GalaxyTL
Kim Donghu’s consecutive victories in boxing tournaments were making waves this time, unlike the previous occasion.
"Actor by trade, pro-athlete as a side hustle?! Kim Donghu claims high school heavyweight TKO victory: 'The true champion.'"
Right after Rushman! peaked at a staggering 30% viewership rating, Kim Donghu’s fame in South Korea skyrocketed once again.
His fearless, unrestrained nature naturally garnered public admiration.
And to top it off, he was good at sports too?
People wanted to know more about Kim Donghu. They wanted to see more of him. And this was the critical moment.
Excessive attention can often lead to trouble, so managing it wisely was essential.
Thus:
“Um… Donghu, I’ve reviewed all the ad offers and sent you the list.”
“Yes, sir.”
“There’s also a project offer, but should we ramp up your schedule? There’s been a lot of variety show requests.”
“I think now’s a good time. I’ll check the CF offers and get back to you.”
“Good thinking. Honestly, I recommend focusing there too. Anyway, rest up and don’t worry.”
“Got it. Thank you.”
Click.
Kim Donghu adjusted his schedule, and Choi Seokho happily coordinated accordingly.
While most people felt good about anything related to Kim Donghu, there was one notable exception.
“Why… why would he choose her over me?”
That exception was none other than Ryu Jaerin, the center and visual lead of BloomBell.
Initially, Jaerin had been thrilled when Rushman! ads started airing. She was excited to see Donghu on TV again after such a long time.
But.
“How is it that he keeps getting tangled up with her?”
The moment she learned he’d appear alongside Kim Sujin, her composure shattered in anger.
‘They’re crossing the line while I’m busy.’
Why was her man spending time with someone else?
‘It’s only because I’ve been too busy!’
Truthfully, if circumstances had been fair, Jaerin had the upper hand. Sujin was in a different grade, but Jaerin was in the same class as Donghu.
In theory, she could’ve spent much more time with him if she’d been free.
But the grueling schedule of a newly debuted idol was merciless. From university performances to cosmetic ads and various events, there simply wasn’t time for school.
To be fair, Donghu wasn’t any better off. He’d missed about eight months of school preparing for his plays, so their absences were comparable.
Still.
“How is it that, during that time, she got to stick by his side, and now they’re even appearing on a variety show together?”
The problem was that Jaerin hadn’t been there, while Kim Sujin had spent that time with Donghu.
“Yes, that’s right. Sujin is cute and pretty.”
“...”
Hearing words she wished she hadn’t, Jaerin closed her eyes tightly.
‘We live next door to each other. We’ve even shared meals with my grandmother.’
Did private connections have no weight? Wasn’t that supposed to seal the deal?
‘Why do I feel like I’m losing here?’
With those thoughts, Jaerin glanced at the meticulous plan she’d drafted.
The document was password-protected, with the utmost security.
The title of the first entry read:
"♥ Donghu and Jaerin’s Virtual Marriage Project ♥"
Looking at it, Jaerin steeled herself.
“I’m not backing down on this.”
Even if it was just for show, declaring their “marriage” officially was unmatched in impact.
No strategy could surpass it.
+++++
Time flew by, and it was now late October.
I slowly got out of bed while checking today’s schedule.
“First script reading, huh?”
Today was the day of the first script reading for The Traitor: Roots of Corruption.
With the way my schedule had been packed, there hadn’t been much reason to go to school.
“So this is why everyone talks about Daejong High like that.”
At any other school, I’d be held back a year for missing this much, but Daejong High recognized all absences as legitimate for broadcasting activities. No need to worry about repeating a grade.
“But my part seems to come later than I thought.”
The Traitor: Roots of Corruption was a film divided into five acts.
Each act introduced new characters and advanced the story, with all the threads eventually tying together into one cohesive narrative.
The structure was loosely based on an omnibus format, allowing the storylines to converge in a unique way.
“Still, if they called me for the first script reading, does that mean we’re covering the whole thing today?”
Or maybe we’d start with one of the later scenes where all the characters appear together.
“Guess I’ll find out when I get there.”
Normally, I’d be getting ready already since most script readings started early in the day.
But for some reason, today’s session was scheduled later, so I had a light breakfast and flopped back onto my bed.
On a day when I could legally skip school, resisting the temptation to sleep in was nearly impossible.
++++
While Kim Donghu was enjoying his midday nap, at the same time, the script reading venue for The Traitor: Roots of Corruption was bustling with activity.
“Don’t put that there! And make sure you prepare green tea instead of water for Jin Yoosung—he prefers it.”
