Chapter 176: A New Character
-No wayㅋㅋㅋㅋ the bank manager should’ve died thereㅋㅋ
-But Muyoung solved the problem too quickly, so he just lived;
-Out of all the roleplaying I’ve done so far, this was the smallest in scale, but it was so fun to watchㅋㅋㅋ What’s up with the bank robbery~
-I was in stitches when they were asking for details while getting loan adviceㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ the actor was so realistic
-Has anyone seen The Only Landlord on Nepflix? What do you think?
-Watch it right now;; there’s a reason it became number one in Korea as soon as it opened. Honestly, our CG skills aren’t worse than the West’s, right?
-Right, right. Nothing feels out of place, and it’s completely immersive.
-Muyoung’s acting is amazing, and the CG is even more amazing.
-I saw the making-of film, and all the monsters were the actors themselves. Everyone worked so hard!
-They said pre-production was finished, so why are there only two episodes a week??? Why are you the only ones watching it???
-Does anyone know where Mori Building is? I want to go play, the air is nice and quiet.
-Where was it? Gapyeong? They built the entire building and haven’t demolished it yet.
-Whoa. I should go this weekend.
Muyoung chewed on his meatballs and scrolled through his phone screen.
The Only Landlord opened on the same day as Roleplaying aired.
[Brainy Ha Muyoung, even tricky problems are a one-second cut?!]
[Ha Muyoung and Jin Seo’s acting skills shock the bank robbers!]
[‘We’re a couple’ Ha Muyoung♡Jin Seo variety show outing]
[Nepflix Korea’s The Only Landlord becomes the most-watched video in Korea on its first day of opening]
Just then, the cameraman patted him on the shoulder.
His skin was slowly browning from the continuous outdoor shoots. Muyoung opened a new bottle of water and handed it to him.
“Wow. Muyoung. Roleplaying was fun, huh?”
“Oh. Really? Thank you.”
“I heard the viewership was pretty good?”
“Honestly, I don’t think Jin and I were very immersed, but it looked like they edited it well.”
They should have been trembling a bit more to fit the Roleplaying worldview, but it was just fun, so it was a shame. It didn’t seem out of place in the broadcast because of the editing and directing, though.
“It’s fine. You can’t just stand there trembling and banging your head, right?”
“Is that so? Hahaha.”
“Yeah. It was fun. I didn’t know Muyoung was good at mental math.”
“Director, you should eat, right? Did you eat the lunch box?”
“Eat. I’ll eat with our team.”
The cameraman waved his hand as he spoke.
What Muyoung was eating now was a lunch box from Cha Eun-seong’s fan cafe. A lunch box full of love with stickers that said, ‘I love national actor Cha Eun-seong.’
“Uh. Muyoung. Where’s Eunseong?”
“Over there, he’s busy taking certification shots.”
The PD approached with the script in hand.
At the end of Muyoung’s gaze, Cha Eun-seong was posing under a big tree. He was wearing a jeogori and holding a lunch box. In front of him, the manager was lying down, taking pictures.
“What is it?”
“Oh. Nothing much. We got eight more episodes, right? The writer called and said a new character might be added.”
He handed the script in his hand to Muyoung.
It was eight episodes. One-third of the original was added, so revisions to the latter part were inevitable. Thanks to that, the number of last-minute scripts was increasing.
“A new character?”
“The writer is thinking about it. It’s unavoidable to maintain the story’s volume.”
“Yes. Of course, I understand.”
The story of Jeongjong and Jo Gwangjo was the main focus, but their political struggles involved numerous ministers and royal family members. The writer wanted to bring out their colours more, but there were limits.
“Do you know who it will be? Any candidates?”
“……Well. I think the most likely candidate is Hee-bin Hong’s brother.”
Hee-bin Hong was the youngest daughter of founding father Hong Gyeongju and a concubine of King Jungjong. Later, she concocted a false conspiracy that someone with the surname Jo would become king, providing a pretext to remove Jo Gwangjo.
“Hee-bin Hong has a brother?”
