Horror Variety Show
“I just met with the investment rep from SJ Enter.”
The atmosphere was 'similar' to usual. Lively chatter and sharing delicious food, yet somehow subdued and settled. No one wanted to kick things off first during their late-night snack time, just exchanging glances... until Moo-young broke the ice.
“S-so, what'd you talk about?”
Na Geum-dong hiccuped foolishly. When they first signed, the exclusive contract was for three years. Once Streets' Sunlight hit theaters, it'd be about a year left. If he kept working non-stop, really grinding, he could squeeze in two more projects.
“We had a meal. This is takeout from there.”
Of course, thanks to Yoo Sa-ha's generosity. Moo-young had tried to pay, but he'd been firmly refused and footed the entire bill. Positive vibes come from stamina, and leisure from a full wallet—what a gem of wisdom. Getting takeout after being turned down? Priceless.
“It's insanely good, right?”
“Yeah. It is.”
“And the rep asked if I had any thoughts about transferring. Said they'd made an offer to the agency too—why didn't you tell me?”
Na Geum-dong's face fell again at Moo-young's question. A heavy sigh landed with his chopsticks.
“I-it's a sensitive issue.”
“If something feels off, snag it quick. Wrap it up tight so it can't go anywhere, coddle it.”
“Of course we want to stick with you. But holding on without giving anything back feels shameless... like tying down a kid with a bright future...”
Yeah. They hadn't done much. Not like they'd raised him from trainee days, hand-picked scripts, immense talent, and they couldn't even provide dorms.
Moo-young lightly tapped the table as if scolding him.
“What do you mean the agency hasn't done anything? Picking you up and dropping you off at dawn every day. Handling incidents when they blow up. Covering all the minor event logistics.”
“Any agency would do that.”
“Doing what you're supposed to do well is still doing it well. I turned down SJ's offer. So please, consult me on big stuff from now on.”
Moo-young stuffed meat into his mouth, a hint of annoyance in his tone.
“Y-you turned it down?”
“Didn't you turn it down too, boss?”
“W-well, yeah.”
“I'm on the same page as the agency.”
Na Geum-dong's face lit up at his firm words. In a burst of joy, he grabbed Moo-young's arm and shook it.
“Aigoo! Moo-young-ah! Thank you!”
“Enough. If you keep making decisions behind my back, I'll really get upset. Got it?”
“Of course! Absolutely!”
“Stop shaking and eat. You've barely touched it.”
Na Geum-dong devoured the meat like his appetite had never vanished. Go Kyung-min wet his mouth with beer and asked cautiously.
“But Moo-young, I'm really curious.”
“About what?”
“You picked our agency from the start, and what exactly do you trust about Big Win? SJ's terms must've been killer. Aren't you bummed?”
“Manager Go! Why bring that up?”
Na Geum-dong freaked, drawing an X with his chopsticks—like never speak of it again. But Moo-young, his mind made up, brushed it off.
“Gotta keep things proper first. I'm not the type to break a mid-contract out of greed. And more than anything—”
More like he trusted his own choices over Big Win. But Moo-young just smiled brightly and skipped that.
“I like you and the boss way too much.”
“Moo-young-ah!”
“Aigoo, you're dropping meat everywhere!”
Na Geum-dong hugged him, visibly overwhelmed by a wave of deep emotion and heartfelt gratitude. At that moment, he truly felt that this was what living was all about; a fresh, invigorating sense of joy surged through him, washing away the weariness of the daily work grind.
“Moo-young-ah. We'll do even better! Way better!”
“Oh, really? Then get me a new car.”
“Huh? C-car?”
“I spend more time sleeping in it than anywhere. Sedans are too cramped. Kyung-min hyung needs solid rest on standby too. A van. A van.”
Moo-young fed him bites, eyes sparkling. The boss hesitated, then clenched his fist and stood like he'd made a grand resolution.
“Right! Look at all the money you've brought in! That's the least we can do!”
“Woo! Van time!”
“...A used one okay?”
Moo-young nodded with a laugh—what did it matter? Go Kyung-min, clearly pleased, suppressed his grin.
“Anyway, let's keep doing great.”
“You got it. Let's crush it!”
“Azar! Eureora!”
“Ora!”
Na Geum-dong and Moo-young clinked beer cans and yelled. Go Kyung-min gently blocked the actor's hand.
“Shoot tomorrow.”
“One beer won't hurt, right? Schedule's packed—need to stock energy.”
“Alcohol drains energy.”
It was a killer lineup. Morning film shoot, evening variety. Today's gap was for stamina prep. Meeting SJ had thrown a wrench, though.
“What variety shoots at night anyway?”
Na Geum-dong gulped beer and asked amid their chat. A program flashed in his mind.
“Ah, That World Smile?”
MC Doo-seok's unbeatable weekend staple, holding top spot for over a decade. New guests each episode for talk and games.
