Darling, Have You Been Well?
"Darling, have you been well?"
Hide Dream episode 12 pulled in 23% ratings. During Jay's performance of La Campanella, it spiked to 26%. With four episodes still left, the steep climb was turning heads. And the online communities were exploding just as much.
It was the era of the original Nine-Tails. Ninjas waging the Fourth War, the rubber guy fighting to save his fire-style bro, right when the final human slash was about to take down the Death Reaper King. Fans were seriously debating where Jay fit in the lineup.
Haggling Jay. His early contemptuous sneer toward the "inferiors," contrasted with the tear-streaked face in episode 12 when he hears "friend." Those two photos started circulating side by side online. Not particularly funny on their own, but Kim Donghu's handsome face made them hilarious anyway.
The piano performance drew the same skepticism.
Even a total amateur could tell the playing was pro-level. Face unreal handsome, acting on point, piano mastery too? Suspicion was inevitable.
That's how it came out that Kim Donghu had appeared on Kyarruk Doctor!. With his rising fame, fans craved more material, digging up every scrap from his past.
Watching all this buzz, writer Lee Min-ha stretched her arms wide. "Kwaaaah, I'm alive."
The community vibes skewed positive, so future episodes should ride the wave too.
Four episodes left. Sprinkle in Jay here and there to keep the tension alive.
The upcoming romance arc would surely lock in even higher ratings. Hitting the 30% barrier? Not a pipe dream.
SKS's Secret Garden remake just topped 35%.
Why couldn't they? Plus...
Didn't boot Jay out—just looped him in...
Could even spin him into Hide Dream 2 without a hitch.
Covered the theme, no finale rewrite needed.
Just slotted Jay into the original ending.
Play it right, and actor Kim Donghu might beg to work with me next...
Her happy daydreams shattered as her phone blared.
Riiiing ring ring ring.
Director Kim Cheol-do?
Why call now? Answer first, think later.
"Hello?"
-Zuhahaha! Writer Lee Min-ha! How've you been? Hope lunch was good!
"Yes, delicious. You too, Director?"
-Just about to eat. Anyway, we're planning a Hide Dream special concert soon. Could you grace us with your presence?
"Special concert?! Count me in! Will actor Kim Donghu be there?"
-Yup, just locked it in. Can't do it without our lucky charm, zuhahaha!
"Perfect! Send the schedule, I'll make it work."
-Got it. See you then!
"Yes!"
Zuhahaha! The booming laugh cut off the call.
Special concert? Awesome.
Broadcast station's hyped too.
Kim Donghu effect, for sure. He must be thrilled right now.
Or so Lee Min-ha thought. Meanwhile, in a ridiculously handsome actor's room...
"Kwaaaaaah! How'd they dig up my childhood exercise clips?!"
Dark history unearthed—thwack thwack thwack! The blanket suffered endless kicks amid screams.
Time flowed lazily into the week Hide Dream episodes 13 and 14 aired—Saturday.
Brilliant Agency president Han Seongmun jittered his legs in the meeting room. The fate of his company hung on this.
"...I'm shaking right now, aren't I?"
"Yes, quite a lot."
"Yeah, can't be helped. Right?"
"Spot on."
"Thought this would clinch it."
The bidding war for Kim Donghu. To win, Brilliant had gone all-in. Eight-figure signing bonus, royalties galore. Overkill for a TV newbie.
But Han Seongmun believed it was right.
Everyone's talking Donghu right now. Imagine him in our uniforms.
They skimped on the female model with a cheap idol trainee, but who cared? Secure Donghu, and it was worth it.
Ding-a-ling.
Good things come to those who wait. A promising vibe as he thought, He's here.
Han turned toward the bell. Kim Donghu. The online heartthrob dubbed "Haggling Jay."
Figured the screen charisma was camera magic.
But no.
In person? If anything, the camera underplayed him.
Do the ultra-handsome get halos or something?
His otherworldly looks carried zero intimidation. Felt approachable, even. Should be alienating, but nope—made him hotter.
This bottomlessly handsome kid just strolled over, and Han Seongmun was speechless.
"Hello, I'm Kim Donghu."
Bow.
A-lister with every right to attitude, yet bowing deep.
Super polite.
Han was thrown. Managers bowed like that, sure. But actors this courteous? Rare.
"Come in. Tea or something?"
"No thanks. We're good—straight to business is fine."
"Alright then. Have a seat, let's talk."
Han Seongmun and Choi Seokho wrapped the business chat in record time. Little to discuss—terms were golden, tweaks pre-negotiated.
So why meet? For this.
"Can we jump straight into the model shoot?"
The exclusive contract shoot right after. Studio uniform photoshoot, assuming smooth sailing.
"Female model's here too. Quick intros before shooting wouldn't hurt."
"Donghu, whaddya think?"
"Sure, why not? Getting friendly first means more natural shots."
"This way to the waiting room, then."
Han led Kim Donghu there.
"Oh, President—got a few photoshoot suggestions."
Before entering, Choi Seokho pulled Han aside for business talk.
Sensing adult chatter ahead, Kim Donghu slipped into the waiting room alone.
And there...
Whoa, she's stunning.
A girl with sculpture-perfect beauty. Face age-appropriate, but proportions model-tier. Could pass for high schooler.
Kim Donghu started to bow in greeting—
"Kim Donghu?"
Whoosh!
Her eyes went wide, and she lunged into his arms.
"H-Hey?!"
Kim Donghu panicked.
"It's me—don't you remember?"
The girl asked. He couldn't answer rashly.
Truly no clue.
"Wh-who...?"
The future global top idol star.
"It's me, your bride, Ryu Jaerin."
Ryu Jaerin looked up at Kim Donghu with a radiant smile.
"Darling, have you been well?"