"Whoa, that's fast. How'd you know? I just made the account."
"What? You started SNS?"
"Yeah. Isn't that what you meant?"
"No, no. Bonturi account. The photo feed model gigs going up there. Not exclusive like Enbin's, but they pay per job, so it'll be pretty lucrative. I'll take good care of you, so hit up Bora. Got it?"
A voice called out from behind Jun-ho. The sun had set, but the company was still buzzing. Moo-young replied he'd handle it and hung up.
🔔 New NotificationsOppa you're so handsome T_TFrom YouTube viewerCame from MiTube, following anyway lol!Post pics quick!! I'm dying here!!DMs and comment alerts kept pouring in. Likes endlessly piled up on the photo with just the Big Win Enter logo.
Bong-gun crunched on snacks and asked, "Didn't you say you were looking for tutoring gigs?"
"Yeah. Got any openings?"
"Nah, never done it myself. But instead of hunting for tutoring, why not grow this account? The traction's insane—if you play it right, it'll blow up."
"Psh, how's anyone making real money off this?"
*You're joking, right?* Moo-young winked and dove into settings to mute all notifications.
Sharp as a tack with scripts, but clueless elsewhere.
"You really don't know? Ad rates?"
"How much?"
"Depends on followers, but tens to hundreds per post. Wait, shouldn't you know this better? You're in the industry."
Moo-young, figuring one photo couldn't pay much, resumed hunting for his charger—then froze at the surprisingly huge numbers.
"Look at those eyes sparkling."
*That's why the boss harped on recognition!* Moo-young marveled as he pulled up Bora's number. It rang endlessly, but no answer.
Ask the academy director?
"Whatcha reading anyway?"
It was a bound script, not the official published version. Bong-gun, a playwright nut, perked up instantly.
"Picking my next project."
"Big Win Enter, right? Oh yeah, I got a buddy writing scripts lately—wanna take a look?"
"Agency doesn't take unsolicited stuff. But they get stuff from film companies here too. Try emailing."
"Makes sense. Who carries paper scripts anymore? Sigh."
*Maybe ignoring her phone 'cause of Jun-ho.* Moo-young slumped in his chair, dejected.
Then—
"...Ha Moo-young."
"Hello!"
"My ears are ringing. What's up?"
Her voice sounded hoarse—sickly, maybe teary. Moo-young tilted his head.
"Something wrong? Your voice sounds off."
"No. Just get to the point."
"You see Jun-ho's message? Bonturi offered us SNS modeling gigs. Drama's keeping us busy, but it's a good shot, so maybe together... Bora?"
No reply. Call hadn't dropped—the timer ticked on. Moo-young waited in silence, then asked again.
"Bora. Where are you right now?"
* * *
"Ready—! Action!"
Small personal cafe set. The two female part-timers gossiped while cleaning the kitchen. The lead swept the floor with a rag bucket.
"So you drank with the boss?"
"W-Well, yeah."
"And kissed?"
"No, that was like..."
Wild-child heroine Daryeong and her bestie sidekick Bora. Bora poked her pal's side with a sly grin.
"Look at you~?"
"Shh! Ow! Cut it out!"
Daryeong's bucket sloshed precariously, full of water. As they giggled and horsed around—
"Jin Seo-yeon."
"Kyaaack!"
Splash—!
The male lead popped up behind. Startled, Daryeong dumped the bucket on Bora. Freeze. All three gaped in shock.
"Ugh. Cut—!"
Staff rushed towels to Daryeong, whose bangs were damp from the splash. Bora, soaked through, wrung out a prop rag herself.
"Hey, Daryeong."
"Yes?"
Daryeong glanced at the director mid-makeup fix. His viewfinder expression was iffy.
"When you dump the bucket turning, the arm angle looks awkward?"
Bora sidled behind the viewfinder. Daryeong too—then shoved with her shoulder like back off.
"You said no overhead pour. Can't help it. Arm won't angle right."
She shot Bora a glare, annoyed. Makeup/hair messes mean tough NG fixes. Bora wore an apron and dark clothes; low-angle shots.
"Still, make it natural."
"Defy anatomy?"
"Haha, not what I meant."
Daryeong eyed Bora up and down with a sweet smile—scornful gaze underneath.
"Then bust shot."
"Bust?"
"Yeah. No fresh apron anyway? One take. Arm angles perfect, scene more vivid. Right? Script says 'soaked through' anyway."
Bora's undies were drenched. Why not. She nodded at the director's concerned look.
"Okay. Let's do it."
"Hold on, camera director!"
Pour spot changed—angles needed tweaks. Bora squeezed out water, swallowing a sigh.
Gross.
"Bora, c'mere. Line up the movement."
Daryeong beckoned. Never sweet from the start, but pickier as shoots dragged.
"Sure."
*Knew it coming, but gotta endure. Nothing I can do.*
"See? Kyaaack—! Then swing like this?"
Daryeong menaced with the empty bucket. Whoosh—natural form, but too close; Bora flinched.
"Oops. Don't scare."
"...Too fast."
"Throw slow while startled?"
