Chapter 179: Opportunity
[Ha Muyoung: Yuchan!]
[Yuchan: ??]
[Ha Muyoung: What are you doing? Where are you? Are you busy? I need your help]
[Yuchan: What’s up? Where are you?]
[Ha Muyoung: The broadcast station!]
“Yuchan!”
Yuchan was wandering around the crowded lobby of the broadcast station. Muyoung, who recognized him, shouted out to him. He was quite noticeable, perfectly made up in his dragon robe.
Even the busy staff glanced at him as they passed by.
“Ha Muyoung!”
“Wow, you got here fast?”
“I happened to be nearby on business.”
“Did I interrupt?”
“I was just heading back.”
Muyoung checked his watch in admiration.
He had shown up in just twenty minutes after being contacted. Things were going smoothly… It seemed like something big was about to happen. Muyoung smiled in satisfaction and led Yuchan inside.
“Do you know Blade’s Path? The drama I’m in these days.”
“Who in Korea doesn’t know about it?”
“Ohhh. You watch it too?”
“I make sure to tune in for every episode.”
The two friends, meeting after a long time, patted each other on the shoulders.
There was so much they wanted to talk about.
“I heard from Jin Seo. You were great throughout the shoot, right?”
“I heard from Jin Seo too? He said so many good things about me!”
“He’s full of useless talk…”
“Oh, by the way, did you contact the director? I heard he’s moving buildings. He said to come by if we have time.”
Jin Seo and Yuchan had worked together on Holly at the Hadong Theater, and Muyoung was Jin’s co-star in The Only Landlord. It was a connection they couldn’t have imagined when they were putting on the play.
“So, what do you need my help with?”
At Yuchan’s words, Muyoung checked his hair.
His black hair was neatly combed. Good, good. Nice!
“With eight additional episodes, a new character has been added. Jo Gwangjo’s opposition and Hong Sook-bin’s brother.”
“So?”
“Actor Ki Hyeonho was cast but might drop out. Want to replace him?”
Ding-dong!
The elevator doors opened as Muyoung spoke.
Yuchan froze in shock, as if wondering if he had heard correctly.
“The doors are closing?”
Muyoung laughed and pulled his arm.
Yuchan awkwardly stepped into the elevator, his expression still frozen in disbelief.
“…Why? Why?”
He meant, why was he being asked to do this?
Muyoung pressed the button for the 17th floor and answered.
The reason was simpler and clearer than he thought.
“When I heard Ki Hyeonho, I thought of Yuchan.”
“This is insane…”
“Ahaha. Just kidding. Just kidding.”
Seeing Yuchan’s horrified expression, as if he were about to pass out, Muyoung waved his hands.
“The conditions fit you perfectly. There are a lot of two-shots with me as King Jungjong, so we need good chemistry, and we had great chemistry at BV Academy and during Holly rehearsals.”
“Other actors could manage too.”
“We also need someone around my age.”
“There are plenty of actors in their 20s.”
“More than anything…”
Muyoung pondered, resting his chin on his hand. Then he smiled at Yuchan.
“You’re a great actor in many ways.”
He wasn’t just talking about acting skills.
Like Ki Hyeonho, Yuchan had once felt jealousy and inferiority toward Muyoung.
But didn’t he handle it differently?
He was someone who knew how to properly channel negative emotions. And more than anything, he was passionate about acting.
So, Muyoung judged him to have limitless potential and to be an actor who would positively influence the production.
“We’re all worried about the actor dropping out. Of course, it’s not confirmed, and you’d need to audition, but I’d love for you to join us and help our drama. Please.”
A request? Was he really asking for a favor?
It wasn’t just any drama—it was Blade’s Path. A drama that was breaking viewership records and making new history. Shouldn’t Yuchan be the one asking for a role?
Ding-dong!
Muyoung navigated the familiar path to the studio.
Yuchan, half in a daze, struggled to keep up. In the distance, he saw a familiar actor’s face.
