Kang Hyeon’s feet moved of their own accord in that direction, but he turned around after giving Director Choi Jin-hyuk a polite bow. His face remained unreadable, as if nothing had happened, his gaze dry and distant as he walked into the building.
Yoon Do-yeong quickened his pace to catch up. He had clearly seen Kang Hyeon walk out with a senior actor, but that person was nowhere to be seen now. Neither was Lee Hyun-sook. Ignoring Chief Choi’s earlier warning, Yoon Do-yeong closed in on Kang Hyeon.
“What did Director Choi say?”
“…He wants to show me a movie script.”
“What kind of role?”
“I said I’m not doing it.”
Do-yeong nodded at the firm reply. Inside the building, the lobby was packed with people waiting for the elevator. Kang Hyeon glanced at the group starting to head for the stairs and moved to follow them, but then he spotted Writer Oh I-seul weaving briskly through the crowd. When she met his eyes, she motioned for him to wait.
She approached the lead actress, Kim Min, and whispered something into her ear. Kim Min nodded as if she understood. Then, Oh I-seul came up to Kang Hyeon and spoke in a voice barely louder than a mosquito’s, low enough that no one else could hear. Kang Hyeon had to lean in close to catch her words.
“Hyeon-ssi. Kang I-chan is a warm and kind man. He’s only cold and logical in business settings. He’s not meant to be overbearing. Watching the reading earlier, he felt more like a noir protagonist. I like that dryness in your tone, but when you speak to the female lead, please soften your voice a bit. Focus on facial expressions and gestures. You don’t need to exaggerate—just be mindful.”
She continued talking about the version of Kang I-chan he had portrayed during today’s reading.
“Don’t overthink it. Just treat the female lead the way you usually treat Do-yeong.”
At the mention of “Do-yeong,” Kang Hyeon blinked in confusion and looked at her.
“He hides his emotions, but they show through in his actions. Just be gentle with her—like when you take care of Do-yeong~.”
“…Okay.”
He answered automatically, aware of the eyes watching them. Oh I-seul quickly moved on to other actors, whispering brief character notes.
Kang Hyeon was left feeling unsettled by her request. Other than being cold and a bit rude to Yoon Do-yeong, had he actually done anything kind? He was frustrated, unsure of how to interpret what she wanted. He could feel Yoon Do-yeong trailing behind him. His nerves were already fraying when that grating voice rang out.
“Yoon Do-yeong-ssi!”
As he headed toward the stairs, Kang Hyeon instinctively turned at the sound of Director Choi Jin-hyuk’s voice. Choi hurried over to Yoon Do-yeong and offered a handshake.
“Wait, are you appearing in Director Ji’s drama?”
“Hello.”
Do-yeong shook his hand politely and bowed his head.
“I heard you’re directing a drama. Is production going well?”
“Of course! Do-yeong-ssi, could I borrow you for a moment?”
“Sorry, I need to head upstairs for the reading.”
“Ah! Just five minutes, that’s all I need.”
Choi Jin-hyuk grabbed Do-yeong’s arm and led him aside.
“I swear it won’t take long.”
“Please contact me through my agency.”
“I’ve already tried, several times. But I think I need to explain it to you in person. Please, just give me a moment.”
Desperate not to miss his chance, Choi Jin-hyuk continued hurriedly.
“I heard you read my script. Please take the role of Lee Yul-ha. As you know, it’s set in a futuristic city, so a lot of the scenes will be CG-based.”
Kang Hyeon moved closer to the elevator, turning his back to them, but his ears were tuned into every word. Choi Jin-hyuk hadn’t let go of Do-yeong’s arm, practically begging now.
“You’re the only one who can pull it off. That elegant, refined image you have—it’s perfect for the role. The character is like a god ruling over a future city, like a cult leader. You’d be ideal.”
“I’m not comfortable with the nudity.”
“That scene is essential. The character must appear fully nude, descending like a god from the heavens. A beautiful man walking slowly, like a statue come to life.”
He quickly pulled out his phone and showed Do-yeong a CG clip. At first, Do-yeong reacted indifferently to the lavish ancient temple-like structure on screen, but his eyes shifted with curiosity as he watched. Choi leaned in, explaining eagerly. The 3D character was spread-legged, twisting his hips seductively. Do-yeong subtly turned his head, clearly uncomfortable.
“Isn’t this a bit self-indulgent?”
He whispered, and Choi’s cheeks flushed faintly.
“It’s not meant to be lewd. It’s an artistic, dreamlike portrayal—like a scene from mythology. You know the character—he’s manipulative, using even his own body to hypnotize the masses. We want it to be sensual, seductive.”
The next scene showed the 3D model in a full-blown orgy. The act was so explicit that Do-yeong’s eyes turned cold.
“This is sexual harassment.”
