"Wow, that was fast. How'd you even know I made an account?"
— What? You started SNS?
"Yeah. Isn't that what you're talking about?"
— No, no. I'm talking about the BonTree account. You're going to be their photo-feed model. Not an exclusive deal like Enbin's, but they'll pay per post—still, it's good money. I'll make sure you're well compensated, so try to contact Bora, okay?
Someone called out for Junho in the background.The sun had already set, but the company was clearly still busy.Mu-yeong answered that he understood and hung up.
Ding!
— Oppa, you're so handsomeㅠㅠ— Came here after watching your MeTube video. Followed without hesitation!— Please upload photos soon!! This is urgent!!
The DMs and comment notifications just kept pouring in.Even the simple photo with only the BigWin Entertainment logo had racked up endless likes.Bong-gun, crunching on chips, glanced over.
"You said you were looking for tutoring gigs, right?"
"Yeah. Do you know any openings?"
"Nah, never done it myself. But instead of that, why don't you grow that account? The way your follower count's rising, you could make something big out of it."
"Eh, how could I make money from this?"
He squinted, half-joking, and turned off all the app notifications.
'Smart as hell when it comes to scripts, but clueless everywhere else.'
"You really don't know? The ad rates?"
"How much are they?"
"Depends on followers—anywhere from tens to hundreds [of thousands]. Seriously, you work in the industry. Shouldn't you know this?"
Mu-yeong froze mid-reach for his charger. The numbers sounded unreal.
"Ha, look at those eyes sparkle."
So that's why the boss kept talking about recognition!
Impressed, Mu-yeong scrolled through his contacts, looking for Bora's number.The ringtone went on and on—no answer.
'Should I ask Director Kang to help?'
"By the way, what were you reading?"
It wasn't a printed book but a bound copy—clearly a draft script.Bong-gun, a script fanatic, couldn't resist.
"Trying to decide on my next project."
"You said you're with BigWin, right? Oh yeah—my friend's been writing scripts lately. Think your agency accepts submissions?"
"Not directly, I think. They get theirs through film studios. But your friend can email it in."
"Right. I mean, who carries paper scripts around these days?"
Maybe Bora was ignoring everyone because of Junho.Mu-yeong slumped back in his chair, sighing.Then—
— …Ha Mu-yeong.
"Bora! Hello?"
— Ow, my eardrums. What's up?
Her voice sounded rough—weak, even shaky, as if she'd been crying.Mu-yeong frowned.
"What's wrong? You sound off."
— It's nothing. Just get to the point.
"Did you read Junho's message? We got a proposal from BonTree—they want us both as SNS models. I figured you'd be busy with your drama, but it's a good chance, so maybe we could—Bora?"
No reply.The timer on the screen kept ticking, but there was only silence.Mu-yeong waited a few seconds before quietly asking,
"Bora… where are you right now?"
Cut to:
"Ready—action!"
A small café set for a drama shoot.Two female part-timers chatted while cleaning the kitchen.The main heroine cheerfully mopped the floor with a bucket.
"So, you actually drank with the boss?"
"Well, yeah, a bit."
"And kissed him too?"
"No! I mean, that's—uh…"
The bubbly heroine Da-ryeong and her best friend Bora.Bora poked her side with a mischievous grin.
"Oh-ho, what's this?"
"Shh! Ow! Don't!"
Da-ryeong's bucket sloshed precariously with water.The two giggled, playing around—until—
"Jin Seo-yeon!"
"Kyaaah!"
Splash!
The male lead appeared from behind.Startled, Da-ryeong dumped the entire bucket on Bora's clothes.Everyone froze.
"Uhh… cut!"
The staff hurried in with towels for Da-ryeong, whose bangs were just lightly damp.Bora, completely soaked, quietly grabbed a rag and began wiping herself.
"Hey, Da-ryeong."
"Yes?"
Still getting her makeup touched up, Da-ryeong turned her eyes toward the director, who was frowning at the monitor.
"When you turn to spill the bucket, your arm angle looks awkward."
