Life is Easier If You’re Handsome

At the time when Kim Donghu was filming [Traitor: The Bud of Corruption].

The Korean Boxing Association was astonished by the unexpected appearance of an irregular.

“Is this… really true?”

Tap.

A profile appeared on the screen.

180cm, 81kg, heavyweight.

8 fights, 8 wins (8 KOs), 0 draws, 0 losses,

Winner of the Youth Boxing Championship,

Winner of the High School National Sports Festival in Boxing,

Currently shattering all records for the youngest in all categories and even updating the record for the shortest match duration.

Some are already calling him the “Korean Muhammad Ali,” “Korean Mike Tyson.”

“Heh heh.”

Just seeing the profile made me smile.

“How did such a blessing roll in like this?”

“Besides, he’s not just an ordinary person.”

“Right, right….”

The association members shifted their gaze to the name on the profile.

Kim Donghu.

Those three letters, written so boldly, filled me with pride.

“He truly is the face of Korean boxing.”

“I think if he maintains these results, he’ll definitely qualify for the national team trials.”

“That’s right. As long as he consistently competes every year, he qualifies.”

“Since acting is his main profession, there won’t be any issues raised. His skills in this field are quite impressive, aren’t they?”

Listening to the gradually emerging conversation, the president of the Korean Boxing Association smiled with satisfaction.

“Of course, of course. There’s nothing to be worried about. This meeting is to ensure that there are no issues brought up.”

“Absolutely! Well said!”

It’s a given that superstars aren’t just made by calling out for them to come.

No matter how hard you try and shout for them to show up, even under relentless spotlighting,

“How long has it been since we’ve had a star? Has there been anyone in Korea with this level of talent?”

Stars aren’t just created out of thin air.

But to see such a star appear on their own is something to be immensely grateful for.

Especially when boxing in Korea has been steadily declining.

The brief peak seemed like a lie.

“Indeed, something good finally comes after a long wait!”

In the midst of all this, the sudden arrival of Kim Donghu was a great treasure and the only lifeline for the Korean Boxing Association.

“In that sense, don’t raise everyone’s expectations too high, you know? We can’t put any pressure on him, right?”

“Yes! We understand!”

The president calmed the members and continued speaking calmly.

“It goes without saying, but no one! Must put any pressure on Kim Donghu, or should I say, the actor.”

Kim Donghu was the spark.

The one and only spark to reignite boxing in Korea.

“Don’t go taking pictures or things like that… I believe you understand what I mean.”

To treat such a figure casually?

That was absolutely out of the question.

“That’s a given!”

“And especially the journalists, you know, let’s keep them away from the entertainment scene as much as possible.”

“Yes!”

“Kim Donghu, or rather the actor, must be placed in a thoroughly focused environment! He must only concentrate on the matches.”

This isn’t just for Kim Donghu, or the actor.

Think of it as the matter of reinstating the status of Korean boxing.

Everyone agreed to the president’s words, which felt like a fervent declaration of purpose.

“We cannot let his interest in boxing wane.”

The president briefly closed his eyes and envisioned the future.

Kim Donghu competing in the Olympics, winning the gold medal in heavyweight.

And thus the new beginning of Korean boxing starts from there.

What a perfect, beautiful, and pride-inducing picture that is.

‘Good-looking, fit, popular, good character, clever, great at acting….’

Thank you for choosing boxing.

The president silently conveyed deep gratitude to Kim Donghu.

++++++

To sum up the recent schedule in just one word:

‘Busy.’

And crazily busy at that.

No matter how relaxed attendance may be,

Whenever possible, I opted to go to school.

It was a repeating cycle of either filming or school,

And since filming was always located in the provinces,

Traveling time consumed a lot of energy too.

At least two hours spent in the van, followed by a quick stretch.

Then straight back to acting, and back into the van to head to school.

If I hadn’t been exercising regularly, I might have collapsed long ago.

‘Still, the workout is paying off.’

Even if I felt tired, it wasn’t to the point where I couldn’t handle it.

Just felt a bit heavy in my body.

Honestly, with this state, a good three days of sleep would fix everything.

‘Once the personal filming ends, then it’s group filming, right?’

Until then, I could afford to relax,

From there, I’d surely be able to take proper breaks.

‘Plus, today I have a full day off with no schedule!’

I sneaked a peek at my phone.

The light from my phone crept between my tired eyelids,

It told me the current time.

‘…I should eat lunch soon.’

11:30 AM.

