Life is Easier If You're Handsome-Chapter 217

"He's really going to do it?!"

"Yeah, they say he plays really well."

"Really?! That's incredible—he acts, sings, boxes, and now he's playing the piano too!"

While Evelyn was thrilled by the news of the collaboration, the CAE representative, Mamila, looked unimpressed.

‘Is Evelyn really this naive?’

Does she really believe that someone can be good at all of this? In a world where even excelling at just one of these things makes someone a legend, how can she believe he’s good at all of them?

‘She’s not seriously trusting that footage, right?’

He glanced over at the screen in the corner, which was replaying over and over. On it, Kim Donghu was shown playing the piano.

It was standard procedure to check an actor’s filmography, so Mamila had naturally gone through various projects to verify his skills. And the footage in question showed him playing La Campanella.

‘It’s an excellent performance, if he really played it himself.’

But in Hollywood, Mamila had seen too many cases where stunt doubles were used. He was certain this scene was 100% a stand-in performance.

‘It’s impossible.’

Was he really going to be disappointed when Evelyn saw the truth during the music video shoot? The difference between TV and reality could be staggering.

Although he wanted to confirm it properly, he didn’t want to spoil Evelyn’s excitement.

"I’m so happy! I’m really looking forward to it!"

Seeing Evelyn so excited made it difficult for him to pour cold water on her enthusiasm. Besides, he figured that if she saw the truth with her own eyes, she’d be disappointed faster than he could stop her.

People believe only what they see with their own eyes.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world...

"...Huh?! What is this energy?!"

"Why are you suddenly # Nоvеlight # standing up, Director?"

Someone with an extravagant perm suddenly jumped up from their seat in the middle of a meeting.

"I can feel it."

"Huh?"

The people around him were puzzled by the sudden outburst, but the man, referred to as the director, continued without paying any attention.

"My most beloved disciple, my only treasured student, my eternal number one, the permanent star in my heart, the eternal sun in my soul...! Donghu!"

"Wait, what? Kim Donghu?"

"I can feel it! He’s going to play the piano..."

"Uh, I don’t quite understand what you mean..."

"He’s coming! A celestial performance is approaching! The demon king’s keys!"

His dramatic words were a bit cringe-worthy, but no one dared to interrupt. After all, he was the one in charge of the entire school.

What could they say?

"It’s not the time for a meeting. I’ll replay Donghu’s performance again..."

"Ah, should we end the meeting then?"

"Of course! And make sure to play my favorite video!"

"You mean the one where he walks down during the graduation ceremony playing the violin and then plays the piano again?"

"Exactly! Excellent! Perfect!"

At the director’s orders, the faculty scrambled to follow his instructions. No one could understand what had gotten into him, but they complied regardless.

***

On the day of the music video shoot, I double-checked the script I had received earlier.

"The script follows the song exactly, huh?"

"They said it’s a song about not being able to forget a man, right?"

"Yeah, it’s about a breakup. It’s really popular and mainstream."

The song Evelyn would be performing was Meet.

The lyrics were very simple. It told the story of how a chance encounter could bring immense sadness to someone's life.

The song mixed elements of hip-hop and dance pop, allowing for both vocal prowess and mass appeal.

To sum it up, it was a song that kept up with the trends while still showcasing its own unique strengths. You could tell that two years of hard work had been poured into it, making it evident that a lot of effort had gone into its creation.

"But does a song like that even have a part for piano? It’s disco-pop, right?"

"The intro is a bit more classical, I think. But if it’s an issue, we can always edit it in post."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I heard that there are definitely two shots in the beginning and the end."

The plan was to give the song a solid classical piano foundation at the start and end, while filling the middle with pop elements. I thought it was a good strategy.

"So, you think this will be a hit, huh?"

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Seokho’s comment caught me off guard, and I looked at him with confusion.

"You’ve always been successful when you’re behind the camera, right? You’re feeling that same vibe for this, right?"

"Ah, no way."

The previous works had all been movies or dramas, so it was possible to gauge their potential success through rating analysis. But this music video was completely different.

The script was more of a guideline than an actual story.

Music videos aren’t supposed to have intricate plots. The focus was more on movements and visuals, which made it hard to view the project as a work of art. There was no way to evaluate its "rating" or emotional connection.

