Ch.133Is Kim Donghu here?

“Huh?”

While checking the script for consistent role study, I discovered something strange.

“There’s one more grade added?”

It was that <Traitor: The Root of Corruption> had gained another grade. Two Bs in a row followed by a C. Doesn’t that look intentional to anyone?

“One for domestic, one for overseas… where’s the other one?”

That question didn’t last long. Anyway, I concluded it was good since it meant one more market was opening up.

>Donghu, did you really throw that pen like that?!

A KakaoTalk message arrived then.

The news must be spreading quickly. Videos from the press conference seemed to be circulating online.

<Yeah

<How’s my style?

>Is style what matters right now?! You could have gotten hurt.

Being my boxing manager, Yerim tended to worry about these things.

‘It’s about time anyway.’

Rising star.

It’s a term meaning a star that suddenly shoots up, usually used when a major rookie makes a brilliant debut.

‘And it’s a term that suits Yerim perfectly.’

It all started with a single photo.

A genius who caught a famous designer’s eye with just one photo on social media, began model training, and took over a fashion show in less than a month. That was Shin Yerim.

‘Two things held back that Shin Yerim.’

The completeness of her modeling and her past immaturity. Currently, both issues had been perfectly resolved. Plus, she now had an agency backing her.

‘All that’s left is for her to soar.’

It was simply a matter of time. The moment to end the waiting and reap the rewards was approaching.

‘Sujin is like that too… and so is Jaerin….’

We might chat and laugh together on KakaoTalk now, but as time passes and everyone gets busier, relationships could change. Sad but inevitable.

‘So we should meet up and have fun while we’re all active domestically.’

The fortunate thing was that we attended the same school.

Of course, we weren’t attending classes regularly. But having a place where we could meet was quite nice.

‘Time to go now.’

That’s enough leisure time. I started stretching and preparing to leave.

Normally, I should be traveling by van, but.

‘I’ll go secretly.’

Time for Operation Surprise Guest.

+++++

<Traitor: The Root of Corruption> public preview screening.

People gathered at the theater one by one, filled with tremendous expectations.

“Historical action is always right, always entertaining.”

“Agreed, historical dramas have their own special flavor.”

As it was a historical action martial arts film opening after a long time, enthusiasts couldn’t hide their eagerness to see it.

Moreover.

“A handsome guy next to another handsome person.”

With the unbelievable face combo of Jin Yuseong and Kim Donghu, it would be harder to dislike the film if it matched your taste.

Plus.

“Kim Donghu throwing that pen was so cool.”

“When the reporter talked nonsense, he just showed them right away.”

“He should have just shut the reporter’s mouth instead of hitting the target with the pen. Agree?”

“Yeah, that would’ve been better.”

Thanks to the flashy movements Kim Donghu showed at the press conference, the action’s entertainment value was practically guaranteed.

Therefore.

‘Donghu! I won tickets and came too!’

A passionate fan of Kim Donghu who had just become a high school senior.

‘What’s the college entrance exam compared to Donghu!’

With less than a month left until the college entrance exam, Jieunbi rushed to the preview to be among the first to see Kim Donghu on the big screen.

She was so happy when she won the tickets.

‘I wonder how cool he’ll be this time!’

With such thoughts, Jieunbi sat in her seat with excitement. Preview screenings had the great advantage of no advertisements, so you could watch the movie right away.

Not having to wait the usual 10 minutes – what greater joy could there be?

Boom!

Boom!

As the screening time arrived, the lights quickly dimmed, and just as the movie was about to start.

“I’m sorry.”

Someone entered the dark theater with a very small voice. For Jieunbi, it was shocking that someone could be late to a preview screening.

‘Why is he so tall?’

Usually, people bend down when passing by, but perhaps because of his large build, he almost completely blocked the screen as he passed.

A beanie pulled down over his eyes and a mask. The figure that completely covered his face briefly caught her attention.

“I’m sorry.”

Another apology followed. The man, who sounded quite young, plopped down next to Jieunbi.

‘Did he arrive late because he was buying popcorn and cola?’

Curious about why he was late, she glanced over and caught the sweet smell of caramel wafting through the air.

Late but still managed to get all his snacks. That thought was fleeting.

-<If the country calls us traitors! Then as traitors! We will set this country right!>

-<Not as citizens! But as traitors! We will restore justice to this land!>

The movie officially began.

The story plot was very simple, as shown in the trailer.

A story of citizens rising up in anger against corrupt officials. It begins in Naju, Jeollanam-do.

And then.

-<Maggots gather and spread the stench of rot.>

When this news reaches the ears of Lee Taeseong of Gongju, Chungnam, who was brutally killing slaves, the winter mountain path battle seen in the highlight video begins.

-<You live so basely.>

The result was one-sided.

Such flashy movements that made you wonder if they really didn’t use stunt doubles. Although the reporter’s question was somewhat aggressive and rude.

‘Did he really do that by himself?’

Even Jieunbi had doubts when she first saw the action scene.

Climbing up a slope while wielding a sword. Rotating his body while advancing through the snowy path.

