On Set
March, the start of a new semester at the university.
With one in four being freshmen, excitement filled the air. The dorms were equally chaotic with new residents moving in.
Click.
"Hey, Bong-geun!"
"As expected, you're the first to arrive, Choi Hwan."
Kim Bong-geun entered the dorm dragging a black plastic bag. It was full of daily necessities he had stashed away in the small theater's storage room.
Since his home was in the countryside, Bong-geun had spent his vacation drifting between the small theater and friends' places.
Choi Hwan smiled as he organized his books.
"Nope. The youngest got here first."
"The youngest? Ah, right, the oldest graduated."
"Yeah. He's a freshman now."
"Wow, so fresh and green."
Park Moon-sung, Choi Hwan, Kim Bong-geun, and their now-graduated roommate—the four had shared the same room for nearly two years.At Seoyeon University's dorms, once you're assigned a room, you keep it unless there's a complaint.
Some grumbled that the dorm council didn't do much, but most were satisfied with the system.If your personalities matched, dorm life could be a lot of fun.
"You're in your last semester too, right?"
Bong-geun asked as he unpacked the bag roughly.
Not only him, but both Choi Hwan and Park Moon-sung were also about to graduate.Everyone except the new freshman would soon leave.Well, unless someone with a weird personality bailed earlier.
"Yeah. I applied for an internship at the end of the semester, so I won't be around much."
Choi Hwan replied, handing over a bag of snacks.
Snacks in the morning? A curious look, but no complaints.
"The freshman left it."
"Left? Where'd he go?"
"No idea. I came in and found a letter and snacks on the bed."
Hearing that, Bong-geun reached for the upper bunk.
Rustle—something crinkled in his hand.
[Hello. I'm freshman Ha Mu-yeong. I look forward to getting along with you!But I think I won't be able to move in this week because of work.My schedule keeps clashing with curfew.So I'll introduce myself properly next week.See you then! ( ? )/ ]
"Cute, right?"
"Totally sounds like a newbie."
Bong-geun smiled faintly as he tore open the snack bag.
He'd been running low on sugar anyway—perfect timing.As he munched absent-mindedly, Choi Hwan asked:
"You still writing?"
"…Yeah. Writing so well it's killing me with happiness."
"That's the longest 'no' I've ever heard."
Crunch.Bong-geun slumped into his chair, zoning out.With the semester starting, the Korea University Literary Awards—open only to college students—were fast approaching.Since he was graduating soon, this would be his last chance.
"This time, I'm pouring my soul into it."
"Greedy bastard. Haven't you already won a bunch of other awards?"
"This one's different. It's the New Writer Award. If I miss the timing, I can never get it again."
He'd already failed three times in the playwriting category.Sure, the prize money mattered—but the real reward was that the winning script got produced in Daehangno's Samyoung Theater.A perfect plan to escape unemployment.
Leaning back, Bong-geun muttered:
"If only the characters felt stronger…"
That was the hard part.No matter how many times he rewrote it, he wasn't satisfied.Choi Hwan thought of saying something comforting but stayed silent—It wasn't a world an outsider could really understand. He just said:
"When the freshman moves in, let's go drinking."
"Good idea. Let's burn it all before graduation."
"But what kind of 'work' does he have, anyway?Didn't sound like just a part-time job."
Just small talk to lighten the mood.Bong-geun only shrugged.
"Hmm. Must be nice though—starting work the same time you enter college."
[S#26. Alley Food Stall (Evening)]
Jung-su sat with a hardened expression.Tteokbokki simmered, and the oden broth boiled beside it.He stared blankly at them. Outside, dusk deepened and the streetlights came on.
Click.
Mu-yeong stood behind the director, watching the monitor.En-bin—no, Jung-su—looked utterly drained.After his father's death, all he'd inherited was this street stall.He'd taken it over, but the scene called for an empty stall with not a single customer.
"Okay, cut."
After a short pause, the director called it.
Only then did En-bin sniff and take in the aroma of the tteokbokki.
"En-bin, let's do another take from a high angle."
"Okay!"
"Starting from the streetlight cue."
"Got it!"
As soon as the director finished, the camera rose smoothly upward.Mu-yeong watched in awe like a caveman discovering technology.
'Wow, this set is gorgeous.'
Opening the door felt like stepping into another world.
In a 60-pyeong (about 2,000-sq-ft) space stood a tiny alley.Every detail had been crafted to create a fairy-tale feel—the wall posters and scribbles, a teddy bear discarded under a streetlamp,the string lights around the stall—everything was meticulous.
'Now I get why the team leader kept going on about product placement.'
Money really does make things beautiful.
With the warm orange lighting cast over it all,the scene looked tender and cinematic.
Mu-yeong met En-bin's eyes and gave him a thumbs up.
"En-bin, you're killing it!"
His clear voice rang out, making the crew chuckle faintly.It was a line that had echoed on set since morning.
"You never get tired, do you?"
"What did I do?"
"You've been on standby since morning."
"Exactly. I haven't done anything, so I'm fine."
That was the hard part, En-bin thought, but didn't say.Mu-yeong's first appearance scene hadn't even started yet.He could've shown up later, but like a fool, he'd been there since dawn.
"Hyung, should I help clean up too?"
"Oh, sure. For the high-angle, they'll only catch the bear's head,so they're gonna tilt it sideways from the start."
"Oh wow, that'll look adorable."
And what do you even call this—nosiness or kindness?Between scenes, he cheered for En-bin, helped the crew with small tasks, and never stopped smiling.
