NOVEL NEXT Chapter 82
“Well, since Seok-ho decided to move, we don’t have to worry too much about money.”
It’s not like we’re in a big theater group, so with the current size, our agency could step up as the main one.
“This opportunity is a good chance to boost our agency’s recognition.”
Right now, it’s just me and Ye-rim in this small agency, but we plan to evolve into a select elite agency in the future.
“I’m going to make that happen.”
Putting that thought aside, I quietly stood in the auditorium and enjoyed the entrance ceremony.
“It’s no wonder they’re the undisputed number one in the prelude.”
The amazing dance performances, band plays, and dances suited their reputation.
Even the chairman, Edward Park, seemed to exude a vibe that he was a foreign-educated elite, as he held his speech without a hint of authority.
“Well, I’m happy to see you all. You are the carefully chosen gems that I have selected! So keep refining yourselves and strive to shine brighter than anyone else! That’s all.”
He skipped the introduction and got right to the point in his entrance speech. It was definitely a ceremony packed with visual delights.
“By the way, don’t rush into the classrooms after the entrance ceremony. I recommend checking out the exhibition hall; there are many wonderful photos and paintings.”
And with that, the entrance ceremony wrapped up neatly.
“I’ve got some time, so maybe I’ll stop by the exhibition hall.”
Deciding to take a leisurely stroll around the school before heading into class, just then,
“Kim Donghu, are you nuts? If you got into Daejong High, shouldn’t you be greeting your sister first?”
I heard a very familiar voice from behind.
“Su-Jin!”
“Su-Jin? I’m a year above you, you know?”
Daejong High’s uniform is renowned for being pretty, and it really was cute enough to draw admiration.
Her Hime cut matched her face so well that it was almost eerie, and the freshness of her uniform made it seem like she was posing for a photoshoot.
Definitely the daughter of the queen of the screen, Kim Yu-ryun.
“The aura is different.”
When I was standing alone in the back, I felt some eyes on me, but as soon as I started talking to Su-Jin, I could feel everyone’s attention shifting.
“Must be because you’re born early in the year.”
“Anyway, I’m older! Call me sister!”
At her words, I shrugged my shoulders.
“Sister? You’re always crying about something; how can you be a sister?”
“Who’s crying? I’m not crying!”
“I’m heading over to the exhibition hall to check it out. You wanna come?”
“What’s this? Just because you became a high schooler, you’re inviting me on a date?”
I smiled brightly at that.
Su-Jin stared at my face for a moment as if something was on it.
What happened to her being so chatty a second ago?
“I guess I really should start hiding my face later.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
What was that mumble about?
Anyway.
‘Gotta get to the exhibition hall.’
I felt like if I stayed here any longer, I’d get too much attention, so I decided to move.
“Hey, sister! Hello! I’m Shin Ye-rim, Donghu’s best friend since middle school.”
Ye-rim showed up.
‘I thought we’d be doing our own thing since we’re in different classes, but here she is.’
So I didn’t need to look for her, but she came anyway.
Do I even need to make friends?
While I was mulling that over, Su-Jin and Ye-rim’s conversation sped along.
“Really? I’m Donghu’s childhood friend, nice to meet you! And feel free to talk casually; I’m a fast year, so we’re the same age.”
“How can you say that? You’re a grade above me; it’s only right I call you ‘sister’.”
“Grade above? Like we won’t run into each other much anyway. Just call me casually.”
I didn’t catch all the details of their chat, but it seemed like they were getting friendlier while laughing.
‘They say kids grow up like that.’
Well, getting to know each other isn’t a bad thing, right?
It’s fate that they’ll meet and become top stars in the future.
‘All this is just part of the memories.’
I left the two, focused on their conversation, and headed towards the exhibition hall.
After soaking in the brief feeling of attending an exhibition at the Art Center, I quickly redirected my steps toward the theater club.
‘Was it called Sparking?’
It was my turn to get the contact number of the writer who wrote the A-grade script.
++++++
Bong Jinwoo couldn’t believe everything that had happened today.
“…Is this even real?”
Not only did the actor called the people’s prince like my script, but right after the entrance ceremony, he came to ask for my number and propose a collaboration.
And it wasn’t just any collaboration.
‘They said it could even involve investment from the agency.’
With that one phrase, the low-budget label vanished in an instant.
A problem that felt like it was glued to me forever had just disappeared.
Moreover, renting a theater became incredibly easy.
