The Time of the Living
“Your teacher really is something else. The doctors were shocked. How could he keep filming in that condition? Day and night flipped upside down, no less.”
“He was such a good man...”
“Oh, right. Did you hear? A bunch of folks from Sealing came out to the FA market.”
“The company's on the verge of disintegrating. Tsk tsk.”
“But they say you gotta do a doping test before signing any of them. Haha. They're insane. Who'd sign a contract out of fear?”
“Wanna grab a drink?”
“Soju. We should've had a shot with Teacher.”
“Yeah. I heard Teacher's been through a lot, so his drinking sessions are always a blast. You've done it with him, right?”
The funeral hall was surprisingly lively. It wasn't the wailing, world-ending grief Ha Moo-young had imagined.
“All done eating?”
At Go Kyung-min's question, Moo-young just nodded. The half-eaten yukgaejang had gone cold.
“Stick around a bit longer, then we'll go.”
“Huh? Tae-seok hyung! Long time no see.”
“Ooh, Tae-seok.”
Perhaps because he'd devoted his life to acting, the mourners all seemed to know each other. Especially the theater folks—they were all there without fail.
“I'll step out for some air.”
“Watch out for reporters.”
“Got it. Want anything?”
“I'm good.”
“Bora?”
“Me too.”
Tae-seok looked busy greeting other colleagues. Moo-young gazed at the teacher's portrait by the altar. Taken at the troupe, it had a wine-red curtain backdrop.
“Moo-young-ssi.”
“Yes?”
The teacher's son grabbed Moo-young as he headed out.
“Leaving already? I've been too swamped to even greet you properly.”
As chief mourner, he had to bow to every guest, sit and chat—it was chaos, naturally, with all the arrangements.
“Just getting some air. My group's still eating. Can I grab something for you?”
“No, no. Your presence is thanks enough.”
Word was, Moo-young had saved Kang Seong-bae when he collapsed. He passed during surgery, but that didn't change the debt. The benefactor who'd allowed a final farewell.
“Alright then.”
Moo-young gave a quick nod and stepped out. The basement was packed with people, but more than that, ghosts swarmed everywhere.
“Haa—”
He scanned carefully, wondering if Teacher Kang Seong-bae was among them, but the stray spirits only clung tighter, making his body ache.
“What're you doing here?”
Lost in a daze on a bench in the funeral home's back courtyard, Moo-young heard a familiar voice. It was Enbin.
“Huh? What brings you here?”
“You see me after ages and that's your greeting? Come on, you punk.”
“Kang Seong-bae? How'd you know?”
“Friend of a friend. Was debating whether to come, didn't know you were filming with him. Figured I'd say hi while I'm at it.”
Enbin's manager was visible in the distance, busy on a call. Moo-young waved hello. Enbin handed him a canned drink and asked,
“How's the shoot going?”
“Teacher finished all his parts. Just editing left, they said.”
“Good. That's a relief.”
“How've you been? Getting along with Si-won hyung?”
“Don't get me started on that Ro-min punk. Keeps nagging if I just practice acting. 'Hyung, that's not how you do it~ Like this~ Blah blah.' 'I'm a rookie award winner, so~ Whatever.'”
Enbin exaggerated Ro-min's expressions perfectly. Family really knew how to nail it.
“That's all your fault—he picked it up from you. Our maknae wasn't like that before. Aigoo—”
“Why's it my fault? Hilarious. So, what's up?”
Moo-young laughed and cracked open the can. SNS would've sufficed for most things, so face-to-face meant it was important. But Enbin just scratched his head, hesitating.
“Enbin-ah?”
“Bin-ah, let's head in. Moo-young's here?”
His manager approached after the call.
“What's that about?”
“Haven't told him? Prepping a solo concert slash fanmeet for Enbin—wondering if he could guest.”
“Whoa, solo concert? You're killing it.”
“Killing it? It's annual.”
Which makes it even more impressive. Moo-young grinned and nodded. Perfect—he'd wanted to repay that coffee truck favor. Things falling into place like this.
“Of course I'm in.”
“Not too busy these days?”
“ is wrapping up, so I've got time. Gotta hit auditions again soon.”
“Auditions for your next gig? You?”
Enbin blinked in surprise. At Ha Moo-young's level, shouldn't he be picking roles?
“Yeah. Should work timing-wise. When is it?”
“Late October to early November.”
“Cool. I'll let Manager hyung know. No biggie.”
Moo-young's ready agreement should've thrilled Enbin, but he felt uneasy. It wasn't the ask itself—it was bringing it up at a funeral home. Asking a grieving man to guest amid loss.
Hyung, seriously.
Enbin shot his manager a glare, but he was glued to his ringing phone.
“What do guests do there?”
“Chat a bit, take pics with fans.”
“Gotta sing and dance too?”
At Moo-young's fanmeet, guest Ro-min had performed. So for Enbin's concert...
“Yeah, kinda awkward.”
