Ch.93Indeed, Donghu

The reason collection games are dangerous is because they stimulate consumption in so many different ways.

You want to collect this, you want to collect that.

Before you know it, you’re facing an empty bank account.

Bong Jinwoo wanted to actively utilize this point.

And the results of that utilization were immediately reflected in audience reactions.

ㄴThis is so childish, is it because it’s for kids? Honestly, it’s not that good

ㄴI thought it was decent, especially the part where the pilot reveals his deep desires was interesting

ㄴWhat are you talking about? The pilot is just a good person;

ㄴHe wasn’t just good though?

ㄴ?

While people found it entertaining, they seemed to be watching slightly different content.

When discussing certain parts, it was as if they hadn’t seen the same play.

The audience found this very strange,

And soon reached one truth.

ㄴThere are two different versions of this;

No matter how good the content is or how much it’s for children.

Plays targeting children alone are difficult to make commercially successful.

ㄴSo we have to see both to know the differences?

ㄴYou don’t need to see the kids’ version, just don’t book tickets for it

ㄴTrying to eliminate competition so you can get tickets for yourself;;;

That’s why Bong Jinwoo created two scenarios.

One for general audiences,

And another for children.

That’s why the script Kim Donghu initially received

Was different from the scenario presented to the orphanage children.

The most important thing in business

Was to match your customer’s eye level when doing business.

The overall framework remained unchanged.

But variations in small directorial choices and dialogue were essential.

‘The stakes have gotten bigger. I can’t let anyone lose out.’

Bong Jinwoo was a director who wanted to give children dreams, but simultaneously,

He was an orphanage child who had grown up faster than anyone else.

That’s why, even with the influx of capital, Bong Jinwoo didn’t just chase dreams.

‘What could have been just one volunteer performance has miraculously turned into a week-long run.’

The miracle had already been achieved.

Now it was time to write the story of reality.

The pilot became an adult mixed with greed, not just regret.

The foolish tree and volcano cared for the little prince but in the wrong way.

Adults on other planets all revealed one desire,

And the fox teaches about taming but says knowing and doing are different things.

The countless rose gardens were filled with jealousy, envy, and vanity.

Among them, the only one speaking of love

Was the little prince’s single thornless rose.

Bong Jinwoo didn’t have the mindset that since it was a play for children, adults must enjoy it unconditionally.

‘The childishness seen by children and that seen by adults are different.’

That’s why Story of the Moon and the Stars had to be divided into two versions.

While volunteering was important, the core issue was ultimately “how successful it was.”

‘Assuming all profits are donated to the orphanage, earning as much as possible is beneficial.’

Building hope by watching a play.

Bong Jinwoo knew that effect wouldn’t last long.

The moment you return to reality,

The cold problems of reality would reappear.

Right now, they might be able to forget everything

Thanks to Kim Donghu’s face as he plays the Little Prince.

But resolving real problems had to be done in reality.

The play for the general public became incredibly popular.

It was a lineup destined for success from the start.

With top-value actors breathing with the audience on stage,

Many people came to see multiple performances, unable to forget the vividness.

An unexpected ticket war began.

And so, the approximately month and a half run of Story of the Moon and the Stars

Flew by in the blink of an eye.

It was August.

The sweet company dinner for the hard-working Flame Theater Group began.

+++++

About 5 months had passed since Flame Theater Group first gathered.

After spending so much time together, the members had become extremely close.

And if you had to pick who had developed the closest relationship…

*Hug*

It was Kim Donghu and Kim Sujin, casually sticking close together.

Including rehearsals, they had embraced at least 100 times.

As a result, physical contact had become very natural between them.

Normally in this atmosphere, teasing would be expected, but…

‘Anyone who interferes with my daughter’s love will die, understand?’

With Kim Yuryeon making a goblin face nearby, no one dared to tease them.

But it wasn’t that unusual.

In an industry where romantic comedy actors often develop real relationships,

It would be strange if their relationship hadn’t developed after performing together for over a month.

“Alright everyone! Great work. But before anything else, let’s hear from our director!”

The company dinner began.

And it started with Bong Jinwoo’s greeting.