Before the words even finished leaving his mouth, someone snatched Choi Jin-hyuk’s phone out of his hand.
It was Kang Hyeon. He glared down at the screen, then shot a searing look at Choi Jin-hyuk, who flinched under the intensity.
“Ah… Kang Hyeon-ssi.”
“Go upstairs.”
Kang Hyeon spoke in a low voice to Do-yeong, nudging him behind him. As Do-yeong started to walk away, Choi reached out again to grab him—but Kang Hyeon slapped his hand away sharply. The sound echoed, and the people lingering nearby turned to look.
“Please go through the agency.”
“You little shit, who the hell do you think you are—?”
“I was Do-yeong’s manager.”
“What?”
“Contact him through the agency.”
“No, you— You…”
Behind Kang Hyeon’s tense shoulders, Yoon Do-yeong peeked out and addressed Director Choi Jin-hyuk clearly and firmly.
“There’s no need to contact me.”
Director Choi’s face turned bright red with humiliation.
“…What the hell?”
Amid the heavy silence, a light, cheery voice rang out. It was Lee Hyun-sook. The room’s attention shifted toward her.
“Director Choi, long time no see. You still working the same way as before?”
She strolled up with a bright smile, while Choi Jin-hyuk looked at her with thinly veiled contempt.
“I heard you’re directing a drama for EnterK. No shoot today?”
She asked sweetly, pulling a travel-sized wet wipe from her pocket and handing it to Do-yeong. Choi just nodded stiffly and averted his gaze. Just then, Chief Choi and CEO Goo Seong-do walked in, each holding large convenience store bags. Do-yeong took the wet wipe and began wiping the hand and arm that had touched Director Choi.
“I turned down Director Choi’s script,” he announced brightly.
With another bold public insult, Yoon Do-yeong made Chief Choi’s face stiffen.
“You little brat.”
When Choi Jin-hyuk hurled the insult directly at Do-yeong, Lee Hyun-sook raised her voice so everyone could hear.
“Why are you so clingy? He said no, take the hint.”
“What’s going on?”
CEO Goo Seong-do hurried over, stepping between the mocking Lee Hyun-sook and the hostile Kang Hyeon.
“Has-been bastard.”
Choi muttered under his breath just loudly enough to be heard, then mouthed “fucking bitch” before storming out of the building. Lee Hyun-sook, unfazed, smiled brightly at the others as if nothing had happened. Once in the elevator, she leaned over and whispered to Do-yeong.
“You know every one of Director Choi’s films has a bed scene, right?”
Do-yeong leaned his ear toward her, and Kang Hyeon tilted his body as well, listening in.
“On set, he always calls it ‘art’ but makes the actors do twisted nude poses. I’d bet those scenes never even make the final cut—probably just end up on that pervert’s hard drive.”
CEO Goo elbowed her side, flashing a warning look.
“Yeah, yeah~ I just happened to see a shoot once, is all.”
Her tone was annoyed and her expression sour. CEO Goo’s voice grew stern.
“Even the actors don’t say anything. You only watched—don’t speak carelessly.”
“You’re right. It’s disrespectful to the actors who risked themselves for the role, thinking it was art. I just can’t stand sleazebags like him.”
“Whether it’s art or just smut…” she muttered and shook her head. While she ranted, Do-yeong quietly wiped Kang Hyeon’s shoulder and back with the wet wipe. By the time the elevator reached the fifth floor, they had arrived at the script reading room.
Chief Choi and Goo Seong-do handed out ice cream to the cast, who were grouped together going over lines. Yoon Do-yeong picked the largest cone.
“Hyeon-ah, let’s run lines together.”
“Me too~!”
Lead actress Kim Min joined in cheerfully, and soon Lee Hyun-sook joined, making it a group of four reading together. While they practiced, Do-yeong finished the ice cream cone. Kang Hyeon, who had been sneaking glances at him, pushed over a plate of cookies meant as snacks.
A little while later, the directors entered and the reading resumed. This time, voices had more nuance than they did in the first session that morning. When it ended, Director Ji Seok-woo called Kang Hyeon aside to discuss the character Kang I-chan in depth. They had a long, serious conversation before he returned.
“Hyeon-ah.”
A gentle voice called to him, slowing his steps. In the group waiting for him, he spotted Yoon Do-yeong. Behind him, CEO Goo Seong-do was waving tiredly.
“You must be tired. Let’s go.”
“Let’s grab dinner first?”
Before Do-yeong even finished suggesting it, Chief Choi jumped in.
“How about some cold noodles?”
“Sounds great~!”
Lee Hyun-sook clapped, her face lighting up like the suggestion couldn’t have come at a better time. The group headed off in high spirits toward a noodle place, and Kang Hyeon smiled as he followed.
Do-yeong slid up next to him.
“Earlier… why did you do that?”
“What?”
