What is an Agency?
Near a valley on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province. Where water and mountains met in a stunning landscape, there was a hidden gem of a spot. The only downside was the sun dipping low in the sky.
A remote guesthouse served as the base for the filming site.
"He said to grab some food?"
"Yeah. But I didn't have time, and I'm dieting anyway, so I turned him down. How's it looking? Can you tell I've lost some?"
Ha Moo-young recounted the charity party from last week as he spun around in place. Maybe it was cutting out flour, but his skin looked even smoother and brighter.
"You do look a bit gaunt."
"Actually, I've dropped about 2kg. A little more and it'll be perfect."
"Take care of yourself. Tae-seok's helping you out, right?"
"Yeah. But it's mostly water weight. Turns out you just don't eat."
Moo-young rubbed his stomach contentedly, all by himself. It was a body sculpted at the expense of his health, but for the sake of the work, he seemed to enjoy it.
Bora stared at him blankly before furrowing her brow. No matter how she thought about it, something felt off.
"What's up?"
"Nah. You think someone like SJ Enter's investment lead has time to kill inviting you to eat? There must be something he wants. And handing you that invite at your first meeting? Suspicious."
"I figured it was because of our dating scandal. He was thrilled about the buzz and how it saved on ad costs."
"You're kidding? Then what about me?"
"Ah, right."
It wasn't just her scandal alone. If that was the real intent, Bora—as a fellow agency member and co-star—should have gotten a heads-up too. The fact that she didn't meant SJ, or Yoo Sa-ha specifically, had some other business with Moo-young...
"Maybe because I was the only one at the set that day?"
Moo-young sniffed at the bag of snacks, picking it up and putting it down repeatedly, smacking his lips.
Bora sighed and snatched it away.
He wouldn't know, so I guess I'll have to look into it.
Right now, swirling in her mind was that offhand news about an "agency acquisition." After distribution and production, they were branching into entertainment management.
Is it a sales pitch or something?
She had to admit it: Moo-young was the hottest topic in the industry these days.
"...You."
"Yeah, I know I can't eat it."
Bora shot him a half-joking, half-serious glare. He didn't notice, his eyes glued to the snacks.
"If you make me come out here and then ditch, you're on your own."
"Huh? Where am I going?"
"Alright, everyone ready?"
Right on cue, the assistant director chimed in. As the staff poured in, Moo-young and Bora had to drop the conversation and get to filming.
"The valley's just ahead, right?"
"Yeah, but hauling the lights up is a hassle, so we can't go too deep. Per the shot list: 112 over there past the rocks, then 113, and the valley."
"Where's the chicken?"
On this night away from the city, the vampire—who hadn't tasted blood in ages—devours chickens from a coop instead of the club members. When caught, he flees into the mountains as they chase him, calling out.
"Ready."
"Whoa, realistic."
Stacks of chicken corpse props with necks half-twisted. Bora grimaced at the sight, but Moo-young shook one lightly like a toy.
"The moon's big and bright tonight."
"Sure is. Been waiting for a night like this."
Kang Seong-bae, sitting on the platform flipping through his script. At his words, the director and staff looked up at the sky. Far from the city, the moon felt close enough to touch.
"Moo-young and Tae-seok have a tough one today."
"Back half, gotta give it our all."
At least it was summer weather. Short scene, but there'd be water entry.
The DP checked his watch. "We got the moon footage. Let's start and go non-stop till sunrise."
"Sounds good. Seong-gang, coffee."
"Lighting director, third light keeps flickering."
At the AD's standby signal, everyone sprang into action. Kang Seong-bae rinsed his mouth with coffee for a sugar hit. Soon, Tae-seok and Jin Lim joined, makeup done.
"Shooting! Standby—!"
"Standby!"
"Ready! Action!"
The real chicken coop reeked, stinging the nose. Moo-young crouched over the prop corpse, body curled tight.
Slurp—suck!
A grotesque sucking sound, demonic. The sound director fought the urge to rip off his headset.
"What's that?"
The club members emerge at the noise. Flashlights hit the vampire's back. He turns slowly, light revealing everything: pale skin, feathers matted with blood and saliva, gleaming eyes...
"Eek!"
The truck driver recoils, and the vampire's pupils shake. A being trapped in eternal night, never to see sunlight again. The forgotten truth resurges.
Whoosh!
"Wait!"
"Where you going? Crazy?"
"Let go! Right now...!"
The vampire vanishes into the dark. The nurse, knowing his secret, pursues, but the truck driver grabs her. She shakes him off fiercely and follows into the mountains.
"Okay, cut!"
