GalaxyTL
Shinyerim liked Kim Donghu.
Just as any teenage girl’s heart would. A guy who's handsome, athletic, and smart naturally draws attention.
But there was a specific moment that made Shin Yerim truly fall for Kim Donghu.
One day, unexpectedly.
She noticed Minhyuk, who used to act like a delinquent, studying for his future. And on that same day, she saw Kangshik, who usually had a gloomy expression, smiling. It struck her that all of this was possible because Kim Donghu was around.
"When people are by your side, they’re happy."
That conclusion came to her suddenly, like a dandelion seed floating on the wind.
Just as a major discovery might emerge from a moment of inspiration, Shin Yerim found herself feeling stable just by being near Kim Donghu.
There was a brief period during her first year of middle school when she’d hung around troublemakers to avoid being ostracized.
"What was I even doing?"
Even though they were only friends in name, she had sought stability there. Now, she felt embarrassed by it.
Shin Yerim felt at ease when she was with Kim Donghu. It wasn't just his looks; it was as if his very presence put people at ease.
And yet, a part of her felt uneasy.
"Did I end up liking someone too famous?"
Kim Donghu was a celebrity.
Not just any celebrity—he held the title of the "National Crown Prince," with an impressive resume that didn’t need further explanation.
For now, they could interact because they attended the same school, but once they graduated, even catching a glimpse of him would become difficult.
"After that, we'd probably just exchange a few messages on KakaoTalk, at most."
She didn’t want that future. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing this precious safe haven due to external circumstances.
So, she decided on modeling.
For some reason, she felt she could do it well; her talents would eventually shine like a needle poking through a pouch. Shin Yerim found herself naturally leaning toward becoming a model.
Besides…
His encouragement ignited her desire to pursue modeling. But there was a problem—she didn’t know how to start.
Should she enroll in an academy? Or maybe try out for auditions? Where to begin?
Navigating through an endless sea of information to find what she needed was overwhelming.
And just as she was hesitating to ask her parents for support…
Kim Donghu extended a hand to her.
At that moment, Shin Yerim thought, "What’s up with this guy?"
Was it okay for someone to be this likable? How could anyone be so pure-hearted?
She grew curious. He must have had countless opportunities to become arrogant. How could he remain as pure as he was in the beginning?
"Is it because he’s risen above everyone else without getting hurt?"
Or…
"Is it that he keeps his purity despite being hurt so much?"
As her thoughts reached that point, only one word filled her mind.
"I want him."
She wanted him so much it drove her mad. She felt a powerful desire and impulse to have her life begin and end with Kim Donghu.
So, she planned her next move.
After school in July, she called Kim Donghu to an empty classroom.
++++++
Waiting for Kim Donghu, Shin Yerim felt a strange sensation.
"He actually came when I called."
It was surreal, as if it were all a dream, that an actor known as the National Crown Prince would come to an empty classroom just because of a few KakaoTalk messages.
<"Can we meet after school?"
"Why?" <"Uh… I just wanted to ask you something about modeling, so I thought we could talk in person." "Okay."
Her reason was partly genuine; she was truly concerned about modeling, which eased her conscience slightly.
The door slid open.
Kim Donghu walked in.
"Is it because of agency issues? Or is it about your parents?"
Kim Donghu, unaware of her true intentions, earnestly began discussing her future.
"As far as I know, your parents didn’t oppose it."
She vaguely remembered reading somewhere that her parents had actually been thrilled at the thought of her becoming a model.
"Then again, deciding on your future at this age isn’t easy."
He seemed to understand, so he was ready to listen. But Shin Yerim made up her mind and got straight to the point.
"Isn’t there a lot of unfair treatment in modeling?"
"Unfair treatment?"
"Yeah, like, in movies or dramas, there’s often that kind of stuff."
That kind of stuff.
As soon as she said it, Kim Donghu immediately understood.
"There won’t be any of that with our agency, and I wouldn’t let that happen."
