Rose – Kim Sujin had no idea how flushed her face must have looked.

How can someone look like that?

Truthfully, she thought seeing him during rehearsals had “inoculated” her against the shock of his looks. While his styling wasn’t complete then, she hadn’t expected such a dramatic difference on stage.

He was already so handsome, but I had no idea he could look even better!

Where in the world could one find such a stunning Little Prince? His divine appearance eclipsed every extravagant accessory.

Any worries about children crying or making noise at the start of the performance disappeared instantly. After all, if even well-educated adults became speechless seeing Kim Donghu’s face, there was no way kids would react any differently.

Seriously, that blonde hair on him is unbelievable!

The golden-haired Little Prince from the illustrations had come to life. His white skin, golden hair, and bored-looking blue eyes matched the image she had in her head.

I’m glad I met him when we were young.

Kim Sujin felt genuinely grateful for being his childhood friend. Otherwise, she would probably have forgotten her lines while looking at his face.

“Leaving? You’re leaving? Leaving here? What about me?”

Delivering her lines, Kim Sujin—no, Rose—slowly appeared on stage.

The first thing she noticed was the thousands of eyes focused on her. At that moment, she truly grasped why stage acting was different from being in front of a camera.

Wow, this is something else.

She felt the weight of so many gazes for the first time, coming from every direction—front, left, right, and above.

For a split second, she thought she might make a mistake. But her nerves vanished when she saw Kim Donghu performing without a hint of tension.

You’re more immersed in this role than anyone.

His expression showed no distractions. Kim Sujin gazed at him, utterly absorbed as he transformed into the Little Prince.

Calling him Kim Donghu felt almost wrong now. The Little Prince looked at her—no, at Rose—and spoke his lines.

“You? You have to stay here. Actually, you can’t leave.”
“What are you talking about? You’re leaving me?”
“Yes, I’m leaving. I’m tired of this, and that includes you.”

Rose’s shocked reaction reflected in her face, surprising the children in the audience. But none of them cried.

That was because the Little Prince casually swept his hair back.

With every small movement, his overwhelming charisma drew admiring smiles from the children.

“I’m sick of the foolish tree, and I can’t stand the constantly angry volcano anymore either.”

The Little Prince continued his lines.

“What?! Are you talking about me? Am I the one you’re sick of?”

At those words, a woman in a bright red dress, like a volcano, appeared on stage.

“Look at that—you’re getting angry again.”
“Hah! It’s because of you! What did I do wrong? Everything I say is for your benefit!”

As she spoke, crimson powder spread around her, foreshadowing an impending eruption. The Foolish Tree and Rose hurried to the corner, wary of the outburst.

“Of course, it’s not your fault. After all, you can’t leave here.”
“What?! What are you saying? Leave? Are you thinking of leaving?”
“Is there any need for further discussion? I’m going.”

With a weary expression, the Little Prince turned his back.

From the Foolish Tree to Rose to the Volcano—he was surrounded by beings bound to this small asteroid. As he looked at them, the Little Prince sensed it was time to leave.

Every step he took away from them slowly moved the stage backdrop.

It truly felt like he was stepping into a new world. The scenery shifted naturally, accompanied by new music, as everyone but the Little Prince exited the stage.

Leaving his tiny asteroid, the Little Prince encountered his next stop.

“How dare you not bow before the King!”

A man wearing a long crown stood on stage, yelling imperiously. Jang Geonho, portraying the arrogant King, scolded the Little Prince.

“Kneel before me! Everything is under my rule!”
“Everything? I’ve never heard of that before.”

The Little Prince looked puzzled. Living on his asteroid, he’d never been ordered around.

“Yes! Everything! Don’t you see all this land?”

The King’s grand gesture prompted the Little Prince to look around.

True, there was land, but it was empty. The land was so small you couldn’t even plant a single rose.

The King wanted control over everything he could, but he had no one to rule.

That’s because he was the only one living on this barren land.

“I own everything! So you, who’ve entered my domain, must obey me!”
“You remind me of the Foolish Tree.”
“Foolish Tree? What is that? Are you mocking me?”
“No, it’s just that there was a tree with the same personality as yours back on my asteroid. Its name is the Foolish Tree.”

But something felt different between the King and the Foolish Tree. Although he couldn’t quite identify what it was.

“What’s different about us?”

