Chapter 36: From Mumeong to Muyoung
Siiik—
Yuna and Muyoung smiled as they made eye contact. He pulled out the chair very naturally, and the child’s eyes were dripping honey.
“Hi, oppa.”
“How’ve you been? You seem to have grown taller.”
“Li-iar!”
The two whispered quietly, covering their mouths with their hands. Muyoung was worried about disturbing those around him, but Yuna was just imitating him. To outsiders, they looked very close.
“Okay, now that everyone’s here, let’s get started. Oh, and the screenwriter couldn’t make it due to personal reasons.”
Personal reasons—or rather, shyness, I should say. Director Jin Gyeongmun gestured to the Mongneette staff. The quiet yet chaotic atmosphere suddenly calmed down.
“Hello everyone. I’m Jin Gyeongmun, the director of The Plague. It’s an honor to meet you, and let’s make a great work together. Thank you!”
Clap, clap, clap—
The introductions began with the leader at the forefront. Muyoung clapped as hard as he could. Before he could wonder where to go, the director to his right stood up.
“Hello, I’m Assistant Director Jang Min. Nice to meet you.”
Then Lee Hijun, who was sitting across from him.
“I’m Lee Hijun, playing the role of Jin.”
Huh? Everyone seemed to know the order of introductions without anyone saying anything. Excluding the director and the production team, the actors naturally proceeded from the closest person on the right to the opposite side.
‘Of course! Seniors!’
Muyoung, who had only ever done one web drama reading before, was impressed by even the smallest things. That’s what you call experience! Oh ho.
“I’m Seong Hyejoon, and I’m playing Aeri, Jin’s boss at work. Nice to meet you—”
“I’m Hyojung. I’m playing Sora.”
Click— Click—
The staff filmed the actors’ introductions with cameras. The footage would be used for behind-the-scenes content, promotional videos, making-of films, press releases, and so on. Next was Yoo Yuna’s turn.
“I’m Yoo Yuna. I’m playing Jaeni, the ‘main character.’ Nice to meet you.”
Yuna emphasized the word “main character” in particular. The child was smiling brightly, but inside she was furious. Not only had a staff member been rude to her when she came in, but this seating arrangement!
“Oh, how cute.”
“How old is Yuna again?”
“She’s nine years old.”
No matter how young she was, she was the main character. Usually, the proper place was right after the director and production team, or after a veteran actor.
‘Hmm? The young one’s cute.’
‘Look at that expression. She’s going to make it big.’
But she was too young—really too young. Although she had been the main character for four years already, Yuna had to give up her front seat to other actors. Hyejoon and Sora, who were sitting diagonally across from each other, looked at each other and smirked.
‘The little one’s got spunk.’
They had noticed Yuna’s toughness. No matter how talented and cunning an actor was, a child was still a child. To the actors, who had experienced all sorts of things, it was obvious. It was cute and funny, but also made them shake their heads.
‘Still, that kind of guts is necessary if you’re going to keep going.’
From her experience in the entertainment industry, she knew that you had to have some kind of attitude like that. Even if luck and skill were on your side, it was no good if you couldn’t hold up on your own.
“Nice to meet you—!”
When Yuna bowed to greet them, the others cheered with pleased smiles. Next was Muyoung’s turn. When he stood up, the atmosphere changed from before.
“Who?”
“He must be a rookie.”
“But he’s playing Louis?”
Unlike those who were already well-known, almost no one knew Muyoung. Except for Lee Hijun, Yuna, and the director, whom he had seen at the audition, it was practically their first meeting.
“Hello, I’m Ha Muyoung, playing the role of Louis. It’s a great honor to be working with such brilliant seniors and directors. I’ll do my best! I’d appreciate your guidance. Thank you!”
He was full of passion. His proactive attitude was exactly that of a rookie. Hyejoon elegantly clapped and looked him over. Good face, good posture, good voice. Cute.
“Unnie.”
Hyojung, who noticed her gaze, subtly warned her. Her colorful romantic history was already common knowledge. Hyejoon just blinked and smiled as if she understood.
