What?
Cheon Yoo-seong pulled off his sleep mask. With a suspicious look, he turned to the manager driving and opened his mouth.
"Sai-bi Church Maknae Son? The title alone screams straight-to-DVD trash... Tae-gyu hyung really went to that short film audition?"
"Yeah, he did."
"For real?"
"I heard it too."
The response came from the other side of the large van.
"Manager Jo was on the phone in the smoking room, talking about it."
"Right."
"Me too. The other team keeps bringing it up lately."
As his team members scattered throughout the van nodded, a grin spread across Cheon Yoo-seong's face.
'Oh.'
He'd been bored out of his mind anyway. Ever since Lee Tae-gyu's scenes wrapped, the Hoshi-jeol set had gotten pretty dull lately.
Truth be told, Hoshi-jeol had already shot past the midpoint when the original actor for Jeong Jong bailed, halting production. Now that Tae-gyu's footage as Jeong Jong was done, there wasn't much left to rush for.
If anything, it was too leisurely. Lately, Director Gu Jeong-hwan's directing toward Seol A-yoon and Cheon Yoo-seong had suspiciously lightened up.
Whenever that happened, Seol A-yoon would throw tantrums and spark fiery debates with the director about the "film's direction." Meanwhile, Yoo-seong was starting to feel like it was time to seek stability elsewhere, beyond the movie.
'......Perfect.'
Something flashed in Cheon Yoo-seong's eyes.
Instinct. Compared to Han Joo-hyuk or Ji Kyung-ho, his acting level was a notch lower, but that instinct had built him a filmography worthy of being called one of the top three actors his age alongside them.
The knack for spotting rising stars. His keen entertainment industry sensors and affable demeanor toward people had connected him to solid networks that "helped" no matter what project he joined.
After all, hadn't Seol A-yoon—the one who'd recommended him for the supporting role in this Hoshi-jeol to million-view director Gu Jeong-hwan—met him on a short film set?
'I met that noona on a short too.'
Lee Tae-gyu. Yoo-seong's gut told him this guy had a real shot at becoming a mega-star with influence on par with Seol A-yoon.
"He's really doing that short film, huh."
"Wouldn't it be more reliable to ask him directly than bugging us?"
"Hm?"
"You're pretty tight with Actor Lee Tae-gyu privately, right?"
"Well... yeah, but."
Cheon Yoo-seong trailed off.
It had been a while since he'd last messaged Tae-gyu. Every time their chats veered into "teach me acting" territory, it drained the life out of him.
But.
'This one's worth checking out.'
It was time to rev up for his next step, he figured. And a short film was ideal—minimal time investment for maximum networking gains.
Of course, Cheon Yoo-seong was no rookie in this industry. Having reached his current position, he wasn't dumb enough to dive headfirst into one connection.
"Separately from asking Tae-gyu hyung, get me the Sai-bi Church Maknae Son script."
At the very least, he needed to know what risks came with jumping in.
"......I wanna read that script by tonight."
Cheon Yoo-seong wrapped up.
Same time.
- Cut! Good take!
As the cut was called, Han Joo-hyuk—in a red-soaked white shirt—dropped the prop hoe knife from his hand.
- Great work, Joo-hyuk!
"Thanks for your hard work!"
Staff rushed in to wipe the makeup from Han Joo-hyuk's face, and behind them came Manager Yu with a beaming smile.
"Joo-hyuk, you're on fire now. Look at the PD—his grin's splitting his face."
"Hoo."
"Tired? That's the last shot today. Let's go. Car's warmed up."
"Hyung, gimme a smoke first."
"Got it. Put this on."
With his makeup cleared, Han Joo-hyuk let Manager Yu drape a long padding coat over him as they headed to the outdoor smoking room.
- Alright, prep the next scene!
Glancing back, he saw the staff who'd dispersed to clean up now regrouping, prepping noir quartet makeup for the next scene.
Everything clicked perfectly. Cameras including the Jimmy jib moved to the next set as props were neatly packed away.
- Extras, line up at the marked spots on the floor... Perfect, just like that!
Even the extras, positioned by the assistant director anticipating his wrap time.
Like well-drilled soldiers, the set ran like clockwork—no wasted seconds.
- Standby!
PD Ji Cheol-geun's upbeat voice echoed behind him en route to the smoking room. Han Joo-hyuk could feel it: Monster City shooting was sprinting toward the endgame.
"Hyung, how many scenes left for me?"
"Nine. But they're all yours bumped up, so you'll wrap in a week."
"A week."
"PD said post-production and mastering included, about a month total."
"Basically pre-produced now."
"Who knew it'd wrap this fast."
"Ha."
A weary, incredulous smile crossed Han Joo-hyuk's face.
Normally, schedules shifted a month early or late for various reasons—not uncommon here.
But he knew the biggest reason this one accelerated.
'......Lee Tae-gyu.'
The fire that guy ignited. More precisely, the atmosphere he and Tae-gyu charged early on had lit a fire under everyone, accelerating the shoot.
Especially that ending scene. The Monster City finale they'd shot together had nailed the story's closure and the path to get there, he believed.
Screech.
Entering the smoking room, he spotted Kwak In-ho already smoking, on the phone with someone.
"Ah, Writer—"
"......What? Prison?! Why the hell there!"
Kwak cut off the greeting, eyes bulging as he yelled.
"Interview? Cult? What role is this now... Puhahaha! You crazy bastard?"
Han Joo-hyuk and Manager Yu exchanged glances at the explosive words.
