Ch.5Child Actor Kim Sujin (2)

Being a child actor is truly a great stepping stone for entering the entertainment industry.

Building experience from a young age means establishing a solid foundation.

It’s undeniably helpful when pursuing an acting career later on.

But.

‘It’s 2001 right now.’

The so-called era of romance.

About ten years after the war on crime was declared.

A time when thugs maintained close collaborative relationships with the entertainment industry.

‘Jumping into the entertainment world at this time is insane.’

Unless you have strong backing, that is.

‘Besides, I don’t plan on becoming an actor right away.’

Just how powerful is the special privilege?

My appearance on the program was to confirm that.

‘And this is a kind of investment.’

They say childhood connections become meaningless as you grow up.

But that’s only because those connections weren’t developed properly.

Glance.

Behind PD Kim Youngmo, whose mouth is hanging open after hearing my refusal, I can see Kim Yuryeon quietly taking out her business card.

She’s probably trying to give it to my mom.

‘This is enough.’

I’ve confirmed my entertainment talent, and even received a top star’s business card.

I could say I’ve accomplished everything possible at my current age.

If I ever enter the entertainment industry, that business card will be a huge opportunity.

My connection with Kim Sujin would clearly be tremendously helpful too.

‘In my previous life, I didn’t even have a chance.’

This was truly a fortunate encounter.

“Thank you.”

“Huh?”

Of course, I didn’t let it go to my head.

After all, this opportunity came from Sujin, so I didn’t forget to express my gratitude.

“What are you thanking me for?”

“Thanks to you, I got to appear on Hehe Doctor!, not everyone gets to do that.”

“T-then hold my hand.”

Kim Sujin immediately went into princess mode, probably feeling like she had the upper hand.

Seeing this, I thought she really was a born entertainer.

Grip.

As soon as I held her hand, Kim Sujin giggled with delight.

Watching her, I briefly fell into contemplation.

‘Unlike my ugly previous life, how differently can I live now?’

The only thing that changed between my previous life and current one is my appearance.

Though it changed dramatically, I still wondered.

Just how high could I soar?

+++++

After firmly declining Kim Yuryeon’s offer to drive us home.

My mom and I immediately took a taxi straight home.

“My son appearing on TV! And receiving so much praise!”

How long has it been since I’ve seen my mom smile like this?

I didn’t see it much in my previous life.

They say even hedgehogs find their own babies cute.

But without the hedgehog around, how could the baby receive that affection?

“But are you really sure you don’t want to continue? You’re not saying no because of Mom and Dad, are you?”

“No, I’m really okay.”

Entering the entertainment industry can wait.

When YouTube becomes fully active, the power of personal media will become incredibly strong.

What I need to do now isn’t to obsessively focus on one specific field.

It’s about building up various foundations like an octopus’s tentacles.

‘It strangely feels like playing a game.’

Maybe it’s because I played Sims – Real Life for so long.

Despite having lived a previous life, I was understanding the current situation like a game route.

Perhaps this was also part of my talent.

Managing emotions and analyzing situations were also areas of talent.

“Mom is so proud of you… and you even got paid.”

Saying that, mom placed a thick envelope in my hand.

Since 50,000 won bills hadn’t been issued yet, the thickness was different.

“I don’t want you to pay me back when you grow up, because this is the first money our son earned so impressively.”

Mom’s eyes suddenly turned red as if overwhelmed with emotion.

Come to think of it, my mom was always quite emotional.

I held mom’s hand tightly while peeking inside the envelope with my other hand.

‘Insane.’

I had guessed from the thickness, but the amount was unbelievable.

Child actors definitely wouldn’t receive this much at this time.

‘Thirty for a five-year-old who just appeared once and is nothing special?’

Rub, rub.

Not believing it, I felt the outside of the envelope and noticed something with a different texture than bills.

Slip.

Opening the envelope a bit more to check, I found it was a business card.

‘PD Kim Youngmo’s business card.’

This wasn’t just payment for appearing; it was a kind of investment.

A message saying they’re paying this much attention to me, so contact them if I’m interested.

‘But am I really worth that much?’

I know the atmosphere was good.

But judging how well the broadcast would do overall was a different matter.

‘Well, I’ll find out when the broadcast airs.’

Time passed quickly, and two weeks later.

It was time for the broadcast of Hehe Doctor! featuring me.

+++++

Hehe Doctor! usually starts at 7:30 in the morning.

That busy time when parents need to take their children to school.

It was a program parents would turn on to briefly distract their children.

At the same time, children could exercise and learn general knowledge.

People would say you’d be a fool not to turn it on.

‘It’s definitely convenient.’

Although I’m not keen on letting children watch TV from a young age.

Kim Seongha picked up the remote for her smooth morning preparation.

