The Kpop Otaku's Dream

2 PM.

Monday

I had just finished eating noodles.

Leaning on the couch with my phone in hand, I call Irene.

It's nearly time!

Excitedly, "Baechu! get to the TV quick"

"Why?"

"Just do it quick! Hurry Hurry"

She snorts and scurries to find the tv remote control, "Okay which channel?"

"SBS-Family"

She makes a strange sound, "What's so special ? Its just Family outing"

"Wait a bit, its nearly on!"

A few seconds later, the program ends. First a cosmetics advertisement was broadcast. And the next moment, a vehicle starts filling the screen

Quickly I say, "Look, Look!"

Irene still couldn't tell, "Why its just an advertisement?"

"You'll know once you watch it. Haha" Full of anticipation. I keep my eyes on the screen.

Seeing the handsome male step out of the vehicle, I can hear Irene screaming once she recognizes the face and a short 40 seconds later in the background my voice is saying ' Smile for tomorrow' in the kindest of voices one would ever of heard.

Stunned Irene ask " That was you right? That was you in the advertisement?"

"You don't even recognize, your own boyfriend. Wow I feel hurt!" I tease

Pleased with her response, "That's right. This was the audition I went to last month. How was it? Not bad, right?"

"Yes, not bad" saying so Irene just brushes me aside as she has to return to class but before she hangs up, she warms my heart in a way only she can "Dypa, I'm really proud of you"

....

In the evening I get a call from a really happy and excited Yuri-noona.

"Dylan!! You are famous!"

Surprised by her enthusiasm, "I can't think you can say that just yet, it's only one advertisement"

She immediately retorts, "No you idiot! Check the forums!'"

"Huh?"

"Naver is going insane!"

Listening to her advice I fetch my laptop from my room. And hurry to find the charging cable for it. I forgot to turn it off last night so the battery is currently running on empty.

After what seems like an eternity the loading screen finally disappears and and I load my browser pull up the site and look at trending list.

1: Toyota Boyfriend

2: Hot guy in car commercial

3: Korean Baseball

4: Smile for tomorrow

5: SNSD

....

I decide to open the television station's official discussion boards to see what is happening.

"That toyota ad was like watching a movie~.~"

"Daebak!"

"I also just saw it. That guy is so good-looking, anyone know who he is?"

"+1"

"+2"

"Found him. Click this link www.xxxxxxxxxx.xxxxx"

I click on the hyper-link which redirects me to another thread.

At the top of the page I find a pinned comment lists all my public information

"Dylan Park. Signed to DPH Agency. Age 18. Birthday 31st December. Attended Haknam High school. 398 on the CSAT. Currently studying economics and finance at SNU"

Netizens are scary! They managed to do a full background check like this in a matter of hours.

Scrolling through, I see the serpents head of haters already appearing.

"He looks like someone with bad manners!"

Do you even know me? Dislike

"Don't see what all the fuss is about, his barely average"

Says the person without even a profile picture? Dislike

"The best compliment I can give about the advert was that it's only 30 seconds"

Let me see... You drive a Toyota. Stop fronting! Dislike

I've barely been under the spotlight and the hate has already started.

I can't help but be a little flattered you know. These people are only raining on my parade because they're jealous of my sun and are tired of their shade.

While I'm being buried trying to keep up with all the responses. My phone rings again. I simply move my hand next to my thigh where the phone is laying and answer.

"Hello"

Yuri-noona's voice comes from the receiver once more, "Dylan have you looked at it online yet?"

"Yes noona, this is insane"

She laughs, "I think so too, I got good news for you though"

"Let me guess, more work?" I answer jokingly

"Yeah but this time its BIG. B I G"

"What can be bigger than having a national advert that runs at primetime noona" Thinking it's probably my first acting gig this time. I grow a little excited.

"A show contacted us"

I excitedly answer, "A show? what type, is it melodrama or a romantic comedy? Is it a supporting role"

"No its not"

"The main! Wow noona, I never knew you were this good"

"Dylan listen closely okay! It's not a tv drama. Its a ..... variety show"

Stunned I try to compose myself, " A variety show! No way. If I debut on one they might label me as a comedian! That's suicide and if I'm boring on top of that it's double suicide!"

"But ...." She stammers

"But what!!?"

"It's from Family Outing."

Did she say what I think she just said?

"Noona repeat that! Repeat what you just said"

"Uhm It's Family Outing"

Confirming that what I just heard was correct, I waste no time.

"Noona.... I'll do it. Tell them I'll do it immediately!"