Ch.140Yes, I’m an actor by profession.

Late May 2015.

As the Olympics were gradually approaching.

While looking around for related news.

Reporters found a truly perfect story.

“Actor Kim Donghu declares intention to become national boxing representative?! Is it true?”

“Think it’s reckless? Kim Donghu’s current record: 12 fights, 12 wins (12 KOs), 0 draws, 0 losses”

“Already no match for him domestically. The sole heir to carry on Korea’s boxing gold, ‘Kim Donghu'”

“Kim Donghu leaves for training camp in May. Destination: Colorado, USA”

“What’s he thinking? All three major networks are following Kim Donghu closely! Business upgrade too?!”

The news was that Kim Donghu was leaving for a training camp.

And it was training aimed at sniping an Olympic heavyweight boxing gold medal.

ㄴHuh? Kim Donghu suddenly boxing? That’s random lol

ㄴThat’s just your opinion lol. Kim Donghu’s boxing has been mentioned consistently, what are you talking about?

ㄴSeriously, it’s funny how people who never cared suddenly act like this

ㄴBut Kim Donghu’s main job is acting, and he’s trying for a boxing gold medal? That’s crazy

ㄴMain job is actor (appeared in 2 commercial films, both hit 10 million viewers lol)

It just hadn’t been properly mentioned.

Kim Donghu’s recent appearance in “Traitor: The Root of Corruption”

Was praised as showing the pinnacle of historical action.

ㄴIt was just legendary, with that face perfectly executing left and right sword techniques….

ㄴThe fact that everyone sympathized with the villain is really hilarious lol

ㄴSome people even felt relieved seeing Kim Donghu escape safely

ㄴHis character Lee Taesung is truly garbage scum… but because of his face… everything just becomes acceptable

ㄴA handsome madman… Kim Donghu just specializes in handsome roles

ㄴBecause he’s incredibly handsome in real life, it all started with him before Lee J lol

People eagerly commented on the articles that fanned the flames.

ㄴBut Korea hasn’t won a gold medal since 1988….

ㄴHow confident must he be to declare gold when he’s an actor?

ㄴIs it confidence, arrogance, or just thoughtlessness? lol Does he think heavyweight gold is easy?

ㄴAh, these types of people really are everywhere

ㄴHave you ever watched Kim Donghu’s match videos? He’s really good

The reactions were mostly favorable.

If he had made such ambitious statements without any achievements, it would have seemed immature.

But Kim Donghu had been achieving incredible results domestically.

All domestic matches ended in first-round KOs without exception.

In Korea, there wasn’t a single heavyweight fighter who could last three minutes against Kim Donghu.

ㄴBut isn’t that just high school level? He should fight against professionals

ㄴWe’ll see that at the national team selection at the end of this year

ㄴThen we’ll have to wait until then lol. Right now it’s just a fuss

ㄴColorado? Why is he going there?

ㄴIt’s high altitude. At over 1,600m elevation, it’s good for cardiopulmonary endurance training

ㄴThe US Olympic Training Center is also in Colorado lol

ㄴOh I see

As comments were actively being posted.

ㄴAnyway, so Kim Donghu will continue his acting work steadily

A very random comment appeared.

Suddenly talking about doing work when the topic was Olympic training.

While everyone was wondering what this meant.

ㄴA country with no boxing gold since 1988, and he’s going for heavyweight gold? If he succeeds, this story will become a movie exactly as it is lol

Everyone agreed with this follow-up.

Indeed, there probably wouldn’t be a better movie story than that.

+++++

While Korea was buzzing with Kim Donghu’s boxing story.

Drake Gym in Colorado, USA was enveloped in unusual tension.

“A lot of people are getting out of cars. What’s going on?”

“There’s filming equipment too, look. Is someone coming?”

“A celebrity? Is a celebrity coming?”

“Why would a celebrity come here?”

This was because two SUVs had just parked in the Drake Gym parking lot.

And people were pouring out of them.

Perhaps because it was just a place for working out.

Such a scene was unfamiliar and strange.

“What is it? Tourists? Did they take a wrong turn?”

“That’s possible. McCoy! Go tell them this is a gym. There aren’t many big gyms like this in Asia, so they sometimes mistake it for a museum.”

“Yes sir!”

The man called McCoy hurriedly ran toward the parking lot.

And at that moment, a man caught the eyes of gym owner Jack Drake and coach Hammer Draco.

“What the… Is that an actor? Are they here to film him?”

The first thing they noticed was his solid physique.

He seemed to be Asian judging by the people around him.

But he alone exuded an exotic aura.

“Even with sunglasses on, you can tell he’s handsome.”

“Yeah, but has he worked out? His body….”

“Drake, did you see his fists? The calluses….”

“Hmm, they’re certainly impressive. Maybe he’s filming a Hollywood movie.”

“All the way here? Without asking our permission to film?”

“Maybe they’re about to ask now.”

Owner Jack and coach Hammer exchanged words while looking at McCoy.

