Chapter 78: First Lead Role
“Ah. Wait a moment. What’s going on here?”
The manager clicked his pen a few times and then stood up. Muyoung sat quietly, looking forward, until he went outside.
Taang!
“Hyung. How much am I getting?”
As soon as the door closed, Muyoung whispered excitedly to Gyeongmin. The manager burst out laughing.
“Wow, you’re asking so quickly. Do you act to make a living, or do you live to act?”
“……I act to live.”
So how much is it?
As Muyoung’s eyes sparkled, Gyeongmin smiled faintly and tapped the cover of the contract. It was like a parent teasing a child while giving a gift.
“There used to be a grading system.”
“I’ve heard about it. I heard there were up to 18 levels.”
Levels 1 to 5 were child actors, and above that were adult actors. It varied depending on experience and recognition, with recognition being particularly important.
“But it’s a bit different these days. There are some newcomers who are like shooting stars, and the established ones are soaring to unimaginable heights.”
How many top stars have broken the 100 million won per episode mark? In such cases, the star’s own reputation and the agency’s deal were more important than the grading system.
“So how much am I getting?”
“Newcomers usually get 300.”
Even for a lead role.
He had filmed The Plague, but it hadn’t been released yet. It was almost like he had no filmography. But—
“But you’re kind of popular online, aren’t you?”
“Me? Really?”
“The Daryeong incident a while ago, too. Strangely, the articles get twisted in a bad way, but the outcome is good.”
It was the same with the assistant director’s abuse.
It felt as if bad luck deliberately avoided him. Muyoung counted on his fingers, recalling the events.
“I understand the assistant director incident, but what was good about Daryeong?”
Getting cast in a drama was undoubtedly lucky in the case of the assistant director. But I don’t know what’s good about Daryeong?
“Image exposure. Follower increase.”
Some even said it was noise marketing. At first, people criticized Muyoung for being irresponsible, but when the dashcam footage was released, they did a 180 and changed their attitude.
“What’s so great about calling out a number while hailing a taxi? Everyone suffers and dies. Die.”
“Huh? Are you jealous, Hyung?”
“You’re crazy, kid.”
The two exchanged playful banter, but the reality was no joke. Muyoung’s SNS was growing on its own without any particular posts.
“Anyway, putting those incidents aside, the boss and I did some good negotiating. It’s fortunate that the others we’re bringing in have some value.”
The supporting actors had no acting experience, but they all had top-tier recognition. Their fees were above average. Naturally, our ‘lead’s’ value should go up, too.
“Have you ever seen a lead who gets paid less than a supporting actor?”
“So how much is it, Hyung? Should I go to the back?”
“5 million won.”
Whoa. As soon as he heard Gyeongmin whisper, Muyoung froze. His eyes sparkled and glistened with emotion, overwhelmed with excitement.
“Hyeong, hyeong. How many episodes is this?”
“16 episodes. If the ratings are good, it’ll get extended.”
5 million won times 16?
“80 million won……”
Awesome! Amazing! Incredible!
Muyoung clenched his fists, exclaiming all sorts of praises in his mind. Of course, he’d have to pay taxes here and split it with the agency—
“You know there’s a rerun fee, right?”
20% of the basic fee for reruns. 12% for third runs, 10% for fourth runs and beyond, and 7% for late-night broadcasts. Muyoung’s mind was reeling at the steadily rising numbers.
“The opportunity has come, so you just need to seize it well. Let’s work hard.”
Of course, compared to stars who earn around 100 million won per episode, it was a meager amount. And that’s for a lead role!
But considering he was a newcomer with no filmography, it was a very generous amount. Muyoung wiped away the tears welling up in his eyes and took Gyeongmin’s hand.
“Can I buy some meat on my way home today……”
“It’s a good day, so why not!”
Fees aside, if the project does well, advertising costs will skyrocket. If the rights are sold overseas after broadcast, they could target that market, too.
