Chapter 109: Why It Needs to Be a Hit

Muyoung answered like that and then turned around. The ghosts were drooling, eyeing not Muyoung, but the snacks in his hand.

‘Oh, how pitiful.’

So, would you feel better if you were at peace?

Why do you stay in this world and endure such hardships? Muyoung smiled and shook the snacks.

“Shall I offer them to you?”

It would be a simple ritual—just some snacks and a can of beer—but what else could it be? The ghosts gathered noisily, gesturing excitedly in response.

“Then help us out. There has to be some give and take, right?”

Whisper, whisper. They covered their mouths and whispered quietly.

It was such a noisy site that no one paid him any attention.

At Muyoung’s suggestion, the ghosts hesitated and looked at each other, as if wondering what he meant.

“Now, look here.”

Muyoung gathered them and squatted in a corner. He explained in detail the wind direction and strength the director wanted, and how to make it happen.

“Muyoung!”

“Yes?”

“If it doesn’t work this last time, we’ll shoot the indoor scene!”

“Understood!”

The assistant director called out to him. Muyoung drew a circle with his hand and stood up abruptly. At the same time, the ghosts also stirred.

“It feels like there’s a slight breeze?”

“Yeah, it’s a bit chilly, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know. I can’t feel anything.”

The actors huddled together, absentmindedly brushing their arms and muttering. The rooftop was half-filled with people and half with ghosts. Muyoung, lying down, winked at the ghosts.

“Jerky—”

“Huh? What all of a sudden?”

“I want to eat it. Haha.”

If everything goes well, they’ll get not only snacks but also jerky!

The ghosts began to get excited at Muyoung’s secret signal. They hovered near the snack bag, wriggling their non-existent feet.

“Okay, here we go.”

“Fan a little harder.”

“Ready! Action!”

At the director’s signal, Bora recited her lines again. The dialogue flowed smoothly. Meanwhile, the director waved his hand again.

‘Wind!’

The staff fanned hard—

Whoooo—

The ghosts made strange noises as they pushed the snack bag around. They clung to it in a group, causing all sorts of chaos to move it.

Thanks to that, the snack bag moved very naturally, passing over Bora’s shoulder and circling the characters once.

“……!”

What? Just now?

Not only the staff who were watching but even the person fanning stopped in surprise. Was there wind? No, there wasn’t. It’s not blowing.

“Pfft—!”

Then Muyoung burst out laughing.

This is crazy. The ghosts were awkwardly herding the bag like they were playing soccer! At Muyoung’s laughter, the director sighed in disappointment and called for a retake.

“Oh no! Muyoung!”

“Ahh, I’m sorry.”

“The wind was blowing perfectly, you just had to hold on a little longer!”

“I’m really sorry.”

Since he was someone who never usually caused retakes, the other actors looked at him in confusion. Muyoung suppressed his laughter and calmed himself down. But…….

‘They just can’t see it. Whether they’re alive or dead, they all act the same.’

“Ugh. I’m really sorry.”

“Let’s do it again before the wind dies down.”

“But is it really blowing? I can’t feel it.”

“Is it only blowing over there?”

Everyone had something to say about this mysterious phenomenon. They wanted to speak up, and since there was a retake anyway, they figured now was the time.

The director calmed the staff and picked up the camera again.

“Director.”

“Yes?”

“How was the trajectory just now? Was it good?”

“……Yeah. It was perfect, so it’s a bit disappointing.”

Okay.

Muyoung nodded and gestured to the ghosts. Some kind of gaze was exchanged.

“Let’s go again! Ready! Action!”

“The sky is clear today.”

This is really the last time!

Everyone focused on the scene with one mind, and the ghosts, clutching their empty stomachs, herded the bag noisily. Perfect control again this time!

‘Oh! What’s this?’

‘This is amazing!’

Roll, roll. It circled the screen fully and then whooshed out of frame.

Great dialogue, great composition, great timing!

“Okay! Cut!”

“Did you see that just now? Haha. It’s amazing.”

“Yeah, it’s like the ghosts were helping.”