Bora stepped behind the viewfinder to check; Da-ryeong did the same, then subtly nudged her shoulder—as if to tell her to move aside.
"You said not to pour it upward. I can't help it; my arm doesn't move that way."
She shot Bora a sharp glare, annoyed.If her hair or makeup got ruined, it meant reshoots.That's why Bora wore a dark apron and dull outfit, with the camera angled low.
"Still, make it look more natural."
"You want me to defy anatomy?"
"Ha ha, that's not what I meant—"
Da-ryeong gave a sweet but cutting smile, scanning Bora up and down.
"Then let's shoot it as a bust shot."
"Bust shot?"
"Yeah. We're out of spare aprons anyway. One take, full effect—great angles, more realism. Don't you think? The script literally says 'soaked to the bone,' right?"
Her underwear was already damp. What difference did it make now?At the director's uncertain look, Bora nodded.
"It's fine. Let's do it."
"Okay then—camera director!"
Since the splash position had changed, the camera angle needed tweaking.Bora wrung out her apron, suppressing a sigh.
'This feels disgusting.'
"Bora, come here. Let's check your movement."
Da-ryeong crooked her finger.She hadn't been the nicest person from the start, but lately her attitude had gotten worse with each shoot.
"Yes."
Bora had a hunch why, but there was nothing she could do.In this situation, she had no power at all.
"See, here's the motion—'Kyaaah!'—and then I swing like this, okay?"
Da-ryeong mimed the motion with an empty bucket.The movement was smooth, but dangerously close.Bora flinched.
"Aw, don't be scared."
"It's just… you're swinging it too fast."
"So you want me to throw it slowly while surprised?"
Worse than the risk of being hit in the face—
"Uh, excuse me—"
"Shh. Don't look."
The staff whispered and looked away.That hurt even more.Bora kept wiping her apron, forcing calm.
"Please be careful not to hit my face, sunbae."
"What, you don't trust me?"
"I do. I just mean—please be extra cautious."
Her composed tone made Da-ryeong's brow twitch.So she wanted to play smart now?
"What, afraid you'll ruin that pretty face of yours?"
"...Sunbae."
Bora just stood still and looked at her.
She wanted to say it so badly—that one sentence she'd been holding back:
"So what if he rejected your contract, huh? Get over it, damn it."
But she swallowed it. Barely.
"Da-ryeong, we're rolling."
"Okay, director!"
She chirped in response, then threw Bora a glance—time to stand by.
"Haa…"
The more the on-set bullying went on, the clearer Park Moon-cheol's face became in her mind.A few days ago, he'd suddenly called and offered her a contract.
—Ceiling Actors?
She'd been thrilled at the name "Ceiling,"but when they met, it had all felt wrong.The contract terms were shady—and worse:
—You're friends with Ha Mu-yeong, right?
He kept bringing up Mu-yeong.And then…
"Okay, ready—action!"
—You've got such a beautiful face. Are you seeing anyone right now?
—Dating? No, I'm not.
—Really? It's hard to keep a relationship in this business, huh?
— …Why?
— Didn't you say you were a child actor? Then you should know better, shouldn't you?
Those snake-like eyes.Bora felt it instinctively.
This man was dangerous.He wasn't interested in her as an actor—he was looking at her as a woman.She could tell, instantly.
"Jin Seo-yeon."
That's why she declined politely.His expression had been priceless—part disbelief, part irritation, part mockery.
That day marked the beginning.From that day on, Da-ryeong's attitude had turned downright vicious.
"Kyaaah!"
Thwack!
"Cut! Cut!"
"Oh my god! Are you okay?"
Da-ryeong had swung the bucket wildly—and it struck Bora square on the nose.Bora crouched down, clutching her face.
"Ah… ow…"
"W-what the—"
Even Da-ryeong looked startled.She hadn't meant to hit her… she'd just refused to be careful.
"Gasp!"
"Let me see your face, Bora!"
"Shouldn't she go to a hospital?"
"She's bleeding! Oh no—she's bleeding!"
