Yu-na and Moo-young locked eyes and smiled. He naturally pulled out a chair for her, and honey seemed to drip from the girl's gaze.
"Oppa. Hi."
"Have you been well? You've grown a bit taller, haven't you?"
"Liar!"
The two covered their mouths with their hands and whispered quietly. Moo-young was worried about disturbing the others, while Yu-na was just mimicking him, but to outsiders, they looked incredibly close.
"Alright, now that everyone's here, shall we get started? Oh, and the screenwriter couldn't make it due to personal reasons."
Personal reasons meaning extreme shyness, probably. Director Jin Kyung-mun gave a glance toward the Mongnett staff. The quiet yet chaotic atmosphere settled in an instant.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Jin Kyung-mun, the director of Plague. It's an honor to meet you all. Let's make a great work together. Thank you!"
Clap clap clap—
Self-introductions began, led by the head of the group. Moo-young clapped as hard as he could. No sooner had he wondered where to start than the assistant director to his immediate right stood up.
"Hello. I'm Assistant Director Jang Min. Nice to meet you."
Next was Yi Hi-jun across from him.
"I'm Yi Hi-jun, playing Jin."
Huh? No one had said anything, yet everyone seemed to know the order. Excluding the director and directing team, the actors proceeded naturally from the closest on the right to across the table.
As expected of the seniors!
Moo-young, whose only table read experience was for a web drama, marveled at even the small things. That's what they call experience! Oh ho.
"I'm Seong Hye-jun, taking on Ari, Jin's workplace superior. Nice to work with you~"
"I'm Hyo-jeong, playing Sora."
Click— click—
The staff captured the actors' introductions on camera. Material for behind-the-scenes footage, promo videos, making-of films, press releases, and such.
Next up was Yu Yu-na.
"I'm Yu Yu-na. I'll be playing Jani, the 'protagonist.' Nice to work with you."
Yu-na put extra emphasis on "protagonist." She smiled brightly, but inside, she was fuming. Not content with the staff gnawing at her nerves upon entry, now this seating arrangement!
"Aigoo, how cute."
"How old is Yu-na again?"
"Nine."
No matter how young, she was the lead. Normally, the spot right after the director and directing team—or after a veteran actor—was standard.
Oh? This little one's feisty.
Look at that expression. She's going places.
But she was too young. A four-year veteran as a lead or not, Yu-na had to yield the front seats to the others. Hye-jun and Sora across from each other diagonally exchanged smirks.
That tiny thing's got spunk.
They'd caught on to Yu-na's grit. No matter how genius or cunning, a kid was a kid. To actors who'd seen it all, it was obvious. Cute, funny, and a bit tongue-click worthy.
Still, you need that fire to keep going.
From long experience in the industry, you needed that temper to endure. Even with luck and talent, if you couldn't hold yourself together, it was all for naught.
"Nice to work with~!"
As Yu-na bowed politely, the others cheered with fond smiles. Next was Moo-young's turn. As he stood, the atmosphere shifted distinctly.
"Who's that?"
"A rookie, I guess."
"But he's playing Louis?"
Unlike the recognizable faces, hardly anyone knew Moo-young. Aside from Yi Hi-jun and Yu-na from the audition, and the director, it was practically first meetings all around.
"Hello. I'm Ha Moo-young, taking on Louis. It's a tremendous honor to work with such stellar seniors and the director. I'll do my best! Please guide me. Thank you!"
His enthusiasm poured out. The eager posture screamed rookie. Hye-jun clapped gracefully while sizing him up. Good face, good posture, good voice. Cute.
"Unnie."
Hyo-jeong subtly warned her, having caught the look. Hye-jun's flashy history with men was well-known among those in the know. Hye-jun just winked and smiled as if to say she got it.
"Guide you? You've got skills."
That's when Yi Hi-jun chimed in. She'd later learn he'd nailed the role on the spot that day. If he hadn't taken Jin...
I might've gotten screwed over.
A casual remark with a hollow chuckle, but Hyo-jeong added on.
"The director chose you, so expectations are high. Personal charm is key, after all. Curious how you'll tackle Louis."
Personal charm! Hyo-jeong glanced at Hi-jun as she spoke. Others might not know, but she did. How crudely Sealing Actors had pulled strings behind the scenes. Even dragging in the investors to shove him into Jin.
What're you looking at?
Jealous? Piss off.
Thanks to that, the originally slated actor Kim Sang-yeon was out. Kim Sang-yeon and Hyo-jeong were secretly dating. She'd okayed it expecting to work with her boyfriend, but suddenly Yi Hi-jun? Sparks flew in the tense standoff, while Moo-young stood there blankly, just smiling. Something was brewing, but he had no clue.
"May I sit now?"
The director nodded at his request. His handkerchief was soaked from constant wiping of sweat. Well, now. Casting and investment had gone smoothly...
What a pack of firecrackers.
Preliminary checks had shown no bad blood. But with people involved, relationships mattered, no matter how much it was about the work.
Personalities galore. Whew. Heh.
The director always found these moments awkward. Once filming started, focus shifted, and actors bonded... Everything's hardest at the start. He watched the rest of the introductions, not skipping even the nameless actors seated without a table.