At her age, such worries and fears were natural, so Kim Donghu tried his best to put her mind at ease.
"But, you know, I heard sometimes models have to change clothes around people if there’s no time."
Shin Yerim leaned into her worries.
"Oh, that can happen sometimes."
"I heard they have partitions, but still… it’s a bit uncomfortable for me."
"That’s understandable."
"So, I thought maybe I could get used to it… with someone I trust."
"If that helps, it sounds like a good approach."
A good approach.
The moment he said that, Shin Yerim flashed a mischievous smile and lightly fluttered her skirt.
"So, that means you’ll be the one to see me, right?"
"Wait, huh? Why would I…?"
Kim Donghu sensed something had gone wrong in the conversation, but it was too late.
"You’re the person I feel most comfortable with."
"But you have your parents."
"For career advice, you’re the one I trust most."
"Still, I mean, how can a girl just say something like that?"
She could see he was flustered.
Watching such a multi-talented guy fumble around made her heart race.
"So, Kim Donghu, you’ll be the first to see me, right?"
"What? Are you crazy?"
Seeing his reaction only made her want to push further.
"If I’m going to be a model, I have to look good, right? And you said it’s normal to, well, show a bit of skin."
"I did."
"If anyone’s going to see, I want you to be the first."
Kim Donghu’s brow furrowed. She wondered what reaction he’d have next. Would he fumble again?
"So that’s why you called me here."
Kim Donghu relaxed his expression, then quietly locked the classroom door.
He walked towards her confidently.
The previously flustered Kim Donghu was gone, replaced by a composed, assertive one who steadily closed the distance.
What’s happening? Why is he suddenly like this?
Caught off guard, Shin Yerim panicked as the situation veered off her plan.
But ignoring her, Kim Donghu pressed close, their noses almost touching. At that proximity, he spoke with a calm assurance.
"Someday, when that time comes, I’ll look until you get tired of it."
His words, whispered close to her ear, were so sweet.
"Hic, hic!"
Shin Yerim’s knees gave out, and she sank to the floor with a hiccup.
That single sentence made her dizzy with imagination.
Her body tingled, and her head felt hot, almost as if she were coming down with a fever.
"R-really?"
In her dazed state, she looked up at him and asked.
"Yeah, so make it happen."
He gently brushed her hair, then casually walked out of the room.
"Phew, almost got caught up in that."
He felt grateful he’d learned acting, realizing just how important it was to manage his expressions.
"So she had that kind of worry."
Though half of it felt like a joke, there was enough reality in it. Given past incidents in the entertainment industry, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
There was only one way to prevent such things from happening.
"I’ll just have to rise even higher."
To a point where no one would dare to treat anyone from his agency poorly.
In a dark studio lit only by the glow of a monitor…
"It’s done! Finally!"
The sound of a keyboard creaked as writer Lee Minha stretched with a sense of relief. This script, which should have been ready early this year, had taken longer for one reason only:
"I had to create a script worthy of actor Kim Donghu’s approval."
Right after finishing High Dream, writer Lee Minha had dived into writing High Dream 2, aiming to release it before the original series faded from memory.
"But our Donghu’s career skyrocketed."
The actor she’d chosen for the lead role was now a rising star, with ratings of 30% guaranteed as the National Crown Prince.
Writing a script that such a popular actor would like had taken time.
"Plus, he’s supposed to be on a break."
Sending a script to an actor on break felt like messaging a coworker on vacation—it needed a strong justification.
And that was what she’d finally created.
"This script will definitely catch Donghu’s attention."
High Dream 2.
Not a solo lead role, but one that would highlight his genius and brilliance.
"He’ll shine brighter than anyone."
A new story featuring Kim Donghu as the main character had just been born.
But suddenly, one worry surfaced.
"With how busy he is, will his piano skills be up to par?"
She wondered if he’d still be able to perform the difficult pieces required for this role.