Chapter 159: Historical Drama
“Cha Eun-seong? How was he?”
It was the weekend after a long time. They sat around the ordered chicken and poured drinks. In response to Junho’s question, Muyoung shrugged his shoulders.
“He was a bit strange.”
Cha Eun-seong, who said he would only stop by for a moment, stayed for another thirty minutes before leaving.
He kept nitpicking at the PD and writer’s words and picking fights with Muyoung… It was really…
“For a star, he seemed to have a lot of time.”
“Really? I heard Cha Eun-seong has a really bad reputation.”
“How so?”
“Well, the usual. He shows up on the day of the shoot and complains about the clothes, this, and that. He gets annoyed at junior writers, and if the work is delayed even a little, he ends it by making someone cry.”
“Wow. That’s something. He doesn’t look like that.”
“He doesn’t? He looked like a complete thug to me.”
In response to Bora’s words, Junho replied,
“What are you talking about? He’s handsome in a sophisticated way. He’s manly, and he’s the type who looks good in a military uniform? I used to be really into him after watching Goblin’s Bride.”
Is there any woman in South Korea who hasn’t imagined being with Cha Eun-seong at least once? In response to Bora’s words, Junho grumbled and chugged his cola.
“So, are you going to do the project?”
“Yeah. That’s separate from him—”
No matter how much power Cha Eun-seong had, the PD had absolute authority over casting.
“It all worked out well. I got along well with the writer, and the PD seemed like a good person.”
“They’re almost like partners. You’ll have great chemistry. I’m looking forward to it.”
“This is their third project together.”
Muyoung smiled and took a bite of the chicken leg.
And what matched best of all was the appearance fee.
“How much do you want?”
In response to Gyeongmin’s question, Muyoung just smiled silently.
“I don’t care.”
“Then should the company negotiate something reasonable?”
“Yes, please.”
He had now risen to a position where he could negotiate. In the past, it was just a fixed pay—take it or leave it…
“When you start this project, treat me again.”
“I’m treating you right now?”
“Hey. This is for wrapping up that building owner thing.”
“You’re good at sticking things on.”
There seemed to be a lot of talk between the company and the production company. The decided pay was 20 million won per episode. Considering it was a historical drama with up to 24 episodes, a huge amount of money was expected to come in.
“It’ll easily exceed 400 million.”
Of course, after taxes and other deductions, it would be a bit less.
Dramas have rerun fees, so considering that, it would be even more.
“When I did You Are a Star, I Am a Star, it was 500 per episode. Daebak!”
His price had nearly quadrupled.
He never thought the boost from Street Sunlight, which he filmed in between, would be this big. The Only Building Owner was a Nepflix original, so it was calculated a bit differently.
“By the way, are you going to keep living here?”
“Huh? Why?”
“If you’re earning a lot, you should buy a house.”
“…I still have a long way to go before I can afford a better place than this.”
Where would you even find a 70-pyeong Han River view officetel? In response to Muyoung’s words, Junho sighed and muttered,
“That’s why they say building owner, building owner.”
“I don’t like hearing that from a building owner’s son. Ah, wait a minute.”
Just then, a text came in on his phone.
Ding.
[Mr. Ha Muyoung. This is Sof Cafe. We are scheduled to arrive at your destination at 3 PM today. Thank you for using our service.]
“What is it?”
“Oh. It’s a text about the coffee truck I sent.”
“Where to?”
“The Only Building Owner.”
“Isn’t it over?”
“It is for me.”
But the outdoor shooting team was still running around the mountains and fields for the CG shooting. The same went for the special makeup actors, including Uncle Jeong-gil.
“It’s been hot lately, so I sent it.”
“Ohhhh. Ha Muyoung.”
Muyoung, who used to share lukewarm canned coffee on hot days, could now take responsibility and send a coffee truck.
Muyoung lay down on the sofa and laughed.
“Earning money is so good.”
“Yeah. It’s the endorphin and reason for office workers’ lives.”
“Bora, how’s your next project going?”
“I’m auditioning, but it’s not going well.”
It wasn’t easy to find a role that matched what she wanted to do and what the production company wanted.
Suddenly, Muyoung thought that getting into a project so smoothly itself might be a blessing from the flower pollen.
“There’s nothing greater than being on the same page.”
“You’ll find a good project soon. Don’t worry.”
“What worry? I’m not worried. I’ll play with Junho when I have time. Right?”
“Yeah. Right. I’m so happy when Bora is free.”
The two locked eyes and smiled lovingly.
Ueeeek. Muyoung stuck out his tongue and pretended to gag. He had known Junho for over five years, but he still couldn’t get used to that tone and attitude.
“Muyoung, aren’t you pushing yourself too hard without any breaks?”
“You have to do it when you can.”
In response to Bora’s worried question, Muyoung smiled and answered.
Since his unofficial debut in Late Night Pocha, he had never had a break. He filmed one or two projects a year, and since they all did well…
Another job came pouring in.
“So, when is the reading?”
Ding.
Muyoung, who was about to check his phone calendar, paused at the sudden message. It was a selfie from Jeong-gil, who had taken a huge photo of his face while holding a cup of coffee.
[Muyoung, what’s with the coffee truck? It’s hot, and everyone’s saying they’re saved^^ Thanks. I wish my son were just half as good as you. Let’s go eat meat again.]
He was still wearing tight clothes, and the shooting scene in the background looked the same. Muyoung smiled and replied,
“Uh, next week?”