What could they be talking about for so long?

He just needed to simply tell them this was a gym and send them away.

Why was he taking so much time?

“Huh? What’s this? They’re coming this way?”

“What’s going on, is he just allowing them to look around?”

“Seems like it.”

“But the Asian who’s supposed to come isn’t here, and instead some random person is coming.”

Jack frowned and crossed his arms.

While tourists came without invitation.

Why wasn’t that Asian showing up at the appointed time?

‘Though there’s still about 30 minutes left.’

Still, when visiting a gym for the first time, it wouldn’t hurt to arrive early and greet people.

As various thoughts crossed his mind.

“Wow! This is really cool!”

McCoy, who kept exclaiming in admiration, came back into the gym.

“What’s going on? What’s cool?”

“Oh, remember that Asian heavyweight we talked about before?”

“Of course, we’re waiting for him right now.”

“That’s him.”

At McCoy’s words, owner Jack and coach Hammer looked at “him.”

That person with the impressive physique and fists was the Asian they were waiting for?

“He looks about 205 pounds, and he’s Asian?”

“He” was very different from the typical Asian boxer one might imagine.

He was truly the embodiment of a heavyweight boxer.

“Anyway, what did he say?”

“Oh, he asked if it would be okay to film a documentary from his country while he trains here.”

“That’s fine. We record all athlete training anyway, but as always.”

“As long as it doesn’t interfere with training and doesn’t disturb others, right?”

“Hmm? He seems to understand well. Yes, if that’s the case, it’s fine.”

Owner Jack shrugged and opened the gym door wide.

‘Still, his physique is unbelievable.’

That kind of size is rare even in the West.

His body seemed divinely sculpted.

It wasn’t just about his face.

His entire physique seemed to be in perfect harmony.

“Still, we have to do what we have to do.”

“Huh?”

As they were admiring him, coach Hammer suddenly spoke.

“We need to test a newcomer’s skills.”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

The reason Drake Gym was called the gatekeeper of heavyweights?

Because all sorts of people came wanting to try, only to be discouraged from the skill test.

There were two types of tests.

“Mitts and sparring. Usually those who get intimidated choose mitts.”

“Oh, but if he’s Asian… I mean Korean, should we speak Korean?”

“No, that’s not necessary. His English is excellent. I honestly thought he was Korean-American at first.”

“Really? That good?”

As the conversation was about to drift elsewhere.

Owner Jack brought it back to the main point.

“Anyway, we need to ask. No, McCoy, you go ask him.”

“Me?”

“Yes, fellow athletes can get acquainted slowly.”

If he doesn’t show much skill in the test, there’s no need to greet him personally.

Owner Jack said this and watched as McCoy ran off again.

What choice would this Asian make?

‘It’ll be mitts.’

Who would choose sparring right after arriving in a foreign country, before adjusting to jet lag?

That’s something everyone avoids.

Because the chances of losing are high.

That’s why 90 out of 100 choose mitts.

And only the remaining 10 choose sparring.

And of those, only 1 achieves victory.

“I wonder what choice you’ll make.”

Jack’s curiosity was resolved sooner than expected.

+++++++

Shortly after.

With a “BOOM!” sound, everyone’s shocked cheers erupted.

“He’s insane! Absolutely insane!”

“Monster! He’s a monster!”

“A handsome monster.”

The result unfolding in the ring was too shocking.

“…This has never happened before.”

Jack Drake opened his mouth wide in disbelief.

“What just happened?”

“Did anyone see that?”

The fighters around the ring kept repeating what they’d just seen, as if trying to process it.

“Why… why didn’t I see the left hand?”

“The hook came from a blind angle. We can see it because we’re outside, but face to face… wow, what is he?”

“Is he really Asian? A first-round KO at 1 minute 13 seconds in a skill test? Is that even possible?”

“He was wearing headgear! Why did he go down?!”

“Didn’t you hear that sound? I thought a grenade went off.”

“Shit! Hook, uppercut, liver shot. That combo was insane!”

“To deliver that in less than a second is really… wow, what’s his name?”

It was unbelievable.

‘It’s not just one.’

Not just one.

This was the first time it had ever happened at Drake Gym.

‘And by an Asian…’

A first-round KO against the veteran fighter set up for the skill test.

And a perfect victory without taking a single hit himself.

‘And he’s 19 years old from Korea?’

Is that even possible?

Behind his shock, Jack Drake laughed in disbelief.

“What were you doing in Korea before coming here?”

How could such talent be hidden in a small country?

This was a national waste of talent.

But despite such a question.

“His,” or rather Kim Donghu’s answer was simple.

“I was an actor in Korea.”

“An actor? Making movies?”

“Yes, my main job is acting.”

“What the.”

Jack Drake hurriedly closed his mouth as a curse was about to escape.

So now a Korean actor.

‘Knocked out Drake Gym’s level tester in the first round? And I’m supposed to believe that?’

This joke had gone too far.