The Subtle Battle
"Hey, be more tactful."
Whispering sharply, Lee Hee-jun frowned at his manager. Why on earth would he blurt out that the role of Louis was already decided? Idiot.
"Why? It's true, isn't it?"
"You didn't see the director and the writer's faces when they looked at him? And the contract isn't even signed yet. What's 'true' about that? Just keep quiet, okay?"
Especially when Ha Moo-young said he wanted to play Louis. No one said a word, but everyone could feel it—the sharp intake of breath. Awe. Admiration. Whatever it was, the mood shifted completely.
'I don't know why, but there's gotta be a reason. Damn it. Not that I care.'
Hee-jun tapped his fingers on the desk, gears turning in his head, trying to figure out how to break through this awkward situation.
"Wow. Really?"
"Yeah, really, really."
Meanwhile, Moo-young and Yuna were laughing and joking together as if they'd known each other forever. The little girl was even leaning comfortably against his knee.
Squeak.
A moment later, the door opened, and three people entered. The production company's president gestured toward Moo-young and Kyung-min.
"Do you two have somewhere to be?"
"No, sir. We're fine."
"Then wait in the reception room until the meeting's over."
"Yes, understood!"
Go Kyung-min, quick on the uptake, bowed his head deeply. Whatever the reason, this was clearly a good sign.
"Oppa, you're leaving?"
"Yeah. I'll see you next time."
"Aww, but I don't wanna—"
When Moo-young stood, Yuna clung to him pitifully. Her mother—also her manager—tapped on the window from outside the conference room.
'Behave.'
Mouthing the words toi toi, she gave a stern look. Yuna pouted and sat back down.
"It was an honor to meet you. Goodbye."
Moo-young bowed politely to both Hee-jun and his manager. Once the unexpected visitors had left, the director cleared his throat and glanced at Hee-jun.
"Now, where were we?"
"Ah, yes. We'd just finished analyzing scene 94."
A quiet but tense battle of wits began.
Both wanted to change the casting for Louis, but how they handled it would decide who took control. For Hee-jun, the key was whether he could get the role of Jin instead.
'If not, I'll have to make it look like I turned it down.'
Losing Louis without gaining anything? That'd be humiliation. To a rookie who'd only shot a web drama, no less! If negotiations failed, he'd have to make it seem like it was his decision all along.
Meanwhile, the director recalled the earlier conversation in the next room.
"A reading? But Director, Lee Hee-jun's already here. A reading doesn't make sense—surely you're thinking of him for Louis?"
"They can wait till the meeting's over. And Writer, let's be honest—the situation's gotten a bit tangled, hasn't it?"
"Ah… yes, yes…."
"I agreed with the image casting, so I won't argue more. But from now on, I'll need your cooperation. Just the fact that people are saying things like this behind the actor's back…"
The director chewed on his pen cap, waiting for the right moment to speak. He was the only one who could mediate this.
'Still, this might work out.'
They hadn't signed the contract yet, and this was just the first meeting. Meeting Moo-young like this might have been divine timing.
"So, Hee-jun. I know I offered you the role of Louis, but—was there any other role that caught your eye while reading the script?"
"Another role?"
He tossed the bait.
Everyone in the room knew exactly what was happening—except for little Yuna, who just blinked, watching the adults curiously.
"I cast you as Louis based on your image, but I wondered if you preferred another role. Sometimes our perspectives differ, you know?"
"Hmm… I…"
Should he say it? Jin?
Before he could answer, Yuna chimed in with an innocent laugh.
"Uncle Hee-jun fits Jin perfectly."
"Jin? Why Jin?"
"Just because. His eyes are scary."
Apparently, she could sense instinctively that he didn't like her. The president chuckled.
"Come on, Hee-jun's eyes? Scary?"
Hee-jun was known for his gentle, soft features—the very reason he'd been picked for Louis. Outwardly, he was the model of diligence and kindness.
"Ah, but I'm glad Yuna said that. I've always played similar types of roles. I've wanted something stronger, different. While reading the script, I found Jin's character quite fascinating."
Hee-jun smiled at Yuna.
'Little brat.'
"Thanks. I'm really happy you think I'd suit Jin."
"You didn't call yourself oppa before."
"…Huh?"
"You're uncle, remember? Uncle."
Crack.
Hee-jun barely kept his smile, deciding to ignore her. He really didn't get along with kids. The director studied his face carefully, then nodded.
"Now that you mention it, there's a strange duality in your expression—good and evil coexisting. Oh, don't take that the wrong way; it's a compliment. It's an appeal that the Louis role hides."
"Of course. I like villains, too."
"So, can I take it that you'd prefer Jin over Louis?"
"I do like Jin, but if I can work with you, Director, I'd be happy with Louis too."
Each word stacked carefully on top of the next—diplomatic, cautious.
His manager and the staff watching in the back could hardly breathe. Then, amidst the quiet tension, Yuna mumbled again.
"I think Louis should be that oppa."
"Really? Why's that?"
The director asked, amused. Even if she was a child actor, she was still the lead. Her opinion mattered.
Yuna thought for a moment and said something cryptic.
"Because he smells like chocolate."
The Test
Unlike the calm Moo-young, Go Kyung-min couldn't sit still—pacing around the office restlessly.
"Hyung, please sit down."
