Ch.56Waves crash endlessly.

“『<Endless Frontline> First Day Audience 490,000, Signal for 10 Million Fired?』

『Kim Donghu’s Character Revealed? Giving Snacks to Staff Before Stage Greeting, Even Taking Commemorative Photos?!』

『War Movies Still Work If Done Well? In-depth Analysis of <Endless Frontline>!』

『Four-time Mise-en-scène Award Winner Kim Donghu Getting Attention in Commercial Films?! Chungmuro Buzzing!』

『Kim Donghu’s 10 Million Viewer Promise: Eating White Rice on Camera?!』

As if daring anyone to doubt the success of <Endless Frontline>.

News articles were breaking non-stop.

Starting with approximately 500,000 viewers on the first day—the threshold for a potential 10 million hit.

Critics’ praise poured in, and audience verification photos spread like wildfire.

People always thirst for new faces.

While they want actors who guarantee box office success,

the more frequently someone appears, the more tired they become of that image.

Someone new to lead the flow of drama.

Audiences always wanted that someone.

‘And that someone is our Donghu.’

Choi Seokho smiled proudly at the business cards and scripts piled before him.

“Wow, there really are a lot.”

All of them were connections wanting to work with Kim Donghu.

So many people all wanting Kim Donghu.

But if there was one regrettable thing.

“We can’t take on any more work.”

Our Donghu doesn’t have two bodies,

and his current schedule was already overwhelming.

<Swordsman Baek Dong-soo> was still filming,

and <Eclipse> was about to begin shooting.

Adding anything more would be impossible.

‘His schedule is packed until the first half of next year.’

If they added more now, his rest balance would collapse.

To become an eternal symbol rather than a flash in the pan,

sufficient rest was essential.

‘The trend is incredibly steep though.’

You could call it the formula for a 10-million-viewer film.

From what he’d seen so far, <Endless Frontline> was perfectly following that formula.

First day: about 500,000,

First week: about 2.3 million!

The weekend alone brought in around 1.3 million viewers.

A figure that justified <Endless Frontline> taking over virtually all theaters.

And those theaters were selling out.

Just searching the internet would show <Endless Frontline> reviews everywhere.

ㄴHan Taegeon’s acting has really improved

ㄴHan Taegeon is good, but Kim Donghu is insane, he’s just crazy good

ㄴThat war feeling though~

ㄴHow would you know without experiencing it? lol But the psychological portrayal was amazing

ㄴSeriously, right after watching the movie I went straight for yukgaejang with white rice

ㄴYou too? Me too lol

<Endless Frontline>, a film that could only be described as entertaining.

As if to prove its momentum.

With word of mouth spreading fiercely,

the second week’s final numbers were an impressive.

“…Our Donghu has already become a 5-million-viewer actor.”

It had easily surpassed 5 million viewers.

+++++

The final day of filming <Swordsman Baek Dong-soo>.

‘This is already the last day.’

With half a feeling of relief.

And half a feeling of regret, I slowly got out of the van.

Maybe it was because I’d been coming two hours early since the first day of filming.

It had become a habit, and I just felt more comfortable arriving two hours early.

‘Walking around a quiet film set is enjoyable too.’

As I rubbed my eyes, adjusting to the chilly morning air.

Bang! Papapabang!

Suddenly fireworks exploded and people rushed out from the quiet film set.

“Donghu! Congratulations on 5 million! Let’s go all the way to 10 million!”

“?!”

Surprise?

I was completely unprepared and genuinely startled.

The people seemed pleased with my surprised reaction and continued with satisfaction.

“Our child actor has personally promoted our drama. How could we just sit still?”

“Me? Promoting?”

“Of course, at this point, any project you’re in is bound to succeed.”

“By the way, our drama’s premiere date is around the third week of <Endless Frontline>’s run, right?”

As soon as I heard that, I immediately understood the situation.

‘So that’s what they meant by me promoting the drama now.’

At the height of my popularity.

A drama featuring my action scenes comes out right after?

It’s a structure people couldn’t ignore even if they wanted to.

Naturally, such interest would translate into ratings.

In simple terms, it meant consecutive hits.

“Our Donghu is really a lucky charm! That’s why we have to celebrate like this!”

Still, the drama doing well and

preparing a celebration hours before filming were different matters.

‘I’m grateful.’

To hide the overwhelming feeling welling up inside, I quickly bowed to express my gratitude.

I felt that if I said anything more, I might cry.

‘I absolutely can’t cry here.’

Fortunately, perhaps because I’d done a lot of acting, emotional control was really easy.

I managed my expression in an instant and straightened up.

When I wasn’t sure what to say, as always:

“I look forward to working with you all today.”

There was nothing better than a textbook response.

