Ch.219I was just kidding.

Looking back at the 2020s when I returned.

At first glance, 100 million views on YouTube might not seem that impressive.

Back then, there were quite a few videos with billions of views.

Top-tier content could reach 100 million views in just a few days.

But that was only for those who already had an established foundation.

For newcomers, 100 million views was an incredibly distant number.

Yet Sims was talking about 100 million.

‘They’re not mentioning the timeframe, but from the context, it seems like it’ll happen within a month?’

If the standard for a hit was how quickly it reached 100 million views.

This meant achieving it within a month at minimum, or as quickly as two weeks.

What could be the reason?

‘Because I’m in it?’

This was actually the most likely explanation.

Otherwise, Sims wouldn’t have sent such a message.

‘But then, the ripple effects won’t end here.’

The butterfly effect stemming from this would be enormous.

I briefly wondered what future awaited before stopping myself.

Now wasn’t the time for that.

“Could we have another take of the performance, please!”

“Sure!”

Giving my all for the music video shoot.

And then.

“…Isn’t this too provocative? Is this really okay?”

“What’s the problem? We’re both adults. Don’t they do this kind of thing in Korea?”

“Of course not.”

It was time to focus on the choreography that had been naturally added.

While the music video itself didn’t include much dancing.

Following the suggestion that it would look better if we danced together.

I suddenly found myself dancing pressed against Evelyn Queen Ember.

It wasn’t extremely provocative or suggestive.

Our outfits were formal to begin with—a suit and a dress.

There didn’t seem to be any issues.

‘But those eyes, seriously…’

Evelyn’s intense gaze was the problem.

Whether she was deliberately trying to enchant people or if this was just her natural state.

She looked at people more purely and straightforwardly than when she performed in Ghost of the Opera.

Yes, purely.

Despite having broken up with someone she loved.

Those eyes still holding deep lingering feelings were incredibly captivating.

Her blue eyes trying to hold onto someone.

Followed by a faint smile.

This woman who usually showed such a confident image.

Suddenly displaying vulnerability created an appeal beyond imagination.

‘No wonder they call her the next-generation diva.’

Disney didn’t just bring her on board for nothing.

She looked like a fairy.

Not in a typical long dress.

But in a short skirt that fluttered at the edges, making it even more noticeable.

In this situation.

I mentally sang the national anthem while.

“Great work everyone! We’ll shoot a few more takes, and replace scenes with better ones as we go!”

“Got it!”

I continued through the challenging shoot.

++++++

In the end, the music video shoot took a total of 8 days.

When I heard about the appearance fee, I was shocked beyond imagination.

“They’re paying that much?”

“I know, I was surprised too… Honestly, isn’t this amount almost like embezzlement?”

I had thought of it almost as a friendly appearance.

I participated as a way to repay them for helping with the musical.

So I was taken aback when such a large sum suddenly appeared.

“I think that… you know, Mila really, um, likes you.”

“What? What did you just say?”

“Huh? Mila.”

“…?”

Wasn’t it Mamila? Why suddenly use a nickname like Mila?

‘Come to think of it, they were always huddled together talking during shoots.’

Figuring they had their own circumstances, I brushed it off lightly.

‘It’s their private life anyway.’

Anyway.

As time passed.

After all of Evelyn’s schedules were sorted out, the filming for Tarzan officially began.

Of course, before actually standing in front of the camera.

“Haha, the order got quite mixed up, but I thought we should still do what needs to be done.”

“I agree. It’s unusual to film action scenes first and then do a script reading.”

A script reading was conducted under the pretext of checking our condition.

To be honest, their intentions were transparent.

‘The action scene itself was probably a test… they’ll doubt me until the very end.’

No matter how much power the producer, Verirad Ice, had.

In the end, it was Disney that could change the overall flow.

They probably watched the footage we shot multiple times.

And only then decided to proceed with the script reading after fully accepting me as the lead.

There was a reason why no other actors were present at that time except me.

“Just approach it with a relaxed mindset. It’s just a reading after all.”

I nodded lightly at the words of a staff member who seemed important.

I thought only the producer and director needed to know, but.

‘Why are there so many titles?’

Among the numerous name tags, not a single title was repeated, making it quite complicated.

Clearly, moving such a large ship required many sailors.

‘I just need to focus on doing my part well.’

I pushed away distracting thoughts.

After all, actors speak through their acting.

With that in mind, I slowly headed to the seat marked with my name.

A ∏-shaped seating arrangement.

Ironically, my seat was exactly in the middle.

Why would they assign me the seat usually reserved for the director or producer?

‘It’s territorial.’

Knowingly or unknowingly.

People kept demanding proof from me.

A position where everyone could keep watching me.

To see if this person was worthy of playing the lead in Tarzan.

After all that looking, testing, and demanding proof.

Their intention to test me until this moment was obvious.

‘I didn’t even get this treatment in Korea.’

I knew earning money in a foreign country wouldn’t be easy.

The standards applied to foreign workers were certainly strict.

‘It’s probably the same everywhere.’

Honestly, I thought it was natural.

