Rookie but One-in-a-Million Actor Chapter 98: Fan Meeting

"Ah......"

Ha Moo-young clutched his pounding head and sat up. The sun was already past its peak, heading toward afternoon. He could've slept longer if not for the burning thirst clawing at his throat.

"Awake already?"

"Hyung? Ugh...... what time is it?"

"One-thirty. Youth really is a blessing. If it were me, I wouldn't have gotten up till tomorrow."

He handed Moo-young a glass of honey water. The wrap party that started last night had gone from first round to second, then all the way to the fourth. It began innocently enough with champagne, but as the hours dragged on, it devolved into bomb shots.

"I didn't mess up last night, did I?"

"Huh? You don't remember?"

"Yeah. I recall up to the third round, but whoa— the moment I touched that bomb shot to my lips at the fourth, everything blacked out. Next thing I know, it's now?"

Go Kyung-min tilted his head in admiration at Moo-young's words. He'd stuck by Moo-young's side until the end last night too. Though he'd used driving as an excuse not to drink a single sip.

From what he'd seen, Moo-young hadn't seemed drunk at all.

"You were totally fine? Handed out chocolate milk to everyone, put ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the PD and others in taxis, even grabbed hangover soup with me on the way back."

"Me?"

Moo-young was the surprised one now. Did he have a second personality or something? His mind checked out, but his body kept functioning perfectly.

He laughed and buried his face in the pillow.

"Ugh. Whatever. Hyung, can I sleep more?"

His first wrap party had been a blast—real fun.

The first round was classy, popping champagne in a high-end lounge and exchanging gracious thank-yous. But from there, it turned into a full-on MT, chugging and pouring nonstop.

"Mm. Till dinner."

"What's at dinner?"

"Ad shoot. For ROS Company."

"Ah, right. Then lemme crash a bit longer. Gotta sleep more to keep my skin plump for the shoot."

It probably felt extra fun because of the similar-aged castmates. Having barely enjoyed college life, Moo-young had tried drinking games for the first time yesterday.

Who knew they could be that entertaining.

"Oh, right. Fan meeting date's set?"

"When?"

"Next weekend."

It wasn't too rushed, but unavoidable. As a ratings promise tied to You Are a Star, I Am a Star's 30% finale, it had to happen before the buzz died.

"That's soon."

"That's how it shook out. This week's the finale."

"Mm. How many coming?"

"Taking applications at the cafe today. I'll accommodate as many as possible. Details still in progress, so leave that to the company. You focus on your personal bits."

"Ah. Song and dance."

He hugged the blanket, pondering. Probably best to do the You Are a Star, I Am a Star theme song. But with Plague fans too, something mainstream as well.

"Mm. Got it. Decided."

"Already?"

He covered his mouth like he had it all figured out.

"Yeah. Classic's the way. Might need Ro Min's help though. Oh, hope he got home safe."

Moo-young grabbed his phone. Dozens of calls and texts. Mostly staff greetings or unknown numbers.

"Weird, getting more unsaved numbers lately."

His phone used to ring once a day if he was lucky.

Go Kyung-min sipped his honey water and said,

"Don't get too chummy with staff contacts."

"Huh? Why not?"

They'd bonded through months of hardship—texts seemed fine. Precious connections, right?

But Go Kyung-min was firm.

"You never know people. Let's change your number soon. Or get a second phone. Personal info leaks easy these days—change it regularly. Especially for celebs."

Moo-young slumped like a deflated balloon. Guess carefree bonds were a luxury now.

Fair enough. Gains come with pains.

He nodded while firing off replies.

"Got it. So, fan meeting runtime?"

"Boss said ask you—"

"All-day works for me."

"—knew you'd say that, so two hours recommended. Even concerts are two-ish. Moo-young."

"Ah, yeah? Sounds good!"

"And it'd be nice with one invited celeb. Anyone you can ask?"

"Invite?"

"Yeah. Boosts the volume with a guest performance."

"Enbin or Ro Min? Oh, Yu-na too."

"......Yu-na's fine, but Zero Team's better. I'll ask; if not, company'll find someone."

Moo-young drew a satisfied circle ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in the air. Fortnight away. Good thing his heavy filming schedule freed up time.

He started planning mentally.

* * *

"Whoa. Long."

Moo-young muttered, eyeing his face printed on the back. Mountains to do. Good thing it's just two hours like hyung said.

"Moo-young. Don't move, I said."

"Ah. Sorry."

Fan meeting day. Moo-young finalized prep while getting makeup.

Scale bigger than expected.

"Sponsor is Music Thru, right?"

"Yeah. Reporters everywhere today—nail it."

