Life is Easier If You’re Handsome

『Kyung [Tale of the Stars and the Moon] Achieves One Million! Celebration』

“…Huh.”

It was my first day back at school in a long time.

The first thing I noticed was a strangely familiar banner.

‘So, Daejong High isn’t any different, huh?’

Actually, it might be more accurate to say that Daejong High is the origin for this kind of thing.

When I think back to the amount of banners hanging during the entrance ceremony, it’s definitely true.

But having one of them prominently displayed at the school gate says a lot about its significance.

‘It’s not something just anyone can achieve a million theatrical shows.’

Even though it recorded an enormous audience count, the media impact was surprisingly low.

Could it be because it’s not a drama or a movie?

In the absolute numbers, it just meant that only a million had seen it.

Though the theater industry was experiencing an unexpected boom,

from a public perspective, it didn’t seem like there was anything monumental going on.

‘Still, I heard donations to orphanages nationwide have increased, and the government and businesses are providing a lot of support.’

In terms of what Senior Bong Jinwoo said about being ‘a children’s hope,’ it was a resounding success.

> Donghu, are you coming to school today?
< Yeah. > Got it~ Then let’s have lunch together later.
< Sounds good. As I was exchanging messages with Ye-rim and making my way to the classroom, "Kim Donghu, do you have a moment to talk? If it’s inconvenient, we can discuss it later, just answer comfortably." The director, Edward Park, sporting a new perm, had arrived. "Uh, um... Sure." "Great, then let’s head to the office right away." Suddenly? I thought, but it wasn't a major issue. I had actually been planning to thank him separately anyway. 'Since you said it was no problem that I was away from school for five months due to external activities.' Of course, that was the primary reason I had come to Daejong High. But providing such conveniences without any hassle was a different matter. Anyway, I moved to the director’s office. As soon as I sat down, he got right to the point. "Are you interested in piano competitions?" "Huh?" "As you know, the reason I encouraged you to enroll, Donghu, was due to your piano talent." It was impossible not to know. He had sent me videos and papers about piano in such a blunt manner. 'But I came for theater studies...' The little kid I saw in [Hydream] became a national prince, so naturally, I had to distance myself from piano.

“But you’re walking the path of an actor, Donghu. I was just wondering if there might be some unspoken ambition.”

In the director’s eyes lingered a subtle regret.

It was the gaze of someone who chose reality over dreams at a crossroads in the past.

And a determination to steer his disciple away from that path.

“People often struggle between what they excel at and what they love. But I, Edward Park, can assure you that when you’re young, you should pursue what you love.”

His resolve was conveyed directly to me.

‘Do you think I want to play piano but am acting out of necessity?’

It didn’t seem like a certainty.

It looked like he wanted me to share if such a possibility existed.

‘What a genuinely good person.’

Now I understood why the director had such a strong hold on my enrollment at Daejong High.

He believed in cherishing each individual.

‘Come to think of it, the director said something similar too.’

A few days ago.

Director Baek Sang-ha had presented various possibilities regarding the Olympics and what heights boxing could reach, along with the benefits involved.

The last thing he had said to me was:

– “Do what you want, Donghu. That’s the most important thing.”

– “…But you’ve told me so much.”

– “It’s an adult’s job to lay paths like that, to show you various possibilities as part of your training.”

Of course, the articles about my successes plastered all over one wall were overwhelming.

Including all of that, I felt I was very fortunate in this life.

‘Thanks to the smooth sailing, I guess.’

No more wandering thoughts.

I responded to the director with a smile right away.

“I love acting, so I plan to keep it up.”

“I see. Got it. Then I won’t press this topic any further.”

At that moment, just as I was about to happily get up from my seat,

“Oh, by the way. Have you set any goals?”

“Goals?”

“Yes, when you determine your path, you should have high aspirations at the same time.”

For a moment, I pondered and then replied.

“The most famous actor in the world.”

It was a childish goal, but since he had told me to have high aspirations.

And my response had two reactions.

One was, of course,

“That sounds good.”

The director replied, and the other was—

-[Acknowledged.]

