Sudden Catfish (2)
Appearance isn't just about the face. It's hair style, expressions, posture, speech patterns. The way you walk, the clothes you wear, and so on. Innate traits combined with cultivated habits—that's what makes up appearance. And this appearance doesn't just stop at what's visible. It shapes the aura around you, the vibe you give off.
'What the hell is this kid?'
In that sense, writer Lee Min-ha felt like she was in a high school classroom right now. Nothing special about it. Just one guy in a high school uniform walking by. But that alone gave her a fresh shock.
'I can see it.'
His top two buttons undone, revealing a hint of collarbone. Not wearing his cardigan but draping it over his shoulders for that delinquent edge. His hair swept back casually, wild like a beast's mane. Frown lines on his brow as if the whole situation pissed him off, eyes narrowed just enough to dominate the room.
'I can see it.'
Lee Min-ha could picture it: a rampaging delinquent younger guy. The kind who relies solely on his face and talent, skips practice, but could soar higher than anyone with just a bit of effort. A brilliant, lazy genius.
His name was—
"Kim Donghu!!!"
Bam!
Kim Youngmo couldn't hold back and shot up from his seat. Five years old. That was when he'd first witnessed that brilliant talent. So naturally, the excitement came with worry. He knew how much actors fell behind after long hiatuses from acting. Especially a total newbie with no experience who'd done nothing for about ten years.
Maybe he'd lost that five-year-old shine, clueless as ever.
But seeing him now...
"Only you could pull this off!"
The worries were unfounded. Kim Donghu was still Kim Donghu. No—even more evolved than at five. With maturity added to the mix, he was beyond heaven. The catfish that showed up to devour every fish in the pond.
Of course, the center of all this hot attention, Kim Donghu himself, was actually...
'What? What's going on? Why's everyone freaking out?'
Pretty flustered.
+++++
A few minutes before entering the audition room.
I was waiting with the crew for my turn at the audition.
'Damn, so many people.'
Three thousand applicants. My number was 444. Even with a relatively early spot, it meant a four-day wait.
"But this number's kinda ominous, 444 of all things..."
"I-it's good, it m-means winning everything, k-killing it all!"
Minhyuk eyed my number tag and said that, with Gangshik jumping in desperately. The guy in question didn't care at all, though.
'Why are you guys more worked up than me?'
I was the only one who could skip school anyway. Kim Minhyuk tagged along like it was obvious, and Gangshik insisted on coming, waiting right outside my house from the start. Shin Yerim...
"I'm 1562..."
She glanced down at her number tag and sighed deeply. She'd submitted her application not long after I did, she'd said.
"I looked around everywhere, and most people just followed the script and got cut. Looks like it needs some flavor!"
"Flavor?"
"Yeah, Donghu, I think it's gotta be something like... sharing the agony of creation to build a character."
Minhyuk had dug pretty deep online, spouting random bits he'd picked up. But it actually sounded plausible.
"Hmm, maybe craft a little image then?"
"Image?"
"Doesn't it need some character vibe?"
"Y-yeah! That's exactly what I meant!"
"Hey, Minhyuk, you're actually helpful."
"Ha! Of course! I'm your road manager!"
He's still pushing that, huh. The second I praised Minhyuk, Gangshik adjusted his glasses smoothly.
"Th-the info, I f-found it."
Knew it. No way we could've gotten such premium info easily. It was possible only because Gangshik, the best with computers among us, was around.
"Thanks, Gangshik."
"What about me?"
"Yerim, you... yeah, just thanks."
Why are they all so desperate for praise? I chuckled softly and checked the script in my hand.
Auditions usually lasted 2-3 minutes. The script was short to match. 'Definitely room to tweak it.'
A few lines introducing yourself. Then stuff about school life, what kind of person you are. In short, the script was a self-introduction. Introduce yourself out of nowhere while acting the role in 2-3 minutes. Pretty tough.
'Then just go in acting from the start, right?'
Impact was key. I immediately changed into the high school uniform, undoing the top two buttons. A slight delinquent vibe. Best for a strong impression.
The second I stepped out transformed, all eyes locked on me.
"Kim Donghu, even if you blow up later, don't forget me."
Shin Yerim scanned around, then said it dead serious.
"Y-you're really h-handsome, Donghu."
"Donghu! I'm seriously gonna be your manager!"
Gangshik and Minhyuk got pretty serious too.
"You're all overreacting."
"Donghu, no joke—you're the best-looking guy here."
Minhyuk whispered it like state secrets.
"My standards are gonna skyrocket, this is bad."
Yerim sighed like she genuinely worried.
"Number 444!"
Then my number was called.
One thing to do: 'The door opens, and I'm a thug.'
Become delinquent high school freshman Kim Donghu.
Click.
Door opens to four judges. No greeting—just stride right up to them.
'Now spit the lines.'
The moment to embody pure delinquency—
"Kim Donghu!!! Only you could do this!"
The bucket-hat guy bolted up from his seat.
'PD Kim Youngmo?'
Why's the PD here? Questions aside, intense gazes poured in. Eyes demanding I show everything. I took a breath in the heat and calmly continued the lines.
"What do these punks think they're doing, banding together and acting tough."
Crash!
I kicked away the chair meant for auditionees. Momentum was everything. Hesitate, and it's over. Perfect acting from start to finish for this to work.
'My concept: the delinquent high schooler defying the protagonist's crew.'
As the judges' eyes flicked to the chair then back to me, I continued calmly.
"Untalented losers, just shut up. Think practice changes anything?"
"Fill the numbers, grab a participation trophy, pat yourselves on the back like that's good enough."
"This is talent."
Foot on the chair, deep breath. Time to sing.
Can't do the full thing—highlight only. Crank the prepped music file in my pocket to max volume.
"Kim Donghu!!!"
The familiar guitar riff hit, and Kim Youngmo yelled my name again. What song fits in the realm of talent? I'd agonized over it endlessly. Conclusion came quick.
'Rock it is.'
1991. An album that rocked the world drops. Nevermind. The band: Nirvana.
The song I'd sing: Smells Like Teen Spirit.
One thought as I belted it: I'll kill it.
+++++
"...That's it."
Kim Donghu's audition ended; time for feedback.
Lee Min-ha stared blankly at him for a while, saying nothing. Not just her—everyone did.
'Kim Donghu!!!!! Kim Donghu!!!!!!!!!!'
'Where'd this come from? Wanna film him right now.'
'Aaah... Praise for passing his paperwork.'
'...Found him.'
A mere 3-minute audition. In that short burst, Kim Donghu set the room ablaze.
"Uh, go on out... for now."
Lee Min-ha started to say something but sent him out first. Next in line, couldn't hold him long—such a shame.
"Yes, thank you."
Clunk.
Kim Donghu bowed at the dismissal and left.
"10-minute break, yeah? Quick breather."
Kim Youngmo PD cleverly blocked the next entrant.
"Hoo..."
Lee Min-ha exhaled deeply upon hearing that. Face torn between speaking or not.
Then she lifted her head, resolved to say it.
"Sorry, but I can't watch more auditions. Mind if I go first?"
"Pardon?"
"Everyone knows the 10-minute break's to cool off that heat, but... I really wanna write the script right now."
Fingers itching. A character breathing right in front of her—nothing worse than not capturing it. She wanted to transcribe the answer sheet before her eyes ASAP.
"...And honestly, feels pointless watching more."
"..."
Everyone fell silent at Lee Min-ha's words. They'd all known it in their heads.
No applicant would top Kim Donghu.