Time had passed quite a bit. The lively chatter of the crowd kept dying down, while Ha Moo-young's sizzling meat showed no signs of stopping.
Lee Yu-jin PD, worn out from eating, asked in amazement. "Does all that actually fit in your stomach?"
"Yes. Should I order another serving?"
"Go ahead. You're something else."
"Isn't it the unwritten rule that free food goes down infinitely?"
And then, more voracious chomping. Moo-young inhaled the meat like it was his first bite ever.
The table with Hong Seok-jo and Na Geum-dong had shifted to a deeply solemn vibe. Whatever serious talk they were having, they just kept slamming back soju shots while muttering under their breath.
Bzzz.
Right then, Moo-young's phone buzzed. A text from Ki Yu-chan after ages. And it carried some seriously good news.
Ki Yu-chanMoo-young-ah, 3rd quarter play is Tiger Thorn Tree. And I snagged the village head role. Director saw you act and cast me on the spot. This time, I'm going all in.The village head was a pretty major role. The guy who orchestrates killing the protagonist Marie and delivers the village's tragedy straight to the audience at the very end.
Moo-young clapped happily and fired back.
Great. I'll come watch opening night.Ki Yu-chanAll thanks to you. Seriously. In every way.Opening night was about two and a half months out. Quarterly play meant a super tight schedule.
Moo-young mulled over the words Tiger Thorn Tree. 'Come to think of it, the ghost lady...'
The woman who couldn't pass on, hunkered in the corner of the master bedroom every day. When Tiger Thorn Tree went up at Hado Theater...
"Oh!"
A solid idea zipped through his mind. For her, who wasn't satisfied with just script rehearsals, this could be the perfect condition to finally move on.
"Why? Good news?"
"Friend in a troupe landed a big role."
"Nice. Yaaawn."
Lee Yu-jin stretched her yawn to the tearing point. She'd seen enough of Moo-young to get it—mission accomplished. Mask and vibe were solid, but musical talent? Dud dud dud!
"Tired? Time to head out?"
Go Kyung-min suggested, eyeing her face. Perfect timing. Past 1 a.m.—time to call it. Moo-young had a morning shoot today, after all.
"Hyungnim. Wrap this up?"
"Huh? Already? Young stamina these days..."
"Sorry. Been wiped out lately."
"Shame... CEO. Second round?"
"Let's do it!"
Only fellow PD Lee Yu-jin could broach ending it with Hong Seok-jo.
Aw. Poor boss. Moo-young shot Na Geum-dong a pitying look. Tae-seok was already half gone, neck limp.
"Then, spot I know? Gopchang's killer there. Super close."
"Sounds good. Taxi—"
"Nah. Right around the corner. See?"
Hong Seok-jo. Na Geum-dong. Tae-seok. One production staffer.
"Pile in my car. Five minutes flat. C'mon. Bill time!"
He grinned wide and staggered to the counter, tracing perfect Z's. Textbook hammered, but suggesting driving?
"PD-nim. Walk it off."
"Walk's forever, car zip. Duh."
"Designated driver then—"
"Five minutes!"
He waved off the staffer's pitch with a booming laugh.
Awkward. Na Geum-dong, Tae-seok, Go Kyung-min all same boat. No sober driver—all tanked.
"Hm?"
Moo-young sipped soda, staring at Hong Seok-jo's nape. Black smog creeping up from his feet, trailing to the white sedan parked outside.
"That your car? The white one?"
"Yeah, think so."
"Can't."
DUI was always a no-go, but this? With that smog? Total disaster waiting. Depth unknown—pure anxiety fuel.
"Hyung. Stop him. No wheel for him."
"Hold up. Just call a—"
"Hurry up!"
"Aigoo, PD-nim. Hang on. Driver incoming—smoke a cig meantime?"
Na Geum-dong dashed over to intervene. Hong just grumbled and flailed his hand.
"So close! Driver fee waste!"
Broadcast exec on fat salary skimping? He shook off Na Geum-dong's grip and yanked open the driver door.
Click.
"Nooo."
Moo-young grinned and slammed it shut.
Eh? What's this kid up to.
Hong blinked. Then chuckled, grabbing the handle again. Thinks it's a prank.
"Told you, no."
"What the—?"
"No driving. I'll call it in."
"Moo-young-ah—"
If loaded, he'd yank the wheel out. Bad luck: cop stop. Worse: crash death. No joke—smog didn't bluff.
"Huh? Punk!"
He lurched, clutching Moo-young's arm to steady.
See? Drive like that? Insane.
"Outta my way, punk!"
"Nooo."
"You brat! Piece of—"
"Hey! PD-nim! Braaaat!"
