"Here it is?"
The PD and writer stepped out of the car and looked up at the building. Who knew there was an officetel like this in Yonggang-dong? Right by the Han River, with a sparkling exterior that looked freshly built.
"You're still filming, right?"
Moo-young hopped out and glanced at the camera. The red light blinked steadily, signaling they were rolling.
"Mind if I pop into the convenience store real quick? Gotta grab dinner soon."
"It's on the first floor, yeah?"
"Yep. They've got everything—convenience store, dry cleaners, side dish shop, gym, salon. On days off, I barely step outside. Elevator connects straight to it all."
He'd only answered casually, but it came off like he was promoting the place. Moo-young awkwardly ducked into the store before heading up.
Screech—
"Whoa."
"Make yourselves at home."
The panoramic view stretched out wide. From this high floor, the Han River and bridges beyond were crystal clear. Sunlight poured in like a flood.
"This place is amazing. You live here alone?"
"Pretty much with my buddy."
"He's the owner?"
"Nah, separate landlord. Have a seat. I'll grab something."
A twenty-something kid living in a spot like this! Even if he was crashing for free, it hit hard.
"Can we air the house on the show?"
The writer asked slyly, gauging Moo-young's reaction. She'd sniffed out the luxury beyond expectations. This would blow up online.
"...? Sure! Of course. Why else would I have brought you here? Just note that I'm house-sitting, that's all."
Moo-young had no clue what the issue was. He just smiled and nodded.
Go Kyung-min, watching from the side, pulled him aside and whispered.
"You sure about this?"
"About what?"
"Plenty of folks hate seeing others live well. Might get hate comments for no reason..."
Go Kyung-min trailed off. He'd totally forgotten his actor's sunny, unflappable personality. With that innocent face and rock-solid mentality, he was enviable—and a bit scary sometimes.
"It's fine. Some people will love it too."
"Yeah, well, buzz like that helps anyway."
"What do you want, hyung?"
"Nah, go do the interview. I'll handle this."
Moo-young handed his manager a coffee and stepped into the living room. Time for the full house tour! He'd tidied up for guests, making it look even cleaner and bigger.
'Gotta give back somehow.'
Truth was, sending the ghost to the afterlife covered the rent. Plus, it wasn't free—he'd earned fair compensation from Doctor Martel.
'But man, the stability of a good home is huge.'
They said shelter was top priority among food, clothing, and housing. Spot on. No matter how grueling the day, coming here melted away the fatigue and brought peace.
"That's the loft. So, where for the interview?"
"That living room view was killer."
"Got it. There, then."
Now ghost-free, he hoped some nice new owners saw it on TV. Moo-young sat by the window, chatting casually under the guise of an interview. Until the sunset painted the sky behind them.
* * *
Time flew like an arrow. Unfinished recording sessions, poster shoots, script reads with the cast. Days vanished in the blink of an eye.
"Ugh. Exhausted."
Moo-young collapsed, utterly drained. Seemed like he'd slept less than three hours a night for days. He grumbled like he was drunk.
Go Kyung-min peeled off his socks.
"Tired or not, wash up before bed."
Lucky his skin was flawless. Slack off even a bit, and it'd be dermatologist o'clock. Along with plastic surgery and dentists, those places were money pits.
Ding. Ding. Ding-ding!
His phone buzzed wildly by his feet. Different tones—DMs, texts, all sorts.
"What's up, hyung?"
"Want me to check?"
"Yeah. Can't move."
Go Kyung-min glanced and let out an "Ahh." Then checked his own.
"It's that day. Documentary airs tonight."
"Already? What's with my phone?"
Still face-down, mumbling. No reply came.
Moo-young peeked up. Go Kyung-min stared at his screen, dead serious.
"Hyung?"
"Number one."
"What is?"
"Ratings and real-time searches."
Moo-young sat up slowly. What did I just hear?
"Top in time slot. First for a rookie entertainer doc. Peaked at 16%."
"Whoa. Huge."
"But—"
Vrrr. Vrrr.
Go Kyung-min's phone rang. Na Geum-dong. He hit speaker.
"Yes, boss? With Moo-young now. Just wrapped schedule."
—No way! Missed TV then?
"Forgot it was airing, honestly."
Go Kyung-min shot Moo-young a sheepish look. Busy or not, as manager, he should've flagged it.
—Moo-young's screen time is massive. Hour-long, but he takes like 40 minutes. Idols, models, comedians—tons of rookies, and he dominates. Basically solo.
