Chapter 146: Entertainment World
Chang-sik?
I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere, but I don’t remember.
Muyoung perked up his ears next to Junho. A troubled voice came from the other end of the phone.
“I don’t know who it is either. I sent it by courier. No, but I saw the picture too? Is it really mine? I don’t think so?”
“Then there’s an asshole among our alumni?”
“Um… that’s a bit…”
“Right? I’m asking others too, so just wait. The conversation history and contact information exchanged during the transaction, and the address where the courier was sent. What else do we need? What do you need, Hyung?”
Junho covered the speaker and asked Gyeongmin.
He, who had graduated from high school a long time ago, was just staring blankly in admiration before coming to his senses.
Even after graduating, he still has so many contacts? He must have been popular in school.
“Account records and photos of the courier receipt. And if there’s a tracking number, that would be good too. Since it’s a second-hand transaction, they should have sent that.”
“Okay. Uh, Chang-sik, did you hear that?”
Just because they bought the yearbook doesn’t mean they’re the culprit.
But statistically, it’s worth investigating.
False evidence of school violence came out in the yearbook, and someone happened to buy it at that time? It’s only natural to suspect.
“Yeah. Send me the details in a text. And by the way, I can reach Classes 1 to 3, but Class 4 is the problem. I don’t get along with them.”
“Right. There was that incident during the soccer game.”
“Yeah. So, can you ask them? You’re close with Minsu from Class 4, right? Don’t mention me, just talk about Muyoung.”
“Okay. I’ll try. But what’s going on, really? Is Muyoung okay? This is like a bolt from the blue.”
At Chang-sik’s words, Junho looked at Muyoung.
Blinking blankly and then smiling bashfully, he didn’t seem too bad. Muyoung pointed to himself and asked,
“Does Chang-sik know me?”
“Who in our school doesn’t know you?”
“Oh. But who’s Chang-sik?”
“He’s the vice class president from the next class. We were in the same class in first grade… You really have no clue, huh? Never mind.”
Muyoung whispered softly enough not to be heard by Chang-sik. He tilted his head, vaguely remembering. From the phone, Chang-sik said,
“Junho, what if… what if…”
“Yeah, I’m listening.”
“What if all this mess is because of the yearbook I sold?”
His voice was filled with anxiety.
He just needed some money.
He was a college student with limited pocket money, and there was a yearbook on his bookshelf that he wouldn’t even look at. And just then, someone on a second-hand site wanted it.
“What can you do? It’s just bad luck.”
It’s not Chang-sik’s fault. Who would blame him for selling his own stuff?
“Is Muyoung there?”
“Yeah. Want to talk to him?”
“Uh…”
As Chang-sik hesitated, Junho immediately handed over the phone. Unlike the awkward Chang-sik, Muyoung’s voice was full of warmth.
“Hello! Chang-sik!”
“Geez. You didn’t even know who I was just now.”
“Shh!”
With only Junho as an alumni, it was so nice to meet another friend like this.
Chang-sik paused for a moment and then sighed.
“Muyoung, I’m watching your movies and dramas. I really am…”
“Thanks. But Chang-sik, how much did you sell the yearbook for?”
“Uh? Two hundred thousand won.”
Caught off guard by the question, he seemed flustered. It seemed like Muyoung’s shout of ‘All because of that money, and because of you, my acting career is ruined’ would come any moment.
“Oh. Two hundred thousand won.”
But his reaction was unexpected.
“Aw, you should’ve waited a little longer. The price will go up even more.”
“Huh?”
Muyoung, more than anyone, knew the pain of not having money.
He felt a little proud that he had been of some help, just because they were alumni. It would have been even better if it hadn’t been misused.
“Anyway, thanks for taking my call, and since things are like this, I have a favor to ask. Can you ask around among other friends too?”
“Of course, Muyoung. I’m sorry. If this is because of me, I’m really sorry.”
“It’s okay. There’s someone else who should apologize.”
Muyoung ended the call and handed the phone back to Junho.
Then he showed the letter on the table to Gyeongmin.
“Hyung, this letter.”
“Huh? What about it?”
“Can it be traced?”
A mysterious smog letter with only the sender’s initials and a post office stamp. But to Gyeongmin, it was just an ordinary fan letter.
“…I guess we’ll have to try. With only the stamp, we’ll need to ask the post office and others for cooperation, but I’m not sure what pretext to use. Why? Is there a problem?”
The post office stamp could confirm which mailbox it was sent from. But if there’s no CCTV there, it would be difficult.
Even if fingerprint analysis is done, there’s no guarantee of finding anything.
“Uh-huh.”
Muyoung hesitated and then answered.
“Hyung, you know I have a good instinct, right?”
“I do, but what about it?”
“The person who wrote this letter seems really bad.”
“…”
Gyeongmin held the letter and just stared at his face, then sighed.
“I don’t know what it is, but I’ll come up with a pretext.”
Just wait.
Junho raised his hand, agreeing with Gyeongmin’s plan.
“I took a leave too. Since Hyung said it’s your business, they gave me unpaid leave? Sweet.”
Instead of Muyoung, who couldn’t move rashly, Junho would have to work hard. It was both his friend’s and his lover’s business.
“Whoever it is, they’re dead. Seriously, they messed with both of you.”
Just messing with one would be bad enough, but both?
Yeah. They’re dead. Dead.
