cut! That was great!”
After it became famous that Kim Dong-hu doesn’t mess up, the surrounding actors sharpened their skills to minimize mistakes.
As a result, filming wrapped up quickly.
“It’s a shame I couldn’t meet many of the other actors.”
Originally, he would have had plenty of chances to shoot with various actors.
But because of a child actor’s injury leading to body double shoots, he had fewer opportunities to meet different people.
Of course, that doesn’t mean he had no connections.
Getting closer to Jin Hyeok, who played young Baek Dong-su, was somewhat of a harvest.
Plus,
“In two years, you’re coming to our school!”
Connections through school are really important.
I smiled a little at the next words.
“But when I get there, it’ll be your graduation season.”
“Still, I’ll take care of you! Just trust me and come to Daehan Arts High School; I’ll clear the path for you.”
“Yes, thank you, senior.”
“But you’ve been feeling distant with all this ‘senior’ talk. Just call me ‘bro.’”
“No way, that’s a bit…”
“Hey, and honestly speaking, by debut year, you’re actually my senior. You shot ‘Dr. Kyaru’ when you were just five. Just call me ‘bro’ casually; otherwise, it’ll mess up the family tree.”
He wasn’t wrong.
“My debut age was five, huh.”
I took a long break in between, but that’s not something to nitpick about.
“So if we just look at the career length, it’s been around ten years? Not bad.”
Muttering to myself like that, I awkwardly opened my mouth.
“Then, Jin Hyeok, bro…?”
“Right! I hope to see you in other projects besides this one.”
And feeling like I was holding him too long, I noticed Director Oh Jae-deok looking over, eager to talk to you.
As soon as I heard that, I quickly turned my gaze to Director Oh Jae-deok.
Just like Jin Hyeok said,
‘…Does he have fire coming out of his eyes?’
I felt a burning gaze.
And that’s when I clearly realized.
‘The swordsman Baek Dong-su, filming is done.’
Another project successfully wrapped!
++++++
[Endless Frontline] Week 3.
At this point, it had attracted around 8 million viewers, in accordance with the formula for ten-million movies.
The moment when the audience reached ten thousand.
By the time people’s conversations collectively fixed on “Endless Frontlines.”
Various magazines were quickly conducting interviews with the cast of “Endless Frontlines.”
– I heard actor Kim Donghu acts that well?
– You can’t even compare, he’s probably the best among us!
– Oh, no, that’s really not true. Please… please, senior!
Hahaha.
The interesting part of the interview was Kim Donghu’s personality.
The protagonist of “Hydream” with a 30% viewer rating,
Four-time winner at the Mise-en-scène,
Brilliant school uniform model,
Lead of the upcoming million ticket movie “Endless Frontlines,” etc.,
Every single one of these elements could easily puff up his ego.
But Kim Donghu remained unchanged—warm, polite, and humble.
– With about 2 million tickets left until ten million, may I ask what rice you plan to eat?
– Ah… I actually think nothing is confirmed yet, so I’m still contemplating.
Tick.
With a simple remote control action, the interview screen stopped.
“What does this mean?”
The marketing team leader asked while the executives silently stared at the ongoing PPT.
A face that seemed to say, “Oh? What does it mean?”
The marketing team leader adjusted his glasses and continued speaking.
“Doesn’t this mean that he has not chosen what rice to eat for the promise of ten million viewers?”
“Uh, huh?”
Does it become like that?
“Then if we hit ten million now, and the rice he eats is our Ottobap, how about that?”
!
The executives quickly realized why the marketing team leader had gathered them.
“Could it be…!”
“Right now, Kim Donghu’s value is continuously rising, and there are opinions that now is the best time to buy!”
Could we let such an opportunity slip away?
Until when should our Ottobap be overshadowed by fresh rice?
The executives stirred at those words.
Not a single statement was untrue.
“Honestly, quality? We don’t lag behind either. It’s just our marketing that’s lacking.”
Therefore, I strongly advocate for Kim Donghu to be the new face of Ottobap!
At that statement, the executives nodded as if they were ready to shout for approval.
At the same time.
“Which instant rice are we talking about? Isn’t it fresh rice? After hitting ten million, if the rice Kim Donghu eats is fresh rice!”
How great would that be!
Fresh rice was thinking the same thing.
The wave of Kim Donghu was crashing endlessly.