Chapter 147:
Muyoung greeted the camera as the lights came on. A relaxed greeting with a bright smile.
“Hello. I’m rookie actor Ha Muyoung.”
“Muyoung! You must be really busy these days.”
“Still, I made time to see you, Jeong-nim.”
Jeong clutched her chest at his cheeky reply. The interview started more energetically than usual. The director holding the camera muttered to the staff.
“Jeong seems to be in a good mood today.”
“She’s a fan of Ha Muyoung.”
“Really?”
Well, that’s good. The PD is also getting a lot of push from Muyoung’s agency, and the host is a fan of Muyoung. There’ll be no sensational questions or editing for ratings.
Jeong proceeded with the interview according to the order on the cue sheet.
Behind her, numerous praise comments on the VCR.
-I trust and watch all of Mr. Ha Muyoung’s works!
-I’m always amazed when I see him act. He shows such diverse charms that I wonder if he’s even the same person. I’ll always support you!
-He’s not human,, he’s just ‘light’
-Don’t be surprised, everyone. Look at his face. Is that human?
-He even went to Seoyeon University. Definitely not human.
“Look at these wonderful comments!”
“Ahahaha.”
Muyoung covered his face with his hands, looking embarrassed. It was so cute that the camera zoomed in on his face. You’ve got to see the good stuff up close. Right!
The MC, who had been reciting Muyoung’s filmography and achievements, exclaimed in admiration.
4 million, 7 million, 32%.
She knew better than anyone what those three numbers meant for the past.
“Wow! I’ve been in the industry for 10 years since my debut, and I’ve hardly ever seen a case like this. It’s safe to say you’ve swept through the entertainment industry like a whirlwind.”
Jeong calmed down, putting on a performance of flinging the cue sheets. Muyoung laughed as he picked up the paper that had fallen at his feet.
“It’s thanks to the good projects and good people I’ve met.”
“So humble! Now, let’s get into the in-depth exploration. When did you first think about becoming an actor, Muyoung?”
“Around the time I graduated from high school.”
“Oh. Was there a particular reason?”
Muyoung calmly nodded at her question.
“My family situation wasn’t good. Worse than you can imagine. It was so hard that I thought, ‘If it stays like this, I’m really going to die.’ One day…… someone told me. That I could live a different life through acting.”
He gazed off into the distance. The past days replayed in his mind like a film.
The stale smell of alcohol in the semi-basement, the dust coming in through the window, the stepfather’s curses and violence, and that day.
The very day his first stroke of luck began.
Like a well-crafted film, that day came to mind like an opening scene. He didn’t know what the voice he heard on the brink of death was, but in the end, didn’t it make him live like a protagonist?
Living Muyoung’s life on the stage of another’s life.
Muyoung absently rubbed his stinging nose and answered.
“So I started. To survive.”
“It sounds like there’s a deep story there.”
“Who doesn’t have weight in their life, but it was a bit tough. A weight I couldn’t bear.”
The atmosphere naturally shifted.
It wasn’t Jeong’s style to start with serious talk from the beginning, but more importantly, the flow of the interview was key.
If anything, the PD would edit it nicely, cutting out the front and back.
“Yeah. Isn’t he the biggest issue these days?”
As if expecting it, Muyoung nodded with a smile.
“There was a school violence controversy about Ha Muyoung online. Of course, it was concluded that it wasn’t true, but during that process, Ha Muyoung’s response was very intense.”
“Yes. I thought it was better to convey it through words rather than writing.”
“The exposé mentioned the perpetrator’s parents-”
“My biological parents passed away when I was young. I was abused by my stepfather, but I never thought that would prove it.”
Muyoung talked about that time again with Jeong.
The host, who had been nodding along, slammed the table in empathy.
Bam!
“No, really! Our Muyoung has lived such a hard and difficult life, who would post something like that? I’d like to see their face!”
If it weren’t for the recording, she’d be cursing up a storm.
The writer scribbled ‘Calm down! Neutral!’ on a sketchbook and shook it.
“The police are investigating, so we’ll hear good news soon. And thankfully, many people are helping.”
Starting with Junho, the alumni, company officials, and guardians. Everyone was pitching in.
“I see. I hope it gets resolved well. Now, just a moment.”
Smack!
Jeong clapped her hands like a slate.
Usually, such important and heavy content is placed in the middle to latter part of the program, so she was marking an edit point.
“Now, what I’m curious about, and what you’re curious about, the stars’ schedules~ Tell me the schedule~”
Is this what a professional is? Jeong suddenly changed her tone 180 degrees and struck a silly pose. Muyoung blinked and laughed, finding it amusing.
“When’s your next project? Fans are really waiting. What’s your schedule like, Muyoung?”
“I’m preparing for a Nepflix original series. We’ll start filming soon. It’s called The Only Building Owner…….”
With three projects, all hits, there was no end to the stories he could tell.
Muyoung searched his memory and answered Jeong’s questions sincerely, and the recording continued for about three hours.
“This is going to be a lot of footage.”
“Yeah. Ha Muyoung’s got a way with words.”
“He’s smart, so he speaks coherently.”
“What should we do? There’s a lot of good stuff that’s a shame to cut.”
The PD and assistant director whispered, glancing at Ha Muyoung. The hottest rookie actor and the controversy that just broke. The PD muttered.
