Profile Concepts and Audition Resolve
The door creaked open.
"Hello."
Ha Moo-young poked his head in and greeted them. The Big Win Enter office was still completely empty. Go Kyung-min set down the papers he'd been looking at and welcomed him.
"You're here. Eaten yet?"
"Grabbed something. But what were you looking at?"
Various concept photos were scattered across the sofa table. Moo-young set his bag down and scanned them with interest. They were profile shots of famous actors.
"Just checking out some concepts."
"They all look kinda similar, though?"
"Actors have their own image, you know."
The photos that popped up when you searched a name on a portal site—that was an artist's color, their identity. The best example was Korea's top girl group, Girl's Generation.
"Like Yoon-ha and Seo-yeon, who debuted as actors from that group—their profile pics are based on a simple, understated vibe. But Tae-eon and Di-phi-ni, who stick to singing, go full glamorous, stage-ready."
"Oh? Really?"
Even in the same group, profile photos differed based on their activities. Amazed, Moo-young looked up other idols. Sure enough, same pattern. Anyone who'd acted even once emphasized a pure, clean charm.
"Since way more people encounter you through portals than in person, it's crucial. In a way, it's your first and last greeting. Here, look."
Go Kyung-min held a few photos up next to Moo-young's face. Actors were like blank canvases, meant to capture characters. Better to start from nothing than flashy stage presence.
"Don't smile."
"I can't help it."
The styles were pretty standardized, really. The classic black-and-white shot, barefoot in a white tee, distant gaze on a stool, that sort of thing. But it didn't suit Moo-young at all—and he didn't want it anyway.
'Gotta find his natural grain. Big Win's first rookie actor in ages.'
And besides, how to put it—sparkly? He radiated such overwhelming warmth just standing there, like sunlight on a fluffy cloud. Not some blank-slate actor, but a cotton ball still holding onto its coziness.
"Got a concept you wanna shoot?"
"I wanna smile, at least. Trying to make a cool face just feels embarrassing. Hehe."
This guy's the one who pulled off that raw high school rebel glare, soaked in defiance and youth? The image gap was insane, no matter how you sliced it.
'Must be talent. Not drawing the character—becoming them. And so young...'
Go Kyung-min mulled it over, scrutinizing the concept sheets. Moo-young watched him blankly for a bit, then ventured carefully.
"Hey, manager hyung."
"Yeah? What?"
"You're still scouting actors, right?"
"Yeah, if the connection's there."
Of course, he'd check skills and passion. But the company couldn't afford to be picky.
Moo-young cautiously shared what happened a few days ago.
"One of my friends is a former child actor. Super pretty, great at acting, but struggling without an agency. She's in an MBV miniseries right now."
Go Kyung-min looked surprised at Moo-young's words.
"I recommended our company—cool with that?"
...Cool with that? It was their job to recruit artists. And this was standard industry practice—actors and agency folks passing along connections like it was routine.
"She's interested? In us?"
"Said she'd think about it."
"But Moo-young, real talk—what do you like so much about me, or us, anyway?"
Since joining, all they'd done was a meat party. No profile shoot yet, the basics—and here he was recommending them to a friend. On what?
"Uh, didn't you hear back then?"
"Hear what? That I'm bright and nice? That's straight-up sainthood level."
"The boss is a total fun uncle vibe, super cool. Tae-seok hyung's sweet too. Nothing bad."
"F-fun what?"
"I'll let you know her answer ASAP. Oh, and you know Bonturi?"
So much to talk about. Kyung-min twirled his pen and shook his head—he'd never heard of it.
"High school friend’s cousin runs a clothing brand. They just launched on portals with Enbin as model. Got an SNS model offer through that connection—need to run it by the company, right?"
"Model? For real?"
"Yeah. Almost forgot since I'm not used to this."
"R-right."
Grateful but guilty. Agencies usually landed first gigs—this kid was bringing his own. Awkward.
Kyung-min scratched his head sheepishly.
"I'll give Bonturi our contact then."
As Moo-young fiddled with his phone, Kyung-min pulled out his too. Typed 'Bonturi' into the portal search bar. Related searches: EnbinAirportFashion, EnbinFashion, MensClothingBrand, KoreanFashionStore, etc.
"Everyone but me knew? This brand?"
Articles, blog reviews, cafe recs—tens of thousands. KoreanFashionStore was a shopping app aggregating fashion brands, and they'd hit monthly #1.
"I didn't know either? It's new."
"#1 on KoreanFashionStore... impressive."
"What's that?"
"Big deal. Three in ten buy clothes there."
