Chapter 120: Party
Muyoung, sipping on an iced coffee, made his way down to the parking lot. He looked around, but didn’t see any familiar cars. Just as he was about to call Gyeongmin, a large van beside him honked.
Honk-honk!
“Hey, you stylish guy over there! Hop in!”
“Huh? Hyung, what’s this?”
Wasn’t this the kind of van only celebrities rode in?
Muyoung, thinking he might still be half-asleep, rushed over and circled the vehicle.
“The boss splurged and got this for us. It’s second-hand, but it runs like a dream. Come on in, Actor-nim.”
“Wow! Thanks so much!”
As usual, Muyoung climbed into the backseat instead of the passenger seat. The spacious chair reclined like a lounger. Amazing.
“I’m gonna sleep like a baby.”
“Buckle up, please.”
“Yes, sir!”
It was the early morning hours before a shoot.
Gyeongmin, humming a tune, focused on the road ahead.
Muyoung, lying down as comfortably as if he were in bed, watched MeTube and spotted his face in the trending videos.
“The clip’s already up?”
“Clip? What clip?”
“The Otherworldly Smile. It’s number one on the trending list. It’s right here.”
“Oh, it must’ve aired yesterday.”
Muyoung laughed, holding up his phone.
The thumbnail was his face.
A scene where he laughed cheerfully, scaring a ghost.
“Seems like the reaction’s good.”
“It should be. I’ve never seen anything like that. How on earth did you know?”
“I just sensed it.”
“No way.”
Muyoung brushed it off, but that was all he’d say.
Gyeongmin just clicked his tongue and laughed in disbelief, not pressing further.
Even if Muyoung had confessed that a ghost told him, his reaction would’ve been the same.
“The views range from 300,000 to… wow, there’s even one with 50 million. Crazy.”
“It’s super popular overseas too. How many views?”
“It’s at… 980,000 right now.”
“……?”
Gyeongmin, thinking he’d misheard, glanced at the rearview mirror.
It definitely aired last night, right? But 980,000 views in just a day?
“You sure you didn’t read the numbers wrong?”
“Huh? Nope.”
Muyoung chuckled as he read the comments.
The reactions from fans and viewers were just too funny. He didn’t even realize the sheer weight of 980,000 views.
Everyone seemed curious about what Ha Muyoung was made of.
“Muyoung, text the boss and ask him to check the reaction to The Otherworldly Smile.”
“Yes, sir.”
Instead of Gyeongmin, who was driving, Muyoung texted Geumdong. With real-time searches now a given, Muyoung lazily opened the W app.
“Hello, everyone. Good morning. Are you all on your way to work? I’m heading to the set too. Ta-da! The car’s been upgraded.”
The manager drove more smoothly for him.
Muyoung continued his fun interaction with fans.
-Oppa, weren’t you scared at all? And Zen oppa too, what’s going on with you two…? You’re really the same person, right?
“I was scared in my own way. Haha. Didn’t it show?”
-The ghost looked more scared.
-Maybe you were so scared a second personality came out?
-Spill the tea on the shoot~
Maybe because Muyoung had so many scenes, luckily or unluckily, Zen’s face barely appeared.
There wasn’t much to salvage since they’d spent a long time with the camera and mic off.
“Spill? There were so many bugs, so I put on repellent. But I still got bitten by mosquitoes like crazy. Can you see this?”
Muyoung chatted casually, leaning against the window like he was video calling a friend.
After playing on the W app for a while, Muyoung checked Geumdong’s text. It said to call him.
“Alright, everyone. Have a fun and happy day today. Thank you. Bye~!”
After making sure to end the call, he dialed the boss, whose excited voice boomed through the phone.
-Whoa! The reaction is insane!
“Boss, you’re gonna blow my eardrums.”
-Is Director Ko driving? Perfect. I’ve got a question for you directly. We got an invite to the BG Line fashion show. It’s for the Brulem brand. You going?
Muyoung didn’t know what BG Line was, but he knew Brulem. It was a leading luxury brand in Korea. Muyoung nodded.
“If my schedule allows.”
“Tell the boss to text me.”
“Hyung says he’ll confirm once he gets your text.”
-Got it! Thanks!
After hearing Geumdong’s reply, Muyoung slipped the phone into Gyeongmin’s pocket. The BG Line fashion show was scheduled for exactly a week later.
“Wow, so many people.”
Muyoung got out of the car and dusted off his clothes.
Usually, he only wore BORNTORE, but for the first time, he was head-to-toe in sponsored luxury, which felt a bit awkward.
“Hyung, I’ll contact you later.”
“Alright. Be careful, and call me if anything comes up.”
Click! Click!
Unlike other events centered around a photo zone, at fashion shows, reporters swarmed from the moment you entered.
Muyoung, escorted by security, stepped inside the building.
Click-! Click!
Sitting in the front row, Muyoung smiled awkwardly.
Celebs like magazine editors, models, actors, and idols sat with their legs elegantly crossed, soaking up the flashes.
‘It’s a unisex line, huh.’
He didn’t know since he wasn’t into luxury brands.
With loud music and a vibrant stage setup, everyone stared at the stage with blank, cool expressions, but Muyoung alone clapped silently to the beat. His shoulders bounced along—a bonus.
‘Ooh, that outfit’s so cool!’