“The movement was killer, right? Wow. Everyone’s going to think it’s CGI.”

“Wow. We got through a tricky scene. What should we do with this wind machine?”

“Should we sell it on Oimaeket?”

Everyone high-fived, feeling exhilarated by the perfect scene. This was the joy of filmmaking! The thrill of bringing to life a scene you’ve imagined in your head, without a hitch, whether by chance or not!

“Let’s take a quick break and move on to the next scene.”

“It’s the multipurpose room in the next building, right?”

“Yes, that’s right! There’s a passageway on the fourth floor, so we’ll head over there!”

It was now time for an indoor club scene.

You know, the scene where people with insomnia sit in a circle of chairs and talk. Of course, in the movie, there would be flashbacks edited in between.

“Hyung, wait a minute.”

“Huh? Why?”

Muyoung handed his wallet to Gyeongmin, who was gathering Taeseok’s clothes, and asked him for a favor.

“Go to the convenience store and buy some alcohol and jerky, please.”

“Alcohol? What do you need it for?”

“……I’m too nervous, so I’m going to have a drink before I go in.”

Gyeongmin was horrified by Muyoung’s joke.

Every hole in his face seemed to expand, quite a sight.

“Haha, I’m kidding.”

“Please. I thought my liver was going to drop.”

“Anyway, I need it. Please.”

He didn’t know what it was for, but since he was asked to do it, he had to.

Gyeongmin nodded in confusion and came back with a bottle of soju and some jerky. Muyoung hid the black bag in his bag and walked toward the end of the corridor.

“Where are you going, Muyoung?”

“To the bathroom for a moment.”

Saying that, he slipped into the locked emergency staircase!

Muyoung laid out the jerky and alcohol, then squatted down and clasped his hands.

“Well, thank you. Please eat this and rest in peace.”

Whoooo—

At Muyoung’s simple ritual, every ghost in the building gathered. It was so crowded that he couldn’t see in front of him.

Creak.

“Muyoung, are you really okay?”

Just then, the emergency exit door opened. Worried, Gyeongmin had come to get him. Muyoung smiled and pulled him by the arm.

“Yes, I’m really fine. Let’s go quickly.”

“This is weird…….”

Gyeongmin glanced at the emergency exit door, which was open about a hand’s width. But he soon regained his composure and rejoined the staff. He thought the wait time would be long again this time, but what was this?

“Huh? Are we going in right away?”

“Yes. Strangely, the machines are working well here.”

“They kept turning off and weren’t working well earlier.”

“I think there really is such a thing as a ‘place to shoot.’”

The staff laughed happily as they prepared for filming.

When he looked around, there wasn’t a ghostly shadow in sight. They must have all gone to the next building to eat jerky and drink soju…….

‘Is that why?’

Without ghosts, he was no longer receiving strange waves.

Oh, this is good. When entering places like abandoned houses sometimes, I can leave something like bait.

“I’m going in!”

“Yes!”

Muyoung shouted energetically and raised his hand.

With no interference, everyone’s energy was sky-high, like fish in water. As they exchanged dialogue, they felt the characters come alive, and as the footage gradually came together, they felt a sense of exhilaration. Around the time…….

“It’s turned into an all-nighter.”

“The sun’s coming up.”

Light seeped through the dusty curtain gap.

It was time to wrap up filming.

The staff were the same, but the actors, who had been talking and moving constantly, were exhausted.

“I know you’re tired, but could everyone gather, please?”

But there was still the unavoidable schedule adjustment.

At the assistant director’s call, the actors and managers gathered.

“Are you going to carry all that luggage yourself? What about the car? Is Junho coming?”

Especially the teachers’ managers were carrying all their clothes and luggage so they could go home right away. Bora was the same.

“Junho has to come to work.”

“Then what are you going to do with that?”

“I’ll take the bus.”

Bora, who had no car or manager, answered while carrying a huge bundle of luggage. She must have come like that too, but it was going to be a hard journey back.

“Don’t do that. Ride with us.”