Just a bit more shut-eye before it’s perfect timing for lunch.

As I concluded that and was about to drift back to sleep—

Sniff sniff.

“Huh?”

A strange smell flowed in through the tightly shut door.

“Is that… soybean paste stew?”

Suddenly, this smell appeared?

‘Did my mom come over?’

Currently, my mom and dad were far too busy worrying about their son living alone.

They should be focused on my little brother, Kim Seohyun, who just turned two.

He’s practically still a baby who needs all their attention.

But suddenly there’s the smell of soybean paste stew in the house.

‘The chance of it being my mom is low…’

A thief wouldn’t come in to cook soybean paste stew, right?

Muttering to myself, I opened the door and headed toward the kitchen.

“Did you wake up?”

There stood Ye-rim.

Fidgeting.

Even as I blinked and rubbed my eyes,

It seemed to affirm it wasn’t an illusion.

Ye-rim approached me, her hair swaying.

“I said I’d be your boxing manager, but it feels like I haven’t been taking care of our athlete enough.”

“Feels like?”

“So I came over to at least make you some food.”

“Password… oh, I must have told you before.”

So that’s how it was.

‘No, what’s with the ‘that’s how it was’ kind of attitude?’

This wasn’t something to be brushed off lightly.

“What is this… I’m really confused right now?”

“Why? Isn’t that, like, the male dream or something?”

“No, no no no, no!”

As Ye-rim’s actions continued, I quickly waved my hands to stop her.

‘She really seems to be the most quirky person around.’

I should’ve realized that ever since she started talking about becoming a model.

“Anyway, I’m planning to cook for you every weekend! I can’t do it on weekdays since I’m busy!”

“…So you’re coming here every weekend?”

“Of course! What’s wrong with that? We’re friends.”

“Isn’t that a bit… strange?”

Upon hearing my words, Ye-rim seemed to contemplate something for a moment, then nodded as if to realize what was wrong.

“If it’s not just between friends… then it’s between a model and a manager?”

“…I’m not a manager.”

“Come on, I know the vibe of your agency.”

The fact that Seok-ho is too obvious in his actions is the issue.

Thinking this way could only lead to trouble for me.

I quickly came to a conclusion.

“Please bring lots of tofu.”

“Okay, lots of tofu!”

I watch Ye-rim’s retreating figure as she heads briskly back to the kitchen.

And I think.

‘Ah, this sight can’t be caught by anyone.’

I felt strongly that nobody should come home during this time.

For some reason, my instincts were sending a strong warning.

++++++

The advantage of group filming could be summed up in a single word:

‘Harmony.’

The synchronization of acting was perfect.

There was a unity in the breathing,

Even with multiple people in front of the camera, there was no awkwardness.

Rather, everyone blended naturally into a single scene.

That was the true value of group filming.

“Yaaaahhh!”

Perhaps that’s why.

Director Yoon Seong-bin happily yelled “Cut!”

“That was amazing!”

The filming of [Traitor: The Bud of Corruption] was slowly but surely nearing the end of basic groundwork.

After finishing the introductions for each character, the time for intertwining and developing the actual storyline was quickly approaching.

‘And from there, they would flamboyantly compete against each other.’

Even the weakest of commoners had their giants.

The ‘Traitor’ seeking to uproot corruption,

And the ‘Nobility’ fighting to protect their feeding trough.

The day when that image would be realized was coming soon.

“It’s been a while since I’ve acted with Donghu again.”

With a beaming smile exuding anticipation, actor Jang Geonho remarked, and the other actors could no longer contain their curiosity.

“Is Kim Donghu really that good?”

“I’ve never seen you so excited about someone before, it’s a bit envious.”

“Exactly! You didn’t say anything during our acting sessions!”

In the playful, cheerful atmosphere,

Actor Jang Geonho chuckled and continued speaking.

“Everyone has those questions, I suppose, since the field feels different.”

There is certainly a difference when watching through a screen compared to being on-site.

That’s why there’s a separate field like theater.

“But we all saw during the reading.”

“That’s true, but acting is a different story.”

“Just think of it like this, he does at least double that in this state.”

“…Huh?”

Upon hearing Jang Geonho’s words, question marks appeared above the heads of the surrounding actors.

He’s saying he does double the performance?

‘Does that even make sense?’

And it was only in early December,

As the chilly winds began to blow in the beginning of winter,

That I truly understood Jang Geonho’s words.

“…The maggots gather, exuding a foul odor.”

It was when I stood facing Kim Donghu’s acting directly.