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At the moment I was about to start.

“Oh, right.”

Moon Chang-sik, who had been ready to sing, stepped back in.

“I’m sorry. I completely forgot.”

He then headed back to the lobby area and returned with two cameras.

“Oh, do we need to film this?”

“Yes, the music video production team asked for recording footage.”

“Then I’ll help set it up.”

The composer, as if he understood the situation, stood up and took the cameras to set them up.

As I pondered what this was all about, it quickly dawned on me.

They mentioned filming footage to be used in the music video that would go on the official drama channel, right?

I had forgotten about it since it was a light conversation in our chat room last time.

Both Nana and Moon Chang-sik were characters in the drama.

If we inserted scenes of such characters singing directly into the music video, it would bring a fresh appeal to the drama viewers.

Especially if it involved Moon Chang-won and Lady Soo-yeon.

Well, in any case, I stood up to help with the camera setup too.

“I’ll help as well.”

I rolled up my sleeves boldly and approached them, but…

“Do you know how to set it up?”

“No?”

“Oh, just stay inside.”

“Yes.”

I immediately backed off and rolled my sleeves back down.

…Honestly, I’d prefer just sitting comfortably.

I watched the two of them setting up the camera for a moment.

“I think it’s done now.”

“Yes, let’s start right away.”

Before I knew it, the camera setup was complete, and the composer returned to his seat.

“Was the installation okay? It seems a bit tilted.”

“…Are you sulking?”

“Me? No, not at all.”

“Oh, okay. Then I’ll start recording.”

Anyway, cameras aside, I focused on the song that was about to begin.

Moon Chang-sik’s singing…

To be honest, I had searched for and listened to his previous work on YouTube.

It was a perfectly polished voice, which was nice.

However, I wondered how it would sound live.

I thought for a moment, “Oh? Is there post-production magic applied?” but…

This was Moon Chang-sik, recognized by the composer.

His vocal skills were bound to be good.

I sat quietly watching him.

As the most popular male actor among MZ actors in South Korea, just him standing there felt like a scene from a drama or movie.

When sitting, he looked like a photoshoot; when standing, it was like a magazine spread.

The moment he started singing, it made me feel a bit heated.

Not because he was bad, but because he was too good.

That’s cheating.

When he sings at fan meetings, the fans must go crazy.

Though there were a few comments during the recording, Moon Chang-sik finished it really quickly.

“Great work. I think we can go with this.”

“Oh, thank you.”

It helped that he was featuring, so the part itself was short, but maybe it was also due to his experience from recording a similar song before.

“Now then, it’s your turn, Soo-hyun.”

Just how long had it been since I sat down for it to already be my turn?

“How was it?”

Moon Chang-sik, who had just finished, asked while swapping seats with me.

Despite his question, he looked very confident.

“You did well.”

“Haha, I’ve been practicing my vocals a bit more…”

“Exactly 0.5 Soo-hyun’s worth.”

“What?”

I still thought, “Hey? I’m a pro at singing.”

Stat-wise, I felt like I had the most points in charm and visuals after acting.

There’s no way I can lose to Moon Chang-sik, who’s overloaded with acting.

“Just watch how I record.”

With that, I confidently stood in front of the microphone.

Through the glass, I could see the composer and Moon Chang-sik.

The cameras on both sides were just extras.

Unlike my earlier brusque comments, they were set up really well.

While having cameras might be pressuring, strangely, it made me feel a little more at ease.

After all, I broadcast with cameras every day.

Though they weren’t for a physical cam, but rather for virtual facial use.

“Are you ready?”

I nodded at the composer’s voice.

“Ahem, ahem, yes, please play it.”

I loosened my throat for a moment.

“Then here we go.”

Soon, the accompaniment began.

I had heard this melody many times before coming here, so it was familiar to my ears.

In fact, I had practiced a lot to match the guide vocal, too.

Having a soundproof booth at home made it easy to practice without worry.

Of course, it didn’t go perfectly. This genre was unfamiliar to me.

But I’m someone.

I’m the real deal, Miro.

Even if it doesn’t go well in practice, I shine in actual performance.

With that confidence, I started singing…

Ding.

“Let’s redo the initial part. It would be great if you could focus on maintaining the tone a bit more.”

“…Okay.”

Feedback came right away.

Well, anyone can slip up once.

Besides, based on my emotional reasoning, I figured the guide vocalist was likely a master of traditional Korean music.

Even if I’m a genius who mocks Hyeon-su, following right away isn’t an easy feat.

However, I quickly applied the feedback, aiming for a finish…

“About that last bit, instead of raising your voice, try cutting it a bit.”

