Life is Easier If You're Handsome-Chapter 218

Charm is a word that refers to the power that holds someone’s gaze.

Seeing is, after all, the easiest way to captivate someone.

In that sense, right now, Kim Donghu is...

New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on ƒгeewebnovёl.com.

"...It's not just that he's good; he's on the level of an international competition winner, right?"

"Are you saying that what he showed in the musical wasn’t the full extent of his musical talent? He can do even better?"

"A boxer and an actor... and he’s also a pianist? This isn’t just some good piano playing."

It wasn’t just that he played the piano well.

He could interpret a sheet of music with his own unique performance.

It was the realm of a master.

Each note was of a different level.

Since the people around him were involved in musicals, they understood just how profound this was.

As people from a similar industry,

they had a certain level of understanding, even if it wasn’t perfection.

And because of this, they could observe him more deeply.

"Someone who uses their fists better than anyone, and their fingertips are perfect too?"

"This is an absurd level. I’d want to use that piano... with something better."

Since they hadn’t properly started filming yet,

he was wearing light, casual clothes that could easily be seen anywhere.

With his tanned skin and perfect appearance,

this combination created an impossible mismatch.

And the power that came from this mismatch gripped the studio tightly.

Look closely.

See who you’ve brought here.

The sound of the piano seemed to be speaking,

as though it was questioning the sin of considering someone else while gazing upon him.

There was no thought of forgiving that irreverence.

The punishment to the audience came down.

Thud!

It was a brief performance.

No softening.

Just before reaching the climax,

he purposely stopped playing.

"Ah."

Unconsciously, Evelyn let out an exclamation.

Her face filled with regret.

It wasn’t just Evelyn who looked this way.

Everyone who had heard Kim Donghu’s performance looked as if they hadn’t been able to properly satisfy their needs.

"Ugh..."

"Is this it?"

"...Just a little more, please."

While they were grumbling,

only Kim Donghu smiled leisurely and asked.

"Is it not enough?"

No one could bring themselves to say yes.

Instead, they quickly replied,

"Change the piano, bring a Steinway, the sound will be different with that."

They were just looking for a better piano.

***

"I never dreamed you could play the piano this well."

"Didn’t you really look into me?"

"Ah, no, it’s just that I’ve been really busy with a lot of new work, you know, it's been two years of preparing for this..."

"I’m just kidding. It’s fine, I understand, no need to apologize."

"...You joke quite seriously."

At Evelyn’s words, I awkwardly smiled.

"They say it’ll take about an hour to bring in the piano. Can you wait?"

"Of course, we’ll have to redo the contract anyway, so it’ll take a bit of time, right?"

"Ah."

I subtly pointed to the side where Seokho hyung and the CAE representative, Mamila, were.

The way Mamila’s head was slightly lowered more than Seokho hyung’s,

showed how favorable the situation was right now.

So Evelyn and I continued chatting,

and as we did, I reflected on the events that had just happened.

‘His skills are still perfect.’

I hadn’t had much of a chance to play the piano recently,

and since playing the piano requires a lot of practice and constraints,

I hadn’t practiced it much lately.

Yet, despite that, it felt like my skills were immediately on display as if I had been practicing constantly.

‘Is the concept of losing skills completely foreign to me?’

Humans are creatures that learn, and the true value of learning comes from repetition.

But right now, I was completely ignoring that concept.

It was as if the experience had already been fully downloaded into my body,

as if I could immediately perform at 100% whenever I wanted once I learned it.

Just like an app.

‘What’s even crazier is that my skills have updated automatically.’

It’s been about 6 or 7 years since I last played regularly,

and during that time, my skills didn’t just stay intact; they improved.

Back then, I was at a national level,

but now, I’m at a global level.

‘I still have features I haven’t even discovered.’

How far does Sims’ potential go?

I marveled for a moment at that wonder when she spoke.

"But you said this is your first time shooting a music video, right?"

"Yes? Oh, right. As an actor, I don’t usually get such opportunities."

"Is that so? Then this is a first experience for both of us?"

"...Oh, right?"

It’s funny how we use the word ‘first experience’ in this context.

I was mildly surprised at the strange nuance.

So this is the American mindset.

"I don’t have many expectations for this song... but... I’d still like to aim for Best New Artist."

"Really?"

"Grammy, Best New Artist, and... Best Music Video, those are my goals."

"..."

That’s definitely the American mindset.

How much time passed while we were talking?

After about 30 minutes, just as expected, the piano arrived on set.

It came 30 minutes earlier than anticipated.

And of course,

the reason was clear.

"Fast as always?"

"Someone who understands the value of this speed knows that it can’t be slower."

Money.

Clearly, someone important had made the delivery themselves.

It showed just how much CAE representative Mamila was paying attention.

