Turning the Stage Upside Down
Kim Sujin was a child born with a silver spoon in her mouth when it came to acting. As the daughter of Kim Yuryeon, she'd been exposed to the entertainment world from a young age. If she wanted, she could've shot commercials left and right. But Kim Yuryeon didn't want her little girl working that hard.
'I've got to keep it at just the right level.'
In that sense, Kyarruk Doctor! was exactly the program Kim Yuryeon had in mind. A kids' show with the perfect amount of attention—not too much, not too little. A set atmosphere free of pressure or burdens. There was no better stepping stone to ease into showbiz.
The only issue? Sujin adapted way faster than expected. Like mother, like daughter—her kid quickly took over Kyarruk Doctor! She had a presence that made her the center of attention among all those child actors. Her daughter had that kind of talent.
But lately, she'd been showing some truly childlike sides. Kim Yuryeon had worried the girl was growing up too fast, too worldly for her age.
"Mommy! Am I not pretty?"
"Huh? What're you talking about? You're the prettiest girl ever."
"But why doesn't he like me? I think I'm the prettiest!"
"Someone doesn't like my Sujin? Who?"
At that moment, Kim Yuryeon’s heart sank, wondering if her daughter was being bullied. But then...
"Donghu!"
"Donghu?"
"Yeah, he's my desk buddy. I wanna hold hands, but he always says something and won't."
"Oh? What does he say?"
"He says I'm annoying..."
"Then just ignore that little princess-chaser, right?"
"No way!"
"No? Why not?"
"'Cause Donghu is super handsome."
The moment she heard the full story, Kim Yuryeon couldn't hold back her laughter. Her daughter, who got princess treatment everywhere, was experiencing her first crush. And head over heels for his looks, no less!
'She's seen tons of handsome guys, so she should've built up some immunity.'
Having grown up around actors since infancy, her daughter had been exposed to top-tier visuals. And yet, she gushed that he was 'super handsome.' Curiosity piqued—and it was satisfied soon enough.
'There he is.'
Even in his childish features, a fierce aura shone through. It wasn't just his face. The way he walked, breathed, positioned his hands, waited patiently for others. His bold speech and sparkling eyes. Kim Yuryeon foresaw this boy devouring the entire entertainment industry.
So she poked at him a little. Just to see how he'd react.
But what happened?
"Waaahhh!"
He'd barely touched her daughter, and she burst into tears—like a warning not to pull any tricks.
And then...
"Don't cry."
From making her cry one second to gently holding her hand and soothing her the next.
"Yeah... sniff... huh..."
But her daughter fell for it hook, line, and sinker, stopping her tears instantly.
What the hell is this situation?
'Okay, fine, up to here it's understandable.'
But what about on the program itself? With cameras rolling versus off. That difference was huge. Even natural people stiffened up under the lens.
'Kyarruk Doctor! is like a jungle.'
With its kid focus, the main MC barely intervened. Kyarruk Doctor's lines were minimal, and he even wore a costume head. If anything, it felt like a single authoritative referee in a free-for-all.
In that jungle, what talents would this kid show? Kim Yuryeon was dying to know.
"You know that new kid coming today, right? Donghu."
"Donghu? Donghu..."
He tilted his head, spinning in circles.
Park Changjin, playing the doctor on Kyarruk Doctor!, scratched his head.
"Never heard the name... Oh, wait, that one? Sujin's boyfriend?"
"Yep, that's him."
As Kyarruk Doctor, he heard all the kids' gossip. Park Changjin and a few writers already knew about Kim Donghu—Sujin had spilled everything.
"Must've gone well in the meeting?"
"...Weren't you there?"
"I don't get much say anyway, so I was zoning out."
"Anyway, today's gymnastics-focused, so it'll wrap quick."
"Oh yeah. We said part 1 short, part 2 with some educational stuff, right?"
"Yep."
With the writer's confirmation, Park Changjin donned his costume head.
-Alright, everyone, shall we call for Kyarruk Doctor together?
The studio's standby signal came right on cue, like they'd been waiting.
'But no matter how handsome, won't he blend in on the show?'
Heading in, that thought crossed his mind. You couldn't ignore "experience." Society loved veterans for a reason. Someday, there might even be "veteran rookies"—a nightmare hybrid. He'd probably quit by then.
Muttering to himself, Park Changjin entered the studio—and froze at the unbelievable scene.
'Why aren't the kids freaking out?'
