"You crazy bastard. Did you huff gas and lose your mind?"
"If you want to walk out of here alive, you'd better shut that mouth!"
The rough voices echoed through BigWin Entertainment's office.
Muyeong covered the lower half of his face with the script, eyes darting nervously. How long had they been sitting around that table in the middle of the office, cushions spread on the floor—hours, surely.
"Enough! What's the point of fighting each other? You're just asking to die together!"
"Oh, right! I knew I'd seen you somewhere before—you're the factory manager, huh?"
Dried-out ramyeon and instant food wrappers littered the table. Three people were reading lines. Two of them, Na Geum-dong and Go Kyung-min, were juggling dozens of roles between them.
Incredible.
Their veteran instincts hadn't dulled one bit. They were running through all the movie's supporting roles, switching back and forth—for Muyeong, for "Louis."
"Louis! Ah—"
Na Geum-dong closed his eyes and opened his mouth toward Muyeong. Watching him, Go Kyung-min flared his nostrils, desperately holding back laughter.
"Come on, chocolate."
"Ah—"
Muyeong popped a snack into Na Geum-dong's mouth. The man chewed exaggeratedly, cheeks puffing into a blissful grin. This wasn't a middle-aged man before him—it was Louis's beloved… Jenny…
"God, I can't watch this anymore!"
Just as Muyeong's focus was about to snap, Taeseok—who'd been lying on the sofa—flung a newspaper and burst out laughing.
"Ugh, thank God."
He collapsed forward on the table, exhaling. It was hard—really hard—to paint over the people in front of you and see someone else entirely.
"Muyeong, you're nuts. How do you keep a straight face looking at that mug?"
"What's wrong with my face?"
"No, I mean—listen to that voice. You call that a woman's voice coming out of a grown man?"
He nailed every other role perfectly, but "female" and "child" voices were his kryptonite. Complete opposites. When Go Kyung-min played Jenny, he just used his normal tone.
"I was doing my best!"
…Only Na Geum-dong was brave enough to actually mimic a child's voice. Muyeong crunched another snack and flipped through the script.
"How far are we going today?"
"Let's stop at the next page. Oh—by the way, you've got this habit in Scene 74. You keep swinging your arm for no reason."
"Really? I didn't notice."
"Be conscious of it and fix it. And your next line—it's good, breaking your breath between syllables—but I think it'd work better like this—"
Both their scripts were beaten and tattered. Muyeong's notes were all about emotion and timing, while Kyung-min's were filled with acting feedback.
"Oh, that's easier to say that way."
"Yeah. The words sound smoother that way."
Between the two veterans, they had over twenty years of acting experience. And they were pouring it all into helping the rookie. Muyeong didn't even realize how hoarse his voice had gotten as he repeated lines again and again.
"Shouldn't we get some sleep?"
Only the outsider, Taeseok, noticed how exhausted they all were. At his words, Muyeong flopped backward onto the floor. Déjà vu. He'd lived like this back at BV Academy too.
"…There really is no end to learning."
"Especially not in art."
"Ughhh!"
Outside, dawn light was creeping in. Stretching and rubbing his eyes, Muyeong listened as Na Geum-dong tried to liven up the mood.
"Hey, isn't it kinda surprising that Lee Hee-jun got the role of Jin?"
"Really? I actually think it fits well."
Kyung-min recalled Hee-jun's face from when they'd met—gentle, refined features, sure, but in those eyes… a glint of a blade beneath magnolia blossoms.
"Reverse casting is popular these days. Jin's a pretty explosive character, so I'm excited to see it."
"It's good for him too. You don't get many chances like this to totally reinvent your image. Apparently, the role was originally written for Kim Sang-yeon."
"Oh really? He'd have suited it too."
"Yeah, the writer actually said he had Sang-yeon in mind."
"Then why'd they go with Hee-jun instead? Honestly, if it's about acting skills…"
Kim Sang-yeon's stronger. The writer wanted him too. Kyung-min tilted his head, chewing on a piece of dried squid.