His facial expressions were top-notch.
His reactions stood out so much that people across from him were more drawn to Muyoung than the stage.
Just then, someone whispered to Muyoung from behind.
“Um, you might want to tone it down a bit.”
“Huh? Zen.”
“There are a lot of reporters, so be careful. This is where designers showcase their yearly collections, so the focus should be on the outfits.”
What if some malicious headline came out?
Something like, “Thoughtless Attitude Controversy.”
Since it was his first fashion show, Muyoung had mistaken it for just another “stage.” He thought cheering was a good thing.
“Oh, I see. Thanks.”
Saying that, he immediately stiffened his body and face. A completely serious expression, as if appreciating a work of art.
After the short stage performance, the designer came out for the finale. Everyone stood and applauded, wrapping up the show.
As soon as Muyoung stood up, he looked for Zen.
“Zen, thanks so much for telling me.”
“No worries. The music was good, though.”
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the vibe.
Muyoung greeted him warmly and asked,
“How have you been? Are you going to the private after-party?”
“No, that’s not part of my ‘contract.’ You’re going?”
“Yeah, I got invited.”
Muyoung casually gathered his bag. The after-party was at the skyscraper’s sky lounge club. At his answer, Zen suddenly went quiet.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s just unexpected. I didn’t think you’d actually go.”
“……?”
He looked quite surprised.
Muyoung had no idea why. Seeing his genuine reaction, Zen spoke up.
“You should leave as soon as possible.”
“Do they serve bomb shots?”
“Huh? No, it’s not that—”
Zen laughed in disbelief.
What on earth is going on in this guy’s head?
Zen looked around and whispered quietly, as if just saying it was a burden.
“The BG Line private party… let’s just say it’s full of free-spirited people. Most of the invited guests will leave within an hour or two. Just blend in and leave then.”
“Got it. Thanks for the heads-up.”
Muyoung had no idea what he meant, but he figured he should listen since it seemed like advice for his own good.
“Oh, and thanks again for before. For helping me out and keeping it a secret.”
Not like there’s anything to say about it, though.
Muyoung waved it off like it was nothing.
“See you later.”
“Yeah, see ya.”
Zen said that and left the venue.
Unlike him, Muyoung headed to the sky lounge. After showing his invitation, he went inside.
True to its name, the private club party was lit with chaotic neon lights everywhere.
“Oh my, it really is you!”
“Hi there.”
“Nice to meet you.”
In the dimly lit space, smoke and lights narrowed his vision, and the DJs’ wild mixing felt like it would deafen him.
“Huh? What’d you say?”
“Haha, cheers! Cheers!”
Everyone raised their glasses, finding Muyoung’s ear-covering shout adorable. They whispered among themselves, but Muyoung wasn’t particularly interested.
‘Just one hour.’
He only checked the time and looked around.
If it weren’t for the sponsorship and contract, he would’ve called Gyeongmin the moment he heard Zen’s advice. He’d leave the second the time was up.
Boom! Boom-boom! Boom!
The beat made his heart thump along.
Time passed, and the cocktail must’ve been strong because he felt a buzz coming on. Muyoung leaned against the corner, groggily taking in the club.
“Huh?”
Then, a strange smoke caught his eye.
It was different from the club’s smoke—black and almost shapeless…
“Huh?”
He sobered up instantly.
Thinking there might be a fire, he rubbed his eyes and reached out, but it was the dark smoke only he could see.
‘Why is this here?’
Slowly, he followed it.
Past the raging stage to a quieter table. The smoke swirled fiercely all the way to the end of the hallway.
“What’s this?”
Like it was beckoning him.
The rooms were clustered like a maze.
Muyoung stopped in front of a door that was open just a crack.
“Ugh…”
With a strange groan, the thick smoke swirled even more. Was someone hurt? If they needed help…
Creak—
After a brief hesitation, Muyoung pushed the door open slightly with his fingertips. What he saw was—
‘Jungdan?’
Joo Jungdan was slumped on a wide sofa, half-collapsed. Beside him, a woman lay just as limp. What was going on?
‘Whoa.’
On the table were white powder, a strange smell, and a syringe. Instinctively, Muyoung knew what it meant.
‘Drugs.’
The black smoke wrapping around Jungdan’s arm said it all. Muyoung froze in shock.
Just as Jungdan’s half-conscious head turned toward the door—
Slam—
“Honey, it’s the next room.”
Someone slammed the door shut.
And covered their mouth, signaling silence.
It was the model from Yusah’s party who’d fallen!
She naturally linked arms with Muyoung and pulled him away. As they turned the corner, two bodyguards approached.
“Is there a problem?”
“Oh, sorry. I’m a bit tipsy and lost my way.”
“Head that way.”
“Thanks.”
Had she seen something?
The timing was unbelievably perfect. Muyoung had witnessed the scene precisely when she was away.
“You okay?”
She turned to Muyoung outside and asked.
No, he wasn’t okay at all. He’d never imagined he’d see someone on drugs.
“I wanted to say hi when I saw you, but you just walked by like you were possessed. You can’t just open doors like that. There’s a lot of nasty stuff in there.”
“But why’s Jungdan here?”
“It’s a BG Line party, and BG is Baekgun’s, right?”
Baekgun, so BG! Wow.
Muyoung covered his mouth at the realization.