“About Director Choi.”
There was a strange note of hope in Yoon Do-yeong’s voice. Kang Hyeon found himself clenching his fists without realizing it. He’d nearly thrown a punch at Director Choi Jin-hyuk back then. When he snatched away the man’s phone, what had flashed on the screen was a grotesque image—some 3D character spread-legged, with multiple other characters swarming between its thighs.
That lunatic bastard actually planned to film something like that with Do-yeong? And fully nude, no less.
Kang Hyeon swallowed back the curses rising up his throat.
“I didn’t like him.”
“Hmm?”
“I said I didn’t like Director Choi.”
“…I see.”
Do-yeong responded weakly, his voice soon tinged with disappointment.
“I thought you were acting like that because you were worried about me…”
“You’re good at handling those kinds of things on your own.”
“Yeah… I am good at handling them.”
Do-yeong’s voice was bitter. He glanced at Kang Hyeon’s unusually tense expression, then added lightly, as if to brush it off.
“But… I do kind of want to shoot a body profile.”
“Then shoot it.”
“Not one of those muscle-showoff photos. I want to do something more raw—completely nude, capturing the most natural, pure version of myself during one of the happiest times of my life. Whether it’s a photo or a video, I just want to create something that expresses me.”
At the word nude, Kang Hyeon’s eyes widened. His expression turned so incredulous that he couldn’t even hide it. Yoon Do-yeong, watching him silently, continued with calm sincerity.
“I’m getting older. It’d be beautiful to have something like that from my youth, while I still look good. It’s a moment you can’t get back. I got an offer to do it after I got out of the army, but I didn’t really understand the meaning back then.”
He spoke so matter-of-factly, but a deep furrow formed in Kang Hyeon’s brow. Noticing the look on his face, Do-yeong hesitated before forcing the words out.
“…You’re glaring at me like you’re cursing in your head right now.”
“Just shoot another pool scene.”
“That’s not the same. I want to get it done before I lose that youthful charm. For personal keepsake. With an artistic photographer…”
He trailed off. Kang Hyeon’s brows were sharply angled, veins visibly protruding across his forehead.
“…Should I not do it?”
“Of course—”
“Why not~? It’s just for personal collection.”
Up ahead, Lee Hyun-sook chimed in brightly, her eyes twinkling.
“If you’re gonna do it, might as well shoot one every ten years. Capture your evolution—from sexy to sophisticated. Show the grace of aging through wrinkles too. Oh! Do an underwater shoot!”
“You interested too, noona?”
“I was, back when I was in my prime. I wanted to do one. But now, I’m too lazy to work out, and I’m old and saggy.”
Her blunt tone shut Kang Hyeon up. Only then did he realize he’d overreacted. And honestly, what did it matter if Do-yeong wanted to shoot one? There are sex scenes in movies. Why should a self-funded photoshoot done for personal satisfaction be any different?
Trying not to interrupt their conversation, Kang Hyeon stepped ahead. Do-yeong followed behind like he was chasing him, only adjusting his pace when Chief Choi grabbed his arm and gently pulled him back.
As soon as they arrived at the noodle restaurant, Chief Choi glanced at the menu and made sure everyone heard him.
“Kalbi sounds good.”
“Yeah, it does.”
Do-yeong agreed, and the plump senior actor smacked his lips at the suggestion. Naturally, the main dish became kalbi. Sitting across from Kang Hyeon, Do-yeong casually asked:
“Hyeon-ah, bibim or mul? I kinda want both…”
Before Kang Hyeon could answer, Chief Choi marked the order sheet.
“Let’s eat the meat first. Then you can try both types of naengmyeon afterward. Just split them.”
Not long after ordering, the kalbi arrived sizzling on the grill, filling the air with its delicious aroma. Do-yeong gradually moved the cooked pieces in front of Kang Hyeon. The pile grew quickly. Without making a fuss, Kang Hyeon returned a few pieces to Do-yeong’s plate.
After eating enough meat, the naengmyeon came out. Kang Hyeon scooped some of his perfectly mixed bibim naengmyeon onto a small plate and set it in front of Do-yeong. Meanwhile, Do-yeong added mustard and vinegar to his mul naengmyeon, then lifted a spoonful of the broth to Kang Hyeon.
“Here, try it.”
“More mustard.”
Without even tasting it, Kang Hyeon told him to add more. Do-yeong did, and only then did Kang Hyeon sip a spoonful. With a slight nod, Do-yeong poured a generous helping of the broth over the noodles he had set aside for Kang Hyeon.
“Let me have a bite too~.”
Lee Hyun-sook offered her plate, and Kang Hyeon moved his own to share. But before he could serve her, Do-yeong quickly took her plate and ladled over some mul naengmyeon.
Meanwhile, the senior actor finished off his entire bowl in just three bites, making Lee Hyun-sook burst into laughter. He pulled a goofy face, true to his comic character, and she clapped like it was a performance from a food scene. Despite their attention-grabbing antics, Do-yeong only had eyes for Kang Hyeon. Kang Hyeon, aware of the gaze, silently placed another piece of meat on Do-yeong’s personal plate.
As dinner wound down, Do-yeong cautiously asked:
“Hyeon-ah, let’s ride together. Your place is in the opposite direction from Mpia’s office.”