That meant it was the second day he would meet Cha Eun-seong.
Muyoung visited the production company again. Unlike Muyoung, who walked lightly in a hoodie and jeans, Gyeongmin looked like he was going into battle.
“Hyung. Loosen up a bit.”
“Huh? Is it that bad?”
“It’s very bad.”
He was scowling, giving off a strong vibe of “Don’t mess with Ha Muyoung.” Muyoung smiled and entered the building.
“Hello.”
“Oh, Mr. Ha Muyoung. Come in.”
“Am I not late?”
“No. You still have 20 minutes left.”
Since it was a historical drama, more than half of the supporting actors were veterans. That meant Muyoung was the youngest and most junior in the project.
“Please sit and wait. Have some drinks.”
“Thank you.”
Muyoung sat in a chair, and Gyeongmin stood behind him, rummaging through his bag. Just then, he was about to hand over the script.
Squeak—
The door opened, and someone came in. Muyoung, who stood up reflexively, locked eyes with Cha Eun-seong.
“Oh!”
“Oh! my ass.”
“Hello, senior.”
He scowled and sat across from Muyoung. His manager, who followed him in, cleared the set water and placed his personal tumbler.
“You’re early.”
“What? Did you think I couldn’t even read a clock?”
Twisted, twisted.
He’s properly twisted!
Muyoung smiled and shook his head.
“You’re so busy, so I thought you’d arrive right on time.”
“…You, stop being so unnecessarily cheerful.”
The response to his friendly words was too harsh.
Muyoung blinked in surprise, and Cha Eun-seong took a sip and said,
“There are no cameras here, so cut it out.”
Cha Eun-seong had seen countless people in this line of work.
He didn’t know if other industries were like this, but this one was full of people whose outsides and insides were different.
At first, they acted friendly, but later, they would show their true colors and turn on him—it wasn’t uncommon.
“Don’t try to get on my good side. I don’t trust people who smile like you.”
His attitude was extremely hostile, but Muyoung smiled even brighter and replied,
“Oh, I see. I thought you disliked me. Ahahaha. I’m relieved.”
“…?”
At his words, Cha Eun-seong and his two managers tilted their heads. Didn’t he just say that?
But Muyoung interpreted it differently.
Disliking and not trusting are completely different feelings.
Just as Cha Eun-seong was about to retort, the door opened, and a group of middle-aged men came in.
Squeak.
“Oh? Our leads are already here?”
“Ah! Hello, teachers. I’m Ha Muyoung, playing King Jungjong. Nice to meet you.”
“Aigo. Nice to meet you~”
“Speak comfortably.”
“I’ve been wanting to see you, Muyoung.”
“For your age, your acting is so lively.”
“Jinrim said you’re very capable.”
“That’s too kind.”
They were veteran actors playing the roles of ministers. Since they were all old enough to be his father, they seemed to be connected to Teacher Jinrim somehow.
“I watched Street Sunlight. I’ve seen it twice.”
They surrounded him like a beloved grandson, praising him. As they laughed and chatted, one of the teachers looked at Cha Eun-seong.
“Oh, Cha Eun-seong.”
He extended his hand. Cha Eun-seong just stared at it blankly. Huh? No way?
“He couldn’t be that much of a jerk…”
Muyoung and Gyeongmin froze slightly, watching Cha Eun-seong’s reaction. He sighed lightly, shook hands, and briefly greeted him.
“I’m Cha Eun-seong.”
“Right! You must be busy these days?”
“No, I’m not.”
His tone wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t exactly polite either. Muyoung quickly shifted the topic back to himself, drawing the teacher’s attention.
Squeak.
“Oh? Is everyone here?”
“PD-nim! Hello.”
“Aigoo, it’s been a while, teachers. We’ll be taking photos for the article today, so a reporter will join us later.”
Except for Cha Eun-seong, the atmosphere was as good as it could be. Muyoung glanced at him and took his seat.
“Well, let’s start with the formal introductions.”
“Hahaha. Sure.”
“Hello. I’m Han Jae-hyeon, directing The Blade’s Path. I’ll grind my soul to make a good project.”
The reading began with the PD’s greeting. Muyoung and Cha Eun-seong also introduced their roles.
“…This is annoying.”
He was told not to smile, but he kept smirking, and Cha Eun-seong regretted sitting across from Ha Muyoung.
Since one thing bothered him, everything else did too.
“Save the acting for in front of the camera.”
He used to be like that too. As a rookie.
He would smile and exchange fake greetings, give and receive compliments. But the more years he spent, the more pointless it all seemed. Cha Eun-seong flipped through the script absentmindedly.
“Then, shall we begin?”
At the PD’s words, the noise died down, and the room fell silent. Since Chapter One was mainly an action scene with the Jungjong coup, they skipped it…
“Mr. Ha Muyoung? Could you start with King Jungjong’s narration?”
“Yes, of course.”
Muyoung took a moment to calm his breath and focused on the text.
It was his first time attempting a historical drama tone, so he and Bora had practiced repeatedly at home. She and Junho said it sounded pretty good… But what would others think?
“I’m nervous.”
Cha Eun-seong watched Muyoung absentmindedly, his chin propped up, as if challenging him.
He seemed to be wondering just how good this guy, who was so popular these days, really was.
“…On a day when the autumn colors were in full bloom, I became king.”
The moment Muyoung spoke, Cha Eun-seong’s eyes widened slightly. The hand propping up his chin fell unconsciously.