“Heung. Hyung. I’ll really work hard, you know.”
“Oh, are you crying?”
“No, I’m just sniffling.”
Muyoung wiped his eyes, his heart pounding as he waited for the manager. Gyeongmin smiled as he reviewed the contract one last time.
“What will you do with the settlement when you receive it?”
“Me? Hmm……”
Muyoung pondered deeply, but no clear answer came to mind.
Eating, sleeping, and wearing clothes aren’t inconvenient, and the manager takes care of everything else. There’s nothing in particular to spend money on.
“I’ll pay off my student loans all at once and save the rest.”
“That’s like you.”
“Oh, I also want to treat my friends to a meal.”
Junho, Enbin, Romin, Bora, and so on. It was to treat the friends who had helped him out. Just thinking about it made him happy.
Squeak.
“Sorry. This pen, when I actually need it, it’s nowhere to be found.”
Then the manager came in. Muyoung smiled calmly, saying it was okay. It was hard to believe that just a moment ago, he was excitedly chattering away.
Rattle rattle.
‘Yeah, that’s right.’
His feet were tapping under the desk. Gyeongmin smiled and opened the documents.
“Then shall I review it?”
“Yes, take your time. How about the signature? Should I do it here, or take it with me?”
He had reviewed the preliminary contract, but it was Gyeongmin’s first time seeing the actual document. It was probably better for the party involved to see it directly—
“If you give me plenty of time, I’ll read it here and do it here before I go.”
The manager smiled and said okay at Muyoung’s firm words.
That afternoon, Muyoung left the production company only when evening came, holding a contract with his signature stylishly scrawled on it.
“Hyung! Let’s go eat meat!”
“Oh, yeah? Are you treating us?”
“Ah, whatever! I’m in a good mood! Let’s go! Let’s eat pork!”
He pointed at the sky with his hand, as if urging them to hurry. The sunset was stunning, resembling the color of Merylkelin’s upcoming band color.
“I’m here.”
Romin, who had finished his schedule, arrived at the accommodation. The house was too big for the person living there. Ciwon, who was drinking water in the kitchen, greeted him.
“You’re here? You’re late.”
“More than I thought, Hyung. What about food?”
“I’m not eating.”
Ciwon was committed to maintaining an empty stomach while working. He just gulped down water and wiped his mouth.
“How are you going to handle the song for the drama you’re going into? The manager said you’ve got some samples ready?”
“I’m still thinking about it. But you’re working on it too, right, Hyung? I was thinking we could submit both.”
“Just do one. Only one.”
Within ZeroTerm, composing and songwriting were almost entirely Ciwon’s responsibility.
So the production company had asked Ciwon to work on it, but Romin was considering whether to exclude it separately since it was a song he would sing himself.
“What about Ha Muyoung?”
“He’s going to be the first one to record.”
“He’s so peculiar. How did he land a lead role?”
“But Muyoung Hyung’s acting was amazing. But I don’t think he realizes how awesome he is.”
Romin chatted casually and glanced at Ciwon. No matter how much he didn’t eat while working, was it okay to starve like that?
“Hyung, don’t push yourself too hard.”
“What? I’m just doing what I usually do.”
“I know, but you can take it a bit easier now, right? Your activities are almost over.”
He had once worked for 20 hours straight.
Without eating or sleeping during that time.
“That’s enough. Get some rest.”
Ciwon replied like that and then entered the studio, carrying only a water bottle. It had been strange lately. Was it a slump or something……?
“I brought food. Where’s Ciwon?”
The manager asked, carrying a bag full of late-night snacks in both hands. Romin just shook his head silently.
“He said he’s not eating.”
“Again? He’ll ruin his health like that.”
“I know. It seems to have gotten worse lately.”
It felt like riding a bike well and then suddenly losing balance.
Somehow, things were going well, and they were still topping the music charts and all that…… but it was precarious.
“It’s his own obsession.”