"Mu-yeong, stop helping and come get your makeup done."
"Whoa—finally!"
"Yeah, you waited long enough. This way."
"Ooooh, Mu-yeong's turn! You got lines now?"
"Ha! My mouth's gonna reek from saying them so much!"
Thanks to him, the set's mood was at its peak.
Even though he wasn't a lead but a supporting actor,Mu-yeong's cheerful presence stood out more than anyone expected.
"Noona, make me look more handsome than En-bin."
"Excuse me? Noona, make his skin tone darker, please."
He even bantered easily with top idol En-bin,so naturally the staff grew fond of him too.
"But why are those two so close? Were they friends before?"
An employee from an external company, not Square Film, tilted his head as he reviewed the script.
Apparently, Mu-yeong was a complete newcomer — his very first project, and not even signed with an agency.
The manager scribbled a note and replied.
"Maybe it's because they're around the same age. They really clicked. I heard they practiced together whenever they had free time. This is Episode 2, Scene 34 — that's the one with the water, right? Should we prep extra underwear?"
"Nah. A baster should be fine, right? Just in case, bring a couple more. Does En-bin have any free time?"
"He said practice time isn't something you have, it's something you make."
"Good attitude. That's how you last in this field."
The manager only raised an eyebrow, staying silent — the line clearly belonged to Mu-yeong.
Besides, there was no need to mention the secret deal involving that stalker incident.
The Square Film staff also tactfully kept their mouths shut.
"Director, this scene has Mu-yeong entering the food stall frame, right? Lock the shot?"
"Yes, that's right. Hold it until he sits down."
"And the effect shot?"
"We'll zoom in from over Mu-yeong's shoulder to En-bin's face. Mu-yeong goes out of focus. We'll cut and transition right there."
"Ah, got it."
"ND filter ready, please!" (A filter that reduces brightness)
The director checked the time and hurried.
The footage through the viewfinder already looked beautiful — even he was satisfied. He couldn't wait to move into editing once this scene wrapped.
By the time the next setup was ready—
"We're good to go."
Mu-yeong appeared, wearing his school uniform.
His slightly tousled hair and pure smile — he really did look like he'd just graduated high school.
He slowly walked toward the food stall to check his blocking.
"Nice."
The director, assistant director, and other crew all murmured in unison.
Some admired his natural movement and ability to find his marks; others couldn't help but marvel at his radiant profile, no less striking than En-bin's.
"That kid—Mu-yeong—can he actually act?"
"Act?"
A staffer from the other company asked.
They'd heard his loud cheerfulness all morning, but hadn't actually seen him perform yet.
The team leader who'd attended the audition just smiled.
"You'll see."
With that short answer—
Mu-yeong did one last camera check, then took his place at the end of the set. The lights dimmed.
"Mu-yeong, ready?"
"Yes."
He smiled softly, then turned serious, eyes fixed straight ahead.
Emotion began to rise in him — the exhaustion of an unnamed "student customer" building up inside.
"Ready—!"
Mu-yeong swallowed and lifted his head.
The fresh-faced boy from earlier was gone; in his place stood a high schooler steeped in the shadows of the alley.
Not only the staff but even En-bin found themselves drawn in.
"Action—!"
[#27. Alley]
The student walks wearily down the street.
He passes a food stall, hesitates, then turns back to look at it again.
That's the frame-in!
From the static shot, Mu-yeong had walked past and then returned — clean and natural.
[#28. In Front of the Stall]
The student, as if making a decision, lifts the curtain and steps inside.
"Excuse me. Are you open?"
Mu-yeong delivered the line as he sat down.
The camera, which had been filming from behind, slowly pulled in, crossing over his shoulder to capture En-bin's expression — as Mu-yeong's figure softly blurred out.
That's where the sound effect would cue in—
'He was my first customer.'
—En-bin's narration in the finished edit.
Meanwhile, the staff watching were stunned.
The shift in tone had been instantaneous.
Even those from Square Film who'd seen his audition were once again impressed.
"Okay, cut! Let's go right into the next one."
The camera angle moved from behind to the side.
"What would you like?"
"Whatever sells best. Just this much. No tteokbokki or sundae. Something adults eat."
"Adults… what do adults eat?"
"That's something you, the adult owner, would know, not me."
En-bin took the 5,000 won Mu-yeong handed over, rubbing his forehead awkwardly.
Then Mu-yeong sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"Sorry. I'm just a little tired today."
"No, it's fine. We all have days like that."
At En-bin's gentle words, Mu-yeong bit his lip to suppress the rising tears.
But they welled up anyway, finally spilling down his cheeks.
Oh my god…
The crew watching — especially those focused on Mu-yeong — held their breath in awe.
The emotional shift, the way he drew empathy so effortlessly—it was stunning.
Mu-yeong wiped his tears with his hand and smiled faintly.
"Okay—! Cut!"
Clap!
The director clapped his hands sharply, shouting with excitement.
In an instant, the student vanished, and cheerful Mu-yeong returned.
They filmed the scene from five different angles in succession,
and throughout every take, his performance never wavered — not once.
"That kid's really good."
"Right? But…"
"But what?"
"I don't know… he's too good? It feels… uncanny somehow."
As the staff tilted their heads in confusion,
only the director — still glued to the monitor — understood.
He alone saw what made Mu-yeong special,
the skill that left even him astonished.
'I've never seen anything like that. What is that kid?'
Not in the script reading, but here —
on set, framed with another actor —
Mu-yeong's true brilliance had finally revealed itself.