Chapter 189: Camera Test
Whirring sound—
In a shop in Cheongdam. It was an awkward time of day, so the store was quiet. The designer dried Muyoung’s wet hair with a hairdryer.
Nodding off, Muyoung’s head kept dropping forward. The designer leaned in without waking him up.
“Designer. What should I do with this?”
“Shh. I’ll do it later.”
“Oh my. His hair turned out so well.”
“It’s his first time bleaching it. He was worried, but as expected, it’s perfect. Really.”
Whispering, the staff glanced at Muyoung and gossiped.
Muyoung was so sleepy he wouldn’t notice even if someone carried him off. He was literally like an angel. His white skin stood out even more with his platinum blonde hair illuminated by the light.
Clear and bright meeting to create a glow—it was the perfect situation.
“Ugh—”
The warm dryer finally woke Muyoung up.
He naturally wiped his lips and asked,
“Are you done?”
“Yeah. Just drying your hair.”
“Whoa. Awesome.”
“Do you want me to touch up your hair? Do you have plans?”
At the designer’s words, Muyoung fully woke up. It’s really platinum blonde. Oh my. Muyoung rubbed his eyes and smiled awkwardly.
“It’s so weird.”
“Not at all. It suits you because your skin is so pale. Really.”
“Right. We get a lot of idols at our shop, but this is the first time it suits someone so well.”
“Muyoung really chose his role well this time. He’s going to have a great image transformation.”
“It’s hard to look good without makeup, but I guess you need good skin.”
The staff were excited and shouted at the unexpected results. But even at their praise, Muyoung just touched the ends of his hair awkwardly.
“Enbin and Romin weren’t this good.”
“It’s okay. It’s okay. For doing it twice, it turned out really well.”
Muyoung smiled shyly and rubbed his face.
“Should I style your hair?”
“No. I’m going to a meeting, so you don’t have to.”
As his hair dried poofily, his hair shone even brighter.
Wearing a sleeveless shirt and jeans, when he pushed his hat back, he looked like a foreign youth.
“You have a camera test at today’s meeting, right?”
“Yes. Probably.”
“It’ll look less weird on screen.”
“Who’s your co-star?”
At the staff’s words, Muyoung tilted his head for a moment.
The name was a bit unusual, so he got it mixed up.
“Chu, Chu Suan?”
“Ahh. Chu Suan.”
“Good-looking combo.”
Even if you say it roughly, he understands perfectly.
Since it was a name Muyoung had never heard before, he had to search for it on the portal.
“Really? Do we match?”
“Yeah. Our auras are different. One is delicate and the other is thick.”
If I were to put it roughly, he’s like a bear.
He was an actor with a good build and an oppressive aura who had been a fighter in college. Thanks to that, he mainly played rough roles like gangsters, thugs, and homicide detectives.
“Muyoung. Are you done?”
“Yes. We can go when you’re ready.”
“Wow! What is this! Your face is glowing!”
“Come on. Let’s go.”
When Gyeongmin made a fuss, Muyoung grabbed his arm, looking embarrassed, and left the store. And as soon as he got in the car, he looked at his hair this way and that in the mirror.
“Does it really not look weird?”
“You’re pretty.”
“Geez, this feels weird.”
“Did you bring the script? Today, you’re just going to meet Chu Suan and Kim Woo-ri. You’re only going to do a camera test with those two.”
“Is it confirmed?”
“Pretty much.”
Chu Suan was Kim Butler, Muyoung’s right-hand man. Kim Woo-ri was the victim with the most presence. They were both his senior and older than him.
“What are they both like?”
Muyoung asked, flipping through the script.
“Eunseong told me you’re a total weirdo.”
“……Did you tell Cha Eunseong that?”
“Ahahaha. Of course not.”
Gyeongmin just smacked his lips and looked forward. Like Cha Eunseong, he had no particular image in mind, so he tilted his head several times as he chose his words.
“Uh, Chu Suan is a man of few words.”
“Wow, really? That suits his impression.”
Looking at him, it seemed like he didn’t know how to ‘smile’. The photos floating around online all had stiff expressions.
“You know that scene where the victim runs down the hallway trying to escape?”
Unfazed by the victim’s screams, Do-gyeong smiled leisurely.
When he lifted his head toward Kim Butler standing beside him, Kim Butler walked over and grabbed the victim’s hair, pulling them in front of him.
Do-gyeong’s ruthless and loyal dog.
If Do-gyeong hadn’t included him in the sketch, Kim Butler would have gladly given everything he had.
“I was looking at Chu Suan’s photos on my phone, and that scene just came to mind. I think the image and role really suit each other.”