"Maybe scheduling issues?"
"His last project was two years ago. What schedule?"
Too tired to join in, Muyeong just listened curiously. He wanted to ask questions, but his energy was gone. Still, he managed one.
"So… what are the other senior actors like?"
He already had an idea from the media: Seong Hye-jun seemed like a perfectionist elite, Hyo-jung seemed warm and kind, and Jin-su looked like a cheeky mood maker.
"Well…"
Kyung-min searched his memory, recalling the rumors and impressions he'd heard. Looking into Muyeong's bright, expectant eyes, he didn't have the heart to crush his idealism.
"They're all… kinda unexpected. In a good way."
"Really?"
"Think Avengers-level line-up."
"…?"
Muyeong clearly didn't get it, but there was no need to spoil the surprise. If even Yoo Yuna had taken such a liking to him, the others probably would too.
"Just be polite and natural, like you always are. I'll handle the rest."
Kyung-min patted his back reassuringly.
And then—finally—the day Muyeong had been counting down to.
The script reading day.
Creaaak—
"Huh? Hyung, why aren't you going in?"
At the parking lot entrance, Kyung-min looked around, then turned the car away. Muyeong, who'd been about to get out, blinked as the company building receded from view.
"Montnet's parking lot is tiny."
"Yeah, but so what?"
"Today the director, production team, and all the main and supporting actors are coming. How are they supposed to park if we take the spots first?"
They'd arrived a full hour early, so there was plenty of space—but he couldn't just waltz in. Not when he was still a rookie.
"Ahh, I didn't think of that."
"You don't have to. I'll handle the etiquette stuff."
It was the same principle as leaving the best seat open at a company dinner. No one would say anything aloud, but slip up once and you'd get silently branded.
"Let's park here and walk."
"Okay."
Two blocks away from Montnet, in front of a row of shops. The afternoon streets of Chungmuro were quiet.
Script in hand, heart fluttering, Muyeong stepped into Montnet.
"Welcome."
"Hello, I'm Ha Muyeong."
"Oh! Right this way. You're early, huh?"
The production staff were busy prepping for the reading. Guided to a meeting room, he saw rows of chairs stacked in two lines.
"There are a lot of people coming today."
That, and the meeting room itself was small.
"How many, exactly?"
"Let's see… about thirty registered."
The staff member brushed back his hair, looking tired.
It would've been so much simpler if it were just the main cast doing a cozy session together.
But Director Jin Kyung-moon had insisted: Any actor who wants to attend the reading, let them come.
"Please take a seat where your name tag is."
The true supporting actors — the real background extras — wouldn't even have a table for the reading.
Not having a nameplate was nothing unusual; they'd probably just stick one on their chest.
[Ha Muyeong (Louis)]
Muyeong found his seat at the very end of the table.
He was a supporting character, sure, but with enough screen time to be seated near the leads — right next to Yuna, in fact.
"Nice. Close to the door."
Easy to greet people as they came in.
Go Kyung-min scanned the setup, muttering under his breath.
You didn't have to bow and scrape just because you were new, but some basic etiquette was expected — greeting people first, handing out materials if there were any, maybe holding the door.
"Where are you sitting, hyung?"
"I'll hang around here for now, then move to the hallway when it gets crowded."
He would've loved to stay hidden in a corner to keep an eye on Muyeong, but there clearly weren't any seats left — the rest would soon be taken by staff and camera crews.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
"Muyeong, hang on a second."
"Sure, take your time."
Kyung-min stepped out to take the call, leaving Muyeong alone in the empty conference room.
He glanced around aimlessly, waiting.
Maybe it's just nerves… time's flying.
He fiddled with the edge of his script, then finally pulled out his phone.
When you're anxious like this, reading goofy SNS comments under your photos is the best cure.
Click—
That was when it started.
People began trickling in, one by one.
They seemed a little surprised to see someone already there.
"Hello! I'm Ha Muyeong! It's nice to meet you!"
