Chapter 102: Candidate
The first to speak was Bora.
“There are only three of us today.”
Her voice was as heavy as if she had stayed up for several nights.
She slightly turned her hollow eyes and recalled her memories. Her tone was cool yet damp, and it was exquisite.
It was only one sentence, but it evoked the scenery of a quiet night.
“There’s nothing we can do. It ended up like that after everything went wrong last time.”
Then Taeseok delivered his line.
Oh my. It was quite smooth. There was a bit of a dialect here and there, but as the director said, it definitely made the character come alive more.
Bora glanced at the two men with an irritable look.
“If you just say there’s nothing you can do and let it go, that’s the end of it.”
“But what else do we know about them besides their names? Their address? Their phone number?”
“How would I know!”
Bora snapped back angrily.
Her voice, full of annoyance, almost sounded like she was having a nervous breakdown.
When did she grow so much? Muyoung watched her acting with slight admiration.
“Swimming unnie’s husband hated fruit, yet he died in an accident while selling fruit. Besides things like addresses and phone numbers that everyone knows, we know the real Swimming unnie. Why are you pretending not to know?”
“What about Ongseok?”
“Ongseok is a fucking pervert!”
“Ha, hahaha! I knew you’d say that.”
“Why are you laughing like that?”
“I saw you two last time.”
A conversation that was both an argument and not an argument passed between the two. Their voices rose as the atmosphere grew more heated. I think I understand what it means to fight with words.
The tense battle of words stabbing, scratching, and squeezing each other continued.
Overwhelmed by the focused energy of Taeseok and Bora, the director quietly shrank his shoulders.
“Stoooop it!”
It’s amazing how she could scream like that while standing so straight. The production company’s president looked through Bora’s profile again.
‘I thought she was just an average actress, but I was wrong.’
She had a brief experience in a short drama when she was very young, and after a long hiatus, she appeared in
I had arrogantly assumed she was just one of many mediocre actors.
“You! Why are you just standing there and watching?”
Slam!
Bora lightly slammed the desk and looked at Muyoung.
At the same time, Taeseok, the director, the manager, and the president’s eyes also turned to him.
Muyoung, who had been silently watching their argument, blinked. Very slowly—as if waking up from sleep.
“It’s because of you! This is all happening because of you!”
“······I’m sorry.”
It was a tone that didn’t sound sorry at all.
A dry, cracked voice, devoid of emotion.
It was filled with the fatigue of a transcendent who had stayed up for hundreds of years, dealing with the world’s troubles.
Ahh—the director couldn’t help but gasp.
‘That’s it!’
This was the vampire version of Ha Muyoung he had wanted to see.
The image he had only imagined in his head was perfectly realized in reality. It fit exactly as he had envisioned. Could there be a better candidate than this?
“You—”
Muyoung naturally interrupted Bora’s words.
“But you said something like that before. That even when you’re really tired, you often don’t want to sleep. You know that’s all self-defense, right?”
“What, what do you mean······.”
“It’s because the day wasn’t satisfying enough, and you don’t want it to end just yet, but you also don’t have any expectations for tomorrow. So, you try to maintain that moment as a form of self-defense. I’ve heard that somewhere.”
It was like a cold pin being pressed down.
A vampire who uses monotonous words to stab at a person’s most painful spots.
“So just stop it now. You say there are things only you two know, but even that is a lie for you.”
Bora’s face turned bright red at the words that exposed her flaws.
The three glared at each other as if they were about to kill one another.
It was as if a thin, transparent thread, like a fishing line, was slowly binding them together. It seemed like it would pierce their flesh and cut into their hearts.
“Okay!”
In the tense atmosphere, the production company’s president clapped and called cut.
Then the three of them broke out of their immersion and smiled bashfully. They even tilted their heads. Whether it was because of the good script or not, it was really, really fun.
“Wow, Bora is a really good actress.”
“Thank you. It was easy because you all responded well.”
“Whoa, the three of us have great chemistry!”
“The synergy is great. Nice.”
Chemistry discovered in an unexpected place.
The seamless way they blended into each other was perfect.
While it made sense for Muyoung, who had already worked with Taeseok and Bora, it was truly unexpected for Taeseok and Bora.
“If I had known it would be like this, I would have practiced with you earlier.”
“We can do it from now on. Taeseok is a bit blunt, while Bora is sharper. They balanced each other out and worked well together.”
“The part where you say sorry in the middle—”
“Oh, that part really stood out, didn’t it? I was surprised too while doing it.”
The three of them chattered on, talking excitedly about acting. They seemed like soulmates, oblivious to their surroundings.
“Ahem. Hey, guys?”
“Oh, sorry.”
The three of them finally snapped out of it thanks to the manager’s warning.
The production company’s president was smiling, but Director Bae Cheolmin looked like he was about to cry. What was wrong? I wondered.
“······I really want to start filming soon.”
He muttered his impressed thoughts.
The production company’s president felt the same.
“Yeah, it’s really good. Top-notch. Experience really does matter, doesn’t it? Right, Director?”
“Yes, yes. Everyone is much more charming and charismatic than they appear on screen. I need to capture that well······.”
“Oh, Director! Why are you so lacking in confidence? Look, cheer up! Fighting!”
Muyoung raised both hands to cheer him on. Bae Cheolmin, who had been smiling bashfully, soon turned to the production company’s president.
It was time to finalize the casting discussion.
“Then Ha Muyoung will sign the contract today, and Taeseok is also from Big Win, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then you’ve probably heard about our situation. I’ll talk to you again through that channel. Was Bora from the same place too?”
“I’m independent.”
“Is that so? Could I just have your contact information······.”
