Life is Easier If You're Handsome novel Chapter 296

Why Is Kim Donghu Always Underestimated?

Why are so many people dying to tear him down?

Baek Sangha, the director of Drake Gym, had a very simple answer:

“Because he’s too high up. People just can’t believe it.”

You’re telling me a person did that?

He dragged a plane.

He started with an Olympic gold medal in heavyweight boxing.

He then became the WBC Heavyweight Champion.

Then he filmed Tarzan.

And now he’s aiming for the role of Batman?

And what’s his age again? Only twenty-six?

Do you really think that makes sense?

There had to be something fishy going on.

And come on—how does an actor steal a football from an NFL player?

“So yeah... people eventually jump to that conclusion. Like, get real. This has to be fake, right?”

So even though he’s proven himself over and over again, he’s always stuck in a position where he has to keep proving it.

But not everyone questioned him out of skepticism.

Some were just... genuinely curious.

Take the fighters at Baek Sangha’s gym, for example.

“Is there any sport Kim Donghu can’t do?”

They were constantly amazed at how versatile he was and often asked that question.

Every time, Baek Sangha would think seriously about it.

“Hmm... I’ve already taught him everything I know.”

Kim Donghu had started learning CQC when he was in middle school.

Sure, he never learned firearms training, so technically he was lacking that component, but even accounting for that, the instruction had been flawless.

You could see it clearly when he boxed.

His movement was always incredibly efficient.

It all stemmed from CQC.

More than just technique—it was embedded in his mentality.

That’s why so many people said he seemed inhuman.

Some even joked, “If AlphaGo learned martial arts, this is what it would look like.”

“He’s good at everything. But then people always say the same thing—‘Oh, come on. No one’s good at everything.’”

A fair point.

Honestly, being good at everything doesn’t make sense.

And every time, Baek Sangha would give the same answer:

“Then go experience it for yourself. Just go up against him and you’ll see. Huh? This guy really is...”

...good at everything.

***

Wait—he’s actually good at everything?

Is that even possible?

Gasp.

Gasp.

Gasp.

Jack DeBicle, Team Leader of America Calamity, couldn’t understand why he was staring at the ceiling.

Me? I’m lying down? What the hell happened?

He looked around and saw his team members, all wearing the same dumbfounded expression.

“Cough... ugh...!”

“Huff... huff....”

This wasn’t a group of guys waking up after a nap at the hotel.

What the hell did he do to us?

To be honest, Jack thought it was all just bravado.

And really, who wouldn’t?

After working on countless Hollywood action movies, he’d met so many actors—and seen way too many of them talk big without backing it up.

It’s a common tale.

They say “I can do it” at the audition, then cram in some rushed training before filming starts.

And it never ends well.

You can always tell when someone learned something in a crash course.

So naturally, Jack thought Kim Donghu was just another one of those guys.

Because almost all of them were.

And in the rare cases where they weren’t... well, he’d never met one of those before.

But today, Jack DeBicle entered a new world.

“I think we still need some more verification. Want to take a quick break and keep going?”

At those words from Kim Donghu, Jack snapped upright.

“U-uh... yeah...”

Part of him wanted to just give up right there.

Like—you win, we’re convinced.

You handled that multi-opponent scenario perfectly.

Sorry for doubting you. We’ll just head back to the U.S. now.

He wanted to say all that.

But his pride wouldn’t let him.

No—more than pride, it was because of all the things he’d already said.

“I hear you train at a gym. We’ll do the test right there.”

“Wait, right when we land? Are you sure about that?”

“We’re America Calamity. This is nothing. And by the way, the test will be very strict...”

“...So you’d better be prepared.”

Why did I say all that? Why? What the hell was I thinking?

Jack wanted nothing more than to rewind time.

He should’ve just accepted Donghu’s hospitality when it was offered.

“You’re probably jet-lagged—why not rest a little, eat something nice?”

“Sorry?”

“There’s this place with amazing Korean beef and marinated crab. We could go there and—”

“Mr. Kim, we’re not here for a vacation. Are you trying to avoid the test?”

“What? No, I just thought ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) you were all working really hard, and—”

“If you’re not afraid of the test, let’s just do it now.”

Why had he acted so cocky?

Was it pride in his Hollywood stunt credentials?

Was it because he couldn’t accept the idea of an Asian Batman?

Was it because he’d always been an Edward fan and now stood face-to-face with the man who dethroned him?

He didn’t know.

He really didn’t.

He just felt ashamed and full of regret.

His personal emotions had affected his work.

That wasn’t professional.

“I’m such an idiot.”

He definitely owed a proper apology—as a team.

Honestly, he wanted to do it right now.

But the problem was...

“W-we can keep going right now! We’re America Calamity!”

...now wasn’t the time.

He dangled.

Now awkwardly hanging from my arm, Jack looked up at me, clearly stunned.

And I proceeded exactly as planned.

Slam!

Using his momentum, I swung him and slammed him into the floor.

The sound of him breaking his fall echoed loud—It was all part of the agreed choreography.

And with that sound, the second stunt test ended.

That should do it.

The moment it ended, I could feel their eyes on me.

Shocked expressions—mixed with visible guilt.

It looked like they were regretting all the things they’d said when I arrived.

Still, at least they’re the kind of people who know when to apologize.

It was clear they weren’t bad people.

But then—

“We haven’t even started yet, right? So we’ll do this ten more times, yeah?”

“W-what? I-I mean—yes! Y-yes?!”

Just because I understood didn’t mean I’d cooled off.

Can’t I be a little pissed too?

I was just about to begin a three-hour hell course of full-contact stunt testing when—

“Mr. Kim! Truly! We are deeply sorry! We were completely out of line!”

The entire America Calamity team threw down an apology—

Not just words—

“We heard this was the formal way to apologize in Korea! We are sincerely sorry for everything that happened at the airport!”

“We truly apologize!”

—They full-on hit the ground in a deep bow. Maybe because they were athletes, but I’d never seen a bow executed that perfectly.

“...This is honestly the most sincere apology I’ve ever received. You’re forgiven. You can all relax now.”

“Huh...! Then you’ll forgive us?”

“Yes. I think I’ll be completely fine after, say... two more hours of testing.”

“Could you... spare us?”

“Don’t worry. Batman has a no-kill policy.”

“...Oh my God.”

That day, for two hours straight at Baek Sangha Gym, every possible question about how Western men scream was answered.

***

Brrrrrrring.

Brrrrrrring.

“Hello?”

“This is Jack DeBicle, Team Leader of America Calamity. Do you have a moment to talk?”

“Sure. What’s going on?”

“The stunt test for Donghu Kim is complete. He is flawless. Even just based on his firearm posture—he’s born to be Batman.”

“...You already did the test? He hasn’t even been in Korea for a full day.”

“...Yes.”

The call ended.

Warner Bros. made a swift decision.

“Double the budget on set construction. Build it as fast as possible.”

If the actor’s ready, everything else has to keep up.

Muttering under their breath—

“But... what the hell are we going to do about this?”

They pressed their temples, staring at the documents in front of them. The Joker had already been cast. No one had even asked for auditions.

So why were people flooding them with audition tapes?