NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3
“…Really?”
“Yes, I’m telling you.”
“Does that even make sense?”
Inside the Toonitrain Broadcasting Station’s [Dr. Kyarlu's Meeting Room].
An unbelievable story was going around there.
“Are you seriously saying that the picky guy is bringing in a child actor?”
“I’m telling you, yes!”
“What about auditions?”
“Apparently, they just looked at the face on the spot and called the parents. They’re on their way.”
“What the heck!”
The shocking report pierced the ears of the AD and assistant director.
The CP jumped up from their seat upon hearing the news.
Sure, Kim Youngmo PD was talented, but this was crossing the line.
No matter what, you’re just going to shove a kid in without an audition?
Especially for a program with lobbyists pouring in from every direction?
“Send them back right now! This is absurd! Even if it’s a kids’ program, come on! Do you think this is just child’s play?!”
Bang!
When the CP slammed the desk, everyone flinched.
“No matter how outnumbered we are, this is unacceptable! The broadcasting station is small? If this gets out! Huh?! What are we going to do?”
“But… what if it actually works?”
As they say, it’s often the youngest that brings about big changes.
At the youngest writer’s words, the CP nearly exploded again.
“What? What do you mean it works? What could possibly work?! I’m telling you, this is a ridiculous way to do things! What on earth are you talking about?!”
“Ah, no… it’s just… I didn’t think someone like Kim Youngmo PD would just bring anyone along.”
Did they call it Gen X nowadays?
How crazy must the world be for the youngest to talk back like this?
“Hey, you! What are you even—Hmm…”
The boiling emotions began to cool.
Thinking it over, they realized the truth.
Who is Kim Youngmo?
He’s the guy who quit all his offers from top broadcasting companies to create a children’s program that would go down in history.
Always shouting about how we can’t keep importing foreign cartoons.
Screaming that content reflecting our country’s emotions 100% is desperately needed.
Is that kind of person really bringing a kid without an audition?
That clearly meant there was a good reason behind it.
“…Um, Heymi.”
“Yes?”
“Where’s Youngmo?”
“He’s coming up now, just finishing parking.”
“By elevator?”
“Yes.”
“Got it.”
Alright, let’s at least see that face.
Let’s check out what kind of talent this kid has and judge from there.
‘It won’t be too late to get angry then.’
Having organized their thoughts to this point, the CP sat by the elevator to wait for Kim Youngmo.
B3.
B2.
B1.
With each passing floor, the tremor in their legs increased.
Angels and demons were constantly heating up and cooling down beside them.
And then…
Ding!
As if rewarding the wait, the elevator doors opened.
“Just as expected, Youngmo! There’s no one better than you!”
Seeing the boy inside, the CP broke into a big smile.
Kim Youngmo PD really knows what he’s doing!
Unbelievable!
+++++
What’s the most important thing in directing?
It’s just like cooking.
“The performer is the most important.”
“The connection is the most important thing.”
“If the ingredients are good, no matter how you present them, it will turn out amazing.”
“Just like if you fill it with organic vegetables, a delicious salad is bound to be created.”
“In that aspect, the director was feeling quite pleased right now.”
“Where did this kid come from?”
“A slightly oversized T-shirt to dress a young child on a budget.”
“The pants’ cuffs rolled up multiple times, thickened like kimbap.”
“And well-worn sneakers that looked like they had been used for ages.”
“At first glance, he looked like just another five-year-old you’d see in the neighborhood.”
“But…”
“He’s absurdly good-looking.”
“How can a five-year-old have such features?”
“A sharp nose, clear eyes, pupils that shimmer like starlight.”
“Adorable and cute little lips, among other things.”
“Having shot many children’s programs, I can confidently say he’s the best.”
“There’s a chance I might never see a face like that again.”
“Moreover…”
“The most surprising thing was that he was remarkably calm for a five-year-old.”
“In a strange environment, most kids would cry if separated from their mommy.”
“‘… If you’re bored, should I hold your hand?’”
“I’m sweating.”
“Am I, am I sweating a lot?”
“That’s not what I meant! Just… yeah, just stay quietly beside me.”
“Okay!”
“Instead, he was effortlessly managing the seasoned child actor Kim Sujin.”
“Looking only at their conversation, they could easily be mistaken for a brother and sister.”
“How fortunate to have an empty seat available here.”
“The biggest enemy for child actors is their condition.”
“Labor laws are one thing, but how long can kids maintain their energy?”
“They’re likely to get a cold any minute.”
“Plus, since today is a team game, that empty spot was particularly noticeable.”
“Now that we have such a perfect substitute, I have no worries.”
“It wasn’t just the director who was thinking this.”
“It’s not typical for a spot this far into the schedule to open up. We’re a smaller broadcasting company.”
“Ah, right…”
“Producer Kim Youngmo was filled with thoughts about pulling his hair out.”
“He was currently conducting interviews with a smile stretched from ear to ear.”
“First off, let me explain how our filming is going to go…”
“Chief Producer Heo Sangseok eagerly began explaining to the boy’s mother, Lee Yoo-hyun.”
“Details about the filming method, timing, and how the payment works.”
“While explaining various details, Heo Sangseok kept glancing at the boy, or rather, Kim Donghu.”
“This kid is unbelievably exceptional.”
“People often say that actors can act handsome.”
“Even if they don’t have extraordinary looks, they can devour everything with their charm.”