“Yikes!”
It’s Cha Eun-seong!
As Yuchan gasped in admiration, Cha Eun-seong and the producer stared at them, equally surprised.
“What? You actually brought him?”
“He happened to be nearby on business. It’s fate, right?”
“Look at that quick action. You were planning this.”
“I wasn’t.”
The three of them chattered away, glancing at Yuchan.
The producer, a man, scrutinized Yuchan.
He’s good.
As Muyoung said, his looks and physique were above average.
“Yuchan, say hello. This is the producer and Cha Eun-seong.”
“Oh, hello. I’m Yuchan.”
“Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you in a short time.”
“Huh?”
The producer smiled at Muyoung.
“Muyoung said you’re the friend he learned acting from.”
Yuchan’s face flushed at his words. Wasn’t that too humble, too flattering?
Who learned from who…
The producer checked his watch and muttered.
“The set’s a mess right now, so let’s do this quickly. In about ten minutes.”
The producer spoke to Muyoung, not Yuchan.
It had only been a few hours since the incident. Ki Hyeonho was still crying in the waiting room, and the crew was exhausted from the indefinite standby.
“I’m satisfied with this for today, Muyoung. I’m really frazzled.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you.”
They weren’t planning to use Yuchan right away.
But they needed to find an actor, and since Muyoung’s recommendation was nearby…
“Producer!”
“Just a moment.”
The producer rushed onto the set at a staff member’s call.
In the empty hallway, Yuchan’s eyes widened in confusion, and Cha Eun-seong watched him with interest.
“He’s Muyoung’s friend?”
“Uh? Oh! Yes. Hello, I’m a huge fan.”
“Hmm.”
He seemed even more intimidating than on screen.
Without a word, Cha Eun-seong stretched, and Muyoung handed him a script.
“Yuchan, read this for now. The producer will focus on these parts.”
He pointed out the key parts, circling them neatly.
Luckily, since Yuchan had been keeping up with the drama, there was no need to explain the mood or narrative.
As Yuchan listened to the explanation, he cautiously spoke up.
“Uh, Muyoung.”
“Yeah?”
“…Can I really do this?”
At his words, Muyoung smiled softly.
“I hope you will. But you need to nail the audition.”
Muyoung was simply offering an opportunity.
It was entirely up to Yuchan to seize it.
“Yuchan, do you remember what the director said? That art needs someone to appreciate it.”
It was a once-in-a-lifetime turning point.
Not just any debut, but a golden opportunity to debut in Blade’s Path.
What actor could ever be this lucky?
“Do well and make sure you get it. Okay?”
“T-thank you.”
Yuchan gripped Muyoung’s script tightly.
He felt stunned, like he’d been struck by lightning. But at the same time, he felt a jolt of clarity.
He wasn’t sure why, but he could sense his life slowly shifting 180 degrees. How could he even describe this feeling…
Squeak-
Then, from the waiting room at the end of the hallway, Ki Hyeonho’s manager emerged. He glanced at Cha Eun-seong and grabbed a staff member.
“Where’s the producer?”
“He’s on set. Is Ki Hyeonho okay?”
“Hey!”
At the loud shout, Yuchan flinched reflexively. Cha Eun-seong yelled, looking annoyed.
“Why haven’t you checked out of the room yet?”
“…I don’t think shooting today is possible.”
“Not just today, but forever, got it?”
He tried to avoid Cha Eun-seong and enter the set.
The producer, who had just come out, ran into him.
“Uh, Producer.”
“Oh. Manager. I was just heading to your waiting room. The company and I will sort things out, so you can wrap things up now.”
“What about the next schedule…?”
“…Uh…”
The producer rolled his eyes and looked at Cha Eun-seong.
“You’re hopeless at taking a hint! Are you clueless?”
Yuchan’s eyes bulged as he watched the exchange. How could someone be so rude? Muyoung seemed unfazed, simply shaking his head.
