Give Your All or Get Crushed
Put everything you've got into it. Act like you're dead set on crushing Kim Donghu.
The rumor that Kim Donghu had flawlessly shot Geomgeom Baek Dongsu spread like wildfire. SKS Broadcasting Station, the production company behind Geomgeom Baek Dongsu, was buzzing with excitement.
"No NGs this time either, they say."
"No way. That's gotta be bullshit, right?"
"It's true! He handles the kendo like a pro, so even the martial arts director was blown away."
"Martial arts director? Who was it? Gi Seongchan? That strict guy?"
"Yeah! And he doesn't even give compliments easily, with that shark-like face of his!"
"Impressive."
Kim Donghu, whose star was rising fast lately, had joined them. Watching him shine on a rival network had been gut-wrenching with envy. But now that he was on their side, it felt incredibly reassuring.
"If the momentum keeps up like this, we might hit 30% ratings..."
"Shh! Don't jinx it."
No matter how much people watched TV, 30% ratings were a whole different league. Even the blockbuster Secret Garden had peaked at 35%. It wasn't an exaggeration to say 30% separated the megahits.
"The other shows are solid too, but crossing 30% changes everything..."
"Yeah, investments and ads come pouring in!"
That rumor about Kim Donghu having zero NGs started to morph subtly into whispers of, "Maybe Kim Donghu is the key to unlocking 30% ratings?" It was still just bubbling under the surface for now. But it was slowly spreading, ready for anyone to drag it into the light at any moment.
'Is Kim Donghu really that good?'
Park Jinhyeok, the child actor playing Baek Dongsu, tilted his head at the rumors while stopping by the salon for his schedule.
'I've never worked with him directly, so who knows.'
In the entertainment industry, rumors spread faster and more sensitively than anywhere else. No matter how hard you tried to avoid them, they found you. The hottest buzz lately was about Kim Donghu's insane looks and skills. The looks? He'd seen them in Hide & Dream. But the skills? Without proof, he couldn't judge hastily.
'Is it just the handsome factor, or does he actually act well?'
He'd glanced at Hide & Dream, but not really watched it properly. Suddenly, Park Jinhyeok grew curious about meeting Kim Donghu on set soon.
And then.
"Oh, sunbaenim! Hello!"
"Hm? Jinhyeok, huh. Prepping for a shoot?"
"Yes! Geomgeom Baek Dongsu."
"Ah, yeah, I know."
Park Jinhyeok bowed to Han Taekon, the lead actor in Endless Frontline who frequented the same salon.
"Historical dramas are long and tough to shoot, but so rewarding after. Feels like time travel."
"Totally! This is a reshoot, so I want to do even better than last time."
"Reshoot? Why?"
"The original child actor got hurt practicing swordplay, so they called in someone else."
The chit-chat continued casually after that. Park Jinhyeok's eyes sparkled as he spoke to Han Taekon—not just because they were from the same agency, but because he truly admired the veteran's deep emotional acting. How does he pull off performances like that? To Park Jinhyeok, Han Taekon was that kind of actor.
"Who'd they get?"
"You've probably heard of him. Kim Donghu..."
"Kim Donghu? Wait, the Kim Donghu I know?"
"Yes? Do you know actor Kim Donghu?"
More than know him—we shot a movie together. Han Taekon almost let it slip but caught himself.
'They wanted to keep Student Soldier under wraps as a secret weapon till the end.'
Strict secrecy. Kim Donghu's role was the movie's kicker—it couldn't leak yet.
'But he's jumping into another drama?'
Han Taekon was reminded anew of Kim Donghu's absurd stamina. By the timeline, he hadn't taken any real breaks. How was he handling everything so effortlessly?
'Come to think of it, he was flying solo on Endless Frontline too.'
Youth? Sure, but his workload defied that explanation.
"Uh, yeah, I've heard bits here and there."
Han Taekon brushed it off vaguely, dodging details and itching to escape. One wrong word could spell disaster.
But.
"I'm doing a scene sync with actor Kim Donghu tomorrow, so I was curious. Is he really that good?"
Park Jinhyeok's follow-up nailed Han Taekon's feet to the spot.
"Jinhyeok, give it your all."
"Pardon?"
"Or things get messy in every way. You have to go all out."
Han Taekon matched eye level, placed a hand on his shoulder, and emphasized it as gently as possible.
