Breaking Records
Na Geum-dong grabbed Ha Moo-young's hand the moment they arrived at Big Win Entertainment and plopped him down on the sofa. He rattled off a list from the mountain of semi-contracts and concept proposals stacked up like a pile.
"Cheongryong's new green tea chocolate snack from the Blue Dragon Awards. Super crunchy texture, they say. There's one with Do Ha rocking a rider jacket and smashing everything—that vibe. Next up, chairs. Ergonomic design brand—you know the one?"
Moo-young couldn't believe it. "All these came to me? For real?"
Familiar brands were mixed in: snacks, drinks, chairs, study aids, meds—even women's hygiene products.
"How many is that total?"
"Twelve in all."
Na Geum-dong's eyes sparkled with desperation. Not all were TV commercials, but for a rookie, this was a massive haul. The market was finally recognizing his worth.
"Time to cash in, right, Moo-young? Huh? The world's begging for you, kid! The public wants you! The company wants you! And this CEO wants you bad!"
Moo-young's strategy was paying off. In just over a month, his rates had jumped fivefold. Before, deals wrapped at around ten million won; now offers ranged from fifty to eighty million.
"Whoa. How much is all this?"
"Straight math? Five hundred million won. Five hundred million."
The "billion" almost slipped out instinctively. Moo-young gaped, grinning in disbelief. Money he'd never dreamed of was practically in his grasp.
"Can I do them all?"
"Of course. That's why they sent 'em. You'll be busy for a bit, though. Shoots are just half or full days anyway."
No wonder stars loved CFs. Work one day, pocket millions to hundreds of millions. Insane economics.
"We're doing it, right?"
Na Geum-dong eyed him slyly. Moo-young flashed a sneaky smile.
"Obviously."
"Yes! Smart move, Moo-young! Strike while the iron's hot! Manager Go, run the full company schedule check."
"Got it."
"Oh, right—one catch. Might have to pick one of the two snack deals."
Na Geum-dong flipped through papers, showing Cheongryong and ROS.
"Why? Can't do both?"
"I'd love that. Different types might work, but both are bagged snacks—tricky."
"Ah."
Advertisers hated it, and it went against industry ethics. Moo-young scanned the docs. Big corp Cheongryong: 80 million won. Smaller ROS: 60 million.
"Cheongryong's the pick, yeah?"
Money, recognition, scale—all pointed to Cheongryong. But Moo-young hesitated.
"Hmm..."
"Why the waffling—"
"I'll go with ROS."
"Whyyy?!"
After a brief ponder, his decision. Na Geum-dong clutched his chest in frustration.
But what choice was there? The path glittered.
"This snack tastes better to me."
Sparkle sparkle. He brushed off the flower pollen wafting from the ROS paper.
Na Geum-dong threw his head back like he might faint. But hey, the actor had spoken.
"For real?"
"Yep. Decision made."
"Sigh... Twenty million difference..."
Moo-young just smiled. Sometimes there were things more important than money. He'd prove it with results soon enough. He patted Na Geum-dong's shoulder consolingly.
"None hit a hundred million, though."
Cheongryong topped at eighty; others started at seventy and hovered there.
"Obviously. Hitting billions changes your class. That's record-breaking territory—the gateway to top-star status. You're a rising star now. Got it?"
"Ah, got it. Haha. Rising star's already amazing. I'm thrilled."
Moo-young beamed genuinely, pure joy. Na Geum-dong shook his head helplessly.
"Manager Go, you hear that? Tell Cheongryong schedules don't align—politely. Push the rest forward. One-year terms, Moo-young?"
Contracts usually split six months or one year. Long-term was win-win in this unpredictable biz.
Moo-young nodded with a grin.
"Double it?"
"Lemme see. This is fifty, sixty..."
He punched the calculator roughly. Total—
"Seven hundred eighty million."
"Jackpot."
After agency cuts and taxes, still his biggest payday ever. Pure math, but five hundred million in his pocket?
"This isn't a hidden camera prank, right?"
"Prank? If it is, I'll smash the damn thing! Kahahaha! Our Moo-young. Look at you, lucky charm~"
Na Geum-dong hugged him tight in glee. Even crumbling Big Win was seeing sunshine!
Moo-young peeled him off and munched snacks.
"Now scout my next project."
"Next one?"
"Wrap party next week. Once it's done, gotta line up the next."
Last episode aired pre-party, assuming smooth sailing.
Go Kyung-min nodded, pouring tea.
