Life is Easier If You're Handsome novel Chapter 280

South Korea could no longer afford Kim Donghu’s appearance fees.

That was something everyone in the broadcasting industry already knew.

Of course, guest appearance fees were generally low to begin with.

And if someone was appearing purely for promotional purposes, the fee could often be cut significantly.

But if the guest in question was Kim Donghu... it became a very different conversation.

“What kind of promotion does an actor who’s never failed need?”

“He’s never flopped—even when he didn’t promote anything!”

Kim Donghu had never been one to engage in heavy promotions after finishing a project.

A light interview here, a press screening or production conference there.

Just the basics—then done.

His appearance on variety shows? That was practically ancient history.

And as for whether he’d ever had a flop...

“Well... we already said there’s never been one, so no need to stress it again, right?”

“Right.”

“Yeah. That’s all that needs to be said.”

Kim Donghu was an actor whose projects always succeeded.

That’s why variety show PDs pulled every trick in the book trying to cast him.

They sent emails, sent gifts.

Told his agency they could work around any schedule—just say when.

When word got out that he’d returned to Korea, some even waited outside his agency.

But the answer was always the same.

—Sorry, Donghu isn’t interested. But since you’re here, please at least have a cup of tea.

If Kim Donghu wasn’t interested, there was nothing anyone could do.

When Choi Seokho said those words, the variety show PDs would swallow their pride and leave, tears in their eyes.

But now—

“...Why is that Kim Donghu doing our Delicious Guys...?”

That same Kim Donghu had suddenly declared that he wanted to appear on a variety show.

He didn’t demand a high appearance fee.

He didn’t ask for an overly accommodating filming schedule for promotion.

Just—

Just this:

—I’ve been a fan of Delicious Guys /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ for a long time. I’ve always wanted to be on it.

That was it. That was all he said.

And only then did the PDs and writers realize how much pressure a line like that could bring.

Naturally, an emergency meeting was called.

Twenty minutes later—

“Seriously? The real Kim Donghu said he’s coming?”

“No way... We’re actually going to see him in person?”

“This is insane!”

“God, if he looks this good on camera, imagine him in real life!”

The Delicious Guys cast rushed breathlessly into the meeting room.

They’d been contacted as soon as Donghu confirmed his appearance.

They probably canceled their entire day’s schedule.

“...Wait, are we really holding a meeting right now? Aren’t you all busy?”

“Who cares? Kim Donghu is coming!”

Yoo Sangmin, eyes filled with excitement, quickly took a seat.

“What’s the menu? Did we decide? Do we know what Kim Donghu likes?”

“Hyung, seriously? You didn’t even check that before coming?”

“O-of course I did. I was just testing you guys.”

Yoo Sangmin hurriedly pulled out his phone as the other members stared at him, unimpressed.

“See, I’ve got it all here, okay? Kim Donghu—”

“Kim Donghu?”

“Likes eating a lot. He consumes around 20,000 calories a day.”

“...”

Who didn’t know that?

Everyone stared at Yoo Sangmin like he was stating the obvious.

If only he weren’t their senior...

The playful banter lasted only a moment before the meeting turned serious again.

“He likes Korean food, right? Kimchi?”

“Or maybe we should just ask him to recommend one of his favorite restaurants? Like—Kim Donghu’s Pick! That’s got a ring to it.”

“Great idea... but then it becomes a full-on ‘Kim Donghu Tour.’ We’ve gotta keep up too.”

“So we’re doing all three meals?”

“Of course. It’s a two-week feature.”

“Wait, really?!”

“Basically no editing. Just raw, pure footage, and we air it over two weeks.”

The most critical question was: What food would they present to Kim Donghu?

Even showing up unprepared would already be stressful,

but calling themselves his fans? That put a mountain of pressure on their shoulders.

“Then let’s do dinner at one of Donghu’s favorite restaurants,

and we can plan breakfast and lunch ourselves.”

“Sounds good. When’s the shoot again? Next week?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Then should we start with promotions? Tease that Donghu’s appearing in the trailer... The episode airs in three weeks, so we can push promotions hard...”

As the meeting progressed and their plans took shape—

trrrring

trrrring

trrrring

Suddenly, a phone rang, cutting through the air in the conference room.

Confused, the main PD quickly picked up the call.

“Hello?”

—Hey! Is it true Kim Donghu’s going on Delicious Guys?!

“H-how did you find out?! We haven’t told anyone yet!” 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

—What the hell are you doing keeping it from the content division head?!

“No, it’s not that! I was going to tell you once the details were finalized...”

—Whatever. That’s not the point. What are you doing about the PPL?

“Sorry?”

—‘Sorry’? What are you, new? Are you not aware of what’s about to happen?

The PD shot to his feet, panic flashing across his face.

Right—he hadn’t even considered it.

‘We’ve been so focused on the show itself...!’

Of course having Kim Donghu involved would draw massive attention from companies.

They’d all be scrambling to sponsor the show.

Honestly, it wasn’t even the main PD’s fault.

It hadn’t even been a full day since Donghu confirmed he’d appear.

He just hadn’t expected the flood of inquiries to start so soon.

But...

—[Hello, this is Ilyang Foods. We’d like to sponsor actor Kim Donghu...]

—[Hi, this is FJ. We heard Kim Donghu will be appearing and wanted to inquire about...]

—[Fine Dining Rebon here. We were thrilled to hear the news of Kim Donghu’s participation...]

That assumption?

It was wildly off.

The emails were coming in live—nonstop.

All of them about PPL.

Some from restaurants that had previously been rejected.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“Th-this is...”

—It’s Kim Donghu! Don’t you get it?! There isn’t a single actor in Korea right now with higher value than him!

“N-no, I understand.”

—Get your act together. Don’t go nuts trying to accept every PPL offer just because he’s involved. Be smart, okay?

“R-right... smart...”

—You know what the kids say these days, right? Al-jal-jal-ttak-ttak? Or whatever it is. Just do that!

The main PD had a few things he wanted to say back—but held them in.

This wasn’t the time to argue.

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