Mamila immediately made a cash payment and then looked at me.

"Could you do the makeup and then go straight into rehearsal?"

"Of course, that works."

It was clear how eager they were to start.

I could see the burning desire in their eyes.

I immediately moved to the waiting room to meet their expectations.

***

About 20 minutes after Kim Donghu began his makeup session.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

Unintentionally becoming impatient, Mamila nervously shook her leg.

The front of her shoes tapped rhythmically against the floor.

Unable to hold back, Evelyn spoke up.

"Mamila."

"Sorry, sorry... but I’m just so nervous."

"What are you nervous about? It's just a music video shoot."

"The fate of the company... it hasn't changed, but we’ve invested quite a lot."

And it’s your first project, too.

She swallowed the rest of her sentence.

She didn’t want to unnecessarily add more tension.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

"So, now that the time has come, I’m a little jittery."

"Don’t you trust me? I’m Evelyn Queen Amber."

"I know, I know."

That’s exactly why I’m more worried.

She swallowed that sentence as well.

She didn’t want to touch on anyone’s pride.

Anyway,

after what felt like 10 hours but was really only 10 minutes,

Kim Donghu stepped out of the waiting room with a loud reaction from the staff.

"Wow... But his appearance is so perfect, barely any makeup, all the time went into choosing the outfit."

"!?"

"?!?"

"Really, how can someone be this handsome? It's unreal!"

He truly appeared to be the intersection of raw power and reason.

His bronzed skin and the neat suit were perfectly coordinated.

His hair, styled with pomade, gave him a very gentlemanly vibe,

but the muscles revealed by his suit gave off a violent, intense atmosphere.

It was as if a beast was bound by the chains of a suit.

The only visible skin was from his neck up and his hands.

Even just showing that much, it was clear how intimidating he was.

The thick, large veins and tendons visible on his hands,

the watch barely covering his muscular wrist.

Everything except his physique seemed to be a control device for maintaining human form.

"Donghu, you look incredible! Wow, you’re just... the world’s best, seriously!"

While everyone was admiring him,

Seokho quickly eased the atmosphere,

deliberately taking photos.

He promised he wouldn’t post them on social media until the music video was released,

naturally steering the flow of the scene into a more relaxed rhythm.

"Gold plating really suits you, Seokho hyung. You really are the best in the world."

"Of course! The person I praise is always the best!"

With that, Donghu moved toward the piano, guided by the staff.

First came the rehearsal.

Without playing the piano, they just checked the movements.

The setup was very simple.

Evelyn would dance, then naturally lie on the piano placed in position,

and at that timing, Donghu would appear.

What was unusual was that he was wearing a mask.

It didn’t cover his whole face, just the part above his jaw,

a device to focus all attention on Evelyn and a foreshadowing for the later impact.

When the short 12-second performance ended,

the camera paused, and Evelyn moved to the other set.

How much time passed?

Evelyn moved back toward the piano again.

This time, the atmosphere was completely different.

Evelyn lay on the piano, staring directly at Donghu.

Then, as if displeased with the mask,

she removed it with a light touch.

'Wow.'

Normally, once the mask was removed, the next action would follow immediately,

but as soon as Evelyn saw Donghu’s face, she froze in surprise.

'...Isn’t he too handsome?'

She had never felt her heart race just by seeing someone’s appearance.

His perfection made her momentarily lose her breath.

'If this were real, it would have been a disaster.'

It was a relief that it was just a rehearsal.

Thinking of it as a vaccine, Evelyn calmly proceeded with the next part of the scene.

The goal here was to get as close as possible to a kiss without actually doing it.

There was an enjoyable thrill in that near-miss.

She closed her eyes, moving closer.

Their noses almost touched.

And at that moment...

"Cut!"

The director’s shout was heard, and Evelyn stepped away from the piano, slightly disappointed.

"I’m standing this close to you, how can you have no reaction?"

Evelyn said as she covered her slightly reddened face with both hands.

She said it almost playfully to Donghu.

How many women has he ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) dealt with to be so calm even in this situation?

It would have been nice if he had acted even slightly surprised.

This was one of the things she didn’t like.

'...But why do I feel irritated?'

There seemed to be no reason for it,

yet her heart felt oddly sore.

"Shall we continue?"

Finally, all the preparations for the music video were done,

and it seemed like they’d been waiting for this moment.

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

The notification from Sims vibrated in Donghu’s pocket.

"Hold on a second."

At times like this, it was usually news related to the future,

so Donghu excused himself from the people and checked the message.

'What?'

The message contained unbelievable news.

[YouTube views hit 100 million?! Is this the rise of a new diva or the perfect sidekick's success?][Kim Donghu’s YouTube video hits 100 million views!]Suddenly, 100 million YouTube views?

What on earth is this?