"Hello."
A few days later, just after sunrise. Hyojeong was the first to arrive at the filming site with her manager. It was Warehouse No. 8, labeled Janie's House.
"You're early?"
"My last schedule ended at dawn, so I came straight here. There wasn't any traffic. Am I the first one?"
Though she wore plain clothes and no makeup, she was unmistakably an actress. Even drenched in fatigue, her beauty was disarming. The staff member, still half-asleep, suddenly felt more awake.
"Yes, but the set isn't fully ready yet."
"I heard a bit about it. There was some problem before, right? Was it resolved?"
She covered her yawn with a hand as she spoke.
Three hours remained before shooting began. Even subtracting makeup time, she could probably catch an hour's nap.
"Well… 'resolved' might be a stretch. The director ordered another safety inspection of the warehouse. Because of that, Yuna's solo scene got pushed back."
"So Yuna's coming this afternoon?"
"Yes. She should be on time. We need to tear down the set in Warehouse 8 today or by tomorrow at the latest. Didn't the assistant director tell you to keep tomorrow free?"
Ah. Damn it. That meant an all-nighter. They'd have to finish every shot using Janie's room as a background before dismantling the set.
"To keep from falling further behind—"
Hyojeong forced a smile. She'd hoped to rest tomorrow, finally a free day.
"—we'll have to work hard. Oppa, coffee."
Her "we" referred to Lee Hee-jun and Muyeong. At her request, the manager went out again. Hyojeong sat dazed in the folding makeup chair, staring at the brushes and palettes.
"Unni, should I start your makeup now?"
"Yeah. I'll nap in the car after. I'll need to get ready again once Hee-jun and Muyeong arrive anyway."
The youngest member of the makeup team smiled awkwardly and began preparing her tools. Muyeong was young, but Hee-jun was quite a bit older—so was she being overly casual, or looking down on him?
"Oh, Director."
Hyojeong lifted her chin from her hand as she spotted Jin Kyung-moon. They waved and smiled.
"You're here?"
"Yes. Why are you so early?"
"Something came up. Ah, right. This is Lighting Director Lee Taek-kyung."
"…Hello?"
Hyojeong greeted him politely, though puzzled.
The lighting director she'd seen before wasn't this man. The guy in the bucket hat with a thick beard only gave a curt nod, silent as a rock. Jin Kyung-moon patted his back.
"He's the quiet type—you'll rarely hear his voice. But he's good at his job."
"Pleased to work with you. Have we met before?"
"There were some circumstances. Today's just a site inspection—he'll be joining us soon."
"…Oh. I see."
"Then finish your makeup. Director, this way, please."
Jin Kyung-moon disappeared with Lee Taek-kyung. Hyojeong took a sip of her coffee, one eyebrow twitching in confusion.
"What's that about?"
"Wow, so the new lighting director really did come."
"Why'd they change so suddenly?"
The youngest makeup artist flitted about, soaking cotton pads with toner. Then, glancing around to ensure no one was listening, whispered,
"They had a big fight after that near-accident the other day. I'd heard rumors of a change, but didn't think it'd happen so fast."
Fortunately, the rest of the staff stayed the same—minimal losses considering a department head swap.
Only then did Hyojeong notice the lighting crew's strange tension. She'd just thought everyone was sleepy.
"What's that you're using?"
"Oh, this? It's new toner from Dr. Martel. Why? Should I get yours from the car?"
"No, it's fine. Just hadn't seen that one before."
She did have her own products, but wasn't picky enough to bring them on set. The junior chattered as she smoothed Hyojeong's skin.
"It's surprisingly nice—refreshing but gentle, all natural ingredients."
"Mm-hm. Really? By the way, how's the set been?"
"The shoot? You mean Yuna and Muyeong?"
Since she hadn't seen it herself, gossip was her only source. Yuna was already famous—a prodigy, practically industry royalty. But what Hyojeong really wanted to know about was Muyeong.
"He's good?"
She still remembered the shock she'd felt during the script reading. If he'd been that compelling just sitting there reciting lines—how powerful must he be on set?
"He's insane."
The junior paused mid-application, eyes wide in awe, as if recalling the past few days. Her gaze drifted past Hyojeong, seeing the scenes in her mind.
"Their chemistry is incredible. Yuna really likes him, and since both act so well, the synergy is amazing. They were so prepared—barely any NGs. The director gave new directions sometimes, but never because of mistakes."
"That much?"
"Really. You'll see when you work with them today."
Today would be the first time another actor joined Yuna and Muyeong's scenes. Hyojeong hesitated, rummaging through her bag.
"You're keeping the makeup light, right?"
"Yes. I'll add dirt and dust before the take. You can read your script. You removed your nail polish, right?"
"Yeah. Shame, though—I just got them done."
Every trace of glamour had to go—brown shadows even under her nails. These characters were fighting to survive in an enclosed area; only the crew looked clean.
Clack—
"But I don't get how Muyeong's that good after so little experience. And he's so nice, too."
"…You seem to think highly of him."
"Do I? But everyone feels that way, not just me."
Just being near him felt refreshing. And that face—who wouldn't smile just looking at him?
"That's how he stole Louis from Hee-jun."
"Huh?"
Hyojeong kept her eyes on the script as she muttered. Then, casually—
"You didn't know?"
And began talking behind Lee Hee-jun's back. Sure, there'd been an audition, but everyone knew the agency had stepped in. Talent with a little "help" added.
The man who'd snatched away her lover's role—Hyojeong's opinion of Hee-jun wasn't exactly kind.
"Louis was supposed to be Hee-jun's role."
"Really?"
"But Muyeong fit it better, so the director switched."
"I bet Hee-jun oppa would've suited it too."
"Suited? Please. Same tired image over and over. I can't tell if he won't or can't change."
