Chapter 83

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 083

Chapter Title: Lee Do-ha

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Lee Do-ha. Age 10.

That was all the info written on the application.

No experience listed, just a typo-riddled sentence promising to work hard. That was the end of it.

Even the one photo included was poorly framed and low quality.

To the assistant director and the rest of the staff, it was the kind of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠application that inspired zero expectations.

The writer who approved it had them all wondering what the reasoning could possibly be.

But then.

"I'm Lee Do-ha!"

The child actor who showed up was nothing like they'd imagined.

Not just different from the photo.

For a split second, they wondered if this was an audition for child models in a pictorial shoot instead of child actors.

'Among the kids' faces I've seen lately, this one's seriously the best...?'

The staff's earlier apathy had vanished long ago.

Everyone couldn't help but focus on this promising face full of potential.

'D-Do-ha. How have you not debuted yet? You could've succeeded just doing commercials since babyhood.'
'Commercials? YouTube alone would do it.'

Hehe. His friendly smile, with crinkled eyes, melted the staff on the spot.

'No idea, no idea. I'm sold. Just pass him...!'

They just needed to pull themselves together a bit.

'H-Hey, kids? Calm down.'
'Honestly, for pictorials or ads, it'd be a lock.'
'But remember, we're casting actors here?'

Ahem.

The assistant director's cough finally silenced the staff's murmurs.

Of course, Director Kwak Hoon was still grinning ear to ear.

For Kwak Hoon, it wasn't just the looks.

Seeing Lee Do-ha in person sparked a sudden surge of excitement.

'Doesn't shy away from strangers, and that posture—how is it so straight?'

Not trembling in front of adults was already a huge plus. Unlike most kids, his focus didn't waver, and his posture stayed perfect.

Something about him just felt right.

And even.

'No wonder Yi-han recommended this kid—it all makes sense now...!'

Coming from Shin Yi-han, who took acting seriously, it only made Kwak Hoon more curious about what came next.

"Alright, Do-ha."

Kwak Hoon called out to Lee Do-ha in a gentle tone.

"You memorized your lines, right?"

Time to check if he'd read the script excerpt properly and see what kind of acting he could do.

"Yes!"

Lee Do-ha beamed brightly at Kwak Hoon's voice.

"I memorized everything!"

...Gasp. His sparkling eyes and spirited response had the staff clutching their hearts all over again.

Cute! So smart!

There was no helping it.

No matter how firm they tried to be, they kept falling for him. An objective evaluation seemed impossible.

"Can you show us?"

"Yes!"

Gulp. The adults around tensed up even more at Kwak Hoon's follow-up.

The staff were already smitten with Do-ha.

To the point where they started rooting for him like he was one of their own.

His looks were so stunning, it was hard to imagine he'd act well too.

'Personally, I'd love if he nailed it.'
'Even basic competence, and I'm pushing to cast him...'
'If he's terrible... w-well, that'd be tricky.'

Of course, that didn't mean they weren't planning a proper evaluation.

Separate from their biases, they were committed to doing their best for Tamra.

What kind of project was this?

Not only was the writer gracing them with another collaboration.

A script so thrilling, suspenseful, touching, and fun you could read it a dozen times and still love it. A real gem.

Yeah. How could they mess this up? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠No way.

Get it together. Seriously.

The assistant director and staff steeled themselves.

'Not falling for it easily...!'
'R-Right. I'm gonna be super strict!'

This resolve formed the instant Lee Do-ha started acting—but it was doomed to fail.

It happened right away.

"Uncle!"

Just 10 years old. Lee Do-ha delivered the line with a bright smile.

Starting his performance confidently before the adults.

His gaze lifted upward, as if his uncle were truly standing right there.

"Welcome!"

Before the deposition.

The young king joyfully greeted his uncle.

"If I'd known you'd arrive so early, I would've hurried more."

Like he was genuinely thrilled to see the only family he had left after losing his parents.

"It's been so long since I last saw your face—I've been beside myself with worry."

Excitement bubbled in his voice.

"And seeing you return in such good health... I can't even describe how happy I am!"

The young king was oblivious to the dark intentions hidden behind his uncle's convalescence.

