Chapter 18: Here it comes!
At the same time that the web drama was posted on MeTube in Seoul.
Muyoung climbed the dormitory stairs with tired steps. It’s already been almost two weeks since classes started, and I’m just getting here now.
‘I’ve been living a busy life.’
A week of filming. A week guarding Enbin’s side. At this rate, the scholarship might be out of reach. In that case, should I take a leave of absence?
Click.
The doorknob of room 501 turned weakly, like Muyoung’s shoulders. But the sounds coming through the gap were extremely noisy.
“No! It’s N30!”
“Supplies are running low. Want to go eat?”
“You’re crazy. What with the magnetic field coming! Ouch! I got hit!”
“Save me! Save me! Stone pot!”
Three men sat at their respective desks, playing games on their laptops. They were so focused that they didn’t even notice Muyoung coming in.
Muyoung, who was debating whether to say hello or not, noticed that his desk was piled with miscellaneous items.
‘What’s this?’
There were also textbooks and various papers. Muyoung tilted his head and looked at the desk.
‘Oh, it’s from the dormitory. That’s nice.’
Basic items like soap and toothbrushes. The roommates must have received them on Muyoung’s behalf because he wasn’t there. And they seemed to be using the ownerless desk as their extra space, too.
“Hello?”
Everyone’s eyes seemed glued to the game screen. Muyoung’s greeting was drowned out by the booming sound from the headset. Judging by their expressions, it looked like they were near the end. Determined, to say the least.
“If we can’t win this, let’s delete our IDs.”
“Of course.”
“Kill them all!”
Don’t disturb them, Muyoung thought, and sat in a chair, wiggling his feet. Then, he noticed a pile of papers on his desk.
[Dohran Creative Play: Human Home Shopping]
Dohran, isn’t that the theater club I saw on orientation day? Muyoung flipped through the papers while waiting for his roommates.
‘It’s still closer to a synopsis? But why is it so thick?’
[A middle-aged woman who is a recluse. She hasn’t left the house in almost ten years. Her family disappeared at some point, too. Her only pleasure is home shopping. It’s so convenient, just wiggle your fingers comfortably and everything in the world gets delivered to your home. The house is filled with unopened boxes, piled up to the point where there’s nothing left to buy. Then one day, she sees a home shopping broadcast on a strange channel—they’re selling people, too?]
The ‘products’ featured in the home shopping segment were four people: a young man and woman, and an old man and woman. Parts were omitted here and there, but there was a spoiler-like comment at the end.
[They were the protagonist’s childhood self, son, husband, and elderly self. The play was conceived as a reflection on the meaning of life and family, using the home shopping product introduction to revisit their lives.]
‘Where are they planning to submit this?’
There were separate sections clearly outlining the purpose, direction, and implications of the play. It was still incomplete overall, but Muyoung’s impression was……
‘It’s interesting?’
It was quite fascinating.
The subject matter itself was interesting, and the writing was good. Even the short script at the beginning vividly portrayed the atmosphere and direction of the play. Besides, the plot itself was perfect for a theatrical adaptation.
“Woaaah! Chicken! Chicken!”
“We’re number one!”
“I got 11 kills. That’s insane. Carry acknowledged?”
The cheers were as loud as a World Cup goal. Muyoung was startled and dropped the synopsis bundle.
Swish-
The papers softly scattered on the floor. It was only then that the roommates noticed Muyoung. Their faces were bright red. They all looked like they were having a lot of fun.
“Whoa! Who, who are you?”
“Oh, you startled me!”
Muyoung laughed and picked up the papers. Then, pointing to the desk with his finger, he introduced himself.
“Hello. I’m Ha Muyoung.”
“Ha Muyoung? Oh! The youngest! You’re finally here!”
“I thought you’d been discharged. When did you get here?”
“I just got here, but everyone was so focused.”
Choi Hwan and Park Munseong extended their hands to Muyoung in greeting. But Bonggun just squinted his eyes and scrutinized him. There was a strange sense of déjà vu—he must have seen him somewhere before.
“You’re the one who was promoting at the Dohran booth, right?”
“Ah!”
At Muyoung’s words, memories flooded back like lightning. Wasn’t he that neat freshman from orientation? Bonggun was so surprised he jumped up.
“Wow! It’s you?”
“What’s going on? Do you two know each other?”
“I saw his face at orientation.”
It was a strange connection. I thought it was quite memorable, but I never expected we’d end up living in the same dorm! Muyoung seemed to agree, smiling awkwardly.
“I’m sorry for looking at this. It was on the desk.”
“Huh? Oh, it’s okay.”
“Sorry. I’ll clear your space. The desk storage is a bit lacking, so I borrowed it a bit. Oh, and those essentials are from the student council.”
“Thank you.”
The three of them quickly cleared Muyoung’s space. Bonggun, who had been spinning his chair and looking at the synopsis, asked Muyoung casually.
“But have you read all of this?”
What should I call it? A divine revelation, perhaps. The problematic young man I’m writing about now—the protagonist’s son—his character isn’t coming together.
But here he was again, someone who seemed to fit the character perfectly, right in front of my eyes!
“Yes. It must be difficult for you, right?”
“No, no. It’s not like that. What do you think?”
