Rookie but One-in-a-Million Actor 88: Incoming Ads
"Ooh!"
"Shh, quiet down. Let's listen again."
During a break in filming, the staff and actors had gathered together, huddling close with their heads nearly touching.
Lee Yu-jin, the PD who had just walked in through the door, saw them and let out a soft chuckle.
What the heck? Why are they all so buddy-buddy?
She'd done plenty of shoots before, but she'd never seen the cast and crew this tight-knit. No matter how friendly things got, a set was still a workplace—everyone usually kept a professional distance.
"Moo-young, you really had no idea?"
"...Uh. Yeah."
"Knew it from the way you won't spill!"
"No, seriously, I didn't know. It was my first time hearing it too. I just figured Hyung would wrap it up nicely."
Ha Moo-young was probably the one planted right in the middle. His role seemed pretty major, huh? It didn't even feel like a filming set—it was like a real university club room. The vibe was as relaxed as if Merrill Kellin were an actual college with a scene straight out of campus life.
Lee Yu-jin approached them cautiously.
"What's going on here?"
"PD! You're here!"
"What's all the racket since morning?"
Episode 1 ratings: 9%. Lee Yu-jin shared the news with everyone involved. Wondering if this fuss was about that, she slipped in with a intrigued look.
"The OST!"
"You mean one of them?"
"Do-ha's main track. 'Song of the Leader'—there's some weird noise mixed in."
"Huh? Like what?"
She hadn't known either. A staffer gestured for her to try the AirPods.
The familiar melody hit her ears right away. She'd been humming it to herself lately, but now she froze.
"Oh my."
-Don't say you're sorry. I don't want to hear that from you.
What I want to hear is thank you... thannnkkk youuuu.
There it was, clear as day: "thank you" tacked on at the end.
A voice that screeched like feedback, warbling faintly. So mechanical it sent chills down her spine.
"What the hell is this?"
Moo-young just gave an awkward smile at her question.
Ah, no way. It has to be that ghost, right?
The one who'd been banging its head against the recording booth glass! He'd covered its mouth because it was so noisy, and apparently, it'd said thanks. The problem was, even Moo-young had no clue.
"What'd Si-won say?"
"Texted him. Said it was noise from the recording, but it sounded fine, so he kept it."
"Haha, 'sounded fine'?"
This sneaky little... Lee Yu-jin shook her head with a hearty laugh. It had to be a ploy for noise marketing. Si-won had been around long enough for tricks like that.
"Reactions?"
"It's dominating real-time search."
"Reporters are requesting interviews too."
"But Moo-young's clueless, so he's just ignoring it all. Gotta have something to talk about before you say anything."
Moo-young stood in the center, blinking innocently, his face screaming I have no idea what's going on.
Lee Yu-jin handed back the AirPods with a grin.
"Just ignore it then. This is good buzz. They say a ghost in your OST track means it's gonna blow up. Maybe it's rooting for us."
"You said 9% yesterday? Wonder what we'll get today. Ugh, please let us take first place."
Weekend drama, so with today's airing, they'd have to wait till next week to see the real results.
She checked her watch and called the assistant director.
"Jung-jin. Shooting prep done?"
"Yes, almost!"
"Let's hustle. Gotta hand this studio over. Outdoor shoots from here on out, so pack accordingly, everyone."
"Got it!"
Chit-chat time over. Moo-young and the cast scattered back to their spots, along with the crew. Just like yesterday, they'd probably wrap two episodes today and pull an all-nighter.
"Phone. Noona, hold up a sec."
While getting makeup touched up, he waved his hand around searching for his phone. Something felt surreal. Now when he typed "Ha Moo-young" into search, his face and name popped up first.
Before, it was some professor's name. Heh.
Plus, with Plague's release syncing up, the synergy was double. Entertainment news sections were plastered with his photos and name.
"You're gonna wear it out."
"It's just too fun."
The stylist watched him fondly, putting extra effort into the touch-up. Seeing the lead actor so down-to-earth and approachable made her smile without thinking.
"You look beat lately. Got a pimple brewing."
"Irregular sleep."
"Take care of yourself. Broadcast quality's so sharp now, they see every pore. Not that you have to worry about that."
They bantered like that heading into standby. Another day on the treadmill rolled by—script delays, extended shoots, waiting around in between. Then Episode 2 aired.
The difference?...
"Whoa! We're off!"
"Great work, everyone."
"Rest up and see you next schedule."
"Drive safe! Moo-young!"
Not wrapping at sunrise, but in the dead of night.
After crashing in the station dorm for two straight days, Moo-young hopped in the car and urged Go Kyung-min.
"Hyung! Hurry! Let's get home quick!"
"Yeah, yeah. Crash hard."
"Man, if not for Ro-min, I'd be dead."
Thanks to Ro-min's photoshoot location scout, Moo-young's schedule cleared a full day. A whole day—or rather, from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m.
"Just gonna sleep it off."
Sure, back to work tonight, but beggars couldn't be choosers. Outdoor shoots ahead—better stock up on stamina now.
"Tough, huh?"
"Feeling the stamina drain. Thinking of starting workouts. Where'd Tae-seok Hyung gym again?"
