Chapter 27: Discussion

Squeak-

“Hello.”

Muyoung poked his head in and greeted him. The Big Win Entertainment office was still empty. Gyeongmin put down the paper he was looking at and welcomed him.

“You’re here? Did you eat?”

“I ate something. But what were you looking at?”

There were several design papers scattered on the sofa table. Muyoung put down his bag and glanced at them with interest. They were profile shots of famous actors.

“I was looking at some concepts.”

“But they all look similar?”

“Actors have a certain image they give off.”

The photo that appears when you search for a name on a portal site represents the artist’s color and identity. The best example would be Korea’s top girl group, ‘Girls’ Generation.’

“In the case of Yoonha and Seoyeon, who debuted there as actors, their profile photos are based on a simple mood. But Taeeon and Difanny, who only work as singers, are flashy enough to jump on stage right away.”

“Oh? Is that really true?”

Even in the same group, profile photos differ depending on the scope of their activities. Muyoung was curious and looked up other idols. It was the same for them, too. Anyone who had acted even once emphasized a neat and elegant charm.

“The number of people who encounter you through a portal is overwhelmingly greater than those who meet you in person, so it’s really important. In a way, it’s your first and last greeting. Let’s see.”

Gyeongmin placed some photos next to Muyoung’s face. Actors are like blank canvases that capture a person’s image. On stage, nothingness is better than the flamboyance that captivates the audience.

“Don’t smile.”

“I keep wanting to smile.”

It was essentially standardized.

The typical black-and-white photos, bare feet in a white T-shirt, sitting on a stool with a distant gaze, etc. But Muyoung didn’t suit that kind of thing, nor did he want to do it.

‘It’s important to find your true nature. You’re Big Win’s first new actor in a long time.’

Besides, it was somehow more sparkly? Just looking at him gave off a cozy vibe reminiscent of sunshine, which was overwhelming. Not the blank white paper-like actor that some people talk about, but more like a warm cotton ball with lingering warmth.

“Is there a concept you want to shoot?”

“I just want to smile first. It’s embarrassing to make such a cool expression. Hehe.”

And that guy shows that kind of acting?

The eyes of a high school student steeped in rebellion and youth. No matter how you looked at it, the gap in his image was too big.

‘It must be talent. Not portraying it, but becoming it. And he’s so young…….’

Gyeongmin thought to himself and examined the concept design papers carefully. Muyoung looked at him blankly for a moment before cautiously speaking up.

“But, Manager Hyung.”

“Hmm? What?”

“Are you still recruiting actors?”

“Of course. If there’s a connection.”

Of course, they would look at skills and passion, but the company wasn’t in a position to be picky. Muyoung cautiously told him about what had happened a few days ago.

“I have a friend who used to be a child actor. She’s very pretty and acts well, but she’s struggling because she doesn’t have an agency. The project she’s currently in is an MBV miniseries.”

At Muyoung’s words, Gyeongmin looked surprised.

“I did recommend our company to her. Is that okay?”

……Of course it’s okay. Recruiting artists is their job. Besides, such encounters were very common in the industry. It was normal and almost customary for actors or company officials to introduce each other through their networks.

“Is your friend interested in our company?”

“She said she’d think about it.”

“But Muyoung, I’m really curious. What is it about me—no, us—that you like so much?”

Since becoming part of the family, all they’d done was have a meat party. They hadn’t even taken profile photos yet, which was the basics of the basics. He wondered what Muyoung had seen that made him recommend the company to his friend.

“Um. Didn’t you hear that back then?”

“What? That my impression is bright and good? That’s almost like saying you know the way of the Tao.”

“The boss is also very nice, like Uncle Jam. Taeseok Hyung is kind, too. There’s nothing bad about it.”

“Ja, Jam what?”

“I’ll let you know my friend’s answer as soon as I get it. And do you know BornToRe by any chance?”

He said he had something to talk about, and there really was a lot. Gyeongmin twirled a pen and shook his head, meaning he’d never heard of it.