At Muyoung’s words, Gyeongmin nodded in agreement.
Several cars had already arrived at the production company. When Muyoung went inside, the staff greeted him with surprise.
“You bleached your hair! Muyoung!”
“I just did it. It’s still warm.”
“Wow. It suits you so well. Director Kim! Take a look at Muyoung!”
“What— Oh!”
Kim, who was drinking mixed coffee, almost spat it out.
She couldn’t help but stomp her feet at the angelic look that was even better than she had imagined.
“This is crazy. Really.”
She seemed eager to start filming right away.
Muyoung smiled and pointed to the meeting room inside.
“Is this where we’re doing it?”
“Yes. Please go in. Everyone will be here in about ten minutes.”
Kim, who was making a fuss and running around the office. Muyoung smiled lightly at her and opened the door to the meeting room.
“Ah.”
Creak.
Chu Suan was sitting there.
He was wearing a suit, fitting for the role of Kim Butler.
He looked at Muyoung with sharp eyes. His thick eyebrows and strong facial features were very tough.
“Hello. Senior. I’m Ha Muyoung.”
“……”
“You got here early?”
“……”
“It’s so hot today, and you’re wearing a suit! You’re amazing!”
While Muyoung chattered, giving two thumbs up, he didn’t say a word.
When Muyoung stopped talking, an awkward silence fell.
Even though the situation was quite rude, Muyoung didn’t feel annoyed for some reason.
‘He’s spewing so many flower petals.’
It was because of the flower petals fluttering around him.
Since it had been a while since he saw someone with flower petals, Muyoung sat across from Chu Suan, smiling and making eye contact.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“……Hello.”
“Yes?”
……??? What?
What is this three-beat late greeting?
Muyoung stopped rummaging through his bag to get some water.
When he smiled and tilted his head, Chu Suan’s face turned red. Of course, his expression remained stiff.
“……I’m not good with strangers.”
“Ah.”
Not only is he not good with strangers, but his reactions are a bit slow, too. He was a very interesting character. Muyoung propped his chin up and studied him.
How is he going to act like that?
“Ahaha. Since I’m your junior and younger, speak comfortably, Senior.”
“……”
There was no response again. He was definitely thinking about how to politely refuse. But Muyoung didn’t wait and continued speaking.
“Have you met Senior Kim Woo-ri?”
There was an underlying tone of, I was going to tell you to speak comfortably. At Muyoung’s question, Chu Suan lightly shook his head.
“Then, it’ll be everyone’s first time meeting today.”
“……”
Should I respond? While Chu Suan was thinking, Muyoung propped his chin up and observed him. It’s so nice to see flower petals fluttering around!
“……Why are you looking at me li-”
Slam!
He barely managed to speak, but his words were drowned out by the sound of the door opening. Kim Woo-ri poked her head in and looked around the meeting room.
“Hello. Oh my. Nice to meet you.”
“Oh! Senior Kim Woo-ri?”
“It’s our first time meeting. Nice to meet you. I really wanted to meet Muyoung, and here we are! Dreams come true! Ahaha!”
Chu Suan’s head spun for a moment.
Kim Woo-ri was definitely the same type as Ha Muyoung.
As soon as she appeared, she exuded bright and positive energy without hesitation. Kim Woo-ri, who sat next to Muyoung, looked at Chu Suan.
She had the same posture, angle, and gaze as Muyoung.
This is going to drive me crazy, really.
“Hello? Chu Suan?”
“……”
“I heard Chu Suan is not good with strangers.”
“Really? Can I speak comfortably, then?”
“Yes. I was going to tell you that.”
Kim Woo-ri and Ha Muyoung were like old friends, breathing in sync. Chu Suan wanted to join in, but his innate personality was like this……
“Everyone’s here? Hello. I’m Director Kim.”
“Hello~”
Kim and the staff came in with the camera and equipment.
Even to the naked eye, it was a well-matched combination.
With Ha Muyoung at the center, Chu Suan had contrasting charm, and Kim Woo-ri had similar charm.
“Did you all introduce yourselves?”
“Yes!”
Muyoung and Woo-ri answered cheerfully. Only Chu Suan remained silent.
Kim muttered as she set up the camera.
“Don’t be too nervous about the camera test today.”
It was almost a done deal. The other actors were still being negotiated, but these three roles had to be in place for things to move forward.
“Which scene should we do?”
“Hmm. I personally recommend Scene 34 for Ha Muyoung and Chu Suan. I want to see Scene 98 for Kim Woo-ri.”
Click.
The camera was set up, and the on and off sounds could be heard quietly.
