Life is Easier If You're Handsome novel Chapter 31

The first encounter between Kim Su-ha, played by Han Tae-geon, and the cadet soldier, portrayed by Kim Dong-hoo. Watching the scene, the other actors found their mouths going dry.

He was only fourteen.

It was clear he hadn’t lived through a war, but the look in his eyes was far from ordinary.

“Is he on his second life or something?”

When Director Kang explained why he wanted a cadet soldier in the scene, the actors wondered, How could a kid possibly portray that?

A boy who had lost his sister in the war and was bound to her final words. Living with a single thought—to survive.

It was impossible to convey both emptiness and longing at the same time. It wasn't something a child could express through experience alone.

And yet, there he was, doing it effortlessly.

“He’ll be a leading actor soon enough.”

“Absolutely.”

Ko Chang-sik and Seo Myeong-woo, who played pivotal supporting roles, were impressed in a different way.

“Presence isn’t something you can just develop.”

“Especially when you’re born with it.”

They had supported countless leads, earning the reputation of being “luxury supporting actors.” They knew.

A leading role is something you’re born into. It’s not just a matter of a good script or looks.

It’s about the ability to carry an entire story alone. The kind of presence that swallows everything when the camera focuses on you.

That’s the biggest factor in defining a lead.

“When this movie releases, it’s going to blow up.”

“Chungmuro is always thirsty for fresh faces.”

Actors with ticket power guarantee hits, but that also means their fees keep climbing.

You work together on a blockbuster and hit it big, but by the time you’re ready for the next project, the fees can become unaffordable. That’s why new leads are always welcome.

Moreover...

“Just imagine how much better he’ll look as he grows.”

“He’s so handsome, I can’t even claim my own son’s better looking.”

“Hey, now’s not the time to bring up things like that.”

Comparing anyone to someone who looks like that is pointless.

The two actors slowly watched as the absurdly handsome actor wrapped up his performance. He looked unbelievable, and he could act, too.

Where does someone like him even come from?

+++++

After the cadet soldier scene, the shoot wrapped up smoothly and quickly.

“Great job today.”

“No, it was possible because of the great script.”

“Ha, our Dong-hoo, I swear, how can you say such sweet things?”

Even if they were just words, I appreciated it.

Director Kang, already excited at the thought of editing the footage, stroked his fake Guan Yu beard as he saw me off.

I heard that the other actors were staying for a group retreat in Gangwon Province.

“Looks like I got out of it because I’m young.”

Finishing school was definitely a priority. I wasn’t sure about college, but I wanted to at least go through high school.

Besides...

Bzzz, bzzz, bzzz.

Dong-hoo, I’m sorry for the sudden message. I hope you’re staying warm in this cold weather. By the way, our Korean Arts High School pamphlet is out. I thought you might be interested, so I’m sending it to you. No need to feel any pressure; just read it at your leisure. If you have any questions about admissions, please don’t hesitate to ask me, Edward Park. I’ll be more than happy to answer. And if you get the chance, we’re having our alumni concert in February next year...

Now I had someone who seemed even more interested in my high school plans than my mom.

“I’ve never seen anyone more invested in my education than her.”

Usually, parents take care of these things, but here I was, being informed by the principal of Korea’s top arts high school.

Had he once suggested that I study piano seriously and become a maestro? I thought back on it and chuckled. He was a good man, and I found him amusing.

“Dong-hoo, good job today.”

As I smiled and headed toward the van, Seok-ho hyung opened the door, as if he’d been waiting.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me, that’s what I’m here for. What can I not do for our future building-owner Dong-hoo?”

With that, he loaded a stack of scripts onto the seat beside me as soon as I climbed into the car.

“What’s this?”

“Well, I was thinking, while what you’re doing now is impressive, your screen time is relatively short.”

You can leave a strong impact on the viewers, but it’s not like you’re carrying an entire story.

I nodded at his words. He wasn’t wrong.

But then again, I couldn’t just jump into a lead or major supporting role either. I was a rookie.

So Seok-ho hyung decided to change his approach.

“We should make an indie film!”

“An indie film?”

“Yeah, and I’ll invest in it to expand its scope.”

By making an indie film, you could lead the whole story yourself and even aim for film festival awards.

“Our target is the 2011 Best New Actor award at the film festival.”

The Best New Actor award—it’s arguably harder to get than a grand prize. You have to shine brighter than the flood of newcomers every year.

Seok-ho hyung said, spreading out a few scripts.

“So, I shortlisted a few good ones. There are about five.”

“You’ve already picked them out?”

“He really went all out.”

“But I don’t have an eye for scripts.”

In the case of High Dream and Endless Frontline, I could gauge their success using information from my past life. But independent film scripts were a completely unknown territory.

“Why are you so quiet when I need you?”

Ding! Ding! Ding!

A series of messages from The Sims – The Real Life arrived.

–[Download the app Scripts Like No Other.]

“I can check success ratings?”

<I Might Have Forgotten That Day, C>

“What’s a B rating like?”

Curious for more details, I immediately grabbed the Endless Frontline script.

<Endless Frontline, B (Rating Rising)>

“Rating rising?”

“As far as I know, Endless Frontline wasn’t a massive hit.”

Me.

“So, even if the rating is low, I can raise it as much as I want?”