Life is Easier If You're Handsome-Chapter 330

"Did you apply for the role of Harley?"

"Yes, of course... I mean, he's the one who gets the most screen time with the lead, right?"

"Still, I think I’ll be the one who gets it. You might want to look into another role."

"Haha, wow. Haven’t seen you in a while, but your jokes are still sharp as ever."

Even over here—

"I heard Morgan Stark’s casting is mostly based on looks."

"Exactly, so why are you even applying?"

"...Sorry?"

"...Excuse me?"

"Oh-hohoho!"

"A-hahahaha!"

And over there—

"...I thought no one would go for the supporting role, so I jumped in, but what is with this number of applicants?"

"I mean... even actors who look like they’ve already made it are here."

"Wait, they all submitted audition tapes? Like newbies?"

"At first, I thought this was some minor extras audition. But wow."

Everyone’s nerves were on edge as they studied their lines intensely.

Once it became clear that Kim Donghu was confirmed as the lead of ArcBorn, and that the contracts were signed, and that he was directly involved in casting—

an alarm went off in the minds of every Hollywood actor.

We thought just standing next to him would be enough. Now we have to earn his personal approval?

Confidence, pride, and ego—all sky-high in Hollywood's elite—they assumed the roles would naturally land in their laps.

But now? A public audition? In front of Kim Donghu himself?

Are you serious? Are they insane? We have to act in front of that guy? It’s basically drawing a line between actors, saying we’re beneath him...

It was an undeniable blow to their pride. But pride aside—

You gotta do what you gotta do. He’s never failed, not once. I’m sticking close no matter what.

Reality was reality.

Money?

The more, the better.

Millions, billions, trillions—You always want more.

That endless, aimless desire to collect—It’s a uniquely human urge.

But collecting isn’t just about material wealth.

Some sought honor. Others wanted to etch their names into history.

So when an actor has that kind of ambition—how do they satisfy it?

The answer was simple.

Land a major role. Deliver a stellar performance. Earn money, fame, and audience adoration.

Easier said than done.

Because “major role” was a fuzzy term. You only know it’s a great project after it’s done. Never before.

But.

Donghu Kim is different. He doesn’t fail. He’s only twenty-nine...

If there was a 100% guaranteed hit, and a lead actor with an unbroken streak, joining him could mean Oscars. A year’s worth of runaway popularity.

To chase that kind of payoff—you crush your pride,

return to your rookie days, memorize your script, and reshoot your audition videos a dozen times.

And now—

"Those called will enter in order. Please wait for your turn."

The moment had come to be judged—to earn the right to stand beside Kim Donghu.

***

“Yes, thank you. We’ll notify you of the results tomorrow.”

“...Could I show you one more take, just once?”

“Sorry, we’re short on time. Next.”

The auditions had far more applicants than I expected—at least ten times more.

We thought it would wrap in a day, but it ended up taking almost a full week.

Because we were determined to create the best possible sequel, we’d opened up the casting without restriction.

Even though we tried to move quickly through performances, it was like a line outside a famous restaurant—people just kept coming.

"Haha, I feel like I’ve gone back to my rookie years."

"Director Jenker, did you ever go through this kind of thing as a rookie?"

"Of course! I even snuck into other people’s auditions to find good actors."

"You did what?"

"Yeah. Who’d come to a no-name rookie director’s audition? So I had to go elsewhere—did a little spying."

Zzzzt.

Seven hours of auditions.

Thirty-minute break.

Five more hours.

Repeat for about a week.

"We’ve got candidates, but no one’s jumped out."

"You too, Kim? I haven’t had that this is the one feeling either."

With no real standouts, Director Jenker and I were growing exhausted. When you spot talent, you get fired up. But we’d seen nothing like that yet.

If we have to go with Plan B, that’s not ideal.

I started wondering if my excitement over being involved in production was just making my standards unrealistically high.

<ArcBorn, A+ (rating still under review)>

The rating still hadn’t moved past A+, and that was making me impatient.