“Since this project relies heavily on communication and chemistry between actors, let’s consider this a goodbye for now, Ki Hyeonho.”
“No, Producer. If you’re doing this suddenly, did you discuss it with the writer?”
There was a reason Ki Hyeonho had been chosen among many actors.
The writer’s production company was planning a drama, and Ki Hyeonho’s company’s lead actor was set to join.
With so many interests at play, the manager hadn’t expected Ki Hyeonho to be dropped so abruptly.
“I did reach out, but haven’t heard back. They must be handling things on their end.”
The manager was too flustered to speak properly.
Cha Eun-seong snapped at him.
“Clean up your own mess and step aside. Ugh. No manners, no sense, nothing going for you.”
Then he stormed onto the set.
In the confusion, Muyoung whispered to Yuchan.
“Ki Hyeonho and Cha Eun-seong had a big fight. The set’s a disaster.”
“Oh.”
Something huge had definitely happened.
The flustered manager rushed into the waiting room, calling someone on his phone, and the producer sighed, watching him.
“I never thought I’d deal with something like this.”
“Sorry, Producer.”
“No, not because of you, Muyoung. It’s just… strange people meeting. Tsk.”
By “strange people,” he meant both Ki Hyeonho and Cha Eun-seong. The producer checked his watch again.
“Come this way, Muyoung. And don’t think I’ll be nicer just because you recommended him.”
“Of course. I don’t expect that.”
But Muyoung was sure Yuchan would do well.
“I’ll only watch for ten minutes. That’s all I can manage.”
“Yes.”
Yuchan followed the producer nervously into a quiet office. Glancing back, he saw Muyoung pumping his fists, cheering him on.
Come on! You can do it!
He seemed to be puffing out air.
Yuchan smiled silently and felt his tension ease.
Muyoung tidied his dragon robe and headed to the set to stand by with Cha Eun-seong.
“When will the script be ready?”
“Haven’t heard yet. The producer seems swamped. Since Muyoung has a late schedule, we’ll wait until then, or wrap up if not.”
“Ugh. What a mess, all because of that jerk.”
Though Ki Hyeonho was gone, it was a day with both Cha Eun-seong and Ha Muyoung. They needed to get as much done as possible, even if it meant shooting scenes with just the two of them.
“But the producer’s taking a while.”
“Yeah. How much time has passed?”
Cha Eun-seong snacked on chips with a staff member.
Perhaps stiff from waiting, he kept stretching his back. Muyoung checked his phone.
“It’s been over 20 minutes already.”
He said 10 minutes max…
It was a good sign. The producer was spending extra time watching Yuchan.
Click-
“Has the writer responded?”
“Producer, where were you? Still no word.”
“I’m going crazy. Really.”
Another 30 minutes passed.
An hour after disappearing with Yuchan, the producer reappeared.
Muyoung watched him anxiously, but saw no noticeable change.
“Tell Director Kim to select and upload the previously shot footage, and you, contact the writer again—no, just go see her. She’s right in Yeouido.”
“Yes! Got it.”
“Tell the editing team the footage for today is canceled, so they can get some rest.”
“Wow. They’ll be shocked.”
“Me too. I’m about to lose it.”
“Producer! The script’s here!”
“Ah! Get ready to shoot!”
Perfectly timed, the new script arrived.
The staff cheered as they finalized shooting preparations. Muyoung and Eun-seong focused intently, poring over the script.
Squeak-
“Oh.”
Yuchan poked his head through the door.
Muyoung held up the script, smiling awkwardly, as if to say he couldn’t talk because they were suddenly shooting. Yuchan waved, understanding.
Then he shook his phone.
I’ll call you.
Okay. Sorry.
No worries. Thanks. Really, really thanks.
Too busy to notice, Muyoung failed to see that Yuchan’s bangs were slightly damp.
It was the trace of the sweat he’d poured into his passionate acting.
And the producer’s excited gaze, fixed on Yuchan, was lost in the chaos of the set.