It was an unavoidable choice for some peace before the busy morning routine.

‘Son, let mommy catch her breath.’

Click.

With that thought, Kim Seongha turned on the TV.

The channel was, of course, Tooni Train.

“Waaah! It’s Hehe Doctor!”

As soon as it turned on, her child, who had been lying in bed, came running out and sat down in front of the TV.

How could he hear the TV sound so clearly from that far away?

Even though it was her own son, she really couldn’t understand.

“Son, is it that interesting?”

“Yes, oh? That’s a new kid!”

At those words, Kim Seongha paused her preparations and briefly turned her attention to the TV.

New faces are always intriguing.

A boy on screen naturally began introducing himself.

-My name is Kim Donghu. I’m from Rainbow Kindergarten, and I’m Sujin’s partner. I like Grow-Grow Exercise.

It was a typical self-introduction.

Usually introducing their kindergarten, who they are, what they like, etc.

But Kim Seongha couldn’t take her eyes off that moment.

First of all, he was handsome.

But it wasn’t simply that he was handsome.

Was he holding some kind of magnet that captured people’s attention?

There was something strangely captivating about him.

He didn’t do much.

Just a self-introduction, some casual conversation, and exercises with Hehe Doctor.

Despite only doing those three things, he left a definite impression.

“Wow… Donghu is really cool.”

Her son must have felt the same way, as he was watching the TV with drool running down his chin.

+++++

“…Is what I’m seeing right now real?”

“I can’t believe it either?”

CP Heo Sangseok immediately questioned in disbelief when he saw the ratings, and.

PD Kim Youngmo also expressed the same feeling as he stood there blankly.

“A children’s program getting 12% ratings, and at seven-thirty at that?”

It was an unbelievable figure.

Of course, this wasn’t talking about the average rating.

“The ratings spiked when Donghu introduced himself and did the exercises.”

“…Doubling our ratings, you mean.”

During that brief moment when Donghu appeared.

The ratings suddenly shot up, then returned to normal during the second part.

“Well, this is something.”

Heo Sangseok turned his gaze away with a dejected expression.

-My name is Kim Donghu.

There was a screen showing only the edited part where Kim Donghu appeared, playing on repeat.

“When we tried so hard to raise the ratings, they never budged…”

So in the end, what matters in a children’s program is the children?

Kim Youngmo, belatedly realizing this truth, slapped his forehead.

His expression showed he now knew where to focus more in the future.

“Should we restructure the program?”

“How?”

“First, with Donghu as the main…”

“Stop it, he said he’s not doing it.”

“Hasn’t he contacted you?!”

Kim Youngmo wore an expression of disbelief.

After giving him such a generous appearance fee and even including a business card, there was no response?

“That’s right, he hasn’t. What can we do with a kid who doesn’t want to do it? Go to his house? You’ll go straight to jail.”

So he was serious about stopping?

By now, he could have been a popular star at the kindergarten.

This was something that had never happened in PD Kim Youngmo’s life.

A TV program that all kids would want to appear on, where he could have monopolized popularity.

How could there not be even one call?

‘What is he doing?’

The boy Kim Donghu, who PD Kim Youngmo was curious about, was currently…

Splash, splash, splash.

“It’s tough doing this after so long.”

He was busy swimming in a ball pit.

+++++

Right after the broadcast of Hehe Doctor!

I had to endure an incredibly hectic kindergarten life.

Even though I knew I had to endure this self-inflicted calamity.

“Is there really a person inside the Hehe Doctor costume?”

“What was it like? Is the broadcasting station really big?”

“Did you see, um, Yeonji there? I really like Yeonji!”

“Does Hehe Doctor really laugh like ‘hehe’ in real life?”

“They say the broadcasting station can actually transform into a robot, is that true?”

The bombardment of curiosity from children rushing at me from all directions was extremely overwhelming.

For the first couple of days, I thought it would end soon, so I answered each question.

‘I never dreamed this would continue for a month.’

The children seemed to have forgotten the word “tired” as they showered me with questions about Hehe Doctor! whenever they got the chance.

Normally, Sujin should have cut it off at some point, but.

‘It’s about time to move.’

Sujin was busy in many ways.

If my memory serves me right, around this time she would be looking for an agency and entering productions.

‘Come to think of it, we’re about to graduate from kindergarten.’

Next year would be time to enter preschool.

‘Then I’ll meet her…’

That girl who cried because she didn’t want to be my partner.

I’ll meet her again.

As I was thinking about various things, pick-up time approached.

When parents started coming one by one to pick up their children, I saw an unexpected face.

“Kim Sujin?”

Why is someone who didn’t even attend today here?

As I was staring at Kim Sujin with that expression.

“Donghu!”

Our eyes met.

“If you have time, would you like to go somewhere with me?”

Suddenly?