In the past, we’d have been thrilled just to get A+. Now it felt like the bar had climbed too high.

It’s not like Disney is backing us. A+ as a starting point is more than fine—hell, it’s great.

Maybe I should compromise a little? I was just thinking that when—

"I’m here to audition for the role of Morgan Stark! My name’s Natalie Beltman! It’s an honor!"

The next applicant stepped in.

Gasp!

Director Jenker’s pen slipped from his hand as ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) soon as he saw her.

Argentinian. Twenty-four years old.

How to describe her looks? Just... pure beauty.

Long brown wavy hair. An energy that...

"The fiery spirit of South America is radiating from her!"

Passionate? Bright? In Jenker’s words, she exuded Latin heat.

"Donghu Kim! I think we’ve found our Morgan Stark!"

He jumped to his feet—something I’d never seen him do.

Well, to be fair, I haven’t known him that long.

Apparently, when he really likes someone, he drops his pen and leaps out of his chair.

And honestly? I kind of agreed with him.

She matched our vision for the mature version of Morgan, down to the last detail.

"She’s got that healthy South American glow, with just the right touch of fair skin... that slight bronze tone is perfect!"

Natalie bowed a full 90 degrees to thank him. She was a foreigner, but gave off major Confucian vibes.

Maybe because she’s a total rookie?

It felt like watching a freshly minted ace with razor-sharp discipline. Then she read her lines—and there was nothing more to say.

"She’s in! You’re cast!"

It was clear. Jenker said it, and I nodded in full agreement.

She was definitely our Morgan. As I was thinking that—

Smile.

Natalie gave me a look. Playful, but intense.

Like a predator...?

...Probably just my imagination.

***

Right after casting the perfect Morgan Stark, things started moving like clockwork. Jenker and I began locking in roles one after another.

Of course—

"EJ! We can do this!"

"Sorry, that was great, but could you tone the emotion down just a little?"

"Ah, understood. EJ! We could’ve made it!"

"Nice! Can we run that scene with me now, as written in the script?"

"Yes! Y-Yes, of course!"

For the actors, though, it wasn’t smooth sailing.

A Kim Donghu audition involved three stages:

1. Scripted performance

2. Directed adjustment

3. Performance alongside Kim Donghu

Most people only prepared for step one. Steps two and three completely caught them off guard.

Acting opposite Kim Donghu himself? And he wasn’t pulling punches either.

“...Yeah, but we’re not Iron Man. How the hell could we possibly do that?”

"..."

"Do you really think we could handle that kind of power, Harley?

Give me a straight answer—do we actually have a real-world solution?"

100%. No holding back.

He gave it everything he had—crushing the confidence of the applicants.

We did that for over a week straight, so naturally, I was exhausted too.

And then—after nearly ten days:

"It’s done!!!"

"Finally! Now you can really start working on the script."

At last, the long, brutal audition process ended.

"I’ll send updates as revisions come in, but we’re probably looking at two more months minimum."

"And three months including set construction?"

"Yeah, especially since the Iron Core team is occupying most of the studios."

ArcBorn was starting in humble conditions. Which honestly felt fitting for a superhero origin story.

And just then—

<ArcBorn, S (rating under re-evaluation)>

The rating jumped right after casting wrapped. S+ wasn’t far off now.

And Murcielago’s script should be coming soon too...

No word on Murcielago 2’s rating yet—but minimum S+, no question.

Starring in two simultaneous S+ projects—a first.

Just as that thought crossed my mind—

Brrrrrrring.

The phone rang.

"Hello?"

I picked up right away. And the moment I heard the name on the other end—

"...Sorry? Who did you say? Wait—really?"

Why the hell was that name coming up now?

—"Yes, it’s me, Donghu. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this moment."

"...H-Hong Cheonseok...?"

—"Oh, come now! Between us, just call me Cheonseok hyung~!"

...Excuse me?