Irregular Prodigy: Korea's Boxing Beacon
While the irregular Kim Donghu was deep into filming Yeokjeok: Bud of Corruption, the Korean Boxing Association was buzzing with shock at his sudden emergence.
"Is this... for real?"
Tak. A profile popped up on the screen.
"Heh."
The profile alone drew involuntary laughter. "How does a golden blessing like this just roll in on its own?"
"And he's not just some regular guy."
"Right, exactly..."
The association members' eyes shifted to the name on the profile. Kim Donghu. Those three bold letters filled them with inexplicable pride.
"He's the very face of Korean boxing."
"If he keeps this up, he'll qualify for the National Team Selection no problem."
"Agreed. As long as he competes steadily every year, he's more than qualified."
"Can't even nitpick his acting career as his main job. Raw skill like this crushes any argument."
The Korean Boxing Association president listened to the rising chatter with a satisfied smile.
"Exactly, exactly. Nothing to worry about. That's why we're here—to make sure there's no issue at all."
"Spot on! Wise words!"
Of course, superstars didn't just appear because you willed them to. No matter how desperately you begged for one to emerge, blasting spotlights mercilessly, they didn't materialize. "How long has it been since we had a star like this? Does Korea even have talent this ripe on the tree anymore?"
That was a superstar. And here one had walked in on his own two feet—how could they not be grateful?
Korean boxing was on a shrinking trend anyway, its brief heyday feeling like a lie.
"Patience truly brings fortune in the end!"
In that drought, Kim Donghu had fallen like rain from the heavens—the association's greatest treasure, their one lifeline.
"With that in mind, don't build expectations too high, got it? We can't burden him."
"Yes, sir! We know!"
The president calmed the members and continued steadily. "It's obvious, but no one—no one—should pressure Player Kim Donghu. Or should I say, actor."
Kim Donghu was the spark. The one spark that could reignite Korean boxing.
"No posing for photos or anything like that... I trust you get what I mean."
Treating such a being carelessly? Unthinkable.
"Of course!"
"And especially the press—you know. Keep entertainment reporters out as much as possible."
"Yes, sir!"
"We need to create an environment where Player Kim Donghu—no, the actor—can focus solely on his matches. Thoroughly."
This wasn't just for him. It was about restoring Korean boxing's stature. Everyone nodded at the president's words, laced with desperate resolve.
"We absolutely cannot let his interest in boxing wane."
The president closed his eyes briefly, envisioning the future. Kim Donghu at the Olympics, claiming heavyweight gold. From there, Korean boxing's new dawn. What a perfect, lovely, proud picture.
Handsome, fit, popular, great personality, smart, talented actor...
Thank you for choosing boxing.
The president sent deep gratitude to Kim Donghu in his heart.
++++++
If I summed up my recent schedule in one word, it'd be 'busy.' Insanely busy.
Even with lenient attendance rules, I went to school whenever I could. So it was filming or school, school or filming, rinse and repeat.
Plus, shoots were always in remote locations, draining massive energy just on travel.
At least two hours in the van, quick stretch, straight into acting, back in the van for school. Without consistent workouts, I'd have collapsed ages ago.
Good thing I trained for this.
It was tough, but bearable. Just a heavy-body feeling. Honestly, three solid days of sleep would fix it.
Individual scenes are wrapping up soon—then group shoots, so more breather room.
Plus, today's completely free.
I glanced at my phone. Light pierced my tired eyelids, showing the time.
...Lunch soon.
11:30 a.m. Nap a bit more, then eat—perfect.
I was drifting off when—
Sniff sniff.
"Hm?"
A strange smell seeped through the closed door.
"Doenjang jjigae?"
This scent out of nowhere? Mom home?
Mom and Dad weren't fretting over their freeloading son right now. They were all-in on my newborn sister, Kim Seohyun, nearing two and still full baby mode.
But doenjang jjigae wafting from the kitchen?
Mom's unlikely.
No way a burglar whipped this up. Muttering that, I flung open the door and headed to the kitchen.
"You're up?"
There stood Yerim, bold as day.
Rub rub.
Blink blink. No illusion, no matter how much I rubbed my eyes. Yerim approached, hair swaying.
"I said I'm your boxing manager, but feels like I'm slacking on my fighter."
"Slacking?"
"So I came to cook."
"The passcode... oh, I told you before."
That explained it.
Wait, 'explained it'? No.
This wasn't casual territory.
"Whoa, hold up—this is too startling."
"Why? Isn't this the guy's dream?"
"No, no no no, nope!"
Her next moves had me waving hands frantically to stop her.
She's the ultimate fourth-dimension sometimes.
Should've seen it coming when she talked model dreams.
"Anyway, weekends I'll cook! Weekdays I'm swamped."
"...So you'll come every weekend?"
"Yeah? What's wrong with friends?"
"Isn't that... weird?"
She pondered my words, then nodded like she'd cracked it.
"Not friends... model and boss?"
"...I'm not the boss."
"Pfft, I know the agency vibe."
Seokho hyung flashes it too obviously. Bad sign.
I decided quick—this wouldn't end well.
"Extra tofu, please."
"Got it, extra tofu!"
I watched her trot back to the kitchen, then thought:
Man, no one can catch us like this.
Instinct screamed: no visitors today.
++++++
If I had to pick one pro of dorm filming:
Harmony. Acting in perfect sync.
Breath as one, total unity. Multiple actors on camera, zero awkwardness—everyone melts into the scene naturally. That's dorm magic.
"Cuuuut!"
Director Yoon Seongbin nailed the sign with gusto.
"Perfect!"
Yeokjeok: Bud of Corruption was wrapping basics. Character intros done, now weaving them into the real plot.
And soon, flashy power clashes.
Even weak peasants hide giants. 'Traitors' ripping corruption vs. 'yangban' defending turf—bloody showdown incoming.
"Haven't synced with Donghu in a while."
Jang Geonho grinned, genuinely hyped. Other actors couldn't hold back.
"Is Kim Donghu really that good?"
"First time seeing Geonho hyung this excited—kinda jealous."
"Yeah, he barely comments on our scenes!"
The playful, warm vibe made Jang Geonho chuckle.
"You all wonder that, huh? On-site presence is different."
Screen vs. live—night and day. Why theater exists.
"But you saw the reading."
"True, but acting's another beast."
"Simple: at least double that level."
"...Pardon?"
Question marks hovered over heads. Double from reading?
Possible?
We got it in early December. Chilly winds signaling winter's start.
"...Maggots gathered, reeking of rot."
When facing Kim Donghu's acting head-on.