Face-smash anxiety aside—
"Whoa, hey—"
"Shh. Don't look."
Staff whispering, ignoring her—worse sting. Bora dabbed her apron, pleading.
"Sunbae, careful not to hit my face."
"What? Don't trust me?"
"I do, just be extra careful."
Daryeong scowled at Bora's crisp tone. *Getting snippy?*
"Why? Scared for that pretty face?"
"...Sunbae."
Bora stared silently. Words she couldn't voice. Temper screaming—
*'Contract reject ain't the end of the world, bitch. Strip and throw down!'*
Ugh. Damn.
"Daryeong, rolling."
"Yessir, director!"
She chirped back, eyeing Bora: standby.
"Haa."
Site bullying ramped up—Park Mun-cheol's face flashed vivid. Days ago, out-of-blue contract offer.
Sealing Actors?* Heart raced at the name. But meeting? Sketchy.
Conditions sucked, and—
"Ha Moo-young's friend, right?"
Dragging in third-party Moo-young, but worst—
"Ready! Action!"
—"Your face is gorgeous. Dating anyone?"
—"Anyone? No."
—"Really? Tough dating in this biz."
—"...Why?"
—"Child actor alum, right? You know better."
Snake eyes. Instinct screamed: danger. Hunting more than her talent. Woman-gazing, not actress.
So she politely declined. His face—priceless. Baffled, pissed, mocking.
Turning point. That bitch Daryeong got doggier since.
"Kyaaack!"
Thwack—!
"Cut! Cut!"
"Oh god! You okay?"
Daryeong overacted the swing, smashing Bora's nose dead-on. Bora clutched it, crouching.
"Ow..."
"Wh-What."
Daryeong startled too. Not intentional—just careless.
Shit!
"Check your face, Bora."
"Hospital?"
"Bleeding? Oh crap, it is!"
Bora's nosebleed dripped on wet floor. Staff fussed over her, side-eyeing Daryeong. Subtle blame.
Watch it.
Knew she'd cause trouble. Tsk.
Doing it on purpose all along?
Fucked. Daryeong's nape chilled; she clutched her wrist reflexively. Self-preservation know-how.
"Ow—!"
"Daryeong hurt too? Lemme see."
"My wrist, ow..."
Chaos. Manager, stylist swarmed Daryeong.
"Hospital—our clinic!"
"Get the car!"
Shoot halted. Staff scattered. Bora's crowd dispersed; only maknae FD left.
"Wipe with tissue first."
"...Thanks."
"Maknae! Fix these cables!"
Bora's pitiful grope for tissue, head bowed. FD pitied her briefly, then left.
"Yes sir!"
"Bora, Bora—hospital too."
"Wrapping here. Skip bust scene 15? Use prior take. Yeah?"
"Good work. Aigoo, pretty face."
"Call if nose issue. Can't mess schedule. Get me?"
Staff tossed barbs passing. Bora wiped blood alone in corner. Isolated amid wrapping chaos. No one by her side.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
Of course.
Mom. Bora hesitated, waiting for voicemail. Mom's voice now? Foul play—tears instant.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
Stopped—then rang again. Not Mom. Bora paused, answered.
"...Ha Moo-young."
* * *
"Kang—Bora—!"
"Bora—!"
Bora at convenience store parasol turned. Already downed a soju bottle, two beers. Sniffled through swollen nose, grinning.
"Why'd you bring him!"
"Whyy~"
Jun-ho plopped opposite, aegyo-mode. Spotted nose, freaked, flopped back.
"Your nose?!"
"Dunno."
"Pretty nose all swollen?"
Jun-ho fussed dramatically. Tipsy-happy Bora just laughed.
"Told ya, dunno!"
Moo-young sat, worried. Something rough happened—no other explanation for this.
"You okay?"
Bora, post-belly laugh, fiddled silently with can. Covered face, sighed.
"Gotta be. My choice."
"What happened?"
"...Know Sealing Actors? Park Mun-cheol there. Mentioned you."
Moo-young's eyes widened at the name. *Why here now?*
Bora spilled from there—half gripe, half lament.
"Whoa, fucking ragebait. Bora, want me to dig dirt on 'em all?"
Jun-ho rolled sleeves, raging. Moo-young yanked his top. *Knew it.*
"Sorry, Bora."
"Why you?"
"I turned 'em down too. Probably stung."
Moo-young's scratch reopened; Bora's rejection broke him.
Bora pondered, shook head.
"My mess ultimately."
Downed last soju, shot up yelling. Voice thick with tears.
"Just watch—! I'll blow up! They're dead! Daryeong, Sealing, whoever—watch!"
"Yeah, all fucked. Our Bora's badass! Watch Bora!"
Jun-ho joined; passersby glanced. Moo-young soothed them, pondered.
"Bora. Any other agency besides Sealing?"
Bora wiped eyes, stared wordless. Dark night, store lights on his clear face. Grinned, dropped life-changer.
"Or... join our company?"
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Read 153 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
https://noveldex.io/series/rookie-but-one-in-a-million-actor
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