GalaxyTL
“So it’s really not going to happen.”
Looking at the message he just received, The Swordsman Baek Dong-su producer, Ju Yeong-man, tapped his fingers on the table.
Despite having plenty of opportunities to find a replacement, the reason they delayed to the very end was that the agency for the actor playing young Ja-un had insisted he could do it until the last moment. Treating the actor like a machine that existed solely to earn money through their activities rather than as a human being.
‘And yet they’ll probably end up blaming the actor in the press.’
Though it left a bad taste in his mouth, it didn’t matter anymore. He’d already found a replacement.
“Are you sure Kim Dong-hoo agreed to do it?”
“Yes, Writer Kwon Jae-ho reached out, and he confirmed it.”
“Alright… Kim Dong-hoo is definitely someone we can count on.”
His acting ability was already proven.
As he spoke, Ju Yeong-man thought of High Dream.
That performance was almost beyond words. Not only was he absurdly handsome, but his acting felt like he had ripped the character straight from the script. It had even crossed his mind that he’d like to work with him someday.
‘But to think it would happen this quickly.’
Striking while the iron was hot, Yeong-man quickly devised a plan.
“Then negotiate his fee with his side, and make sure Kim Dong-hoo can start martial arts training immediately.”
Child actors typically lack experience in such things, so even with focused training, it would take at least a month.
‘To be honest, a month is a very short amount of time.’
For those lacking natural athleticism, it could take up to three months.
With the schedule so tight, they would have to teach him quickly, shoot, and adjust in real time.
“Oh, right. The Veritas side said something unusual.”
“Unusual?”
“Yes, they said he could go straight to set without martial arts training…”
“What?”
At Director Oh Jae-deok’s words, Yeong-man frowned.
‘Is it youthful overconfidence, or are they really saying it’s possible?’
From a novice who had never shot a historical drama, this would normally sound absurd.
But,
‘I heard he said he could just play the piano in High Dream, and he did.’
Rumors tickled at Yeong-man’s ears.
If it was true, it’d be a jackpot.
It would save time many times over and immediately compensate for the lost time as well.
“You sent the first script with his initial scene, right?”
Director Oh Jae-deok immediately understood what Yeong-man intended.
“Shall we prepare right away?”
“Yes, a practice shoot to gauge his ability wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
If it worked, it would only be a win for everyone involved.
+++++
Flood of Entertainment News
“The Swordsman Baek Dong-su filming stalled due to child actor injury… ‘This is a major setback’”
“CybersQA: ‘We wish we could honor the actor’s commitment to the role, but it’s really unfortunate.’”
“Who will replace young Ja-un? Let’s cast the next actor with the audience!”
Among these was the hot topic of the child actor’s recent injury.
Filming was disrupted due to an injury,
but people quickly moved past disappointment and began speculating about the replacement.
The most immediate name that surfaced was Kim Dong-hoo. His explosive debut in High Dream and that impossible piano performance, along with his stint as a model for Brilliant school uniforms, surely didn’t hurt.
Kim Dong-hoo’s popularity among teens was skyrocketing. He was almost on par with idols. Naturally, whenever there was talk of a child actor, his name came up.
“Wow, this is just nonstop.”
Thanks to all the buzz, Choi Seok-ho was swamped with work.
Running management felt more like running a one-man agency for Kim Dong-hoo.
The endless flood of offers for child roles made even two bodies feel insufficient.
“Two dramas, an indie film, a commercial film, an ad….”
The schedule was beyond what any one actor could handle, but Kim Dong-hoo showed no signs of weariness, tackling every commitment.
And doing so perfectly.
‘We’ll turn down any ads other than school uniforms.’
Having decided that now was the right time for dramas, Seok-ho also planned to politely decline the remaining offers. Taxes and other matters would be meticulously managed, and then—
‘Charity, that’s key.’
In Seok-ho’s eyes, Kim Dong-hoo was destined to become a world-famous star.
And with fame often came envy and resentment.
Some people just can’t stand to see others succeed.
One of Seok-ho’s strategies to guard against this was to donate.
‘We’ll make the donations under Dong-hoo’s name but keep the donor anonymous.’