“She was the second daughter out of one son and two daughters. But there’s almost no information about the two older siblings, so I think the writer will create them. To help Hong Gyeongju and Hee-bin shake up the Sarim faction.”
Maybe they’ll be the ones to come up with the idea of Jo’s conspiracy. Like writing it in honey on a leaf and letting ants eat it.
Of course, it’s a rumour from the wild history books, and it’s impossible in reality, but what couldn’t people do to hold onto power?
“There seems to be an insider.”
Muyoung asked, chewing his rice carefully.
The PD stumbled at his sharp question.
Anyway, he’s got a dirty good eye, unlike his appearance.
Muyoung laughed at the gesture of how he knew.
“I thought, ‘Why?’ Out of all the characters in that era, it just so happens to be Hee-bin Hong’s brother, who has almost no information.”
I can’t take it.
The PD clicked his tongue and brought up the main topic.
“Do you know actor Gi Hyeon-ho?”
“Huh? I think I’ve heard it somewhere.”
“We’re discussing that actor, and I’m asking if there are any problems.”
Gi Hyeon-ho. His surname was so unique that even if he heard it in passing, it stuck in his mind. Like Muyoung, he was active as a rookie actor, but he was a couple of years older.
“Ah. No problem. It’s fine.”
“Really? I guess there’s no need to ask Cha Eun-seong.”
“Eunseong? Why?”
“I know they had a big fight, but their relationship is similar. The manager said so.”
Either completely separated or completely uninterested.
For Cha Eun-seong, it was one or the other.
Muyoung nodded, scraping the last of his rice.
Then, Cha Eun-seong called him from afar.
“Hey! Ha Muyoung! Come here and take a picture, too.”
“Me too?”
“If you ate, you should say thanks.”
“Yes, sir!”
Muyoung certified the cleaned lunch box and drew a heart with his hands. As always, the combination of hanbok and modern things was very charming. When he put on sunglasses, a playful atmosphere was added.
“What did the PD say? I don’t know why he’s so busy working without eating.”
“Oh. He said a new role might be added, and asked if we were on good terms.”
“A new role?”
“Hee-bin Hong’s brother.”
“Then why didn’t he ask me?”
Cha Eun-seong took off his sunglasses and looked for the PD. Muyoung pulled his collar and made an excuse.
“……He gets along with almost everyone, so that’s why.”
Acting is easy, but lying is a bit difficult. Muyoung fixed his gaze only on the camera lens without looking at Cha Eun-seong. Cha Eun-seong, who was chewing over those words, smiled satisfactorily and crossed his arms.
“Yeah. I’m pretty cool in that regard.”
“……Manager! Do you need to take more pictures?”
“I think this is enough. Thank you, Muyoung. Our Eunseong fans really like you, too. Since Blade’s Path was such a hit.”
So Cha Eun-seong’s fan cafe is called Eunseong Country.
“So who is it?”
“Gi Hyeon-ho? They say he’s the most likely. Do you know him?”
“How would I know every single one of those kids?”
“……You have a really good personality.”
“Why does he keep saying obvious things?”
You’re also very perceptive.
Muyoung sighed and organized the lunch box.
Whoever it is, I hope they have a good influence on the drama. And preferably a good personality, too.
A few days later.
Consecutive shoots of Blade’s Path were scheduled at the Hanok Theme Park. The weather was getting hotter, it was an outdoor shoot, and with last-minute scripts, the staff and actors were getting sensitive……
“Whew-”
Even Muyoung, who never showed signs of struggle, sighed. Cha Eun-seong was also suffering from the heat, holding a handheld fan to his face.
“Muyoung. Are you okay? Your clothes are a bit hot, right?”
“I’m fine. But I need some water……”
“The ice melted right away, so there’s only lukewarm water. The manager went to buy some.”
He was drenched in sweat from wearing layers of hanbok. And then more makeup on top of that. Ugh. It’s so stuffy.
“Just hang in there. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be shooting on set.”
“Yes. You must be hot, too.”
“What am I doing?”
“You’re holding the clothes and standing still.”
