Coffee Mocha Relax
Starex van was heading toward S Company headquarters. They were there for a meeting about the coffee ad contract.
“What's this sudden thing? Woojin doing an ad?”
“Yeah, tell me about it. I was surprised too. Come to think of it, I didn't even ask why.”
At Song Jun-an's question, Team Leader Kim Tae-gon in the passenger seat turned to look at Woojin. The two men stared at him with expressions screaming, Tell us right now!—their faces full of curiosity about why someone who only shuttled between home, the practice room, and action school, focusing solely on preparing for his projects, had accepted an ad shoot.
Woojin, who had been reviewing the ad storyboard, smiled in response.
“Just needed some healing.”
“Healing?”
“Yeah. The ad concept's keyword is ‘relax’.”
S Company's new product was named Coffee Mocha Relax. The storyboard featured a man lounging on the terrace of a luxury home with a garden, enjoying the view. ‘Modern’, ‘Chic’, ‘Comfortable’—three concepts for the shoot, all exuding a soothing vibe that matched the name perfectly.
“Prep for the project was tough.”
Kim Tae-gon and Jun-an nodded silently at Woojin's words. They knew full well how intensely he'd lived right up until the script reading. And with cranking up ahead, it was obvious he'd dive even deeper into the work.
“So I just wanted a day off like this.”
“I'm grateful you accepted without hesitation, but if you're gonna rest, rest properly. How's working a rest?”
“It's fine. Doing nothing feels worse.”
“Why?”
“Feels like I'm losing my roots.”
“Roots?”
“Just a few months ago, things were the total opposite.”
Memories from his trainee days flooded back vividly. Days without work. Exhausted from endless practice, collapsing on the floor, suffocating frustration and despair washing over him. He'd try to move somehow, only to repeat the cycle of aimless practice and collapse. Thrashing in that ironic limbo where he couldn't do this or that. Every time, the thought: Please, just let some work come... Maybe that desperate longing lingered in his chest. Sitting idle now made him itch unbearably.
“Resting on set feels good. Look, it says ‘the leisure of a cup of coffee’. Sounds perfect.”
Woojin continued with a grin.
“Plus, I've done tons of ad shoots as a side gig.”
“Side gig? Like extra?”
“No, directing staff. Aspiring actors do it a lot. Pays well.”
Standard pay for ad directing staff gigs was 150,000 won for 12 hours. An extra 10,000 won per overtime hour, calculated from call time to wrap. Sure, it was mostly grunt work despite the title, but you could pocket 200,000 to 250,000 won per day—pretty decent. With auditions unpredictable, it was one of the go-to gigs for aspiring actors who couldn't commit to fixed schedules.
Being able to laugh about those days of scraping by for living expenses was a blessing in itself.
“Brought back old memories, so I wanted to try. Good for me, good for you, Team Leader, good for you too, Jun-an hyung. Good for everyone.”
“Yeah.”
“Feels kinda weird. I've only gone to sets for grunt work—first time as a model.”
Woojin's voice trailed off slightly. Lately, he felt emotions welling up easily. Months immersed in a character who felt and exploded every emotion from zero to extreme—maybe that was it. He'd dubbed it the ‘acting aftereffect’, and his emotional range was swinging wildly now, more than before. Back and forth several times a day, pushing him toward his limits. Right when he thought he couldn't take it anymore, two desires collided: forget acting for a day, but not waste it meaninglessly. That was why he'd accepted this coffee ad without a second thought.
“We're here.”
The meeting spot arrived quickly. S Company marketing department folks were already there.
“Hahaha, long time no see, Team Leader Kim.”
“Director Lee. Doing well?”
“Of course. How about you?”
“Same as always, hahaha.”
“Have a seat here.”
Team Leader Kim and S Company's Marketing Director Lee Jung-seop greeted each other warmly. They sat facing each other around the square table with all the ad-related parties.
“Hello. Actor Baek Woojin.”
“Nice to meet you. You look even better in person. Loved the drama.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as they sat, Director Lee handed over the contract.
“This is the ad contract. Take a look first, then we'll talk.”
“Sure.”
With deep rapport between the final decision-makers, the meeting wrapped up swiftly—like pros who'd done this a time or two.
—Flip.
Team Leader Kim skimmed the contract with Woojin.
Article 2. Model Baek Woojin shall not receive civil or criminal punishment or cause social controversy that damages the company's product or corporate image during the contract period.
Article 3. During the contract period, Model Baek Woojin shall not appear in ads for competing products or any domestic events.
They checked damages and termination clauses too—no poison pills. Before final signatures, they ironed out details.
“Considering our launch, how about shooting around then? Available dates are these two...”
Director Lee pointed at the calendar.
“Agency's almost ready too. Just need to lock the location.”
“Sooner the better. What do you think, Woojin?”
“Same here. This weekend works.”
Since S Company wanted Woojin first, no need to bend over backward. But with cranking up soon, quicker was easier.
“Got it. We'll set it for this Sunday via your agency.”
“Appreciate it.”
“Now then...”
Director Lee nodded slightly, and Marketing Team Leader Park Mi-young slid over another folder.
“Our proposed model fee.”
Inside: the final contract with the amount.
Whoa?
Woojin's eyes widened at the contract.
Wait, how much is that?
“Model fee is 200 million won.”
An unexpected sum.
* * *
Right after signing, the press release went out via PR. S Company's generous fee—way above usual—lit up Flower Entertainment. Team Leader Kim and Director Lee seemed even chummier leaving the signing.
And another place buzzing as much as the agency: with Woojin's minimal outside activities beyond project interviews,
His fan cafe was abuzz with excitement.
* * *
Five days later. One week before Red Petals cranking in.
The shoot was locked in fast—location secured, prep done.
For once, Woojin wasn't at home, practice room, or action school. A luxurious private home in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do. The coffee ad set.
“Hello.”
Staff bustled from morning. Woojin got out of the car, greeted the director and crew one by one, then headed to the waiting room.
Makeup team swarmed him, hands flying over his face and hair.
Moments later.
Neatly slicked-back hair with pomade. White dress shirt, beige check suspender pants, brown shoes—Woojin stood before the full-length mirror.
“Don't even recognize you.”
“Oppa, your face hasn't glowed like this in ages.”
Manager Song Jun-an and coordinator Lee Go-i clapped as they entered the waiting room.
“Hear that? Staff outside chanting ‘Baek Woojin’.”
“No. Why?”
“Why? You bought coffee for everyone out of pocket—they're all thanking you.”
“No big deal. They're working hard; it's the least.”
Woojin adjusted his outfit in the mirror. New style, not used to it, but even he had to admit it looked sharp.
“You just thought you look hot, didn't you?”
“No! Just checking the mirror.”
“Come on~ Doubt it?”
Hawk eyes.
Woojin waved off the embarrassment.
“Can I check out the set?”
“Yeah. Want company?”
“No, eat. With Go-i.”
While Jun-an and Go-i ate boxed lunches from directing, Woojin toured with a call sheet in hand.
Waiting idly wasn't his style. For any lead in front of the camera—film, drama, ad—he believed in walking the set himself.
“Enjoy.”
“Thanks~”
He bumped into staff everywhere. About 50 on set. Some eating, others skipping meals prepping.
All this sweat to capture the model's cool shots. Touring the set always steeled his resolve, bringing responsibility and joy.
Closing his eyes, walking—images formed in his mind. Narration post-recorded, so today's ad: no lines. Just eyes, gestures, expressions.
On the second-floor terrace, pondering the storyboard poses, Woojin heard the call below:
“Shooting standby!”
He stood.