He just smiled wide open.

Like a child utterly free of worries.

And the moment that scene wrapped.

The audition room's atmosphere shifted once more—this time, in the best possible way.

'Uh...?'

The staff and assistant director exchanged bewildered glances.

'Acting... this naturally?'
'It's actually amazing.'

That was exactly the thought.

'Nailed that long dialogue without a single slip.'
'And not just rote memorization—super natural?!'

Even memorizing lines was impressive.

Though basic, so many child actors struggled with it.

The younger they were, the tougher it got. On set, you'd constantly show them lines between takes to drill them... but.

Lee Do-ha was beyond that.

His tone, expressions, gaze control—nothing like his peers!

And Kwak Hoon thought the same.

'...Y-Yi-han.'

Kwak Hoon couldn't help glancing at Shin Yi-han, who was smiling to himself.

'How did you know? About this kid?'

Kwak Hoon was genuinely shocked.

The vibes were already incredible.

"Do-ha. Shall we jump straight to scene four?"

Excited now, Kwak Hoon eagerly requested the next bit.

Beyond the recommendation, he wanted to judge as director. He was dying to know!

"Yes! I'll do it!"

Honestly, the bright scene he'd just done? Skilled child actors could pull that off.

The real test was this one.

- The young king's sense of betrayal upon realizing his uncle's treachery.

They knew it was tough for a child, but Tamra needed someone who could nail that emotional arc.

'No way he pulls this off too?'
'Even good tears would be a win.'

Having seen such promise, everyone held their breath watching Lee Do-ha.

Ahem. He rolled his eyes briefly, as if recalling lines.

Moments later, he began building the emotion.

Somehow, it clicked perfectly.

As if he fully grasped the situation and the feelings required.

"...Uncle."

He hesitated, denying it as he spoke.

"Uncle would never."

Shaking his head, unwilling to accept the betrayal.

"No way."

Then, right after that short line.

Lee Do-ha unleashed a profound emotional scene.

He didn't just bawl like a kid at the stage direction for "shedding tears."

He held back the welling tears, fighting them.

The pain of betrayal from someone trusted.

And the harsh reality where crying wouldn't cut it anymore.

Drip.

A single tear rolled down beneath his reddened eyes.

He'd accepted it all to survive.

Realizing he had to escape now, or never.

And when he wiped away the remaining tears with his small hand.

The young king was gone from this place.

Only a child forced to grow up remained.

Lee Do-ha had delivered more than any child actor could be asked for.

'W-Wait a sec.'

A brief silence fell.

'This is insane... straight-up insane!'
'This ain't kid level at all.'

The assistant director and staff now wore faces saying who else but him?

'He's killing it! Seriously!'

Mouths agape, they nodded furiously.

It was shocking in multiple ways.

Without the writer's rec, they never would've called him in.

'If we'd missed him, we'd be kicking ourselves later.'
'Where'd the writer find this gem? Wow.'

They marveled at her foresight.

Kwak Hoon's eyes sparkled; he'd already mentally cast the young king.

'Perfect fit!'
'Acting like a damn adult...?!'

Lee Do-ha had won him over completely.

And only Shin Yi-han here smiled in satisfaction.

A soft grin was all he could muster.

'Knew it.'

Exactly as expected.

'No matter the age, Do-ha's Do-ha.'

Shin Yi-han was thrilled to reunite with actor Lee Do-ha.

Because no matter how young, he was the real deal.

Rumor had it he'd been obsessed with acting since childhood.

'Eh~. Back at the orphanage, I always took first in plays.'
'Even hustled to go pro as a child actor before the director grandma passed.'

Recalling his past life's Lee Do-ha, Shin Yi-han chuckled softly.

Nailed it again. Acting.

Meeting him this early felt so damn fun.

Lee Do-ha was the type who acted like a ghost—uncanny.

Of course, compared to his adult self, today's was pure and innocent.

Which made it all the more charming. Top-tier for his age.

'Perfect for Tamra.'

Shin Yi-han glanced around.

Kwak Hoon and everyone were dying to cast him already.

The excitement over discovering great talent lingered.

"......"

But then, suddenly.