"Ohhh. Guess I was one of the seven."
Enbin's airport departure pic had blown up. Articles, fan shots—photo was killer. Playfully grinning, pointing at the Bonturi logo on his chest? Perfect headlines.
It was going viral like a meme, endless. Plus, buzz from smash-hit YouTube drama Hanbam Pochah boosted attention.
'Moo-young's causing this much noise with one ep—protagonist Enbin must be insane. Anyway...'
"Your friend's cousin's company—did you introduce Enbin too?"
Moo-young was the only link. New standalone clothing brand snagging Enbin? No way without.
"Yeah, all friends. Enbin, Jun-ho—better to help each other. Oh, and—"
Calling a superstar 'friend' without batting an eye. From anyone else, it'd scream bluff. From him? Believable.
"Read all the scripts."
Moo-young rummaged in his bag, dumping out five scripts. Analyzed in stolen moments over days. Most time on main one, Plague.
"Decided for sure. When Plague audition posts, I'm going for it. And ranking the rest: like this."
Neat order. Go Kyung-min was mildly shocked—matched his own ranking.
"Why?"
He flipped through. Short time, but post-its everywhere—proper read.
"All good, but ages don't match me. Don't love open endings either."
Go Kyung-min whipped out his notepad. Artist prefs—gold for recommendations.
"And?"
"This one feels familiar?"
"Ah, Kim Chang's follow-up. Seen Gypsy's Secret? Shares world with that protag's son."
"Aha! No wonder!"
Good on external stuff, but syncing on works? Key. Art, after all. Mental rapport with partner? Lucky.
"—So conclusion: this one."
Moo-young beamed, grabbing Plague.
"All good, but protag's a kid. What role you want? Jin?"
Jin: FG Pharma employee turned drug mule post-quarantine. Source of protag's woes. Near lead antagonist.
"Lui."
"...Oh right. Lui exists."
Kyung-min slapped his forehead. Focused on importance, missed perfect fit.
"Fits my vibe, love shadowing protag protectively."
Like a big dog for depressed-genius kid protag. Guide figure.
"Sure? First film—could be your debut. Assuming you get it."
Web drama succeeded, but platform made it iffy as debut. Plus one-ep side role.
'Tricky.'
Depression meant mostly gestures, eyes—no lines. Mid-late: butchered by kid-hunting freaks.
"Love it. Up to production and director, but if auditioning, request Lui."
"Well, if you're that set..."
No choice. Kyung-min jotted notes, lips pursed. Words cheap if script owner ghosted.
"If it flops? Next ones?"
"Yeah. But doubt it will."
"...Just in case, I'll contact those productions."
Schedule auditions or casting talks. First gig Bonturi from Moo-young—make it happen!
'Yeah! Gotta!'
Kyung-min clenched fists with resolve. Moo-young shone in meetings—his job to get him there.
Creak.
"Oh, Moo-young's here?"
"Boss. Hi."
"Heyy—great to see ya!"
Na Geum-dong burst in humming cheerfully. Go Kyung-min handed over the notepad report.
"Boss, check this."
"Huh? What's up? Ooh! Bonturi!"
"You know it?"
"Bought cards there recently. Cute clothes. SNS model offer? Wow, Moo-young!"
Before mentioning friend's cousin, Na Geum-dong heartily slapped Moo-young's shoulder. Then his brows twitched reading on.
"Huh? Plague, Mongnett one?"
"Yeah. Best by far."
Moo-young nodded eagerly vertical. Na Geum-dong shook horizontal—like a dance.
"Sounds tough."
"Huh? Why?"
"Mongnett found the writer."
"Whoa, really? How?"
"Dunno. Reported lost to cops, checked CCTV, whatever. Wild bunch. But problem!"
Dun dun!
"Writer had actors in mind writing it. No them, no film. Ballsy, huh?"
Shoulda known from nameless script drop. Go Kyung-min gasped softly, eyeing Moo-young's face.
"Pre-cast actors?"
"Dunno if Mongnett risks it or cuts. I'd cut, but rumor Jin Kyung-moon directing."
Jin Kyung-moon! Veteran pillar of film world for twenty years.
Scale felt bigger.
"With him, easy funding. Mongnett loves script, money chance. Tough call."
So, even if audition, slim odds.
Moo-young listened, savoring slowly, then smiled.
"Still, check it out?"
"Think you can?"
"Yeah. Wanna try. No—will try."
Actors in mind? So what. He'd become the character.
Moo-young gazed at the flower pollen scattered on the floor, eyes full of anticipation.
Flower pollen named Plague.