Chapter 192: Dried Potato
Warm sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of a small café.
Muyoung glanced down at his phone screen and muttered,
“This…”
Cha Eun-seong, who had been slurping up a strawberry latte, raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“If I run into him on the street, I’ll kill him,” Muyoung said.
“Yeah. So, keep a low profile.”
“Wow. Nice.”
Cha Eun-seong snatched Muyoung’s phone, even liking the post. Then, chuckling, he scrolled through the comments below.
“Whatever. If you’re not smart, at least be kind. He’s just asking for trouble. Tsk tsk.”
It had been three days since a heartfelt love song had morphed into a threatening one.
Bang Room Backtalk, which Muyoung had appeared on alongside Eun-seong, had not only broken its own viewership records but also become the most talked-about show of the season.
After all, it wasn’t every day that someone was called out so directly on broadcast.
And since it was tied to the behind-the-scenes drama of a megahit show that had peaked at a 40% viewership rating, the public’s interest was naturally sky-high.
“Did your agency get in trouble?”
“Not me, my manager did.”
“Oh my God…”
Muyoung silently said a little prayer for his manager.
Please, keep watching over our Eun-seong, who’s rough around the edges but has a heart of gold.
“Hahaha! This comment’s hilarious.”
Meanwhile, Cha Eun-seong, the center of the controversy, seemed to find the whole thing amusing, constantly chuckling as he scrolled through his SNS feed. While the internet was buzzing with speculation, he remained completely unfazed.
“That’s why people’s image is so important.”
As soon as Cha Eun-seong, a national actor, called someone out, the public overwhelmingly sided with him, evaluating Gi Hyeon-ho through his lens. Comments like ‘How bad could it have been?’ ‘Just how far did it go?’ or ‘Even Cha Eun-seong reacted like that’ dominated the discussion.
No matter how much Gi Hyeon-ho insisted it was unrelated to him, no one believed him.
Even after he backtracked the next day, claiming ‘there was a misunderstanding on set,’ public opinion remained unchanged.
-Yeah, rightㅋㅋㅋ Delusionalㅋㅋㅋ
Muyoung shook his head lightly, resting his chin in his hand as he looked at Cha Eun-seong. It’s so easy to ruin someone’s life these days.
“Even if I said I kneaded beans into soy paste, they’d believe me?”
“Hey, soy paste is actually made from beans.”
“Oh, really? Hahaha. This is funny too. Gotta screenshot it.”
Muyoung couldn’t help but laugh as he checked his watch.
While chatting with Cha Eun-seong was fun, Muyoung had a prior appointment—right here at this café.
“But how long are you planning to stay here?”
“Me? I don’t know. Their strawberry latte is amazing. So good.”
“Your meeting’s coming up soon.”
He was supposed to meet his Absolution co-stars, Chu Su-an and Kim Woo-ri.
They had planned to catch up and do a casual script reading together.
But then, Cha Eun-seong had called him first thing in the morning and had been clinging to him ever since, which was how they ended up here together. Muyoung wiped the table with a tissue and asked,
“Hey, don’t you have any schedules today?”
“Nope. None. My agency canceled everything.”
Fearing he might cause more trouble, even simple interviews and photoshoots had been put on hold.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t in demand in the industry—it was a decision made by his own agency.
With everything already so chaotic, they didn’t want him saying something that could make things irreparable.
“It’s like an unexpected vacation.”
“Oh, congratulations.”
“So, let’s hang out, why are you so busy? Did you hide a pot of honey in that meeting? Can’t you make time?”
Cha Eun-seong knew it wasn’t a formal meeting.
“I could, but everyone’s a stranger, especially Chu Su-an. He’s really shy. If he sees you suddenly, he might faint.”
“Oh, Chu Su-an.”
“Do you know him?”
“I don’t. Why should I?”
Why’s he being so rude?
Muyoung just blinked and sipped his drink.
Maybe there’s some ancestral spirit I haven’t noticed that’s keeping him in check. Otherwise, it’s a miracle he’s still in one piece with that personality.
“Who else is coming?”
“Kim Woo—”
Muyoung stopped mid-sentence as he noticed a familiar face through the glass window. Even with a hat pulled low, he was unmistakable.
