Ch.25Who is this handsome guy?

Ring, ring, ring.

As the call connection tone dragged on, Director Park’s leg-tapping frequency increased.

Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.

Why isn’t he answering?

He must know I took his number.

‘He’s not trying to ditch me before we even start, is he?’

Kim Donghu! Do you have any idea how much this movie costs and who’s in it?!

Just as he wanted to shout those words…

Click.

“Hello?”

Kim Donghu answered the phone.

But his voice sounded remarkably mature.

It didn’t feel like a fourteen-year-old at all.

“Hello, I’m Park Geumgang, CEO of Studio Geumgang. Is this Kim Donghu’s phone?”

“Yes, it is. What can I help you with?”

“I’m calling about a movie casting. I’d really like to meet with you, if possible?”

“Ah, that sounds good. Oh, by the way, I’m not Kim Donghu but his manager, Choi Seokho.”

With those belated words, Director Park thought, that makes sense.

No wonder the voice sounded too old.

‘Wait, Choi Seokho?’

Could it be the Choi Seokho I know?

Since it wasn’t immediately important, Director Park calmly continued.

“I see. Should I visit your agency then?”

“That would be great. I’ll send you the address right away. Can I contact you at this number?”

“Yes, thank you. I’ll see you there.”

“Great!”

After hearing the enthusiastic response, Director Park smiled slightly and ended the call.

‘Finally, I get to meet Kim Donghu.’

Director Park hurriedly got into his car.

In the passenger seat lay a script, waiting for Kim Donghu.

+++++

To be honest, I was curious.

Why Sims – Real Life had chosen Manager Seokho.

Big companies have their own infrastructure,

and smaller places have their own advantages too.

Of course, I knew how advantageous Manager Seokho’s contract was.

A 9:1 profit distribution ratio and an unbelievably short contract period.

But these were things I could get later when I became famous.

‘So what else could there be?’

That question was quickly answered when I witnessed Manager Seokho’s competence.

“Yes, hello. This is Choi Seokho. Did you forget? Haha, actually, I’m calling because…”

The empty office.

A place that had no signs of human habitation,

Suddenly began buzzing with energy after signing me.

As soon as the main piece—the actor—was in place,

Manager Seokho started operating like a one-man factory.

“Donghu, just tell me what kind of projects you want to do. We’re still small-scale, but you have a good look, so we can try for most things.”

“Oh, and Director Park from Studio Geumgang is coming by shortly. We’ll have a brief meeting, is that okay?”

After asking various questions, Manager Seokho looked at me seriously.

“Donghu, what kind of actor do you want to become?”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll adjust my approach based on that.”

I was slightly taken aback by the sudden serious question,

especially after he had been laughing and chatting on the phone just moments ago.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve never really considered it.’

Nothing is more dangerous than running without a purpose.

Yet there was something that prevented me from answering hastily.

“I’m not sure yet.”

“That’s fine. Take your time thinking about it. I’ll support you all the way.”

Just as the situation was starting to feel like a scene from a youth drama…

Knock, knock, knock.

“Is this Veritas Agency?”

Studio Geumgang’s CEO, Park Geumgang, opened the door and entered.

Tall with stylishly swept-back hair, he looked every bit the epitome of a successful businessman.

“Yes, yes it is.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Park Geumgang, CEO of Studio Geumgang.”

“Yes, I’m Choi Seokho, CEO of Veritas. Pleased to meet you.”

This way,

Manager Seokho quickly guided Director Park to a chair.

“Your office has a nice, lived-in feel.”

“Haha, thank you.”

“And… are you Kim Donghu? You’re much more handsome in person than in photos. I’m honestly surprised.”

Smoothly,

Director Park smiled broadly and extended his hand.

He was very gentlemanly and personable, but somehow seemed rushed.

Glancing down, I could see the front of his shoes tapping nervously.

‘He’s anxious.’

Why? Is there a reason for that?

Anyway.

“Yes, I’m Kim Donghu. Thank you for the compliment.”

After a brief greeting, Director Park sat down and immediately got to the point.

Usually in these situations, people start with pleasantries.

But his face showed he thought even that was a waste of time.

“To be direct, I want to cast Kim Donghu.”

Slide.

As he spoke, a script was placed on the table.

<Endless Frontline>

I’ve heard of this movie.

It depicts the fierce hill battles,

vividly portraying the latter part of the Korean War, and was quite successful.

I remember enjoying it in my previous life.

“Would it be alright if I read the script before deciding?”

“Ah, yes, of course you can.”

Was he surprised that a rookie actor was so bold?

Director Park smiled awkwardly,

and Manager Seokho quickly brought up contract details to prevent the atmosphere from becoming strange.

“Wouldn’t it be better to see him act first rather than casting him right away?”

“Yes… that’s true, but we don’t have time to delay.”

If there’s no time to delay, shouldn’t you be more careful in your selection?

That thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t voice it.

Now wasn’t the time for that.

‘So this is my script.’

<Student Soldier Role>

A role without even a name.

Yet there was clearly a script for it. Why?

To answer that question.

‘Immersion.’

I entered the world of the script.

+++++

“I just wish I could eat white rice with soybean paste soup once before I die.”

My sister died without fulfilling her dream.

A world full of incomprehensible talk about ideologies.

The time orphaned siblings could endure wasn’t very long.

“Live for my share too.”

My sister’s final words clung to me like a curse.

How am I supposed to survive in an era where they take even brass bowls to make bullets?

A world where you either take or get taken from.

An era with only one choice.

I too, like others, like those who killed my sister,

decided to covet what belonged to others.

So I joined the army.

Or more accurately, I was made to join.

“To ignite the flames of revolution! Move faster, you brats!”

What exactly is this revolution?

Is it revolution to struggle desperately to avoid starving to death?

I used to wonder about such things.

But now I’ve forgotten.

As long as I’m not hungry, it’s fine.

Because I promised to live for my sister’s share too.

At first, even holding a gun was difficult.

Now I’m even used to dragging corpses.

“You son of a bitch! Did you eat my rice ball?”

“Don’t accuse innocent people, what are you talking about?”

Days of fighting without knowing who the enemy is.

With increasingly worsening supplies, I had to survive.

Even when there was no rice to eat, not even the kind mixed with sand,

Even on days when all we had was salted water,

I desperately wanted to survive.

Kill, kill, and kill again.

Under the red flag.

Moving forward while repeating meaningless words about revolution.

“Stop! Stop! From now on, you must recapture this revolutionary hill!”

After advancing for who knows how long,

at the words of a man with a red armband, I finally looked up at the sky.

The blue sky was hopelessly clear and bright.

It doesn’t care whether hell unfolds beneath it or not.

Perhaps my sister is up there, happy.

“You must! You must! Recapture this hill! Risk your lives!”

At those words, I smiled bitterly.

Telling us to risk our lives while just pointing fingers from behind,

how ridiculous.

“If you completely recapture this hill, the Great Leader Comrade has promised a paradise on earth!”

“I will certainly record your achievements and report them to the Party Central!”

Everyone seems excited by this clown’s speech.

Paradise on earth, does such a thing really exist?

I raise my gaze to look at the hill.

A small mound occupied by South Korean bastards.

How many more lives will be lost just to capture that?

Will I survive to reach this paradise on earth?

‘If I had known it would be this hard to eat white rice with soybean paste soup, I wouldn’t have accepted that request.’

Sister, you left me with too heavy a burden.

+++++

“Honestly, it’s not a role with a lot of screen time. Of course, that doesn’t mean the acting isn’t important, but it’s okay if the presence is a bit light.”

Director Park added additional reasons for wanting to cast quickly.

If Director Kang had been present, he would have been furious at such words,

but since he wasn’t there, the tone suggested it didn’t matter.

‘When you’re looking this urgently, a good face is enough, expecting good acting too is greedy.’

Glance.

Director Park looked at Kim Donghu.

He really was unbelievably handsome.

How great would it be if he could act even half as well as he looked.

Of course, they weren’t going to skip the screen test entirely,

but Director Park had already given many bonus points to Kim Donghu for having Choi Seokho as his manager.

‘So it really is that Choi Seokho.’

The only manager that Cybers QA had tried to block at all costs.

He knew the general reason why.

‘Because he’s frightening.’

His ability to rise to department head at a young age and even aim for an executive position.

His nose for bringing out an actor’s maximum potential and securing good scripts.

An actor managed by such a Choi Seokho? He had to assume they’d at least meet the basics.

Thud.

While thinking this, Kim Donghu put down the script.

He seemed to have read it very quickly, did he really read it properly?

Regardless of Director Park’s doubts, Kim Donghu spoke.

“I want to do it.”

“Haha, I like your decisiveness. Then shall we schedule a script reading and a light screen test next week, and proceed with the contract?”

“Yes, that sounds good to me.”

As soon as their straightforward conversation ended, Director Park hurriedly left.

Now that the casting was complete, the entire framework of the movie was in place.

It was time to truly bring the film to life at 120%.

++++++

Time flew by quickly to the following Monday.

『[Hot Issue] Something big coming next year? ‘High Dream’ reveals filming location!』

As High Dream’s outline was gradually being revealed to the world,

related articles poured onto the internet like heavy rain.

Everyone promoted High Dream as if by agreement,

and there was one common thread in the comments on these promotional articles:

ㄴWho is this handsome guy?

ㄴWho? I didn’t see him?

ㄴOh, you’re right, he appears at the end. Who is he that his good looks are noticeable even in a brief appearance?

ㄴI’ve never seen someone this handsome before, who is he?!

Kim Donghu’s appearance was beginning to spread across the internet.