Her acting skills were excellent, she had great chemistry with the lead actor Muyoung, and her image fit perfectly. From the production company’s perspective, there was no choice but to consider her.
If not her, they would have to announce an audition for unknown actors.
“Muyoung, this way.”
“Hyung. Bora, wait a minute.”
In another room inside the conference room, Muyoung shuffled through the contract in front of him. The advance payment was 1 million won. It was much lower than
“From what I’ve heard, you’d prefer a running royalty rather than an advance payment.”
“A million won as travel expenses is just right.”
“Instead, the running royalty is set at 2.5% of net profit.”
Net profit, not revenue.
But it was a much higher rate than the usual 1-2% running royalty.
Moreover, percentages are truly a scary calculation method. In a low-budget film like this, the production costs wouldn’t be that high, so the net profit would be significant.
“Okay. Just make sure to take good care of Taeseok and Bora too.”
Both of them were doing it for the script, not the money, so they wouldn’t care much about the advance payment.
They need to eat to survive, so they’ll only go so far.
“Is this where I sign?”
Muyoung rummaged through his pocket and took out his stamp, dipping it in the ink. And neatly—! He stamped the
Poof—!
At that moment, flower petals bloomed again, rising softly. They scattered as if to confirm that this was truly the path of good fortune. Muyoung smiled and pressed the stamp firmly.
“I’m counting on you!”
“We’re counting on you too.”
“Thank you. Muyoung. Thank you so much.”
“Ah, Director. Don’t be so formal. Just speak casually.”
“······I’ll work hard to live up to your trust. No, I will!”
“Hahaha. That’s still formal!”
Muyoung successfully finalized the contract. He shook hands with the director, the production company’s president, and the staff, vowing to create a great work.
And not long after, on a beautiful April day when cherry blossoms were in full bloom, word came that Taeseok and Bora had also been cast and signed their contracts—
“The goal is to finish all casting and readings by April and then start filming. They’re planning to release it within the year.”
“How far along is the casting?”
“About 80%.”
“Oh, that’s good. I’m curious who it is.”
“You’ll see at the general reading.”
The overall schedule was communicated as well.
Muyoung was on his way to a pension in Gapyeong with Ko Gyeongmin’s car.
The MT date happened to overlap awkwardly with the filming of a Nepflix original variety show.
“Don’t drink too much.”
“Come on. How can you not drink at an MT?”
“Please. Remember you’re a celebrity while you’re having fun. Got it?”
“Yes, yes. I got it!”
Muyoung browsed the Nepflix main page on the manager’s tablet.
“How’s the overseas reaction?”
“Except for Russia and a few other countries, it’s probably number one everywhere. That’s why Nepflix wanted to film the promotional variety show quickly.”
“Director Jin Gyeongmun is a hit, as expected.”
“From what I’ve seen, Monet seems a bit disappointed. But that’s just the production company’s perspective. For us, it’s a huge success.”
As expected, it was more popular overseas. The overseas streaming numbers were overwhelmingly high, making it a great opportunity for a newcomer to gain recognition.
“Do you think people will recognize me if I go abroad?”
Muyoung muttered excitedly, imagining something wonderful. How amazing would it be for someone who speaks a different language to become a fan after watching his acting?
“That could happen. But first, you need to cut down on drinking. Is this the place? According to the navigation, this is the pension, right?”
“Huh? Yeah, it is. Hyung, drop me off here.”
The students had already arrived by bus.
Muyoung grabbed his bag and waved to Ko Gyeongmin. He looked like he was having the time of his life.
“Hey, guys!”
“Huh? It’s Ha Muyoung!”
“Muyoung, over here!”
“Wow, it’s really him. It’s really Ha Muyoung······.”
“Wow! I can’t believe Lim Doha is our senior!”
Even the freshmen were making a ruckus. They were going crazy over Muyoung’s appearance.
These were the kids who watched <You Are a Star, I Am a Star> the most. Seeing Lim Doha, who they had been so enthusiastic about, right in front of them was overwhelming.
“What were you doing?”
“We were preparing to grill meat. Haven’t you eaten yet?”
What else is there to do?
Eat, play, drink, and play some more!
Muyoung put away his bag and naturally blended in with the crowd.
With the help of the second-year students, who were the main group, he greeted the freshmen and caught up with his peers!
“Senior, I really enjoyed the drama. I’m a fan.”
“Wow, really? That’s awesome.”
“Can I get your autograph?”
“Of course! Do you want more meat?”
The MT atmosphere, already lively because of his arrival, seemed like it was about to explode.
As the sun set late, one by one they opened bottles of alcohol, and Muyoung laughed so hard his cheeks were about to paralyze.
“Oh no! You’re caught again, Senior Muyoung!”
“Ahh, me? Really?”
The cups of alcohol kept circulating endlessly.
Then. The department head, who had gone out for some fresh air, fiddled with his phone and discovered something, calling the people around him over.
“Hey, look at this.”
“Huh? What is it? Baeksang nominee?”
Information about the Baeksang Arts Awards in May and the nominees had been released.
A list of last year’s movies and dramas, buried in memory, appeared one by one, and a familiar name caught his eye.
“Nominated for both film and TV drama newcomer awards······ Ha Muyoung?”
The friends reading the article together turned their heads toward the inside of the pension. There was Ha Muyoung, who was caught in a drinking game and was writing his name with his butt. That guy was nominated for both newcomer awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards?
[There has never been a case of someone sweeping both newcomer awards······ Will a new history be made?]
“That’s impossible!”
“Hey, Muyoung! Look at this, man!”
“Stop shaking your butt for a moment!”
Muyoung, whose face was as red as a tomato, smiled broadly. He reached out his hand, wondering what was going on.