Life is Easier If You're Handsome novel Chapter 74

The news of Ilshik’s episode 10 hitting a 41% viewership rating spread quickly across the nation.

It was a time when television held immense influence, an era when even variety shows could hit the 40% mark.

Back when everyone watched the same programs on Sunday nights and laughed over shared moments the next day.

Breaking through the 40% viewership barrier meant becoming part of a universal “common topic.”

Naturally, a drama watched by most of the nation earned the label of “national drama,”

and the characters within it were also granted the honorary title of “national” figures.

And thus, Kim Donghu became known as:

The Nation’s Crown Prince Kim Donghu.

A title that felt a bit over-the-top, almost too awkward to accept.

But there was no phrase more fitting to capture the essence of Kim Donghu at that moment.

“They keep saying he’s handsome, and he just keeps getting handsomer!”

“Where did someone like him even come from?”

“According to plastic surgeons, that face can’t be bought. It’s divine craftsmanship!”

“Of course not. It’s a face carved by the gods, way beyond human reach.”

In a world where news travels fast, Kim Donghu’s fame skyrocketed.

The power of 40% viewership.

Even those unfamiliar with the drama itself started to recognize his name.

Naturally, curiosity about Kim Donghu grew, and his fan café saw a surge of new members,

filling it with lively posts about him.

And the most popular post at the moment was:

[Question] So, how handsome is Kim Donghu, really?

Author: BCAQ152

“I’m a new fan who joined today.

So, how handsome is Kim Donghu, really?

Also, what’s he like in real life compared to on TV?”

It was a simple question that set off a flood of replies.

“Seeing him in real life ruins every other face; everyone else looks like squids and potatoes.”

“This is real talk. I suggest not looking at him in person if you can help it; he’ll ruin your standards.”

“People ask what it’s like to meet him? Just say it’s like seeing a rainbow’s reflection.”

“What does that mean?”

> “It means he’s more handsome than anything you can imagine.”

“If you ask my grandma if I’m better looking or Kim Donghu, she’d pick him without hesitation. And I’m her only grandson!”

Fans described his appearance in all kinds of ways, some with humorous comparisons,

to the point that their reactions became articles on their own.

With interest in him boiling over like a pot ready to overflow,

Donghu’s decision to take a break couldn’t have come at a better time.

When curiosity about him was at its peak,

if he overexposed himself, he risked saturating the interest and watching it fade away.

But Kim Donghu?

He declared he was on a break, declining all appearances on variety shows.

Yet there was still one program featuring him.

Ring ring ring ring.

The sound of destined attention echoed all around.

Ring ring ring ring.

The head of KBC’s Culture Department frowned as his phone wouldn’t stop ringing.

"Ugh, I can’t unplug the line, but this is driving me insane."

"Well, it’s good, though, right? We’ve never had so many sponsorship offers for a show."

The department head exhaled with a huff at his subordinate’s comment.

"Normally, they wouldn’t give us the time of day, but as soon as it’s about Kim Donghu, they all come running..."

After all the times he’d been told funding was tight,

Director Kim Kijin was floored by how real Donghu’s popularity was.

"No wonder old Cherry Pie kept singing Kim Donghu’s praises."

"Right? Without running the stats, I’d say this is the highest sponsorship we’ve ever had."

"We’re just lucky it worked out for us. Everyone’s desperate to get Kim Donghu on their shows, but we got him on ours."

"Seriously, with these numbers, our ratings might even shoot back up into double digits."

"Haha, just saying that makes me happy. If that happens, I might start calling Kim Donghu hyung."

+++++

With the success of Ilshik, his new title as “Nation’s Crown Prince,” and the special fan meeting,

time flew by, and it was already March.

"And now, let’s begin! Challenge! Golden Bell - Middle School Prodigy Special Edition!"

I was a participant on Challenge! Golden Bell.

To cut to the chase...

"Kim Donghu has rung the Golden Bell!"

I won as the last one standing.

"Kim Donghu’s insane!"

"He’s so handsome!"

"I want him! Kim! Dong! Hu!"

Hearing my friends’ enthusiastic cheers, I offered my thanks around with a humble expression.

'Right, it’s 2012 now.'

An era where even one year can bring drastic change.

With my knowledge of future events, the Golden Bell questions felt relatively easy.

Of course, there were some things that required studying to know.

'I really crammed for this over the past few months.'

After squeezing in study sessions whenever I could,

the 50 questions felt like elementary-level multiplication.

Challenge! Golden Bell had been discussed and anticipated, but it ended on a standard note.

Wham!

Huff!