Chapter 11: What a mess.
“Time is faster than you think. And the sun. Eventually. Rises!”
Wow.
Muyoung stared blankly in admiration.
There’s only one lead in the drama, so this is a big deal.
How can he lead the project when he’s in this condition?
Until now, the only actors I’d seen were the kids from BV Academy, so the raw acting was shocking.
‘Damn it!’
Of course, it couldn’t compare to Cho Miyoung’s shock.
She immediately grabbed the team leader’s collar and whispered.
‘What’s going on? Why is he like that?’
‘Well, I don’t know. It definitely wasn’t this bad before.’
‘Are you kidding me? We’re all going to fail!’
Mouthing the words silently.
She was furious, her face turning red, but there was no sound.
The team leader was just as clueless.
‘What was his last project?’
‘KBC’s Karlona and Toyfriend.’
‘Oh my God! This is crazy!’
Surprisingly, they were works that had performed quite well on public television.
There was some controversy over his acting skills, but the general consensus was that it was passable for an idol’s first attempt. That’s why Square Film took on this project……
“Team leader?”
“Yes? Huh?”
“Is there a problem?”
Enbin asked the two of them after reading the script.
He really looked bored and uninterested, his chin resting on one side.
It was then that Cho Miyoung realized the reason for Enbin’s terrible acting.
‘Is this guy maybe—’
He’s ignoring it.
Public television dramas have a big impact, so his agency must have made him practice and prepare like crazy.
Until the script was worn out, until his voice was hoarse.
But this is just a web drama.
“Shall we continue?”
The circumstances under which he took on the role were like that.
Unlike other dramas, he didn’t audition; Enbin’s side was offered the role.
Just because he was a promotional ambassador!
The importance of the web drama had been completely destroyed by the wave of schedules coming at him.
‘Besides, Seoul has 120,000 subscribers.’
He didn’t expect many views.
Only his fans would probably watch it, and foreigners wouldn’t be able to tell if it was bad acting or bad hands because of the language difference.
“Aaaah— Let’s go home!”
The CEO took a deep, stifled breath, going, “Hmph.”
‘This is going to be a problem. Really.’
For some, it’s just a passing event.
For others, it’s a project that determines their fate.
The CEO chewed her lips and glared at Enbin’s profile.
What can I do about that? I can’t openly scold him……
“Pfft!”
Then, suddenly, a burst of laughter.
It was Muyoung. Wasn’t that mechanical yawn sound against the rules when everything else could be tolerated? He quickly covered his mouth and put on a serious face.
“I’m sorry.”
“……Why are you laughing?”
Thud.
The directors and writers between them stiffened, going, “Uh-oh.”
Enbin had thrown the script lightly.
Not only the staff but even the manager had a pupil earthquake.
The only one who remained calm was Muyoung.
“The acting is so unique.”
“What did you say?”
“I didn’t mean to disrupt the flow. I’m really sorry.”
And then he bowed to the people again.
Enbin turned to his manager, asking him to look at this absurd situation.
Was he apologizing for disrupting things, not for mocking the acting just now?
“Is the supporting role confirmed?”
The manager, who received his sharp gaze, asked the team leader.
It was a tone of voice that had the abusive mentality of being able to replace a one-time supporting role at any time ingrained in his bones.
“Yes, I’m confirmed.”
Muyoung then answered with an even bigger smile.
The director and writer in the middle looked uneasy and glanced at Cho Miyoung.
As if to say, do something about it.
“Director, there’s a schedule change for that scene.”
Cho Miyoung turned the conversation to the director, giving him a sign.
She needed to remind them that they were ‘working.’ The director quickly caught her signal.
“Oh, yes. That part just now. We’re going to shoot it as a loose shot (where the subject’s background is described in more detail), which is almost like a set shoot. Only this part will be outdoors—”
“There’s no such thing as confirmation before shooting begins.”
But Enbin cut him off with an annoyed tone.
Just a reading? It’s not uncommon for projects to be canceled even after articles have been published. A web drama like this is nothing.
“I’m upset, so I can’t do it. I don’t want to act with someone who’s so half-hearted.”
Oh, my God, this is ridiculous.
The team leader closed her eyes tightly and cried out, “Oh, God!” in her mind.
Yes, just a reading! It’s only the beginning, so why is everything going wrong?
“Ah— um.”
Muyoung had something to say, but he closed his mouth, as if he would stop there.
To Enbin, who was heated up, even that didn’t feel right.
“What? Do you have something to say?”
“No, I’m someone who knows how to read the room.”
“Good. That’s great. You’re fired, so get out. Can you see that?”
“Really? Am I really fired?”
Muyoung asked the team leader, his eyes wide with surprise.
He couldn’t give any answer and just nodded his head awkwardly.
He meant to tell him to bow down quickly, but Muyoung misunderstood.
“Oh? I’m fired. That’s strange.”
It’s not lucky enough to end like this.
“Then, since I’m fired, I can say this: You’re the one who’s half-hearted. You definitely got the script first, but you haven’t studied it at all. What kind of actor reads their lines like that?”
They were about the same age, and they would probably never see each other again.
Muyoung harshly criticized Enbin to his face. Was it too absurd?
Enbin just stared blankly at Muyoung.
In fact, everyone in the conference room had the same expression.
“Your breathing is off, too. Practice properly.”
“I, I, I—!”
“We’re all here to make a good work, so the lead actor shouldn’t be like that. Well, that’s all I have to say! Good luck.”
Muyoung clapped his hands and picked up his bag.
The moment Enbin stood up, looking dazed,
Click.
“Oppa?”
The meeting room door opened, and a woman poked her head in.
The tense air seemed to collapse with a crash.
“What, what’s going on?”
