The Burning Desire to Possess Him
Has his skill gotten rusty? Shin Yerim liked Kim Donghu. Just like any pubescent girl, she was drawn to him—handsome, athletic, smart. It was only natural to develop a crush. But the decisive moment that made her fall for him was something else entirely.
One day, out of the blue. She saw Kim Minhyuk, who used to act like a thug, studying for his future. And Na Gangshik, who always had a dark expression, smiling brightly. It hit her that all of this was possible because Kim Donghu was by their side.
Being near you makes everyone happy.
It was a conclusion that bloomed suddenly, like dandelion seeds scattering in the wind. Like a monumental discovery born from a flash of inspiration. Shin Yerim realized she felt a sense of stability just being around Kim Donghu.
Back in her first year of middle school, she'd hung out with the delinquents as an excuse to avoid being bullied, telling herself she had no choice. What the hell was I even doing? Even those fake friends had given her a false sense of security, and now she felt ashamed of it.
Being with Kim Donghu was comfortable. Beyond his looks, his very presence melted away people's tension. That's why, on one hand, she felt uneasy.
Am I falling for someone too famous?
Kim Donghu was a celebrity. Not just any celebrity, but an actor with the flashy title of "Nation's Prince," a resume that made people's jaws drop. Right now, they could talk because they went to the same school. But once middle school ended, she'd probably never even see his face again.
By then, it'd just be a few KakaoTalk messages at best. She hated that future. She couldn't lose this hard-won sanctuary to external circumstances.
So she chose modeling. For some reason, she felt she could do it well—like a brilliant talent that would inevitably burst out like a needle in her pocket.
Shin Yerim wanted to become a model naturally this time too. And besides...
The encouragement from the boy she liked ignited her desire to become a model.
But the problem was she had no idea how to get started. Should she go to an academy? Audition somewhere? What should she prepare first? Sifting through the flood of information for what she needed was incredibly tough.
It felt hopelessly overwhelming. And asking her parents for help out of nowhere seemed unrealistic—right when she was at a loss...
"Hey, wanna try modeling at our agency?"
Kim Donghu extended his hand without hesitation. Shin Yerim's first thought was, What is this guy?
Could a person be this good? How could he stay so kind? She wondered. There must have been countless moments when he could have become arrogant, over and over, yet...
Does he stay pure because he's climbed higher than anyone without getting hurt? Or does he protect his purity despite all the wounds?
The moment her thoughts reached that point, only one word filled her mind.
I want him.
She wanted him desperately. She wished her first love—and her last—could start and end with Kim Donghu. A fierce desire and impulse surged through her.
So she devised a surefire way to hook him.
After school in July. She called Kim Donghu to an empty classroom.
Waiting for Kim Donghu, Shin Yerim felt a strange thrill.
He actually came when I called. The actor called the Nation's Prince outside, coming to an empty classroom just because of a few KakaoTalk messages—it felt like a dream.
Of course, the real reason was her many worries about modeling. It was partially true, so her conscience felt a bit lighter.
Slide.
Kim Donghu walked in.
"Is it an agency issue? Or your parents against it?"
Not knowing Shin Yerim's true intentions, Kim Donghu discussed her future seriously.
From what I know, her parents weren't opposed. In fact, she vaguely remembered reading somewhere that they'd be thrilled if she became a model.
But at our age, locking in a career path isn't easy.
She could understand that, so she listened intently—until she steeled herself and cut to the chase.
"Don't models go through a ton of unfair crap?"
"Unfair crap?"
"Yeah, like in movies and dramas... that stuff happens."
That stuff. Kim Donghu immediately grasped the core.
"Our agency wouldn't let that happen. And I wouldn't put you in that position anyway."
It was a natural worry for someone her age. So Kim Donghu tried his best to ease her concerns.
"But I heard when you're short on time, you have to change in front of people."
Shin Yerim dug deeper into that worry.
"Ah, yeah, that could happen."
"They have screens, but still... it's awkward. At least for now."
"I get that."
"So I wanna get used to it... with someone comfortable..."
"If that works, sounds like a good method."
A good method. Hearing that, Shin Yerim grinned widely and flicked her skirt lightly.
"So you'll look at me naked, right?"
"What? Uh? Why me?"
Kim Donghu sensed the conversation veering off course, but it was too late.
"You're the one I feel most comfortable with."
"What about your parents?"
"You're the most reliable for career advice."
"No, but you're a girl—suddenly saying something ridiculous like that."
She could see his panic. The sight of this all-talented guy floundering made her heart race.
"Kim Donghu, so you'll look at me naked, right?"
"What? Are you crazy?"
Seeing him like that only made her want to push harder.
"To be a model, your body has to be perfect, right? Even naked shoots..."
"Yeah."
"If I'm showing it to anyone, I want you to see it first."
She could see his brow furrow. What reaction would come next? Would he fluster more?
But before she could savor it...
"That's why you called me here."
Kim Donghu relaxed his expression and casually locked the empty classroom door.
Stride, stride. The flustered guy from moments ago was gone, replaced by a confident Kim Donghu closing the distance.
What? Why the sudden change?
Things weren't going as planned, and Shin Yerim panicked. But undeterred, Kim Donghu pressed right up against her. Close enough that their noses nearly touched.
From that distance, he spoke leisurely.
"Later—way later, when that moment really comes—I'll look at you until you're sick of it."
His whisper in her ear was too sweet.
"Hic—hic!"
With a hiccup, Shin Yerim's legs gave out, and she collapsed.
That sentence sparked wild imaginings that drove her mad. Her body tingled. Her head felt hot for some reason. Maybe she was catching a cold.
"R-Really?"
In her hazy state, she looked up at him and asked.
"Yeah. So just become one."
Kim Donghu stroked her hair, then sauntered out casually. Whew, almost got caught up in that. Good thing he knew acting—facial control was key.
But she was worried about that stuff, huh.
It seemed half-joking, but not entirely unrealistic. Especially considering the entertainment scandals from his past life—they were all too plausible.
There was only one way to prevent it.
Climb higher. High enough that no one could mess with anyone from our agency.
In the pitch-dark studio, lit only by the monitor's glow—like a sole salvation.
"...I-I finished itttt!!!!"
Crack. Screenwriter Lee Minha stretched and let out a sigh of relief.
The reason this script, originally due early this year, came out so late was simple.
I had to make a script Actor Kim Donghu would be satisfied with.
Lee Minha had jumped straight into writing Hide Dream 2 right after Hide Dream wrapped. The goal was to film the sequel before it faded from people's minds.
But our Donghu got too big.
The actor he'd mentally cast as the lead was skyrocketing. The Nation's Prince, guaranteeing 30% ratings. Writing a script worthy of him took time.
And he declared a break.
Sending a script to an actor on hiatus was like texting a colleague on vacation with work stuff. He needed a compelling reason to send it anyway.
And so, this script was born.
This should catch Donghu's interest.
Hide Dream 2. It would showcase Ije's genius and brilliance. Not a solo lead, but...
He'll shine brighter than anyone.
The story with Kim Donghu as the core lead had just been completed.
Then, a sudden worry hit.
Actor Kim Donghu's so busy—will his piano be okay?
Has his skill gotten rusty? This performance would be tough. It was a fleeting concern.