"Whoa. Freaking out."

No company costs, free event. Win-win.

Moo-young gripped his trembling hands and smiled.

"Practiced tons? Still shaky?"

"Don't ask. Dreamt about it last night."

Fortnight holed up in practice room for two performances: You Are a Star, I Am a Star theme and dance stage. Theme song familiar from months of promo, but...

"What if they call me pigeon eyes?"

"Fine. That's the fun. Relax."

"Wah...... What if everyone bails after saying they'd come? Me dancing alone on empty stage......"

"Why so dramatic today?"

"Aaa, dying here—"

150 fans total. Packed small hall—burden and thrill for Moo-young.

He checked his shirt, exhaling nervously.

"Ten-min break between Part 2-3, Ro Min's ten-min set—twenty total. Quick touch-up; prep well."

"No worries. Wig and setup ready."

"Base is on; just eyes and lips."

While manager and stylist synced, door opened. Ro Min, bouquet in hand, waving.

"Hyung. Hi."

"You came? Thanks."

"Duh. Our drama promise—you carrying it solo. Had to."

"Crowd big outside?"

Ro Min's enigmatic smile at anxious Moo-young. Teasing secrecy.

He fiddled with flowers.

"Give this on stage later. Fighting, hyung."

"Huh? Uh, yeah."

"Ha Moo-young-ssi. Time to head out?"

"Yes! One sec!"

Start imminent. Moo-young final-checked shirt, slacks, swept-back hair. First fan meet—crisp and sharp.

"Hyung, fan club name set?"

"Huh? Yeah—"

"Ha Moo-young-ssi!"

"Coming! See ya, Ro Min!"

Moo-young dashed to corridor at staff call. Trailing crew with clothes, props, makeup. Chaos.

"Fighting!"

Brother's cute cheer behind, Moo-young reached event hall rear entrance.

Door open: dimly lit venue. Packed audience backs.

Front-row reporters crammed. Whoa. Heart-pounding.

Screen shifted, soft music swelled.

Moo-young Cultural Heritage—Moo-young's fan club. Nickname: Guardians.

Moo-young smiled unconsciously, tension easing.

"Yes! Hello. I'm Kim Ji-hoon, hosting Ha Moo-young's fan meeting today! Schedule as follows—"

VCR ended; MC intro'd himself. Moo-young's cue.

"—Now, our star, Ha Moo-young! Come on up!"

At the call, Moo-young descended stairs. Fans expecting rear entrance startled, screaming.

"Huh?!"

"Moo-young!"

"Where?!"

He bounded down, grabbed mic. Full house.

Moo-young bowed, waved smiling.

"Hello. Ha Moo-young here. Guardians, so great to see you!"

"Waaah—!"

Moo-young and fans waved, bonding. Reporter shutters clicked amid cheers.

Fan meeting kicked off smoothly in hot fervor. No shortages despite short prep.

"This question's fun. 'Moo-young, loved the drama. But heard you're tone-deaf? True? '"

"Whoa, where'd you hear? Sadly, yes. Haha."

"Weird. Sounded great singing?"

"Me too. Think acting, and it works. Met Seo-won hyung last time; he was shocked."

"Oh, can't skip this. Digital ghost song. Question here."

Chatting with MC on chairs, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Part 2 flew by. Performance time.

MC wrapped: "That's Part 2. Ten-min break, then guest show. Prep well, Moo-young."

"Yes. Thanks."

Moo-young bowed to Guardians, dashed backstage. Stylist waited with kit.

Red lipstick on lips.

"Quick, quick!"

"Outfit where?"

Concert-level frenzy. Break over? MC voice + You Are a Star, I Am a Star OST.

"Mermaid Prince Jung-min, Zero Team's Ro Min!"

"Kyaaah!"

Four minutes left! Smoky shadow, sharp liner. Long wavy wig natural, elegant.

"Moo-young. Done."

"Heels here!"

Kill heels on, trembling Moo-young hit stage. Slit skirt showed long legs swaying.

"Thanks for waiting! Baek Ji-yoon's Adult Ceremony Day!"

"Kyaaaa—!"

Ding-ding-ding-da— familiar intro. Moo-young hand on hip. Backup dancers matched.

Ro Min watched, hands over mouth. Expected laughs, but...

Better than thought. Suits him crazy.

Flowing waves killer. Moo-young locked deadly gaze, smirking. Traced red lips, wink!

"Kyaaaaak!"

"Moo-young! Aaaah!"

One gesture, screams erupted. Build aside, face womanly fine. Toned muscles gleamed under lights.

Cheers joyful at first, then fans fell silent, captivated.