The Bud of Corruption Blooms
Right after Rush Man! hit a peak viewership of 30%, Kim Donghu shook up Korea once more.
His bold, no-holds-barred style naturally won people over. And on top of that, he was athletic too?
People wanted to know more about Kim Donghu, see more of him. And this was the critical moment.
Too much attention could backfire, so it needed careful management.
That's why.
"Hmm... Donghu, I've checked all the ad offers that came in and sent you the list, yeah?"
"Yeah, got it."
"There's one project lined up, but how do you wanna ramp up activities? Got a ton of variety show invites too."
"Now's the perfect time. I'll review the CFs and get back to you."
"Good call. Honestly, that's what I was gonna recommend. Anyway, rest easy, no worries."
"Thanks."
Click.
Kim Donghu fine-tuned his schedule, and Choi Seokho happily adjusted accordingly.
Like this, most people felt good about anything involving Kim Donghu.
Except for one – the rare soul in a foul mood.
"Why... why'd he leave me out?"
It was Ryu Jaerin, BloomBell's center and visual ace.
At first, when the Rush Man! promo dropped, Jaerin was thrilled. Finally seeing Donghu on TV again after so long.
But.
"How's he always tangled up with her?"
When she learned he'd be with Sujin, her face twisted in barely contained rage.
While I'm busy, she's crossing the line way too much.
Why was she playing around with someone else's husband?
I'm busy!
Objectively, Jaerin had the edge in proximity. Sujin was in a different grade, but Jaerin was in the same class. If she could stick around, they'd be glued together all day.
But a fresh idol's schedule was murderously packed. College gigs, cosmetics ads, events galore. No way to hit school.
Kim Donghu was in the same boat, missing eight months for theater prep. Similar absentee time.
But.
"...Not content with hogging him during that time, now variety shows together?"
She couldn't join, but Kim Sujin had spent it all with him. That was the issue.
<Yeah, Sujin's cute and pretty.>
"...."
Jaerin squeezed her eyes shut at those words she refused to believe came from Donghu's mouth.
We live next door, even ate grandma's food together.
Were private bonds limited like this? Weren't they supposed to seal the deal?
Why do I feel pushed aside?
With those thoughts, Jaerin glanced at her password-protected Word plan sheet. The first line's title:
♥ Project: We Got Married Shoot with Donghu ♥
Staring at it, Jaerin steeled her resolve.
"No way I'm yielding this."
Even if fake, publicly nailing down marriage? Nothing more effective existed, she was sure.
Time flew to late October. I checked my schedule and slowly got out of bed.
First script reading, huh.
Today was the first read-through for Yeokjeok: Bud of Corruption. With the packed lineup, school was a rarity.
That's why everyone raves about Daejong High.
They excused absences that'd get anyone else held back. No fear of repeating a year for broadcasting work.
But I'm debuting kinda late in it.
Yeokjeok: Bud of Corruption split into five acts, introducing characters and plot per act, converging later. A loose omnibus style.
Calling me from day one means full read today? Or starting from the late-game ensemble scenes?
Guess I'll see when I get there.
Normal read-throughs meant prepping now, but mine was oddly delayed. I scarfed light breakfast and crashed back in bed.
Legal skip day? Tough to resist sleeping in.
While Kim Donghu napped, at the Yeokjeok: Bud of Corruption script reading site:
"Not there! And... Jin Yuseong prefers green tea over water, so prep that."
"They might get hungry midway, so snacks on standby."
"Toast maybe?"
"Hmm, some actors are strict on diet – coordinate with managers to avoid drama."
"Got it."
The crew buzzed.
"Three hours left – push a bit more!"
"Yes sir!"
Three hours to go. Way off from what Kim Donghu knew.
"Kim Donghu got the message right?"
"Yeah, told him late on purpose."
"Good. Others too?"
"Yeah, prepped them that Kim Donghu's late for dramatic entrance."
"Perfect – no gossip, no backlash for him."
Director Yoon Seongbin nodded, pleased.
Seating's spot on too.
Π-shaped table. Him center, five-plus chairs left. Just two right.
Judges in the middle, sides facing off. All intentional.
"Gotta see factions at a glance for immersion."
Yeokjeok: Bud of Corruption split good vs. evil outright.
Classic justice triumphs.
Oppressed peasants vs. corrupt nobles. This setup built rivalry.
Setup done, actors trickled in.
"Director Jang Geonho! Haha, honor working together again."
"Actor directing my film? Honor's yours for calling me."
Veteran Jang Geonho first, then box-office surebets filed in. Flashy lineup.
Then, cutting through: "Am I last?"
Jin Yuseong. If Donghu was teen handsome, Yuseong was 20s handsome.
Pre-Donghu heartthrob rep, delicate features, pale skin, sharp eyes and jaw screaming masculinity.
Flower boy = Jin Yuseong. Aura like petals swirling; room lit up on his entry.
"All here-ish."
Yoon Seongbin eyed seats (sans Donghu). "Let's jump straight into reading."
No fluff – cameras ready, no time waste.
"Start from Act 3."
Act 3: Story ramps, rebels face nobles first.
"You scum...! Fear not heaven?!"
Jang Geonho's gravelly roar set the tone instantly.
"Heaven? Pfft, fear heaven and they'd live right? I'll just kill 'em all."
Joo Seonghwan's flawless dialect caught it, painting the scene.
"How dare these mongrels babble – utterly revolting."
Jin Yuseong's furrowed disdain as noble sparked full immersion.
Actors zeroed in midway.
My cue soon.
Dramatic entry's cool, but forced?
Barging mid-read for lines? Could kill vibe. Epic or cringy?
Still, they read on, wondering.
"How... how could you?! Fellow Koreans!"
"Koreans, so this mercy. I'll make you my slaves out of kindness."
Tension peaked, emotions boiling over.
"...Mountains so noisy – ah, maggots swarming."
Door creaked; someone strolled in leisurely through brush.
"Milord, didn't you hear mixing with inferiors makes you one?"
The bud of corruption in Yeokjeok: Bud of Corruption:
"No talk – just kill them all."
All eyes widened at Kim Donghu.
Called him, but why...?
Like Lee Taeseong breathed from the film. Yoon Seongbin gaped.
Beyond good or bad acting.
He's real.
They held breath, staring. The bud of corruption bloomed.