Enbin’s finger, which had been pointing at Muyoung, turned to the woman.
She had covered her face with a hat and a mask and had a huge camera hanging around her neck.
A so-called bazooka camera.
Click—
The woman pressed the shutter lightly, as if to commemorate the occasion. Everyone looked at Enbin, who was dazed by this absurd situation.
“Hehe. I must have disturbed you. Sorry.”
“No, fuck!”
Unlike the woman, who apologized shyly, he was furious.
The manager also gasped and approached the door, his expression turning fierce,
“How did you find this place?”
“There’s always a way.”
It doesn’t work at all.
“Did you forget what the lawyer said? If this happens one more time, the punishment will be increased. This is legally—”
“Yeah. Call him. Do whatever.”
Click—
“No, you crazy bitch!”
“I’m recording now. And if you touch my body, it’ll turn out like last time. You know that.”
‘Like last time.’
Enbin was almost terrified by her words.
As an idol, he’d seen all kinds of weird people, but this woman was on a different level.
It was as if they’d been enemies in a past life…… His daily life was withering away under the pretense of love, stalker-like behavior.
“I don’t intend to disrupt work, so don’t worry about me and keep going. I’ll wait outside.”
Click.
She rolled up her sleeves slightly and closed the door. A faint knife scar. Enbin covered his face and slumped down helplessly in his place.
“Sigh.”
“Bin, it’s okay. I’ll call the police first.”
“Tell them to come quickly.”
Such a mournful voice.
The heat that had been directed at Muyoung dissipated and vanished in an instant.
The team leader and the Square Film staff looked confused and approached the door.
“Why did she come in here?”
“She’s a sasaeng, right? We’ll kick her out.”
“No, leave her alone.”
The manager then stepped forward to block them, whispering intently.
Through the opaque glass door, they could see her squatting down.
“She’s a sasaeng who’s been around recently, and she’s literally crazy. She came to the agency and caused a ruckus, so we dragged her out, and then…… she started to self-harm……”
“What?”
Enbin froze, clutching his head. Everyone stopped at the shocking word.
“After that, whenever security guards or staff try to drag her out, she threatens to kill herself with a knife. It would be a problem if this gets reported…… I’m sorry. But she’s actually very obedient to the police. Please wait a moment.”
The manager said that and called someone.
It was probably the police and the company.
“Sue her.”
Cho Miyoung muttered, as it was a serious matter. Enbin replied in a subdued voice,
“I’ll proceed with it. She’s only appeared recently, so the company says to watch her for a while…… Sigh. I’m sorry. I went through so much trouble to avoid her today.”
That was also the reason Enbin was late.
Moreover, the mood he’d had, which was much more sensitive and sharp than usual, was probably due to that sasaeng.
“That bitch showed up again. Where is everyone?”
-Huh? We’re downstairs.
The manager, who was talking to the security guards, tilted his head in confusion.
They could hear the guards’ frustrated reply that they were definitely guarding the entrance.
Then where the hell did she come in from?
“We’re screwed.”
The team leader glanced at the ticking clock and muttered.
Enbin’s next schedule was coming up soon.
It was their first reading, and it was going to end up a total mess.
Moreover, Muyoung, who they’d had such high hopes for, had made such a first impression on Enbin……
There’s no way they could use him.
“CEO, we’re screwed.”
“Shut up.”
Cho Miyoung sighed and snapped.
There was no way Enbin could continue the reading in this situation.
No. Even if he continued, it would be meaningless.
With that attitude and acting ability, he couldn’t even be used as a passing character.
‘A web drama is still a drama, a work.’
She pressed her throbbing temples and thought.
They say that even when the sky falls, there’s a hole to hide in. Where is that hole now?
Swish.
Meanwhile, Muyoung, who had been standing awkwardly, adjusted his bag.
While everyone else was staring at the door in shock, only Muyoung had a curious look in his eyes.
‘Behind that woman just now……’
Black smog!
It had been a long time since he’d seen the smog, which was wrapped around her neck and clinging to her back.
But unlike what he’d seen before, its shape was a little strange.
“Well, I’ll be going now.”
“Ah……”
Creak.
The team leader couldn’t stop Muyoung, who opened the door and stepped out.
Muyoung looked down at the woman sitting right in front of him.
“What’s up?”
The woman looked up at him, fiddling with her camera.
Muyoung tilted his head.
It was smog, but……
It was closer to a human shape. A malevolent spirit? I don’t know what it is.
“What is it?”
Instead of answering, Muyoung crouched down and met the woman’s eyes.
If it were a malevolent spirit, it should have had a mix of faint, blurry colors rather than this black.
“Maybe……”
Muyoung opened his mouth, looking confused.
Muyoung’s sparkling eyes were reflected in the black sunglasses the woman was wearing.
Everyone could see through the opaque glass that Muyoung and the sasaeng were facing each other.
They couldn’t hear what they were saying very well.
“Bro, when will the police arrive?”
“They’ll be here soon.”
What if Muyoung gets stabbed with a knife in the meantime……
It was a truly awkward situation. Enbin lay face down on the desk and continued to watch their opaque figures.
Then, at some point,
“Aaaah—!”
The woman screamed and stood up abruptly.
Enbin, the manager, and the others also flinched and stood up.
“What, what’s going on?”
“Why is she like that?”
“Bro! Do something—”
They thought she was having a seizure.
But the woman ran down the hallway and disappeared.
Completely out of the glass.
Wondering what was going on, Enbin slowly got up and opened the door.
Creak.
“What the……”
The hallway was quiet, and only Muyoung was squatting down, looking innocent.
In the same position as her just now.
“What did you do?”
Enbin muttered in shock.
What the hell did he do to make that leech run like that?
Muyoung answered with a bright smile,
“Want to know?”