Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee
Is this that famous quote from the guy I know? Awards shows are usually broadcast live. So, what the hell did Kim Donghu just say?
>He said he's happy to get the first Rookie Award, right?
>It's not that it's his first Rookie Award ever, but the first one...
>Did he just straight-up aim for that?
Kim Donghu's electrifying acceptance speech spread across the internet in no time flat.
It shot straight to the top of real-time search trends. Even the second part of the show that followed barely registered. That was how massive the impact of Kim Donghu's single word—"first"—had been.
To a public always hungry for fresh faces, this child actor bursting with audacity was a breath of fresh air.
No wonder articles popped up lightning-fast:
Rookies rarely drew this much attention, but Kim Donghu's buzz had blown way past normal levels.
And then, fuel was poured on the fire.
"Blue Dragon Film Awards, Best Picture goes to! Endless Frontline! Congratulations!"
The highlight of the Blue Dragon Film Awards. The question of who would take Best Picture was answered loud and clear: Endless Frontline. The ripple effect sent public opinion on Kim Donghu into overdrive.
Endless Frontline pulled off a staggering six-award sweep at the Blue Dragon. Counting Kim Donghu's short film award separately, that's seven for him alone. In that moment, the name Kim Donghu was etched into everyone's minds.
The birth of a new star was kicking off at year's end.
Busy. So damn busy.
That summed up the end of the year perfectly.
Deliver acceptance speeches, rest a few days, hit another awards show—rinse and repeat. The result? Four shiny Rookie Award trophies lined up proudly on one wall of the agency.
The good news: the chaos was finally over. No more schedule crammed in front of me.
"You did great, Donghu. Especially switching up those speeches every time—real talent."
"I prepped 'em in advance. Just in case, y'know? To avoid repeats..."
"Smart prep."
Choi Seokho hyung gazed proudly at the wall dominated by my trophies.
"I believe without a doubt this wall'll be full soon enough."
"...Isn't one wall a bit much?"
"Won't take long."
He seemed dead serious. Seokho hyung eyed me intensely a few times, then checked the calendar.
"Lunar New Year's coming up soon."
"Yeah."
The long 2011 wrapped up, and 2012 arrived peacefully—unlike last year. Probably 'cause I had no shoots lined up.
"Focusing on workouts this year, right?"
"Yep. Recharge properly while resting."
"Donghu, but that..."
"I know. I'll be careful, no injuries."
"Yeah, well, you're not seven anymore. I trust you'll handle it."
Injuries, big or small, could be fatal in this biz, so I got why Seokho hyung worried.
"...Alright, got it. So this year, just Golden Bell and the boxing comp, right? Nothing else?"
"Yeah? Unless a killer project pops up..."
It might. He shook his head like he couldn't rein me in.
"You don't know the meaning of 'rest,' do you?"
"Guess that's just how I am."
"Oh, right—Day Off premieres next week. Trailer hype is huge."
"Know it. Watching the premiere with Sujin."
"Just the two of you?!"
"Huh? No, at her place."
"Oh, aah, yeah, okay."
What was that reaction? 'Something's up.' Not a big deal, though.
With 2012's schedule roughed out, I said my goodbyes and left the office.
Turning sixteen now.
The future had changed a ton. Loaded with cheats, massive growth—and now I could flash a business card as a legit actor.
Still, one worry lingered.
Parents die when I'm nineteen.
Would even that change? Could [Sims - The Real Life] fix it?
Was sticking me in this one-man agency tied to all that?
I didn't know yet. What future awaited?
One thing was certain, though.
[Confirmed: Pausing acting for boxing]
[Redirecting smooth path toward 'Boxing' for a while.]
There'd be no thorny paths in my life.
Bam! Bbam-bam! Bam!
Upbeat music blared as "Five, six, seven, eight!"
Clap-clap-clap-clap.
Someone counted and clapped along.
Shwick! Shwick! Shwick! Shwick!
The girls nailed razor-sharp choreography. Dance polished to perfection—no one was even winded, despite the intensity.
And one stood head and shoulders above.
"Jaerin, getting better every day?"
"Th-thank you."
Ryu Jaerin, future top idol. A crane among chickens—her talent was untouchable. No jealousy possible.
Staying latest to practice? She commanded natural respect and awe in the group.
She's got fire in her eyes.
The producer knew why Ryu Jaerin pushed so hard.
Likes someone.
Who? Obvious.
Kim Donghu.
Whatever their deal, they'd known each other forever. Otherwise, why plaster her dorm wall with his school uniform photoshoot?
Fine, puppy love's harmless.
The producer wasn't worried. Why? Her crush was Kim Donghu.
No teenage girl hated him—it was absurd. Hell, female idols hesitated to name him as their ideal type 'cause it was too obvious.
He was universally adored.
But separate from the producer's complacency—
Kim Sujin, where'd this girl crawl out from?
Ryu Jaerin's heart burned.
She'd known about Kim Sujin forever, but never obsessed. Until Day Off aired, revealing her new side.
Instinct hit Ryu Jaerin instantly.
She likes Donghu too.
Everyone praised Sujin's acting—perfect, mature, killer romance scenes.
But Ryu Jaerin saw through it.
That's no acting.
Real love shone in those expressions and eyes.
"Why chase someone else's man? That's adultery."
"Huh?"
The other members blinked at Ryu Jaerin's random outburst.
But she was lost in her world.
"Seducing a taken man? Big problems."
Muttering, Ryu Jaerin clutched a pamphlet for Korea National University of Arts High School.
Watching Day Off's premiere with Sujin went smoothly, no drama. That flicker of emotion? Fleeting.
We just enjoyed the drama, ate together, and parted ways.
On the way home, time felt fast.
Even with free time, it flies.
Golden Bell soon?
Her KakaoTalk made me smile faintly. Right—same school next year.
Gonna be fun.
Imagining high school life brought a grin—until.
[Confirmed: Boxing competition this year]
[Preparing ways to utilize Heavenly Martial Body]
[Downloading application 'Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee']
What?
Is this that famous quote from the guy I know?