“What guidance? You’re already talented.”
Then Lee Hijun stepped in. He only found out later that he had landed the role in one go that day. If he hadn’t made a deal for the role of Jin……
‘I might’ve been humiliated.’
It was a meaningless comment that came out with a nervous laugh, but Hyojung added to it.
“I’m looking forward to it since it was the director’s choice. Personal charm is really important, you know. I’m curious how you landed Louis.”
Personal charm!
As she said that, Hyojung glanced at Hijun. She knew, even if others didn’t.
How messy Sealing Actors had been behind the scenes. They’d even gotten an investor involved to get him switched to the role of Jin.
‘What are you looking at?’
‘If you’re annoyed, get lost.’
Thanks to that, Kim Sangyeon, who was originally cast, was out. Kim Sangyeon and Hyojung were secretly dating. She had agreed to work with her boyfriend, but suddenly it was Lee Hijun?
Fzzzt!
Amidst the sparking tension, Muyoung just stood there blankly, smiling. Something seemed to be happening, but he had no idea what.
“Then may I sit down now?”
The director nodded at his request. His handkerchief had been soaked with sweat for a long time as he kept wiping it off. Sheesh. He thought the casting and investment had gone smoothly……
‘They’ve gathered an incredible bunch.’
A preliminary investigation had confirmed that there were no uncomfortable relationships between them. No matter how much the work came first, relationships between people were important since it involved working together.
‘Their personalities are very… oh dear. Heh heh.’
The director always found this kind of situation difficult. Once filming started, everyone focused on that, and the actors became friendly with each other……
‘Anything’s hard and difficult at first.’
He thought that as he watched the other actors’ introductions. He didn’t leave out the unknown actors who were sitting only on chairs without a table, either.
“Okay! Let’s get the reading started.”
Since there were so many people, the introductions alone took more than ten minutes. At the director’s words, the sound of paper turning could be heard busily.
“It’ll probably take about six hours. Those sitting in the back can leave in the middle if you want. After we go over it once, we’ll do a camera test and pinpoint the main scenes.”
It was a roundabout way of saying that only the main and supporting actors were needed for the latter part. The director began by talking about the work’s intent, the direction he wanted to take, symbolism, and so on.
“—So let’s begin. Scene 1. Hijun, are you ready? Hyejoon, add in the narration.”
“Yes.”
Lee Hijun cleared his throat for a moment and recited The Plague’s first line. It was a scene that began on the first day FG Pharmaceutical employee Jin was demoted to a factory management position.
“Hmm. The air smells fucking awful.”
“Jin. You’ve gone too far this time.”
“The stench of those damn beggars is vibrating.”
“Kids like you are the ones who’ll embezzle and spend your salary in advance. You know? I can’t cover for you right now. Go downstairs and settle in.”
Muyoung watched Hyejoon, who was doing the narration, and Hijun, who was doing a monologue by himself. Active actors were different, after all. He had met adults who acted, like Na Geumdong, Ko Gyeongmin, and the principal, but the atmosphere was completely different.
“Ugh. Fuck. I got it. I got it. I’m going!”
In accordance with the stage directions that said he stubbed out a cigarette, Hijun exhaled a long breath. Contrary to his image, his acting was rough, rugged, and intense.
Real actors.
That was the only phrase circling around in Muyoung’s head.
‘There’s no flaw.’
Like with Enbin, there was nothing Muyoung could advise them on. No. Rather, he was so drawn in that he couldn’t take his eyes off them.
‘Whoa—amazing!’
Muyoung clutched his pounding heart. It was the moment he truly realized what it meant to act among proper professionals.
‘Oppa. Are you okay?’
Yuna patted Muyoung’s hand, looking worried. Muyoung smiled as if it was nothing. He was just excited.
‘It’ll definitely be a good stimulus.’
To grow, you had to aim higher. It was the real deal, so he’d naturally improve his skills as he went along. Muyoung focused and followed the script with his eyes.
