War of the Real Ones
"You crazy bastard. Did you lose your mind huffing gas?"
"If you wanna get outta here alive, you'd better shut that trap!"
Harsh words echoed through the Big Win Enter Office.
Moo-young covered his nose with the script, rolling his eyes wide.
They'd been sitting at the table in the middle of the office, cushions laid out, for hours now.
"Cut it out, guys! If we fight among ourselves, we're all just asking to die!"
"Oh ho, where'd this factory foreman pop up from?"
The table was littered with shriveled ramen cups and instant food wrappers.
Three people delivering lines—but two of them, Na Geum-dong and Go Kyung-min, were juggling dozens of roles.
Jackpot. For real.
Acting chops from their performer days didn't fade away.
They were taking turns blasting through all the countless characters from the movie. All for Moo-young. All for Louis.
"Louis! Ah—"
Na Geum-dong closed his eyes and opened his mouth wide toward Moo-young.
Go Kyung-min snorted through his nostrils, desperately holding back laughter.
"Here, chocolate."
"Ahh—"
Moo-young popped a snack into Na Geum-dong's mouth.
The man's cheeks puffed up happily as he chewed away. This wasn't some middle-aged uncle—this was the Johnny that Louis loved so dearly...
"Argh! Can't watch this!"
Just as Moo-young's immersion teetered on the edge, Tae-seok, sprawled on the sofa, flung his newspaper in a fit.
"Phew. What a relief."
Moo-young collapsed face-first onto the table, exhaling the breath he'd been holding.
Too damn hard. Painting someone right in front of you as a totally different person.
"Moo-young, you're insane. How do you keep a straight face looking at that mug?"
"What's wrong with my face?"
"Nah, more than that—fix that voice. That ain't coming outta an uncle's throat."
He nailed every other role like a pro, but 'woman' and 'kid'? Total opposites. Night-and-day mismatch.
When Go Kyung-min played Johnny, Moo-young just fed him lines in everyday tone.
"I gave it my all!"
...Only Na Geum-dong, brimming with enthusiasm, mimicked a kid's voice for the part.
Moo-young crunched on his snack, flipping through the remaining script.
"How far we going today?"
"Up to the back page. Oh, wait—page 74, that scene. You got some bad habits there. Why you keep flailing your arms?"
"Me? Didn't notice."
"Watch it consciously and fix it. And the next line—yours is good, real good. Breathing between syllables like that. But I'd do it like this—"
Not just Moo-young's script—even Go Kyung-min's was a tattered rag.
Moo-young's notes focused on lines and emotions; his were packed with comments.
"Oh, way smoother to say."
"Yeah. The words flow soft, that's why."
Combine Go Kyung-min and Na Geum-dong's acting experience, and it topped twenty years easy.
All poured into this rookie kid.
Moo-young parroted lines till his throat went hoarse without realizing.
"Shouldn't you guys quit and get some sleep?"
Only third-wheel Tae-seok clocked it.
Moo-young flopped backward at his words.
Déjà vu. They'd pulled all-nighters like this at BV Acting Academy too, huh?
"...Learning never ends."
"Art even more so."
"Uwaaaah!"
Dawn's dim light blanketed the outside.
As Moo-young stretched and rubbed his eyes, Na Geum-dong lightened the mood with chit-chat.
"But Yi Hi-jun snagging the Jin role? Kinda unexpected, right?"
"You think? I thought it suited him pretty well."
Go Kyung-min recalled Yi Hi-jun's face from seeing him in person.
Sure, he had that standard soft vibe—but those eyes. Like a blade glinting under a magnolia.
"Reverse image casting's all the rage these days. Jin's such an explosive character, gets me hyped."
"Good for him too. No better shot at switching up his acting. Heard Kim Sang-yeon was the original pick?"
"Oh yeah? He'd fit too."
"Writer had him in mind writing it."
"Then why Yi Hi-jun? Acting-wise, honestly..."
Kim Sang-yeon edges it out. Writer wanted him too.
Go Kyung-min tilted his head, gnawing dried squid.
"Schedule clash?"
"His last gig was two years back. If anything, he's got too much free time."
Moo-young watched their back-and-forth with interest.
He was too wiped to chime in anyway.
While rolling around, he tossed a question their way.
"Hey, what're the seniors like? The ones you'll be working with?"
He knew their public images rough enough.
Seong Hye-jun seemed elite and sharp; Hyo-jeong warm and sweet; Jin-su the snarky mood-maker type.
"What're they like, huh..."
Go Kyung-min dredged up rumors and impressions.
Moo-young's eyes sparkled with anticipation, fatigue be damned.
Hate to shatter the dream, so no blunt truths.
"Just... all kinda unexpected. Unexpected."
"Yeah?"
"Think Avengers-level."
"...?"
Clear as mud to him.
But hey, did he need spoilers?
If even that Yoo Yu-na digs Moo-young so much, others probably do too, right?
"Just be your polite self there, nail it like always. I'll back you up on the rest."
Go Kyung-min patted his back, muttering like a vow.
* * *
And the day Moo-young had been counting down to finally arrived.
Reading day.
Screech—
"Huh? Hyung, why not park?"
Go Kyung-min scanned the lot entrance, then swung the car around.
Moo-young, geared up to hop out, panicked as the company building receded.
"Mongnett's lot's too cramped."
