Screeech.
"I'm hooome~"
Ha Moo-young arrived at Big Win Enter Office, utterly drained. Na Geum-dong was eating lunch with Tae-seok, just as they'd been doing for days on end, practicing at the table.
"You're back? How'd it go? You kill it?"
"Spill the details. How was it?"
Go Kyung-min's first words were eerily identical to Na Geum-dong's. They'd estimated six hours for the reading, but it had stretched to eight and a half, thanks to frequent breaks to accommodate Yu-na and the other adults.
"Ugh, it was exhausting."
"Even just sitting there delivering lines burns energy. But compared to an all-nighter shoot? Piece of cake. Hey, Go, how was he? Did he do well?"
Go Kyung-min looked just as wiped out. He nodded as he shrugged off his coat.
"I was waiting outside, so I didn't see it, but the vibe was good. Director praised him. Feedback from the seniors was solid too, and he's still thick as thieves with Yu-na, like siblings."
"Aigoo, nice! Good work. Both of you, great job."
"Why not head back to the dorm? Crash in your bed properly."
At Tae-seok's question, Moo-young unpacked his bag. Clothes tumbled out alongside major textbooks and scripts.
"Gotta head to set early tomorrow."
They'd only told him to bring Yu-na first, but his schedule would surely shift too.
Na Geum-dong's eyes lit up with emotion.
"More practice?"
"Yeah. I noted down the director's comments today, so if you could go over those with me? Class is in the afternoon tomorrow, so I can sleep here and Manager hyung can drop me off."
"Perfect! Love it! Come sit here. Hurry up."
Na Geum-dong patted the seat beside him, beaming. Tae-seok muttered watching the scene.
"Hates going home that much, huh."
"Hey! What're you saying? It's all for the company. Nah, for Moo-young."
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
Who could read a married man's heart? As Moo-young flopped into his seat, the CEO extended a hand.
What does he want? Moo-young stared blankly at the open palm before gently placing his right hand on it, like a puppy.
"No, you punk!"
"Not this?"
"Your phone!"
"Ah, shoulda said so. But why the phone?"
He handed it over anyway. Na Geum-dong squinted at the screen with bleary eyes.
"Yup. You really don't check SNS, do you?"
"I post photos sometimes?"
"Got a call to the office—someone sent a sponsorship inquiry via DM, no reply."
This afternoon.
Moo-young and Go Kyung-min both froze at Na Geum-dong's words.
What did he just say? They exchanged incredulous looks.
"Sponsorship? What kind?"
"Which company?"
Moo-young eyed the product; his manager, the brand. Na Geum-dong scrolled through the mountain of DMs.
"Know Doctor Martel?"
A cosmetics brand focused on basics. Few offline stores, but strong SNS presence via influencer promos.
"Nope."
How would Moo-young know?
"Hmm, here it is. 'Hello, Ha Moo-young-ssi. Doctor Martel promo team here. Reached out after seeing your feed. Your clear, fresh image aligns perfectly with our... blah blah, details omitted. Rate's solid for one post.'"
"A hundred thousand won?"
"A million. Use the product they send, snap a photo, write a 100-character review post. They'll provide copy if you want. What do you think? Do it?"
Moo-young checked the photo. Transparent packaging, true to their natural-ingredient pitch. Bong-gun was right. One photo and you rake in cash!
"Rate's pretty generous, yeah?"
Lots of followers relative to posts, probably why.
Na Geum-dong eyed Moo-young's expression.
"What's up? Issue?"
He'd expected instant yes, but hesitation.
Moo-young shook his head.
"No."
"That face says otherwise."
"It'd be great. But kinda burdensome. Stuff you eat or put on skin hits the body directly, unlike clothes."
Putting his face to it meant fans buying on trust. From some small company he'd never heard of.
Moo-young read the promo post slowly.
"I get it, but these days, most just slap something together and it's fine. Even if the product's iffy, that's on them, not us."
Na Geum-dong pushed to accept; Go Kyung-min countered,
"But his account barely has personal posts. A promo out of nowhere? Followers will flip. Better build it up first."
Different angles, same rejection vibe. Moo-young pondered between them, then decided.
"First inquiry, so wanna handle sincerely. Can I get the product, try it for real, and write an honest review?"
"How honest?"
"Honest is honest. Just as is."
"Hmm."
Na Geum-dong rubbed his chin, wheels turning. Will they like that? Nah, hate it. Basically soft no.
"Boss?"
"Yeah. If that's what you want, do it. I'll follow up tomorrow. If they bail, it's a chance anyway. Manager Go's right—grow the account too."
Moo-young beamed. Told you it's great. No wonder the flower pollen sparkled. Who else respects their actor like this?
