Ch.14Unexpected Catfish (2)

Appearance isn’t just about the face.

It includes hairstyle, expression, posture, and way of speaking.

Walking style and what clothes one wears.

What’s innate and what’s cultivated.

These two combined make up one’s appearance.

And this appearance doesn’t just end with being seen.

It creates an aura and atmosphere around a person.

‘…What’s with this guy.’

In that sense, writer Lee Minha felt like she was in a high school classroom.

There was nothing special about it.

Just a boy in a high school uniform walking.

Yet with just that, Lee Minha felt a sense of freshness.

‘I can see it.’

The collarbone slightly visible with the top two buttons undone.

Instead of wearing his jacket, he carries it over his shoulder, adding to his delinquent vibe.

And his casually swept-back hair gave off a beast-like feeling.

The furrowed brow showing dissatisfaction with the situation.

The slightly squinted eyes dominating the surroundings.

‘I can see it.’

Lee Minha could picture a rebellious younger man running wild.

Someone who relies on his looks and talent without practicing,

But who could soar higher than anyone with just a little effort,

A brilliant existence, a lazy genius.

That name is none other than.

“Kim Donghu!!!”

Bang!

Kim Youngmo couldn’t hold back and jumped up from his seat.

Five years old.

That was when he first witnessed that brilliant talent.

So honestly, as much as he was looking forward to it, he was also worried.

He knew how far behind an actor who hasn’t acted for a long time could fall.

Moreover, a complete novice who hadn’t done anything for about 10 years.

Perhaps he might have lost that light from when he was five years old and knew nothing.

But seeing him in person.

“It has to be you!”

The worry was unfounded, and Kim Donghu was still Kim Donghu.

No, he had evolved even more since he was five.

Kim Donghu, with the added ingredient of maturity, was extraordinary.

He was like a catfish that appeared to eat all the fish in the river.

Of course, Kim Donghu, who was receiving such passionate attention, was actually.

‘W-what, what’s going on, why are they like this?’

He was bewildered.

+++++

A few minutes before entering the audition room.

I was waiting with the kids to take the audition.

‘There are so many people.’

Three thousand applicants.

My waiting number was 444.

Despite being a relatively early number, I had a four-day waiting period.

“But your number is really ominous, 444 of all things…”

“I-it’s good! It m-means w-winning everything, k-killing everything!”

In response to Minhyeok’s comment about my number, Kangsik hastily replied.

The person concerned didn’t mind at all, really.

‘Why are you guys making such a fuss.’

Originally, I was the only one allowed to skip school.

Kim Minhyeok followed me as if it was natural.

Kangsik insisted on coming and had been waiting in front of my house from the beginning.

As for Shin Yerim.

“Mine is number 1562…”

She sighed deeply, looking down at her number.

Shortly after I applied, Shin Yerim said she had submitted her application.

“I looked around, and most people just follow the script and get rejected. Seems like you need to add a bit of flavor!”

“Flavor?”

“Yeah, Donghu, I think you need to share this… creative pain and build a character.”

Minhyeok had apparently searched the internet quite a bit, throwing around bits and pieces he’d picked up from here and there.

But it actually sounded quite plausible.

“Hmm, then should I create a bit of an image?”

“Image?”

“Don’t you need some character traits?”

“Y-yes! That’s what I wanted to say!”

“Wow, Minhyeok, you’re actually helpful?”

“Ha! Of course! I’m your road manager!”

So you’re going to keep insisting on that.

As soon as I praised Minhyeok, Kangsik pushed up his glasses.

“I-I found that information.”

I knew it.

Honestly, how could such premium information be obtained so easily?

It was only possible because we had Kangsik, who’s the best with computers among us.

“Thanks, Kangsik.”

“What about me?”

“Yerim, you… yeah, thanks anyway.”

Why are they so desperate for praise?

I chuckled and checked the script in my hand.

Generally, audition time is about 2-3 minutes.

The script was also tailored to that, so it was very short.

‘There’s definitely room to modify the script.’

About three lines introducing yourself.

And then it was about how school life is, what kind of person you are, and so on.

Simply put, this script itself was like a self-introduction.

Having to introduce yourself while acting out a role within 2-3 minutes.

It was quite challenging.

‘Then why not act from the beginning?’

The important thing is impact.

I immediately changed into a high school uniform and unbuttoned the top two buttons.