After that, it was pure grind. Actors sprinting through pitch-black woods. Lights helped, but nothing beat the sun. Branches snag, rocks bruise, slopes slip. Sweat and dirt were nothing—bugs were the real plague.
"Moo-young, wanna go again if you're okay?"
"Yes! Got it."
"Ready! Action!"
Crunch crunch!
"Huff, huff!"
He wiped bloodied lips, wandering the forest till dawn.
The director checked his watch, glancing skyward. Dawn was breaking.
"Moving to the valley!"
"Careful going down!"
The all-night forest scenes wrapped. Now the day's climax.
"Only one shot a day for this, Moo-young. Please nail it."
"Yes, director. You too."
Sunrise backdrop meant no choice. He stretched in place, determined for a one-take.
"Hoo! Ha! Haha!"
The cast watched worriedly. Moo-young flashed a V-sign, then got directing notes.
"Sit and watch sunrise one shot. Then water entry—look left as you go in."
"Like this?"
"Yeah. There's a groove on the bottom; hook your foot if you float to balance."
"Got it."
Safety checked, he sat. Sunlight leaked over the ridge.
"Reaaady—! Action!"
The director's voice hoarse too. Everyone mustered final focus at the sharp standby.
The vampire, slumped on the bank, gazes at the sunrise, panting.
Beautiful.
First clear sky. Body burning away, but he can't turn. Amid ragged breaths, awe swells.
"Haa, haa."
Clutching his collar, gasping. Tears blur the sparkling world, mind fading.
Splash!
Hot. Scorching. He dives into the water to cool. Valley water rises to his neck. Dark corners look black.
Like that day's memory.
First life memory: black amniotic fluid. He senses this sky is his last.
Face heating, soon he'll submerge fully.
"Hey—! You fucker!"
A booming voice. The host and nurse, searching for him. Tae-seok dives in without hesitation, pulling him out.
"Aaaagh—!"
The nurse shields him from sun with a blanket, hugging tight.
"It's okay. You're okay!"
"Aaaah!"
"Damn it!"
Vampire collapses screaming; Tae-seok covers him too. Three huddled tight. They murmur to the shivering vampire.
"It's okay. Okay..."
"Hic..."
Screams mix with sobs now. Camera catches Bora and Tae-seok's resolute faces.
Long shot pans to the sun.
Fade in here—
Screen brightens to transition. All held breath for the cut.
Sunlight glints in the viewfinder.
"Okay! Cut!"
"Woo! Great work."
"Finally done!"
"You guys killed it! Everyone!"
"One take—lucky."
Night shoot at location, outdoor—over. Staff draped blankets over soaked Moo-young and Tae-seok; veterans patted backs encouragingly.
"Tough one. Right?"
"Great work, sir."
First emotional exchange with humans. Pivotal for the vampire, worrisome schedule for the team. Joy at success; light hugs all around.
"Moo-young, you'll catch a cold."
"I'm good. Ran all day—body's hot."
"Still, take meds and rest."
The work satisfied more than his body. But oversights: his diet-weakened condition, and the dawn valley water—colder, stronger than expected.
* * *
"Achoo—!"
"You okay? Meds?"
"Took 'em."
Go Kyung-min glanced worriedly while driving. He'd seemed off after location; now a cold.
"Cancel tomorrow's schedule?"
"Nah, haha. Not that bad."
Who doesn't get colds? Moo-young waved it off.
"Or IV drip at least. Can't have our golden boy sick."
At Kyung-min's insistence, Moo-young nodded reluctantly. First time for an IV. He'd been so sturdy, it felt weird.
"Ha Moo-young? I'll help with check-in. Guardian?"
"Ah, yes. Moo-young, wait here."
Waiting post-exam for IV...
"Ha Moo-young, right?"
"Hi."
"You don't remember. Everyday Entertainment's Park Kang-hoon. We did an interview."
Many interviews; not crystal clear. Moo-young smiled brightly.
"Hi. How've you been?"
"Good. What brings you here?"
"Cold. IV drip."
"Summer cold? Even dogs don't get those."
"Haha, yeah. Outdoor shoot."
Reporter's eyes lit up, predatory.
"On set?"
"Yeah, but no biggie. Could take pills, but manager insisted. Haha. Oh, here he comes. Take care, reporter."
Moo-young slipped away with Kyung-min around the corner.
The reporter smirked at his back, scenting a scoop.
"Who?"
"Dunno. Some reporter."
"Hmm."
Kyung-min sensed unease but nodded. Felt nagging, but hospital bustle buried it. Hours later, articles revealed.