"Ah. Hold on a sec. Why's this happening?"
The section chief fiddled with his pen a few times before standing up from his chair. Ha Moo-young sat quietly, staring straight ahead until the man left the room.
Thud!
"Hyung, how much am I getting paid?"
The moment the door clicked shut, Moo-young whispered excitedly to Go Kyung-min. The manager burst out laughing.
"Man, you sure don't waste time. Are you acting to make a living, or living to act?"
"...To make a living."
So how much? Moo-young's eyes sparkled, and Go Kyung-min smirked, tapping the cover of the contract like a parent teasing a kid with a gift.
"There used to be a rating system back in the day."
"I've heard. Something with up to 18 tiers."
Tiers 1 through 5 were for child actors, then adults above that. It depended on experience and fame, but fame weighed heavier. It was that kind of chart.
"Things are different now, though. You've got these comet-like rookies shooting up, and veterans blasting off into the stratosphere."
Top stars breaking 100 million per episode weren't exactly rare. For them, it was more about personal brand and agency negotiations than any chart.
"So, how much for me?"
"Rookies usually get 3 million."
Even leads. Sure, he'd shot Plague, but it hadn't premiered yet. Basically zero filmography.
But—
"You're kinda blowing up online, though."
"Me? Really?"
"The Daryeong thing recently, and weirdly, all the articles drag you through the mud but end up good for you."
Even the AD bullying scandal. It was like bad luck swerved out of his way on purpose.
Moo-young ticked off on his fingers. "I get the AD thing, but what was good about Daryeong?"
Drama casting from the AD mess was obvious luck. But Daryeong?
"Image exposure. Follower boost."
Some even called it noise marketing. People who'd bashed him as irresponsible flipped 180 after the dashcam footage dropped.
"Calling out her plate while grabbing her a cab? Big deal. They're all dying of envy. Die already."
"Huh? Jealous, hyung?"
"You're insane, kid."
The two bantered playfully. But reality wasn't a joke—Moo-young's SNS was growing on its own without posts.
"Anyway, ignoring all that drama, me and the boss did some solid haggling. Lucky the supporting cast's fees are high—they're all fame monsters with zero acting chops."
Fees above base, naturally. So our lead's price goes up too.
"Ever seen a lead paid less than supports?"
"So how much? Hyung, don't make me fall backward."
"Five million."
Whoa. Moo-young froze at Go Kyung-min's whisper. His eyes glittered, moist with overwhelming emotion.
"H-Hyung… how many episodes?"
"16. Might extend if ratings are good."
Five million times 16?
"80 million..."
Jackpot! Epic! Insane! Moo-young screamed cheers inwardly, clenching his fist.
Ah, taxes and agency split, of course—but
"You know there's rerun fees too, right?"
20% of base for first runs. 12% for third. 10% after fourth. 7% for late night. Moo-young's head spun as numbers soared.
"Grab the chance and run with it. Let's work hard."
Sure, peanuts next to stars pulling 100 million an episode. For a lead! But for a total noob with no filmography? Generous as hell.
Moo-young wiped a sneaky tear and grabbed Go Kyung-min's hand.
"Can we grab meat on the way back today...?"
"Special day—why not!"
Beyond the fee, a hit meant insane ad rates. Overseas rights? Even better.
"Waaah. Hyung, I'll work sooo hard."
"Aigoo, crying?"
"No, just sniffling."
Moo-young dabbed his eyes, heart pounding as he waited for the section chief. Go Kyung-min chuckled, giving the contract a final once-over.
"What'll you do with the payout?"
"Me? Hmm..."
Moo-young pondered deeply. No clear answer. Food, sleep, clothes—no issues. Manager hyung handled conveniences. No spending needs.
"Pay off tuition in one go. Save the rest."
"That's you, alright."
"Oh, and treat the crew."
Jun-ho, Enbin, Ro Min, Bora, etc. Splurge on friends who'd helped. Just thinking made him grin.
Screech.
"Sorry. Pen's right there when I'm not looking."
The section chief returned. Moo-young smiled calmly. Hard to believe this was the same kid chattering excitedly moments ago.
Tap tap tap.
'Yup. Same guy.'
Feet jiggling under the desk. Go Kyung-min laughed, spreading the papers.
"Shall we review?"
"Sure. Whatever's comfy. Sign here or take it home?"
They'd skimmed a draft, but this was Go Kyung-min's first real look too. Parties should see the real thing—
"If you've got time, I'll read and sign here."
The chief smiled at Moo-young's firm words. Do it.