“It’s Gi Hyeon-ho.”
“Huh? Where?”
“Over there. Oh? He’s coming this way.”
As Muyoung panicked and shook Cha Eun-seong’s arm, he lazily leaned back with a smirk.
Gi Hyeon-ho was accompanied by his agency staff and managers. Of course, Cha Eun-seong’s team was there too.
Jingling—
The café door opened with a cheerful sound.
They scanned the room a few times before spotting Cha Eun-seong and Muyoung. Cha Eun-seong clicked his tongue and muttered,
“Ugh. Our team leader is really getting on my nerves.”
It was practically arranged by Cha Eun-seong’s agency.
They figured the only way to calm Cha Eun-seong, who was acting like a runaway train, was to have Gi Hyeon-ho apologize.
Well, looking at Cha Eun-seong’s expression, it seemed like it was off to a bad start already.
“What is it, Team Leader?”
“Eun-seong, ahahaha.”
“Don’t laugh. It’s annoying. I’m drinking coffee here.”
“No, it’s just that Gi Hyeon-ho really wants to clear up the misunderstanding and apologize.”
While public opinion currently favored Cha Eun-seong, if his true nature were exposed, the tide could turn again.
Figuring it was better to settle things quickly, the agencies had decided to come to an agreement.
“Misunderstanding? Apology? Can’t you read? I said if I see your face, I’ll bash your head in.”
“Hello, Muyoung. Long time no see.”
“Heyyy.”
The team leader quickly called out to Muyoung.
They had actually planned this.
Cha Eun-seong was somewhat more human-like when he was with Ha Muyoung.
If they had arranged a separate meeting at a restaurant, who knows, plates might’ve gone flying.
At least here, on this table, there were only… good, just two drink cups.
“Hello, I’m the CEO of Gi Hyeon-ho’s agency. Here’s my business card…….”
The CEO fumbled as he placed two business cards on the table.
But both Cha Eun-seong and Muyoung simply stared at them without reaching out.
“So? If you’re getting coffee, I’ll leave.”
“No, no. I just thought we could talk for a moment. There seems to be some misunderstanding…….”
Gi Hyeon-ho looked like he had aged significantly since the last time they saw him.
His once-refined features had deteriorated, likely from the physical and mental strain. But Cha Eun-seong acted as if he didn’t care.
“Oh, a misunderstanding? Like how Gi Hyeon-ho was badmouthing me behind my back, calling me a psycho bstard and saying I only got where I am because of luck and that I’d fall soon? Or maybe it was about how he said I can’t act for sht but still act all high and mighty?”
With each accusation, Gi Hyeon-ho’s face hardened.
The staff forced out nervous laughter, but they couldn’t hide the sweat breaking out on their foreheads.
Muyoung just rolled his eyes and looked away.
Geez. It’s such a nice day outside, why does it feel so cold in here?
“……That’s all a misunderstanding.”
“Don’t ruin my coffee with your nonsense. How many people do you think have told me this? You think they were all mistaken? Call anyone right now, let’s have a three-way conversation.”
“No, it’s—”
“Do you know that because of Gi Hyeon-ho’s big mouth, Gi Yu-chan lost his role? Word got around among the PDs that actors were backing him, but they said he was too arrogant.”
Huh? That’s the first I’ve heard of that.
Muyoung’s eyes widened as he lifted his chin from his hand.
He knew things hadn’t gone well, but he didn’t realize Gi Hyeon-ho’s meddling had played a part.
“Really?”
As Muyoung frowned, the agency CEO quickly gestured to Gi Hyeon-ho, who looked like he was about to die of shame but stammered out his prepared words.
“I made a mistake. I’m sorry. Senior, Ha Muyoung, if you forgive me just this once, I promise I won’t do it again.”
Please, just post on SNS that it was a misunderstanding and that we’ve resolved things. It’s too harsh for a junior who’s just starting to gain traction.
Though the CEO kept pleading, Cha Eun-seong just snorted.
“Why are you even an actor?”
“……Huh?”
“What kind of glory do you think you’ll achieve by clinging to this industry? Bowing your head to a psycho b*stard just to get by.”