Simus.

Why did you answer?

+++++

Humans are creatures of adaptation,
and habits, like calluses, don’t just disappear when removed.

These two concepts perfectly exemplify Kim Sujin’s current state.

‘I feel like I always hugged him at this time.’

Current time: 15:25.

In the past,
after lunch and the break was over, I would now be hugging Kim Donghu for rehearsal time.

But now that the play was completely over, all that time had vanished.

‘Ugh, is it strange to feel like hugging?’

But what can I do if it’s true?

“Ughhhh….”

Just when Kim Sujin was lost in her thoughts,

‘Wow, I didn’t know Kim Sujin could make that expression.’

‘The play left such a lasting impact, huh?’

‘Just shows how different our worlds are.’

The students in Kim Sujin’s class were all surprised.

Kim Sujin was someone who had always been very straightforward.

Even if they wanted to get closer, she maintained a clear boundary,
not allowing anything beyond friendships,
and aside from her perpetually bright smile, she didn’t show much else.

But the only time her expressions varied was
when something related to Kim Donghu occurred.

However, the students didn’t know the details.

They were simply amazed at the richness of Kim Sujin’s expressions.

‘Should we go home together after this?’

Speaking of which, I wonder where Kim Donghu lives?

‘I don’t think he moved out of his original house.’

Could he be living alone?

Why hadn’t I thought to ask while we were together?

Kim Sujin suddenly felt very regretful.

‘Just hugging him would make me smile so stupidly!’

I’ll definitely ask after all the classes end.

Just when Kim Sujin was thinking that,

“Hey, wow! Super awesome! Bloombell’s last music broadcast is today? And they’re going on break right after!”

A very familiar yet irritating piece of information entered Kim Sujin’s ears.

‘Bloombell.’

The hottest girl group right now.

Their performances and skills are so commendable they don’t seem like a rookie group.

And it wasn’t just that, the appearances of each member were all striking.

An extravagant showcase of looks just like the group name suggests.

And the one shining the brightest from them was none other than—

“Then Ryu Jaerin will be coming to school, right?”

The center and main vocalist, Ryu Jaerin.

Despite being the maknae, her dedicated and sincere approach,
brave and bold actions, and challenging family background combined to make her an ultra rookie.

Naturally,

‘Why do I need to know this?!’

This was information Kim Sujin didn’t want to know.

Because she knew Ryu Jaerin’s hidden motives.

But she couldn’t ignore it.

Because Ryu Jaerin would chitchat about her life to Kim Donghu,
who would then tell me about it all the time!

Of course, there was nothing wrong with that.

In fact, it was somewhat unavoidable.

What topics could they have after being together for five months?

They would inevitably share stories about people they knew.

But the problem was that the acquaintance was her romantic rival.

‘Gang Sik…? It was okay when I heard about Min-hyuk and him.’

The discomfort only laid with the two.

Ryu Jaerin and Shin Ye-rim.

They openly showed their feelings for Kim Donghu,
while skillfully hiding them from the outside.

‘It’s the same for me, but still.’

Anyway, the conclusion was that “Kim Donghu is mine.”

Or did they think they could form a deeper bond than I could?

‘Logically, I mean strictly logically!’

What does the standard of logic even mean?

A deep contemplation was needed at this moment.

+++++

At the same time,
at a cable broadcasting station.

“Woo hoo! Answer 1997! 1994! Back-to-back series success! It’s an unbelievable thrill!”

While repeatedly mimicking the actions as if digging into his temples,
Producer Joo Han-myung clenched his fists to show his rising energy.

“What is the myth of cable dramas? How far can we go?!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of his palm slapping his desk echoed back, filling the whiteboard.

There hung the faces of numerous actors,
and beneath them, all the roles were listed.

“With this cable power, I believe we at tvW can overcome everything! We can open a new era!”

Bam! Bam!

Among many roles, one character had more than ten stars next to it.

Producer Joo Han-myung stared seriously at that character with determination.

“Honestly, we must cast Kim Donghu!”

The core character of the third series of Answer was none other than the best-looking Kim Donghu.