Must Cast Kim Donghu!
"Must, must cast Kim Donghu! Star and Moon Story hits 100,000 viewers! Congrats!"
"...Huh."
Back at school after a long time, the first thing I saw was a banner that felt strangely familiar.
Daejong High School's no different, huh.
No, maybe Daejong High is the original in this regard. Thinking back to the massive number of banners at the entrance ceremony made it clear. But the fact that one was plastered right at the school gate meant it was a big deal.
10,000 theatergoers isn't something just anyone pulls off.
Even with that insane audience number, the media buzz was surprisingly low. Probably because it wasn't a drama or movie. In the end, 100,000 was all it amounted to in raw numbers.
The theater world was calling it an unexpected boom, but to the general public, it wasn't some earth-shattering event.
Still, donations to orphanages nationwide are up, and the government and companies are pitching in more.
As Bong Jinu sunbae had said, it was a massive success in terms of being a 'hope for kids.'
As I exchanged KakaoTalk messages with Yerim and headed toward the classroom—
"Donghu, could you spare a moment to talk? If it's inconvenient, we can do it later—no pressure."
Edward Park, the chairman, appeared with a fresh permed curly hairstyle.
"Uh, sure... that's fine."
"Great. Let's head to my office right away."
I thought suddenly? but it wasn't a big deal. I'd been meaning to thank him properly anyway.
I missed five months of school for outside activities, and he said it was all good.
Of course, that's why I'd come to Daejong High in the first place. But overlooking it entirely was another matter.
Anyway, in the chairman's office, he got straight to the point as soon as I sat down.
"Are you interested in a piano concerto?"
"Pardon?"
"As you know, the reason I recommended you for admission was your piano talent."
I couldn't pretend not to know. He'd sent me piano videos and papers so blatantly.
But I enrolled in the theater and film department.
The kid from Hide Rim had become the nation's prince. Naturally, piano had to take a backseat.
"But you're pursuing acting. I just wondered if... maybe there's an unfulfilled ambition there."
A faint regret lingered in the chairman's eyes as he spoke. The gaze of someone who'd chosen reality over dreams at a crossroads in the past. And the resolve to stop his student from making the same mistake.
"People often struggle between what they're good at and what they love. But I, Edward Park, can say this with certainty: when you're young, do what you love."
That resolve hit me directly.
Does he think I'm playing piano because I want to, but acting due to momentum? He didn't seem entirely sure. More like, if that's the case, tell me.
What a genuinely good guy.
Now I understood why the chairman still tightly gripped admissions at Daejong High. He truly valued each student.
Come to think of it, the gym owner said something similar.
A few days ago, Baek Sangha had laid out Olympic paths and benefits for boxing.
And his final plea was one thing:
"Do what you want, Donghu. That's the most important."
"...You've given me too many options for that."
"That's what adults do—show you the paths and teach you the possibilities."
Of course, the wall plastered with my achievement articles had been overwhelming. But including that, I felt lucky in this life.
Thanks to the smooth sailing.
I shook off the stray thoughts and smiled at the chairman.
"I love acting, so I'll keep at it."
"I see. Understood. We'll drop it then."
As I started to rise, satisfied—
"Oh, right. Have you set a goal?"
"A goal?"
"Yes. Once you choose a path, you need a lofty goal."
I pondered briefly and answered.
"The most famous actor in the world."
Childish, but he'd asked for a high goal. And two responded to that.
One was, naturally—
"Excellent."
The chairman.
And the other—
[Approved.]
—was the System.
Why are you responding?
+++++
Humans are creatures of adaptation, and habits are like calluses—they don't vanish just because you try to scrape them off. Kim Sujin's current state perfectly illustrated both.
I always used to hug him around this time.
It was 3:25 PM now. Back then, after lunch and rest, it would've been rehearsal time—hugging Kim Donghu.
But now the play was over, so those moments were gone.
Ugh, is it weird that I miss hugging him?
But what could she do? It was genuine.
"Ughhh..."
As Kim Sujin wrestled with her inner turmoil alone—
Whoa, Kim Sujin can make that face?
The play must've left a huge impression.
She really lives in a different world.
Her classmates were all stunned. Kim Sujin usually had clear boundaries. She was friendly but never crossed into deeper territory, always smiling brightly without showing much emotion.
But there was one time her expressions varied wildly.
Whenever it involved Kim Donghu.
Though the students didn't know that far. They just found her expressiveness fascinating.
Should I ask him to walk home together after?
Where did Kim Donghu live anyway?
Doesn't seem like he moved out.
Was he living alone? Why hadn't she asked during all that time together?
Kim Sujin suddenly hated herself.
I was just happy hugging him and grinning like an idiot!
She'd ask after classes ended.
As Kim Sujin thought that—
"Whoa, huge news! Massive! BloomBell's last music show today? And then straight hiatus!"
A familiar yet grating piece of info reached her ears.
BloomBell.
The hottest girl group right now. Famous for rookie-level performance and skill that belied their newbie status. And not just that—the members were all stunningly gorgeous. A floral parade fitting their name.
And the brightest among them?
"So Ryu Jaerin's coming to school?"
Ryu Jaerin, the center and main vocalist.
Despite being the maknae, she never acted spoiled—diligent, spirited, tough. Plus her tough family background. All that made her a super rookie.
Naturally, why do I need to know this crap?
This wasn't info Kim Sujin wanted. Because she knew Ryu Jaerin's dark inner thoughts.
But she couldn't not know. Ryu Jaerin chattered everything to Kim Donghu, and he always relayed it to her!
Not that it was bad. Unavoidable, even. After five months glued together, what else was there to talk about? Personal anecdotes spilled out.
But the problem? That acquaintance was her rival.
Kang Sangi...? And Minhyuk were fine when I heard from them.
Only two she disliked: Ryu Jaerin and Shin Yerim. They blatantly showed their crushes on Kim Donghu but hid it perfectly from outsiders.
I'm the same, though.
Anyway, her conclusion: Kim Donghu is mine.
Did they think they could build deeper bonds than her?
Common sense—pure common sense!
What even was common sense? Deep reflection was needed now.
+++++
Same time. Some cable broadcasting station.
"Replyyyyyyy! 1997! 1994! The successive series triumph! This thrill is unreal!"
Clutching his fist to show off his surging energy, PD Joo Hanmyeong dug at his temples repeatedly.
"What's the myth of cable dramas? How far can we go?!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The white board responded to his passionate slaps. Faces of countless actors were pinned up, roles written below each.
"With this cable power, tvW can surpass everything! I believe we can usher in a new era!"
Thud thud!
Among the roles, one figure had over ten stars marked. Staring at it with a steely face, PD Joo Hanmyeong steeled his resolve.
"Must, must cast Kim Donghu!"
The third series of Reply. The core of 1988 was none other than Kim Donghu, with the world's best face.