"Thank you!"
Ha Moo-young's booming, energetic greeting echoed through the broadcasting station hall. Lee Yu-jin, the PD, covered her face slightly as if embarrassed. But Moo-young couldn't see it. He was practically bursting with the urge to jump around right then and there!
"Prepare well. All the big names will be there."
"Yes, PD-nim. Thank you so much!"
An official audition was a chance to seize a role. Even if it fell through, making it that far and getting rejected would leave no regrets. Of course, he wasn't even considering failure! Time was too short to just charge ahead—he had no room for negative thoughts.
"Oh, and did you know this year marks S Network's 30th anniversary?"
"Yes! I just found out!"
"You didn't know? They've been hyping specials on TV nonstop."
Moo-young grinned brightly, perking up his ears at Lee Yu-jin's words. What was she getting at?
"We're planning a documentary on rookie entertainers. Actors, idols, comedians, models... Would you be up for appearing? Your story sounded fascinating."
She glossed over it vaguely. Things like his stepfather's abuse, his rough family background, seeing ghosts. But even setting that aside, his life was undeniably dynamic.
"A documentary?"
"Nothing grand—just interviews and daily life. You know, that kind of thing."
Oh. Sounds good? Moo-young glanced at Go Kyung-min, his eyes asking silently if it was okay to accept. The manager nodded without hesitation. For a rookie like him, every second of media exposure mattered.
"Thank you for the offer. I'll do my best."
"No need to overdo it—just be yourself."
"Be myself... But, uh, do we have to film at my place too?"
"Your place? Where you live?"
She recalled the storyboard. Still in early planning, but backgrounds were part of it. Economic hardship was practically a passive skill for young rookies chasing dreams and passion.
"If you're okay with it, Ha Moo-young-ssi?"
"More than okay. I'm crashing at a friend's place right now—it's amazing. An officetel in Mapo. What was the size again?"
"72 pyeong?"
"Right! 72 pyeong."
Oh ho? That was unexpected. A preconception, maybe. With student loans and all, his finances didn't scream luxury. Lee Yu-jin checked her incessantly buzzing phone and muttered.
"Got it. I'll keep that in mind. Diverse backgrounds make for fun scenes. Aigoo, I gotta head in now."
"Ah! Yes!"
"Thank you today, PD-nim."
Moo-young and Go Kyung-min shot to their feet and bowed. Lee Yu-jin rummaged in her pocket, pulling out a 5,000-won bill. She placed it on the table with a wink and a smile.
"Can't exactly mooch off an auditioning actor. I'll be in touch—casting schedule and the documentary too."
She turned to leave briskly but paused.
"Your styling looks great today. Even if you don't snag the lead, there are plenty of paths. Don't get discouraged—nice proposal accept—?"
A serenade in the broadcasting hall. How fun was that? She made a mental note to tell the writer. It'd make for an intriguing scenario.
"Take care!"
"Thank you!"
Another 90-degree bow! Moo-young and Go Kyung-min kept greeting until she rounded the corner and vanished.
Then—plop! Tension released, they slumped into their chairs.
"Heh heh..."
Low chuckles burst out simultaneously.
"We did it! Oy!"
"Good job, Moo-young! You nailed it!"
"Jackpot, right?"
Exchanging glances, they hooted in unison like they'd rehearsed it. The cafe owner glanced over warmly while wiping cups.
"Alright, now it's the company's turn!"
"The company? For what?"
Go Kyung-min fired off the good news to Na Geum-dong right away. Audition scheduled—time to prep. Actor preps his way, company its way!
"It was writer Kim Eun-song, right?"
Details on the drama she was scripting. Who the competing actors were. What roles were open, and the images that fit them!
"Let's go. Boss'll love this."
They headed out with light steps—until a woman's voice stopped Moo-young.
"Hello?"
"...Hello?"
Masked, unrecognizable. Moo-young tilted his head, trying to pass, but she approached.
"You're Bora's friend, right?"
"Who are you?"
He drew a total blank, but Go Kyung-min's sharp eyes clocked her.
"It's Daryeong. Daryeong."
He whispered just loud enough for Moo-young: Daryeong. The name rang half-familiar, half-not...
"Ah! The one who punched Bora's nose!"
Memory flashed—Moo-young blurted it out. Too loud? Passersby turned.
"Gasp. Sorry."
"...No. It was an 'accident,' after all."
No makeup yet—thank god for the mask. Her expression control had slipped.
"Do I know you?"
"Saw you at that minor role audition. You were with a friend. Heard there was trouble on set. I was gutted when I found out."
Sounds angelic. As the lead, apologizing to an extra made sense for the story driver.
Moo-young shook his head with a smile.
"No, it's fine."
Thanks to that article photo, he'd caught Lee Yu-jin's eye and landed this audition chance.
"So, wanna grab a meal? On me."
"A meal?"
"Yeah. Good food to lift your spirits."
The talk veered unexpectedly. Go Kyung-min and even her manager flinched, watching intently.
"Bring that friend too."