The dignity of one against a hundred. A well-trained warrior was truly rampaging in the movie.

‘Isn’t he just too cool?’

Clearly, one shouldn’t empathize with the villain, but Kim Donghu in his pure white robe was the very embodiment of an ideal Joseon era handsome man.

With his cold smile and lips uncomfortable at seeing things he despised. Not a single part of him wasn’t handsome.

‘Right, that question didn’t come out of nowhere.’

A question an anti-fan randomly posted on the fan cafe in the past.

『So how far do you think Kim Donghu can go with just his looks?lol

Looks have their limits too lol You all know it, answer me, how far can he go?』

And the first comment that followed was exquisite.

ㄴAll the way

No more words were needed. He’ll go all the way.

That was the truth.

‘Besides, Donghu isn’t just handsome!’

Acting skills proportional to his face. If anything, his face prevented his acting skills from getting proper recognition.

Because he so naturally perfected handsome roles, people didn’t feel how extraordinary he was.

Anyway.

After the flashy action passed and the daily life part resumed. Just when the tension had somewhat eased.

Munch munch.

Slurp.

‘What the heck.’

Suddenly, the sound of someone eating popcorn and drinking cola came from beside her.

It wasn’t long. About 2 seconds.

The man sitting next to her seemed surprised by his own noise and hurriedly put down his popcorn and cola.

Still, people did eat popcorn and drink cola during the everyday scenes, so it wasn’t really bothersome.

‘I might be overreacting.’

Even Jieunbi herself found this ambiguous. It wasn’t something to be so sensitive about.

But why was she so conscious of the man next to her? She really couldn’t understand.

‘Let’s focus on the movie again.’

And so the movie passes through the calm parts and rushes to the tension-building sections.

The battle between Cho Seonghak, played by Jin Yuseong, representative of handsome men in their 20s, and Lee Taeseong, played by Kim Donghu.

Originally on the same side, Lee Taeseong feels deep betrayal seeing Cho Seonghak who now has different intentions.

-<Sir, this is difficult.>

-<Isn’t this betrayal?>

With those words, a close-up of Lee Taeseong smiling deeply fills the screen.

“Wow, woah…!”

Female audience members couldn’t help but admire his incredibly handsome appearance.

Being so perfectly handsome at such a close angle naturally made hearts pound.

And this wasn’t just limited to female viewers.

‘Wow… crazy guy, he really knows how to use his face.’

‘Yeah, I acknowledge Kim Donghu.’

‘Ah… his face is just insane, he should be moderately handsome, seriously.’

A level of looks that even male viewers had to acknowledge. It wasn’t simply about being pretty.

Just an unbelievable handsomeness. Everyone was stunned by the shot emphasizing it.

And to continue stunning them.

-<Yes, in the end there’s only one phoenix, I was momentarily confused.>

The battle between Lee Taeseong and Cho Seonghak begins.

Lee Taeseong is already tired from slaying hundreds and fleeing. In comparison, Cho Seonghak has relatively more stamina left.

But when their swords clash, the situation completely reverses.

Heaven beyond heaven.

The gap in talent. The talent of Lee Taeseong that even Cho Seonghak, hailed as a genius, comes to revere.

The sword demon dances.

Pushed back, pushed back, continuously pushed back. The sword swung in desperation crumbles as helplessly as a dry leaf, and now even his posture is a mess, looking like mere flailing.

And then.

Whoosh!

As if slipping on the snowy path. When both sword and foot simultaneously aim for Lee Taeseong’s head.

Swish.

A small knife emerges from inside Lee Taeseong’s robe.

Left sword, right knife. Extremely different actions.

To Lee Taeseong’s sword that freely handles two blades.

Stab!

Cho Seonghak’s body is helplessly pierced.

‘Wow, woah… incredible.’

A battle so intense that one forgets to breathe. After it all ends, scenes that seem to reorganize the situation follow.

As a result, Cho Seonghak, the pillar of evil, died, but Lee Taeseong, the root of corruption, escaped.

Nevertheless, the rebels succeeded in winning the hearts of Naju’s people, so they vow to ride this momentum all the way to Hanyang.

With narration and continuing scenes, the movie ends.

As the theater lights come on and everyone is still immersed in the afterglow of the action scenes.

“Waaaa!”

Someone cheered. This was because the actors had entered the theater for a stage greeting.

Clap clap clap clap clap!

With tremendous applause, people looked at the actors’ faces and realized someone was missing.

“Huh?”

Kim Donghu wasn’t there.

“Did he miss it because of his schedule?”

It would have been so much better if Donghu had been there too. As Jieunbi muttered this, someone naturally spoke to her.

“Who?”

“Kim Donghu, Kim Donghu.”

“Kim Donghu is here though.”

“What? Where?”

“Right next to you.”

“What?”

With those words, as the man who spoke removed his beanie and mask.

“Kyaaaaaaah!!!”

Jieunbi screamed without resistance.

So the person sitting next to me all this time was Kim Donghu?

“I-I can’t believe…!!!”

She was speechless.