BigWin Entertainment.A small office that used to be an old billiard hall.Sitting on the worn sofa, Mooyoung glanced around in fascination.
"Looks like a loan shark's den."
That was his first impression of the agency he was about to join.Beside him, Oh-seok stole a quick look at his expression, worried he might already be regretting it.
But—
"Amazing!"
Mooyoung's eyes sparkled.Not a hint of disappointment—just genuine awe at the quirky atmosphere.
Kyungmin asked with a friendly smile,"Green tea? Coffee? What would you like?"
"Green tea for me," said Mooyoung."Coffee," said Oh-seok. "So that's the CEO's office over there, and this is the practice room?"
A red carpet lay across the center of the room, dividing the space.All the furniture was pushed against the walls to make a wide enough area for acting practice.
"It's the practice room, dining room, and night-duty room all in one. There's a cot in the storage room too," Kyungmin joked as he set their drinks down.
Still, he glanced nervously at Mooyoung—worried that such a humble company might change his mind.
"Sorry, Mooyoung. We're small—just two employees and two actors—so we're short on hands. The CEO will be here soon."
"It's fine. I'm the one who came early."
"Right, about ten minutes left. Tell him to take his time."
Though he was called "CEO," the man did the same work as any manager.Mooyoung sipped his tea, his eyes drifting toward a cabinet behind the desk.
"What's inside that?"
"That? The cabinet?"
Through the small gap, faint glitter—like flower dust—drifted out.Maybe that's where they stored contracts? His own bag was glittering from the papers inside, after all.
Creak.
Kyungmin opened it casually.Inside, scripts and piles of paper stacked taller than a person.
"We store works there. Everything from Chungmuro film scripts to contest-winning dramas. The boss collects anything that catches his eye—his house is overflowing with them, honestly."
"For character analysis?"
Because for an actor, there's nothing better than a complete script.Finished screenplays are invaluable training material—not just for understanding a single role, but for learning to grasp an entire work as a whole.
"That's part of it. But truth is, he's just a total script nerd."
Bang!
"Sorry I'm late!"
Speak of the devil.The door burst open as a man stumbled in, out of breath and wiping sweat off his forehead—Na Geum-dong, CEO, manager, and all-around handyman of BigWin Entertainment.
"Sorry, sorry!"
He rushed over, bowing repeatedly.He looked kind and approachable—like the type of guy who'd hand you a basket of apples if you met him in the countryside.
"Boss, where's Taeseok?"
"Told him to park. Didn't want him to be late, hahaha."
Ah, so this was what "family-like atmosphere" meant.The boss didn't feel like a boss at all.
Mooyoung stood up as the man approached."Hello. I'm Ha Mooyoung."
"Oh! I'm Na Geum-dong."
The man's eyes lit up instantly.He looks even better in person!There was a depth, a brightness that the camera just couldn't capture. Those starry eyes were mesmerizing.
"Please, have a seat."
They shook hands lightly and sat down.
"Nice to meet you. I've seen your MeTube videos. Manager Go gave me the gist—you haven't been acting long, right? But wow, you really left an impression."
Mooyoung hadn't even laughed, yet Na Geum-dong's hearty laugh rang through the room.Such an expressive man—full of character.
"I think it's because I met a good teacher," Mooyoung replied, glancing at Oh-seok.
Heh, this kid.
Oh-seok suppressed the proud grin tugging at his cheeks with a cough.He'd guided plenty of students through college auditions, but this—this was the first time he saw results like this.
"Alright then."
Na Geum-dong took a breath and began.
"You've already reviewed the contract terms, so let me tell you about the company itself."
Mooyoung already knew some of it from Oh-seok.Na Geum-dong and Go Kyungmin had met as senior and junior actors in a theater troupe. Two people who had given their all to acting—unable to leave the craft behind, they'd built this agency together.
"I made this place because I wanted to see others walk the path I couldn't.We're still small, but I've staked everything I have on supporting our actors' careers."
There was sincerity and longing in his voice—an intensity that came from living every day as if it were a battle.
"Incredible."
Mooyoung was quietly moved.This man truly loved acting.
Na Geum-dong smiled warmly."Do you have any particular goals or direction? Like preferring film over TV, or certain genres? Knowing that helps us tailor things to you."
"I'm happy as long as I can act."
Whatever the role, whatever the project—if it's a good one, that's enough.
The CEO couldn't hide his pleased grin.Every kind of talent was welcome, but that attitude was especially rare.
"Remarkable! Especially for someone your age."
There was a good feeling in the air, a sense that their energies aligned perfectly.After a moment of thought, Na Geum-dong spoke again.
"You see, I've lived the same kind of life you're about to start. And there's something I've learned."