It sounded more like a request for conversation than a ride. Kang Hyeon hesitated briefly, then drew a clear line.
“…I’ve got somewhere to stop by.”
“Where?”
“Hyeon-ah, let’s go together. I’m taking the subway too.”
Do-yeong’s question was overridden by the senior actor’s invitation. Kang Hyeon heard him but chose to respond only to the senior, smiling slightly. Do-yeong, trying to hide his embarrassment, focused on the meat Kang Hyeon had given him. He chewed slowly, glancing at him without saying a word. The awkward silence lingered until Chief Choi hurried to wrap things up.
Kang Hyeon chatted with the senior on the subway, eventually parting ways at a transfer station. Left alone, he leaned against the train doors and let out a long sigh.
“Haa…”
Yoon Do-yeong’s face, noticeably thinner than before, kept surfacing in his mind. The way his hand kept pushing food over, the friendship ring on his index finger, the bracelet on his wrist… Even the way his eyes flickered nervously, how his lips parted like he wanted to say something but never did.
He’d promised himself he’d move on, and yet, just two meals together had thrown his whole mindset off. Everything was in his head again.
As soon as he got home, he went through the condensed script and all three upcoming episodes. He checked meticulously for any scenes with Do-yeong. Then, feeling a wave of melancholy, he grabbed a beer.
Despite scouring the script like a man possessed, there weren’t that many shared scenes. A café, the office, a hotel… They were in the same spaces, but the scenes never really overlapped. That alone made his heart ache. Disappointment sat heavy in his gut, and he covered his face with both hands.
A long sigh escaped him. That night, sleep didn’t come.
He sat at the table, rereading the script over and over. At some point, his grip tightened, wrinkling the page. Yoon Do-yeong’s reading voice echoed in his ears like a hallucination.
Whatever the case…
I’m the lead.
He couldn’t afford to fall short of Do-yeong.
His eyes sharpened, laser-focused on the script.
***
The reading voices played from the laptop’s speakers. In the loft at the Mpia office, Lee Hyun-sook and Kang Hyeon sat listening to the actors’ lines, marking spots they’d missed during the script. When their own voices came up, they paid close attention.
Thanks to a burner phone that CEO Goo Seong-do had tucked into Hyun-sook’s pocket—an old device used to secretly record the session—they now had a clear idea of how their performances had come across. Their expressions were serious.
“This line sounds like you’re just reading it. Probably because it’s so long.”
CEO Goo added his input.
“Since the character’s supposed to feel a thrill right before this line… maybe add a little gasp or something.”
“Maybe a breath first.”
Hyun-sook added, and Kang Hyeon gave a small nod. As the two focused, Goo Seong-do went downstairs to get them some vitamin drinks. Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He stopped in place and checked the screen.
“Huh?”
“What is it?”
Hyun-sook asked as she took the drink. Goo tilted his head.
“Wardrobe department texted. Apparently, we’re assigned to Edith Shop.”
“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“There are two wardrobe teams for this drama.”
“And?”
Hyun-sook pushed up her glasses and asked what he meant.
“They split us by styling concept… and we’re with Edith Shop.”
At the mention of Edith Shop, Kang Hyeon froze. He remembered a cable TV drama where he played the female lead’s younger brother. The stylist on that show had once said Yoon Do-yeong got his makeup done by Edith Shop’s owner. It was also Do-yeong who had secretly arranged for that stylist to be assigned to him back then, through his agency.
“Isn’t Edith Shop a makeup studio?”
Hyun-sook looked confused. Goo scratched his head and called the staff member who’d sent the message.
“Doesn’t RK Company have more wardrobe responsibility? Ah… okay, I see. Thank you~.”
He dragged out the ending of his sentence politely before hanging up and gesturing quickly.
“This place mostly handles luxury brands. Apparently the stylist’s really good.”
“Really? Let’s go check it out before the other actors get first pick.”
At her urging, Goo pushed off his chair. Kang Hyeon followed, still doubtful.
He remembered the building well from when he once drove stylist Yoo Kyung-mi there. They parked in the basement—just as he recalled—and headed to the third floor. As soon as they entered, the front desk confirmed their appointment, and someone quickly emerged from the back.
“Oh my, Hyeon-ssi!”
The cheerful voice drew his eyes.
“Hello.”
“You’re the lead this time?”
“Yes.”
He answered with an awkward smile, and stylist Yoo Kyung-mi beamed, leading them into a room packed with thousands of outfits.
“I’ll take care of Hyeon-ssi personally. I know your style well.”
Clapping her hands in congratulations, she gestured toward the back. Lee Hyun-sook, a bit hesitant, asked cautiously:
“I’m playing Secretary Kwon Ji-sang.”
“Ah… for you, please browse this section. Hyun-joo, help her with the fittings.”
Yoo Kyung-mi left Hyun-sook in another staffer’s care, bowed politely to CEO Goo, then turned back to Kang Hyeon.
“Hair and makeup are on the fourth floor. I also do house calls, so please give me your contact.”
“…Sure.”
Kang Hyeon nodded and smiled politely. She led him deeper into a room filled with rows of luxury garments and accessories. Picking through with practiced hands, she started pulling out outfits.
As he accepted the clothes, Kang Hyeon asked quietly:
“By any chance… was this another setup from Do-yeong?”