Drops of blood fell onto the wet floor.Staff members rushed to Bora's side, glancing nervously toward Da-ryeong.Their looks said everything.
'Couldn't she have been more careful?''Knew she'd cause trouble.''She's been acting off all day—did she do that on purpose?'
Da-ryeong's neck prickled cold.Without thinking, she grabbed her wrist and winced—a reflex.She knew how to make herself look like the victim.
"Ahh—!"
"Da-ryeong, are you hurt too? Let me see!"
"My wrist, ah… it hurts…"
Chaos erupted.Her manager, stylist, and staff all rushed in.
"We'll take her to the hospital!""Get the car ready!"
The shoot was halted.The crew milled around in confusion.The people around Bora gradually drifted away until only the youngest FD remained beside her.
"Here, wipe it off first."
"…Thank you."
"Hey, rookie! Fix this cable line!"
Bora's trembling hand accepted the tissue, head bowed.The FD lingered, clearly sympathetic, before reluctantly walking off.
"Yes, sir!"
"Bora, you should go to the hospital too."
"We'll wrap up here for today, and we'll drop the take with the bust shot, okay? We'll use the earlier one instead."
"You worked hard. Oh dear… that pretty face."
"If your nose has any issue, call right away. We can't mess up the schedule, you understand?"
Each staff member threw out a line as they passed by.Bora sat quietly in a corner, dabbing away the blood.
In the flurry of cleanup, she was completely alone.No one—no one—stood by her side.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
'Not now…'
It was her mother.Bora stared at the screen, letting it ring out.She couldn't answer.Hearing her mother's voice right now would break her completely.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
It stopped—then started again.Another call.Not from her mom this time.
She hesitated… then pressed answer.
"...Ha Mu-yeong."
Later that night
"Kang—Bora—!"
"Bora!"
Bora turned.She was sitting under a convenience store umbrella, already halfway through a bottle of soju and two cans of beer.Her nose was swollen and red, but she smiled faintly.
"Why'd you bring him here?!"
"Aw, come on—"
Junho plopped down across from her, acting cute.The moment he saw her nose, his eyes went wide.
"What happened to your nose?!"
"Beats me."
"Your pretty nose—it's huge!"
Junho panicked comically, while Bora just laughed, pleasantly drunk.
"I said I don't know!"
Mu-yeong took a seat beside them, studying her expression.She must've had a rough day—there was no other explanation for seeing her like this.
"You okay?"
Bora, who'd been laughing moments ago, grew quiet.She fiddled with her can, covering her face with her hand and sighing.
"I have to be okay. This is what I chose, after all."
"What happened?"
"…Do you know Ceiling Actors? That manager, Park Moon-cheol—he mentioned you."
The name made Mu-yeong's eyes widen.What the hell did that guy have to do with this?
Bora began recounting everything that had happened—half complaining, half venting.
"That bastard," Junho exploded. "Bora, want me to go there and wreck the place? I'll beat them all down!"
Mu-yeong pulled him back by the sleeve. He could tell exactly what this was.
"I'm sorry, Bora."
"Why would you be sorry?"
"I turned down their offer too. It probably didn't sit well with him. You might've gotten caught in the fallout."
A blow to his pride from Mu-yeong—then rejection from Bora too.Of course the man couldn't stand it.Bora thought about it, then shook her head.
"In the end, it's my problem."
Then she downed the remaining soju, slammed the glass down, and shouted, voice breaking between anger and tears.
"Just you wait—! When I make it big, I'll crush every one of you! Da-ryeong, Ceiling, whoever—you'll see! You'll all regret it!"
"Damn right! They're all done for! Our Bora's a beast—watch her go!"
Junho joined in, yelling with her, while passersby glanced over.Mu-yeong tried to calm them, deep in thought.
"Bora. If you're not going to Ceiling… do you have another company in mind?"
Bora wiped the corners of her eyes and looked at him.Under the dim glow of the convenience store sign, his face looked gentle—steady.
Then, with a small grin, she made the boldest proposal of her life.
"If not… how about I join your company?"