ALL NOVEL Chapter 93
The reason collection games can be dangerous is that the triggers for consumption are incredibly varied.
You want to collect this, and you want to collect that.
Before you know it, you end up facing an empty bank account.
Bong Jinwoo aimed to actively utilize this point.
The result of that utilization was immediately reflected in audience reactions.
“Wow, it’s super childish. Is it because kids are watching? Honestly, it’s not that great.”
“I thought it was fun, especially the part where the pilot shows deep desires.”
“Huh? What are you talking about? The pilot is just a nice guy.”
“He’s not just nice, though?”
The reactions to what was entertaining differed, but the content seemed a bit off.
When discussing specific parts, it was hard to believe we had seen the same play.
The audience found this part very strange, and soon arrived at one truth.
“Wait, this has two different stories.”
No matter how good the content is or how much it was for the children,
A play targeted at children is hard to achieve big box office success.
“So then, do we have to watch both to know the differences?”
“You don’t have to watch the kids’ version; you don’t even need to reserve a ticket.”
“Just getting rid of one competitor and trying to reserve it all for himself…”
So Bong Jinwoo made two scripts.
One for regular audiences,
and the other for children.
That’s why the content of the script Kim Donghu received at first differed from the scenario developed for the orphanage kids.
The most important thing in business is to do commerce while matching the eye level with the customers.
The overall structure doesn’t change.
But subtle variations in direction and dialogue are essential.
“The stakes have gotten higher; no one should be left at a loss.”
Bong Jinwoo wanted to give dreams to the children and, at the same time, was one of the most mature kids in the orphanage.
Thus, even with a significant capital influx, Bong Jinwoo wasn’t going to chase only his dreams.
“Being able to do just one performance as a form of charity was a miracle; being able to run it for a week is even more miraculous.”
The miracle has already been achieved.
Now it was time to write the story of reality.
The pilot had become an adult mixed with greed, not just regretting his choices.
The Foolish Tree and the Volcano were for the Young Prince, but their methods were flawed.
Adults on different planets revealed one kind of desire, and the fox explained that knowing and practicing are two different things.
The endless rose garden was filled with envy, jealousy, and vanity.
Among them, speaking of the only love is just the one, thornless rose of the Young Prince.
Bong Jinwoo wasn’t thinking, “This play is for children, so adults will enjoy it unconditionally!”
“The childishness seen by children and that seen by adults is different.”
That’s why [The Story of the Star and the Moon] could only be divided into two versions.
Volunteering is important, but in the end, the core was “how much did we earn?”
“If we assume that all proceeds are donated to the orphanage, earning as much as possible is beneficial.”
Growing hope through watching the play.
Bong Jinwoo knew that effect wouldn’t last long.
Eventually, the moment they return to reality would bring back the cold problems in front of them.
For now, he was making everyone forget everything, acting as the Young Prince with Kim Donghu’s face.
But ultimately, resolving reality’s problems had to be done in reality.
Thus began the performance aimed at the general public, which garnered tremendous popularity.
They had a lineup that couldn’t help but attract attention.
With top-tier actors breathing life on stage, many couldn’t forget the vividness even after viewing multiple times.
The unexpected ticket reservation war began.
Time flew by as [The Story of the Star and the Moon] progressed for about a month and a half.
It was August.
The sweet gathering of the Theater Flame, which had been running like crazy, had begun.
+++++
About five months had passed since the Theater Flame first assembled.
Continuously spending time together to synchronize, the people of Theater Flame became very close.
If you had to pick the ones whose relationship developed the most,
it would be unquestionably Kim Donghu and Kim Sujin, casually close together.
Counting rehearsals, these two had embraced at least over 100 times.
Maybe that’s why their skinship had become very natural.
In fact, in a typical atmosphere like this, joking around would usually be the norm.
“If you interfere with my daughter’s love, you’re all going to die.”
Under the leadership of Kim Yu-ryun’s goblin-like face next to them, no one dared to intervene.
But it wasn’t too surprising.
It’s not unusual for people to end up in a romantic relationship while shooting a romantic comedy.
After doing a play like that for more than a month, it would be strange for the relationship not to progress.
“Okay! You all worked really hard. But first, shall we hear from our director?”
