Ch.179Are you trying to become a real rival?

What are the advantages of being a second-generation chaebol?

It’s simply having a lot of money to spend.

“If I manage it well, I think I could get up to 100 million yen.”

Any more would be pushing it.

But this amount should be enough for an actor’s fee.

‘They said Korean actors generally get paid about this much.’

The day Kim Donghu changed clothes for the Louis Vuitton X Supreme lookbook photoshoot.

Kiyao Kaito gazed at Kim Donghu in admiration.

‘The ideal hero…!’

He looked impressive even in real life.

The hope of Asian boxing and the despair of Olympic amateur boxing.

The hitman no one could stop.

The fastest and strongest heavyweight boxing gold medalist.

That was Kim Donghu.

What would it be like if someone like him acted in a special effects show?

Perhaps he could create action scenes like never before?

‘I have to do this secretly.’

If Dad finds out, it’s over.

If my siblings find out, it’s also over.

I need to invest discreetly.

Without anyone knowing it’s me.

‘Through double, triple layers…’

Special effects shows are childish? That’s true.

But it’s also a funny thing to say.

‘By that standard, what isn’t childish?’

All content in the world is childish.

It just doesn’t appear that way.

So how can something not appear childish?

Because money is poured into it. And because it’s well-produced.

The reason people go crazy for hero movies or lightsaber action is precisely the difference in production quality.

In that respect, Japan’s Kamen Rider production technology? It absolutely doesn’t fall behind the rest of the world.

If there’s a problem, it’s the material.

If an actor with supreme acting skills and god-given looks were to act…

‘Even if that actor is from another country.’

Anyway, if it works out, it will definitely be a huge hit.

Kaito was convinced of this.

++++++

After replenishing my energy with a week of rest in Japan.

The “Will You Marry Me?” filming crew arrived.

“Japan is hotter than I expected.”

Jaerin slipped in and stuck close to my side.

“But is it okay to just come to Japan like this?”

“Ah, we also have a fan signing event in Japan. So the schedule worked out perfectly.”

I see, so that’s how it is.

I thought it was strange.

I wondered why her agency would allow her to go to Japan with a man for a mixed bath on a variety show.

Jaerin was also fulfilling her schedule at the same time.

“Did you come alone?”

“The other members will come a bit later, the fan signing is in two weeks.”

Two weeks later.

Unfortunately, I had “The Real Hero” filming scheduled then.

“I can’t go because of my schedule, sorry.”

“What are you sorry for? We agreed to meet considering all these things.”

“?”

For a moment, I wondered, ‘Are we really a virtual couple?’

“Oh, yeah, right.”

The cameras are rolling.

The quick-thinking film crew started recording as soon as we began talking.

‘That’s probably why she’s saying things like that.’

She’s definitely a three-year veteran in the entertainment industry.

Her way of speaking showed incredible experience.

“By the way, I have a concert in July, you’ll come, right?”

“Of course, we’re also having our wedding ceremony at the end of July.”

And with that, “Will You Marry Me?” will be canceled.

The contracted period was only until then anyway.

Ending everything with a wedding ceremony.

That’s quite funny too.

Anyway.

“Alright, let’s prepare for filming!”

To cut to the conclusion.

“Wow, it’s really warm in here!”

During the mixed bath.

“Yeah, it is warm.”

“But it still feels cold outside even though the weather is warm.”

“The nights are still chilly.”

“Then let’s stay close together.”

“Huh, what?!”

None of the suggestive scenes you see in manga or movies happened.

I just moved closer to Jaerin because it was surprisingly cold at night.

For some reason, Jaerin was quieter than when we met at the airport.

“Are you tired?”

“Huh?”

“You’re not saying much.”

“Oh, um, no… but aren’t you cold?”

Jaerin’s gaze lingered on my body for a while.

Actually, that’s just because I entered without wearing a top.

I could have covered up with a swimsuit top, but

I didn’t bother wearing one, thinking men only need to cover the bottom.

“D-Donghu… your body is really amazing.”

Gulp.

Why do I hear the sound of swallowing?

‘But the weather is nice.’

Renting a privacy room for an open-air mixed bath.

I thought this was a great concept that captured the romance of newlyweds.

A cool breeze blowing.

The moon visible, no clouds, and faint stars catching the eye.

Steam rising gently.

My virtual wife staring intently at my body.

And naturally, my gaze wandering too.

‘?’

At that moment, the desire I had thought about a few days ago suddenly came to mind.

The desire to have everything.

A strong possessiveness to make everything mine, accompanied by sexual desire that instantly tensed my body.

‘Wait, wait.’

A reaction is coming from a certain part of my body.

Now? Here? This absolutely cannot happen.

I hurriedly thought of the national anthem.

I could feel my body calming down.

Fortunately.

Just in case, I wore tight underwear.

Even in the worst case, nothing would show.

“…honey?”

“Huh, what?”

“You suddenly went quiet, so I called out to you.”

“Ah, you’re just so pretty.”

“…Are you really a player?”

If this had really been a trip alone with Jaerin.

And if the situation from earlier had occurred.

If we were just silently making eye contact like this.

‘I probably would have kissed her.’

It’s a strange atmosphere.

Sticky gazes lick each other’s faces and then drop away.

I instinctively feel it.

That I need to leave here now.