Normally, I’d have to negotiate and create space, but as soon as Kim Donghu stepped in, everything got so much smoother.
‘Is this really okay?’
I felt like the difficulty level of my life had dropped in a flash.
Feelings.
Bong Jinwoo smoothed out his face, frozen in an unrealistic situation.
‘Is Kim Donghu my benefactor?’
It was a thought that popped into his head for no reason.
At the same time, Bong Jinwoo glanced at the bundles carefully tucked away in a corner of his home.
Two boxes he kept for later, thinking he would properly honor them once he had money.
Maybe the time to really let go has come.
In a corner of a tiny goshiwon room, not even two pyeong.
Four hours round trip for commuting.
Is this life finally coming to an end?
Such anticipation stirred within him.
The conversation he had with Kim Donghu filled him with immense hope.
“But have you found other actors besides me?”
“Uh… well… I haven’t found anyone yet. I have a few in mind, though.”
“Who?”
“First of all, I’m thinking of Kim Sujin from the second year of the Theater and Film department.”
“And?”
“Uh, ah, I haven’t found anyone else yet.”
“Then, should we maybe audition together later? Just put out a notice or something.”
“Audition?!”
He was so surprised at that moment.
Bong Jinwoo thought to himself how ridiculous he must look.
“Since it’ll just be an external performance, and the school’s approval is sorted, let’s find outside talent, shall we?”
“Can I do that?”
“I’ll be doing it too, so you absolutely can.”
“You’ll join me?!”
“Of course, I’m both an actor and an investor. And feel free to speak casually.”
“I’m comfortable with this.”
He suddenly realized.
What it meant to be in the same work as Kim Donghu.
And how incredible an opportunity he had grasped.
Wow.
Bong Jinwoo gripped the script for [The Story of Stars and Moons] tightly in his hands.
It was a story he had been thinking about since childhood.
Back in the orphanage days.
Children mature quicker than you think,
And naturally, they come to a single realization.
Ah, cultural activities are a luxury for us.
Bong Jinwoo found that fact utterly disgusting.
So he made a vow.
To create a script that no one could dismiss,
To reignite the forgotten dreams of the children.
That was his purpose for the play, the stubbornness that wouldn’t break.
For dreams and hopes.
It may be childish, but Bong Jinwoo adopted that as his motto.
+++++
At the same time.
“I said I’d audition together, but…”
I pondered about the audition method.
After all, Bong Jinwoo was quite a novice in this area.
I concluded that it would be better if I led, being part of an agency.
What would be the most effective way to gather people,
And how could we make [The Story of Stars and Moons] even more successful?
While deep in thought.
> Donghu, how are you doing?
“Hey junior, how have you been?”
Han Tae-geon’s message arrived on KakaoTalk.
‘What’s this?’
Why suddenly?
++++++
“I wonder how long our junior’s break will last.”
Han Tae-geon, who played the lead role of Kim Soo-ha in “Endless Frontline,” had a keen interest in Kim Donghu.
Of course, it wasn’t just because he acted well.
There was just a vibe that he seemed destined to soar high.
“It would be nice if we could share deep thoughts on acting and grow together.”
Plus, Han Tae-geon didn’t have many friends, which added to the equation.
When you become a celebrity, your relationships inevitably change.
So, it was natural that his contact network shrank.
Thus, he simply reached out to Kim Donghu.
He was a bit bored,
and thought he could at least chat with someone sharing the same success path.
But then…
“Hello, senior! I’m currently preparing for an audition.”
That sounded interesting.
“An audition? Junior Donghu is auditioning?”
A top-tier actor, a four-time Mise-en-scène award winner, with ratings surging above 30%—how could he possibly audition?
How much does a writer love their work to ask Kim Donghu to audition?
He was curious.
“What audition? Is our junior starting a new project?”
“Oh, it’s for a play I’m preparing for. I’m the lead, but other roles are still undecided.”
A play? He’s doing a play?
Han Taegeon’s mind started racing.
While he diligently texted back, a small flame of possibility flickered in the back of his mind.
“A play? An audition for a play? Where is it happening? School? Can I come watch?”
“I think it’ll be near Daehangno. Or maybe Hyehwa… It’s an external performance.”
“So, you’re doing a play in front of people, and you’re the lead while the other roles are still unconfirmed?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Haha, is that so? Got it.”
“Huh? Senior, what do you mean by that…?”
“Nothing. I understand what you mean.”
After sending that reply, Han Tae-geon immediately called his manager.
“Hey, what’s my recent schedule like?”