"Gahhh! Joooota!"
Pork belly and beer! It had been so long since Jeong O-seok last savored such a taste that tears welled up in his eyes.
It was the last week of February, with the new semester just around the corner. The practice room, usually thick with the smell of students' sweat, was now filled with the aroma of grilling meat.
"This is so good. For real!"
"Here, try this too."
"Got any more lettuce or perilla leaves?"
"Quit stuffing your face and grill some yourself!"
They called it the "graduation threshold" in crude terms. This was a farewell party for Jeong O-seok and his students, who'd stuck together through high school.
Of course, there was exciting news to liven things up as well.
"Kids, raise your glasses."
"Teacher, that's your third one already."
"O-seok's turning into a total drunk."
"Pfft! There's a certain je ne sais quoi to beer that cola just can't capture. Glasses up, quick!"
O-seok held his beer, while the kids clutched their sodas. Whether from the portable gas burner or the alcohol, his face was flushed beet red.
"You've all worked so hard, I'm grateful you trusted and followed me, and I'm relieved you all got into college—!"
"And you're thrilled that Bora and Moo-young passed their auditions?"
Im Jun-ho swiftly cut in, hijacking O-seok's toast. Three rounds of the same spiel made it easy to memorize. Jun-ho flashed a bright smile as he placed a perfectly grilled piece of pork on Bora's side plate.
Clack. Bora, who'd been picking at her food, set down her chopsticks as if telling him to knock it off. Everyone, O-seok included, glanced over but didn't stop eating.
"What the hell are you doing here anyway?"
"Me? I brought the meat. The director said since you're here, let's eat together."
His deadpan response. Bora whipped around to glare at O-seok.
"Teacher, isn't this your treat?"
"Where would I get the money?"
"Ha Moo-young, tell your friend to beat it. He's annoying as hell."
But Moo-young just grinned.
"Sorry. Wanna switch seats?"
"We already did that once!"
If that guy left, the meat would go with him. That'd be a problem—things were just getting started! No one in the practice room was on Bora's side. Even Ki Yu-chan was too busy eating to care.
"So when does filming start for you two?"
Jun-ho placed another strip of pork belly on Bora's plate and asked. A quick change of subject. Moo-young jumped in.
"Script reading first. They're aiming for this weekend, then straight into shooting. Probably overlaps with the semester start."
"For real? You'll be slammed. Protagonist's Enbin, right?"
"Yeah. Didn't know him, but his song was familiar."
"...Moo-young, pretty sure you're the only one here who didn't know Enbin."
The center of the famous idol group Zero Team, who'd successfully gone solo—truly the hottest celeb right now. Being picked as Seoul's promotional ambassador said it all.
"Tell me how he looks in person. Is he really like on screen?"
"Sure. From the photos, he's insanely handsome. First time I've seen a guy that pretty."
Moo-young beamed in admiration. For a split second, Jun-ho and the others' faces hardened.
Deceptive bastard...?
What the hell is he saying?
Is this punk joking?
Idols dolled themselves up for a living, so flashiness was expected. But for a regular guy to call another dude "pretty"? That was a stretch. Curses and praises bubbled up to their throats, but they shoved them down with more meat.
"What about you, Bora?"
"...Mine's a bit later. Mid or late March for reading. And seriously, stop piling on the meat?"
"You've barely eaten any."
"I've had plenty."
Bora had a small supporting role too—the female lead's part-time coworker. Decent lines, and she'd react every time the leads' chemistry popped, catching screen time.
"Meat doesn't make you gain weight."
"You eat it then. I'm the one who packs it on."
She'd started dieting. Moo-young eyed her pitifully as he shoved a huge bite into his mouth. He'd starved against his will before, but dieting? Never.
"Anyway!"
O-seok, who'd been chugging beer, banged his spoon on the table again.
"Don't forget your teacher once you're in college."
"Man, O-seok's gonna be broke without us. Poor guy."
Hyeong-ju pretended to wipe tears while stuffing kimchi into O-seok's mouth. The intermediate class had been the academy's revenue backbone. Adults would've moved to advanced, but college-bound kids? No point.
"Enough. It's coolest to leave when it's time. And don't just give me kimchi—wrap some meat too. Tsk!"
He laughed heartily and waved them off. As requested, Moo-young wrapped pork and kimchi in a lettuce leaf for him.
"I'll come by as often as I can."
Sure, he'd be busy, but unlike the others, he wasn't in acting school—no scheduling conflicts. Plus, Moo-young felt he had tons left to learn. Only three months in, after all.
"And if anyone on set asks, I'll say I trained with you."
"Come on, who'd ask that? Your agency, experience, whatever—"
"The team leader did. Asked where I'm learning acting."
Moo-young responded to Hyeong-ju's words without malice. Then he just shoveled in more meat like nothing happened. Yu-chan tsked his tongue and topped off his glass with soda.
Bringing trouble on yourself, dude.
"So? What'd you say?"
O-seok's eyes sparkled as he asked. Moo-young grinned brightly, brushing it off.
"Told 'em BV Acting Academy."
"That's my boy! Good job! Bora, you too—proudly say you're from BV wherever you go. Got it?"