“What do I think?”
“Just your personal impression.”
Choi Hwan and Park Munseong exchanged glances, wondering what Bonggun was up to. He didn’t even tell them the content, let alone his impressions.
“I found it interesting.”
“That’s it?”
“I did think the subject matter was optimized for theater. And the secrets of the characters moving between past and present were also intriguing. But……”
Muyoung stopped sorting his clothes and hesitated.
The protagonist and the other characters had distinct personalities, but the young man felt colorless and vague. Muyoung debated whether to speak, then, seeing Bonggun’s sparkling eyes, he spoke indirectly.
“I think you haven’t fleshed out the son’s character yet.”
“……Uh. Is it that obvious?”
Muyoung offered his opinion cautiously.
Since it was their first meeting, he couldn’t gauge his personality.
“The home shopping atmosphere is bright and lively, so I felt the characters were heavy to counterbalance that. But on the other hand, it might be fun to emphasize the humor and comedy. Since the son’s role is empty, it might be good to use that.”
Then he smiled broadly, his eyes narrowing.
As soon as Bonggun saw that expression, he imagined Muyoung standing on stage.
Not knowing what would happen if he were sold, purely promoting himself within the home shopping frame……
“Is the youngest one a literature major? Bonggun’s junior?”
“No, I’m in the Global Culture Department.”
“But the way you talk sounds experienced?”
“I like books.”
At Choi Hwan’s words, Muyoung just smiled and replied.
He’d heard that at auditions, too. Maybe he has a talent for this as well? He seems to have a certain sensibility when it comes to ‘characters.’
“Come on, you haven’t eaten dinner, have you?”
“No, I just got here.”
“Let’s go. There’s a great chicken place near the back gate. Today’s the day for chicken! Let’s mix some soju with beer! I’ve been waiting for you, youngest, to come!”
“Right. What have you been doing that you haven’t been in the dorm?”
“No! Don’t tell him! I’ll hear the details while drinking. Hehehe.”
Park Munseong happily stomped his feet and grabbed his jacket. Was winning the game that exciting?
“Bonggun, you’re coming too, right? It’s the youngest’s welcome party.”
“No. You guys go ahead and eat.”
“Why not-!”
“I feel like writing.”
Bonggun said that and put his headset back on. This time, instead of game sounds, the home shopping opening music blared loudly.
“Uh……”
“It’s okay. He does that often. If he gets inspired, he’ll even come out of the shower naked to write. Let’s go, just us.”
As Muyoung blinked in confusion, Choi Hwan just laughed and pushed the youngest’s back.
Thud!
The dormitory door closed, and Bonggun focused on the inspiration welling up endlessly. Of course, the source of that inspiration was Muyoung’s smile.
That night was special.
Tap-tap-
It was the birth of the 19th winner of the ‘Daehan University Literature Award,’ a play that would later become a mega-hit in Daehangno. And it was the night Muyoung’s first video was uploaded.
“Come on! Drink! Youngest!”
“Wow. You drink well.”
“Web drama filming? Yeah. I thought you looked good. You’re tall, too. Are you planning to become an actor?”
Above all, it was the first time in Muyoung’s life that he got completely drunk.
“Ugh-”
Muyoung clung to the corner of the classroom hallway and dry-heaved. Those crazy people. How could they drink for two days in a row?
‘The seniors are in their last semester, so they don’t have many classes.’
While Muyoung struggled to get to school, they were still sleeping soundly in bed. Still……
‘It was fun.’
I just found out that alcohol makes people feel good. The aftermath is severe, but it’s definitely a unique experience.
Creak-
Muyoung barely held his churning stomach and entered the classroom. But the atmosphere felt a bit strange?
“Did you see this?”
“Yeah. It’s him, right?”
“This is huge. Is this the direction he’s going in?”
“He’s a good actor. He didn’t lose to Enbin at all when they were together.”
Murmur, murmur. It wasn’t exactly noisy, but there was a strangely excited atmosphere. Muyoung felt something was off, but he tried to ignore it. He didn’t have the energy to care.
“Ha Muyoung!”
Then, the department head and his friends called Muyoung. In an instant, all eyes in the classroom turned to him.
“What are you?”
“Why? Do you still smell?”
I tried to get rid of the alcohol smell……
Muyoung sniffed his sleeve. The department head looked confused, as if wondering what he was talking about, then excitedly showed his phone.
“MeTube’s real-time trending video number one! It’s you!”
The web drama uploaded to the Seoul account.
Enbin and Muyoung’s faces were featured prominently in the thumbnail.
He hadn’t checked at all because he’d been drinking for two days straight. When Muyoung laughed in surprise, the department head grabbed his shoulder and shook him.
“What is it! What are you!”
“Ah, just a second, my stomach-”
“This already has 700,000 views! By the way, what’s Enbin like in person? Tell me quickly!”
As the department head shook him, Muyoung wobbled and desperately covered his mouth.
“Ugh-!”
“Ha Muyoung! Dude!”
Leaving his curious friends behind, Muyoung rushed to the bathroom. Why are you shaking me, anyway? While Muyoung was throwing up, his phone rang.
Zing. Zing.
It was the team leader from Square Film.