Of course, I couldn’t explain all of that.

"It’s a way to repay her for her work in the musical."

"Yeah, I heard it was unusual for her to be involved in the test shoot too."

Seokho glanced at me with a slightly disappointed expression, as if he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. He murmured softly, turning toward me.

"If this becomes a hit and breaks into the Billboard charts, your face will be known worldwide... Then, we might get to work with a great producer and make a real splash."

I realized why he seemed so focused on the success of another music video. He had plans for this one too.

"Why are you whispering that, though?"

"I just... I thought it would be better that way."

"Anyway, I asked because if it becomes a hit... it would be so great, right?"

I casually played along, but before I could respond further, the van arrived at the studio, and we were immediately met with a huge, welcoming reception.

"I’m a huge fan! Really, I’ve been watching the Olympic footage over and over!"

"I was so shocked when you knocked your opponent out in the Asian Games!"

"Seeing you in person... wow, you’re even more amazing!"

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

It was surreal, seeing everyone keeping their distance while showering us with praise. As we made our way toward the center of the studio, Evelyn, who hadn’t noticed our arrival, was taken by surprise.

"Oh, when did you arrive?"

"Just now. How could you not notice me coming?"

"Ah, well... there’s a bit of an issue with the piano performance?"

"An issue?"

"Yeah... well..."

Evelyn, still a little flustered, continued. In short, the piano playing in the music video was already confirmed, but the sound of the piano would be erased in the final version.

So, in reality, all that was needed was for the actor to pretend to play.

This was why Evelyn had asked for Kim Donghu’s collaboration instead of hiring a professional pianist. And CAE representative Mamila didn’t mind at all.

However, as with any set, plans can change at the last minute, and unexpected variables always arise.

After talking with the director, the suggestion came up to make the classical parts more impactful by using live piano sounds on set.

The problem was that this would mean the piano actually had to be played well.

It wasn’t something that could be done after just a few months of practice—it would require a true professional.

‘And then why was I even called in, right?’

Now that we’d agreed to collaborate, bringing in a real pianist would make things complicated.

There was another option to stick to the original plan, but the mood on set seemed to lean toward making this change.

For the sake of the project’s success, we all wanted to try everything. I completely understood that drive.

"So... I wasn’t trying to make fun of you or anything... I should’ve told you earlier..."

At the same time, Evelyn knew how difficult this was going to be. She bent down slightly, as if about to bow, and the representative next to her seemed to lower himself as well.

Thud

Thud

"It’s alright, I understand. It’s fine. I would have done the same."

I stopped them from bowing by gently putting my hands on their shoulders, flashing a bright smile.

"But you haven’t heard my performance yet, have you?"

If I could actually pull it off, things would be completely different, right?

I smiled at them and said:

"Change the plan."

***

What is the charm of the piano?

It lies in the fact that the personality of the player shapes the music in unique ways.

Even with the same sheet music, sitting at the same piano, the person’s character shines through in the performance.

This is why Seokho doesn’t listen to other people’s classical music. The moment he hears Kim Donghu’s playing, any other classical music no longer satisfies him.

‘I haven’t seen this in a while.’

Seokho watches as Kim Donghu sits down at the piano. People expect his playing to be sweet and smooth, just like his perfect appearance and excellent personality. They assume that his playing would mirror these traits.

But...

‘It’s completely different.’

Kim Donghu’s performance wasn’t something that could be easily categorized. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t even him playing.

It was... now.

♪♩♬

An image of a child stepping on broken glass while playing emerges.

His playing was destructive, captivating, and suffocating.

It was the tantrum of a child demanding to be seen, but it was no quiet plea.

With an overwhelming presence, the sound was tightly pressed, grasping at the heart.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

It had been a long time since such a thing had bloomed.

A level beyond the past.

With each key he pressed, a flower bloomed.

And that flower filled the studio.

A garden of melodies appeared.

‘...What is this?’

Mamila, startled by the sudden turn of events, couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

That wasn’t a stand-in? It was a real performance?

It wasn’t just confidence—it was a certainty grounded in real skill?

For the first time, Mamila’s understanding of the world was shattered.

His mouth hung open, unable to close.