"Alright! Let's dive into the reading?"
With so many people, introductions alone took over ten minutes. At the director's cue, the rustle of turning pages filled the room busily.
"It'll take about six hours. Those in the back can leave midway. We'll do a full run, then camera tests and hit key scenes."
A polite way of saying only mains were needed later. The director opened with the work's intent, his vision, symbolism, and such.
"—Let's start. Scene 1. Hi-jun, ready? Hye-jun, add the narration."
"Yes."
Yi Hi-jun cleared his throat and delivered Plague's opening line. The scene starts on his first day demoted to factory management as an FG Pharma employee.
"Man, the air here stinks like shit."
"Jin, you crossed the line this time."
"The stench is overwhelming."
"Guys like you are the ones embezzling and pocketing salaries early. Know that? Can't cover for you now. Go settle in downstairs."
Moo-young watched Hye-jun's narration and Hi-jun's solo monologue. Pros were on another level. He'd seen adults act—Na Geum-dong, Go Kyung-min, the academy director—but this vibe was worlds apart.
"Ugh, fuck. Fine. Got it. I'm going!"
With a long exhale matching the stage direction of grinding out a cigarette, Yi Hi-jun breathed out deeply. Contrary to his image, his acting was rough, crude, yet sticky and immersive. Real actors. The word looped in Moo-young's mind.
Flawless.
Nothing like what he'd advise Enbin on. No, he couldn't tear his eyes away, sucked right in.
Jackpot!
Moo-young clutched his pounding chest. This was the real deal—acting among true pros.
Oppa, you okay?
Yu-na tapped the back of his hand with worried eyes. Moo-young smiled it off like nothing. Just thrilled.
This'll be great fuel.
To grow, aim higher. Real combat in the trenches—skills would sharpen unconsciously.
Moo-young focused, eyes tracking the script.
"Okay, good. But make the last line more subdued. No overdoing it."
"Suppressed? Shall I try again?"
"Yes. Like pressing down the words. You get it?"
Real-time feedback flew back and forth. Even for non-his role, Moo-young jotted everything. Each word was blood and flesh.
"—Next, Scene 16."
Finally, the first scene syncing Yu-na, Moo-young, and Hi-jun. Confirming each other's presence in a sealed zone.
"What?"
Hi-jun snapped irritably. Terrified Jani reflexively grabbed Moo-young's hand. The director and others noticed.
"The door's shut, mister."
"Alone?"
"I-I need to get out... I didn't mean to come in here. It was a mistake."
Her voice trembled, matched by her small, quivering hand. Hye-jun let out a silent gasp of admiration. The kid was top-tier? No cookie-cutter child acting.
"Alone, huh?"
Hi-jun smirked vilely at Yu-na, eyes fixed on Jani's wrist. A kid wandering alone at this hour, no guardian. Wrist looking bruised...
"Come here."
Society's discard. One that could vanish without issue. Jani hesitated, sensing ill intent.
Bang!
"Come here!"
Hi-jun slammed the desk, yelling. Yu-na, immersed, flinched instinctively. Even knowing the tears were acting, Moo-young's heart wasn't at ease.
"Fuck!"
"...!"
Shocked by the vulgarity, Yu-na froze. Her smooth lines cut off, like a broken machine. Acting and emotion both halted.
"Get her guardian."
"Yes, director."
The watching director instructed a staffer. It was a youth-restricted, hard film. Worrying, but she was 'Yu-na.' Her last work was similar, and she was sharp enough. Still... She's young. Needed gentle coaxing, reminders it was all acting.
But just as he moved to check on her...
"...?"
"...!"
Whoosh. Moo-young pulled a small chocolate from his pocket. He tapped Yu-na's cheek to draw her gaze.
"Ah—"
Moo-young—no, Louis—parted his lips slightly. Jani unconsciously mimicked. The sweet chocolate slipped into the child's mouth.
"Jani, what're you doing here?"
"Ah..."
"Do you know Jani? An uncle who knows her?"
Moo-young naturally took the child's hand and continued the line. Yu-na, snapped back, responded.
"No."
Everything stalled resumed. With just that "no," Yu-na became Jani again, and Louis stood by her side.
"Let's go. People are gathered over there talking."
He gazed lightly at Hi-jun. Empty eyes. A thick warning rippled beneath the calm: Don't touch the kid. Facing him as Louis, Hi-jun just blinked.
"...Hi-jun? Your line."
"Ah, yes. Sorry. Ahem. What the hell is that? Not even a mutt."
Pulled back by the director, he wrapped it up. Yu-na looked at Moo-young with clear eyes. No, everyone in the room was stealing glances.
What was that?
Propping up a co-star after their immersion breaks? Takes serious chops.
Ha! That gaze is insane. How'd he convey all that without a word?
Got it. Why he's Louis.
Moo-young refocused on the script like it was nothing. The actors admired his profile. Short, but deep.
Focus to reel back a broken partner. And the character's very gaze.
The moment he shifted from nameless actor to Ha Moo-young the actor. Oblivious, he grinned at Yu-na.
"Tasty, right?"
I've got tons more for you, he said, patting his bulging pocket.
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