Muyoung sighed and fanned her. The weather was really the enemy. It was so hot that he was scared to think about how it would be in midsummer.
While everyone was silently doing their jobs in the sweltering heat and fatigue……
Squeak.
A van entered the set.
He thought it was the manager’s car, but it was a strange car, not Muyoung’s. Peeking out the window was none other than Gi Hyeon-ho.
“Oh. I came to the right place. Hello!”
Click-
As soon as he got out of the car, he bowed to the staff he met. At the sudden commotion, people’s eyes were focused.
“Oh? It’s Gi Hyeon-ho?”
With bright brown hair and a friendly impression. His soft and clear eyes seemed to be his charm point. He took out three or four large bags from the trunk and handed them to the staff.
“Hello. I’m rookie actor Gi Hyeon-ho.”
“Aah. Hello.”
“He’s going to play Hee-bin Hong’s brother, right?”
“Yes! That’s right! I joined this time! Nice to meet you!”
Inside the vinyl bags were half-frozen drinks.
Just in time, as they were needed. People shared the drinks with expressions of relief.
“I saw him somewhere, he was the second male lead in Aryeon Lotus, right?”
“Ahaha. Thank you. I’m honoured that you recognized me!”
“Are you shooting today?”
“No. I’m starting next week, but I came to say hello in advance. I’m going to the hair salon today to cover my hair in black.”
He was quite a friendly person.
He immediately had a warm conversation with the staff.
Muyoung also took a difficult step towards him.
I also…… need a cool drink……
As Muyoung approached, he smiled brightly and held out his hand.
“Hello, Ha Muyoung!”
“Hello. Nice to meet you.”
“Wow. It’s an honour to see you in person. I’m a big fan. I’ve seen all of Ha Muyoung’s movies and dramas.”
“Thank you!”
“Do you know what I’ve been in?”
“Yes?”
Muyoung asked back at the unexpected question.
He waved his hand and answered jokingly.
“Actually, I’m also from Late Night Pocha!”
“Really?!”
His stuffy voice became lively.
Late Night Pocha, the web drama he did with Enbin at the beginning. It was Muyoung’s first acting start, and Gi Hyeon-ho was in it too! What a coincidence.
“Wow. That’s amazing. It’s a small world.”
“You were in the early episodes, right? I was a customer in the last episode. I debuted with that.”
“Aah. I see. It’s really nice to meet you.”
Muyoung clapped his hands and expressed his joy with his whole body. And he looked at the drink longingly.
Now I just need a sip……
“Ah. You must be hot.”
At the moment when Gi Hyeon-ho opened the drink and handed it to him, Muyoung’s hand touched it, and Gi Hyeon-ho let go of the drink.
Whoosh!
“Huh?”
“Oh dear.”
The blue ade fell to the floor and spilled.
As Muyoung blinked in surprise, Gi Hyeon-ho squatted down and grabbed the drink.
“Oh my. Muyoung. What’s wrong?”
“Your hand slipped, I guess. What about the bottom of your clothes?”
“Oh dear. Here, take mine. The kid has been weak since earlier.”
The coordinator checked the bottom and handed over his drink. Just now, didn’t Gi Hyeon-ho let go of his hand first?“
Muyoung tilted his head in wonder and looked at Gi Hyeon-ho, but he just smiled.
“I’ll be counting on you, Ha Muyoung.”
“Yes……”
Gi Hyeon-ho looked at Ha Muyoung’s expression and held out his hand again. He felt a strange thrill, thinking he had taken the lead.
‘Ha Muyoung. Let’s do our best.’
Was it because they started on the same level? The jealousy and inferiority Gi Hyeon-ho felt towards Muyoung was older than he thought.
While he was grinding his teeth, Muyoung slowly scanned Gi Hyeon-ho from head to toe.
‘What’s up?’
Gi Hyeon-ho met Muyoung’s gaze.
But what Muyoung scanned from top to bottom was to check for smog.
‘……Hmm. His personality seems a bit strange, but there’s no smog. I guess it’s nothing.’