Thus began the gathering.
Opening it up was Bong Jinwoo’s greeting.
“Um, ahem… Aah… It has truly been a month like a dream. I have so much to say, but I’m not good with words, and nothing comes to mind. But! I want to dedicate all the glory to Kim Donghu for allowing all of this to happen!”
As soon as Bong Jinwoo finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter.
It was undeniable.
In the end, it was the little ball that Kim Donghu had tossed that rolled all the way here.
As everyone laughed and chatted, the gathering continued.
“…Cough, ugh, I’m feeling dizzy.”
Kim Sujin rolled her eyes about and softly leaned into Kim Donghu’s arms.
“Why would you feel dizzy? You haven’t even drunk yet.”
“But! I can still feel dizzy!”
“No way, you were fine until just now; how can you be dizzy all of a sudden?”
“But if I say I’m dizzy, doesn’t it mean you should worry about me?”
“I mean, it’s unclear if there’s a reason; it’s just odd, isn’t it?”
Hearing Kim Donghu’s reply, sighs emerged from around them.
‘Our youngest truly has no answer in that regard.’
Sometimes, he seemed perceptive enough.
So how could he not pick up on such direct expressions of affection?
‘Should I give him a coaching session?’
Han Tae-geon, unable to suppress his frustration, was about to stand up when—
Tap.
He realized someone had caught his wrist.
“Senior?”
“Tae-geon, you shouldn’t butt in when the kids are playing.”
Are you now interfering with our daughter’s love life? You want to die?—the hidden meaning in Kim Yu-ryun’s words.
Han Tae-geon nodded and quietly sat back down.
And right at that moment.
“Ugh, I can’t take it!”
Kim Sujin couldn’t hold back her anger and shot up from her seat.
Just when the gathering’s atmosphere could have taken a wrong turn.
“Our Rose, where are you going?”
Kim Donghu pulled Kim Sujin closer and hugged her.
At that point, Jin Myeong-tae realized the importance of the speaker.
“Wow, saying that with that face makes it understandable.”
All the childishness and cringe of the dialogue were just swept away by that face.
In a way, Kim Donghu was like a road roller.
He could make everything acceptable just by his looks.
In reality.
“…When was it you rejected me? And now you’re acting like this?”
“I was fine earlier, but I thought I should act like this now?”
“Ha! Kim Donghu, you’re really out of your mind!”
Kim Sujin, with a face that showed all her anger had dissipated,
playfully hit Kim Donghu and settled back down.
Who would have thought I’d witness the essence of early 2000s internet novels?
Now I finally understand why the male protagonists always ranked first in looks in those tales.
‘If it wasn’t for that face, no one would have accepted it.’
Everyone, including Jin Myeong-tae, now thought that way.
[Theater Flame, how incredible of an influence do you think it has?]
On the TV at the gathering location, discussions about Theater Flame began.
And as expected, it started with.
“That’s an absurd level. Not only did the donations begin, but it also sparked social interest among the people.”
Praise was showered down.
++++++
Theater Flame and [The Story of the Star and the Moon].
Preparing different scripts for children and adults,
the play had the intent to satisfy all age groups.
Even during the performance schedule, continuous promotions happened,
and through pre-interviews, it was shared how spectacular Theater Flame was,
and that there would never be another theater like it.
And there were quite a few people who had scrapped all those moments.
“Hmm, perfect.”
Among them, of course,
was Baek Sang-ha, the director.
The director of the gym where Kim Donghu trained and a once-renowned athlete.
The one who had come out of a special forces unit, Baek Sang-ha.
He nodded contentedly while looking at Kim Donghu’s proud achievements decorating the wall.
“Indeed, it’s Donghu.”
However, thinking about the worst enemy blocking Donghu’s path made him worry.
‘The military.’
A duty of national defense that all South Korean men must bear.
Kim Donghu couldn’t escape that obligation either.
He could evade overseas or something like that,
but of course, there was no way Kim Donghu would do that.
Baek Sang-ha had come up with a sharp solution.
‘Winning an Olympic medal should do it.’
In the 2016 Brazil Olympics.
What if Kim Donghu, as the boxing national representative, won a medal?
‘Military exemption! National prestige!’
It would be a complete jackpot in life!