Chapter 118: Horror Variety
“I just met with the investment representative from SJ Entertainment.”
The atmosphere was ‘similar’ to usual.
Lively, with delicious food being shared, but somehow quiet and subdued.
It was a late-night snack time where everyone was waiting for someone else to start the conversation… until Muyoung began.
“S-s-so, what did you talk about?”
Na Geumdong even hiccupped like a fool.
When they first signed the contract, the exclusive period was three years.
Once Street Sunlight is released, probably only about a year will be left. If he works hard, really hard, without any breaks, he might be able to do two more projects.
“We ate. This is takeout from there.”
Of course, thanks to Yusah’s chance.
Muyoung had tried to pay, but Yusah insisted on covering it all.
Positive energy comes from stamina, and comfort comes from your wallet. Truly, words of wisdom.
Look, even after being refused, they still packed the food!
“It’s amazing, right?”
“Yeah. It is.”
“And the representative asked if I had any plans to transfer. They said they’d made an offer to the company too. Why didn’t you tell me about it?”
At Muyoung’s question, Na Geumdong looked upset again.
A heavy sigh accompanied by chopsticks.
“It’s… it’s a sensitive issue.”
“If something feels off, you’ve got to snatch it up right away. Tie it down tight, cherish it, so it can’t go anywhere.”
“Of course, we want to keep you. But it feels shameless to hold you back without having done anything for you… It’s like tying down someone with a bright future…”
True. They hadn’t done much.
They didn’t train him from his trainee days, he chose his own scripts, and his talent is incredible. Heck, they couldn’t even provide him with proper accommodations. Muyoung lightly tapped the table, as if scolding him.
“What do you mean the company hasn’t done anything? You drive me around early every morning, handle crises when they pop up, and take care of all the small events. You’ve done plenty.”
“That’s just what a company is supposed to do.”
“And doing what you’re supposed to do is doing well. I turned down SJ’s offer. So please, if anything comes up, consult me first.”
Muyoung shoved a piece of meat into his mouth, slightly annoyed.
“Y-you turned it down?”
“Didn’t you turn it down too, boss?”
“W-well, yeah.”
“I’m on the same page as the company.”
At his firm words, Na Geumdong’s face lit up. He burst with joy, grabbing Muyoung’s arm and shaking it.
“Oh, Muyoung! Thank you!”
“Enough. If you keep thinking separately without telling me, I’ll be really upset. Got it?”
“Of course! Absolutely!”
“Stop shaking me and eat. You’ve been picking at your food.”
At Muyoung’s words, Na Geumdong devoured the meat as if he’d just regained his appetite. Ko Gyeongmin, sipping his beer, asked cautiously,
“But Muyoung, I’m really curious.”
“About what?”
“Why did you choose our company in the first place? What is it about Big Win that you trust? SJ’s offer must’ve been really good. Aren’t you disappointed?”
“Ko Gyeongmin! Why bring that up?”
Na Geumdong gasped, crossing his chopsticks in an X, as if to say, no more talk about that.
But Muyoung’s mind was already made up, so he wasn’t too bothered.
“For one, I keep my word. I’m not the type to break an exclusive contract midway just for greed. And more than anything—”
It’s more about trusting his own choices than Big Win.
But Muyoung smiled and left that part unsaid.
“I just really like you, hyung, and the boss.”
“Muyoung!”
“Oh, you’re going to spill your food!”
At Muyoung’s words, Na Geumdong, overwhelmed, pulled him into a hug.
Yeah. This is just how life is! It felt like discovering a new kind of joy in work.
“Muyoung, we’ll do even better! Much better!”
“Oh, really? Then can we get a new car?”
“Huh? A car?”
“I sleep a lot in the car, and the sedan is too uncomfortable. Gyeongmin hyung needs to rest properly while waiting too. A van would be better. A van.”
Muyoung, eyes sparkling, fed Na Geumdong a piece of food. The boss hesitated for a moment, then stood up, fist clenched, as if making a big decision.
“Alright! Think of all the money Muyoung’s earned us! We can do that much! Absolutely!”
“Yes! A van, a van!”
“……But a used one would be fine, right?”
Does it matter? Muyoung laughed and nodded.
Ko Gyeongmin, equally pleased, tried to suppress his rising grin.
“Anyway, I’m counting on you going forward.”
“You can count on me. Let’s really make this work!”
“Let’s go! Let’s do this!”
“Do it!”
Na Geumdong and Muyoung clinked their beer cans, shouting.
Then Ko Gyeongmin gently stopped the actor’s hand.
“You’ve got a shoot tomorrow.”
“Just one beer? I’ve got a tight schedule tomorrow, so I need to stock up on energy.”
“Alcohol drains your energy.”
The schedule was brutal.
Movie shoot in the morning, variety show in the evening. That’s why he had some free time today to prepare his stamina. Meeting SJ was already chaos.
“But what kind of variety show shoots at night?”
Listening to their conversation, Na Geumdong chugged his beer and asked. Then a program popped into his head.
“Ah, Otherworldly Smile?”
The legendary show, co-hosted by MC Duseok, had held the top weekend variety spot for over a decade.
Each episode featured new guests, with talks and games.
“I missed it during the drama shoot because of scheduling conflicts, but we finally made it work. This guest special is called ‘Rebellion of the Young Blood.’ Hahaha.”
“Who’s appearing?”
“Two male idols and a rookie actress, I think? I’m not sure of the details.”
Actually, he’d forgotten.
At Muyoung’s answer, Ko Gyeongmin added,
“Jen and Toyori from Poosix. And Soy.”
“A lineup of rising stars, huh?”
All of them were rookies slowly gaining recognition after successful debuts.
