The Final Regret

"Ugh, uwaaack—"

A refreshing morning ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠greeted by the equally refreshing sound of vomiting. Jun-ho, annoyed, headed to the bathroom.

Moo-young, clutching the toilet and wrestling with it, waved a hand at him.

"……Good morning."

"You're one step away from keeling over."

"How'd I even get home last night?"

"How? Your manager hyung dragged you in."

Jun-ho patted his back, frowning. Moo-young heaved for a good while before squatting down and clutching his head.

"Enbin did the fan meeting—why'd you stuff your face like that?"

"Dunno. Oon Ta…… urk. Shit, what about these clothes?"

They were sponsored by Bontoori for his schedule, but booze and tumbling had ruined them.

Jun-ho soaked a towel in water and handed it over. "What else? Buy new ones. Your Highness."

"Uwaaang. I can't go on living like this."

"Weird, right? You walked in fine last night. Why're you like this once the booze wears off?"

He'd come in so casually, Moo-young hadn't even realized he was drunk. The thick booze stench and shoes still on had screamed, Oh, this guy's gone.

"What time is it?"

"Seven a.m. Gotta head to work, so move."

Jun-ho shooed him away with a kick. Moo-young practically crawled to the living room. He fumbled for his phone.

Ding. The two calls were from Enbin checking if he'd gotten home safe. The texts were from Oon Ta.

Typos everywhere, but he got the gist. His mind was a blank after the film reel snapped…… Moo-young scratched his head, clueless, and checked his manager's text.

Oh. Finally. They'd been on the phone nonstop yesterday, and now the schedule was locked in.

Moo-young opened the portal app and searched Streets' Sunlight.

'Ah.'

And there were Jin Lim and Kang Seong-bae too. Just like the portrait photos from the funeral.

"Ha Moo-young! Meds in the kitchen!"

"Yeah, got it. I'll take 'em in a bit."

Jun-ho yelled while brushing his teeth, but Moo-young didn't budge. Dizzy, sure, but he was busy scrolling his phone. Upcoming movies scrolled down the side.

"Huh?"

Among them, that blockbuster from Baekgoon Enter caught his eye. The one supposedly sold to China or Russia.

Ding. Yup—distribution country: China.

Made sense. Based on a Russian webtoon, no reason for reverse import there. Moneybags China, buying up everything.

'Opening…… in China first, huh?'

Which meant no real competition while Streets' Sunlight screened. Sure, other good films, but in Moo-young's eyes, his was the best.

Thwack— A packet flew onto his lap. Jun-ho tossing meds from the kitchen.

Moo-young popped open a drink. "Hey, sold to China, apparently."

"That cover their losses? Staff and contractors ain't even paid proper, from what I hear. Investors aside."

"No way. For real?"

"Flopped hard. Celebs blacklisted, crew sucking their thumbs. But quality's top-notch, they say. Domestic CG from twenty teams. Russian grants to rival Hollywood or whatever."

A powerhouse project, flung far ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠away. Jun-ho crunched an apple, sighing.

"Gave rice to dogs. Made it great, China snatched it. And those assholes nitpicking Hallyu lately—already pissing me off wondering what bullshit they'll spew."

"Fired up this early? Whoa, calm down."

"Blame the morning puke fest."

Ugh. Moo-young curled into the sofa without retorting. Stomach still churning—maybe sleep more?

"Heading to work—"

"Yep. Take care!"

"Half-unemployed, guard the house!"

Slam! Jun-ho left. Quiet house. Moo-young closed his eyes again, staring at Kang Seong-bae in the cast list.

Yeongdeungpo Times Square cinema. Always crowded, but today was packed. All for the Streets' Sunlight premiere.

"This way, please."

Moo-young, Bora, Tae-seok followed the usher, shaking hands nervously en route to the elevator.

"You okay?"

"I'm shaking too."

"Why do you look so fine?"

"Hm. Second time?"

Thanks to Plague, he was calmer than the other two. Bora tucked hair behind her ear.

"Oppa, no GV, right?"

"Yeah. Exclusive with Focusing on Celebs instead."

"Haa. So nervous."

She clutched her chest. Short break after premiere, then interview—with live YouTube fan Q&A.

"It's fine. They'll edit it smooth on broadcast."

"Not for YouTube viewers."

"Just five minutes. Corner within a corner—short."

Tae-seok smiled reassuringly. Elevator doors opened to a cloud of people. And the inevitable reporters.

"Make way, please!"

"Hey? It's Ha Moo-young!"

"Kang Bora! Ha Moo-young!"

Click! Click!