"Yeah, but...?"
"Director, crew, leads and supports all showing up. Where they gonna park? Gotta clear spots early."
They'd arrived a full hour ahead, so plenty of space.
But rookies couldn't just barge in.
"Ah, never crossed my mind."
"Don't sweat it. I'll handle the subtle stuff."
Like saving the best seat at dinner.
No one says it outright, but screw up and fingers point.
"Drop here and walk."
"Sure. Sounds good."
Two blocks from Mongnett, in front of a shop.
Mid-afternoon lull—Chungmuro streets were quiet.
Moo-young grabbed his script and bounded into Mongnett, buzzing with excitement.
"Welcome."
"Hello. Ha Moo-young here."
"Ah, yes. This way. Early bird, huh?"
Production staff hustled with reading prep.
Guided to the conference room.
Chairs doubled up in rows.
"Too many people."
Room was small too.
"How many?"
"Dunno. Thirty signed up or so."
Staffer swept back his hair, weary.
Leads only would've been cozy.
But Director Jin Kyung-mun insisted: any actor wanting in gets in.
"Sit at your nameplate."
True bit players? Standing room, no table.
No nameplate? Par for the course. Chest tag probably.
[Ha Moo-young (Louis)]
Moo-young found his spot at the table's far end.
Supporting but decent part—next to the leads.
Precisely, next to Yu-na.
"Close to the door. Nice."
Easy greetings.
Go Kyung-min muttered, sizing up the layout.
No need to grovel as a rookie, but show some deference.
First hellos, pass handouts, hold doors—basics.
"Where you sitting, hyung?"
"I'll hang here till it crowds, then hallway."
Wanted corner to watch Moo-young, but no dice.
Empty spots for staff and cams.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
"Moo-young, hang on."
"Yeah, take your time."
Go Kyung-min stepped out on his call.
Moo-young alone in the empty room.
Poking around idly to kill time.
Nerves? Time's flying.
Fiddling script edges.
Finally gave up, pulled his phone.
SNS pic comments—cringe gold for this.
Click—
Then it started.
People trickling in.
First guy seemed shocked to see him seated.
"Hello! Ha Moo-young here! Nice to meet you!"
"Ah, yeah. Hi. I'm—"
Moo-young greeted per manager's drill: anyone entering, automatic hello.
"You must be Louis, huh? First time seeing you. Impressive."
Man smiled bitterly, took a back-row chair.
Eyes on Moo-young's nameplate.
Fumbled pinning his badge.
[Kim Do-su (Main Reporter)]
"Must be a solid agency."
Same age, no experience—yet one gets lead-support, other background. Agency pull, obviously.
He didn't even need to be here.
But face-time meant showing up.
"Yeah, love my agency!"
"...Oh. Cool?"
Barbed comment, innocent reply.
Dull? Or slick deflection?
Man just cocked his head, pulled his script.
Awkward silence didn't last.
Click-clack—
Time nearing—folks pouring in.
"Hello! Ha Moo-young!"
"Nice to meet you. Director Jin."
"Crew's over here. You're Louis?"
"Director, nice weather today, right?"
Room erupted in chatter instantly.
Moo-young machine-gunned greetings.
Manager nodding behind him.
Whoa. Seong Hye-jun and Hyo-jeong.
Then the big names.
Screen to real life—wild.
No stares, but side-eyes galore.
"Lot's too damn small."
"Hyo-jeong! Long time—"
"Sis still got it."
Aha. That's the 'unexpected.'
Urban chic Seong Hye-jun? Total goofball tomboy.
Sweet Hyo-jeong? Ice queen vibes.
"Hi."
Leads already chummy.
Veterans knew each other somehow.
"Everyone here?"
"Ugh, packed."
"Yi Hi-jun oppa coming?"
"Hehe, yeah. Never thought I'd work with him."
"Heard the rumors?"
Moo-young sat opposite, beaming.
Go Kyung-min watching from back.
Kid okay?
Even from afar, the energy sucked you in.
Warzone survivors.
Aura crushed you just looking; success radiated off 'em.
Can't see his face.
Just glared at Moo-young's head, then slipped to the hall amid the crowd.
"Yi Hi-jun-ssi. Yoo Yu-na-ssi. This way."
"Ah, yes. Thanks."
"Mom'll wait here."
They arrived spot-on.
Staff held the door.
"Actor Yi Hi-jun and child actress Yoo Yu-na—everyone's here. Sound director's late. Section chief, ready to start?"
Yu-na flinched.
Frowned, unhappy.
Bold correction.
"Actress."
"Pardon?"
"I'm an actress too. Not child actress Yoo Yu-na."
Brushed past staff.
Deep bow to the room.
Go Kyung-min watching intently, sucked in a breath.
Spotlight hogs gonna hog.
Even a nine-year-old's no joke.
Real deal. Real deal.
Fierce, gritty vibe filled the room.
Door easing shut.
Moo-young turned, waved at his manager.
I'll do great~!
Mouth flapping big.
To Go Kyung-min, he looked like soft tofu amid beasts.
Aigo, Moo-young. Fighting!
Screech—!
He gripped fists through the crack, silent cheer.
One forgotten worry.
Everyone's sparkling awesome! Ooh! Johnny!
Sometimes soft beats sharp.
Fearless amid fangs? No problem.
Moo-young waved Yu-na over.