"Really, pull out everything you've got. Act like you're set on trampling Kim Donghu."
Don't try to sync—don't underestimate him rashly. Han Taekon advised from the heart. His long career gave him confidence, but.
'Can a kid burn with ambition after seeing Kim Donghu?'
Han Taekon had watched every bit of Kim Donghu in Hide & Dream. Amid rookies, he'd exploded like a supernova, crushing everyone like a tyrant and standing tall alone. Han Taekon didn't want Park Jinhyeok going through that.
The morning after the first shoot wrapped successfully. Still flower-bud frost weather, hot packs a must. I was reviewing the script in the warm van.
'This role's on another level.'
Hide & Dream, Endless Frontline, Hero. Common thread: my screen time was minimal. Sure, Noway got extra at the end, but overall, still short.
This time? Guaranteed 8 episodes minimum. Screen time, weight, role—all lead-level.
'Can't wait.'
Immersion complete; just filming left.
"Donghu, we're here."
"Got it."
Seokho hyung opened the door, and.
"Hello!"
I announced my presence with a booming greeting. Bows to the director and seniors, routine well-wishes, then straight to prep.
'Today's with the big senior.'
Cha Minsu. Veteran with a deep, imposing vibe; rumor had it he trained kendo.
'Never thought I'd sync properly with someone like that.'
In Hide & Dream, just chit-chat. Now? Full emotional and breath sync. Already thrilling.
"You must be Donghu."
Mid-greetings, Cha Minsu spotted me first and approached.
"Yes! Please take care of me, sunbaenim!"
"Take care of you? I've heard you're killing it lately."
Go easy—don't burn too hot early, or I'll struggle. Cha Minsu smiled leisurely, eyes saying bring it.
Then I'll match that.
Just clash with everything I've got.
Kagagagak! Swords clash, sparks fly.
"You lost your reason in the end, after all."
Not Cha Minsu, but Sword Forest Lord Cheonsaldae smirked bitterly at the charging boy.
"Do I look like the man who killed your father?"
It wasn't incomprehensible. Father killed mother young; he killed that father. No wonder the kid's mind snapped.
But swinging wildly like this? Never saw it coming.
'This is awkward.'
This awkwardness was Cheonsaldae's shock at the boy's rampage—and.
'How's he this good with a sword?'
Cha Minsu's real bewilderment after years of kendo. They'd synced a few times, figuring his basics would make good footage.
'The skill gap's clear.'
Kim Donghu—no, Jaun—felt leagues beyond. Feeling a genius's instinct firsthand was grueling.
Should've asked him to go easy. Why signal full throttle and invite this trial?
But I can hold.
Real fight? Dangerous. But this was acting. No matter how superior.
King! He'd win in the end.
But damn, he reads me perfectly.
Kim Donghu nailed Cha Minsu's intent; sword knocked away, he released it instantly.
Whirrr! Jaun's blade soared high, slamming perfectly straight into the ground.
Not just sword mastery—perfect acting atop it.
"Guhhh...!"
Jaun clutched his head post-drop, collapsing. Happened thrice already. Trauma from parents' death hitting late.
"...I've decided how to use you."
Cheonsaldae recited calmly over the fallen Jaun. Actors froze.
"Cut! That's it! Great work!"
Oh Jaedeok tossed the OK sign immediately.
'This is insane.'
The director couldn't hide his awe.
'Shoots shouldn't wrap this fast.'
Acting flowed naturally, sync flawless—no NGs. Just reshoots for angles.
Only change: one child actor. Yet the set ran impossibly smooth.
Today's shoot done. Tomorrow: bigger location, group training.
That sparked curiosity. 'Jaun was my ideal genius vision.'
But Kim Donghu nailed it—better.
'No directing for "act like a genius" needed.'
Why? He was one.
The very next day. Jaun training to earn his place in Sword Forest.
"...Am I seeing this right?"
"Y-yeah, seems so."
Crew gawked at Jaun's training. Rope climb—arms only, no legs. Kim Donghu doing it for real, no stunt double.
Something's... happening?
Ominous premonition.
'...Rivals with him?'
Park Jinhyeok, scripted as his rival, especially.
'Fight him? Me...?'
Mouth agape, staring at rope-climbing Kim Donghu.
Me beating him grown up? Makes sense?
-Give your all, or get eaten.
Han Taekon's words clicked faintly for Park Jinhyeok.