The Auditionless Prodigy
"Hey, you actually sweat a lot..."
"...Really?"
"Yeah, I told you."
"No way, that can't be right."
In the meeting room at Toonitrain Broadcasting Station's Kyarruk Doctor!.
An unbelievable story was making the rounds right now.
"That picky old man's really bringing in a kid actor just like that?"
"I told you, yeah."
"What about the audition?"
"They say he just saw the kid's face right there, called the parents on the spot, and they're on their way together."
"No way!"
The shocking report hit the AD and assistant director like a bolt. The CP who heard it shot up from his seat.
Everyone knew Kim Youngmo PD was exceptionally talented, but this crossed the line. No audition at all and just slotting the kid in? In a program already flooded with lobbyists from every direction?
"Send 'em back right now! What nonsense is this? Even if it's a kids' show, come on! You think we're playing games here?!"
Bam! The CP slammed the desk, making everyone flinch.
"No matter how bad our ratings are, this is unacceptable! The station's small—word gets around! What then?!"
"But... what if it works out?"
As the saying goes, the youngest always stirs the pot. The CP's top blew off again at the junior writer's words.
"Works out? Works out how? Nothing works out! I'm telling you, this whole approach is wrong! What are you even saying?!"
"N-no, I just... someone like Kim Youngmo PD wouldn't bring just anyone, right?"
The X generation these days? How crazy had the world gone for the junior to talk back like this?
"Hey, you! What the hell do you—hmm..."
The boiling anger cooled. Thinking it over, yeah, it made sense.
Who was Kim Youngmo? The guy who'd turned down offers from big networks to make history with a kids' show. The one screaming bloody murder that they couldn't just import foreign cartoons forever—that Korea needed content infused with its own soul.
A guy like that bringing a kid without an audition? There had to be a damn good reason.
"...Um, Hyemi."
"Yes."
"Where's Youngmo at?"
"Just finished parking and heading up."
"Elevator?"
"Yes."
"Got it."
Alright, let's at least see the kid's face. Judge the talent for ourselves.
I can always yell later.
The CP wrapped up his thoughts and plopped down near the elevator to wait for Kim Youngmo.
B3. B2. B1. With each floor the elevator climbed, his leg bounced harder.
An angel and devil whispered on his shoulders, cooling him then heating him up.
Then—
Ding!
The elevator doors slid open like a reward for his patience.
"Knew it, Youngmo! You're one of a kind!"
The CP beamed at the boy inside.
Kim Youngmo PD nailed it again! Unreal!
+++++
What mattered most in directing? It was just like cooking.
The cast is everything.
With good ingredients, any direction turns out killer. Stuff a salad with organic veggies, and boom—delicious. Obvious.
The director was thrilled right now for exactly that reason.
Where'd this kid come from?
A slightly oversized T-shirt for budget-friendly kid clothes. Pants hem folded kimchi-roll style. Well-worn, washed-out sneakers.
So far, just your average five-year-old from the neighborhood.
But.
Insanely handsome.
How could a five-year-old have features like that? Straight nose bridge, sharp eyes, pupils sparkling like they held starlight. Delicate, cute lips, and more.
After years in kids' TV, he could say it with confidence: the best ever. Maybe the last of his kind.
And most shockingly, super calm for a five-year-old.
Most kids would wail separating from Mom in a strange place.
"...Bored? Want me to hold your hand?"
"Sweaty."
"I-I sweat a lot?"
"Not what I meant. Just... yeah, stay quiet beside me."
"Okay!"
He was handling veteran child actress Kim Sujin like a pro. From the dialogue alone, he could've passed for big bro and little sis.
Perfect timing for that empty spot.
The biggest enemy for child actors? Condition. Labor laws aside, kids' stamina only goes so far outside playtime. They catch colds easy.
Today's team game made that empty slot glaring. But with this perfect sub? No worries.
The director wasn't alone in thinking that.
"Normally we don't fill spots like this, but we're a small station."
"Oh, y-yeah..."
Heo Sangseok CP, who'd been ready to rip Kim Youngmo's head off, was now grinning ear-to-ear during the interview.
"So, our shoot goes like this..."
He poured his heart into explaining to the boy's mom, Lee Yuhyun: format, schedule, pay details, everything.
