Ding-dong— Ding-dong—
The officetel doorbell rang piercingly from the crack of dawn. Ha Moo-young, who had passed out, finally came to and staggered to his feet. Under the sofa lay Im Jun-ho, clad only in his underwear, fast asleep.
"Hee hee hee…."
Whatever dream he was having, he kept chuckling in his sleep. Moo-young tossed a blanket over him.
This guy, always scaring the hell out of people.
'What the— behind my back? You two?'
Unbelievable. Bora had put up such a steel wall in front of him with Jun-ho! From fighting to suddenly kissing? Moo-young, with zero dating experience, couldn't wrap his head around that floating middle step.
Ding-dong— Ding-dong—
"I'm coming."
Moo-young shuffled over and checked the intercom. It was Go Kyung-min. The sun hadn't even risen yet—what was going on?
"Hyung, this early in the morning—"
"Moo-young-ah. What the hell did you do last night? Or rather, just a bit ago?"
"Huh? Me?"
Moo-young scratched his head vigorously, yawning. The booze stench was still clinging—couldn't he tell?
"I had drinks with Daryeong—no, dinner that turned into drinks. That hot pot was killer. Next time we should go togeth—"
"No. Just the two of you drinking?"
"No, Jun-ho was there too. Hyung, what's up? Something happen?"
His face was deadly serious. At Moo-young's question, he shoved his phone forward.
REALTIME SEARCH RANKINGS> #1: Gangnam Station Celeb Drunk Fest
> #2: Daryeong
> #3: Gangnam Police Station
> #4: Daryeong
> #5: Drunk Celeb Vomits in Gangnam
"What the…?"
"Daryeong went nuts on the street blackout drunk last night. Called her the second the news hit—no answer. Boss headed to Gangnam Police Station just in case."
The rundown: She barfed on the street after drinking, passersby recognized her and snapped pics, words were exchanged, and she ended up hauled into the station. The real issue? She kept acting like a total menace there too. Rumors were swirling about her even assaulting cops, spreading like wildfire on the down-low.
"Huh? That's weird. I definitely put her in a taxi."
"You're not involved, right? We were freaking out thinking maybe you were too. Whew."
"Nah. I split from her and came home with Jun-ho. Around 1 a.m. last night? Crashed right after, so she must've gotten home earlier. Don't remember the details."
Too distracted by Jun-ho and Bora's lovey-dovey nonsense.
Go Kyung-min patted his chest in relief with a deep sigh.
"Good. Thing blew up around 2 a.m., so you're clear. Phew, thank god."
On the drive over, he'd prayed Moo-young was safe at home. No religion, but he'd shamelessly begged every god and buddha he could think of!
"Sorry for worrying you."
Moo-young handed back the phone with an apology. He hadn't done anything wrong, but the concern alone made him grateful. Showing up at dawn like this.
"Ro-min said it, right? That girl's got a shitty personality."
"He said she's kinda meh, not shitty exactly."
"Word's spreading like crazy around here. She's a monster when drunk, apparently. Saw some leaks—looks like old buried stuff might surface too. If her side contacts you, stonewall 'em and tell us right away. Got it?"
"Yeah, got it. But seriously weird. Did she get out of the taxi midway?"
"Who knows. None of your business anyway."
Aigoo, what a pain! Go Kyung-min flopped onto the sofa, then recoiled at half-naked Jun-ho snoring away.
"Must be killing you. Water?"
"Yeah, pour me one."
As he spoke, Go Kyung-min texted Na Geum-dong. Moo-young's safe at home. Don't go to the station—head back.
"You were at the office all night?"
Moo-young handed him iced water. Quick on the news, and chatting with the boss at this hour—probably together there.
"Yeah. Work stuff."
"That call in the car earlier? What's up?"
Moo-young checked his own phone while asking. Thirty-two missed calls, nearly a hundred texts. Silent mode—missed 'em all.
Surprisingly, one from Ro-min too.
Ro-minHyung, were you with Daryeong till dawn by any chance? Where are you now?This guy's up too? Moo-young shot back that he was fine and eyed Go Kyung-min. He scratched his cheek awkwardly, avoiding eye contact.
"What's that about?"
"Not set in stone yet."
"It's cool. Spill."
"Plague. Release might get pushed back if things go south."
Whoa. Moo-young hadn't seen that coming. He sipped his water, eyes widening.
"Why? Editing issues?"
"Nah, that's smooth sailing. Distributor side's the snag…."
