Chapter 97: Wrap-Up Party

A top star once said something like this.

It was so busy that as soon as I blinked, a week had passed. I couldn’t even remember if I had slept or eaten, time had slipped by so smoothly.

“Uh… where?”

It wasn’t quite to that extent, but Muyoung was just as busy, with no time to spare for 24 hours. He had been napping in the car and woke up rubbing his eyes.

“Cheongryong? Didn’t you turn that down?”

“I did, but they made another offer. Was the 30% viewership rating the benchmark? They’re offering 100 million.”

“Wow.”

Muyoung wiped the saliva from his lips and exclaimed in admiration.

Finally, his worth had surpassed 100 million. And that was not for a drama or movie appearance, but for an advertisement.

“So the boss told me to ask you again. What do you think?”

“The meeting with ROS is already over, so what’s there to ask?”

“It’s before the contract is signed, so I’m sorry, but this is common in this industry. Things fall through, things continue. If it was a difference of 20 million, I’d just go for it, but since it’s 40 million, there’s room to think about it.”

Ko Gyeongmin laughed as he gently turned the steering wheel.

Actually, he was only asking because the boss told him to, but Muyoung’s answer was clear.

“I won’t do it.”

“Okay. I knew you’d say that.”

He had a quiet strength. Once he set his mind on a path, he wouldn’t look back, and he was confident in his choices. He was the type who never regretted anything. At least, that was how Muyoung had always been, as far as he could tell.

“Still, it was good that you chose ROS back then.”

“Why?”

Muyoung flipped through the final episode’s script and glanced at Ko Gyeongmin. Clearly, his choice of ROS had a lot to do with the influence of the sparkles.

But after actually meeting the staff, he felt the company was quite good, so his mind was completely made up.

“Since Cheongryong offered 100 million, now any other decent place will have to match that amount. Imagine if I had accepted 80 million right away. I wonder if there would have been a big company willing to offer 100 million.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

“A lot of it is thanks to the good viewership ratings, but we need an occasion like this to renew things.”

This time, Ko Gyeongmin glanced over.

The company was in a festive, even triumphant mood, but how was it that Muyoung, the person directly involved, remained calm? But that was because what mattered to Muyoung was something else.

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s a wrap-up party tonight, isn’t there? Thinking that it’s over makes me feel a bit sentimental.”

It was his first drama, and he was the lead.

On top of that, the performance was incredible, so it felt like waking up from a midsummer night’s dream.

“What’s the matter? Once you start your next project, you’ll be too busy to think about it.”

And there was another reason why Muyoung’s mind was unsettled.

As Ko Gyeongmin said, scripts were pouring in endlessly for him. But nothing particularly appealed to him, and the sparkles had also disappeared.

“When the drama ends, I’ll take a few days off.”

“Will you? I’ll adjust your schedule.”

“Thank you.”

“What thanks? The boss keeps talking about rowing when the water rises, but you need strength to row, don’t you?”

At his words, Muyoung smiled softly.

True. The road ahead is long, so I need to take it easy.

Lately, Muyoung had been so happy and overwhelmed that he often thought about death.

‘I’m so happy that I’m anxious, like a fool.’

The hope that it wouldn’t end, and the fear that he might die as soon as tomorrow. It was a completely useless thought, but it made him think about the future.

‘I want to live and die as an actor until the day I die. I want to fill my life with acting, to make people cry and laugh, and to see them find meaning in life because of me.’

“Muyoung?”

“Yes?”

Lost in deep thought, Muyoung was called by his manager.

“Fan meeting.”

“Oh, right. Haha.”

He had promised that if the viewership exceeded 30%, he would dress up as a woman for a fan meeting.

It was something he had said offhandedly, but in front of the camera, how could such a thing be ignored? Once the ratings surpassed the mark, articles anticipating the event flooded in.

“We’re planning to hold it after the finale, on a good day. Is there anything you’d like to do there?”

“What do people usually do?”

“Usually… dance, sing, watch highlights of the show together, take questions in advance to interact, exchange gifts. That kind of thing. It’s pretty free.”

“Then I’ll do everything I can.”

“Will your stamina hold up?”

“Of course. It’s meeting the fans, after all.”

Muyoung, who had been feeling a bit depressed, suddenly felt his mood lift. It was always a good thing to meet people who liked him.