"Drama again?"
"Depends. I'll pick after reading scripts. Pile 'em on me. Not picky, but pre-produced is better—live dramas wrecked me stamina-wise."
"Fair. They'll start coming direct soon."
"Direct?"
Before, he'd scraped auditions. Now "Ha Moo-young" was known everywhere. Offers would roll in.
"Expect a pay bump. Yeah?"
"I'm more curious about the projects. Hehe."
Actors vs. agency—worlds apart. Moo-young sipped tea, rummaging his bag for upcoming shoot prep.
"Last ratings?"
"23%."
"Whoa. Huge. No extension buzz? Solid enough."
Go Kyung-min shrugged at Na Geum-dong's question.
"Writer's too slow. Might not. Shooting this week's eps last minute."
"True. Four left—tight for decisions. Shame."
"Final guess?"
"Trend says 28? 29?"
Go Kyung-min grinned at Moo-young.
"Hits 30%, fan meet time. He promised reporters."
"Huh? Awesome! Never done one."
"Fans are new. But... cross-dressing required."
Na Geum-dong patted Moo-young's back, puzzled but amused.
"Sounds fun. Fans'll love it."
"Not complaining?"
"Event stuff—singing, dancing, whatever. Cross-dress is no biggie. 30%? Dream come true."
Right. Ratings over drag. Na Geum-dong asked about school as new semester loomed.
"Back to uni?"
"Yeah. Drama's wrapping. This semester, then rethink."
Bliss—no tuition woes. Plus, home base meant easy commute. Ride with Jun-ho to work.
"Three hours left. Rest here?"
"Sure. Studio shoot today?"
"Kiss scene—brush teeth good. Toothbrush and candy ready."
It was here. Moo-young covered his face with the script, sighing inwardly. Na Geum-dong chuckled.
"Moo-young's first kiss~"
"Quit teasing."
He glared, refocusing. They'd dragged it out till episode 4 pre-finale.
Go Kyung-min eyed tense Moo-young. "Why so shaky? You nail everything else."
Skinship? Pro-level natural. Moo-young grinned sheepishly.
"Not me—Do Ha's trembling. First kiss with her crush? Who wouldn't?"
"Ha Moo-young passed?"
Cheongryong's marketing team packed up for dinner. Projects bloomed and died daily, but this choice surprised.
"More like schedules won't align."
"Same diff. Rookie griping pay? Solid offer."
They piled into the elevator, heading out. Overtime awaited—grab energy at the local spot.
"No complaints."
"Duh. Who pays eighty mil to a noob?"
"He's hot now—might demand more. Drama ratings holding. Buzz insane. Trends every air."
Chattering, they hit the eatery. Ordering pork cutlets, kimbap—
"Hey, Ha Moo-young's on."
TV played You Are a Star, I Am a Star. Team lead glanced shocked at the owner lady. Five years here, first time drama over news at this hour.
"Auntie, good show?"
"Huh? This?"
Remote gripped tight. She fixed on the screen, sheepish.
"Songs are catchy! Kids are cheesy but fun. Hehehe!"
"Popular, huh."
"Tell me. Me watching this at my age? Friends my age sneak-talk it too. Hold on—pork cutlets three, kimbap three!"
Diners stared mesmerized. Team lead asked,
"Ratings?"
"Last ep 23.7%. Four left—30% easy."
"His brand rank hit 3rd today. Entered at 9th. Scary."
Team lead tilted head at screen Moo-young. Meteor in drought-struck actor world, lighting everywhere.
"Watch—if 30%, re-offer. One hundred mil this time."
"Serious? HQ approve?"
Team lead wiped table nonchalantly.
"30% eyes Baeksang. Plague nears four mil. Two hundred then? Or hundred now? 'Hundred mil' means something."
Technically twenty mil bump for Cheongryong. But first industry hundred-mil ad? Game-changer. Momentum skyrockets fees—better anchor low with top pay.
"Regather his big data, update. Eat."
Spoon up.
Oblivious his value neared hundred mil, Moo-young crunched three strawberry candies on set corner.
"Moo-young, you okay? Shaking like a leaf."
"Don't worry. Hoo! Haha! I'm! Kiss master!"
"Eww, weird. More candy."
Go Kyung-min grimaced, peeling extras. Viewers hyped this moment too—waiting forever for their kiss.
"Moo-young! Here—block the moves!"
Assistant director called. Moo-young rose resolutely, heading to set.