Normally, Kyarruk Doctor! started with just the kids introducing themselves and chatting casually to build rapport with viewers.
But today was eerily quiet. Lively, sure, but with a strange tension. Why tension with no adults around?
As the question formed, his gaze naturally shifted.
'Holy...'
He spotted the culprit. The new loach had just swum in and claimed the whole river as his territory.
Before Park Changjin entered...
"I'll show you around nice."
From pre-opening, Kim Sujin stuck tight to Donghu. First time on camera—nerves were expected.
But...
"Just introduce yourself and play, right?"
"Uh, huh?"
"I came last, so I'll go first?"
He bowed crisply.
"I'm Kim Donghu. From Rainbow Kindergarten, Sujin's desk buddy. I like Suk-suk Gymnastics."
Bright, cheerful tone. Beaming smile. And he never strayed from the camera's frame.
Kim Donghu nailed it flawlessly, no tension whatsoever. Like a TV pro.
This was thanks to his heavenly talent—it made him shine in any situation. His knack for shows bloomed instantly.
But the clueless onlookers? Total shock. Even his mom, Lee Yuhyun.
'Does my kid... have that kind of talent?'
She hadn't known. Or rather, had no way to know. A total newbie to this world, but one thing was clear:
'He's really different.'
His presence stood out. Despite subbing in and starting at the edge, eyes locked on him. They adjusted positions—he snagged center stage, like it was always his.
'Why's he so natural on camera?'
Kim Yuryeon, a showbiz vet, was stunned. Child actors hit limits eventually, like tadpoles can't beat frogs.
Her daughter was just turning froggy. But now...
A bullfrog had hopped in.
If Sujin was entering pro territory...
'He's straight-up pro.'
Pro vs. amateur? It's all about camera awareness. Amateurs stiffen; pros play like it's not there. Huge gap, especially for low-experience kids.
'Kim Youngmo PD messed up.'
Parachuting in a kid? Fine. But this loach was massive.
"I-I'm Jeon Sangmu..."
"Uh, m-me, m-me too!"
Except her bloodline heir Sujin, everyone fumbled. Kids who'd chatted fine last week now sounded like reading textbooks.
It'd always been there, but next to a pro, the contrast screamed.
"Wh-what do you like?"
"Me? I like everything, but if I had to pick, reading."
Are you really five? That vocab...
Everyone stared at Kim Donghu. Mature word choice beyond "old soul."
No newbie hazing needed—his presence alone cowed them.
The subdued opening wrapped.
-Alright, everyone, shall we call for Kyarruk Doctor together?
♪♩♬
Bright music kicked off the main show.
"Kyarruk Doctor! Come out!"
"Kyarruk! Yo-hot! I'm Kyarruk Doctor, who knows all the fun in the world!"
What could MC Kyarruk Doctor—Park Changjin—do?
"I hear a new friend joined us? How about we dance a new dance with this Kyarruk Doctor today-ho-ho?"
"Yes, sounds good!"
No mood fix—he'd push through. Coddling the laggers could tank the shoot. Better quick and dirty.
'Sujin and Donghu as the top duo to close.'
Luckily, just a few gymnastics moves today. Nail this, done.
"Watch my gymnastics close and follow—your height will shoot up, body super healthy!"
♪♩♬♪♪♩♩
Song started, gymnastics followed.
"Kyarruk! It might be tough first time, but with Doctor, it's easy!"
"Gymnastics," but half dance. Pure gymnastics bored viewers. Mild, kid-friendly choreography.
But even this was tough for little ones.
Or should be.
'Why are the others half-assing while you're full choreo?'
Kim Donghu stirred the mud again. Easy moves were still new to five-year-olds. Clumsy age—how could they nail fresh gymnastics?
But he did. Mirrored the once-seen routine like pro choreography.
He'd turned the stage upside down.
After Kyarruk Doctor! part 1 ended.
Pretty fun, huh.
Mind adult, body kid—the rhythm alone got me bouncing excitedly.
"Did my boy have fun?"
"Yeah."
Mom pulled me into a hug the second we exited the studio.
"How was it? Fun?"
That came from Kim Youngmo PD, not Mom. He'd snuck up, eyes sparkling, crouching to my level.
Honestly, kinda creepy.
"Yes, it was a great experience. Thank you, PD."
"Haha, no problem. So we'll be seeing a lot more of each other, right?"
He grinned like my answer was already yes.
"Huh? No, I don't wanna do this anymore."
I said it was fun—not that I'd keep doing it.