Gi Hyeon-ho’s face flushed instantly.
He realized what Cha Eun-seong was implying.
“If you really want to act, just do it. What you want is fame, right? F*ck, where’s the integrity?”
Cha Eun-seong stopped, glancing at Muyoung, who was checking his watch, and sighed.
“……I’m leaving first.”
“Hyung?”
“Ugh, seriously.”
He had planned to spend the whole day with Ha Muyoung!
But with Gi Hyeon-ho and his entourage showing up, that was impossible. And didn’t he mention an upcoming meeting? His Absolution co-stars would be arriving soon, and that would be an awkward situation for sure.
“Call me later.”
With that, Cha Eun-seong pulled his hat down and gestured for his team to follow him as he left the café.
Judging by how he slid into the van, it looked like another heated discussion was about to take place inside.
“Hey, Eun-seong!”
“Hyeon-ho! What are you doing?!”
Gi Hyeon-ho’s team followed suit, rushing after Cha Eun-seong. In an instant, the café fell silent, as if a storm had just passed through.
Even the café owner, who had been working inside, poked his head out, looking puzzled.
“It was so loud. Did they all leave?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah.”
And so, Muyoung was left alone in the café.
Sipping the remaining coffee by himself, Chu Su-an soon arrived, still dressed in black from head to toe. Despite his simple attire, his sturdy build was unmistakable.
“Senior!”
Muyoung waved to greet him. As Chu Su-an sat down, he glanced at the table.
“……Hello.”
“I had a friend here.”
At Muyoung’s words, Chu Su-an froze, looking completely lost, unable to sit or stand.
A stranger?
“But they left. I’ll ask them to clear this.”
“……Oh. Okay.”
Only then did Chu Su-an seem to breathe properly. He neatly placed his script and pen on the table and sat upright across from Muyoung, looking like a freshman attending a lecture.
“Hey, you guys~!”
Jingling!
And then, Kim Woo-ri arrived, slightly out of breath, as if she had been running. She tossed her bag onto the chair and chattered about how hot the weather was.
“Ugh, I’m dying. This weather is trying to kill me. Huh? Is that a strawberry latte? Is that your second one, Muyoung?”
“No, my friend was here earlier.”
“Really? You met up here? A school reunion?”
“……Not exactly. It was Cha Eun-seong.”
The moment ‘Cha Eun-seong’ was mentioned, Kim Woo-ri froze.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment.
“Your sister?”
“Uh? Yeah.”
“……What would you like to drink?”
Sensing the strange atmosphere, Chu Su-an fumbled with his wallet. Kim Woo-ri burst into laughter, waving her hand.
“Since I’m the last to arrive, I’ll treat everyone!”
“Oh, uh…….”
“Muyoung, get another one too! It’s only polite to the café owner!”
“Then I’ll have a peach tea.”
“Got it!”
With that, she confidently strode to the counter and called out to the owner.
Muyoung tilted his head, whispering to Chu Su-an,
“Why’s she acting like that?”
“I… I don’t know…….”
There was no way the two of them could figure it out.
As Muyoung rested his chin on his hand, staring at Kim Woo-ri’s back, Chu Su-an quietly asked,
“Um, Ha Muyoung.”
“Yes?”
“……Do you draw?”
“Oh.”
He had heard they were hiring a painter, and since there was a scene where Muyoung was supposed to be drawing, he figured he should at least try to mimic it. Muyoung confidently rummaged through his bag.
“Actually, I drew you, Senior.”
In Absolution, Do-gyeong had secretly sketched Kim’s secretary, capturing those delicate emotions. Remembering that, Muyoung had sketched Chu Su-an as well.
“What do you think?”
With sparkling eyes, Muyoung presented his sketchbook.
Chu Su-an’s thick eyebrows twitched slightly.
“…….”
“This is your profile, and this is your back. I quickly sketched you the last time we had coffee together.”
“…….”
“Senior?”
Chu Su-an’s expression remained unchanged, completely frozen. While Muyoung waited with a smile, Kim Woo-ri returned after paying and looked at the sketch, laughing.
“What’s this? What did you draw? A dried potato?”