“Understood.”

…Alright, just five more NGs, and next time, it’s really a wrap.

This is just a strategic retreat for the next forward movement, hmm.

“Was that a pitch error? Or was it intentional? Personally, I hope it’s the latter.”

“Unfortunately, it was the former.”

“…Let’s go again.”

Is there any end to learning? The more feedback I get, the stronger I become, so this process is advantageous for me.

“More diaphragm support! Put strength in your belly!”

“Uaaah!!”

“Yes! Just like that!”

After a painfully long recording session, I stumbled over to the sofa and threw myself down.

“Oof.”

As I flopped down, Moon Chang-sik, who had been resting on one side of the sofa, jumped up in surprise.

“This area is all mine.”

In a three-seat sofa, when I lay down, it was packed full.

Caught off-guard in an instant, Moon Chang-sik looked at me and said,

“You really look like you’re dying.”

“Don’t I look like I’m about to perish?”

I swaggered in boldly but ended up getting thoroughly beaten down.

I felt like I was a punching bag for Mike Tyson.

“Are you the second Chang-sik? Why is it taking so long?”

Moon Chang-sik asked me as I turned into a complete wreck.

Seriously.

“Because I’m the second Chang-sik, it took twice as long.”

“It didn’t even take double; it was more like five times!”

…Did I really take that long?

I thought I had recorded a lot, but clearly, it had been that significant.

“Just because you’re fast doesn’t mean that’s the key.”

“You speak rather well.”

Anyway, it was tough, but I managed to finish the recording in just one day.

Since Moon Chang-sik and I recorded it simultaneously, I figured the track would come out quickly.

With this much done, I’d say the deadline is definitely within reach.

“Are you feeling alright, by the way?”

“Huh?”

Moon Chang-sik pointed to the camera that was set up over there, curious about what he meant by “alright.”

“Should I edit this video and send it to you?”

“Oh.”

…Lady Soo-yeon indeed recorded differently this time.

Cursing and pulling at my hair like crazy.

“It’s fine. It’s evidence of our effort, so it’ll probably be taken positively.”

Well… I’d consider that a part of the charm.

The contrast to the actor’s image during filming, a reversal charm that’s called gap-moe in professional terms.

Plus, I thought that the music video team would handle the cuts well.

So, lounging comfortably and chatting with Moon Chang-sik, I suddenly got curious.

“By the way, didn’t you say you were filming a next project?”

About his upcoming work that just finished filming.

Every project he takes seems to create a buzz, making me naturally curious.

“Well, it might take a bit longer to start filming.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, we’ve signed contracts, but we’re still at the initial stage, in the casting phase. We just keep having meetings.”

Casting, huh… That makes sense. There must be a ton of steps to go through before filming for dramas.

Setting the script aside, there’s no easy part starting from location scouting to casting actors.

“What’s the genre, by the way?”

“Oh, it’s a chaebol story.”

“Oh, really?”

A chaebol story… That seems to be trending these days.

It’s hard to find anyone in South Korea without fantasies about chaebols.

Of course, that includes me as well.

“Yes, I heard they’re intensively casting lately.”

“I see.”

Casting, huh. That’s important.

In a way, it’s probably the most crucial step for a drama.

No matter how good the script or direction is, it becomes reality with the actors’ visible acting skills and visuals.

“I heard they are looking for an antagonist actress to torment the heroine.”

“Sounds challenging.”

Finding an actress for the antagonist isn’t easy either.

There’s hardly anyone who fits that image, and I’ve heard that antagonist roles are pretty daunting to take on.

“I heard the antagonist slaps the heroine, too.”

“Oh….”

Wait, are they really slapping cheeks?

…?

That’s a bit weird. Why mention that specifically?

Only then did I lift my gaze towards Moon Chang-sik.

Moon Chang-sik was staring at me intently, and our eyes met just then.

…How long had he been watching?

I was sprawled out on the sofa, and he was standing there, creating a rather funny shape, but there was an inexplicable tension in the air.

“What are you two doing?”

At that moment, the composer, who had been checking the recorded work, turned his chair to look in our direction.

“Uh, well….”

“We’re casting.”

Before I could say anything, Moon Chang-sik replied, and I immediately grabbed the cushion from the sofa and threw it at him.

Thwack!

“Oof!”

“You madman!”

Somehow, the tension began to build up.

It turned out that was indeed his intention from the start.

This guy… when did he build that up?

The scariest thing was the part where he waited in silence until I asked him something.

Is this really a top actor?

The future of South Korea looks bleak.

 

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