Double Baeksang Rookie Nominations
The first to speak among the candidates was Bora.
"Looks like it's just the three of us today."
Her voice drooped like she'd been up for days. She flicked her hollow eyes slightly, dredging up the memory. That cool, damp tone was spot-on. Just one line, and it painted a picture of a silent night landscape.
"What can we do? Last time it ended in such a mess."
Tae-seok followed up seamlessly. Oh ho. It was remarkably smooth. Traces of dialect popped up here and there, but just as the director had said, it made the character feel more alive.
Bora swept a neurotic gaze over the two men.
"You think we can just brush it off with 'what can we do' and call it a day?"
"But that's how it is, right? What do we even know about those people besides their names? Their addresses? Phone numbers?"
"Like I don't know!"
Bora shot back sharply. Her irritation-soaked voice even carried a hint of nervous breakdown. When did she grow into this? Moo-young watched her performance with quiet admiration.
"Swimming unnie's husband hated fruit but died selling it in an accident. Not stuff everyone knows like addresses or phone numbers—stuff only we know about Swimming unnie. Why pretend you don't know?"
"What about Grandpa Ong-seok?"
"Ong-seok's a fucking perverted dog bastard!"
"Ha, haha! Knew you'd say that."
"Why are you laughing like that?"
"'Cause I saw it last time. The two of them."
A back-and-forth that felt like an argument but wasn't quite. Voices rising with the heating tension. It was verbal sparring—you could feel the stabs, the scratches, the squeezes in every line. Tae-seok and Bora's intense focus even made the director shrink back a little.
"Stop itttt!"
How did she wring that scream out of a rigidly straight posture? Impressive. The production company president flipped through Bora's profile again.
I thought she was just a so-so actress. My mistake.
She had a bit part in a short drama when she was little, then a long hiatus before Cafe Please. And that wrapped early amid controversies from external issues? He'd assumed she was just one of many like that. Arrogantly so.
"And you! Why are you just standing there watching?"
Bam! Bora slammed the desk lightly and glared at Moo-young. Tae-seok, the director, the manager, and the president all piled their gazes on him too.
Moo-young, who'd been silently watching the exchange, blinked. Very slowly—like waking from sleep.
"This is all because of you! Because of you we're like this!"
"......Sorry."
Not sorry at all. A dry, cracked monotone, steeped in the exhaustion of a transcendent being who'd pulled all-nighters for centuries.
Aaah— The director let out an involuntary gasp.
That's it!
The vampire Ha Moo-young he'd envisioned. The image from his head materialized perfectly in reality. Exactly as drawn, fitting just right. Who could be more perfect?
"You—"
Moo-young cut Bora off naturally.
"But you said it last time. That even when you're really tired, there are times you don't actually want to sleep. You know that's just self-defense, right?"
"Wh-what are you talking abou—"
"That day's dissatisfaction made you wish it wouldn't end like this, but there's no anticipation for tomorrow either. So it's self-defense to hold onto the moment. I heard that somewhere."
Like cold thumbtacks dropping. A vampire prodding the rawest nerves with calm, monotonous words.
"So just stop. You say there are things only we know, but even that's a lie for you."
Bora's face flushed at the exposed vulnerability. The three glared like they wanted to kill each other. A thin, transparent thread like fishing line slowly wound around them, slicing into flesh toward the heart.
"Okay!"
Clap! The production president broke the heavy tension with applause and called cut.
The three snapped out of it, beaming and tilting their heads cutely. Maybe it was the great script, but it was really—really fun.
"Wow, Bora-ssi, you're really good."
"Thank you. It was easy with you guys playing off me so well."
"Whoa, our trio's got some real chemistry, huh?"
"Synergy's on point. Nice."
Unexpected chemistry discovered. They meshed seamlessly. Moo-young had synced with Tae-seok and Bora before, sure, but Tae-seok and Bora together? Total surprise.
"Should've practiced together sooner if I knew."
"We can now. Tae-seok hyung's a bit blunt, Bora's sharp—they balance out perfectly."
"That 'sorry' in the middle—"
"Yeah, it really comes alive there. Felt magical even doing it."
The three chattered away about acting like soulmates, oblivious to their surroundings.
"Ahem. Hey, kids?"
"Ah. Sorry."
The manager's nudge snapped them back. The president smiled warmly, but director Bae Cheol-min looked on the verge of tears.
Did I miss something?
"......I, I just wanna shoot this thing already."
He mumbled in awe. The president nodded too.
"Right? It's gold. Pro-level. Experience really matters, huh? Right, Director?"
"Yeah, yeah. Everyone's way more charismatic and magnetic in person than on screen. I gotta capture it right......"
"Aigoo, Director! Why so lacking in confidence? Come on, fighting!"
Moo-young pumped both fists in cheer. Bae Cheol-min grinned, then turned to the president.
