Misunderstanding
The dawn of the entertainment district was gradually slipping from people's memories bit by bit. It was a street where the sighs of middle-aged men echoed more than the raucous chatter of the young.
Ha Moo-young peeked around the corner of the alley.
"Why? Standby?"
Tae-seok was savoring his cigarette, grinding it between his teeth.
Moo-young muttered as he looked at him. "Hyung, you look totally like a gangster like that."
"Not a gangster—a host. Noona, let's have a drink!"
Wink! It was loaded with aegyo, but far from cute—it was downright threatening. Tiger-print silk shirt, hair slathered in wax. If you picked it apart piece by piece, sure, it screamed sleazy host outfit...
"You look like you'd handle extensions better than any noona."
Bora jumped in after finishing her makeup. Today's shoot featured just the three of them: Bora, Moo-young, and Tae-seok. With her done, everyone was ready.
"All set? Standby?"
"Cameras are still adjusting. About twenty minutes?"
"Man, standing here, that grilled meat smell is killer. Drinks after wrap?"
"Sounds good. Samgyeopsal it is!"
Today's scene was outdoors. A moment where conflict simmered between the three drunken characters. There were wide shots coming up, so the staff were hiding out to capture that raw street vibe.
"Moo-young-ah. Friend of yours?"
One of the staff called out to him then. A friend? At this hour? Who'd come here?
Moo-young turned to see Im Jun-ho loaded down with drinks and snacks in both hands.
"Huh? What're you doing here?"
"What else? Brought some grub for hyung to munch on during the shoot! Hey everyone, I'm Moo-young's high school buddy Jun-ho. MD at Born to Lead."
"High school friend, huh?"
"Birds of a feather. Handsome and chill personality."
"Haha. Don't know about looks, but personality-wise, I'm the better one."
Jun-ho handed out snacks to the staff with his trademark easy charm. Moo-young shot Bora a confused look, like what's going on? She chuckled softly.
"So cute."
"Whoa. Kang Bora. You've gone off the deep end too."
Only a few at Big Win knew Jun-ho and Bora were dating. A set was basically a workplace—did they really need to broadcast their relationship? Especially as actors.
"Jun-ho knew and came anyway."
"Knew what?"
"The scene we're shooting today."
Ahh. Moo-young let out a drawn-out sigh laced with amusement at Bora's words. Not a kiss scene exactly, but something borderline...
"Bora-ssi? Want some?"
"Thanks."
These two, messing around in front of a single guy! They played it off like normal friends exchanging greetings. Tae-seok, watching from the side, grinned like he was enjoying the show.
"You got work tomorrow? It's 2 a.m."
"Just got off, kid. And—"
Jun-ho slung an arm around Moo-young's shoulders and muttered. He was smiling, but his voice had an eerie edge.
"Our pal Moo-youngie's got some intense scenes today. How could I sleep worrying?"
The warning was clear. But what could they do? The movie had to get shot. Moo-young hugged him tight and chuckled.
"If it's gonna hurt your feelings, I recommend skipping it. Friend."
"Yaaah!"
"Hahaha! Kidding. Kidding."
The staff watched Moo-young and Jun-ho horsing around and burst into laughter themselves. They didn't know the full context, but the duo's playfulness was just fun to see.
"Standby incoming!"
At the assistant director's signal, the staff hurriedly packed up and moved to a nearby convenience store spot—far enough for wide shots without looking awkward.
"Jun-ho, you too."
Jun-ho pointed two fingers at his eyes, then at Moo-young. I'm watching. Moo-young stuck out his tongue with a bleh.
"Aren't they too cute?"
"...You're deep in the love filter. For real."
Moo-young laughed in disbelief at Bora's mutter. But that was fleeting. They quickly sank into character for Streets' Sunlight.
"After 57, straight to 55. Rented till 3, so hustle."
"Got it. Fangs!"
"Oops. Here."
Reverse order, huh. No big deal. Moo-young nodded as he fitted the fangs.
A skeleton crew left: cameras and minimal staff. The director cupped his hands into a makeshift megaphone.
"57, take one. Ready—action!"
The two pressed tight against the wall, eyes locked from inches away. Not tender gazes, but tension prickling like raised hackles.
"...You asked before."
The vampire whispered low. The nurse held her breath, listening.
"About those terminally ill faces at the hospital. Faces with no will or meaning to life—does living even feel good?"
The nurse swallowed hard. The vampire's fingers traced her jaw slowly, tilting her head to expose her neck.
"You're right. It doesn't."
"Wait—"
"Sometimes I even want to kill myself."
As he spoke, the vampire bared his teeth. The fangs gleamed unnaturally. His lips hovered at her neck, breaths hot and mingling.
"Whoa!"
Thud! Tae-seok, climbing the stairs, tripped on the threshold and stumbled.
The two sprang apart in shock. The director yelled, "Cut! NG!"
"You okay?"
"Ah, sorry. Slippery here. My bad."
"Nah, it's fine."
"Let's go again!"
Tae-seok dusted his pant legs and re-entered. Moo-young fiddled with his fangs on standby, but his neck prickled hot.