“Uh, um… ah… I, it’s been a truly dreamlike month. I have so much I want to say, but I’m not good with words so nothing’s coming to mind. But still! I want to dedicate all glory to Kim Donghu who made all this possible!”

Everyone laughed when Bong Jinwoo finished speaking.

It was undeniable.

After all, it was the small ball Kim Donghu had thrown that rolled all the way here.

As everyone laughed and chatted during the dinner,

“…Ahem, I’m feeling a bit dizzy.”

Kim Sujin rolled her eyes around before gently leaning into Kim Donghu’s arms.

“How can you be dizzy? You haven’t even had any alcohol.”

“Still! I can be dizzy!”

“No, you were fine until just now, how can you suddenly be dizzy?”

“When I say I’m dizzy, shouldn’t you worry about me first?”

“Well, the cause is unclear, so it’s strange.”

Sighs flowed from those around them after hearing Kim Donghu’s response.

‘Our youngest really has no clue about these things.’

Sometimes he seemed somewhat perceptive,

But how could he miss all these direct expressions of affection?

‘Should I coach him a bit?’

Just as Han Taegeon was about to stand up, unable to bear the frustration.

*Tap*

He realized someone had grabbed his wrist.

“Senior?”

“Taegeon, we shouldn’t interfere with the kids’ play.”

Understanding the implied meaning—’Are you trying to interfere with my daughter’s marriage prospects? Want to die?’—in actress Kim Yuryeon’s words,

Han Taegeon nodded and quietly sat back down.

And right at that moment.

“Ah, whatever!”

Kim Sujin stood up abruptly, unable to contain her frustration.

Just when the dinner atmosphere might have turned awkward,

“Where is our rose going?”

Kim Donghu pulled Kim Sujin into his arms.

Jin Myeongtae, who was nearby, realized the importance of the speaker.

‘Wow, when he says that with that face, it somehow makes sense.’

He pushes through all the childishness and cringe with just his face.

In a way, Kim Donghu was like a steamroller.

Making everything acceptable with just his face,

Making it impossible to say anything even when he delivers theatrical lines like that.

Indeed.

“…You pushed me away earlier, and now you’re doing this?”

“I was fine earlier, but now I feel like I should do this?”

“Ha! Kim Donghu, you’re really something!”

With all anger dissolved from her face,

Kim Sujin hit Kim Donghu lightly and sat back properly.

Who would have thought they’d witness early 2000s internet novel vibes in real life?

Now Jin Myeongtae understood why those novels always ranked the male protagonist’s appearance as number one.

‘Because no one would accept it if it wasn’t that face.’

As everyone, including Jin Myeongtae, was thinking this,

[How influential do you think Flame Theater Group has become?]

A story about Flame Theater Group began on the TV at the dinner venue.

And naturally, it started with:

[It’s at an unbelievable level. It sparked a wave of donations and made citizens take interest in social issues]

A shower of praise.

++++++

Flame Theater Group and Story of the Moon and the Stars.

A play with different scripts for children and adults,

Intended to satisfy various age groups.

Various promotions continued throughout the play’s run,

And through pre-interviews, people learned how amazing Flame Theater Group was,

And that there would never be another group like it.

Quite a few people had collected and saved all these moments, and…

“Hmm, perfect.”

Among them, of course,

Was Coach Paek Sangha.

The coach of the gym Kim Donghu attended and once a famous athlete.

A man from a special forces unit he couldn’t tell anyone about, Paek Sangha.

He nodded with satisfaction as he looked at Kim Donghu’s proud achievements decorating the wall.

“As expected of Donghu.”

But he worried about the worst enemy blocking Donghu’s path.

‘Military service.’

The national defense duty that all South Korean men must shoulder.

Kim Donghu couldn’t escape that obligation either.

He could flee overseas, but

Of course, Kim Donghu would never do that.

So Coach Paek Sangha found a clever solution.

‘He just needs to win an Olympic medal.’

The 2016 Brazil Olympics.

If Kim Donghu became a national boxing representative and won a medal?

‘Military exemption! National glory!’

That would be the jackpot of a lifetime!