"...Director Grandma."

Finishing the tearful scene, Lee Do-ha rushed to the grandma who'd come with him, unable to hold back anymore.

Huh? As everyone tilted their heads.

Waaah! Overcome by the lingering sadness, he burst into tears.

Unable to shake the emotions easily, he sobbed pitifully.

So saaaad...! Burying his face in grandma's legs while bawling.

His acting was too good—no one saw the kid outburst coming.

Everyone in the room cracked up.

What to do, too cute! That heartbreaking yet adorable sight was impossible to resist.

Shin Yi-han was no exception.

Little Do-ha? Cute as hell.

Even after the tears subsided.

"Later, there'll be more cameras, tons of people. Think you can handle that?"

Kwak Hoon checked with the inexperienced Lee Do-ha.

"Yes."

Lee Do-ha sniffled and nodded.

"I love acting."

His eyes sparkled.

"So much!"

Laughter erupted here and there as he flailed his arms emphatically.

"Whoa."

Some staffer admired, sneaking a glance at Shin Yi-han.

"Totally sounds like Shin Yi-han."

Exactly.

Loving acting, even phrasing it like their lead actor.

"Me?"

Shin Yi-han pointed at himself, puzzled.

"Yeah!"
"Huh? Now that you mention it!"

Hahaha! Laughter filled the audition room again.

Something about him just clicked.

"Totally! Mini Shin Yi-han!"

The assistant director chimed in, other staff joining.

"Insane. Face changes so vividly when acting!"
"Bet Shin Yi-han was exactly like this as a kid...!"
"Honestly, I first fell for Shin Yi-han's face."
"Khahaha! Our actor's handsome, right?"

All eyes turned to Shin Yi-han in an instant.

But right then.

"Huh? Who's Shin Yi-han?"
"......!"
"......??"

10-year-old Lee Do-ha's words cracked everyone up again.

Puhaha! Doesn't know him?

"That brother over there! Handsome, huh?"

Kids couldn't watch his adult-only dramas or films, so of course.

"Yes!"

Shin Yi-han laughed as the adults pressed the kid.

The fun atmosphere persisted through Lee Do-ha's audition to the end.

Crying kids. Wandering kids. Kids fixated on mom.

'...T-This is what kids are like.'
'This is normal.'

The other child actors afterward fell short of expectations. Even the one from theater they'd hyped most.

'Way underwhelming.'
'...He's decent, but after Do-ha...'

In the end, Lee Do-ha was naturally cast in Tamra.

Production would proceed smoothly.

Now just waiting on costumes and set construction.

Script reading and some action school in between, but.

Filming was right around the corner.

And today, the day after auditions, brought another event.

[D-1]

Everyone anticipated the usual fan cafe notice.

What event warranted a countdown like this? Curiosity peaked!

Many waited breathlessly for midnight.

Waiting blindly, even without knowing when it'd post.

But precisely at midnight.

Ding!

I-It dropped?!

Shin Yi-han fans frantically clicked the notice.

But this time, no photo of him.

[Thank you for your support.]

A handwritten letter, seemingly from Shin Yi-han himself.

Thanks for hitting 10k members, promises to work harder ahead.

[Thank you for counting down the D-day with me.]

The rest vaguely referenced the event.

[Excited to show you a new side of me, so here's the first news from here :)]

A URL attached below the letter photo.

Sudden link sparked question marks galore in comments.

One by one, they clicked, full of questions.

And the destination was.

[A haunted house_Short film Horror awards: handshake]

Something utterly unexpected.

No sign of "Shin" anywhere, comments and descriptions all in English—a YouTube channel.

'S-Sudden foreign YT channel?'
'Horror? What's with the horror out of nowhere.'

Everyone puzzled before the short film's page.

'Contest winner? Short film handshake?'
'Whoa! Haunted House? That's it! Top US horror studio!'

Some recognized the channel.

But no one knew this.

That their beloved actor appeared in the video.

'Huh...?'

Fans who hit play out of curiosity recoiled in shock.

'Hold up...'

Mouths fell open.

Eh?

E-Eh?!

The protagonist in the video was none other than Shin Yi-han?!