The Little Prince directed his question not to the King, but to the audience, as if this difference was crucial for them to remember. With that, he departed from the King’s planet.

The stage changed again, smoothly transitioning thanks to the seamless coordination of many people behind the scenes.

As the King retreated, the next character appeared.

“Ah, I’m so amazing! I have everything! I’m the best!”

A strikingly handsome man stood atop a mountain of gold and jewels, proclaiming his greatness with a somewhat angry expression. The children felt a chill, intimidated by the scowl of Han Taegon’s character.

“You think so too, don’t you? That I’m the most handsome! Right?”
“…Who are you?”
“Me? I’m the Stylish One! I’m the most stylish!”
“Is the Stylish One always this angry?”
“What? I’m not angry!”
“You’re angry right now.”

The Little Prince felt this “Stylish One” was similar to the Volcano on his asteroid.

But.

“You’re like the volcano on my planet, yet somehow different.”

Just as with the King, there was an inexplicable difference.

“That volcano—is it more impressive than me? I don’t think so. I’m the best! For myself! You agree, don’t you?”
“Pardon?”
“You think I should be the best, don’t you?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t know enough to say who’s the best.”

Once again, the Little Prince looked toward the audience.

The King and the Foolish Tree, the Stylish One and the Volcano—why did these figures remind him of those left behind on his asteroid? They seemed similar, yet somehow different.

He didn’t understand, and while the Little Prince couldn’t grasp it, some children noticed the subtle distinction.

The perceptive children, already wise beyond their years, sensed that difference.

But they were left questioning, too—was what they noticed correct?

Amidst their curiosity, the Stylish One’s temper flared.

“What! Come here! Are you saying I’m not the best?! Come here! I’m getting angry!”
“You’re already angry.”

Why did he get so angry? The Volcano and the Stylish One alike—he couldn’t understand them.

“Strangely, I think I can understand why the Volcano gets mad.”

But since he couldn’t figure it out right away, the Little Prince hurriedly left, lest he get scorched by that fiery rage.

Thus, the Little Prince passed by several minor planets until he finally arrived at a blue planet.

A place where countless living beings seemed to thrive, where boredom seemed impossible.

Setting foot on this planet, the Little Prince took a step forward just as the curtains began to close.

As the performance was lengthy, it was time for a brief intermission.

With the lights in the theater coming back on, the children returned to reality after their brief journey with the Little Prince.

“If you need to go to the bathroom, go now!”
“Me!”
“Me too!”
“I want to go too!”

While the Little Prince took a break, it was the caretakers, not him, who looked after the children.

 

Backstage

I took a deep breath as I listened to the kids’ laughter.

“Haa…”

Thanks to my consistent physical training, I was able to handle it. But leading the play solo for an hour and a half was no small feat.

With so many eyes on me, I couldn’t afford a single mistake. The experience of acting on stage with thousands watching was truly incredible.

“That was amazing! It’s like the Little Prince of my dreams came to life!”
“Donghu, drink some water first. Is your throat okay? Want me to get you something warm?”
“We have about 30 minutes—want to take off your costume and rest a bit? We can do a quick touch-up after.”

As soon as I stepped backstage, everyone showered me with words of encouragement.

“Thank you, but I’m fine. This costume’s comfortable; I think I’ll just stay in it.”

I was exactly halfway through. All that was left was to show why this play was titled The Story of Stars and Moon.

“Jinwoo hyung.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for letting me take the lead in this story.”
“W-What’s with the sudden cheesy talk?”

Jinwoo looked away, flustered by my unexpected sentiment. His innocent reaction made me smile.

I can do this.

I made a quiet vow. The Little Prince must move forward, even if clumsily.

Because we are the flames.

“Flames that ignite the dreams and hopes of children.”

As I reflected, time seemed to fly. I could see the children seated quietly again, and the theater darkening once more. I heard the narration and the pilot’s voice beginning.

“Just like how I grew up, never giving up thanks to my parents.”

No matter how difficult things get, I want to give these children memories that will help them rise again.

“Kim Donghu, please get ready!”

As many times as needed, I would become the Little Prince.

With strength in my trembling legs, I found myself standing up. Grasping my hands to steady them, I felt strength filling me.

“Yes, understood.”

Now, let’s move forward.

Into the final act, to share The Story of Stars and Moon for the children’s bright dreams.