Agency
"Ah, perfect! Cut!"
The photographer lowered his camera with a satisfied grin.Envin had just modeled five outfits in a row without a break — the tight schedule necessary since his flight was already booked.
"Mr. Envin, come take a look."
The CEO, photographer, and Envin crowded around the screen to review the shots, while Muyeong and Junho peeked over their shoulders.
"I like this one."
"The natural light really makes it pop."
"Should we touch this one up? Feels like a waste to toss it."
Apparently, the professionals could tell the difference between A-cuts and B-cuts.To Muyeong and Junho, every photo looked good enough to release immediately.Envin fanned himself as he carefully monitored each frame.
"So, we'll go with these?"
"Yes, let's do that. Great work, everyone."
"Thank you for your hard work!"
As the three of them agreed, the nearby staff clapped lightly.The happiest of all was, of course, his manager.While the crew began packing up the equipment, Envin went inside to change.
"Director, are we done here?"
Junho asked politely, calling his older brother by title — he knew how to separate work and personal life.The CEO clenched his teeth, smiling wide to suppress a cheer.
"They came out so damn good. I'm losing my mind."
Envin had perfectly embodied the aesthetic BornTree aimed for.As both designer and businessman, the CEO couldn't have been more satisfied.
"Let's finish up and grab dinner. Muyeong, you hungry too?"
He slung his arms around his two friends' shoulders, shaking them lightly, humming in high spirits.
Clack.
At that moment, Envin emerged, tugging at his shirt.It wasn't a hot day, but shooting outdoors under the reflector boards had made him flushed.
"Muyeong, can I drink this?"
He rummaged through the bag of drinks Muyeong had bought earlier.
"Ah, wait, that one—"
Before Muyeong could finish, Envin had already popped the can open.A sharp pshh! of carbonation burst out, spraying everywhere.His white shirt instantly turned brown.
Hiss!
"Ah!"
"I—I was about to warn you…"
"What happened, did you drop it?"
"No, but the bottom was dented when I picked it up."
Muyeong handed him some wet wipes.Sticky clothes aside, the shirt was a total mess.Envin looked at his manager, clearly distressed.
"Hyung… was this shirt sponsored?"
"Yeah, why— oh crap!"
"This is bad."
The more he wiped, the worse the stain spread.The manager stared blankly at the shirt, then checked his watch.
"We need to head straight to the airport. If we wait, rush hour's gonna kill us."
But how could he go looking like this?Both froze, their brains short-circuited.
Muyeong, still helping wipe his shirt, turned to Junho.
"What about the outfits from the shoot? Can he wear one of those?"
"Yeah, I already packed them up for the manager."
"Then Envin, wear that for now. Have the brand send a fresh outfit to the airport. It's better to wait in the car and change there than get stuck in traffic."
As long as he didn't step out of the car, paparazzi wouldn't get a photo.Picking up the new clothes and changing inside the vehicle would be safest.
"Yeah, let's do that."
"Ah— sorry, hyung."
"It's fine. I'll go make a call. Once the new clothes arrive, come out right away. I'll pull the car around so you can change while we drive."
Muyeong poured bottled water over his hands to wash off the sticky soda.Meanwhile, Junho hurried off to grab the packed paper bag.The CEO and staff glanced over, wondering what the commotion was.
"Sorry, I should've cleaned up the drinks earlier."
"Nah, my fault. Anyway, what are you doing after this?"
"Me? Gonna help clean up and then grab dinner."
Envin nodded as he wiped himself off.
"Let me know how the web drama team dinner goes after you're back."
"Sure. You take care too. Where did you say you were going again?"
"Thailand. Oh, and Muyeong, you should think about signing with an agency. Acting's good, but you still need to make a living. And good projects don't just fall out of the sky, you know? It's the company's job to find those."
He nagged like a mother.
Of course, he'd still have to audition, but a decent agency could open doors.You had to ride the momentum when it came.Now that offers were coming in, it was time to grab them.
"If you need help, let me know. There's SN Label — they're recruiting actors too. Still new, but the name carries weight."
"Thanks. I'll think it over carefully."
When Junho returned with the paper bag containing clothes and towels, Envin smiled and took it.
"Thanks."
"No problem. You worked hard today."
"Alright, I'll get going. Thanks, everyone!"
Envin bowed to the staff and signaled to Muyeong with his eyes — I'll call you later.Then, with the staff seeing him off, he climbed into the van.
Vroooom—
"Hope he gets the new clothes in time at the airport."
At Muyeong's mutter, Junho only shrugged. That part wasn't his responsibility.
"Oh, right. Junho."
Junho, tidying up cables leisurely, looked up.Muyeong grinned.
"You owe me a full grand bow, remember?"
"..."
He'd looked it up online — apparently it was no small gesture.Junho gave a quiet smile and started backing away.This is why my mouth gets me in trouble.
"Full! Grand! Bow!"
"Are you insane? You'll snap my neck!"
"You promised to show me—!"
The two chased each other around the courtyard, laughing and shouting.The CEO and staff looked on, shaking their heads with amused smiles as they finished cleanup.