“……But it’s in the opposite direction.”

“Still, it’ll take over an hour by bus. Transferring is a hassle too.”

Bora hesitated at Muyoung’s suggestion.

She wanted to, but it felt burdensome to keep receiving favors when she wasn’t even part of the agency. Taeseok also chimed in, carrying his own luggage.

“Yeah, Gyeongmin’s the one driving anyway.”

“Huh? Why? What’s going on? Did everyone’s schedules work out like you said?”

The confused Gyeongmin approached, shaking the car keys.

“I’m going to take Bora home. Is that okay?”

“Yeah. I slept in the car while you guys were working.”

“It looks like it. Your face is shiny.”

“We’ll head out first! You worked hard! See you later!”

“See you next time! Be careful, sir!”

They said goodbye to the teachers and staff and left work.

Gyeongmin loaded the luggage into the car. Bora fidgeted and smiled awkwardly.

“Thank you. I feel bad for always imposing on you.”

“Nah, it’s fine. Here, buckle up. We’re leaving, so everyone sleep. You worked hard.”

“Yes!”

Muyoung and Bora sat side by side in the back seat, each looking out the opposite window, lost in thought.

How much time had passed like that? Bora suddenly mumbled.

“Muyoung.”

“……Huh?”

Muyoung barely answered in a drowsy voice. Bora started to say something but stopped. Her question was directed at Gyeongmin, who was driving.

“You know, is what you said last time still valid?”

“What? What did I say?”

The lazy atmosphere in the car.

Taeseok had his mouth wide open, fast asleep, and Muyoung was curled up in a corner, breathing softly.

“That you wanted to recruit me.”

“……?”

At her words, Gyeongmin glanced at the rearview mirror.

Muyoung was the first to suggest it.

The day he got punched by Daryeong and was crying outside the convenience store. He’d said that if she ever felt helpless and needed somewhere to rely on, she should come to Big Win.

“……Bora’s always welcome.”

Her acting skills and passion went without saying.

Her appearance was urbanely charming, and she had star quality. She seemed ambitious about her work, and she was sharp. The Bora Muyoung had described was a talent any entertainment company would covet.

“Then I’ll join too.”

Squeak—!

Bam!

“Ugh! What’s going on!”

“Ah! You scared me!”

Taeseok and Muyoung bumped their heads in the sudden brake. Taeseok blinked, drooling in his sleep.

Muyoung also looked around, wondering if there had been an accident.

“It’s hard to prepare for shoots alone, and more than anything—”

He’d had time to observe Muyoung up close. The more he did, the more he was sure this was a good company. The manager was great, the CEO was great. Everything about it was great.

“Really?”

“Yes, but I’ve already signed a movie contract.”

Bora would take the current project she’d signed up for, and then from the next one onward, she’d share with the agency. But the care started from the moment the contract was signed…… It was a bit of a shame for the company.

“What does it matter! Oh, Bora! Let’s work hard together! I’ll do my best!”

But Big Win wasn’t like that.

There was only gratitude for the new family member who had joined.

“What? What are you guys talking about?”

“Augh…… My head.”

The clueless Taeseok and Muyoung looked at the two in confusion. Bora smiled and sat up straight again.

“It’ll be time to go to work soon.”

She meant they should hurry before the roads got congested. Gyeongmin suddenly snapped to attention and gripped the steering wheel. The car sped off.

Bora glanced to the side and smiled at Muyoung.

“Family. I’m counting on you.”

“……Wow. Really?”

Bora answered with a smile and rested her head on the window. With a relieved expression, she closed her eyes. Muyoung did the same.

‘Wow.’

I’m going to be eating from the same pot as Bora! Finally!

At that, Gyeongmin muttered as he stared ahead.

“This project really, really needs to be a hit.”

There was Muyoung’s investment, but three out of the five main and supporting actors were from the same agency. If it failed, they’d all be disappointed, but Muyoung especially…….

‘If it succeeds……?’

A move.

Goodbye to the old building that was hot in summer and cold in winter. They’d move to a new office! With top-tier actors!