"Speaking of, Manager Go handles the account from now on. Post-Bonturi pics... stray cat. Chocolate. Textbooks. What the hell? Fans don't wanna see this crap!"
Go Kyung-min nodded.
"Huh?"
Na Geum-dong, checking for other DMs, muttered at something odd.
"...Seong Hye-jun DMed?"
Seong Hye-junYour acting today was seriously impressive. See you at the gosa! Treat you to something better than sandwiches then!Na Geum-dong and Tae-seok stared at Moo-young. Bizarre expressions—panic and shock perfectly blended.
Moo-young just smiled, like why the fuss?
"Senior Seong bought sandwiches today. Boss, tried Subway? Egg mayo's killer."
"No—Moo-young? That's Seong Hye-jun?"
"Yeah. Way cooler in person."
Go Kyung-min drew an 'X' with his arms behind.
"Boss, it's fine. Nothing to worry about."
"But Seong Hye-jun?"
Shocked into repetition.
"Yeah, yeah, that's why it's fine."
He'd scarfed two happily. Plus Yu-na stuck to him like glue. No company-drama potential.
"Gosa already set?"
Na Geum-dong's lips flapped before switching topics.
"Pulled forward 'cause of Yu-na."
"When?"
"This weekend, probably."
The blockbuster prayer gosa before crank-in. Fading trend, but essential for veteran Jin Kyung-moon.
"Action-heavy, gotta do it."
"Heard some set did an extra mid-shoot after accidents."
"Better spend on new safety gear? Costs hundreds of thousands."
"Like insurance. Skip it and accidents happen? Tongues wag."
"That much?"
Just bowing to a pig head, rice cakes, fruit?
"Food's cheap, tens of thousands. But attendees chip in for the pig mouth envelope."
Sincerity for safety—hundreds of thousands pooled for post-gosa dinner.
"Ah, weekend makes sense."
Gosa plus team bonding booze-up.
"See how much to pitch in."
Like wedding/funeral customs—pay and recoup later. As rookie, first gosa, modest amount to blend.
"Give to Manager Go. Enjoy gosa. Get rained on, see ghosts."
"Huh?"
"Light rain on shoot? Hit. Ghosts? Hit. Starting at gosa? Mega-hit."
"Ah."
Pumped morale pre-battle, i.e., crank-in. Tough road, but good results—let's crush it.
"First, script practice?"
"Yes! Sounds good!"
"Manager Go, add Doctor Martel reply to tomorrow's schedule. Let me know response."
Moo-young nodded nonstop at Na Geum-dong's rundown. He spread his tattered script and wedged between them.
The office was chilly, but warm with family heat.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇"Whoa, what's this place?"
Abandoned U.S. base in Yangpyeong. Iron structures and containers littered vast wooded acres. Without the "Film Set" sign, it'd pass for a quiet construction site.
"Private set, first time for me too."
"They're setting up now, right?"
"Yup. Basically building a whole city."
Moo-young and his manager parked before a massive warehouse with slate roof and headed in. Cars packed already.
"Long time. Director."
"How long? Last year?"
"Drama killed it—congrats."
Buzzing crowd: camera-toting reporters, invited outsiders, director's pals.
"Director! Here!"
"Ooh! Moo-young. Come on in."
"Need help?"
"Haha, staff's got it. Wait a sec—actors are over there."
Director swamped with gosa prep and greetings. Moo-young followed his point to the corner with Go Kyung-min.
"Oppa!"
"Yu-na~!"
Yu Yu-na spotted him first. Moo-young scooped her up, greeted cast. Too noisy for chit-chat.
"Alright, let's start the gosa!"
Jin Kyung-moon grabbed the mic at the podium. Screen, lavish spread, pig head, booze—classic setup.
"Jin Kyung-moon, directing Plague. Thanks everyone for coming—"
Greeting kicked off. Actors followed with resolve and well-wishes.
Lead Yu-na first.
"Hope we're all smiling when wrap comes. Won't slack just 'cause I'm a kid—gonna work hard!"
She fluffed her puffy skirt, prayed before the altar. All watched her back fondly.
"Door ghosts, wind ghosts—don't haunt the set, ignore us. Health, safety for all—please!"
Yi Hi-jun next. Everyone bowed in turn, stuffed envelopes in pig mouth.
Moo-young's turn. He gripped the mic awkwardly, scanning the crowd.
"A fun, happy shoot worthy of great results—"
He faltered, words stuck.
"Moo-young?"
Go Kyung-min whispered. Moo-young stared entranced at the masses.
"Ah, sorry. Haha."
"What? Saw a ghost?"
"Kid's nervous."
Amid director's encouragement and manager's sweat, Moo-young just smiled.
He'd seen it, after all.
"Eh—anyway, praying for a mega-hit!"
The rippling forms of stray spirits amid the crowd.
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Read 141 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
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