Muyoung quickly flipped through the script to check the part the director pointed out.
Scene 34 was a conversation between Do-gyeong, who had just committed murder, and Kim Butler, as they shared a cigarette.
Scene 98 was Kim Woo-ri’s freak-out and Do-gyeong watching it.
“Director. We’re ready.”
“Ahh. Thank you.”
Kim greeted the staff and pulled up a chair to sit across from them. Muyoung glanced at Chu Suan. Wondering how someone like that could act.
“Can we start?”
Muyoung took off his hat and asked. He pushed his slightly pressed hair back, preparing to become Do-gyeong. When Kim saw that, her heart fluttered.
‘Gosh. Really. I want to start filming right away. I wish the set would appear as soon as I opened my eyes.’
It was exactly the image of Do-gyeong and Kim Butler she had in mind. The owner in comfortable clothes and the hunting dog in a neat suit.
“……Do you smoke?”
Chu Suan took out a cigarette from his inside pocket. Even though he was a non-smoker in real life, he had prepared the prop. That was the courtesy of an actor trying to land the role.
Muyoung smiled and shook his head.
“No. But if you lend it to me, I’ll use it gratefully.”
Chu Suan sent a glance to Kim and Kim Woo-ri, asking if it was okay.
Ironically, Kim Woo-ri and Kim, who were not involved in the smoking scene, were smokers.
“Should we start?”
Kim adjusted the screen and asked the two men.
Muyoung took a deep breath and calmed his chest. Since he was playing a hard-to-handle character, mental preparation was essential.
“Ready. Action.”
“Whew.”
Do-gyeong sat down, breathing heavily. His two palms were covered in colorful paint and diluted blood. He pushed his bangs back with his wrist so they wouldn’t touch his hair.
“Today’s was a bit tough.”
It was like the words of a believer who had finished an honest day’s work.
If it weren’t for the body lying in front of him, he might have actually thought that.
“I said I would do it.”
“Yeah. But still, it’s a bit…”
Kim Butler looked down at his owner with a blank expression. Do-gyeong smiled brightly and held up his two hands. They’re dirty, right?
“Ah—”
Understanding his owner’s signal, Kim Butler took out a cigarette from his inside pocket. He put it in Do-gyeong’s mouth and lit it with a lighter.
Fizz—
“Whew—”
“Should I tell them to clean up?”
“Ahh. Just a little longer. I like the colors today.”
Do-gyeong mumbled with his mouth, barely moving.
Even with the same paint, the color changes depending on the light. That’s why every moment is precious.
Once the color is gone, it can’t be seen again, so Do-gyeong blankly admired the paint on the body.
“Hmm.”
The owner put the cigarette between his fingers with an unreadable expression. Then, he turned his palm toward Kim Butler as if to say, You take a puff.
Fizz—
Kim Butler, tilting his head slightly to take a puff of the cigarette his owner offered. Do-gyeong smiled fondly, as if looking at a dog he raised.
“I’m like this, but you’re pretty weird too.”
“What do you mean?”
“Even when that person begged for their life, you didn’t even blink. You have nothing, even though I have the get-out-of-jail-free card.”
While avoiding Do-gyeong’s slashes, the victim clung to Kim Butler. Maybe it was because he just stood there without taking any direct action? But Do-gyeong treated him like a transparent human, shaking off his hand.
“You committed a sin, Kim Butler.”
“I did my job.”
“Yeah. Right. When you meet God, tell them I made you do it.”
Do-gyeong chuckled and tapped Kim Butler’s neck with his bloodstained hand. Splattered stains remained on his white shirt and behind his ear.
“Let’s clean up. I’m hungry.”
The owner left in a swoosh. Kim Butler looked at the body for a moment before throwing his cigarette butt toward it. Then, he gave orders to the subordinates lined up in the hallway.
“Bury it in the backyard.”
“Yes.”
In this grand and splendid mansion, everyone who was still breathing was crazy. As if inviting him, Do-gyeong slung his arm over Kim Butler’s shoulder.
“……”
“Cut? Is it over?”
It was like Kim was dreaming. In the short performance of Muyoung and Chu Suan, she saw the vivid image she had always imagined.
“Uh, uh! Yes! Yes!”
“Wow. Their chemistry is amazing.”
While Kim fumbled to press the replay button, Kim Woo-ri clapped and muttered.
In fact, Muyoung was just as surprised. He couldn’t even speak properly, so I wondered if he could act—
“Senior. You’re amazing.”
This person, Chu Suan, is really good at acting! He was especially good at expressing emotions through actions rather than words.
At Muyoung’s words, he quietly responded.
“……You’re amazing too, Muyoung.”