"I don't know, I just feel so nervous! They told us to wait—maybe they'll make him do a reading? But why? For a minor role? Ah, Moo-young, my brain's going full happy-scenario mode."
Some roles were still unfilled, right? What if they were considering Moo-young for one? Kyung-min tried to hide his grin, but it stretched almost to his ears.
Then—
Click.
"Ha Moo-young?"
"Ah, Director."
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
It had been about two hours.
All that time had been spent locked in discussion over casting—mostly about Hee-jun's role. The director rubbed his aching temples as he greeted them.
"No problem. We're the ones who came unannounced."
"It's nothing major. You said you wanted to work together, right? Let's do a reading and a camera test."
"...!"
Kyung-min's eyes went wide. Moo-young might not know, but camera test wasn't just any audition term.
"Do you have the script with you?"
"Yes, I do."
Why do acting schools emphasize video feedback so much? Because seeing through the naked eye and through the lens are entirely different. A camera test wasn't just to observe—it meant they were seriously considering using him.
"If it were just a script reading, maybe… but a camera test? That's huge."
They didn't do that for just anyone.
Actually—most of the time, they didn't need to. Too much trouble.
With trembling hands, Go Kyung-min pulled the script out of Moo-young's bag. It was worn and dog-eared from constant use. The director noticed immediately.
"You've gone through that quite a bit."
"Yes. I really love this project. I've analyzed every character. I can do whatever you ask."
"Oh? Really? There are a lot of people in this cast."
As the director sat down, staff members from Monnette set up cameras and tripods. Soon, writer A-ok and the production president entered as well.
"Hey, what happened to your wrist?"
When Moo-young shook out his hands to relax, the president noticed the tightly wrapped bandages.
It had actually been from overworking while taking notes, but Moo-young smiled it off.
"It's because of Jani."
In the story, Louis and Jani tie their wrists together with bandages—both to keep from getting separated in chaos, and to hide the burn marks on the child's wrist.
'Nice touch,' thought the director.
It wasn't intentional, but the coincidence worked beautifully. The director chuckled, clearly pleased. Writer A-ok was practically on the verge of tears at seeing Louis come to life.
"All right then—let's see it."
"Yes, sir. Which line would you like?"
"Page 74, scene 103."
Moo-young flipped through the pages, then froze.
His eyes silently asked: Are you serious?
The director folded his arms and nodded.
"Louis…?"
"You said you wanted to try it, right? Camera ready?"
"Yes, ready."
"Okay. It's late, so let's move quickly. Ready—"
The cue came suddenly. Moo-young straightened, his focus snapping into place.
"Action!"
His gaze softened, unfocused, sinking into character. The air around him seemed to dim. Kyung-min pressed himself against the wall, clutching the bag and trying to calm his racing heart.
"Jani. Jani…"
A man trapped in a sealed space filled with toxic gas after his grandmother's death.
The only thing keeping him sane—Jani.
The child who had pulled him back from the edge.
"Louis oppa… you've suffered so much because of me, haven't you?"
"Don't say that."
"It's all my fault… You ended up like this because of me. If only I weren't here… I'm such a burden. I'm sorry."
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be alive. You know, Jani… sometimes it's because something is heavy that we can bear it. You hold onto me so tightly—I'm really thankful for that."
His voice trembled at the end, a mixture of exhaustion and gratitude. The emotion bled through his words like tears.
Perfect.
The director's heartbeat quickened as he followed the script. He'd thought the boy just looked right for the part—but now…
'Where has a kid like this been hiding?'
His acting was phenomenal.
It was as if the Louis he had envisioned had stepped straight off the page. No direction needed—he naturally embodied the role.
'His script analysis must be thorough.'
Or maybe their interpretations were just perfectly aligned. Whatever it was, he was the real deal.
Moo-young tilted his head slightly, smiling faintly as if listening to Jani's imagined voice.
"Right now? Here?"
"Mm-hmm. I'll start, okay?
Puppet Pinocchio, I like you.
When you meet the blue-haired angel, take me with you too."
Following her imaginary cue, Louis began to sing softly.
"Show up in my father's dream tonight,
Tell him my story well, won't you please…"
Just then, the door cracked open. Little Yuna peeked in.
Their eyes met, and Moo-young—still in character—continued singing. His clear, gentle voice filled the office. Yuna fidgeted excitedly, barely holding herself back.
"Come here," he said.
No—Louis said.
He reached out a hand, smiling. Yuna beamed and ran over to him. She threw herself into his arms, and together they finished the song.
Their eyes met—warm, tender, utterly sincere.
"When you meet the blue-haired angel, take me with you too!"
Watching the monitor, the director clicked his tongue softly and raised his hand.
In all his years making films, he'd never met someone who fit a character this perfectly—as if heaven itself had chosen them.
"This won't do."
There was no way he wouldn't cast him. The project wanted Moo-young. Yuna wanted Moo-young.
"Let's talk things over with Lee Hee-jun's side," he muttered to the president.
"We'll hold off finalizing the actor for Jin and re-evaluate. But Louis—we have to use that kid. No way around it."
And before the president could even answer, the director called out—his eyes still fixed on the screen.
"Ha Moo-young!"
"Yes?"
"Clear your schedule from summer onward."
"…Sorry?"
While Moo-young blinked in confusion, Kyung-min whooped and bowed over and over.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
The director laughed, half in disbelief, half in admiration.
"This summer—let's meet again as Louis."
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