Enbin, Ro Min, and Siwon stared at Moo-young in utter bewilderment.
But Moo-young himself was even more baffled. He tilted his head and hummed the song he'd just sung again.
"Boom boom boom↑ boom boom. Look at me↓, dear. Don't cry↑, smile for me↑, dear↑."
"You're driving me crazy. That's not how you do it."
Singing the tune alone didn't make it much different from the first try. What the hell is this guy? Enbin tapped the script suspiciously with a wary glare.
"Try connecting the dialogue here."
"What a weird hyung."
"Yeah, first time seeing something like this in my life."
Ignoring their muttering, Moo-young delivered the line again. Once more, the dialogue flowed seamlessly into the song. Honestly, it wasn't like he was nailing it perfectly—
"Way better than singing it raw."
"Totally. It's actually listenable."
Maybe it was the shock of that wildly off-key first attempt, but this level seemed passable. He could grab a mic anywhere and get by with decent crowd response.
Moo-young scratched his chin and grinned.
"This feels super weird, right?"
"You know it. Does this even make sense?"
Even in fields without talent, faking it through acting somehow worked to a degree. Enbin stared at him for a moment before muttering.
"...But I kinda did something similar when I was a rookie. Before going on stage, I'd think, 'I'm not chubby Enbin—I'm the ultimate badass idol, the best there is,' and my performance changed. Mindset difference, maybe?"
Ugh. It was utterly incomprehensible. This unscientific stuff was beyond their realm.
Suddenly inspired, Ro Min let out an exclamation and dashed into the room. The place was so huge it took a while even running.
"Guitar and bass! And this—ugh, piano!"
"Whoa, careful! I'll help."
Struggling with the guitar on his back, bass slung over his shoulder, and piano hugged to his chest, he emerged into the living room. Moo-young jumped up to assist.
"You said the only instrument you know is recorder, but for a musician role, you gotta handle at least one of these."
"Y-you think that's possible?"
In such a short time? The sleek, polished guitar, the well-worn bass, and the keyboard-only electronic piano felt utterly alien, like encountering something from another era. He'd truly never touched anything like them in his life.
"I kinda get it now," Ro Min said with a smile, handing him the guitar. "How to make hyung look convincing quick. Just hold it first. And imagine you're acting like a guitarist."
Smart. He'd instantly grasped that approaching it as "acting pretend" made it easier for Moo-young.
"Instruments especially—you can dub the sound later, so just practice natural poses. See? This is the head, neck, body. The thinnest string at the bottom is string 1. Hold it like this."
Unlike OSTs, no actual playing was needed—just the pretense, since backing tracks would cover it. The show wasn't deeply musical anyway; it was a K-drama, so romance would be the core.
"L-like this?"
"Oh, nice grip—big hands help. The thickest at the top is string 6, right?"
Step by step, under Ro Min's guidance, Moo-young assumed the posture.
Ting— A clear, pleasant note rang out from a random pluck.
"W-whoa."
"And when you play guitar, cross your legs."
"Ooh, yeah! I've seen that on TV!"
Like a returning student senior, Moo-young leaned forward slightly and crossed his legs. His build made it look photogenic even just holding it. Magazine-cover worthy.
"Do that pose with the earlier dialogue and song. Like consoling an angry girlfriend with a surprise event. Got it?"
Ting— He couldn't play properly, but faking stylish strums? Piece of cake. Moo-young swept the strings and murmured softly.
The same lines as before, but an entirely opposite vibe.
"Sorry. But I didn't cheat. So, believe me, okay?"
He started toward Enbin but shifted his gaze to empty air—Enbin had clapped his hands like chicken feet in shock. Even Moo-young couldn't stay immersed facing that.
"What'll make you believe me?"
Then, with a shy smile, he lightly tapped the guitar body. As if accepting his unheard girlfriend's demand.
"...Begging you for one more chance."
Moo-young whispered Zero Team's "Hang On." The light mumble was oddly alluring, like a whisper in the ear.
Enbin's chicken feet curled tighter.
"But for some reason, you—"
Same lyrics as before, yet a world apart. The gap was so huge it almost seemed intentional sabotage.
Twang— Moo-young finished with a flourish sweep. He'd just held the pose through the song, but it didn't matter.
Enbin and Ro Min exchanged grins.
"The song has power."
"Yeah, his voice carries weight."
A captivating force, like an actor's delivery. Essential for grabbing the audience. See? No one noticed he hadn't strummed once during the song. Was it the face value?
"Keep practicing this for the audition. They liked your image, right? Round two's guaranteed."
"For real?"
"Dead serious. You're a pro at faking it!"
"Hyung, I'll sing while playing. Record it and loop it."
"Awesome, thanks!"
To mimic a character, references were key. Imagination mattered, but roles always echoed real people.
Moo-young started recording on his phone.
"I'll do track four's 'Stepping in Your Footprints.'"
Ro Min smiled faintly and began playing. Shoulder shifts, waist line, lightly tapping toes to the beat, relaxed gaze—everything!