Except for Muyoung, they were all from big agencies, but in terms of buzz, he was the hottest.
“I’m so excited!”
To appear on a show he’d watched since he was young. Was there anything cooler than this? Muyoung hugged a cushion, grinning.
“But why at night?”
“It’s summer, you know.”
“So what about summer?”
Na Geumdong looked confused, and Muyoung shouted,
“It’s a horror special!”
At a small abandoned school in the suburbs.
Muyoung, who’d been asleep in the car, finally woke up and smoothed his face.
After a good sleep, his face looked fresh, even in the dark.
“Hello.”
“Ah, hello. Ha Muyoung has arrived.”
“Miseon! Please guide Mr. Muyoung.”
“This way, please.”
The opportunity that had been missed during the You Are a Star, I Am a Star drama came back to Muyoung thanks to SJ and the production company’s persistence.
“Hello! Teacher Duseok!”
“Oh, Muyoung! Long time no see.”
“How have you been? You look even cooler.”
“Take a good look now. Once the makeup’s on, you won’t recognize me.”
Of course, there was Duseok’s strong recommendation.
Since it was a horror special, each character was related to ‘horror.’
Word had spread in the industry that he’d landed the vampire role after recent dating rumors.
“Muyoung’s a vampire, right?”
“Yes. And you, teacher…”
“I’m the Grim Reaper. The Grim Reaper. Hahaha.”
And they’d be doing talks and games in full costume.
The first-floor classroom of the abandoned school was divided into dressing rooms, with a stage set up in the center. After greeting the hosts, including Duseok, Muyoung got his makeup done.
Click—
Just then, the door opened, and the guests entered.
Two idols from the group Poosix. Guys around Muyoung’s age.
“Hello. Nice to meet you all.”
“Oh, likewise. Nice to meet you.”
Their album concept is a werewolf, huh.
Their rugged, manly styling stood out.
“And where’s Soy?”
“She’s appearing in Girls’ Ghost Stories Returns, so she’s just a student ghost. Her dressing room’s right next door. She’s running late, I guess. Probably on her way.”
Then the assistant director approached the three men.
“Did you get the script?”
“Yeah, but it was super short.”
“True to the name ‘reality variety,’ there’s basically no script. Just a sequence. When it’s time for scary stories, just say what you told the writers. We rewrote it, so it should be fine. You won’t need it, but here you go. Take a look.”
Most of it would revolve around MC Duseok, so all they had to do was follow along like good kids. Muyoung sipped his coffee to stay awake.
“We’re going live!”
“Everyone, please gather behind the curtain.”
Following the staff’s instructions, the prepared guests huddled behind the curtain. Even Soy, who’d arrived just in time.
“I’m so nervous.”
“Me too.”
Since they were all around the same age, Otherworldly Smile meant a lot to them. The hosts, including MC Duseok, stood in a line, fully made up as the Grim Reaper, a virgin ghost, a Jiangshi, Toshio…
“Slate it!”
“One, two, three!”
Smack!
The slate clapped with a palm.
MC Duseok called out the PD’s name in a playful voice.
“Kim Hongtae. Kim Hongtae.”
“……?”
“Is the Grim Reaper calling out the PD’s name?”
“He’s sending him off. Totally.”
“What’s with this makeup?”
“What’s wrong? You look great, hyung.”
Ten years of perfect comedic timing.
The hosts teased each other’s makeup, naturally leading into the opening. Then came the introduction of the guests.
“And now, today’s guests!”
The curtain slowly parted to music.
The four guests waved and smiled.
“Whoa! It’s Ha Muyoung!”
“It’s Poosix! Poosix!”
“Nice to meet you. Wow—”
“Oh? Hanbin’s face is turning red again. Such a goldfish!”
The lively atmosphere flowed naturally into the shoot.
Brief introductions, team selections—it felt like a fun recreational outing.
“So, the team is me, Muyoung, Hanbin, and Soy.”
But…
I don’t know. Maybe it’s because on TV, everything’s edited with subtitles, but it felt flatter than expected.
When Duseok speaks, subtitles should float beside him!
“Teams are all set.”
“Alright, let’s move on to the talks.”
The PD and writers in the front row held up sketchbooks and explained the game rules.
“When someone tells a scary story, the opposing team gives a score. We’ll average the scores, excluding the minimum and maximum, to determine the ranking. The highest-ranked team gets to enter the abandoned school first to find the items hidden by the crew.”
“So going first is an advantage, right?”
“Right. Higher chance of finding the items quickly.”
“Duseok’s already shaking. Such a scaredy-cat.”
“Hey! You think you’re any better?”
“Let’s get started. We’ll go left to right.”
They sat in a semicircle and began telling scary stories. The usual classics: ‘This really happened’ or ‘I heard it from someone.’
“And then I opened my eyes—”
“Waaaaah!”
“Kyaaaah!”
“Stop doing that!”
Everyone tried their best to scare the others. But the clear winner was Muyoung.
“He’s just so scary when he talks.”
“Right. It’s so vivid.”
Was it a waste of his vocal and acting skills?
No matter how trivial the story, when he told it, it gripped everyone’s heart. Despite Muyoung’s hard carry, unfortunately, this was a team game.
“Here are the scores. Muyoung-Duseok team, 15 points. Last place.”
“What? Really?”
That’s odd. Muyoung clearly got the highest score.
He smiled at Duseok, who looked embarrassed.
“……I got scared while telling the story.”
“Oh. It was more funny than scary. Hahaha.”
“Aigo. How are we going to go in there?”
Duseok wiped his sweat and asked Muyoung,
“Can you handle that kind of thing, Muyoung?”
……That kind of thing?
No problem. Muyoung smiled and nodded.
“I’m good at it. Just watch.”