The warm atmosphere continued afterward,

and filming proceeded smoothly.

Baek Dongsu and Jaun honed their skills,

entered the Jangyongwi, the king’s guard unit, and

there they were attacked by Geomrim, resulting in the massacre of key personnel.

Only a few survived.

Baek Dongsu developed a hatred for Geomrim,

and Jaun began to question the Geomrim he originally belonged to.

“Okay, cut! Good!”

After it became known that Kim Donghu never made mistakes,

the surrounding actors also honed their skills to make fewer mistakes.

The result was, naturally, faster completion of filming.

‘It’s a shame I couldn’t meet many other actors.’

Normally, I would have had opportunities to film with various actors.

But since I was a substitute for an injured child actor,

I had fewer chances to meet different people.

Of course, that didn’t mean:

“Donghu, just because you’re doing well, you won’t ignore my calls later, right?”

“How could I do that to you, senior?”

“In this industry, celebrity disease changes people in an instant. I really hope you don’t change, Donghu.”

It’s not like I hadn’t made connections.

Becoming friends with Jinhyuk hyung, who played young Baek Dongsu, was something of an achievement.

Plus:

“You’ll be coming to our school the year after next.”

School connections are really important.

I smiled slightly at his next words.

“By the time you enter, it’ll be my graduation season.”

“I’ll take good care of you, just trust me and come to Daehan Arts High School. I’ll pave the way for you.”

“Yes, thank you, senior.”

“But you keep saying ‘senior’ which feels so distant. Call me hyung.”

“Even so, that’s a bit…”

“Technically, if we’re counting debut years, you’re the senior. Didn’t you film ‘Hehe Doctor!’ when you were 5? Just call me hyung comfortably. Otherwise, the hierarchy gets confused.”

He wasn’t wrong.

‘I debuted at age 5.’

I took a long break in between, but that wasn’t something to quibble over.

‘So just counting experience, it’s about 10 years?’

Not bad.

Muttering that to myself, I awkwardly opened my mouth.

“Th-then, Jinhyuk hyung…?”

“That’s right! I hope we see each other in other projects too, not just this one.”

“And I think I’ve kept you too long,

the director over there seems really eager to talk to you.”

As soon as I heard that, I turned my gaze toward Director Oh Jaedeok.

Just as Jinhyuk hyung said.

‘…Is he shooting fire from his eyes?’

I could feel his intense gaze.

And at that moment, I realized clearly.

‘Swordsman Baek Dong-soo, filming is over.’

I had successfully completed another project.

+++++++

<Endless Frontline> Week 3.

At the point when it hit about 8 million viewers, following the formula for a 10-million-viewer film.

When people’s conversation topics were consistently fixed on <Endless Frontline>.

Various magazines were quickly conducting interviews with the cast of <Endless Frontline>.

-I hear Kim Donghu is such a good actor?

-He’s incredible, probably the best among us?

-No, really, really not. Please… please, senior!

Hahahahaha.

The notable part of the interview was Kim Donghu’s character.

The protagonist of High Dream with 30% ratings,

Four-time Mise-en-scène Award winner,

Brilliant school uniform model,

The lead of <Endless Frontline>, expected to reach 10 million viewers, and so on,

All factors that could make someone arrogant.

But Kim Donghu remained as friendly, polite, and humble as ever.

-With about 2 million viewers left until 10 million, may I ask where you plan to eat white rice?

-Ah… I thought nothing was confirmed yet, so I’m still thinking about it.

Click.

The interview screen froze with a simple remote control operation.

“What do you think this means?”

At the marketing team leader’s question, the executives quietly looked at the ongoing PPT presentation.

Their expressions said: What does it mean?

The marketing team leader pushed up his glasses and continued.

“It means he’s about to have a 10-million-viewer film, but hasn’t chosen where to eat rice for his promise, right?”

“Oh, oh?”

Is that how it works?

“Then what if the rice he eats after hitting 10 million is our Ottubap?”

!

The executives immediately realized why the marketing team leader had called them together.

“Could it be…!”

“Kim Donghu’s value keeps rising, and opinions suggest that buying now is when he’s cheapest.”

Can we afford to miss this opportunity?

How long must our Ottubap be overshadowed by Haetbap?

The executives stirred at those words.

There wasn’t a single incorrect statement.

“Honestly, quality? We’re not behind. We just lack marketing.”

Therefore, I strongly propose Kim Donghu as the new face of Ottubap!

The executives nodded as if ready to approve unconditionally.

At the same time:

“What comes to mind with instant rice? Haetbap, right? What if the rice Kim Donghu eats for his 10 million promise is Haetbap!”

Wouldn’t that be great!

Haetbap was thinking the same thing.

Kim Donghu’s wave was surging endlessly.