That afternoon, Moo-young finally left the production company as evening fell, clutching the contract boldly signed in his arms.
"Hyung! Meat time!"
"Ooh? You buying?"
"Yep! Feeling good! Let's go! Pork!"
He jabbed the sunset sky like hurry up. The glow matched the perfect band color of Merrill Kellin's upcoming vibe.
Ki Yu-chanTiger Thorn Tree premiere date's set. First slot's weekend— you free?"I'm here."
Ro Min arrived at the dorm after his schedule. Too big for its users. Siwon, gulping water in the kitchen, greeted him.
"Back? Late."
"Longer than expected. Hyung, dinner?"
"Nah."
Siwon stuck to fasting for work hunger. He wiped his mouth after chugging.
"What about your drama OST? Manager said you sampled some."
"Still thinking. You're working on stuff too. Can't I do both?"
"One. Just one."
Siwon handled most composing and lyrics in Zero Team. Label asked him, but Ro Min pondered separating since he'd sing it.
"What about Ha Moo-young?"
"Records first."
"Weirdo. How'd he snag lead?"
"His acting slays, hyung. But he doesn't seem to know."
Ro Min chatted idly, eyeing Siwon. Fasting for work was one thing, but starving like this?
"Hyung, don't push too hard."
"What. Same as always."
"That's why. You can ease up now. Activities are wrapping."
He'd worked 20 hours straight once. No food, no sleep.
"Rest up."
Siwon grabbed his water and headed to the studio. Things felt off lately. Slump?
"Brought food. Siwon?"
Manager hauled in late-night snacks. Ro Min just shook his head.
"Won't eat."
"Again? He'll wreck himself."
"Yeah. Worse lately."
Like biking fine then losing balance. Still cruising, topping music shows… but shaky.
"Self-imposed obsession."
Hitting a peak, then frustration at no more. Insane achievement to outsiders, but stagnation terrified them.
If it breaks, it breaks.
Peak hit, then downhill. Normal for top idols, but Zero Team couldn't accept it.
One more step, we've come this far.
For Siwon, it showed as anorexia and workaholism.
"Sigh. One solid hit would fix it."
"Yeah. This one wasn't bad, just short."
"Studio ghosts gotta be real."
Ro Min laughed, ripping open a bag at manager's old superstition. Ghost sounds in recordings meant smash hit.
"Pfft, ghosts?"
He munched tteokbokki. Siwon's studio door stayed shut till sunrise.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇"Ha Moo-young!"
"We're here."
Doorbell buzz. Im Jun-ho and Kang Bora, arms full of food. Moo-young peeked from the kitchen, prepping dinner.
"Hey."
"Congrats. Gift."
"Superstar Ha Moo-young~"
"Why's she like that? Drunk?"
Bora just grinned, shoving champagne at him. Jun-ho looked pained—boyfriend or not, couldn't watch.
They unpacked at the table.
"How'd yours go?"
Bora just quirked a brow at Moo-young's question. Daryeong scandal nuked Cafe Please.
"Scouting female lead. Nobody wants it. RealActors'll probably send a temp."
Daryeong's mess—company cleanup. Who'd volunteer?
"Exec's actress Jin Kyung-sook, right?"
"She's 52."
"Oops. Right."
'Romance lead' limited options. Tough sledding.
"Why not you?"
"Me?"
Bora chugged champagne at Moo-young's absurdity.
"What about my scenes? Reshoot everything?"
"You're just two-shots with lead. Gotta redo anyway— no biggie?"
Jun-ho chimed in. Bora waved it off as nonsense. But if…
"If you land lead? Epic. We'd be rivals!"
"Scheduling's not out."
"It is. What if we clash? Would rock."
Moo-young giggled; Bora played along.
"Rock? Bloodbath. Pray we don't. We're breaking ratings."
"Nuh-uh. Ours."
Jun-ho jumped into their childish spat.
"Anyway, huge win. Gotta move soon—big cash helps. Buy whatever."
"Yup. Gifts for you two first."
Not paid yet, but agency advancing settlement!
Moo-young set small boxes down. Tie pin for Jun-ho, lipstick for Bora.
"What's this!"
"Thanks for everything. Modest token."
"Daaang… kid. What's behind?"
"Huh? That?"
Jun-ho pointed at the last box. Phone buzzed.
OK. Definitely coming.Moo-young shushed them, covering his mouth. Mention Yu-chan in front of Bora? You'd just hurt yourself, dummy!
One of life's countable happy days slipped by as he sat at the table.
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Read 101 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
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