Even celebs at premieres ran on connections. Leads Moo-young, Bora, Tae-seok could only call so many. Big Win had no other stars, and the director was a rookie too.

"Hello, Jin Lim sunbaenim."

"Can't wait for the movie. Streets' Sunlight fighting!"

"As Kang Seong-bae sunbaenim's final work, it's deeply precious and meaningful to me……."

Listening to celeb interviews, half seemed guests of Jin Lim and Kang Seong-bae. And a familiar face among them.

"CEO Yoo Sa-ha!"

"Ha Moo-young. Long time."

Yoo Sa-ha wove through, waving. Moo-young grinned, eyeing his nose.

"No nose job, huh."

"Can't fix this line with surgery."

Joke about the punch from Joo Jeong-dan. Bora and Tae-seok bowed too.

"Hello, CEO."

"Long time. Great work, everyone. Premiere next week—now we just pray. Haha."

Official releases usually a week post-premiere. Bora glanced around, smiling softly.

"Lots of CEO's guests today, huh?"

"That obvious? Sharp eyes."

Moo-young tilted his head, puzzled. Bora whispered with a grin.

"Celebs here? SJ called 'em. Most SJ&M affiliates, rest recent investors or releases."

How do you know that? Her smile said, More surprised you don't.

"Big day—lively's good. Call who you can."

"Thanks. Even at a big venue like this."

"Repay with results."

Staff called. "Cast, time to enter."

"Good luck."

"See you later."

Passing Yoo Sa-ha, something sparkled at his eye corner. Glanced back, but he was chatting with his group, heading in.

"Moo-young, right side?"

"Yeah. Bora center?"

"Nah. Protagonist center."

They lined up buddy-like, posing per reporters: right! Front! Left! Fighting!

Click-click!

"One more here!"

"Moo-young and Bora closer?"

"Sorry, heading in now."

"Wait—!"

"Thank you! Thanks!"

Moo-young bowed politely ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to all, entering. Dimly lit hall. Before the theater, tense smiles.

"Director!"

"S-so many people."

Rookie director looked soul-scared. Jin Lim beside him too.

"Whew. Chaos."

"Yeah."

"Kang Seong-bae sunbaenim would've said something."

"What?"

"'This is the star life!'"

Voice nothing like, but tone spot-on. Laughter bubbled with longing.

Staff: "Entering now."

"Yessir. Moo-young, center."

"Whoa, sunbaenim……."

"Aigoo, fine."

Chattering bunch entered the theater. Seats packed. Cheers and applause erupted.

Clap-clap-clap!

"Wooo—!"

Not just Moo-young's fans—Bora and Tae-seok's too. Great vibe. Director grabbed the mic, hands shaking.

"Uh, uh, hello. I'm d-director Bae Cheol-min."

Short greet and intro felt Herculean. Everyone inwardly cheered him on.

"—S-so, we captured the camera through the p-perspective of a transcendent vampire and ordinary human lives. Hope it resonates with your time."

Passed the mic to Moo-young like dodging a bomb. Eyes quaking—he was out of it.

"Hello. Ha Moo-young, playing the vampire."

"Waaaah! Moo-young!"

Unlike the director, Moo-young greeted smoothly. Then spotted a familiar face in the seats.

"Kang Seong-bae sunbaenim……?"

Muttering blankly. There sat Kang Seong-bae, just as in the studio. Faint soul now, waving with a hearty laugh.

"Not hearing things?"

"Why would Kang Seong-bae sunbaenim……?"

Audience murmured, turning. Nothing there, of course. Moo-young smiled quick.

"……Wish Kang Seong-bae sunbaenim were here. Grateful for his passion and teachings throughout filming. Hope you enjoy. Thank you."

Good. Natural. Passing the mic, eyes still on the soul.

Group greet done, screening about to start. Moo-young asked staff.

"Row J, center—empty seat?"

"Yes. Guest spilled a drink."

Aah. Made room for sunbaenim. Moo-young sat, watching.

Scenes flashed shoot memories; editing birthed this. Amazement.

'Hit.'

Vampire birth from yangsu—music and charisma overwhelmed. Bora poked his arm, eyes glued.

'Insane, right?'

'Great edit.'

Other actors propelled the plot with flair. Short yet long 90 minutes passed. Lights up, end credits—

Clap-clap-clap!

Theater erupted. Not theater or musical—a screen hall. Cast stood, bowed again. Moo-young sought the soul quick.

—Great! Perfect!

Row J, thumbs up, beaming. He shouted, dissolving into light. Gone for real—to his world. His final regret: seeing his legacy.

"Thank you!"

Moo-young bowed ninety degrees, bidding farewell to audience and soul alike.