Why Are You Here?
Why were you here? After the news broke through the drama that Kim Donghu was appearing in Geomgeom Baek Dongsu, public opinion boiled over once again.
The acting profession is a strange one. Appear too often, and people get sick of you; appear too rarely, and they miss you. Your value is determined by that balance, so you have to manage your screen time carefully.
In that sense, cases like Kim Donghu were extremely rare. He appeared frequently, but never for long stretches. It was like he only showed up to make an impact and vanish.
His actual screen time reflected that too. A solid supporting role in Hide Dream, a true short in the short film, just five minutes in Endless Frontline—impressive despite the brevity.
His career wasn't long enough yet, but ironically, that made him like the strawberry on a strawberry cake. He skipped the boring parts and only popped up in the tasty bits. In drama terms, he was the ultimate cherry picker.
His role in this Geomgeom Baek Dongsu was the same—a child actor who wouldn't even appear for half the runtime.
But.
Slash!
This time, the impact was on another level.
Through a one-take technique that erased any doubts about editing, people were stunned by Kim Donghu yet again.
Like this, the more time passed, the more continuous shocks he delivered. The ten-million-viewer promise rice-eating mukbang had an unexpected sponsored fresh rice sponsorship that surprised everyone, and soon after, when he became the CF model for it, people could only chuckle in disbelief.
And not just that.
"D-Director! Director! It's huge, huge!"
"...Don't raise your voice. What's the rating?"
"Geomgeom Baek Dongsu... hit 16% peak when Kim Donghu appeared."
"The throne of Mon-Tue dramas is ours again."
When the cherry pie chunk next door bragged about surpassing 30% on Mon-Tue, it had pissed him off so much. The SKS Drama Director's subordinate bowed his head at his calm declaration.
"Do every possible promo, negotiate viewer rating promises with the actors—whatever we can."
"Yes, sir."
"Keep monitoring public opinion, dig for anything more we can squeeze out of Kim Donghu."
"Yes, sir!"
The intent to milk the current hot topic, Kim Donghu, for all he was worth. But how could they not? Whenever he appeared, it was a smash hit. Not paddling hard when the tide came in would be foolish.
Amid this scorching buzz, with everyone talking about him...
"...After Yeokjeok wraps, we should take a break, right?"
"I was about to say the same. Good, we're on the same page."
Kim Donghu was thinking about a break.
+++++
Busy.
That summed up the current situation.
Right now, with Endless Frontline and Geomgeom Baek Dongsu airing simultaneously, everything before felt like child's play.
For the first time in my life, I felt the limits of my stamina.
The problem was that promo options were limited back then, so rating promises meant running around on-site a lot. Plus school uniform events, fresh rice events.
Grateful and happy to be invited, but exhaustion was separate.
Times when I wished I had two bodies. Moments when I missed everyday life with friends.
"I think wrapping Yeokjeok and resting is the way."
I declared a break right then.
"I thought so too. Perfect. Time to rest."
My value had risen as much as it could. The "box office guarantee" image was solid.
Now, it was time to simmer—watch how high it could go while taking it slow. Essential actor strategy.
"Oh, and no schedule until October, so rest easy, Donghu."
"Isn't there the Yeokjeok audition?"
"Your career's booming now? Box office sure thing, so they just confirmed the role outright."
So that's how it works.
Nice.
Deciding on the break made real rest time feel abundant.
Seokho hyung seized the moment to adjust my schedule fully.
"So, break straight through until high school entrance?"
"Yeah. That feels right."
Unless it tied to the future messages from [Sims - The Real Life], no need to push further.
"No variety shows at all?"
"Nope."
Most shows now emphasized reality— one slip-up, and it was over. Better to rest properly anyway.
"Oh, if Star and Moon Story reaches out during the break?"
"Tell me for sure."
Future messages were never to be ignored.
"Got it. I'll handle the rest of the scheduling, so relax."
"Thanks."
The day after deciding on the break, I got busy in a different way.
+++++
Baek Sangha, the martial artist who resembled a shark, was born for the path of martial arts.
In the age of romance, he cleared the alleys with his fists for peace. Honing that talent, he mastered various martial arts.
He once dominated Asia in boxing, even eyed UFC, but injury derailed it.
His dream didn't end there. He joined the special forces, deployed overseas.
Through countless battlefields, meeting many, surviving near-death, he honorably discharged.
Based on that, he opened a gym in a quiet neighborhood.
Officially for a leisurely retirement, but the real goal was different.
Finding gems.
The wuxia adage: beware children and elders. True to it, Baek Sangha sought talented kids.
And finally, now.
Whoosh!
Feeling the leather glove graze his cheek, Baek Sangha realized the genius he'd sought was right in front of him.
I thought my senses had dulled from being busy lately.
Skipping workouts briefly had been the perfect rest? Kim Donghu's senses were sharper than ever—nay, honed to a killing edge.
Like an assassin's blade.
The killing intent is insane.
Usually, such intent was predictable and easy to counter.
But Kim Donghu's was different. Eyes that saw only killing the opponent—like a beast eyeing prey.
As that thought hit, another fist flew.
Left is bait, real one's right?
Deciding that, he lightly countered the left—
Whoosh.
Kim Donghu's left foot stepped forward boldly.
Oh shit!
He'd forgotten. That Kim Donghu was a genius, and
Donghu's an ambidextrous lefty main!
Genius always innovated uniquely.
Thud.
Caught off-guard by the shift, he took a clean hit.
Sparring, so light, but the level of sparring partners mattered.
Thwack!
A mere tap, yet the sound boomed.
"Hup!"
Only someone like Gym Owner Baek Sangha could take it unfazed. Kids sparring? Instant KO.
Rubbing his tingling abs, Baek Sangha continued heavily.
"Donghu... you know not to use that technique without telling me?"
"Yeah, never in finals unless it's the championship match, right?"
"Exactly. Never use it anywhere."
Saying that, Gym Owner Baek Sangha slowly removed his pads.
"Two months since you said you'd rest? Already September."
"Yeah, doesn't even feel like I've rested properly, but time flies."
"You played hard, that's why. Heard you hit the amusement park last time?"
"Yeah, disguised, but people still recognized me. Maybe wear a mask next time."
Plenty ways to spot you beyond the face.
Baek Sangha replied inwardly, scanning Kim Donghu top to bottom seriously.
Proportions, aura. Even covered, the vibe screamed Kim Donghu.
His presence was utterly different from normals. Just his walk screamed, Ah, that's Kim Donghu.
"When you get mega-famous later, I won't see our Donghu anymore."
"Then you can be my bodyguard, Coach."
"Me? Haha, that'd be fun."
"For real? You said it!"
"...You serious?"
Haha.
Kim Donghu bowed without confirming and left the gym.
Definitely too busy lately with all the buzz.
Time to focus on projects again.
Right before full break, prepping last project Yeokjeok. Heading home to immerse—
"Donghu, got something to talk about."
Kim Donghu's dad, Kim Jangryeol, grabbed him.
And immediately,
"Actually, the pregnancy was quite a while ago. We planned to tell you near the stable period, but now it's fine."
No buildup—the bombshell hit.
"Donghu, you're gonna be a big brother."
Kim Donghu, 15. Little sister incoming.
+++++
After the shocking news.
Age gap 16 from birth?
Daunting.
Shocked, I gripped the Yeokjeok script.
Now, quick mood reset.
Immersion.
Dive into the script.
First thing I saw.
...Huh? What're you doing here.
Sujin's youthful face.
"My lord, why do you gaze so?"
Why were you here?