After reaching a certain point, the frustration of not being able to go any further. To outsiders, it was an incredible achievement, but the fact that growth had stopped made them anxious.
‘If you break, you break.’
Once you hit the peak, it’s all downhill from there. It was natural for all top idols, but Ciwon and the other ZeroTerm members still couldn’t accept it.
‘More, since we’ve come this far, just one more step.’
For Ciwon, that seemed to manifest as anorexia and workaholism.
“Ah, I wish we could just have one big hit.”
“Yeah, this time it wasn’t bad, but it’s a bit disappointing.”
“I wonder what the recording studio ghost is doing.”
At the manager’s words, Romin laughed as he tore open a bag. It was an old superstition that if a ghost’s voice was recorded during recording, it would be a huge success.
“Nah, there’s no such thing as a ghost.”
Saying that, Romin stuffed his mouth full of tteokbokki. Ciwon’s studio door was tightly closed.
It remained shut until the sun rose the next day.
“Ha Muyoung!”
“We’re here.”
There was a sound coming from the entrance. It was Junho and Bora, carrying bags full of food. Muyoung, who had been preparing a meal in the kitchen, poked his head out.
“You’re here?”
“Congratulations. This is a gift.”
“Superstar Ha Muyoung~”
“Why is he like that? Is he drunk?”
Bora just laughed as she handed champagne to Muyoung. Even though he was her boyfriend, she couldn’t stand that kind of behavior. They sat at the table and laid out the food.
“How about you? What happened?”
In response to Muyoung’s question, Bora just raised her eyebrows.
After the Daryeong incident swept through, Come to the Cafe was literally devastated.
“They’re looking for a female lead, but no one wants to do it. I think Sealing Actors is going to send someone as a replacement.”
Daryeong’s mess was something the company had to clean up. But which actor would want to do that? Unless they were a company executive.
“The director over there is actress Jin Gyeongsuk.”
“She’s fifty-two years old.”
“Oh, right. I forgot.”
Because of the condition of being a ‘romance drama heroine,’ the pool of available actresses was limited. That’s why it was even more difficult.
“Why don’t you do it?”
“Me? Me?”
In response to Muyoung’s question, Bora just popped open the champagne in disbelief.
“What about the scenes I’m in? They’d all have to be deleted.”
“You’re only filmed in two-shots with the female lead. Since they’ll have to reshoot anyway, it doesn’t matter, right?”
Even Junho chimed in agreement. Bora waved her hands, saying it was absurd. But what if……
“If I become the female lead, that would be amazing. Then we’d be competing against each other?”
“I said the schedule hasn’t been announced yet.”
“But the timing has been released, so what if we go head-to-head? That would be so fun.”
When Muyoung giggled, Bora replied playfully.
“Fun? One side will get hurt. Pray we don’t go head-to-head. We’re going to break viewership records.”
“Ebbebbe. No, we’re the ones who’ll do it.”
Junho intervened in their childish fight.
“Anyway, it’s really great. In a little while, you’ll have to leave this place, but since you’ve got a lump sum now, you can buy and eat whatever you want.”
“I should. And before that, here’s a gift for you and Bora.”
He hadn’t received his fee yet, but the company said they’d advance him the settlement!
Muyoung placed small gift boxes in front of the two. It was a tie pin for Junho and lipstick for Bora.
“What is this!”
“Thanks for everything so far. It’s a small token of appreciation.”
“Whoa…… you little rascal. What’s that behind you?”
“Huh? That?”
Junho pointed to the one remaining box and asked. At the same time, his phone rang.
[The premiere date has been set. Holly’s first show is this weekend. Are you free?]”
It’s Yuchan, of course.
Muyoung covered his mouth, signaling him to be quiet. If you bring up Yuchan in front of Bora, you’ll only make yourself miserable, you idiot!
[Yeah, I’ll definitely come.]
Muyoung replied like that and sat at the table. One of the happiest days of his life was coming to an end.