“Sometimes those actors can be more popular than genuinely good-looking ones.”
“But…”
“I can’t beat that.”
“It felt like witnessing the standard for the next generation of handsome men.”
“One might question if they were overdoing it for a mere five-year-old.”
“But…”
“This is my gut feeling.”
“Having seen countless child actors grow up, Heo Sangseok’s instinct strongly urged him.”
“To grab him without question—make sure this isn’t just a temporary gig but a permanent role.”
So, Heo Sangseok, despite being a rookie child actor, demanded quite a high appearance fee.
And it was so high that Kim Youngmo gaped like a fish!
But then…
“That’s something our kid has to decide.”
Lee Yoo-hyun didn’t want to be one of those parents who dictate their child’s future.
So she said she would leave all the choices to Donghu.
So…
“Hi, Donghu! I’m Heo Sangseok.”
“Hello!”
A deep bow that could have knocked the wind out of you.
He’s so young but already so polite?
A rare case of face and personality being in sync!
“Is this for the show ‘Giggle Doctor!’ right?”
“Yes! I watch it often, and I’m so happy to be on today.”
As soon as the conversation with Lee Yoo-hyun wrapped up, Heo Sangseok dashed over to Kim Donghu.
Convincing a five-year-old was a piece of cake!
Besides, ‘Giggle Doctor!’ was practically a religion for little kids.
He was convinced his fishing line would snag this catch without fail.
“Really? Then how about appearing regularly?”
“Regularly?”
“Yeah! If you want, you can meet ‘Giggle Doctor!’ and play with him every week!”
For most rookie child actors, this is where the game ends.
What kid would say no to hanging out weekly with their idol, who’s practically a celebrity like ‘Giggle Doctor!’?
“Ah, but I’ll decide after seeing today’s show.”
“Right? Then could you tell me next week’s schedule, huh? Okay? Just once more?”
Heo Sangseok’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
What did I just hear?
And Kim Youngmo standing next to him was just as stunned.
“I’ll watch today’s show, and it’s fine to think about it after that, right?”
“Uh, yeah, that’s right.”
Wow, this kid is sharp!
Heo Sangseok and Kim Youngmo exchanged looks and burst into laughter, dumbfounded.
And then it hit them.
This kid is something else.
+++++
Starting life again at five years old.
When I found out that the perks carried over too, I was curious.
‘How far do my perks apply?’
I had three perks in total.
A thousand faces that make me everyone’s ideal type.
A thousand talents that mean I excel at everything.
A solid path where life is a breeze.
What kind of synergy would these create when intertwined?
That was the aim behind making it into a kids’ program.
I thought it would take a bit longer, but it happened so fast that I was taken aback.
‘By the way, it’s an hour before filming starts, and no one is here yet.’
The child acting legend, Kim Sujin, is right here.
And yet the other kids are still nowhere to be seen?
‘This place is a mess.’
It’d be nice to whip them into shape with some motivation.
While I was lost in thought, I heard a commotion from afar.
“Oh my, a new kid has arrived?”
“Speaking of which, the last time they said someone from the entertainment side would be coming, could it be…?”
“Looks like it, just from his appearance…”
“Oh wow, he’s super good-looking.”
“But what’s with that mask? I’ve never seen that mask before!”
“Is it big?”
Five child actors and their strong bodyguards, their moms.
Their entrance reminded me of the movie “The War Against Crime,” making me unnecessarily tense.
‘My mom is totally going to crush them!’
Moms who started investing in their kids from the very beginning.
And then there was my mom, who had rushed here on her day off.
There was definitely going to be a huge power gap between them.
‘I can’t handle this kind of showdown.’
An invisible war.
In the hour leading up to the show, a tragedy was about to unfold.
“You’re the one who made our Su-Jin cry… Dong-Hoo!”
Someone stepped forward confidently from behind them.
With a graceful walk reminiscent of runway models.
The sound of her high heels echoed through the broadcasting station’s hallway, showcasing her presence.
Not just to survive the cold winter,
Her fur coat, like the armor knights wear, demonstrated her wealth.
The jewels on her necklace and earrings were huge.
And gold was embedded along the arms of her sunglasses.
‘Huh?’
In that moment, I realized who she was.
‘Yeah, now I understand why Kim Su-jin has been a child actor since she was little.’
And why she became a top star.
Kim Su-jin had a natural gene that was different.
Just like a child born to athlete parents has exceptional athletic ability.
She too was born with an incredible acting pedigree.
Once a national queen of actresses, devouring television screens.
Kim Yu-ryun.
And she came up to me and continued speaking.
“I was curious about how handsome you must be for my daughter to cry like that all the time…”
She definitely looked that way.
With a captivating smile, she gently brushed past me and tousled Kim Su-jin’s hair.
“Hello, I’m going to be Su-Jin’s mom.”
“Uh, uh, huh, huh?”
My mom immediately malfunctioned.
To be fair, I’d break down too.
So many things had happened in less than two hours.
It made sense for my mom, who had lived a simple life, to break down.
‘But I don’t want to turn this into a spectacle.’
At times like this, I needed to grab attention, and I knew just how to do it.
“Hey, you actually smell really bad.”
“Huh, what?”
“I mean, you stink.”
“…Ugh, no…Waaaaah!”
Kim Su-jin immediately started crying.
All eyes turned to me and Kim Su-jin.
This method definitely works!