'Holy crap. What the hell?'
From the shoulders up, his face was completely obscured by swirling clouds of acting. Whatever he was blabbering on about with such enthusiasm didn't reach Moo-young's ears.
'First time seeing someone show up like that.'
Black smog billowing from his mouth. Moo-young stayed on high alert but didn't stop shoveling food with his chopsticks. That was that, and meat was meat, after all.
Chewing a big mouthful, he stared straight through Park Mun-cheol.
"—so if we sign the contract, I'll push you as hard as I can. Let's make it work, yeah?"
He seemed to think Moo-young was hanging on his every word. His voice pitched high with excitement. His face was swallowed up, so no expression was visible.
"Sure. But can I order some rice?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Moo-young casually asked the team leader. A utterly dry response.
Jo Mi-young, who had been wetting her lips with soju on the side, laughed and raised her hand.
"Oh? Of course. You must be hungry, Moo-young? Auntie! One bowl of rice here, please!"
"You're in your growth spurt. Eat up. Today we're draining the boss's wallet. Want some to-go on the way out?"
The team leader patted Moo-young's back affectionately.
Moo-young kept steadily inhaling the meat without pause. Park Mun-cheol, sitting across from him, just sipped his soju in silence.
'Man, this is awkward.'
Sharing a table with that smog. And without a face to see, it was extra unnerving. As he pondered how to escape the situation...
"Moo-young! Come drink with us!"
The director and production team waved soju bottles and called him over.
Perfect! Seizing the moment, Moo-young grabbed the bowl of rice from the auntie and stood.
"Hell yeah! Mind if I do? Be right there."
"Go on, go on. Make the rounds. Everyone's been dying to see you. Looks like we got off on the right foot—things are going smooth."
The team leader gestured for him to hurry.
'Whew. Saved.'
"Thank you!"
Moo-young infused his gratitude and moved seats.
Watching his retreating back, the team leader muttered.
"See? That kid has zero interest in his agency. You're just making him uncomfortable for no reason."
"He seemed pretty serious when we talked contract money, though? Come on, hyung. Spill a little. What're you thinking for the offer?"
The two chuckled as Park Mun-cheol just smiled quietly. Moo-young couldn't see it through the smog, but he wore a constant grin.
How adorable!
"I'm seriously gonna give him a great deal."
A mask that looked even better in person. Top-tier acting etched in from just one role. Unlike other aspiring actors, he was a finished product with minimal investment needed.
And moreover—
"He's got a unique charm."
Poise, maybe? Most actor hopefuls would do anything to impress him.
But look at Moo-young.
"He's got his own solid color. That's personality right there."
Seemed like a guy with backbone.
The kind of attitude that brought to mind lines like 'I'll walk my own path' or 'You do you, I do me.'
Probably came from confidence in his skills. From what he'd seen in the industry, those were the ones who went all the way.
"You're totally hooked, huh?"
"I like him. For real."
"Think you can snag him?"
"You ever seen me let one slip away after I set my sights?"
Park Mun-cheol was as tenacious as his instincts were sharp. Past successes proved it.
No way he'd let a surefire star get away.
"If he blows up, you gotta slot some of our projects for him, right?"
Jo Mi-young propped her chin and lifted her soju bottle. They poured for each other, clinking glasses.
The team leader inwardly clicked his tongue.
'Moo-young doesn't seem like the type to hand out rice cakes.'
Moo-young weaved through the tables, clowning around like a nephew with long-lost uncles.
The director started belting a tune using a spoon as a mic for punishment.
"Ah-ah—hateful person—"
"Boo! What is that? Way too old-school."
"Wherever you—aaare!"
"Whoa. Moo-young! You know that song?"
Against the staff's jeers, Moo-young belted the chorus with all his might.
The sizzling heat of grilling meat. Laughter and booze soaked away the exhaustion of the day.
* * *
"Taxi!"
It was dawn by the time the party broke up. A few still-sober ones herded the crowd. The team leader and Moo-young among them.
"Whew. Rough night. You okay, Moo-young?"
"Yeah. I didn't drink much. This is all just meat belly. Hehe."
Moo-young patted his bulging stomach and grinned. Hard to say. His smile was loopier than usual—probably buzzed.
The team leader checked his watch. Past three already.
"Dorm?"
"Nah. Curfew, door's locked. I've got a spot nearby, I'm good."
No matter how little he'd drunk, he couldn't show up reeking at Jun-ho's place.
He planned to walk to BV Acting Academy. See the teacher in the morning too.
"That guy earlier was a bit much, huh?"
"Who?"
The team leader lit a cigarette.
"Park Mun-cheol, the executive."
While Moo-young was off enjoying drinks and games, the CEO and exec had dipped early. Claiming after-parties were for staff.
Park Mun-cheol especially left with a loaded "see you next time."
"Nah, what about it? He saw potential and made an offer. That's all."