"Friend? Ah! Jun-ho?"
At "Jun-ho," something weird happened. Like snow falling, flower pollen piled softly on Daryeong's shoulders.
"Yes. Definitely."
Two thoughts clashed, shoving each other. Daryeong—Bora's bully! He'd refuse even water, but... what did the pollen mean? Luck, sure. But how?
"Don't want to?"
Cow-like big, gentle eyes. Free of venom, unlike her actions. Moo-young pondered, then smiled it off.
"No. Sounds good."
"Ah. Here's my number."
Seizing the moment, she offered her phone. Numbers swapped quick. Daryeong smiled with just her eyes.
"I'll text you."
She came like the wind, left like the wind. Moo-young stared blankly phone in hand. Go Kyung-min poked his side.
"What? You really gonna eat with her?"
Not an idol—private life off-limits. But he should know. He was the manager!
"Gonna think about it. Because of the sparkles."
"Sparkles? Her face was bare."
"Anyway, let's go. Gotta practice guitar."
Moo-young brushed it off, pushing Go Kyung-min out of the station. Only in the car did he send a casual goodbye.
Ro MinHyung! Nailed the audition chance. All thanks to you. Appreciate it.Hyung, congrats! Ace that audition!Ro MinHow'd it go? You?Ugh. This awkward banmal-jondaemal line! One more meet-up and they'd be tight for sure!
Bombed it. Haha. But super helpful. PD praised my acting improvement.Aw. Ro Min didn't make it. He'd shared every short-term skill he had—guess it wasn't enough. Acting's physical too...
Gonna train more and try again. Promo ending soon—blank period for hardcore training. Thanks. Stay strong! Fighting!Moo-young pressed his forehead to the cold window, soothing his regret. Different paths, but prepping together—a shared pass would've been perfect.
"-Yes, yes. Boss. That, writer Kim Eun-song."
Meanwhile, Go Kyung-min was swamped relaying to Na Geum-dong. Instructions flew via earbuds. The agency mobilized for its actor's shot. Small steps, big strides.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇"Heh heh. Title: You Are a Star, I Am a Star."
A few days later. Na Geum-dong stood arms crossed before a board, sunglasses on.
Moo-young and Go Kyung-min sat, calmly munching squid legs.
"Writer Kim Eun-song's fourth work, S Network's second-half flagship. Slated for December, but as the 30th anniversary finale, it's tricky."
"Tricky how?"
"Year-end or new-year slots get shafted."
Awards shows. Hit drama or not, new-year airings mean waiting a year—will anyone remember? Feels like ancient history. Year-end? Too early for awards then too—another year wait.
"So stations avoid new projects then usually? But 30th anniversary specials shuffled the schedule."
"December's locked?"
"From what I hear."
"Kim Eun-song's not that junior—two S Network works already."
"Lee Yu-jin PD cut some deal. Details fuzzy."
Extra budget or higher pay, maybe. Contract NDA blocks leaks.
"Anyway! Good news and slightly iffy news—two bits."
"O! Good first!"
"Actors avoiding it."
Year-end/new-year hate. Young musicians means age/image fit... and they're busy too.
"Less competition?"
Moo-young brightened; Na Geum-dong shot back.
"Straight to the iffy!"
"No way."
"Idols main casting targets. Fits perfect—age, singing, charm, fandom."
Acting? Decent enough. He pinned five A4 sheets to the board—hard-won intel via production channels.
"Five mains. Two women—skip 'em. Moo-young aims lead, naturally?"
"...I didn't say that? Any role's grateful."
"Oi! Aim high always!"
Na Geum-dong wanted the lead, apparently. He dramatically peeled two sheets.
"Three roles left! Male lead, sub, real sub!"
"Real sub? Fakes before?"
Female lead, her friend. Two guys liking her (lead/sub), one liking friend. Five tangled stories.
Moo-young scanned the three men's concepts.
"Guitarist, unrivaled charm king. 4D quirky brain-sex male. Perfectionist charging goals... next-gen sexy guy? This real?"
Writers plan like this...
"Initial setup. Nobody knows now—leak city."
Two boozy meets with production chief. Pricey! Reliable-ish.
"Better than subs. Subs: brooding charm, sweet guy, cappuccino foam dude. Plays piano?"
"Third? Likes female lead's friend."
"Him... Huh? Fresh. Aspiring singer lost voice in accident—modern little mermaid prince. Subs hit sometimes. Nice."
"No voice, no lines?"
"Probably."
Moo-young pored over details. Na Geum-dong tapped his waist, waiting.
"Lead, right?"
"Yeah. For now. Prep that way."
"Yes! Go-! Awesome-!"
Na Geum-dong clenched a fist, pumping Moo-young up.
"Idols? Pfft. Moo-young'll smash 'em!"
"Not fighting—acting."
"Act-smash 'em!"
Moo-young just laughed, pulling his phone—for struggling solo Ro Min. Lead for him, mermaid prince perfect for Ro Min.
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Read 109 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
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