How many people would want to be in this position?

Probably at least five.

And there must be three or four who wanted this role but couldn’t get it.

That’s why they want me to prove myself more.

To show I deserve to be Tarzan over all of them.

‘So that’s why they prepared this scene for the script reading.’

The scene where adult Tarzan meets the leopard Sabor and engages in a life-or-death battle.

That being the first reading.

Their intention was so obvious it made me laugh.

“Is something amusing?”

“No, I’m just happy to be doing a script reading with such wonderful people.”

After everyone laughed lightly at that comment.

As the script reading was about to begin.

I could feel everyone’s eyes fixed on me.

Yes, if that’s how they want to watch.

‘I’ll show you.’

I make eye contact with the actor playing Sabor the leopard sitting to my left.

It was time to unleash emotions toward the enemy who killed my parents.

+++++

Killing and being killed.

Killing others to survive, to eat.

In modern times, this has become extremely rare.

Humans no longer hunt pigs for food.

When viewing the law of the jungle as a concept of extending life.

That concept no longer exists in human society.

Only beasts.

It can only be seen in the relationship between a lion and an impala running across the green savanna.

That’s why it’s actually very difficult for actors to capture this emotion.

The act of killing to eat has become unfamiliar to humans.

From leopard Sabor’s perspective, Tarzan was prey that he failed to kill before.

From Tarzan’s perspective, Sabor was an enemy threatening his life.

There exists no grudge between them.

Tarzan didn’t know at the time that Sabor had killed his parents.

Even if he did, it wouldn’t change anything.

‘So you’re supposed to be such a great actor? What are you going to do now?’

In a situation requiring unfamiliar emotions.

William Smith, the actor playing leopard Sabor, looked at Kim Donghu.

‘!’

The moment their eyes met, his body froze.

He saw the contorted face of a man.

The face of someone who sees a threat to his family.

Someone perfectly adapted to the world of survival of the fittest.

A primal desire to kill the opponent.

That killing intent poured directly onto William.

‘W-what kind of look is that!’

Eyes that truly wanted to kill him.

Crack.

The pen in his hand looked like a sharpened stone spear.

A deadly weapon that could pierce his throat at any moment.

“…I can’t forgive you, I must kill you.”

And a voice mixed with bestial wildness.

These two elements instantly dominated the script reading scene.

Whoosh!

Gazes were locked.

Bang!

With that sound, Kim Donghu’s fist slammed down on the table.

Exactly as written in the script.

The part showing grip strength strong enough to break a branch.

“I will kill you and wear your skin.”

Donghu’s Tarzan was lively, courageous, and pure, while simultaneously.

Being a Tarzan who had adapted to the jungle better than anyone and understood survival of the fittest.

An innocent child who wanted to become family with the gorillas.

And a hunter who alone among the gorillas could wield a stone spear.

Such a hunter challenges leopard Sabor.

And that challenge.

“…Uh, ah, um.”

Sabor couldn’t properly respond.

More precisely, William was the problem.

His mouth wouldn’t work properly.

He was completely overwhelmed by the pressure.

No wonder, as Kim Donghu currently weighed about 100kg.

Standing at about 187cm with most of it being muscle.

He was intimidating even when just standing still.

‘H-heavyweight champion….’

His physical prowess was already well-known worldwide.

And now such a person was facing someone saying he would kill them?

Exuding killing intent while deliberately holding a pen?

Who could possibly respond properly to that?

The instantly created tense atmosphere.

Even Evelyn, who thought she knew Kim Donghu, was startled when.

“In Korea, I used to do script readings this way, and just now I played around a bit more… what do you think?”

As the atmosphere suddenly relaxed with Kim Donghu’s words.

“Ah, hahaha… hahaha! D-Donghu, please… please don’t joke like that.”

Producer Verirad Ice and.

“Korean, are Korean jokes always this spicy? Does eating spicy food make everyone like that?”

Director McGroi Drom hurriedly tried to lighten the mood.

‘How could you bring a lion in human skin to a reading!’

‘Who suggested doing this? Reading like this will intimidate all the actors!’

‘Oh my God… I really thought I was going to die today.’

‘Wait, but… did that table really crack when he hit it? This is solid wood!’

The staff finally remembered how to breathe, while.

Only Kim Donghu.

“If not like this, should I raise the intensity even more? Hahaha.”

“Please! Please don’t! Donghu! Calm down! No! No! No!”

“I was just joking.”

“Please!!! No more Korean jokes! Absolutely forbidden from now on! If you make Korean jokes, you buy ice cream!”

“Ah… but this is what makes my life fun.”

“It makes our hearts drop!”

He continued joking.

He’s truly insane.

Better not mess with him.

That thought firmly planted itself in the minds of the Tarzan staff.

++++++

At the same time.

In a broadcasting station studio conference room.

“Kim Donghu is in America now, right?”

“Yes, I heard he’ll be active there for about a year?”

“Really? That’s perfect then.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve been thinking about Kim Donghu traveling across America with a food truck alongside a professional chef. What do you think?”

A new variety show was about to hatch from its egg.