The Signal Flare
The restaurant where he'd met Yoo Sa-ha last time. Moo-young waited for him, dressed neatly and sharply. It wasn't quite as stunning at night, but the view was still top-notch. The wide-open vista and the clear blue sky.
"Moo-young."
Yoo Sa-ha approached, calling out to him. Despite the warm weather, he was dressed in a proper suit, full of formality. He sat down with a smile that said he was genuinely surprised.
"Inviting me for a meal first—what's this about?"
"Just returning the favor from last time when you treated."
"Must've had a good dream the night before."
Yoo Sa-ha responded smoothly, scanning Moo-young up and down. But he was a businessman, after all. Meetings without purpose were for friends only.
"You've lost some weight since I last saw you."
"Filming schedule. It'll bounce back in a few days."
"I see. How's the movie shoot going?"
"Smoothly, I think. But it's a shame—Kang Seong-bae's been having a really tough time lately."
"Ah, the relapse."
As the two exchanged light pleasantries, the food started arriving one dish at a time. Yoo Sa-ha picked up the paused conversation with a question, as if he already knew everything without being told.
"Something's up, right?"
"Got some questions. And something to tell you."
"Knew it. Not backing out on the offer, I hope, so no need to get ahead of myself with celebrations. Let's hear it."
Like a fortune-teller, Yoo Sa-ha scrutinized Moo-young's face from every angle, his eyes gleaming with delight. Then he burst out laughing and just shrugged.
"No clue at all. Haha."
He dipped bread into his soup and asked,
"Questions first."
"That Baekgoon movie slated for Q4 release. How much do you know?"
"Now that's unexpected."
He seemed sincere. Clearly caught off guard, Yoo Sa-ha paused in surprise. But he quickly started piecing together what he knew.
"What do I know? Hmm... They've got a hefty 27% investment stake. Director's Park Gong-hoon, adapting the license for D.K Agent, the webtoon that hit big in Russia. But that's all public info by now, right?"
There'd been a big promotional article back then. It was early planning stages, focusing on acquiring the webtoon rights. Nothing else was out there besides the director.
Yoo Sa-ha stopped there.
"Anything beyond that's industry insider stuff. Tell me why you're asking, and I'll consider sharing. Folks like us have to watch our tongues."
He grinned playfully, and Moo-young smiled back. Joo Jeong-dan didn't seem to care about that.
Flower pollen danced in his vision, swirling as if urging Moo-young on. Come on, spill it.
"Alright. But keep it secret."
"I'll think about that too."
"I saw Joo Jeong-dan doing drugs."
"...!"
The bread slipped from Yoo Sa-ha's hand with a plop. He looked genuinely shocked, staring blankly at Moo-young before suddenly glancing around. The tables were spaced wide apart, just in case. Luckily, it was a quiet time—no one else around.
"What do you mean?"
"Saw it myself. Got invited to the BG Line fashion show not long ago—didn't know it was Baekgoon-related. Anyway, in the Sky Lounge club room, Joo Jeong-dan was doing drugs. Saw the white powder too."
Moo-young laid out every detail of that night, holding nothing back. Including the model who'd helped him out.
"Haha. Hahaha!"
After listening quietly, Yoo Sa-ha covered his mouth with a napkin and burst into laughter. The clear sound didn't match his face, flushed with bewilderment.
"Man, Joo Jeong-dan. Went all the way, huh?"
The bad blood went way back. Rival companies in the same industry. Similar ages too. Always comparing, always checking each other, burning through life that way. They'd joined forces once under the guise of collaboration, but two suns couldn't coexist.
"Heard whispers he was on that junk, but didn't think it was for real."
Tsking, Yoo Sa-ha recalled Joo Jeong-dan's past.
...Carrying the same heavy load, he seemed to leap around carefree while I struggled just not to be crushed. Looked like a flaw from one angle, a blessing from his. Guess it was just a flaw after all.
"But Joo Jeong-dan came looking for me. Must've checked CCTV after hearing about his girlfriend from that night."
"Couldn't see her face, so no idea. Point is, I'm in a bind now. But it feels advantageous for you."
The food cooled as Yoo Sa-ha drummed his fingers on the table, deep in thought.
"Heavy CG usage—"
And slowly. Eyes fixed slightly off to the side, he muttered mechanically, reciting what he knew.
"Shooting's nearly wrapped, but editing's scheduled long. Investments from Russian and Chinese firms on top of production costs. Baekgoon's the biggest. Oh, and—"
He snapped his fingers lightly.
"Word is Baekgoon's investing in Sealing Actors too. Not full acquisition or founding like us, but through a subsidiary."
"Sealing Actors?"
"You'd know 'em. Big player."
"Yeah, of course."
Did he ever. Still fresh in mind. The company that first offered him a contract, where the manager's face was shrouded in black smog—Park Moon-chul. He'd thrown a massive fit refusing because they were so stingy. Bora had taken the heat for it instead.
"So the female lead's probably Cha Ye-sol from Sealing Actors. That's the rumor."
"Cha Ye-sol..."
Moo-young scratched his chin, trying to picture her.