Muyoung gave a thumbs-up, meaning he’d take care of it, and picked up the pre-interview question file. The
“I guess the school violence issue will come up too?”
“I’ll tell them to avoid it if possible, but since you already addressed it on your personal broadcast, they might bring it up a bit.”
“It’s okay. Addressing it on the broadcast will be more effective.”
Muyoung muttered and turned the page.
“Hello.”
“Oh! Ha Muyoung!”
“Hello, PD-nim. Nice to meet you. I’m Ha Muyoung.”
The studio was bustling. The set, reminiscent of various American talk shows, was adorned with colorful lights. The interior matched the image of the host, comedian Jung-yi.
“Nice to meet you. You’re early?”
“Yes. The roads were clear.”
“I see. But what’s going on?”
The PD shook hands with Muyoung, feigning exaggerated worry.
It was about the school violence controversy. It had just blown up, and this was his first schedule, so it was a natural reaction. Muyoung laughed and shrugged.
“I guess this is what they call the price of fame, huh? Haha.”
“Ugh. There are a lot of weird people in the world. You have to handle it well.”
As the two exchanged formal greetings, Gyeongmin also bowed beside them. And subtly asked a favor.
“PD-nim. Please handle today’s interview ‘well’.”
Since it’s a false accusation, focus on that. Don’t go for a sensational approach like ‘Are you sure it’s not true?’ just for ratings.
The PD patted Gyeongmin’s shoulder and laughed.
“Of course. Oh, the company is really worried about Muyoung. They keep calling. Saying the same things over and over. Hahaha. It’s like they’re worried sick.”
The company itself was pushing for this. As Muyoung said, this interview would be the final stamp to clear things up.
“Let’s see. You’ll be going in about an hour. Hey! Guide Ha Muyoung to the waiting room. See you later, Muyoung.”
“Yes, PD-nim. Please take care of me.”
“Hello, this way please!”
At the PD’s call, the assistant director rushed over.
“You’ll greet Jung-yi unnie, right? Her room is right next door.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Knock-knock.
“Come in~”
“Hello. Senior. I’m Ha Muyoung, here for today’s interview.”
Jung-yi was getting her makeup done. Only her big eyes rolling around in surprise. Soon, she greeted him with the playful humor of a comedian.
“Oh my! What’s going on here!”
“If you’re busy—”
“No way. Even if I have to go out bare-faced, I must greet our Muyoung properly. I’ll take good care of you today. Did you confirm the PD’s orders? That thing that blew up yesterday or the day before?”
“Yes. School violence.”
Muyoung answered confidently. Seeing his confident demeanor, Jung-yi placed her hand on her chest in relief.
“There will be some mention of it. Okay?”
“Yes. Please take care of me.”
“…I’m a huge fan of yours, Muyoung. When I saw the articles, my heart broke and then mended itself.”
At the Blue Dragon Film Awards, he met countless stars, but Jung-yi was the first to respond with a wink.
Everyone else just passed by, looking at him like he was just a clown. It was cute and grateful…
“You know our show has high ratings, right?”
“Of course. It’s number one.”
“Great. Let’s do well. I’ll help you!”
At Jung-yi’s words, Muyoung thanked her and returned to the waiting room.
It took an hour to change into the clothes the coordinator gave him and get his makeup done. Just as he thought it was time to get ready,
Vrrrring- Vrrring-
A call came from Junho. Since his hands were busy with makeup, he put it on speakerphone!
“Yeah.”
“What’s up?”
“Out of the blue, what do you mean?”
“The address Chang-sik gave is in Seoul’s Dongjak-gu, Daebang-dong. I tried calling, but they ignored me. Anyway, I’m heading there, and I checked that letter you asked about. It was processed in Daebang-dong. Still checking the mailbox number.”
Gyeongmin, listening beside him, also paused.
And glanced at Muyoung. What’s going on? Is there something here? The coincidences are just too unbelievable.
But Muyoung seemed calm, as if he had expected it. He was slowly figuring out what the smog in the letter meant.
“When can we get the mailbox number?”
“They’re busy, so it’ll take about three days.”
The ginseng drink Junho brought seemed to have worked. They promised to check as quickly as possible.
‘Three days, huh? The interview airs next week…’
Muyoung thought for a moment and made a decision.
“Okay. Got it. Go to that address and wait for me. I’ll come after the interview.”
As he hung up, the stylist’s brush, which had stopped, started moving again. Gently brushing along Muyoung’s curved forehead and nose.
“Muyoung, what are you going to do there?”
At Gyeongmin’s question, he slightly opened his eyes and murmured.
“They say the sooner you put out a fire, the better. I’m going to see it through to the end. No matter what happens, crashing into it will break something.”
If the culprit is caught before the interview airs, it would be even more effective.
As Muyoung finished, the assistant director came to call him again.
“We’re ready to shoot!”
“Okay. Coming.”
He adjusted his well-tailored clothes and walked confidently down the hallway. The expressions of the people looking at him varied. Some admired, some were curious, some pitied, and some looked at him with suspicion.
“Getting ready!”
“Slate!”
Muyoung exchanged eye smiles with Jung-yi and looked at the camera. Soon, the lights grew brighter, and the signal for the start of filming sounded.
Swoosh-!
“Entertainment World-! Hello, I’m MC Jung-yi! Today, we have the actor who’s shaking Chungmuro and Yeouido, the divine rookie, Ha Muyoung! Welcome!”