“Is it about time to eat?”

“Oh, yeah… I guess so?”

As I said from the beginning.

Nothing happened between us during the mixed bath.

Really.

++++++

Time flew by quickly to June.

Around the time when Kim Donghu’s overall filming schedule was wrapping up.

『”Will You Marry Me?” with a bold move! Mixed bath preview?!』

『Already surpassing 20% viewership! Going for a record high?』

『”Our Fake Marriage” at 25% viewership! The highlight hasn’t even aired yet, why?』

『”The Real Hero” filming phase wrapping up, what kind of work will it be?』

The programs featuring Kim Donghu were once again ramping up their promotion.

Among them, “Our Fake Marriage” was doing the most aggressive marketing.

Starting with viewership pledges.

Even creating social media accounts for promotion.

It was obvious that the broadcasting station was pushing it hard.

The reason KBC was doing this was partly because Kim Donghu was a guaranteed success, but.

『Who is the real bride? “Will You Marry Me?” VS “Our Fake Marriage”』

The biggest reason was the competitive structure that had formed.

“Comparing a drama to a variety show, of course ours is the real one!”

Especially the phrase ‘Who is the real bride?’ really got under Kim Cheoldo’s skin.

“This is fine as an article, it’s giving us publicity. Why are you upset?”

He was so irritated that even PD Kim Youngmo with his flat cap was surprised.

However.

“They’re planning to build an image, going for the Best Couple Award, trying to claim the image of being Kim Donghu’s bride.”

“What?”

Kim Cheoldo, who had been in broadcasting for a long time, was looking much further ahead.

“We should also create a couple award at the end-of-year ceremony and give it to Donghu and Sujin.”

“You don’t need to tell me that….”

“Ah, right. I’ll discuss this separately… Anyway, they’re being presumptuous. They’re trying to leech off us.”

“Leech?”

“Yes, our variety show currently has lower ratings, but they’re creating a competitive structure? Who benefits from that?”

“…The ‘Will You Marry Me?’ side?”

“That’s what I’m saying. We absolutely cannot go with this confrontational structure. They’re using us right now.”

Contact the reporter and tell them they’re dead if they write articles like this.

As Kim Cheoldo was expressing his anger without even a smile.

He frowned even more deeply at the real-time search rankings that suddenly jumped up.

“…Turn on ‘Will You Marry Me?’ now.”

“What?”

“I need to see why ‘Will You Marry Me?’ Kim Donghu, Ryu Jaerin is trending, so turn it on quickly! I’m so curious!”

What’s going on? What happened suddenly?

Amid such curiosity, the TV screen turned on.

The mixed bath scene from “Will You Marry Me?” appeared.

Ryu Jaerin and Kim Donghu playing in a hot spring wearing swimsuits.

This kind of setup had been filmed many times, so it couldn’t be considered a novel attempt.

But.

“Isn’t Donghu coming across as too sexy?”

It’s awkward to say this, but there was such strong sensuality that it raised concerns about broadcast standards.

Kim Donghu wearing only swim trunks in a hot spring, looking at a woman.

The impact of that scene itself was no joke.

Add to that the intense gaze that briefly appeared.

Eyes so smoldering that it was hard to believe this was a 15+ rated program.

“….”

Kim Cheoldo quietly checked the community reactions.

[Is this okay for broadcast standards? I mean, nothing really happens but lol;;;]

-He acts too well

-We all know “Will You Marry Me?” is scripted but wow….

-Thought I was watching an adult film

ㄴWhat’s with Kim Donghu’s gaze? Even just looking at her face, wow….

ㄴI honestly thought Kim Donghu was going to pounce when he stood up

ㄴSeriously

[And after all that, they just go eat?]

-Looks like they’re going to eat something else

-Ryu Jaerin lol she was so nervous

-Wow he’s really a tiger, those muscles are insane

ㄴScary, he’s just such an alpha male, I’m speechless

ㄴLook at those angry muscles, damn;;; so intimidating

ㄴI’m a guy but had a slight reaction

ㄴ????

[What did he mean when he said “you’re so pretty” before leaving the hot spring?]

-Pretty and what? Seemed like there was more to it

-There were no cameras, right? Then just hehe

ㄴCrazy guy

ㄴHonestly feels like there should have been more to that sentence

ㄴI can see why Louis Vuitton loved him, his body is so sensual and wild yet sophisticated

ㄴThat was already proven in the lookbook, it became a huge topic as soon as it came out;

ㄴWhen Kim Donghu raised his hand, did he unconsciously caress Jaerin’s thigh? Damn lol

[Everyone, don’t be mistaken]

-Kim Donghu did not have any skinship with Jaerin during the mixed bath

-Afterwards, they really just ate food innocently

-They did lie in bed together, but they both had makeup on so it was just shown briefly

-There was a scene of them getting up from bed together, but they were wearing microphones

-It’s all scripted. There was no such direction

ㄴOh, almost fell for it~

ㄴWow… I see, this was all in my head

ㄴLegendary~

Explosive reactions.

“…Huh.”

Are they really trying to become rivals?

He couldn’t help but laugh sarcastically.

+++++

Meanwhile, at the same time.

“…Donghu, let’s definitely… go to a hot spring again.”

Someone under the blanket said this while busily moving their phone with one hand.