“Oh, by the way, what’s the fan club name?”

“The results will be out this week.”

“I’m curious. Haha. What will it be? Hey, brother!”

Looking out the window, Muyoung urgently grabbed his arm. In the distance, he could see the broadcasting station where he was supposed to go to work. And on the upper floor, there was a billboard showing Muyoung’s face.

“What’s that?”

“Look. Ah, it’s a MusicS ad.”

“What? I thought it was going to be on TV.”

“It is, but that billboard shows S Company’s programs and ads. We must have been selected this time. I didn’t know about this.”

“Wow……”

Muyoung couldn’t take his eyes off the window, completely glued to it. To see Doha singing and laughing with the members on such a big billboard was incredible.

“Overwhelmed?”

“I’m about to lose my mind.”

“Hahaha! But it looks good, doesn’t it? You look cool.”

There were group shots, but also individual videos… and Muyoung’s was chosen. He immediately took out his phone to capture the moment.

Click-

“Did it turn out well?”

“Yes. It’s so big that it looks great.”

If he was featured on that billboard, then Muyoung was probably the hottest topic at S Company these days. He blinked his sparkling eyes, unable to stop his admiration.

“Wow……”

“Okay. We’re almost there, so get your mask and sunglasses ready.”

The car was getting closer and closer to his gigantic self. It wasn’t until they entered the parking lot that he could finally collect his thoughts.

After filming the last episode today, they would all go straight to the wrap-up party.

“Will the editing team be able to come?”

“I don’t know. They have to finish this week, so they probably won’t be able to stay long. But they’ll at least eat.”

Listening to Ko Gyeongmin, Muyoung opened the trunk. It was filled with gifts he had prepared for the staff and fellow actors.

He cautiously opened the door to the 14th-floor studio where they had filmed the kissing scene.

“Hello.”

“You’re here?”

Maybe because it was the last shoot, the atmosphere felt different from usual. He took off his clothes and asked,

“Haven’t you eaten lunch yet?”

“Of course not. You have to starve yourself on party days so you can eat well.”

They only needed to film Muyoung and Song-a’s final scene. The other members had already finished, and after wrapping up their schedules, they would meet at the party venue on time.

Muyoung shook his wrist slightly to shake off his nerves.

“It’s the last one. How do you feel?”

“What’s there to ask? I’ll probably fall apart. The viewership ratings are through the roof, and you’ve been shooting a ton of ads lately, haven’t you?”

At the staff’s words, Muyoung just smiled.

“I’m really going to miss it.”

If only they hadn’t rushed the script, he could have acted better. If he’d had a little more preparation time, he could have shown a more perfect Doha.

At his words, the staff hesitated.

“Actually, I feel the same. Haha.”

“Once this is over, I wonder when I’ll see Muyoung again. You’ll be so busy now that you won’t even have time to meet.”

“Come on, why are you saying that? Call me anytime. You said you’d tell me about a good restaurant last time.”

The staff laughed at his thoughtful words.

The atmosphere on set might not guarantee a show’s success, but it definitely shaped its overall tone.

Since working was fun, it naturally showed in the footage.

“Song-a has arrived.”

“Oh? She’s here.”

“Coordinator! Where are you? Get the kids ready!”

“Yes. I understand.”

Song-a’s face was frozen from the cold. The two sat by the heater, chatting about everyday things as they waited to start, just like usual.

“Sister, does it feel real?”

“What? That today is the last day?”

She also smiled and shook her head. Just like Doha, Miran was also receiving explosive attention from the public.

But it was the newcomer Muyoung who was getting relatively more attention.

“It’s like a storm passing by. Really, it’s been chaotic.”

Since they didn’t even have time to watch the drama themselves, it didn’t feel real. Muyoung and Song-a just looked at each other blankly, sharing a shallow smile.

“Do your best until the end.”

“Me too.”

“Muyoung! Song-a! Let’s start shooting!”

“Yes!”

At Lee Yujin’s words, the two stepped onto the set.

The story that began with a new semester was about to end with the summer vacation. The two sat at a desk. Doha leaned forward slightly, resting his head on his arm.

“Is this okay?”

“Yeah, it’s good. Song-a, look this way too.”

“Like this?”

“Okay. Let’s go. We’ll start shooting!”