'Ah, so that's how it's done.'
Like stamping a seal, Moo-young imprinted it all. Top musicians handle songs and guitars like that, he repeated to himself.
"—Done!"
Ro Min taught him "hand positions" for guitar, bass, and piano too. As night deepened, Moo-young's poses grew natural.
"Damn, Ha Moo-young. Wanna join our team as maknae?"
"This ain't your band."
"Yeah, just kidding."
He couldn't play, but pretending? Nailed it! Moo-young puffed proudly and rubbed his dry face.
Now then—
"Ro Min's turn?"
"Me? Oh! Acting!"
"Gimme a pen first. I'll teach breathing pauses."
Having pulled an all-nighter together, Moo-young treated Ro Min casually too. Polite words laced with friendly informal slips.
"Interpret this line. Where's the breath?"
"Uh, me?"
"Wrong! Again!"
"Aah, got it. 'Did you cheat?' here."
Moo-young and Ro Min continued their mock intensive training until dawn. Enbin conked out first, Siwon headed to his studio.
"Good! Way better. Again!"
Channeling Director Jeong, Moo-young coldly demanded retakes. Ro Min had helped selflessly, so he'd pour everything into helping back.
"And pulling emotions instantly... dunno. It just happens for me."
"Ugh, so annoying!"
"But watching Yuna, I get it. She holds real sad triggers inside. Uses them at 'action' for instant immersion. Kinda eats at your mind."
He passed on set tips too. Despite first meeting, their acting passion meshed perfectly.
Go Kyung-minYou up? Shall I come pick you up?Without Go Kyung-min's morning text, they might've missed sunrise. Rubbing sleepy eyes, Moo-young received Ro Min's guitar.
"Borrow this. Use well and return it."
* * *
A few days later.
"PD-nim? Where you rushing off to?"
At S Network headquarters, Lee Yu-jin PD bolted down the hall. Her dangling ID badge annoyed her.
"Uh, got work."
"Oh, that planning doc from—"
"Sorry! Later!"
Mashing the elevator close button. Day two since Moo-young's call. Personal audition today.
'Crap, late.'
Editing delays. Rude to make a rookie wait in the lobby.
"Ha Moo-young-ssi...?"
Far off, in the open lobby cafe: two men. One was manager Go Kyung-min, so the other...
"Hello, PD-nim."
"Oh my god. Haha!"
Not the guy from the dinner. He'd gone full Hongdae! Pomade hair, silver piercings galore, white shirt over black tee and pants. Guitar at his side!
"What's this?"
"Ear cuffs—subtle, right?"
Ear piercing scared him, so second-best. Allowed dangling flair.
He fiddled with his ear and chuckled. Lee Yu-jin plopped down, dumbfounded.
"Image is totally different?"
"Matched the Hongdae band vibe. I fit anything. Just cast me."
Bold self-promo. Go Kyung-min slid over a pre-ordered Americano.
"Image alone won't cut it. Singing—"
"Can I do one song? Practiced tons."
"...Haha, fine. Let's see."
Truth: She'd agreed for another reason. 30th anniversary rookie docu... Perfect for scouting. Talent leaping into dreams post-high school, sans parents. Instant drama arc.
Ting— Moo-young cleared his throat and gripped the guitar. Natural leg cross, body angle. Lee Yu-jin tilted her head, surprised.
'Played before?'
Ting— Crisp sweep, then acting.
"It's been a year already."
"...?"
Propped chin, quizzical. Song? Acting? Go Kyung-min glanced nervously at her puzzled face. Passersby glanced curiously.
"Thanks for sticking by me. Without you, I wouldn't be here."
"Wait, what the—"
Cutting her off, straight into song.
"Always wondered before meeting you. Where's my other half, what're they doing? Why show up now?"
Moo-young's voice rang bright and sweet. Natural taps on the guitar body for rhythm. Lee Yu-jin nearly toppled in shock.
"Whoa, broadcast?"
"No camera? Real proposal?"
"Nah."
"Voice is killer though."
"Rookie idol?"
Murmurs. No praise for skill, but musician vibe landed. Seamless song held attention.
Strum-strum!
Moo-young dazzled on strings. Three days/nights drilling that. He'd grafted Ro Min's habits onto himself through hellish practice.
"That's it."
Moo-young beamed, setting down the guitar. Gestures, speech—all lazily Hongdae-inflected.
Lee Yu-jin crossed arms.
"What? What'd you do these days?"
"I really want your drama, PD-nim. Practiced like crazy. Official audition, please."
Jackpot. Gold! Cafe owner leaned out.
"PD-nim, rookie idol? Impressive!"
Moo-young just beamed, sly charm on.
"Musician Ha Moo-young. Boss, coffee's delish!"
Watching intently, Lee Yu-jin realized.
'The guitar...'
Pretend strums at start/end, just pose mid-song. Yet zero awkwardness. How'd he perfect "musician" in days?
"Seriously..."
She chuckled dryly at Moo-young.
"Clear next week. Official auditions."
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