All the while stealing glances at the boy—no, Kim Donghu.
Unreal kid showed up.
Actors often "act" handsome. Even without standout looks, charm crushes it. Sometimes outshining the truly gorgeous.
But.
Can't beat that.
Felt like witnessing the next gen's handsome benchmark. Overhyping a five-year-old? Maybe.
But this is my gut.
Heo Sangseok's instinct, honed watching countless child actors grow, screamed: Grab him. Make him regular, not temp.
So he quoted a sky-high fee for a newbie. High enough Kim Youngmo's jaw dropped.
But.
"That's for my kid to decide."
Lee Yuhyun refused to railroad her child's future. All choices to Donghu.
So.
"Hey Donghu, I'm Heo Sangseok."
"Hello."
A polite bow from the waist. Young and mannerly too? Rare combo of looks and personality.
"You know Kyarruk Doctor!?"
"Yes, I watch it a lot, and I'm so excited to be on today."
Heo dashed to Kim Donghu the second the mom chat ended. Grilling a five-year-old? Easy. The show was religion to kids.
He was sure his hook would land.
"Cool! What if you come on regularly?"
"Regularly?"
"Yeah! If you want, play with Kyarruk Doctor every week!"
Game over for newbie child actors here. Weekly play with their idol-celeb? No kid refused.
"Oh, but I'll decide after today's shoot."
"Right? Then Uncle'll check your schedule next week, wha—huh? Say that again?"
Heo Sangseok's eyes bugged out.
Did I hear right?
Kim Youngmo beside him was just as stunned.
"After today's, yeah? Try it first, decide later—not too late, right?"
"Uh, y-yeah."
So sharp. Heo and Kim Youngmo exchanged looks, chuckled in disbelief.
Then it hit: This kid's no ordinary.
+++++
My second life, starting at five.
Once I confirmed my perks carried over intact, I wondered.
How far do they go?
Three perks total.
A Thousand Faces: everyone's ideal type.
A Thousand Talents: excels at everything.
Smooth Sailing: life on easy mode.
What synergy would they spark? This kids' show was my test run.
Thought it'd take longer, but it happened fast—dizzying pace, but fine.
Shoot starts in an hour, but no one's here yet?
With ace child star Kim Sujin front and center, and the rest AWOL?
Discipline's lax.
One good pep talk would fix it.
As I thought that, murmurs rose from afar.
"Ooh, new kid?"
"Wait, last time... wasn't some agency sending one?"
"Yeah, and look at him..."
"Whoa, super handsome."
"But that mask—never seen that brand."
Five child actors and their five knight-like mom bodyguards. Like a Crime and War movie set—tension spiked.
My mom's gonna get crushed.
Moms who'd invested big from day one for their kids.
Vs. my mom, who'd rushed over on a single day off.
Huge power gap incoming.
Can't do much about aura wars.
Invisible battle. As the pre-shoot bloodbath loomed an hour out—
"You're the one who made our Sujin cry, huh... Donghu."
Someone strode out from behind them. Elegant model walk. Stiletto heels clicking down the hall, announcing her presence.
Not just winter fur coat. Plate armor of wealth. Huge necklace and earring gems. Gold-flecked sunglasses frames.
Huh?
I knew her instantly.
Right—now I get why Kim Sujin started as a child actor so young.
And why she became a top star. Genetics on another level. Like a kid from athlete parents inheriting killer reflexes.
She'd inherited insane acting talent. The queen who'd once dominated TV as the nation's actress.
Kim Yuryeon. She approached me.
"Wondered how handsome you had to be to make my girl cry all the time..."
Yeah, she was that stunning. Her alluring smile passed me by as she gently stroked Kim Sujin's hair.
"Hi, I'm Sujin's mom."
"Uh, uh, wha—?"
My mom short-circuited.
Makes sense. I'd glitch too. Stuff piling up in under two hours.
A regular mom's meltdown? Predictable.
But I don't want it as spectacle.
Time to divert eyes. I knew just how.
"Hey, you actually sweat a lot."
"Wha—?"
"You stink."
"...Ugh... N-no... Waaah!"
Kim Sujin burst into tears. All eyes snapped to us.
Solid execution.