Distributors handle theaters and circulation post-production. Majors often self-distribute, no biggie. But Plague was from Mongnett—a total indie among indies.
"Too many crank-ups lately, queue's backing up. Not confirmed. Won't shove aside Director Seo Jeong-mun's flick that easy."
Just rumors flying was bad juju.
"Expected timeline?"
Planned for early next year, might slip to late if unlucky. Company desperate for quick returns over actor schedules—gotta recoup investments.
"Meeting with them to hash it out. Promo locks in schedules, but too far out screws us."
Can't ditch now for maybes. Acting gigs span months to years—this uncertainty sucked.
"Tough spot."
"Tell me about it. Who knows what you'll be shooting then."
"Not locked yet?"
"Nope. Hearing they might prioritize imports. Theaters are big corp turf—agency connects don't reach that high. Info lags inevitable."
"Sorry."
"No need. Not anyone's fault. And—"
Whatever happened, it'd be for the best. Recalling Plague's script glitter calmed him. Outcome was luck either way.
"And another thing."
"What now? Exorcism?"
"Not you. Tae-seok's thing. That PD Hong Seok-jo on Crescent Waist."
"Yeah, yeah. From the dinner, right?"
"DUI after all. Crashed, hospitalized."
Whoa. Moo-young gaped, picturing his face. Warned him not to drive drunk! Couldn't dodge that black smog after all.
"Bad?"
"12 weeks recovery. Lucky solo into guardrail—no other casualties. But shooting's delayed."
"…You're slammed, you and boss."
And Daryeong's mess on top—must've been hell. Moo-young apologized again with a smile.
"Gotta hustle harder."
"Nah. You're killing it. Haha, smooth sailing."
He checked his phone and stood. Oblivious Jun-ho scratched his belly in deep sleep.
"Crash hard. Gotta head back."
Moo-young's schedule empty for now. Film wrapped, promo postponed, auditions done.
Moo-young yawned hugely, seeing him off.
"Drive safe."
"Will do. Hit you up for docu schedule."
"Oh, right."
Totally spaced. Moo-young waved, shut the door.
Sleep vanished. Quiet dawn. Dark officetel. Only Jun-ho's snores filled the air.
"Hm."
Release delay. Boss and hyung helpless, that's why the freakout? Wanted to help….
Screw it! Path'll clear soon!
Moo-young flopped down, scrolling news. Dawn traffic this heavy—morning would erupt nationwide.
'Drama's fucked. Tsk.'
Pre-produced, not aired yet. Daryeong's stunt tanks it? Who's the new lead? Already battered by AD scandal.
"Heh heh heh… Bora's right there."
"Whoa!"
Jun-ho smirked lecherously in his sleep-talk. Creep! Moo-young chucked a pillow over his mouth.
* * *
"What the fuck is this?!"
Park Mun-cheol, roused by emergency call, arrived at the station to a jaw-dropping sight. Back of his neck throbbing.
An actress! Lead of an upcoming drama! Cuffed to a bench, bawling!
"…M-Mr. Executive Director."
"You! I told you to lay off the booze!"
"Sorry! Waaah!"
His thunderous roar had Daryeong sobbing buckets. He clutched his pounding head, glaring at her manager.
"Fucking hell…."
Pay you to handle fallout! He ground his teeth, eyes murderous.
Manager finished paperwork per cops; cuffs off.
"Act your age, huh?"
"Sorry…."
Daryeong wiped tears, gazing up pitifully. No dice. He intoned coldly.
"Bribe reporters? Sure. But street meltdown in the middle of the road? What am I supposed to do? Stations calling—what, we all go down?"
"Sorry. I barely drank."
"Who was the other girl?"
"Mori. She bounced earlier."
"Fucking hell…."
Daryeong whimpered, hands clasped.
"Ha Moo-young and Im Jun-ho ditched me. I was pissed—no, why chase Kang Bora when I'm right there…."
"Wait, who? Ha Moo-young? You drank with him?"
She just nodded. He pondered snake-eyed. Best to shut up now.
Executive Director beckoned her manager.
"Go to that Gangnam XX bar now. Check her path."
"Path?"
"CCTV from bar to taxi stand."
What's he scheming? Manager bolted out with a "Got it."
Park Mun-cheol tossed his jacket over wrecked Daryeong.
"Wanna survive? Listen up."
"Wh-what?"
Three ways to dodge heat: money, time, dilution. Public tips spread her antics online, but articles just "Celeb D" so far.
"Dilution time."
But he overlooked one thing. Dilute with similar waters or it backfires spectacularly.
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