HideDream Special Concert
Ji Eunbi, 17 years old. She'd bought multiple OST CDs in preparation for the HideDream Special Concert. Today, she plopped down in front of the TV to watch the HideDream special broadcast. Script reading, making-of footage, and NG scenes—all crammed into a single hour. How could she not be excited?
Our Donghu oppa's gonna be in it a ton, right?
She'd devoured every article and even the writer's interviews. Turns out, Kim Donghu's screen time had been beefed up. That meant they'd shot way more footage with him, which naturally led to more NG clips. As Ji Eunbi indulged in happy daydreams...
-HideDream Special Broadcast! Starting right now!
The special kicked off. But... "Why isn't he showing up?"
Kim Donghu was nowhere to be seen.
The script reading? Skipped since they hadn't filmed the initial group read. Making-of? Mostly early shoots they'd already covered, so passed over. "This makes sense?" She could buy that, knowing about the reshoots. But...
"Why no NG scenes?"
As time dragged on, it started feeling excessive. Was a young, handsome kid who acted well getting deliberately sidelined? It was starting to seem that way.
Is this for real?
As the question marks piled up to four, Ji Eunbi calmly tallied his screen time. Zero in the main segments. Just a brief thanks for the 30.2% ratings and a post-shoot wrap-up comment. Compared to the others, not even half. Rage bubbled up.
Even acclaimed actors like Kim Yuryeon and Jang Geonho had NG clips!
They just skipped our Donghu? Do they think this is okay?
She hated whining on fan boards, but this was outright exclusion. Time to call it out.
"Huh?"
The moment that thought crossed her mind—zzzt! A burst of static, and the screen shifted.
-HideDream, I'll end it completely.
Kim Donghu's acting scene appeared. NG footage? The question flickered briefly. It was a patchwork of short clips, his performances playing out in sequence. And that's when Ji Eunbi realized it.
"...No NG at all?"
Scenes where other actors flubbed at least three times? Donghu just powered through silently, nailing OK after OK. Even when NGs happened, it was always the other person's mistake—never his.
Is this even possible?
Her boiling emotions chilled in an instant. She checked the fan board.
Half the comments were shock at the impossibility, the other half the usual swooning over Kim Donghu's looks.
Ji Eunbi added her own.
The morning before the HideDream Special Concert performance.
Long story short, I'd become class president.
"?"
Why me? Before I could even question it, it was done. Vice president? Shin Yerim.
Even after reshuffling classes for second year middle school, fate had stuck Na Gangshik, Kim Minhyuk, and Yerim in my class.
"Donghu, you've grown even taller, huh?"
"Hm? Yeah, feels like it."
"Measure it at the nurse's later. Now I really have to look up at you."
I chuckled lightly at Yerim's words. No clue how much more I'd grow, but my appetite had definitely ramped up lately. Everything I ate going straight to height and muscle instead of fat—perks of a second life, I guess.
"Donghu, you doing the 2 Nights 3 Days or the Crazy Challenge?"
"What?"
"Gangshik says 2 Nights 3 Days is more fun. No idea what he's on about."
Isn't Crazy Challenge the fun one? Minhyuk's out-of-left-field comment hit me with the reality of 2011. The golden age of TV, maybe? Sundays wrapping up the week with Gag Festival and band stages. I'd been so buried in acting, I'd lost touch with that vibe.
Do I finally have some breathing room?
As that thought crossed my mind...
Anyone else seeing this would freak. KakaoTalks poured in from my MMA coach, who was a big deal in fighting circles. Why did he turn into an ex-girlfriend over text?
He bought tickets? Guess I'll see him at the concert.
Awkward running into acquaintances there...
As I muttered inwardly—talk about timing—KakaoTalks flooded in.
Even censored, Sujin would know. Her barrage had cold sweat beading.
Every word dripped possessiveness from Jaerin. I replied vaguely and checked my schedule.
Special concert tomorrow, huh.
Fan meeting too. What if I botch it? Sudden worry hit.
Should I practice?
Fans who bought CDs deserved satisfaction. Half-ass it, and it'd sour their memory. Needed fan-pleasing talk for max joy.
And right then—
Ding! Ding! Ding!
As if on cue, texts from [Sims - The Real Life] rolled in.
Fan meeting tips?
Nope. Totally unrelated.
[<Geomgeom Baek Dongsu> Jaun Child Actor Injured?]
[Desperate <Geomgeom Baek Dongsu> Hunts for Sword-Skilled Child Actor]
[Secret Auditions Underway? Scrambling for the Perfect Actor]
The implication was crystal clear.
Am I landing a historical drama gig?
HideDream Special Concert day.
About 5,000 fans packed the venue, proving HideDream's massive popularity. Reporters snapped nonstop photos, fans screamed in anticipation of the show ahead.
Photo ops, idol performances, HideDream band songs, and my solo piano piece. A nonstop dopamine rush left fans reeling.
The standout? My piano, naturally. It obliterated the endless rumors of a stunt double. La Campanella's superhuman virtuosity had jaws on the floor.
"Donghu, you're... way too talented. Fighting and piano..."
A shark-like uncle teared up mid-applause, drawing brief eyes—but just a flash.
Performance wrapped. Next: the fan meeting everyone craved.
Ideally, chat one-on-one, but time said no. Pre-submitted questions, actors pick a few. Fans prayed theirs got chosen.
Please pick mine!
Ji Eunbi, who'd bragged about winning tickets days ago, clasped her hands.
Not heavy, should be fine. Please, please!
Simple mood-lifter, nothing tricky. Did prayers work?
"First question's light and witty. For actor Kim Donghu. Ready?"
"Yep, ready."
Donghu grabbed the mic amid laughs at the host's pitch-perfect intro.
"Oppa, since when were you that handsome?"
Parody of Secret Garden's iconic line. Laughter erupted.
Yes! Mine!
Ji Eunbi held back a scream—rude, and she wanted his answer now.
Thump-thump.
All eyes on him. He swept back his hair with a playful smirk.
"But why you talking casual to oppa?"
"Kyaaaaah!!!"
Ji Eunbi and the girl fans' hearts skipped.