A slightly delinquent image.

This was the best way to make a strong impression.

As soon as I came back after the image transformation, I could feel all eyes on me.

“Kim Donghu, don’t forget me when you become famous.”

Shin Yerim looked around and said seriously.

“Y-you really are h-handsome, Donghu.”

“Donghu! I’m really going to be your manager!”

Kangsik and Minhyeok also became quite serious.

“You guys are joking too much, what’s wrong with everyone?”

“Donghu, I’m not joking, you’re the best-looking person here.”

Minhyeok whispered as if it was some national secret.

“I’m really worried my standards are going to get too high.”

Yerim sighed with genuine concern.

“Number 444!”

That’s when my number was called.

I had one job to do.

‘As soon as I open the door, I become a delinquent.’

Becoming a rebellious first-year high school student, Kim Donghu.

Click.

Four judges visible as soon as I opened the door.

Without even greeting them, I just walked up and stood in front of them.

‘Now I just need to deliver my lines.’

Just as I was about to show the very essence of delinquency-

“Kim Donghu!!! It has to be you!”

A man wearing a beanie hat jumped up from his seat.

‘PD Kim Youngmo?’

Why is the PD here?

That question was brief as intense gazes poured from around me.

Eyes that wanted me to show everything I had.

Taking a deep breath in that heat, I calmly continued my lines.

“I don’t know why these actor wannabes are gathering and making a fuss.”

Thud!

I kicked away the chair that was placed for auditionees to sit on.

The important thing was momentum. It’s over the moment you hesitate.

This first attempt would only work if I acted perfectly from start to finish.

‘My concept is… a delinquent high school student who opposes the protagonist’s group.’

When the judges’ gazes moved to the chair and then back to me,

I calmly continued my lines.

“Talentless ones should just shut up. What difference does practice make?”

“You’ll just fill up the numbers, get a participation prize, and console yourself thinking you did well.”

“This is what talent is.”

I put my foot on the chair and took a breath.

Now it was time to sing.

Since I couldn’t sing the whole thing, just the highlight.

I played the pre-prepared music file in my pocket at maximum volume.

“Kim Donghu!!!”

As soon as the familiar guitar riff was heard, Kim Youngmo called my name loudly once more.

What song could be sung in the realm of talent?

I had pondered this countless times, and the conclusion came quickly.

‘I’ll go with rock.’

1991.

An album that took the world by storm appeared.

Nevermind.

The name of the band that released that album was Nirvana.

And the song I would sing.

Smells like teen spirit,

There was only one thought as I sang this song.

I’ll kill it.

+++++

“…That’s all.”

With Kim Donghu’s audition over and time for evaluation,

Lee Minha just stared at Kim Donghu for a while without saying anything.

No, this wasn’t just about Lee Minha.

Everyone was staring blankly at Kim Donghu.

‘As expected, Kim Donghu!!!!! Kim Donghu!!!!!!!!!!’

‘Where did someone like this come from? I want to film him right now.’

‘Ah… praise the person who passed his application.’

‘…Found him.’

An audition that lasted at most 3 minutes.

In that short moment, Kim Donghu had made the audition room heat up.

“W-well, for now… you can go.”

Lee Minha tried to say something but sent Kim Donghu out first.

It was too regrettable that she couldn’t keep him longer since there was a next person in line.

“Yes, thank you.”

Clunk.

As soon as Kim Donghu heard he could leave, he bowed and left the audition room.

“Let’s take a 10-minute break, tell them we’re resting for a bit.”

PD Kim Youngmo tactfully prevented the next person from coming in.

“Phew…”

After hearing that, writer Lee Minha exhaled deeply.

Her face showed she was contemplating whether to say it or not.

Then, with a mind to say what needed to be said, she raised her head.

“I’m really sorry, but I don’t think I can continue with the auditions. May I leave first?”

“What?”

“I know you’re all taking a 10-minute break to cool down, but… I really want to write the script right now.”

Her fingers were itching.

What could be more painful than not being able to write down a character that was alive and breathing right in front of her?

She wanted to quickly copy the answer sheet that was right before her eyes.

“…To be even more honest, I’m wondering if we even need to see more auditions.”

“…”

Everyone fell silent at writer Lee Minha’s words.

Everyone already knew in their minds.

That no applicant would surpass Kim Donghu.