“It’s a clothing brand that my high school friend’s cousin works for. They recently launched Enbin as a model on the portal. Thanks to that connection, I got an SNS model offer. Should I talk to the company about it?”

“Model? Really?”

“Yes. I almost forgot because I’m not used to it yet.”

“Oh, okay.”

This is something to be grateful for, but also something to be sorry about.

It’s usual for the company to get you your first job, but Muyoung got one on his own. It’s embarrassing. Gyeongmin awkwardly scratched his head.

“Then I’ll give BornToRe the company’s contact information.”

As Muyoung fiddled with his phone, he also searched for his phone. He typed ‘BornToRe’ into the portal’s main search bar and searched. Related search terms included Enbin airport fashion, Enbin fashion, men’s clothing brand, and Korean fashion store.

“Was I the only one who didn’t know about this brand?”

From articles to general blog reviews to cafe recommendations, the number of posts reached tens of thousands. Korean Fashion Store was a shopping app that brought together various fashion companies, and it seemed to have ranked first there for the month.

“I didn’t know either. It hasn’t been long since they launched.”

“To be number one in Korean Fashion Store, that’s amazing…….”

“What is that?”

“It exists. Three out of ten people buy their clothes there.”

“Oh ho. Then I was one of the other seven.”

Enbin’s departure photos from the airport seemed to have caused a big stir. The photos, whether taken by reporters or fans, were really well taken.

And the sight of him playfully laughing and pointing to the BornToRe logo on his chest was perfect for a headline.

[This is sponsorship, Enbin shines on his way to work like a model.]

[No more hidden ads! Do you do front ads? Enbin smiles brightly!]

[I’ll be back safely. But isn’t this outfit pretty?]

Etc., etc. It went on endlessly, almost like a meme. Besides, the attention had increased due to the success of ‘Late Night Pocha,’ which had blown up on MeTube.

‘Even Muyoung, who only appeared in one episode, caused such a stir. I can’t even imagine what it’s like for Enbin, the main character. By the way…….’

“If it’s your friend’s cousin’s company, does that mean Enbin was introduced by you too?”

The only middleman would be Muyoung. A newly launched clothing company without affiliates couldn’t possibly use Enbin.

“Yes. They’re all my friends. Enbin is a friend, and Junho is a friend, too. It’s good to help each other. And—”

Muyoung, who calls a superstar a friend without hesitation. If it were someone else, it would be dismissed as boasting or exaggeration, but somehow, when he says it, it’s believable?

“I’ve read all the scripts.”

Muyoung rummaged through his bag and pulled out five scripts. They were things he’d analyzed over several days, splitting his time. Of course, most of the time had been spent on , the main one.

“I’ve definitely decided. When the audition notice for The Plague comes out, I’m going to apply. And if I had to rank the rest, it would be like this.”

One by one, in order. Gyeongmin looked at it and was slightly surprised. It was almost the same order he had in mind.

“Why?”

He flipped through the script and asked.

Although it was a short time, he seemed to have read it properly, as there were Post-it notes stuck here and there.

“It’s all good, but the characters’ ages don’t match mine, which is a shame. I don’t like open endings either.”

At Muyoung’s words, Gyeongmin quickly took out his notebook. This was information full of the artist’s preferences. It would be useful to remember this when recommending projects.

“And?”

“This story feels like something I’ve seen before.”

“Oh. That’s Kim Chang’s follow-up work. Have you seen <The Gypsy’s Secret>? It shares a world with the main character’s son, so that’s probably why.”

“Ah ha! That’s why! I see.”

The external process of the company was good, but it was also important that they could talk about projects so well. After all, it was an artistic endeavor. It was a blessing that they could have a spiritual exchange with their partner.

“-So the conclusion is this.”

Muyoung smiled and picked up the script for The Plague.

“It’s all good, but the main character is a child actor. What role do you want to play? Jin?”

Jin, an employee of FG Pharmaceuticals, who became a drug courier to survive after the area was closed off. He was the root cause of all the events the main character experienced there. In other words, almost a lead role.