Nothing big. Black smog or not, as long as he didn't tangle with him, it was someone else's problem.
The team leader inhaled deeply and probed casually.
"You thinking Sealing Actors?"
"No."
"Cough—"
A crisp no without a second's hesitation. Moo-young blinked innocently, as if asking why.
"Why? It's a solid company."
"Might be solid, but..."
The guy's ominous. Smog pouring from inside him, for crying out loud.
Moo-young swallowed that and gave a vague reply.
"I don't wanna work with someone whose face I don't know."
Honestly, after that first greeting glimpse, he hadn't seen it since. No memory.
The team leader let out a small chuckle at the offbeat answer.
"Aigoo. You're hopeless."
"Oh? Another taxi. Team leader, head out."
"Yeah. You too, get home safe. Thanks a ton. Hit me up if you're eyeing my next project, okay?"
Moo-young just smiled and saw him off.
Quiet street. Maybe the pleasant buzz, but the night felt like a stage just for him.
"Whoa!"
And the BV Acting Academy building still sparkling with flower pollen. Like stars poured from the night sky.
Yes! This was it!
His smog-choked eyes felt cleansed.
Screech—
"Teacher. You up?"
Dim light leaking from the window. Moo-young cautiously called for O-seok.
"Huh? Moo-youngie?"
"Teacher! What're you up to?"
O-seok was in the middle of a drinking session with someone too. Table strewn with ramen and snacks.
He welcomed Moo-young with a delighted grin.
"What brings you here this late?"
"Wrapped a web drama after-party nearby. Sneaking in to crash, but..."
"You punk! All grown up now, huh? The kid who ate samgyeopsal with soda. Tired? Crash in the practice room. Or ramen?"
Moo-young plopped down next to O-seok.
The guy across from him: thick glasses, checkered shirt. Total nerd vibe.
"Kyung-min. This is that Ha Moo-young I told you about. Kills it acting—why, the Seoul City YouTube promo web drama."
"Ah, you're the one. Nice to meet you. Go Kyung-min."
"My college junior. Came by after ages for a drink. Why the formal talk? Loosen up! Haha!"
Kyung-min offered a handshake. Looked way older, but Moo-young bowed politely.
The moment their hands met.
"...?"
Moo-young noticed the flower pollen wafting from his fingertips.
Thought it was from the academy, but no. It was coming from this guy.
"Something wrong?"
"Huh? No. Your grip's real firm."
"All the rough work, I guess? Haha."
Kyung-min laughed bashfully, and O-seok chimed in.
"He's had it tough. No actor's life is easy, but damn. Ten years?"
Scraping by on 2 million won salaries in theater post-grad. Devoted his life to acting passion alone.
But reality's walls were too high and thick.
"Quit 'cause he couldn't hack it anymore. Done everything. Right?"
Kyung-min just nodded with a smile at O-seok's question.
"Manual labor, rolling in Gangwon fields. Come on, hyung. Embarrassing. Skip that story."
"What's embarrassing? I mean it in a good way, you maniac. Admirable as hell!"
Looked fine, but he's drunk. O-seok lavishly praised Kyung-min at random.
Moo-young watched, munching squid.
"Moo-young. This guy saved up from field work and came back. Crazy, right? I'd bail and never look back."
Loved acting, but unselected. All Kyung-min could do was step back and watch.
O-seok too. Teaching instead of onstage.
"You run the academy?"
"Nah. Can't teach. Manager at Big Win Enter."
"Big Win Enter?"
"You wouldn't know. Tiny place, two actors. But actor-turned-manager's great for script practice. Haha."
Yeah, no clue. Moo-young eyed Kyung-min with keen interest.
Maybe the smog contrast, but his pollen looked especially bright and pure.
"Oh yeah. Moo-young, you pick an agency yet?"
O-seok drained a beer can and asked.
He'd consulted O-seok and Jun-ho when offers first rolled in.
"Bright seemed best from what I saw. Still hearing from them?"
"Yeah. Got a card today too. Sealing Actors."
"Sealing? Scratch that—Sealing over Bright! They're loaded. Our boy's rising. Mid-class kids ghosted after college. Moo-young's the best! The best!"
Bora was prepping a drama... No word from Yu-chan and others. No news is good news—probably thriving in uni.
"But, Manager."
Moo-young hesitated on the address, settling on manager.
Kyung-min raised his brows and smiled softly.
"Big Win take rookies?"
"Huh? Sure, always welcome. But as you see, nothing special. Haha. Why? Want a card?"
Joking. Why would a Sealing offer go to his agency? Couldn't even match a decent signing bonus.
But Moo-young nodded right away, hands out gently.
"Yes!"
"...Yes?"
"Give me your card. I wanna join."
Innocent joy of finally finding it—Moo-young's smile beamed brighter.
Go Kyung-min gaped blankly.
What the hell just happened?
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Read 157 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
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