“Should we split it into two parts?”
With the preview showing the school violence and past, splitting it into two parts would guarantee ratings.
“No. You can’t touch Ha Muyoung these days.”
But the main writer and assistant director were horrified and stopped him.
This guy doesn’t get what’s going on! If you use Ha Muyoung and his past as bait…….
“The sympathy is no joke. School violence, false accusations, domestic violence, abuse, all that’s wrapped up, and society’s making a huge fuss. Even uninterested elders have probably heard about it by now? If you mess with him now, you’ll get mobbed.”
“Right. Seriously…….”
“The backlash would be insane right now.”
Muyoung was already falsely accused once. If you mess with him now?
“Then what should we do?”
“There’s no choice. We’ll have to extend the time. That’s the only way to keep it all in.”
“What should we cut? The corner right after the opening.”
“Movie Movie?”
“Reduce the movie introductions from three to two, and for the latter, hmm. Star and Guerrilla Date! We couldn’t do street casting, so it was delayed. Cut that.”
The assistant director frantically scribbled notes at the PD’s words.
Whether they knew the circumstances or not, Muyoung and Jeong continued the interview with perfect chemistry.
“Hmm. This is the last question.”
“Yes. I’m so sad, Jeong-nim.”
“Ah…… Turn off the camera. Jeong’s going to cry.”
“Hahaha.”
“What does happiness mean to Ha Muyoung?”
Muyoung paused at her question. It wasn’t on the question sheet sent in advance, so he wanted to give a raw answer. He smiled and said carefully.
“It’s simpler than I thought. Doing what you love, eating delicious food, laughing with friends, giving and receiving love, sleeping in a warm bed. I thought it would be grander, but happiness is easier than I thought.”
“Are you happy now?”
“I’m so happy. So I’m even more grateful. It’s all thanks to you.”
“Yes! Always happy, our precious actor, Ha Muyoung! May Ha Muyoung’s world always shine! See you next time~ Bye!”
As Jeong waved to the main camera, Muyoung also smiled and greeted her.
“Okay! Good job!”
“Thank you!”
“Thanks! Good work!”
“Muyoung! You were great today, how do you speak so well?”
“Naw. It’s all thanks to Jeong sunbae-nim.”
“The interview was so fun and good today. See you again.”
Muyoung finished filming, greeting Jeong and the production team. Bowing repeatedly, Muyoung left the studio with no time to straighten his back.
“Phew. It’s over.”
“Got all your stuff? It took a bit longer than expected.”
With so many interesting anecdotes, it took about an hour longer. Muyoung checked his phone and urged him.
“Yeah. Let’s go, Hyung.”
“You’re really going? To Dongjak-gu?”
“Of course. Junho’s been waiting.”
What’s there to say, Muyoung smiled and headed to the parking lot.
A two-story multi-family house. The address Changshik gave was on the first floor. Junho was waiting in the car, looking only at the house.
A van came through the narrow alley.
Squeak-
“Can’t come in. It’s too narrow here.”
“Junho-sseu!”
“Kyungmin-hyung, back up! Back up!”
Muyoung jumped out of the van, straightened his jacket, and approached Junho. The manager said he’d park on the main road and backed out of the alley.
“Did you get in touch?”
“She’s ignoring all calls and texts. But earlier, I saw the lights on the first floor turn on and off. Someone’s there, but no response.”
He’d rung the doorbell a few times, but no answer.
Muyoung fiddled with his phone in his jacket pocket and looked at the house. Oh, there it is.
‘Smog.’
Just like on the letter. Rather than coming from somewhere, it was enveloping the house like dust.
“What should we do?”
At Junho’s words, Muyoung pressed the doorbell.
Ding-dong-
“She’s not answering.”
“Hello. This is Ha Muyoung.”
With no response on the intercom, Muyoung showed his face and greeted.
“No response.”
“If you’re in, could you just-”
Squeak-
Before the doorbell sound faded, the front door opened. Muyoung poked his head in and checked inside. Through the door, which was open about the width of a palm, a woman looked out.
“I heard you bought our school’s graduation album on Joonggonara recently. Your name-”
“Kim Arong.”
“Arong. Is that right?”
She quickly ran out and opened the door. Black smog scattered eerily along her footsteps. Muyoung just watched silently.
“……Muyoung?”
“Yes. Hello.”
“Oh my!”
Kim Arong, about to fall over in excitement, reached for Muyoung’s hand. Junho lightly stopped her.
“You’re the one who bought the graduation album, right?”
“Muyoung…… You’ve been through a lot lately, haven’t you? What’s this all about? I’m a huge fan. No matter what anyone says, I believe in you, Muyoung. Of course, you wouldn’t do such a thing…….”
She mumbled incoherently, her voice half-garbled, so it was hard to understand. Muyoung looked her over carefully and stated his business.
“I’d like to retrieve the graduation album. A friend sold it due to circumstances, but the album holds special meaning, you know. I’ll pay double, even triple if you want…….”
She couldn’t meet Muyoung’s eyes and just stared at the ground. Still mumbling, she fidgeted with her fingers.
“And you know.”
A cold, stern voice. It was a tone Junho had never heard from Muyoung before.
“Is Kim Arong the one who wrote that post online?”