—And that house? Insane. Heard about it, but not this level. Internet's exploding already.
True enough. Real-time search #1: Ha Moo-young. Trailed by 'Yonggang-dong officetel', 'Ha Moo-young house', 'Ha Moo-young house price', 'Yonggang-dong Han River view', 'facial acting'.
— anon123Saw Ha Moo-young acting? How does a face move like that? Knew he had skills, but insane level.— starfan88You Are a Star, I Am a Star hype! Ha Moo-young lead. Song A, Pyo Rai, Ro Min too. Lineup fire!— haterlolFlop drama incoming.— neutralviewerReading scene says not just flop. But rookie in that house? Rich family— docwatcherDidn't watch doc? House-sitting with friend.— realistHaving connections like that is luck too.— realestatefanYonggang-dong officetel prices? House is goals!"Wh-what's all this?"
Moo-young stared blankly. His name plastering the portal site he checked daily? Surreal, dreamlike.
—And that facial acting from the reading. All in, uncut! Probably Lee Yu-jin PD's doing.
Upcoming drama lead, made to promo it. Plus famous idols around him. Unknown rookie's story amid them hooked viewers.
"Wow. This good, right?"
—Duh! Brat! Video call? I'm dancing here!
Articles and comments poured like desert sand. Refreshing brought hundreds, thousands.
"Fun."
Wonder when it'd hit IPTV. Catch it later.
DMs flooded, even from rarely-contacted friends.
"But funniest part? Turning off my phone changes nothing about my life."
Whoosh! He chucked the phone aside and flopped down, exhausted. Good stuff, but sleep first.
"Wash up!"
"Right."
Moo-young shuffled to the bathroom. Go Kyung-min followed.
"Where you moving after packing?"
Moo-young paused mid-brush, rinsed.
"Crash at Jun-ho's, then hunt a jeonse."
Company advanced settlement, doable. 50 million won? Rooftop monthly in outer Seoul, or basement.
"Lifestyle now, maybe no need for a place."
He joked. Out at dawn, back at dawn—days on end. Even Go Kyung-min skipped home for here. Out again soon.
"Dropping uni, no big expenses. Don't worry. You crash too. Time's ticking."
Flop back to bed!
Go Kyung-min sighed with a chuckle, killed the lights.
Quiet master bedroom. Hugging his pillow, he thought of Bu-yong.
'This buzz reaches her ears too? Call before I go.'
Last real-time check. Heh. Grin crept up. Ever this spotlighted?
But Moo-young didn't know. What 'Yonggang-dong officetel' would unleash.
* * *
Vrrr. Vrrr.
Exactly a week later. Time for Bu-yong's call.
Reading script in the car, Moo-young tensed, staring at the screen.
"Here it comes."
Deep breath, answer.
Not even real tenant, yet landlord uneasy.
"Hey, boss."
—Hey! Ha Moo-young! That shaman I mentioned? Introduce quick. ASAP!
Frivolous tone same. Audio glitchy? Choppy.
"What's up?"
—Dunno. Some celeb buying the building. House reveal on TV? Prices up 20% already. Sell now!
What? Moo-young baffled, checked phone. Go Kyung-min peeked.
"Actor?"
—Probably. In Hawaii, couldn't see clear. Rookie! Friend downstairs tipped me. Media buzz, prices soaring...
Others up 20%, 2202 scrapes crumbs—but huge sums.
—Anyway, hurry! Introduce!
"...Boss. That actor's me."
—Eh?
"Ghost's gone to afterlife. Should've said sooner."
—...Ehhh?
Questioning tone peaked. Waves crashed behind. Hawaii, nice!
"Sorry. No tricks intended."
—She's Doctor Martel staff, right?
"Well, tied to that deal..."
—Aha! Debuted from job there? World unpredictable. Face fits— not desk job vibe. Solo hype!
She drummed her conclusion. Boom-bam!
"...Anyway, been good. You'll notice ghost gone living there. Issues? Call, I'll check. Stuff—"
—Whoa no! Wait!
Bu-yong cut in urgently. Silence seconds. Thinking.
—Plans ahead?
"Plans? Like?"
—PR me. Your filmography.
Sudden? But sure.
"Director Seo Jeong-mun's Plague out soon. Lead in You Are a Star, I Am a Star with idol Song A, Pyo Rai, Ro Min. Airs late Q4 probably."
Quiet listen, then low.
—Honey. Keep living there.
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