"Yessir, got ittt~"
"Alright! Glasses up again—"
"Stop! Teacher! For real!"
The winter evening sun set early. It was only six, but outside was pitch black. When was the last time they'd eaten their fill and laughed like this? Moo-young savored the pure happiness, raising his glass.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇And then the weekend. Moo-young realized it only after arriving at Square Film. The area around the office was eerily quiet.
Oh right, it's the weekend?
He was half-unemployed student life, but these were office workers. On their day off, no less. Why schedule the reading today?
Screech.
"Hello."
"Yes, come in. What brings you?"
"Here for the reading—"
"Ah, this way."
The cramped lobby. Moo-young followed the staffer up to the conference room. Inside sat familiar staff and the team leader.
"Hey."
"Whoa, you're here!"
And two more: a woman in her thirties and a middle-aged man. He figured they were actors from the name tags.
[Episode 2: Marriageable Age Guest]
[Episode 3: Impostor Guest]
Probably stories continuing from Moo-young's episodes. The team leader tapped his watch and introduced them.
"Enbin only had this afternoon free, so we'll read up to Episode 3. It's an omnibus, so Moo-young, you're free after yours. Sit there, maknae!"
"Hello. Looking forward to working with you."
Moo-young sat beside them with a friendly greeting. They returned awkward smiles, all tense. The youngest staffer set a name tag in front of him.
[Episode 1: High School Student Guest]
Folded from A4 paper, but Moo-young liked how it looked. Everything was a first for him.
Tick-tock.
Moo-young sat quietly, watching the clock. Start time neared, but no sign of the lead. The staff waited in heavy silence.
Screech.
"Sorry."
The team leader opened the door. Behind him came CEO Jo Mi-young. To the supporting actors, just another staffer.
"Enbin might be late."
"Oh, okay."
"More tea?"
"No, we're good."
They shook their heads at the team leader's perfunctory offer. Supporting roles, one-offs—no room to complain about delays. Meanwhile, the middle-aged man fidgeted with his phone, looking troubled.
"Excuse me."
"Yes?"
Moo-young spoke up, drawing all eyes.
"Do you have plans after?"
"Ah—"
The man flushed, stumbling over his words as attention focused.
"N-no, nothing big. Just picking up my daughter after. It's fine, really."
He defended himself eagerly, not wanting a bad impression. A middle-aged debutant chasing acting dreams! Whispers among the team leader and staff made him uneasy.
Why bring it up now—
Just as resentment flickered, Moo-young smiled casually.
"Wanna switch orders with me?"
"Orders?"
"It's omnibus anyway, doesn't matter, right?"
Moo-young checked with the team leader. Bold move. Rookies usually kept quiet out of nerves. But this guy...
Thinks acting's all that matters?
Strange one.
Always had been, since day one. The team leader nodded.
"If Enbin's cool with it."
"Th-thank you!"
Relief washed over the man. He shot Moo-young a quiet grateful look. CEO Jo Mi-young, who'd watched it all.
That's the kid?
The team leader had raved endlessly. Like the high school character leaped off the page. Decent build overall. But just sitting there? Hard to tell.
Wanna see him act.
How good to make the crew buzz like that? Jo checked her watch and tsked.
Need to start soon if I wanna catch it.
She had a schedule too. Came specifically for Episode 1, but at this rate...
"Hyung, please nail it this time?"
"Sorry. They're just so clingy."
"That's too much! Sue 'em!"
"I'll suggest it. But they're fans—"
"Fans my ass. Sasaengs aren't fans."
Then, commotion from the hall. Familiar voice. Moo-young noted it was lower than Enbin's singing pitch.
The door burst open. Enbin, looking disheveled, appeared.
Finally!
"Sorry I'm late."
Enbin smoothed his hair and sat. Mechanical apology—he hadn't even glanced at the supporting actors or staff.
"Everything sorted?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
What happened? Moo-young studied his face closely, curious. For a vivid report to Jun-ho. Wild to see someone from screen in the flesh!
"Let's start? Time's tight."
"Yeah? Director!"
The director and writer, snacking next door, rushed in. All Square Film folks. Even then, Enbin sighed nonstop, head down. Clearly in a foul mood.
"I'm director Kim Hang-mok."
"Writer Cha Ye-jin."
"Enbin. Nice to work with you."
Formulaic intros done, Enbin opened his script.
"Oh, order."
"Pardon?"
"Can we do Episode 3 first? He has plans with his daughter."
Moo-young asked with innocent eyes—pure, 100% wide-eyed naivety, no malice.
Enbin paused, incredulous.
"'Cause of the delay."
Moo-young subtly pinned it on him, politely. Enbin let out a hollow laugh but surprisingly agreed.
"Go ahead."
"Thanks!"
"Episode 3 first. Director, writer—mind briefing the intent and direction?"
Everyone busy, the reading kicked off briskly. Intent, directing plans briefed.
"Dialogue now?"
"Yes. Let's begin."
Enbin droned his first line flatly. The mood chilled instantly. CEO Jo Mi-young nearly screamed in agony.
"Ah. Today too. Morning. Has come."
It was raw, developing shitty acting.
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