"Louis!"
"Hee-jun, wake up. We're almost there."
The manager, who had been driving quietly, glanced at the back seat.Lee Hee-jun was fast asleep, drooling onto his neck pillow. He rubbed his eyes and frowned.
"Mmgh… how much longer?"
"About five minutes. Wake up a bit — you've got to lose that puffiness."
"Yaaawn—"
In his hand was the Plague script.
Hee-jun stared blankly out the window for a while, then muttered,"Who's coming to the meeting today?"
"Director Jin Kyung-moon, the production team, the screenwriter, and Yoo Yuna."
"Oh, damn."
A quiet curse slipped out. Hee-jun scratched his head in irritation.He already hated working with child actors — but this time, the main character was one. He'd have to act alongside her for the entire shoot.
"What a pain."
He'd have to pretend to be kind, play the friendly big brother type, and do all sorts of slice-of-life acting.
"Hyung, have you met her before?"
"Who, Yoo Yuna? No."
"I heard she's a real handful for a kid."
The manager bit back the words 'Takes one to know one.' Best to keep that thought to himself.
"She's still talented though."
"For her age, sure. Hyung, can't you talk to them and switch my role?"
"Didn't you and Director Park finish that discussion already?"
"Whatever! Park Moon-chul's so damn inflexible."
"Watch what you say. That kind of talk'll get you in trouble."
"Why? You gonna snitch on me?"
"That's not what I meant."
Hee-jun pulled out a cigarette and stuck it in his mouth. It was a Jin Kyung-moon film — he couldn't just walk away. Still, casting adjustments happened all the time during pre-production, right?
"Why is everyone so uptight?"
"The production's firm about their decisions. The director too. I don't know all the details, but apparently the screenwriter personally recommended you for Louis."
"Wow. I'm touched."
It was a Jin Kyung-moon project, but his role was only supporting. That was awkward. He hadn't done a supporting role in over three years. He couldn't reject it, but he couldn't exactly be thrilled either.
"So what role do you want?"
"Jin."
The script itself was excellent — one of the best he'd seen. Which made him want a more substantial part, especially that compelling villain.
"Pathetic yet sexy — I like that type. And he's basically the second lead. On paper, that's practically a main role."
It might sound trivial, but for actors, those distinctions mattered.Once you went from lead to supporting, the industry started whispering that your career had peaked.
"They even fight over the order of names in the credits," he thought bitterly.
The manager sighed."…Alright. I'll talk to the director again."
"Yeah, please do. He never listens to me."
"Anyway, just get through today's meeting smoothly. Feel it out before saying anything. One wrong move and you'll catch hell."
From Director Park Moon-chul, no doubt.
Hee-jun stuck out his tongue and turned to the window. It had been ages since he'd been to Chungmuro.
The van pulled into the parking lot under a sign reading Monnette.
Screech—
"Let's go."
"How's my outfit? Looks good?"
"Yeah. You're fine."
Hee-jun straightened his sleeves and walked inside. The staff recognized him instantly and led him to the conference room.
Click.
"Actor Lee Hee-jun has arrived."
"Oh, good to see you."
"Hello. It's been a while."
"Every time I see you, you've gotten taller, huh? Hahaha!"
"Already your fifth year, right? You look exactly the same as when you debuted!"
Director Jin Kyung-moon, the production head, and child actress Yoo Yuna were already there. Everyone rose to greet him — everyone except two.
"This here is…"
"Our screenwriter, A-Ok."
Right — A-Ok, and Yuna.
Hee-jun put on his best polite smile and extended his hand.But the writer, hat pulled low and shadowed, exuded an oddly chilling air.
"Hello, writer. I really enjoyed your script."
"Yes… nice to meet you."
What the hell is this vibe?
Behind his genial grin, Hee-jun felt a faint chill prickle his skin. Something was off. Still, he turned toward Yuna.
"Nice to meet you, Yuna. I'm Lee Hee-jun."
"It's Yoo Yuna."
The little girl sipped her chocolate milk with a slurp. Her sharp catlike features and mochi-like cheeks made her look both cute and striking. Definitely photogenic — but still just a kid.
"Do I have something on my face?"
She poked at his chin with her finger. Startled, he quickly wiped at it with his sleeve, worried it might be drool. Yuna giggled.
"I'm kidding."
"…Ha ha, very funny."
He forced a laugh, suppressing the irritation rising in him.
Director Jin took a sip of tea, then opened his script.
"Alright. Everyone's here, so let's begin."
A casting-stage meeting — where each actor shared their take on the characters, their acting approach, and they discussed maturity ratings and boundaries.
"—So I interpreted Louis giving Jannie the chocolate as an act of sympathy. It was too cruel a moment for a child, so he was trying to comfort her."
Hee-jun presented his analysis. The producer and director nodded quietly, but the writer, A-Ok, looked increasingly uncomfortable, biting at their fingernails.
"Writer A-Ok? Are you alright? You look pale."
One of the staff asked gently, but A-Ok shook their head. Then, haltingly,
"N-no, it's not that. It's just… that interpretation, um…"
"Sorry? You mean mine? What about it?"
Hee-jun tilted his head, puzzled. Yuna was still sipping noisily through her straw, eyes darting between them.
And then—
Knock knock.
"Sir, excuse me. Did you have an appointment with Big Win today?"
The staffer peeked in. The producer blinked, feigning realization.
"Oh! Right! Completely forgot. Are they here already?"
"Yes, in the lobby."
"Director, remember the kid I mentioned? The one I wanted you to see for a minor role."
"Ah, right. Let's have a look then."
The director twirled his pen, nodding. The producer gestured to the staff, signaling them to bring the guests in. Moments later—
Creak.
"Hello. I'm Go Kyung-min, managing director from Big Win Entertainment."
"Nice to meet you."
"Sorry to interrupt your meeting. Our kid's a big fan of yours, Director Jin — he really wanted to meet you."
"Haha! I'm flattered. So who is it?"
"A young actor named Ha Mu-yeong. Mu-yeong, come on in."
Go Kyung-min stepped aside, ushering him forward.
Loose white T-shirt, soft brown perm, eyes tinged with quiet melancholy — and pale skin illuminated by a faint, gentle smile.
"Hello. I'm Ha Mu-yeong."
The moment Mu-yeong appeared, Writer A-Ok's eyes went wide as if they might pop out of their sockets.
No one else noticed — they were too stunned themselves.
"Huh?"
Yoo Yuna set down her drink, staring intently at him.
And then, she said what everyone was thinking but couldn't bring themselves to say.
"It's Louis!"
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