“Drama schedule clashed, so it fell through, but we finally synced. Guest special's 'Young Blood Rebellion.' Haha.”
“Who's on?”
“Two male idols and a rookie actress, I think? Details fuzzy.”
He'd heard but forgotten. Go Kyung-min filled in.
“Ppusik's Jen and Toyori. And Soi.”
“Rising stars special, huh?”
All rookies steadily building fame post-debut. Big agencies except Moo-young, but buzz-wise, he burned hottest.
“Can't wait!”
Appearing on a show he'd watched since kid days? Dream come true. Moo-young hugged a cushion, grinning ear to ear.
“Why nighttime, though?”
“It's summer.”
“So?”
Moo-young yelled at the clueless Na Geum-dong.
“It's a horror special!”
A small abandoned school on the outskirts. Moo-young, passed out in the car, came to and rubbed his face. Even in the dark, his skin glowed fresh after deep sleep.
“Hello.”
“Ah, hello. Ha Moo-young has arrived.”
“Mi-seon-ah! Guide Moo-young-ssi.”
“This way.”
How'd the You Are a Star, I Am a Star chance, lost to drama, circle back? SJ and production pressure.
“Hello! Doo-seok sunbaenim!”
“Oh, Moo-young! Long time.”
“Staying healthy? Looking even cooler.”
“Memorize my face now. Makeup'll ruin it.”
Doo-seok's strong rec helped too. Horror theme favored 'horror' roles. His recent dating rumor-vampire casting had spread industry-wide.
“Moo-young-ssi is vampire, right?”
“Yes. And sunbaenim is...?”
“Grim reaper. Grim reaper. Haha.”
Dressed up for talk and games. 1st-floor classrooms split as waiting rooms, stage set in the auditorium. Moo-young greeted hosts including Doo-seok, got makeup.
Click.
Door opened—guests entered. Two Ppusik idols, Moo-young's age.
“Hello. Nice to work with.”
“Ah, same. Please take care.”
Werewolf album concept. Rugged manly styling stood out.
“Where's Soi?”
High School Ghost Story Returns drama got her student ghost. Next room. “Late. Timing arrival.”
Entering AD approached the three men.
“Got scripts?”
“Yes. Super short.”
“Real variety... no real script. Loose order. For scary stories, use what you told writers. Reworked. Here's yours anyway. Read up.”
Follow MC Doo-seok like good kids.
Moo-young chugged coffee, chasing sleep.
“Standby!”
“Everyone, positions.”
Staff directed; ready guests huddled behind curtain. Soi barely made it.
“Nervous.”
“Me too.”
Peers made That World Smile huge. Hosts in costumes lined up: grim reaper, virgin ghost, jiangshi, Toshio...
“Slate!”
“One, two, three!”
Snap!
Handheld slate. MC Doo-seok called PD name playfully.
“Kim Hong-tae. Kim Hong-tae.”
“...?”
“Grim reaper calling PD?”
“Sending him off. Totally.”
“What even is this makeup?”
“Why? Suits you perfect, hyung.”
Decade of chemistry—dreamy banter. Hosts roasted costumes, easing into opening.
Guest intro cue.
“Now, today's guests!”
Song played; partition parted slow. Four guests waved, smiling.
“Whoa! Jackpot! Ha Moo-young!”
“Ppusik! Ppusik!”
“Nice to meet you. Wow—”
“Eh? Hanbin blushing again. Gold-rapid! Gold-rapid!”
Chaotic vibe flowed into shoot. Quick intros, team picks—like a rec outing. Fun.
“Team: me and Moo-young-ssi. Hanbin and Soi.”
But... bland? TV edits and subs spiced it. Needed floating captions for Doo-seok!
“Teams set.”
“Now to talk.”
Front-row PD and writers held sketchpads.
Simple rules.
“Scary stories scored by opponents. Average sans min/max for rank. Top enters school first, finds hidden production item.”
“First in advantages?”
“Yup. Higher find odds.”
“Doo-seok hyung shaking. Scaredy.”
“Hey, Zu-shik! You either?”
“Okay, let's go. Left first.”
Semicircle seats; scary tales began. Classic openers: 'true story' or 'heard from someone.'
“—so I looked up.”
“Waaah!”
“Kyaaah!”
“Don't do that!”
All tried scaring rivals hard. But Moo-young topped.
“His stories are terrifying.”
“Yeah. Too vivid.”
Wasted on voice and acting? Trivial tales gripped hearts in his mouth.
Moo-young's carry, but team game.
“Scores: Moo-young-Doo-seok team 15—last.”
“No way?”
Weird? Moo-young topped. He glanced laughing; Doo-seok sheepish.
“...I got scared mid-story.”
“Ah. More funny than scary. Haha.”
“Aigoo. Dying. How to enter?”
Doo-seok wiped sweat, asked Moo-young.
“You tough with that stuff?”
...That stuff? Piece of cake. Moo-young nodded smiling.
“I'm good. Expect big things.”