"Photographer, when will the edited cuts be ready?"
"If I pull a few all-nighters, about two weeks."
None of them realized it yet —that Envin never received the replacement clothes at the airport that day,and had no choice but to appear before reporters wearing BornTree's outfit.
A Few Days Later
Muyeong, hoodie up, arrived at a barbecue restaurant.It was tucked deep in an alley, and he'd gotten lost a few times finding it.At the entrance, a familiar man was smoking a cigarette.
"Team Leader!"
"Oh-ho! Muyeong!"
His face was already flushed red — clearly, he'd started drinking early.
"What took you so long?"
"I'm sorry. I got delayed with an assignment."
"You haven't eaten yet, right?"
He quickly stubbed out his cigarette and led Muyeong inside.
It looked like they had reserved the entire restaurant. Every table was filled with familiar faces.
"Muyeong's here!"
"Whaaat— why so late!"
"Even Envin didn't show up, we almost finished eating without you!"
The employees from Square Film far outnumbered the on-site staff.
They'd said it was a wrap-up dinner, but honestly, it felt more like a project success party.
"Here, sit over here."
The first episode had been such a hit that additional episodes were already greenlit.
There was still editing and uploading left, but that was the editing team's problem, not theirs!
"Director! Muyeong's here!"
"Ohh! Welcome, welcome."
At the call, CEO Jo Mi-yeong, who was happily eating grilled meat, raised her hand.
She mingled with everyone like an old friend.
Muyeong and the team leader sat across from her.
"You can drink, right?"
"Yes, but just a little. I don't handle alcohol that well."
"Really? Aren't you at the age where your liver's still bulletproof?"
Jo Mi-yeong chuckled, pouring him a shot of soju.
But one man beside her kept staring at Muyeong — a stranger.
What's his deal?
He didn't recognize him.
Worried something was on his face, Muyeong brushed his chin, but found nothing.
The man whispered something to Jo Mi-yeong.
"Pfft— hahaha!"
She suddenly burst out laughing.
The team leader waved his hand as if to tell her to stop.
"You're scaring him, Director."
"Ah, sorry. My senior's just being ridiculous.
Hey, that comment on MeTube, that was you, wasn't it?"
"In person, he's even better looking."
The man smiled and handed over a business card.
The name read: Park Cheol-moon, Manager, Sealing Actors.
Muyeong tilted his head.
Sealing Actors?
The name sounded familiar.
For someone like him, who wasn't deep in the industry, to recognize it meant it was a fairly reputable agency.
Jo Mi-yeong lifted her glass and explained.
"Sorry if we startled you."
"No, not at all. Getting a business card isn't something to be surprised about."
"I heard you still haven't signed with an agency?"
At her words, Muyeong glanced at the team leader — You told her that too?
The man awkwardly scratched his head.
"I've just been busy with midterms."
Other agencies had only left contact info and nothing more.
But Park Cheol-moon from Sealing Actors was Jo Mi-yeong's college senior — he'd begged her persistently to introduce them.
And honestly, having connections isn't a bad thing. If we can't manage him ourselves, at least we can hand him to someone we know.
It would make future casting smoother.
Muyeong toyed with the card and smiled politely.
"This is the first time I've ever received one in person."
Online, there were only wild guesses about who he was — no concrete info had leaked, certainly not enough for someone to track him down.
"Really? Then I'm honored."
Park Cheol-moon set down his chopsticks and leaned forward.
"Your acting left a strong impression.
You're still young, but there's depth there. And of course, your looks have huge potential.
We don't usually cast people like this, but it'd be a shame to miss out."
Meanwhile, Muyeong just picked up his chopsticks — starving after working on his assignment all day.
Not because he was broke, mind you. Really.
"We can even match a decent signing bonus."
"A signing bonus? How much are we talking?"
That caught his attention.
Park Cheol-moon only smiled and closed his eyes meaningfully.
"It's not something I can say here, but let's just say — for a rookie, people will talk about how well you got paid. Promise."
Jo Mi-yeong chimed in, backing him up.
"Sealing Actors has money to spare. They've got a lot of top actors — Park Ji-min, Roy, Hae-jun, and…"
Every name she mentioned was familiar — well-known, solid names in the industry.
Muyeong chewed his meat, impressed.
"And Dayeong! You know the female lead in MBV's new mini-series? She's with Sealing Actors too."
"Oh, really?"
The MBV mini-series — wasn't that the one Bora got cast in?
"A friend of mine's got a supporting role there."
"Yeah? Who?"
"Kang Bora."
Right as he opened his mouth to take another bite, black smoke curled from the corners of Park Cheol-moon's lips.
"Kang Bora? Doesn't ring a bell.
But since she's your friend… now I'm curious. Maybe I'll look into her."
Gulp.
Startled, Muyeong swallowed the whole piece of meat in one go.
Park Cheol-moon's laugh came out like a hiss of smoke — dark and eerie, like a demon exhaling through human skin.
A black haze spread, swallowing his face whole.