“Okay. Good. It’s good, but say the last line just now a little more calmly. Don’t overdo it.”
“Hold it back? Should I try again?”
“Yes. Like you’re holding back the words. You know what I mean?”
On top of that, there was feedback going back and forth in real time. Even though it wasn’t his role, Muyoung wrote everything down, thinking that every word would become flesh and blood.
“—Okay, next is Scene 16.”
And finally, it was the first scene where Yuna, Muyoung, and Hijun worked together—where they confirmed each other’s existence inside a closed-off area.
“What?”
Hijun asked nervously. The terrified Jaeni reflexively grabbed Muyoung’s hand. The director and the other actors noticed it.
“The door’s closed, sir.”
“Are you alone?”
“I… I need to get out. I didn’t mean to come in here. It was a mistake.”
Her voice trembled along with her tiny hands. Hyejoon, who was watching, let out a silent exclamation. The kid was really top-notch. It wasn’t the stereotypical acting commonly associated with child actors.
“You’re alone, huh?”
Hijun looked at Yuna with a vicious smile. His gaze was fixed on Jaeni’s wrist. A child wandering around alone, without a guardian, at this hour. And judging by the small crack in her wrist……
“Come here.”
She had been abandoned by society—an existence that would cause no problem if she disappeared right now. Jaeni hesitated. She felt something ominous.
Kwaang!
“I said come here!”
Hijun slammed the desk and shouted. Yuna, who was immersed in the scene, flinched and shrank back instinctively. Even though she knew the tears welling up in her eyes were part of the act, Muyoung felt uneasy.
“Fuck!”
“……!”
Upon hearing the vulgar language, Yuna was taken aback. The smooth dialogue she had been delivering was cut off, and both her acting and emotions stopped, like a broken machine.
“Bring in the guardian.”
“Yes, director.”
Watching this, the director gave instructions to a staff member. It was a hard film with a youth restriction. Even though there were some concerns, it was Yuna, after all. Her previous work had a similar feel, and she was so smart that he thought she’d do well.
‘Still, she’s young.’
He’d have to soothe her and go slowly and gently. Just as he was about to tell Yuna that everything was okay and remind her that it was all acting……
“……?”
“……!”
Swiik.
Muyoung took a small chocolate out of his pocket. Then he tapped Yuna’s cheek to get her attention.
“Ah—”
Muyoung—no, Louis—opened his mouth slightly. Jaeni unconsciously imitated him, and the sweet chocolate went into the child’s mouth.
“Jaeni. What are you doing here?”
“Ah……”
“Do you know Jaeni? Are you an acquaintance, sir?”
Muyoung naturally took the child’s hand and continued the next line. The dazed Yuna answered.
“No.”
It felt like everything that had stopped was starting to move again. With the simple answer of “no,” Yuna became Jaeni again, and Louis was already by her side.
“Let’s go. I saw people gathered over there talking.”
Then he glanced lightly at Hijun.
His eyes were empty. There was a deep warning in his calmness—a silent defense telling him not to touch the child. Facing Muyoung as Louis, Hijun just blinked.
“……Hijun? Your line.”
“Ah. Yes, sorry. Cough. What the hell is that? Not even a damn dog.”
At the director’s words, he came to his senses and finished up. Yuna looked at Muyoung with clear eyes. Actually, everyone in the conference room was glancing at him.
‘What just happened?’
‘Supporting your co-actor like that is hard even with decent experience.’
‘Wow! That guy’s eyes are crazy. How can you do that with just your eyes and no dialogue?’
‘I get it now. I see why he’s Louis.’
Muyoung focused on the script again as if it was nothing.
The actors admired his profile. It had been very brief, but he had shown depth.
‘The concentration to pull a co-actor who’s lost focus back in. And the eyes of the character himself.’
It was the moment he went from being just an unknown actor to being recognized as actor Muyoung. He smiled slyly at Yuna, not knowing anything.
“It’s delicious, right?”
He patted his bulging pocket, saying he’d bought a lot for her.