"Keep living here? Why?"
Ha Moo-young's eyes widened like saucers at the unexpected words. Go Kyung-min, who was driving, glanced over too.
-TV appearance once and the property value shot up 20%. I had no idea media exposure was this effective. If you keep working in entertainment, won't there be plenty more cases like this where you film from home?
I can't give a firm guarantee, but yeah, it probably won't be zero. These days, third-person observational variety shows are trending, and even YouTube vlogs or SNS uploads will contribute a bit.
-In exchange, let's renew the contract every six months. I'll let you live here rent-free, so you pump up the property value hard.
"Th-that's okay?"
-Better than selling at a loss right now. Who knows how high it'll go? The location's top-tier in Korea!
"Well, that sounds good for me, but…."
-You work hard and become a top star, okay? Then go around bragging that you're living here. Win-win for both of us.
To cleanse the image of a haunted house, it was worth investing time and effort. If word got out that a great tenant lived well and left peacefully, what more could he want? And if that tenant was a celebrity? Game over.
-Feels like hitting the lottery in Hawaii. Puhahaha!
He was thrilled at the thought that 2202, which had been more troublesome than a hot potato, would finally play its role. Taxes draining him dry with nothing but headaches—now it was done!
"Feels like I hit the lottery too."
Was he dreaming? Ha Moo-young grinned wide and playfully kneaded Go Kyung-min's arm.
Time to unpack the luggage he'd packed up at home!
-Great! I'll tell the real estate guy and send over a new contract!
"Thanks! Have a great trip!"
Ha Moo-young bowed repeatedly into his phone with greetings. He hadn't expected things to work out this smoothly.
Go Kyung-min, who'd been eavesdropping from the side, asked in a surprised voice.
"The landlord wants you to keep staying?"
"Yeah. Said the value went up a lot, so keep living there and boost it more."
"Haha. Jackpot. For real."
Renewals every six months, but from the vibe, it seemed like he could stay until the rent hit a satisfying level. No idea when that would be, though.
"Heehee. Heeheehee."
"That happy, huh?"
"Yeah. I was dead tired until a second ago, but now I feel super refreshed."
He could probably pull all-nighters for drama practice now. Go Kyung-min smiled warmly at him, then fumbled for his phone.
"Hyung! Focus on driving."
"Sorry. Got a text—check it for me."
"Mm. Hold on."
Ha Moo-young read the message on Go Kyung-min's phone instead.
"...Plague premiere date is set. It's set? Premiere's set, hyung!"
"Aigoo, you punk. Hang on!"
Ha Moo-young bounced in his seat. The car heading to the script practice room rocked.
With the apartment issue and his biggest worries resolving one by one, nothing could feel this good.
"Let's go! Hyung! Floor it!"
* * *
It had been a wildly hectic year in Ha Moo-young's life. He wondered how he'd have survived without taking a leave of absence.
With You Are a Star, I Am a Star locked in for mid-January airing, he dove into drama prep—of course—and Plague's release date was set around the same time.
"How many days apart?"
"About a week?"
Plague opens, then drama premieres a week later.
"I'm probably the busiest guy in entertainment right now, huh?"
"Nah, doubt it. Kids doing events zip around the whole country in a day."
Major theaters in Seoul, plus Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, and more. A tour of key cities was lined up.
Of course, down during the day and back at night, with drama shoots blocking most attendance anyway.
"Tsk—want one?"
Go Kyung-min was even popping herbal tonics to prep his stamina. Ha Moo-young waved it off with a laugh.
"No thanks. Bitter."
"That's 'cause you're young."
"When do we head in?"
"Time to go up."
Go Kyung-min checked his watch and opened the car door. The theater parking lot was chaos, unlike usual.
Celebrities invited to the premiere swarmed, drawing reporters and security into the frenzy.
"Ha Moo-young heading up."
"W-whoa."
Staff moved like clockwork at his arrival.
The photo wall in the theater lobby flashed blindingly.
"Kim Jae-ah! Over here!"
"Next up."
"I'm a fan! Kyaa!"
"Don't push!"
It was pandemonium. Other celebs already posing—not cast, but friends invited along.
Ha Moo-young, used to seeing them only on TV, gawked wide-eyed.
"Jackpot."
"Ha Moo-young coming up."
"Huh? Me?"
He was practically shoved onto the stage. Flashes blinded him.
"Left side, please. Middle, then right."
Click! Click! Boom!
Ha Moo-young squeezed his eyes shut and waved. His winking smile cracked up reporters and onlookers alike.
"Can't open your eyes?"
"Ugh, feels like they'll melt right off."
"Haha. Careful coming down."
Escorted by staff, Ha Moo-young entered the theater, bowing nonstop to senior celebs en route.
"GV starts right after the movie. Stage greeting before screening."
"Got it."
"Moo-young oppa!"
A voice pierced the din. It was Yuna, dolled up in a cute dress with her hair neatly tied for the premiere.