Seok-ho had spent a lot of effort recently to find the right charities, ensuring the funds would be well used.
Three causes had been chosen:
cancer research, cancer rehabilitation, and orphanages.
The donations would be in Dong-hoo’s name, but they’d come from Seok-ho’s wallet.
Because—
‘After all, it’s not really my money.’
Living off the money Dong-hoo earned, it only made sense to do at least this much.
Clink.
Wrapping things up, Seok-ho grabbed his car keys.
“I’ll be heading out with Dong-hoo to the set.”
“Director, how could you go alone? Take me too.”
“Oh right, Miju, I forgot.”
What could he do without a stylist?
Jin Miju laughed and hurried over with her things, while Seok-ho followed, smiling sheepishly.
Today was the first filming day for The Swordsman Baek Dong-su.
+++++
“Wow, historical dramas really are on a different scale.”
The set of a historical drama was truly a sight to behold.
The scale was far grander, needing to reflect the times, and there were so many extras it was hard to guess the total number.
‘And all of this is happening because of one line from me.’
The claim that I didn’t need martial arts training and could go straight to filming had set everything in motion again.
‘I should feel a bit of weight on my shoulders…’
But I didn’t.
Shrugging, I recalled the moments of practicing swordsmanship.
After being perfectly trained by Sims - The Real Life, I knew there were no restrictions on my ability to wield a sword.
Creak.
“Hello! I’m Kim Dong-hoo, and I’ll be playing young Ja-un. I still have a lot to learn, but I’ll do my best. Please take good care of me!”
Starting with the most important thing—an impression through a solid greeting.
‘You can’t go wrong with a good first impression.’
As soon as I stepped out of the car, I made my presence known with a booming greeting, then personally greeted each person I came across with a bow.
“Kim Dong-hoo, I didn’t expect you to be so polite. I’m Director Oh Jae-deok.”
“Thank you! I look forward to working with you!”
“No, we look forward to it. Ah, and this is our martial arts director, Gi Seong-chan.”
“Hello, I’m Gi Seong-chan.”
Clap.
As we shook hands, I could feel Gi Seong-chan’s intense gaze.
In that moment of curiosity, he asked,
“Do you, by any chance, train at Baek Sang-ha’s gym?”
“Uh, yes, how did you know?”
“Sang-ha and I go way back. Wow, I didn’t think it’d be you!”
Director Oh Jae-deok looked at him quizzically, wondering why he was so excited.
Then,
“Sang-ha always bragged about having a trainee who was a potential UFC champ, named Kim Dong-hoo. I wondered if it was the same person, and it really is!”
Hearing Gi Seong-chan’s words, Director Oh’s face lit up with excitement.
“So, you’ve been training for a long time?”
“Yeah, that’s right. This is incredible. I’m not one to throw around praise, but Kim Dong-hoo really is a prodigy. Sang-ha has such high standards; for him to brag this much….”
And so the flattery began.
‘How far did my coach take this?’
Having no resistance to this kind of praise, all I could think was,
‘Please, stop.’
I wanted to get to filming already.
I needed to escape this moment.
+++++
“If you show him one thing, he learns ten. Our Dong-hoo could probably take down those on enhancers without breaking a sweat.”
The first time Baek Sang-ha said that, Gi Seong-chan hadn’t believed him.
How could such a person exist? He knew his coach liked his trainees, but this seemed exaggerated.
‘But after watching his training videos, my mind changed.’
A video of this middle schooler sparring with Coach Baek Sang-ha.
Even with headgear, his level was unbelievable.
He’d always wanted to see him in person.
‘To think I’d meet him here.’
Kim Dong-hoo’s first scene was practicing swordsmanship alone, steeling himself before killing his father.
The key was to convey his genius—how would he do it?
The staff, including Gi Seong-chan, were filled with anticipation.
“Action!”
With the cue, Kim Dong-hoo moved.
Taking bold steps towards a straw dummy, Ja-un drew his sword.
Though it was a prop, the blade looked sharp.
Then,
Slash!
Ja-un’s sword cut through the straw without hesitation, splitting it cleanly in two.
A natural-born killer with a Cheonsal fate, wielding his blade.
‘…Is that even possible?’
Director Oh Jae-deok was struck with chills.