Phoenix Bloodline and Rush Man's Viral Explosion

Don't try this at home! Back during the fall of Baekje, Yi Won-suk, the eldest son of a prominent noble family in the Chungcheong region, adapted to the arrow of the times faster than anyone else and thus escaped disaster.

He immediately collaborated with Silla, putting down roots in Gongju amid the chaotic era and beginning to seriously expand his influence. As a reward for his loyalty, he seized all the land deeds from those around him who had clung to their integrity. Using those as a foundation, he forged new land documents—and those have survived down to Lee Jae-yoon today.

Lee Jae-yoon wielded his legitimacy based on those documents, exploiting the violence of the law to plunder land with overwhelming power, amassing wealth so vast that even squandering it generation after generation wouldn't make a dent.

But even he had one nagging worry: he had no legitimate son to carry on his bloodline. Every child was a daughter; he raged that he couldn't even glimpse a single prick, tried every trick in the book, but found no solution. And so, year after year, he sighed his way toward death.

"It's... it's a boy!"

Like a miracle, a late-born heir appeared to continue the line, and receiving the mandate of the phoenix, he grandly named him Tae-seong—daring to call his own son "Supreme Star."

Tae-seong grew up gradually realizing just how precious he was. On the year he turned six, in a moment when he lashed out with reckless violence and everyone around him just bowed their heads without a word, he fully grasped his lofty position. That was the trigger for Tae-seong's innate arrogance.

Moreover, the heavens, in their unfairness, granted Lee Tae-seong not just immense power but also physical strength. Living a dissipated life every day, he casually took a martial arts exam and stunned everyone with flawless martial prowess worthy of being called a phoenix incarnate.

+++++

Hwaaaak!

After briefly experiencing Lee Tae-seong's life, I blinked at the narration-like explanation that followed right away.

'You can immerse like this too, huh.'

Just as I was still feeling the infinite possibilities of immersion,

If I'd only learned swordsmanship for the Jaun role in Swordsman Baek Dong-su, now all knowledge related to comprehensive martial arts flooded in.

Not just knowledge, either.

'Feels like I could use it right now.'

Martial arts perfectly tuned for real combat. It felt utterly different from the assassin's sword I'd learned for Jaun.

Like I could charge onto a battlefield as a general and cleave through everything. Bluntly put, it was like a Black Flame Dragon slumbered in my right arm.

Anyway, as I was checking the script again,

'...What?'

A second grade had suddenly appeared.

Seemed like it was because of me, but.

'Do the others have it too?'

Checking the other works, only had two grades in a row.

'Does it mean double evaluation? Or a re-release?'

I had no idea what it was, and couldn't find out right then, so I decided to shelve it for now.

'B isn't bad anyway.'

Muttering that to myself, I stood up right away.

With the boxing tournament just around the corner and filming schedules not fully set yet, I needed to train hard in the meantime.

Going to the gym every day was best, but.

>Donghu, I'll handle your training schedule completely—tell me whatever works for you!

With full support from Gym Owner Baek Sangha, I could follow a well-structured solo routine.

The only shortfall was infrequent sparring.

But that was something I really didn't need.

'Sparring-wise, I'm always worried about hurting the other guy and can't move freely.'

Solo practice was way more comfortable. Plus, I could handle shadowboxing decently now.

'Only two people come to mind in my head, though.'

But those two were the world's best, so no issue.

Anyway, time flew by with training, and National Games day arrived.

"Donghu, you know Rush Man airs today, right?"

"Yeah? But don't you have model lessons?"

"Model lessons matter, but I'm your manager."

I arrived at the venue with Yerim.

++++++

Every Sunday at 6:10 PM, SKS's was generating massive anticipation.

"Is it today? The one with Kim Donghu they hyped in the ads?"

"Yeah, wonder how amazing he is to promo like that."

Everyone except the crew was excited but ready to roast if it fell short.

And understandably so, because

PD Ji Yoojin, who usually kept quiet, was demanding a huge push.

Never this aggressive during production—what had she seen? She was ready to throw a fit if promo slacked.

And on top of that,

The Drama Director randomly scratched at Variety, so built hype steadily from teasers.

And today was the payoff.

- with Kim Donghu and Kim Sujin—let's go! Go go go!>

The long-awaited Rush Man! Child Actor Special began.

Oppening usually started light, easing guests with chit-chat—that was standard.

But.

-

Kim Donghu nailed the vibe from word one. No-hesitation straight shot, worlds apart from past guests.

Impossible not to get hooked. Subtitle: 'Manly Man Kim Donghu!' primed.

Viewers went wild.

Post-super-manly line, real-time search #1 in minutes. hit top 10 in 3 mins.

But the shock didn't end there.

The forgotten fact ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠resurfaced: Kim Donghu's absurd looks meshing with variety for massive synergy.

Dramas/movies/plays limit expressions, but variety? Pure 100% raw Kim Donghu.

So maybe that's why?

Reactions stayed glowing.

And more.

-

Cute, innocent Kim Sujin's childhood friend brag popped up randomly.

Viewers couldn't contain the tickles.

Amid surging demands for Kim Donghu's melodrama acting, rolled on.

-

The usual chase began. Viewers anticipated Donghu's exploits.

But.

-

Suddenly Kim Donghu started handstand-walking.

Viewers froze, staring at TVs.

And there,

-

Flustered Rush Man! cast, with subtitles.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Kim Donghu bounding on his arms debuted on TV.