Life is Easier If You're Handsome novel Chapter 63

"That shouldn’t have broken, right?"

The props team gawked as they watched the wooden sword snap. They had intentionally prepared an aged, worn-looking wooden sword to give the scene a historical feel, and while it had plenty of marks, it had passed every durability test they ran. They even ensured it wouldn’t break during filming to avoid any potential injuries.

"Maybe if you hit the weakest point, it could break? Like, targeting a specific spot..." one team member suggested.

"Are you filming a martial arts fantasy? How would that even work? And even if it were possible, how could someone actually do that?" the team leader retorted.

But Dong-hoo did it, didn’t he?

The props team stopped themselves from arguing back. The situation unfolding before them was so surreal that they could sympathize with the desire to deny reality.

And it wasn’t just the props team who felt this way. Everyone on set was watching Kim Dong-hoo with a mixture of disbelief and awe.

Director Oh Jae-deok, in particular, was visibly shaken, his hands trembling.

"Is everyone okay?! Did anyone get hurt?" the director shouted, rushing to assess the situation.

"I’m fine," said Park Jin-hyuk.

"Dong-hoo, are you okay too?"

"Yes, I’m perfectly fine, Director."

Once Director Oh regained his composure, he hurried over to check on Park Jin-hyuk. If any fragments had flown when the wooden sword broke, it could have been dangerous. But, somehow, Jin-hyuk had released his grip on the sword just before it snapped, avoiding any injury.

It was almost as if the timing had been preplanned, down to the last second.

"Could it be... did you break it on purpose?" Director Oh started to ask Kim Dong-hoo but quickly stopped himself. No matter how he thought about it, it didn’t make sense. Intentionally breaking a wooden sword? This wasn’t some fantasy novel—it was impossible.

Regardless, the most important thing was that no one was hurt.

"It’s a relief that neither of you was injured. Let’s take a short break. We’ll replace the sword and reshoot the scene with the wooden sword duel," Director Oh said.

"Yes, sir."

As they both responded simultaneously, Park Jin-hyuk shot a glance at Kim Dong-hoo.

‘Was that really just an accident?’

Dong-hoo had told him earlier to let go of the sword if anything seemed dangerous. Now, Jin-hyuk couldn’t shake the feeling that Dong-hoo had anticipated this very situation.

"...Still, it’s incredible. How did the wooden sword even break?" Jin-hyuk muttered.

"It was just a coincidence. No one can intentionally break a wooden sword like that," Dong-hoo replied, his expression completely calm.

"For a coincidence, you sure don’t look surprised."

"Uh, maybe I’ve just got strong nerves."

While the two actors exchanged words, Ha Seung-hoon, who played the adult Ja-un, nodded slowly from afar.

"...So this is why people go on and on about Kim Dong-hoo."

That kid is supposed to grow up into me?

‘Seems like I’ve lost my swordsmanship skills,’ Seung-hoon mused.

"Man, that was insane," another voice chimed in beside him. "Shouldn’t we be trying that hard too?"

Ha Seung-hoon smiled wryly as Seo Jin-woo, who played the adult Baek Dong-su, approached.

"You think Dong-hoo’s going to win Best New Actor?"

"Best New Actor? He debuted in a ten-million-won box-office hit. This year’s award season is going to go crazy."

Their conversation naturally shifted to the upcoming year-end award shows. With both dramas and movies under his belt, Kim Dong-hoo’s accomplishments were undeniable. And since The Swordsman Baek Dong-su would wrap up before the awards season, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was on stage receiving an award.

"Crazy, huh..."

"Why?"

"It feels strange to just sit here and watch him like this."

Jin-woo chuckled at Seung-hoon’s words. "You’re right. Should we ask for his number?"

"Wait, what?"

"Come on, there’s no need for actors to play it cool with each other. Let’s just ask for his number straight up."

"What? You’re talking about asking for his number like it’s some sort of... pickup line."

"Well, it is a pickup," Jin-woo replied, laughing again.

Seung-hoon gave him a confused look, waiting for an explanation. Jin-woo chuckled and continued.

"Talented actors always rise to the top. It doesn’t hurt to get close to them early on."

Seung-hoon still seemed bewildered by the idea.

"That’s... not how this works."

"I never studied acting," Jin-woo suddenly said, catching Seung-hoon off guard.

Of course, Seung-hoon already knew the story. Jin-woo was famous for being a self-taught actor who had climbed his way to stardom.

"So when I thought about learning acting, I wanted to learn from someone much better than me."

"...Wait, hold on. Am I hearing this right?"

"Yeah, you heard me right."