No fan wanted an idol's backup dancing and singing from a non-singer. Enbin burst out laughing and waved it off.
“Dude, I've seen you sing.”
“Don't laugh! I sound good now.”
“Sure, sure.”
Aigoo, tears are coming. Enbin cleared his throat and nodded toward the hall.
“Sticking around? Let's go in.”
“Yeah.”
Moo-young followed Enbin back downstairs. Tae-seok hyung was red-faced, downing soju at another table, now joined by two directors.
“You made it?”
Sound director and Bae director greeted him somberly. They'd gotten the news together but arrived separately due to schedules.
“Yeah. Sit, sit.”
“Can't believe this happened out of nowhere.”
“Medical mishap?”
“Dunno. Haven't heard.”
Not passing during recovery made his death feel all the more sudden. The sound director munched peanuts and said,
“At least he finished the last shoot. Looked pretty burdened.”
True. Even as a ghost, he'd done ADR before leaving. He snapped his fingers, catching Moo-young's eye.
“Oh right. For scene 66 ADR, we're using yours. Didn't get formal okay, but told the family. Figured Teacher'd approve—it's the polished take.”
“Sure. I'm good with it.”
Kang Seong-bae's final recording wouldn't go to waste. A weight lifted from Moo-young's heart.
“Wow, tons of mourners.”
“Yeah.”
As evening hit, crowds swelled. Big Win team stood to yield seats—except Tae-seok hyung, mobbed in the corner.
“Hyung, heading out.”
“Oh? Yeah, okay.”
“Call a driver. See you tomorrow.”
Moo-young locked eyes with Enbin in the corner. They signaled to stay in touch. As he exited, he paused.
Did he really pass just like that?
The vision vanishing from the booth. They'd exchanged goodbyes, but he hadn't seen the departure.
“Let's go, Moo-young-ah.”
“Ah, one sec.”
Moo-young lit another incense stick and clasped his hands tight.
Teacher. If you're still around, wander a bit then head to a good place soon. If you've already gone, rest easy there. You worked so hard.
His nose tingled again. Eyes stinging, he sniffled as his manager patted him. Moo-young bid farewell to the family and left the hospital.
* * *
The time of the living marched on. wrapped fully, and the rowdy wrap party was skipped due to Teacher's absence.
Moo-young stepped from the car, gazing up at the gleaming Netflix headquarters.
“Whoa, company's insane.”
“Moved to new digs recently. Money talks, huh?”
“Yeah.”
Dozens of glass floors mirrored the Seoul sky. Moo-young entered with Go Kyung-min, spotting Kang Ok-kyeong waiting.
“Moo-young-ssi.”
“Hello, Team Leader.”
Her attire was impeccably crisp as ever.
“Come in. Tough trip?”
She badged them through the door and led the way. Destination: 15th-floor conference room. In the ascending elevator, they caught up.
“How've you been?”
“Same old salaryman life. Movie done, so you're freer now?”
“Yep. Just give me , and bam! My life's all in.”
Moo-young clenched his fists with fervor. Kang Ok-kyeong smiled at the kid-like enthusiasm.
“Wish I could, but other team leaders' actors are no slouches.”
“Others here already?”
She nodded apologetically. Not a public audition, but bundling established actors like this? Rare.
“Company's quirky. I don't love it either.”
Netflix Original meant company-first. Execs' tastes ruled, but with so many departments, gathering them was hell.
“Including me, four investment team leads.”
“Whoa, big corp vibes.”
“Sub-leads too, plus Business Division Head, Head Producer, Content Support Team Lead, New Content Division 2 Deputy...”
The titles poured out as they walked the long hall. Too many to memorize.
“So auditions overlap inevitably.”
“Makes sense. Kinda novel.”
“Then 2nd, 3rd rounds based on results. Just for male lead—company side, it's a haul, you know?”
Female lead, supports—time sink. But big budget meant no shortcuts. Plus, Netflix was U.S.-rooted, processes unique.
“This way.”
Turning the hall's end, murmurs grew. Kang Ok-kyeong eyed him quietly.
“Did our best on comforts. You're #2, up front. Separate waiting room if you want—empty conference available.”
The scene hit him: déjà vu. Like Hanbam Pochah web drama days. People lined along the corridor. Familiar faces mixed with strangers. Difference? Calmer, more serious vibe.
“Nah, I'm good. Early number's fine.”
The door opened; two men emerged. Popular actor Cha Seung-on, late 20s—Moo-young knew him well. Eyes flicked over as Moo-young bowed deeply.
“Sunbae-nim. Hello.”
“Ha Moo-young-ssi, right? Hi. Good luck.”
He slipped past like an eel, in a rush. Moo-young felt a pang, but rivals avoided chit-chat.
“Cha Seung-on's solid, but army rumors next year. Shame.”
Kang Ok-kyeong nodded to a staffer, guiding Moo-young.
“Confident?”
Audition win? Confidence shown mattered most. Moo-young smiled entering the door she held.
“Never failed one yet, Team Leader.”