"Ah, yes, hello. I'm—"
Just as his manager had drilled into him — whoever it is, if it's a person, greet them immediately. No exceptions.
"You must be playing Louis? Haven't seen you before. Impressive."
The man gave a thin smile and sat a row behind him. His eyes flicked to Muyeong's nameplate before he pinned his own badge to his chest.
[Kim Do-soo (Lead Reporter)]
"Must be nice to have a powerful agency."
Same age, both rookies — yet one got a significant supporting role while the other was just a face in the crowd.
It had to be the agency's influence.
He didn't even need to be here today, truth be told.
But if you wanted to get your face out there, sometimes you had to show up like this.
"Yeah! My agency's great!"
"…Ah. I see."
The man's words had barbs, but Muyeong's answer was harmless — almost cheerfully so.
Is he dense, or just really good at disarming people?
The man tilted his head and opened his script. The awkward silence didn't last long.
Click.
Click.
As the scheduled time drew closer, more and more people arrived.
"Hello! I'm Ha Muyeong!"
"Nice to meet you, I'm Jin, the assistant director."
"This whole group's production staff — oh, you're Louis?"
"Director! Great weather today, huh?"
The room filled with chatter in an instant.
Muyeong was busy bowing and smiling like a well-oiled machine, while his manager behind him did the same.
Whoa. That's Seong Hye-jun and Hyo-jung.
Seeing famous actors in person after only ever watching them on screen felt surreal.
No one openly gawked, but everyone's eyes darted their way.
"The parking lot's way too small."
"Hyo-jung! Long time no see—"
"You haven't changed at all, unnie."
Ahh, so that's what Kyung-min meant by "unexpected."
Seong Hye-jun, who'd always seemed elegant and poised, turned out to be lively and chatty like a tomboy.
And Hyo-jung, who was known for her gentle warmth, radiated coldness instead.
"Hello."
The main actors already knew each other — they'd all worked in the same industry long enough to have crossed paths, if not on the same projects.
"Is everyone here?"
"Jeez, there are so many people."
"I heard Lee Hee-jun's coming too?"
"Yeah, right? Never thought I'd get to work with him."
"So you heard the rumors?"
Across from them, Muyeong just smiled politely.
From the hallway, Kyung-min watched, arms crossed.
Is he going to be okay?
Even from a distance, he could feel the pressure.
These were the people who'd survived the battlefield of stardom — their aura alone was enough to dominate a room, their confidence tangible.
Can't even see his face from here…
All he could do was stare at the back of Muyeong's head, grinding his teeth anxiously, before finally retreating to the hallway as the room filled up.
"Lee Hee-jun, Yoo Yuna — this way, please."
"Ah, thank you."
"I'll wait here, Mom."
The last two to arrive.
A staff member held the door open and called out,
"Actors Lee Hee-jun and Yoo Yuna have just arrived. The sound director will be late. Sir, you can start the reading when ready."
At that, Yuna froze.
Her brows knit — she clearly didn't like what she'd heard. Then, with her usual sharpness, she corrected him.
"I'm an actor."
"…Sorry?"
"I said, I'm an actor. Not a 'child actor.'"
She brushed past him without another glance.
Inside the room, she bowed deeply to everyone.
Watching her, Kyung-min quietly inhaled.
People who live off an audience's attention… even at nine years old, she's no joke.
She's the real deal.
The air in the room grew taut, charged with intensity.
As the door slowly closed, Muyeong turned, waving to his manager.
I'll do my best!
He mouthed the words silently, grinning.
To Kyung-min, he looked like a block of white tofu dropped into a den of predators.
Ah, kid… good luck.
Creak—!
Through the narrow gap of the closing door, he clenched both fists and cheered him on in silence.
Meanwhile, inside—
Wow, they're all so cool! Ooh, there's Jenny!
Sometimes, gentleness is stronger than sharpness.
And no matter how many predators there are — if you're not afraid of them, you'll be just fine.
Muyeong smiled and waved warmly to Yuna, inviting her over.
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