“Louis.”

“……Oh. Right. There was Louis.”

At Muyoung’s words, Gyeongmin realized his mistake.

He’d only been thinking about the importance of the role and had missed a character who was a perfect fit.

“I think his personality suits me somehow, and I like that he keeps guarding the main character. ”

If you had to describe him, he was like a large dog for the child protagonist…… He was a depressed genius character who guided the protagonist.

“Will you be okay? It’s your first movie. If you think about it, this will be your debut, assuming you get the part.”

The web drama had also been successful, but given the platform’s nature, it was ambiguous to call it a debut. Besides, he was a one-episode minor character who appeared only once.

‘It’s a bit tricky.’

Since he was depressed, there were many parts that progressed only through gestures and eye contact without much dialogue. And in the middle to late part, he was brutally killed while fighting against monsters targeting the child actor.

“I like it. Of course, it’s up to the production company and the director to decide, but if I’m going to apply, please let it be for Louis.”

“Well. If you say so…….”

There’s nothing he can do.

Gyeongmin scribbled Muyoung’s message in his notebook and bit his lip. The fact was that even if he said this, it would all be in vain if the scenario owner didn’t show up.

“What if this falls through? Then we’ll look for the next audition?”

“Yes. But I don’t think that will happen.”

“……Just in case, I’ll contact the production companies for these works.”

If there was an audition schedule or a possibility of casting discussions, they would make an appointment. Since Muyoung had brought in his first job, the BornToRe model gig, he would make sure this one happened, too!

‘Yes! I will!’

Gyeongmin clenched his fists, full of enthusiasm. It was Muyoung’s ability to show his skills at the meeting, but it was his job to get him there.

Squeak.

“Oh? Muyoung’s here?”

“Hello, boss.”

“Oh, hello. Hello.”

Na Geumdong came in, humming a tune as if he were excited about something. Gyeongmin handed him the notebook and reported.

“Boss. Look at this.”

“Hmm? What is it? Oh! BornToRe!”

“Do you know BornToRe?”

“I just bought something from there recently. The clothes are really pretty. So, you’re saying they offered you an SNS model gig? Wow. Muyoung!”

Before he could even mention that it was his friend’s cousin’s company, Na Geumdong firmly patted Muyoung’s shoulder. And as he read on, his eyebrows twitched.

“Hmm? Monet? Is that right?”

“Yes. No matter how you look at it, he says that’s the best one.”

Muyoung nodded vertically, full of anticipation. Unlike him, Na Geumdong shook his head horizontally. It was as if they were dancing together.

“It’s going to be tough.”

“What? Why?”

“Monet seems to have found a writer.”

“Wow. Really? How?”

“I don’t know. They said they lost something and reported it to the police, checked the CCTV, and all that. Anyway, they’re amazing people. But the problem is!”

Ta-da!

“The writer had actors in mind when writing the script. They said they wouldn’t make the movie if it wasn’t those actors. They’ve got guts, don’t they?”

He should have known from the moment they threw down the script without a name. Gyeongmin let out a small exclamation and looked at Muyoung’s expression.

“So, there are pre-selected actors?”

“I don’t know. Whether Monet will proceed with it despite that or cut it, I don’t know. If I were them, I’d cut it, but rumor has it that Director Jin Gyeongmun is involved.”

Director Jin Gyeongmun! A master who had been a pillar of the film industry for twenty years already. It felt like things were getting bigger than expected.

“If it’s Jin Gyeongmun, it’ll be easy to get investment, too. Monet must like the script, and with a chance to make money, they’ll have a lot to think about.”

In that situation, even if they held an audition, what chance would there be? As he listened, taking in everything slowly, Muyoung smiled.

“Still, please check it out for me.”

“Can you do it?”

“Yes. I want to try. No. I will try.”

The writer drew the characters based on the actors? What does that matter? He could just become the character himself.

With eyes full of anticipation, Muyoung looked at the flower petals scattered on the floor. The flower petals named .