Moo-young hollered right back. Hong startled into hiccups.
No rookie ever like this. They usually couldn't meet eyes.
What's with him?
"Puhahaha!"
Lee Yu-jin cracked up, forehead in hand like it was unreal. Helped ease the door shut.
"Hyungnim. Another report? You're done."
Hong already had two prior DUIs. Ancient history, breathalyzer clean, but company had him on thin ice.
She flagged a passing taxi and smiled his way.
"I'll get you home. Have fun round two. Thanks for setting this up."
"Huh? Wait—Yu-jin!"
"Safe drive. Epic second round!"
Na Geum-dong and Tae-seok seized the moment, hauling him into the cab. Window waves: Go prep morning schedules.
Typhoon cleared.
"What a character."
Yu-jin lit a cig, grinning. Gave Moo-young a wistful look.
"Need some rebel, but not full derail."
"Huh? Meaning?"
"Next project's lead. Weird—you're stuck in my head."
Likes him sans offer. Rare case.
She didn't know, but PD gut for talent sparked it. Good collab = good show.
"Take this."
Handed him her card from wallet. Intense band rocker vibe flooded in: principled, steadfast core.
"Loved meeting. Think I like you. That occasional edge? Perfect fit."
Actor-producer speaking, of course.
"Shame this round, but next shot—let's team up. No DUI scandals at least. Haha."
Moo-young eyed the card. Flower pollen clung thick, blooming bright off her.
"You like me. So why not?"
"Missed it? Musician needs vocals. Guitar main, but mic scenes galore. Can't fake every one."
Patted his shoulder like consolation.
No dice! Go Kyung-min sighed into the dawn air.
Moo-young wouldn't quit.
"If I nail singing, you cast me?"
Adorable pitch. Yu-jin stubbed her cig, nodded easy.
"Boosts chances big time?"
Bet writer and prod house dig him too. Fresh rookie, killer looks, spot-on personality. Zero flaws.
"Hit up a singer buddy. Later. Nail that crank-up."
She hopped a taxi and vanished.
Meat joint still steamy. Moo-young pocketed the pollen card carefully, eyed Go Kyung-min.
"You want it?"
"Yeah. Feels gotta-do."
Flower road busy enough—why bother? But this gig called.
Go Kyung-min scratched under nose, glanced aside. Usually cheers, but vocals...
"Home, crash. Dawn hits, replan."
"Taxi on company?"
"Yup. Regular, no fancy."
Grinned, hailed one.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇Didn't touch booze, yet wiped out. Moo-young hit the officetel sofa face-first.
Shoes at door: Jun-ho commuting again!
"Singing. Singing."
Was I that rough? Sounded decent to me.
Vocal lessons? He flicked on the TV mid-thought.
Weekend Show! Music Festival rerun.
[ TV BROADCAST ]Next up, #1 contender: Zero Team's stage!
"Zero Team?"
Enbin's crew. Name only—he'd never caught their performance.
"Ooh. What's this now."
Hugged a cushion, glued to screen.
People peaked at their craft. Stage command unreal.
Enbin rap/dance focus—parts sparse.
[ LYRICS ON SCREEN ]Don't do this, every time I cling to you—
Main vocal obvious: pink-haired guy. Sky-high notes to breathy whispers. Live, flawless.
Interlude hit—fan cheers erupted.
— FAN CHANTGolden Maknae! Ro Min!Ro Min... that guy. Enbin's maknae, acting disaster pro. Scouting academies.
Moo-young jolted upright like electrocuted.
"Jackpot."
Mutual needs—perfect match? Pro could crash-course "fake good singer" vibes.
"Yes!"
Bouncing on sofa, ghost lady peeked slyly.
Moo-young blanked his grin, beckoned.
"Ghost lady. C'mere. Big news."
Swoosh.
"Friend texted. Tiger Thorn Tree greenlit for 3rd quarter. At Hado Theater."
Ghost's eyes ballooned.
"So polish up till then. Drop you off performance night."
Full stage, co-stars. Killer show? Instant pass-on.
"That night, eyes only on you—no Marie actress. Your audience. The missing practice crowd! Prep regret-free."
Two months—he bounces too. Her best shot.
Get it? No backing out. My max courtesy.
Ghost nodded, soundless fade. To her corner, probably.
'Phew.'
Tense on tantrum risk. Moo-young peeked master room, grabbed phone.
Zero Team #1 wrap.
EnbinCling #1 congrats. Your maknae still at acting practice?Awake—reply instant.
Cling was a month ago. Live a little, watch TV. Maknae? Audition hopping, no word. Why?
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Read 113 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
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