"Get up, man."
When Oh-seok shook Kyungmin's shoulder, he barely managed to sit up, eyes still closed. The smell of ramen filled the air. After eating so much of it as a drinking snack last night, ramen again?
"...Senior, you're going to get sick at this rate."
"Better than starving to death. You've got class soon, right? Eat before the kids show up. It's already two o'clock. Two."
Kyungmin blankly gripped his chopsticks, scratching his head as he looked around. The mess from last night's drinking party was gone. So was Mooyoung.
'Was that a dream?'
"It wasn't a dream. Mooyoung cleaned up early this morning and left. Guess he's busy with assignments and stuff."
"You read minds now, too?"
"Comes naturally with age."
He even brought a hangover drink to say thanks for letting him crash. What a thoughtful kid. Kyungmin ran a hand down his face and muttered,
"I still can't believe it."
A rookie who wanted to join BigWin Entertainment—And not just any rookie, but one with both looks and talent!It was the first time something like this had happened in the company's three-year history.
"The folks at the company must be thrilled. A newbie."
"Right? They're all gonna lose their minds. Haha."
Currently, the agency had only two actors—both founding members connected to the CEO. Kyungmin paused before taking his first bite of ramen.
"But… maybe he's misunderstanding something?"
"What do you mean?"
"The signing bonus amount. Or maybe he just doesn't know how this industry works yet..."
Thinking back to that innocent smile when Mooyoung accepted his business card—it actually seemed plausible. He was too pure, almost suspiciously so. Why would he choose them of all places?
"He knew exactly what he was doing. Two small bills."
Two million won. A decent amount, but in this business, that's the sort of sum reserved for child actors.
"So he wasn't confused."
Which made it even harder to understand.Of course, as an employee, Kyungmin welcomed it. But as a failed actor himself, he couldn't help thinking Mooyoung would be better off at a bigger agency like Shilling.
Sensing his hesitation, Oh-seok tapped the bowl with his chopsticks.
"Don't tell me you've got no confidence in your company?"
"It's not that, it's just—"
"I asked him this morning, you know. Whether it was because of me."
"Because of you, senior?"
Since Oh-seok was friends with the company director, Kyungmin had assumed Mooyoung joined out of obligation or courtesy. But Mooyoung's answer had its own… logic.
A logic Kyungmin didn't understand at all.
"He said it wasn't that. He just liked your vibe—said you shined."
"...That's the first time anyone's ever said that to me."
"I thought he was still drunk. But he also said you were the only manager who talked about acting."
Usually, the focus was all on signing bonuses, profit splits, or promises of stardom.
But for Mooyoung, none of that was the point.
What mattered to him was acting itself.
To live truthfully as a character required top-tier acting ability. That took effort—and the right environment.
"Most of all, he said having you as a manager would make script practice easier."
At Oh-seok's teasing tone, Kyungmin bit his lip.Something about it really moved him.
It had been a long time since anyone saw him in such a positive light—let alone someone driven purely by passion.
"They haven't signed the contract yet, but judging by the mood, it's almost certain. The company'll agree, right?"
"Of course. They'll carry him on their shoulders."
"Kid may look spacey, but his instincts are sharp."
That web drama everyone ignored—it became popular thanks to Mooyoung. Whether he sparked the trend or just rode it, the result was the same: a clean hit.
"He's got a good eye."
Having an eye for projects was essential for an actor's success. No matter how well you perform, if no one watches, it's meaningless.
"Is that so?"
"Oh, before I forget—mind if I review the contract before the meeting? The kid asked me to check it since he doesn't have anyone else. He's my student, after all."
"Go ahead. We don't mess around with that stuff."
BigWin's contracts were the definition of standard and transparent.
If anything, their weak brand reputation meant they tended to offer better terms.
"Should I send it to you first, then?"
"Yeah. I'll take a look and forward it."
After they wrapped up the conversation, a deep hunger hit Kyungmin. The relief of knowing this was all real, and the excitement of what was coming next, made his appetite surge. He slurped down the soggy noodles and sent a message to the company.
[We've cast a rookie. It's Ha Mooyoung, who played the high schooler in Midnight Cart Bar episode 1. He wants to review the contract before the meeting, so please prepare it.]
A few days later.
Mooyoung had been holed up for hours in a corner of the campus café.His table was buried under printouts, assignments, and the BigWin Entertainment contract.