"...?"
Jun-ho was gnawing on his handkerchief, face nearly in tears. Moo-young cracked up and beckoned him.
"Hey! You crying?"
"I'm not, you punk!"
"We're pros."
"I know! You punk!"
Shaking their heads, the trio reset. The scene replayed, and this time Tae-seok ascended smoothly.
"What're you two doing?"
Casual, like he'd expected it. The host's question got a light nip on the neck from the vampire in reply.
"Can't you tell?"
"Okay! Cut!"
"Good. On to 55. Crew, fall back behind camera!"
"Falling back!"
The staff bustled off. Tae-seok blended in and retreated far. The quiet street left just Bora and Moo-young.
"Check blocking."
"Arm like this here, then wrap around."
"Okay. Perfect."
They gripped arms and backs for precise movement. From afar, it'd look like a man whispering sweet nothings.
Then, noise from passing drunks.
"Kids these days are bold."
"Yeah, prime time!"
"Hm? Kinda familiar?"
The boozed-up group staggered to a halt, eyes glassy, staring hard and wobbly.
"Huh?"
"Isn't that Ha Moo-young?"
"Ha Moo-young? Where?"
Bora leaned against the alley wall, Moo-young in front, arm-propped close. She turned away annoyed.
"Standby's imminent."
"It's fine. Hey, hello?"
Bora eyed only the staff across the street. Blinking light meant action... but the passersby were holding things up.
"Real Ha Moo-young?"
"Gasp. The girl..."
"Yo, let's bounce."
"Drive safe~!"
They bolted after glimpsing Bora's profile. Mistook it for a date, not a shoot.
"Standby in."
"Yes! Jun-ho still crying?"
"Looks like."
They wrapped with faint smiles. The nurse's arm smacked the vampire's back viciously.
"Aaaah!"
Fierce tussle, then she slumped, legs giving out. He caught her effortlessly. Turned to camera, meeting the sneaky onlookers' eyes.
Click. Flash again. "Okay!"
Bora dusted off and stood. Jun-ho came sprinting.
"You punk—!"
"Whoa!"
"Wipe your lips!"
Jun-ho grabbed Moo-young's collar, trying to scrub his face with the handkerchief he'd "bitten."
Moo-young dodged wildly.
"Why~?"
"Why?! 'Cause my buddy Moo-young needs protecting!"
Regardless of their scuffle, Tae-seok showed Bora and the director a phone pic.
"Nice, right?"
"Ooh, good vibe."
"Stills material?"
"Absolutely."
The shot: them pinned to the wall, glaring like they'd devour each other. Tae-seok beamed and shared it in the group chat.
"Wrap for today?"
"Wrap! Soju and samgyeopsal!"
"Sweet. One round and crash."
"Director coming too? Group go!"
Jun-ho wrestled to wipe his friend's face; Moo-young evaded. Amid cleanup chaos, Bora quietly called Jun-ho.
"Hey—"
"Yeah?"
Mwah! Quick kiss while no one watched. Bora asked coolly.
"Meat for dinner?"
"...Gotta. Absolutely."
"Im Jun-ho, you mad? Work tomorrow! Reeking of meat? Unwashed. Gross."
"Shut it, wash yourself. Punk!"
And so the Streets' Sunlight team headed for wrap drinks. They pounded beer-soju mixes and stumbled home. Vampire hours—sleeping at sunrise—had dragged on over a month now.
Passed by Sangjeok-dong back alley yesterday and saw a guy and girl hugging. Drunk so just laughed past it, but up close—Ha Moo-young whoa. GF is stunning. Girl looks familiar but can't place. Proof drop. Explode imminent.
Click-
The attached photo showed Moo-young and Bora embracing in the alley. "Explode" warning or not, it spread like wildfire via clicks.
"Ughhh..."
Moo-young staggered toward the building's convenience store, bumping into everything, eyes barely open.
Ting-a-ling.
"Hello."
"Welcome. Moo-young-ssi."
Exchanged warm greetings with the owner, loaded up hangover ice cream... but.
"That's your girlfriend, right? The one who comes sometimes."
"Huh? Who?"
"Come on. The long straight-haired girl."
"Bora?"
Only Bora fit: long straight hair, frequent oopistels visitor. But why girlfriend?
Ahh. Right, Jun-ho's girlfriend.
"What's Bora done?"
"You two suit each other. Have a pretty love."
"...?"
Moo-young blinked blankly, clueless. Stomach churning, he bowed out fast and headed home.
"What? Something's off."
Flopped on the bed, phone half-dead battery. Texts and missed calls exploding.
"Ah. This vibe..."
Always like this when shit hit. Uneasy. Moo-young grimaced and called back Go Kyung-min's missed call.
"Hyuuung. You called? Trouble brewing~."
-You see it?
"See what?"
Wait. Why so chipper? Not the usual crisis tone.
-You and Bora—dating rumors!
"Whaaat?"
-Hahaha! Jackpot! Perfect! Hyung finally lost it?
Moo-young eyed the phone sideways, head tilted.
-No PR needed! Free ad falling in our lap!