If this contract fell through, they'd probably never cross paths again.That made what he wanted to say all the more important.
"Actors depend on audiences. No matter how passionate you are, if people don't come, you can't perform. So an actor's own power becomes crucial. When a great opportunity appears, you need enough pull to seize it."
"You mean recognition?"
"Exactly. It's essential if you want to do the work you love. So broaden your spectrum—don't limit yourself to theater. Try everything. Modeling, film, drama… there are so many chances out there."
Mooyoung mulled over his words.Not a single thing he said was wrong.
"I understand. Thank you."
"Well, judging by your web drama work, you're already doing great. Hahaha!"
Na Geum-dong's booming laugh was contagious, and Mooyoung laughed with him. Then he pulled a document from his bag.
"Then I'll be in your care. You'll be managing all this for me, right?"
The contract—already stamped and signed.
Na Geum-dong blinked, taking the paper in surprise.So did Oh-seok and Kyungmin. They'd known he was serious, but this was beyond expectations.
"W–wow, you're thorough, Mooyoung."
At Oh-seok's comment, Mooyoung just shrugged.
"Once you stamp it, you don't have to worry about anything else."
"Of course! Our job is to handle everything else so that the actor can focus solely on acting!"
To Mooyoung, the "bothersome stuff" had always meant people like Park Mooncheol from Sealing Entertainment—but Na Geum-dong clearly interpreted it a little differently.
No need to correct him. Mooyoung simply smiled.
"Manager Go! The seal!"
"Ah—yes, yes, just a sec!"
Na Geum-dong and Go Kyungmin scrambled to find the company stamp when—
A faint shadow flickered outside the door.
Mooyoung turned, but it vanished in an instant.
'What was that?'
It was Taeseok, one of the agency's actors—the same man who'd been with BigWin for three years now.He'd finished parking, but couldn't bring himself to enter, afraid he might interrupt.
He crouched in the hallway, texting his fellow actor with feverish excitement:
[The newbie's here!!]
The huge, muscle-bound man sat with his back against the wall, butt freezing on the cold floor—but who cared!He listened to the cheerful noise coming from inside, waiting for just the right moment to make his entrance.
"Alright then, ready to stamp?"
"Do we have to take a picture too, boss?"
"Hey, it's a special occasion, Manager Go!"
They placed Mooyoung—contract in hand—between them,Na Geum-dong on one side, Go Kyungmin on the other.
Oh-seok raised his phone camera.
"Smile!"
"Kimchi!"
"Say cheeeese—!"
Click!Click!
The stamp of BigWin Entertainment, bright and clear beside Mooyoung's signature.He poked out a small V sign with his fingers.
Snap! Snap!
"All done! Congratulations, Mooyoung!"
"Thank you, sir."
"Good kid."
Mooyoung turned to Na Geum-dong and Go Kyungmin.
"Now that we're family, please just talk casually with me. I'll be counting on you both."
"Should we? Sure thing! We'll count on you too. Manager Go will be your main handler,so if you ever have any opinions, speak freely."
"Yeah, call me whatever's comfortable—manager, team lead, whatever sticks."
Mooyoung clasped his hand."Then I'll call you Manager Hyung. So, about my next project?After the web drama, I haven't done any real acting. I want to start right away!"
Ah, so those eyes can shine even brighter.
Na Geum-dong couldn't help but marvel.He walked over to the tall cabinet and threw it open—singing the old TV show tune, "Ttara-dada-da~ Love House!"
Though Mooyoung already knew what was inside, Na Geum-dong acted as if unveiling treasure.
"Pick one! The ones on the left are already wrapped up or cancelled,but these on the right are still in casting."
A treasure trove of scripts—stories wandering in search of their actors.Mooyoung's gaze fell on one in particular,its pages shedding glimmers of golden pollen.
Hmm…
Just out of curiosity, he asked,"Hyung, have you read all of these?"
"Me? Yeah, pretty much."
"Then could you recommend one? There are so many."
"Ah, sure, sure."
Heart thumping, Mooyoung watched as his manager sifted through the piles.Finally, Na Geum-dong pulled out five scripts.
"These ones caught my eye."
Wow.
Among them—that script.The one glowing faintly, scattering flower dust into the air.
He really does have an eye for talent.
No wonder it shone so brightly.
Mooyoung accepted all five with a satisfied smile.He flipped through them, pretending to skim casually, until—
On the first page, a brief summary.
"I'll take…"
He paused for a beat, then tapped a single title.
〈The Plague〉
Go Kyungmin only nodded calmly,though inside, he was quietly impressed.
The title alone wasn't eye-catching,but anyone who'd read it would know immediately—
This kid's got real instincts.
Because among all those scripts,this one was—without a doubt—a masterpiece.