“Also, people might get hungry midway, so have some snacks ready.”
“Should we just go with simple toast?”
“Hmm, some actors are on strict diets, so coordinate with their managers to keep it low-key.”
“Understood.”
The room buzzed with preparations.
“We’ve got about three hours left, so let’s push through!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
There were still three hours until the reading was scheduled to start—quite different from the time Kim Donghu thought it would begin.
“You did inform Kim Donghu about the correct time, right?”
“Yes, we deliberately told him later than the actual start time.”
“Good. That’s how it should be. Did you also let the other actors know?”
“Yes, I told them Kim Donghu would be arriving late for dramatic effect.”
“Perfect. That way, there won’t be unnecessary gossip, and Donghu won’t get blamed.”
Director Yoon Seongbin nodded in satisfaction.
"This seating arrangement is exactly how I envisioned it."
The tables were arranged in a U-shape.
At the center sat the director himself.
On the left side, there were more than five chairs.
On the right, however, only two chairs stood.
It was a deliberate setup, meant to evoke a courtroom-like confrontation, with the judge in the middle.
“The more obvious the sides, the easier it is for everyone to immerse themselves.”
The Traitor: Roots of Corruption was a film with clear lines between good and evil.
It depicted the clash between oppressed commoners who took up arms and the corrupt nobility. This arrangement was intended to foster a palpable sense of rivalry.
Once the setup was complete, the actors began to arrive.
“Ah, Actor Jang Geonho! It’s an honor to work with you again.”
“An honor? Come on, the honor’s mine for being called up. Thanks for having me.”
Starting with the veteran Jang Geonho, the room filled with actors whose presence on screen guaranteed success.
The casting was undeniably impressive, and amidst the group, one figure stood out immediately:
“Am I the last to arrive?”
It was Jin Yoosung.
If Kim Donghu embodied teenage good looks, Jin Yoosung was the face of young adulthood.
As the torchbearer for the previous generation of "handsome actors," Jin Yoosung had a striking appearance with delicate features, flawless pale skin, sharp eyes, and a chiseled jawline that exuded masculinity.
So much so that the phrase “flower boy equals Jin Yoosung” became commonplace.
His presence alone brightened the room, as if flower petals floated around him.
“Looks like everyone’s here.”
With all the actors except Kim Donghu seated, Director Yoon Seongbin announced,
“Let’s begin the reading right away.”
There was no need to waste time. The cameras were already set up, and everything was ready.
“We’ll start around Act 3.”
Act 3 marked the turning point in the story, the first direct confrontation between the rebellious commoners and the corrupt nobility.
“You scoundrels! Do you not fear the heavens?”
Jang Geonho’s powerful voice instantly captured the room’s attention.
“The heavens? Bullshit! If those bastards feared the heavens, they wouldn’t live like this! I say we kill them all!”
That retort came from Joo Seonghwan, whose impeccable dialect delivered a raw authenticity that vividly painted the movie scene in the room.
“How dare these lowly creatures prattle on? It’s truly revolting.”
With a disdainful frown, Jin Yoosung’s delivery made him seem every bit the aristocrat he portrayed. His line set the tone for the deepening drama.
As the actors read their scripts, their focus intensified.
"It’s almost time for my entrance."
"They want me to make a dramatic entrance, but isn’t this too much?"
Donghu’s role involved interrupting the reading with a sudden line—a risky move that could easily disrupt the atmosphere.
While dramatic, it also risked feeling overly contrived.
Still, the actors pressed on with curiosity.
“How could you? How could you betray your fellow countrymen like this?”
“Because you’re my countrymen, I’m letting you off easy. Out of mercy, I’ll make you my slaves instead.”
The tension climbed to its peak, emotions flaring intensely.
Then.
“…It was so noisy in the mountains that I came to see what all the maggots were writhing about.”
From behind the foliage—or in this case, through the door—someone strolled into the room with an air of calm arrogance.
“Lord, haven’t you heard? Talking too long with commoners can make you as foolish as they are.”
It was the actor playing the “Seed of Corruption” in The Traitor: Roots of Corruption—
“Don’t bother talking. Just kill them all.”
The room froze as all eyes widened at the sight of Kim Donghu.
“…We called for Kim Donghu, but why does it feel like…”
It wasn’t just acting—it felt like Yi Taeseong, the character, had come to life.
Director Yoon Seongbin couldn’t hide his shock.
It wasn’t a matter of acting skill.
It was simply that—
“He’s real.”
The level of immersion brought Yi Taeseong into reality.
The "Seed of Corruption" had bloomed, leaving everyone in the room breathless.
Thanks for the chapter!