GalaxyTL
Answer Me 1988 — Third Series
Even though previous installments had set the stage for success, there was still something on CP Joo Myunghan’s mind.
"To hit a 20% average viewership just once..."
If a cable TV drama could achieve a 20% average viewership, the ripple effect would be unimaginable.
"If only that could happen, really..."
The mere thought brought a smile to his face. He felt more convinced than ever that they absolutely needed Kim Donghu for this dream.
"Absolutely, absolutely! Kim Donghu!"
He reiterated his casting choice, yet reality had a different answer.
"...He’ll have to audition, right? We initially agreed on that."
With PD Shin Seonho’s reminder, CP Joo Myunghan quickly brought himself back to reality.
"That’s true."
No one wanted success more than him. He wanted an actor who was as passionate about the project as they were, and the audition was how they’d confirm that. Any actor unwilling to audition was out of the question from the start. “Answer Me” didn’t believe in fixed casting, proof of their dedication to the show’s success.
"But his last drama hit 30%, and his recent work, Ilshik, reached 40%." "Even so, Writer Jung is really adamant about the audition." "Ugh! Right, I remember now! How sad!" "Besides, we don’t even have a script yet. Planning out the cast already… it’s a bit premature." "Hmm, you’re not wrong."
Still, what if—what if Kim Donghu failed the audition due to performance or role issues?
"What if he just decides not to audition?"
Surely that wouldn’t happen?
A creeping unease began to gnaw at CP Joo Myunghan. Frankly, it was Donghu who had nothing to lose.
“Is he too successful for his own good?”
At this point, Kim Donghu had transcended the norm.
Listing his achievements would take all day. It was hard to believe he was still only seventeen.
"I get it, but the shooting schedule is set for the year after next."
Joo Myunghan couldn’t help but smack his lips at PD Shin Seonho’s words. That was true.
In fact, that was why Kim Donghu was even on the candidate list.
By then, he would be nineteen, close to adulthood, a time when restrictions on his activities would begin to loosen.
"Time, hurry up and pass."
Joo Myunghan stifled his longing, holding it in for that day.
Despite Joo Myunghan’s wish for time to fly by, someone else’s life seemed to be moving in slow motion.
"Ehii."
It was Kim Donghu’s little sister, Kim Seohyun, babbling incomprehensibly.
For Seohyun, life was incredibly simple.
"Seohyun, have you been well today?" "Ehe."
Kim Seohyun’s life ran on a simple, refined cycle. Watching her, her parents, Kim Jung-ryul and Lee Yuhyun, had one concern.
"Hmm." "It feels silly to worry already, but I think our daughter’s standards are going to be way too high."
Nod.
Kim Jung-ryul nodded with a serious look.
Growing up watching her brother, who had an almost unreal face, she was bound to have high standards.
"And with their big age gap, he’s more like an uncle or even a second father."
They’d likely never fight, and with Donghu’s personality, he’d treat his little sister incredibly well. Her standards were going to be high whether she wanted them to be or not.
Besides...
"It’s not just because she’s ours, but isn’t she just so pretty?" "We sure are blessed with good-looking kids."
Even as a newborn, Seohyun’s beauty was apparent—big eyes, a sharp nose, and nothing that wasn’t adorable.
If you had to compare, you might say she was the female version of Kim Donghu. You could already imagine just how beautiful she’d be in the future.
"Once she’s feeling better, we should take her outside so she can see other faces."
Nod.
Again, Kim Jung-ryul nodded in strong agreement with Lee Yuhyun.
When she reached an age where she could look around more, she would surely be astonished to learn there were other faces besides her brother’s.
Of course, it was partly the imagination of parents, but their son’s appearance was so exceptional that it naturally led to such concerns.
Others might call it an enviable problem.
"We can’t have our son’s face setting the standard for the world." "It’s strange having to worry about our daughter seeing only the best."
As parents, it was a serious concern.
Thankfully, their son was living on his own for now. This delayed the time when Seohyun would get too used to Donghu’s face.
"If she gets used to his face, that’ll be a real problem." "I definitely want to avoid that."
Getting used to his face? That was unacceptable. There was only one person in the world with that kind of face, and there might never be another.
To “adapt” to that face…
In the worst case, she’d have such impossibly high standards that everyone would look plain to her!
As Kim Donghu’s parents worried over this, he was currently…
"...Why are you here?" "Huh? I live here." "Here? Next door?" "We’re in the same grade, in the same department."
What did that have to do with living next door? He looked blankly at Ryu Jaerin, who had moved in next door.
How did Ryu Jaerin end up moving next to Kim Donghu? It was surprisingly simple.
**<Where do you live, Donghu?>
Me? The officetel near Daejong High.
<Hmm... here?>
Yeah, that’s right.
<Got it.>
You just have to ask. As soon as she found out his neighbor’s unit was available, she signed the lease.
This was partially due to her searching for a place to live and partly due to her being a student.
Even though she was a part of a girl group and mostly lived in a dorm, she couldn’t commute from there every day for school, so she needed a place.
Plus, it was more convenient for her grandmother living in a hillside neighborhood.
And the agency could justify the investment due to her recent surge in popularity.
With her unique charm on music shows and fan meetings, and her recent smash success on variety shows, her agency figured they could afford to invest.
"So I moved in next door. Does that bother you?"
Jaerin explained her reasons carefully, glancing up at Donghu with her best angle, perfected through repeated practice.
Donghu looked down at her with a straightforward answer.
"Huh? No, I’m just really taken aback. There’s no reason for me to dislike it." "True. But wouldn’t it be better to talk inside than here at the door?" "Oh? Uh, I guess?" "Then, how about dinner with my grandma?"
Introducing family meant, surely, that they were becoming something more?
Taking a leap with this happy thought, Ryu Jaerin offered bravely.
"Oh?! Really? Can I?"
Donghu, on the other hand, was simply excited at the thought of having his favorite homemade meal from Jaerin’s grandmother.
When Donghu was six, he and Jaerin attended the same kindergarten. He could never forget the taste of the kimbap he’d had on a picnic.
And…
‘I was just wondering if she was doing well.’
Since it wasn’t appropriate to ask outright, Donghu saw it as an opportunity to check in.
As soon as he stepped inside Jaerin’s house…
"So, Donghu, when are you marrying our Jaerin?" "Grandma!"
Right away, he was hit with a direct question.
It might sound like bragging, but I’m very used to situations like this.
Ever since I was young, whenever I met the parents of my female friends, I’d get the same reaction.
But this time was different.
"I need to see Jaerin get married before I die…" "Ah, uh… that is…" "I’m just teasing you, kid. Look at you freezing up after one little comment, haha!"
That was the kind of dark humor only the elderly could pull off. I was barely holding myself together.
‘Who jokes so seriously like that, Grandma?’
It had been a long time, but it felt as familiar as if I’d seen her yesterday. Her personality probably contributed to that.
"Ah, Grandma, please don’t tease him like that. Anyway, eventually…" "Eventually?" "...Well, just in case it happens, right?"
Jaerin added, then withdrew her words skillfully. After all her time on TV, she’d mastered the art of delivering lines with a straight face.
‘But she seemed so sure for something she’s saying casually.’
What was she aiming for? As I pondered that…
"So, you came to eat, huh? Are you very hungry?" "Uh, well… yeah, I guess I am. My theater class today really made me hungry." "Is that right? You’re very hungry?" "Yes, yes."
A sudden unease crept up on me, like I’d taken the bait.
"Hold on, Grandma! I… I don’t eat that much!" "Guess we’ll empty out the fridge tonight."
And that foreboding feeling became a reality.