Time to wrap casting talks.
"So, Moo-young-ssi signs today. Tae-seok-ssi, you're with Big Win too, right?"
"Yes."
"You've heard our situation. We'll talk through them. Bora-ssi, same agency?"
"I'm independent."
"Oh? Just your contact then......"
With acting skills passing, chemistry with lead Moo-young perfect, and image spot-on—no choice from their side. Otherwise, it'd be open auditions for nobodies.
"Moo-young-ssi, this way."
"Hyung. Bora. Be right back."
In the inner room. Moo-young skimmed the contract right in front. Signing bonus: 1 million won. Way less than Plague. Practically nominal.
"We heard you prefer running guarantee over upfront."
"1 mil covers transport nicely."
"But running guarantee's 2.5% of net profit."
Net, not gross. But double the usual 1-2%. And percentages are scary in low-budget films—low costs mean big nets.
"Sounds good. Just take good care of Tae-seok hyung and Bora too."
They were in for the script, not money, so bonuses wouldn't matter much. Enough to live on, sure.
"Here?"
Moo-young pulled his seal from his pocket, inked it, and stamped crisply!
On the official performance and appearance contract for the production of Streets' Sunlight.
Poof! Flower pollen bloomed fluffily once more. Scattering like a seal of approval: This is the real lucky path.
Moo-young smiled and pressed firmly.
"Looking forward to working with you!"
"Same here."
"Thanks, Moo-young-ssi. Really grateful."
"Aish, Director. Drop the formalities."
"......I'll work as hard as you believed in me. No, I will!"
"Hahaha. That's still formal!"
Contract sealed successfully. Moo-young shook hands with the director, president, and staff, vowing a great film.
Not long after, on a fine April day when cherry blossoms bloomed gorgeously.
Word came that Tae-seok and Bora had been cast and signed too—
"Goal's to wrap full casting and reading by end of April, start shooting. Aiming for release this year."
"How far along on casting?"
"Almost 80%."
"Nice. Curious who the rest are."
"See 'em at the full reading."
Full schedule shared. Moo-young rode with Go Kyung-min toward a Gapyeong pension. MT date clashed awkwardly with Netflix original variety shoot.
"Don't drink too much."
"Aigoo, how can you not drink at MT?"
"Pleeease. Act like the celebrity you are. Got it?"
"Yessir!"
Moo-young scrolled Netflix main on the manager's tablet. Plague was in global secondary distribution, topping Korea's most-watched with no sign of dropping.
"Overseas reactions?"
"Probably #1 everywhere but Russia and a few spots. That's why Netflix wants the promo variety ASAP."
"Director Jin Kyung-mun's a legend."
"Mongnett seems a bit bummed from reactions, but that's their side. For us, it's a massive hit."
As predicted, it crushed overseas. Streaming numbers dominated, perfect for a rookie's face-recognition boost.
"Think if I go abroad, people'll recognize me?"
Moo-young murmured dreamily. Fans from other languages watching his acting? Pure bliss.
"Maybe. But ease up on the booze first. This the place? Nav says this pension."
"Yup. Drop me here, hyung."
Students already there via chartered bus. Moo-young grabbed his bag, waving happily to Go Kyung-min. Joy incarnate.
"Heyyy—guys!"
"Huh? Ha Moo-young!"
"Moo-young! Over here!"
"No way, for real? Actual Ha Moo-young......"
"Jackpot! Im Do-ha's our senior?!"
Freshmen went wild at his arrival. Prime You Are a Star, I Am a Star viewers. Their idol Im Do-ha live? Minds blown.
"Whatcha up to?"
"Prepping grilled meat. You haven't eaten, right?"
Simple: eat, play, drink, repeat! Moo-young stashed his bag and blended in. Sophomore leaders helped intros with freshmen, chats with peers.
"Sunbae, loved the drama. I'm a fan."
"For real? Awesome."
"Autograph?"
"Of course! More meat?"
His vibe exploded the already lively MT. As sun dipped, bottles cracked open; Moo-young laughed till his cheeks hurt.
"Eek! Caught again! Moo-young sunbae!"
"Ugh, me? Really?"
Spinning drinking games nonstop. Then.
A tipsy club rep checking his phone outdoors spotted something, calling folks over.
"Yo, check this."
"What? Baeksang candidates?"
May's Baeksang Arts Awards date and nominees popped up. Last year's films and dramas scrolled, a familiar name catching.
"Film and TV Drama Rookie categories... both nominated for Ha Moo-young?"
Friends reading the article turned toward the pension interior.
Ha Moo-young, caught in a game, writing names with his butt.
That guy—double Baeksang Rookie nominee?
Will New History Be Made?
"No way!"
"Yo, Ha Moo-young! Check this out!"
"Quit messing with your butt!"
Moo-young, face beet-red, grinned wide. Reaching out, wondering what the fuss was.