Ch.47A Single Stroke of the Sword

“…I guess it’s not going to work out after all.”

Looking at the message that just arrived, <Swordsman Baek Dong-soo> producer Joo Youngman tapped his fingers on the table.

Despite being able to find a replacement anytime, the reason for the delay until the end was because the child actor Jaun’s agency stubbornly insisted it would work out.

Treating actors not as humans, but as machines to make money through activities.

‘And then they’ll blame the actor in the news articles.’

He didn’t like it much, but it didn’t matter anymore. Because they had already found a replacement.

“Are you sure Kim Donghu agreed to do it?”

“Yes, Writer Kwon Jaeho contacted him and received confirmation.”

“I see… Kim Donghu is definitely reliable.”

His acting skills were already proven.

As Producer Joo Youngman said this, he thought of High Dream.

That performance was truly beyond words.

Not only was he unbelievably handsome, but his acting seemed to tear through the script. It made him vaguely think that he’d like to work with him someday.

‘But I didn’t expect it to happen this quickly.’

Strike while the iron is hot, as they say.

Joo Youngman immediately made plans.

“Then negotiate the appearance fee with them, and make sure Kim Donghu can start martial arts training right away.”

Child actors especially lack experience in this area, so even with intensive training, it would take at least a month.

‘Honestly, even a month is cutting it short.’

For someone uncoordinated, it would take about three months.

With time being tight, they had to teach as quickly as possible, film while teaching, and provide real-time feedback.

“Oh, by the way, Veritas said something unusual.”

“Something unusual?”

“Yes, that there’s no need for martial arts training, and he can be deployed to the set immediately…”

“What?”

Director Oh Jaedeok’s words made Joo Youngman furrow his brow.

‘Is this childish bravado or is it actually possible?’

The words of a rookie who had never filmed a historical drama before.

Normally, he would have dismissed it as nonsense.

But,

‘The piano performance in High Dream was also something he just said he could do and then did it.’

The rumors tickled Joo Youngman’s ears.

If it were true, it would be amazing.

It would save so much time, and also make up for all the time they had wasted.

“The script we sent was for his first appearance scene, right?”

As soon as Director Oh Jaedeok heard this, he immediately understood what Joo Youngman was planning.

“Should we prepare right away?”

“Yes, it wouldn’t be bad to have a practice shoot to test his skills.”

If it works out, it’s definitely a win.

++++++

Countless entertainment news articles

“Swordsman Baek Dong-soo, filming stalled due to child actor’s injury… truly ‘problematic'”

“Cybers QA: ‘We wanted to respect the actor’s will until the end, but it’s really unfortunate'”

“Who will replace Jaun?! Let’s guess the casting as viewers!”

Among them, the hottest issue was the recent child actor injury.

The story that the injury had disrupted drama filming.

People expressed regret while quickly wondering who would be next.

ㄴSeriously, who will it be;

ㄴIsn’t it too late to find someone now? I was looking forward to Swordsman Baek Dong-soo, sad;

ㄴWhen it comes to recent child actors, only one comes to mind lol

ㄴWho?

ㄴKim Donghu

ㄴWow; it would be great if it really happens

ㄴSeriously, he’s ridiculously handsome so I just want to keep seeing him

The name that surfaced most quickly as a replacement child actor was Kim Donghu.

The powerful first impression and unbelievable piano performance in <High Dream>.

Plus, maybe because he was a Brilliant school uniform model.

ㄴBut I don’t think Kim Donghu will do it? He’s super busy

ㄴI heard he’s filming an independent movie

ㄴHuh? As far as I know, he’s doing a movie;

ㄴWhat are you talking about; logically, would he take on another project right after finishing a drama? Too exhausting;

ㄴIf he does all of them, it would be really unbelievable lol

ㄴIs he stupid? Does he think that’s possible???

Kim Donghu’s recognition among teenagers was at an unbelievable level.

With a bit of exaggeration, it rivaled that of idols.

As a result, people naturally thought of Kim Donghu when it came to child actors.

“Wow, busy busy.”

Thanks to this, Choi Seokho was frantically handling his work.

It was called management, but it was essentially a one-person agency for Kim Donghu.

With endless offers for child actor roles, Choi Seokho needed more than two bodies.

“Two dramas, one independent film, one commercial film, one advertising model…”

It far exceeded the schedule that a single actor could handle.

Yet Kim Donghu was completing all schedules without showing any signs of fatigue.

And doing it perfectly.

‘He said he doesn’t want to do any more ads besides the school uniform one, so I’ll decline those.’

He also said now was the right time for dramas, so I need to politely decline the rest.

Tax issues were being handled perfectly in between,

and finally.

‘Donations, this is the key.’

In Choi Seokho’s opinion, Kim Donghu was destined to become a truly world-class actor.

Someone who would definitely become famous globally.

Such figures always attract jealousy and envy.

Because there are people in the world who can’t stand seeing others succeed.