"So, waiting on audition results? What's to wait for—auto-pass. Anyway, got it. Drinks before next shoot. Hanging up."
Kwak ended the call, face itching with barely contained glee.
"Whoa, he's lost it."
"Writer."
Unable to contain his curiosity, Han Joo-hyuk spoke up.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but—"
"Spot on."
Kwak nodded.
"Kid wants to play a cult elder this time. Already did a prison interview at Cheongsong."
"......!"
"Unpredictable guy. And why O Director's short of all things, no clue."
"......Hold up."
Manager Yu, listening beside him, chimed in.
"O Director's short—Sai-bi Church Maknae Son?"
"Yup."
"What, you knew, hyung?"
"Of course. It came your way too."
"What? Why didn't you tell me?"
"You filter O Director stuff."
"No! At least show me the script."
Manager Yu glanced at Kwak, cig in mouth, and spat the rest.
"You're not at O Director's level yet."
Kwak looked agreeable.
"I know you—dive in headfirst. You love acting anywhere, short or feature. But teaming with a no-talent director wastes your time—"
"Writer. That was about Lee Tae-gyu, right?"
"Damn. Busted."
Manager Yu lit his smoke with a wry chuckle at Han Joo-hyuk's sparkling eyes.
Kwak nodded slowly.
"......Yeah. Tae-gyu wants a short before Monster City airs."
"Casting all locked?"
"Dunno details. Rumors of troubles."
"Heh."
A strange laugh escaped Han Joo-hyuk.
He was burning hot lately. Ever since those all-out acting duels with the guy.
What? Cult elder? Prison?
He itched to show off.
Lee Tae-gyu.
To the one who made him confront his shortcomings yet convinced him they'd surpassed "something" together.
"......Hyung."
He wanted to flaunt acting fiercer than before—and seize another growth shot.
"You said my schedule's loose."
"Ha."
"Room for one short, right?"
"Knew you'd say that—why I held back."
Last time, he'd been edged out a bit.
But this time, eyes blazing, Han Joo-hyuk wanted to unveil his "leveled-up" self.
"......Sai-bi Church Maknae Son. Get me that script too."
Three days later.
O Director sat on the worn sofa in his shabby office, chatting with the head of an indie film company.
"......He turned it down?"
"Yeah."
"Whoa."
Park Rep, a longtime ally who'd backed O Director's retirement, tilted his head.
"Acting no good?"
Topic: Lee Tae-gyu. The monster rookie who'd auditioned for Sai-bi Church Maknae Son's lead—only to get rejected.
Of course, acting wasn't the issue.
"Nah, opposite. Goosebumps hit the second he started. Mouth went dry, like a real cult elder spewing crap right there."
O Director stuck out his tongue, still dazed.
"So why reject? Hate his rising star—"
"Not just that."
He shook his head firmly.
"Knew it the instant I saw the acting. Lee Tae-gyu hits A-list in two years, guaranteed."
"......That good?"
"Bet on it. That teaser? Didn't capture half his skill. Acting monster. Just a matter of time."
"Even more reason—"
"How do I direct a monster like that?"
"......Ah."
O Director clutched his head.
"Lying if I say no greed. But to wrangle that beast, director needs chops too. Screw up, and my swan song's forever 'that third-rate director who wasted the monster.'"
Fair point. Amid short film floods, O Director aimed for a quiet retirement. A "future star's" early filmography was heavy baggage.
Thus, he'd passed on Tae-gyu.
Park Rep, eyeing him, glanced at the wall clock and spoke.
"Someone's coming today, actually."
"Sudden?"
"Casting woes. A few actors reached out first."
"Why not audition—"
"Knew this'd happen. Leave it, and Sai-bi Church Maknae Son never gets made."
"Wait, hold on."
Then.
"Your retirement pic, but I sunk real cash. Can't watch it flop."
Knock knock.
"Come in."
"Hello!"
O Director's jaw dropped at the man entering.
"Cheon Yoo-seong, Director!"
"......!"
National little brother Cheon Yoo-seong. Why him? Park Rep's words hit.
"Yoo-seong here wants in. On condition Lee Tae-gyu leads."
"Wait, isn't Tae-gyu hyung leading?"
"Ah, about that... Loose ends. Yoo-seong, mind stepping out? We need a quick word."
"Sure thing!"
Cheon Yoo-seong plopped amiably beside the sofa. O Director couldn't process it.
But Park Rep continued.
"DK Ent pitched investment. Covers our stake fully. You know shorts rarely get agency funding?"
"......What?"
O Director blinked blankly.
"Condition: Tae-gyu leads, submit to Korea's top short fest."
"No... that..."
"It's blown up anyway. Don't sweat it."
"What're you—"
Park Rep eyed Cheon Yoo-seong on his phone, then flashed his own.
O Director saw: A post on national celeb Cheon Yoo-seong's SNS.
Seeing the snowball roll firsthand, O Director slowly turned to Park Rep.
"Wha... what the hell is..."
"Sorry, O Director. Scaling up beats burning cash. And your directing's solid. Don't worry."
"You son of—!"
No curse would come.
Just a whirlwind of intense complexity churning inside as.
Why... why's it ballooning...
"Oh, one more apology."
O Director glared at Park Rep with bewildered fury.
"Might as well go all-in! Haha!"
"?"
Knock knock.
Acting powerhouse Han Joo-hyuk entered.
"Hello, Director."
"......?"
Already sick of it, he uttered the name.
"Lee Tae-gyu in this, right?"
".........???"