"Hold on."
He searched "Cha Ye-sol" on his phone. The most recent photo was from a radio appearance not long ago. Masked face, but the hairstyle matched. Long straight hair down to her waist.
"Looks like this woman..."
"Joo Jeong-dan's girlfriend?"
"Not certain. Kept saying I didn't see her face. But the hair's identical."
Yoo Sa-ha took the phone, nodded.
"Hmm. I see."
"Can you do something?"
"Help you out, and what do I get?"
"Nothing. And I didn't even ask for help."
The crisp reply came instantly. Surprised again, Yoo Sa-ha eyed Moo-young.
Moo-young laughed, as if repeating the obvious.
"Me? Got nothing to wish for."
"Nothing? Your career?"
"Sure, it'd suck to lose it. But no debts, good money for my age... Long as I can act, doesn't matter. Fancy studio or street corner. Korea, America, or some backwoods mountain."
His calm words carried real weight—not bravado, but a heavy resolve betting everything on acting.
"Ah! Can't do mountains though. Gotta meet the guardians."
Regrettable, but that was the line. Nothing important enough to shake his life.
As long as he could act anywhere and meet fans there, it was fine. That was his reason for living.
"But you're a businessman, right? Don't you owe me payback for this tip?"
"Gotta taste it first—shit or bean paste?"
"Idiot if you can't tell. Ugh. Kinda need you to distinguish on sight."
Moo-young's bold jab shut Yoo Sa-ha up. Ballsy kid. No 21-year-old he knew acted like this.
"Rival company, no less. If I were you, I wouldn't pass up the chance. You've got the skills."
Skills to dig deep and pull them down.
Yoo Sa-ha rested his chin, groaning as he stared outside. Head spinning, no doubt.
"Start with the girlfriend."
Confirm if she was really Cha Ye-sol. If yes, things would roll smoothly.
"Positive hit, and you break even at worst. She drops out or they push on—either way, good for us. Even if Joo Jeong-dan slips away."
Nearly wrapped filming, right? Drop out, and the movie's scrapped or recast—astronomical losses for production and investors. Push on? Who watches a flick with a druggie actress?
Damned if they do, damned if they don't—sinking ship!
"Whoa, don't look at me like that."
Moo-young wagged his eyebrows and shook his head.
"Try prying anything from me, and I'll bolt."
His tone said: I handed you the chance—take it.
Yoo Sa-ha set down his napkin with a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha. Alright, alright. Sorry if I offended. Force of habit in deals."
"Not bad. Win-win for us anyway."
Words done, Moo-young speared some meat. Cooled, but still delicious.
"Okay."
Snap! Calculations complete in his head, Yoo Sa-ha snapped his fingers.
Time to grease the wheels of his stagnating company's growth.
"As investors, we should ensure our actors' peace of mind. Got it. Lunch was great. Got work now—gonna head out."
"Sure. Takeout?"
"Hahaha. Nah."
Moo-young looked up at him rising, munching away.
Yoo Sa-ha grinned, brushing back his hair. Why's he look so refreshed?
"Meeting you always brings good luck."
Party last time, now this.
He tilted his head, staring at Moo-young.
"Obviously. I only walk flower paths."
"And that... your demeanor shifts in deals. Like living two lives."
"Oh, that."
Moo-young grinned, flashing his canine.
Rawr—like eyeing prey.
"They say I'm a vampire now. No such thing as a nice vampire."
"Ah, too bad."
"Can't be helped. That's the way of the world."
He shrugged, slicing steak neatly.
Yoo Sa-ha vanished, watching the fascinating Moo-young.
Moo-young waved over the waiter.
"Boss—another serving here."
Whatever nagged him felt resolved; hunger returned full force.
Mmm! Delicious!
* * *
Gurgle—
In the car, Moo-young curled up, clutching his stomach. Bora, reading her book, smirked at him.
"Told you to eat."
"Can't. Been eating too much lately."
Appetite back, he'd grabbed everything in sight. Hence, fasting full 24 hours from yesterday lunch to now.
Moo-young closed his eyes, hoping for sleep.
"Hyung. Radio up."
"Yeah. Sleep."
Quiet van. Just Bora's page turns, engine hum, and the news anchor's steady voice filling the space.
"Next up: Popular celebrity A has been summoned for investigation on drug use and distribution charges. Police are verifying A's statement and drug reactions, and have secured names of accomplices who used with them..."
"Sheesh. Someone's messing up again."
"Who?"
"Dunno. Just 'A.' But it's blowing up soon. Summoned and on news? Done deal. You kids watch out too. Got it?"
"Drugs? Broke as hell."
Bora calmly returned to her book. Moo-young cracked his eyes open slyly.
"Hyung. Radio louder."
"Huh? Sleeping."
"Quick."
"Fine, fine."
Go Kyung-min cranked the volume under protest.
Moo-young leaned forward, ear to the radio.
"...Given A's fame in entertainment, it could escalate to a 'drug scandal' depending on the investigation. Police say more details forthcoming..."
Ooh. This it? The signal flare kicking off Joo Jeong-dan vs. Yoo Sa-ha.