One of Choi Seokho’s strategies to prevent this was donations.

‘Donate in Donghu’s name, but ask not to reveal the donor for now.’

The recent hard work was actually because he put great effort into finding donation recipients.

He needed to know if the donations were being used properly before spending money.

As a result, three places were confirmed.

Cancer research, cancer rehabilitation, and an orphanage.

The name would be Donghu’s, but the money came from Choi Seokho’s wallet.

Because,

‘This isn’t really my money anyway.’

Living off the money Donghu earned,

it wouldn’t make sense not to do at least this much.

Jingle.

Having finished his work, Choi Seokho grabbed his car keys.

“I’ll go to the filming location with Donghu then.”

“Director, how could you go alone? You need to take me.”

“Ah right, Miju was here.”

How can you go without a stylist?

Jin Miju smiled lightly, gathered her things, and hurried to the van,

and seeing this, Choi Seokho smiled awkwardly and followed.

Today was the first day of filming for <Swordsman Baek Dong-soo>.

+++++

‘Wow, historical dramas really are on a different scale.’

The historical drama set I saw for the first time was truly shocking.

The mountain battle scene was impressive with an entire mountain carved out, but

historical dramas had to reflect the era, so they were much more grand and massive.

With incomparably more extras,

it was hard to imagine how many people had come to this set.

‘All this because of one thing I said.’

The statement that I could film immediately without martial arts training.

With that one sentence, the filming site began moving again.

‘My shoulders aren’t…’

Getting heavy at all.

I shrugged my shoulders and recalled the moments when I had recreated swordsmanship.

After perfectly mastering swordsmanship through [Sims – Real Life],

I confirmed that there were no restrictions in using it.

Slide.

“Hello! I’m Kim Donghu who will be playing the young Jaun! I may have many shortcomings, but I’ll work hard! Please take care of me!”

First, the greeting that determines the first impression.

‘There’s nothing bad about greeting well.’

As soon as I got out of the car, I announced my presence with a loud greeting,

then immediately went to each person one by one and bowed again.

“Kim Donghu, I didn’t know you were so friendly when meeting for the first time. Nice to meet you. I’m Director Oh Jaedeok.”

“Yes! Please take care of me!”

“We should be the ones saying that. Oh, this is our martial arts director, Ki Seongchan.”

“Hello. I’m Ki Seongchan.”

Tap.

During the handshake, I felt Martial Arts Director Ki Seongchan’s intense gaze.

Just as I was wondering what it was about,

“Do you perhaps train at… Paek Sangha’s gym?”

“Uh, yes, how did you know?”

“Sangha is my workout buddy. Wow, what a coincidence!”

Director Oh Jaedeok looked puzzled at Martial Arts Director Ki Seongchan, whose tone suddenly rose.

A face that seemed to wonder, what’s going on?

Then,

“That guy Sangha was always bragging about having a student who could become a UFC champion, and that student’s name was Kim Donghu. So I thought… could it be the same person? And it really is that Kim Donghu.”

After hearing Martial Arts Director Ki Seongchan’s rapid explanation, Director Oh Jaedeok asked with a bright face,

“Oh, so you’ve been training for a very long time…?”

His expression clearly showed he was happy that the production would go better.

“Yes, that’s right. Wow, this is amazing. I’m really surprised. I don’t usually say this, but Kim Donghu is indeed a genius. Paek Sangha is good as an instructor, but his standards for praise are extremely high…”

The praise continued.

‘Wait, how much has our coach been bragging about me?’

Of course, I didn’t have the tolerance to withstand such praise.

All I could do was,

‘Stop the praise!’

I want to start filming quickly.

I really want to escape this moment.

All I could do was pray.

+++++

-If you teach him one thing, he learns ten as a basic. In my opinion, our Donghu could easily beat even those who use drugs.

When Paek Sangha first said that, Seongchan didn’t believe it.

Where in the world would such an athlete exist,

he understood liking your student, but that was excessive praise.

‘But after seeing the training video, my thoughts changed.’

A video of a boy who had just entered middle school sparring with Coach Paek Sangha.

Even with headgear, that level was unbelievable.

So he really wanted to see it once.

‘I never thought I’d see it here.’

Kim Donghu’s first filming scene was one where he practices swordsmanship alone,

a part where he sharply resolves himself before killing his father.

What needs to be shown here is his genius.

How would Kim Donghu interpret this?

At that moment when all staff including Seongchan were curious,

“Action!”

With the cue, Kim Donghu moved.

One step, two steps toward the crudely made straw dummy,

Kim Donghu, or rather Jaun, draws his sword from its scabbard.

Despite clearly being a prop, does it look sharp due to an illusion?

At that moment.

Slash!

Without hesitation, Jaun’s sword tip precisely cut the straw dummy vertically.

Clean cut.

Born to kill, with the nature of a thousand murders,

as he holds the sword.

‘…Is that even possible?’

Director Oh Jaedeok got goosebumps.