Only now did he realize how packed the library got during exam week.
— Mooyoung-ah. I checked it over. No poison clauses, super clean. For rookies, 5:5 is the norm, but this one's generous—7:3. You get the 7, of course. I'd recommend shortening the contract period a bit by removing the training clause.
A "poison clause" was, as the name implied, anything harmful to the actor—like mandatory extra fees or overly long contract terms.
— It's not like you're planning on plastic surgery or taking training, right?
Since most rookies required heavy investment, contracts typically lasted five to seven years. But Mooyoung already had projects lined up, so there was room to negotiate.
"Hm."
Recalling Oh-seok's advice, Mooyoung read through the contract carefully. It had already been revised per the teacher's review—now set to a three-year term.
'They really adjusted it well.'
Even after multiple reads, he couldn't find a single flaw.Holding it up to the light, he gave the contract a playful shake.
Shaa—
"Pretty."
Just like the time he saw the casting notice for that web drama—Pollen drifted up from the paper. It was always such a fascinating sight.
Finally, I've found the perfect place!
"Busy, Mooyoung?"
It was at that moment—
A man suddenly pulled out the chair in front of him and sat down.The warm glow of flower pollen turned murky, overtaken by a swirl of black smog.
"It's exam week."
It was Park Mooncheol.Still, his face was as unreadable as ever.
Mooyoung calmly sipped the last of his green tea latte.
"So that's why you've been hard to reach?"
Yes, that's what you call being blocked.
Mooyoung just smiled brightly.Getting constant calls and messages from this guy asking to "meet up" at all hours was beyond annoying.
"How did you even find me here?"
"Hmm. Coincidence."
Coincidence? Yeah, right.
Mooyoung had no idea how the man managed to track him down, but he decided to make things clear once and for all. Texts and calls hadn't worked, so now he'd say it straight to his face:
No.
"I'm sorry you came all the way here, but my answer hasn't changed."
Meaning—he wouldn't sign with Shilling.
Park Mooncheol crossed his legs, staring silently at Mooyoung. His expression was hidden, but his tone was calm.
"Is it about the signing bonus?"
"Mm, not really. I'm just considering another company."
"Another company? Which one?"
"BigWin Entertainment."
"BigWin? BigWin…?"
He tapped the table with his fingers, as if trying to recall the name.
"That's strange. I doubt any agency offers better terms than us."
"There is one. I really like them."
"Listen, Mooyoung. I usually don't go this far, because most rookies make smart choices. We didn't have to end up like this."
Who would ever turn down an offer from Shilling?
"I'll match their signing bonus. Their revenue split too. And if you've already signed, I'll even pay your penalty fee."
There had never been a case like this in Park Mooncheol's entire casting career.At first, he'd been captivated by Mooyoung's charm. Then it turned into desire—and now, it was pure stubbornness.
"I appreciate it."
But Mooyoung didn't budge an inch.
Park Mooncheol exhaled, rubbing his eyebrows in frustration.He's being this unreasonable even when I'm offering so much? Why?
"...You'd better choose carefully. You'll regret this."
Though Mooyoung couldn't see it, the reflection in the wall mirror showed Park Mooncheol's expression hardening by the second.
Sure, the kid had potential—but at the end of the day, he was just a rookie with a single web drama credit. This kind of attitude was ridiculous.
"Regret?"
Mooyoung blinked, tilting his head.
The tone was so condescending that he couldn't help asking.
"Do you have any idea how important an agency is to an actor? Depending on the company, your entire career could be made or broken. No matter how talented you are, the networks might not even consider you."
"...Ah, I see."
"Why do you think we recruit producers and writers from the networks? BigWin, you said? Trust me—you'll just run errands your entire contract term there."
There it was—thinly veiled threats.
Mooyoung set down his cup and stared straight at him.How ridiculous. A man devoured by his own smog.
Now I get it.
Why that smoke poured from his mouth.
This was a man who sinned with his words—so steeped in malice that his own wickedness was suffocating him.
"Manager Park," Mooyoung said quietly.
He rummaged through his bag until he found a small pouch—the one holding his bankbook and personal seal.He never left it in the dorms; it was too important.
"I think you've got bigger things to worry about than me."
Then, tapping the contract with his stamp, he smiled.
"I'll take care of myself. You just focus on your own business."
And with that—
Thump.
Mooyoung pressed his seal firmly onto the BigWin Entertainment contract.