"Missed you—"
"Yeah. Only saw you at the poster shoot."
"Not even long then. You ditched first."
"I'm supporting cast. You're the lead. Posters gotta feature the star."
Ha Moo-young ruffled Yuna's hair as they headed to the waiting room. Kids grew so fast. Same time passed, but you could see it.
"How tall are you now?"
"Dunno. But doc says if I keep growing like this, 170cm. Kyaha."
"No way. For real. Oh? Director! Hi."
Reuniting with the director and cast after ages. Ha Moo-young hugged them openly, thrilled.
What a auspicious day.
"Moo-young, you've been slammed, right?"
"Nah, managing. Drama shoot's half live after airing anyway."
The so-called "side-script" method. Unlike films waiting for full scripts, You Are a Star, I Am a Star's ending wasn't even set.
"Hello! I'm Kon, MC for today's Plague premiere!"
The host's voice boomed from outside. Showtime. Ha Moo-young straightened his collar, tense.
"I look okay?"
"Totally cool."
Snap! Yuna flashed a thumbs-up and grinned. Ha Moo-young and Yuna clasped hands cutely and walked the hall.
The door opened to a packed audience.
"Waaah!"
"Yi Hi-jun! Hyo-jeong!"
"So cool, handsome!"
Clap clap clap!
Cheers erupted just from entering. Mostly fans of each actor, plus some winners from events.
"Huh?"
Flashes popped—not photo-wall level, but steady. Then placards in the back.
[Genius Rookie Actor Ha Moo-young♡]
[Moo-young-ah I love you Plague hit big!]
"Whoa!"
Ha Moo-young's fans. First time seeing placards and fans like this.
Ah, he'd spotted some on the street during his minor drama role, but official event? Never.
'Hi!'
He waved and beamed at them. Fans waved back furiously. So cute!
'Thank you so much.'
He clasped hands and bowed lightly. What an incredible feeling. Strangers cheering for a face they'd never met. Precious beyond words.
"Lead Jenny, Yuna."
"Hi. Ha Moo-young here as Louis."
"Villain Jin tormenting them both, Yi Hi-jun."
Quick intros, director's brief film intro, then they sat front row empty seats.
Post-film Q&A with audience ahead.
"Huh? Where's Yuna going?"
"Me… minor, can't watch."
Yuna waved sadly, shrinking. Plague was 19+ restricted, so she'd wait in the lounge till end.
Whoa. Hadn't thought of that. Lead couldn't even see her own film. Sure, she'd watch privately at home later….
"So oppa watch and tell me how it is."
"Got it. See ya soon."
"Bye-bye."
Yuna waved and left with mom. Lights dimmed, distributor logo appeared.
Shaaa—
A world choked by fine dust and pollution. Gray skies, rundown apartments everywhere. Film began.
[Government, pay compensation! Pay!]
[Disperse or face arrest.]
[Lives ruined by factory gas—compensate! Compensate!]
Scenes he'd witnessed live felt totally different on screen. He'd checked through the viewfinder then, but sound, effects, CG made them brand new.
[Rattle—]
[Louis?]
Jenny finding Louis about to suicide in the supermarket. Their fateful boat sets sail.
Ha Moo-young watched himself onscreen with detachment.
'Is that really me?'
A whole new person. Character. Not the Ha Moo-young of 20 years, but Louis's life.
Then it clicked.
'Ah. That's why they say live another person's life.'
True. That Louis was Louis, not Moo-young. Bringing a fictional being to life, becoming someone else.
Acting.
'What an amazing thing.'
Like all art, acting was monumental. Ha Moo-young's nose tingled with realization.
Louis's death followed.
"...Whoa."
A gasp from the back. The dying man's eyes under the red sunset pierced like they'd rip through the screen. His final breath with the sunset felt vivid.
Long take, but immersion hid it—no one noticed till later.
[Aaaargh!]
[Die already—!]
Final scene. Hellish chaos, Jenny stands dazed as they try killing each other. Hi-jun's mad grip drips murder. Child looks up with black eyes.
Music swells, screen fades.
Flash!
Open-ended: Jenny lives or dies? Unrevealed.
Theater stayed silent till lights up post-credits, OST playing. Then applause exploded.
"Waa...."
"Director! Haha! Killer stuff."
"Good work. Yeah, good work."
Cast hugged the director in celebration. Effort and faith in Jin Kyung-moon paid off big.
Especially standout scenes.
'Louis's death.'
Jin Kyung-moon savored it satisfied. Audience behind all stood clapping, cheering.
Ha Moo-young waved, cheeks flushed.
Screech—
"Oppa. How was it?"
Yuna burst in right on cue.
Why tell when she could see? Ha Moo-young turned to the crowd.
All beaming, satisfied. Electric vibe. Yuna finally grinned proudly and hugged him.
"Total smash hit!"
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