"Ah…"
The junior clamped her mouth shut.
If there was one rule she knew, it was this: when gossip starts, act deaf and blind. Get involved, and you're in for trouble—real trouble.
"Unni, close your eyes."
"You've never seen Hee-jun act before, have you?"
"No. This'll be my first time."
"Then you'll see. Honestly, I don't get the hype. Look at his past projects—tells you everything."
A smirk, and she bit, chewed, savored, and enjoyed every word.
Hyojeong felt her fatigue vanish. His reputation was inflated—he'd just gotten lucky with his debut role.
"No outdoor scenes, so go easy on the sunscreen. I hate that sticky feeling."
She smiled sweetly, focusing on the script. The junior carefully blended foundation, believing only the two of them were in the tented makeup booth.
Ah. So that's what happened.
Outside, another staff member who'd been about to enter paused. It sounded like gossip, so they'd planned to wait—but this was too juicy to leave unheard.
"What're you doing?"
"Huh? Nothing. But hey, did you know Louis was originally Hee-jun's role?"
"Really? It suits him—why'd they change?"
"No idea. Maybe 'cause Muyeong acts better?"
"Yeah, that guy's nuts. Seriously."
"Right? I thought he was possessed."
The staff chatter spread through the set like wildfire, shaking off their morning fatigue.
"Wow. So Muyeong did push Hee-jun out, huh?"
"A Rookie? That's crazy."
"Honestly, I've never seen anyone make as strong an impression on set as Muyeong. Makes sense, though. Lee Hee-jun's more of that... you know, 'gentle romantic second male lead' type."
"Huh? Didn't he only do lead roles after Love Comment?"
"Maybe that's why his results have been so-so."
"Ah, right, right."
And as always, idle talk spread beyond the warehouse.
Next to it, the crew smoked and swapped gossip—
not just about Hee-jun and Muyeong, but also about the new lighting director, yesterday's soccer match, and what to eat for dinner.
"Ah, here we go again!"
"Yeah, yeah. Let's get back inside."
Just one of countless bits of chatter—
but to the person being talked about, that was the only part that rang loud and clear.
Lee Hee-jun, smoking at the corner of the warehouse, exhaled a harsh breath of smoke.
"Starting this crap first thing in the morning, huh. Fuck."
A sigh, thick with irritation.
His manager fidgeted anxiously beside him, watching his mood.
"I'll go talk to them—"
"Forget it. Don't you get that'd just make me look worse? You want the first shoot of the day to turn into a circus?"
He crushed the cigarette underfoot with unnecessary force.
The manager glanced around nervously.
"You think he's the one who told people?"
"Who? Ha Muyeong?"
"Yeah. How else would the staff know? It's not like the director would say anything."
Ha Muyeong?
Didn't seem like that type…
Then again, the entertainment industry was full of two-faced people.
You couldn't trust appearances. Hee-jun shook his head and pulled out another cigarette.
"Let's just ignore it and do our jobs well, okay? Hee-jun-ah. If you focus, that kind of talk dies down fast."
"I don't care. Fuck it."
He started rummaging through his pocket again when—
"Why're you following me?"
"You said smoking alone is boring, remember?"
"What a great method acting choice."
Just then, Muyeong and his manager, Go Kyung-min, approached the smoking area.
Muyeong had insisted on following him out, saying he'd just smoke one and go in.
Spotting Hee-jun, he brightened immediately.
"Good morning, sunbae-nim!"
"Oh—hello. I'm Muyeong's manager, Go Kyung-min."
"First time seeing you since the script reading! Please take good care of me today, sunbae-nim!"
He beamed, bowing a perfect 90 degrees.
Hee-jun crushed the unlit cigarette between his fingers, glaring at him.
Speak of the devil. What timing.
"Sunbae-nim?"
Hee-jun didn't reply—just frowned deeply.
Muyeong tilted his head in confusion. Was he… sick or something?
"...Hey."
"Yes?"
"Be quiet before you stop being funny."
"Be quiet? How? Oh—do you not like people greeting you?"
Weird guy. Who doesn't like greetings?
While Muyeong brushed it off with innocent confusion, his manager sensed the tension immediately.
Something was off. The air around Hee-jun was hostile.
"...Did we do something wrong?"
"Stop running your mouth behind my back. You think you got Louis 'cause you're talented? If I hadn't turned that role down, you'd be nowhere. You better know your place."
"...?"
Blink, blink.
Muyeong looked genuinely lost, as if wondering whether they were still speaking the same language.
He didn't get it.
"Sunbae-nim? I'm not sure what you mean."
"You're the one who told the staff, right? That you got the Louis role after I got cut."
"What? Me? Me?"
He pointed at himself, eyes wide with shock.
What the hell kind of nonsense was this?
"I—no, sir. I never said anything like that. I never even thought that way. It was the director's decision, wasn't it?"
"That's right. Muyeong's not that kind of person, and we manage him very carefully. I don't know what's going on, but this must be a misunderstanding."
Both of them denied it immediately—almost too earnestly.
Hee-jun and his manager faltered for a moment.
Sure, Ha Muyeong was an actor and could lie if he wanted… but the manager's sincerity felt too raw to fake.
"Really?"
"Yes! Really!"
Muyeong waved both hands emphatically, insisting on his innocence.
Then Hee-jun suddenly chuckled—as if struck by an amusing idea.
"Then we've got a couple of scenes together today, right?"
"Yes, two scenes."
"Try screwing up a few takes."
Like a nervous rookie trembling on set—
so that Hee-jun could swoop in, "save" him, and show off his seniority.
He was still savoring the cleverness of his own little scheme when—
"I don't want to."
Muyeong's reply came, firm as a hammer.
"What?"
"If I make NGs, the staff will suffer."
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