"That guy? Local spot near home, looks solid. Want me to hook you up? He'll show you the ropes together. Best part—no need for a separate PT."
Tae-seok the gym rat had more experience than most trainers and was a pro at building bodies.
Moo-young nodded, pressing his forehead to the window.
"Looks like Episode 2 was a hit too."
"Good reactions? Ratings?"
"Not out yet, but comments are up from yesterday."
I wanna watch my own show! Wahhh.
Moo-young yawned hugely, mumbling. Then he was out like a light, not stirring till they reached the officetel.
Meanwhile, back at the station, Lee Yu-jin tallied ratings. She turned to her colleague at the broadcast screen.
"This for real?"
"Yup."
"Whoa..."
Episode 2: 12% average. Up 3% from yesterday. And top of the time slot.
She scooped up papers, grinning wide.
"Hahaha! We're sold out!"
"Congrats."
"Congrats? We're just getting started!"
Ads before and after broadcast— the station's "revenue" from corporate bids. Higher ratings meant higher rates, bigger profits.
"My first gig, that Mon-Tue miniseries. Episodes 1 and 2 hit 7% and 10%. Finale peaked at 20."
Prime time slot back then. Now look—late night, and this reaction.
"This might be my masterpiece."
Lee Yu-jin bolted from the control room, buzzing. Her staff watched her go, chuckling as they reviewed details.
"She see it?"
"Probably."
Average 12%, spiking to 15% during Do-ha's song scene—the ghost track moment. Brief, but it hooked them.
Everyone curious how it'd sound in the drama, huh.
Did it grab those who tuned in just for intrigue? Did Im Do-ha's song captivate? They'd know next week. Staff sipped coffee, closing the stats.
* * *
"Nngh..."
Morning sun poured in. Moo-young pulled the blanket over his head, whining. First time in ages stretching out fully—he didn't wanna get up. Schedule started tonight anyway.
"Moo-young."
"...?"
At the voice, he cracked one eye, lifting his head groggily. Na Geum-dong and Go Kyung-min sat primly, waiting.
"Gah! What?"
"What else? Good morning~!"
"Why's the boss here?"
"Waiting to jump into a meeting once you're up. Sun's high in the sky. High."
"...Wanna sleep more."
Na Geum-dong blew gently on his teacup, smiling softly. Something felt off. Why the uncharacteristic formality?
Caught between sleep and reality, Moo-young shut his eyes again.
"Then sleep through it. Hehehe."
"...What was that laugh? Creepy."
Weird! Like a villain's cackle from an anime. Go Kyung-min would've stopped him normally, but here he was, playing along quietly.
"Episode 2 average: 12%. Time slot #1!"
"...?"
"Peak 15%—your singing correction scene. Muahaha!"
"Whoa, 15%...?"
Before starting, he'd asked Lee Yu-jin her lowest ratings ever. 7%, she'd said. He'd vowed then: "Just beat that."
"Yeah?"
"Prayed we'd average over 7% by finale."
But with numbers climbing like this, time to shelve that wish and make a new one.
"You came all the way here just for that? Not busy, boss?"
"Me? Swamped, kid!"
"Then why...?"
"Ahem. CESPA, Monun Learning, Music Thru, Dunet Drivers."
"...? What?"
Familiar brands. CESPA: famous for padding. Monun Learning: 1-on-1 adult workbooks. Music Thru: streaming site. Dunet Drivers: designated driving service.
"Ads, kid. They came knocking."
Moo-young bolted upright, kicking off the blanket.
Did he just say ads?
"T-TV commercials?"
"Music Thru's a web portal ad—whole Merrill Kellin crew together as a condition. Monun Learning: homepage exclusive model. CESPA and Dunet: straight TV spots."
Moo-young listened quietly, then slap—smacked his own cheek.
Go Kyung-min and Na Geum-dong flinched in shock.
"Hey, what?!"
"Body's your asset! Hit me instead!"
"C-can I?"
"Kidding, kid!"
Na Geum-dong clutched his cheeks in horror. Seeing that snapped Moo-young awake for real.
"Holy crap. Why me? Just two episodes out."
"Factor in Plague's word-of-mouth. You're the hottest in the industry right now, Ha Moo-young."
Smart preemptive investment. Lock in rising stars cheap before fees skyrocket—use 'em till renewal.
"Jackpot."
"Music Thru's S Network partners, station's pushing it, other members on board. Workbooks..."
"'Cause I'm at Seoyeondae?"
"Ding ding. Study hard for perks like that."
"But designated driving? I don't even have a license."
"Yeah, we're iffy too. B-tier vibe, might skip. Image matters now."
Moo-young scratched his head, yawning. Rates a notch above rookie pay.
"One thing bugs me. If next week's ratings climb more? Keep soaring to mega-hit? Rates go up?"
"Duh. Way higher. But no one knows the future."
...Dunno short-term, but overall vibe's strong.
Why'd he want You Are a Star, I Am a Star so bad?
"I know. Felt it after 1 and 2."
Sparkle. Flower pollen fortune, right? Ride the wave—till it touches the sky.
"Hold the proposals. Watch a few more weeks. Us."