The two held hands on top of the desk.

“Ready! Action!”

As soon as the camera turned on, Miran whispered quietly,

“Senior, a whole semester has already ended.”

Doha remained silent, only moving his fingers slightly. Song-a leaned forward with a fully contented expression. The side profiles of the two, as beautiful as sculptures, stood out.

“It’s only been about three months, but it’s left the deepest traces in my life. It’s all because of you, senior.”

“I know. I have your traces too.”

The two looked into each other’s eyes. The atmosphere was filled with fresh and youthful love.

Even the warm, stuffy breeze blowing gently—though it was actually coming from a heater—felt like June to them.

“Thank you, senior.”

“It’s too early to say that.”

“Then when should I say it?”

At her question, Doha just stared blankly. Then he slowly moved closer, as if to kiss her.

“Later. Much, much later.”

Miran closed her eyes and smiled. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and just as their lips were about to touch, Lee Yujin called cut.

“Okay! Cut!”

“Good job!”

“Good job, Muyoung! Song-a!”

“You worked hard!”

Clap clap clap-

Muyoung smiled broadly and bowed deeply to the staff. Everyone clapped and thanked Muyoung for his hard work.

“Thank you, Muyoung.”

“Thank you so much, Director.”

He also hugged Lee Yujin tightly, sharing joy and encouragement. Song-a, feeling too sad, kept wiping away silent tears.

“Thank you for proving that my choice wasn’t wrong. If it weren’t for you, I wonder if the Doha that I and the writer created would have come to life in this world. Good job.”

Such kind and warm words.

At those words, Muyoung’s nose also tingled. Who was the person who had believed in him when he had nothing? Muyoung sniffled slightly and just smiled brightly.

He was happy, after all. How was it that the more he acted, the happier he became?

“Muyoung, this.”

“Oh, right.”

Ko Gyeongmin brought him a huge envelope.

“It’s nothing much, just small gifts for the staff. Thank you so much for leading and helping newcomer Ha Muyoung, and for working hard to create a good production.”

They were winter gloves. He had been worried about the staff who worked hard outdoors in the cold during filming. He took one out and called out names.

“Director Kim Yongjin.”

“What’s this? Are there separate ones for everyone?”

“Of course. I said it’s a gift. There’s a letter too.”

The gifts, full of Muyoung’s thoughtful consideration, were different in size and design for each person. On the index finger, the title <You Are a Star, I Am a Star> was elegantly embroidered in English.

“Sister Love.”

“Oh, thank you. The color is pretty.”

“Those who can’t make it to the party, I’ll give it to them all now. Brother Myeongseon!”

That’s how Muyoung gave gifts to everyone, one by one, along with letters of gratitude.

Earning money felt exactly like this. Seeing the happy faces of the people around him made him feel proud.

“Good job. Let’s save our heartfelt words for when we’re drinking and eating, and let’s clean up here!”

“Can I eat a lot of meat today?”

“Of course! Let’s eat and have a blast!”

Even Lee Yujin held the gloves tightly as she directed the scene.

While they were cleaning up, Muyoung and Song-a headed to the wrap-up party venue first. Muyoung’s car followed Song-a’s van slowly.

“What’s this? Why is it so congested?”

“I wonder. It’s not even rush hour.”

“Hmm. This is strange. We’re almost there, but on the road……”

Ko Gyeongmin, who had been muttering about wasting time on the road, suddenly stopped and hesitated after seeing something. Muyoung, who had no idea what was going on, just looked around.

“Uh? Brother, is there some kind of event here?”

There were so many reporters and people, it was unbelievable.

At Muyoung’s words, Ko Gyeongmin laughed and turned the steering wheel toward a nearby parking lot.

“You. They’re here to see you, kid.”

“……Are all these people?”

The heat and crowd were like a concert. There were more cameras than he had ever seen at any site, even more than at the KPOP broadcast!

“Uh-oh……”

“It’s Ha Muyoung! It’s Ha Muyoung!”

“He’s over there!”

“Aaaah! It’s Ha Muyoung!”

“Song-a! Song-aaah-!”

Click! Click!

Whoosh-

The blinding flashes made it seem like the whole world was covered in sparkles to Muyoung.

He slowly walked down the path that stretched out before him, as if he were walking on a flower road.